“I have a troublesome issue at hand. If you can resolve this problem, I will appoint a representative for you outside.”
“A representative?”
“Like an aide. Someone who will act on your behalf, make appearances in your stead, and follow your decisions.”
Oh. My eyes lit up at my grandfather’s words.
“Is their identity secure?”
“There’s someone trustworthy. Even Callet doesn’t know about them.”
Curious, I leaned in, and my grandfather, though slightly exasperated, guided me back onto the sofa and spread a map on the table.
“A map of the Hayshal Empire?”
“That’s right. Do you know how the Count Travel family initially amassed its wealth?”
“Through mining.”
“Smart kid.”
My grandfather smiled approvingly.
“As you can see here, near the mines owned by the Travel family, there’s a village where the dwarves live. In the early days, both parties had a mutually beneficial relationship—exchanging resources and technology. However, three generations ago, the Count of Travel was caught falsifying the mineral grades, which led to a fallout.”
“Oh.”
“Since then, the dwarves have rejected every order from the Travel family.”
My ears perked up.
This was something I already knew from my previous life.
Despite having almost everything he desired, my grandfather still had a few unresolved business goals.
One of them was re-establishing trade with the dwarves.
Because dwarven craftsmanship, with their deep understanding of minerals, was far superior to anything made by the same methods.
“You want to trade with the dwarves again, Grandpa?”
“I want to start a business.”
“A business?”
“The clientele will be royalty, high-ranking nobles, and the wealthy.”
“A luxury strategy, then?”
“Hah, you even know that term? Yes, but—”
My grandfather placed his hand on my head, as if deep in thought.
“I’ve been knocking on their door for over 20 years, but they won’t respond. Before I die, I want to lay some groundwork for this.”
“Ah! Don’t say things like that….”
I pouted.
In my past life, my grandfather suffered from illness for three years before passing away in the same year as my other self. That means he still has 17 years left.
To my past self, my grandfather was merely the head of the family who ignored my dad’s death, so his passing didn’t weigh heavily on me.
But after he was gone, I realized something.
‘In truth, Grandpa was also investigating my dad’s death.’
Until his final days, my grandfather tried to reconcile with the dwarves, but there was never any news of the trade resuming.
“What would you do? How do you think we could get the dwarves to open their hearts?”
“Hmm…”
I stared at the map, lost in thought.
My grandfather’s lifelong ambition—something that must have lingered in his mind even as he closed his eyes for the last time.
“If the dwarves agree to trade with the Travel family again, that would be considered a success, right? And in return, you’ll appoint my representative?”
My grandfather nodded in response to my question.
“I will.”
“Grandfather.”
I pushed his hand off my head and looked up at him. A representative was nice, but no matter how I thought about it, the deal wasn’t fair.
“Throw in one more iron mine.”
“…What?”
“I already gave you a good deal here.”
I was about to open the first door to his greatest ambition, yet the only reward was appointing a representative?
Even with a family discount, this was far too cheap.
At my serious demand, my grandfather’s golden eyes wavered slightly, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
‘Oh no. Is he mad?’
No way—he must know that this deal was unfair too! If he got angry, I’d be the one feeling wronged!
Gulp. Just as I was tensing up, his lips started twitching.
And then, a chuckle escaped.
“…Hah.”
“…Huh?”
My grandfather suddenly burst into laughter, slapping the armrest of the sofa.
***
Stone House
Reytan sat in his room, recalling an event from a few days ago.
He and Damian had questioned Victor about Brown’s accident at the mine.
Contrary to their expectations, Victor claimed he had no idea why Brown had entered the mine. However—
“There was another person whose name isn’t on the witness list. Someone who came in secret and left before the mine collapsed.”
“The fact that you’re speaking formally suggests they were a noble. How did you know this person was there?”
“I happened to see them from a distance. There’s no way I could forget such extravagant attire.”
“…Extravagant…?”
At Reytan’s murmuring, as if something had clicked, Victor smirked.
“That’s right. Your so-called younger brother.”
The third in line for succession, the master of Emerald House—Yossel—had been present at the scene of Brown’s accident.
At the time, Yossel was 21 years old.
He was nothing more than a spoiled rich kid who had only graduated from the academy a few years prior. Of course, at that same age, Reytan had already made a name for himself on the battlefield.
‘He’s not bold enough to commit murder.’
Objectively speaking, Yossel didn’t have the guts for something like that.
And yet, he was the only one among his relatives whose name appeared on the witness list.
‘What should I do?’
Reytan absentmindedly ran his hand over Wyndis.
Seven years ago, he would have immediately grabbed his sword, marched up to Yossel, and demanded the truth.
‘But the kids would get caught up in it.’
Yossel didn’t have the courage to take a life with his own hands. However, he also had no qualms about tormenting those weaker than himself.
Knock, knock.
“Master Reytan, are you busy?”
A voice called from outside the door. It was Sherry.
“What is it?”
“Mr. Callet is here to see you.”
“Callet?”
Although they were childhood friends, Callet rarely visited Stone House unless it was on an errand from the Count of Travel.
What was it this time?
Reytan rose from his chair and walked to the door. As he opened it, he saw Sherry standing beside Callet.
“What brings you here?”
As always, Callet’s face remained calm as he opened his mouth to speak.
“Do you have some time?”
Reytan’s gaze shifted to the wine Callet held with both hands, its label clearly facing him.
Château Lafite Chetilde. Vintage 975.
Estimated market price: around 3 million Kona.
Reytan gave a slight nod.
“I do.”
***
Other races are broadly divided into two categories.
Those who are born as another race—innate other races—and those who evolve into one from an existing species—acquired other races.
Innate other races typically have distinct traits depending on the race. For example, the dwarves, known as the blacksmith race, are extremely closed off.
‘They don’t trust others easily, so just managing to establish trade with them is a miracle in itself.’
And yet, someone had the nerve to deceive them about the grade of ores?
In other words, while the previous Count Travel had worked hard to pave a golden road with the dwarves, the Count three generations ago had not only closed that road, but stomped it down so hard it couldn’t be reopened.
‘Still, being extremely closed off also means that if you’re connected to the right people, the barrier to entry drops significantly.’
Smirking to myself, I rested my cheek against the textbook on my desk and gazed out at the blue sky beyond the classroom window, grinning like an idiot.
“What are you doing?”
A blunt voice came flying at the back of my head like it was picking a fight. I didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was.
“Oh, hey, Brother Calypso. Just looking out the window. Why?”
“You sure look free.”
Huh. Calypso was the one to start the conversation—and he even replied to me?
‘Does he… want to talk to me?’
No way.
Still, just in case, I straightened up and turned my head toward where Calypso’s voice had come from.
“Gasp.”
“What.”
Calypso was now sitting right next to me—in the seat that had been empty.
It was break time. None of the other relatives had returned to the classroom yet.
“Do you need something?”
“Hey, you haven’t been in the classroom after classes lately.”
“I don’t do extra assignments anymore. My dad talked to Madam Freya and told her not to give me any. He’s tutoring me himself.”
“…Your dad really said that?”
“Yup.”
I nodded. Calypso didn’t look too happy.
‘Why?’
It felt like just yesterday he was bragging about getting an 80 average on the last monthly exam.
‘Is it because another monthly exam is coming up?’
But this time, there were no minimum score requirements for each subject. According to the twins, even if Calypso scored low this time, he wouldn’t get scolded—at least not until the end of the year.
“Something wrong?”
“………”
At my question, Calypso frowned and got up from his seat.
“Must be nice. Being dead last.”
My jaw dropped.
Any concern I had for him vanished on the spot. He actually sat next to me just to pick a fight…!
‘I can’t let my guard down around him!’
It might seem peaceful now, but Calypso and the twins were devils. I had no idea when they might decide to torment me again.
Just as I steeled myself—
Tap.
I heard a light tapping sound and turned my head. A small bird was perched on the outer window ledge.
It was an adorable little thing, with a black head and white cheeks. I’d seen it in a book before. Was it a titmouse?
‘What is it?’
The bird tilted its head at me, then suddenly started pecking at the glass.
Tap, tap-tap, tap-tap, tap.
Tap-tap, tap… … …
“……..?”
The rhythm was oddly familiar.
‘A code? A message?’
‘A telegram?!’
“What the heck? It’s noisy.”
Calypso scowled.
“Right?! I’ll go chase it off!”
I quickly rushed out of the classroom.
