ushernet Chapter 66.2
Chapter 66.2
“If you’re so confident, feel free to enter the north with just 19 mercenaries. But I can’t promise you’ll come out alive.”
The official’s blatant hint that they intended to rob the Imperial merchants was unmistakable.
At that point, the Imperial merchants realized that any further conversation would be meaningless.
“Do you think the North will get away with this?!”
“Oh my, has the North ever not gotten away with it?”
“If that’s how you want it, then northern merchants won’t be allowed to operate in the Empire either!”
“They haven’t been able to operate freely for a long time. They’ve only ever faced discrimination, contempt, and persecution.”
“We’ll petition the Imperial Court! We’ll demand the expulsion of all northerners from the Empire!”
“Go ahead, see how that works out for you. Who do you think will suffer more? If northern mercenaries and adventurers leave the Empire and head to the Kingdom Alliance instead, who do you think will profit from that?”
“Y-You...!!”
In the past, such threats from the North would have been met with laughter.
If anything, the Grand Duchy of the North’s bluffs would have been welcomed. After all, it meant they wouldn’t have to travel to the cold, harsh North.
But now, those same threats stung bitterly.
“What in the world is the Imperial Court doing?!”
“They gorge themselves on taxes and bribes, but they can’t even handle a bunch of northern savages?!”
“The Emperor’s health is failing, and invaders from the east and west are threatening the Empire. We can’t afford to make things worse by antagonizing the North.”
“Looks like the Crown Prince, who’s acting as regent, is still too inexperienced.”
“Shh! He’s the future Emperor!”
“Damn it...”
The frustration and dissatisfaction of the Imperial merchants continued to build until finally—
“I’ll go myself!”
A man stepped forward, representing the Imperial merchants.
“I’ll go alone, without an escort or any attendants! I’ll confront the Northerners and prove my sincerity!”
The man was none other than Entir Bishop, one of the great merchant lords of the Empire.
“Master Bishop, it’s too dangerous!”
“Without risk, there is no reward.”
“But if something happens to you, what will become of us?!”
“Then my in-laws will have a field day, I’m sure.”
“...Pardon?”
Despite the pleas of his subordinates, Entir set off for the North with a cold sneer.
Of course, in truth, he was practically dragged there by Balzac, but the public story was different.
***
Two months and fifteen days passed.
The season had shifted from early winter to late winter, according to the Empire’s calendar.
Most people had already assumed that Entir Bishop was dead.
The necklace allowed her to change her appearance at will, letting her move unnoticed.
Elisha von Havana, the Marchioness of Havana, was a Swordmaster known as the Flame Sword.
Carpe had crossed paths with Elisha many times while working in the southern and western parts of the Empire.
They weren’t particularly friendly — it was a purely professional, business-like relationship.
If anything, Carpe felt a sense of rivalry toward her.
“Ahem... By the way, Mercenary Queen...”
“Shh! You know I’m being hunted by the Dark Grand Duke, right?! Call me Phil!”
“Oh, right, right. My bad, Phil.”
“So, what do you want?”
“I heard you’re a master-level fighter, almost like a Swordmaster, right? How strong are you, really?”
“?”
At the sudden question, Carpe could immediately tell what Entir was getting at.
“Don’t worry. I can handle Elisha just fine. She’s too predictable in battle.”
“R-Really?!”
“Yeah. Not all Swordmasters are the same, you know.”
“What about the Dark Grand Duke?”
“That’s impossible. The moment I saw him at the Grand Wall, I knew it for sure. That man isn’t called the strongest in the Empire for no reason.”
“Ah... I see...”
“Why do you think I’m going through all this trouble to stay hidden?”
Carpe’s words made Entir feel like he was riding an emotional rollercoaster.
“But you probably don’t need to worry too much. Balzac... that old man is about as strong as the Dark Grand Duke. I could tell the moment I saw him at the High Tower.”
“Ohohoho!”
“Besides, the Dark Grand Duke is too busy to leave the wall just to kill a mere merchant. If a figure like that made a move, it would be impossible to hide.”
“Thank goodness... Thank the heavens...”
Feeling truly relieved, Entir let out a long, deep sigh.
“Ahem! It’s almost time to head to the outer district. Phil, get ready.”
“Alright. Dain, Hamel!”
“Yes, Captain! We’re ready!”
Two mercenaries with mismatched arms and legs responded.
They had lost their limbs at the Grand Wall, but had been given prosthetics at the High Tower.
“Alright, let’s head to the First Factory in the outer district.”
Carpe and her Red Wolf mercenaries surrounded Entir’s carriage like an iron wall as they moved.
By the way, all the horses they were riding had been “acquired” from the Grand Wall as “compensation.”
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