Chapter 80

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 80

Chapter Title: The Neglected Heart and Flowing Emotions (2)

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“I want information. Exclusive rights to all the information handled by the Karan Merchant Group.”

Nelli laughed.

“Did you hear from Sir Chetek that I’m an information broker? Then didn’t he tell you how valuable my information is?”

“He did. That’s why I showed it to you, the leader. What I can provide. How valuable I am.”

“Ah, of course that tank is attractive. I really like it. I want it badly. But it’s not worth more than exclusive access to my information. How much do you think my intel sells for?”

Despite the blunt rebuff, Roxiana’s expression didn’t change. She kept her smile as she gazed at Nelli and spoke.

“Do you know Teahouse Forget-Me-Not?”

“Is there anyone in Selshar these days who hasn’t heard of Forget-Me-Not? Their drinks are out of this world. I drop by whenever I’m worn out…”

Nelli trailed off and studied Roxiana’s face carefully before asking cautiously.

“No way… are you the master of Forget-Me-Not too?”

“Yes.”

“Then those drinks…”

“I made them.”

“No way! What’s your real deal? How can you whip up something like that tank and those drinks? Got divine power or what?”

“That’s not for you to know, leader. Forget-Me-Not’s getting buzz now, and folks will flock to Torkan just for it. But some can’t make the trip.”

“You’ll deliver Forget-Me-Not drinks to them?”

“What do you think? Still see my value as small?”

Nelli’s mind raced. Exclusive rights to the mysterious tank and those divine drinks—it was a deal too juicy to ignore.

But she was a merchant through and through; she couldn’t cave that easily. Nelli wasn’t about to let her continent-wide network get undervalued.

“Sure, it’s impressive, but even so…”

“Then we’re done here.”

Roxiana cut her off and stood. Nelli shot to her feet in alarm.

“What’re you doing?”

“I could ask you the same.”

Roxiana braced one hand on the desk and locked eyes with Nelli.

“I laid out the absolute most I can offer, straight up. But you’re still haggling. I need someone trustworthy to partner with—not a calculator trying to squeeze every last drop.”

“…”

“Most merchant groups dabble in info too. Dangle just one of my offers, and they’d go all-in for me. I pick one, get my intel, done.”

“Hold on…”

“Here’s a promise: I’ll grow any group you name bigger than Karan is now, in a year.”

“Wait, Master!”

Nelli darted in front of Roxiana, who was striding out without a backward glance. The wolf, statue-still till now, let out a low growl.

“E-easy now. I get it, I totally get your point, so sit, okay?”

“No. I’m not wasting time on a dead end.”

“Dead end? Like you said, most groups handle info, but quality stuff like ours? Rare. Training one scout to snag prime intel fast? Years of blood and sweat.”

“…”

“Fine, I admit—I got greedy. Sit, give me one more shot.”

Roxiana paused, eyes downcast as if weighing it, drew a slow breath, nodded faintly, and returned to her seat. Watching her settle in, Nelli realized she’d been played.

Me, begging? Unreal.

No wonder she’d schemed so hard. She’d known Roxiana was no pushover from the jump—old habits died hard.

Nelli sighed inwardly at her blunder, sank into her chair, and waited. Roxiana eyed her a long moment before speaking.

“Can I trust you, leader?”

“Master, Sir Chetek vouched for me. That smug prick—why’d he send you my way? I crunch numbers fast, but my word’s iron.”

“Alright. I’ll trust you. But I need to test Karan’s chops first. Services upfront, exclusive contract later.”

Nelli gnashed her teeth inside but couldn’t argue. She’d blown her leverage with her own slip-up.

The tank-and-drinks monopoly was too fat to fumble, so she swallowed pride.

“What info do you want?”

“This time, don’t sell—leak some for me.”

“Leak what?”

“About me. Then I’ve got a place to be.”

On a fine July afternoon, Count Kasar Hu Pellur entered Kanta Kingdom’s capital, Tefus City. No citizen cheered the new lord of the long-vacant Ider Palace.

Kasar’s entourage marched silent, empty streets like a silent protest. His guard knight muttered, “Time to teach those cheeky bastards a lesson,” but Kasar stayed cool.

Hard to welcome the hatchet man from the kingdom that slew your king and colonized you.

Now everything Kanta produced was Gania’s. War? Kanta folk first to the meat grinder. Big projects? Kanta hands for peanuts.

Born Kanta now meant slave in all but name.

Ider Palace stood pristine, untouched by vacancy—prepped ahead for Kasar. Touring its grand halls, he recalled his father King Joseph V’s orders.

-“Hit the ground running: hire tight-lipped types, scour the wells on the sly. Anything? Bury it quiet.”

That damn rumor—Lucas butchering the Franche royals and dumping them down a well. He still denied it.

Who knows. Luke’s hot-headed, bends easy. That woman snaps her fingers, he jumps.

Kasar prayed it was bullshit. Truth or not, he wouldn’t cover for it.

Why the hell should I?

Worst timing for Kanta governor. Citizens raging over lost sovereignty, unbowed, still muscled up—the powder keg phase.

They’d dump the mess on him, tidy later, then snatch it clean. Infuriating.

Nailing this gig got him zilch anyway. Maybe a dirt patch in Gania’s sticks.

So coast, kill time, bail.

A well snagged his eye. Kasar gripped the rim, peered down. Pitch black, endless.

Whatever’s down there.

He snorted, backed off.

His advance servant reported the king’s bedchamber spotless.

“Not Kanta’s king—can’t crash there. Guest quarters. That’s mine till I leave.”

In Torkan, August’s sun scorched like it could melt silver plate. Floyd, clad in heavy armor, stood cliffside overlooking Selshar City.

Selshar had transformed in the months he’d been gone beast-hunting.

“Another harbor? Too quick, no?”

Selshar boasted Selshar Harbor and Ketalam Harbor—now a third rising. Kirshan, who’d stayed to heal Roxiana’s brand, skipping the hunt, replied.

“Princess cut a deal with Karan’s leader for it. Inferno Guild and Karan footing the bill. Ministers greenlit; Marquis Brown sealed it.”

Floyd away meant Prime Minister Marquis Brown called shots. Floyd smirked.

“Brown’s wife that hooked on Princess’s cookies?”

“Partly, but not just…”

“Eh, whatever. You nailed it.”

“Yeah. Roads flying too—smoother than dreamed. Nights, Princess hits sites: loosens rock, firms mud.”

“No collapse?”

“Tired after, sure. Nothing major.”

New road aimed at Enilta Kingdom, locked in last hunt. Enilta linked to Empire roads—nail this, continent travel eases big time.

“This pace? Roads done in a year.”

“Good.”

“Manpower crunch dragged in slums folk—slum woes down. Fishing fleet bump? Captains raiding for crew everywhere.”

Floyd squinted at vibrant Selshar sprawl. Roxiana’s words before he’d shipped out echoed.