Chapter 29

Aiden Aisling, with his wheat-colored brown hair and bright purple eyes, asked.

"I needed to verify the source of that story. It's that important to me. So I'm asking, is it certain? Where did you hear it?"

"I'm sorry, but could you move your face back a bit? It's making me uncomfortable."

Aiden had an intensity that suggested he might climb across the table at any moment.

When he admonished him, Aiden slowly returned his body, which had been leaning toward the opposite side, back to its original position.

"It's certainly understandable that a merchant group that invested in the east would consider it important... But why do you say it's important to you, Mr. Aisling, rather than to the merchant group?"

The Aisling family originally came from farmers in the east.

Normally, they would have lived as farmers for generations, but their fate changed dramatically when Aiden's grandfather, Brian Aisling, went to sell wheat in the city himself.

Having accidentally discovered his talent for business, Brian Aisling entered the path of commerce instead of farming.

The merchant group, which had started small, began to rapidly expand by the time of Aiden's father, Brian's son, and by the time Aiden was born, it had become one of the top three large merchant groups in the kingdom.

In the original novel's timeline, Aiden was preparing to take over the Aisling Merchant Group.

He had been assigned to the business early, before his father stepped down from the front line.

The merchant group could be important to Aiden.

But if that were all, Aiden wouldn't have specifically said it was "important to me."

After pondering deeply, Aiden opened his mouth.

"Do you know the details about the eastern project?"

"The one about making products from the demonic beasts coming out of the pit..."

"Yes, that's what's publicly known. That's also the official business description."

Aiden looked around the tavern and then smiled slightly.

"Shall we go out together? Let's go to a place I know."

* * *

The place Aiden took them to was the capital branch of the Aisling Merchant Group.

A three-story building standing prominently among other buildings at a bustling intersection where several roads merged.

Though Arndt and Leandros, who had lived in a multi-story castle even if it was abandoned, were indifferent, people passing by kept glancing at the building.

Well, in this era, it would take quite a bit of technology and money to build a three-story building in the capital.

Inside was extremely busy.

Like scenes from comedy movies he had watched as a child, people were hurrying with armfuls of documents.

The difference from the movies was that everyone seemed genuinely on the verge of collapse.

It was pitiful to see everyone bowing to Aiden amidst all this.

They went up to the second floor.

Unlike the open first floor, it seemed there were private offices from the second floor.

Aiden guided them to the office located furthest inside.

"It's a bit messy. But please bear with it. I wasn't planning to bring guests."

As Aiden had warned, the office was quite large... and dirty.

The wide desk and chests for storing parchment were one thing, but what was that bundle of fabric rolling around in the corner?

Planks scattered on the floor, leather-like materials, a single boot...

Carefully avoiding stepping on the obvious junk, he went to sit on the sofa placed in the middle of the office.

Of course, Arndt and Leandros stood behind the sofa.

Aiden secured the door well and sat across from him.

"It's a bit messy."

"I don't mind, but you should try to keep it organized."

"Thanks for the advice. Where was I?"

"From the official eastern pit project."

Aiden halfheartedly rummaged through the documents piled on the table and handed over several sheets of paper.

"It's best if you read this first."

"This... is a business plan. Is it okay to just show something like this?"

It was a paper boldly titled "Eastern Wasteland Improvement and Demonic Beast Species Capture Investment Proposal."

The paper contained generally well-known information.

While he was quickly flipping through the pages, skipping some sections he didn't understand, Aiden continued his explanation.

"In addition to the proposal that arrived in writing, we had a separate meeting. The location was a high-end salon in the capital. There were many rumors about the situation in the east, but everyone attended because the royal palace was taking the initiative."

"Why?"

"Usually, the royal palace doesn't actively engage in business. It's considered a lowly affair. The royal family has dignity, after all."

"So everyone became interested?"

"Right. But what the royal official explained at the salon was somewhat different from the proposal."

"What did the official say?"

"First, while the proposal was official, according to the royal palace's assessment, a greater value had been assigned to the eastern wasteland and pit."

"Value?"

"You've heard that demonic beasts come out of the eastern pit, right? But in fact, inside the eastern pit, there's a separate source from which demonic beast species emerge."

Source?

There were certainly many hypotheses about how demonic beasts were born.

But he couldn't remember if the original work had clearly addressed this point.

"Did they talk about that source?"

"Yes. Strictly speaking, capturing and processing the demonic beasts that come out is just an additional benefit."

"Then the original purpose..."

Aiden nodded.

"Is to secure the source of demonic beast species. The royal palace announced plans to research the secured source, domesticate and mass-produce demonic beasts."

"Demonic beasts."

Nonsensical talk.

Domesticate demonic beasts, which stack up layers of madness just by looking at them?

No matter how small or beautiful they might be, demonic beasts were demonic beasts.

It was a terrible lesson taught by the merperson.

Perhaps noticing his sour expression, Aiden hastily continued.

"Everyone present thought the same thing. They questioned how such a thing could be possible."

"So how did they end up investing?"

"They showed an example. The results of ongoing research... if I should call it that. Demonic beasts close to livestock."

"Successfully taming demonic beasts? How is that possible?"

Nonsensical talk!

But Aiden spoke firmly.

"I saw it myself. Everyone present witnessed it. The official... showed something. It was a small species confined in an iron cage,"

"..."

"It was covered with cloth. And when they walked, it resembled a blue jellyfish... with several tentacles and... teeth on top of its head..."

Aiden's voice gradually faded as he recalled the scene.

An unpleasant and disturbing description.

He heard Arndt let out a small gasp.

He fluttered the documents he was holding and waved them in front of Aiden's face.

"No, there's no need to describe it. So everyone decided to invest after seeing this demonstration?"

"...Ah, yes. I think we were just shocked by seeing that. And when I came to my senses, I was signing the agreement. No one knew why. But what was clear was that it was possible."

"If that's really possible, it would be news that could turn not only our kingdom but foreign countries upside down."

Even if he forged a sword from steel, it would be of no use if the opponent held a sword made from a demonic beast's fang.

If demonic beasts could be tamed, the paradigm of weapons would greatly change.

Medium-sized demonic beasts might be used like biological battle tanks.

If flying demonic beasts could be tamed, they could shift the paradigm to aerial warfare in this era.

A significant increase in a country's military power meant, in other words...

Aiden's expression grew somewhat darker.

"But it's clearly a 'profit.' It's not just a simple story about selling domesticated demonic beasts. It means individuals can own demonic beasts, research with the owned demonic beasts, and have opportunities to develop more necessities."

"I see."

"And I also had to take responsibility for the agreement I signed."

This was the main point.

After all, he was the one who attended.

And he was the one who signed.

Since it couldn't be undone, he had to take the initiative to actively promote this project.

"The investment amount must be quite large?"

"Would you believe me if I said I provided half of the development project funds?"

Even with money, there should be a limit to recklessness!

Aiden was now clutching his head in agony.

So that's why he was so desperate for this information.

If the future held losses, pulling out even a second earlier could minimize the damage.

He threw the documents onto the table.

"To tell you the conclusion, it's true. I don't know how much you invested, but it would be best to withdraw what you can."

"Are you serious?"

"It would be better if you could terminate the contract on any pretext. The Crown Prince isn't easy to deal with, right? But there's no choice. You can't bury what you can recover in the ground, whether it's funds or manpower."

"I agree, but..."

"It won't be long before the eastern wasteland collapses. Be careful."

That's the end of this counseling session.

He held out his hand right to Aiden's face.

"Now, please pay the fee."

Though it was pitiful, he had to receive what was due.

Aiden stopped clutching his head. But his miserable expression remained.

He took out a paper from inside his cloak and handed it over.

Seeing his face crumple as he had expected gold, Aiden hurriedly said.

"No, it's not a scam. It's a promissory note."

"A promissory note?"

"Show this at any Aisling Merchant Group branch in the kingdom, and you can exchange it for goods or anything within the note's limit. I prepared a note because gold coins would be too heavy. Would coins be better?"

Ah. So it was like a check card with money deposited.

"Just asking, but there's no chance the Aisling Merchant Group will go bankrupt, right?"

"Don't worry. You just saved it from bankruptcy."

"Seeing you joke around, it seems you've recovered a bit."

Just as he was carefully putting away the promissory note and about to stand up.

Aiden, who had been watching him intently, called out.

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"I'm just asking, but could you give me more advice about the east?"

"Me?"

"You speak as if you know the Crown Prince well. The Crown Prince is a figure shrouded in mystery, so even for a moment, I'd appreciate your help in withdrawing from the eastern project. Of course, I'll reward you for your help."

A reward.

He rolled his eyes for a moment.

"Well, normally I would have agreed... But I have some personal business to attend to here."

"In the capital?"

"I'm looking for someone."

Selling information to Aiden was just a means of obtaining money.

There was also a high possibility that a large merchant group like the Aisling Merchant Group, rather than a vaguely sized one, would keep the source of the information, namely him, a secret.

So he had no intention of getting personally entangled with Aiden beyond that.

Plus, being involved in the eastern affair again?

Don't say such nonsense.

"So that's how it is. I'll have to decline your offer."

"You wouldn't change your mind even if I offered more money?"

"This is already enough money."

The promissory note inside his clothing.

Aiden seemed to regret having given the payment in advance.

"Think about it again. I'll let you go today, but would it be alright if I find you later and have another conversation?"

"There won't be such an occasion."

"Oh my! What a straightforward and good person! It's people like you that I should decisively make my allies. Are you really not interested?"

"This person, really."

Just as he was about to refuse again, he suddenly remembered something.

"Are you that interested in me?"

"Ah, of course! You're important!"

"Fine. I'll do the job for you. But there's a condition first."

"A condition?"

"It's nothing much. You do trade at Aisling, right?"

Aiden nodded, with a face that didn't understand why he was suddenly asking about that.

He grinned.

* * *

Aiden came out to see him off until he left the branch, constantly hovering around him.

The young man waving his hand in the back, insisting they meet again, was distracting.

Well, the conversation had been definitive, so it should be fine.

More importantly...

"Arndt."

"Yes."

"Check which merchant group branch is closest to Hartmann Castle. And don't forget to fill the castle with what it needs later."

"Yes!"

Arndt eagerly took the promissory note he handed over.

This should be enough for Arndt to handle everything well.

He would know more about the castle than he did.

The next important thing was...

"These people."

The whereabouts of the four former employees received from the Information Guild.

Head Butler, Rotaer Licht.

Assistant Head Butler, Amelia Arnold.

Head Maid, Angelika Kramer.

Head Servant, Dederik Schmitzwald.

Most of these people were currently listed as missing.

A situation where it was unknown whether they were alive or dead.

But the person whose traces could be followed...

"We should visit this one first."

"But even if we visit, would we be able to hear about them?"

"It's fine. That's why we came to the capital."

Townhouses that nobles maintained in the capital separately from their territories.

It was common to operate the townhouse and the castle or mansion in the territory separately.

While both shared family news, the townhouse tended to receive news more slowly.

There was a slight delay in the exchange of information.

He turned to Arndt, who was tightly holding the promissory note.

"Arndt, could you find out the schedule of events hosted by the royal palace? It would be better if you could hear who will be attending as well."