Chapter 58

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: There Is No Mercy 58

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"By the way, even though not everyone has arrived yet, there are quite a number of people here. And each one of them is a representative or executive from a famous merchant guild, or businessmen, even nobles to boot. They're the sort who can snort derisively wherever they go. It really drives home just how formidable the Bozbon family's power is."

"In a world where they say Bozbon stands above the imperial family, that says it all. But what made you think I'd come here?"

"Shouldn't you know that better than anyone, Miss Sierra?"

Getia smirked, tilting her head slightly to the side.

Sierra tapped the hand resting on her knee, gazing steadily at Getia before glancing around and lowering her voice.

"Does that mean you've already spoken with the Bozbon family?"

"That's not what I meant. Our guild has traded with the Brilloxen family for a hundred years. We're the ones who add loyalty to our business dealings. We're not foolish enough to throw away a century of trust for a momentary sweet deal."

"Then what did you mean?"

As Sierra probed, Getia glanced around, her eyes gleaming, then leaned forward.

"As you're probably aware, the Bozbon family is approaching those who do business with the Brilloxen family. They made an offer to me too, but I turned it down. Still, I'm not sure what choices the others will make. Fortunately, since you've come here, Miss, they probably won't jump into conversations rashly, but there are surely some who are wavering."

Sierra listened to Getia while tapping her fingers rhythmically.

She lifted her gaze from the fingers slowly drumming on her knee and met Getia's eyes.

Getia stared at her with utmost seriousness, as if waiting for any kind of reaction.

Even though she had clashed with the hot-tempered Getia quite often in the past and would in the future too, she never let personal feelings interfere.

She was a remarkable woman who knew how to strictly separate business from personal matters.

She also understood perfectly that her own guild could only make money if the Brilloxen family remained strong.

Sierra stopped drumming her fingers on her knee and nodded.

"Got it. I'll keep that in mind. More importantly, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

"I don't like the word 'ask.' I prefer 'deal.'"

"Then shall we make a deal? Just now, you turned down Bozbon's request for a conversation. If possible, go back and have that talk. Tell me what they bring up. In return, I'll consider the fee reduction you've been wanting."

"Are you serious? You're saying you'll lower the fees just for that?"

"It's not 'just' anything—it's pretty important information. What do you say? Will you do it?"

When Sierra asked in a coaxing tone, Getia stood up as if there was no need to hear more.

"I'll make contact right away."

"Good. You can report back to me directly or to Riphert Knight here beside me."

"Understood. I'll be right back, then."

Sierra watched Getia walk away with a grin, then shifted her gaze to the opposite side.

Eyes scrutinizing her were scattered everywhere.

Most belonged to those connected to the Brilloxen family.

They had been watching her and Getia with grave expressions, averting their gazes whenever their eyes met.

"Riphert Knight. Once Getia brings the information, secretly contact the people on the list I gave you today and warn those thinking of jumping ship to someone other than Brilloxen. Tell them there's no second chance with Brilloxen."

"Understood."

Sierra nodded at Riphert's calm reply.

Before long, preparations for the hunting tournament were proceeding smoothly.

The gathered people eyed each other warily, conversing with those who might offer them help.

Knights and minor nobles not in those groups focused on the hunt, apparently aiming to catch Bozbon's eye, huddling together like they were holding war councils with solemn faces.

As someone uninterested in the tournament or socializing, Sierra found the time dreadfully boring.

She could only wait for this tedious stretch to pass quickly.

"Brilloxen Lady."

As she sat quietly, killing time in boredom, a voice called from behind.

She turned her head slightly, and a vaguely familiar face came into view.

Who was it again?

Unable to recall, she pondered briefly, and the woman who had called her spoke up in a fluster.

"It's Bell Cherni. We greeted each other last time, but have you forgotten?"

"Sorry. My memory isn't great."

Bell Cherni's face filled with dismay as Sierra rose with a curt reply.

Sierra knew that in high society, people pretended to remember even if they didn't and faked extra delight if they did, so her response must have caught the girl off guard.

Bell Cherni.

Unlike the brazen Richel Lady, she was one of the quiet ladies who stuck close to Bellieta.

From a rural noble family pushed out of central politics, not particularly well-known.

As Cherni tilted her head questioningly, as if wondering why Sierra had been called, she cleared her throat and erased her flustered expression.

"I-is that so? It'd be nice if you remembered next time. I can't keep introducing myself every time."

"I'll make sure of it. But what did you need me for?"

"Oh, if you have time, I thought we might have some tea and chat. You Brilloxen Lady, and me—we ladies not joining the hunting tournament have such boring times, right? I thought gathering for tea might make it less dull. So..."

"I'll pass, Cherni Count Lady."

"...Pardon?"

Sierra cut her off lightly before she could finish, holding up her palm.

She gave a short laugh as she faced Cherni's startled face once more.

"I appreciate the offer, but I have other matters to attend to. Not leisurely enough for tea."

"I-is that so? Even so, just a little..."

"Hopefully another chance next time. Take care, Cherni Count Lady."

Sierra drew a firm line with Cherni, who couldn't let go.

Cherni bit her lip, her mouth opening and closing without words, then retreated.

As Sierra sat back down, Riphert's voice drifted over casually from where he had watched the exchange.

"Will that be alright?"

"It's fine. Right now, sitting here is more productive than joining some chit-chat gathering."

"I meant your reputation."

Reputation? Sierra looked up at Riphert, who had brought up the unexpected word.

Riphert nodded briefly.

Reputation, huh.

She'd never had anything worth calling a reputation to begin with.

She lowered her head and propped her chin at an angle.

"A merchant in noble's clothing, a shameless opportunist who uses her friends, a talentless copycat, a disgraceful noble who looks down on people because she's rich. A thug who stole her friend's fiancé. That kind of reputation?"

"That's..."

"The Brilloxen family was never viewed favorably to begin with. And with rumors twisting things further, talk about me has only grown uglier. That's my standing in high society. You think I'd care about a reputation like that?"

Back then, she had cared about such rumors and reputations, but not anymore.

She had been confused about what to do and which path to take.

That's probably why she chose the wrong way forward.

"What I care about is the reputation circulating among those who will trade with Brilloxen for the next hundred, two hundred years. Trustworthy, reliable, capable, and so on. Reputations like that motivate me even more."

"But even I, who knows you, Miss Sierra, get angry hearing such absurd rumors. Why not refute them and set the record straight?"

Riphert rarely frowned with such a vexed expression.

It was intriguing, knowing his reticent nature and how seldom he voiced personal opinions.

To think Riphert harbored such thoughts.

Sierra looked up at him, chuckled softly, leaned back in her chair, and crossed her arms.

Meeting his gaze, she pondered briefly before speaking calmly.

"I didn't know you could get so emotional, Riphert. Refuting them... Sure, refutation sounds good. But do you know what the two things are that people should never do in life? Surprisingly, many people toss them out casually without thinking. Do you know what they are?"

"Violence? Or curses?"

"No. Apologies and excuses."

Sierra smiled at the puzzled Riphert and picked up the drink he had prepared.

"When people make a claim or state a fact, they believe it's right. And they stick to it. If the claim is correct, it's no big issue. But the problem comes when it's wrong. Sometimes they know their claim is false but won't back down. Rumors are a prime example."

She took a sip of the cool drink, feeling refreshed.

With her thirst quenched, she smiled and continued.

"If you refute false rumors and explain they're nonsense, will people believe you? Not at all. Instead, they'll say you're overreacting to gossip and double down, convincing themselves their rumor is true. What if you apologize? Regardless of whether the rumor is true or not, it looks like you're admitting it. So you can't apologize or make excuses."

"But we can't just let these bad rumors spread unchecked."

"True. That's why you have to be shameless. Cold and ruthless. People won't touch someone who seems unresponsive even if prodded, but they avoid those who might bite back. So coldly turning down that tea invitation creates no problems at all."