Chapter 45: The Uninvited Guest Comes, the Unwanted Guest Stays (3)
Chapter 45: The Uninvited Guest Comes, the Unwanted Guest Stays (3)
Translation: Godtl
It was a night with many visitors.
Jurgen first ushered Baron Keystone inside.
Though the night was deep, it wasn't yet time for bed, and he was curious what business had brought the man here at this hour.
Wasn't Baron Keystone too prominent a figure to be coming and going over mere beverage business?
'Is this about Rex being taken down?'
If so, how deeply was Baron Keystone entangled with Rex?
Jurgen's gaze darkened.
Black mages were beings that warranted no mercy.
Even if high-ranking nobility were involved, there would be no exceptions.
"Did you come about the Rex Salisbury matter?"
"Don't even mention that fool."
Baron Keystone shuddered.
"I knew his methods were sloppy, but to think he'd gotten involved with black mages... Had I been any slower cutting ties, I might have faced serious disgrace myself."
The Baron grumbled under his breath.
'Well...'
Considering he'd come all this way when Rex had been arrested and stripped down to his last coin,
it didn't seem there was anything particularly incriminating between them.
Baron Keystone made himself at home on the sofa as if it were his own residence.
"Anyway, it's good to see you. So you're Jurgen."
"Likewise, Baron Keystone. Though if you're here to see Lady Rosemore, you should've gone to the hotel."
Baron Keystone's eyebrows twitched.
The Keystone family were orthodox aristocracy based in Golden Hill.
Under normal circumstances, a mere commoner like Jurgen wouldn't dare meet his gaze.
Yet Baron Keystone didn't take offense at Jurgen's casual handshake and lack of formalities.
"I didn't come for Penelope. I came to see you."
"Now that's unexpected."
The cola dispenser must have been a bitter pill for Keystone to swallow.
Though currently limited to Nortaris, the market expansion speed through syrup distribution was several times faster than conventional methods.
It was only a matter of time before cola eroded Berry Mix's market share across the entire northern region.
Just how would Baron Keystone play this?
His opening words defied Jurgen's expectations.
"I had some people look into Y&P Trading, and the findings were quite interesting."
"Oh? You've been investigating us, I see."
"For business contracts and social engagements, Lady Rosemore served as the public face. But when it came to technical aspects—the initial cola development, the unique factory equipment designs—your name kept coming up, Jurgen. I believe you're the true hidden force behind Y&P Trading."
"That's a novel interpretation."
Baron Keystone slid a check across the table.
"Sell me your shares. Then come work under me. The compensation won't disappoint."
The amount was left blank.
A signed blank check where Jurgen could fill in any sum he desired.
That he'd brought this out for Jurgen rather than Penelope meant...
"As you can see, this is a recruitment offer."
"Hmm. And if I were to transfer my shares, what then?"
"We'd grow the entire northern beverage market pie with cola and Berry Mix running side by side. In that sense, cola has served as an excellent foothold."
For the first time, Jurgen truly looked at Keystone.
Not as the arrogant, portly middle-aged man he appeared, but as the representative leading Keystone Company.
"Y&P Trading would continue. We'd maintain a collaborative relationship with Penelope Rosemore too. But you—you'd need to work with me."
Quick and sharp judgment.
Not constrained by preconceptions.
Most remarkably, it was an offer that seemed to disregard Jurgen's social standing entirely.
'I never imagined he'd make this kind of proposal.'
Keystone Company dominated northern livestock industries—partnering with them could greatly aid the Gastronomic Revolution long-term.
"And if I refuse?"
"..."
Baron Keystone's silence stretched.
After a pause that felt almost threatening, his next words came completely out of left field.
"Do you know the acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Lily Fontaine? She'd be about your age, I imagine."
Why was Lily being brought up now?
Jurgen barely maintained his composure.
"...I've heard the name. But why bring up that young lady so suddenly?"
"Do you know how much wealth that young lady possesses?"
"I do not."
"From what I know, it's barely over a thousand crowns. Far less than what you earn from cola in a single month."
Keystone took out a cigarette from his case and lit it.
"Yet merchants with far more money than you can't even meet her eyes. At times, even nobles like myself or massive corporations stand on edge over her decisions. Should her finger twitch, even the towering walls built with gold coins would crumble overnight."
Well, Lily is rather terrifying.
"Why do you think that is?"
"Why, you ask?"
"Because Minister Fontaine holds power in her grasp. The administrative network of the kingdom bends to her will, and she can move even the most prominent nobles as she pleases."
Baron Keystone clenched his fist.
"Money is merely glittering sand. To build a sturdy fortress, don't you need bricks? You're young and promising. I can lay the foundation for power that will take you higher."
"And what exactly are you proposing, Lord Keystone?"
"I shall use my Talent Recommendation Right for you."
The selection of first-generation nobles—those granted provisional titles—undergoes rigorous scrutiny by the kingdom.
However, there is one exception.
The 'Talent Recommendation Right,' granted exclusively to the most influential among the orthodox aristocracy, bypasses this process.
The moment a noble of such standing writes a name in their recommendation letter and sends it to the royal court, the candidate receives the provisional title after only a cursory review.
It was an extraordinarily generous offer.
"Hmm..."
But for Jurgen, it was unnecessary.
No—given his desire to avoid attention, it was nothing but a burden.
"I appreciate the offer, but I must decline."
Baron Keystone faltered slightly, as if he hadn't expected such an outright refusal.
"A pity. If you're counting on Rosemore, I suggest you reconsider. You must have noticed by now—Penelope is a kite with its string cut."
"That's not the reason."
Baron Keystone stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, then placed a business card on the table.
"Contact me if you change your mind."
"Leaving already?"
"Don't you need to experience it yourself to truly understand? Just how terrifying power can be. Try selling your cola outside Nortaris. It won't be easy."
Without hesitation, Baron Keystone turned his back.
.
.
.
Cola was undoubtedly a threat.
In Nortaris, the competition was already hopeless.
But beyond Nortaris, in Keystone Company's domain, the story would be different.
The moment Baron Keystone entered his hotel room, he issued orders over the phone.
"Reconfirm the wholesale distributor lists connected to Keystone Company in Golden Hill, Riverport, Billstone, and elsewhere. Contact each manager and firmly emphasize that Y&P Trading's cola is strictly prohibited—not a single bottle is to be handled."
"If they refuse, proceed with contract termination. Make it clear they'll lose access to all our products."
"Who doesn't know that? Handle it smoothly! Adjust margins or offer incentives if needed! Haven't we done this before?"
"Send gifts to Golden Hill's city council chairman and the local chamber of commerce president. Have them draft an ordinance soon—something like... 'Emergency Ordinance to Prevent Market Disruption by External Low-Cost Beverages and Protect Local Commerce.' Just phrase it roughly like that."
After finishing his instructions, Baron Keystone ended the call.
Gazing at the nightscape outside his hotel window, a confident smirk played on his lips.
Jurgen was a capable talent he wished to recruit, but he was still young.
Youth comes with recklessness.
Only after tasting the bitterness of reality would he bow his head.
"You may have shaken Nortaris, but this land has been forged by the Keystone family's blood and sweat for centuries."
A cold smile lingered on his lips.
[The Fall of Salisbury Financial. Regarding P.R.'s Intervention]
*Rex, despite begging for his life on his knees before P.R., was purged.
*Financial Supervisory Service initiates investigation into Salisbury Financial. Connection to Black Mage uncovered.
*Devbun Trust currently in the process of acquiring Salisbury Financial.
*Two Grey Council directors ousted. Chairman Marcus remains silent without any response.
*Need to reassess P.R.'s political influence. The image of incompetence may be intentional performance. (Almost certain)
*Possibility that P.R. has been exerting indirect influence over Devbun Trust requires reconsideration. (Almost certain)
"Ah, more ridiculous rumors are circulating."
Around noon.
At Jurgen's townhouse.
Penelope sighed in exasperation as she skimmed through some memorandum she'd obtained from somewhere.
The memorandum was buzzing about how Penelope must have orchestrated something...
In reality, it was closer to Rex putting on a spectacular self-destruction show.
What kind of mafia boss kneels down begging for Berry Mix to do well?
What kind of idiot stores items linked to Black Mages in his own vault?
The latter especially was such an idiotic move that it was embarrassing to think he'd once been considered a rival.
"Absolutely moronic. Why would anyone keep that in their vault?"
"Quite right."
Thanks to that fool, even more absurd rumors were sticking to her like glue.
While it's true that respect stems from fear, and being feared is better than being ignored, reading this memorandum that portrays Penelope as some shadowy mastermind is just...
"I don't understand why supposedly intelligent people act like this. Don't you agree?"
"First things first, Miss Penelope, do sit properly on the sofa."
Meanwhile, Jurgen looked at Penelope and let out a troubled sigh.
"What?"
Because Penelope was lying upside down on the sofa backrest.
Her loosely undone golden hair cascaded to the floor, and instead of her usual vibrant dresses, she wore a flowing set of indoor pajamas.
She was even kicking her legs about as if doing water ballet.
"A grown lady shouldn't behave like this."
This was the same Penelope who used to blush about maintaining noble dignity if caught merely balancing a pen on her nose...
Should he take comfort that at least she wasn't doing this while wearing a skirt?
"What's the big deal? I'm the one who gifted you this house. This sofa is practically mine anyway."
Penelope, swinging her legs without regard for Jurgen's nagging, had her own arguments.
She'd been obsessively proper all this time.
Even when high society found countless reasons to disparage her, she'd never been faulted for her etiquette.
But what's repressed must find release.
Jurgen would lightly scold her for somewhat improper behavior before letting it go.
Just being able to relax without worrying about etiquette in his presence gave her a sense of liberation.
'Huh?'
As this realization dawned on Penelope, she thought:
'So coming here means Jurgen cooks delicious meals, I don't have to worry about others' gazes, and can discuss business at ease?'
This is...
'...absolutely perfect!'
So she'd promptly converted one spare room—
Into Penelope's personal dressing room.
Filled it to the brim with comfortable, practical clothes instead of those beautiful but cumbersome dresses.
Jurgen's townhouse had become, in a way, Penelope's healing zone from the exhaustion of noble life.
Of course, she didn't just come to relax.
Their constructive business discussions, which used to happen at hotels, now took place here too.
"Baron Keystone seems extremely wary of Cola."
While Cola was dominating Nortaris, expanding business to other cities was another matter entirely.
Berry Mix had been a successful beverage for over a decade.
With Baron Keystone's added interference, the latecomer Cola couldn't break out beyond Nortaris.
Even trying to ship a single bottle of Cola to Riverport involved countless obstacles.
"They've blocked all distribution channels, and the authorities won't stamp approval for anything produced in another city. They've completely barricaded us. Really makes you feel the power difference."
"Only natural, no? Baron Keystone is a local magnate."
"Just a matter of time though. What did Belheim say?"
"He reported everything's proceeding without issues."
"Alright, then today's meeting is over. Let's have some fun now."
Yet Penelope remained utterly composed.
Thanks to Jurgen, who had anticipated even this situation, the second Secret Plan was already in motion.
It had been implemented simultaneously with the commercialization of the Cola Dispenser.
"Oh, right—once this matter is settled, I plan to visit the family estate for once."
Penelope, who had been lounging on the sofa as if she might slide off at any moment, spoke up.
Her casually tossed words carried a subtle undercurrent of anticipation.
This was the first proper business she had built from the ground up.
Wouldn't she finally earn her sister's recognition this time?
At the very least, wouldn't it be different from before?
"My sister probably won't dismiss me like she used to."
"..."
"If the mood seems right when I drop by, I'll introduce you too. You are my business partner, after all."
"..."
"The ultimate goal of Y&P Trading Company is to become a food corporation, right? Our family's influence would definitely be a big help."
Watching Penelope brimming with hope, Jurgen hesitantly broached the subject.
Having heard what Belheim had told him the day before, he couldn't remain as blindly optimistic as before.
"Miss Penelope, please don't misunderstand and hear me out."
"What's this? Why so serious all of a sudden?"
"According to Head Manager Belheim..."
The Rosemore family hadn't simply been ignoring Penelope.
They had been actively suppressing and oppressing her to secure a larger share of the inheritance.
Jurgen carefully relayed this information.
"If this is true, then even if the cola business succeeds, wouldn't Miss Penelope's goal remain out of reach?"
"..."
Throughout the entire conversation, Penelope remained lying upside down on the sofa.
Only now, her legs had stopped kicking restlessly.
Her wide, round eyes conveyed the bewilderment she must have been feeling.
Jurgen tried to console Penelope, who must have been deeply shocked, but—
"Of course, this is only Belheim's opinion, so..."
"What, you actually believed that?"
Penelope snorted, outright dismissing the possibility.
"You're the type to misunderstand this sort of thing."
"What misunderstanding are you talking about?"
"I've always complained about Sister Clarice, haven't I?"
It was true.
He did recall her grumbling every now and then.
But Jurgen had another reason for finding Belheim's words plausible.
He had witnessed time and again just how ruthlessly power and wealth could shape people.
This was well within the realm of possibility.
"My sister isn't some irredeemable villain. She's just trying to protect the family during this precarious time when Father is bedridden. Personal feelings couldn't be part of the equation."
"Then what about your brother? I heard he's the heir."
"My brother... Well, he is the heir, isn't he? He's not idle enough to spare attention for someone like me. Probably even busier than my sister."
"But..."
Penelope shook her head firmly, as if the conversation wasn't worth continuing.
"If they'd truly set their minds against me, I wouldn't even be able to breathe right now. Besides, I've never had any interest in the inheritance. Both my sister and brother know that."
"Can you really be so certain?"
"Of course. I don't have the 'seal,' after all."
Penelope had never received the family seal bestowed upon the heir.
Not that she couldn't have fought for it if she'd wanted to, but she hadn't even bothered.
It meant she had never even stepped onto the starting line of that competition.
"Is that so?"
"I'll admit Belheim is clever... but he's still an outsider. I know the inner workings of my family better than he does."
Still, Penelope's words weren't entirely without merit.
For a family as prominent as the Rosemore Count Family, even someone like Belheim would have limits to the internal information he could gather.
Belheim himself had only spoken of "circumstantial evidence."
"You got scared, didn't you? Well, the Rosemore name is intimidating, I'll give you that."
Penelope grinned brightly upon seeing Jurgen fall silent.
"Don't worry. The things you're concerned about won't happen."
"I hope you're right."
"Not just 'hope'—I'm telling you it's the truth."
Not just for the sake of the business, but for Penelope's own sake.
He could only wish it were so.
The Lenoir family was harmonious.
They had a rule to always dine together whenever their schedules aligned.
Even after meals, they would gather and share all sorts of conversations.
The topics varied widely.
From mundane daily happenings and summer vacation plans to serious discussions about the family's future.
"Pardon?"
Today's conversation leaned toward the latter.
"The Viscount Granville House... a marriage proposal? For me?"