Chapter 182

Chapter 182 – How About It? You Found It Quickly, Didn’t You? (2)

The man, savoring the attention pouring onto him, spoke in a relaxed tone.

“I am Glenn from the Scarlet Tower. I’ll purchase as much food as is available.”

Upon hearing his identity, the people’s expressions turned even more astonished.

The Scarlet Tower was currently regarded as the premier mage tower in the north.

Moreover, Glenn himself was quite renowned. As a 5th-circle mage, he was the one in charge of handling the tower’s external affairs.

Glenn looked around with an expression that seemed to say, “This should be enough.”

Sure enough, the others could only gulp dryly, unable to properly open their mouths.

“He’s offering 1 gold for a sack of wheat? The Scarlet Tower really must have a lot of money.”

“Madmen! If they buy at that price, what are we supposed to do? Are they just flaunting their wealth?”

For the impoverished northern estates, that price was entirely unattainable.

They were barely scraping by, trying to purchase food to survive until the next harvest. Buying at such a cost would bankrupt their estates long before the harvest arrived.

However, the mage tower had relatively few people to support and an abundance of funds, leaving them more than capable of meeting such demands.

Empowered with full authority from the tower, Glenn continued speaking confidently.

“Oh, and I heard rumors about a Runestone. We’ll buy all of those as well.”

The mention of a Runestone sparked a greedy glint in the eyes of the others.

“So it’s true this greenhorn lord has a Runestone?”

“Ah, I should’ve seized it earlier.”

“Tch, to think such a treasure is in the hands of someone like him. What a waste, truly a waste.”

The others were also aware of the Runestone. Back when the rumors first surfaced, lords across the region had pondered how to wrest it away.

Although they hadn’t been able to confirm the truth, thanks to Giselle only dealing with the mage tower, they hadn’t dismissed the rumors as baseless either.

Of course, after hearing that the Marquis of Branford had become Giselle’s patron, they had all given up.

Glenn raised the corners of his lips as he waited for Giselle’s response.

“Right now, food is the most critical. Soon enough, it won’t be available even if you throw money at it. While I’m at it, I need to confirm how much of the Runestone stock remains. I can always reclaim the money later.”

Though not overtly stated, the Scarlet Tower was an organization fostered by the Duke of Delfine.

Naturally, they knew that Count Desmond would inevitably clash with Giselle someday, so they saw no reason to hesitate in spending money.

Even aside from their ties to the ducal house, Giselle was someone who grated on the Scarlet Tower immensely.

“The Crimson Flame Tower is still holding out. That means this guy must be supplying them with Runestones.”

The Scarlet Tower had spent a fortune trying to crush the Crimson Flame Tower, choking them into submission.

Yet, the fact that they were still functioning normally after somehow acquiring a runestone was enough to drive the Scarlet Tower to madness.

Glancing at the murmuring crowd, Ghislain smirked faintly.

‘What a bunch of clowns.’

The Scarlet Tower would inevitably receive whatever they lacked from the duke’s household.

Even so, for them to shamelessly show up here and demand to buy food and runestones—what audacious people.

They were impressive, in a way, though not for admirable reasons.

‘They’re probably trying to secure as much food as possible. And while they’re at it, checking how many runestones we have left.’

Having fallen victim to the runestone trap, they must be seething with rage. No doubt they wanted to seize every last remaining one by any means necessary.

Narrowing his eyes, Ghislain scanned the crowd.

‘Quite a turnout.’

Among the group were plenty of agents connected to the duke’s household, hidden in plain sight just like the Scarlet Tower.

There were those already in league with the duke’s household, others where vassals had defected without their lord’s knowledge, and still others who were cautiously testing the waters.

After identifying all the estates linked to the duke’s household, including the Scarlet Tower, Ghislain announced:

“I won’t sell food to these territories. All of you, leave.”

The people from the named estates, including Glenn, looked utterly taken aback.

No negotiations, no offers to pay multiple times the market price—it was a flat refusal?

“What do you mean by this? Why won’t you sell to us?”

“At least give us a reason!”

Despite the clamor of protests filling the hall, Ghislain simply shook his head.

“Leave. Don’t ask for reasons. It’s my decision. Escort them all out.”

At Ghislain’s gesture, the knights surged forward, forcibly removing those whose territories had been named.

The reactions of the evicted individuals varied widely. Some resorted to threats, while others pleaded for mercy.

“We will never forget this insult! You will regret this!”

“Young Master, shall we kill him?”

“Lord, just give the order.”

“Hey, did everyone see that? I was the fastest, right? Come on, admit it! I’m seriously amazing, aren’t I?”

Glenn’s body froze, his lips quivering as he bit down in frustration.

The killing intent was palpable. He was certain that even the slightest move—one step, or even the flick of a finger—would cost him his life.

“Y-you crazy bastards dare...!”

Never in his life had anyone dared treat an elder of the Scarlet Tower this way.

As Glenn trembled with fury, his emotions boiling over, Ghislain’s hearty laughter echoed through the hall.

“Planning to do more? Be my guest. Plenty of witnesses around.”

Those words snapped Glenn out of his rage.

He’d been so humiliated that he lost himself. If he had made a move, things would have escalated into a massive issue.

Not yet. He reminded himself of his role—he was one of the hidden blades of the Ducal family. A secret weapon, meant to strike a decisive blow against the Royalist faction at the critical moment.

Now was not the time to draw the Royalists’ attention.

Acting recklessly here out of personal anger could result in his head rolling at the Duke’s command.

“Phew...”

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Glenn glared at Ghislain.

“Our tower will not let this go unchallenged. Be prepared, Baron.”

“I look forward to it.”

“You will come to regret this.”

With those words, Glenn turned on his heel and left.

In any case, Count Desmond was already planning to attack this estate. Glenn resolved to lend a hand when the time came, ensuring he would personally kill Ghislain.

Mages never forget a grudge. This arrogant brat would soon learn the terrifying might of the Scarlet Tower.

More than half of the people had been driven out, and when Glenn also left the room, the remaining individuals began to exchange uneasy glances.

‘What’s going on? Why did he drive those people out?’

‘Why were we allowed to stay?’

‘To oppose the greatest magic tower in the North? What a reckless fool!’

Since they couldn’t figure out the criteria for being expelled, they were left in utter confusion.

There was only one thing they could be certain of: negotiating with this madman, who clearly didn’t care about diplomatic relations, was utterly impossible.

As he watched their unease, Ghislain spoke softly.

“The atmosphere got a little tense earlier. But in truth, I have a soft heart. Thinking about how so many people in the North are starving makes me feel so distressed I can’t even sleep. I’m... a pacifist, after all.”

Those listening couldn’t help but think:

‘Is he truly insane?’

‘Then why did he kick those people out earlier?’

‘I’d heard rumors he wasn’t in his right mind, but to see it for myself...’

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment before Ghislain broke it again.

“So, I won’t take any money.”

Everyone was stunned by his words. Right now, food was worth its weight in gold—no, even offering gold wasn’t enough to secure it.

But he said he wouldn’t take money?

One of the people, carefully observing the situation, cautiously asked, “T-then, are you proposing to exchange the food for other resources from our estates?”

Given that the Fenris Territory was infamous for its lack of resources, this seemed like a plausible explanation.

But Ghislain shook his head again in response.

“No, I won’t take resources either.”

The remaining attendees’ faces brightened at his reply. If he wouldn’t take money or resources, then all they could offer were goodwill and flattery.

‘What a commendable young man. He must’ve been trying to act tough earlier, but he’s really just a softie.’

‘Ah, he’s so young. His actions are endearing.’

The envoys began to hide their true intentions behind carefully managed expressions.

‘All we need is the food. We can ignore any demands for defense funds.’

‘This drought will end eventually. Once it does, we can deal with his arrogance.’

‘Right now, he’s lucky to have a stockpile of food. Does he think this streak will last? The world isn’t so kind.’

Suppressing their laughter, some of the envoys’ cheeks twitched. It was then that Ghislain casually dropped a bombshell.

“Instead of money, I’ll take soldiers. Each estate must send a number of troops proportional to its size.”

The faces of the envoys turned deathly pale in an instant.