IBTPEOTMLC 13

Chapter 13

Because my merchant company was still brand new, if we started getting targeted by rivals before we had even properly launched, the road ahead could become extremely difficult.

They might try to poach the craftsmen I had my eye on.

Or worse, they could simply eliminate everyone around me so I couldn’t do anything at all.

It might sound like I was being overly paranoid, but after working with the Dark Guild, I had learned just how filthy this world could be.

“Don’t worry about security,” Bay said. “We intentionally selected miners who are known for keeping their mouths shut, which is why the numbers are a bit low.”

As expected of a professional.

I didn’t even have to say anything; he had already handled it.

I really needed to learn as much as I could from him.

Turning the page, I found a list of hired jewelers.

“Just as you said, most of them were craftsmen being exploited.”

“I knew it…”

I sighed sadly.

It was fortunate for me, but it was pitiful that they had spent so many years without receiving recognition.

“They had their confidence completely destroyed so they couldn’t do anything on their own.”

Whenever they worked hard cutting gemstones, their masters would criticize them endlessly, saying things like, ‘Is this all you can do?’

Yet those same masters would then pass off the finished work as their own and pocket the profits.

The jewelry industry was heavily based on an apprentice system, and it was also a very small world.

If you earned the dislike of your superior or master, bad rumors would spread quickly.

They could take away your work or refuse to hire you altogether, so most apprentices obediently did whatever their masters told them.

No matter where you went, there were always scum who stole the fruits of others’ labor and claimed them as their own.

It made my teeth grind.

These people were skilled enough to teach others, yet they were so blinded by jealousy of their own students’ talent that they resorted to this kind of behavior.

I couldn’t understand them, nor did I want to.

“So I exposed what those masters had been doing,” Bay continued. “Then I gave them a speech about how my employer wasn’t like that, showed them the contracts, and brought them over. I also carefully explained the exclusive-contract clauses and made sure they reviewed everything before signing.”

“You really worked hard.”

I thanked him repeatedly.

At this point, shouldn’t I just hand the entire business over to Bay?

I reviewed the list once more.

Almost every craftsman I had mentioned had been hired.

“From your perspective, were their skills actually good?”

“Of course. They have a great sense of design, and their cutting skills are excellent. To be honest, they’ve basically been doing all the gemstone work themselves for years. Their abilities are guaranteed.”

That made sense.

If their masters were stealing their work and passing it off as their own, then they had to be exceptionally talented.

I had worried my judgment might be flawed, but thankfully I seemed to have a good eye.

“Were they resentful?”

“Of course. They’re human. Naturally they’re angry.”

“They want revenge, don’t they?”

Bay smiled knowingly, as though he could tell I already had an answer in mind.

“Do you have a plan?”

“I can give them revenge.”

“How?”

“When this gemstone is discovered, people will focus on the gemstone itself because it’s completely new. But they’ll also pay attention to the quality of the craftsmanship.”

That was what I intended to use.

The moment the first gemstone was discovered, I planned to launch it in the most spectacular way possible.

Even if it meant taking a loss, this single move needed to burn our merchant company’s name into everyone’s memory.

“Actually, once the gemstone is found and the designs are finished, I’m planning to hold an extremely luxurious auction.”

“An auction?”

“Yes. The gemstone will be worth a fortune, and there are plenty of nobles who believe expensive automatically means good. We won’t even need to set the price ourselves. They’ll drive it up for us.”

The price would soar into the heavens.

To make that happen, a bit of theatrical presentation would be necessary.

Fortunately, I was confident.

Bay apparently agreed that a gemstone displaying two different colors would be valuable enough for auction, because he didn’t object.

“I think it would be good to introduce the craftsmen who cut the gemstones,” I continued. “Have them come out and explain their work personally.”

After all, the people who created the pieces understood them best.

They would know exactly how to highlight the gemstones’ strengths and appeal.

“That’s an excellent idea!” Bay said enthusiastically. “People will realize they’re not amateurs. If they explain things well, the prices will rise. At the same time, the craftsmen’s reputations will soar.”

That too.

But what really made me happy was imagining their former masters watching their students become famous.

Just thinking about them dying of envy made me feel full without eating.

Revenge was exhilarating.

And even more satisfying when it repaid exactly what had been done.

Suppressing the grin threatening to appear on my face, I spoke as seriously as possible.

“So please tell them to start preparing now.”

Bay nodded readily, as if he could see right through me.

“I’m already looking forward to it. Every time you come up with a new idea, I get excited.”

“I hope I can live up to your expectations.”

“You’re doing great already. Don’t worry.”

If Bay was praising me this much…

Maybe I really was doing a pretty good job.

* * *

With my hood pulled low over my face, I entered Meiko Tavern.

The shabby establishment reeked of alcohol so strongly that the air itself seemed heavy with it.

At the counter, I lifted my hood slightly.

A brown wig concealed my silver hair.

Ron checked my face and pointed toward the basement without expression.

“Go down.”

“Thank you.”

Descending the stairs, I entered a large underground room.

This was the office of Sanhu, a member of the Dark Guild.

I didn’t know exactly what position he held within the guild, but he was the one who bought information from me and paid me regularly.

“Oh, you’re here.”

Even though I had introduced myself under the alias Soy, Sanhu had never once called me by name.

Usually it was just “Hey,” “You,” or “Brat.”

“Hello, Mr. Sanhu.”

Removing the cigarette from his mouth, Sanhu blew a cloud of smoke directly into my face.

I coughed.

Ignoring me entirely, he replied lazily.

“Sorry, but I’m not doing very well.”

“…What?”

I deliberately widened my eyes in confusion.

Though I acted surprised, I had fully expected this.

After all, I had already laid the groundwork to cut ties with the Dark Guild.

“Hah.”

Sanhu took another deep drag before exhaling.

The thick smoke was unbearable.

This bastard always enjoyed tormenting me, knowing how much I hated it.

I really wanted to punch him.

Completely unaware of my inner thoughts, he waved his hand dismissively.

“Why has your information become so unreliable lately? Almost everything your master gives us is wrong.”

Information that used to be fairly accurate had recently been missing the mark.

His patience was clearly wearing thin.

I pretended to panic.

“What? T-That can’t be…”

Privately pleased with my acting, I made my eyes tremble.

Sanhu fell for it completely.

“This isn’t going to work. We don’t do business that loses us money.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Tell your master. If this information is wrong too, we won’t be accepting any more.”

Keeping my expression shocked, I stood motionless.

Sanhu gestured impatiently for the real-estate note.

I acted as though I’d just come back to my senses and handed it over.

“You can go. This is your last chance.”

“Yes…”

I intentionally looked miserable as I left.

Just before exiting, I heard Sanhu’s regretful voice.

“Any news about that guy with the Eye of God?”

“Lots of rumors, but no one’s actually seen him.”

“Tch. A guy like that should end up in our hands. Not some idiot like this one.”

Laughter erupted behind me.

Apparently my back was very entertaining.

The Eye of God you’ve all been desperately searching for is running away from you fools.

I cursed them thoroughly in my head.

After Coco left, Sanhu stopped laughing.

Unfolding the note she had given him, he clicked his tongue regretfully.

“I thought I could use his reputation and make a fortune by claiming he had the Eye of God.”

Lately, however, the information had been terrible.

At first, the tips had been useful enough.

Maybe because the supposed master was a noble and had access to inside information.

But now?

Every prediction was wrong.

As a result, his credibility had taken a beating.

If this one failed too, he had no intention of continuing business with the brat.

Fortunately, none of the lands involved had been particularly expensive.

The losses weren’t significant.

The girl and her mysterious noble master were disposable.

Besides, they had never fully immersed themselves in guild affairs.

The master had likely ordered it that way.

Which meant they probably knew little about Sanhu as well.

That made cutting them off even easier.

“Still, I need to find that Eye of God.”

If he could recruit that person, making money would become effortless.

The rumors said they could identify valuable land with uncanny accuracy.

What greater jackpot could there be?

But no matter how hard he searched, he couldn’t find a single clue.

Those lands…

He had tracked down owners of properties that supposedly made fortunes thanks to the Eye of God.

Yet every story was the same.

Someone would leave a note indicating a location after collecting payment, then disappear.

Nobody had ever seen their face.

Even the notes were gone.

The landowners had memorized the information and destroyed them afterward.

Still, whether the Eye of God existed or not, the name itself held value.

If only the brat’s master could pretend to be the Eye of God.

That would have been perfect.

Sanhu smacked his lips regretfully.

“Such a waste.”

For a while, he had wondered if the brat’s master might actually be the Eye of God.

But judging from the quality of the information, that clearly wasn’t the case.

Unlike the Eye of God, the lands they recommended usually rose in value—but only moderately.

“Mr. Sanhu, your next client is waiting.”

“Ah, right. Send them in.”

It was best to abandon hopeless attachments quickly.

* * *

A few days later.

Sanhu finally made his decision.

The information Coco had provided last time had been a complete disaster.

Using her any longer would only damage his own reputation.

He should have realized from the start.

The noble hid behind a child and used her as a representative.

He had probably concealed his identity because he expected things to end this way.

It was time to cut ties.

Thanks to six months of steadily lowering expectations, he no longer felt any attachment.

Today happened to be the day the brat usually delivered information.

Sure enough, she appeared carrying another note.

She looked nervous and hesitant.

As if she already knew what was coming.

The moment Coco stopped before him, Sanhu spoke.

“Go tell your master this clearly. We’re done doing business!”

Coco widened her eyes and desperately grabbed at him.

“W-What? M-Mr. Sanhu, please wait!”

Sanhu signaled with his eyes.

A large man standing nearby stepped forward and effortlessly hoisted Coco onto his shoulder.

“Eek! Please wait, Mr. Sanhu! If this deal ends, my master will punish me! Please, just one more chance…!”

“Your problems aren’t my concern. This is why you shouldn’t show nobles any kindness.”

“Please, Mr. Sanhu!”

“What are you doing? Throw her out already!”

“Mr. Sanhu!”

As Coco reached out desperately, Sanhu cut her off coldly.

“Don’t ever contact me again! Even if you come here, you’ll never see me. Our business is over. And if you come looking for me again, don’t expect to keep your life.”

Hearing something that sounded suspiciously like a breakup speech, Coco nearly burst out laughing.

She lowered her head to hide it.

Watching her, Sanhu assumed she was frightened and sneered.

The thug tossed her out of the tavern like garbage.

She hit the hard ground and rolled.

“Ow…”

Why throw me like that?

Tears welled up in Coco’s eyes.

The thug slammed the door shut without a second glance.

When she tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through her ankle.

She staggered.

[Coco!]

“Shh.”

Using the wall for support, Coco limped hurriedly out of the alley.

Only after reaching a quiet, deserted area did she finally relax.

“It’s finally over. Mission accomplished—I’ve escaped the Dark Guild!”

Maybe I actually had talent for acting.

Coco puffed up proudly.

Unlike the excited Coco, Oried carefully examined her injuries.

Her elbows, palms, and knees were scraped and bleeding.

Her ankle was visibly swollen as well.

[You’re hurt!]

“It’s nothing. Cutting ties with the Dark Guild was worth a few scratches.”

Oried puffed out his cheeks in frustration.

[If you go home like that, the Viscount and his wife will scold you and ban you from leaving the house!]

Only then did Coco panic.

She hurriedly bought ointment and bandages, covering her wounds as best she could.

Escaping the Dark Guild was great and all, but why was she so careless with her own body?

Watching her, Oried felt his blood pressure rise.

[Do I seriously have to threaten you before you’ll treat your injuries?!]

“Ori, getting angry isn’t good for your heart.”

[Huh? Really?]

“I don’t know.”

[…]

Oried trembled with rage and glared at her.

But he looked so adorable that she wasn’t scared in the slightest.