Chapter 347
Chapter 347
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 347
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Sword Guard in a Count's Family
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"I see. Then we can get straight to the point, Your Excellency. I have some intriguing information—would you like to hear it?"
My words made Marquis Heollis's eyes gleam.
"...Information, you say. That piques my interest. Coming from the man who turned the Korea Merchant Company into a giant in such a short time, it can't be anything trivial."
"The value of information varies from person to person. To some, it's worth more than a lump of gold; to others, it's no more than a roadside pebble. To me, it's neither. It might disappoint you, Your Excellency."
"Somehow, I have a feeling the information you're about to share will be like gold... no, a gemstone. What is it?"
"Nothing special. Just that the great war ahead will start in the north."
"Hm. I stand corrected. Not a roadside pebble—a gold mine. Assuming your information checks out."
If you knew in advance where a war would break out, you could move swiftly and profit. And if you calculated the aftermath properly and maintained balance until it ended, becoming the kingdom's richest man would be child's play.
"A war starting in the north... You don't mean our kingdom's northern border, do you? It's a rough area, sure, but nothing worth worrying about on that scale... Or are you referring to the nations even farther north?"
"Marquis, I believe I've already shared plenty of information."
"Information without evidence? How could I possibly trust it? Unless it's something even the intelligence guilds know?"
"Come now. If it were guild knowledge, rumors would have spread already, subtle or not. And you wouldn't miss it, Your Excellency."
"...Your talents are too exceptional to dismiss as nonsense. What do you want? Membership in the Cozline Company? I could make that happen."
"I'll end up joining the Cozline Company eventually. That was the plan all along."
"...Hm. Can't exactly leave the Korea Merchant Company unchecked."
"What I want is what I mentioned earlier."
"You mean partnering the Korea Merchant Company with my Hollis Merchant Guild for war supplies...? To be frank, we're just getting started on securing those. The kingdom's scrutiny makes it hard to procure openly. If I prepare or smuggle them blatantly, Prime Minister Helbritt will notice and grill me before you know it."
I knew he was bluffing about the war supplies. Not that I'd figured it out myself—Yuria had sent me a telepathic message right away.
For a major guild to be stockpiling war materials, prices should be rising faster. If the Hollis Merchant Guild were seriously preparing, they'd be up at least 10%, Yuria had said.
"I knew the prime minister had influence over the Cozline Company... but it's that intense?"
"Hm... The Korea Merchant Company is on the frontier and grew rapidly, so it's natural you wouldn't know much about him. The prime minister is pricklier, stricter, and more fastidious than you imagine. He has an annoyingly sharp eye for anything suspicious. Between you and me, the Cozline Company is the leash the Rapelli Kingdom puts on major guilds."
"...Is it really okay to speak so bluntly?"
I was a bit dumbfounded. We were practically strangers. We weren't close enough for him to badmouth a high-ranking official.
"Just stating facts. Or are you going to run to Prime Minister Helbritt in the palace and tattle on me?"
"Do I look insane? Anyway, so you're saying the issue is avoiding the prime minister's notice?"
"Exactly. In the old days, maybe not. But with His Majesty's health declining, Prime Minister Helbritt is effectively the top power. Even Crown Prince supports him. His goal? Probably to make the crown prince a puppet king."
"The prime minister's oversight is that tight?"
"He's wary of civil war. The most likely time for one is when the king grows old."
"Understood. In short, remove the prime minister, and the problem's solved."
"What, planning to assassinate him?"
"..."
I just smiled silently at Marquis Heollis. It was his joke. But his eyes suggested it wasn't entirely one.
"I looked into the Korea Merchant Company. Curious about your unbroken streak of success. Sure, those convenient, refined goods explain it—but not fully."
"Did you uncover other reasons for our growth?"
"I did. Merchants and nobles who tried to hinder the Korea Merchant Company met mysterious ends. Monster attacks, carriage accidents, sudden disappearances—all too frequent. Makes you wonder if the Korea Merchant Company isn't blessed by the god of death."
He knew I'd ordered the assassinations. Of course, no hard evidence. Yuria wouldn't leave traces, and if he had any, he'd have used it to squeeze product secrets out of me.
"...If the prime minister vanished, would you partner with the Korea Merchant Company?"
"If he vanished, yes. But you don't know how tenacious Helbritt is. Even the god of death couldn't touch him."
"That's answer enough. As for the prime minister... heaven might lend a hand."
"Now, about that northern information you mentioned?"
His urgency showed he was genuinely curious. I'd come prepared to share, so I gave the details.
"The north—specifically, the Hozit and Bishul Kingdoms above the Rapelli Kingdom."
"Those northern nations. You're saying they'll declare war on us? They're aggressive enough, but still..."
"No, Your Excellency. They'll fight each other. Long peace aside, there's deep enmity between them. It'll be brutal. And that spark will spread across the continent."
"...Hard to believe. Hozit's prince and Bishul's princess sealed an alliance with a political marriage just ten years ago. And now war between them?"
"The marriage will break soon. The son she bore isn't the prince's."
"Hold on. My ears are itching. Did I mishear...?"
"I said it clearly."
"...So the princess of Bishul bore a child from an affair. Who's the lover? The real father of the royal heir?"
"You still don't fully trust me."
"Not easy information to swallow."
"The princess of Bishul's own brother. In other words, Bishul's current king is the real father."
"..."
The marquis gaped in shock.
In essence, Bishul's princess had committed incest to produce a child and planned to make him Hozit's king.
Relations were already poor. If this leaked, they'd fight to annihilation.
"...Can you stand by that statement?"
"Why would I need to?"
"...Sorry. The shock left me rattled. Not your burden."
I'd only shared with Marquis Heollis, not announced officially. And to him, it was another kingdom's affair.
"...If true, war is inevitable. Does Hozit know?"
"Not yet. Probably just suspicions."
"I can't fully believe you."
"I understand. I'd feel the same in your shoes. I've shared the information—believing or not is up to you."
"...A headache. I had questions about the Korea Merchant Company, but now I'm wary of more shocks."
"We have time, Your Excellency. And as it passes, our relationship will improve."
I continued chatting with Marquis Heollis on various topics.
"I'd love to meet Lady Heollis, who'll be my sister-in-law. She's not at the estate?"
"Vivi's already at Count Neviant's banquet."
"I see. Shame."
"If you'd like, why not join the banquet?"
Managing my rising smile, I feigned ignorance.
"I'd love to... but I wasn't invited. Showing up unannounced would inconvenience Count Neviant, the host."
"Inconvenience? Come with me. Besides, you're a gent's brother—and invited. The nobles will welcome you."
Only possible because Heollis held real influence and power over the western nobles.
"Then I'll humbly attend. Looking forward to meeting the western nobles and my future sister-in-law."
???
Entering the banquet with Marquis Heollis, I greeted the western nobles. They welcomed my sudden arrival. Even Count Neviant, the host, did the same. Who would criticize coming with the west's powerhouse?
All but one.
One person scowled like he'd bitten something sour, glaring at me.
Jent.
He never dreamed I'd show up with Marquis Heollis. His mind must be racing with ominous thoughts.
'In reality, today was our first meeting, but it'll look different to Jent.'
I approached Jent with a bright smile.
The nobles' gazes focused on me—or rather, peeked at Yuria attending me. In her maid outfit, she outshone any noblewoman or lady there, with equal or greater grace.
The noblewomen would gossip about Yuria later, but no need to care now.
"Good to see you, Brother Jent. Fancy meeting here."
"...Yeah. Didn't expect you. You didn't offend Marquis Heollis, did you?"
"Haha, always worrying. I was discussing business with him, and somehow ended up here. By the way, Brother, when will you introduce me to your fiancée beside you?"
I turned my head.
There was Vivi Heollis, Jent's fiancée, whose portrait I'd seen before. Light green hair, snow-white skin. A-cup but tall and model-proportioned.
Our sapphire eyes met. She smiled awkwardly and greeted me.
"Vivi Heollis, eldest daughter of the Heollis family. Baron Eugene Prucker."
"Baron Eugene Prucker. You're even more beautiful in person, Sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law...? We're not married yet..."
"Soon to marry Brother Jent. Calling you that early should be fine. Or does the title bother you?"
"Oh, no. Call me whatever, Baron."
Vivi dealt with me awkwardly, glancing at Jent. Obvious why. He'd badmouthed me to her—rival for the heir position, with all sorts of rumors from his mouth. No need to see it.
After greetings with Jent and Vivi, I moved to other nobles. Time to make their acquaintance.
'...What's this guy's name again?'
Frowning slightly at forgetting a noble's name, Yuria's telepathic voice came.
- Viscount Sebirolog. His territory is famous for delicious apples.
"Viscount Sebirolog! Didn't expect to meet you here. Your territory's apples are renowned even in mine."
"Hahaha. Our apples are quite famous."