In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 260

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head

 

Side Story Episode 3

 

If the Lombardi Guild and Pellet Trading House completely cut off trade to the south, the consequences were obvious.

 

Sersheu sells grain through various trading companies, but naturally my two companies are their largest trading partners.

 

Broadly speaking, the Lombardi Guild handles western trade while Pellet Trading House manages eastern trade.

 

Of course, even without selling grain to the east and west as they do now, Sersheu would be fine.

 

The territory’s overall profits would decrease significantly, but Sersheu’s people wouldn’t go hungry.

 

But that wasn’t the picture Chanton Sersheu wanted.

 

Just like what my father hoped for when building the port in Chesayu, he wanted his people to prosper abundantly rather than just barely getting by – that was what Chanton Sersheu desired.

 

The same went for Lombardi and Pellet Trading House.

 

Even if we stopped dealing with the south immediately, neither the Lombardi family nor Pellet Trading House would collapse.

 

Though eastern trade would be difficult, we could use overland routes like before.

 

However, it was clear that extreme conflict between Lombardi and Sersheu would be a tremendous loss for the entire Empire.

 

As the staring contest between Chanton Sersheu and me, standing on opposite sides of the grand meeting hall, dragged on, even the silence grew sharp.

 

“Enough.”

 

Peres’s brief, firm words cut through the taut tension.

 

“Pellet company head, bring that here.”

 

With a light gesture, Peres pointed to the bundle of documents in my hands.

 

It contained the loss statements from this incident and the toll contract with Sersheu bound together.

 

When Cleribane handed over what I’d been holding, Peres read through the thick bundle without hesitation.

 

After rubbing his forehead a few times with his long fingers, Peres spoke.

 

“According to the contract, Sersheu is in violation.”

 

A pained groan came from the faction opposite me.

 

However, they couldn’t dare show dissatisfaction in front of Peres and could only sigh.

 

“The Sersheu Marquis must immediately cooperate to resume trade and compensate Lombardi double the loss amount according to the contract.”

 

“…I understand, Your Majesty.”

 

Chanton Sersheu answered respectfully.

 

But I didn’t smile.

 

Rather, I had to try not to frown.

 

‘Suspicious.’

 

I would have preferred if Chanton Sersheu had raged, ‘I absolutely cannot do that, this is unfair treatment!’

 

No matter how loyal he was to Peres, if he really had important reasons for pressuring the trading companies, he should at least try to argue his case.

 

But such a compliant attitude.

 

This was almost like…

 

“Lombardi Master.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

I heard Peres calling me but couldn’t easily take my eyes off Chanton Sersheu.

 

Clearly I was the winner of this council meeting.

 

Yet somehow, my instincts told me the real victor was on the other side.

 

“…As owner of both trading companies, Lombardi Master should also pay more attention to trade security going forward.”

 

“I will do so.”

 

It felt unsettling.

 

I narrowed my eyes at the situation, feeling like someone had played a trick on my back but I was the only one who couldn’t see it.

 

Chanton Sersheu’s calm face irritated me, despite suddenly having to pay an enormous compensation amount.

 

“…Today’s meeting ends here.”

 

After speaking briefly, Peres immediately rose from his seat.

 

Ah, I wanted to have a quick conversation.

 

Having been glaring at Chanton Sersheu the whole time, I belatedly came to my senses and looked toward Peres.

 

But all I could see were the backs of aides following the Emperor in a line.

 

I had planned to ask about his expression before the meeting started.

 

That dejected face bothered me more than anything else.

 

I lingered a moment longer, disappointed by the already closed meeting room door, then stood up.

 

“As expected of the Lombardi Master.”

 

“To extract… I mean, receive double compensation from that nasty Chanton Sersheu.”

 

“Wasn’t it clearly their contract violation from the start?”

 

“Exactly. This shouldn’t have even needed to come to a council meeting.”

 

Pro-Lombardi nobles around me offered congratulations in unison, but I couldn’t hear any of it.

 

Then Cleribane approached and spoke in a low, secretive voice.

 

“Master, something seems a bit…”

 

“You think so too, Cleribane?”

 

I answered while glancing at Chanton Sersheu’s now-empty seat.

 

“I thought he was a formidable opponent, but.”

 

A laugh escaped me without realizing it.

 

“I should have Beit come to the manor tomorrow.”

 

This was completely different from dealing with Angenas.

 

The Angenas family’s schemes were obvious, and they just made loud noises at the slightest provocation.

 

Even the relatively clever former emperor couldn’t fix his nasty temperament and always failed to see the forest.

 

But Chanton Sersheu is different.

 

That stoic face makes it impossible to guess what he’s thinking, and his quiet moves are swift and bold.

 

Since becoming clan head, I’ve been caught off guard several times by Chanton Sersheu’s predatory, stealthy movements.

 

“Lombardi Master.”

 

Just like right now.

 

I turned toward the voice behind me.

 

“What is it, Sersheu Marquis.”

 

Chanton Sersheu, a full head taller than me, stepped half a pace closer.

 

Dark hair, a face that seemed blunt but was unreadable, and an imposing build.

 

For some reason, he reminded me of a large black bear.

 

“I came to apologize for this incident.”

 

Was he trying for a second round after the council meeting?

 

I could feel the gazes of nobles who had been leaving the meeting room stopping one by one to look our way.

 

“This incident?”

 

“Whatever the reason, I was the first to violate the contract.”

 

Though his voice and attitude remained level, I could tell for certain.

 

This black bear was mocking me right now.

 

“Let’s speak plainly, Sersheu Marquis. You didn’t ‘become’ in violation – you violated it. Don’t you understand what double compensation means yet?”

 

“…”

 

Chanton Sersheu just stared at me intently without saying anything for a moment.

 

I met his gaze directly and raised one corner of my mouth crookedly.

 

“And even doing this won’t get you a single penny off the compensation.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

Chanton Sersheu spoke in a perfunctory tone as if reading someone else’s book.

 

“Even when I personally apologize like this?”

 

Suddenly I remembered Lord Bern’s words comparing Chanton Sersheu to a snake.

 

Not a snake, but a python. A cunning python.

 

I suddenly wanted to crack that expressionless mask of seeming indifference to everything.

 

“Since it wasn’t that important to begin with, the apology comes easily, so why should I…”

 

Watching Chanton Sersheu’s eyes narrow slightly, I continued.

 

“You said you’d light a fire from the start but only let out smoke. What apology.”

 

Then the black bear’s face clearly hardened.

 

And from that reaction, I gained certainty.

 

Even knowing that pressuring my trading companies would lead me to convene the council, Chanton Seosseou deliberately did it anyway.

 

As if trying to draw my attention to prevent me from seeing something.

 

Just as Chanton Seosseou had done, I stepped exactly half a step closer and smiled.

 

“Lord Sersheu, let me give you exactly two pieces of advice.”

 

I raised my index finger.

 

“First, don’t forget that farming is heaven’s will. If you keep showing such wicked intentions, who knows what punishment might befall you?”

 

“What do you mean by that…”

 

“Second.”

 

Cutting off Chanton Seosseou’s attempt to retort, I raised two fingers.

 

“Just as your territory’s people are important to Lord Sersheu, my people are important to me.”

 

I was well aware of Chanton Seosseou’s devoted love for his territorial subjects.

 

Especially how much he cherished the farmers who were the foundation of Sersheu.

 

That’s why, though I found him annoying, I didn’t dislike him.

 

However.

 

“Especially my father is one of the most important people among my people. So it would be wise not to touch him. And.”

 

I completely erased the gentle smile I had been wearing and looked straight at Chanton Seosseou.

 

“This is indeed a warning.”

 

So stop your persistent scheming.

 

Raising the corners of my mouth again, I spoke to Cleribane.

 

“Pellet Caravan Leader, please explain the compensation details to Lord Sersheu in detail and get a promised payment date. In writing, of course.”

 

Having said that, I turned around and left the meeting room.

 

I warned you, you black bear.

 

Though I didn’t know exactly what Chanton Seosseou’s scheme was yet, having shot back at him made me feel refreshed.

 

Tomorrow I’ll call Beit and put our heads together – the answer will come quickly enough.

 

My footsteps were light as I walked alone through the Imperial Palace corridors.

 

“Today’s schedule became quite relaxed.”

 

Because the council meeting ended more anticlimactically than expected.

 

I had really come prepared to roll up my sleeves for a proper fight, even bringing Cleribane along.

 

Remembering Chanton Seosseou’s face as he sat across from me in the council chamber, looking at me so calmly, made me frown involuntarily.

 

“If you’re a bear, act like a bear and go eat honey in the warm south… Ahh!”

 

As I was walking while muttering, something grabbed me from behind and pulled me back.

 

Before I could even scream loudly, I found myself standing inside a room with the door closing in front of me.

 

And someone’s solid body pressed against my back.

 

In the instant I blinked at the familiar scent that suddenly enveloped me, I saw a green emerald ring on the fourth finger of the hand embracing my body.

 

This time I could tell without even needing to turn around.

 

I patted that hand with a small sigh and said.

 

“Peres, you startled me.”

 

Then the large hands embraced my body more greedily, and I felt a straight forehead nuzzling against my nape and shoulder.

 

“I missed you, Tia.”

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