Chapter 256: Noble (3)

Chapter 256: Noble (3)

A commoner asking a noble for guidance might seem strange. It could come across as rude or make one question the sanity of the person making the request. However, this was only on the surface. Though the conversation was brief, it contained many underlying meanings.

Musk extended a handshake hinting that he knew who I was.

Think of it as a meeting between business partners. Musk, mistakenly thinking my father is Xenon, likely assumed that I, as his son, would be aware of who he is. Its a risky gamble, more significant than it appears. But given the substantial return, Musk initiated the conversation.

Above all, Musk diligently built a trusting relationship by upholding his faith in Xenons Biography. Ironically, its challenging for me to find someone comparable to Musk on my side.

Musk probably knew this, and that might be why he took the gamble. While Im uncertain about his perspective on Xenons Biography, at least it doesnt seem like he reveres it to a level of worship.

Well, maybe in a different sense of worship. Since Xenons Biography was pouring money that one couldnt earn in a lifetime.

Anyway, in the accumulated trust between Musk and me, social status didnt pose any issues. Finding someone as remarkable as Musk would be difficult for me, and Musk probably wont find a masterpiece like Xenons Biography either.

A mutually beneficial business relationship where both parties gain advantages without crossing any lines.

Ill provide some guidance, but to be honest, I dont know our territory well either. I recently returned as an academy student, so it hasnt been long.

Hahaha. Thats fine. Honestly, I used guidance as an excuse, I just wanted to have a casual chat.

The request for guidance was just a pretext, in reality, it was an opportunity for conversation. Although he had met my father before, this was our first encounter.

Now, exploring various parts of the territory and getting to know each other through casual conversations was a priority.

But are you okay physically? I heard you were ambushed by devil worshippers

Haha. Im fine now. Just in case, I always carry emergency potions with me.

Seeing him laugh heartily in response indicates that hes doing well. If I thought about it, Musk was both a beneficiary and a victim. However, like a seasoned merchant, he showed composure. Upon hearing my question, Musk, with a grin, subtly asked.

By the way, how did you know about that? I clearly sent a letter

Though he tried to muddle his words out of concern that someone might be listening, it was clear what he meant. He sent a letter for sure, but how could I, who was at the academy, know about it?

As mentioned earlier, Musk mistakenly thinks I am not Xenon but my father, the author of Xenons Biography. After all, father brought the draft of the first volume to the publishing house, and since then, he had a messenger take care of things. Its only natural for him to think this way.

Continuing to misunderstand like that is not a problem, but Musk is one of the trustworthy people. Moreover, even if he mistook me for my father, it would only add an unnecessary step, so theres no problem even if its revealed.

Without answering, I just gave a slight smile. Musk, noticing the various meanings in my smile, widened his eyes slightly and soon burst into hearty laughter.

Hahaha. So, thats how it is. Surprising, isnt it?

Whats surprising? Because Im too young?

That too, but I didnt expect you to tell me so straightforwardly. Can I take it as a sign that you trust me that much?

I just smiled in response to the question that mixed jokes and sincerity. According to Rina, Musk was caught not only making minor mistakes but also facing tax evasion charges.

Thats why I trust him even more. People are generally trustworthy when they are moderately clean and moderately corrupt. If too clean, they become stubborn and difficult to build trust with, and on the other hand, if too corrupt, they betray as easily as eating breakfast.

Moreover, Musk endured pressure even from the nobles of Alvenheim, who received the backing of the Council of Elders, but he kept his mouth shut until the end.

This judgment also comes from the idea that you cant kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

On the other hand, if I consistently lay golden eggs, Musk will never betray me.

Haha

Musk wiped his nose when I just smiled without saying anything, looking a bit puzzled. It seems like he really threw it as a joke judging by his reaction.

Before the atmosphere could become awkward, I asked another question. The most urgent matter is his publishing company. Even if the manuscript for Xenons Biography was completed, its meaningless if the publishing house isnt operational.

By the way, when is the company planning to relocate?

I apologize, but it might take some time. The building itself is nearly complete with the help of the Guilds power, but the staff is still in the process of preparation.

So, when do you expect the companys operations to resume smoothly?

It will probably take around two weeks, give or take. Its not just about moving the company, we also need to relocate the staffs residences. Honestly, the Guilds assistance has made it faster, otherwise, it would have taken much longer.

As expected, since the original location of the publishing house was in the capital. The distance between the capital and our territory is relatively short. However, in this world, there are no cars, let alone trains. In other words, the heavy luggage can only be moved by carts and carriages.

Due to this, there are almost no people who move their residences, in other words, very few people go through the process of moving. Most tend to settle in one area, and unless they are adventurers, they rarely venture outside.

Considering this societal context, Musks decision can be considered quite unconventional. Fortunately, the relocation distance is short, but the expenses must be enormous. However, he took it on for the sake of his employees.

It must have cost quite a bit. Are you okay with the expenses?

Compared to what weve earned so far, its like a drop in the bucket.

Feeling a bit apologetic as a writer, I thought it was a small request I could fulfill. It was also something I owed to the person who had built a trusting relationship with me over time.

However, Musks thoughts seemed a bit different. He shook his head gracefully and replied politely.

Thank you for the offer, but Ill pass. As it is now, its sufficient.

Well understood. If you ever need anything, feel free to ask.

There might be people who listened to our conversation and harbored some suspicions. However, if they knew the true identities of Musk and me, those doubts would be dispelled.

Musk is the publisher who signed a contract for Xenons Biography, and I am the son of the family whose territory the publishing house is expecting to come to.

Since it was a meeting between the son of a family and the publisher, not between the author of Xenons Biography and the publisher, there is no need to delve deeply into suspicions.

Today has truly been an informative time. Thank you for granting my request.

Thats what I wanted to say. I must say again that Im really fortunate to get to know Mr. Musk.

Haha. Youre putting gold on my face. I dont know how to thank you enough.

Through various conversations, the time for each of us to part ways had come without us realizing it. I needed to inspect the territory, and Musk had to look into the situation of his company and employees.

Nevertheless, we had gained what we needed from each other, so there was no loss. In fact, I had learned a lot about Musk, which was a gain.

By any chance, Mr. Isaac, do you have someone who has promised you a future?

Yes, I do. Several, actually.

I said, vaguely avoiding specifics.

His expression conveyed genuine disappointment as he sighed.

Thats truly regrettable. I had thought of introducing my daughter to you.

I appreciate the sentiment, but if that were to happen, it would be quite awkward for me in many ways

I couldnt risk provoking my fiance any further. I swallowed that thought too. Musk, sensing my firm stance, immediately gave up and nodded in understanding.

By the way, they say daughters often resemble their fathers, but surely not to the point of being exactly alike. As I pondered this, Musk, seemingly aware of my thoughts, looked at me directly.

Hahaha. My daughter is beautiful and graceful, unlike me.

Was my expression so revealing? Musk chuckled lightly as I fumbled with my words, then rummaged through his pocket. Finally, he pulled out a small piece of paper and showed it to me.

I could tell that the identity of that paper was a photo. Although you might wonder about the presence of photos in this era, this too is a magical item invented in Alvenheim.

Being elves who value tradition and records, they invented things like cameras long ago. The problem is that the price is outrageously high.

Anyway, moving on, I examined the figures standing side by side in the photo. Musk, the patriarch, was seated in the center, with two women and two men standing on either side. It seems the men are sons, and the women are likely his wife and daughter

No. Does this make sense?

I alternated between the people in the photo and the current Musk. The woman presumed to be his daughter was a definite beauty even by my standards. However, more shocking than that was Musk himself. The Musk in the photo (presumed) had a sleek jaw, sharp eyes, and, most notably, thick caterpillar-like eyebrows. In contrast, look at him now.

While some features remained, layers of plump flesh have neatly buried them. Can a person change so drastically with just gaining some weight?

As if reading my thoughts, Musk opened his mouth with his characteristic fuzzy smile.

Ive gained some weight recently. I used to be quite the handsome fellow back in the day. I even met my wife during that time.

Um Im really sorry, but do you have any thoughts about going back to that time?

Even back then, I was so popular that my wife had a hard time. But look at me now. Dont you think its better to gain weight and block it?

It seemed like boasting, but seeing the person in the photo, it doesnt seem like baseless pride at all. Moreover, now that he has become a lightning-rich man, there are probably many people trying to take advantage of him.

Internally feeling awkward, I handed the photo to Musk. Musk carefully stored the photo in his embrace and gave me advice that was more like a warning.

So, Mr. Isaac, be careful. The moment you turn your eyes away from your fiance to another woman, the return will be not doubled but squared.

And the tears of a fiance are calculated as an irreparable debt. Please keep that in mind.

It was advice filled with deep rooted wisdom, very much in the manner of a seasoned trader.

At least fortunately, I havent accumulated any debt.

Thanks to that, I felt the need to treat Marie even better.

Translators note: