Whispers of Rebellion
Sharp bastard. He really is an information broker through and through.
But I couldn't let it show. Keeping my face entirely expressionless, I tilted my head.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Are you going to play dumb?"
"I only move under the Lady's orders."
Everything was going smoothly, and Franche was growing well. There was no reason to invite Seldas's suspicion now. In times like this, playing ignorant was the best policy.
But Seldas seemed determined to get an answer, refusing to let it go.
"Jin Barenberg. I already know your plan. Are you really going to keep playing dumb until the very end?"
What is he even talking about? As if he knows my plans.
Seldas continued, his gaze sharp and laced with a faint trace of killing intent.
"You intend to seize control of the Empire's merchant guilds and collapse its economy from the inside, don't you? That is why you are using Lady Decartes. Are you planning to avenge the fallen Barenberg Kingdom after all this time?"
...He was misunderstanding things on a truly spectacular scale.
"I don't understand what you mean. Rebuilding a kingdom that has already vanished into history?"
Step.
I took a step toward the desk where Seldas sat. Startled, Seldas stood up, his killing intent flaring. Undeterred, I continued speaking.
"What meaning is there in a nation without people to rule? Even if I rebuilt a kingdom that has already crumbled, what would change?"
With every step I took forward, Seldas retreated. Perhaps because he knew I was a Sword Master, cold sweat began to bead beneath his mask.
"I have no desire for revenge against the Empire, nor do I have any intention of rebuilding the kingdom."
"...Are you serious? Is that truly something a royal of Barenberg, who watched his parents die before his very eyes, would say?"
Frankly, I didn't know either. Even in the game, Jin Barenberg never sought revenge against the Empire. He never gathered the scattered people of Barenberg. He had simply remained by Franche's side until the end.
I was merely acting based on the fragmented memories of Jin that had been transferred to me. Seldas shook his head, unable to comprehend my stance.
"...I cannot understand your actions."
I don't understand Jin Barenberg's actions either. Why did he stay by Franche's side? Why did he fall into such rage at the end? Why did he become the final boss? These were things I could never know unless I fully synchronized with his memories.
Looking down at Seldas with an expressionless face, I spoke.
"If you cannot understand, then don't. Just as I do not understand you, you simply do not understand me."
I tilted my head slightly and continued.
"Would anything change even if you did understand me? We only need to remain as an information broker and a client."
Realizing that I harbored no killing intent toward him, Seldas finally released his grip on the hilt of his sword.
"...Yes, I suppose so."
"I'm glad you understand."
I turned around and opened the door. Seldas merely stared at my retreating back in silence.
Some time later, during a late lunch, a carrier pigeon tapped its beak against the window.
"It seems the information broker has completed our request, My Lady."
"We only just gave it to him. He is remarkably fast."
Indeed. Acquiring those properties must have been a massive chore, yet Seldas handled it effortlessly. The man was incredibly versatile.
Well, he did handle most of the heavy lifting in the game, after all.
I wished he would side with Franche instead of Somire, but as a second male lead, the chances of that were slim. Therefore, the best approach was to exploit his services as much as possible while we still could.
"Shall we go meet Andrea?"
"Yes. We need to see a finished product before we can take the next step."
She was right. While showing the results to Seldas would help secure his trust, the most crucial step was winning over the Duke. Not only did we need his financial backing, but without the Duke's permission, Franche wouldn't even be allowed to run a business.
"Let us go."
Franche rose from her seat. We left the mansion and boarded a carriage, soon arriving at the building where the workers were staying.
When we opened the door and stepped inside, we found the workers busily organizing supplies. Andrea, who had been inspecting the fabrics and materials, spotted us and approached.
"Ah, you've arrived."
"You look busy. Is there anything we can help with?"
"No, no. This is our job, My Lady."
With a soft smile, Andrea turned back to work. Franche remarked,
"It seems we arrived a bit too early."
"Indeed. We did head over the moment the materials were delivered."
I made a suggestion to Franche. "Why don't we leave them to their work and wait at a nearby teahouse?"
"Very well," Franche replied, stepping out through the open door. I followed close behind her.
We headed to a nearby teahouse and ordered a light dessert along with two cups of tea. Franche furrowed her brow as she scanned the newspaper.
"I wonder how things will turn out."
"Are you referring to Frida, My Lady?"
"Yes." Franche let out a heavy, anxious sigh.
"If things go wrong, we might end up on the front page of this very paper. 'Lady Decartes Attacks Frida, the Empire's Greatest Boutique'—or something dreadful like that."
The uncertainty of the future bred anxiety, which was rapidly morphing into fear. Personally, I wasn't particularly worried, but Franche was different. This was her very first venture into the real world.
"You need not worry so much, My Lady. If the worst comes to pass and we are forced into court, I will simply assassinate everyone associated with Frida."
Franche stared at me in sheer horror.
"Could you please refrain from making such bloodcurdling remarks?"
"If there is no other way, it is the most efficient solution."
Power was meant to be used. Why should an S-rank Sword Master fret over such trivial matters? I already had blood on my hands. The first time was the only difficult part; the second was easy. If Franche hadn't been there to hold me back, several people would have already been dead. That was just how overwhelming my power was.
"...If you did that, we would only draw more suspicion to ourselves. Do you ever think about the consequences before you speak?"
I let out a soft chuckle. "Of course, that is strictly a worst-case scenario. My point is that we will do whatever it takes."
When there are no options, you have to force one into existence. If you don't fight tooth and nail, you cannot survive in this harsh world.
"Sigh. Fine. Let's move on to the next matter. What do you think Frida is doing right now?"
"They are likely in a state of collective panic. Soon, the clothing boutique will have to close its doors, and they will be reduced to dealing only in whatever jewelry and accessories they have left to sell."
Franche asked, "Then what should we do next?"
"We will absorb Frida, step by step."
"You mean the plan you mentioned before?"
I nodded. "Yes, My Lady."
"How do you intend to do it?"
"We will plant a double agent."
"A double agent?" Franche tilted her head.
"We will spread a rumor: 'The rival company, Franche Corporation, offers unparalleled treatment and wages.' That single rumor will do most of the work."
Once one or two people make the jump, it will act as a catalyst, and the majority of their core talent will follow. It was a classic corporate poaching tactic used even in modern times.
"Hmm. So that means we have to keep pouring money into this for the time being."
Tap. Tap. Franche tapped her fingers against the table.
"But will our capital hold out until then? We've already spent over a billion gold. No matter how much money I've received or quietly funneled from the ducal house, I won't be able to sustain this indefinitely. Especially if the Duke refuses to back us."
I had already anticipated that concern.
"You need not worry about that. Even without the Duke's support, Franche Corporation is fully capable of standing on its own feet."
Franche's face contorted slightly, clearly unable to understand. I offered a further explanation.
"Before we even bring in the jewelers, our clothing line will be a massive success. Once you see the finished product Andrea has created, you will understand immediately."
Furthermore, Franche would be attending the upcoming imperial banquet wearing that very dress. When she did, all of high society's gossip would center entirely on her attire. It would be the perfect marketing opportunity. With all preparations completed within a month, orders would come flooding in. It was a business model destined for success.
Franche spoke.
"I saw him working back then, and I am familiar with the dresses he made. I used to frequent Frida back when I still wore my mask. But was his work truly that extraordinary? Looking back, I'm not so sure. Will things really go that smoothly?"
A doubt like that was easy enough to clear up.
"The dresses Andrea made at Frida were conventional designs dictated entirely by the Madame. Even if Andrea was the one who physically crafted them, the ideas were not his own."
"And," I continued, "didn't you say so yourself, My Lady? That you would respect the creator's autonomy. Geniuses usually create by channeling their raw intuition. Forcing them to follow a rigid, pre-determined template only stifles their brilliance."
A garment born purely from Andrea's whims, envisioned and brought to life entirely by his own imagination, would be worlds apart from anything he had made before.
Franche nodded, seemingly convinced.
"If you put it that way... Well, I suppose I will have to see the final product to be sure."
Indeed. Once she saw the result, she would understand in an instant.
"Then let us go meet Andrea now. They should be finished setting up by now."
"Yes, let us do that."
When we stepped back inside the Franche Corporation building, the once-bustling workers were all taking a break. It seemed the setup was complete. I headed straight to Andrea.
"Andrea. I would like to discuss the dress."
"Ah," Andrea said, turning around. "You mentioned that the Lady will be attending the imperial banquet in a month, correct?"
"Yes. I know time is tight, but can you make it in time? That event is of the utmost importance."
"Hmm. If I push myself, it is possible. However, I might not be able to show you the absolute peak of my abilities."
That would be more than enough. Any dress crafted by Andrea would possess an extraordinary design, even without excessive embellishments.
"That is perfectly fine. I leave it in your hands."
"Are you truly certain? This is a dress for the Lady herself..."
Just as I was about to reply, the clicking of heels echoed as Franche approached.
"It matters not. Ultimately, a dress is only as good as the person wearing it. No matter how extravagant and beautiful a gown may be, if the wearer cannot carry it, it ceases to be special."
Flick. Franche unfurled her fan, concealing the lower half of her face as she continued.
"I will carry whatever dress you make to absolute perfection, so do not feel burdened."
At her words, a passionate spark flickered in Andrea's eyes.
"I will do everything in my power to deliver my absolute best."
"Good. That attitude is all I require."
Was she trying to ease his pressure in her own way? It was a wise move. Pressuring a genius too much could easily backfire and ruin the final product.
"I will begin working immediately. Perhaps because of your inspiring words, my hands are already itching to start."
With a bright smile, Andrea gathered his materials and headed straight for the workshop. Watching his retreating figure, Franche spoke.
"It seems our business here is concluded. Let us return. It is not wise to leave the estate empty for too long."
"Yes, My Lady," I replied with a nod, following her out. We boarded the carriage, returned to the ducal mansion, and entered Franche's private chambers.
"I must say, I am quite eager to see this dress you spoke so highly of."
You will be astonished when you see it. Andrea possessed a talent capable of turning the entire Empire upside down.
"You may set your expectations as high as you wish, My Lady."
The moment a smirk played on my lips, the door burst open without warning.
"Franche Decartes! What on earth do you think you are doing?!"
Eden Descartes stormed into the room, his brow furrowed in deep anger.