293 - - 291 incorruptible Parent-child Protection

"Father, what is the matter with your difficult face?　We have arrived in a new country and are one step closer to the motherland.

"Yes, this country has friendly relations with the Kingdom of Chrysoprase. Some of the nobles know each other.

"What a surprise!　So this painful journey is coming to an end!"

Dublin is still in its infancy. Friendly country. They do not realize that this is the very thing that troubles them.

"Dublin, it is precisely because we are a friendly nation that we have a problem. We'll get protection if we talk but then we'll look like the shabby people we are. The ...... prestigious Marquise de Galli will become a laughingstock in both countries. ...... This is unforgivable."

"...... Well, that's a very serious situation. ...... But father, isn't it best to return to your homeland, no matter how humiliating it may be?"

"Dublin. The situation changes from moment to moment. Of course you will reach your homeland. That will always be the most important thing. But is it the same now as it was when you woke up in a strange land?

"...... No, we are only one country over from the homeland, but we can manage to get back home on our own with enough road money."

Well, they are still unreliable, but if you make them think, they will come up with the right answer. If he continues to grow, he will become a man worthy to be the head of the Marquise de Galli. My father is proud of you, Dublin.

"I'm sure he is. If circumstances have changed and we have more time, we must think about the future."

"So, do you wish to conceal your identity and return to King's Landing?"

"Worst case scenario, we'll have to do that, but first we'll keep an eye on the commercial guilds."

"Not the Adventurers' Guild, but the Commercial Guild?　If it is a request for an escort, the Adventurers' Guild is more likely to ...... I see, you are looking for a merchant from the Kingdom of Chrysoprase."

"Well, you've arrived at the right answer. Yes, we must look for merchants in the Kingdom of Chrysoprase, merchants who are closely related to the Marquise. Then we will be able to use them for our cause and effect. We cannot afford to meet with a merchant connected to a nobleman hostile to the Marquise de Galli. You must be very careful.

"Yes, you can count on me. What?　Father, do you not speak to our merchants who have stores in this country?　There must be some of our merchants in this country to distribute labyrinthine materials. If they are merchants in the labyrinth city, they would not go against the Galli family, which has influence in the military. ......"

"Well, Dublin, setting up store in this country means you want to have connections with the powerful people of this country. You cannot trust a store that has a store in this country and does business in this country. Do you understand?"

Yes, I understand.

"I hope you understand. Then we'll stay here for a few days and look for the merchants. I only know the owner of the big store. Dublin is our best bet. Good luck.

"Leave it to me."

Hopefully a merchant will show up that we can conveniently use: .......

**

"Father, it's him!　I think he's the head of the Enugeus Trading Company. I've talked to him before about buying equipment for the army. He brought a gift with him.

After four days of staking out the guild of commerce, I finally spotted a familiar face. He was a subordinate of the merchant I had taken care of. It took me quite a while to find the merchant since my father had told me to look for him, just in time. I wish you could have come a little sooner. I would have punished you, but I will forgive you depending on your future work.

"Hm...... Enugeus Trading Company, I have never heard of it, what kind of a trading company is it?"

"I don't know the details because my squire was listening to him. I think he was a trader, but the labyrinthine city's power has pushed him to seek help from the military. ...... He is also putting a lot of effort into his offerings and told the squire to listen to him carefully. I did not meet him, but he visited several times after that with gifts.

"Well, I am concerned about the trade, but that will not change if he is a merchant who has come to this country. If he is seeking help from the army, he will do well to ask for something in return. Then bring him to me.

Yes, sir. I'll take care of it.　

Talk to the man monitoring the unloading in front of the commercial guild.

"You're the head of the Enugeus Trading Company, aren't you? We need to talk.

He calls out and starts to walk back to his father, but the foreman does not follow. He's not a good man,

"What's the matter? Why don't you follow me? Stop your dawdling!"

I yell at him, and he looks frustrated. He may be useless. I don't know what to do. .......

"...... Excuse me, who are you?　I'm still the head of a watchdog in a merchant's house. Even if you are a high-ranked adventurer, you have no right to be rude to me. A low-ranked adventurer with only that level of equipment is rude!

Why is he so angry?　Hmm?　A lowly adventurer?　

"Wait, wait, wait, you mean to say that you have forgotten me?

If he forgets, I'll bury him in his store.

"Forget?　I'm still a merchant. I'm good at remembering faces. You're not in my memory. I don't know who you're confusing me with, but you'd better learn some manners!

He really doesn't get it, does he?

"Courtesy?　You think I owe you any courtesy?　Just a one-man businessman?　You are the head of the Chamber of Commerce of the Viscount Galli family, aren't you?　Have you forgotten to see the face of its head?"　

"Huh?　The face of the head of the Viscount Galli family?　Of course I know who you are. I am indebted to him. How could I forget him? ...... I see, you knew the connections of the Engeus Chamber of Commerce and took advantage of the disappearance of Viscount Galli and the Marquis in order to deceive me. You're a fool. I have met him in person. You can't deceive me. If you back down now, I'll forgive your trouble. But if you make any more noise, I will catch you.

He says he remembers me from ......, so how can he be an adventurer when I'm right in front of him?　Did you find a fake speaking my name?　Or is there something wrong with revealing my identity here?

"Let me ask you something, you are the man who was with the Galli family when they came with the chairman of the merchants and offered them women slaves and gold, aren't you?"

"Oh, you're looking into all that? I admire your enthusiasm, but you should try to think in other directions.

My memory seems to be correct. Then why is he so high and mighty?

"I am the Viscount Galli. You don't remember this face?

"Ha-ha! What nonsense! Viscount Galli is a very plump man, he can't be a little fat like you ............."

The watchman is staring at my face. Normally I would not allow it, but this time I will let it slide. Remember my face with your rotten eyes.

"...... Could it be that you are really the missing Viscount Galli?　Have you lost weight or something?"

The watchman asks with a tight smile.　

"Hmm?　Come to think of it, you have lost weight. Don't tell me you didn't recognize me because I've lost weight?

No, no, if you had only lost weight, Dorneo, I would not have mistaken you for the Viscount. But with your preconceived notion that he is missing and dressed like an adventurer, I am ............ sorry!"

I see, I am not supposed to be in a place like this. ...... I suppose you are right. Now, what to do with this guy......I would normally stomp his head down as he is on his knees. .......

"I forgive you for your displeasure, but only if you keep up the good work," he said. If you do better than I can imagine, I will promise you something in return. Work as hard as you can. Now, let's go. Your father is waiting for you. Don't waste your time!

Yes, yes!　Immediately!"

**

Dublin, you're late.

"I'm sorry, Father. This fool didn't realize that I had lost weight."

Hmmm... ...... Dublin has certainly lost weight. I've been with him all my life, but it's understandable if you don't recognize him when you meet him. That does not excuse the rudeness.

Marquis de Galli, Viscount Galli, I'm so sorry!

"Under normal circumstances this would not be forgivable, but I will forgive you depending on how well you do in the future. First, you will provide me with suitable lodging and clothing. And send a messenger to pick me up at my residence immediately. Good."

"And get me a woman. The best, of course.

"Ha, immediately, the Engeus Chamber of Commerce will do its best to make arrangements. But please contact us at ......."

The man chokes on his words, as if he is having a hard time saying them.

"What, you can't work for me without assuring me a reward?"

If you take advantage of our weakness and make excessive demands, you will be beheaded as soon as we return to the house.

No, sir. It's just that I'm not sure I should send an errand to the residence of the Marquis de Galli. ......"

Why do you hesitate to send an envoy to the house?

"I don't mean to be rude in saying this, but both of them are believed to be dead, and there is a dispute between the two families, the Marquise de Galli and the Viscount de Galli."

What?

"So, I'm sure that many of you will be pleased to hear that we are sending out an envoy, but I don't know what those who are after your heirs will do. I am truly sorry if I am overreacting.

A battle for the heir apparent is brewing?　...... indeed, the glorious head of the Marquise de Galli, well worth the ambition to light the fire. We cannot resist being buried in the darkness. We cannot act rashly.

Who is vying for the heir?

Yes, in the battle for the Marquis's heir, the Marquis's brother Dale and the Viscount's brother Davoutos are vying to take his place as head of the family. Currently, the brother of the Marquis is the acting head of the family, but the King has not given his nod to their claim to the throne, so the struggle for the heir continues. As for the Viscount, there is a dispute between the Viscount's second brother, Davosin, and Dame Dale, the eldest son of Dale.

"What!　Your uncle is trying to seize the Marquise's house!　Father, this is a very serious matter!"

I know. I'll think about it.

Dale's on the move. He served me well while I was here, all for the sake of my brother, but whether he was mimicking me or blinded by greed ......, if he's on the move, he'll kill me when he finds out I exist. If I come back, they will destroy themselves. It's a messy situation. But it's Dublin who takes my place. Dale, I'll make you sorry you didn't control your greed.

But I'll be busy back in King's Landing. It's not nice to have to deal with your own people before you can show mercy to those who have wronged you.