Chapter 126

‘I thought one of Del Conti's three retainers was definitely a Cordis spy.’

Before my regression, as the vice-commander of the Western Alliance, I had also raised many spies.

That was why I knew how much habits could reveal. Kukulo foolishly prepared an imperial-style banquet, which exposed the spy.

‘I wondered who it could be, but as expected, it was you, Tibel Bartole.’

I began to observe Tibel Bartole. Cautiously, of course, so she wouldn't notice.

Once I started paying attention, things I hadn't seen before became visible.

‘You’re Cordis’s pawn.’

For instance, her accent.

Tibel Bartole slightly exaggerated her lisp.

It was a tone that deliberately mimicked a Western accent.

For instance, the way she handled her gaze.

It would have been natural for her to be conscious of me, but her gaze was overly calm.

It was a trait often revealed by trained spies.

Then again, Tibel Bartole would have felt it was unfair.

How could she have known that I was well-versed in Cordis's etiquette and could read her identity from her subtle habits.

She was simply unlucky.

‘...Yes, because of you, before the regression, Merion, and Poesia, ended up in that state…….’

Suddenly, anger surged within me.

The past events ignited a fire in my temples.

The reason Merion had met such a tragic end was because of the Cordis spy hidden in Del Conti.

Because I couldn't stop the disaster of Cordis, many people, including those precious to me, had died.

‘Not yet, not yet……. I already knew coming here, that one of them would be an imperial spy……. I have to leave her be for now…….’

I tried to soothe myself, the screaming hunchback inside me.

I tried my best to calm myself, but I couldn't help but wear a bitter smile.

“Is the meal to your liking, Mr. Shion?”

“Ah, it’s not bad.”

“That’s a relief.”

He forced a smile.

It was difficult, but familiar.

“It was a delicious meal, my lord.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Kukulo Del Conti, oblivious to my inner thoughts, smiled cheerfully.

“I had many things I wanted to talk about with you, Mr. Shion. It’s so hard to find someone with a deep knowledge of art. Let’s forget the past and have a pleasant conversation. The singer Aconeus, you see……”

“That’s enough. I don't wish to discuss art with you, my lord.”

Kukulo’s face hardened instantly.

He was not a patient man.

Having consistently maintained a deferential posture towards me had already exhausted most of his meager patience.

But regardless, I flicked my fingers with an arrogant attitude.

“Let’s just get to the point.”

***

“...I thought you were a more refined person.”

“You seem to have misunderstood.”

I drank water.

Even though wine had been poured for me, I didn’t even touch it.

It was a very rude and intentional gesture.

Kukulo Del Conti's face reddened with anger.

Had Tibel Bartole not stroked his knee under the table, he would have surely shouted.

“...Very well, Mr. Shion. I invited you today because I have a proposal to make.”

“Hmm.”

The regressed prince nodded his head with a thoroughly smug attitude.

Regardless of his actual age, his appearance was that of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old, which was enough to fuel Kukulo's anger.

“First proposal, the Del Conti family is planning to start an art business. Would you be interested in partnering with us? We will register the business under your name, Mr. Shion.”

“No.”

I said, quite obnoxiously.

“Then the second proposal, I would like you to take your hands off the Verchello family.”

“No. You, on the other hand, should return all the core businesses you stole from Verchello.”

“……”

His thin lips trembled with anger.

“...This is the last proposal. Even if you support Verchello, how about establishing a non-aggression relationship with Del Conti as well?”

“Rejected.”

“Huu……”

Finally, having reached the limit of his patience, Kukulo Del Conti extended his hand to Tibel.

Tibel Bartole placed a tobacco stick in his hand.

Kukulo had to puff out smoke three times before he could speak again.

“Hey, Shion.”

With the tobacco in his mouth, Kukulo's tone no longer held any politeness.

Onseu Om giggled as if he liked his master's attitude and Pneuve Freira shook his head.

Only Tibel Bartole wore a smile that was hard to read.

“I don’t know why you hate Del Conti so much. Or why you're so favorable to Verchello.”

Kukulo Del Conti did not hide his displeasure.

“I’m curious. Have I ever harmed you directly? Why are you being like this, really?”

“A reason, you ask? Shall I tell you?”

“What is it?”

I smiled faintly.

“It’s a secret.”

“You lightning-struck……!”

Kukulo clearly heard a snap inside his own head.

It was the sound of his patience breaking.

If Tibel Bartole hadn't whispered, ‘My lord,’ he would have thrown a plate.

“Huuuu……”

It is not easy to mend a broken thread of patience.

He exercised a level of patience that, even by his own standards, was commendable.

He had to bite his thin lips until they bled, but he managed to hold back.

“...My father, who founded the Del Conti family, used to say. If there’s someone who hates you for no reason, give them a reason to hate you.”

“I’ve heard that somewhere before.”

He ignored my sneer.

“Art Gallery Lamponé, was it? For a small gallery, it was too wealthy, so I had its source of funds investigated.”

“You do know you’re being insidious, don’t you?”

“I wondered where it led and it turned out to be some trading company that mainly imports mana stones. Its main client is the Herteu Mine in Maesh.”

“Hmm…?”

I shifted in my seat.

Kukulo felt good, thinking he had hit the mark.

“You, you’re practically the head of sales for the Herteu Mine in Bururade. It seems you handle almost all the deals in Bururade.”

“……”

“You have every right to be cocky. Isn’t the Herteu Mine one of the top three mana stone mines in Maesh? The head of sales for such a large mine could make a huge amount of money with just a little cunning.”

Kukulo Del Conti spurred on his tongue.

He seemed to believe that the tide of victory had completely turned in his favor.

“But you should have been smarter. Did you think that massive mine belonged to you?”

The Del Conti is a new family.

Yet, it holds the wealth of the great city of Merion and covets the hegemony of the Bururade Peninsula.

It's something unimaginable with ordinary skill.

“What if, Del Conti, on your behalf, presented better terms to the Herteu Mine? Snatching businesses is a specialty of Del Conti.”

“You say that so proudly.”

“Because I am proud.”

Kukulo shamelessly licked his thin lips.

It was a family that had risen by snatching Verchello's businesses from the very beginning.

They had a cuckoo engraved on their family crest from the start, so there was no reason to be ashamed now.

My eyes grew sharp.

“Do you think the Herteu Mine will accept that, Lord Del Conti?”

“We’ll have to see about that.”

The lord of Del Conti was certain of his victory.

This was because my words had become fewer and the arrogance in my attitude had disappeared.

Kukulo was intoxicated with the thought that he had struck my weakness.

“In fact, I’ve already sent a proposal to the mine owner.”

“I’ve already received it, as it happens.”

“……?”

Kukulo tilted his head, and I pulled a piece of paper from my coat.

“This is it, that contract.”

Huh? Tibel Bartole, who was watching the conversation, let out a groan.

It was the same for Onseu Om and Pneuve Freira.

What was in my hand was clearly the proposal they had sent to the owner of the Herteu Mine.

Kukulo Del Conti asked blankly.

“...Why do you have that?”

“Because I’m the owner of the Herteu Mine?”

I calmly read the proposal aloud.

I am pleased to propose this, blah blah, what a fine season, blah blah, I look forward to a positive result?

Not a single sentence was unfamiliar to Kukulo.

Because he had written it himself.

“Hmm, nothing but nonsense!”

The regressed prince tore Del Conti’s proposal to shreds.

Kukulo stared blankly as the proposal he had written turned into scraps of paper.

I smiled brightly.

“What should we do, Lord Del Conti? It seems the Herteu Mine rejects Del Conti's proposal.”

“...You, are the owner of the Herteu Mine?”

“Is there any reason I shouldn't be?”

Come to think of it, he had heard about it.

In recent years, there was a young fellow traveling through the social circles of various countries, wielding immense wealth.

He had heard that the Herteu Mine had also fallen into the hands of that young man a few years ago…….

If I was the young man from the rumors, then Del Conti had chosen the wrong opponent. Kukulo Del Conti's face turned pale.

“Lord Del Conti, why do you think I accepted this invitation?”

Shion Pollinglight was no longer smiling.

“I came because it seems I haven't warned you directly, because you are so utterly clueless about your limits.”

“……”

“This is a kindness. Verchello will reclaim its former glory. So if you want to live, prostrate yourselves now.”

His declaration was met with silence.

Kukulo, Tibel Bartole, and even Pneuve Freira all fell silent and shut their mouths.

It was because they realized there wasn't a hint of falsehood in my words.

However, only 'Brass Arm' Onseu Om began to breathe heavily, as if he disliked my arrogant attitude.

“Hey, kid.”

Onseu Om glared sharply.

“Where do you think you are to act like that……”

“Shut up, Brass Arm.”

My blue eyes were fierce.

So much so that Onseu Om unknowingly tensed up.

Ever since discovering that Tibel Bartole was a spy for Cordis, Shion Pollinglight had been constantly angry.

“Should I help you replace your left arm with brass too?”

“……”

Onseu Om shut his mouth.

He felt a certain immense force being applied to his left arm.

Dozens of 'Fantasy Fingers' were ready to rip his left arm off at any moment.

Cold sweat trickled down the nape of Onseu Om's neck.

He was overpowered without even knowing how it happened.

Onseu Om realized he had been completely suppressed.

“I've said all I have to say, so I’ll be going. The meal… well, it wasn't bad.”

The chef was not at fault, so I didn't bother to disparage the food.

I stood up from my seat without hesitation. I waved my hand, saying there was no need to see me out.

No one could open their mouth until I opened the door to the banquet hall.

It was a strange thing.

I hadn't shown an immense aura, nor had I made an utter threat, yet their hearts were so crushed they couldn't do anything.

Just as I was about to step out the door, I turned my head.

“Ah, right.”

I wore a full sneer.

“That Boating on the Toja River outside. It’s a fake.”

To think that was an original by Holst, what a lack of discernment.

I chuckled.

“If you’re interested in the real thing, feel free to inquire at the Art Gallery Lamponé. I’ll give it to you at a good price.”