There Is No Mercy

Chapter 40

“This is ridiculous! How could this happen?”

As soon as he entered the room, Celano couldn’t contain his anger.

The calm demeanor he had shown until now was gone, replaced by frustration and disbelief.

Celano paced back and forth around the room, sitting and standing repeatedly, until he finally collapsed into a chair, pressing his hand to his forehead.

“This makes no sense. How could Marquis Mormond side with those greedy people? He’s always stayed neutral and never got involved in anything, so why now? It can only be because of some sort of bribe.”

It was a sensitive thing to say without proof, but since I was thinking the same thing, I just nodded quietly.

I knew a bit about Marquis Mormond.

His personality, the history of his family, and the fact that he wasn’t particularly interested in this meeting.

Marquis Mormond was a typical old-fashioned noble, stuck in the past.

He thought of merchants as lowly people who did dirty work.

Because of that, he used to criticize nobles who got involved in business, calling them unreasonable.

So, for someone like him to attend a military meeting and support a tax reduction, it was definitely because of some kind of lobbying.

“Count Oxiad. It’s definitely him. He must have given or promised something to get Marquis Mormond to move.”

“Sir Celano, I get what you’re thinking, but that’s probably not it. Marquis Mormond is a strong-willed soldier. He wouldn’t take bribes. He might be swayed by power, but not by a bit of money. He hates it when people lower than him try to use him.”

“Then, are you saying Marquis Mormond agreed to that bill of his own free will?”

No way.

I leaned back in the chair and rested my chin on my hand.

There were very few people who could sway Marquis Mormond.

Someone with more power and prestige than the Mormond family, with history and tradition to back it up.

In the Empire, such families could be counted on one hand.

‘…The Imperial family, the Bozbourne family, and the Palieva family.’

Palieva was against the bill, and the Imperial family wasn’t particularly interested so that only left Bozbourne.

Other families could have some influence, but only those three could manipulate Marquis Mormond to this extent.

‘Bellieta…’

In the end, I couldn’t shake the thought that Bellieta was involved.

But why?

Do they want Brilloxen to suffer long-term losses?

Or maybe it’s as simple as them trying to pass something I opposed, just to spite me.

It was petty, but it could very well be revenge for what happened last time.

“All that’s left now is the chairman’s vote.”

“Calling it a vote is pointless. Most of the chairmen are ex-military. Even with the Duke of Palieva present, it’d be hard for them to go against Marquis Mormond.”

Unanimity was almost certain.

We only needed to flip one vote, but that was easier said than done.

The military leaders couldn’t afford to ignore the Mormond family.

With the Mormonds having produced commanders for centuries, they were all tied together through connections.

“The only real possibility is Chairman Dario. He’s ex-military too, but he’s known for being fair. I’ve invited him here, so he should be arriving soon.”

I nodded at Celano’s words.

Just as she said, after some time, Chairman Dario appeared.

At a glance, you could tell he was a retired soldier—his sharp eyes were full of life.

“What’s the matter?”

“Let’s sit and talk. Over here.”

I gestured for him to sit, and he slowly made his way over and sat down, his back perfectly straight.

Despite his age, his posture was impeccable, and he held himself with a dignified air.

“I apologize for calling you so suddenly. I know it’s rude, but I wanted to hear your opinion.”

“Go ahead.”

“What do you think about the tax reform bill that was passed in the earlier vote?”

There wasn’t much time.

The meeting would start soon, and then it would be time for the chairman’s vote.

Dario met my gaze with a calm, unreadable expression.

His steady eyes and tightly sealed lips reflected his serious nature.

After glancing briefly at Celano, who stood beside me, Dario turned back to me.

“I’m against it.”

“That’s…!”

“But I’ll be voting in favor.”

The brief moment of joy was swallowed before it could even escape my lips.

I furrowed my brows slightly as Dario rose from his seat.

“I think I understand why you called me here. It’s a pointless conversation, but I’d say the majority of the chairmen, myself included, are against the tax reform. But even so, no one will stand against Marquis Mormond when the vote happens.”

“Why? You’re a retired soldier now. There’s no reason for you to be bound by orders anymore.”

“My children are officers in the military.”

“…”

“I’m not going to ruin their future because of my beliefs or actions. And it’s not just me—everyone else feels the same. So, even if you call me here and ask for my opinion, nothing will change. Whatever restrictions you impose won’t matter either. The military is too closed-off and corrupt for anyone to succeed without connections. You should keep that in mind. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Dario turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

As I watched his back, I bit my lip and stood up.

“Chairman.”

Dario stopped and turned to face me.

Meeting his indifferent gaze, I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.

“What would you do if today’s decision led to something terrible happening to your children?”

“…”

“If the bill you passed leads to weapons being exported, and a war breaks out, and your children die from the very weapons you allowed to be exported—would you still say the same thing?”

“Lady Sierra…”

“I was taught to think about the future and how my decisions would impact it. I hope you do the same.”

Just like Dario didn’t want to block his kids’ futures, no matter what proposal I made, as long as Marquis Mormon stood firm, there was no way to turn things around.

All I could do was lay it out plainly.

Even if I offered him a fortune, promising his children a comfortable retirement, it wouldn’t change his mind.

No chance.

The stern former soldier gave me a long, dry look before turning away.

“Rest well.”

With that one final remark, Dario left the room.

I watched him go, then sighed and sank back into my chair.

“…What should we do?”

Celano’s voice was weak.

I leaned back in my chair, took a deep breath, and slowly replied.

“The vote will pass. There’s no stopping it. Our best bet is to make sure the passed bill doesn’t clear parliament, or at least reduce the tax cuts to a minimum. Prince Kestian is against the bill too, so if we join forces with the Duke of Palieva, we might be able to block it.”

I never expected to win this easily anyway.

If this could’ve been solved through conversation, we wouldn’t have come this far.

I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought.

It’s no surprise, really.

Even back then, I could tell—but to think someone could move Marquis Mormond just to appease his daughter’s whining, of all things.

I don’t know what Bozbourne stands to gain, but the Duke’s love for his daughter is certainly impressive.

“We might take a step back for now, but we haven’t lost. There’s got to be a reason Marquis Mormond was pushed into this. He has nothing to gain from this bill, so someone must have made a deal to get him involved.”

“Count Oxiad, maybe?”

“Or his inner circle. If we dig into them, we might be able to annul the bill and punish them together.”

Once that happens, Bozbourne, who’s been pulling the strings from the shadows, will be forced into the open.

Bellieta, your petty actions are going to be the very thing that traps you in the end.

When the time comes, the Duke of Bozbourne will regret ever spoiling his daughter like this.

“Let’s go. The meeting’s about to start.”

I stood up and headed for the conference room.

* * *

By the time we arrived, most of the seats were already filled.

I glanced around at Count Oxiad’s smug face and the indifferent Marquis Mormond before finding my seat.

A few more nobles, along with Count Ricardo, entered, and the doors closed firmly behind them.

Count Ricardo stepped forward, examined the approved bill, and then slowly began to speak.

“We will now begin the chairman’s vote on the passed bill.”

Count Ricardo paused for a moment as if gauging the tense atmosphere in the room.

I crossed my arms and glanced over at Count Oxiad and his supporters, who had raised their hands in favor of the bill.

They were practically bursting with excitement, already dreaming of the fortunes they’d soon make.

It was hard to believe they were about to vote on a bill that required unanimous approval when they looked so carefree.

Their cocky, self-assured behavior made me sick.

These people, who didn’t hesitate to destroy the core of our internal market and export weapons that would threaten our safety, shouldn’t even be in this room.

I sighed and turned my head, noticing Kestian sitting with his head tilted, looking like he had a headache.

He didn’t seem to have any answers either, making no real move to intervene.

He must’ve sensed my gaze because he glanced over at me, offering a weak smile and a shrug.

I nodded in return and shifted my gaze again, only to lock eyes with Marquis Mormond, who was staring at me.

His gaze was filled with open hostility.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, and he twisted his lips into a sneer.

It was a clear mockery.

I clenched my fists and bit my lip.

Go ahead, laugh.

You’ll regret siding with Bellieta soon enough.

“Alright, we’ll now begin the vote. It will be conducted by a show of hands,” Count Ricardo announced.