Chapter 68 – 6. New Family (8)
It was early evening and incremental weather.
The heavy snowfall showed signs of continuing for quite some time. It was nothing new in the North. It’s like the ever-repeating winter showers. Because of this, the people of the frozen land prepared for the severe cold as always, regardless.
“Chief Temur.”
“Mrs. Lemoyn.”
The border fort’s reception room, which had rarely been used, had already received a second guest today. Contrary to his young age, he was Temur, an unbreakable man with rugged muscles like a warrior who had gone through all sorts of battles.
“Tomorrow at noon there will be a formal signing of our alliance. The king’s representative, the courtier Vincent Renoir, was also promised to attend and honor the event. It ended with His Majesty also making a statement to encourage this treaty later.”
“It was a really long feud. The end of the frozen land and the great snowfield will finally come to an end.”
“It’s all thanks to the chief’s decision. It wouldn’t have been easy to trust us despite the atrocities committed by the vice-count and the four barons. I want to express my gratitude, both publicly and privately.”
“It was what this body was supposed to do. And it’s embarrassing to say that it’s all my credit. The trigger was always when Romuald of Dior enlightened me.”
Sitting at a table facing each other, the two chairs exchanged blessings. Certainly, for them, Rom’s presence was a blessing. If it weren’t for him, Temur, who forced himself into an army, would have faced a backlash, and Oriane, who was stabbed in the back by the vice-count, would not have been able to get out of the crisis.
“Now he too has become a baron.”
“Exactly?”
“Yes, because His Majesty gave Sir Dior permission to open a new family line along with the title.”
Temur looked genuinely happy. Because he was such a heavy man, his expression was only slightly relaxed, but those who knew the Unbreakable Man of the Great Snowfield could easily see that it was a huge compliment.
“Good. The future of our alliance is very bright.”
“The baron asked me to say my regards. Since the incident happened so suddenly, there are many schedules to deal with. I said I was sorry I couldn’t shine his face. Instead, he said he would definitely attend the signing ceremony tomorrow.”
“I understand. And it’s not that he doesn’t know the heart of his wife who trusts him, but it’s not the law that such a secret agreement should be made quietly behind the scenes. The fewer people there are, the better.”
Oriane agreed. As Temur said, this place is a secret place. Wasn’t it for today that we had discussed various pending issues over the past few days in order to finalize the contents ahead of the signing ceremony of the royal family official?
“Thanks to central support, our financial situation has improved a lot. Therefore, the investment cost for pioneering the snowfield trade route, which was supposed to be borne by the Camag side, is also borne by this side.”
“What is the price?”
“First of all, I would like to hire warriors from the Camag side as workers when organizing the trade group. Those who survived the extreme cold of the far north would definitely be of great help in pioneering. It is safe even if you encounter a wild beast or a group of bandits.”
“Among the eight tribes under my command, there are those who were nomadic in the most north. All of them are shamans who can communicate with the spirits. I will send Dokdo and Sorgal, who is good at commanding, with them. And also a handyman.”
The warriors of Camag, famous for their strong bones, are perfect for carrying their burdens. Those who know how to deal with the spirits will be able to read the climate and find the best route, and Sorgal, who is closest to the chieftain, will be of great help in reading the map or controlling them.
“Like. That’s all we need to ask for further. Rom wants you, as Chieftain, to unite the rest of the tribes that have not yet been united in the long run. After the pioneering was successful, he revealed that he was willing to apply for it.”
“Insisting on the easy way sometimes makes a person weak. Thank you for your consideration. However, the great unification of the snow fields is the fate of each individual. Please tell him that he will only be grateful.”
“I thought you would say that. I’m sure Rom didn’t mean to question the chieftain’s ability. It’s just that there is such a way, so he must have sent his own encouragement to reassure me.”
Temur shook his head. In fact, he also guessed to some extent.
“If he is a Limousin hero, he deserves it.”
As a warrior, he felt a sense of kinship with him. He didn’t seem like someone who would be so thoughtless to commit rudeness. Sympathy for a friend can sometimes be an insult. Even if it stems from warmth.
“However, what we really want to ask for is something only Lemoang can help, rather than aid for internal affairs. I also have nothing else to add other than these conditions.”
“You mean that only Lemoang can help?”
“If the trade succeeds and it is time to distribute each person’s share, I don’t know how much it will be, but please use it to find the compatriots who have been sold. If it is already dead and gone, I earnestly ask for news of it.”
“You mean the tribesmen sold out by Kovin’s gang…”
“Can you imagine the pain of those who wait and struggle without knowing whether their loved ones are alive or dead? That was enough for the reason that Tamir’s firstborn son had to become an unbreakable man. Among them was his sister.”
Oriane lowered her gaze slightly. Because of guilt. After all, the rebellion of her vice-count and four barons was caused by her immorality of her. At least that’s how I recall myself.
“I see what you mean. I promise to help as far as I can.”
“Then we have no more disagreements.”
The two people who had reached an agreement each took a copy of the document that was neatly placed on the table. As it was, I picked up the writing instrument placed in front of me and signed with a single stroke. The documents that cannot be counterfeited with special magic will serve as the foundation for peace in the frozen land and the great snowfield from today.
Finally, the North is ready for revival.
* * *
Lemoang Citadel, at the entrance to the village.
Most of the shops on the street were closed. It was because it was a dull day, so there was no reason to continue the business. It’s not like you have to close your business just because there’s a snowstorm, but there aren’t any movies that you can enjoy while enduring the snowstorm.
“I seem to see you often these days, Mr. Poincare.”
Fortunately, there was a cafe that was still lit on the way to the square. Rarely seen in the barren northern part of the country, this store was built with the investment of the Marquis Baekryeong’s society, so it was a very suitable place to have a conversation when it was difficult to use the reception room of the fortress.
“Sir Dior, it is a great honor to have you at our Café Montnoir today.”
“It’s cold, so why are you out there?”
“I was thinking about how to meet you, wondering if you might have lost your way.”
Rom laughed. The one waiting for me under the old tent was Marcel Poincaré of the Lucerne store. Unlike before, he became very compliant and did not show any signs of discomfort at the sudden call. Rather, he lowered his posture and opened the door first.
“Last time I owed a little money. My wife was very worried about her daughter her, so she asked me to trust her. After all, a man of that position must have some means of defending himself.”
“How could an outsider like me intervene in a matter approved by Madame Lemoang?”
“Fortunately, it didn’t seem like it was intended to be used where it would be a big problem. It seemed to be a simple household expense, so I reported it to my wife as well. I hope Mr. Poincaré will cooperate as well.”
“You mean this, please don’t worry.”
Marcel shook his head. Eventually, the two climbed the stairs of the cafe and entered a secret room on the second floor. It was not Havre or Saint-Buch, but it was a place so luxurious that it was hard to imagine being in a small village in the castle.
It had to be. As far as Rome knew, Café Montnoir was a place where all the important officials of the Lucerne Chamber, the Brullin Merchants Association, and the Britannia Trading Company gathered and colluded. Sometimes, it was also a place where aristocrats or knights were rented out when gambling.
“I’ve heard rumors, but it’s more glamorous than I thought.”
“Haha, this is embarrassing…”
“Does your husband call you often?”
“Every time Kobin and his gang visited, they looked for a woman. We had to send someone to Havre because there were no women in the castle town who were engaged in that kind of work.”
“You don’t have a pimp.”
Charreuk! Rom, who was sarcastic with a sullen expression, removed the curtain from the guest room. He made eye contact with those standing in front of an angular table in a dark room and called each one by name.
“I see everyone is here.”
“Welcome, Sir Dior.”
First, the bald middle-aged man on the left.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Bank.”
Eugen Bank, manager of the Northern Gaul branch of the Bruhlin Mercantile Guild.
“Were you uncomfortable on the way there?”
Next, the white-haired old man on the right.
“And Mr. Gillen.”
Thomas Gillen, the Gallic branch manager of the Britannia Trading Company.
“I have a nice bottle of wine, can I treat you to it?”
“A glass of water, please.”
“Hehe, Eugen has gone too far. Even this old man is thrilled to have received the best knight in Gaul twice already.”
A feast of flattery ensued. Still, Rom sat at the top of the table with an arrogant demeanor. Just because my permission wasn’t given, he looked around at the three people who weren’t seated and said calmly.
“Sit. It took a lot of work for people who were busy with construction to come with their busy bodies in this weather.”
No matter how noble they were, they were powerful men in their own way in the north. However, the knight who was not at all afraid of the money suggested that I had the initiative. The moment he showed even the slightest gap, he showed skillful training against a group of biting seungnyang.
“It’s not a time to sit down and enjoy refreshments, so let’s hurry up.”
“… What are you talking about?”
The night was slowly approaching. After this, Rome, who had a schedule to digest, took the easy and fast route against the giants of the upper world so that he would not have to weigh it properly.
“I want to have the monopoly of liquor distribution in the Marquis, Behemoth.”
For a moment, the three people, who were stunned, only looked at each other’s faces.
“Isn’t it?”
Their minds were thrown into confusion at the suggestion that came in without warning.
“I want to win the right to bid for road construction in Marquis Baekryung, hands.”
The three people, still unable to comprehend the situation, opened their mouths with dumbfounded faces.
“Don’t you have this too?”
And the last third.
“Then I want to consign management of a gambling house that was opened as a Margrave official, a giant.”
Only then did those who came back to their senses spatter and shout almost simultaneously.
“B, Britannia Trading Co. Behemoth!”
“What are you talking about! The Brulin Commercial Guild raises its hands first!”
“Lue, the Lucerne Chamber of Commerce must work at a lower level than those two call!”
There was no mess.
