Episode 306 – The Deal
When Azonne personally requested a conversation, all eyes turned to me.
‘This is a bit overwhelming.’
Perhaps it was because I had taken the opportunity they thought should be theirs.
The stares carried a complex blend of emotions, from curiosity and jealousy to suspicion.
It seemed rare for Azonne to initiate a conversation first in Aintrier.
Among the guests invited to the garden, many VIPs were present.
If word got out that the Lord personally requested to speak with someone, it would certainly raise my recognition.
Increased recognition would help with my future plans.
"Not bad."
Looking at the clock, there wasn’t much time left until midnight.
Maybe Azonne was feeling just as impatient as I was.
“It won’t take long. It’s nearly midnight.”
He asked me again, and I nodded with a smile.
“It’s an honor. Idle chat, you say? I’m curious about the topic.”
“It’s noisy here, shall we move?”
Azonne extended his hand politely to guide me. As we walked, I glanced around.
I checked on my companions, and an odd scene was playing out.
Masked individuals had started to approach them—golden masks, in the case of Karmel and Lochter, were attempting to strike up conversations.
Moments later, a bright light illuminated the center of the party.
Beneath it, a handsome man wearing an elegant cloak smiled and greeted those around him.
[“I am the wandering bard, Rotas. I have been invited to liven up this glorious gathering, if only for a short time. Tonight, I would like to share a tale about the southern region of Tobaron, a land not well known.”]
The sudden appearance of the bard and his story about Tobaron drew the attention of the Leaf Union guests.
As natives of Tobaron, it was only natural that their interest was piqued.
What scheme was this?
I spoke as I looked at Azonne’s back.
“You’ve put in some effort. Seems you’ve done a lot of research on the World Tree Union.”
“They were new faces. I was curious. I looked into you as well.”
“And?”
“Information is just that—information.”
Azonne glanced at me briefly before continuing.
“I prefer to confirm things with my own eyes rather than rely on reports.”
“I hope I’ve made a good impression then.”
We sat at a splendid table prepared between the garden paths.
It was a space surrounded by lush plants, perfect for a private conversation.
The lighting was so bright it felt like daylight despite the late hour.
“Since coming to the estate, have you been uncomfortable in any way?”
“Everything has been satisfactory.”
“That’s good to hear.”
We exchanged a few pleasantries.
Azonne’s gaze shifted subtly as he took a sip of tea.
Not due to emotional changes, but rather a flickering in his eyes—a faint glow that alternated between gold and red.
It was subtle, hard to detect, but my eyes caught it.
The eyes of a Greed-Reader, able to perceive one’s desires and avarice.
And then—
‘Is he using the Eye of the Golden Castle too?’
The Eye of the Golden Castle.
A power that reveals someone’s monetary potential.
Those who built connections with individuals holding immense monetary potential always made a fortune.
Azonne called them “high-value clients,” and if the deal was deemed important, he would meet them in person to confirm it.
‘Alex Marcia…’
Just how much potential does he see in me?
Azonne was a thorough merchant. No matter how stirred his emotions were, he never made the foolish mistake of showing it outwardly.
But then—
Clang—
“…Ah.”
Suddenly, Azonne’s teacup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
A moment of silence followed over the shards of broken glass.
Azonne offered a slight smile and lowered his head.
“My hand slipped. Please excuse me for a moment.”
As a servant approached to clean the glass, Azonne wiped the moisture from his hand with a handkerchief.
His hand, clutching the cloth, was trembling slightly.
‘…Unbelievable.’
The moment he observed Alex with the Eye of the Golden Castle, an enormous maw of greed swallowed Azonne whole.
Until now, he had always assessed and devoured others’ potential. But this time, he was the one being consumed.
‘That can’t be.’
He couldn’t believe there existed someone with greater monetary potential than himself.
“Did you bring the Leaf with you?”
“I carry it on me. It’s a valuable item.”
“I see.”
Azonne let out a faint sigh of relief.
The monetary potential in Alex’s gaze didn’t seem to be his own, but that of the Leaf.
The Eye of the Golden Castle worked on objects as well as people.
A Leaf of the World Tree.
He had always desired the Leaf, but with this much value, there was no way he’d let anyone else have it.
The exclusive rights to monopolize the Leaf.
Azonne checked the time and got straight to the point.
“I want to personally buy the exclusive rights.”
“What do you mean by 'personally' buy?”
“Just as I said. As Lord, I want to secure the monopoly at a reasonable price.”
“That’s a heavy topic for idle talk.”
“It’s not that heavy. As long as both sides want something in return.”
“If I list it as a Dark Sales item, I could create better conditions through competition. Surely, you know how valuable the exclusive rights to the Leaf are.”
“I’ll offer you 5% of Aintrier’s shares.”
My hand paused as I was setting down my cup.
5% of Aintrier’s shares.
An unexpected offer was thrown my way.
‘How much would that be worth?’
It couldn’t be valued in simple numbers.
As a major city monopolizing distribution in the Hell Grime region, the money flowing through Aintrier was astronomical.
Holding 5% would make me one of the wealthiest figures in Hell Grime.
‘Interesting. Showing your hand this early.’
It was an offer that clearly revealed how highly Azonne valued the Leaf.
He was determined to obtain it no matter what.
“Five percent... impressive.”
“If you take the shares, the World Tree Union could become friends with Aintrier. Don’t you need allies?”
To extend such an offer to an isolated faction showed that he had sharp insight.
The idea of a friendly force like Aintrier backing the World Tree Union—it looked great on the surface.
“If I didn’t already understand the power dynamics in Hell Grime, I might’ve accepted the offer.”
He must have been confident anyone would accept.
But that 5% was a trap.
“Because other factions already hold more shares in Aintrier.”
I already knew the ownership structure of Aintrier, something only Azonne was supposed to know.
At 5%, it was less than what Demtor, Prime Root, and the Cleaners held.
I'd be at a disadvantage and bound by those long-established relationships.
5% wasn't enough. I’d need at least 30% for leverage. But if I proposed that, it would be a declaration of war against Azonne.
“I refuse.”
“Is it the 5% you don’t like?”
“I mean I don’t need shares.”
Refusing without hesitation made Azonne furrow his brow.
“You don’t seem to understand the value of what I’m offering. Shall I explain what 5% of Aintrier means?”
“I understand. It would ensure the World Tree Union never has to worry about money.”
“You’re more ambitious than I thought.”
“It’s nearly midnight, so I’ll get to the point too.”
“Refreshing. Let’s hear it.”
“Control rights to Ship Gridment.”
“…Ship Gridment? The transport vessel?”
“Yes. A term of about three years should suffice.”
“And ownership of the Kenline River’s downstream dock. It’s not far from the Ordor Forest, so I’m quite interested.”
That dock was where I first boarded the Ship Gridment.
Also the place where I brought in the vagrants—most of them unconscious and weakened, whom Elton had transferred to a warehouse.
My reason for wanting to own it was to establish a foothold for humans separated from other races in Hell Grime.
A haven for vagrants.
Azonne crossed his arms and leaned back.
Seemed like the deal struck a nerve. That was a posture he took when irritated.
“You know you’re asking a lot?”
“It’s not excessive. I’m only renting the rights to the ship. It’s cheaper than 5% of your shares. Don’t you think?”
In monetary terms, my offer didn’t come close to 5%.
But this deal was about control and ownership—not just price.
Power to act without interference. That’s what mattered.
‘He won’t give in easily.’
The downstream dock and Ship Gridment were key to controlling southern logistics in Aintrier.
Handing them over meant risking the World Tree Union gaining dominance over southern trade.
He couldn’t agree so easily.
‘He’ll need time.’
Azonne would need to think carefully about whether to trade the Leaf’s monopoly for southern trade rights.
“The Dark Sales item list will be announced soon. I’m starting to wonder whether the Leaf is even suitable for the list.”
Is this his attempt at pressure already?
I answered with a calm expression.
“If Aintrier can’t recognize its value, I’ll find someone who can. Perhaps Demtor? I hear the stars are quite interested.”
It was a casual remark, but Azonne reacted to the word stars.
Could it be that the ones who cursed Italus’ granddaughter were from Demtor?
Or was there a star that longed for the World Tree’s Leaf?
Many possibilities came to mind, but Azonne just stared silently.
A moment later, he smiled softly and stood.
“Thank you for the proposal.”
“Is that a rejection?”
“No. I’ll put it on hold for now. I’ll contact you after some thought.”
“Then the exclusive rights go on the item list?”
“I wonder how many would be willing to meet your price.”
“Let’s hope someone does.”
“Are you familiar with how Dark Sales transactions work?”
“I am.”
He extended his hand. I shook it lightly.
“The exclusive rights will be listed.”
“Thank you for the courtesy.”
“Don’t mention it. Ah!”
Azonne clapped softly and leaned in to whisper.
“I’ll be bringing the item list shortly, but since this was our first conversation, I’ll let you preview it first. Care to join me?”
“I’d be glad to.”
It was a tempting offer—I needed to examine that list closely.
As we left the garden side by side, Azonne gestured to the golden-masked figure beside him to step back.
With a polite bow, the golden mask disappeared into the party.
Azonne watched them go, then turned and spoke as he guided me.
“Have you heard about the recent missing Cleaners incident?”
“I have. It happened in the underground sewers, right?”
“Yes. It’s put Sir Richard on edge. I hope you’ll be understanding if mistakes are made.”
“Is there anything I need to understand?”
To my question, Azonne looked toward the area where his subordinate had disappeared and murmured quietly.
“You’ll know when the time comes.”
It was a cryptic remark.