In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 163

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 163

The riverside of the Imperial Capital where vast waters flowed gently.

Standing on slightly elevated ground, Cleribane looked down at the nobles gathered in the banquet hall with a satisfied expression.

Now he no longer needed to worry about whether those invited to his banquets would actually attend.

When it came to Pellet Trading Company’s banquets, most people would try to attend even if they had to borrow someone else’s invitation.

That’s how tremendous the influence of the name Cleribane Pellet had become in noble society.

The famous illegitimate son of Romasie Dillard, Cleribane Pellet, who once had to live hidden in the shadows, was nowhere to be found now.

He now stood tall above the nobles of the Lambru Empire as simply Cleribane Pellet of the great Pellet Trading Company.

‘And all of this is thanks to Lady Pirenthia.’

He didn’t even want to imagine it.

What his life would have looked like if he hadn’t encountered the light that was Pirenthia Lombardi.

Just thinking about it made him dizzy.

Just then, Cleribane’s gaze met with Pirenthia, who was standing a little distance away.

Cleribane subtly nodded his head.

She responded with a beautiful smile on her face, greeting Cleribane.

Then she pointed toward the banquet hall entrance with her eyes.

When he quickly looked in that direction, he saw Rulak and Romasie Dillard who had just arrived at the banquet hall.

Though she appeared to be leisurely enjoying the banquet, Pirenthia had already perfectly tracked the movements of all important figures.

Cleribane placed his hand lightly over his chest, signaling that he would handle it, then hurried over to Rulak.

“You’ve arrived, Clan Head.”

“Ah, Cleribane. Today is another beautiful banquet. It truly lives up to the name of Pellet Trading Company.”

Rulak smiled with genuine delight.

“You flatter me.”

Then Cleribane looked at Romasie standing beside Rulak.

“It’s been a while, Head of Lombardi Upper Echelon.”

It was a calm and perfectly courteous greeting toward another person.

Cleribane no longer suffered when looking at Romasie Dillard.

This too was a change that occurred after meeting Pirenthia.

“I couldn’t miss a banquet prepared by Young Lady Pirenthia.”

Romasie Dillard said this while looking at Cleribane.

His eyes already suspected that this banquet wasn’t the only thing Pirenthia had prepared.

Romasie Dillard was one of the few people who knew who the real owner of Pellet Trading Company was.

“You’ve been taking quite good care of our Tia lately, haven’t you?”

Rulak glanced at Romasie with a not unpleasant expression.

“Haha, have I been doing that?”

Romasie, feeling caught, quickly responded.

“Isn’t she an exceptionally outstanding person? Though she’s still young, her capabilities are second to none. She reminds me of you in your youth, Clan Head.”

“Hmm? Is that so?”

Rulak’s eyes widened, then he burst into hearty laughter. “Ahaha!”

“Yes, our Tia does resemble me a bit! Yes indeed!”

But there was a lingering undertone behind his seemingly boisterous laughter.

Rulak nodded thoughtfully for a moment, then patted Cleribane’s shoulder.

“I won’t keep a busy man any longer. I’ll see you later then.”

“Yes, Clan Head.”

Cleribane bowed politely to Rulak’s retreating figure as he entered the banquet hall.

Afterward, while greeting the people arriving at the banquet hall one by one, Cleribane kept his eyes on Rulak.

Finally, he saw Biejie, who arrived late, greeting Rulak along with his family members.

After confirming this, Cleribane moved toward the platform area of the banquet hall.

“Lord Cleribane.”

Gallahan and Avinox Ruman, who had been conversing near the platform, looked at Cleribane.

Both men clearly showed signs of nervousness.

“Everything is ready. Are you both prepared?”

At Cleribane’s question, Gallahan forced a smile.

Avinox also took a short deep breath and nodded.

Cleribane patted both men’s shoulders as Rulak had done earlier, then stepped up onto the platform.

That was all it took.

But the conversations filling the banquet hall quieted down and the music stopped.

Cleribane’s face, as people looked up at him, now wore his characteristic confident smile.

“I sincerely thank everyone for taking time out of your precious schedules.”

Cleribane spoke while slowly scanning the audience.

“Now, let us begin the main banquet.”

“The main banquet?”

“Is there more?”

People looked around at each other, murmuring.

Cleribane seemed to enjoy their reaction, watching them for a moment before grinning and pointing toward the river.

Just then, a large ship was slowly coming into view.

“We will escort you all aboard.”

* * *

The nobles were in complete uproar.

It was a cauldron of excitement and cheers.

When the brilliantly lit ship safely docked at the riverside pier, they competed to board it.

Many had never seen a ship in their entire lives.

However, even those who were initially a bit frightened were equally excited like children.

As people began boarding one by one, music started playing on the ship.

Different from the music that had been playing before, this more lively and upbeat song was an imperial reinterpretation of Eastern folk music.

The alcohol served also changed.

While red wine had been served on land, aboard the ship people held sparkling champagne and dry white wine.

This was to complement the food.

“What is this?”

“This is a dish made by braising Eastern specialty seafood in citrus sauce…”

The eyes of those who cautiously tasted the food at the employees’ recommendations all widened in unison.

“It’s delicious!”

“What an attractively unique flavor!”

Then, one noble spoke loudly.

“This is Eastern food!”

“Eastern…?”

“I visited the Eastern region several times in my youth, and I think this is a dish I tasted then. The name was… ‘Cantate,’ I believe.”

It was a middle-aged man with an impressively groomed mustache.

“Ah, Eastern food is quite a delicacy! I couldn’t forget that taste and often thought about it, but to taste it again at a Pellet Trading Company banquet! Haha!”

After that, the nobles began tasting the dishes more actively.

It was different from typical banquets where food was eaten just enough to not feel hungry.

I also mixed among those people and tasted the dishes one by one.

Unlike the generally bland imperial cuisine, these seafood dishes had impressively sour, sweet, and spicy flavors.

Then a cool river breeze blew.

A noblewoman beside me, who had likewise been trying the food one by one, spoke dreamily.

“How wonderful it would be if I could visit the Eastern region too.”

I looked around.

It wasn’t just that noblewoman – many people seemed to be thinking similar thoughts.

And as if waiting for that atmosphere to ripen, Cleribane stepped up onto the platform on the ship.

This time, Father and Avinox were with him too.

“Lord Gallahan Lombardi?”

“Who’s that beside him?”

“Isn’t that young man the representative of the Eastern Ruman House?”

People looked up at the platform with curious eyes.

“Are you enjoying the banquet that our Pellet Trading Company has specially prepared?”

At Cleribane’s question, people smiled and raised the glasses in their hands.

“Some of you may have already noticed, but everything being served right now is food from the Eastern Region. These are very special dishes that cannot be found in the central region or other parts of the Empire.”

Special.

The nobles’ eyes sparkled at that word.

Cleribane continued after a brief pause, as if trying to build suspense.

“With the help of Lord Avinox Ruman, I had the chance to experience the excellent food and culture of the Eastern Region, and I thought I wanted to share this with more people. And we found the answer in Chesayu.”

Cleribane, Father, and Avinox politely greeted each other in front of the people.

It was to show that they were partners and stakeholders in this business venture.

“In one week, the port of Chesayu will open. The waterway from inland to the Eastern Region will be opened. And right from Chesayu, our Pellet Trading Company’s ‘Eastern Cruise Travel’ will begin.”

As soon as Cleribane finished speaking, two employees of Pellet Trading Company came up onto the platform carrying a large frame.

It was a painting depicting the full view of a large ship.

“A massive luxury passenger ship, about ten times the size of the ship you’re currently on, will safely and comfortably transport our customers to the Eastern Region.”

A comfortable journey to the Eastern Region!

And on a luxury passenger ship they’d never experienced before!

I could clearly see the excited hearts of the nobles who widened their eyes and whispered to those beside them.

“There’s only one reason we arranged today’s banquet. To select 15 couples of customers who will embark on the historic first cruise travel in two weeks. Of course, all expenses will be covered by our Pellet Trading Company, and the selected guests need only enjoy the beautiful shipboard banquets held every night for 7 days and a dreamlike 2-week Eastern Region tour with peace of mind.”

“Ooh!”

“How will the selection be made!”

One man couldn’t contain himself and shouted loudly.

“Haha, the method is simple. During today’s banquet, employees of Pellet Trading Company carrying boxes like this will pass by you. Just write your name on a card and put it in. The drawing will be conducted near the end of the banquet.”

People could be seen standing on their tiptoes here and there, trying to spot the employees.

“Well then, please have a good time with the excellent food and beautiful music of the Eastern Region.”

As Cleribane stepped down from the platform, lively music flowed across the ship again.

The result of the successful presentation was obvious.

People rushed to the lottery boxes, leaving food and drinks behind.

I leaned against the ship’s railing and leisurely watched the scene.

Some people were caught trying to write their names twice and put them in, causing embarrassment.

Then, a small commotion arose near the ship’s door.

“Open the door! I need to get off right now!”

Biejie was threateningly shouting at an employee of Pellet Trading Company.

Just when he was about to make money from Western tourism, here comes an Eastern cruise travel that’s superior in every aspect.

With fire at his feet, Biejie was probably trying to rush to the Empress.

But he can’t do that.

“It’s dangerous. Please stop, Lord Lombardi! The ship has already departed!”

“Damn! Then turn the ship around!”

The ship had left the riverside where it was moored as soon as Cleribane started his speech.

This is a special gift I prepared for Biejie.

“It’ll probably take over five hours.”

Suffer in anxiety during that time.

During those hours, he’ll probably be counting the money Lombardi Construction didn’t receive and his personal funds invested in Western development until his blood runs dry.

“Serves him right.”

Cleribane, who had approached beside me, said while looking at Biejie, who had caused a disturbance but quieted down only after receiving Grandfather’s angry glare.

“He brought it on himself.”

I answered while clicking my tongue at Biejie.

Then once again, the river breeze blew and tousled my hair.

It was a refreshing yet gentle wind.

“Ah, how refreshing.”

A night on the ship with lively music, business success, and Biejie’s panic all mixed together.

I closed my eyes and took another deep breath of the river breeze.

And without saying anything, I raised the champagne glass I was holding.

Soon there was a clink as Cleribane lightly tapped his glass against mine.

I smiled and took a sip of the cool champagne.

“Ah, perfect!”

Such a beautiful night.

* * *

The next morning.

Peres arrived at the Lombardi estate and dismounted from his horse.

Now accustomed to the Crown Prince’s visits, a servant came out to lead Peres’s horse to the stables, and the annex butler came to greet him.

“Where’s Tia?”

“She’s awake.”

At the butler’s answer, Peres raised one eyebrow.

Last night, the shipboard banquet had ended very late.

It was because of requests from nobles who were reluctant to leave the ship.

There was no way Tia would return home first while Pellet Trading Company’s banquet wasn’t finished.

Especially considering Tia’s secret that Peres himself had discovered.

So the fact that Tia was already awake was unexpected.

He had been prepared to wait several hours until she woke up, but it seemed that wouldn’t be necessary.

Knock knock.

Even as he entered after a brief knock, Peres was still pondering.

What words should he use to start the conversation?

How would Tia react?

No, perhaps he should pretend not to know her secret.

Wouldn’t she want that?

Such hesitations filled Peres’s mind.

But then.

“Hello, Peres.”

Tia, wearing a red dress, was sitting on the sofa and welcomed him.

On the table, tea and cake prepared for two people could be seen.

There was also a delivery box from ‘Caramel Avenue,’ familiar to Peres, placed to one side.

Tia smiled at him and said.

“Come in. I was waiting for you, Peres.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————