Chapter 32: 16.1

Returning to the castle, while busy reviewing plans, I heard the report from the head butler, Floto.

“Are you done cleaning up already?”
I just ordered it this morning, and they did it quickly.
I glanced at some papers he passed to me.
It was a rough list of the vile things that Varia Merchant Corps had committed so far.
Starting from the problems from the upper ranks of the group to the behavior of the people under them.
Still, the investigation didn’t show something so big that could prevent the merchant group from continuing their activities. But this was enough.
In fact, there was no need to investigate.
In Calderic, the Lord was the law.
Whether or not Varia broke the law, it didn’t matter. It’s just that it’s not possible to immediately dismantle them if I wanted to.
By the way, even when Floto gave me a detailed explanation of my job as a Lord, it was funny that he did not mention the power that the Lord had over his territory. Only a few restrictions. The great constitution enacted by the Overlord, the iron-rule of non-interference between the Lords’ territories, and the inability to exercise independent military authority over other countries.
I really could do anything I wanted, as long as it wasn’t a dictatorship that destroyed the basic structure of the monarchy.
Anyway, the reason I did this kind of investigation was because of a small bit of conscience.
I knew Varia was like a villain because I had played the game, but that’s all I knew.
Wasn’t it like stepping on someone with no justification just because I didn’t like them?
“Butler.”
“Yes, Seventh Lord.”

“Bring the head of Varia, and Scarlett, the workshop owner of Alkimas, to the castle. Treat the workshop owner politely and with respect.”
“I will do as you command immediately.”
Floto did not show the slightest hint of surprise or doubt. He just walked away quickly after giving his answer.
He must have already known what my intentions were based on my series of commands.
I looked at the map again. I finished what I was doing and waited for the two of them leisurely.
I said that I’d see her again soon, but I never thought it would be this soon.
***
The large room of the Alkimas Workshop.
In a chilly atmosphere, Varia said calmly while savoring his tea.
“As expected, it’s a place where artisans gather, so the tea tastes great. It makes me want to learn the secret.”
Scarlett, who was sitting across from him, said with an expressionless face.
“You should drink it in moderation. After all, it might be too fine for your coarse taste.”
“I hope you don’t misinterpret my sincere compliment like that.”
“Let’s get down to the main topic. I would feel sorry for wasting the time of Varia’s busy owner.”
Varia raised the corner of his mouth and put the teacup down.
“What do I want to say? I’m just repeating the proposal I’ve always made, and the workshop owner will reject it as always.”

Scarlett replied calmly.
“It’s an obvious ploy to mass produce Alkimas potions with your capital, and to exploit the skills of our artisans.”
“As others say, the workshop owner is too full of negative prejudices about our group.”
“Who the hell was it that created that prejudice? Blocking the distribution materials, conciliating the workshop’s customers one by one, and mobilizing many petty things until just a few years ago to put pressure on the workshop?”
Bark, the man with an eyepatch sitting next to Varia, giggled.
“Workshop owner, be careful with what you say. We are not polite enough either. It would be unfair to accuse us like that without evidence.”
“…Ha!”

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“What do the elders think? For the sake of the workshop’s future, shouldn’t the loyal vassals break the stubbornness of the head of your family?”
An older elder standing near Scarlett snorted.
“For the sake of the future of the workshop, it is a proposal that should not be accepted.”
“Haha, it really makes little sense. Our group would provide all the resources and funds necessary for potion production for the workshop. What the hell is wrong with this proposal?”
“And the price would be the technology of the workshop and the ability of the family head. You probably have a workshop in operation in the nearby city of Flicke. After a few years, they will absorb most of our technology and steal the workshop’s business partners one by one. In the end, our workshop will slowly fall, or you will force us to hand over the management rights of the workshop to you. Or is there a more elaborate and vicious strategy than this?”
Varia laughed at the elder’s sharp words.
“I envy you because you have like-minded and loyal vassals, workshop owner.”
Scarlett frowned.
It was because she already knew that the other attempted to bribe several elders. He failed, of course.

“They are proud people who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of our family. I don’t think there will be anyone who would have the same opinion as you.”
“That’s right.”
“Is it the turn of threats next?”
“Workshop owner.”
Varia gave a smile that bordered on sneering.
“You don’t have to pretend to be calm. You know that things have changed.”
“…”
“The new Seventh Lord arrived in the city just yesterday, and there was no more regent. Do you think the great Lord would take the slightest interest in such a trivial quarrel? Or, if he had one at all, whose side do you think he would be? Will he listen to you? Maybe if you have an elixir hidden in your family as an heirloom. If you donate it, he might be on your side.”
Bark interjected and said with a sinister laugh.
“Or, since the workshop owner is beautiful, you can seduce him. There’s a rumor that the new Lord is a human male, after all.”
“…Watch your words.”
Thane, who had been standing behind Scarlett and kept his mouth shut, spoke with gritted teeth.
The expression of the elders also turned stern at the remark openly insulting the head of the family.
However, Bark still spoke in that manner, as if he didn’t hear Thane.
“Just in case, how about marrying some young master? The workshop owner is not too old to be married. You shouldn’t just live in such a dull place like this, you should also know the joy of being a woman.”
“You–!”

Thane was about to explode, but Scarlett raised a hand to stop him.
“Did you just come here to do such a lowly provocation? You’ve thrown away your modesty.”
Varia stood up with a sneer.
“Today will probably be the last warning. I hope you make a wise choice for the future of the workshop, Miss Scarlett.”
“…”
“Then we will go now. No need to see us off.”
The elders looked at the two with dark expressions as they walked out of the room.
They came here without prior notice and threatened them.
The future situation turned too unfavorable for the workshop. Even from tomorrow, there was no way to know what kind of dirty tricks Varia Merchant Corps would use.
It was because until a few years ago, all the elders had been through so much that their teeth trembled at how nasty Varia had treated the workshop.
Scarlett touched her forehead as if her head hurt.
“Why don’t we gather again in the evening and hold a meeting, family head?”
“Yes, we should. Then, for now…”
Scarlett and the elders talked about the future.
Thane listened to the conversation with a firm expression, then sneaked out of the room.

​

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