Merchant Noble is out (1/3 chapters for today)

 

 

Meeting

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When Leo arrived at the town at the foot of the Great Mountain Range, Arc, who had arrived earlier, was waiting for him. This town was not part of the Warden territory, but rather land governed by an official dispatched from the kingdom. However, due to the recent turmoil in the kingdom politics, there was no official, and the town had become ‘land without a lord’.

“I have been waiting for you, Your Majesty.” (Arc)

“Well, this is a surprise. I was planning to show up unexpectedly and surprise you.” (Leo)

There’s no way I’d let myself be surprised. The fate of the territory is at stake here.

“Since your visit was so sudden, we weren’t able to prepare anything.” (Arc)

“Haha, don’t worry, don’t worry.” (Leo)

Leo looked a bit surprised that Arc had arrived before him, but he responded cheerfully, pleased with Arc’s courteous manners.

Before coming here, Arc had received advice from Casablanca on how to deal with Leo. The key was to approach him with humility, with deference. It seemed Leo had been doted on since childhood as someone destined to be king, and he had developed quite a high sense of self-esteem.

While Leo sat back in his chair, he quickly got to the point.

“By the way, I’ve heard that Casablanca has gone to your place.” (Leo)

“Yes, Casablanca-sama is currently in our territory.” (Arc)

“Oh, I see.” (Leo)

Arc, inwardly breaking into a cold sweat, answered honestly since there was no way to conceal the fact. Surprisingly, Leo didn’t react.

“How is it? She’s quite a handful, isn’t she?” (Leo)

“Not at all.” (Arc)

The conversation moved along smoothly, leaving Arc increasingly uneasy. Could it be that Leo didn’t come to retrieve Casablanca? However, he must have come here to pursue her after she escaped. If he doesn’t intend to take her back, then what is his goal?

After a brief silence, Leo muttered in a voice so low it seemed like he wasn’t even trying to be heard.

“When I was a child, I used to play with toys until they broke.” (Leo)

“Uh-huh.” (Arc)

“But over time, I started enjoying breaking toys themselves. I would get excited every day, thinking things like, ‘This one broke in three days’, ‘This one lasted five days’.” (Leo)

“…” (Arc)

“And eventually, my interest shifted from objects to people. Humans are interesting. Of course, if you treat them roughly like toys, they break. But that’s not the only thing. Sometimes, just a single trigger, a single word, is enough to break them, and they’ll fall apart all on their own.” (Leo)

Arc’s understanding began to catch up. In short, to Leo, Casablanca was nothing more than a ‘toy’. This was unexpected. Arc had assumed that Leo was so fixated on her because she was a ‘rival for the throne’. However, if Casablanca was merely a toy to Leo, then it meant she wasn’t someone he absolutely needed to keep close or eliminate.

While Arc felt he had gotten a small glimpse into Leo’s mind, he was more confused than ever. If Casablanca was just a toy to him, why had he pursued her all the way here?

“It’s no surprise that Casablanca ran away. A caged bird doesn’t suit her. But I’m a little irritated that she left before I could play with her until she broke. It pisses me off. Don’t you think so?” (Leo)

“Uh-huh.” (Arc)

“Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Don’t you think so!!??” (Leo)

Suddenly, a thunderous shout broke the air. Although he wasn’t physically attacked, Arc nearly toppled backward in his chair. He had no idea what Leo was so angry about. He had heard from Casablanca that Leo was prone to sudden fits of hysteria, but it still startled him.

“You’re absolutely right.” (Arc)

“Exactly.” (Leo)

Arc nodded without understanding anything, while Leo returned to his usual calm demeanor as if nothing had happened. It was as if the intense outburst from a moment ago had been an illusion.

“That’s why I need a new toy.” (Leo)

I see. So, you want to offer someone who can satisfy Leo in place of Casablanca. But Casablanca himself is a very eccentric character. Even if you say a replacement, it’s hard to find someone who can speak on an equal footing with the king.

From the flow of the conversation, Arc thought the crisis for the Warden territory had passed. He began to relax, considering the situation somewhat detachedly.

“You seem like an interesting guy.” (Leo)

Huh?

When Arc looked up, Leo was staring at him with that eerie expression.

“They say you bought a noble title with money as a merchant, and after moving to your current territory, you suppressed a peasant rebellion and even built a large school, right?” (Leo)

It’s all mixed up. It’s completely mixed up.

The achievements of his father, brother, and sister were all jumbled together. Moreover, none of Arc’s own accomplishments were included.

“I’ve decided! You come to my side for now. The idiot nobles everywhere are making a lot of noise. I need more allies.” (Leo)

He had been targeted. Leo was pressuring him to become an ally.

This kind of offer should be refused, of course. Leo’s brutal and selfish actions had turned all the nobles in the country against him, earning him many enemies. For now, they were subdued by his overwhelming power, but the moment his strength showed any weakness, they would all turn against him. And even in the long term, the moment Leo reached the end of his life, that would be the end for his faction.

However, refusing would mean certain death for Arc. If he rejected Leo’s offer, Leo would kill him with the sword at his waist. Yulia, who was waiting outside, would be killed as well.

He absolutely had to refuse. If he agreed here, there would be no future for the Warden territory. A lord must protect their land, even if it means sacrificing their own life.

His body trembled.

Ah, I’m going to die, aren’t I?

Arc thought, steeling himself… or so he believed.

“I-I understand. I will serve under Your Majesty, Leo.” (Arc)

The trembling wasn’t out of fear. His body had instinctively rejected his rational decision.

With the clear words spoken from his own mouth, Arc had surrendered to Leo.

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