HRNGDS 97

~Chapter 97~

Fiaje shook his head violently.

It was food he couldn’t eat anyway. Forcing the thought away, he went to see Yuria.

“Mother, we cannot just sit like this. The North keeps getting stronger, while our power is shrinking.”

Yuria had been thinking along similar lines.

“Don’t worry. His Majesty is also concerned about that. I believe he’ll make a decision this time.”

The weak Emperor had always been wary of House Rohaim.

‘More precisely, he was wary of his own son, Johannes.’

There was also some jealousy toward the former Empress. She had been brilliant, but she had not been in love with the Emperor.

They were only tied together by a political marriage.

‘The Empress was far too brilliant for her foolish husband.’

The Emperor always felt inferior beside her, and often spoke ill of her to Yuria.

“She’s a stiff, annoying woman like a block of wood.”

To him, the Empress was a thorn in the eye.

‘That’s why, in the end, she died.’

House Rohaim was seen as a threat because they supported Johannes.

Fiaje asked urgently,

“I don’t know what Father is really thinking.”

Yuria gave a cold smile.

“After every winter in the North, hasn’t the Imperial Family always given aid?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“This time, there will be no aid. But the North won’t know that, and as always they’ll open their storehouses and share food with their people. After that, they’ll suffer greatly. And then, they’ll need time to refill their mana stones.”

Surviving winter in the North was important. The Monster Forest was close by, and because the North blocked the monsters, the Empire stayed safe.

So the Imperial Family always helped once winter was over.

Fiaje frowned.

“The North will protest strongly.”

“Yes, of course. But what can they do? They must learn that aid itself is the Emperor’s mercy.”

The North would expect aid as always and plan their budget. But when the time came and no aid came from the palace…

‘Will the North really survive such a crisis?’

Even if House Rohaim was wealthy, there were limits.

Yuria was certain they would soon have to bow their heads.

Joseph Lityan had long served House Rohaim. He was once their chief advisor, but after the former Grand Duke’s death, he retired and started a merchant group with his son.

He looked at his son, Issian.

Silver hair shining, blue eyes, and glasses on his handsome face—he looked very intelligent.

Joseph cleared his throat. His son didn’t look like him at all—he was far more handsome.

“What was in the letter from the Grand Duke’s castle?”

“The Duke’s fiancée wishes to start a business.”

“A business?”

Joseph frowned and opened the letter again.

“It seems she thinks relying only on mana stones is not enough. She has other ideas too…”

But starting such a thing carelessly could mean huge losses.

He had been away from the Grand Duke’s castle for a long time and didn’t know its current condition—nor that its knights were now rapidly growing stronger.

The letter said the one proposing business was not Elcayan, but his fiancée, Delphina.

Joseph had heard rumors about her, but he didn’t trust them yet.

‘They say she played a great role in building the temple in the North. Also, that Sir Calix is staying there because of her.’

But gathering people and running a business were very different.

Joseph always invested only in businesses he believed would succeed. Even if it was the Grand Duke’s fiancée, his standards would not be lowered.

“Issian, you are more talented than me in commerce. And colder, too. You should meet Lady Delphina yourself.”

Issian replied firmly,

“Don’t worry, Father. You know me. I’m colder and more objective than you.”

Joseph looked at him with trust. That was true.

Joseph himself was stubborn and often clashed with the late Grand Duke, but Issian was even more cold and strict.

‘He will refuse even more clearly than me if there’s no chance of success.’

Joseph thought,

‘Even if it’s the Grand Duke’s request, we can’t be careless. If the business has no chance, we’ll refuse. Issian will judge it coldly. He’s not an easy merchant.’

With tense faces, father and son set off to meet Delphina.

Delphina looked at Joseph and Issian in front of her.

<Issian Joseph>
Born with the talent to be a great merchant.
Tip: If you persuade Issian, you can gain an SSS-class merchant.

Delphina once again realized the favor the god Frad was showing her.

‘He helps me see talents so easily…’

But persuading Issian would be the hard part. He looked cautious and strict.

Issian spoke sharply, his eyes fixed on her.

“I heard you want to start a business.”

His voice was firm and strong—it made her tense.

‘Elcayan was right. He’s very careful.’

“Yes. I want to show you my food recipes and propose a partnership.”

She placed the food she had prepared in front of him. Joseph looked at his son nervously.

He worried Issian might be too rude.

But Issian, the man destined to be a great merchant, was a simple man before money.

He grabbed a chicken leg tightly. The savory smell of oil filled his nose, the glossy shine caught his eyes, and the crispy touch in his hand sent shivers through him.

“This… will succeed no matter what!”

Joseph was startled, watching his son look like a rookie merchant.

“I-Issian?”

Issian usually kept calm except when money was involved. Now, his eyes were shining wildly.

Joseph was flustered by his half-crazed look.

“Calm yourself, Issian. You’re making Lady Delphina uncomfortable.”

“Ah, forgive me. Sometimes I lose my composure when I see a chance to make money.”

Issian now looked at Delphina with eyes full of admiration.

The sudden change left Joseph more confused.

Was this really the same cold son he brought with him?

Joseph muttered,

“This is the first time I’ve seen you lose your composure like this.”

Issian answered,

“I always judge value objectively. If I was quiet before, it was because there was nothing worth the money. But this—this is different.”

“Hmm, yes, yes…”

Issian couldn’t help it. Since childhood, money always followed him.

Once, a fortune teller told him:

“You have been blessed by the god of money. But… strange. The god Frad is also by your side.”

And now, Issian smelled money in Delphina’s food. Looking again at her, he even saw a vision—raw chickens flying with money on their backs.

‘Could it be… the god Frad is showing me this vision?’

Issian’s eyes sparkled brightly as he looked at Delphina.