Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: The Masquerade Ball
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A gentle melody flowed through the party hall, illuminated by a magnificent chandelier.
The subtle fragrance of fresh fruit and wine drifted through the air, and small, delicate refreshments crafted by artisans were spread across white tables like decorations.
These were foods commoners might never taste in their lifetime, but to the people here, it was just a familiar scene.
“It’s like a masquerade ball.”
Wang-sik remarked, picking up a cookie from a corner of the party hall.
Everyone wore serene smiles that matched their lavish attire, moving with slower steps than usual and greeting each person they passed.
Their expressions were so artificial they looked like they were wearing masks.
“You used to nag the Bureau Director every day about his poor politicking. Now it's your turn.”
“Feels like I’ve stepped into an arena.”
“Exactly. This place is a battlefield.”
Oh Min-jae, having experienced this a few times, appeared at ease.
“Still, with a face like yours, you won’t just be a scarecrow.”
The young women at the party were stealing glances at Wang-sik.
His black coat, a stark contrast to the colorful attire around him, combined with his fair skin and chiseled features, drew their attention.
Whether man or woman, people are naturally drawn to beautiful and handsome members of the opposite sex.
“Oh? Here they come. Well, good luck. I’m going to do some prep work.”
Wang-sik already knew what Oh Min-jae meant by ‘prep work’.
The party hall was a kind of preliminary skirmish.
The truly important discussions happen in smaller gatherings, built upon the connections made at the party.
While Wang-sik was reviving the Lennox family, Oh Min-jae had been attending social gatherings and had already forged many connections.
“He’s good.”
After leaving Wang-sik, Oh Min-jae was already skillfully exchanging greetings with others.
He wasn't a noble, but no one could ignore him, thanks to the power of his wealth and connections.
It wasn't just that he had a lot of money; he naturally drew attention by conducting business related to the nobility.
His background with the Magic Tower and the Alchemist Guild also played a part.
On the Azelan Continent, Oh Min-jae was the only influential figure who officially connected mages and alchemists.
Normally, they interacted only secretly and when necessary, but Oh Min-jae conducted his business officially, which drew attention.
At first, there was strong opposition from both sides, but as he proceeded with his business and ensured they profited, he began to establish his position.
‘You have to admit, he’s a smart one.’
In fact, mages and alchemists could avoid the inconvenience of meeting directly and simply get what they wanted by handling matters through Oh Min-jae.
Naturally, they sought him out more frequently, and his business grew rapidly.
—Now, even building a gate is possible. All the conditions have been met.
He hadn't acted on it yet, but it was a clear indicator of how much he had grown.
“Hello. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Someone spoke to him as he was watching Oh Min-jae.
Already aware of her approach, Wang-sik wasn't flustered and greeted her with a slight bow.
“Lennox Vega.”
“I’m Yulia.”
She didn't mention her family name, likely assuming he already knew.
“It is an honor to meet a lady of the Rohan family.”
Fortunately, Wang-sik knew who she was. He couldn't have missed her, having seen her when the party began.
The Rohan family was the host of this party, and this was their estate.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. There have been many interesting stories circulating lately.”
Yulia was in her early twenties and the youngest of the Rohan family. With two of her older sisters among the seven siblings already married into other families, she naturally received a lot of attention.
She was a stunning beauty who suited her extravagant dress perfectly, and he could feel the gazes of the men around them.
Among them were wary glances directed at Wang-sik. But it wasn't just the men who were on guard.
Just as Yulia was about to say something, another woman cut in.
“Hello. I’m Ailey.”
The woman who introduced herself as Ailey was wearing accessories just as splendid as Yulia's.
The ruby necklace on her pale neck, in particular, sparkled as if it held the light itself.
At Ailey's appearance, Yulia showed a look of displeasure.
It was an unwritten rule not to interrupt a conversation, but she had ignored it.
‘Rivals, I see.’
It was clear she had interrupted on purpose. But regardless of their situation, Wang-sik had no intention of playing along.
‘Love is your own business.’
Considering the future of his family, building connections with the children of nobility was important. After all, they would one day lead their own families.
While sons usually inherited the family title, daughters were not without influence. Most of them would become the mistresses of other noble houses.
Besides, Vega, the man Wang-sik was impersonating, was of marriageable age.
‘That’s Vega’s problem.’
Amidst the silent battle between the two women, Wang-sik’s attention was fixed on someone else.
It was Bellard, a man in his late fifties, who was conversing with Duke Dupont.
‘Blood Fragment.’
Dupont and Bellard.
Both of them possessed a Blood Fragment.
Between the two, Wang-sik was targeting Bellard.
Twenty years ago, upon inheriting his father's business, he made a substantial donation to the empire. This earned him the title of baron, but he did not live the life of a nobleman.
With his recognized noble status, skill, and wealth, he could have easily become a count, or even a marquis, but he remained obsessed only with money as a merchant.
As a result, he built the greatest trading company on the continent and boasted more connections than most marquises.
The Golden Bug.
The Mad Collector.
Though followed by nicknames bordering on insults, he was a man who understood and utilized the power of money better than anyone.
‘A position I helped create.’
He hadn't been the continent's best for that long.
Originally, two trading companies were competing for the top spot, but his rival company collapsed overnight.
The owner, who led six trading companies, was killed in a sudden attack from above.
The once-cooperative companies were torn apart by his children, and in the process, they suffered such great losses that they fell too far to even compete anymore.
The cause of this incident was none other than Wang-sik.
‘He’s the type who would never accept a loss.’
As he was thinking this while watching Bellard, someone called out to him.
‘Hm?’
He realized the two women around him had become four.
‘This useless face…’
Strictly speaking, the Lennox family was not a particularly important name at this party.
While it was true the family had become a topic of conversation and regained its honor, the nobles attending this party were of an exceptionally high caliber.
Nevertheless, the women flocked to him solely because of his looks and unique aura.
Even knowing they couldn't form a deep relationship, the women instinctively gathered by Wang-sik's side.
‘If only Bellard had a daughter…’
Unfortunately, Bellard’s daughter was already married and part of another family.
‘He’ll do.’
Wang-sik glanced around and spotted a group of men sending him jealous glares.
It seemed one of the women who had approached Wang-sik was someone they had their eyes on.
“I see some friends I must speak with. Would you excuse me for a moment?”
After politely excusing himself, Wang-sik approached the three men.
“Lennox Vega.”
Though surprised by his approach, they skillfully returned his greeting.
“This is my first such party, and I'm not yet used to these conversations. Could I ask for your help?”
They had no reason to refuse. In fact, their discomfort towards Wang-sik vanished.
And so, the four men and four women found a spot in a corner of the party hall and began to talk.
“Rohan Leit.”
Among the men, the one receiving the most attention after Wang-sik was Rohan Leit, who was in his late twenties.
He was the older brother of Yulia Rohan, the first to approach him, and a member of the Imperial Knights.
As Rohan Leit mentioned this, his shoulders subtly squared with pride.
His father was Duke Rohan. He himself was in the Imperial Knights.
In short, he was on the fast track to success.
Everyone but Wang-sik knew that marriage proposals were already being discussed with several families.
‘I’ll just pass them off to this guy.’
As the women turned their attention to him, Wang-sik subtly took a step back.
Just then, he made eye contact with Rohan Leit, raised his wine glass in a toast, and quickly excused himself.
Rohan Leit, thinking Wang-sik was helping him out, responded with a smile.
‘Now, shall we get to the politics?’
As Wang-sik made his move, he saw Oh Min-jae raising a hand from a distance.
Oh Min-jae was already in conversation, positioned between Duke Dupont and Bellard.
Unlike the diminutive Bellard, Dupont was a man in his late fifties with a protruding belly that even his formal attire couldn't conceal.
Through Oh Min-jae's introduction, Wang-sik was able to join the conversation.
“Lennox Vega.”
The name now came out of him like a habit.
“Ah, the man of the hour in the East. A pleasure to meet you.”
“You’re too kind. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Not at all. I hear you have a deep relationship with the Mirje Trading Company. I've heard a great deal. You've even expanded to the Seven Islands?”
“I received a great deal of help.”
Wang-sik also donned the mask of pretense, continuing the conversation with a smile. All the while, he didn't forget to observe Bellard's expression.
‘He doesn’t look too pleased. Of course, he wouldn’t be.’
Bellard and Oh Min-jae were like oil and water.
From Bellard's perspective, Oh Min-jae looked like a powerful challenger.
While their actual profits were vastly different, in terms of scale alone, the Mirje Trading Company was now on par with the Pandea Trading Company led by Bellard.
As he was thinking this, Duke Dupont formally introduced Bellard.
“This is Baron Bellard, the head of the Pandea Trading Company.”
“A pleasure. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”
“Bellard.”
Despite his age, Bellard replied courteously.
Regardless of his feelings, he was in front of Duke Dupont, and besides, Wang-sik was a count.
“Ah, my apologies. Others have been waiting for too long.”
Duke Dupont was one of the busiest people at the party, so their time with him was up.
Naturally, Wang-sik, Oh Min-jae, and Bellard, who were standing nearby, bowed and stepped back.
“Oh? Lady Lucia.”
As they were stepping back, Oh Min-jae spotted someone and moved away first, giving Wang-sik an opportunity.
Bellard was also about to naturally drift away when Wang-sik spoke to him.
“I hear you have a keen interest in the Seven Islands.”
Bellard reacted sensitively to those words.
The Pandea Trading Company had attempted to enter the Seven Islands market three times, but each time, they were blocked by local resistance, and they had now completely given up on the venture.
However, the Mirje Trading Company, which had recently entered the market, was clearly making progress.
They hadn't fully established themselves yet, but they had managed to get permission to set up a branch by dealing in luxury goods.
The Seven Islands had a unique and closed political structure, making it difficult to even get permission.
“Congratulations. But be careful. That is not an easy land.”
Bellard himself had once succeeded in obtaining permission. Though he was driven out afterward as if he'd been scammed.
Yet, the reason he couldn't give up was because of the Seven Islands' specialty products and marine resources. Of course, it was also true that his bruised pride had turned into an obsession.
‘He’s reacting sensitively, as expected. That’s why he hasn't given up on the Seven Islands.’
This was the very reason he held onto the maritime trade rights he had intended to sell.
Despite Bellard's sensitive reaction, Wang-sik continued the conversation with a relaxed expression.
“Is there any need to take the difficult path? Things would be much easier if we cooperated.”
Perhaps surprised by the unexpected words, Bellard's eyebrow twitched. His gaze shifted as well.
Until now, he had thought Wang-sik was on the Mirje Trading Company's side and was just trying to get under his skin, but as the conversation turned to business, the entire atmosphere changed.
Seeing the intense gaze and stubborn expression, Wang-sik inwardly reminded himself that this was the continent's greatest merchant lord.
“People seem to have the wrong idea. They think I have an exclusive contract with the Mirje Trading Company. I find such perceptions uncomfortable now.”
“But I understand you received a great deal of help from the Mirje Trading Company.”
“I did. And I have given back more than I received.”
“That is true.”
Anyone who didn't know the internal situation would have to admit it.
“I still have a few rights remaining. The Seven Islands is one of them.”
Unlike before, Bellard's expression didn't change. He was listening cautiously.
‘I’ll have to put in some effort.’
Wang-sik decided it would be best to stop here for now.
“I would like to meet with you privately next time.”
“Very well.”
The two men parted, promising to meet again in the future.