Sister..?

The very day the corps vanguard arrived in the city following the Inspection Corps.

The central square of the port city Azra.

“My… I’ve never seen such a large-scale execution in my life.”

“Surely they won’t kill all these people.”

Before the crowd so dense there was no space to step, the family members of those who were the backbone of the Southern Alliance, as well as those who had colluded with them.

Hundreds of them were helplessly dragged out by soldiers.

Their fate was decided by a single word from Loen.

“Execute all.”

Blades flashed, screams erupted, and blood soaked the stone floor of the square.

Due to their sheer number, the executions continued relentlessly for a full two hours.

Only a heavy silence lingered among the crowd filling the square.

Eventually, suppressed sighs and whispers burst forth here and there.

“Huh.”

“Truly not an ounce of mercy…”

“What is the world coming to…”

A merchant watching this grabbed the sleeve of the person next to him and whispered.

“H-hey. Sh-shouldn’t we leave the city even now?”

“Calm down. We didn’t cooperate with them, we just traded as merchant to merchant. So there’s no need to be so anxious.”

But contrary to his words,

“Guild Master Ornil. For someone saying that… your legs are shaking quite severely.”

As the person beside him pointed out, his knees were trembling uncontrollably.

“…”

What covered the square was clear anxiety and fear.

Currently, all sorts of ominous rumors about Loen Franz were widely spread throughout the port city Azra. The source was, of course, the Southern Alliance.

‘She’s leading her corps in a bloody massacre.’

‘She’s abusing her inspection authority to randomly purge even innocent nobles and seize their property.’

‘She’s clearly trying to devour the entire south to fatten the Franz family.’

Of course, not everyone believed these rumors at face value.

The Southern Alliance wasn’t exactly a clean group either.

But, directly witnessing the executions unfolding before their eyes, even those who had been skeptical couldn’t help but change their minds.

“So the rumors weren’t false…”

“If you ask me, it’s worse than the rumorsㅡ”

“Shh! Lower your voice. The soldiers are watching.”

Soon, before the blood in the square could even dry.

A new terror began to engulf the port city Azra.

After the executions were carried out.

Corps soldiers scattered throughout the city on Loen’s orders.

They barged into the residences of merchants leading guilds and renowned artisans.

Bang bang!

At the sound of knocking, the guild master reluctantly opened the door, only to be confronted by armed soldiers emanating a chilling aura.

“Are you Guild Master Ornil?”

“Y-yes, I am. What brings you here?”

The guild master, sensing instinctive danger, swallowed dryly.

“We have special instructions from the Corps Commander to politely escort you to the palace.”

“…”

Despite the word “politely,” the soldiers’ sharp demeanor made the guild master’s mind race quickly.

‘Loen Franz, who was just executing people in the square until a moment ago… gave orders to bring me? Why on earth?’

A single possibility crossed his mind.

Could it be!

‘Is it because of my dealings with the Southern Alliance!?’

The guild master’s face turned pale in an instant as he hurriedly waved his hands.

“L-listen, fellows! This is a misunderstanding! I merely traded with the Alliance, without any cooperation whatsoever, a very law-abiding merchant, I tell you.”

The soldiers quietly sighed at the sight of the guild master rambling on.

Finally, the commander, unable to bear it any longer, instructed.

“Escort him politely.”

“Yes.”

The soldiers entered the mansion and firmly grabbed the flailing guild master’s arms, beginning to drag him outside.

“L-let go! Where are you taking me! Let go, I say!”

“Husband!!”

“Wife! Right now, mmp! Mmph.”

The commander blocked the wife who rushed to save her husband being dragged away, and said.

“No need to worry, Lady Ornil. We’re not taking him for a bad purpose, so rest assured.”

“……”

Such incidents occurred simultaneously throughout the city.

Well-respected merchants and artisans who had honed their skills for generations were “politely” dragged to the palace by soldiers without even being able to properly resist.

The city dwellers who watched could only anxiously gauge each other’s reactions.

No one dared to make a peep.

It was because the bloody executions in the square had branded deep fear in their minds.

Everyone was just trembling in helpless fear, worrying about the city’s future amid the incomprehensible situation.

Under Azra’s sky, the shadow of fear hung heavily.

---

The guest room of Azra’s luxurious palace.

The merchants and artisans who were brought in found themselves essentially in a state of confinement there.

Of course, they were “politely escorted,” but to them, it was clearly confinement any way you looked at it.

The expressionless soldiers strictly guarding the entrance were evidence of that.

“Guild Master Ornil.”

“Master Artisan Aron! I can’t believe even you were dragged here.”

“Do you know anything about why Loen Franz had us brought to the palace?”

“I don’t know either.”

Those gathered in the guest room grabbed familiar faces and whispered.

It was their way of trying to alleviate their anxiety.

Just then, a soldier called someone’s name.

“Aron.”

Master Artisan Aron, with a resigned expression, said.

“Guild Master Ornil, let’s… live to see each other again.”

“Khuhuk.”

People in the guest room were called out one by one in turn.

Those whose names were called quietly went somewhere guided by soldiers.

And they never returned.

Someone, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up.

“…What happens to those who are taken away?”

A soldier shook his head at someone’s question.

“I don’t know.”

It was a genuine answer of not knowing, but people seemed to interpret it differently.

‘I bet they plan to make them cough up all their assets through threats and torture.’

The atmosphere in the guest room grew even heavier.

And finally.

The guild master’s name was called.

“Ornil.”

In that moment, all eyes in the guest room turned to him.

They were gazes filled with sympathy, anxiety, and a slight relief.

Guild Master Ornil silently rose from his seat.

He walked out of the guest room, pretending to be composed.

But his steps were heavy, and his shoulders drooped.

The resigned guild master silently followed the soldiers walking ahead, like a prisoner being led to the execution ground.

The long corridor.

Deep inside the palace.

Passing through a door that disappeared without a trace, Guild Master Ornil finally entered the audience hall.

And what he saw there was…

A scene like a demon’s palace from legends.

In front,

She sat on a high throne in the vast audience hall.

Red eyes that eerily shone as if to pierce through everything, contrasting with her black hair flowing like shadows.

Loen Franz.

The one who had plunged Azra into fear.

She sat like a statue, expressionless, staring at Ornil.

On either side of her stood an imposing blonde woman in the same black uniform,

And a dragon-tribe girl with sky-blue hair exuding a somewhat alien atmosphere.

Their gazes, too, were cold and sharp.

Finally, numerous knights were lined up without the slightest disorder along the throne and the walls of the audience hall.

All their gazes were focused on Guild Master Ornil.

Dozens, hundreds of eyes pierced through him.

It was a kind of pressure he had never felt in his life.

Under those gazes, the guild master, with his trembling body, barely managed to reach the throne.

His legs wobbled, and it seemed he would collapse at any moment.

In the cold air and silence that seemed about to shatter.

Finally, she opened her mouth.

Like the master of the abyss whispering softly.

It was the moment when the predator, Loen Franz, who was about to devour everything of his, opened her mouth.

“Guild Master Ornil.”

---

When Loen called his name, his shoulders shuddered.

Why everyone trembled and made a fuss just at the mention of their name…

It was truly puzzling.

“…Y-you called?”

“Was there any discomfort on your way here?”

Loen spoke in the gentlest tone possible toward him, who had opened his mouth with difficulty.

These people were to become future collaborators of the Franz family.

“O-of course not. I was escorted so politely that for a moment I thought I had become a king!”

“That’s good to hear.”

A brief light conversation followed.

“Lady Loen. Here.”

Just as the conversation was ripening, Loen received documents handed by Psyche and opened them, saying.

“Ornil Guild.”

The guild master, who sensed that this was the real thing, tensed up his body.

“A guild with high credibility and a very good reputation. And due to your non-abrasive personality, you are well-regarded by those around you…”

Information about his guild flowed continuously from Loen’s mouth.

“You traded with the Southern Alliance but did not cooperate beyond that. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

The guild master answered, wiping the sweat flowing on his forehead.

“And being the second largest guild among those not affiliated with the Alliance… You must have excellent business acumen?”

“W-well, not necessarily… It seems more due to luck’s significant role.”

“I see.”

Tap!

Closing the documents, Loen stared into the guild master’s eyes.

“Moving on to the main point… The reason I called you here is to make a proposal.”

“A proposal… what kind?”

Toward the guild master who carefully asked, Loen brought out her prepared content.

“I would like Ornil Guild to take charge of the overall distribution of mineral resources connecting the imperial south and center.”

“…Pardon?”

“The Franz family will guarantee the safety of the supply chain and trade routes, and your guild will manage the transportation and distribution network.”

The quality and deposits of minerals in the imperial south were of the highest level, and their distribution had been monopolized by the Southern Alliance until now.

And now that the Alliance was annihilated, Loen planned to entrust the empty distribution network to a trustworthy guild.

Naturally, the Franz family would take a significant portion of the profits.

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a bad condition.

The scraps falling would still be substantial.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Loen gently asked again.

However, the guild master just stood there, frozen in a daze.

“Guild Master Ornil?”

Loen thought to herself.

‘He seems to be deep in thought.’

Even for a good proposal, his careful consideration was befitting of a guild master.

According to Loen’s investigation, he was by no means a careless person.

Regardless of trust and reputation, he was a merchant to the bone.

Loen had prepared several cards to persuade him.

Now, depending on his reaction, she would pull out the prepared cardㅡ.

“I-I’ll do it! No, I accept!”

“…?”

Loen’s eyebrows rose slightly.

‘I haven’t even mentioned profit distribution yet?’

At that moment, the guild master’s gaze briefly swept the surroundings.

Terrifying rumors, the executions in the square, knights surrounding them, and lastly…

The dragon-tribe girl smiling beside her.

Especially from that girl, a very dangerous scent emanated.

The guild master’s keen intuition as a guild master detected a wordless madness from her eyes.

That alone was enough.

“W-where should I sign?”

“…… Sign here.”

Afterward, most of the merchants and artisans who entered the audience hall readily accepted Loen’s proposals without much negotiation.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

There were a few who insisted on negotiating with Loen.

Particularly, artisans with rugged appearances did so.

“It seems you’re trying to intimidate me subtly. That won’t do. First, give me the contract!”

However, the moment they received Loen’s contract, even they quickly changed their attitude.

“Huh?”

What’s this? The conditions are too good? Is this level even giving things away?

Compared to the Southern Alliance, this is almost like charity!

“Ahem. I-I accept the contract.”

Looking at it, the terms of the contract were actually quite favorable.

That’s why they quickly signed the contract.

Of course, from Loen’s perspective,

It felt like distributing the assets recovered from the traitors to them, so there was no loss at all.

After the contracts with the escorted individuals were finalized.

Loen instructed to send the assets and valuable materials recovered from the traitor families, as well as the artisans who decided to relocate, to the region where Johan Franz was located.

And a few days later.

Dozens of carriages, fully loaded with goods, left Azra and headed north.

They were valuable assets that would contribute to the Franz family’s expansion.

---

“The Franz family is not one that treats capable individuals carelessly. So please think carefully… Hm?”

Johan Franz, who was negotiating with artisans while touring the Donnelly family’s businesses, paused at a strange vibration.

Rumble rumble rumble.

From afar, a procession of dozens of carriages was approaching, emitting smoke.

“What is this?”

It was a procession of very unusual scale.

Just in case, the Franz magic battalion quietly prepared to cast spells.

After a while.

A knight leading the carriage procession approached and respectfully bowed his head.

“Are you Master Johan Franz?”

“Yes, I am, but.”

The knight spoke to Johan, who couldn’t hide his puzzlement.

“The Corps Commander has asked me to deliver something to Master Johan Franz.”

“Corps Commander? You don’t mean my sister Loen, do you?”

“Yes.”

Johan, eyes wide open, asked.

“What delivery are you talking about?”

The knight turned his body and pointed to the carriage procession.

“…? All those carriages? To me?”

The knight silently nodded.

At that moment, Johan’s pupils shook greatly.

The artisan eavesdropping on the conversation next to him also opened his mouth wide.

Finally, after staring at the carriage procession for a long time with a distant gaze, Johan muttered vacantly.

“What on earth are you doing, Sister…”