Reunion (2)
"So right now I'm operating under a disguise spell and a false name."
"So that's what happened. I've never thought highly of those Chedleton bastards, but I never imagined they'd go that far."
Ellen told Kinber everything that had happened from Enis up to the present. Kinber listened with genuine indignation.
"Is there any chance that disguise magic of yours gets exposed? I couldn't see through it at all, but other mages might, right?"
The disguise magic Ellen had learned in Proveng's laboratory was highly advanced. Even so, it only worked against mages of one circle higher at most. Anyone with a greater gap would instantly recognize his true face.
"It's fine. I'm around the 6th Circle now, and there are barely any mages in Prode who could see through my spell."
"The 6th Circle? The reports said Baron Remi Veritati was a 4th Circle Master. Just how far have you grown?"
"I've been hiding my real strength. Right now I'd say I'm at least a 6th Circle user."
Kinber's jaw hung open and refused to close. Ellen had always been ahead of him, but he had never expected the gap to widen this dramatically.
"So what are you planning to do now?"
"Start a business."
"A business?"
Seeing Kinber's reaction, the corner of Ellen's mouth curled into a smirk.
"I came here partly to see an old friend, but also to find a business partner."
At those words, Kinber's gaze shifted as well.
"If that's the kind of talk we're having, I can't treat you as just an old friend anymore."
"There's a reason successful merchant companies thrive. I'm going to build my own power base. For that, I need a stable, substantial source of funds."
"I understand what you're saying. But why my company? Plenty of merchant groups would love to deal with the Divine of Prode."
Kinber's analysis was spot-on. Even if they weren't among the kingdom's top houses, a fair number of large companies wanted ties with Ellen. There was no real need for him to partner with a mid-sized outfit like the Kinber Merchant.
"The most important thing in this deal is trust. I'm not looking to buy goods—I'm looking to invest."
Nobles usually purchased what they wanted through merchant companies, which took their cut of the profit. Since nobles often bought luxury items, the margins were high, and companies scrambled to secure permanent noble clients. Some nobles did invest in companies, but Kinber had never liked that arrangement.
"Invest? You mean you'll put money into my company? If that's the case, I'll pass."
When Kinber had first founded his company he had received the exact same offer—from his own father—and refused it. He would only accept investment if someone backed his own groundbreaking business ideas or newly discovered trade routes.
"I'm not offering money. I'm offering information."
"Information?"
"I know a place where Magic Stones can be mined. I'd like the Kinber Merchant to run that mine."
At Ellen's words Kinber's mouth fell wide open.
"You're talking about Enis?"
The only known Magic Stone mines were on Enis, and those were under direct royal management. Private operators could never touch them.
"If it were Enis, would I have bothered mentioning it to you? So what do you say? I intend to sell this information and take a share in return."
Kinber nodded. Magic Stones were even more profitable than the artifact trade.
This isn't investment—Ellen is basically hiring my entire company.
Yet at the same time it was an opportunity that could transform the merchant house overnight.
"All right. What terms do you want?"
"Half the profits. Initial costs will be high, but as you know Magic Stone supply is extremely limited. It'll more than pay off. And I'll help with constructing the mine."
"Sera, draw up a contract."
Kinber ordered the papers at once. The terms were perfect for him—nothing more to add.
"But is it all right for you to reveal your identity to me like this? You're a Class-1 escapee right now."
"I already told you—trust. And if I could break out of Enis, do you really think there's any place I couldn't escape from?"
"Hahaha, true. I got so happy seeing an old friend that I started teasing you without thinking. Anyway, let's do this well, partner."
"I should be the one saying that. Your business has to succeed if I'm going to make money too."
In Ellen's thirties the Prode Kingdom had been thrown into an uproar by the discovery of a Magic Stone mine. The deposit had been found in the Jegaden region, a barren waste of scrubland and rocky hills. By principle Magic Stones were managed by the state, yet the first discoverer had been a wandering merchant, so the kingdom could not simply claim the mine as royal property. Crowds poured into Jegaden as a result.
There's far too much for me to manage myself.
Kinber was one of the few people Ellen trusted completely across both of his lives. Even during his mercenary days he had bought most of his supplies through Kinber. The man also possessed an outstanding eye for markets; leave the mine to him and it would certainly generate enormous profit.
This takes care of the funding pipeline.
Having finished the contract with Kinber, Ellen headed west of Harryford. West of the capital lay Gronlead territory.
I need to meet them first.
There he would find Ethan Gronlead, the man he had helped escape from Enis, and Ellen's own parents, whom Ethan had promised to protect.
While thinking of his parents, Ellen arrived before the massive gates of the Gronlead estate.
"What business brings you here?"
The Gronlead guards had sharp eyes. One glance at Ellen's robe told them he was a mage.
"I've come to see someone of the Gronlead family."
"May I ask whom?"
Ellen answered the guard's polite question with equal courtesy, yet naming his purpose was difficult. Though under family protection, Ethan Gronlead was still officially an escapee. If Ellen said he had come to meet him, the answer would surely be that no such person was here.
Instead Ellen chose another method. He drew a small handkerchief from his breast and showed it to the guard.
"This is...?"
"Something a certain gentleman gave me. He said showing this would be enough."
It was the handkerchief Ethan had handed him during the Enis escape. Embroidered with the family crest, it marked its bearer as an honored guest of the house.
"Please wait a moment."
The guard who saw the handkerchief hurriedly summoned a servant from inside. At once the servants' movements grew busy. One ran toward the mansion while another approached Ellen.
"Welcome. It is an honor to receive a guest of the family. I am Tei, a servant of House Gronlead."
"My thanks."
"Allow me to guide you. This way, please."
With crisp movements Tei led Ellen toward the mansion. Befitting the residence of a duke of the Prode Kingdom, the scale was immense—the second-largest estate in the realm after the royal palace itself.
I heard they lost ground to the Chedletons in the power struggle, yet they still maintain this size? Or do they still have strength left?
After walking for some time they finally reached the duke's mansion. It was as imposing as the gardens surrounding it. Tei opened the front door.
Creak.
The hinges were well oiled; the door swung open easily without a loud sound.
"Welcome. House Gronlead greets you."
The moment the door opened, servants lined up on both sides bowed in unison. The grand reception left Ellen momentarily flustered.
"This is..."
"It has been years since we last received a guest of the house, so the servants are a bit overexcited. Still, for the bearer of that handkerchief this level of treatment is only proper."
The voice was somewhat elevated, yet not the least bit frivolous. Tei bowed deeply to its owner, and from that reaction Ellen immediately knew who stood before him.
"Remi Veritati greets the Pillar of Prode."
"Hahaha. 'Pillar of Prode,' is it? A pleasant thing to hear."
The speaker was a man with long ash-gray hair. With a wave of his hand he dismissed the servants and continued.
"Unfortunately I am not yet that pillar. My father might be called so. I am Reba Gronlead, son of Duke Lart Gronlead."
"My apologies. My eyes failed me and I did not recognize you at once."
Ellen’s apology only drew another hearty laugh.
"Think nothing of it. Sir Veritati, I have heard much about you. It is a pleasure to meet you in person."
"I am honored that you remember even my name."
"How could anyone fail to know the hero of Prode? We should not stand here—let us move to a proper place."
Reba led Ellen to his study. As befit a traditional mage family, the room was packed with magical texts. Being the Gronleads, the collection covered a wide variety of fields.
Even supreme-grade grimoires everywhere. There may be more fine books here than in Master’s laboratory.
Out of habit Ellen scanned the titles lining the shelves.
"You're a mage yourself, so of course your eyes are drawn to them. Is there any volume you particularly wish to see?"
"No. Mere curiosity."
"Don't be so modest. Choose anything that catches your interest. I might simply give it to you depending on what you pick."
At those words Ellen almost nodded without thinking—the collection was that precious. Yet he could not accept so casually.
"I am fine. If something truly calls to me later, I shall ask then."
"Very well. Then shall I ask from whom you received that handkerchief?"
Reba settled onto the sofa, crossing his legs. The posture was less formal than that of someone receiving an acquaintance.
"From Ethan Gronlead."
At the name Reba uncrossed his legs at once. Clearly the answer had been unexpected.
"Did you just say Ethan?"
He asked again as though he might have misheard. Ellen simply nodded.
"An unexpected name falls from your lips. May I ask how you came by it?"
"Immediately after Ethan Gronlead escaped Enis, he received my help on the road to Vin. He gave me the handkerchief at that time."
Seated on the sofa, Reba had been toying with the handkerchief Ellen had handed over. Now he finally rose to his feet.
"Very well. In any case, anyone who arrives bearing the family's token must have his request heard by someone of the family head's standing. What is it you desire?"
He looked straight at Ellen.
"Yes. I have come to meet Ethan Gronlead in person."
Ellen answered without the slightest hesitation. At those words Reba's expression turned openly startled.