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“So, Joseph from the Donian Merchant Group is the mastermind behind everything that has happened?”

“Yes, milord.”

The count’s lips raised in a strange smile as he heard Hectos calmly replying to him.

“That is interesting. So, no one died except the culprit himself? Hmm?”

Hectos kept calm, but he knew what the count meant. Jackson wasn’t killed because he was the main culprit. The reason why he specifically killed was to stop him from threatening Hectos with his previous bribes in the past.

“How about the countess? I heard the son is handling everything.”

“Yes, milord. We have been in contact with him.”

“How is he?”

“He is a fearsome man. It’s like he sees through your thoughts.”

Hectos answered as if he did not want to think about the man. The count was intrigued by his reaction. Hectos was one of his own knights in the past. He was valorous and loyal, but now he had become a guard of this village. He was not like the knight he once knew.

‘Rotting in this place has changed him… but will that make him fear someone that much?’

The count thought of Hectos’ reaction and how he used to be known for his valor.

“Are you scared of a boy in his twenties? Are you the Hectos I once knew?”

“I felt a strange pressure from him when I met him. Even the air turned so cold that I couldn’t even breathe.”

The count turned his eyes toward Hectos.

“You must be exaggerating.”

“No, I am not, milord. You will understand once you meet him. Jackson was shivering badly because of it. You will see for yourself.”

“YOU! How can you be so rude to the count! You insolent scum!”

“STOP!”

Billis Joel, the Knight of the Count, warned Hectos for his daring words, but the count stopped him.

“I am sorry, milord.”

Billis bowed and backed away quickly.

“Haha, don’t mind him. Hectos, I assume you speak the truth. Our debt to the Donian Merchant Group has decreased by half because of him so I should grant the man what he wants. Hectos, what do you think he wants?”

Everyone began thinking hard at the count’s question. Hernan Oto, who was riding his horse next to the count, seemed to be very interested in what Hectos had to say.

“I would assume he would want a trade deal or milord’s attention.”

“Is that so? Why is that?”

“I am not entirely sure. My brother-in-law Jackson told me of this.”

“Jackson?”

“He’s a clever man so I listen to his advice quite often.”

Hernan interrupted Hectos and the count smiled.

“He must be a really clever person to draw Hernan’s attention.”

Hectos bowed and continued to speak.

“He speculated that this Count Joonbum wants to publicize this issue in order to bring Count Brant into it. Jackson also speculated that he wanted to keep Donian out of the trades between the other merchants and the Ainos.”

“Oh.”

“That is probable.”

“Right. I believe the present they sent surely meant to meet with each other. They must have begun preparing it since they canceled the exclusive contract with the Donians.”

First was the cancelation of the contract that made the other merchants act. Next was to hold a feast so that all the people would start paying attention to the Ainos. Then Joseph hired mercenaries in an attempt to steal the potions that he would’ve normally easily acquired and the mercenaries were all captured. No one was killed in the process. It would’ve stopped there, but one of the mercenaries named Baxter labeled Joseph as the mastermind and he was eventually killed while trying to fight the guards. The Donian Merchant Group’s journals had been taken to the count and they were accused of corruption. There were also cases of smuggling, so it was the end for them. The Donian group changed their regional leader to Norman in response.

“I expect to meet him then. Hectos, go tell that man that I will visit him soon.”

“Yes, milord.”

Brant spoke casually. The man seemed to instill fear among his subordinates, but Brant was still the ruler of this land. He had nothing to fear.

*

Joonbum frowned at the news of Count Khalodanian’s arrival and his subsequent visit in the afternoon.

‘Ugh. That Baxter made this bigger than it should’ve been.’

His capture resulted in major arrests in the Donian Merchant Group and it revealed multiple accounts of corruption. This caused the count to arrive sooner than expected. However, it was not exactly a bad thing. The count had already seen some profit from everything that had happened and it was expected that he would at least come as a friend. It might prove to be better to have the count be involved in the new trade contract.

‘But what would be the share?’

Joonbum thought for a moment but soon came to an answer.

‘We will pay the count the entire amount that the Donians are paying back to us.’

Time passed quickly as Joonbum thought about what to do next. His mother began preparing to meet with the count with the help of the newly-hired maids, Jesse and Salin. They were young mothers in their twenties, each with two kids. They had experience working as maids for noble families so they were highly skilled and educated.

“Wow, milady. You look fabulous!”

“Milady, this golden hairpin is gorgeous.”

“Thank you.”

Joonbum grinned while listening to them talk and turned to Mayze who was preparing the dishes on the table.

“Mayze, I’m sorry for the trouble.”

Joonbum bowed slightly but Mayze shook her head while smiling.

“No worries. It’s almost done.”

The table was filled with various dishes that were not from this world. There was also a microwave placed at the corner of the table to show its magic to the count. Joonbum rose and walked out of the RV.

“So, how is it?”

Doral, who was outside, grinned.

“It’s alright. The elders are explaining what happened to ask the count to make things right. He promised that all trades will be done under his name and we will pay him thirty potions each year in return.”

Joonbum nodded. There were the middle-grade potions that had the value of a small castle and there was a high-grade potion as well. Thirty of those potions meant a great profit for the count.

Adding to the count’s delight, the Ainos promised to give all the money that the Donians promised to pay back. The amount was worth ten potions.

‘I guess he must be delighted.’

“Are you done? He will come to see you soon.”

“As you can see.”

Joonbum pointed at the road leading to the RV. The grass that covered the area was trimmed cleanly and there was red carpet on the top of it, creating a road. There was also a portable table and chairs beside the RV.

“His followers will stay at that table while I meet the count.”

“Yeah, those knights were rude.”

Doral frowned at the thought and Joonbum also knew of this.

“I’ll pay them back for you.”

“Sure. Haha.”

Doral smiled at Joonbum’s words.”

“They’re coming!”

“Coming!”

Pav and Aiden, the youngest warriors, ran toward them. They were tall and big, befitting the look of warriors, but they still acted like kids. They stopped in front of Joonbum and pointed at the count and his group of people walking out of the tents in the distance.

‘It’s time!’

Joonbum let out a big breath to shake off the nervousness. He touched his ring and straightened himself up. He then pointed his chin outward and watched the group approach. They stopped at the sight of the red carpet, seemingly surprised, then turned their eyes to Joonbum.

‘So, this man is Joonbum Christos.’

Joonbum was wearing the same black army suit when he met Hectos before. The clothes had various medals affixed on the chest.

‘Are those medals of honor?’

A knight with a lot of medals could only mean one thing.

‘So he’s been through a lot of wars.’

The count thought for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“I am Count Brant Khalodian. Who are you?”

“Milord, I am Joonbum Christos, second son of the Countess Christos of the Daehan Empire. I am honored by your presence.”

Joonbum bowed and then walked closer. They finally met.

‘He’s like a bear!’