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~Oldham’s Perspective~
Around 7:00 p.m. on July 20, 317 in the Tria calendar.
The wedding banquet of Sir Roderick Lockhart and Lady Rosalind had ended without a hitch in the Great Hall, and a glamorous ball was about to begin.
The light music being played by the musicians was already playing, and it was pleasant to the ears of me, Ferdinand Oldham, who was in the office of my lord, His Excellency, Frontier Count Hubert Roswell. In the halls and courtyards, the young men must be fidgeting and restless, waiting for the opening. Thirty years ago, I would have been just as excited.
But that was a long time ago for me.
It is the habit of elders like us to be reserved for the young.
Now the young will be able to stretch their wings to their heart’s content. I never thought about it in the past, but as I get older, I see things this way.
We too can have fun. We can listen to music in the distance, sip liquor in another room, and reminisce about our youth.
Today, however, we are meeting someone with the lady of the house. It is not for a pleasant talk, but a discussion as part of the cleanup of the series of incidents. It is a blunt affair that has nothing to do with the glamorous ball held in the grand ballroom.
Perhaps because of this, His Excellency’s face was completely different from when he was at the banquet, and his expression was stern.
The man in front of us is forty-five years old like me, but he looks much younger. He is tall and has a face that could be described as handsome, and he looks more like a seasoned actor than a merchant who has represented the Merchant’s Guild.
However, despite the smile on his face, his hands were clenched and trembling, and sweat was floating on his forehead. Yes, he couldn’t hide the fact that he was nervous.
“…Aurella’s and the Merchant Guild’s opinion is…” (Donald)
His excellency has a quiet voice, making it difficult to hear, but the man in front of him, Donald Hutchings, Director of Foreign Affairs of the Merchant Guild, must heard like it was thunder.
“We have sent a messenger to my home country, but it is still early and there is no official response… However, as I said earlier, the Aurella City Government and the Merchant Guild have not responded to this series of disturbances. I was not involved. Therefore, we see no reason to assume responsibility. Of course, we offer our condolences to the knights who lost their lives, but we cannot be held responsible for any compensation…” (Donald)
“So, the Oulette Trading Company does not belong to the Merchant Guild. Is that the reason for your claim…” (Hubert)
His Excellency interrupted Hutchings, who suddenly became talkative.
Hutchings wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and resumed his plea.
“No, nothing like that. However, the Oulette Trading Company is certainly a company that belongs to the guild, but we are currently investigating the actual situation…” (Donald)
The Count slammed his fist on the table and threatened, saying, “Stop with the excuses!”
“I’ll ask again. The Oulette Trading Company… is part of Aurella’s Merchant Guild… Is that right?” (Hubert)
His Excellency puts emphasis on the words “Aurella” and “Merchant’s Guild”.
In response, Hutchings only nodded weakly, unable to speak.
“Then, Aurella’s… merchant aimed for my life, right?” (Hubert)
“Yes…” (Donald)
“We also have a witness named Harrison Gunnel, who is the perpetrator. We also have the Blood of Lucidus, which Lux uses. This drug has been traced back to Aurella. Even with all this evidence, you still insist that Aurela did not conspire with Lux?” (Hubert)
Hutchings can only groan and say, “Uh, no…” and is unable to refute.
His Excellency glared at Hutchings,
“Then, let’s me you a chance. If you say that Aurella is not colluding with Lux, then bring us proof.” (Hubert)
“Umm… when you say proof…” (Donald)
Hutchings looked troubled and was choosing his words how to get out of it. But the Count would have none of it.
“Bring me the merchant named Olaf Oullette! If Aurela is not involved, just have Ouellette himself testify that he is an agent of Lux!” (Hubert)
The Count was spoke more aggressively, glared daggers at him, and threatened.
“Oh, that’s…” (Donald)
“If you say you can’t do it, then I have to report to His Majesty that Aurella and Lux have joined forces and have pointed their blade against the Empire…” (Hubert)
At that, he was cut off from speaking,
“No, before that, you will have to pay for the death of my son, Patrick.” (Hubert)
When the Count said that a sinister blood-curdling smile was painted on his face.
After letting his gaze wander, Hutchings managed to form words.
“W-what do you mean by ‘pay’…? what are you thinking about, Your Excellency…” (Donald)
The Count remained silent in response to those words, his displeased expression unchanged.
And after about a minute,
“I intend to present His Majesty of the invasion of Aurella.” (Hubert)
Although Hutchings was surprised, he seemed to have expected it, and showed a slight glimpse of relief.
“I beg your pardon…” (Donald)
The Count must have seen Hutchings’ expression, and in order to catch Hutchings off guard, he continued in a whispher.
“I’m sure you’re thinking of doing something before His Majesty’s approval is granted, but I won’t give you that kind of time.” (Hubert)
Hutchings realizes that he has been seen through and hurriedly denies it.
“I would never do something like that…” (Donald)
“Only that there are things I can do. …What is it that makes Aurella so wealthy?” (Hubert)
Suddenly the conversation changes, and Hutchings can’t read what the Count is trying to say and can’t answer anything.
“Aurella isn’t the only one who owns a ship… My territory faces the sea. I’m sure there are many people who would be happy if I were to lend them a port…” (Hubert)
“Wh-what does His Excellency mean… ah! I-I see…” (Donald)
Hutchings understood what the Count was trying to say. He realized that Aurella’s wealth came from its monopoly on shipping, and that he was being blackmailed for it. He seemed to understand how dangerous it would be for his country to lease the port of the Frontier Count Roswell’s territory to Aurella’s rival, the island nation of Periplus.
Once he realized this, he was so appalled that he gasped. He was so flustered that he couldn’t even fix his expression.
“Let me tell you one more thing. Harrison Gunnel will be executed in five days, on the 25th. I will officially announce the involvement of Aurella’s Merchant Guild at that time…” (Hubert)
His Excellency stopped speaking and looked at Hutchings with a sharp gaze.
“…If you wish for me to say that Aurella is not involved, bring the proof by then. Bring Oullette here by the deadline!” (Hubert)
Hutchings couldn’t help but take a step back due to the Count’s force. However, he managed to open his mouth,
“That’s impossible, Your Excellency. Please give me more time…” (Donald)
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