"High-quality gems? From the Volcania mines?"
Gambard, president of Gambard Trading, couldn't believe his ears.
That area produced plenty of high-quality magic stones, but it wasn't supposed to yield gems in any significant quantity, and whatever was found was never anything impressive.
However, the turquoise his subordinate had brought as proof of the report was unmistakably imbued with magic, displaying a translucent blue far more vivid than ordinary turquoise.
It held more than enough magic power—more than a mediocre magic stone, in fact—so it would work beautifully as material for high-end magical tools.
"With this, we can provide compensation to the bereaved families of the lost expedition team. That's a relief for now."
"Indeed, Father. But we can't let our guard down—not knowing what Grandol might do."
His daughter Meiren's concern was entirely valid. The problem was that Grandol Jewelry Trading had backers far too powerful.
They knew Grandol employed rather underhanded methods, but pushing back even slightly could give them the excuse to crush their entire operation outright. There was simply no way to avoid being put on the defensive.
He wanted to protect his daughter and his employees, if nothing else… but…
◇◇◇
"Just which lowlife is getting in my way?!"
Grandol, president of Grandol Jewelry Trading, was fuming.
The costly scheme to seize control of the mine.
On the surface, it had supposedly been resolved by Viscount Douglas's knight order.
Douglas had already been purged by Leticia, who couldn't stand incompetence—but that hadn't solved the underlying problem at all.
The truth remained unknown, and the money was nowhere close to being recovered.
"I hired the Information Guild to investigate, but all I get back is 'under investigation,' 'status unknown,' and 'send more advance payment'—nothing but absurd answers!"
Just thinking about it was enough to make his blood boil.
"Those adventurers who gobbled up the gems — I commissioned the Assassination Guild to take back what they stole! I told them money was no object! And they still refused the job! Are those supposed to be professionals? What a bunch of trash!"
Don't you people know who stands behind me!
I am the cold and merciless Crimson Empress Leticia — a mere Dark Guild is something I can crush whenever I please!
◇◇◇
Several days later, another piece of dire news arrived from a subordinate.
The subordinate hastily slipped out of the room before Grandal could unleash his fury on him.
"Gems were found in Forcania's mines...? Don't tell me Gambard beat me to it!"
Could this mean that Gambard had already tracked down the true culprit who slew the Jewel Beast released in the mines?
If so, he could expose the evidence from the mines and turn public opinion against us.
"Damn it — after spending years prying that business away from Gambard, it could all be snatched back just like that!"
Baseless anxieties continued to swell in his mind.
No, no — he was letting fear get the better of himself. He needed to calm down.
Up until now, he had planted spies inside the Gambard Trading Company, had them stir up incidents, and then swooped in to buy out the affected business lines.
The costs were recouped by raising prices on goods.
A portion of those profits was sent as bribes to Leticia's faction, and anyone who tried to investigate the incidents simply vanished into the dark.
"Isn't this a magnificent cycle? The one who created this cycle is the true winner! Integrity doesn't put money in your pocket!"
There — he had calmed down.
There was no one else in the room, but speaking aloud like this always helped clear his head.
He had been squeezing Gambard dry, little by little, for years.
And then he had driven the Gambard Trading Company from its position as the nation's foremost merchant house.
It's come to this—no need to drag things out any further.
I'll just destroy Gambard directly.
One more move and it's over.
"Even if I assassinate them, Lady Letitia will cover for me! There's no problem at all!"
"A goblin borrowing the dragon's authority, hm?"
◇◇◇◇◇◇
I kind of want a four-character title abbreviation.
I thought about things like "Hazuriba" or "Reverse," but with those you can't really tell what the content is...
Skills: [Reverse][Divine Eye][Sword God][Fist God][Spear God][Blazing Magic][Freezing Ice Magic][Clear Storm Magic][Rock-Iron Magic][Holy Magic][Dark Magic][Space-Time Magic][Thunder God Sword][Gentleman Thief][Ninja Master][Seeker of Truth][Inhuman Powers][Fleet Foot][Pain Relief][Complete Status Ailment Resistance][Dark Spirit's Protection][Super Intuition][Heaven's Gate][Abyssal Contractee][Magic Hand][Treasure Search][Seduction][Incitement][Eloquence][Great Luck][Tenfold Growth Speed][Limit Breakthrough]
Rank: Orichalcum
Thank you for reading!