The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 111

Despite more than 10 people being gathered, the room was silent, without even a sound of breathing.

People sat around a large maple table, decorated with intricate but beautiful patterns and figures, the edges lined with gold.

Without any conversation, they each glared at their counterparts, repeatedly stealing glances at one individual seated at the head.

Rumble…!

In the midst of that suffocating silence, a thunderous sound echoed from the distant west, where Yazan and Souden people had arrived by ship.

It was as if it heralded the beginning of the war(?) between the two groups, the so-called ‘rivals of the soul’ of the Inner Sea, Yazan and Souden, who now sat across from each other in this very room.

‘Why the hell are those Yazan bastards here? And the leaders themselves? Did they get themselves into some trouble?’

‘Why did Souden’s old monsters come here? Could it be that they’ve caught wind of the latest specialty product? Damn it.’

Since neither side knew the exact reason why the other had come to the Si-on Duchy, their suspicions and wariness only deepened.

Si-on, who had been silently staring out the window at the gloomy gray sky, which looked like it would start raining any moment, finally spoke.

“The weather is really nice today, don’t you think?”

‘Is the current owner of the Hexagonal Seal insane?’

‘Didn’t they say the one who survived Flandre was a demon king? Maybe he misses the weather of the Demon Realm?’

The Yazan and Souden attendees chuckled awkwardly, hiding their thoughts that if he had truly said that, they would have praised it as a novel way to commit suicide.

“Indeed. On days like this, in Yazan, we sit on a terrace overlooking the sea, enjoying seafood and white wine.”

“That’s right. I have a villa by the Porta Cliffs. If you ever visit Yazan, I’d be happy to host you there….”

“Hmph. On days like this, pajeon and dongdongju are the best.”

“Sorry?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Ah… yes.”

The top leaders of Yazan, ranked 1st and 3rd in their business world, feeling slightly off-kilter from the mention of pajeon and dongdongju, grew dejected.

They had no idea what that was, but they felt like they had somehow missed the mark with the owner of the Hexagonal Seal.

As the Yazan representatives faltered from the outset, the long-time elites of Souden smirked inwardly and joined in the conversation.

“Since we began preparing for this meeting with the Si-on Ducal Family two weeks ago, up until today, we’ve hardly seen our subordinates awake in the evenings. Just like the strong winds beating against the windows outside right now, it reflects our sincere intentions towards Si-on and is truly the calm before the storm. The rain is about to pour upon us from all sides….”

“Stop.”

“Sorry?”

“I understand perfectly what you want to say, so it’s better if you stop now. I mean it, for Souden’s sake.”

“Ah, y-yes….”

Although the Souden elites were also dejected by not being able to deliver their prepared greeting in full, they should have been thankful.

Somewhere else in another world, someone who had said something similar had met a tragic, disastrous end.

“Shall we begin our discussion then?”

“Yes.”

Yazan and Souden’s representatives answered in unison, staring tensely at Si-on.

‘Is it him?’

‘Is that young man really the owner of the Hexagonal Seal?’

The top five merchants of Yazan swallowed nervously.

During their fathers’ and grandfathers’ generations, Yazan had faced its greatest crisis.

Not only had the first owner of the Hexagonal Seal played a decisive role in resolving that crisis, but he had also stabilized Yazan’s crumbling economy by purchasing shares in the merchant guilds at a critical time with his tremendous wealth.

At the time, those shares had been acquired at relatively low prices, but when combined, it was still an enormous sum.

Now, after Yazan had grown even more, that sum had swelled to astronomical levels.

‘But that can’t be all, surely.’

Back then, the first owner had bought up 30% to 49% of the shares of the six merchant guilds.

But was that really all?

If they assumed he had invested only half his wealth in Yazan at the time, just how much had his remaining assets grown by now?

Even without knowing the exact figure, it was certain that it was enough to shock Yazan, terrify Souden, and provoke jealousy from the Kingdom of Obla.

Even if all six of Yazan’s top guilds combined their assets, they wouldn’t be able to match his wealth.

‘Since he’s so young, he’ll probably hold onto those shares for several decades, won’t he?’

‘I need to find a way to forge a connection!’

‘Gasp! Did… did he just look at me? The largest shareholder looked at me!’

The merchant leaders felt (psychologically) their lower bodies grow damp with excitement.

Exquisite food? Stunning beauties?

None of that mattered.

For them, just one glance or word from this young, powerful majority shareholder was far more precious.

‘Is that person really the “Demon King”?’

‘Could he be planning to bring up that matter here?’

‘If he’s truly the Demon King, it’s entirely possible.’

The Souden elites were too petrified to even breathe properly, staring anxiously at the “Demon King” seated at the head.

In fact, during their voyage to Si-on Duchy, they had momentarily relaxed.

Everyone was over fifty, and the long sea voyage had been exhausting and irritating.

But their brief moment of ease was shattered the moment they reached the port of Sionia, after passing through Paloma.

It wasn’t just the people of Si-on Duchy who greeted them at the port.

More than 100 black coffins awaited them.

The coffins of knights and mercenaries, who had been annihilated, or rather, utterly massacred, after foolishly attempting to cover up the absurd atrocities committed by Zaitz Garen.

Upon seeing those coffins, the Souden elites’ slightly hunched backs straightened, and they experienced the shocking sensation of their weakened prostates trembling.

They were starkly reminded that they too could end up inside one of those black coffins.

And now, seated before them was the “Demon King” who had played a key role in creating that procession of coffins.

He sat there, talking about how ‘the weather is nice,’ delivering a Demon King’s warning as if the ominous atmosphere outside wasn’t indication enough of the coming storm.

Thus, the elite and rival powers of Yazan and Souden, representing the Inner Sea, sat watching Si-on, waiting for him to speak.

Swish.

Si-on suddenly stood up from his chair.

‘Huh?’

‘What?’

Looking at the startled and confused attendees, Si-on smiled.

“Wouldn’t it be better to save the most important matters for last? Since this is our first meeting, discussing heavy topics right away might make things uncomfortable.”

“……!”

Both Yazan’s merchant leaders and Souden’s elites realized it at the same time.

‘A warning?’

‘This is a warning. If we don’t handle the negotiations properly, the most important issue at the end could fall apart!’

They weren’t individuals who had practically dominated the port cities through their card games and negotiations for nothing; they immediately grasped the situation.

And then—

Step, step, step.

Two figures, one large and one small, began walking towards the majority shareholder, the “Demon King.”

“These men are Hender, Yonas Hender of the Si-on Duchy, and Sminov, the Mine Master of the Cheolsan Dwarves.”

Yonas and Sminov lightly bowed as they stood beside Si-on, causing both the Yazan and Souden attendees to swallow nervously.

“For those from Yazan, you should begin by discussing new product contracts with Mr. Sminov. Meanwhile, for the distinguished guests from Souden, I suggest having a deep conversation with Yonas Hender about that matter.”

“Ugh!”

“Mm!”

If this world were similar to martial arts stories, they might have called this maneuver Yang Eui Sim Gong.

It had been a lengthy conversation, but with a single sentence, Si-on had delivered a blow packed with profound internal energy, causing Yazan and Souden’s elites to suffer internal injuries and groan.

For Yazan, it was the “new products.” For Souden, it was “that matter”—both were critical weaknesses at this very moment.

And of course, if one was a martial arts master at the level of Hyun-gyeong (the mysterious state of transcendence), they would show magnanimity, thinking, *Hmm, I’ll yield for three seconds.*

But not Si-on.

He had instantly struck them with his signature move, leaving them in a half-dead state, before sending out his subordinates to finish the job.

‘As expected of the owner of the Bloody Hexagram!’

‘He truly is a Demon King.’

Yazan’s merchant leaders and Souden’s elites trembled in fear as they gazed at the cold-hearted “Demon King,” who had relentlessly oppressed them.

“Now, gentlemen from Souden, please follow me. This place seems a bit unsuitable, so I’ve prepared a separate room for us. After all, wouldn’t it be better for you to have a private conversation somewhere no one can overhear you?”

“Kuh!”

Yonas, with a wicked grin that concealed a poisoned dagger, led the Souden elites, who followed him with faces as pale as death, having already been struck down by the Demon King and now suffering further at his subordinate’s hands.

“Hahaha. As expected from Yazan, your attire exudes the aura of gold. Gentlemen, please follow me. I’ve prepared a few samples for you. Of course, they’re not free, since it’s an auction. Haha.”

“Ugh!?”

To be able to treat the dwarf Mine Master, someone who wouldn’t easily bow to anyone, as if he were a personal servant—just what kind of authority did the owner of the Hexagonal Seal possess!?

Yazan’s top five merchant leaders had no choice but to follow the dwarf, who was auctioning off samples that should have been free, as though they were helpless ducks trailing behind.

Watching this scene, the old monster, who ceaselessly thought of the (Si-on Duchy’s) peace and safety, smiled in satisfaction.

‘They’ll have to be thoroughly drained. Only then will they be able to obtain what they truly want.’

After all, this was a “negotiation” where each side gave and received what they wanted.

Absolutely no power play was involved.

If it seemed otherwise, it was purely a misunderstanding.

“Now then, should I get ready to greet my next guest?”

To Si-on, Yazan and Souden were small fry. Whatever they thought, it didn’t matter.

For Si-on, the most important thing right now was—

“Which one will come in person first? I suppose it will be you, the more perceptive one.”

As the satisfied smile vanished from his face, leaving behind a calm expression, two names came to Si-on’s mind.

Duke Lloyd and Earl Rundel.

One of them wanted to be the true king, while the other wanted to set up a puppet king and rule as the real power behind the throne.

They were the power players of the Kingdom of Obla.