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Chapter 275
Auction House
The Arken Empire, having lost its Emperor, was undergoing a great upheaval.
Valdemar was becoming a tyrant, just as he had said he would.
The first thing Valdemar seized control of was military authority.
He subordinated the scattered military authority—divided among those trying to carve up the Empire's pie—under his own command.
It was something even the Emperor couldn't do, so resistance was expected, but every single commander followed Valdemar's words.
W̆ěb̆ ñ о̀ v̂ е l Ėn̆_ûḿа̊
Though he had killed the Emperor, those who knew of Valdemar's achievements followed him,
those dreaming of advancement by riding on his justification followed him,
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and those swept up in the tide had no choice but to follow him.
And since all who refused to cooperate had disappeared, everyone had to follow him.
"And it seems he's decided to go all out with bloodletting, too."
The act of drawing blood, claiming that the root of his persistent illness was bad blood.
Е n̄ u m̄а̇ . їd
It meant he was actively purging the nobility.
I examined the list of nobles eliminated so far.
'He's really going at it in earnest......'
Usually, the nobles used in purges are newly risen ones who haven't been around long, or those who failed to back the right faction.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
But there were barely a few on this list who seemed to fit that intent; most were mid-tier veterans.
Those with clear crimes were being judged by the Cheokgyeoldan, while those with decent reputations were turning into corpses without even knowing why.
Wêb̂ń_ov̈ĕľ Ѐ nū m̂ ä
"And if there's a peculiarity among them, it's that there are no traces."
"Isn't that what assassination is?"
"Of course, but this is the first time it's been this hard to dig up even a single piece of evidence with this many people dead."
It wasn't an impossible story.
If there are capable people like Marquis de Belung and Count Rooster in the light, there would be equally excellent people in the shadows.
"So they say mid-tier nobles across the regions are moving to find their own way out......"
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"And?"
Garnet wordlessly showed Ferda the bundle of letters that had arrived before him.
Letters from those not yet dead, begging Ferda to spare their lives.
They knew Valdemar had stopped by the inn where Ferda was staying.
Even though Valdemar himself had visited, the ones who didn't die could be counted on one hand, and Ferda was among them.
The possibilities they raised were two.
Е̇n̊ú m̈ а.ì d
Either Ferda was an existence Valdemar couldn't touch, or Ferda was in a cooperative relationship with him.
Either way, for those whose heads were on the chopping block right now, it was worth trying to grab onto Ferda's line.
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"What will you do?"
"Burn them."
Ferda didn't sympathize with them in the slightest.
When he first entered the Council,
Ẽ ñ u m̂ а
when Valdemar stepped forward and tried to kill Ferda,
Ferda had entered the Golden Council and memorized every single one of their faces.
Faces that said "as long as it's not me."
Faces trying to fan the flames just because they wanted to see blood.
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To them, Ferda was nothing more than a pastime, beyond mere interests.
Ferda had virtually no connections in the Imperial Capital, so there was very little to worry about.
Ẃе̂ b̂nӧv̊ еl Е n̂ úm̌ а
"How's the Pascal Company coming along?"
"One of Valdemar's close aides made contact with the Pascal Mercenary Office. They're trying to hire all the mercenaries on annual contracts."
Annual contracts are good for mercenaries who can become unemployed at any time.
But mercenaries are businessmen, too.
In this unstable situation, employment on an annual basis was the same as having their feet tied.
"So what's Merkat going to do?"
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"He doesn't seem to have a clever solution. The money itself exceeds three times the usual annual contract fee, and above all, there's a condition not to touch the Pascal Company......"
There's no reason to refuse, and he can't refuse either.
Merkat and Stefan had grown close since the false accusation incident.
As the eldest son and head of the family, he chose this because he couldn't ruin his own business, nor his brother's and father's businesses.
What's the exact state of the Pascal Company?
'Well, I can just ask when he gets here......'
Wӗ b̊ n̊о̊ v̆еľ Eň u mа́
Stefan Pascal.
He'll be coming to this castle soon.
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* * *
Hestia Village, currently under development.
The reason he, busy with trade work, visited Hestia Village was now because of adventurer-related business.
Specifically, the auction.
Ẇ еb ň о̇ v̇ ĕ l̂ Е̌ñú mă
He agreed to hold an auction at his own auction house for items retrieved from the Far East, on the pretext of supporting adventurers exploring the Far East.
The commission from the auction was no small amount, and since he could also mingle with the upper class gathering from all over, it was a necessary business for Stefan, who moved the merchant caravans.
Usually, when you win such a business and start executing it in earnest, a smile naturally forms on your lips.
But Stefan's face had become just as pale as before.
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It was surprising that the plump flesh had fallen off in such a short time.
"Is it killing you?"
Ẃ е́b n̂оv еl Е̂ n û m̌ ä
"It's killing me."
The question of whether he was doing well came out that wrong, yet he received it well.
The Pascal Company, with the Empire as its main source of income, couldn't avoid Valdemar's pressure either.
"They asked if I could get them the blueprints for the rifles used by the Hestia Trading Company."
"And?"
"I naturally told them it's not our territory, so getting something like that would be difficult."
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Stefan wiped the sweat flowing down his forehead and continued.
"But they persistently demand it. Saying how can you not use those connections when you have ties to the Far East and are trying to bring change like this, accusing me of supporting the pro-Emperor faction. That term has now become a word referring to rebels."
"Did you find a way?"
"........"
Stefan couldn't open his mouth.
It seemed his head couldn't come up with a scheme to break through that situation.
Еǹú ṁ_ā . іď
"Then we'll have to use the direct approach."
"What do you mean by that......?"
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Giving the other party what they want—that's the direct approach.
"I'll let them take the magitech rifle blueprints."
"Y-you'll really do that?"
Technology leakage was a serious matter.
W̃ e b̆ n̊ ô v́ е l̆ Еn u m̄ӑ
There's a reason technicians who flee to foreign countries don't die peacefully.
But Ferda knew.
Magitech is constantly evolving, and the core of that technology is still in the Far East.
When they take one step forward, I'm confident I'll already be so far ahead they can't even see me.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Vernel said so.
But Stefan didn't know that fact.
Ёǹ u mа̇
There's a saying that even a thousand gold pieces aren't enough to escape ignorance.
"Of course, it won't work for free. We'll settle it as business."
"Wh-what do you want?"
"How about we agree on you handing over 80% of the shares in this auction business to me?"
"80%...... me?"
"And I'd like to serve as the host for this first auction."
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Stefan flinched.
Ferda's demand was exactly like the bear doing the tricks while the merchant takes the money.
On the other hand, he also thought there was no avoiding this deal.
In a situation where a rake libertine was holding a knife, the fact that he was leaving shares while giving something to appease him was consideration in itself.
Having even one foot in the door is better than nothing.
"I understand........"
Е n̂ umӑ . id
Stefan had no choice but to hand it over to Ferda, holding back tears.
"Then I'll have it prepared."
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Ferda said to him with a satisfied face.
* * *
Red Rose Hall.
One of the large buildings being built in Hestia Village, currently serving as the auction house name.
Е̇ n üm̈ ȧ
Built of marble for the purpose of exhibitions and VIP invitations, the interior was also splendid.
Its first use was the Far East relic auction.
Anyone setting foot on the Serdes Continent knows how dangerous the Far East is.
Since it's such a dangerous land, just how precious must the items retrieved from there be?
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Collectors, tycoons, and even nobles showed their sincerity with territory development donations to participate in that auction.
Thus the carriages that gathered were splendid, hems close to primary colors, and when the sun beat down, the jewels embedded in the clothes flashed and sparkled.
W̃ ĕ b̂ñ о̊vеl̄ E n̈u m̂а̇
Looking down at them, Ferda worried his eyes might go blind.
Ferda was observing their behavior.
They were busy glancing at each other's attire.
'They look like nobles from their getup, but the fact they can't keep up with trends better than me—are they advertising their poverty?'
'The nerve, dressing up with money stained with dust......'
Gazes full of superiority and contempt were exchanged.
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'A den of vipers, nothing less.'
They were busy picking at each other's flaws, but even such people had moments of becoming of one mind.
The carriage entering now, drawn in a peculiar pattern, was such a moment.
"Southern bastards......"
"A southern bastard mixing in at a place like this."
Southern people of the Serdes Continent.
Е̂ň ū m̄ а. i d
Since they live in a region that's hot year-round without four seasons, the central nobles' contempt was severe.
That trend seeped out even if the person was a lord-level figure.
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But everything changed the moment the door of the splendid carriage from the southern region opened.
The moment they saw the person stepping out, every noble's eyes went perfectly round.
"Could that be......!"
"Ahmed Hashim?"
Е nũ m̃ă . ĩ ḋ
"How is the Golden Beast of the South here......?"
Ahmed Hashim.
The king of Halim, called the city of pleasure and sin, and the lord wielding the greatest influence in the South.
A place where hundreds of thousands come and go in a day; a place where an amount of money exceeding eight figures moves daily.
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Running the state was literally like walking a tightrope.
Living in such a precarious place, Ahmed never left Halim.
Ėǹ ümа̄.і̊ d
Yet he moved personally.
'I never thought he'd come in person, either.'
I'd written a letter saying I'd open an auction house and inviting him to attend.
But it was only given as a gesture of reciprocation for the sincerity Ahmed had sent.
I didn't think he'd actually accept the invitation and attend.
It was a grateful thing, showing the Far East's influence that much.
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'On the other hand, it's worrying, too.'
Because of the times.
That situation was probably the biggest factor in his attendance.
Ahmed walked on the carpet with his shoulders squared proudly.
Those who had been immersing themselves in superiority while mocking others became humble in an instant.
Ferda greeted him politely at the entrance.
W̄ е̄ b ṅ_o v̇ e l_ En̂ um а
Once close enough, Ahmed spread both arms wide and welcomed Ferda.
"It's been a while, my brother!"
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Ahmed approached Ferda familiarly, shouting loud enough to be heard.
It wasn't common for him to call someone brother, either.
"It has been a long time, Lord Hashim."
"No need for such formality. We're close allies, aren't we?"
Е n̆ ŭ ma
Even so, did he need to make such a fuss and draw everyone's attention?
'Whatever the case, it helps me.'
Look at the surrounding gazes.
The largest city in the South, where all southern roads converge—the lord of Halim.
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A tycoon counted among the few on the entire Serdes Continent, and that lord is calling the Far East's Regent—practically an outsider—brother.
Ferda spoke politely once more.
Е ǹ u̇ m а̌
"I'm simply grateful that you accepted the invitation, honored guest. If you come inside, I'll have tea prepared."
"I was curious about the Far East's tea. I'll drink it gratefully."
Ferda and Ahmed walked side by side toward the VIP reception room.
In the perfectly appointed reception room, Ferda conversed with Ahmed.
"I didn't expect you'd actually come in person, my lord."
"Haha, they say precious items were retrieved from that utterly wicked Demon Land—how could I not participate? I need new items, not just fiddling with other people's family heirlooms."
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"Did you bring plenty of funds?"
"I've prepared enough to buy this entire auction house outright."
Ahmed joked, laughing heartily.
After taking a sip of tea, he spoke in a lower tone than the fuss he'd made when they first met.
"I heard about the Empire's current situation. The Emperor really died absurdly."
"Yes, that's how it happened."
W ёb̈n̊ о̃v̈.е̊l É n̂ů m̈ а̇
"Just in case, but how's the Far East's situation? Rumors say that even while a blood wind blows, it's eerily quiet, like the eye of a typhoon."
"Exactly as you say. Grand Duke Golt verbally agreed not to touch us."
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"Is it a trustworthy promise?"
Ahmed asked worriedly.
"Half-half...... though I'd say it's more trustworthy than half."
"If it's more than half, it's a favorable game. I guess I didn't need to put on a show after all."
Wе b̆ṅо̄ṽ еl̆ Е̇n u m̂ ä
Calling him brother and deliberately drawing so many eyes—the reason was, as expected, a show to reveal Ferda's status.
Ferda took this opportunity to ask Ahmed.
"How is the South viewing the Empire right now?"
"The house across the river is burning—what can we do? They're already scheming to sell weapons."
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Ahmed grinned and continued.
"And several people calling themselves the pro-Emperor faction came to me asking for help. Saying the Emperor's assassin violated heavenly order and is causing chaos in this land. Do you know what they offered in exchange for calming that chaos?"
Ê n̂ ü m̂ а̌. і̇ d
"What was it?"
"They'd give half the Empire. The bastard going on about heavenly order said he'd hand over the Empire in less than a minute."
"What did you do?"
"I handed them right over to the Empire. If I listened to any more of that nonsense, smoke might rise from a chimney with no fire."
Even if the Empire had weakened, now was when its military power was at its peak.
Who would readily step forward believing only that crazy talk about giving half the Empire?
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"And while it's true I covet the central lands, that doesn't mean I intend to obtain them by spilling our people's blood. I swore before the Desert Guardian, God Set, and my father's name that I would protect my subjects. Scheming to skim off the top is the best I can do."
Ahmed made a show of being wicked.
It suited him strangely well.
"So what does the Regent plan to do about the Empire's current situation?"
That question was the decisive reason Ahmed participated in this auction, and the reason Ferda had summoned him to this auction.
"May I answer that a bit later?"
Ẽń ú m̌ а̂.i̊d́
And Ferda knew another person with such a reason.
"There's one more person who said they'd come."
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"Oh? Who might that be?"
"If Lord Hashim is the South's representative, this person would be the North's representative."
Another guest Ferda had invited.
That was none other than Duke Purity.
E̊ n̄ ú m̆а..ïd
