Volume 3 Chapter 9 (1/2)
Chapter 3 Episode 9
Editor: SniperIRL
Proofreader: mr.tanen
Western Continent Calendar August 9, 2812: (Towards the peninsula 9)
”Hoooh... She was trying to test my Lord? Despite being a woman who leads a business firm, she seems to be a capable one, eh? But still... Being able to thoroughly investigate the matter regarding my Lord like that... I guess her intelligence network can't be underestimated. It would also turn troublesome if we became her enemies.”
Genou's eyes turned sharp after hearing Ryouma's story during the meeting.
For Genou, being able to probe Ryouma’s background seemed to have elevated his impression of Simone.
He was not someone who was blind because of loyalty.
'What?! To think someone is trying to test my Lord! Unforgivable!' Although usually he was someone who might have said something like that, but as expected, he wouldn't do it in this kind of place where many people were present.
”Well, for now, there's little possibility for her to turn into our enemy. As long as she's planning to stay in Epiroz, I'm an essential existence for her. And, I have the rights over the Wortenia peninsula... But well, if I have to say, we also don't know when the situation will change. Just keep your eyes on her, Genou.”
”Understood... But her intelligence network is really remarkable... I think she uses the merchants to conduct information gathering, what do you think?”
”It appears to be so. It seems that since they are an old business firm, they have a lot of connections within the country and overseas. With that being the case, they might be using some kind of carrier pigeon at regular intervals to exchange information.”
”A firm with a long history, huh... Like that, they need to organize and send people to gather information.”
”Right, they seem to have dispatched merchants to trade while also telling them to gather information... In the future, Genou has to work in cooperation with them... Since if they were only capable of listening then I wouldn't be able to put up a fight even if it was only for self-defense.” <tln: what=”” it=”” means=”” by=”” self-defense=”” here=”” is=”” counter-intelligence.=””>
”If that's the case, then please let us support my Lord from the shadows.”
As far as acquiring a wide range of information using a large number of people, Simone was the better option. However, when it came to a.s.sa.s.sination, stealing, and other clandestine operations, Genou was far more suitable.
If one could successfully combine the advantages of both it would become a very powerful intelligence organization.
A calm and relaxed smile appeared on Genou's face.
He seemed to be relieved that his value did not go down.
”Well, isn't that good? Despite being unscheduled, for such an agreement to come from the first discussion with her, it was not bad. So boy, are you also going to leave the purchase of supplies to the Christoph firm as well?”
”No... I do not have any intention of trading with the Christoph firm this soon.”
”Eh? What does that mean? I thought the meeting a while ago was to start a deal? If not them, who are you going to buy our supplies from?!”
While feeling surprised Lione raised her voice.
They had looked specifically for a firm that had nothing to do with the Earl, and even made an agreement of cooperation with that Christoph firm.
Yet, Ryouma said that he would not make any trades with the Christoph firm so soon.
In Epiroz, there were nine other business firms.
However, all of them were under the Mistel firm’s umbrella which was siding with Earl Salzberg.
”Of course, we're going to trade with the Mistel firm... Well, I've also discussed this with Simone... It would be bad for us if we immediately traded with her Christoph firm. That would only alert the Earl, see?”
Everyone was convinced when Ryouma said those words.
For Earl Salzberg, if Ryouma made any dealings with the Christoph firm he hated, it would only raise a feeling of danger inside him.
'Why did he trade with a business firm that is my enemy? Does he intend to going up against me?' Such thoughts might have surface within the Earl's mind.
For the current Ryouma, such a situation would be undesirable.
That was why Ryouma and Simone decided it was best for them if he traded with the Mistel firm and the others first, until they had enough power to go up against the Earl's might.
On the other hand, Ryouma would be leaking information to Simone while also preparing themselves for a future confrontation against the Earl.
Besides, for Ryouma, Earl Salzberg might have provided various conveniences if he were to ask for them earnestly.
The reason for this was that for the Earl, there was still the issue where he was embezzling the crown, by way of the rock salt vein operation.
”I see... Indeed, that would be a safe move.”
”I agree.”
The two people who usually gave input to Ryouma with wisdom agreed. <tln: i=”” don't=”” know=”” who=”” and=”” who,=”” but=”” one=”” of=”” them=”” is=”” bolts=””>
”Well, I guess, it really sounds like you. Especially with how you're trying to use the Earl as much as you can,” Lione laughed loudly while saying those words.
What she meant was that Ryouma always made his opponents become careless and then destroyed them with one blow, placing emphasis on efficiency. Some might call people like that cowards.
However, someone who could do something like that usually became a formidable adversary.
”But still, Ryouma-sama, to meet with the Christoph firm first and not Mistel’s... Won't that make the Earl grow suspicious of us then?” Sara’s eyes who were looking at Ryouma looked uneasy.
”Well... According to Simone, they always dispatched someone to watch the Christoph building... Thus, no matter what I do, they would know that I've visited her.”
”Then, what are we going to do?”
”Well, I will just talk honestly: ‘I tried to purchase some supplies from her and she refused’... Because of that, I now run and ask the Earl for help, requesting him to introduce me to the Mistel firm.”
‘He refrained to ask the Earl for help immediately because he couldn’t afford to trouble the Earl without reason. And the reason why he visited the Christoph firm first was simply because the shop seemed to be empty.’
Using that, Ryouma would go to meet the Lord of Epiroz, seeking help purposefully after telling him that he was being rejected by the Christoph firm.
Ryouma would then tell the Earl that he aimed to make a deal not only with the Christoph firm, but with the others as well. This, in turn, would create the impression that he did not have the intention of antagonizing the Earl...
Based on Simone’s and Genou's descriptions of the Earl, the n.o.bleman was a completely different person compared the one he had seen at the castle.
The way he praised Ryouma and also his kindness... All of that was an act.
The truth was that he was an arrogant person who looked down on other people.
Considering his personality, if Ryouma were to come to him and beg him for aid in earnest, it would then fulfill the Earl's sense of superiority.
Thus, the Earl would never suspect Ryouma's maneuver.
”I see... You've thought about it that far ahead while also considering the Earl's personality, huh?”
”As usual, young master is really a terrifying person...”
Such casual tones were voiced by some of his close subordinates.
”To mix the truth with a lie would make it a good lie. One that will not only make the Earl incautious and inadvertent towards us, but also give us some help while at it. After that, I just have to exploit him until I have no further use for him anymore.”
Saying that, Ryouma showed a cold smile.
He was planning to provoke the Earl's carelessness, and then use it against him.
”I guess, that is good enough... But what are we going to do about the population?”
Genou voiced his question.
For the time being, they had solved the problems regarding hiring the mercenaries and the purchasing of supplies.
What was left was the problem regarding the people that would become the future citizens of Wortenia.