Chapter 170

Chapter 170: The Master of the Trade Route (7)

A warm glow bloomed brightly from the streetlamp.

The townspeople stared blankly up at the light, basking in its warmth.

Only when their attention had completely shifted away from him did the agitator’s face twist in frustration.

“Damn it...”

It was as if he'd received a direct order from someone—his brow furrowed the moment an unexpected variable emerged.

Standing under the streetlamp, he ground his teeth at the sight of me staring at him indifferently.

“You got here way too early...!!”

He then hastily stepped down from the platform and headed toward the only café nearby.

On the café terrace, a man was seated.

Unlike the man who had just been giving a speech from the platform, this one was dressed quite elegantly.

With a navy coat layered over a blazer and dress shirt, he looked every bit the Nord gentleman.

“Why did you return so early?”

His voice was composed and dignified.

With an air reminiscent of Tyr, Edward’s chief secretary, his demeanor exuded that distinct northern grace.

Anyone could tell—this man had come from a high place.

“It’s because... the head of the Erian Foundation has appeared!!”

“Already?”

He had clearly expected his arrival.

But to come this quickly?

The appearance much earlier than planned made the middle-aged gentleman rise to his feet.

“Let’s wait and report to the young lord.”

He pulled a luxurious leather case from beneath his chair and set it on the café table.

As he undid the lock, a crisp clicking sound rang out...

And then, a crystal orb made of the same material Valdes had used in a recent meeting came into view.

[Silver Sacred Orb.]

It was a sacred object of the Silver Truth Church—something only bishops, their closest aides, or family could receive.

A relic that allowed communication across long distances—a privilege granted exclusively to bishops.

“Young Lord.”

As if it had been on standby, the orb reacted immediately.

[Speak, Tesla.]

Officer Tesla fixed his eyes on the man in the distance like an owl watching its prey.

A young man who had channeled mana into the streetlamp to light it.

“Roger Julius arrived at the Ande Plains far earlier than expected.”

[Seems he came alone, without Echina.]

The voice beyond the crystal orb was calm and composed.

As if this level of unpredictability had already been anticipated.

“Yes. He’s interfering with the agitation groundwork we were laying. No, actually... it seems the momentum has already shifted.”

[That’s to be expected. The residents have nothing to lose from the knights' arrival, after all.]

Opposing something that could bring happiness to one’s own people.

The voice of an ambitious man, willing to do whatever it took to become a ruler.

[But that’s fine. It’s easy to split public opinion in two. All we have to do is throw out some convincing arguments and gather those who still find Roger hard to trust.]

Officer Tesla adjusted his fedora in understanding.

Then, like the soldier he was, he stood at attention and listened intently.

[What if we present it to our agents like this?]

Eric had never set foot in the Ande Plains.

And yet, he had a firm grasp of most of the Nord region’s information.

[Most of the residents of the Ande Plains make their living from logging. The rest are a small number of livestock farmers.]

“That’s correct. Especially the herders—they graze their animals in the plains.”

The officer reported the reality of the village, which he had thoroughly investigated, in an even tone.

He turned his gaze toward the flat land where the knights’ barracks were set to be built.

There, tamed reindeer and sheep covered in thick wool were strolling about.

Aside from this area, there didn't seem to be any other place suited for grazing.

[The Ande Plains may be vast, but aside from that one spot, the rest isn't really fit for pasture. You have to go quite a distance down before you even reach another grassland.]

Tesla agreed.

"That's right. If the knights lose the site, the ones who suffer the most would be those people."

[First, split the loggers in half. Then, quietly bring up the pastureland. That'll give the herders the courage to speak out as well.]

"As you command."

Tesla closed the crystal orb, covering it with the lid of the case.

Then, silently adjusted his fedora...

"I'll step in personally. Follow me."

He took the agitator—who appeared to be his subordinate—and headed back to the platform.

Like a soldier returning to the battlefield, eyes sharp and stern.

――――――

"A safe night... I can't even remember the last time I heard someone say that..."

"It’s true. Having a government presence does bring some advantages."

The villagers of Ande murmured to one another like squirrels, glancing back and forth.

Bathed in the warmth of the streetlamp, their expressions seemed slightly more at ease.

But I soon had to turn away from them.

They, too, turned their gaze toward the platform all at once.

“Everyone, please spare me a moment to speak.”

A voice so composed and trustworthy it almost commanded belief.

A man I had seen only once in my previous life stepped up to the platform.

“I’m Tesla Hilland, a former officer of the Imperial Knights.”

The Imperial Knights.

Perhaps just hearing the name invoked reverence.

The villagers looked up at him—half in fear, half in nervous anticipation.

“The reason I stand here today is to engage you in a serious discussion.”

I decided to watch quietly for now and see what nonsense he would spew.

With my hands clasped behind my back, I observed this infinitely refined man’s attempt at agitation.

“First, allow me to present three reasons why the knights mentioned by that young man earlier should not be stationed here.”

Thanks to his knightly background, the crowd was at least willing to hear him out.

That’s the power of having an official title.

“I ask that you listen carefully and judge with solemn minds. Let us begin with the area’s main source of income: logging.”

‘It’s like he predicted I’d come and set up his chess pieces in advance.’

He’s exactly the type who plays the knight’s role.

Not of particularly high rank, but difficult to deal with and deployable in any direction.

“If the knights are stationed here, all the nearby trees will be cut down. The road conditions are poor, so supplies will have to be sourced locally.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Doesn’t that mean you’ll be buying all our lumber?”

A logger raised his hand high, eyes wide open.

His palms were full of thick calluses.

“For now, sure. But what happens after construction is finished? They won’t need your lumber anymore.”

As if it had been prepared for this moment, he pulled out a single sheet of paper.

On it, the following was written:

[Annual Timber Price Graph]

“Right now, timber prices are at their lowest of the year. The government is targeting this window to source your lumber at rock-bottom prices!!”

The officer raised his gloved hand.

Then, he pointed toward the distant horizon lined with pitch-black trees.

“Think about your future. Once you sell off all the nearby timber cheaply, you’ll have to travel all the way out there to continue logging. In every way, you lose.”

“That’s true. It might feel good to sell everything now, but during the heavy snowfall of winter, logging would be impossible.”

The man who had been leading the earlier agitation—and had lost his momentum to me—chimed in again.

At that, a few veteran loggers began to waver.

“The second reason: the grazing land will be completely lost.”

Now he was dragging the herders into it.

Hearing about the potential damage to the loggers had made them uneasy as well.

“The site where the knights are to be stationed includes the grazing land. If that’s taken away, what will you live on?”

Honestly, he wasn’t wrong.

Everything he mentioned was a realistic concern from the villagers' perspective.

“That’s right. If we leave the Ande Plains, we’ve got nowhere else to go...!!”

“Director Roger, can we also expect proper compensation on our side?”

But how could an outsider know all this?

That officer, who wasn’t even from Ande.

The reason was simple.

‘This is Eric’s doing.’

Eric, the Grand Duke of the North’s eldest son.

Even though Duke Luton disapproved of his son’s conduct, he couldn’t easily cast him aside. The reason was clear.

The guy had genuine competence.

He was the firstborn, and he looked the part too—tall and dignified.

And yet, despite being the eldest, he schemed constantly to outmaneuver his siblings.

That was because... he never let anyone who tried to climb over him go unpunished.

Eric was the twisted realization of his father’s ambitions.

And now, he had the audacity to draw his sword against Echina, the one who dared to join the competition despite being a knight.

“Director, can you properly resolve all the concerns raised by that man just now?”

Once again, the villagers turned their gazes to me.

One of the loggers—apparently the representative—spoke out to me in a loud voice.

“No matter how much you’re a director, can you really overturn a government project? We’ll have to accept some of the consequences, too...”

“The ones who’ll suffer are us. If the contract’s weak, we’re the only ones who’ll end up kicked out.”

Only moments ago, the villagers had seemed united. But now, they had begun to turn on one another.

This was exactly what he wanted—a fractured community.

Situations like this are never easily resolved.

Even if people grow up in the same village, their values and personalities inevitably differ.

Naturally, their opinions would be divided.

And if an outsider stirs the pot?

Those unsure of their own stance would find confidence through him and become even more divided.

Eric understood this kind of crowd psychology extremely well.

But the eldest son had overlooked one critical detail.

That I, the person standing before them now, was the former chief secretary—who had witnessed all ten years of his coming atrocities firsthand.

“……”

The whole crowd was watching me, hoping I’d deliver some insight.

Under the soft glow of the streetlamp, my face was quietly illuminated.

This was undoubtedly a difficult situation.

Those in favor of the knight order’s construction, and those against it—both stood divided.

They hadn't fully turned against me yet—but if I didn’t respond correctly now, it wouldn’t be long before they did.

There was only one solution in moments like this.

“I will now respond to the statements made by the retired officer over there.”

To deliver the best answer possible—one that satisfied everyone.

And to do it with absolute confidence, without the slightest hesitation.

“Let’s begin with the first issue: the matter of buying up timber at rock-bottom prices.”

I stepped up to the platform.

And stood tall beside the former officer—the very man no one else had dared approach.

“As this gentleman pointed out, timber prices are currently well below average. However, do you really believe the government would try to exploit its citizens for profit in this way?”

I placed a hand over my chest.

And with a voice that held not a trace of uncertainty, I spoke to the villagers.

“As someone under direct contract with the Imperial Household, I give you my word. The timber for the construction project will be purchased at the average market price over the last ten years.”

“……?”

The retired officer turned to look at me, clearly bewildered.

Even if I was close to the Imperial Family, declaring control over government project funds?

“Excuse me, who do you think you are, interfering in government affairs? You’re merely the head of a private foundation, aren’t you?”

“You’re right. Officially, I don’t have the authority. However…”

I answered the man—who looked at least ten years older than me—in a calm and leisurely tone.

And at the same time, I pulled something from my coat and presented it with full intention.

“The official paperwork hasn’t arrived yet. So all I have to do is buy up the timber here myself before it does.”

A brilliant gold bar I had prepared in advance.

“Oh, and if Young Lord Eric hears this, he’ll probably try to buy the timber first and sell it off at a higher price—so it’s best to act now.”

I raised my hand.

At that signal, several hotel staff who had been waiting at a distance rolled in carts and opened a large sack in front of everyone.

Naturally, inside was…

A pile of radiant gold bars, gleaming against the white snow.

“I will personally purchase all the timber here in advance. I’ll then sell it to the Imperial Household at the average market rate—so there’s no need for you to worry. Please feel free to sell.”

I declared that I would handle the resale to the Imperial Household myself at a fair price.

The loggers, now assured they could sell their harvested lumber at full value, lit up with excitement.

“Is that true? You’ll really buy it at the previous market rate?!”

“Yes. I’ll present the price I paid in advance, so there’s no chance of being shortchanged.”

‘Of course, the Imperial side won’t be thrilled about paying above the current rate…’

But that much could easily be resolved with a single word from the Empress—who, thanks to my finesse, was now firmly on my side.

“Fine, let’s say that’s settled. Then how do you plan to support the herders?”

Just as the momentum seemed to shift, Officer Tesla stepped in again, pressing the attack.

Sure enough, the herders—who had yet to hear any solutions—still wore uneasy expressions.

“Oh, our herders don’t need to worry either.”

To them, too, I offered reassuring news in a calm, steady voice.

“We’ll buy all of your cows and reindeer as well.”

“……?”

I had resolved something that would normally take days of deliberation in an instant.

And at those words, the officer’s composed expression finally twisted.

“You’re going to buy all that livestock? Don’t be ridiculous. What would a mere foundation even do with that many animals?”

I turned toward him as his voice rose.

Then, I pulled out a business card and handed it to him with effortless grace.

Stamped boldly on the card was the emblem of a familiar household.

A golden lion.

The Yekaterina Imperial Family.

“Soon, a large-scale restaurant—Le Yekaterina—will open here.”

Besides that, provisions would also be needed to supply the knight order during the construction period.

That responsibility would be handled by the team of Harris, the Western Grand Duke’s son.

“We’ll be sourcing fresh, local meat from here for them.”

I turned once again to the base of the platform.

Then, smiling broadly, I addressed the herders as well.

“Oh, and of course, at full price.”

At last, even they began to show signs of relief in their expressions.

The people, who had been on the verge of turning against one another, became once more a gentle crowd of squirrels, expressing their gratitude to me.

The only ones left with grim, bug-chewed expressions were the agitators.

“You... Do you have any idea who you’ve just provoked?”

Standing beside me, Officer Tesla leaned in to ask quietly.

“I know very well.”

I answered him with a perfectly indifferent expression.

“And soon, you’ll know too.”

My long eyes narrowed further.

With obsidian pupils curved like a crescent moon, I spoke to the middle-aged gentleman.

“You’ll find out exactly who you just messed with.”

Agitation and fabrication...

It seemed it was finally time to teach him who the original master of those tactics really was.

“I’ll see you soon. At the land your master has staked out.”

Tesla stared intently at my narrowed, displeased gaze.

The hand holding the leather case containing the crystal orb trembled ever so slightly.