Chapter 23 : Give And Take (2)
Scratch scratch scratch.
Only the sound of a quill pen dancing on paper was heard gently in the quiet room.
The one writing the letter was a black-haired young man, dressed stylishly in a Formal Uniform, who seemed to have just become an adult.
‘Astelia, Resurrection Herb, Nabudia’s Bark, and…… ah, right. Parames.’
I, Hein, retraced my memory and wrote down the names of necessary herbs and medicines.
And having written down all the herb names, I took out a new paper and busily wrote something down.
Soon, the paper was densely filled with complex formulas.
‘This should be enough. Since that friend Gabriel is such a smart figure, just this much clue will be enough for him to find the answer.’
Having completed the letter, I put the letter along with a pouch of gold coins I had prepared in advance into a sealing box and sealed it.
“Is anyone there?”
“Did you call, Young Master?”
Emily, who was waiting in front of the door, ran over and bowed her head as if she had been waiting for my call.
“Send this via the best delivery service. Use the communication network handled by the Magic Tower, not the delivery service typically used within the territory. If you say I sent it, they will let you use it without much talk.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
Displaying meticulousness by using the Magic Tower’s communication network to prevent any potential interference operation from Vispon just in case, I sent the letter to Gabriel and then reflected my body in the full-length mirror.
Although I did not enjoy wearing the Formal Uniform, since my physique was so good, the Formal Uniform suited me well as if drawn in a picture.
Having finished the final preparations, I soon moved my steps toward the Meeting Hall.
‘In a little bit, it will become very noisy, right?’
I suddenly smirked.
It felt as if the noise that would fill the Meeting Hall a short while later was already ringing in my ears.
***
“Didn't I tell you it cannot happen? This Young Master’s experience is too shallow to take charge as the Commander of Harm!”
“So, what did Belkent, who has such rich experience, do? If you have minimal shame, shouldn't you Lords be keeping your mouths shut at least in this place?”
My prediction hit the mark exactly.
After Belkent’s dismissal was decided, the Meeting Hall heated up with arguments to decide the successor's position.
In the middle of this fierce argument, two people were revealing their greatest presence.
“Didn't I tell you it cannot happen? It is most fitting for Grand Young Master Helkane to succeed the position of Commander of the Harm Knight Order which has become vacant. Why do you not know this simple fact?”
The one representing the Grand Madam’s side opinion was Lexton Vispon, Rishu’s cousin and the one overseeing the current Reichart Family’s Finance Department.
“Of course, I do not doubt the Grand Young Master’s qualities. However, I understand that it will take at least another 6 months for the Grand Young Master to finish his studies in the capital and return. Are you saying we should leave this crucial position vacant right now, Lord? And for 6 months at that?”
The one representing the Family Head’s stance was none other than the Magic Tower’s Tower Master, Bolpar.
“You are truly too much. Haven't you already done everything according to your wishes, Lord, from the Commander positions of the 1st Knight Order to the 3rd Knight Order? Yet you mean to say you cannot grant our wish for even one person, the Commander of the Harm Knight Order?”
Lexton, who was usually famous for his eloquence, led the argument while fluttering his blonde hair that resembled Rishu’s.
“What nonsense are you talking about right now? Since Ares is the royal guard protecting the Family Head, isn't it natural for the Family Head to directly appoint the Commander? Sir Larmus and Sir Alves became Commanders of the 2nd and 3rd Knight Orders by having their own skills recognized. Just what a personal wish of ours is reflected here!”
Bolpar with the white beard was also not backing down even an inch.
“No matter what anyone says, the Grand Young Master is the legitimate successor who inherited the Family Head’s bloodline. It is our unified opinion that it is best for the Grand Young Master to take charge as the Commander of the Harm Knight Order. And this is…….”
Lexton’s gaze, which had been directed at Bolpar all along, left Bolpar and touched me when mentioning the ‘legitimate successor.’
“Also the firm will of the Grand Madam. I hope many people, including the Tower Master, will please sufficiently consider this point.”
“Ha, the will of the Grand Madam? If you are going to threaten, how about being a little more honest? Saying that if we do not listen to your words, you will cut off support for the territory.”
“If the Tower Master truly wants it, there is no reason I cannot say so. However, since this is something that does not match the dignity of the noble Grand Madam, I will endure it this once.”
The argument between the two people only ran parallel lines, adding ferocity as time passed.
“Wait.”
At that moment, Redin, who had been only watching the situation all along, opened his mouth after a long time.
“I have heard the opinions of the two people sufficiently. So how about we listen to the opinion of the involved party now?”
The two most key figures of this argument were Helkane and me, and among us, Helkane was currently in the capital.
Therefore, people’s gazes naturally reached the ‘involved party’ present in this place.
“Family Head, before I speak my opinion, I would like to ask for the opinion of one person first.”
And the involved party opened his mouth with a calm voice.
As Redin nodded his head, I opened my mouth toward the opponent.
“Sir Lexton, what are your thoughts? Do you think I am sufficiently prepared to take on a duty of the family, Lord?”
“……!”
The opponent was the head of the pro-Grand Madam faction, Lexton.
At my unexpected question, Lexton could not give an immediate answer, unlike him who was famous for eloquence.
I did not bother to wait for his answer.
“If it is difficult to give an answer right away, I will give you time to think for a moment. In the meantime, I will say what I want to say.”
I rose from my seat and said while pointing to the audience with a graceful gesture.
“Sitting in this place, I listened to the noble opinions you shared very impressively. Among them, the words that touched my heart the most were Sir Lexton’s remark that unilateral opinions should not be ignored in deciding the family’s grave matters.”
As I, who was expected to be hostile to Vispon, showed a favorable reaction to Lexton’s remark, people looked at me with surprised eyes.
“Of course, like the Tower Master’s words, I do not doubt that the appointment of Ares’ Commander and the appointments of Sir Larmus and Sir Alves were results based on skill. However, no matter if skill was taken as the top priority standard, if the result is excessively biased to one side, that cannot be called the best result.”
As my remarks progressed, people’s surprise grew bigger and bigger.
“So I would like to make a proposal. Family Head, how about considering brother Helkane for the position of Harm’s Commander? Isn't the Family Head also well aware of brother Helkane’s ability?”
Buzz buzz.
The shock brought by my remark spread throughout the Meeting Hall in an instant.
Even Lexton, famous for being calm, was looking at me with a surprised expression.
“Do you have nothing more to say?”
Only one person, Redin, asked me for additional opinions while still maintaining his composure.
“Of course, there is more. It is not only the operation of the Knight Order where I am worried about the harm brought by imbalance. Sir Lexton. There is something I want to ask you, Lord.”
“Please speak. Young Master.”
“Looking at the report issued by the Finance Department last year, the 10 merchant groups handling long-distance trade with the capital were all merchant groups with their base in the capital. Is that true?”
“That is correct. Young Master.”
While answering, Lexton bit his lip without realizing it.
An unknown ominousness was felt from my remark.
“Merchant groups with their base within our territory must also be hoping for trade with the capital, is there a reason why permission was given only to them?”
“……As you also know, Young Master, trade with the capital handles not simply transporting goods, but also the crucial mission of stably supplying public goods needed within the territory. As we gave permission to merchant groups above a certain scale that can stably perform that duty, it turned out that way.”
“Is that so? Even considering that fact, I think entrusting all important tasks that can influence the economic rights inside our territory to the capital’s merchant groups is inappropriate. What is your opinion, Sir Lexton?”
The moment my words ended, Lexton could know immediately.
What my aim was, and that he was placed in a situation where he had to make a quite painful choice.
‘If it was usual, it is a proposal that should absolutely never be accepted. Because opening up financial breathing room for the Family Head’s side is something that must be blocked unconditionally.’
But the problem was, the situation was not good to be stubborn as is.
As Bolpar said, the fault that triggered this dismissal incident lay with Vispon.
And what was more important than anything was,
‘It is the matter of none other than Helkane.’
To the Vispon Family operating in the dark in Reichart, Grand Young Master Helkane’s existence could be said to be truly absolute.
“……After discussing within the near future, I will submit a corrective plan.”
Therefore, Lexton had no choice but to accept my proposal while biting his lip.
For Lexton, who tried to arrange Helkane’s position using balance as an excuse, there was absolutely no justification to refuse my proposal.
Buzz buzz.
And the moment Lexton nodded his head, a much bigger wave than the one a moment ago spread inside the Meeting Hall.
‘Just since when did this Young Master become so skilled at bargaining?’
‘I thought Bolpar and Lexton were leading the atmosphere, but in the end, this Young Master is the one wrapping it up.’
People who left the factions aside were surprised by the ‘move’ I showed, and Lexton bit his lip once again.
‘Even if they said he changed, changed, I thought he was ultimately a greenhorn running wild believing in his petty spirit, but it seems I underestimated that guy too much.’
Redin, who was watching Lexton’s hardened expression, opened his mouth.
“Sir Lexton, I have understood well your will to overcome the harm caused by imbalance. Thank you for giving a noble opinion.”
“I merely spoke natural words. Family Head.”
“Then I will be waiting for the corrective plan you will submit, Lord. Then we will move on to the next agenda…….”
Redin proceeded with the meeting after making it a fait accompli that Vispon would cough up two-tenths of the Trade Rights.
The remaining meeting seemed to finish without any special events.
And right then, when Lexton, who finished all scheduled itineraries, made up his mind that he should go back while swallowing a bitter taste,
“Sir Lexton, you still haven't given an answer to my question?”
The arrangement I prepared seemed to be not over yet.
“Since you ask such a difficult question so suddenly, I do not know what answer I should give.”
“Oh my, are your thoughts still not organized? To speak honestly, I am a little disappointed.”
“Did you say disappointed?”
“Yes. So, you do not have confidence regarding whether I am prepared to take on a duty of the family, right Sir Lexton?”
“…….”
Lexton only looked at me while furrowing his brows instead of answering.
“Then it cannot be helped. I have no choice but to show it through action. Family Head, I have something to say.”
This time too, I did not wait for Lexton’s answer.
“Since I have also become an adult now, I wish to obtain an opportunity to dedicate even my meager strength for the family and the territory.”
The atmosphere of the Meeting Hall, which seemed to be settled, began to fluctuate quickly at my sudden declaration.
“Family Head, the Young Master’s proposal is too sudden. Please understand the fact that it is unreasonable to deal with the Young Master’s proposal in this place!”
Lexton hurriedly set out to dissuade my proposal.
Just giving up two-tenths of the long-distance Trade Rights to the Family Head’s side was already a big wound.
If he allowed this Young Master’s political debut with his eyes open here, it was obvious as fire that Rishu would not stay still.
“Is there a place you have in mind?”
However, Redin ignored Lexton’s protest and asked for my opinion.
I answered with a firm voice.
“Family Head, please send me to Haken Fortress. If you permit, I will fulfill my duty there.”
“Haken? Hein Reichart, I will ask once again. Did you truly say you will go to Haken just now?”
“Yes. I said Haken Fortress. Family Head.”
I nodded my head without hesitation.
At that moment, a wave of astonishment incomparable to until now swept the Meeting Hall.