“You must have had a difficult journey coming all this way. You must be busy with your duties as Mayor as well.”
“Ha ha ha. Naturally, I had to come when you summoned me, my lord. Besides, things have not been particularly busy lately. Ha ha….”
“Is that so? Well, have some water for now. I would offer you tea, but my castle does not possess such luxuries.”
“That is perfectly fine. Water is healthier than tea, after all. Ha ha ha….”
Alone with me inside the office, Yakov repeatedly let out hollow laughs as he raised his cup and sipped the water.
‘The mayoral election is only a few months away.’
Because of that, Yakov’s political influence and authority were gradually diminishing, while the Opposition Faction within Zilvergard was steadily gaining strength.
If his weakness were exposed at a time like this, he would almost certainly lose the election. It was only natural that he behaved so meekly before me.
“More importantly, why did you summon me today, my lord? I believe you said there was something you needed my assistance with.”
“Yes. There is something I need you to do.”
Yakov set down his cup and immediately came to the point.
His words were polite, but they sounded as though he had no desire to remain here any longer than necessary and wanted me to state my business quickly.
I had no intention of wasting time on idle conversation either, so I immediately explained why I had summoned him.
“I have been developing a mine recently. Have you heard about it?”
“I have. Merchants traveling north have brought word of it.”
“Yes. The workers needed for the mine have also arrived, so development will begin in earnest soon. We should start producing iron and various other metals in considerable quantities.”
I continued while imagining that satisfying sight.
“However, mining the ore is only the beginning. We need somewhere to sell it as well, do we not? I would like you to secure buyers for us.”
“That should not be difficult. I will speak with the Merchant Guild and the Smithies. I can instruct them to give priority to purchasing iron and other metals produced in the Bricks Territory. If necessary, I can even provide subsidies. They should comply without complaint.”
Yakov readily agreed as though it were nothing significant.
With the authority and influence of the Mayor, arranging something of that nature would not be especially difficult.
However, that was not the entirety of my request.
“Thank you. There is one more matter. Before I explain, understand that you cannot reveal this to anyone.”
“……”
“I need a discreet route through which I can sell Ancient Dragon Stone.”
“Ancient Dragon Stone?”
Yakov’s eyes widened in shock.
“Are you saying that the mine produces Ancient Dragon Stone? This is the first I have heard of it. Even the old records contain no mention of Ancient Dragon Stone being found in this region….”
“You only need to know that much. I will say it again: you are not to speak of this to anyone. If you so much as open your mouth, your disgrace will immediately become known throughout Zilvergard.”
“U-Understood. I will keep it secret.”
Seeing him hurriedly bow his head reassured me somewhat.
I was still reluctant to share information about the Ancient Dragon Stone with him, but since I possessed leverage over Yakov, he would not dare reveal it carelessly.
“Then I will repeat my request. I want you to find a route through which the Ancient Dragon Stone can be sold. Arrange transportation as well, if necessary. Naturally, the buyer must be trustworthy.”
“You want me to do that? But….”
“Yes. You previously attempted to influence the city’s commercial market by smuggling a massive quantity of Mersia Tea Leaves. That was hardly the first time you conducted smuggling on such a scale, either.”
“Th-That was….”
“You could only have accomplished it because you possess considerable personal connections in the underworld, correct? If you use those connections, I imagine you can fulfill my request as well.”
As expected, Yakov looked deeply uncomfortable.
His authority as Mayor and his personal connections made the task possible, but there was no doubt that it would place a considerable burden upon him.
I silently watched his hesitant expression and waited.
As expected, before long, Yakov released a long “Phew” and answered.
“It is possible. Ancient Dragon Stone is both rare and highly useful, so it commands an extremely high price. There are many people who would be willing to purchase it.”
“I see. That is fortunate.”
“However, it will take time. From what you have told me, you wish to conduct the transaction secretly so that the existence of Ancient Dragon Stone within your territory does not become publicly known. Finding a buyer willing to satisfy that condition will not be easy.”
“Do not worry. I can wait, provided it does not take excessively long.”
I readily accepted his answer and sent Yakov on his way.
As we watched the carriage carrying him leave the manor, Hakon spoke.
“If I were you, I would have demanded considerably more from him, my lord.”
“Would you?”
“That man is compromised by us, and he values his position as Mayor above everything else. If you reveal his disgrace, he will lose his office that very day. He has no choice but to comply with whatever you demand.”
“Hmm. That is true.”
“Then perhaps you could have pressed him harder. You could demand manpower, wealth, or anything else we require. That would allow the territory to develop even faster, just as you desire.”
It was certainly possible.
Yakov was in a position where he could hardly refuse anything we demanded.
If I openly attempted to strip Zilvergard of everything useful, he might still be unable to reject me.
However, I had no intention of going that far.
I shook my head.
“No. This is enough. Even a cornered rat will bite a cat. If I make excessive demands merely because I possess his weakness, he may decide that he has nothing left to lose and become openly hostile toward us.”
“Is that what you believe?”
“Yes. There is no reason to provoke him excessively. We need only take what we actually require. If possible, it may even be beneficial to support Yakov in the next mayoral election. If he wins another term, we can continue receiving Zilvergard’s assistance throughout that period.”
“So that is your calculation. Hmm….”
Hakon trailed off with a peculiar expression.
Judging by his usual manner, I expected another negative remark.
Instead, he said something entirely different.
“I have thought this for some time, but you truly resemble the late Duke, my lord.”
“Do I?”
“You appear mild on the surface, yet you are calculating underneath. The late Duke was the same.”
“Was that a compliment?”
“Take it as one.”
I laughed softly at his usual brusque answer.
For a ruler, being called calculating was closer to praise than criticism, so there was little reason not to accept it positively.
Still, being told that I resembled my late father left me with a strangely complicated feeling.
If there was one thing Yakov, the Mayor of Zilvergard, despised above all else, it was the Opposition Faction within the city.
No matter what course he took as Mayor or what policy he proposed, there was always someone ready to oppose him.
They also spread malicious rumors and devised political schemes in relentless attempts to damage his reputation.
There was no possible way for Yakov to view them favorably.
The second thing he hated most was Dieter Vermont, the new lord of the Bricks Territory to the north.
In truth, Dieter had become Yakov’s greatest source of frustration lately.
‘That damned brat appeared out of nowhere and started ordering me around…!’
Dieter might carry the blood of House Vermont, but he was still merely an illegitimate young lord ruling over a crumbling castle in the middle of nowhere.
For Yakov, who had governed Zilvergard for years, being forced to obey every demand of such a boy was humiliation beyond measure.
However, he had no choice.
As long as Dieter possessed the document proving Yakov’s relationship with Melvin, Yakov could do nothing except comply with whatever he demanded.
The present situation was no different.
“Very well. Explain what you found.”
“Yes. Then….”
Dieter sat comfortably in his chair while Yakov spread a map across the desk between them.
It was time to explain the prospective buyers he had found for the Ancient Dragon Stone.
“As you requested, my lord, I found three possible buyers. The first is the Blackwater Merchant Caravan, which is based on the southern peninsula.”
Yakov pointed toward a peninsula jutting south of Zilvergard, and Dieter’s gaze followed his finger.
“The Blackwater Merchant Caravan possesses several large trading ships and hundreds of members. They wield enormous influence over the ports throughout the peninsula, to the point that even the local lords cannot treat them lightly. Their credit is unquestionable, so—”
“Rejected. Organizations based in ports usually have some sort of relationship with pirates. I have no desire to become involved with criminals and invite unnecessary trouble.”
Dieter waved his hand dismissively.
If some incident involving pirates drew the attention of the Main Estate, it could become troublesome.
He wanted nothing to do with such people.
“Understood. Then the second candidate is the Markel Barony. Its ruler operates extensive mining and manufacturing industries within his territory. Because of that, he has considerable demand for Ancient Dragon Stone—”
“No. He will not do.”
Dieter firmly shook his head the moment he heard the name.
The reason was simple.
“Baron Markel is a vassal of my family. If I conduct business with him, rumors will spread through House Vermont before long. I absolutely cannot allow that.”
“Ah, yes. Of course. The transaction must remain secret… Then Baron Markel is also rejected. That leaves the third candidate. I actually considered excluding this man, but he meets your conditions, so I will explain….”
Sounding distinctly reluctant, Yakov pointed toward the third location on the map.
It lay east of both the Bricks Territory and Zilvergard.
Judging by the distance, it would take approximately three days to reach.
“Gernot Hermann, the Count who rules Hermann County, wishes to purchase the Ancient Dragon Stone. He also wants the transaction to remain completely secret.”
“Really? Just as I requested?”
“Yes. Precisely as you requested, my lord. However, considering who the buyer is, I am somewhat concerned….”
“Why? What is wrong with him?”
Dieter tilted his head as though he genuinely had no idea.
Yakov was so taken aback by the reaction that he asked,
“Do you truly not know who Gernot Hermann is? Have you never even heard the rumors?”
“No. What kind of man is he? Has he committed some crime?”
The thought that Dieter truly was an ignorant young man with little knowledge of the wider world crossed Yakov’s mind.
Naturally, he did not dare say it aloud.
“Count Hermann is, quite simply, an eccentric. He claims to support the arts and occasionally pulls complete strangers off the street to employ them as painters. He has even hired a Northerner Shaman as an adviser. Rumors are also widespread that he conducts suspicious experiments within his territory.”
“I see. A man like that must be ostracized by noble society.”
“Essentially. Count Hermann has spent several years secluded within his castle and territory without making any public appearances. That isolation has only caused the strange rumors surrounding him to multiply.”
“None of that matters. Does he possess the means to purchase the Ancient Dragon Stone?”
Dieter stared at Hermann County on the map as he asked.
He appeared to have developed considerable interest in the Count.
“Most likely. His territory is wealthy, and his military strength is considerable. He holds substantial influence throughout that region. If you truly intend to conduct business with him, I do not believe payment will be an issue….”
“Then that settles it. We will choose him.”
“Truly…?”
Yakov frowned and tilted his head.
His expression did not suggest concern for Dieter so much as complete bewilderment at his decision.
“Are you truly going to trade with Count Hermann, my lord?”
“Yes. Contact him. What about transportation? Hermann County is fairly distant, so we will need someone capable of handling the shipment.”
“Well… There are mercenaries within the Mercenary Guild who specialize in transportation. You will probably need to enter into a separate contract with them.”
“Good. Investigate that as well. Naturally, choose people who can be trusted.”
Dieter rose from his seat with a satisfied expression.
“There is no need to see me out. I will leave the rest to you.”
“Yes. Have a safe journey, my lord….”
The instant the office door closed behind Dieter, Yakov’s expression twisted.
His tightly clenched fist trembled before he slammed it onto the desk with a BANG!
However, almost comically, he immediately clutched the aching hand and groaned.
“Ughhh! That damned brat… He truly thinks I am his servant!”
Yakov ground his teeth.
He had no intention of allowing Dieter to hold his weakness over him forever.
Sooner or later, he would secure a powerful backer and teach that bastard Dieter a lesson.
Without fail.
‘But for now, I have no choice except to obey his demands. Gernot Hermann….’
Forcing himself to suppress his anger, Yakov stared at Hermann County on the map.
Merely imagining becoming involved with that eccentric Count was already enough to make him sigh.