Chapter 407: Proclamation Ceremony (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 407: Proclamation Ceremony (2)
Behind his expressionless face, Alon was utterly bewildered by Kun’s words.
He had never given Kun anything resembling an "opportunity."
‘If anything, shouldn’t I be the one thanking him?’
A merchant was not a primary supplier.
This meant that unless Kun had already stockpiled the materials he was offering to Alon, he would be facing an enormous financial loss.
“…….”
Alon shifted his gaze slightly toward Evan.
His eyes asked, What is this guy talking about? Evan responded with a small shrug.
It was a gesture that meant, I have no idea either.
“I’ll ask this first.”
“Yes!”
“Is it true that you can provide the materials according to this estimate?”
“It is possible.”
“…….”
Alon had asked just in case the estimate was a fabrication, but unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case.
Even more question marks popped up over Alon’s head, but he didn't pry further. If the man insisted on taking a loss himself, there was no need to double-check and talk him out of it.
Above all, Alon wasn't the one losing money.
And so.
“How soon can you bring the goods?”
“If I start gathering the materials now, I can deliver 20% within the first month. After that, three to four months should be sufficient.”
Alon was slightly surprised by the bold statement. The amount of materials needed for the territory's expansion was no small feat.
“Do you require any assistance?”
“Assistance, you say?”
“Yes. If there is anything you need, I will provide support.”
At that, Kun smiled and began to think deeply.
But it was only for a moment.
As if he had realized something, Kun’s expression turned serious.
“I truly appreciate the offer, but I will handle this task on my own.”
“……You’re refusing assistance?”
“Yes.”
That was his answer.
Momentarily flustered internally, Alon asked once more.
“……Are you sure you don’t need anything?”
“I am truly fine.”
“……Really?”
“Yes.”
Kun nodded firmly.
Alon glanced at Evan. Evan looked back at Alon.
I have no idea what he’s talking about.
Me neither.
A brief conversation through their eyes passed between them.
“If you say so…… I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes! I will do my absolute best.”
Alon eventually nodded, feeling a bit uneasy.
Later, the moment Kun stood up to coordinate the detailed schedule with Alexion, Alon stopped him.
“Wait.”
Once the negotiations were over, Alon felt as if he had signed an unfair contract. Of course, since the other party had practically begged for it, the feeling was a bit different, but letting him go like this left a bad taste in his mouth.
Alon’s eyes darted around for a moment before landing on a statue of himself sitting on his office desk. It was the mini-statue Silli had made yesterday as a prototype.
He thought something else might be better, but since there was nothing else in the office that looked particularly valuable at the moment...
“Take this with you.”
He handed the statue to Kun.
Kun’s eyes, which had been full of confidence just a moment ago, went wide.
“T-This? You mean this?”
His voice trembled slightly.
“Do you not like it?”
Feeling awkward and thinking that perhaps handing this over himself was a bit much, Alon moved to take the statue back.
“A-Ah, no!”
In that split second, Kun lunged forward like a streak of fire and snatched the statue.
“I will work hard, truly! Thank you so much!!”
He shouted at the top of his lungs and bowed to Alon repeatedly.
Then, cradling the statue in both hands as if it were a sacred relic, he hurried out of the office.
Immediately after Kun and Alexion left.
“Marquis.”
“What is it?”
“Did you happen to learn hypnosis without me knowing?”
“Why would I have learned that?”
“That’s strange……. That man looked like he was under a spell.”
Evan voiced his doubts.
‘……What was that really about?’
Alon could only tilt his head in confusion.
* * *
At that same moment, Kun, who was moving with Alexion—
‘As I thought, it was a test.’
He recalled the scene from moments ago.
The Marquis of Palatio, whom he had only heard of in rumors.
The way the Marquis had looked at him with those characteristically indifferent eyes...
The calm conversation they had just shared.
“Phew—”
Kun had been surprised by the Marquis’s reaction at first.
The estimate he had provided was, without a doubt, a price no other merchant could ever offer. It was only natural. That price range couldn't exist unless a merchant was willing to take an absurd loss.
Yet, despite being handed such an unbelievable estimate, the Marquis of Palatio hadn't shown even a flicker of emotion. He had simply checked it as if it were only natural and moved on to the next step.
Seeing that calm attitude, Kun realized something.
Perhaps the very act of bringing that estimate was the Marquis’s test.
The Marquis of Palatio understood his own position far more clearly than Kun had imagined. He knew that even if Kun took a massive loss right now, the "profit" gained from securing a contract with the Marquis would far outweigh it in the end.
If that weren't the case, he couldn't have reacted with such nonchalance.
Of course, some might question: Isn't it possible the Marquis just doesn't know anything?
But that was impossible.
Over the past few years, the Palatio Marquisate had established itself as the largest commercial territory in Asteria. Could the master of such a massive commercial hub truly know nothing? It made no sense.
That was why Kun had refused when Alon asked if he needed help. He did the same when Alon asked repeatedly.
In Kun’s mind, it was a test.
The Marquis of Palatio knew exactly what his value was among merchants. This meant he knew that the act of signing the contract was already a massive favor in itself.
Thus, Kun had refused immediately.
And he had passed the Marquis’s test.
As a token of that, he had received the statue. A statue of the Marquis of Palatio himself.
“…….”
With a fluttering heart, Kun carefully lifted the statue.
Word had already spread far and wide. The reason Calliban had been saved by the Divine Blood was because of the Marquis’s statue.
And yet, he had received a statue directly from the Marquis?
“……Wow.”
He let out a small exclamation of awe. He felt that the things he had only imagined yesterday might actually come true.
And so.
‘I will finish this job successfully, no matter what it takes……!’
Burning with motivation, Kun let out a cry of excitement as he hugged the statue.
Alexion, who had been watching the entire scene from the side, took a few steps away from Kun.
‘……Why is he looking at a statue with such... intensity??’
* * *
It had been a week since the busy work of the Marquisate had been settled.
Alon spent his time quite busily preparing for the Proclamation Ceremony.
As the ceremony drew near.
“Hello, Teacher.”
“Yutia. Do you have time?”
“This is an important event for you, Teacher. I couldn't possibly miss it.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Don't mention it.”
Starting with Yutia’s arrival, important figures from various countries began to visit the Palatio Marquisate.
Alon wasn't flustered by the sudden rush of visitors. He had heard from Penia that this was part of the protocol.
Nevertheless, there were two moments when Alon was caught off guard. The first was...
“Hello, Godfather.”
“……Line?”
It was when Line came to visit.
‘……You were able to come out?’
‘No. The interpretation isn't finished yet, so I can't use my power outside, but I’ve become able to move around independently.’
‘Thank you for coming all this way.’
‘It’s your big day, Godfather. Of course I had to come. Even though you didn't come to see me first like you promised.’
“…….”
‘I’m joking, of course, Godfather. I know you’ve been busy.’
‘Is…… that so?’
‘Yes, of course. Even though I prepared a small gift in secret because you said you were coming, and even though I waited on top of the castle wall every day for you to arrive.’
‘……I’m sorry.’
She had followed up with a faint smile, saying it was a joke, but it certainly didn't feel like one. Alon made a mental note to get something for Line.
And the second moment he was caught off guard was...
Right now.
“……I didn't expect both of you to come in person.”
“Not at all. This is the Marquis’s business, so of course I had to come.”
“I feel the same. How could I not come for the Marquis’s sake?”
King Palmalian IV and Queen Torimabia of Laxas had arrived in person.
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Is there anything you need help with lately? Just say the word.”
“Oh my, I heard Calliban is going through a lot of trouble lately. Things like this should be handled by someone with resources to spare. Marquis Palatio, if there is anything you need support with, please don't hesitate to tell me. I will help you as much as I possibly can.”
“What are you talking about? Calliban is still wealthy and powerful.”
“I think Laxas has more of what the Marquis needs than Calliban does.”
Though they were laughing and smiling on the surface, the two monarchs were engaged in a power struggle, each trying to appeal to Alon by saying, ‘I can help you better.’ Alon felt a headache coming on.
According to what Penia had told him, important figures from each country would attend the Proclamation Ceremony as a matter of protocol, but royalty usually didn't come in person.
And so.
‘Isn't it normal for them not to come?’
‘I don't know either. They’re being weird…….’
Alon and Penia exchanged a brief look.
Soon, he regained his composure and attempted to steer the conversation toward lighter topics. He didn't know why the two monarchs had come in person, but in the end, it wasn't a bad thing for him.
Fortunately, as the casual and simple conversation continued.
“Ahem—”
Queen Torimabia lightly cleared her throat and spoke while looking Alon in the eye.
“Marquis, may I ask you one thing?”
“What would that be?”
“You will soon become the king of a nation. Have you thought about marriage?”
“……Marriage?”
“Yes. The position of a consort is an important one.”
Alon was taken aback, but on the other hand, he understood her point. For a king, marriage was practically a necessity. Without a marriage, it could lead to internal strife among subordinates.
However, from Alon’s perspective, with the proclamation just around the corner, he felt it was premature. Just as he was about to give a vague answer...
“If you do not have a suitable match, how about my daughter?”
Torimabia made her move first.
“……Pardon?”
Along with Alon’s bewildered question, the Green Badge on his chest and the Red Brooch began to glow faintly.
……In a way that was a little—no, quite a lot—chilling.