Secret Agreement
Mathilda's invitation to Victor for dinner.
With the seized ships soon to be sailed back, Victor was about to leave Halzy Port City.
He figured he'd just inform her of that at the dinner, where she was laying the groundwork for autonomy.
That afternoon, I visited the Nagumo family estate, not far from the provisional governor's office.
I'd been invited to dinner by the lady of the house, Mathilda.
Lily was there to greet me at the entrance.
"Lord Victor, welcome to the Nagumo residence."
"Yeah, Lily. Lead the way."
"Right this way."
Impressive, as expected from a major trading house.
Immaculately laid carpets, tasteful furnishings.
Since it was the lady's domain, there were no martial decorations—just delicate, elegant pieces.
I was shown to the grand dining hall.
Waiting there was Mathilda, dressed in a serene blue gown unlike the one from before.
"Lord Victor, I'm deeply honored that you accepted my sudden invitation."
"Lady Mathilda, the honor is mine. Thank you for having me."
"Please, have a seat."
"Sure."
As Mathilda sat, Lily brought out the appetizers.
"First off, I should let you know: in two days, I'll be leading the seized ships out of here."
"Oh, Lord Victor, so soon? I'll be lonely."
"I'm glad we could share this meal beforehand."
"Yes, the timing is perfect. By the way, what will happen to the archipelago after this?"
"A proxy governor named Robert arrived from the capital today. He's an exceptionally capable man, so rest assured. The army will be under Knight Everton, the fleet under Admiral Ozawa—the main forces from the conquest will remain stationed here."
"Understood. I'm in the midst of groundwork with all sides, so there shouldn't be any issues."
"Lord Victor, the reason I invited you today is to discuss something rather delicate."
"Oh?"
"If you wouldn't mind, could your attendants please withdraw?"
"...Very well. Knight Rosen, stand down."
Mathilda had no reason to assassinate me now—it'd bring her far more harm than good.
"But that maid!"
Knight Rosen was wary of Lily.
"Lily, you're not carrying any weapons, are you?"
"No, milady."
Lily approached Knight Rosen and repeated the same check from this morning.
No throwing knives in her sheaths.
"Still, young master?"
"Knight Rosen, as a fellow woman, how long do you intend to make her hold that pose?"
"...Understood. I'll withdraw."
"Knight Rosen, relax. Lady Mathilda means me no harm."
"Yes, sir!"
"Thank you, Lord Victor."
"No trouble. So, what is this delicate matter?"
"Yes. With this, the Togo Earldom has claimed the archipelago. I know the main cause was the trouble with the Norden family, but this has undoubtedly stirred up the lords along the eastern coasts of both continents."
"Unfortunately, you're right. It's a headache."
"There are no lords on the eastern coasts close to the Nordens, so the earldom should be able to focus westward for the time being."
"Yeah, that's my thinking too."
I tilted my wine glass.
"That said, Lord Victor, do be cautious in the southern continent."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"As you're aware, the south is mostly desert, and unlike the north, its industries lag behind. Yet it's rich in mineral resources, and that combination fuels endless wars—worse than the north."
"I'm well aware."
"The southern lords all aim for the Ahl Sea. From there, they can target the north's wealth."
"Even so, they won't easily break through the northern coastal lords."
"Lord Victor, that's a natural assumption. But the northern coastal lords have grown arrogant, blind to the shifting tides, and are weakening."
"Is that from your time in Ryojun Port?"
"Yes, exactly."
"I'm grateful for the warning, but I'd like to know your intentions as well."
"...Lord Victor, during our negotiations over the archipelago's governance, I became convinced: the future I seek lies along the path you're forging."
"That's surprising. It doesn't sound like something you'd say—the woman who carves her own path with her talents."
"Lord Victor, I'm truly touched by your assessment. For a commoner, a woman, to receive fair evaluation without condescension—it's truly refreshing."
This was undoubtedly my past life's influence, alien to this world's mindset.
"You must have noticed, Lord Victor. In the archipelago governance talks, I pushed for my autonomy plan to break free of aristocratic rule. But it didn't come to pass."
"Did it not? I thought we acknowledged your autonomous governance."
"Hehe, Lord Victor, wasn't that revised proposal your own idea from the start?"
Careless. This woman is dangerous.
Damn, sending Knight Rosen and Linda away might've been a mistake.
"...And if it was?"
Just then, the main course arrived: veal steak.
Somehow, we'd reached the main dish.
I couldn't even recall the taste—or names—of what I'd eaten so far.
"Hehe, if so, then the nobles were denied aristocratic rule itself. That's a massive shock. So you pretended to revise my plan to enact your own, didn't you, Lord Victor?"
"Lady Mathilda, what exactly are you after?"
"Lord Victor, I have no intent to threaten you. Over the past eight years or so, the earldom has led other nobles in various ways, always with your name at the center. As a merchant, I gather information constantly, so I've long taken note of you. When I heard you'd joined the archipelago conquest as your first campaign, my heart raced."
She took a bite of her steak.
"And then you appeared at the forefront of the governance negotiations. I was thrilled. I staked everything on that showdown with you—and lost, yielding the victory to you."
"And that convinced you?"
"No, that's why I know: the future I seek lies ahead on your path."
She dabbed her mouth with her napkin and looked me straight in the eye.
"Lord Victor, countless enemies will stand in your way. Your brilliance draws them. And you'll triumph over them with that same brilliance, time and again."
"A grim prophecy. I don't even want to imagine it."
"And yet, you must keep winning, Lord Victor. To that end, I'm prepared to offer the Nagumo house—everything—to you. No, if you desire it, I won't hesitate to offer this body as well."
She pressed a hand to her ample bosom as she spoke. Her body was indeed tempting.
"Why go that far?"
"To end this long, bloody, fruitless age of wars driven by noble egos across the northern and southern Ahl continents."
"As long as humans are human, war won't vanish."
"I know that. But shouldn't you let them taste peace once? Savor its flavor?"
"The flavor of peace, huh."
"Yes. Even if war resumes, remembering that taste might lead to compromise somewhere."
Could this woman—a mere merchant—be picking a fight with noble rule itself?
"Nobles only know the taste of blood."
"Yes. They have power, yet refuse to seek anything beyond blood's taste. Foolish creatures."
No doubt about it. She despised the current nobles and the system they ruled.
"You want to change it? The nobles, the world they dominate?"
"Exactly, Lord Victor. And I believe you do too. You have the talent to make it happen."
"You want to be my comrade?"
"Yes. Then the Nagumo house—I—will support you with everything we have."
I couldn't leave a woman who'd offered even her body to fight mighty nobles alone. My sense of justice wouldn't allow it.
No, that's an excuse. I knew it. I just wanted her. Not justice—pure lust.
But was it worth betting the Togo Earldom on that?
She'd bet everything, even her body.
As a reincarnator, I'd gained this noble heir status in this world to live peacefully, bedding women endlessly.
No grand resolve there—just calculation.
But she'd said my path would be blood-soaked, thanks to my talents.
Those talents: my past life's knowledge and experience.
Given the earldom's current surroundings, bloodshed was inevitable ahead. The sparks flying our way had to be swept aside.
Fine. This could be fun. I'd walk the demon's path in this world—and struggle to minimize the blood.
For Hikaru, Karin, Linda, Miku—the women I cherished, who adored me. To protect them.
And for a world where my beloved girls could writhe in ecstasy in my arms without a care.
My resolve was set.
"...A few conditions."
"I'm listening, Lord Victor."
"First, the Nagumo house should open shops in Crystal Bay City and Central Port City."
"I was planning to seek the earldom's permission anyway."
"I'll make sure it's granted. No worries."
"Understood."
"You already have a shop in Ryojun Port, right? What about the north continent side—Starchester City?"
"Yes."
"Use those as bases for intelligence gathering along the eastern coasts of both continents."
"Understood."
"Do you have some intelligence network?"
"Not a formal one. We contract as needed."
"A specific group?"
"Yes."
"Could I absorb that group?"
"Lily."
"Yes, milady."
"Can you discuss your organization with Lord Victor?"
"Not without the master's permission."
"Lily, can I meet this 'master' of yours?"
"I'll inquire. So, you're looking to take over the organization itself?"
"Depending on its size, but yes, basically."
"Would it be under the earldom, or you personally, Lord Victor?"
"Me. The earldom has its own intel, but I can't use it now—it's under Father's direct control."
"Understood. I'll make contact right away."
"Thanks, Lily."
"Yes, sir."
"And Lady Mathilda, your benefits."
"Oh? You're considering me?"
"A one-sided deal is like enslavement. It won't foster a long-term partnership."
"You understand well, Lord Victor."
"I can't promise everything, but I'll arrange for the Nagumo house to handle Development Promotion Corporation goods."
"My, that's most enticing."
"There'll be some confidentiality requirements, but the profits should be substantial."
"Thank you, Lord Victor."
"With that, I want to seal our contract. Not on paper—this is a secret pact. Can't leave traces, so... with your body."
"Lord Victor, I understand."
She smiled seductively—a bewitchingly gorgeous expression that had my groin throbbing at full mast.
Victor learns Mathilda's true aim.
She warns him his talents promise no peaceful future.
To Victor, who'd schemed only to safeguard his status, a resolve to survive this world awakens.
Another page in continental history (lol)