“Haahh…”
Bertina gazed at the panoramic view outside the window, letting out a heavy sigh.
The sun was setting, casting a beautiful night view of Benessa. However, the sight did little to ease Bertina’s troubled heart.
“If this happens… is there no way after all?”
Ultimatums loomed behind her, containing information about purchasing spices at 30 talets per box.
Despite mobilizing all her personal connections to overturn the situation, the result fell short of the expected value by less than half.
‘I underestimated my opponent. Despite becoming a scarecrow, the Merchant Alliance boasts decades of history and connections. Their influence beyond the Holy Empire cannot be ignored…’
The realization left Bertina feeling helpless. But, she couldn’t afford to just sit idly.
Although not the substantial gains anticipated, the deal had to proceed to cover dividends and immediate travel expenses for investors. Yet, it would leave little for the Uranus Merchant Company compared to the year-long effort.
‘Moreover, if things continue like this, our Uranus Merchant Company’s credit for Eastern trade will decrease. It will be even more challenging to gather investors.’
Calculating the painful losses, both visible and invisible, Bertina sat in her seat, resigned.
“Bring me a pen and paper… the deal has to go through.” Bertina spoke in a voice filled with deep sadness.
“Lasy Bertina…” Witnessing her master’s distress, Tilda felt powerless to help.
At that moment, a loud noise interrupted the atmosphere.
Thhudd!
“Bertina!” Bahamut burst in with a bright expression.
Observing Bahamut’s upbeat demeanor in the gloom, Tilda felt an inexplicable desire to say something to him.
But, before she could, Bahamut did something unexpected—he embraced Bertina naturally.
“Is everything…alright?” Startled, Tilda turned her head away.
Ignoring Tilda, Bahamut held Bertina’s shoulders and spoke, “Bertina… I’ll ask you one thing. Do you trust me?”
“Yes? But what do you mean…”
“It means, will you trust me no matter what I do from now on?”
“Yes…”
Bertina sensed something in Bahamut’s face. Feeling a certain determination, she nodded heavily.
“Yes, I believe. I, Bertina, will trust in my Master, Bahamut, no matter what he does.”
Bertina spoke in a determined voice.
Bahamut’s face lit up with joy and relief, “Thanks. From now on, all you have to do is trust me like that. Understand?”
“Ah…I see…but, what the hell is going on? I was just thinking of selling the trade goods at a cheap price, but…”
“There is no need for that.” Bahamut spoke with a resolute voice.
“Yes?”
Questions arose on Bertina’s face, and Bahamut clarified.
No, he gave an order.
***
A bright smile appeared on the lips of the Merchant Alliance members as they confirmed the final letter of communication sent to Bertina by the merchants in collusion with them.
“Ha ha ha! So, 30 talets per box? Isn’t this dirt cheap? If the price is lower than 30% of the market price, won’t this upset those at Uranus quite a lot?”
“It went very well. With this, we will be able to regain all the commercial rights of the Empire that was taken away sooner or later.”
“No matter what. It was all originally ours! It’s all over now for Bertina, that b1tch!”
Confident of their victory, the members were genuinely delighted with the current situation.
In fact, if the venture, which started on the basis of a large-scale investment, went awry, the biggest damage would be done to the small and medium-sized merchants of the Holy Empire.
As they owned 60% of the total stake, the decrease in profits meant that all the small and medium-sized merchants of the Holy Empire would lose their profits.
But the Merchant Alliance members didn’t care about that fact.
They just wanted to defeat the Uranus Merchant Company and regain control of the Holy Empire.
The interests of the Empire as a whole were not a consideration for them, even if it meant that they would be cutting their own flesh in the long run.
Goblin: I have been sick for the past three days, so I couldn’t post any chapters. I’m feeling a bit better, so I will be posting the chapter today. Hope you understand.
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The investiment is 60% for uranus and 37% for berden, this means that together they hold 97%. Just buy the other 3% share and hold it until the price go up again.