Chapter 142
r2FkAIn the tundra, the concept of full-body armor doesn’t exist.ls1oCW
n4qSamTo begin with, iron is scarce; furthermore, metallurgy isn’t developed enough to craft full-body armor, and wearing it over thick clothes for the cold restricts movement far too much.SQCG
rXbZaR1On top of that, due to the tundra’s inferior metallurgy compared to the Empire’s and the extreme cold, metal can stick to the skin easily and be difficult to remove.A1tWgM
gUGjvuvLeather armor might still exist, but the very concept of metal armor could hardly be born in such an environment.vhX
mH8Q5XRAnd yet, people described as “foreigners covered in white iron” had appeared right in the middle of the tundra?NJP
uKrVf7“Where are those foreigners now?”CQjl
ZVDHTH“They’re waiting for your response in a spot a bit farther away. It seemed unwise to let in people whose identities we didn’t know right away…”k9xit
vtILh“They’re people I know. Bring them at once. I’ll personally vouch for their identity.”wAIRu
DrV5VKE“Yes!”HB8BPf
GEUAt Lucian’s sharp tone, Ainar ran off without delay.G7H2
RO3YiEven among full suits of armor, those colored white were extremely rare.JUVbHD
zxFLhTHAnd if it was an entire group equipped with that kind of armor, Lucian knew only one possibility.z4zLNL
1LtIL0JAs expected, shortly after, a group of people arrived in a rush and knelt before Lucian.ZBw5jln
Fh0lJ“Gynobi Clover, of the Blue Rose Knight Order, greets the duke, Your Highness!”mnA3
BjUV“Moritz, of the same order, greets the duke, Your Highness!”Vd3TWAU
SuA“I also…!”kdP
v68DzzyAt the greetings of the Blue Rose Knight Order, Lucian nodded.YRhT4
kQ0YjYThe armor they all wore was without a doubt the treasured gear of the northern royal house, which he himself had entrusted to them before departing for the tundra.sspPeQm
Y2smLucian helped the kneeling knights to their feet one by one and said.zi3HJo
SUCb“Welcome. I’d like to say I’m glad to see you after so long, but I’m afraid I must scold you first.”uZyYY9i
lCSc3b“We deeply apologize.”vl5tSBo
f4abGThe members of the Blue Rose Knight Order flushed red in unison.IKZ0c7M
SqsuLThat armor was what Lucian had entrusted to them when he left, asking them to protect Asagrim while he was away.909bHI4
mbOwhaAnd yet, the moment the cold lifted, they had put it on and dashed after him without a second thought.znKA0L
Z3FBySeen from one angle, it could be taken as a sign of distrust toward Lucian, or as having used the entrusted treasure as they pleased.LpD0
u5Jk“It’s fine, let’s let it go. I was gone a long time without a word—it’s only natural you wondered if I was alive or dead. I’m not completely blameless. Let’s forget it.”XGPXkL
ZpQik“We are grateful for Your Highness’ mercy, as vast as the sea!”vsx
FLGbM“But tell me, how did you get here? The cold only lifted five days ago… don’t tell me you were waiting this whole time in Laugrad?”dW1ej
d5R1cI“To be precise, some members of the order took turns staying there on standby. The moment we received the report that the cold had lifted five days ago, we departed immediately on horseback.”36Fy
HwEZThe path from Laugrad to the Blue Dragon Tribe was neither long nor particularly dangerous.RCNuEt
GtO1JHUEven so, it used to take fifteen days to travel due to the frigid temperatures—one small mistake in energy management could mean freezing to death, so frequent rest was unavoidable.8MmQHvy
YwV5oqBut that cold had completely vanished recently, thanks to Lucian.qwh
V3GnklRiding without worrying about physical strain and on a clear path, they could’ve made it in three days, not just five.U26j14Q
4Z4mTzUnderstanding the whole situation, Lucian furrowed his brow.Fl2
h5Eeik“That was reckless. Did you even know what was beyond the road before charging in so unprepared?”X2E
4PXRZVLucian had been sure the path was safe because he had Helen guiding him.pzTT
KMwY7SBut the Blue Rose Knights had forged ahead without any guide, into a completely unknown world.i4KBc
ue0aIf there had been hidden natural traps, like cliffs covered by snowdrifts, they could have been wiped out.qwyMFzf
jRt“The fact that I passed through first is no excuse for you. Unlike me, who had a guide, you had no idea how to respond to an unexpected situation.”V9iYGq
RY5“Your Highness’s words are a hundred times correct. We have no excuse. However, there was news we had to deliver—even at the cost of our lives and honor.”4Sh843
BmypA“What are you talking about?”vOdt
xj8w“The regent of Asagrim is in a difficult situation.”9b8EH
jmILucian’s expression hardened.mSLvqH
wWlc1cHe hadn’t expected much from Hans, but he’d thought that at least for half a year, the area would remain calm, if only out of fear of him.WQd
EwAQFHowever, it hadn’t been that long since he’d left, and already a problem had erupted.cUMrEG
yzM“What exactly happened?”623
Eu3qWPAt Lucian’s question, the knight bowed his head in shame and replied.jWHP
xD99G“The merchants have conspired and are pressuring the regent to make a decision.”ls6wF
obt***18dp1bq
IffUNo territory can be completely self-sufficient in resources.2zSnj
ag8qWhether it’s luxury goods or basic necessities, trading with other territories is essential to obtain what’s needed.lX79YT6
FRuruDAnd the ones who connected these trade networks were, precisely, the merchants.M1ITqG
VqDWTAIn a way, they were a crucial existence for the administration of a territory.fQhTdg
KCJEven so, there wasn’t a single lord who treated them with special consideration.zgwOh
gS3DN‘Why should I treat guys well when they only trade for their own profit?’EMamooX
gTth67It wasn’t mere disdain, but a statement very close to the truth.TL3nzg
R3B2E8In the end, the one who profited most from trade was the merchant, and when those profits dropped, the merchant would abandon the business without a care for the lord’s situation.9yjT
GArWhy thank someone who, no matter how “essential” they were, only looked out for themselves?SxnsZ
43iZIn fact, for merchants, the territorial lord was an absolute master who could abuse his position unilaterally.tNYS
SrWZa“The territory’s finances aren’t doing well, so I’ll charge a bit more tax than usual. You don’t mind, right?”31Rifu
fLw9JI“This is unacceptable! After all I’ve given you until now, my lord!”BVEvyEy
Nx68“Even so, I know exactly how much profit you’ve made. If you don’t like it, quit and get out.”0iaz
d3IczeA“…”q2VbXYD
eAWHeTBFrom the merchant’s point of view, it was unbearably unfair, but there weren’t many alternatives.fwrOt
L89V5r2Setting aside the difference in status, the moment they lost the right to trade, the losses were far too great.D63glS
P6cIf they couldn’t trade in that territory, they risked losing an important trading post or even a major partner entirely.vYDwUr
VCgTf2FTo make matters worse, there were always vultures circling—competitors waiting to snatch up any freed-up trade rights.HgQC
bB4‘Even if it’s dirty and unfair, I have no choice but to obey the lord. If I recklessly defy him, all my trade rights will end up in the hands of my rivals.’PsA
xgpEven after turbulent times began, merchants’ situations didn’t improve.e3J9w
l11YjdZNo, they actually got much worse than in peaceful times.eDFrPU
xcnIt was a world where even territorial lords could lose their land and be beheaded over a single mistake. In such a setting, with no room to think about the future, what would happen if a merchant showed up with something urgent?IYotQaE
b0z1hWIn the blink of an eye, he’d be beheaded, and everything he brought to trade would be stolen.VSCDay
KnnRAnd now, when signs of chaos were already appearing, not only were they trying to collude, but they were threatening the lord regent?VG25u
sh8“Explain in detail. What exactly have these merchants done?”ZNFs
Y2M2a“Not only have they raised the price of necessities for the people several times over, they’re also demanding exclusive trade rights for certain products.”uOiIZEF
GyEHFpN“And the regent? Did he accept their demands?”EVE
UUVB7wN“He hasn’t accepted them, but he also can’t refuse. The merchants are taking a hard stance, saying if their terms aren’t met, there will be no trade.”rHUuno
iOX“Ah.”OmzC
MeBiRFLucian ran a hand through his hair.kN4w1K
fiPHe finally understood the merchants’ true goal.EBwO
qzBnBiF‘These bastards figured out Hans lacks experience and are forcing the situation on purpose.’iefoG
fEXfvfkIf Lucian himself were in charge, their attempt wouldn’t have had the slightest effect.5hcA
x1IYvHe could simply grit his teeth and endure losses for a few months, and the merchants would be the first to panic about their own livelihoods.zx8E
NIQqM4FThe problem was that Hans was acting as the regent.ecg
ooyyw‘It’s not the same for me to personally absorb losses as it is for Hans to make a decision that ends up hurting me.’Xtw
Wv7C4bA trusted subordinate, precisely because of that trust, can’t make decisions that would damage their lord. Hans likely understood, in broad terms, how to deal with merchants like these.cQz7p
8wABZDKBut because the consequences wouldn’t fall on him, but on Lucian, he was trapped, unable to move forward or back.lRW3y
RLQThe merchants had accurately exploited this fundamental limitation of the “regent” role.jwUrv
8TTfP‘Clever, I’ll give them that but now that I think about it, something feels off. Do they not plan to keep trading long-term?’r7UX4n
yeI7They had clearly identified Asagrim’s weakness and hit it directly.EM2kBcZ
Nb8HujDIf Hans accepted the deal, Lucian—having granted Hans full authority—would have no choice but to honor the agreement.SBRuCV
NRBBut what about the resentment it would cause? That, they couldn’t control.Qwj
TLQAbNThey might get a huge one-time profit, but when Lucian unleashed his fury afterward, it would end in a bloodbath.qCevZUP
Qbi3Ow“Who’s the ringleader? There’s no way all the merchants went insane at once. Someone has to be leading this.”1JH5rr
wlvvLOgIt’s one thing to be able to do something, and another to dare to do it. No matter how great the profit, if the merchants were in their right mind, they’d never dream of such blatant blackmail.JO27x
8JdQS0If they still went through with it, then someone had pushed them—someone who claimed they’d take responsibility.utug
Tp9W“Even if it’s only a hunch, tell me who’s acting as their representative.”V3QuBF5
mBcT1xg“It’s the Dominic Merchant Guild. Though they claim they’re all equals, when it comes to important matters, they’re always the first to move.”zIII
Y1tnE“Dominic? Don’t tell me you mean the Dominic Merchant Guild led by Dominic the Steel?”zvpMjM
jqx“That’s right.”MSp
ett“Ha.”Kbq
bqclXSo it was Dominic, after all.H26u
yLP2GPwSeven forked tongues, a man cursed with every breath, target of every assassin.7CeXkXx
NNcThat scum, infamous across the continent in Lucian’s past life—was he twisting around again, unable to let go of his old ways?SsnXc
gjXX‘Actually, this might work in my favor. If Dominic’s the opponent, then there’s no need for me to hold back either.’zVV91
3tNThe corner of Lucian’s lips curled up.WrQF
JDop36NIf the other party wasn’t thinking about consequences, then Lucian had no reason to, either. And, of course, his way of responding was simple.yv5Rpi
Kvdf“I get the general picture now. But I still have matters to handle here, so I can’t return immediately. Instead, deliver this message to the regent.”weQ
vZsRfS“Please tell me.”51ba7uI
lnVKV“Have him accept the merchants’ proposal—but until I return, every transaction must be made on credit. Also, all exclusive trade rights are to be consolidated under the Dominic Merchant Guild.”2NCx
Ugwl0s“…!?”4NYZNX
pjRsAt Lucian’s order, the knights were stunned.rDs
gwIV9TYAfter all that, he was telling them to accept the merchants’ demands? And even hand all the exclusive rights over to one single guild, instead of dividing them?NlCkgjI
R1GiR“Y-Your Highness… we don’t know what your plan is, but this is far too dangerous.”WIq
qyvYR“Dangerous? What’s dangerous about it?”TgZCbL
mhBt7aA“This is a huge matter. Even if they’re just merchants, if Your Highness makes a direct statement on something this major…”YxSfMd9
yIL9okThe knight left the sentence unfinished, but his meaning was clear.l5H9zRy
pxVaB5This wasn’t some passing whim, but a deal involving massive profits.97QAO
9H9rXWNo matter how absolute a lord’s position was over merchants, a contract of this magnitude couldn’t be casually broken.vvlQ8DX
EOMjcLIf it were, the lord’s name and credibility would be in ruins.ThuKP
WQBUThe merchants whose contract was invalidated might be ruined, but the lord would carry the stain on his reputation for life.gB6fz
XRn7JIHowever, Lucian brushed off the knight’s concern with a short reply.5Z8
goOWYQ“Don’t worry. I have no intention of breaking my promise to those guys.”OgHh
N0G“You mean you plan to accept all their demands?”AdJVjSO
xgBrm“No.”ltnPvkl
kAeHLucian smiled slightly and said.iW8ZPE8
S6V“Before I even lift a finger, the Dominic Merchant Guild will be the one to break the contract.”x5LFy0B
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