That always struck her as odd. She heard that people like them would force you to sell anything of value without exception, yet those vicious guys never once came to the shop.
When she looked into it, the reason turned out to be the mercenaries.
In the beginning, the loan sharks did come to the shop demanding repayment, but the mercenaries who practically lived there kicked them out without hesitation.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, causing trouble here?”
“Oi, did that b*stard just pull a knife? Come here while I’m still being nice!”
“You idiots, do you even know where you are? The only ones allowed to make a scene in this place are us mercenaries!”
They came once, got very frightened, and ran for their lives. After that, [N O V E L I G H T] they didn’t dare come anywhere near the shop again.
“If that’s the case...”
Were they harassing Mark without anyone knowing?
“If I’m not around, the shop will have to close...”
It seemed their goal was to harass Mark, either to drive him out or leave him injured so the shop could no longer operate.
Once that happened, the mercenaries protecting the place would leave on their own, making it much easier for them to come back and demand repayment.
“I tried to hold on somehow...”
Mark had been enduring the loan sharks’ abuse this whole time and even ended up with a broken arm.
Upon looking closer, there were a few old bruises and scars scattered across his body. They were likely traces of everything he had suffered until now.
“......”
Seeing Mark unable to lift his head as though he were the one at fault, Ceres’s expression grew colder.
“That, is it expensive?”
“Sorry?”
When he raised his head, Ceres already picked something up.
“That’s...”
Why was she holding a stick for dusting blankets?
Ignoring Mark’s puzzled gaze, Ceres looked over the long, sturdy rod with clear satisfaction.
***
“Did you come alone again this time?”
“Yes, that’s how it turned out.”
“Anyone watching would think the Black Guild Master is the only one who’s busy.”
On the first day of the Imperial Council, Lots, the vice-guild master of the Black Mercenary Guild, ended up attending alone in Skal’s place.
As expected, he had to deal with those eager to provoke him.
That damned guild master!
He had disappeared since morning and couldn’t be found at headquarters. Most likely, he had run off to the stew shop again...
“That’s correct. This time, we unexpectedly ended up taking on the defense of the Alsi region, so things have been quite busy for us.”
“Ahem.”
The Red Mercenary Captain who had started the provocation turned red.
The defense of the Alsi region had originally been their responsibility, but after failing to properly control the Black Forest that had appeared recently and causing heavy casualties, they had no choice but to hand over the region to the Black Mercenary Guild.
“No matter how busy you are, you shouldn’t show so little regard for the Imperial Council.”
“Exactly. Does he take us for people with nothing better to do?”
“He really thinks highly of himself.”
Before long, the other mercenary guild leaders began voicing their complaints as well.
“Yes, I agree completely. My guild master is far too outstanding for his own good, which causes a few problems. I will be sure to tell him to hold back a little from now on.”
“W-wait, you...”
“Ugh...”
Lots delivered every word with a flawless professional smile. In the end, the guild leaders could only turn away with flushed faces.
Tsk. If they lack the skill, they should at least keep quiet.
These old men said the same thing every time. Their lack of creativity was almost impressive.
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Lots quickly scanned the paper listing today’s agenda.
As expected, the main topic was the recent surge of Black Forests. They intended to restructure the defense system, especially now that the forests had begun appearing near the capital.
“His Imperial Majesty has arrived.”
At the attendant’s call, everyone rose to their feet. The doors opened and the Emperor entered, followed by Crown Prince Aseraian.
“Everyone, sit.”
The Emperor’s voice was gentle and his smile benevolent. However, not a single person dared to hold their head high before him.
Despite his kind appearance, he was the man who had survived the most complex and brutal internal power struggles in Imperial history. When necessary, he could be more ruthless and cold than anyone else.
“......”
After taking his seat, the Emperor’s gaze suddenly stopped on an empty seat among the places of honor.
So he really is not coming.
A silent sigh slipped from Emperor Devrica’s lips.
Even though he had used a golden plaque to summon him, the wall of ice built over 300 years showed no sign of breaking.
Kainel Persia.
Today, the absence of the Grand Duke of Persia felt particularly noticeable.
Even the previous emperor never once saw his face.
Though the throne had changed hands many times, not a single person had ever seen him, nor had anyone succeeded in dragging him out.
Never make an enemy of him.
It was something his late father had always said. Nothing good would ever come from making an enemy of Grand Duke Persia.
Haa...
The situation was dire enough that he had resorted to the golden plaque, but that might prove useless in the end.
“Father.”
“Mm.”
Lost in thought, the Emperor gave a small nod at Crown Prince Aseraian’s call, signaling for the meeting to begin.
“Then, we will now begin the meeting—”
Click.
“.....?”
Just as Aseraian stepped forward to begin the meeting, the tightly closed doors opened again.
Step, step.
Everyone’s gaze naturally turned toward the entrance. No one could look away from the person entering.
What first caught their attention was his pure white hair, followed by cold silver eyes that seemed to chill the air around him. His expression was utterly indifferent, devoid of any emotion. It made his presence feel all the more distant and cold.
The Emperor was the first to react. After recognizing who it was, he stood up unconsciously.
“You have arrived.”
His appearance was exactly as the late Emperor had described. It was hard to believe that anyone else in the world could possess such features.
“You would recognize him at once.”
It seemed the late Emperor’s words were true.
The man silently bowed toward the Emperor before heading to the empty seat. Even then, no one could take their eyes off him.
So that’s him...
Crown Prince Aseraian was no different. Seeing Grand Duke Persia for the first time, he felt the same overwhelming presence pressing down on others.
“Aseraian.”
“Y-Yes.”
At the Emperor’s call, he straightened his posture and resumed the meeting, though his gaze soon drifted toward another seat that still remained empty.
That brat really didn’t come after all.
He even went to see him in person to make the request. As he pictured someone likely causing a scene somewhere even now, he sighed quietly.
***
“Let’s conclude today’s meeting here.”
The meeting came to an end, and in an unusually short time at that.
Has there ever been a meeting this quiet without any conflict?
“It would be good if Count Bertz provided additional forces for the Altoa region.”
“But Your Majesty, that’s—”
“......”
“...I will give it some thought, Your Majesty.”
Unlike usual, almost no one spoke against the Emperor. Even those who tried to raise their voices would falter, falling silent under the indifferent gaze of Grand Duke Persia seated closest to him.
Therefore, the meeting ended more quietly and swiftly than ever before.
But after it was over, not a single person rose from their seat. Even the Emperor simply remained silent, his gaze fixed on one man.
He had appeared for the first time in 300 years. There were many questions to ask, and just as many things were unsaid.
Has he decided to reopen the northern region? Would he continue to involve himself in external affairs? If so, who would control the contracts and distribution of the vast resources that would come from the North?
Not only the nobles, but everyone present felt the urge to speak. However, no one dared to open their mouths. It was as if the cold air surrounding Kainel had spread to them, making it impossible to speak.
Did he not feel their stares at all?
Rising from his seat, Kainel bowed slightly toward the Emperor just as he had upon entering, then turned and walked out of the hall without a word.