Roberto stared at the table, expressionless.
"They left," he said calmly. "They were busy."
I turned toward Miss Liza with a small smile.
"Grandma Liza, we're hungry. Could you serve us dinner?"
"Oh my… of course," she replied quickly.
She was about to head to the kitchen when she turned back with a gentle smile.
"Loid, could you go upstairs and call everyone down for dinner?"
I smiled slightly. "Okay, Grandma."
She went to the kitchen, and I headed upstairs.
I called everyone and told them to come down.
One by one, they came downstairs with excited faces—until they saw Roberto sitting quietly.
Their expressions changed immediately.
Moneru tilted her head.
"Hey, old man… what happened?"
Roberto didn't answer.
She was about to ask again, but Hasami subtly signaled her to stop. She had already understood something was wrong.
Miss Liza served the food.
We started eating.
No one spoke.
Everyone understood from Hasami's signal not to ask anything.
Dinner was quiet.
Even Moneru and Arim didn't argue. Even Mac didn't speak.
The air felt heavy.
Miss Liza looked around worriedly.
"Is the dinner not good?"
Hasami forced a small smile.
"No, Aunt… it's very good."
"Then why do you all look so down?" she asked anxiously.
I smiled faintly.
"A close relative of Grandpa Roberto passed away today. A messenger bird arrived earlier with the news."
Roberto slowly turned his head and stared at me.
Miss Liza gasped and placed her hand gently on Roberto's shoulder.
"Mr. Roberto… please don't be too sad."
She comforted him sincerely.
Roberto's face stiffened slightly as he endured the sympathy.
The rest of us lowered our heads, trying not to smile at the awkward situation.
After finishing the meal, I looked at everyone.
"Upstairs. My room. In a while."
No one questioned it.
A little later, inside my room, Hasami closed the door carefully.
Roberto stood near the window, arms crossed. His face was calmer now… but still serious.
We all sat on the bed and chairs.
I looked at him.
"Grandpa…"
He understood.
He explained everything—the conversation, the accusation, the inspection demand.
Everyone's expressions grew worried.
"They planned this," Roberto said quietly.
I nodded.
"Yes. The inspection isn't about safety."
Moneru frowned.
"Then what is it about?"
"Control," Roberto answered coldly. "That fat merchant doesn't want competition."
Mac looked worried.
"Then let's just refuse!"
Arim nodded. "Yeah."
Roberto shook his head.
"If we refuse directly, they'll use that made-up village authority against us."
Silence filled the room.
Hasami spoke seriously.
"Then let's leave the village. In this situation… isn't that our only choice?"
Everyone looked at me.
I waited a moment before speaking.
"They gave us until morning."
Mac swallowed nervously. "So… are we leaving?"
"If we accept inspection," Arim added, "what if they try to seize something?"
That was the real problem.
The item bag.
The origin of our goods.
Roberto looked at me sharply.
"What are you thinking, Loid?"
I closed my eyes briefly.
"They think we are small merchants."
"Let them inspect."
Everyone froze.
Moneru blinked. "What?"
"We allow inspection," I said calmly. "But on our terms."
Roberto's eyes narrowed.
"You have something in mind."
"Yes."
I stood up slowly.
"They want to intimidate us. They want to show their power."
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"Tomorrow… we show them law."
Roberto straightened.
"You mean kingdom law?"
I nodded.
"They tried to pressure us with village rules. But village rules cannot override kingdom authority."
Roberto's lips curved slightly.
"You're planning to corner them publicly."
"Yes."
Hasami asked softly, "What if they trap us by asking where our items come from?"
I looked at her.
"That will work in our favor."
Only nobles and large merchant groups possess item bags.
If they question us, I will show them the item bag.
Fear will grow in their hearts.
The item bag cannot be opened without my will.
Carl thinks he's hunting small prey.
Instead, he may bury himself… along with the Chief's wrongdoing.
Roberto finally smiled.
"Very well. Then tomorrow morning… we welcome their inspection."
I looked at everyone.
"Rest well. Tomorrow will be a busy day."