Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Master of the Trading Company (2)
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"Ah~ Commander Serath~."
"It's Serath. I came from the Ninth Legion."
"Right, that's what it was~ Then, Miss Serath? I read the letter you sent."
A soft voice, a languid drawl. It was Alhena, the eldest daughter of the Goldline countess family.
"Sorry, but I don't invest the trading company's funds in unprofitable ventures~."
The capital, Valterion. Even in a city brimming with parties and performances every day, one spot stood out as truly special. It was the small garden built behind the palace, known as the 'Flower Garden'.
The empire's grandest arena for shadowy deals and brutal brawls. Even daughters of great nobles couldn't enter freely. To date, only six 'flowers' had been granted entry, excluding royalty.
Serath was one of them—the Golden Lotus—and she was currently sharing tea time with Alhena.
"I'm positively inclined toward dealings with Icefern. Just one of your unique spells is valuable enough."
She was the most elusive celebrity in high society. Stunning looks, shrewd business sense, flawless self-maintenance. As the top candidate for next finance minister, she sat at the center of every noble's world.
The reason for arranging this meeting with Alhena, who could move unimaginable sums with a mere gesture, was simple. Ivar needed trade.
Yet she seemed utterly disinterested in the north. Rumors even suggested she was sending her younger sister there to die.
"North of Shratma, was it? We sent adventurers to check when the Black Dragon awoke~ All that's there are magic beasts and barbarians."
"A barbarian who gained Prince Consort Candidate status, to be precise."
Alhena smiled, saying she knew that much. Families eyeing the north after being dazzled by the flashy headdress were indeed increasing bit by bit.
"But isn't it just a glittering empty fruit in the end~?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because a Prince Consort Candidate only gains value through marriage to royalty."
Which of the seven imperial princesses would take a half-naked barbarian as a son-in-law? Nothing was confirmed beyond his raw power, and even that was questionable—had he truly slain the Black Dragon alone?
The imperial order had prompted caravans to transport the emperor's gifted treasures, but she doubted he could tell gems from roadside pebbles. Alhena placed no expectations on the barbarian.
Maybe she could skim some en route~. Too risky, though—the emperor would have her head if caught. But with an illiterate barbarian~?
Such absurd thoughts occasionally surfaced, forcing her to desperately resist embezzlement.
"So you're betting on the north withering away like this?"
"Anyone hearing that would think I'm gambling. I'm just a merchant, through and through~."
It had been gambling from the moment she marked the cards. Her sister Meb's death crossing to the north. If that came to pass, the trading company would be fully hers, as would the next finance minister seat.
Serath swallowed her tea, eyeing Alhena's beaming smile. No need to correct her.
She wouldn't believe it until she saw him herself—or experienced him firsthand. That the man she dismissed as a barbarian was as clever and cunning as any northern legend.
Before parting, Ivar had clearly stated he needed trade. And conveniently, the second daughter of the empire's largest trading house was on the plains.
He was the sort who got what he wanted, with or without help. That was the Ivar she knew.
"I understand your position."
"If you settle your house somewhere other than Shratma, come find me anytime~."
With the brief meeting concluded, Serath rose from her seat.
"By the way, this is just idle curiosity... Have you chosen a partner?"
Alhena had spent plenty of time in society herself, if not quite as long as Serath. With access to the Flower Garden, it wouldn't be odd if she had her pick of suitors lining up outside her estate.
But at Serath's question, Alhena shook her head with a laugh, drawing out her words leisurely.
"No, none of them quite suit my tastes. Father's starting to get impatient, but I feel like I can take my time~."
"The Coltfield eldest son too?"
"His wealth is fine, but he lacks dignity. Poor manners, shallow insight... Want me to introduce you?"
"No need."
Serath was convinced. Her disinterest in a Prince Consort Candidate barbarian applied to herself as well. From a single strand of hair to her nail tips, the money spent on attire and sustenance set her worlds apart.
The capital's most dazzling golden flower. No one dared covet her, and it wouldn't balance the books to be plucked by a barbarian's hand. That seemed to be her thinking.
"Ah?"
But just as she turned to leave, Alhena suddenly dropped the pastry she held.
Over the teacup. Ripples spread.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"No, just a little..."
Alhena pressed a hand to her chest. Then, in a small voice as if puzzled by it herself, she murmured.
"A strange feeling... washed over me...?"
*
"Is it done now...?"
"It's done."
I released my hand from Meb's heart. She hastily clutched her robe closed and let out a sigh of relief. And one more person sighed in relief at the same time—Aiter.
"I-Ivar's mine now! Move aside!"
"H-Here you go! I didn't really need him anyway."
I was shoved aside like a teddy bear. Though unhurt, Aiter fussed over the rune-marked spot on me as if worried.
The water in the bowl was dyed red. We had performed a ritual to learn about the Twin Souls phenomenon.
"What do you see, Aiter?"
At my question, she wagged her finger toward her ear, then lifted her mask slightly to bring her lips near my ear. Pale pink lips with faint pigment moved at my ear.
—Don't lift the curse.
"Why not?"
—It shortens Ivar's lifespan. Severely.
She was speaking in Dragon Tongue. The seventh rune could sever the Twin Souls, but the cost was apparently steep.
Still, killing Meb or her sister while the rune was active to break the connection felt too extreme. Flying straight to the capital wasn't feasible either.
No clear solution to the sisters' issue for now. So I decided to focus on my original goal first.
"Follow me."
"W-Where to?"
I took Meb out of the tent and headed toward where Kael's party was being held.
In surviving and growing strong, I'd become a great warrior, lifted the Imperial Edict of Isolation, and ended the war all at once. But for the north's independence, trade was essential. Meb had outshone her sister as a merchant prodigy in the original story, becoming a magnate. Given a chance, she'd do it again.
What she needed was funds. Massive funds.
My pockets were empty, but enough to run several trading companies was en route—the emperor's gifted jewels and gold. The problem: Alhena was delivering it.
To prevent her from diverting the funds upon learning her sister lived, I needed a safeguard. That's why I was seeking Kael and his comrades to entrust them with the role.
The village had no prison. Plains tribes had punishments, but not imprisonment.
Pondering where to hold captives, we encountered Watercastle shamans passing near the Devouring Forest.
They knew a good spot, left Aiter with me, and took Kael's party. It was a small island in the center of the Eternal Lake.
"Everyone in one by one~!"
"Glub glub, save me...!"
"Trying to kill Miss Meb was wrong, but we took the commission—couldn't help it!"
"We're not dunking you for that specifically."
"Now, heads under again~."
"......"
Why do these sisters dunk people at every opportunity? No need to extract anything from them anyway.
I fished the half-drowned adventurers out and brought Kael over. Terror lingered in his eyes, but he hadn't given up, alternating glances between me and Meb.
"Follow me."
"Are you killing us?"
"Not doing that, so come. I have something to show you."
I led Kael to the Devouring Forest and showed him a small mound beside the cave entrance we hadn't spotted in daylight.
Corpses of adventurers slain here previously by the Night Lord. After the battle, I'd interred them here with their belongings—including eyes turned to jewels.
"Our way is to leave fallen warriors on the plains for eagles to pick clean, but you lot don't seem the type, so I buried them here."
"......Ben."
After a silence, he slowly approached the grave with the robe. The only one whose eyes weren't gouged, the mage who crawled out half-naked—it was his burial site.
Did they know each other? I showed it to convey respect for their customs, not mere savagery.
To Kael, silent for a long while, I broached the matter.
"You called yourselves adventurers. You take commissions for pay."
"We have a commission for Mr. Kael."
"A commission?"
Return to the capital fastest, await Meb's contact. Hearing the details, Kael pondered.
He'd know. This choice would sharply divide factions backed by the Goldline house in the capital. The sizable Shield of Heaven guild's support could upend the power structure depending on the trading house.
I'd considered holding his comrades hostage if refused. Surprisingly, after deep thought, Kael nodded.
"Fine."
"Really!?"
"We've racked up debts unwillingly. Lives, items... But promise me one thing."
His words were for me, not Meb. What?
"Ivar, great warrior of the plains. I pray your ultimate goal isn't invading and destroying the empire."
Invade the empire? Destroy it?
Did he swallow too much water...?
"Before coming, I'd finished investigating the north. The Ninth Legion's commander seat is vacant, the Margrave dead from some intrigue."
"That's..."
"Amid that, you not only gained the threatening Prince Consort Candidate status but also a supreme magic beast's power."
"......"
"Frankly, I'm afraid. Afraid of where your steps lead next."
With supplies flowing north, how strong could the plains tribes grow? Kael squeezed his eyes shut, as if envisioning me on the throne. He feared his choice might hasten the empire's fall.
—That's what it was?
—Is he sane?
I'd only hoped to skip banging on walls in winter and stay cozy. Hearing it, his fears weren't entirely unfounded.