Episode 351 – The Master of Aintrier
The office was a very familiar space to Azonne.
Perhaps that’s why—
“Please, have a seat over here.”
From the mont we stepped into the office, Azonne’s expression was brimming with ease.
The seat he offered was a luxurious chair set around an ornate round table.
A seat directly across from Azonne.
‘About three steps away?’
I nodded and sat comfortably in the chair.
“Lady Lily, the notary, please co this way too...”
“Oh, I think that side would suit Lily better.”
Azonne had pointed to the seat beside , but I shook my head and gestured to the reception sofa set slightly apart.
Before Azonne could say anything, Lily quickly dashed over to the sofa, plopped herself down, and began swinging her legs.
“She doesn’t know much about the ways of the world, so once the conversation gets complicated, she’ll start nodding off. Is there really any need for her to sit beside ? As long as her identity is clear, it should be enough.”
“She’s required when we sign the contract.”
“Then I’ll call her over when that ti cos.”
“...Hm. Very well.”
“If there are any sweet desserts, could you place them in front of Lily? That should keep her quiet until the negotiations are over.”
Azonne nodded and called for the attendants to fulfill the request. anwhile, I left Lochter and Karl by her side.
Lochter tried to co to , but I quietly shook my head.
When I turned my gaze, Azonne was watching intently.
Close enough that even whispered words could be heard clearly.
I openly began talking with my companions.
“Lochter, I’ve been wondering about sothing. Do you rember what we talked about in the carriage?”
“What conversation are you referring to?”
“The words I said just before we got off. I suddenly can’t recall them.”
“‘When an apple falls, cut it at the stem.’ That’s what you said.”
“Oh, did I say sothing like that?”
“You were doubting my swordsmanship, weren’t you? Saying I couldn’t even slice off the apple stem.”
“It was just a joke. I’m sure soone like you, Sir Lochter, could pull it off.”
Lochter nodded at my words and slowly stepped back.
From nearby, Karl’s grumbling voice drifted over.
“How long will this negotiation take? I’m getting sleepy after snacking on all sorts of things.”
“It’ll be over soon. If you’re really sleepy, just get a little rest.”
“Are you kidding ?”
Karl dramatically flicked both ears and frowned.
“I instinctively keep my ears open even while I sleep, you know.”
“Oh, right. That’s true.”
“I’d rather have so booze. If I drink, I’ll forget about any noise and just pass out.”
On the surface, our conversation had no particular content.
It might seem rude to engage in idle chatter in front of soone we were about to negotiate a significant deal with, but Azonne listened to us quietly without any sign of irritation.
After a while, the attendants placed an exquisite dessert in front of Lily, and I offered her a small remark.
“Lily, save a cookie or two for Keros.”
“Huh?”
“Keros.”
“Oh! Okay, got it!”
As soon as Keros was ntioned, Lily stopped swinging her legs entirely.
She sat cross-legged on the sofa, calmly munching on cookies and slowly closed her eyes.
It looked like she was savoring the taste, and the sight was quite adorable.
That’s when Azonne, who had been rely observing, asked a question.
“Keros? That’s a na I haven’t heard before.”
“It refers to the small beast she keeps with her.”
“Ah, you an that little puppy. Co to think of it, where is it now?”
“I thought it inappropriate to bring him to the party, so I left him in soone’s care.”
“You could’ve brought him. He was quite adorable back then.”
Azonne smiled at .
What was the aning behind that smile?
When I clashed with Special Agent Richard at the first party, Keros had revealed his true form.
There’s no way the Lord wouldn’t know what happened at the castle.
Saying it was fine to bring Keros ant that even bringing a being like him wouldn’t be an issue here.
“It’s fine. I have people who care for Keros.”
“Is that so?”
We exchanged smiles.
Would he understand the aning of mine?
Jingle—
A clear bell chi rang softly.
Azonne gently rang the bell, and a person wearing a golden mask entered the room.
They carried a golden tray with several docunts atop it. They appeared to be contracts prepared for today’s negotiation.
“Shall we begin the negotiations?”
At that, I glanced at the elegant wall clock hanging above Azonne’s head.
The second hand was ticking steadily.
‘Fifteen minutes left.’
Having calculated the ti, I gave a nod.
“I’m already prepared.”
Azonne may not have realized it, but I had been conversing with my companions earlier using a prearranged code.
‘A spatial barrier is active, so it’ll take a little longer.’
Karl had ntioned “alcohol.”
That was the cue indicating Azonne had activated a spatial barrier, making it impossible to send magical signals outside.
That’s why I summoned Keros through Lily.
[Cerberus and Hunt are my friends]
Witch Lily and the guardian Cerberus were in a spiritual contract tied through the divine list.
No matter how far apart, they could communicate their intent.
I glanced at the now-quiet Lily, then turned to Lochter and smiled slightly.
With his hands resting on his twin swords, he stared at the ceiling—
As if waiting for the “apple” to fall.
***
Azonne leisurely crossed his legs and sipped tea with a relaxed expression.
It was a small habit of his before any major negotiation. Leaves were an inseparable part of a tree.
Having exclusive rights to distribute those leaves was, in a way, like acquiring a part of the tree itself.
Connecting that idea to the World Tree led to a single conclusion.
The exclusive right to the World Tree’s leaves was effectively ownership of a part of the World Tree.
Assuming the World Tree has no master, of course.
With Demtor currently desiring the leaves, re monopoly would be highly profitable, but Azonne was looking further ahead—
A scenario in which the World Tree Alliance collapsed. If the World Tree lost its owner, then monopolizing the leaves could serve as justification for claiming ownership of the tree itself.
That was why he could smile and negotiate without baring his fangs to prey caught in his trap.
He needed the notarized monopoly rights to the leaves to reap the greatest reward from that scenario.
Azonne set his cup down and spoke.
“As you know, I have great interest in the monopoly rights to the World Tree leaves.”
“I’m aware. You played a rather nasty trick with the listed monopoly items.”
When Arthur ntioned Azonne had interfered with the Dark Sales' priority negotiation rights to hinder the deal, Azonne nodded without protest and admitted it.
“It’s the first item I’ve truly coveted, so I ask for your understanding. In return, I assure you this negotiation will be a great opportunity for the Alliance.”
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely.”
Azonne smiled at Arthur.
Though relaxed outwardly, in his eyes, Arthur was rely prey caught in a trap.
A leaf that could be crushed at a re wave of the hand.
Azonne sipped his tea, and a torn, twisted smile crept across his face.
Negotiations shrouded in deceit and mockery—what a delight they were.
Excitent rose within him.
“The terms proposed were the transport rights to Ship Gridnt and ownership of the southern dock along the Kenline River, correct?”
“That’s right. As for Ship Gridnt, we want both ships.”
Azonne stroked his chin in thought. Then, with a sparkle in his eyes, he slowly spoke.
“Would you mind if I offered a new proposal?”
“That’s not what you said at the party. You didn’t strike as the type to speak out of both sides of your mouth.”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I believe this is a proposal worth your consideration.”
Azonne gestured, and the golden-masked attendant laid several sheets of paper on the round table.
They shimred softly as if dusted with gold, inscribed with beautiful magical formulas.
Anyone could tell they were special docunts at a glance.
“What are these papers?”
“Ownership certificates for Aintrier shares. They serve as proof of share rights through possession.”
At Azonne’s reply, Arthur’s expression hardened slightly.
“I believe I already rejected your offer of shares.”
“Ah, back then I offered 5%.”
Azonne leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.
“15%.”
“I’ll offer you 15% of Aintrier shares in exchange for the monopoly rights to the leaves. What do you say?”
Arthur didn’t reject the offer outright. He silently stared at the share certificates for a long ti.
Tick, tick.
Only the sound of the second hand filled the silence. After a prolonged pause, Arthur finally opened his mouth.
“That’s odd. There shouldn’t be that much spare equity left in Aintrier.”
Azonne’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Hm. You seem to know a lot about Aintrier’s share structure. Very few are aware of that.”
“After your 5% offer, I looked into it discreetly. I have so useful connections.”
“Do you believe your intel is accurate?”
“I don’t know everything. But I know that Demtor and Pri Root each hold 20%, and only 7% of the remaining shares are transferable.”
Azonne nodded.
Arthur’s information was correct. Of course, the share structure had changed recently.
Azonne gazed at Arthur for a mont, then nodded again.
“I suppose Demtor might have found out by now. You’re right. I recently received so shares from Gram, in return for Aintrier’s support.”
“So you’re admitting you’ve sided with Gram now? If Lord Halyans heard this, he’d be shocked.”
“No leader lays their heart bare in politics. You understand that, don’t you?”
Arthur blinked and nodded.
“I do.”
“I knew you would, which is why I’m entrusting you with this secret. I’ll give you the shares I received from Gram. So I ask you to seriously consider this offer.”
“15%, huh... It’s certainly tempting.”
As Arthur pondered, Azonne waited patiently. He could sense the deal was nearly sealed. 15% would be enough to spark greed.
With that much, Arthur could receive substantial yearly dividends from Aintrier’s profits.
In truth, handing over the transport rights and dock ownership would have been far cheaper than offering 15%.
Yet Azonne offered shares for a reason.
‘If I gave up Gridnt and the dock, other powers might seize them later.’
Especially the dock—once occupied, it belonged to whoever took it.
Shares, on the other hand, couldn’t be seized that easily.
And 15% alone was nowhere near enough to claim control over Aintrier.
Of course, Azonne had no intention of giving them away so easily.
In short, the offer ca with a massive trap.
“Very well. Let’s deal.”
As soon as those words were spoken, Azonne smiled brightly and extended his hand.
Arthur looked at the hand in silence.
Just for a mont. Then, smiling, he took it in a firm grip.
At the mont of their first contact, Azonne’s gaze drifted into the air.
[Judgnt Probability: Moderate]
Azonne smiled even more deeply. Another form of insurance had been secured. In a state of contact, he could pass judgnt on the man.
“You won’t regret this choice.”
They slowly shook hands, then withdrew their grips.
[We missed the chance to kill him.]
At Reto’s words, I quietly lowered my hand without reaction.
In that fleeting mont, I had seen Azonne’s gaze freeze midair.
One second? Two?
Reto called that instant the perfect chance to sever Azonne’s life.
No, he’s wrong.
Reto didn’t understand the terrifying power of the protective artifact Azonne possessed.
Killing him instantly wasn’t an option.
There was a reason soone as ordinary as him could stand confidently before a wielder of divinity.
To bring him down, he would have to be perfectly isolated first.
I quietly signed the contract before .
A trade of 15% of Aintrier’s shares in exchange for the monopoly rights to the leaves.
“I didn’t expect him to try such a trick.”
I understood exactly what Azonne intended by offering shares.
That’s why I focused even more on sealing the deal.
15% of Aintrier shares.
If I handled this well, I might be able to fulfill my promise to Lochter sooner.
To make him the true Master of Aintrier.
Azonne may think this contract is a trap, but that’s a complete illusion.
He had walked right into the trap he dug himself.
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