Chapter 042: Friends Close, Enemies Closer
“It’s been a while, Young Master.”
Jewel greeted me politely.
The trading company executive and the burly male escort standing behind her followed her lead, bowing to me.
Only Maserin kept her head stiff, but I didn’t mind much.
“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face, so I’m kind of glad.”
“Your sense of humor has improved since we last met, hasn’t it?”
I actually had some leeway now.
There was no need to engage in exhausting mind games with this woman anymore.
To be more precise, I had finally figured out how to “handle” Jewel going forward.
To avoid immediate retaliation from the Empire’s imperial family, I’d let her live for now, but I’d keep her under tight surveillance to prevent any funny business—especially nonsense like human tributes.
‘And while I’m at it, I’ll squeeze her dry. As much as possible.’
I returned her greeting casually and approached, but a slight irritation crept in for a different reason.
It was Jewel’s attire.
“Jewel, your getup looks awfully cumbersome.”
“Does it suit me? Since it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, I wanted to show some effort.”
Jewel twirled in place as if dancing.
The delicate hem of her dress fluttered, barely brushing the oil-slicked dirt floor.
She wore a sheer black nasam and a red robe embroidered with flowers, styled in the ornate palace fashion.
The highlight was the black fan she held in her hand.
It was the kind of attire favored by the Empire’s imperial family or high-ranking noblewomen.
“So, you’re saying you’ve got nothing to hide anymore?”
Jewel placed the black fan against her lips, which curved into a smile.
Her voice was a whisper.
“I just wanted to look good. For you, Young Master.”
“Don’t bother. Let’s go.”
On one hand, she was truly remarkable. T
he last time we met, she nearly lost her life at my hands, yet here she was, smiling brightly and acting as if nothing had happened.
Step, step.
I took the lead.
I planned to show her the Imperial settlers who had made their home in Canchester.
To reach the residential area, we had to pass through the blacksmith district first.
The apprentices in the forges shouted hearty greetings at me with booming voices as soon as they saw me.
“Lord Bihen! Good morning!”
“When are you going to bring us your sword, huh? Come to me, I insist!”
“No way! Come to me! I’ll take care of all your gear, weapons and all!”
It happened almost every step I took.
Thanks to Gaff’s intervention, it had gotten somewhat better.
Before, they’d line up along the street like commoners praising a passing dignitary, showering me with such fervent adoration that my face would burn, and I could barely lift my head.
“How does it feel to be Canchester’s hero, Young Master?”
Jewel asked, covering the lower half of her face with her black fan.
Her coy tone betrayed that it wasn’t pure curiosity.
“Don’t just slap the word ‘hero’ on anything.”
“Anyone can see that’s what you are. It’s only a matter of time before your name spreads across all of Conwell.”
“If that happens, there won’t be a single spot in Conwell for the Gunbel Trading Company to set foot.”
“Then I’ll just have to stick close to you, Young Master.”
We traded playful banter, and before I knew it, we had reached the temporary residential area for the Imperial settlers.
The morning food distribution made the area lively and bustling.
I glanced at Jewel out of the corner of my eye.
Her eyes were wide with surprise.
After a moment, she calmed her expression and looked up at me, her gaze seeming to question whether this was why I had summoned her here.
“Are these the Imperials from Ludglen?”
“They’re called slash-and-burn farmers. They carved out a living in the wild hills.”
“……”
“How do you feel seeing them, Jewel?”
Instead of an answer, I heard a cough from the executive behind her.
He squeezed his eyes shut as if facing the moment of his life and spoke cautiously.
“Young Master Bihen, as I mentioned before, our deputy leader has no connection to them…”
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“My apologies, I’m sorry.”
“Isn’t this the Gunbel Trading Company’s doing? You’re all part of the Gunbel Trading Company, so I’m asking for your thoughts. Why are you butting in?”
The details varied slightly for each individual, but the slash-and-burn farmers had been lured by promises of great wealth and boarded the Gunbel Trading Company’s ships bound for the Kingdom.
For a moment, I considered using my insight technique to probe Jewel’s true thoughts.
Perhaps she was thinking something like, “The fools who got tricked are to blame for their stupidity.”
But she likely held her tongue, knowing the consequences of saying it aloud.
Of course, I had no intention of preaching or dragging her here to force repentance.
“Jewel, provide financial support so they can settle here safely. Not in the name of the Gunbel Trading Company, but in your own name.”
“What’s the difference?”
“There’s a clear difference. You claim this has nothing to do with you, don’t you? Besides, they probably don’t want help from the Gunbel Trading Company. But if Jewelina Gunbel, an individual, steps in to provide relief, that can be seen as separate from the company’s policies.”
I gave a pointed look at the executive who had boldly spoken up, the burly escort, and Maserin.
“You all agree, don’t you?”
“……”
Silence was as good as agreement. I nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. I may not know much, but I do know that generosity and sharing are virtues a true merchant should possess. I’m seeing you in a new light, Jewel.”
“Thank you, Young Master. For giving me such a meaningful opportunity.”
Just as I unclasp my hands behind my back to clap, a voice interrupted.
“Jewelina Gunbel. It’s been a while.”
The gazes of everyone in our group turned toward the voice.
It was Adeline, flanked by Roland and Eugene.
Her robe was slightly pulled back, revealing just enough of her features to be recognizable.
Jewel flinched as if she’d seen someone she’d rather not.
“Lady Adeline?”
“This is the third time we’ve spoken face-to-face. Each time I see you, your complexion seems brighter. The Kingdom’s food must suit your taste.”
“Yes, thanks to you. I must say, I’m truly surprised. I never expected to see you here. I heard you were practically confined in Conwell’s government office, but it seems rumors are just rumors, aren’t they?”
“Shall we call it luck? The Archduke Callence is only human, not an omnipotent god. Meeting like this is fortunate, so why don’t we have a little chat?”
“It would be my honor.”
In all my lives, the most formidable woman I’ve known is Paula Benkou.
The de facto head of the Benkou family, my grandmother.
‘Hmm.’
Caught off guard, standing between Adeline and Jewel, I looked back and forth between the two women.
A chill ran through me.
This moment felt like a historic clash between two women who could rival Paula Benkou in strength of will.
* * *
The meeting place was, once again, Roxley’s hideout.
Joel, who was waiting at the entrance, opened the door for Adeline and said,
“The Easton guards are waiting inside.”
“Understood.”
Creak.
The guards standing in the lobby saluted in unison, and Adeline acknowledged them lightly.
I exchanged quiet glances with them as well.
Seating was arranged naturally.
Adeline took the head of the table, with Roland and Eugene to her left and me and Jayden to her right.
Across from Adeline, at the opposite head, sat Jewel, representing the Gunbel Trading Company.
Joel, the other guards, Maserin, and another escort stood behind their respective groups.
Jayden let out a small groan, clearly nervous about sitting among such high-ranking nobles.
“Ugh.”
“It’s fine.”
I felt eyes on me.
As expected, she wasn’t one to miss a subtle cue.
Jewel’s eyelids lowered slightly as she glanced at me and Jayden with a faint, amused smile.
“I’m so curious. Why has the Lady invited me to such a gathering?”
“Deputy Leader, I know you’ve been tirelessly trying to make contact with the leader of Zephyros. Is that correct?”
She cut straight to the point.
With just one exchange, the atmosphere froze.
The content of the conversation, the low, measured tone, the piercing gazes—all of it contributed.
Naturally, everyone’s attention was drawn to them.
“…You knew. No need to hide it, then. Yes, it’s true. To be honest, I thought you were a likely candidate, Lady. There’s no disagreement that among the Duke’s heirs, only the youngest daughter has the cunning to pull off such feats. Well, it seems I was spectacularly wrong.”
“Your reason for approaching Zephyros—based on your merchant’s insight, you calculated they’d become the real power in Conwell in the future. Correct?”
“Half correct.”
Adeline tilted her head slightly.
Her downward gaze carried a subtle contempt.
“And the other half is the will of the Empire’s imperial family?”
When cornered, instincts reveal themselves.
Eyes don’t lie.
Jewel glanced at me briefly before shifting her gaze back to Adeline.
“I’m just a mere merchant, Lady.”
“Not just any merchant. As I said, I believe you’re worthy of being called a great merchant.”
I had only been asked by Adeline to arrange this meeting with Jewel; I hadn’t been told what would be discussed.
I stole a glance at Roland and Eugene across the table.
At this moment, both sat silently, like loyal vassals fulfilling their duties.
‘…’
I deliberately let out a loud sigh.
The air felt stifling.
Politics and scheming were utterly foreign to someone like me.
A vague thought swirled in my mind: I hoped Adeline would thoroughly put Jewel in her place.
“Alright, Lady. What kind of deal are you proposing?”
Jewel’s bold voice snapped me out of my sly musings, instantly refocusing my attention.
Adeline responded.
“This is the first and last time. Deputy Leader, sponsor me.”
Thankfully, I wasn’t drinking anything.
If I had been, I might’ve choked to death.
Forget formalities—I nearly called her by her given name.
“Lady, what did you just say?”
Adeline raised a hand to silence me without looking and continued.
“But you must sever all dealings with other nobles and knights in Conwell. Stand solely on my side—Adeline Conwell’s.”
Jewel leaned back loosely on the sofa.
She fanned herself slowly with her black fan, her lips pursed in a sulky smile.
“That doesn’t sound like persuasion.”
“Persuasion? This is a final recommendation.”
I swallowed hard.
This room wasn’t just filled with high-ranking figures.
Behind me were the Easton guards—Janson, Bill, Henry, Ayan, all of them.
If Adeline was showing the resolve to bring them all under her command, was I imagining it?
“Whatever my intentions, the Gunbel Trading Company’s top priority is to connect with Conwell’s next lord, correct? That’s likely why you so desperately sought the shadowy leader of Zephyros—to secure a line to the ‘real power’ in advance.”
“……”
“A youngest daughter who outmaneuvers her elder siblings to become the official heir. That would send shockwaves not just through Conwell but the entire Kingdom. Given the situation, you likely assumed Zephyros was one of the contingencies the youngest daughter had prepared.”
“That’s convincing enough. If you truly are the official heir, that is.”
“The judgment is yours.”
Jewel smiled with her eyes, while Adeline remained silent.
As I replayed their words in my mind, my mouth fell open.
I had vaguely assumed Jewel’s goal was to win over Conwell’s next lord, much like she had with Roxley.
But perhaps that wasn’t her true aim.
Adeline seemed to be operating on that premise as well.
‘Of course. If that was her goal, she wouldn’t have bothered with detours and would’ve gone straight to the heirs.’
Now that I thought about it, Jewel’s actions were quite convoluted.
Supporting Zephyros, building ties with the Langster Faction knights, and through them, forming connections with magical academies.
Why go to such lengths?
‘Unless she herself plans to swallow Conwell whole.’
…What am I even thinking?
I rubbed my cheeks, which felt oddly gaunt, and refocused on the conversation between the two women.
“Alright, I understand. You’re asking me to cooperate so you can safely ascend as Conwell’s lord, correct? So, what benefits does the Gunbel Trading Company gain from this?”
My head swiveled from left to right, and I wasn’t the only one.
The sound of everyone’s eyes darting around was almost audible.
Adeline abruptly crossed her legs.
“I’ll let you live.”
…?