Chapter 88

Chapter 88: A Huge Investor. (2)

Daphne's Audience Chamber.

"Ten million?"

"Did you really just say that?"

"Huuuuh…"

The retainers… no, everyone’s faces were painted with shock.

Ten million gold—the amount needed to build a trade port in Mudside.

A sum unimaginable for the Daphne Viscounty, which didn’t even have a hundred thousand gold in its vault just a year ago.

That absurd amount of money had just been invested in our house by none other than a princess of the Empire.

I couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.

At the same time, everyone’s eyes turned toward one man.

Hardin stood there with his arms crossed, grinning from ear to ear.

'The Young Master actually did it!'

'Hardin… he really pulled it off?'

Building a trade port, getting an investment from a princess.

We had thought every bit of it was nonsense from beginning to end, yet all of it had actually happened.

Just for a fleeting moment, a vivid image flashed through everyone’s minds.

 Creak creak!

 Come on, move it! Hurry up!

The image of the massive trade port being built in Mudside.

Crowds of people from all over bustling through, and sailing ships coming and going.

Hardin raised his thumb toward Lieutenant Benjamin and shouted,

"Khhhhh, as expected of Her Highness. She really goes big."

"Didn’t you just… call her stingy?"

When Benjamin furrowed his brow and asked, Hardin simply shrugged.

"Did I?"

"I'm pretty sure I heard you call her stingy."

"Stingy? Me? Come on, don’t be ridiculous. I’d never say something like that."

Hardin scratched his head and gave a cheeky smile, prompting Benjamin to let out a deep sigh and shake his head.

"Well, that doesn’t matter. In any case… since the investment amount has been finalized, please review the clauses and sign here."

At that moment, Hardin rubbed his hands together and raised the corners of his mouth slyly as he asked,

"Hey, Lieutenant Benjamin? Before we begin the negotiations, can I ask you one thing?"

"…Go ahead."

"Why did you come in person?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, for a meeting like this, isn’t it more common for administrators to come instead of knights like you?"

With a sly grin, Hardin asked, and Benjamin paused for a moment before replying with an awkward smile.

"Today’s contract isn’t that complicated, and I’m already acquainted with you, Lord Hardin. Her Highness also delegated full authority to me regarding this investment."

"Oh… Full authority? That’s great."

Just then, as Hardin rubbed his hands together with a devious smile, Benjamin tilted his head.

"Why are you acting like that?"

"Oh, it’s nothing."

'Man, he's the perfect mark to bleed dry.'

It was obvious just by looking.

Lieutenant Benjamin—this guy had probably spent his whole life swinging a sword and playing knight.

The perfect type to squeeze dry… I mean, he clearly wouldn’t know the first thing about negotiation.

Behind his hand-covered face, the corners of Hardin’s mouth soared sky-high, and his shoulders shook violently as if an earthquake had struck him.

"Lord Hardin, why are you laughing?"

"Me? Laughing about what?"

"Your shoulders just bounced a little, didn’t they?"

"I’m just so happy to see you, that’s all. Haha!"

What a strange guy…

As Hardin waved his hands and replied, Benjamin looked uneasy but continued speaking for now.

"Then, please stamp your seal on the contract."

"Hold on, I need to check the contents first. Hey, let me see it."

"…Here it is."

Hardin slowly approached and took the contract from Malion and the Lord, who had been reading it together, and began to read it himself.

Then, Benjamin cleared his throat and said,

"There shouldn’t be any issues. The contract was thoroughly reviewed multiple times by the imperial administrative officials before I came."

"That’s right, brother. I didn’t see anything wrong with it either…"

But just then, Hardin furrowed his brows deeply and said,

"No issues, you say?"

"What’s the matter?"

"You’re telling me there’s no issue with this clause in the contract?"

He then tapped a specific part of the contract with his finger and exclaimed,

"Repay the debt within five years from the completion date of the port. If the debt is not repaid within that time, an annual interest of 3 pun (3%) must be paid. You see this clearly written here, don’t you?"

"Yes, I do see it. But what exactly is the problem…?"

Benjamin looked puzzled.

‘Repayment within five years? Then they’re not even asking for interest until then?’

‘That’s a perfectly reasonable condition, isn’t it?’

Even the retainers listening in turned curious eyes toward Hardin.

According to that clause, there would be no interest for five years after the port’s completion.

And even after that, an interest rate of 3 pun (3%) was not just reasonable—it was practically a gift.

But… why did he look so sour about it?

At that moment, Hardin thumped his chest with his fist and spoke.

"Why is there even a deadline for repayment, and why the interest at all? Is this really how things should be between us?"

"Excuse me? But this is an investment. Isn’t that just natural?"

Everyone’s eyes widened at Hardin’s outburst.

‘What kind of nonsense is that?’

'…?'

No one could even guess what he was trying to say.

But Hardin, on the contrary, only got more fired up.

"Man, I didn’t expect this from Her Highness. Huh? I… I risked my life saving her at Ruslan Fortress. I thought we were in this together now, sharing everything, but she’s being this cold, this ruthless toward us?"

"Lord Hardin, please calm down and let’s talk this through slowly…"

"Calm down? Do I look calm to you? We trusted Her Highness, but I never imagined she’d try to make money off of us like this. Oh my… this is just too much, really. Don’t you all agree? Huh?"

Hardin placed his hand on his forehead and began to lament, then looked around as if seeking agreement.

‘I don’t get it?’

‘What exactly is “too much” here?’

Of course, only question marks floated above everyone’s heads.

"I don’t even know why I risked my life fighting. Was it just to be treated like this? It’s so empty, embarrassing… honestly, it’s a lot, Lieutenant Benjamin."

"A-ah, well… that is…"

"If it’s going to be like this, let’s just forget the whole investment. I’ll just chalk it up to being fooled. Yeah! Let’s go with that."

Hardin scratched his head furiously, then crouched down and slapped the floor, finally staring up with the pitiful look of a man who had just lost his country.

The confusion on Benjamin’s face only deepened.

Did we do something wrong? Is this contract really that unreasonable?

The administrators said this was far more generous than usual terms…

No, even thinking about it logically…

"Ahem!"

Benjamin cleared his throat sharply to cut through the tension, then calmly continued speaking.

"Lord Hardin, surely you’re not saying we should just cancel everything? Her Highness already submitted this to Fabione, you know."

"So you’re saying we should accept these terms and just spend the rest of our lives paying off debt?"

"Why… why are you twisting this again…?"

"No! I won’t accept it like this! If that’s the case, we’re better off cancelling the whole thing!"

He… wasn’t going to accept it?

Everyone’s faces were filled with shock at Hardin’s outcry.

"Brother, what exactly are you doing?"

"What?"

Thud!

Suddenly, Malion elbowed Hardin in the ribs and whispered,

"You’re turning down the investment? Where are we ever going to find better terms than these? Are you out of your mind?"

"Who said I was turning it down?"

"Huh? But didn’t you just say—"

Then, Hardin stared at Malion with an exasperated look and said,

"Why are you so naive?"

"What? What did I do?"

"If this is coming from Her Highness, she’s already prepared to accept all of our conditions at this level."

"Be reasonable. There’s no way anyone would agree to something that absurd—"

"Ugh, shut it."

Thwack!

"Urgh!"

Hardin elbowed Malion in the ribs with several times more force, shoving him aside.

Malion let out a pained groan, rubbing his side and retreating backward.

‘What is he thinking?’

While everyone was watching Hardin with expressions full of confusion—

Lieutenant Benjamin, now clearly troubled, began to speak again.

"Lord Hardin, I understand you're upset. But still, you can’t seriously be saying we should just cancel everything. Think about my position too—if nothing else, you need to accept the investment for this to move forward…"

"My position? Then shouldn't you consider ours as well? I mean, is it fair to unilaterally set the terms without even discussing them with us first? That’s nothing short of treating us like we don’t matter."

"Then what are the terms you want, Lord Hardin? At least tell me that much."

"As if you’d listen anyway."

Hardin folded his arms and turned his head sharply to the side with a pouty tone.

Benjamin glanced around, gauging the mood, then reached out slightly and spoke.

"I already told you. Princess Medeia granted me full authority over this contract."

"Whatever. Just go back already."

"I can’t do that. I have the authority to adjust the terms, so please, just tell me what you want."

Hardin glanced back at him and cautiously asked,

"Really?"

"Yes, I’m certain."

With that, Hardin let out a deep sigh and spoke firmly.

"I’m not asking for much—just make the repayment period… indefinite."

"What?"

Benjamin asked blankly.

"…Huh?"

The retainers watching all blinked in confusion as well.

Didn’t he just say he wasn’t asking for much?

Benjamin’s face twisted into an awkward expression as he replied.

"Even so, making the repayment period indefinite… isn’t that a bit extreme?"

"See? See! You don’t trust us after all."

"That’s not it—"

"Ay, I shouldn’t have helped at all. If all we’re going to get is being treated like thieves by Her Highness, I’d rather not help at all. Go on then. I can’t live being treated like a criminal."

"Thieves? How can you say something like that?"

Sweat beaded on Benjamin’s forehead, while Hardin’s voice rose even higher.

"Ay, Her Highness treats us like thieves! This is why being good never pays off… I’m the idiot here, we’re all suckers!"

"……"

"I trusted Her Highness, but she doesn’t trust us!"

Hardin was now almost flailing about, ready to throw himself on the ground in a tantrum.

Benjamin watched in silence, his brow twitching before he shut his eyes tight.

‘Your Highness… did you predict even this?’

A memory surfaced—just before he had departed the imperial palace.

– Once you arrive in Daphne, odds are nine out of ten that Hardin Daphne will insist on changing the contract.

– What? But even as it stands, the terms are extremely generous. Would Lord Hardin really push back on that?

– If it’s him, he absolutely would. No question.

Princess Medeia’s prediction that Hardin would twist the contract—it was unfolding right before his eyes.

– If, by chance, that happens… give in, within reason.

– …Investing ten million gold wasn’t enough, and now you want me to give in further? Isn’t that asking too much?

– Well, we’re in the same boat now anyway.

Truly, I don’t know if this is the right thing to do… Your Highness…

Benjamin let out a deep sigh, then stepped forward to Hardin with a serious expression.

"Understood. So please stop now."

"…Huh? Stop what?"

"I will agree to the terms you proposed, Lord Hardin. Isn’t that what you want?"

At that, Hardin blinked a couple of times, then asked Benjamin again.

"You’re not lying, are you?"

"It’s true. Her Highness trusts the Daphne Viscounty and said this investment must be a symbol of that trust. So, with the authority granted to me, I’ll accept your request, Lord Hardin."

"Oho!"

In an instant, the world-weary look vanished from Hardin’s face, replaced by a beaming smile.

"Malion, bring me a pen and the seal."

"Sorry?"

"Quickly, before he changes his mind—we need to stamp it now."

They really accepted this outrageous demand?

On Malion’s face—or rather, on everyone’s faces in the room—shock and disbelief mingled and rose up.

‘See? I told you it’d work.’

There’s no way even that princess is dumb enough not to have done the math.

She knows what it means—for her—to join hands with us.

The corners of Hardin’s mouth curved up in a satisfied grin.

---

A short while later, in the Lord’s chamber.

Thwack!

The wave-emblem seal of the Daphne Viscounty was slammed onto the contract on the desk.

Hardin picked it up and blew on the ink with a puff, then looked across at Benjamin and spoke.

His face was brimming with energy, his skin practically gleaming.

"Khhhhh. Thank you for the business, dear customer. Haha! We’ll finish the port construction splendidly, and I’ll make sure this investment is one you’ll never regret—someday, far in the future."

Of course…

"Yes… I’ll be counting on you."

On the other side, Lieutenant Benjamin looked like his soul had been drained from his body, his face pale and his shoulders sagging.

He was utterly spent.

Standing beside him, Cobalt and Malion watched the scene in silent disbelief.

‘Did that really just happen?’

‘…Unbelievable.’

Then it happened.

Thud!

Hardin placed his arm around Benjamin’s shoulder and spoke in a hearty voice.

"Haha! Now that the contract’s signed, and you’ve come all this way, let’s have a drink before you go, Lieutenant Benjamin!"

"N-no, that’s really not necessary…"

"Come on, just have a drink. Malion, go prepare a banquet. Father, that’s okay, right?"

"Uh, sure."

"Yes, brother."

Both men nodded with blank, dazed expressions.

"Alright then, let’s go. Haha!"

And just like that, Hardin dragged Lieutenant Benjamin out of the room.

"Father… are we really okay with this?"

"Well… it was Hardin’s doing, so if anything goes wrong… we’ll just hold Hardin responsible, won’t we?"

"…Yes. Totally agree with that."

Quickly sorting out the blame in advance, Cobalt and Malion stared toward the door in a daze.

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