Chapter 499: Meeting

Editor: Tseirp

The building stood two doors down from ‘Freedom Breeze Inn’.

It was the headquarters of Eastern Trading Company.

A name synonymous with power in the Free City, it was among the most famous trading companies.

A carriage entered the compound through the rear entrance.

Halting in a spot hidden from view of the surrounding buildings, a man cloaked in a deep hood stepped out, swiftly making his way inside the trading company’s doors.

“He has arrived.”

“Send him in.”

The butler’s announcement was met with a curt command from his master.

The man was ushered into the chairman’s office.

“G-greetings, Sukhwe-sama…”

“That’s enough, Deputy Minister Mishta. Let’s get straight to the point.”

Mishta, the Deputy Minister of Ports, was abruptly interrupted by the chairman of Eastern Trading Company, Sukhwe.

Sukhwe was said to be well over seventy.

However, he could easily pass for his fifties. Exuding a vitality that belied his age.

Particularly striking were his green eyes… which were said to project such an intense aura that being stared at directly felt like a physical blow.

His head was completely shaved, giving him an unusual and imposing appearance.

Meeting him even once left an unforgettable impression.

He was the embodiment of a powerful merchant.

One of the eight members of the Free City’s Supreme Council.

“I’ve heard about the ministers’ headaches, but to think they’ve already become puppets.”

“My deepest apologies…”

“This isn’t something for you to apologize for, Deputy Minister Mishta.”

Cold sweat trickled down Mishta’s back as he instinctively apologized.

But Sukhwe dismissed it.

The ministers had been turned into puppets by sorcery employed by the Grand Duchy’s spellcasters.

While their outward behavior and responses appeared normal.

The debilitating headaches and lack of vigor made it clear they were not entirely themselves.

“How much… do you know about the Free City’s main fleet, Deputy Minister Mishta?”

“…Lord Helb informed me. He said the main fleet was destroyed.”

“That’s correct.”

Sukhwe’s response was definitive.

Tempted by curiosity,

Mishta considered asking about other matters that had been troubling him.

The man before him was the most well-informed person in the Free City.

And ordinarily, Mishta would never have had a chance to meet him.

This meeting was only happening because Sukhwe had personally summoned him.

“If there’s something you wish to ask me, go ahead.”

“Pardon…?”

“You seem to have questions. Ask.”

Instead of feeling grateful, Mishta felt a deep sense of dread.

He realized that nothing could be hidden from this man.

“I’m far from omniscient. If I truly understood everything, I would’ve handled the Grand Duchy’s maneuvers more skillfully. At best, I can vaguely sense what the person before me is thinking.” 𝖗�

Sukhwe smiled, a faint expression that was hard to decipher as either a smirk or a genuine grin.

In that moment, Mishta made up his mind.

“I understand about the fleet. But among the ministers—other than the Prime Minister, there’s only one exception: the Naval Minister, Romanora-dono. What is his situation…?”

“It seems Romanora is being held captive.”

“Captive?”

Mishta was shocked by Sukhwe’s revelation.

“He’s a cautious man. That’s likely why he wasn’t turned into a puppet. However, he was ultimately confined and forced to sign the declaration of subjugation.”

Sukhwe shook his head slightly as he spoke.

“But why was the fleet destroyed…?”

“That’s connected to something else Lord Helb mentioned to you.”

“Could it be, the Blue Island…?”

“Yes, the Blue Island. My investigation into it is still ongoing… but it seems the fleet approached the island and was annihilated. On a related note, one of Suje Kingdom’s ocean-going cruisers returned at dawn. Seemingly with some new information about the matter. I expect that information will reach me soon enough.”

“Suje Kingdom’s embassy? But how?”

Mishta’s simple question was met with nothing more than a faint smile from Sukhwe.

“So… what will happen to the Free City now, without its main fleet?”

“Externally, we’ll have to rely on the Grand Duchy for protection.”

“Wha…?”

Sukhwe’s blunt response left Mishta astonished.

“At least until a new fleet is built, there’s no other option.”

“Will the Grand Duchy even allow us to build a new fleet?”

“That will depend on negotiations… or rather, the actions of the citizens.”

“The citizens?”

“A resistance movement.”

“Something like that exists?”

Mishta voiced his doubts.

“Just yesterday, a large crowd gathered in front of the Grand Duchy’s embassy. Apparently, they’d hoarded food supplies, causing public outrage. To top it off, part of the embassy reportedly collapsed.”

“What? Such a thing happened?”

“Didn’t you receive such reports in your capacity as Deputy Minister of Ports? You must work on breaking down these bureaucratic silos.”

“Y-yes, of course…”

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

The butler entered and handed a slip of paper to Sukhwe.

“Hmm, I see.”

Sukhwe muttered as he threw the paper into the fireplace.

Watching it burn completely, he said to Deputy Minister Mishta.

“I’m afraid something urgent has come up. I must leave.”

“Eh…?”

Chairman Sukhwe, leaving?

The man who could summon even the Prime Minister to his office.

And who rarely left his domains other than the supreme council?

But Mishta didn’t question him about it.

He instinctively knew better than to ask.

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself.”

This was Mishta’s wisest course of action.

“I’ll likely call on you again soon. I trust I can count on you then.”

“Certainly.”

Thus ended Mishta’s nerve-wracking meeting.

Ten minutes later, Sukhwe could be seen in the cafe of an inn two doors down from Eastern Trading Company’s headquarters.

“Excuse me, are you Abel-dono and Ryo-dono?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Please, have a seat.”

“…”

Chairman Sukhwe addressed them, Abel replied, and Ryo gestured toward a chair.

Captain Gorick, the third person present, was too shocked to speak.

He understood who had approached them, and how rare this was.

Even as a soldier of the Suje Kingdom, not deeply versed in Free City affairs, Captain Gorick knew this man.

The ripple of surprise Captain Gorick felt soon spread to others in the cafe.

After all, Chairman Sukhwe was the most powerful merchant in Free City.

A member of the Supreme Council.

He was a figure every active citizen knew by name and face…

“You seem to be quite famous.”

“I’m just a humble merchant.”

Abel remarked on the reaction in the cafe, and Chairman Sukhwe answered with a wry smile.

Meanwhile, Captain Gorick fidgeted.

Unsure of how to act.

“What’s wrong, Captain?”

“Well, it’s just… the Chairman himself…”

Abel questioned the uneasy Captain Gorick.

In response, Chairman Sukhwe began his introduction.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I run the Eastern Trading Company, located just two doors down from the ‘Freedom Breeze Inn’. My name is Sukhwe.”

“I’m Abel, and this is Ryo. The Captain here is…”

“Captain Gorick of the Suje Kingdom Central Navy, commanding officer of the Lone Dark.”

Hearing this, Chairman Sukhwe seemed surprised.

It appeared Captain Gorick’s presence was unexpected.

“So, you’re the captain of the Lone Dark. I recall you entered the city aboard that vessel.”

“Seems like the Chairman has access to information at the level of national leaders.”

Abel commented with a wry smile.

Though his eyes remained serious.

He recognized the Chairman as a dangerous figure.

And understood the subtle message behind Sukhwe’s remark.

The negotiation had already begun.

Captain Gorick, watching the exchange, felt tense.

As if caught in a high-stakes duel.

Among the three, however, there was a fourth person.

Ryo, a water-attribute magician.

Ryo, wearing a pensive expression, remained silent.

Staring intently at a single point.

After a moment, he gave a resolute nod and spoke.

“I’ll have the Mandheling coffee and Karinchun. It’s listed under desserts, so it must be sweet.”

People often feel a sense of satisfaction after making a tough decision.

And Ryo was no exception.

He looked pleased as he explained his reasoning.

“Uh… Ryo-san?”

“Ah, Captain Gorick, you know what Karinchun is, don’t you? Do you think my choice is correct?”

“Yes, uh… It’s chewy and sweet…”

“Just as I thought! I’m looking forward to it.”

Satisfied with Captain Gorick’s response, Ryo smiled.

“Ryo…”

“Abel, would you like to try it? I assume you’ll want another coffee?”

“Well

At that point, the waiter arrived.

“Mandheling coffee and Karinchun, please!”

Ryo happily placed his order.

While the other three ordered just coffee.

“Hmm… Ryo-dono seems to be quite resilient.”

“Yeah, Ryo’s a much bigger deal than I am.”

Chairman Sukhwe chuckled, and Abel nodded slightly in agreement.

Ryo eagerly waited for his order.

But soon noticed the others were all looking at him.

“Ah, don’t mind me. Please, continue your discussion.”

He encouraged them to resume their conversation politely.

“Ryo-san… doesn’t any of this concern you?”

“Concern me? What do you mean?”

Captain Gorick asked, and Ryo tilted his head in confusion.

“The fate of Free City, and this gentleman here…”

“Well… even though the city was annexed, life goes on. People still have to work, earn money, and support their families. That’s why this cafe is still open, right…? For now, not much has changed. Also, isn’t the Chairman a member of the Supreme Council? I don’t know why he personally came here, but…”

“Your insight is remarkable.”

Ryo answered Gorick’s question with a calm demeanor.

While Chairman Sukhwe acknowledged his observation with a nod.

Of all present, only Captain Gorick seemed surprised.

Abel’s expression remained unchanged.

He had evidently reached the same conclusion.

His only comment.

“Figured as much.”

“Wait… you two knew, and yet you…”

Lowering his voice, Captain Gorick expressed his disbelief.

Of course, Sukhwe, who was at the same table, heard him too.

“The Supreme Council is basically this city’s ruling body, right? Like Queen Iliaja of the Suje Kingdom. Of course, I respect him… but he’s just another person, you know?”

“Excuse me?”

Gorick seemed unable to follow Ryo’s explanation.

But then Ryo seemed to recall something. Widening his eyes slightly, he asked Sukhwe a question.

“Chairman, you are human… right?”

“Yes, I am.”

Sukhwe replied with a faint smile.

Relieved, Ryo nodded.

He had briefly recalled an ambassador from some Grand Duchy.

Who had turned out to not be human…

“Compared to Behi-chan or Gri-gri, we’re all just humans. Talking things out should work. Of course, we shouldn’t insult or underestimate each other, but building unnecessary walls doesn’t help either.”

“Your comparisons… Compared to that kind of pressure, no human could be intimidating.”

Ryo passionately explained, and Abel sighed in exasperation.

Indeed, against creatures like Behemoths or Griffins… humans seemed insignificant.

In comparison, no matter how imposing the opponent, they were still manageable…

“The two of you seem to have quite a wealth of experience.”

“Well, when you’ve been an adventurer for as long as we have, it just comes naturally.”

Chairman Sukhwe remarked, sounding impressed, and Ryo replied, nodding smugly.

Abel, knowing that Ryo’s career as an adventurer wasn’t nearly as extensive as he made it sound, chose to stay silent.

A swordsman’s mercy, perhaps… rather than a samurai’s.

“Yes, the two of you are adventurers from the Kingdom of Knightley in the Central Countries, correct? I hear adventuring is very active there.”

“That’s right. Our Knightley Kingdom is so renowned for its adventurers that it’s often called the nation of adventurers. Living in such a place, you can’t help but accumulate all kinds of experiences. Some… are astonishing, others terrifying, but overall, it’s a lot of fun.”

Ryo said, speaking enthusiastically about the joys of being an adventurer.

Though, truth be told, he hadn’t undertaken all that many adventuring requests…

Still, he bore the mark of a first-rate adventurer, a C-ranker.

“The Free City, to be honest, doesn’t seem as active for adventurers.”

“That appears to be the case. But even in such a place, young adventurers are growing.”

Ryo responded before pulling out a thin booklet.

“This is a guide to eateries where you can get a meal for 1,500 Denari or less within this Free City. It was compiled by three young adventurers from the party ‘Tiger’s Fang’ after conducting extensive research.”

He opened the first page and showed it to Chairman Sukhwe with evident delight.

“We had lunch today at this place called ‘Eat! Eat! Eat!’, and it was phenomenal. Even though Abel and I know of other delicious spots, this one was on par with the best. Truly outstanding research results.”

“Ooh? May I take a look?”

“Of course, here you go.”

Ryo handed over the guide with a beaming smile.

As this exchange unfolded, four cups of Mandheling coffee and Ryo’s ordered sweet Karinchun were delivered.

Abel and Captain Gorick sipped their coffee, while Ryo nibbled on his treat, sipping his coffee.

“Sweets and coffee really do pair well.”

He remarked.

After a short while, Chairman Sukhwe looked up from the guide.

“I see. This guide truly highlights some excellent establishments.”

“Oh, you think so too? “

“Indeed. These are places with fair prices, good portions, and flavors highly praised by locals. They represent a harmonious balance of these qualities.”

“Chairman, you’re familiar with these places?”

“Of course. I’m a merchant in the Free City, after all. Outstanding restaurants always stay on my radar.”

“Ooh!”

The Chairman and Ryo shared a smile.

Good food makes people smile, but even discussions about places that serve great food have the same effect.

“However, there’s one problem.”

Abel’s voice interjected, not in a tone of criticism.

But with a seriousness that left no room for dismissal.

“They couldn’t obtain the food supplies. And the Free City government stood idly by.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

“What’s your perspective on this, as a member of the Supreme Council?”

“It’s an undeniable failure.”

Chairman Sukhwe replied Abel’s question without hesitation.

“You’re not going to claim the Grand Duchy’s hoarding was to blame?”

“As a member of the Supreme Council, I can’t make such a statement. If the people go hungry, it’s natural to face criticism.”

“But doesn’t the High Council refrain from direct involvement in governance?”

“That’s true… but appointing that Prime Minister alone makes it our failure, doesn’t it?”

“So you accept responsibility for the appointment.”

Abel concluded with a slight nod.

“Now, the reason I’m here today is that I wanted to speak with the two of you about your visit to the Grand Duchy’s embassy regarding this issue.”

“How do you know about that…?”

“I looked into it.”

Ryo asked, startled, and Sukhwe replied with a smile.

“Abel, we’ve been found out! The Supreme Council apparently knows about your assault on the Grand Duchy’s embassy!”

“Don’t you dare pin this on me now. You’re the one who stormed in there, Ryo.”

“If only you had stopped me, none of that would’ve happened…”

“Oh, the nerve…”

“Uh, wait! It wasn’t an assault, they opened the door and invited us in. Yes, they invited us inside!”

Ryo said, trying to revise the narrative to align with their earlier cover story.

Abel, however, shook his head.

And curtly said,

“It’s pointless.”

“You traitor!”

Ryo’s inner voice screamed.

“I’m not here to criticize you or anything of the sort.”

Chairman Sukhwe said, cutting through the frivolity.

“Really?”

Ryo looked visibly relieved.

“Shall we get to the main topic?”

Abel urged the Chairman.

The Chairman’s response was straightforward but not easily digestible.

“The citizens of the Free City wish to demand autonomy from the Grand Duchy. I’ve come to request your assistance with this movement.”

“Autonomy, not independence?”

“Yes. With the fleet’s main forces destroyed, a push for independence wouldn’t succeed. Even if citizens resorted to armed resistance, the Grand Duchy has the military might to suppress it. Therefore, the realistic demand is for autonomy.”

Chairman Sukhwe delivered this explanation without a hint of hesitation.

As he listened, Abel began to ponder deeply.

At times like this, Abel thinks deeply and for quite a long time.

Knowing this habit of his, Ryo decided to change the topic to keep the atmosphere light.

“By the way, Chairman Sukhwe, you seem to be familiar with Captain Gorick.”

“Eh?”

Ryo brought up an unrelated topic, and Captain Gorick couldn’t keep up and muttered.

“Earlier, you mentioned the Lone Dark’s captain in surprise. It seemed you didn’t expect him to be here.”

“Ah, yes. I’m aware of him. He’s with the First Fleet of the Central Navy of the Suje Kingdom.”

“And I suppose you know more than just that, don’t you?”

Ryo asked.

Smiling as he sipped his Mandheling coffee.

“H-How do you mean?”

“You know where the Lone Dark went and returned from. Don’t you?”

At Ryo’s words, both Captain Gorick and Chairman Sukhwe changed their expressions.

Captain Gorick’s face showed pure astonishment.

Chairman Sukhwe’s expression carried something more than just surprise.

However, Chairman Sukhwe quickly reverted to his usual calm demeanor.

A faint smile forming on his face.

“To be honest, yes, I do.”

“Then, do you know the cause of the fleet’s destruction?”

“…No.”

“Surely you aren’t completely unaware, are you?”

Ryo asked again with an innocent expression.

“Ryo-dono… just how much do you know?”

“I’m not sure which question you’re asking… but in terms of hypotheses… I believe I understand most of what’s happening in the southern continent.”

Without changing his expression, Ryo took a sip of coffee and casually continued.

“Most of it, you say?”

“For example, the Supreme Council, including you, Chairman, had predicted the Grand Duchy’s declaration to bring Kwebasa under its protection.”

“…”

“Despite knowing this, you deliberately took no action. The Prime Minister may be gloating over a successful coup, but the Supreme Council was already ahead of that.”

“…”

“Moreover, you likely have some idea of why the Grand Duchy is trying to unify the southern continent, including this Free City and the Southern Federation… you must have some information. Something that assures you the Grand Duchy won’t back down. Unlike the past decades, this time they won’t retreat. You probably understand why. That’s why you’re resigned to becoming a protectorate, though you aim to retain some level of autonomy. And maybe, after the Grand Duchy’s unwavering pursuit concludes, there might be an opportunity for independence again.”

“…”

“Further, though this is pure conjecture upon conjecture, I suspect you’re aware that what you’re facing isn’t human. Whether it’s the same entity that destroyed the fleet, I can’t say… but something is occurring on a scale that encompasses all Eastern Countries…”

“…”

“Well, that’s just what I think.”

Having said all that in one breath, Ryo took another sip of his Mandheling coffee, seemingly satisfied.

Chairman Sukhwe, who had been silently listening, appeared increasingly grim.

The faint smile he wore earlier had disappeared midway through Ryo’s hypotheses.

“How should I put this… are all of these just hypotheses?”

“Yes, as I mentioned at the start, they’re all just hypotheses.”

Ryo answered with a smile in response to Chairman Sukhwe’s question.

Wiping away his somber expression, Chairman Sukhwe asked further,

“Ryo-dono, if you don’t mind, could you share the reasoning behind these hypotheses?”

“Eh? Reasoning, you say…”

Ryo looked surprised and tilted his head.

After pondering briefly, he spoke.

“Well, this Free City is, as the name suggests, a city, so its population isn’t very large… of course, it’s large for a single city, but as a nation, not so much.”

Pausing briefly, he continued.

“So, major merchants here likely look abroad for markets. In the southern continent, that would mean the Federation or the Grand Duchy. Now, the Federation is embroiled in civil war. I’d already heard in the Suje Kingdom that things had been tense there for some time, making it difficult to do business. Unless you’re an arms dealer, it wouldn’t have been an ideal environment.”

“…”

“That leaves the Grand Duchy as the primary trading partner. Merchants rely on information. It would be impossible for them not to gather information about the countries in which they do business. So, they couldn’t have overlooked the signs of the Grand Duchy preparing for a campaign. Wars don’t just erupt out of nowhere. They require significant time and preparation. The Supreme Council must have known about the Grand Duchy’s intentions to invade the Free City.”

“…”

“Oh! Speaking of trade with the Grand Duchy, perhaps being annexed actually makes doing business easier…? No, that might be reading too much into it. Sorry, forget I said that. In any case, you were likely aware of the Grand Duchy’s plan to annex the Free City…”

“That’s enough.”

Chairman Sukhwe interrupted Ryo’s explanation.

Shaking his head slightly, he added,

“Interesting hypotheses, to say the least.”

“Of course, they’re just hypotheses.”

Ryo replied, still smiling.

However, at the same table, Captain Gorick swallowed nervously.

Looking at Ryo with the eyes of someone witnessing something terrifying. He glanced anxiously at Chairman Sukhwe, as if afraid things might escalate.

Captain Gorick likely understood that Ryo’s hypotheses were mostly accurate.

The last part about annexation making trade easier was unclear, though.

After all, annexation would likely strip the Supreme Council of their privileges.

It seemed implausible they’d willingly welcome such an outcome.

“Oh, it seems Abel has finally come to.”

Ryo shifted the conversation upon noticing Abel lifting his head.

“I wasn’t sleeping. I was thinking.”

Abel grumbled irritably.

“Just a figure of speech. I kept the conversation going while you were silent.”

Ryo replied, trying to highlight his contribution.

After all, he had to make his efforts known to earn his reward.

Whether it be meals or treats!

“Anyway, let’s set aside Ryo’s rambling for now.”

“Eh…”

Ryo pouted in dissatisfaction.

Clearly upset that his theories were dismissed… After keeping the conversation alive.

“We’ll help secure autonomy, but only on one condition.”

“And that is?”

“Arrange transportation for Ryo and me to travel north through the Eastern Countries.”

“Understood.”

Chairman Sukhwe immediately agreed to Abel’s condition.

“Are you sure? That was a quick response.”

“Of course. As Ryo-dono mentioned earlier, much of the Free City’s trade is with the Grand Duchy. However, some of our ships go further north. You may use one of those vessels.”

After a brief pause, Chairman Sukhwe added,

“Though this will have to wait until the Grand Duchy declares autonomy for the Free City.”

“That’s fine. We’ll do what we can to expedite that.”

“Let’s meet again in three days, then… I’d like to make the necessary preparations.”

“Okay.”

With that, their discussion concluded, and Chairman Sukhwe left the ‘Freedom Breeze Inn’.

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