Chapter 94

2/3

Well, today is the day of the meeting with the head of that particular merchant guild.

After reining in my resolve, I got into the carriage.

The merchant guild I am about to visit is one of those that poached employees from my shop during the commotion of my expulsion.

It’s also the place where Danme, the man who caused a ruckus in our shop before, worked.

The carriage stopped in front of the building, which is located in a prosperous part of the capital.

I took a quick peek inside the store, but there were few customers, and it looked rather desolate.

Sei informed the store staff of my arrival, and I was immediately led to a room that resembled a reception room.

...It had a rather mismatched atmosphere.

That was my first thought when I saw the reception room.

There were many furnishings. Some had a heavy, stately atmosphere, similar to those in the reception room of our domain’s merchant guild, while others were so gaudy that they seemed to make your eyes dazzle.

It was as if two people who didn’t get along had each done as they pleased, resulting in this overall mismatched appearance.

Moreover, the several unnatural empty spaces between the furnishings added to the mismatched impression.

Perhaps there used to be something there.

Evidence of this was the unnatural empty corner on the wall, which showed the marks where a painting had once hung.

...Is it in the middle of a rearrangement? No, no, that can’t be. They wouldn’t bring guests into a room that’s in the middle of a rearrangement.

...Did they sell them? That seems more likely.

While I was making these observations, the head of the guild appeared.

Gaudy. That was my first impression. His clothes were embroidered with gold thread, and although it was a man’s outfit, it seemed heavy with lace.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Vold Lancum, and I serve as the head of this merchant guild."

"Nice to meet you. I am Iris, the head of Azuta Merchant Guild. I hope we can get to know each other well."

We started the conversation with soft smiles.

"To think I would have the pleasure of meeting the head of the famous Azuta Merchant Guild."

"I am the one who should be honored. To meet the head of one of the top merchant guilds in the capital is a rare stroke of luck."

I laughed, hiding my mouth behind a fan. This way of laughing reminded me of the villainous young lady in a story, and I inwardly criticized myself for it.

Vold’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Hmm, did I manage to get under his skin so quickly? I intended to rattle him a bit after a more amicable conversation.

"...To think that a noble lady, the head of one of the top merchant guilds in the capital, would say such a thing."

Oh, can I already point out his flaws?

"Ah... Your words are too kind, and I am deeply grateful. However, we are merely newcomers from the Duke of Armenia’s territory. We don’t have the history that your guild has. Moreover, your guild is favored by Prince Edward... I am truly envious."

The moment I said that, Vold immediately smiled. He had regained his composure.

"...Such flattery. But yes, Prince Edward has shown great favor to my guild. I am very grateful for it."

Ah... He’s using Prince Edward as a shield. That is indeed the shield and spear of this guild. A well-understood weapon, given the weaknesses of the Azuta Merchant Guild, which I lead.

"...By the way, the art pieces in this room are truly magnificent."

I changed the topic here. It’s a bit tedious, but revealing what I want too soon is a rookie mistake. Even if we have the capital advantage, it doesn’t matter. He is trying to use his connection with Prince Edward to gain an advantage.

In this situation, where it’s not a win-or-lose game, I must not let my guard down if I want to steer the conversation in the direction I desire.

"...I am glad you think so."

He also eased off his offensive stance.

"Yes. They are all so magnificent that I was completely captivated. If ‘everything’ were in place, it would have been a grand sight."

He reacted again, twitching. Is my theory about the unnatural gaps correct?

"...We are in the middle of a rearrangement. I am truly embarrassed to show you an incomplete room."

His face was sharp, and he seemed slightly tense. If he were one of the heads of the merchant guilds in our territory, he would have added a natural comment to ease the tension and make the atmosphere more pleasant.

Thanks to the negotiations I’ve had with them, my skills in such situations have improved a bit, but... Honestly, facing him makes me realize how cunning they are. I sincerely hope they will be a bit more restrained in the future.

"Oh, I see. When everything is in place, it will surely be a magnificent room. What will you decorate in that spot next?"

"...I am still considering it."

"I see... I apologize for my impertinent questions. Given your good relationship with Duke Rudolph, I am sure you will acquire something magnificent through his connections. Duke Rudolph is known as the foremost man of taste in the current era."

The moment I said that, the mask on his face fell off.