Chapter 425: The Battle for Dmitry (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 425: The Battle for Dmitry (1)
Cairo's premier matchmaker.
Susan hurried along, her dazzling jewelry clinking loudly with every step.
Hurry, hurry!
Ten minutes ago, she had received word that a close friend had sniffed out some top-secret information.
The moment she heard it involved Dmitry, Susan—who had been enjoying tea with the high-society ladies of Cairo—bolted out of the room. For a matchmaker, information and speed were lifeblood. Their entire worth was determined by a single moment's timing. Because of this, she didn't slow her pace for a second, even as sweat poured down her face.
Before long, she arrived at the rendezvous.
Seeing her friend already seated and sipping tea, Susan dropped into the chair opposite her and immediately cut to the chase.
"So... pant... what is it?"
She gasped for breath. Meeting Susan's desperate gaze, her friend smiled.
"Susan, you'll have to reward me handsomely for this later."
"Of course! I'm Susan. Don't you know who I am?"
"I do. Cairo's best matchmaker, a woman who always repays her debts. Well, here's the thing... I had to visit Dmitry briefly yesterday, and I heard something incredibly interesting. Apparently, Rihanna Dmitry is trying to persuade her second son to marry. It hasn't been officially decided that they'll pursue a political marriage yet, but it seems she's willing to accept any wise woman capable of capturing her son's heart as Rodwell Dmitry's partner."
"Really?!"
"I'm telling you, it's true."
Susan's eyes went wide. Catching her ragged breath, she instantly realized just how monumental this information was.
Rodwell Dmitry!
Dmitry. Their status was nothing like it used to be. While they had once been a mere family of commoner origin, they were now the imperial family leading the Dmitry Empire. Furthermore, with the entire Salamander Continent backing Roman Dmitry, they sat at the absolute pinnacle of power. In the high society circles Susan frequented, the marriages of the three Dmitry sons were the hottest topic of discussion.
Roman, Rodwell, and Lauren.
Who would claim them?
While marrying Roman Dmitry meant becoming the Empress, the other brothers were by no means lacking in appeal. Roman Dmitry cherished his family. Since there was zero threat of a fratricidal war over the throne, marrying one of his brothers was still an incredible opportunity to ride the coattails of Dmitry's absolute power.
The time has finally come.
Now that the war was over, everyone was keeping a close eye on Dmitry. Although Roman Dmitry had stated he would not take an Empress for the time being, the matchmakers instinctively knew that marriage talks would inevitably arise once the dust of war settled. It was only natural. As a mother with sons, she would obviously want them to start families now that the danger had passed.
Susan grabbed her friend's hand. Though her palm was sticky with sweat, her friend simply beamed, imagining the massive reward she was about to receive.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I will definitely repay this favor."
Over the coming days, Susan knew she would be facing a hectic whirlwind—one that would define her entire career as a matchmaker.
* * *
Around that same time, Marquis Valentino was living out his happiest days. The gentle breeze as he strolled through his garden, the clear blue sky, and everything he saw and felt brought him pure bliss.
"Hehehe, this is true happiness."
The distribution of rewards and punishments based on merit had begun, and Marquis Valentino was naturally included in that scope. Having poured his entire fortune into supporting Dmitry, it was only right. Along with a massive financial reward, he had been given a choice of what he wanted.
Marquis Valentino hadn't hesitated. While others said they would think it over before giving an answer, he had stated his desire right then and there.
"Your Majesty the Emperor. If I may be so bold as to ask, if you ever forge a new sword, could you give me Disaster, the blade you currently use? I have no ulterior motive. As the companion that stood by Your Majesty while you achieved your great deeds, I believe it would become the crown jewel of my collection."
Just think of it! The achievements Roman Dmitry had accomplished while wielding Disaster!
With a single sword, he had brought down Kronos and Valhalla, the two giants of the continent. Even Alexander, the mastermind behind all the conspiracies, had been torn to shreds by Disaster. Thus, it held immense symbolic value. While Roman Dmitry might forge swords superior to Disaster in the future, the honor of having been his companion during such glorious moments belonged to Disaster alone.
For that very reason, he had yearned for it. His eyes had constantly drifted toward Disaster, and while others sought grand domains or titles, he had asked for a mere sword.
The answer had been yes.
Roman Dmitry had promised to give him Disaster in a month's time.
"Ehehehe, once I receive Disaster, should I build a museum to display my collection? I want to brag to everyone about the incredible things I've gathered, but what if something goes wrong? No, a museum is out of the question. If even a single scratch gets on Disaster, I'll tear the culprit limb from limb. But I still want to show it off... Ah, whatever! As soon as I get Disaster, I'll spend the entire year touring the continent just to brag about it to everyone."
What else could happiness be? This was true bliss. Even with mountains of gold and silver treasures, Marquis Valentino felt the greatest joy when he acquired exactly what he desired.
It was then, just as he was lost in his pleasant daydream, that his butler approached.
"My Lord. Matchmaker Susan has come to see you."
"Susan? I can't be bothered today. Tell her to come back another time."
Susan was famous throughout Cairo. She was an incredibly talented matchmaker, but it was painfully obvious why she had come to see him.
It must be because of my daughter.
Valentino was also famous for having many children. Among his offspring was a daughter currently of marriageable age. She was quite beautiful, and the nobles of Cairo practically drooled over her. However, Marquis Valentino had strictly shut down all advances. The reason he wasn't actively seeking a match was because he had a very specific target in mind.
His Majesty the Emperor must eventually take an Empress. When that time comes, a daughter of the Valentino family will be an attractive option.
Roman Dmitry.
He was aiming for the Emperor himself.
How ecstatic would that be? If he became Roman Dmitry's father-in-law, he would rise to the very center of power. And above all else, as a father-in-law, he could surely ask for a few more swords! Of course, his daughter's opinion had also been factored into this choice. Having grown up hearing the heroic tales of the Dmitry family, she welcomed the idea with open arms, stating she would gladly marry into the imperial family. Furthermore, since Cairo and Dmitry were brother nations, a union between Valentino and Dmitry would pose no political issues.
Therefore, a matchmaker was not a welcome guest. To a man who wanted the greatest figure on the Salamander Continent for his daughter, this woman would surely just try to push some uninteresting small fry onto them.
However...
"Susan mentioned that it is regarding the Dmitry family," the butler added.
"Bring her in at once!"
The moment Dmitry was mentioned, Marquis Valentino's expression flipped instantly, and he hurried straight for the drawing room.
* * *
In the drawing room, Marquis Valentino faced Susan with a blunt expression, his demeanor practically screaming that she had better make this worth his time.
"So, what business brings you to me?"
Susan smiled warmly. Valentino's reputation was legendary. True to his moniker, "The Collector," he would act as if he'd gladly carve out his own liver and gallbladder when he desperately wanted something, but the moment something was of no use to him, he would draw an icy line. The tycoon of Cairo hadn't achieved his status by accident. Knowing this well, Susan went straight for the hook.
"His Majesty the Emperor's mother wishes to marry off the second son of the Dmitry family."
"...Rodwell Dmitry?"
"Yes."
Marquis Valentino shifted his posture. Rodwell Dmitry. Now that was a mouth-watering prospect.
"Go on."
"The reason you have been delaying your daughter's marriage, Marquis Valentino, is likely because you already have a specific partner in mind for her. And though it may be presumptuous of me to guess, that partner is probably His Majesty the Emperor of the Dmitry Empire. My Lord, the position of Empress is the ultimate goal that everyone desires. While winning that seat would be unparalleled, the second son of Dmitry is an opportunity that doesn't fall far behind."
Creak.
Marquis Valentino leaned back into his sofa. It was a signal to continue. He was showing his willingness to grant Susan more of his precious time.
"Rodwell Dmitry was once the representative talent of the Dmitry family. Although he was eventually overshadowed by His Majesty the Emperor's extraordinary feats, his actions over the years have proven that he is still destined for greatness. In this recent war with Kronos, did Rodwell Dmitry not achieve immense merit by fending off Kronos's surprise attack? With his personal capabilities already guaranteed, Rodwell Dmitry has decided to depart for Arcadia. And as someone far more attuned to the flow of the world than I am, Marquis Valentino, I am sure you know exactly what a journey to Arcadia signifies."
"Looking to the distant future, those who leave for Arcadia will undoubtedly hold immense power. While Dmitry's current territory is limited in size, the vast lands of Arcadia represent boundless potential."
"Exactly. And Rodwell Dmitry is at the very center of it. With his success practically guaranteed, the only thing we would normally have to worry about is the Emperor's disposition. If His Majesty were like past rulers who feared sharing power, the Dmitry brothers would have inevitably met a tragic end. But the current Emperor is different. He has absolute confidence in himself, and given how deeply he cares for his family, His Majesty will gladly allow his brothers to forge their own domains."
She was right. The very fact that Roman had permitted the journey to Arcadia in the first place was a testament to his character. It was truly remarkable. No matter how much his brothers grew in power, he possessed the absolute confidence that they would never surpass him.
As Marquis Valentino's eyes began to sparkle, Susan delivered the final blow to seal his decision.
"What do you think? Not many people know this information yet. Rather than aiming for the Empress's seat, which everyone on the continent is vying for, targeting the second son of the Dmitry family offers a substantially higher chance of success. And this is the Valentino family we are talking about. Your daughter has more than enough merit to convince His Majesty's mother."
It was perfect.
Whether it was Roman or Rodwell, marrying into the Dmitry family was ultimately the same end goal. And as a merchant at heart, Marquis Valentino was well aware of Rodwell's immense potential, just as Susan had described.
The calculations were complete. Marquis Valentino flashed a genial smile.
"Go to Dmitry and test the waters. See how they feel about my daughter as a match for Rodwell. If you succeed in securing this marriage, I swear on my family's name that I will change your life forever."
* * *
With that, their conversation concluded. Boarding a carriage bound for Dmitry immediately, Susan could not hide her flushed, excited expression.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Out of all the nobles, why had she chosen Valentino? There were two reasons.
First, the candidate had to be appealing enough to interest Rihanna Dmitry. No matter how great the promised reward, if she couldn't convince Rihanna, she wouldn't even get her foot in the door. The partner Rihanna wanted was a woman capable of swaying her son's heart. The prestige of the Valentino family went without saying, and Valentino's daughter possessed more than enough charm to captivate him.
Second was the sheer scale of the reward.
Valentino was a man of clear give-and-take. Just as he had nearly uprooted his family's foundations to purchase a single sword, he was famous for handsomely rewarding those who delivered what he wanted. That was why, despite his eccentric reputation as "The Collector," people still clamored to maintain relations with him. If he said he would change her life, he would undoubtedly do exactly that.
"If I pull off this marriage, I will become the greatest matchmaker on the continent."
She swallowed her giddy laughter. Now was the time to keep a clear head. Since success was not yet guaranteed, she spent the journey to Dmitry organizing her documents inside the carriage.
How to persuade her. How to make her pitch. She pondered her ultimate strategy from every angle, searching for the perfect way to melt Rihanna Dmitry's heart.
Finally, she arrived in Dmitry. However, upon reaching her destination, she spotted a sight on the road leading to the imperial palace that she desperately wished to deny.
"...Why are they here?!"
A woman of overwhelmingly stout build—a famous matchmaker from Frank.
Another woman, scrawny but wearing a constant, unnerving smile—a matchmaker boasting an incredible success rate in the Kronos region.
And several other women.
Top matchmakers from various nations had all gathered in one place.
Indeed.
Damn it.
The war of the matchmakers, all having caught the scent of the ultimate prey, had already begun.