Chapter 40

Zendo, the president of Wooddora Trading Company, stood in his office, staring at the letter with a puzzled expression.

It was the letter that the maid of the Kleinzelt family had handed him last night.

The room, bathed in the early morning sunlight, was spotlessly clean, and the relatively new building exuded a sense of cleanliness. The chirping of birds, welcoming the dawn, echoed through the trading company. Zendo sarcastically thought that they might call them "idle birds" as he looked out the window.

In front of the trading company, despite it being a winter morning, muscular men loitered. They were clearly from the Church faction, but they didn't cause any trouble; they just stood there. However, their mere presence exuded a barbaric aura that deterred customers.

"Today, as usual, it's a tough day."

"If you think so, then make them some tea."

Zendo slowly turned at the sound of a woman's voice from inside the room.

A woman who had closed the door behind her stood there. She was sitting on a high-quality sofa, which he had bought when business was good, and was grinning.

She had provided Zendo with funds when he opened his store in the capital and had since become his right-hand woman, known for her exceptional management and execution skills.

"Once they start drinking, they're ours. Give them a hefty bill."

"If Mina does it, I won't stop her."

"I don't want to die yet."

Mina said this nonchalantly and leaned back on the sofa. Her overwhelming confidence, which had remained unchanged for the past five years, was palpable. The fact that the Wooddora Trading Company could still manage to survive, albeit barely, even without a patron, was due to Mina's unwavering confidence, which inspired the company's employees. Despite her stubborn refusal to give up and her cunning tactics, which often left a bad taste in people's mouths, she somehow managed to maintain a positive atmosphere within the company. However, recently, she had been looking more and more troubled.

"So, why did you call me here?"

Mina glared at Zendo sideways. She had been called back by a messenger while she was in a nearby village, trying to negotiate a solution to the situation. Mina glared at Zendo, implying that she wouldn't accept anything less than good news. Zendo silently handed her the letter.

"This letter came from the Kleinzelt family last night."

"...It smells like trouble."

Mina pinched the letter with her fingers, looking displeased, and checked the back of the envelope, her eyes widening.

"The Ogarite emblem...?"

For a letter from the Kleinzelt family, which had fled to the capital due to a lack of funds, this was a rather poor choice. She took out the letter and began to read it. Initially, she thought it would be nonsense, but as she recognized the content, she started reading it seriously, determined not to miss a single word.

"That fat pig couldn't have come up with this."

Mina's comment was met with a deep nod from Zendo. He had called her back because they had the same reaction.

"Is there someone in the Kleinzelt family who could have thought of this and decided to act on it?"

"There is."

Mina stated firmly, waving the letter.

"Sora Kleinzelt, the heir."

"...Stop joking."

Zendo dismissed her comment. Of course, he did. The letter contained a plan that required the consolidation of mixed information, careful selection, and adjustment to ensure that all participants benefited, while the proposer gained the most benefit and influence. It required a balance of treating people as equals while manipulating them, something the heir of the incompetent Kleinzelt family, known as the "fat pig," could never have thought of.

"The one who delivered this letter was a bright-haired girl, right? Her name is Lazette."

Mina said this as if she had seen it herself, and Zendo grunted in acknowledgment.

"Lazette is my junior. She should be serving the heir, so it's almost certain."

Mina, while glaring at the letter, thought of Sora. She hadn't seen him since he was two, so she had no idea how he had grown. Given his parents' appearances, she didn't expect much from his looks, but she thought his inner character hadn't changed much. She turned to Zendo.

"We have no choice but to go along with this proposal. If it works out, we might get a patron."

Mina convinced Zendo that this was their last chance. While it pained her to be helped by Sora, whom she had once deceived, making the wrong choice here would mean the end of the Wooddora Trading Company.

"Make up your mind. This letter is definitely a winning ticket."

Convinced by Mina, Zendo decided to go along with Sora's proposal. He wrote a letter to Duke Belz, expressing his willingness to participate, and had Mina deliver it. Duke Belz, upon receiving the letter, saw Sora sitting in the reception room, drinking tea.

Sora, despite being from a rival faction and of a lower rank, had been sitting in Duke Belz's mansion since morning. He had boldly entered through the front gate and, with an innocent face, said, "Let's play," before changing the atmosphere and presenting his plan to Duke Belz.

It was absurd. Not the content of the plan, but the fact that Sora had come up with it and put it into action in just a few days.

"The pieces we need for the plan are all in place."

Sora smiled smugly as Duke Belz held the letter. Duke Belz sat across from Sora, leaving the seat of honor empty as a sign of friendship.

"Your presence in the Church faction is a surprise to us, the mages."

Duke Belz spoke sincerely, and Sora chuckled.

"I intend to leave the Church faction. My father thinks differently, though."

"I would appreciate it if you could leave soon and put my mind at ease."

Duke Belz sighed as he said this.

"The president of the Wooddora Trading Company will come to the negotiations himself."

Honestly, Duke Belz didn't think there was much room for negotiation. All the participants were in dire straits. Duke Belz's forestry and wood processing industries were on the brink of collapse. The Wooddora Trading Company was facing bankruptcy without a patron. Sora was dealing with a financial crisis in the Kleinzelt territory. He had organized and structured the problems of the three parties into a plan. If any of them tried to gain individual benefits, it would inevitably undermine the plan's framework, leading to its collapse. No one would be foolish enough to cause trouble and face the wrath of the other two.

"It seems we're all here."

Duke Belz, lost in thought, perked up at Sora's voice. Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the reception room door opened. Zendo, the president of Wooddora Trading Company, and Mina, his right-hand woman, entered. Sora glanced sharply at Mina for a moment but quickly looked away.

– I need to make use of the pieces I've gathered.

Sora smiled inwardly, imagining the lord's frustration, and began.

"Let's go over the plan."