Chapter 82
Finally, the day of the competition had arrived.
“Phew… I just want to leave this stifling place as soon as possible.”
When he first arrived in the Duchy of Lucifer, Marquis Slode had been filled with nothing but thoughts of draining the ducal family’s wealth. But now, on the morning of the competition he had been waiting for, he could hardly sit still, eager to leave immediately.
Two days prior, a sudden monster attack had occurred, and if the castle walls hadn’t been reinforced for safety reasons, he would have left long ago.
“No, wait. I have to at least see the Duke’s face when this competition goes terribly wrong.”
If none of the retainers showed any passion for the business and instead expressed dissatisfaction, how ridiculous would his attempt to unite the northern nobles seem?
Marquis Slode had sown discord between the Duke of Lucifer and his retainers, claiming that the Duke would never hand over any business to them. As a result, each of the retainers had given up on participating in the competition.
“First, I’ll make sure the Duke doesn’t get closer to the northern nobles, then I’ll get some help from Duke Desimo and quietly snatch away the related business.”
If the retainers worked together to pressure the Duke, he would eventually have no choice but to give up some of his authority, just as always.
“By the way… I hope Count Vitora’s body is well hidden.”
He had disguised a secretary and placed him in a carriage, making it seem as though Count Vitora had left for his territory in a hurry. If the body wasn’t discovered, no one would suspect him.
He had instructed the assassins sent by Duke Desimo to throw the body deep into the forest, though he secretly worried whether they would follow his instructions properly.
“No, that’s a needless worry. They’re Desimo’s people, so they must have handled it properly.”
Once the competition was ruined and he collected the business plans that others had abandoned, he could seek out Duke Desimo and, with his help, maintain his hold on northern power.
“Come to think of it, now that the demon is dead, it might be easier to develop the North.”
If he advanced the North while Lucifer remained ignorant, his power would only grow stronger.
“If only I could rise above the Duke in the process…”
His happy delusion was shattered the moment Athanas entered the conference room.
The retainers, who had already taken their seats, stood and greeted him.
“Good morning, Your Grace.”
“Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
A few words of politeness mixed with flattery were exchanged, and Athanas accepted the greetings before taking his prepared seat.
“Tch… pretending to be solemn when you’re no different from a mercenary.”
Marquis Slode scoffed inwardly at someone so unaware of their place.
“Soon that smile of his will be ruined,” he thought.
“By the way, I have some news that should please you all.”
But the expectation building in his heart popped like a balloon at Athanas’s next words.
“You have all contributed to supporting the North, but I thought it might not be enough to entrust only new projects to you. So I reviewed the business plans, and even if someone doesn’t win first place, if the plan is good, I may assign them another project as well.”
The retainers murmured among themselves as what Count Vitora had once spread as a rumor to sow discord now became reality.
“What… is he saying?”
“Didn’t Marquis Slode say nothing like this would happen?”
“I thought the Duke had confirmed this directly with us.”
“Well… come to think of it, it would be strange if no work was given to the retainers!”
Amid the noisy commotion, Athanas continued coolly.
“But has no one submitted their business plans yet?”
His gaze fell on the empty desk before him.
“I thought everyone intended to participate eagerly. Didn’t everyone remain in the castle for that reason?”
The retainers immediately fell silent, their mouths clamped shut at the sharp observation.
Just as Athanas was about to rise, ignoring their stifled indignation…
“I’m late! Sorry!”
The door opened, and Count Vitora entered.
“I, Genopia Vitora, now submit the business plan for the development of the Mercenary Guild!”
Marquis Slode couldn’t hide his surprise and leapt to his feet at the dramatic entrance.
The chair toppled with a clatter, and all eyes turned to Marquis Slode rather than the late entrant, Genopia.
“Do you have something to say?”
“N-No… nothing. I was just surprised, as I had heard Count Vitora had returned to his territory.”
Something felt off. Marquis Slode’s face paled as he spoke.
“Your Grace… I’m not feeling well… I think I need some rest.”
Before he could finish requesting permission to step back, Count Vitora shouted.
“And I am submitting charges against Marquis Slode along with my business plan!”
Before Slode could protest, knights in Lucifer uniforms entered the room.
“Marquis Slode is a threat to the peace of the North. He sowed discord between the Duke and our retainers to maintain his own power and, when his plan was exposed, attempted to assassinate me.”
“Wh-What nonsense is this!”
“That’s not all! I also submit this letter as proof that he conspired with forces hindering the North’s development!”
Copies of the letters exchanged with Duke Desimo, previously thought destroyed by fire, were now presented to everyone.
Marquis Slode’s face turned ghostly pale as he read the yellowed original letter on Athanas’s desk.
“How… how could a northern noble… conspire with dukes from other regions to ruin northern business?”
Due to Lucifer’s influence, northern nobles, despite holding the same rank as nobles in other regions, were not treated equally. Attempts to unite among northern nobles, excluding Lucifer, had been difficult—hence why Slode tried to exploit that frustration.
The retainers were now even more shocked at his audacity.
“No, Your Grace! This is all false! Why would I ever ally with nobles from other regions? Who do you think has made life so harsh for our North!”
“Really? You don’t seem to think so.”
Athanas gestured, and someone was dragged into the room.
It was one of Slode’s retainers, who had impersonated Genopia and left the territory earlier.
“Whether you are lying or the loyal retainer who served you your whole life is lying, we shall see. Take him away.”
The knights promptly bound Marquis Slode without hesitation.
“N-No! This can’t be! It’s unjust, unjust, Your Grace!”
No matter how fiercely he resisted, the knights, trained in battle against monsters, were more than a match.
Marquis Slode was dragged away in a pitiful state as the conference room doors closed behind him.
“Now, let’s proceed with the competition.”
Everything else proceeded smoothly.
As the sole contestant and pre-designated participant, Genopia’s perfect business plan was naturally chosen.
Hmm, Count Vitora’s acting had apparently been quite impressive.
“Afterward, Count Vitora demonstrated all the self-defense items in front of everyone, announced they would be supplied first to the Mercenary Guild, and then developed into new business items. Of course, the fact they were made from Shalia fruit was kept secret.”
“Can that really remain a secret?”
Flora had voiced concern about this in front of the knights, so Isaac nodded, saying it would be no problem.
“Of course. Knights are discreet.”
Seeing his confident response, there seemed no need to worry.
“So, what happened to the Marquis?”
“He received a punishment fitting his crimes.”
Isaac smiled and deftly changed the subject.
“Thanks to you, my lady, the Ice Castle was acquired, gold mines and mana stone mines discovered. And with the talents you personally selected, the previously problematic Shalia fruit was transformed into effective self-defense items. Could luck get any better?”
“The one who recommended the Count was Seram, right, Isaac?”
“I didn’t expect such excellent results. But to draw out such talent and passion, that’s thanks to the Lady herself.”
Once again, Flora received praise, as the conversation turned into a stream of compliments.
The series of praises concluded when Count Vitora, who had come to visit, appeared.
