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Chapter 74
If You Want
Two hours later, Ferda greeted his scheduled guest.
"It is an honor to meet the Great Power Aspect's spouse, Escolleia Chancellor Bernard Wayne."
"I greet the President of Humanity's Repository of Knowledge."
"I truly thank you for setting foot in Valdrova Castle."
Escolleia Chancellor Bernard Wayne removed his hat and bowed his head.
Eń u m̄ a . іď
The flesh-colored plateau nestled between two bushes still gleamed slick and shiny.
"You've had a long journey, Chancellor. I saw an army attached through the window."
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"Two mages, two knights, and twenty soldiers. Haha! Now I finally feel a bit like a noble."
The Escolleia Chancellor framing operation having failed, Escolleia was turned upside down.
No matter how much the chancellor position is disparaged as one that dumps all responsibility onto a straw man, he was ultimately Escolleia's face.
The assassination attempt was something that could have shaken Escolleia's foundation.
W е b ǹ_о̃ v̇ ӗl_ Еn um а
That was why the chancellor could seize power in Escolleia's internal parliament.
"Hoho, living in such a splendid castle, you must have many distinguished guests visiting."
"More ruffians coming to blackmail me than distinguished guests."
"Eh? That can't be, no matter what, the Power Aspect who could flip the continent..."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Just last week another one came to blackmail me."
"Ah... yes."
Ẁ е̌b̃ nо v̀е l̊ Е nǔm ӑ
Not knowing what to say, he decided to change the subject.
"This is the blueprint for the Monster Appearance Prediction Device I promised to give you earlier."
Ferda looked at the paper he handed over.
It was engraved on vellum that maintained its form with magical power, an object that would never burn, get wet, or weather like a simple book.
The fact that he used such precious paper even for a copy to give to Ferda also meant he harbored no ulterior motives.
"Thank you."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Not at all. But, can you read this blueprint?"
Naturally impossible.
Ferda was someone far removed from such design.
"The chief researcher in the castle will take a look."
"Chief researcher... who might that be?"
"Vernel Marquis."
Ẇe b̆ ñ оv̀ е l̄ Е ǹ um̂ а̇
"Vernel Marquis... that, that Mess? He's here?!"
Bernard gasped in surprise, repeatedly uttering his name.
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"I'd heard he was famous, but he seems truly famous."
"He's famous. There's no one in Escolleia who doesn't know that guy. He was expected that much, and disappointed that much."
The disappointed person was undoubtedly Bernard.
He let out a deep sigh and asked Ferda.
Ӗń u̇m̄ӑ
"What's he doing now? Did he give up that nonsense and come here?"
"That nonsense succeeded."
"As expected... eh?"
Bernard's eyes went round.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"He succeeded at that?"
Ferda anticipated his shock.
W_ӗ b̈ǹo̊ v̂е̌ l̈ E ň ú mа
That was why, before he came, he brought one of the samples Vernel made and showed it to him.
"It's a mana stone. An item processed from a monster corpse."
"Good heavens... that guy really turned heaven and earth upside down..."
Among scholars, an innovative discovery was described that way.
All manner of emotions flickered across Bernard's face.
Awe and admiration, jealousy and regret.
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The person he'd turned his back on was right in the end, and he didn't know how to accept this.
"By any chance, what's the efficiency?"
With faith that Vernel would have calculated everything, he skipped asking if he'd calculated it.
"10% so far."
"Do you know what percent it was at first?"
"7.1%, he said."
É n.ùḿа
"I see."
He looked like he felt awe but also a nagging dissatisfaction.
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Ferda wasn't a scholar so he couldn't know what was in his head.
So he proposed.
"Would you like to meet Vernel Marquis?"
At that, Bernard snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head.
Wё b̌ n̈о v̄ е l̀ E nu m а̀
"No. It's not to the point of meeting and talking... right."
Bernard clapped his hands once and said.
"Do you remember the Grand Council? Didn't I ask you to participate in the exhibition?"
"I remember. You said there'd be an exhibition in Halim, right?"
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"All scholars and nobles will gather there in 15 days. It runs for three days. There's a presentation for the opening, main, and ending."
The next words were his proposal.
W̊.е_bn̂ о̃ ṽё l Еń ŭm̆ a
"I'll pull strings to put Vernel in the main slot. Would you be able to attend?"
* * *
"Chancellor Bernard... made that kind of proposal? To put me on the main stage?"
Vernel asked, eyes wide.
I'd seen Vernel make a fuss a few times, but this was the first time seeing him this shocked.
His hands were frozen in place, he was so surprised.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Must've been an unprecedented proposal."
"The most important thing in the three days of the Escolleia exhibition is the main stage. Even famous scholars can barely get that spot."
"Then it worked out well for you."
"Worked out... well."
Contrary to his words, Vernel made a complicated expression.
He finally set down his pen and leaned on the table.
Ẁ е̇ b ňo v́е l. Е̌ n u m̂а
"I don't know. I don't want to go."
Ferda felt Vernel was overwhelmed by emotion.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"You'll turn down that glorious spot all scholars want to stand on?"
"Glory or whatever, it's obvious Chancellor Bernard dug a trap. Why would I go accept his favor?"
"A trap?"
"He hated me terribly. Recalling the insults he gave me, I can't accept that goodwill."
W̊.е̇ bń ô v̂е l E ñüma
"What did he do?"
"He criticized my research plan."
Vernel clenched his fist tight.
"When academy cadets become second-years, they participate in something called an Academic Conference. It's a place to talk about the future, even if a bit far-fetched. Since it's a place to draw out fresh ideas, criticizing there carries enormous meaning. It's the same as pulling down my pants and showing my crotch to the whole audience."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
One might say 'just for that?' but Ferda didn't think so.
It meant the future he'd conceived was that sincere.
É n̈ů mă
Having that sincerity denied is a painful thing.
Ferda knew he'd gone from top of the class at the academy to dead last.
And only knew he barely graduated and was touching the magitech field.
He had no idea the rift with Bernard ran this deep.
"If he insulted you, isn't that all the more reason to participate?"
At Ferda's question, Vernel turned and asked.
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"How does that follow?"
"You weren't wrong, so just be confident."
"Getting back at him feels good. Yeah... but what if that's a scheme to trap me?"
"Then you'll just keep running forever?"
At Ferda's counter-question, he couldn't answer.
He tried to avoid it, but deep down he also knew running from this problem wasn't right.
Ẁе̂b n оv̈ е ĺ_ Е n üm а
"I don't know what happened then, but you're not an academy cadet anymore, you're my chief researcher. If Bernard pulls any unreasonable stunt on you,"
"..."
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"It won't be with you he has to settle things, but me."
At those words, Vernel snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Ferda.
Right, he wasn't alone anymore, was he?
He realized again that he had a solid backer.
W еb̊ ňӧ v ê l̄ Е n̂ u̇m̂а
"Understood. I'll face him once as you say. May I ask what you're holding? Looks like a blueprint..."
"Chancellor Bernard's offspring."
"Offspring?"
"He said it's the blueprint for the Monster Appearance Prediction Device. Can you take a look?"
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Ah, I see. Monster Appearance Prediction Device... I'll take a look at that too."
While Vernel was checking the blueprint, the door opened and someone entered.
Ёn̄ǔ m а_. і̀d
It was Stefan.
Good timing, he was about to say something to him.
His complexion wasn't good.
Looked like he'd spit out bad news any second.
"Um, that is..."
Stefan stammered.
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* * *
A few days ago, Stefan was traveling by carriage.
He wore a top-grade tunic he normally didn't wear.
Top-grade among top-grade, the kind that's scary to even put on.
Unlike his flashy attire, worry never left his face.
"Huu..."
Ѐnù m̂a
"Are you alright, my lord? Your complexion is bad, you'll collapse at this rate."
"A little... huu."
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"Shall I loosen the knot?"
The servant in front untied his neck collar strings.
Stefan looked at the servant and said.
"Tie it tighter. So it doesn't come undone."
Ě n̂ùḿ а̌. і̇ d̊
Must not be disheveled.
Better to choke on the knot and die.
The reason he couldn't help but be this tense was the giant mansion before him.
The mansion of Herman Pascal, founder of Pascal Trading Company, Great Merchant, and Stefan's father.
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Stefan's hometown and simultaneously a battlefield.
Stefan got off the carriage and entered the mansion entrance.
Ẽ ń u m̊ á
"Welcome, Young Master Stefan?"
At the familiar face, Stefan laughed and hugged him.
"Long time no see, Grandpa Sebastian! You doing well?"
"My body isn't what it used to be. It's time for me to retire."
"What nonsense. You said you'd bury your bones here. You've gotta work till your body breaks, right?"
He tried to hide this trembling with banter.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
The butler noticed and played along to calm him.
Down the long corridor, past employees and servants, they arrived at a splendid door.
"Second son, Young Master Stefan entering."
The door opens.
Before him, a long table was laid like a red carpet down the center welcoming him, and at the table's end, an old man sat like a king's throne.
Herman Pascal.
Wѐbn ӧv е̊l Ёnum ӑ
Head of Pascal Company, a man who started as a fruit peddler and stretched his hands to all things.
A dictator who once could've seized all imperial commerce.
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Unbefitting such fame, he had the appearance of a frail old man.
"You're late, little brother."
The man sitting to his right gave him a pinzan.
A man with a solid body closer to a mercenary than a merchant.
W е b̀nо̄ v̀ еl Е̊n um̄ а
Eldest son, Merkat Pascal.
"I apologize, it was an incredibly busy season so I was wrapping up..."
"What can you do. Isn't the company more important than family? I like how you work faithfully as a retainer, big brother."
The woman wearing heavy makeup and smiling slyly was younger sister Tilda Pascal.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
At first glance she seems to be supporting him, but her smiling eyes were closer to 'what can the likes of you do anyway.'
This is why I hate this house.
Е́ nù_m̊ а. id.
I returned to my birth family but feel like a stranger.
"Sit down quickly."
Stefan was pushed to a distant seat by his pre-seated nephews and nieces.
All family gathered.
"Now, let's eat."
The butler's bell rang and maids entered.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Befitting the continent's richest man, all food gave off intense scents of hard-to-get spices.
A moment to taste things usually impossible to put in one's mouth, but Stefan couldn't taste the food.
"Lately..."
The moment Herman opened his mouth, every hand at the banquet stopped.
"How have you all been?"
Merkat and Tilda put down forks and knives as if they'd been waiting, and wiped their mouths.
W̆ е b̀ ñо̃v̊ ё l Еn̂ ũṁ а
The closest eldest son spoke first.
"Lately I'm extending into the south. You know Colosenia? One of the biggest entertainment cities, famous for splendid gladiator shows. I signed a mercenary supply contract at their gladiator training center."
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"Just meat trading?"
"Of course not. It's land so hot even the moon is like the sun, isn't it? Spices are so potent their quality rivals the empire's finest."
"Right, luxury goods more precious than gold."
Herman nodded calmly.
W ẽb̈ ṅо v̌ ěl Ёn ŭ mа́
Merkat let out a sigh of relief, barely meeting the standard.
Next, Tilda Pascal spoke her news.
"I'm looking west following my husband. They say it's a land of mysterious magic, but don't they need things too? The moment trade routes open, Pascal Trading Company will become a storm."
"A rather absurd story."
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Herman glared at Tilda.
But Tilda countered as if she'd expected it.
Ẇ ė.b̄ nо ṽ е l Ё nūmа
"At first I thought so too. But if I secured a magic stone mine contract, wouldn't the story change? Mages go crazy for that stuff, right?"
"Hmm..."
Herman withdrew his gaze.
Tilda was also skillfully securing contracts, so no problem.
Now one remained.
"Stefan."
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"Y-yes?"
"Why no words?"
"I apologize. Didn't think you'd be curious about my story..."
"Don't make me say it twice."
Tried to avoid it but couldn't escape this seat.
So Stefan told his news too.
Е̂ n úm̊ā
"I'm... currently trying to establish a foothold in the east."
"The east?"
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"Oh my, business in the east? I heard you were targeting the north?"
Tilda acted like it was news to her.
Pouring oil on a burning house.
"North seems fine with status quo. So I'm trying bold investment, went east this time."
Е̇ñ u m̂_ā.í d.
"Hmm, big brother. What I learned says bold investment and throwing money on the ground are a bit different?"
Tilda indirectly saying 'why you doing dumb shit.'
"Doesn't look good to me either, little brother."
Merkat agreed with her.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Selling booze and smoked meat and leather to northerners makes profit, doesn't it? If you just follow Father's formula you avoid deficits and it's good, why do that?"
That's the obvious story, isn't it?
W̃ е̄ b̃n ov el̃ Ẽ ǹ u m а̌
To survive in this shithole of a house.
"I also want to do a business with potential."
"Potential! Look at the east now. Demon Land keeps eroding, territory shrinking, doesn't it? You gonna dig up dirt there and make pollution weapons?"
"Pollution weapons, good idea. Smells less than spreading feces and works better. If you wish, I'll invest there too, big brother."
The meddling sister-in-law was more annoying than the beating mother-in-law, Tilda's words grated more than Merkat's.
"Enough."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Silent Herman calmed the atmosphere.
He scratched his head with a withered hand and spoke again.
"Stefan."
"Yes, Father."
"I know well you're not doing something foolish. After all, you're the smartest among them, understanding me best."
This won't end well.
E n̄û m ä. i d
Stefan sensed it.
"But when persuading someone, what did I say you must do?"
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"Show evidence..."
"Is that evidence in your hands?"
"Not company money. I put my personal assets in first..."
"So you don't have it."
Е̄ n um̆а.і d
"It's not that I don't. Just don't want to reveal it now—."
"That mana stone thing or whatever."
"!!"
Stefan's eyes went round, and Herman scolded with a displeased look.
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"What's so surprising? This company's still in my hands, you worthless thing. Your sister and brother already noticed."
Even if done in secret, it'd be noticed eventually.
Еn̊ um̂ ȧ.і d
Father Herman was one thing, but both the other two knowing was too shocking.
That meant among those on Stefan's side, someone was leaking inside info.
But even more shocking was that despite knowing, things were proceeding smoothly.
Like people watching Stefan dig his own grave.
Before the shock faded, Herman threw a question.
"Tell me. On what grounds did you jump into this?"
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"I just saw the future."
"Intuition. So you're doing this believing in Regent Ferda, that guy?"
"Yes."
Stefan answered immediately.
"How certain are you?"
"If you wish..."
W̆ ёb̊n о̇ ve l̀ Èn̈ u ḿā
Stefan's tongue moved on its own.
"Enough to want to give away the whole company."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Silence fell.
Stefan knew what he'd said and hurriedly shut his mouth.
Head went blank and he blurted his true feelings.
'Done it now.'
Е́ n̂ ũ m а̃ . i d.
Water already spilled.
But he didn't regret it.
Because he actually thought that way.
"So you're betting your entire fortune on a man, not a woman."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Herman's sigh mixed in his words pierced Stefan's chest.
"One hand, one thing to hold. But two things to grasp. Greed calls disaster, so a time to choose will come."
Е n u m̆а̌. і̀_d
Quick-witted Stefan knew what Herman meant.
Abandon the Far East and choose the company,
Or abandon the company and choose the Far East.
"Think well."
That was the final ultimatum from Herman Pascal, the man who built everything with bare hands.
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