"I see. Then let's get straight to the point, Your Excellency. I have some intriguing information. Would you care to hear it?"
Marquis Heollis's eyes lit up at my words.
"...Information? This piques my interest. If it's information from you, the man who transformed the Korea Merchant Guild into a force rivaling the Upper Rank Guilds in such a short time, it can't be trivial."
"The value of information varies from person to person. What might be more precious than gold to one could be as worthless as a pebble on the street to another. To me, it's neither gold nor a pebble. I fear it might disappoint you, Your Excellency."
"Somehow, I have a feeling the information you're about to share will be like gold... no, more like a gemstone. What is it?"
"It's nothing much. Just information that the North will be the starting point of the upcoming Great War."
"Hmm, I see. Let me correct myself. This isn't just a jewel dropped on the street, but a gold mine of information assuming your information is reliable, of course."
Knowing the location of the impending war beforehand allows one to move swiftly and profit from it. By calculating the war's impact and maintaining balance until its conclusion, becoming the Kingdom's wealthiest man would be a trivial matter.
"A war starting in the North... Could you possibly mean the northern regions of our own Kingdom? It's certainly a harsh area, but I can't imagine a war of such magnitude breaking out there... Unless you're referring to the nations further north?"
"Marquis, I believe I've already provided sufficient information."
"Information without any basis? It's impossible to trust. Or is this information already known to the Information Guild?"
"Surely not. If the Information Guild knew, rumors would have spread by now. And you, Marquis, would never have missed such intelligence."
"...Your abilities are too remarkable to dismiss this as mere nonsense. What do you want? Membership in the Kozline Merchant Guild? If that's it, I can certainly push for it."
"I will eventually join the Kozline Merchant Guild. Wasn't that the original plan?"
"...Hmm. We can't simply let the Korea Merchant Guild run rampant."
"I've already stated what I want."
"You mean the war venture between your Korea Merchant Guild and my Heollis Merchant Guild? To be frank, we've only just begun securing war supplies. The Kingdom's scrutiny makes it difficult to acquire materials openly. If I were to openly prepare for war or smuggle supplies, Prime Minister Helbrit would undoubtedly notice and interrogate me."
I knew he was bluffing about the war supplies. Yuria had immediately informed me via Telepathic Transmission.
The market prices for war supplies were rising far too slowly for a major merchant guild to be stockpiling them. Yuria explained that if the Heollis Merchant Guild, a major player, were seriously preparing for war, prices should have already surged by at least 10%.
"I knew the Prime Minister influenced the Kozline Merchant Guild, but... is his interference really this severe?"
"Hmm... the Korea Merchant Guild is located on the border, and it's grown rapidly recently, so it's understandable you wouldn't know much about the Prime Minister. He's far more prickly, meticulous, and fastidious than you might think. His instincts are unnervingly sharp, allowing him to immediately detect any subversive movements. Just between us, the Kozline Merchant Guild is also the Rapelli Kingdom's leash on the major merchant guilds."
"...Is it appropriate for you to speak so frankly?"
I was slightly dumbfounded. We had only just met; we weren't close enough to gossip about high-ranking officials.
"I'm merely stating facts. Or would you prefer to run to Prime Minister Helbrit at the Royal Palace and tattle about our conversation today?"
"Are you saying I'm crazy? Or should I understand that the reason we can't gather war supplies is because we have to watch the Prime Minister's every move?"
"Exactly. In the old days, it might have been different. But with His Majesty the King's health failing, Prime Minister Helbrit is now the de facto ruler. He even has the Crown Prince's support. His true motive, of course, is to turn the Crown Prince into a puppet king."
"Is the Prime Minister's control really that absolute?"
"He's wary of civil war. The most vulnerable time for such conflicts is when the king grows old."
"I see. In short, the problem would be solved if the Prime Minister were gone."
"Why? Are you planning to assassinate him?"
"..."
I smiled silently and looked at Heolis. It was a joke, but something in his eyes suggested it wasn't entirely a jest.
"I've been investigating the Korea Merchant Guild. I was curious about the secret behind their meteoric rise. While their innovative and refined goods certainly played a role, that alone couldn't explain their extraordinary growth."
"Did you uncover any other reasons for their success?"
"I did. Merchants and nobles who opposed the Korea Merchant Guild began meeting mysterious deaths. They were attacked by monsters, run over by carriages, or suddenly vanished without a trace. The guild's luck was so extraordinary, it almost seemed as if they were favored by the God of Death himself."
He knows I ordered the assassinations. Of course, there's no hard evidence. Yuria wouldn't have left any traces, and if she had, she would have used it to blackmail me for information about the Korea Merchant Guild's goods.
"If the Prime Minister were to disappear, would you be willing to cooperate with the Korea Merchant Guild?"
"If the Prime Minister were to disappear, cooperation would be possible. But you don't understand how ruthless Prime Minister Helbrit is. Even the God of Death himself couldn't touch him."
"That answer is sufficient. As for the Prime Minister... perhaps the heavens will intervene."
"Now, tell me about the information you mentioned regarding the North."
His eagerness to press me suggests he's truly curious about the information I possess. Since I came here prepared to share it anyway, I provided him with detailed intelligence.
"By 'North,' I naturally mean the Hojit Kingdom and the Bishul Kingdom, which lie above the Rapelli Kingdom."
"The northern kingdoms, you say? Are you suggesting that the Hojit Kingdom and the Bishul Kingdom will declare war on our Rapelli Kingdom? They are certainly barbaric nations, so it's not entirely impossible, but..."
"No, Your Excellency Marquis. They will fight each other. Though a long peace has endured, a deep-seated animosity festers between the two nations. They will fight fiercely, and the flames of war ignited by them will spread across the entire continent."
"...Unbelievable. The Prince of Hojit and the Princess of Bishul forged an alliance through a political marriage just ten years ago. And now you claim they will wage war against each other?"
"The marriage will soon collapse. The son born to the Princess of Bishul is not the Prince's child."
"Wait a moment. My ears are itching. I must have misheard something just now..."
"I spoke clearly."
"...Are you saying the Princess of Bishul's child was born out of wedlock? Then who was the Princess's lover? Who is the Royal Grandson's true father?"
"You still don't trust me, do you?"
"It's not exactly easy to believe such information."
"The Princess of Bishul's biological brother the current King of Bishul is the true father."
"..."
The Marquis's mouth fell slightly open in shock.
In essence, I was saying that the Princess of Bishul had conceived a child through incest and intended to make that child the King of the Hojit Kingdom.
The two kingdoms already had a strained relationship. If this truth were revealed, they would fight to mutual annihilation.
"...Can you take responsibility for that statement?"
"Why should I?"
"...My apologies. I was momentarily overwhelmed by the shocking news. You're right; it's not your responsibility."
I didn't officially announce this information; I merely shared it with Marquis Heollis. Even for him, knowing this, it remains a matter concerning another kingdom.
"...If what you say is true, war is inevitable. Does the Hothis Kingdom know this?"
"Not yet. They're likely still in the stage of suspicion."
"I can't fully trust your words."
"I understand. I'd feel the same if I were in your position, Marquis. I've simply provided the information. Whether you choose to believe it or not is entirely your decision."
"...This is troubling. I was planning to ask you about the Korea Merchant Guild, but now I'm worried I'll hear more shocking revelations."
"We have plenty of time, Your Excellency. As time passes, our relationship will only improve."
After that, I continued to converse with Marquis Heollis about various matters.
"I'd like to meet Miss Heollis, who will soon become my sister-in-law. Is she currently at the mansion?"
"Bibi is already at Count Neviontte's banquet."
"I see. That's a pity."
"If you're free, why not join the banquet?"
Managing to keep my lips from curving upward, I feigned ignorance.
"I'd love to attend if I could, but... I wasn't invited. Wouldn't my presence inconvenience Count Neviontte, the banquet's host?"
"Nonsense! Just come with me. Besides, you're Gent's invited brother, aren't you? The nobles at the banquet will welcome you."
This was possible because Heolis held the true influence and power among the Western Nobles.
"Then I'll shamelessly accept your invitation. I'm very much looking forward to meeting the Western Nobles and my sister-in-law."
Marquis Heollis and I entered the banquet hall and greeted the Western Nobles. They welcomed my sudden appearance. Count Neviontte, the host of the banquet, was no different. Who would dare criticize someone who arrived with Heolis, the de facto ruler of the West?
Except for one person.
One man glared at me, his face twisted as if he were chewing on something foul.
It was Gent.
He couldn't have imagined I would attend the banquet with Marquis Heollis. He must be conjuring up all sorts of ominous scenarios in his mind.
In reality, I only met Marquis Heollis today, but Gent will likely perceive it differently.
I approached Gent with a radiant smile.
The surrounding nobles' gazes converged on me, or rather, they were glancing at Yuria, who was attending to me. Dressed in her maid's uniform, she outshone every noble lady and young lady at the banquet, possessing a dignity that surpassed theirs.
The noble ladies and young ladies would gossip about Yuria later, but that was of no concern to me now.
"Good to see you, Brother Gent. Fancy meeting you here too."
"...So, you actually came to the banquet. I hope you haven't been disrespectful to Marquis Heollis?"
"Ha ha. You worry too much, Brother. I was just discussing business with Marquis Heollis about the Upper Rank when I ended up attending the banquet. By the way, Brother, when are you going to introduce me to your wife?"
I turned my head to the side.
There stood Vivi Heollis, Gent's fiancee, whom I had previously seen in a portrait. She had bright, light green hair and snow-white skin. Though her bust was only an A-cup, she was tall and well-proportioned like a model.
Our sapphire-blue eyes met. She gave me a slightly awkward smile and greeted me.
"I'm Vivi Heollis, the eldest daughter of the Heollis Family, Baron Sung Yujin Prucus."
"Sung Yujin Prucus, Baron of Prucus. You look absolutely stunning in person, Sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law? We're not even married yet..."
"You're marrying Brother Gent soon, aren't you? It's fine if I call you that in advance, right? Or does the title make you uncomfortable?"
"Ah, no, not at all. Call me whatever you like, Baron."
Vivi acted awkwardly around me, glancing at Gent as if seeking his approval. The reason was obvious: Gent must have told Vivi about me that we were rivals vying for the position of heir. I could practically hear the rumors and lies he'd spread about me.
After exchanging greetings with Gent and Bibi, I turned to address the other nobles. First, I needed to establish a rapport with the nobles present.
...But what's this bastard's name?
As I frowned slightly, unable to recall the name of one particular noble, Yuria's telepathic transmission reached me.
Viscount Sevirovlog. His territory is famous for its delicious apples.
"Viscount Sevirovlog! I never expected to meet you here! The exceptional taste of the apples from Sevirovlog Territory is renowned even in my own territory."
"Hahaha. It's true, our territory's apples are quite famous."