The purge of the black market it was an event that happened in the early stages of the novel, after the protagonist having found traces of major demon cult activities reported his finding to the head of his family causing a massive raid on the black market to occur.
Normally a raid on the central black market should have been impossible, doing so would have caused a massive imbalance in the natural order of the empire however there where those whose power even surpassed that order.
' In the end it was simply an event made to signify the power of the protagonists family and showcase the responsibility that he would inherent'
During the purge it truly showcased the power of one of the five ducal households and how a single power could overthrow the natural order of things.
While it did send a message to the demon cults out there stating that they are not safe no matter where they hide it also caused massive complications in the under worlds workings as the central market that housed all the core powers was destroyed alongside all of its products and services.
However that is where the deal I made with the 5 heads bears fruit having already frozen and transported their businesses to the arcane estate they would be safe from the purge which will occur later causing a massive influx of customers to be forced to come here to find what they need making it so that it becomes the new focal point of the black market instead of the one that was already destroyed and needs time to be restored.
There is still a week till that start of the event during that time I have to make sure that the sudden transition would not affect the already established legal businesses in the estate and the citizens who are under my control I need to establish a set order so the estate doesn't fall into chaos.
' And I must be ready for the response of the Royal Family '
......
Entering a large room with a long table I found that all of the vassals and advisors have already arrived.
Having finished the previous meeting without many complications I Immediately ordered a meeting with the top vassals briefing them of what is to come and the plans that will be taken in precaution.
As we continued discussing our plans for the future of the estate a logical question came up
" My lord, I apologize for the sudden inquiry but how did you come to know that House Whiteheart plans to commence a raid on the black market "
Looking back at it made sense how could a recently new head of a marquise family come to know about the inner working and plans of one of the five ducal families, to that I had a rather simple reply
" That is none of your businesses "
Having heard my reply, the old vassal wore a rather comical expression but what can he do if I say that's how it is then he has no other choice but to go along with it after all that is the nature of the vassals of arcane who swore loyalty through a mana oath and as such cannot even think of betrayal.
' Back in the novel the mana oath was regarded as something sacred and treated with caution but in here it's harder to find someone who isn't in a mana oath '
The problem here is Albert who would probably find a way to kill me even if it means his death if he found out I am not the real Nicholos.
Heaving a troubled sigh, I returned to discussing what to do for the rest of the day.
.......
Waking up the following day I went to the private training room of the head, befitting of its name it was a large hexagonal room with magically reinforced walls and windows with all kinds of weapons set aside for training purposes, inside I found Albert already waiting for me.
'' I was quite surprised by your sudden request; you were never one to initiate training after all ''
" You could say I am trying some new stuff ''
Raising an eyebrow in the end he simply nodded before walking slowly to the set of weapons and held a wooden sword.
" It has been a while since the last time I saw your skill level so how about a little spar "
Simply nodding I walked over to the centre of the room, standing before him he threw the wooden sword towards me but instead of catching it I simply let it fall to the ground.
Because even though I could probably copy everything else about Nicholos I couldn't copy his swordsmanship I learned that rather quickly when I first woke up in this world.
Muscle memory it is the case of which the body moves without you even thinking about it, it is because of such a simple thing that I was able to replicate most of Nicholos's innate habits helping me in keeping up my facade even recreating the spells that he had learned, however that does not apply to his swordsmanship for the sole reason that no matter how much he trained he simply couldn't make any progression.
' I could probably copy a downward slash but that's as far as it can go '
So, going with that thought I raised my fist and coated it with darkness.
Seeing the confused look on Alberts face I simply restated my previous words
" I'm trying some new stuff"
'At the very least I am confident in throwing a punch'
Taking a stance I leaned forward and pressured the coating on my leg reaching his side in an instant aiming to strike below his ribs, and just as I was about to hit him, I suddenly found myself airborne and slammed down on the floor.
My vision blurred and it felt like all the air has been knocked out of my lungs, looking up all I could see was the calm face of albert staring down on me.
"What you did just now with your coating do it again I won't stop you this time ''
Seeing his serious expression, I stood again moving to a distance and repeated the very same set of movements I did before this time with albert not stopping me, I increased the pressure in my fist and struck at his side.
A deafening sound was wrung out and the aftermath of such a collision was the unmoving body of albert who didn't seem to have taken any damage.
'Truly an s rank, huh'
" You ... do you even realize what you are doing? "
"Hmm?" Looking at the monstrous old man I tilted my head slightly
' Was I perhaps doing something wrong? '
"How are you able to manipulate your mana so fluidly?"
Hearing his words I paused.