SMT 109

It took about one hour to tour the entire estate. That was because I needed to draw up a floor plan, so I deliberately walked through every area myself and checked everything carefully.

What was strange was that no matter how long I lingered in one place, or how many annoying questions I asked, not a trace of dissatisfaction or wariness ever appeared on the faces of the servants guiding me.

They would simply step back slightly and act as if I were invisible, no matter what I did. And it was not just them. The other employees here were the same.

They were polite, but like people who never crossed an invisible line, they showed no particular interest in me. It did not feel like it was because it was me specifically. Rather, it was as if keeping distance and pretending not to know was a rule ingrained into this place.

There was only one thing that seemed to explain it. That fog.

At first, I thought the fog was confined to that area alone. But once I realized how clear the sky was today, I started feeling uneasy.

Wait. Could it be black magic?

Just in case, I pointed out the window and asked a servant.

‘What do you see?’

The servant answered without even turning toward the window.

‘I cannot say anything about the fog.’

It was like a robot reciting a pre programmed response. He was only doing the work assigned to him as a servant, and it seemed he wanted nothing to do with that ominous thing at all. But that was enough for me. It meant he could see the fog.

I confirmed the same thing with another servant, and the result was identical. They said they could see the fog as well. Their attitude was the same as the first servant’s.

They were extremely cautious, as if afraid that saying even one extra word would bring punishment. That raised another question. If they could see it, then why?

The fog covering the area around Lake Borhumi had only been visible to me. That was because illusions had been layered over it to deceive people.

But the fog covering the Kun’s estate stopped at being fog, without that extra layer. In that case, anyone could easily infer that it was black magic. It felt almost like an open warning.

…A warning?

While sitting in the reception room with its wide panoramic windows, I leaned forward and focused on the fog. If it really was a warning, then its meaning was obvious. Black magic is in effect here, so do not approach.

And an enemy would not be the one to issue such a warning. That was something someone trying to protect the castle would do.

So it really was Tairok’s doing? Concealing the curse of the castle while also keeping people away. At this point, I was starting to feel curious about what kind of curse it actually was. If I could lift it…

No. I shook my head. There was nothing more dangerous than overestimating my own abilities. Overconfidence can have the advantage of boosting courage, but it also comes with recklessness and empty expectations as side effects.

In battles where life and death are on the line, those side effects often turn into fatal mistakes. I turned my gaze away from the window and tried to ignore the fog. I had priorities.

Saving my world. And searching the Acorn Forest. Just then, a servant approached and delivered the news I had been waiting for.

“The Grand Duke has arrived.”

I jumped to my feet.

So you are here, my contract.

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“We received word that the Southern Textile Guild has entered an exclusive deal with the Ma Trading Company. The rumor is that the Ma Trading Company offered an unlimited letter of credit. In other words, they are willing to pay any price. However, based on what I investigated, there is more to it than that.”

As Solongo reported to Lantuya, her gaze sharpened.

“It seems the Ma Trading Company has secured priority supply rights across the entire Montaine region. They informed the guild of this as well.”

At Solongo’s report, Lantuya lifted her eyes with interest. She was half reclining because her body had not fully recovered yet, but her gaze was brimming with strength.

“Are you certain?”

“You know the Southern Textile Guild Master’s temperament. He is an extremely cautious man.”

“Yes. If someone says they will pay whatever the Ma Trading Company wants, he would be suspicious first.”

“Exactly. Unless he sees the contract between the Ma Trading Company and Montaine with his own eyes. It seems clear that Montaine will be fully backing the Ma Trading Company going forward.”

Good news for a competitor was undoubtedly bad news for Adeye. Yet Lantuya’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She clasped her fingertips together, unable to hide her delight.

“That sly Montaine would never stamp a seal for the Ma family.”

“Indeed. No matter how much money is involved, they are the sort to pull back and probe unless they are certain.”

“Right. So the fact that they are openly backing the Ma Trading Company means they have secured solid collateral.”

Only then did Solongo understand why her matriarch was so excited.

“Ah. Could it be that they have already taken an oath?”

“It isn’t ‘could be.’ If Kilu was involved, it’s certain. Those two have definitely taken an oath.”

That meant the traitor could never again be bound to Tairok. The oath can only be taken once in a lifetime.

“Hahaha. Serves you right, Hoiga.”

When Lantuya laughed loudly, Solongo looked on with satisfaction and offered her congratulations.

“The traitor will never achieve his ambitions now.”

“But he will not even know why, and he will be driven mad by the injustice. He might even try to seize Tairok by destroying him.”

Lantuya’s smile did not fade as her eyes gleamed cruelly.

“From now on, that bastard needs to go more and more insane. That way, the pain will be even greater at the moment of defeat.”

However, Lantuya was not someone who simply basked in joy. When Solongo raised another matter, the eyes that had sparkled like a child’s instantly turned into those of a cold, calculating merchant.

“The Southern Textile Guild has only made a verbal agreement with the Ma Trading Company so far. We still have a chance to take the deal.”

“Leave it.”

“But…”

“Instead, raise the price tenfold on the goods we supply to the Southern Textile Guild. The Turtle Island specialty.”

Ah. Solongo’s eyes widened.

“The raw material for purple dye, correct? I have heard that the color can only be extracted from a flower native to Turtle Island. But will the Southern Textile Guild really accept that?”

“They will. The one paying will be the Ma Trading Company. They said they would pay whatever it takes, so they will buy it no matter the price. They need to make their first deal with Montaine flawless.”

“But Montaine will not add extra money just because they are tied by marriage. That would mean the Ma Trading Company alone takes a massive loss. Ah…”

Solongo realized as soon as she spoke that this was precisely what Lantuya was aiming for. And Lantuya did not stop there.

“Make the purple of the Southern Textiles a trend in the Imperial Capital. Release clothes, veils, everything. The better it sells, the deeper the Ma Trading Company’s deficit will grow.”

“I will start with famous actors. We have always sent gifts to the divine beast family. Should we skip them this time?”

No. Lantuya shook her head.

“Send even more than usual. Make it obvious that we are bowing and watching our step. Let them sneer and think that the Adeye Trading Company is hesitating over whether to support the Kun family. That way, our enemies will look down on us and lower their guard.”

A beast that always bares its fangs and threatens can never be the victor. A true predator hides from its prey and bites the throat at the decisive moment.

Lantuya’s gaze was calm, like a tiger lying in wait within tall grass. Solongo looked at her matriarch with admiration, though at the same time she worried that she should be thinking of her health first.

“Isn’t half of your wish already fulfilled? All that remains is for Lord Lu to take an oath with the Grand Duke Kun. You can afford to take a breather now.”

But at the mention of “oath”, the smile vanished from Lantuya’s face.

“That brat still needs to get his hands on the contract.”

“If Grand Duke Kun has promised, he will surely keep his word.”

“One never knows with people. Lu could just hurry up and take the oath with Tairok as well, but instead he insists on writing a contract. Such a hassle.”

Thinking of that petty Tairok, irritation surged across Lantuya’s face. Solongo nodded in understanding, then paused.

“By the way, Lord Lu does know how to take an oath, correct?”

Solongo had asked without much thought, but her tone soon turned serious.

“There is no complicated procedure. The two simply share their energy and recite the new name they will use together. Energy can be shared with a handshake. Surely he did not overlook it because it is too simple…”

At Solongo’s words, Lantuya tilted her head with a small “Hm?” then laughed.

“There is no way Tairok would have done it already before even holding a wedding. And besides, Mo is there to help. If they had taken an oath, Tairok would have told Lu. Even if he somehow did not hear about it.”

Doctor Kim shook his head.

“He is not that oblivious.”

After all, he is from Incheon.