The tension in the banquet hall was palpable as Viscount Craft refused to shake hands. Bank and corporate employees watched the quiet standoff with bated breath.
Count McKenna internally sighed.
The pink-eyed gaze looked him up and down, assessing him with a condescending eye, showing no signs of embarrassment.
Given the crafty maneuvers the Viscount had employed to seize power over the Sky Island, it would be naive to think of him as a mere fool.
After recovering from a state of idiocy, the Viscount immediately enrolled in the Academy. An investigation into his past revealed that he had only visited the Camelot territory as a friend, lacking substantial experience in banquets and social gatherings.
So, he was trying to assert pressure as a senior in an unfamiliar situation and environment.
It seemed such light tactics wouldn’t work.
Despite his downfall, Craft’s blood was still formidable.
In fact, if he had matured to such a level without undergoing proper heir training or clan competition, one might argue that his bloodline had indeed strengthened.
If that were the case, it would be reasonable to consider that the ominous rumors he discovered during his investigation were somewhat true.
He incited terror, used it as an excuse to meddle with the Sky Island government, and even eliminated troublesome knight corps members. After his decline in central politics, he was plotting from the outskirts for the future.
If such rumors circulated about an ordinary target, it would evoke fear and speculation about how much money went into spreading them…
However, if he had truly inherited Craft’s scheming disposition to such an extent, it was highly likely that he had instigated terror as well.
Even if his rough handling of affairs was not sophisticated enough to become gossip in the marketplace, given the Viscount’s age, there was a certain humanity to it.
Or perhaps, without humanity, he deliberately allowed or fomented rumors as a schemer.
The Craft clan was in a defensive position. It was rare for convenient ominous rumors to serve as a means to promote their stability. While not sophisticated, exceptional measures were needed in exceptional situations.
According to whispers that leaked during the confidential negotiations with the Imperial Bank, thanks to the openly spread rumors, the royal family was beginning to pay close attention to the Craft clan again. If Craft’s intent hit its mark, then it had indeed been successful.
Although the royal family brought down the Craft clan, there was no particular reason for the other great nobles to constrain them, as the Sky Island remained a distinct outlying area. Instead, receiving the Emperor’s hint, it would be possible to act as the royal family’s hunting dogs to exert influence in central politics.
If the current Viscount Craft continued to grow in this manner, he would reach the capabilities of several Craft clan heads whose betrayals and machinations only came to light long after they had passed, analyzed by historians.
And that would be achieved without any formal training.
He was a born schemer.
The interest of such a schemer in the railway construction rights, which could influence the Demon Realm…
Was it related to the absurd way of electing the acting president through a vote, and his grand advertisement that he was pro-clan?
Count McKenna withdrew his hand, which had been offered for a handshake, gracefully, having been ignored. He casually placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head in greeting.
“I have heard of your renowned reputation. You certainly live up to it.”
The gold ring on the Count’s hand sparkled in the chandelier’s light.
Pastel flinched.
What?
Overwhelmed by an overwhelming level of corruption, the gaze that had been scanning the opponent stopped. The youthful spirit that had been trying to learn about golden sparkling fashion vanished in an instant.
Upon reflection, golden bling didn’t really suit her pink aesthetics.
It wasn’t that her corruption level was lacking; she simply hadn’t adorned herself with gold due to her high fashion level!
Replacing her vanished admiration was a slight rise of rebellious feelings in the senior.
Her chin subtly rose arrogantly.
Ahem.
“You do have discerning eyes, Count.”
Yes, yes!
Honestly, I think gold rings, gold bracelets, and gold necklaces are tacky!
And! And!
It’s a complete sham that the person junior to me is playing a game of who gets to appear last in the banquet hall!
It’s not that I lost in the power struggle; it’s that the Count is being shameless!
Looking at the impeccable timing, he had been nearby, observing the banquet with his subordinates, following me in when I entered!
Talking about the backstory is so embarrassing!
Yes, yes!
Moreover! Moreover!
Competing over the order of entry is fundamentally childish!
I did it too, but…
It’s okay because I’m inherently childish!
Boo hoo!
What does it matter!
Boo hoo! Boo hoo!
Childish Pastel hastily spat out her rebellious thoughts and regained her composure.
Thinking again, there’s nothing I can bow down to this person.
Powerful Pastel, even if I’m outshone in height and age, power level is what truly matters.
She scanned Count McKenna.
The aura of his power was palpable.
Once a force to be reckoned with in the Demon Realm, and even now, not lacking influence, he was the head of a merchant coalition.
While the profit margins were lower than smuggling, he had the capital that almost monopolized the official magic stone trade, coupled with his own standing military funded generously.
He effectively wielded military rights, though he lacked actual territory on the map.
The Sky Island had its own autonomous government, but due to the strong influence of the empire through knight corps, power was split between administration and military, which was now only beginning to unify, making them feel weak.
Especially with the company already conspiring with the Imperial Bank, it meant they had to fight on the opponent’s front lawn.
Boo…
The power level remained insufficient.
Pastel subtly lowered her once-aloof chin.
“I hope for a dignified bidding competition. The company’s reach is extensive, so there’s no need to frown upon such trivial matters.”
Right?
“Let’s do just that.”
Count McKenna’s eyes glinted as if he had caught a weakness.
“That said, judging by your words, it seems the Viscount is very interested in this item? I came here against the advice of my executives to gather more cash, and your statement is making me eager again. It seems railways are quite viable business after all?”
“Ah-ha-ha!”
At the shaky remarks, Pastel laughed it off playfully.
Business mode?
No, objectively recognizing the distressing circumstances regarding the asset was right, so this was a pathway towards ambiguous maneuvering.
The pink eyes glinted with cheer. Looking up at the chandelier, her gaze deepened.
“I’m very interested.”
And she left it at that.
Very interested.
Yes, yes.
A moment of silence passed.
Count McKenna’s expression shifted at the smoke screen, and he pondered deeply. He began to combine the information in his mind to speculate what the Viscount’s statement truly meant.
A smart person.
They say scams often fall prey to intelligent individuals who are confident in their own intellect.
Foolish Pastel stared blankly at the chandelier.
Sparkle, sparkle.
It looked expensive.
The Count’s demeanor changed to one of certainty as he organized his thoughts.
Oh no.
Did I unwittingly engage in something bad?
The Count’s gaze shifted to Ellie, who was pretending to drink wine while keeping an eye on him.
Then, surveying the gathering as the crowd parted slightly for the confrontation between the Viscount and Count, he spoke in a low voice.
“Not only did you replace Professor Marius with Professor Horace for the acting position, but it seems you have a good relationship with Princess Elysita.”
Oh?
Pastel looked back at the demon girl.
Ellie’s expression turned to one of astonishment. She glared at the Count, who had recklessly revealed her hidden identity, a testament to how she indeed qualified for the title of princess.
Ellie, a princess?
She’s a princess?!
Ehhh?!
No wonder she had been so chic!
That chicness had stemmed from her status difference!
But what does that make me, who was using her for paperwork?
Pastel subtly raised her chin again.
Right, the great Pastel the Great.
The great Pastel the Great smiled sweetly.
“We’re quite close.”
Really close.
Just stating facts.
Count McKenna nodded in understanding. He discerned the reason why Viscount Craft had intruded as an uninvited guest into the auction orchestrated by Pastel.
He smiled meaningfully.
“However, it won’t be easy. Politics has long been the slave of gold.”
It was almost an arrogant statement that bordered on contempt for the royal family.
“Ah-ha-ha!”
But Pastel, who was utterly lost on the context, simply laughed.
“Then you must be close with me as well.”
The pink eyes sparkled as she looked at the Count. A slightly adorable yet cunning voice rang out.
“I, you see, like gold.”
Sparkle, sparkle.
Count McKenna’s expression changed to one of intrigue.
He thought for a moment before looking around again, particularly checking for ears from the Imperial Bank side. Instantly, his face morphed into a greedy grin.
“That’s great. I also happen to like it very much.”
He raised his hand to showcase the gold ring, which shone softly.
“There’s a villa in the vicinity. I’ve collected a gold collection, so would it be acceptable to invite the Viscount over before the auction?”
A clandestine conversation between competitors before the auction.
Oh no.
That’s downright bad.
Pastel’s expression brightened.
Completely bad!
The thrill of rebellion surged!
“Our thoughts align perfectly.”
This is why one must mingle with high-level individuals!
I’m going to learn that awesome golden golden fashion this time!
Earlier, I forcefully denied it out of pride, but Count McKenna’s fashion truly looked splendid.
Golden ring! Golden bracelet! Golden necklace!
Gold everywhere!
I will become a high-level individual!
