The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 110

“At the end of each month, Big Fang will drive monsters into the designated hunting grounds. For the time being, we’ll send veterans, divided by company, to hunt, and three months from now, about 20% of the deployed forces will be trainees. They also need to slowly experience real combat.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Also, outside of the designated hunting grounds, an elite reconnaissance team, made up of the best veterans among the Peregrine Division, will patrol.

The Elf Rangers of the Northern, Gosan, and Southern Mountains will cooperate, so we should be well-prepared to handle any unexpected situations.”

“I-I see.”

“Right. In any case, we’ll gather a large number of monster by-products from the regular hunts at the end of each month, and the reconnaissance team will also collect by-products from time to time.

Though it won’t match what we got during the Rozin incident, we should still be able to secure at least half of that amount each month. Vodka, how much revenue do you think that will bring in?”

“P-Please wait a moment.”

Sminov quickly pulled out the portable abacus he always carried and flicked it, his eyes widening in disbelief as he spoke with a trembling voice.

“Even if we just process and sell it, we’ll earn more than 1 million Dien a month… and if we use it to make weapons or goods… w-we’ll bring in 5 to 6 million Dien in sales each month.”

“So… in a year… at least 60 million… Hiiik!”

Yonas gasped in shock.

Though it was something to be happy about, the sheer amount of money far exceeded his expectations, causing his mind to freeze momentarily.

However, the ancient monster, who was confident that his financial power, while not on par with his combat prowess, still ranked in the top 10 of this world, simply chuckled.

“Why are you so shocked by such a small amount? We’ll be bleeding Pamel County dry, and we’ll also squeeze Yazan. If Blaho handles things well, we could even drain Souden too.

If that happens, our annual revenue might exceed 100 million Dien.”

“Kuh!”

The reverence Yonas had for the Founding Patriarch, which had slightly waned due to recent feelings of betrayal, broke through all limits, leaving him utterly dumbfounded once again.

As another two weeks passed, two foreign delegations, both merchants and envoys, arrived at the capital of the Si-on Duchy, Sionia, one day apart.

They were from Yazan and Souden, famous rivals within the Inner Sea.

* * *

“Si-on Duchy? Where is that again?”

“Oh, you know, it’s the estate founded by Duke Jang Si-on, one of the Heroes from the Dark Dragon War. It’s that place where the Elves and Dwarves flocked.”

“Ah, that backwater place. But why are we talking about it?”

“I heard the young heir of the Spio Trading Company, Belin, had some big business there, but ended up returning after getting thoroughly crushed.”

Clicking tongue.
“Those rookies, I swear.”

“That’s what happens when they’re still green. So, how much did they lose?”

“About 200 mercenaries died, and they lost two or three ships. On top of that, they got entangled with some knight acting as Hender’s representative and had to cough up more than 10 million Dien.”

“Oh no! They’re ruined!”

“Hah! Should we take this opportunity to snatch up some shares in the Spio Trading Company? It’s a good chance, isn’t it?”

“Hmm. If they need to pay more than 10 million Dien, selling ships won’t be enough. They might have to give up some shares, so it’s a good opportunity.”

“Yeah, it is. But… something strange has been coming out of the Spio Trading Company recently.”

“Something strange?”

“Yes. I have no idea what it means, but… they’ve been mentioning something about a Hexagonal… Seal? Something like a Bloody Hexagram…”

“Kyaaaaah!”

“A carriage! Get me a carriage! No! Bring me the fastest horse!”

The power brokers and upper echelons of Yazan, who had already taken blows to both cheeks and had their scalps ripped off by one greedy ancient monster, even lost their internal organs.

Yet, they still had to grovel and thank him for sparing their lives.

At first, they ridiculed Belin and Miuran for coming back from the Si-on Duchy after getting thrashed and signing a predatory contract.

They were eager to see what the Spio Trading Company would give up in compensation, and how to capitalize on the situation by purchasing something that would make them seem like shrewd shoppers.

However, as soon as the word “Hexagonal Seal” was whispered among the upper echelon, the situation changed dramatically.

Those who had mocked them, and those who were excited about a large shopping spree, recoiled in shock and collapsed into a panic, foaming at the mouth as they rushed to the Spio Trading Company.

The Hexagonal Seal, also known as the Bloody Hexagram, was the most notorious and dangerous artifact of Yazan.

They had to confirm if it had really appeared and who the owner was.

Why?

Because even the most powerful figures in Yazan, who had lived like kings for generations, were mere “employees” in front of the Hexagonal Seal.

How could they possibly maintain their arrogant airs as the power players of Yazan in front of a shareholder?

This wasn’t just about any one or two trading companies.

The holder of the Hexagonal Seal owned between 30% and 49% of the shares in all the top six trading companies in Yazan, a port city ranked among the top three of the Inner Sea’s economic giants!

The heads of the top five companies in Yazan’s economic hierarchy—Spio being ranked sixth—rushed to the Spio Trading Company in a frenzy.

However, when they arrived, the subject of the rumors, Belin, was greeted with a message.

“You’re not welcome. The owner of the Hexagonal Seal has decided to trade exclusively with the Spio Trading Company.”

“Kyaaah!”

They couldn’t even meet Belin.

Having been thoroughly beaten in the Si-on Duchy and bound by a predatory contract, Belin had decided to unleash his frustration on Yazan.

“P-Please! At least tell us who the owner is! You mentioned the Si-on Duchy… What’s the relationship between the owner of the Hexagonal Seal and the Si-on Duchy…?”

“That’s for you to find out. We’re busy preparing to receive the newest special product from the Si-on Duchy.”

“Newest special product!? What is it? At least tell me what it is!”

Despite being the top power players and elite of Yazan, they now looked pitiful, ready to beg for answers, as they understood the consequences.

Because they were merchants.

The greatest fear for a merchant was not a lord with a sword or a knight, but someone who could manipulate money, checks, and shares.

And now, the owner of the Hexagonal Seal, someone who could strip them down to their underwear if they wished, was selling something that the Spio Trading Company proudly called a “newest special product”?

“We have to find out. No matter what, we must find out.”

With eyes burning with desire (or perhaps desperation), they looked at Miuran, Belin’s lover and former pirate leader, who came out in place of Belin, grinning and baring his teeth.

“It’s over a ton of various by-products from medium-sized monsters, as well as weapons and accessories made from them. For now, we’ve signed an exclusive contract with the Spio Trading Company.”

“Guh! K-Kuh!”

The greed-driven owners of Yazan’s top trading companies coughed up blood.

But even with internal injuries, they didn’t give up.

“I-I heard you damaged some ships and took losses, right? Our company has a few spare ships…”

“Ha! Didn’t you just brag to me yesterday about focusing on the southern Inner Sea?”

“Hey, Miuran. I’ll rent you three—no, five ships at half the normal price. Ah! What the heck, I’ll give you a discount and only take 10%. Just let me tag along.”

“Just slip our company’s name into the list! Please?”

“I don’t need anything! Just let me tag along as an attendant, and I’ll cover half the costs to reach the Si-on Duchy!”

“No, let me go first!”

“Our company will!”

“Ugah! Ugah!”

“Kyaaah! Kyaah!”

The owners of the top five companies in Yazan’s economic hierarchy (Spio was ranked sixth) threw themselves at him like a horde of crazy monkeys.

Satisfied by the rare spectacle, Belin finally made an appearance, and the situation was barely resolved when he agreed to take them along as “attendants.”

That was what had happened two weeks ago in Yazan.

Meanwhile, at the harbor city of Souden in the Garen Count’s estate…

“…”

“…”

Unlike Belin, who was a part of the city’s ruling elite, the agent representing the city itself had caused such an immense scandal that everyone was left speechless and in shock.

Moreover…

“The demands of the Si-on Duchy are simple. In exchange for burying this disastrous affair, we request five medium-sized galleys, three sailboats, and ten shipbuilders who have worked in Souden’s primary dockyard for over 10 years.

We also demand that you immediately pay 10 kilograms of gold and 300 kilograms of silver, or their equivalent in certified currency, to Lady Stella Gosan and her tribe as compensation for the mental and physical harm they suffered.”

It wasn’t just anyone. The messenger was none other than Viscount Jorden Blaho of the Si-on Duchy, a Swordmaster renowned not only in Souden but even in the Kingdom of Guslander.

He arrived with the ‘fiancé’ of the attempted rape victim—a tall Elf knight—and around ten knights, each clearly skilled enough to handle themselves.

He even gave off an air that suggested he was ready to draw his sword in the middle of the city if things didn’t go his way.

So, no matter how deeply entrenched the ruling elite of Souden had been for generations, there was only one option left to them.

“W-We will comply!”

Had Blaho and the elite Peregrine Division escorts from Si-on Duchy arrived in Souden three or four days earlier, the entrenched elites might have just scoffed.

They might have even ordered all the city’s knights and guards to subdue them, Swordmaster or not.

However…

Just a few days before Blaho and his group arrived with the survivors, including Zaitz and Pedro, some news had reached the Garen Count’s estate and the Kingdom of Guslander.

The news that the Pamel County had been utterly destroyed by the Si-on Duchy’s army of over 1,000 troops (even though there hadn’t actually been a battle)…

And that two fiefdoms in the Kingdom of Obla, which had poked their heads in to gather up crumbs from the aftermath, had been turned to ashes (though in reality, one voluntarily surrendered and the other only had its lord replaced).

The mere fact that they had gathered troops and marched into another duchy without permission (even Zaitz’s trusted Crown Prince Philon had cut ties with them) was enough to ruin not just Souden but the entire Garen Count’s family.

And to top it off, the Count’s son and knights had attempted rape, only to be caught.

The direct heirs of the family had been beaten so badly they were left half-dead?

On top of that, not only were the rapists punished, but the other knights and soldiers who tried to cover up the crime by attempting to seize the castle were all killed?

Compared to this scandal being exposed to the whole world, and the Si-on Duchy potentially marching an army of over 1,000 soldiers toward Souden, the demands made by the Si-on Duchy were honestly nothing—absolutely nothing.

The very survival of Souden and the Garen Count’s estate was at stake!

And so, the entrenched elites of Souden complied with all of Blaho’s demands on behalf of the Si-on Duchy.

Additionally, they decided to keep this entire matter a secret, only informing the Count and his heir.

That way, the Count himself could feel the same fear and overwhelming stress they had felt.

For that reason, the elites of Souden also made their way to Sionia, bringing along the ships and shipbuilders that Si-on had requested.

And there, the two culprits (who also happened to be the Si-on Duchy’s prized customers) came face to face with their respective rivals.

‘Hey, by any chance, you too? Ah, me too!’

‘Huh? Not me.’

One group felt sympathy for each other’s circumstances, while the other side eyed their long-time rival with suspicion and wariness as they entered the Twin-Headed Eagle Castle.

Awaiting them there was…

“Welcome, everyone. It’s a perfect day for negotiation and trade, don’t you think?”

A man, who was clearly young and handsome yet had a strangely eerie gaze and smile, stood before them.

He was the former Duke, now serving as an instructor for the Peregrine Division—an immortal ancient monster.