Chapter : 147

Oh…?

As expected, he was not easy to deal with.

To say something like that to me here, and even with Baron Pierre standing right beside him.

In a way, it was utterly arrogant, but I could tell. This was thoroughly calculated.

-MURMUR MURMUR.

Look even now.

Pretending not to, the people in the banquet hall were watching this situation with expressions of great interest.

The elderly people who seemed to be members of the council of elders were watching this place even more intently.

They knew it as well.

That this was not a simple meeting, but an issue that would decide who would become the head of the House of Viscount Bardi in the future.

I can see why he is struggling.

To display his presence so clearly under this kind of attention meant he was someone whose head worked very well in many ways.

Sir Andrea.

Do not try any unnecessary tricks on my guest.

Oh my. Tricks? And why is he your guest? Since he has come to the House of Viscount Bardi, he is the viscount’s guest. Is that not so, Bishop Marco?

Mehehehe! That is right. Our Sir Andrea. Excellent. Mehr.

Well, would you look at that? And that damn goat beastman Bishop Marco is laughing without even reading the mood?

Watching Sir Andrea Bardi joke around and ask the goat beastman Bishop Marco like that, I burst into laughter inwardly.

It seemed Baron Pierre really did not like that sight, but well….

Of course, the elders who strongly supported Baron Pierre were reacting quite fiercely and frowning deeply.

He really resembles someone quite a bit.

What do you mean, Magician Agpiel?

What else. I mean he knows how to use fox-like cunning, just like you.

…There are many people around.

That is why we are whispering like this, are we not?

Ghn….

Honestly, better to die than suffer.

But I felt like I could not just stay still like this, so I stepped forward and opened my mouth to Sir Andrea Bardi.

That should be enough. Please do just that much. Well…. It is true that I am a guest of the House of Viscount Bardi, after all.

?!

……?

At my words, Sir Andrea Bardi and the surrounding elders made surprised expressions. It seemed they had not expected me to say something like this.

Even Baron Pierre looked slightly stiff, as if he was surprised by my words as well.

Well, however….

I gave a small chuckle as I looked at them.

Even so, when it comes to treating me, only Baron Pierre did so, did he not? Or am I mistaken?

Uh…. Well. That is true.

Honestly, I thought I would meet the relevant people right away…. I did not expect that I would meet you last. This banquet, was it really prepared for me?

…….

For a moment, Sir Andrea Bardi was left speechless.

Sir Andrea Bardi made an awkward expression for a moment, then burst into laughter and slightly bowed his head.

That is correct. My goodness…. I made a mistake. I should have gone first to attend to you…. Next time, I will come to you immediately. I apologize. Margrave of Bellua. Please have a comfortable night in our home.

With that, Sir Andrea Bardi hurriedly distanced himself from me. He seemed to know well that staying any longer would only damage his own dignity.

Judging from that, his grasp of the situation was quick, and his sense for reading the room was no joke either.

He certainly leaves a deep impression. I can see why the council of elders likes him.

That is why it is difficult for me, Your Excellency the Margrave.

Heh heh…. All the more reason it will be thrilling when you win, no?

Well, that is true…. But would it not be very bad if I ended up losing everything?

That too is true.

At Baron Pierre’s words as he shrugged, I let out a small chuckle.

Then when would it be good to talk about the related matters?

Later…. When the banquet ends, I will come to see you. For now, please enjoy the banquet. The night is long, after all.

Hm, sounds good. Let us do that.

Yes.

Just as Baron Pierre said, the night was long. And I also had plenty of time to stay.

Perhaps now was the time to relax a little and enjoy myself? I had been running too hard for too long.

—

Ughhhh!

Perhaps because I had relaxed and drunk alcohol for the first time in a while, I woke from a deep sleep feeling groggy.

Of course, there was no hangover.

After all, the blessing of the Goddess always kept my physical condition at its peak.

Ah, thank you.

I drank the honey water brought by the servant and lazily leaned back into the chair again. I was waiting for someone now.

So who will come first?

The person who was more impatient would move first. And in fights like this, the more impatient one usually lost….

Oh, you are already awake.

It seemed the firstborn of the House of Viscount Bardi was more impatient than expected.

He had come rushing over before Baron Pierre.

Yes. Thanks to you, I slept well. Just as you said, the hospitality of the House of Viscount Bardi is excellent.

Haha. I told them to take good care of you. I wonder if the servants did not disturb you.

Disturb? Not at all. They helped me in the best way possible. If I could, I would like to take them to my domain.

As I exchanged pleasantries like that, I straightened up from the chair I had been leaning against.

What kind of proposal would this man make? My curiosity was piqued.

However.

The reason I came is nothing special. I am asking you to join hands with me, not my half-brother.

The proposal was worse than I had expected.

No, Your Excellency. Even if you simply remain an observer, I promise that I will gladly provide you with benefits.

What are you talking about?

The factories you are operating. I will fully allow the goods produced there into the Free City Alliance under our influence. And by using our transportation network, I will expand exports all the way to the Holy Empire. You only need to pay a small commission for that.

Hm…. Is that all?

Of course not. I understand that you are currently in quite an uncomfortable relationship with the King of the Elang Kingdom. I will guard your rear, Your Excellency the Margrave. Using the influence of the House of Viscount Bardi, I will sponsor the Free City Alliance to support you.

That is somewhat decent.

It was the best proposal among those he had offered so far. Of course, even this alone did not satisfy me.

Still, I could not show that in front of this adorable Sir Andrea Bardi. I simply smiled and replied in a friendly tone.

Thank you for the proposal. It was decent.

Then…?

My good man. How could I decide such an important matter just like that? Give me some time. I will think it over.

Hm, understood. Then please rest well.

Without any further response, Sir Andrea Bardi left the room. Since he had so much, he did not seem particularly regretful.

Negotiations were originally more profitable when done with someone who had nothing.

Because he had so much, he did not want to lose a single thing, which was why he offered so little. From my perspective, the things Sir Andrea Bardi proposed were not very good options.

Well, those are things that would happen anyway even if he did nothing.

The cheap products pouring out of my factories would eventually spread across the continent even without Sir Andrea Bardi’s proposal.

As I sipped the honey water the servant brought again, I thought that.

Then what kind of proposal would Baron Pierre make? Would he cling to his greed and hold everything tightly in his hands like Sir Andrea Bardi?

If so, I would be disappointed….

At that moment.

Your Excellency. Baron Pierre has arrived. Would you like to meet him?

Oh, yes. Tell him to come in.

Baron Pierre had come to see me. It seemed he could not sit still either.

It has been a long time since we met like this, my lord.

Do you still call me my lord?

When I lightly reproached him, Baron Pierre let out a small laugh.

Is that not how we have always met? Why…. Should I call you Your Excellency like my brother does?

No. That feels too distant, and I do not like it. We have known each other for quite some time, after all.

I thought you would say that.

Baron Pierre had definitely become more relaxed than before. He was even joking like this.

So, what kind of proposal have you come to make? For reference, your other blood relative was quite quick on his feet.

Has he already come and gone?

He has.

Well…. It seems his proposal was not very good.

You could see it that way. Or not. There is nothing certain.

I thought that greedy man would never give up everything.

Oh…? Then you are different?

At my question, Baron Pierre shrugged.

I do not know what you were offered or what kind of proposal it was, but I can at least give you one definite answer. I can do everything that Andrea proposed, exactly as it is.

Interesting. You do not even know the details.

If I win, I gain everything, and if I lose, I lose everything. Do you think I would be stupid enough not to give something like what Andrea proposed?

Hm, that is true as well.

In this regard, Baron Pierre was indeed closer to a gambler. He had the temperament of a great merchant.

Of course, even so.

Is that the end? Still, the legitimacy of the House of Viscount Bardi lies with Sir Andrea Bardi, so would that not be safer?

Of course not.

Then?

First….

As he spoke, Baron Pierre swallowed his words for a moment. Then he slowly looked at me and opened his mouth.

I will hand over the merchant network I built in the Elang Kingdom to you as it is. Were you not already trying to expand your influence in the Elang Kingdom? It will be helpful.

Huh? The one you cherished and raised so carefully?

Even so, it is smaller than the House of Viscount Bardi as a whole.

Well, that was true.

Compared to what Baron Pierre would gain, it was only a very small portion.

Next…. I will give you one of the trade rights to a Free City port that the House of Viscount Bardi owns. As far as I know, you have two port cities, Pigeros and the City of Mangtong. If you connect the maritime trade routes, you will gain enormous wealth.

I do not have manpower on the maritime side. Especially for maritime trade, you need ships and sailors, do you not?

I will give you those as well.

Ho….

It was an incredible proposal. To the point where I wondered if it was really acceptable for him to do this. But conversely, it was an extremely wise proposal. It had to be this much for me to accept it.

What do you think? Will you help me?

What was there to say?

Of course I would accept.

Very well. I will help you. I will stake my name and support you.

I nodded as I said that. Only then did Baron Pierre let out a sigh of relief and steady his breathing.

He spoke confidently, but it seemed he had been quite tense in his own way. Looking at him, I raised the corner of my mouth and spoke.

I will adjust part of it.

What?

Ah, I am not saying I will take more. It is just that you are trying to give too much…. I intend to cut some of it out.

M, my lord…?

Do not look at me like that. Are we not in a give-and-take relationship?

I said that while looking at the flustered Baron Pierre.

Reducing the immediate benefits I would gain could be seen as a loss, but even the rights I had already received were enormous.

By trimming that a little, it was better to gain something else instead.

Th, thank you…!

Exactly this.

-DING!

[Baron Pierre’s favorability increases sharply.]

[Baron Pierre’s favorability has reached the maximum. This strong bond will prevent betrayal.]

Sometimes, even a very small kindness could bring about incredible loyalty.

Hehehehehe.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep