Chapter 21
That was always puzzling to me.
Normally, such people would sell anything of value without hesitation. But those wicked scoundrels never once came to the shop.
When I looked into the reason, it was all thanks to the mercenaries.
In the beginning, loan sharks did come to the shop demanding repayment.
But the mercenaries, who practically lived in the shop, kicked their butts and chased them away.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing here, causing trouble?”
“Hey, is that guy pulling out a knife? Ha! You guys better come here while we’re still being nice.”
“You think this is just any place? Only us mercenaries can cause a ruckus here!”
They came once and fled in fright, never returning again.
Since then, they’ve avoided even going near the shop.
“Was that not the case?”
Were they secretly harassing Mark all this time?
“If I’m not around… the shop would have to close….”
They must have been trying to drive Mark away or harm him to disrupt the shop’s operations.
If that happened, the mercenaries guarding the shop would naturally leave, and it would become easier for the loan sharks to cause trouble.
“I tried to hold on somehow….”
Mark had endured the harassment of the loan sharks all this time, but this time, his arm was finally broken.
Come to think of it, there were quite a few old bruises and scars on his body. They were probably traces of what he had suffered until now.
“…….”
Ceres’ expression grew even colder at the sight of Mark lowering his head, as if he had done something wrong.
“Hey, is that thing expensive?”
“Pardon?”
When Mark looked up, Ceres was holding something.
“That’s….”
Why was she holding the stick used for beating dust out of blankets?
Ignoring Mark’s puzzled gaze, Ceres looked at the long, sturdy stick with great satisfaction.
***
“Did you come alone this time as well?”
“Yes, that’s how it turned out.”
“Anyone would think that the Black Guild Leader was the only one busy.”
The first day of the Imperial Conference.
As expected, Rot, the deputy guild leader of the Black Mercenary Guild, who had to attend in place of Skal, found himself confronted by those who wanted to pick a fight.
“That damn guild leader!”
He was nowhere to be found since morning, not even at the headquarters.
Perhaps he had run off to the stew shop again….
“Indeed. This time, we unexpectedly ended up being assigned the defense of the Alsi region, which has kept us incredibly busy.”
“Ahem.”
The face of the Red Mercenary Guild leader, who had initiated the quarrel, turned red.
Originally, the defense of the Alsi region had been handled by the Red Mercenaries.
However, due to their failure to properly control the Black Forest that had recently appeared, a significant number of casualties occurred, and they had no choice but to relinquish control of the region to the Black Mercenaries.
“Still, no matter how busy, isn’t it unacceptable to show such little interest in the Imperial Conference?”
“My thoughts exactly. What, do you think we have nothing better to do?”
“So full of yourself as always.”
Other mercenary guild leaders who had gathered around began voicing their dissatisfaction as well.
“Yes, I agree. Our guild leader is so exceptional, it’s quite troublesome. I’ll make sure to tell him to take it easy in the future.”
“You, you!”
“Ugh.”
Rot, maintaining his professional smile while saying everything he wanted, left the guild leaders fuming as they turned away.
‘Tch.’
If you’re not capable, you should just keep quiet.
‘Old fogies, all of them.’
The things they complained about were always the same, utterly lacking in creativity.
Clicking his tongue internally, Rot quickly reviewed the agenda for today’s meeting.
As expected, the main topic was the recent increase in appearances of the Black Forest.
The new defense system for the Black Forest, which had begun appearing even near the capital, was to be discussed.
“His Majesty the Emperor is arriving.”
Shortly after, the attendant’s announcement prompted everyone to rise from their seats.
As the doors to the conference hall opened, the Emperor entered, followed by Crown Prince Aserian.
“Everyone, take your seats.”
A soft voice and a kind smile.
But no one dared to lift their heads in his presence.
Despite his gentle demeanor, he was the one who overcame the most intricate and intense royal family conspiracies to ascend the throne.
This meant he could become more ruthless and cold-hearted than anyone else when necessary.
“…….”
The Emperor’s gaze stopped at one spot as he took his seat.
One of the places at the head of the table was empty.
‘So, he’s not coming after all.’
A silent sigh escaped from the lips of the Emperor of Devrica.
Even after summoning him with the Golden Plaque, it seemed that the 300-year wall of ice was not going to crumble.
Kainel Persia.
The empty seat of the Duke of Persia felt particularly large today.
‘Even my predecessor said they never once saw his face.’
Though the throne had changed hands multiple times, no one had ever seen him.
Likewise, no one had ever dared to forcibly bring him out.
‘Do not ever make an enemy of him.’
That was what the late Emperor had always said. There was nothing to be gained from antagonizing the Duke of Persia.
‘Sigh.’
But with the current situation being so dire, he had gone as far as using the Golden Plaque, and yet, it too had proven futile.
“Father.”
“Hmm.”
Lost in thought, the Emperor gave a slight nod at the call of Crown Prince Aserian. It was a signal to begin the meeting.
“Then, let us begin the meeting….”
Click.
“……?”
Just as Aserian stepped forward to start the meeting, the firmly closed door of the conference hall opened once more.
Step.
Everyone’s eyes naturally turned to the entrance, and they couldn’t tear their gazes away from the figure entering.
The first thing that caught their eyes was his spotless white hair.
Next, his cold, glimmering silver eyes exuded an extraordinary chill.
The emotionless expression on his face further accentuated the coldness of his demeanor.
Thud!
The first to react was the Emperor.
Realizing who it was, he stood up from his seat without even thinking.
“Welcome… please, come in.”
His appearance was exactly as described by the late Emperor.
With such distinct features, there was no mistaking him.
‘You’ll know him at a glance.’
The late Emperor’s words were indeed true.
“…….”
He gave the Emperor a silent nod and walked toward the empty seat.
Even as he moved, no one could take their eyes off him.
‘That man….’
The same was true for Crown Prince Aserian.
The Duke of Persia, whom he was seeing for the first time, had a mysterious aura that overwhelmed everyone with just his presence.
“Aserian.”
“Ah, yes.”
Responding to the Emperor’s call, Aserian straightened his posture and resumed the meeting.
Even then, his eyes wandered toward another empty seat.
‘That guy didn’t come after all.’
Despite personally asking him to attend.
With a brief sigh, Aserian imagined the antics that someone was likely causing elsewhere.
“Let’s conclude the meeting here for today.”
The meeting was over—and in record time.
Had there ever been a meeting this quiet and free of conflict before?
‘It seems better to have the Count of Vertz family provide additional guards for the Altoa region.’
‘But, Your Majesty, that is…!’
‘…….’
‘…No, I’ll reconsider, Your Majesty.’
Unlike usual, few dared to object to the Emperor’s words.
Even those who attempted to raise their voices would falter when they met the cold gaze of the Duke of Persia, seated closest to the Emperor.
And so, the meeting concluded, quieter and faster than ever.
Yet, even after the meeting ended, no one left their seats.
Even the Emperor remained silently gazing at one individual.
The man who appeared for the first time in 300 years.
There were so many things they wanted to ask, so much they wanted to say.
Would he now reopen the closed-off northern region?
Would he continue to participate in external affairs like this?
If so, how would the vast resources of the North be managed and distributed?
Everyone in attendance, nobles included, was bursting with questions.
Yet, not a single one dared to speak.
It was as though the chill emanating from Kainel had infected them, freezing their words in their throats.
Swish.
Was he truly unaware of all the attention?
Rising from his seat, Kainel gave a brief nod to the Emperor, just as he had when he arrived, and walked out of the conference hall without a word.
—
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