* * *
A short while after Walter’s hostage incident.
The marquis arranged a dinner with the Marchioness and me.
It was extremely unusual for the three of us to dine together like this.
SLICE, SLICE―
CHEW, CHEW.
“…….”
Not a single word was exchanged at the table.
The marquis offered a perfunctory greeting, but the Marchioness pretended not to hear him.
After that, the marquis did not bother trying to speak to her again, and the awkward, rigid atmosphere continued.
CLINK.
Since everyone silently focused solely on eating, it did not take long for us to finish our meals.
The Marchioness was the first to arrange her utensils neatly.
She asked in a sharp voice.
“So… why did you suddenly arrange this gathering?”
She went straight to the point without any preamble.
It was terribly improper according to noble etiquette, but I did not care.
I also wanted to escape this uncomfortable gathering as soon as possible.
“Ten days from now, a conference attended by every lord in the empire will be held in the Imperial Capital.”
‘Ah, the Imperial Lords’ Assembly.’
It was an annual event held around this time each year.
The emperor personally presided over it, receiving reports on the administration of each territory and listening to the lords’ petitions.
This was an opportunity.
“Wow! Then are you going to the Imperial Palace too, Father?”
“I am.”
The assembly generally lasted about a week. The actual meetings took place over four days, while banquets were held during the remaining three.
For that reason, most lords brought their families with them.
‘Once I enter the Imperial Palace, I might have an opportunity to meet the Third Prince…!’
I therefore looked at the marquis with the most innocent expression I could manage, filling my eyes with open admiration.
“I… have never visited the Imperial Palace before, but I have heard many stories about it.”
In other words, I wanted to go as well.
However, what was this?
Before I could say anything more, the marquis firmly cut me off.
“Evan. I understand that you are curious about the Imperial Palace, but I do not believe you can accompany me this time.”
“…What?”
As I stared at him in bewilderment, blinking repeatedly, he calmly explained his reasoning.
“You are currently responsible for the new business venture Verdin is pursuing. Establishing a strong foundation in the early stages is important in any undertaking. Where do you intend to go at such a crucial time?”
“Ugh, but……!”
Well.
His reasoning was so correct that I had nothing to say.
Even so, I intended to push the issue by somehow appealing to the doting marquis’s paternal affection―
“If you insist on going, transfer your authority and responsibilities over the business to Sebas before you leave.”
“Ah…….”
That would be troublesome.
The marquis also seemed certain that I would never accept that condition.
“Evan, you will have other opportunities to visit the capital.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
In the end, I nodded with a dejected expression.
It was now the Marchioness’s turn to answer.
Ordinarily, she would never have passed up an opportunity involving banquets and parties.
However….
“Hmph. Go or do not go. Do as you please.”
The Marchioness’s voice was icy.
It seemed the shock from the incident a few days earlier had been considerable.
“You have nothing else to say, correct? Then I shall take my leave.”
SWISH.
The moment she finished speaking, she rose from her seat.
She then deliberately swept past the side of the table where the marquis sat before leaving the dining hall.
A heavy silence descended over the room.
“…Mother appears to be in a poor mood.”
“…So it would seem.”
The marquis silently stared at the place his wife had vacated.
He then turned his gaze toward me.
“Father? Is there something you wish to say…?”
“If I travel to the Imperial Capital, I will be away from the castle for at least three weeks, perhaps nearly a month.”
His words carried a meaningful undertone.
“Be careful.”
“…What?”
“If there are people who wish to harm you, they will most likely act while I am absent.”
He spoke almost as though he knew in advance that such a thing would happen.
His next words strengthened that impression even further.
“Do you know who ordinarily assumes the position of acting lord when the lord is absent?”
“Ah……!”
It was the lord’s ‘wife.’
‘Hmm… people certainly do not change easily.’
I had never expected that woman to give up obediently.
“I shall keep that in mind, Father.”
“Good.”
The dinner ended there.
Three days later, the marquis departed for the Imperial Capital.
* * *
CLOP-CLOP― CLOP-CLOP―
Inside the moving carriage, Pervan Verdin ran his fingers across the objects resting on his knees.
“Heh. Remarkable. To think they have already prepared something like this….”
They were two pieces of black leather.
At first glance, they appeared identical, but touching them made it clear that they came from entirely different creatures.
One was made from the hide of a goblin from the Behamag Mountains, while the other was made from orc hide.
― Father, I have something to give you.
― Hmm? What is it?
Evan had visited him the night before his departure and presented these ‘prototypes.’
― When you reach the Imperial Palace, I thought you could distribute them as gifts to His Majesty and the nobles in attendance.
― Oh… that is an excellent idea.
The emperor and lords from every corner of the empire would all be gathered in one place.
Pervan was already scheduled to give a briefing on the purification of monster corpses. If he distributed the items then, he could naturally promote the products at the same time.
‘Could this child have been born with mercantile talent as well?’
― Did you devise this plan?
He had asked the question with a trace of expectation.
Evan shook his head, leaving him slightly disappointed, but the answer that followed was surprising.
― It was proposed by ‘Flüde,’ who oversees the practical operations.
― Flüde? You mean the commoner youth with the unusual eyes?
― Yes. He is an exceptionally capable man.
― Ahem… impressive.
He would have to observe the young man for a while longer, but Flüde certainly appeared to possess genuine ability.
Looking at the situation this way, Pervan could not help thinking that his young son possessed extraordinary judgment.
‘Setting that aside… what I have been expecting has finally arrived.’
SWISH.
Pervan removed a black envelope from inside his coat.
His movements were strangely cautious.
Neither a recipient nor a sender was written upon it, but he knew perfectly well where the letter had come from.
‘This will be my first attendance since Evan awakened….’
It was an unofficial meeting held in the shadows.
A gathering of the secretive ‘organization’ to which he belonged.
Until now, even when he attended, he rarely had anything to contribute. He had usually done little more than fill a seat before returning home….
This meeting, however, was likely to be different.
‘Under no circumstances can I allow them to take an interest in Evan.’
That was why he had firmly prevented Evan from accompanying him.
The Imperial Capital was filled with ‘their’ eyes and ears.
Of course, remaining in Verdin did not mean Evan would be entirely free from danger.
After Walter’s hostage incident, Pervan had learned that the Marchioness had contacted Count Freya.
‘She will undoubtedly attempt some scheme.’
He had decided to turn that into an opportunity.
He would place firm restrictions on the Marchioness’s authority and prevent her family, House Freya, from interfering in Verdin from that point onward.
For that reason, he had instructed Haver, who was responsible for Evan’s protection, and Butler Sebas on the measures to take in an emergency.
Moreover, his youngest son possessed strength on an entirely different level from ordinary boys his age, so Pervan judged that he would be safe.
‘Yes… Evan will have no trouble.’
Once again, his mind knew that with certainty.
Yet for some reason, a corner of his heart remained uneasy.
CLOP-CLOP― CLOP-CLOP―
‘Haa…….’
With his mind filled with worries, a sigh escaped him.
The carriage continued steadily toward the Imperial Capital.
* * *
After the marquis departed, I continued working on the business with Flüde.
“Having the marquis explain the prototypes to the lords and distribute them as gifts should be more than sufficient promotion.”
Securing the initial inventory was also progressing smoothly.
The monster corpses collected during the subjugation expedition into the Behamag Mountains would be more than enough.
In that case, the problem was….
“Young Master, how is the distribution network progressing?”
“The Magic Tower is establishing a Verdin Branch. They have purchased a building near the plaza outside the castle and are currently selecting personnel to operate it.”
“What about the Warp Gate? I understand that the Imperial Family and the Magic Tower promised to construct one.”
“Once the Magic Tower Branch is established in Verdin, installing the gate will be their first task.”
“Hmm… then how long will it take to complete the Warp Gate?”
“I do not know exactly when the branch will be established, but the construction will probably require about a month after that.”
“Hmm, I see….”
Flüde nodded after hearing my answer.
He appeared to consider something briefly before speaking.
“In that case, once the initial inventory is ready, let us begin by selling to the territories surrounding Verdin.”
Flüde took out a map and marked every territory within a certain distance of Verdin.
According to his explanation, products could be transported throughout that area by land without relying on a Warp Gate.
“If you approve, Young Master Evan, I will make the necessary preparations.”
“Good. Proceed with that plan.”
We decided that sales would begin after the marquis returned.
We could have launched earlier by rushing the preparations, but waiting until then would allow us to benefit fully from the promotional impact of the prototypes.
Moreover, the current acting lord was the ‘Marchioness’….
“I have a swordsmanship lesson, so I shall take my leave.”
“Understood. I shall report to you again as soon as there is further progress.”
“Good.”
The business was progressing smoothly and far more quickly than I had anticipated.
It was all thanks to Flüde’s abilities, which surpassed even my expectations.
After finishing our discussion, I headed toward the Training Ground.
* * *
“Wahahaha! Magnificent as always! Then try blocking this as well!”
Haver rampaged excitedly.
After discovering that I could wield Aura, the difficulty of my swordsmanship lessons had risen sharply.
At this point, rather than Haver teaching me anything, our sessions had become a continuous series of sparring matches.
“HYAAAH!”
WHOOOSH―
Despite his enormous size, Haver closed the distance in an instant with astonishingly agile movements.
His Greatsword pressed toward me powerfully from the front.
Blue Aura streamed across its broad blade.
“You madman…!”
SLIDE―
A single mistake would have resulted in my body being cleaved in half.
I quickly used Shadowless Dark Step and slipped out of position.
I moved directly behind Haver―
“Fine! You truly intend to give it everything today as well?”
“Wahahaha! That was a magnificent movement, but―!”
When mediocre swordsmen lost track of their opponents in the middle of an attack, they generally panicked and withdrew their blades.
Even though I had already evaded, Haver swung his sword through to the very end without the slightest hesitation.
BOOOOM―!!!
“Ghh…!”
The instant the Greatsword slammed into the ground, a powerful shock wave erupted in every direction.
Despite having reached his back, I was forced to retreat before I could launch a proper attack.
“Oh! You have already opened the distance again!”
“Be quiet! This time….”
ROOOAR―
“I am coming for you!”
My movements surged forward with the violence and ferocity of a raging storm.
Black Night Raging Wind Step.
Unlike Shadowless Dark Step, which emphasized quiet, concealed movement to launch surprise attacks or catch an opponent off guard, this Footwork Technique openly erupted with an overwhelming presence and advanced while crushing the opponent beneath its pressure.
I had become capable of using it after the Heavenly Demon Divine Art reached the Second Stage.
“Ha…! Hahahaha! Truly magnificent! Come!”
STEP.
Haver erupted into wild laughter.
A broad smile covered his face, and he appeared to be enjoying himself immensely.
Well….
I was enjoying myself as well, so perhaps I wore a similar expression.
“Th-that movement was incredible…!”
“Is it really true that he has been learning swordsmanship for less than half a year?!”
“How can he become stronger so quickly…?”
Recently, whenever Haver and I held a swordsmanship lesson… or rather, a sparring match disguised as one, knights gathered to watch.
Today was no exception, and they could not conceal their astonishment.
‘Heh heh… has the time finally come?’
Judging from their reactions, it seemed safe to begin carrying out ‘that plan’ I had been considering for some time.
It would be a new step toward surviving the disaster that would erupt from the Behamag Mountains five years from now and transforming Verdin into a prosperous territory.
I intended to take that step through today’s sparring match.