“If he stays longer and is well-treated, there might be a chance to receive more prophecies. It’s a calculation on our part. Such opportunities are rare.”
ㅤ
“Hmm. Is a prophecy that significant?”
ㅤ
“A good prophecy can change the fate of a whole guild.”
ㅤ
Even if uncertain, everyone sought prophecies about the future. Thanks to his prophecies, Suetlg had become an advisor to the Duke.
ㅤ
“Let’s leave Suetlg’s story at that and talk about you, Sir Johan.”
ㅤ
“That would be appreciated.”
ㅤ
“Sir Johan, we have a guess as to why you came to the guild.”
ㅤ
“!”
ㅤ
Had his shallow intent of making a stable income been seen through?
ㅤ
‘Isn’t this too harsh a rebuke?’
ㅤ
“Ambition is not bad in itself. And if it’s ambition in someone qualified, it’s actually a virtue. Someone like Sir Johan certainly deserves to serve a worthy lord and receive his own fief.”
ㅤ
“. . .So you’ve seen through me.”
ㅤ
Caught off guard, Johan decided to play along.
ㅤ
Being seen as an ambitious knight aiming for a territory seemed better than being thought of as someone just trying to make a quick buck.
ㅤ
And honestly, the latter seemed too petty.
ㅤ
“We guessed right, then. Please forgive us for speaking so frankly. As merchants, we like to understand each other’s true intentions.”
ㅤ
“Ah, yes.”
ㅤ
“Sir, would you mind or feel reluctant to fight under our flag?”
ㅤ
“Not at all, I wouldn’t mind in the slightest.”
ㅤ
“Hmm. . .”
ㅤ
Iaon hummed in satisfaction. As Eldans had observed, Johan was indeed a knight worth joining hands with.
ㅤ
His first impression had been favorable.
ㅤ
Even as a knight, Johan had shown her respect. A younger knight might have acted arrogantly, trusting solely in his status.
ㅤ
But Johan didn’t.
ㅤ
He knew his status but understood the situation. This flexibility was rare in other knights.
ㅤ
“By the grace of St. Ruoak, may this meeting be beneficial for both of us. I look forward to working with you, Sir Johan.”
ㅤ
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
ㅤ
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
ㅤ
‘𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘧𝘥𝘰𝘮.’
ㅤ
Johan was lost in thought. Back in the rural fiefdom, his primary goal was to establish his position, not to become a feudal lord. It seemed like an unattainable goal.
ㅤ
However, hearing Iaon’s words, it suddenly felt plausible. After all, becoming a feudal lord was simply a matter of catching the eye of a noble who would grant the land.
ㅤ
With the help of the guild, gaining achievements and fame, who knows if such fortune might come?
ㅤ
“Won’t you sit?”
ㅤ
“Ah, yes.”
ㅤ
Johan settled down at once. He was an assassin who had captured a grand wizard. Suetlg’s face reddened then turned ashen.
ㅤ
“Wizard-nim, shall I give you a break?”
ㅤ
“. . .I couldn’t sleep well last night because of you.”
ㅤ
“What did I do?”
ㅤ
“Didn’t you make the maid cry all night?”
ㅤ
“Ah, I guess you heard. My apologies.”
ㅤ
The maid’s seduction seemed like a ruse, and he tried to refuse, but the curiosity about her being a cat person was too much, especially her tail and ears.
ㅤ
In the end, it was true that cat people had a weakness for their tails.
ㅤ
“I’ll give you some good advice if you give me a break.”
ㅤ
“Ah, yes.”
ㅤ
“Be careful with getting too involved with the guild.”
ㅤ
“. . .Is there a problem?”
ㅤ
Johan tensed up. Suetlg’s words were not to be taken lightly. Wasn’t he much more familiar with the guild?
ㅤ
“Is there a scheme within the guild?”
ㅤ
“Scheme? The guild is transparent. They grasp what’s profitable and let go of what’s not. The issue is with you. Aren’t you from the Empire?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“The Katana Merchant Guild is anti-Emperor. A couple of times may go unnoticed, but continually associating with them might label you or your family as anti-Emperor. Be cautious and think big.”
ㅤ
“Um. . . I’m fully prepared for what I’m doing.”
ㅤ
“. . .Is that so?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Then let’s continue our game.”
ㅤ
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Suetlg, feeling embarrassed, said no more. An awkward silence followed. Johan spoke to lighten the mood.
ㅤ
“This mansion is a really nice place.”
ㅤ
Skilled servants, beautifully decorated courtyards and rooms, and the meals served at every meal were just a bonus. Seeing the treatment Suetlg received made Johan envy the life of a wizard.
ㅤ
“It was once a noble’s residence.”
ㅤ
“Oh, whose was it?”
ㅤ
“Who remembers such details? Besides, I dislike this mansion. I can’t hear the sound of the river. . . The only thing I like here is this pet.”
ㅤ
Suetlg tried to pet Karamaf, but the wolf shrank away, displeased.
ㅤ
“But isn’t the name a bit unlucky?”
ㅤ
“Well, a bit of a sinister name keeps the enemies at bay, doesn’t it?”
ㅤ
“That’s true.”
ㅤ
While they were chatting, a messenger arrived at the mansion with urgent news. Panting, he drank a glass of water and delivered his message.
ㅤ
“The expedition has failed. Johan-nim, the branch manager is looking for you.”
ㅤ
“The prophecy has come true.”
ㅤ
Suetlg commented nonchalantly. Unknown to Suetlg, Johan was looking at him with an impressed yet irreverent gaze.