ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟞
The morning came and Suho and Lex resumed their journey, finally arriving at the gate of Count Ryan's town. As they were about to enter the gate, they were suddenly stopped by the guard who asked where they were from. Lex explained everything and clarified their purpose in Count Ryan's town. They were then allowed inside.
Upon entering, Suho immediately instructed Eve to scan the surroundings.
Scanning Info: Town of Phiro. Led by Count Ryan. Population: 8,690. Has an army of 300+ C to A rank soldiers. Has three individuals of A to SS rank.
Suho thought, "They have a larger army, but their army has more weaker individuals compared to Lucius Village." While Suho was deep in thought, Lex spoke to him.
"Suho! Suho!"
"Suho: Sorry, Lex, I was just thinking. What is it?"
"Lex: I'll look for an inn where we can stay for the night. You take care of getting food."
"Suho: Okay, sure."
After their conversation, night fell. Kite reported everything he had learned to Suho and handed over the magic crystal that Suho had ordered.
"Suho evil smile: First thing tomorrow, we'll meet with Count Ryan, and tell him I want the two of us to talk alone."
After that night, Suho went to Count Ryan's mansion. When he was inside, waiting in a room, Count Ryan entered. Lex and Count Ryan's right-hand man were guarding outside the door.
Suho activated Eve's Eye of Everything and scanned Count Ryan.
Count Ryan. Age: 45. Gift: Mage Class, Magic Rank A.
After scanning Count Ryan, Suho immediately stood up and greeted Count Ryan respectfully. Count Ryan then asked, "Are you the one Lucas sent? Have you agreed to the triple price I suggested? Or are you just here to waste my time?"
Suho suddenly smiled, approached Count Ryan, and gave him a box, saying, "Because of the stories that you are a gallant man, Count Ryan, I have a gift for you," Suho said with a smile.
Count Ryan opened the box Suho brought and saw that it was a crystal. The magic crystal suddenly showed an image of everything Count Ryan had done with his mistress. As the image played, Count Ryan suddenly collapsed where he stood, and Suho was in front of him, laughing.
Count Ryan's right-hand man immediately rushed in, pointing his sword at Suho. Lex also entered and pointed his sword at Count Ryan. Count Ryan then shouted, "Both of you, get out!"
When Lex and Count Ryan's subordinate were outside, Count Ryan suddenly knelt before Suho, pleading that the incident in that room would not get out.
While Count Ryan was kneeling and begging, Suho said, "Count Ryan, stand up. What are you saying? What are you doing? I just found that magic crystal, and I saw that it would be your ruin, so that's what I gave you—my loyalty," Suho said with a smile, but in his mind, he thought, "I will consume all your wealth through legal means," with an evil smile.
Suho then explained his plan to Count Ryan:
Count Ryan will sell the food needed by Lucius Village at 70% cheaper than its correct price.
Suho will construct roads and buildings. 70% of the completed roads and buildings will belong to Suho. Merchants who use the roads Suho builds must pay a tax, and 70% of the money collected from the tax will go to Suho.
And if Count Ryan doesn't agree, the events in the magic crystal might reach his wife's ears and eyes.
Count Ryan had no choice. Suho even had a contract ready, as if he had planned everything from the very beginning. Count Ryan could no longer think clearly because he was afraid of losing the title of Count if his wife found out, so he just signed the contract. Suho then smiled and left, opening the door. Lex and Count Ryan's subordinate only saw the Count kneeling and staring blankly.
A few hours after the meeting between Suho and Count Ryan, Suho and his companions immediately traveled back to their village. They carried with them food supplies for the winter, and Count Ryan promised that he would send the rest of the missing food items they had discussed.
After one day had passed, Suho and the others arrived at the village. While Suho was walking towards Lucius's house, he saw the villagers bowing and smiling at him. Suho also saw that the projects he had commissioned were nearing completion. Suho was smiling and thought that, because of what happened in Count Ryan's town, his retirement would come even sooner.
When they arrived at the house of Chief Lucas, he immediately welcomed them. Lucas, his eyes welling up with tears, said, "Thank you very much, Suho. Because of you, no one in the village will die during the winter."
Suho: "You don't need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you, because I met Count Ryan and now I have a piggy bank I can take a budget from any day."
Lucas: "What do you mean?" he asked, looking at Suho's face.
Suho: [with a wicked smile] He then showed Lucas the contract he made with Count Ryan.
Lucas: He was shocked, then burst out laughing, "HAHAHAHA, you are more cunning than I expected!" Lucas said to Suho, laughing.
And then, winter arrives.
All the projects Suho had commissioned were finished, and there, the people saw that their efforts were absolutely worth it, because they would no longer die from the cold thanks to the heating system Suho had installed in their houses, and they would no longer go hungry thanks to the food storage Suho had created.
After a few months had passed, the winter finally ended. Suho got up from his bed, opened the door, and watched the sunrise and the snow slowly melting. He called Kite and said, "Hand me my shovel. Come on, let's get back to work."
*TO BE CONTINUED*