Chapter 17

Alkimas Workshop (3)

After returning to the lord's castle and busily reviewing future plans, I heard a report from the head butler, Floto.

"Is it already finished?"

It was a task I had given him just this morning, yet it was completed so quickly.

I skimmed through the few pages he handed over.

It was a rough list of the Valia Trading Company's various misdeeds, ranging from large-scale issues at the company level to smaller personal misconducts of the company's head or vassals.

Despite the precarious line they had walked, there didn't seem to be any major issues that threatened the company's existence. However, this was enough.

In fact, there was no need for an investigation in the first place.

In Caldric, the lord is the law.

Whether Valia had broken the law or not, if I wished, I could dismantle the company immediately.

Interestingly, when Floto explained the lord's position to me, he only mentioned a few restrictions, not the extensive powers of the lord. These included the Grand Constitution established by the Grand Lord, the non-interference principle between lordships, and the inability to exercise independent military power in other countries.

As long as I didn't destroy the basic structure of the lordship, I could do almost anything as I pleased.

Still, the reason I conducted this investigation was a matter of conscience.

I know from playing the game that Valia is a villainous character, but that's only known to me.

It wouldn't be right to crush a company without any justification.

"Head Butler."

"Yes, 7th Lord."

"Bring the head of the Valia Trading Company and the master of Alkimas Workshop, Scarlet, to the castle. Treat the master of the workshop with proper respect."

"I will carry out your orders immediately."

Floto showed no surprise or confusion, just answered and swiftly left.

He must have understood my intentions from the series of commands.

I turned my attention back to the map and decided to finish my work while waiting for them.

I had said we would meet again soon, and it seems that time has come.

***

In the guest room of Alkimas Workshop.

In a cold atmosphere, Valia, the head of the trading company, sipped his tea and said calmly,

"Indeed, the tea here is excellent. I wish I could learn the secret recipe."

Scarlet, sitting opposite him, replied with a blank expression,

"I wish you would stop with the flattery, head of the trading company."

"Ha, flattery? I wish you wouldn't misinterpret my sincere compliments."

"Let's get to the point. I feel guilty taking up your valuable time."

Valia smiled and put down his teacup.

"What could I possibly want to say? I'll just repeat the same proposal I've always made, and you'll refuse it as you always do."

Scarlet replied calmly,

"Your usual scheme to mass-produce Alkimas' Vision Potions using the company's capital, essentially extracting our technology."

"You seem to have a very negative preconception about the company."

"Who do you think created those preconceptions? Blocking the flow of materials, gradually swaying our trading partners, and using all sorts of despicable tactics to pressure us until just a few years ago?"

The man in the eye patch, Bark, who was sitting next to Valia, chuckled.

"Be careful with your words, master of the workshop. We are also being courteous. It would be unfair to accuse us without evidence."

"..."

"What do the elders think? For the future of the workshop, shouldn't loyal vassals persuade the head to change his mind?"

An elderly elder standing near Scarlet snorted.

"For the future of the workshop, this is a proposal we cannot accept."

"Ha ha, you really are impossible to reason with. The company will provide all the resources and funds needed for potion production. What's so bad about this proposal? We won't interfere with the workshop's operations or take any profits."

"The cost is the future of the workshop and the head. There's a workshop in nearby Flika that will absorb our technology in a few years and gradually take over our trading partners under the company's protection. We will either decline slowly or be forced to hand over the workshop's management to the company, becoming mere potion-making machines. Or do you have an even more cunning and evil plan?"

Valia laughed at the elder's sharp words.

"I envy the loyalty of your vassals, master of the workshop."

Scarlet frowned.

She knew he had tried to sway her main vassals several times, but none had fallen for it.

"These are proud individuals who have dedicated their lives to the family. It seems there will be no agreement, as always."

"Indeed, as always."

"Will threats come next? This is the real matter at hand, then."

"Master of the workshop."

Valia smiled mockingly.

"There's no need to pretend to be calm. You know the situation has changed, don't you?"

"..."

"A new 7th Lord arrived in the city yesterday, and there is no longer a regent. Would the great lord even care about such a trivial dispute? If he did, whose side would he take? Do you have any elixirs hidden away as family treasures? Offering them might sway the lord to your side."

Bark interjected with a sinister laugh.

"Or perhaps you're counting on the master's beauty. There are rumors that the lord is a human male."

"Watch your words."

Tain, who had been standing behind Scarlet in silence, spat out the words.

The other elders' expressions turned grim at the open insult to the head.

Bark, however, continued as if he hadn't heard, adding more fuel to the fire.

"Or perhaps, as a last resort, you could arrange a marriage with my brother's son? The master is well past marriageable age. Instead of being buried in alchemy in this dull place, you should experience the joys of womanhood. I think we would make a good match."

"Y-You...!"

Scarlet raised her hand to stop Tain, who was about to explode.

"Surely you didn't come here just to make such low provocations. You've lost all pretense of decorum."

Valia sneered and stood up.

"This will probably be the last warning. I hope you make a wise choice for the future of the workshop, Master Scarlet."

"..."

"Then I will take my leave. No need to see me out."

The elders watched the two leave with dark expressions.

They had come unannounced, said their piece, and left, but the threats from the head of the trading company were all too real.

The future looked very bleak for the workshop. The company could employ any dirty tricks starting tomorrow.

The elders had all experienced the despicable tactics the company had used against the workshop just a few years ago.

"Phew... ..."

Scarlet massaged her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

"Shall we meet again this evening for a meeting, head?"

"Yes, that would be best. For now... ..."

Scarlet and the elders discussed the next steps.

Tain listened with a stern expression and then quietly left the room.

***

"Head of the trading company."

Valia and Bark, who were heading towards the entrance from the central hall, turned around.

The person who had called them was none other than Tain.

"Do you have any unfinished business?"

Tain looked at both of them, then fixed his gaze on Bark.

"Bark, I challenge you to a duel."

Bark's eyes widened in surprise, then he laughed and pointed at himself.

"Did you just say a duel? With me?"

Valia stepped in.

"I don't understand what you're trying to do. Tain Artima, is this the master's wish?"

"No, it's my personal decision."

"Why the sudden challenge?"

"He insulted my sister. I doubt a one-eyed killer like Bark would refuse a challenge from a young swordsman like me."

Bark looked at Tain with a mix of disdain and amusement.

In this world, duels are a common way to resolve minor conflicts, but usually between opponents of similar skill. Bark was the company's top warrior, known as the one-eyed killer.

'If I can defeat Bark here, the company won't act recklessly.'

Tain believed he could do it. He was a skilled swordsman for his age and had made significant progress recently. In short, he was young and brash.

Bark glanced at Valia.

Valia laughed and nodded, signaling him to proceed.

"Fine, if you insist, I'll indulge you for a moment."

Bark stepped forward, and the central hall, being spacious, provided ample room for the duel.

"Tain Artima, I hear you have quite a reputation in the capital. You even made it to the main round of the Dartmad City swordsmanship tournament. A young and talented swordsman is always welcome to challenge."

Tain drew his sword first, and Bark slowly followed suit.

Bark smiled and wiggled his free hand.

"Shall I give you a handicap? I'm right-handed, but I'll use my left hand. That should be fair enough."

"Go ahead!"

Tain charged with full force, his blade glowing with a blue aura.

Clang!

His powerful strike was easily blocked.

Bark, with one hand behind his back, had blocked the attack, his blade also glowing with a blue aura.

The effortless block left Tain slightly stunned, but he quickly resumed his attack.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Blue lines of light crossed in the air, and the sound of clashing blades echoed.

The exchange was too fast for the average person to follow.

Tain's sword was fast and precise. For his age, he was clearly a high-level swordsman.

However, his all-out attacks were easily deflected and countered by Bark's casual swings.

"Grgh...!"

As time passed, Tain's face grew darker.

He hadn't expected the gap to be so wide.

Zing!

Suddenly, sparks flew as Bark's hand, which had accelerated, shattered Tain's sword.

"Grgh...!"

Tain, struck by the impact, fell to his knees, groaning in pain.

Bark looked down at him and smirked.

At that moment, people rushed in. The commotion downstairs had brought Scarlet and the elders.

"......Tain!"

Scarlet ran over, her face urgent, and glared at Valia.

"What is this...!"

"Ah, don't misunderstand. The one who challenged was the master's brother."

Tain, avoiding Scarlet's gaze, bowed deeply with a pained expression. Realizing the situation, she sighed.

"......I apologize for my brother's rudeness. The outcome is clear, so please end the duel."

Bark, with an evil grin, replied,

"Since he started it, it's only right that I finish it."

Thud!

He plunged his blade into Tain's arm.

"Argh...!"

The sight made Scarlet and the elders pale.

"Master, please... stop this...!"

"Ts ts, you're not planning to kill him, so why are you so shocked? The workshop has plenty of high-quality potions, so healing won't be a problem."

Bark twisted the blade in Tain's arm, causing him to scream in agony.

"Stop! Stop now!"

Scarlet, losing her composure, pleaded.

Bark laughed maniacally.

"Ha ha! You're so desperate. Why don't you kneel and beg more earnestly, master? Then I might stop... ..."

At that moment,

Creak!

The hall's entrance suddenly opened, and a group of knights appeared.

Everyone's attention turned to them.

Valia's eyes widened.

He had been watching the situation with a relaxed smile, but now he looked bewildered.

"......Ironblood Knights?"

The Ironblood Knights, the elite force directly under the 7th Lord's castle.

Valia couldn't understand why they were here, as they only moved for significant matters.

Scarlet and the elders looked equally stunned, and Bark slowly pulled his blade from Tain's arm.

The lead knight, a blond man, surveyed the room and approached the center of the hall.

"Valia, head of the Valia Trading Company."

"......"

"Follow me now. You have no right to refuse, and I will not answer any questions."

Then he turned to Scarlet, speaking in a much more polite tone.

"Are you Scarlet, master of Alkimas Workshop?"

"...Yes, but..."

"I request your presence as well. The great one is waiting for you."

"......!"

Shock spread across everyone's faces.

The only person the castle's knight would refer to as "the great one" was the 7th Lord.

Bark, frowning, asked,

"Surely you're not taking us to the lord's castle? At least tell us the reason for this sudden summons... ..."

Zing!

Bark's words were cut short.

Without warning, the knight drew his sword and struck.

Bark hastily drew his sword to defend, but his blade shattered.

"Keh...!"

Bark, bleeding from a deep cut on his chest, fell to his knees.

The knight sheathed his sword and looked down at him coldly.

"I said I wouldn't answer any questions. Do you dare to question the lord's command?"