A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

42 – War on the Table (7)

“For a moment, let’s talk about the terms of the contract. Please understand, Queen.”

The two ministers of the empire began whispering in imperial language over the copy of the contract.

“Queen.”

“Hmm. That’s difficult.”

Viscount Hex whispered quietly next to him, and Carmen also lowered her voice and chuckled.

“I know a little bit of the imperial language, but I can’t even hear such small sounds.”

“But they know the Kingdom language well over there.”

“I guess I have no choice but to be careful what I say. Tsk.”

If you say something strange for no reason and it reaches the ears of the people of the empire, it will only cause trouble.

“Queen. By the way, Gray, is it okay if I just leave it alone?”

“Why gray?”

“The Queen said that woman… To guide President Aiferia, but she seemed happy about something.”

“So, what should we do?”

Carmen raised her voice without realizing it.

“The president shouldn’t be at the table. She will give us everything unilaterally. I only sent it because an agreement needs to be concluded in a way they can understand.”

“For that matter, it seems like you were paying a lot of attention to gray.”

“Yeah, ha. Of course.”

Carmen lowered her voice even further.

“…That guy smelled money.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you understand? To put it in layman’s terms, I’m trying to catch a brat right now.”

The two imperial ministers were so focused on the provisions of the agreement that they did not hear Carmen.

Exactly, it may be that you are not paying attention.

“That guy must have been thinking, ‘How can I get money out of this bag?’ As he was being lifted up in the elevator.”

“Chairman Iperia didn’t seem like a very easy person…”

“What’s so easy about Gray?”

“Hmm….”

Viscount Hex nodded her head loudly.

“Looking at what has happened so far, it is more likely that Gray will take over the chairmanship.”

“Yes. …Should we have paid more attention to the siphoning of the budget?”

Carmen squeezed her dress and licked her lips.

“I think it was too tight.”

“No. If you hadn’t gone that far, it would have been discovered a long time ago that you had a collusion with Morgania.”

“Yes. When we said we were going to do it, everyone just ignored it. I really don’t want to even think about it if another family came forward to say thank you.”

It was a project worth 50 billion won.

It is unclear exactly how much of the budget went into Gray’s pocket, but even if we take just 3%, it is a whopping 1.5 Billion won.

No matter how much it is a business, it is an enormous amount for a child who is now 13 years old to execute.

Even the business is progressing smoothly.

Although it is a deficit.

“Mass production of magic candles, will it be successful?”

“There is still a high chance of failure. I took a sneak peek into the basement of the orphanage yesterday, and there were numerous records of failure.”

“But what if it miraculously succeeds?”

“It will be a blessing for the entire kingdom. And it may even become a major export to the empire.”

Export goods to the empire.

There is a high possibility that you will not receive the right price within the kingdom.

If Gibraltar is officially sold, people will ask for a discount because it is Gibraltar, and if it is sold at a high price, they will criticize Gibraltar and say that it is crazy about money.

Does that make sense?

Humans have a tendency to ignore, look down on, and take advantage of people who are much better than themselves when they act like pushovers.

Since this has been repeated over the past hundreds of years, Gibraltar’s magic candle business has little business feasibility under the name of Gibraltar.

“That guy will definitely try to contact me separately later.”

“Huh? That’s….”

“I’m going to make an official proposal. So that only a few approved people can come and go. And just in time, the perfect person to do business with has arrived, right?”

Carmen sighed deeply.

“I don’t know what they’re trying to sell, but I’m really excited.”

“…You’re not trying to sell something strange, are you?”

“What’s the use of saying it’s strange? Ha. I wonder if it’s even his future.”

At that moment, Carmen felt a chill go down her spine.

“…Oh, I guess not.”

A possibility that passed through my mind for a moment.

“You told me something.”

Carmen tried hard to deny it.

“…….”

On the castle wall.

It’s hard to see because it’s so high, but it looks different.

Gray Gibraltar and Erwin Aiferia looked like a mother and son on good terms, something you would see while passing through the square.

“…….”

Suddenly.

Carmen felt like somewhere in her heart, she was being eaten.

* * *

Erwin Aiferia was the person I definitely wanted to recruit-

No.

‘But at the moment, it can be said to be number one.’

No, but if we happened to meet like this, the story would be different.

‘The basics of business are not to miss out on an opportunity.’

Although I did not meet Erwin in person, I indirectly heard about her life and her way of thinking.

-Hmm. Gray Margrave. Please don’t go anywhere and talk about it. When I served the Chairman in the past, Iperia was…

Even though the chairman is dead, the employees below him remain.

In the future, I heard some stories from them.

However, putting that information aside, just looking at the information at this point, it is a ‘money line’ that should not be missed.

“Are you single?”

“Uh, um, yes. I’m single. Why are you interested in the lady?”

“Ajumma Raño. If I had given up her position and met her in private for the first time, she would probably have called me sister.”

“Look at this guy. There’s nothing he can’t say. So you’re asking me to wait for 7 years? Oh my god.”

“If it’s okay with me, it doesn’t matter.”

“Uh….”

Chairman Erwin frowned at her, as if speechless for a moment.

“Master of Gibraltar. I am speaking seriously.”

“I’m talking seriously too. Of course, other people would be better suited to the chairman than me.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Perhaps….”

Think of a candidate in your head.

A handsome man who will make your heart flutter as soon as you see him.

A man that Chairman Erwin will tempt no matter what conditions the other person has.

And when we have a good relationship, someone who can ultimately benefit me.

“…No. I want to build a cooperative relationship in the future, but I’m worried that my personal feelings might get involved in the business.”

“Business? Wow, you really know the imperial language well. How did you learn it? Are any of your servants from the empire?”

“The newspaper kept flying in the wind.”

“…That’s a huge blow. Um, sorry. I’ll say something later when I pass by the newspaper office.”

The media company Empire Ilbo is also under Chairman Erwin.

To be exact, as an investor, I own a rather large stake.

“That’s okay. Thanks to you, I can learn a lot about the empire, and I’m also personally curious about various things in the empire.”

“Uh, so? That’s a good thing.”

“So, I hope that Ipheria Market, the imperial ‘mart’, will come to Gibraltar.”

“……Huh?”

A sudden suggestion.

In order to succeed in business, you must completely capture the soul of the other person.

“What do you mean?”

“This means that Gibraltar is positively considering exchanges with the empire.”

“Why?”

“My father says it’s annoying that we keep fighting.”

“Uh….”

Chairman Erwin looks confused.

“I have defended the kingdom as a shield for Nostrum once or twice, but every time His Majesty the King makes a fuss, he says he doesn’t want to come all the way here and station there.”

Now is not the time to relax the offensive.

“So, you said that if we start interacting with the empire through simple trade, at least there won’t be an outright war.”

“Trade, exchange.”

“Of course, censorship and inspection will be carried out more thoroughly than you can imagine, but if exchanges occur between Gibraltar and the empire, wouldn’t the relationship between the kingdom and the empire change to some extent?”

“That…I’m not sure if I can say this. It’s treason…Isn’t it?”

“Gibraltar has the power to do that.”

“He must have power. Yes, he is a sword master.”

Chairman Erwin’s eyes roll from side to side.

“Hey. To what extent specifically?”

“If there is no war or conflict, what is the maximum amount of trade that can be carried out at the border?”

“…….”

Blink your eyes.

Perhaps he is tapping away at a calculator in his head.

‘They look exactly alike.’

The princess said that too.

As expected, bloodlines cannot be deceived.

No matter how much the current Crown Princess claims that her granddaughter is her daughter, there is someone who looks exactly like her from the color of her hair to her appearance, so rumors can’t help but arise.

That’s why they were purged.

Since he is such a precious person, there is no harm in meeting him like this if I do my best in advance.

Chairman Erwin’s ability is not only capital, but also considerable technical ability.

‘I have to give you a choice.’

If you think you will be executed by the Empire in the future, there is nothing wrong with preparing in advance so that you can go into exile in the Kingdom of Gibraltar.

“Oh, indeed.”

I think the calculations are all done, so let’s take a quick look.

“It is okay for the Chairman to stay in Gibraltar and conduct business, but I am a little worried that it will be uncomfortable in many ways if he meets my father for no reason.”

“What? Does the Margrave of Gibraltar hate me or something?”

“No, actually.”

If you have any questions about her at this point.

“I’m afraid he might have feelings for my father.”

“…….”

“My father is a married man. My mother is still alive.”

“Oh, wow, that’s right. That’s what you were worried about? Sure, I heard that story.”

Chairman Erwin shook his head as if he understood.

“A portrait of the Crimson Margrave of Gibraltar was sold for 1 billion. It was said that even the most handsome man in the empire was inferior to the Margrave.”

“My father is quite handsome.”

“I know. Well, it may be a little annoying, but…do you remember when General Claydoll came here three years ago?”

“I know very well.”

Officially, the Marquis of Claydoll spent the night in front of the castle gate, but unofficially, a kidnapper broke into the mansion.

“At that time, a war reporter took a picture of your father and published it as a morning news bulletin, and it was reprinted as many as 24 times. Ah, what I mean is….”

“Aren’t you saying that the newspaper with your father’s photo on it sold a lot of copies?”

“That’s right. I know. Hmm, this is so….”

“Well, it will sell, right?”

“Are you going to sell your father now?”

“I think it’s a good model for business. It’s a great opportunity to spread the coolness of the Crimson Margrave of Gibraltar throughout the empire.”

Pair.

“As a son.”

Clap your hands lightly and smile.

“It is a matter of enhancing your father’s reputation. How great is this filial piety?”

“The Margrave’s modeling fee will go into the Margrave’s pocket?”

“After my father dies, the inheritance will belong to the next margrave.”

“Wow. Boy, there’s really nothing you can’t say?”

“It’s realistic, Chairman.”

Harden your expression and look straight.

“When the Chairman dies, to whom will all the assets he has accumulated go?”

“…….”

“It’s too early to talk about death, but that doesn’t mean death comes in the order you were born.”

“You…Are you a very naughty child? Even though I look like this, there are many people in the empire who want to have a meal with me?”

“Aren’t you more attracted to the nonsense but profitable stories of people like me rather than listening to the words of those people? Realistically.”

“…….”

Be silent.

He crosses his arms for a moment and looks at me intently.

“Just as you said, when I die, my wealth will just disappear.”

“Are you passing it on to your loved one as an inheritance? Or is it all going to be returned to society? Are you going to pay it all to the government?”

“Ha. Are you going to give the company I built to the empire just because I’m crazy?”

Erwin laughed and expressed his displeasure.

“I am what I love….”

“Beloved?”

“…I will leave everything for my only family. If I die.”

Erwin looked in the direction of the Empire and smiled bitterly.

“Because there is only one person I love in this world.”

“Are you a man?”

“…No. It’s a woman. I have a daughter. No one knows. Are you okay? Why are you so obsessed with whether I’m alone or not?”

“I told you. It would be difficult if you fell in love with your father.”

“…Ha. You’re so confident. Do you really think I’d be excited to see your father or fall in love with him at first sight? I’ve already seen him in pictures a few times.”

“Seeing it in a photo and seeing it in real life are clearly different. …Oh my. We haven’t even gotten into the main topic yet, but it looks like the agreement has come to an end.”

I wanted to talk more, but unfortunately, it looks like the table is being cleared.

“Chairman. If it’s okay, would you please visit the canyon one more time within a month?”

“A month? Secretly?”

“Yes. If you come around midnight, I will bring your father with you. Although that agreement is with Nostrum.”

I turned my back to the table so that it could not be seen, and pointed alternately at me and Chairman Erwin.

“The transaction between Ipheria Industries and the County of Gibraltar can be carried out separately. For example.”

An offer you can’t refuse.

“A ‘branch school’ of the academy to be built in the royal capital.”

“…….”

“If you have a daughter, sending her to a branch school is also an option? As you know, isn’t this the case with all international students who will go to the royal capital?”

After getting into the elevator, he lightly grabbed my neck.

“A hostage sent by the Empire to the Kingdom to reassure them.”

“…….”

“Ideals are for the future, but reality is cold and heartless.”

And if you don’t know that, you can’t become the chairman of a large company.

“I look forward to meeting you again, Chairman.”

* * *

The agreement is over.

The result of the small war that unfolded on the table was a one-sided victory for Nostrum in terms of the treaty.

The Empire decided to invest funds for the construction of the academy from Iperia Industries and decided to send some international students.

Among the treaties, one.

Something that concerns me.

-Among the international students, there must be a granddaughter.

The day the academy was founded.

The princess will come to Nostrum.

And as soon as I returned to the Count’s mansion, I went to the study and reported the results to my father.

“I decided to sell my father to the empire.”

“…Don’t just say the conclusion, start the whole story.”

“This is my father’s favorite way of speaking. Just as he said that day, he would betray the country to no end.”

“…….”

My father couldn’t say anything.

“Anyway, father. I’m telling you this just in case, but are you still serious about treason?”

“That’s right. I’m serious.”

“Are you willing to do anything?”

“……What are you trying to do again?”

“It’s nothing special.”

This is one of the things my father asked me to do in the future.

“We need to get the chairman, a single mother with a child, to our side, but no matter how much I think about it, I can’t think of anyone other than my father right now.”

If you are a father, you will be sold unconditionally.

“You need to take it off.”