A luxury hotels lounge.

The hotel arranged by my merchant Thomas was a historic building renovated to modern standards.

It was a waste of money, but this was how evil lords were supposed to use their funds.

Crossing my legs as I sat down on the couch, I looked at the two people Thomas had mediated a meeting for me with.

Dressed in a suit while having his blonde hair set in a seven-three ratio, was the young head of the Clave Company their president Elliot.

His appearance was that of one in their early twenties, and he actually seemed to be that age.

He sent a smile my way,

Id like to thank you for meeting with us today.

Sitting next to him was an executive of the Newlands Company Patrice.

She had crimson hair and emerald green eyes.

Her suit that emphasised her chest seemed to match it was she aiming for a certain colour scheme?

It brings me great joy to finally meet with the famous Count no, Im very pleased to meet the future Duke, Lord Liam.

She was a beautiful lady with an alluring voice, but I didnt like girls like her.

she reminded me of my former wife.

I didnt like flashy women.

Turning towards Thomas, he seems to have curled himself up, trying to have as little presence as possible.

Lord Liam, theres some things we want to talk to you about today. This concerns us becoming your exclusive purveyors.

The biggest vendors in the imperial capital have approached me to become my merchants.

Because the scale the operated on was far larger than Thomas firm, they had the potential to be quite useful in many ways.

My exclusive purveyors?

Yes, please allow us to serve you, Lord Liam. The Clave company is an imperial merchant group with deep ties to tradition and history. Im sure that we could be of value to you.

When Elliot said so with a smile, Patrice who was sitting next to him, also tried to appeal to me.

While it is true that the Clave company is the best in the imperial capital, our Newlands Company does business across the entire Empire. Our company is widely supported by innumerable nobles, whose connections will surely be useful to you, Lord Liam.

I love people who shamelessly sell flattery to me.

However their offers seemed too good to be true.

And Id never trust anyone who said they were willing to help me only out of the goodness of their own hearts.

Thomas is my exclusive merchant, do you understand what the implications of your proposals are?

Thomas made a flustered expression.

He really should try acting more dignified sometimes.

Elliot made another gesture to persuade me.

Of course I understand. Make no mistake, I have no wish to expel the Henfrey Company from their position, but Id appreciate it if you used our Clave Company in addition to them.

Patrice did the same.

They both smiled while trying to sell me dreams of what the future could be like.

If I joined hands with them, they would do various things for my sake it was just too convenient.

and so? What are you aiming for, approaching me like this?

At my query, Elliot and Patrices smiles didnt seem fazed at all.

What are we aiming for? Im a merchant too, my lord. Of course my aim here is the monetary profit that I predict youll bring me.

The Newlands Company holds the momentum your quickly rising Banfield house has in high-regard, and doesnt wish to miss out on this opportunity to build a connection with you.

I quietly observed the grins plastered on their faces.

They gave off the same feeling as my ex-wife.

I still havent forgotten the face of the woman who made a fool of me.

Wipe those damn smiles off your faces already.

When I said that, all expression seemed to vanish from Elliots face.

Ive heard rumours that you were a virtuous lord full of affection, but I guess there are some things you just cant understand without meeting the person in question face-to-face.

Patrice was still smiling, but it seemed to have a different depth to it.

It looked like one full of expectations, but also one of impatience.

Is this what your true nature is like? I cant say I hate it though.

I see so? What do you want from me?

When the atmosphere behind the two changed, Thomas quickly went on to explain,

Lord Liam, both of them are seeking the strength of your Banfield house.

Thats somewhat reasonable, but I dont understand why such powerful merchants would need to rely on me.

Many merchants have expressed their desire to borrow the Banfield houses power.

However, they must have other nobles in their pockets they can rely on.

They wouldnt be big merchants otherwise.

For the powerful imperial merchant group of the Clave Company, there should be no reason for them to reach out to my house at all.

Elliot covered his mouth with his hand.

Ive only succeeded as the head of my group a few years ago, and Ive been clashing with the other executives ever since.

Considering the situation, it looks like the Clave Company was too close to noble politics.

There are a lot of people who seek to take advantage of my youth and manipulate me. To be honest, after investigating my fathers death, it turns out he was assassinated.

It looks like the big trading companies had their own fair share of problems to deal with.

Why havent you reported this to the Empire?

Because the Empire needs the Clave company, not myself as an individual. It was actually the government itself who hired the people that killed my father.

Just like the other executives, it looks like he was looking for an aristocrat to become his backer.

I turned to Patrice, and when she explained her circumstances she revealed her ambitions.

Unlike Elliot, who wants someone to defend himself, I want the Newlands Company for my own.

Although Elliot didnt seem interested, she had piqued my interest.

Continue.

The Newlands Company has many executives, including myself. Although we generally work together, things are different now that the ownership is changing. Everyone is wondering, who will be the next head?

Patrice took a pose that emphasised her chest, to try to appeal to me.

Lord Liam, will you lend me your power to help me become the Newlands Companys next president? Of course, Ill make sure to reward you appropriately.

Thomas looked away from the two.

Lord Liam, with these twos support, the Banfield house will be able to reach even greater heights, but they also come with various problems.

Right

These powerful merchants sought me out because they want my strength for their internal struggles.

Now isnt that easy to understand?

In other words, they held the power of violence I could wield in high regard.

I called out towards them,

because youve piqued my interest, Ive decided Ill lend you my support.

The expressions on Elliot and Patrices faces were serious.

You do understand what this means, right?

Elliot warned me, but for these two to seek me out means that theyre considerably evil, no?

They shouldve already heard from Thomas of all the villainous things Ive done so far.

Dont worry about it, but let me say this as long as you two make sure I profit from this, Ill support you in turn. Dont you think that a mutually beneficial relationship would be the best for all of us?

Loyalty? Gratitude? Honour?

I dont believe in such things.

But as long as they can profit from this situation, I know they wont betray me.

Simple, isnt it?

Patrice placed a finger on her lips.

youre different from what I imagined, Lord Liam. Of course, in a good sense, but I thought you wouldve been a person who valued honour over profits.

Honour? Whats honour to an evil lord? Ahh, was she referring to the sense of honour that might appear in some television drama?

I never valued such a thing before, and I dont value it now.

Are you afraid that your profits may be thrown away in favour of morals? What great merchants you are, dont you think so as well, Thomas?

When I turned the conversation to him, Thomas made a troubled expression.

W-what do you want me to say?

well, as long as they can bring me profits, Ill support them. Now, isnt that quite simple and easy for a contract?

Elliot began to smile, but it wasnt that fake smile of a good and serious youth he showed me at first.

I completely understand. Rather than the invisible ties of morals and honour, the material bindings of a contract are far more trustworthy.

Patrices cheeks flushed red in excitement.

Ill bring you the contract immediately. Lord Liam Id like for you to sign the contract together with me, personally.

Much better.

Rather than the polished expressions they first showed, I prefer them far more as they are now.

After having signed their contracts with Liam, Elliot and Patrice were now alone in the elevator.

Its walls were made of glass, making the beautiful night view of the imperial capital visible.

Elliot loosened his tie and called out to Patrice.

he was easier of a person to talk to than I thought.

Patrice crossed her arms, refusing to show her back to him.

Dont act so over familiarly with me. This doesnt change the fact that were still enemies.

Oh? I wouldve thought itd be far more beneficial for us to cooperate with each other.

its meaningless to join hands with the head of a group that has no power.

Youre telling me

There were various reasons why they approached Liam, but for Elliot, it was because many of his companys executives had close ties with the Berkley family.

As long as you paid the Pirate Nobles, theyd support you, thats just how society was.

But if the pirates gained any more power, theyd start interfering with business.

Elliot hated this idea and decided to support Liam, who was openly fighting with the Berkley family from the front.

At first he was worried when he heard about how serious he was, but thats exactly why Liams true nature was so interesting.

But I thought you were in the same situation as me. Arent many of your companys executives close to the Berkley family as well?

Theres no point in following in their footsteps. If theyre going to bet on the Berkley family, then Im going to put my chips on the Banfield house instead.

Patrice wanted to use Liam to gain power within her company.

Originally, she was going to skillfully manipulate him with her language skills, but she was completely caught off guard.

Still, things sure have taken an interesting turn. Im glad that hes not just another goody-two-shoes.

The majority of aristocrats prioritised their personal profits, but Liam didnt trust such one-sided relationships.

weve gone too far now, the Count needs to win this war.

When Elliot said so, Patrice agreed.

He has to, because If he doesnt, were screwed.

While Liam was in the middle of training, problems had clearly arose with his designation of supplies.

They mostly came from those his policies affected the corrupt soldiers.

Damn it! That Banfield brat is getting full of himself!

In addition to the nobles who had lazily wasted their time in the patrol fleets, the soldiers who had been living indulgent lives in the regular fleets until now were enraged.

Seriously, the amount of alcohol weve been receiving has decreased.

What the hell does he mean by he cant waste funds on premium liquor on us?! Were nobles damn it!

On top of that, hes messed with our fleets! After giving some random reason, he reduced the number of vessels I was in charge of!

Everything that was wrong with their lives was the fault of the Banfield houses Liam.

Their opinions were in sync.

And the guide was silently watching over all of it.

Sitting down in a chair, he started applauding while swinging his legs.

It looks like hes smoothly creating more enemies for himself. Now, lets put these guys to work.

After snapping his fingers, black smoke began to emanate from the guides body.

The dark smog quickly filled up the room, but the nobles didnt seem to care.

Thats when one of them spoke out,

Ive heard rumours that the Berkley family is going to settle things with the Banfield house soon.

The gathered soldiers suddenly became interested in that story.

Really?

It looks like theyre recruiting soldiers, so how about this? As an imperial nobleman, wont you join me in helping the Berkley family restore the military to how its supposed to be? They said theyd provide us with a mountain of rewards.

The military men broke out into grins.

The guide was preparing human resources to join the Berkley familys army, further increasing Liams enemies.

This still isnt enough. I need to make all the contingency plans possible to ensure Liams defeat.

He needed to make sure he wasnt negligent.

Or else hed never be able to kill Liam.

Standing up, the guide fixed the position of his hat, and left the room.

However, a faint light in the shape of a dog was watching everything from the rooms corner, and silently followed after him.