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Episode 45. Partner

"The facilities account for a large part of the technology. If you already have the facilities, there's no special technology for Tulda to learn."

The man's expression, as he listened silently, shifted.

"Other guilds also have excellent facilities. So why is there a difference in quality between weapons made at Bendon and those made elsewhere?"

"That's…"

"That's a matter of management. We constantly maintain our facilities and invest heavily to produce high-quality weapons."

I cut in, taking over Damian's words.

"As the assistant says."

"To give you a rough estimate of Bendon's facility costs—"

I mentioned the facility costs, maintenance expenses, and complicated procedures at Bendon, deflating the Tulda family's expectations.

As expected, they had planned to steal Bendon's technology and enter the market, but they seemed to lose interest immediately at the massive initial capital costs.

'I wish they'd invest without understanding and go bankrupt.'

The Tulda family didn't know business well. If sweet-talked, they might easily part with large sums of money. Taking advantage of that, introducing them to a bad business venture and leading them to bankruptcy wouldn't be a bad idea.

If I had multiple lives, that is.

"I should be going."

The man withdrew first.

"Seems like a decision that requires careful thought, as the director said."

"Yes. Please contact us again when you've decided."

The man, hating to waste time, rose quickly once a conclusion was reached. It would be fortunate if he just gave up on the deal cleanly.

I opened the door of the office and observed their faces. The ones who tormented Lapin. They weren't the kind of people who deserved such courteous treatment.

'Oops.'

I inadvertently let out killing intent.

'Mistake.'

"!"

The Tulda bastard, about to leave, met my gaze.

His cold eyes looking at me flashed like a beast's. Gulp. I swallowed. His scanning eyes seemed to pierce my skin and penetrate my very core. The warm, windless place instantly froze.

"Oh my? So you were here after all!"

A familiar voice broke the chilly atmosphere. Mrs. Carding, who had been in the lounge, spotted the Tulda bastard and me and smiled brightly.

"Mother?"

Even Damian was flustered by her unexpected appearance.

"I wondered who the guest was — it's the famous Tulda family! I'm Carding, the mother of this place's founder. I do hope you'll look favorably upon the Bendon Guild."

The lady blocked the man's path and spoke.

"…."

The man's gaze was far from kind. Looking down at her as if she were beneath him, he stepped away without a word.

Damian and I hurriedly followed them.

"…."

"…."

The Tulda bastard said nothing. He was silent as he went down the stairs and as he left the building. When boarding the carriage, without a parting word of courtesy, he merely gestured to depart.

I thought he'd disappear just like that, but—

"Ah, wait."

The man gestured again. As soon as the wheels stopped, he opened the window. A sharp gaze fixed on Damian outside.

"I heard the Bendon Knights have become famous lately. I'd like to see them."

The tone felt more like a warning than a probe. If he already knew about Lapin, he would have acted lawlessly rather than probing like this.

"…."

Damian, caught off guard by the sudden obstacle, had no answer.

"I'm sorry, but most of the Bendon Knights are currently training or on outside requests, so I can't introduce them."

I said.

"Is that so?"

The man thought for a moment, then turned his gaze forward.

"I'll have to try again next time."

Maintaining his oppressive presence until the very end, the man flicked his fingers on the carriage window frame.

"Until next time, Director."

The window closed, and the wheels began to move.

As the carriage left, it kicked up dust, announcing its presence. Once the wheels disappeared from sight, Damian's strength drained from his body.

"…Did he leave?"

"He's gone."

It had passed more quickly than expected, unlike what we'd prepared for.

Still, it wasn't over until it was over. The man had signaled a next time.

We'd gotten through today safely, but it was highly likely he'd probe the Bendon Knights and investigate further.

For the time being, it would be best to limit the guild's external activities and extend Lapin's punishment period.

"Damn bastards…"

Damian revealed his true colors.

"Calling that dogshit a proposal. This is completely out of my league."

"It would be best to keep Lapin further west."

"I'll have to convince him."

"Either way, you did well. You held back more than I expected."

Despite a few crises, this was still passable.

"It would have been tough without you."

"Huh?"

When I looked at him, Damian averted his gaze like a defiant son. But he couldn't hide his neck, red as a beet.

I'd often seen him red with anger, but this was the first time I'd seen him blush with embarrassment.

"Don't stare; I'll wear out."

When his angelically beautiful face flushed with fluster, it was quite striking.

"Same here."

"…."

"If you hadn't been here, I would have poured hot tea over their heads."

Even looking at them made me sick. Trade or not, I wanted to pour hot tea down those thugs' nostrils.

It was Damian's explosive words that cooled my rage. Just when I was getting angry enough, he subtly put the Tulda bastard in his place, which was satisfying.

Damian turned his back before I could see his face.

"I see. You two get along so well!"

We hadn't noticed the uninvited guest behind us.

"Mother!"

"Now that the guests are gone, will you finally welcome me?"

The lady said, smiling.

---

The seat where Tulda had been sitting was now occupied by Mrs. Carding.

"Not all nobles are polite. I had high expectations, being from the famous Tulda family."

Mrs. Carding said, sipping the tea I'd poured.

"You're different though, miss — your name was Lucy, wasn't it?"

The lady lifted both corners of her mouth and spoke to me in a refined tone. Her attitude toward me was completely different from before, wasn't it?

Her conscious effort to mimic noble speech was awkward and unnatural.

'Surely not.'

I looked at Annie, standing awkwardly behind Mrs. Carding. She avoided my gaze and bowed her head slightly, as if she'd done something wrong.

"Lucy is the eldest daughter of a famous noble family, I hear?"

So she did tell her!

"I heard you left your family due to circumstances — what a shame, Lucy."

At least she hadn't mentioned Ohan by name. The lady, having heard the word "noble," seemed to take an interest, her expression brightening.

"Mother, why on earth are you here?"

Damian asked in an irritable voice, as if he couldn't stand it.

"What's wrong with me visiting my son's workplace?"

"Yes, a lot is wrong. Don't you know the difference between public and private?"

"You kept ignoring my letters. Is writing one reply that hard?"

"It was probably another useless marriage talk. I have no intention. If you come barging in like this again, I'll have you thrown out."

Annie and I exchanged glances. We weren't sure if we should keep listening to this conversation.

"Of course, I don't intend to force you if you don't want to. But attend this party."

The lady pulled out an envelope with a red seal from her bejeweled bag.

"It's an invitation to high society that I went to great lengths to obtain. A party at a baron's estate three days from now. I'm attending, so I'd like you to come too."

"Why should I?"

"Then I won't bother you with these matters anymore."

"Really?"

"Instead, bring a partner. It'd look odd for just a mother and son at a party."

A partner — meaning to bring a woman, I suppose.

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