Chapter 34. How will you handle this?
“You might have heard already, but if you come under Cheonlang Trading, you won’t be able to freely take things like protection fees or bribes as you do now.”
Sipping on his lemon drink, Sirius continued speaking.
“Cheonlang Trading currently focuses on cargo transportation, but a trading company, by nature, is about safeguarding both goods and people. As it grows, it will manage warehouses, stores, and ports. Ultimately, you just need to carry out the tasks you were doing.”
“…….”
“However, all fees must be collected as determined by the company. No skimming off the top, no multiple organizations siphoning money. When money changes hands, receipts must be issued and reported to the higher-ups.”
In front of the four members of Entroville Six swallowing their saliva, Sirius kept on talking.
“It will be quite stringent. Justitia has been vigilant against the Yuterus family’s accounting shenanigans, so playing around with money won’t be tolerated.”
“…….”
“But… If this system persists, Entroville will become known as a ‘great place for business.'”
When a place is known as a great business hub, what happens?
People gather, commerce thrives.
Naturally, other industries develop as well.
“After ten years, when you review your books, you’ll realize it wasn’t as bad as you thought.”
“S-Sirius, sir.”
Rodius cautiously spoke up.
Initially, he used informal language, but now he was using formal language.
“Is the Regel family aiming to economically dominate the northeast by establishing Cheonlang Trading?”
“You’ve understood well.”
Sirius nodded.
“Even just in the northeast, there are dozens of small and large families. It’s impossible for the Regel family to wipe them all out and directly rule the entire region. They lack the manpower for that.”
“T-That’s true.”
“However, through Cheonlang Trading, it’s entirely possible to control the commerce and industry in the northeast. You just need to unite your black associations.”
It was possible because the black associations already controlled the commerce and industry in the northeast.
By having Sirius crush those black associations and bring them under Cheonlang Trading, the Regel family could effectively govern the commerce and industry in the entire northeast.
This… wasn’t much different from ruling the entire northeast.
After all, the small and medium families in the northeast couldn’t oppose the Regel family with Sirius at the helm.
They had no choice but to be integrated into the new order created by Sirius and Cheonlang Trading.
“And when Cheonlang Trading expands to various parts of the continent, what will happen?”
“……!”
Rhodius swallowed his breath.
He understood that the Rigel family had no intention of settling for merely controlling the northeast.
“The ship is about to depart, Rhodius.”
“S-Sirius, my lord…”
“Whether you board or not, it’s up to you.”
If you board here, you will become part of the Celestial Empire and be able to rule the continent.
After making such a statement, Sirius set down his glass of beverage.
Realizing that Sirius had already finished his drink, all four of them held their breath.
“It’s refreshing and sweet, but if you drink too much, you might get a stomachache.”
After savoring the taste of the beverage, Sirius glanced at the four people in front of him.
“Well then… I hope you’d start answering soon.”
“…”
There was only one path they could choose anyway.
If they didn’t bow their heads here, they would end up losing their lives to Sirius.
And… everyone here was already swayed by Sirius’s persuasive words.
“Understood.”
After exchanging glances with his companions, Rhodius bowed his head as the representative.
“We will disband the Entrovil 6 and… go under the Celestial Empire with our subordinates.”
“Is that all?”
“T-That’s not it.”
Sirius lowered his head.
“I’ve said it. You must step forward in the conflict with the Agustus family.”
“What?”
“Oh, come to think of it, you couldn’t finish your words in the middle.”
Recalling, Sirius continued.
“Rhodius, you were planning to kidnap Yustia and hand her over to the Agustus family.”
“T-That’s… “
“No need to deny it. I won’t come to blame you for that now.”
“Yes, I apologize…”
Rhodius bowed his head with a flustered expression.
“I’d like to hear more details about that part. Was it the Agustus family who first proposed to you?”
“Oh, they did propose to us… but the Agustus family didn’t directly contact us.”
“Was there a mediator?”
“Yes, it had to be handled as discreetly as possible.”
Kidnapping the youngest daughter of the Rigel family and using her as a hostage against them was a very dishonorable act.
That’s why even if Yustia was kidnapped, the Agustus family should be able to say, “We had no knowledge of this.”
“Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter.”
“What?”
“Rhodius, I’d like you to write a document in your name. If possible, I’d like the other three to sign it as well.”
Everyone looked puzzled.
“Sirius, what document is this about?”
“A document testifying that the Agtas family has requested the abduction of Justia from you.”
“…!”
This, indeed, was another reason Sirius had come to make the Entreveil 6 concede.
“We can omit the mediator’s presence and simply state that it was commissioned by the Agtas family.”
“Sir, Sirius, even if we do that, the Agtas family won’t acknowledge it. They will accuse us of lying…”
“That’s to be expected.”
In the end, having a mediator was just to have someone to blame.
Even if such revelations were made, they wouldn’t just admit it willingly.
However.
“This is for public opinion.”
“Public opinion?”
“When you black-cloaked folks see profit, you dash forward recklessly, but the nobles move only after establishing legitimacy.”
Sirius spoke, tapping his finger.
“We’re making the first move.”
***
A large river flows in the eastern region.
That river serves as the boundary dividing the northeast and southeast.
The northeast, due to issues like terrain and security, is a backward region, but with a considerable population and potential for development.
The Agtas family, the dominant force in the southeast, had plans to expand into the northeast when the time was right.
By taking control of the entire east and replacing the fallen Regel family, they aimed to be recognized as one of the five major noble families.
“We intended to proceed slowly, but we can’t postpone it any longer.”
The head of the Agtas family, Kaien Agtas, pondered while looking at the map.
On the map, all major powers in the northeast were marked, mostly with an ‘X.’
It was a change brought about by the appearance of Sirius Canistrut.
“The Regel family is reviving. We must strike the northeast before their power grows any further.”
The powerful Albraim family in the northeast replied that they would remain neutral.
If the Albraim family didn’t act, there would be no obstacles for the Agtas family in the northeast.
The problem lay outside the northeast.
“The Regel family still holds a position among the five major noble families of the continent. If we attack the Regel family recklessly, the Agtas family will face condemnation from across the continent.”
The nearby Yuterus family couldn’t absorb the Regel family due to this. If the Yuterus family forcibly merged with the Regel family, the Agtas family would have condemned them.
Likewise, if the Agtas family attacked the Regel family without sufficient justification, other families wouldn’t stand idly by.
They were not just some nameless minor family; they were a part of the traditional five major noble families of the continent.
“Shuraid.”
Kaien turned his head.
In the room, a man dressed in black was kneeling with one knee.
“You’ve already verified everything, right?”
“Of course. I’ve completed the verification through the connections left by Master Karlstein.”
Shurade.
He was the representative Black Guild member from the northeast, hailing from the Kalstein Swordmaster lineage.
As a disciple of Kalstein, he was mainly in charge of external activities.
A few months ago, Kalstein dispatched Shurade to the Union.
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This was because the Union wanted to acknowledge Kalstein Swordmaster.
However, before Shurade could return, Kalstein passed away, and Kalstein Swordmaster became the Celestial Swordmaster.
In an instant, Shurade had nowhere to go back to, so he wandered around until he eventually entrusted himself to the Agtas family.
“We’ve already confirmed those who fled from the Yuterus family.”
“Then…”
“Sirius is indeed the head of the Celestial Swordmaster, ‘Cheonlang.’ And…”
Shurade spoke with a cold voice.
“Cheonlang claims to have been dispatched by the Union, but in reality, he has no connection to the Union.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, confirmation was made through Union contacts. The Union has not intervened in the northeast recently.”
Upon hearing Shurade’s response, Kaien smiled.
“This is serious.”
“Yes, it is.”
“The youngest son of the Rigel family is the head of a massive Black Guild organization… and on top of that, pretending to be someone dispatched by the Union, how could this happen?”
Kaien shook his head in disbelief.
“It’s said that there’s chaos in the northeast because of Sirius. But since there’s no one in the northeast capable of stopping Sirius’s rampage, our Agtas family has to step up.”
With this, the justification was established.
By eliminating the two villains Sirius and Cheonlang and restoring order in the northeast, the Agtas family could legitimize their rule over the entire east.
“In such a situation… you can also seek revenge for your master.”
“Yes, Sir Kaien.”
After nodding, Shurade chuckled ominously.
“But surprisingly, it could end rather blandly.”
“Is that related to the Entrovil 6?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Not long ago, Shurade made contact with the Entrovil 6.
It was to request the kidnapping of Yustia Rigel.
“To be honest, I’m not expecting much. Can those Black Guild rascals really kidnap Yustia Rigel?”
“Since they are Black Guild rascals, the Rigel family might be off guard. If done well, they might not only get Yustia but also Sirius.”
“Hmm…”
“I obtained a colorless, odorless, and tasteless sleeping potion through Union contacts. If you put that in their mouths, no matter how powerful they are, like Sirius, they’ll be powerless.”
“It was said to be a concoction by the Union’s Poison King, right? I hope the rumors of its effectiveness are true.”
While using the pretext of subduing Sirius, the Black Guild leader, they were conspiring with the Black Guild behind the scenes.
It might cause an uproar if it became known to the world, but Kaien wasn’t particularly concerned.
If by any chance this conspiracy was exposed, all he had to do was blame it on the Entrovil 6 or Shurade and cut ties with them.
“Shuraid, people from other families will be arriving soon. I will explain to them, so I need you to testify as well.”
“Of course, Lord Kyaen.”
Today, Kyaen was planning to gather several families to justify the expansion to the northeast.
After gaining legitimacy here, he intended to receive support from them in terms of troops and resources if possible.
“Kyaen, it’s been a while.”
“I saw soldiers training outside, still impressive as ever.”
Soon, people from various families began to arrive.
Some families came in person, while others sent representatives.
However, there were some people whose expressions were not so pleasant.
“Kyaen Gong, may I have a moment?”
“Why so?”
The head of the Myu family, a mid-sized family in the southeast, approached Kyaen.
He was accompanied by a representative sent from the Southern Stephan family.
“We received a document this time. The Stephan family also received a similar one.”
“A document?”
“Or should I say, an accusation.”
“An accusation…?”
Kyaen frowned as he accepted the paper.
And slowly read the contents…
“The Agtas family commissioned the Entravil 6 Council to kidnap Yustia Ligel. Kyaen, is this true?”
“…!”
The document strongly condemned the Agtas family.
Accusing them of a despicable conspiracy, stating that the Agtas family could no longer be considered noble, and even including a demand for the tainted family head Kyaen to commit suicide.
At the end, along with the signature of the Entravil 6 Council, it stated, ‘We guarantee the truth of all these contents.’
“This is preposterous. This is a plot.”
Kyaen tore the document apart.
Trying to appear indifferent, he spoke with a firm voice.
“The scoundrels colluded with the Ligel family to falsely accuse us. Do you believe such absurdity?”
“We also don’t want to believe this content, Kyaen.”
The head of the Myu family said with a furrowed brow.
“But it seems this document is spreading along the river.”
“Along the river?”
“Isn’t the Entravil 6 Council specialized in water transport? It seems they are spreading this document along the river as they transport goods.”
“What…!”
The Myu family, the Stephan family, and the river flowed through the territory.
The subordinates of the Entravil 6 Council, who arrived by boat, had spread this false document.
“If left unchecked, this document will spread along waterways across the continent. Kyaen, how will you handle this?”
“…!”
This is different from ordinary rumors.
Rumors will spread along the streams of the continent.
The Agattas family, even without any interaction with the Agustus family, rumors would surely spread… Could they explain it all to them one by one?
“The problem lies in the fact that our opponent is Sirius Canisroot.”
“Why is that…?”
“Kaien, have you forgotten?”
The head of the Myou family shook his head as he spoke.
“Sirius Canisroot is famous for being an absolute lover of his wife, never forgiving anyone who touches her.”
“…!”
“How this formidable lover will seek revenge this time… the leaders of the continent will be interested.”
They would not bother verifying the truth of the contents of this document.
They were simply eager to see how Sirius would retaliate against the Agustas family.
Even the people gathered around at the moment… wore expressions of intrigue.
“In the public opinion battle, we are already falling behind. Kaien, how will you handle this?”
“….”
Kaien could only remain silent, his lips pressed tightly together.