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“Huh? Why was he allowed in, but we’re not?”

At the tavern’s entrance, a young patron, stopped by the attendant, pointed at a client who’d just been welcomed inside and questioned.

The tavern attendant politely explained, “I am very sorry, but the gentleman who just entered has an invitation.”

“So, does this mean the tavern is reserved for a private party today?”

“Yes, it is.”

The refused patrons huffed and puffed expressing their dissatisfaction, but none of them dared to storm in.

As regulars of the “Butter Tavern,” they all knew it had strong backing. It was said that the tavern owner had profound connections with the aristocrats residing in the castle atop the hill.

Against such a backdrop, who dared to mess around here, thereby risking being ostracized from the North Territory?

When the disgruntled patrons had dispersed, the tavern received two more guests with dark complexions.

The two men bore a striking resemblance to each other, evidently brothers.

Notably, their dark complexions indicated that they had spent years on the road. Coupled with their inability to hide their ostentatious wealth, the attendant quickly surmised that they were traveling merchants, likely guests at tonight’s event.

As expected, one of them handed over an invitation to the attendant.

The attendant glanced at the invitation and promptly opened the door with a respectful salute, “Welcome, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Orma.”

The Oliver brothers entered the tavern.

Inside, hundreds of guests had already gathered. Surveying the room, Oliver recognized many familiar faces.

“Mr. Oliver!”

As soon as the two brothers had acclimated to the surroundings, they were surrounded by a flood of greetings.

Oliver was seemingly prepared for such a scene; he immediately put on airs, offering reserved smiles to those swarming around him.

The North Territory merchant meeting was not hosted by Oliver, and in fact, the Tulip Chamber of Commerce was not reckoned as the most potent force in the North Territory.

Especially after the upheaval in the Uman Clan, merchants who understood the Tulip Chamber of Commerce began to dismiss it.

However, this perception had recently taken a complete 180-degree turn.

The reason was simple.

The merchants discovered that Mr. Oliver, the under-the-radar chairperson of the Tulip Chamber of Commerce, had unexpectedly established a relationship with Count Angler!

Rumors of a relationship between Oliver and Count Angler had long circulated, yet it wasn’t until recently, when Count Angler sent messages to the major North Territory merchants through Oliver, that they finally accepted the veracity of the gossip.

Consequently, both Oliver and the Tulip Chamber of Commerce witnessed their prominence rise dramatically overnight.

“Mr. Oliver, is it true that the St. Hilde family is planning to secure a loan? How much do they aim to borrow?”

“Mr. Oliver, is Count Angler also planning to bulk purchase food in Silver Moon City this year?”

“Mr. Oliver, is it possible for Count Angler to provide additional relief for the tax quota within the Troll Empire?”

“Mr. Oliver…”

With such a barrage of inquiries, Oliver was momentarily overwhelmed. He plastered a polite smile on his round, chubby face, ignoring the questions, instead focusing on shaking hands and greeting the merchants surrounding him.

Clang clang!

An overweight middle-aged man at the bar struck his glass to draw quiet in the room. Once all eyes were on him, he said:

“Gentlemen, Your eagerness is overwhelming poor Mr. Oliver. Kindly control yourselves, please!”

Only then did the crowd around Oliver go dispersed, laughing merrily.

To make so many merchants so “obedient,” this middle-aged man surely has an extraordinary identity.

“Mr. Arnold!” Oliver made a move to catch up and extended his hand in greeting at the bar counter, “Thank you for inviting us to this grand event!”

This Mr. Arnold is the organizer of this merchants’ gathering, the owner of the Butter Tavern. More importantly, he also holds the esteemed position as the chairman of the North Wind Business Association.

The North Wind Business Association has always been in close association with the St. Hilde family. There have even been rumors saying that the business association was actually funded and established by the St. Hilde family, with Arnold simply serving as a figurehead.

For years, Arnold leveraged the St. Hilde family’s good name and influence to reign over the business world of the North Territory. Now as he was establishing a union of the North Territory merchants, all the reputable merchants are present, having responded to his call.

“Mr. Oliver, Mr. Orma, your participation in this grand event is an honor for me! Please take your seats and enjoy the champagne I’ve been keeping for years. Our meeting will commence shortly.”

The Oliver brothers laughed and accepted the gracious offer, being led to a round table at the front by an attendant.

After Arnold’s diversion, all the merchants were reminded that the meeting was primarily to discuss the establishment of the North Territory Merchant Union, rather than St. Hilde family’s large loan meeting.

So, everyone had to suppress their enthusiasm, stopped pestering Oliver, and prepared to inquire more closely after the meeting.

After a short while, the tavern door swung open again, and a young knight dressed in armour and equipped with a long sword stepped into the establishment.

The previously tranquil tavern buzzed with noise anew.

The merchants were buzzing, wondering why a knight would participate in a merchant conference.

Yet, some recognized the identity of the knight, and shifted their attention to Arnold.

At this, Arnold quickly stepped forward, personally inviting the young knight to the stage. He then loud addressed the assembly of merchants:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you all – Sebas’ eldest grandson of the Senate, Knight Weber of the St. Hilde family!”

Applause ensued.

The crowd of merchants seemed invigorated by the news. Knight Weber’s appearance confirmed their suspicion – Arnold really does have a close working relationship with the St. Hilde family. It seemed that this establishment of the North Territory Business Association was indeed the will of the St. Hilde family.

Only Oliver and his brother looked on with differing expressions, quietly conversing amongst themselves while occasionally glancing toward the tavern’s entrance.

Knight Weber wore a tolerant smile upon his face as he nodded and saluted the merchants below the stage.

He was initially reluctant to come, as when he left Dragon City, his grandfather Sebas had cautioned him to act discreetly in the North Territory. He was to do nothing that might cause any offense to Colin nor constantly fraternize with the North Wind Business Association.

However, the impulsive youth that was Weber, was not used to such a humble existence. Coupled with the North Wind Business Association offering money and women, the stifled Weber finally experienced the pleasures a wealthy young scion should have. In his drunken stupor, he accepted Arnold’s invitation.

In his opinion, attending a merchant gathering was a minor thing and would not draw Colin’s attention.

Arnold, observing the changing complexions of the merchants beneath the stage, was brimming with satisfaction.

His grand effort to invite Knight Weber to the meeting was to perpetuate an image in the minds of the North Territory’s merchants – behind the North Wind Business Association stood the St. Hilde family!

Waving the banner of the St. Hilde family, the very thing that had allowed Arnold to prosper throughout these years in the North Territory.

However, recent changes within the North Territory have been so abrupt that it’s hard to keep up. The newly risen Count Angler does not seem to be highly receptive to merchants, prompting Arnold’s idea to establish the North Territory Merchant Union to unite the merchant force and adapt to the changing circumstances.

Just as Arnold was about to give a triumphant speech, the tavern door opened yet again.

Arnold knitted his brows, ready to berate the tardy merchant. However, when he saw the stately figure that strided in, he was momentarily stunned.

Knight Weber, who was already seated, immediately rose to his feet. He hurriedly wiped the beer foam from the corner of his mouth with his left hand against his chest, stuttered a salute to the newcomer:

“Count…Count Angler!”

Colin strode into the meeting room, laughing:

“Such an exciting gathering, how come I wasn’t informed?”