Chapter 130: Are You a Heretic? (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 130: Are You a Heretic? (5)
“So, you’re saying it’s not impossible?”
“That is correct. The Palatio Marquisate is well-positioned, so merchant guilds pass through the area frequently.”
“For all that, I haven’t seen them stop by all that often.”
“Until now, there likely wasn't a specific reason to visit the estate. They probably preferred to stop at other nearby territories, even if it meant taking a slightly longer route.”
“Because of local specialties?”
“Yes. To be blunt, the surrounding estates all have their own unique products to offer.”
Alexion’s answers were crisp and unhesitating.
Alon marveled inwardly.
I guess this is why you leave business to the people with actual business sense.
Watching Alexion, who seemed to understand the state of the territory better than he did, Alon couldn't help but nod.
...Well, to be fair, Alon hadn't exactly been focused on regional development until now.
Regardless, Alexion’s business acumen was undeniably excellent.
Should I invest?
When he first discovered that the owner of the auction house was Alexion, he’d thought he needed to reconsider.
Alexion had seemed mild-mannered when they met through Ladan, but Alon knew just how unhinged the man’s true nature could be.
However, speaking with him now, Alexion seemed surprisingly normal.
In fact, he seemed more than just normal—he appeared remarkably intelligent.
...Was Alexion the Appraiser originally normal, only to have something happen to him before the Player arrived in Laxas? ...No, I’m pretty sure I heard he was always like that.
It was puzzling.
Well, he seems fine for now.
Having made his decision, Alon asked, “How much do you think it will cost to develop the estate in the direction I’ve discussed?”
“Hmm, it will likely be quite expensive in many regards.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Setting the foundation alone will cost a significant amount.”
“I am, of course, prepared to invest to a certain degree. In you as well, naturally.”
Alon intended to invest quite heavily in this venture.
Above all, he wanted to find a way to generate revenue without exploiting the people of his territory.
“So, I’d like us to speak candidly... What are you looking at?”
Alexion was acting strange.
Ever since they’d started the serious discussion, his gaze had been drifting toward something behind Alon.
Alon turned his head to follow the man’s eyes.
A tree?
He saw nothing but an ordinary tree.
“Ah, it’s nothing. I have a habit of staring into space when I’m thinking. My apologies for the rudeness.”
“If that’s all it is.”
Everyone had their quirks.
As Alon nodded, Alexion forced a smile, his eyes fixed on the image being held up by the woman behind Alon.
On the screen...
If. You. Get. Caught—
Ladan was mouthing the words.
I’ll. Show. You. The. World. Under. The. Sea.
He was delivering a truly bloodcurdling sentence.
“...”
Watching Ladan enunciate every single syllable with terrifying clarity—as if worried Alexion might miss the message—the Appraiser suppressed the urge to scream.
He knew all too well.
Ladan was exactly the kind of man who would follow through on such a threat.
To survive, he had to play his cards right.
Maintaining his best poker face, Alexion began to offer realistic advice.
Normally, he would have suggested a plan that left him with a ‘slightly larger’ personal profit, but with Ladan watching, that plan was dead in the water.
He didn't want to die over a slip of the tongue.
“To organize a business on the scale you’re envisioning, Marquis, this is the initial amount required.”
“...That’s quite a lot.”
“It can’t be helped. The initial investment for construction will be high, and attracting merchant guilds will require capital as well. Furthermore—”
“Furthermore?”
“The key is making the guilds feel that stopping here is more important than visiting estates with established specialties. To achieve that, we’ll need to offer various incentives, which will cost more money.”
“...If we operate like that, won't the guilds stop coming once the incentives are removed?”
“No. Once we gather the guilds and revitalize the auction house and surrounding tourism, the auction house itself will become a primary asset. At that point, the guilds won't be able to easily exclude the Marquisate from their trade routes.”
“Then what if—”
After a very long discussion, Alexion eventually—
“So, it would require about 250% of the amount you originally proposed—”
He started to speak, then clamped his mouth shut.
Outside the window, Ladan was staring at him intently, shaking his head.
“—However, if I put in the effort, I could probably manage with 200%—”
Even from a distance, he could feel the murderous glare. Alexion pivoted smoothly.
Shake, shake.
Ladan shook his head again.
“It’s possible that, with more effort, I could bring it down to 180%—”
Feeling a slight sense of injustice, Alexion lowered the figure further.
But.
Ladan shook his head again, very slowly.
“—But, in truth, I believe... 150% might be possible.”
As he spoke, Alexion screamed inwardly with frustration.
To be honest, he had padded the numbers at the end out of greed, but it wasn't as if he was making a massive profit.
And yet.
Even so.
Shake—shake—
Seeing that demon continue to shake his head behind the window, Alexion’s smiling face stiffened.
Isn't this a bit much?
They say even a cornered rat will bite a cat. Faced with such an absurd demand, Alexion’s expression inadvertently filled with spite.
I gave you everything! Everything!!!
When told to come to the Pirate Peninsula, he went quietly.
When told to stop working in the underworld, he washed his hands of illegal businesses.
When told to come to the Marquisate, he came without a word of complaint.
He had even dropped the investment proposal from 200% down to 150%.
He had given everything, and it still wasn't enough?
The memories of countless humiliations and persecutions flashed through his mind, fueling his resentment.
Finally.
His emotions reaching a boiling point, Alexion spoke.
“...100%.”
“What?”
“...I will make sure it can be done with the investment amount you originally proposed.”
He hung his head, swallowing tears of blood.
...Because, despite everything, he didn't want to die.
Nod.
Beyond the window, Ladan nodded in satisfaction.
Alexion’s complexion was the very picture of grief.
Meanwhile, Alon, who had been standing opposite him, was left bewildered.
“???”
He couldn't help but be confused.
...They hadn't even started the actual negotiations, yet the man had started and finished them all on his own.
After standing there stunned for a moment, Alon finally spoke.
“...Let’s make it 150%.”
“Pardon?”
“Based on what you’ve said, it seems that much investment is necessary.”
His voice was calm.
But Alexion’s eyes widened to their limits.
Of course, even at 150%, it was still technically insufficient.
But isn't everything relative?
After watching Ladan ruthlessly slash the price while gritting his teeth, seeing the Marquis offer an extra 50% instead made Alexion feel as if tears were about to stream from his eyes.
The Marquis is a saint...!
Objectively speaking, Alon was no saint, but Alexion, having suffered enough under Ladan, was moved.
“Thank you...! Thank you so much!”
Bowing his head deeply, he fought back the tears that were actually starting to prick his eyes.
Alon, watching him, felt a reasonable doubt bloom in his mind.
...Is he going through male menopause?
Watching Alexion’s emotions swing wildly up and down all by himself was truly a sight to behold.
* * *
Karmakeses III, the King of Colony, had been less busy lately than the kings of the other United Kingdoms.
This was because the desert kingdom of Colony had suffered no damage during the recent Outer God incident.
Thus, aside from the initial conference, he hadn't been particularly affected by the major crisis.
Instead.
“Another Exam Question has appeared?”
“Yes. It is reported that the Manmanna Territory has suffered significant damage.”
“Hmm.”
Karmakeses III was concerned about the recent spate of Exam Questions.
“How many does that make?”
“The fifth one.”
“Strange. What about the mages?”
“Mages from the Magic Tower are investigating, but it seems they have yet to identify the cause.”
It was understandable. Recently, the Exam Question phenomenon—which usually only occurred at the Magic Towers where mages congregated—was happening frequently in various locations.
“Hmm—”
After a moment of thought, Karmakeses put the matter out of his mind.
Estates were being damaged, but it wasn't yet at an excessive level.
Instead.
“...What is Karsem doing?”
“He is studying magic again today.”
He asked about the 2nd Prince, whom he had been keeping an eye on lately.
“Today as well?”
“Yes.”
“And? Do they say he has talent?”
“Yes. They say he has quite a bit. He has already reached the 1st Tier.”
“Already?”
“Yes. He has talent, but his own efforts are said to be considerable as well.”
The aide continued.
“The 2nd Prince’s reputation within the palace has risen significantly of late. Many are saying he has finally acquired the dignity befitting his station since that incident.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Some are even saying he has become more dignified than the 1st Prince recently.”
“...To that extent?”
“It likely seems more pronounced because of the contrast with his past behavior.”
The aide paused for a moment.
“In my personal opinion, the 2nd Prince has changed... a great deal.”
She added her own observation.
“Hmm—”
“He even saved a maid who almost fell while cleaning a railing recently.”
“...Karsem did?”
“Yes. I heard he said, ‘Because that is what Marquis Palatio would have done.’”
“...That’s a bit cringeworthy.”
“I agree, but it seems his temperament has truly mellowed.”
At her assessment, Karmakeses III inadvertently stroked his chin.
In truth, the 2nd Prince was not a son he had paid much attention to.
He loved his family, of course, but he had judged that the 2nd Prince was not the right material to inherit the throne.
Not that the 1st Prince particularly met his expectations either, but compared to the 2nd Prince, he was far better, so he had been designated as the successor.
However, recently, the 1st Prince had been falling out of Karmakeses III’s favor.
Despite having received successor training since childhood, he had been secretly causing various troubles—though not to the extent of the old 2nd Prince.
The 1st Prince seemed to think he had hidden his tracks perfectly, but Karmakeses knew everything.
There was no corner of this palace where his ears did not reach.
Therefore.
What on earth is Marquis Palatio?
Karmakeses III marveled at the Marquis, who had reformed the scoundrel Karsem in a single stroke.
...Karsem, Karsem—
He blankly repeated the 2nd Prince’s name, his gaze sinking.
It was not the gaze of a father looking at his family, but the gaze of a king evaluating a subject.
That look seemed to herald a struggle for the throne that, perhaps, should never have happened.
* * *
Another month later.
When winter had completely faded and the warm days of spring had arrived.
[Greetings, Marquis. I hope you have been well.]
“It’s been a while.”
Alon received the report he got every few months from Duke Zenonia.
And then.
[Come to think of it, I heard you recently established an auction house in your territory, Marquis.]
“Yes. I’m thinking of managing the estate a bit.”
[Then, shall I offer a little help?]
“I won't go out of my way to refuse.”
It was just a short exchange they’d had after the report.
...That was all it was supposed to be.
“Marquis! What do you think about granting exclusive auction rights for the high-end specialties from our estate?!”
“Marquis—our guild would like to establish a regular relationship with—”
“Greetings, Marquis Palatio! I am the leader of the ‘Salman’ Merchant Guild from the Ashtalon Kingdom—”
“...”
How did it come to this?
“Evan.”
“Yes.”
“...How many more people am I scheduled to meet?”
“About 74 people are currently waiting.”
...In what world is this a ‘little help’...?
Alon pressed a hand to his throbbing forehead.