Chapter 88

Episode 87

The Duke’s expression was stern.

But his gaze towards his beloved daughter softened, becoming sweeter than cotton candy.

“You’ve decorated the place nicely, Lucia.”

“Welcome, Father. I would have prepared something if I had known you were coming.”

“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”

Duke Kalisto wasn’t a man of leisure.

Governing a vast territory was more challenging than it seemed. The fact that he had taken the time to visit was significant.

Not just for me, but for Grand Duke Hylix and Sir Romero as well.

It could be seen as a gesture of support for Lady Lucia.

And it probably was.

If he hadn’t wanted Lucia to participate in the succession struggle, he would have prevented her from creating the trading company.

“Sir O’Brien, I heard you’ve demonstrated your skills once again. You negotiated with House Caribe?”

“I apologize, Your Grace. I believe I made a grave mistake.”

“It wasn’t a mistake. Lucia ordered you to create a trading company, and you found the quickest and most practical solution.”

“You honor me with your words.”

The Duke glanced at Grand Duke Hylix. He seemed uncomfortable with this discord.

But he had also experienced a succession struggle. Throughout history, House Kalisto had seen even more intense conflicts. There were even instances of brothers drawing their swords against each other.

The Duke’s refusal to explicitly take sides was likely a way of upholding this tradition.

Competition was essential for the family’s growth.

“I would like to stay longer and look around, but I have another engagement. Lucia, if you don’t mind, I would like to invest in your trading company personally.”

“Invest?”

“I heard Sir O’Brien will be managing this company. I’m sure he’ll generate a lot of profit.”

This was intriguing. How much was he planning to invest?

Lucia was wealthy and could easily fund the trading company. But the Duke’s investment carried a deeper meaning.

“If it’s alright with you, I would like to invest a small sum of 100,000 gold.”

…100,000 gold was a “small sum”?

Well, he was the Duke.

The average monthly living expenses for a commoner were about 10 gold. Converted to the currency of my previous life, it would be about 1 million won.

So, 100,000 gold was equivalent to 10 billion won.

Considering the Duke’s wealth, 10 billion won was indeed a small sum.

“No, Father. I didn’t create this company just to make money. My own assets are sufficient.”

“You didn’t create it to make money? Hmm, then what’s the reason?”

“I believe running a trading company is a way of understanding the world. It’s different from studying academics.”

It was a clever answer. The Duke was delighted.

“As expected of my intelligent daughter. You’re right. It’s different from studying nature and discovering universal laws. There are many strange and inexplicable things in this world. Many stories to be told. A trading company is a valuable tool for gathering them.”

“You’ve always said that, Father.”

Hylix, unable to bear it any longer, interjected. But he immediately realized his mistake.

His blatant attempt to stop his younger sister had backfired, irritating the Duke.

It wasn’t a fair fight.

The Duke glared at Hylix and then smiled, turning his attention back to Lucia.

“I still want to invest. Please accept it as a small token of my affection.”

“Thank you, Father. I’ll gratefully accept it.”

The Duke laughed heartily, pleased by his daughter’s smile.

He ordered his attendants to bring 100,000 gold to the trading company immediately. Our seed money had suddenly multiplied.

Our business didn’t require a lot of capital.

We weren’t dealing in rare and expensive items. We were simply signing contracts with a few blacksmiths and purchasing mass-produced equipment.

We could use the 100,000 gold for research and development.

The Duke soon returned to the main castle with his two sons. Lucia called me aside.

“You’ve completed your fifth mission. Good work. Now, all that’s left is to run the company successfully.”

“It’s all thanks to your help, my Lady. I was planning to use the 100,000 gold from the Duke for research and development. Is that alright with you?”

“I’ll leave the management of the trading company entirely to you, so do as you see fit. But there’s something I want to give you.”

The Lady took out a shining purple gem from a small pouch.

She handed it to me.

“Take this to the Lucius Club. Something good will happen.”

I had been wondering how to acquire new items. Now that I had mastered magic, I needed tools to utilize it effectively.

I had visited the Lucius Club a few times, but the displayed items were always the same.

There was no magic-related equipment.

But I had a feeling that showing them this gem would trigger something. Perhaps the display would change, or I would be guided to a different area.

(TLN: bro she makes me feel like she is the system or something gives missions and rewards)

“I’ll put it to good use. Thank you, my Lady.”

“And I would like to recommend someone.”

Was a new member joining the Inspection Unit?

I was curious, but I listened to the Lady first.

“Jericho will be too busy managing both the Inspection Unit and the trading company. I’ll recommend someone who can handle the trading company’s operations. He’s talented and will be a valuable asset.”

“I’m curious to know who it is.”

“Don’t hire him immediately just because I recommended him. Interview him and hire him only if you deem him necessary.”

“Understood.”

“His name is Hassale. He’s from the eastern border of the continent. He grew up in a trading city connected to the East, so he’s knowledgeable. I’ll send him to you, so meet with him.”

A trading city meant he was from a hub city like the Silk Road.

‘Queen Maker’ was a man-made game, so it reflected real-world geopolitical factors. Judging from his appearance, he was likely from Central Asia.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Take care, my Lady.”

Selendis and I escorted the Lady back to her quarters. I finally scolded Selendis, who insisted on following me everywhere.

“You should go and enjoy yourself too. You don’t gain authority by constantly distancing yourself from your subordinates. Sometimes, you need to listen to their concerns.”

“Yes, Master.”

Selendis joined the banquet, and while Jericho and the other trading company staff were enjoying themselves, I met with Hassale, who had arrived alone.

He was a man of average height with a strong jawline. He had a strong presence.

‘As expected. He’s not ordinary.’

He exuded a wild aura, but there was one thing that stood out.

His eyes.

They were cold yet intelligent. The talent the Lady had mentioned must be referring to his eyes. His poker face made it difficult to read his thoughts.

He seemed like a perfect blend of Eastern and Western qualities.

“Nice to meet you. I’m O’Brien Walker of the Lucius Inspection Unit. Lady Lucia told me about you.”

“I’ve heard much about your reputation, Inspector.”

His tone was blunt, even though his words sounded like flattery.

That single sentence told me a lot about him.

He was an introverted, calculating, and discerning individual who strictly separated his personal and professional life.

I activated “Mind’s Eye.”

“I have a few things to confirm before I decide on your role. Is that alright with you?”

“Of course.”

“You seem to have a dark past. Something related to demonic beasts or monsters… Could you tell me about it?”

Hassale’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by my unexpected question. But his surprise didn’t last long.

“It seems the Lady told you. You’re right. My parents were killed when a demonic beast awakened during an expedition to an ancient ruin. They ran a large trading company. But my uncle stole everything from me, and I ended up here.”

I nodded. I didn’t bother mentioning that the Lady hadn’t told me anything.

“Do you have any other siblings?”

“No.”

My hypothesis was proven once again.

Hassale, and all the key figures who would join the Inspection Unit and the trading company, had a past connected to demons.

“What’s your specialty?”

“Negotiation.”

“You mean you’re good at haggling?”

“No. It’s more about getting my way.”

All his answers were “true.” I suppressed a smile. What an incredible talent!

I wanted to shake his hand and welcome him to the team, but I didn’t want to appear too eager.

“Are you usually quiet?”

“I’m not quiet. I just avoid unnecessary conversations.”

“That doesn’t seem suitable for a trading company executive. I believe a merchant needs strong interpersonal skills to succeed in this era. What do you think?”

“I’ll let my results speak for themselves.”

Could he read my mind? How could he always give the perfect answer?

I preferred people who were efficient, even if they were lazy. Results were more important than the process, especially in a trading company. We had to maximize profits with minimal effort.

“What’s your ultimate goal for joining the Lucius Trading Company?”

“Revenge.”

“Against your uncle?”

“Yes. I plan to take over the entire Eastern continent’s market and then exact my revenge.”

A spark ignited in his previously cold eyes.

“But wasn’t it a demonic beast that killed your parents?”

“That’s a secondary matter. My priority is to eliminate the man who stole my inheritance, and I’ll make sure he suffers. That’s what my parents would want.”

“You intend to use our trading company for your revenge?”

“I won’t deny it. But I won’t do anything to harm the company.”

The interview was over. I offered him my hand.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Thank you. How may I address you?”

“You can call me Inspector.”

I immediately summoned Jericho and Selendis and introduced Hassale to them. Selendis greeted him formally, but Jericho seemed delighted.

“Do you like working late?”

“Drugs?”

“No! Late! Working at night!”

Hassale stared at Jericho with a blank expression. Jericho chuckled and put his arm around Hassale’s shoulders, leading him outside.

“He’s a shy one. Let’s drink till we drop and have a proper conversation!”

“Doesn’t alcohol make it difficult to talk?”

“No way! You’re too young to be making excuses. This old manager will pour you a drink, so don’t refuse! Come on!”

“Old manager? You look quite young yourself.”

“A newbie… talking back?”

I laughed, watching the two of them, as different as oil and water. The Inspection Unit was about to become more interesting.