When the trade route with the elves was opened, Viscount Willem was dumbfounded. Even though I sent a reinforcement, a great incident occurred that could change the whole West.
Naturally, as soon as the heir, Walter, returned, he inquired into the details. Walter obediently told me everything.
-The previous count was decapitated by the elven grand duke? That adopted daughter was inaugurated as the new count? Did you open up a trade route with the elves?
-Yes, but what really matters is not the current Count. This is a man named Luke Bernstein.
– Bernstein? Why is the red dragon of the East appearing here?
– It’s complicated, so to speak. Just listen to my story.
Walter’s story went on for a long time. Viscount Willem, who had listened to all the explanations for half a day, blinked blankly.
It was something we couldn’t believe.
– A demon slayer? Are you saying that he concocted all the schemes to deal with the previous earl, formed a relationship with the elven grand duke, and put his vassal as the next count?
-That’s right. It was truly heartbreaking to the point of trembling.
-Wait a minute. How old is he?
– You said you were sixteen this year.
-… … .
Viscount Willem couldn’t help but look at his son with suspicious eyes. A 16-year-old man who manipulated the whole situation according to his will?
Anyway, shouldn’t I say something that makes sense?
-done. go in I’ll take care of the rest of the investigation.
– It’s true! I’m telling a lie, but it’s the truth!
– Even if you go in. Replenish your lost energy while resting.
Despite his son’s appeal, the viscount closed his ears. There is a saying that it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times, but that also differs from time to time.
There are many people who are fascinated by the immediate sight and are unable to objectively grasp the situation. To Viscount Willem, Walter was just that.
-Gather information! Among them, focus on the current count and the little boy named Luke Bernstein!
Still, I didn’t completely shed it. If he was that impressed, it must mean he saw something in a kid named Luke.
About a month after that, Viscount Willem was able to get his hands on the materials Walter had mentioned.
– I knew that. what is the heart
The viscount looked over the data and clicked his tongue. Unsurprisingly, Walter’s story was too exaggerated.
– Certainly, your actions are extraordinary. His genius in various fields is also conspicuous. But this time I was very lucky.
Unlike the demon case, which directly stood out, nothing was actively done in the pioneering of the western trade route.
The proposal to take the current count as his adopted daughter was made by Count Valdemar, and the elves wanted to pioneer the trade route first.
To put it mildly, treating the elf princess well was just an act of God.
-I don’t know if he can become a hero in the future, but he’s still a kid. After all, Balter was overrated.
Having concluded, Viscount Willem summoned Walter and reprimanded him.
– What a pathetic fellow. How can a future lord be so shortsighted? To be seduced by the sight in front of your eyes and unable to see the truth!
– I mean the truth! How can your father take pride in knowing all the circumstances with just a few lines written on a document?
-noisy! Where are you talking loudly when it’s not enough to admit your own immaturity?
After knowing the truth, Walter was even more resentful. When I first heard of it, I thought it was a big achievement because I managed to win the trade with just one oath.
However, it turned out that it was a trade route that could have been eaten for free depending on the negotiations. The parties must have been distracted by luck.
It would have been enough if he spoke well, but he even swore an oath.
-You should have at least prevented the Winslow family from being appointed as the acting count.
– That’s not to say it wasn’t possible!
-done. go back to your room Take time to self-reflect for a while, admit your shortcomings, and reflect.
-father!
The Viscount ignored Walter’s appeal and sent him back. To the Viscount, who had finished his judgment, all of Walter’s words sounded childish.
Rather than the appeal of a child with no age, I was worried about the prank that the count’s assistant would play right away. Sure enough, the Winslow family took a nasty revenge.
-Is that bastard playing with the stock? Even the order of distribution is decided last!
In terms of pure profit and loss, it has grown explosively. A change that was incomparable to before the trade route was created.
But to whom would you brag when your rivals and even your neighbors all got rich? Even so, I saw the lowest profit with the competitor’s trick.
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It wasn’t that I wasn’t happy, but humiliation and ridicule always followed.
-I can’t stand it. I can’t sleep in peace unless I bring those arrogant Winslows down!
Enraged, Viscount Willem hatched a ruse. Stop supplying trade goods to the entire territory and place all responsibility on Leon.
It’s practically the equivalent of self-inflicted blackmail. If it fails, the aftermath will be great. But Viscount Willem wasn’t worried.
He is an illegitimate count who has not received any successor training. How can you find out?
– This is crazy! What the hell have you done!?
– Shut up! What family are you from!? You live happily ever after being made fun of by a guy your age!
The frightened Walter questioned the viscount, but the viscount instead threatened Walter. But this time, even Walter did not back down.
The relationship between the father and son was gradually and irrevocably broken. Still, Viscount Willem had confidence.
-Seven months at the longest. Obviously, that kid named Luke comes back inside. Then you can fix everything.
The duration of the article is 1 year. Luke and the Earl will come to the West again in order to bring back the henchman they put as a watchman.
I just have to wait for the right time. When that day comes, everything will be right.
* * *
Yes, I definitely thought so. However, when the day came, Viscount Willem was busy wiping the cold sweat.
‘How did this happen?’
Common sense. The viscount thought with very common sense. Common vassal relations, common mindset, common relationships.
But the reality was very different. The Count was no ordinary person. Not even the seeds were eaten.
“Your Excellency Count, my estate is in real danger. Look at the contradiction of poverty in spite of the wealth that overflows in the West.”
“… … .”
“This is all the tricks of a guy named Leon. How can it not be a mortal sin to violate the principles set forth by His Excellency the Count out of personal grudge?”
“… … .”
My mouth came dry. No matter what I said, I listened but didn’t answer. All I could do was stare at her with a piercing gaze.
‘Anything is fine, so please answer me… … .’
Viscount Willem’s prayers did not reach. No matter how much he said it, Ray was immovable. Eventually, the viscount, who had nothing to say, finished his speech.
“… So please use your wise judgment. I hope you will condemn evil and restore justice.”
“… … .”
Until the end, Ray didn’t say a word. It was at a time when Viscount Willem was frozen in the cold stare at him without words.
“I am thirsty.”
Luke quietly muttered from behind. It was a very small sound, but everyone in the room could hear it clearly.
Only then did Ray slightly open his mouth.
“Viscount Willem.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
“Bring something to drink. Something good to quench your thirst. Cool as much as possible.”
“… … .”
The Viscount called for the servant with a swarthy face. The viscount whispered something in the servant’s ear, and after a while two cold fruit drinks were served.
“Give one to His Excellency, and the other to Sir Luke.”
“I’m done, viscount.”
“Please accept it. This is my favor, don’t mind… … .”
“dare! One article! Leave the Count alone! Can I have a drink!”
“… … .”
“A knight! never! I can’t speak! doesn’t exist! dare! How! I am!”
The viscount’s expression darkened at the words he spat out in a clear manner. The gaze returned to Ray, but Ray spoke coldly.
“Did I ask for a fruit drink? I never said I was thirsty.”
“I’m sorry. If there’s anything else you want… … .”
“My mind is blank. I don’t feel like drinking anything. I don’t think I’ll pass even one sip.”
Oh God. Viscount Willem’s eyes closed tightly.
‘I was stupid, I was stupid!’
It was a crack in the relationship between the ruler and the subject, and it was nothing to know about anymore. If the anger of these two people was not resolved immediately, they would be crushed to death under the pressure.
“Lou, Sir Luke. Please taste it.”
“You mean a drink? How dare I?”
“Please. Since this is my lifelong wish, can you please pass me one sip?”
“Ha ha ha, the Viscount says something interesting.”
The viscount lost face and begged. However, Luke burst into a dry laugh at the viscount.
“I decide whether to drink or not. The Viscount’s wish is none of my business.”
“… … !”
“So stop talking stupid and have a seat. Your Excellency the Count is waiting for you. This is probably not the time to talk to a single knight.”
The viscount’s face turned red at the blatant insult. One of the Viscount’s knights waiting next to him couldn’t stand it and shouted.
“How rude! Anyway, this guy is a viscount! how do you… … !”
“After today, I will stop supplying trade items to the Bindeln family.”
Everyone froze at Ray’s words. The viscount’s face, which had been stained red, turned blue in an instant.
“The ship, Your Excellency the Count.”
“Ray, stop that.”
“Yes, I will.”
When Viscount Willem tried to say something in a trembling voice, Luke opened his mouth. Ray changed his mind with Luke’s words, as if he had never done that.
As the viscount wiped the sweat from his forehead, he heard Luke’s muttering.
“No, wait. Shall we just stop supplying trade goods?”
“I will.”
“Thinking about it, I think it would be okay to triple the quantity here only.”
“I’ll order Leon right now.”
“Hmm, wouldn’t it be bad to isolate them as an example and let them wither?”
“According to the will of the lord.”
Every time Luke and Ray exchanged questions and answers, the Viscount trembled. Issues that determine the rise or fall of a family.
Such an important matter comes out of Luke’s mouth as if he were deciding what to eat for breakfast. Only then did the viscount realize.
‘I’m not a count. Interest is the arbiter of everything.’
Walter was right. It was Viscount Willem who was not properly aware of the situation. And the price was too great.
“Sir Luke, I just made a mistake… … .”
“I have a good idea!”
The moment the Viscount opened his mouth to make up for his mistake, Luke clapped his hands with a bright smile.
“Stop supplying trade items for now, but let’s go gradually. Cut the quantity in half and then distribute it to other families.”
“… … !”
“Didn’t you say that there are newly rising families recently? Divide it evenly over there. If you taste real wealth, not indirect rice cakes, you won’t come to your senses, right?”
“Lou, Sir Luke.”
“Let’s make a selection there. There must be a family to replace the Vindeln family. After carefully examining it, I brought it in as a vassal and took out the entire supply here… … .”
“Zoo Guuun!”
The viscount shouted as if screaming and knelt in front of Luke. The eyes that had been like those of a bird of prey had turned into those of a rabbit in fear.
The viscount kneeled and howled, banging his head to the floor.
“Lord! Forgive me! Forgive me!”
“Are you my lord? Isn’t it the Count who swore the Viscount to go? You are talking strangely.”
“Wrong! I was wrong! Please forgive me!”
“hahahahaha, why are you kneeling in front of a knight? Anyone who sees it will misunderstand. Wake up quickly.”
“Ughhh! Lord! Joo Goo Un!”
The viscount let out a madman-like cry and crawled on, grabbing hold of Luke’s trousers. I somehow knew it.
Now is the last time. If Luke doesn’t forgive him here, Viscount Willem and the Vindeln family will come to an end.
Tears flowed at that terrible future.
“Yeah, forgive me… please forgive me… … !”
Luke indifferently looked down at the viscount who was trembling and howling. And after a while, Luke’s mouth, which had been closed, opened.
“Sit on the road for now. Don’t hang on ugly.”
“hehehehe!”
The viscount poured out tears at Luke’s cold voice. They were tears of joy at the opportunity to revive the knight.