However–
“–But if it’s a [deal], that changes things.”
Edel answers with a fearless smile.
“When things move, [money] moves greatly at the same time. If Kurtz creates that movement, then I currently have the option to enjoy profits on the front lines.”
“That’s right. Edel understands better than anyone the profits that first movers in business opportunities gain.”
“Yes. That’s how I was able to build a solid position within the Mercator family.”
The great merchant house Mercator, which controls northern trade flows, decides successors based purely on meritocracy.
Within that system, Edel selected businesses the Mercator family hadn’t focused on and projects that had been abandoned as unprofitable, and after launching reconstruction plans and new businesses she conceived, she brought even demihumans into her trading partner considerations, gaining not only massive profits but also new trade routes and commercial territories.
Despite joining the Mercator family business at the exceptionally young age of twelve, in just seven years she built her current position and massive wealth, and now possesses an independent position and authority as the next heir of the Mercator family.
If there’s a possibility of massive profits being born there, she steps in without hesitation, never lets slip any given business opportunity, grasps it firmly, and certainly obtains the gold called profit that’s generated.
[The Golden Eyes of the Commerce God]
That’s what merchants across the continent praised Edel’s talent and keen insight with, along with reverent awe, in her previous life.
“I expect Kurtz to be someone who can generate [money] that doesn’t stop at five billion, but even more than that. So I’ll respond unconditionally to any deal from Kurtz, and I don’t mind investing as a [friend] if it takes a form that generates profit for me.”
“Thank you, Edel.”
“No, no need for thanks. Kurtz already knew I’d answer that way anyway.”
“Yes, that’s why I felt free to place orders for supplies and provisions.”
“…To treat me like a traveling merchant, you really have good nerve.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Edel turns her gaze toward the window.
Large wagons loaded with massive amounts of materials and food. Nearly ten of them are parked within the mansion’s grounds, with people following Lucia’s instructions to unload and transport the supplies.
“Also, Kurtz, there’s one thing that’s been bothering me.”
“What might that be?”
“I want to ask why you’re on Feiyu’s lap.”
“I don’t understand that myself.”
Suppressing his emotions as much as possible, Kurtz answers flatly.
Though this had been overlooked due to being caught up in the atmosphere until now, that topic has finally been broached.
And the person in question answers smugly while holding Kurtz.
“Well, Lucia is outside right now, and meeting with grandfather would be nerve-wracking, wouldn’t it? This is the result of considering how to ease that tension while ensuring eye level contact with grandfather!”
“That’s apparently the reason.”
“Also, it’s been a while since I met with Kurtz, so I put him on my lap!”
“Something like that reason exists too, apparently.”
Judging it pointless to think about, Kurtz emotionlessly uttered appropriate words.
After Lucia left the room to give instructions, Feiyu naturally lifted Kurtz up and placed him on her lap to encourage conversation.
Incidentally, Kurtz had been on Feiyu’s lap the entire time he was having serious discussions.
Though he didn’t speak up because he thought it could show Trakia that he already had the trust of his granddaughter Feiyu in advancing their conversation, habit is truly a frightening thing.
However, for some reason Edel looks dissatisfied and pats her own legs.
“No, if it’s about eye level, my lap should work fine too. I demand a handover.”
“Fufu, I was taking care of Kurtz in place of Lucia, you know? It’s no exaggeration to say I’m now the most suitable person to have him on my lap!”
“During that time, I went to Sylvayu and explained to the elf at the trading post about what happened to Feiyu and her situation. Without that, there wouldn’t have been time to spend with Kurtz, so that’s my achievement too.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
“Muu… If you’re going to say that much, let’s have Kurtz choose!”
Though he thought he could get through this by staying silent, the situation unexpectedly spread to Kurtz.
“Come now, Kurtz, the familiar me would be better, wouldn’t it?”
“Kurtz, I think you owe me a debt.”
“…A debt?”
“Yes, when we first met, you lied about your father being a trader. This is betrayal of a friend.”
“Sorry, Feiyu, I’m going to Edel’s side for the sake of future friendship.”
“My accumulated affection loses to friendship?!”
“Good, I think children are best when they’re honest.”
“Kakka, this kind of noisy exchange reminds me of three hundred years ago.”
While Trakia opens his mouth and laughs pleasantly, Kurtz kills his dignity and pride within himself as he sits down on Edel’s lap. There’s no choice but to do this since resisting won’t advance the conversation.
Just as Kurtz was trying to reach a state of nothingness, Trakia asks with a serious expression.
“By the way, Kurtz-boy. Is there any prospect regarding the strange disease afflicting Artesia-sama?”
“Yes. To be precise, it’s not a strange disease, but a magical formation created by the Six Ducal Houses.”
After responding to Trakia, Kurtz taps the desk with his fingertip.
“Using curse magic to create the basic structure, using alchemy magic to analyze the target’s body and [soul], using summoning magic to reverse-calculate information and ensure it works reliably, using bestowal magic to root the curse into the [soul] itself, using divine magic to conceal and encrypt the magic, and using spirit magic to forcibly reduce magical power… this is the magic named [World Tree’s Curse].”
A magic that gathered magical knowledge from each field governed by the Six Ducal Houses, representing the pinnacle of the current era.
At the same time, [World Tree’s Curse] was also the most terrible magic that could never be broken.
“This magical formation incorporates not only specialized magical knowledge from each field, but also the magical power of the heads of the Six Ducal Houses. Without the magical power flowing in their bloodlines, dispelling it cannot be achieved.”
“…So you’re saying only they themselves can dispel it?”
“That understanding is fine. Considering secrecy, the magical composition would be known only to the family heads, and even if someone possessed the same clan’s magical power, they couldn’t dismantle the magic without the knowledge.”
That’s precisely why even Artesia, who wielded the powerful inherent magic of [Time], couldn’t deal with it.
An incurable fatal magic. The reason she survived seven years was probably because Artesia was well-versed in her own inherent magic and had been holding back the advancing curse.
However, even so, she couldn’t completely stop it, her magical power gradually decreased, and eventually even the magical power to halt the progression was exhausted–finally even the flame of life itself was extinguished.
While slightly hardening his expression, Kurtz exhales deeply to maintain composure.
“However, knowledge isn’t an absolute condition. That can be achieved given enough time, and if we can obtain the magical power of the family heads needed for dispelling, I believe we can create a situation where dispelling becomes possible.”
Having said that much, Kurtz places something he took from his pocket on the table.
A stone radiating a deep crimson brilliance.
The substance the Ornament Ducal House staked everything to obtain.
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