CHAPTER 23

“W-What do you mean…?”

Armin’s supply officer spoke.

Elic’s answer regarding the matter was the same as before.

He wore a bright expression, as if he were simply stating something obvious.

“Is there a problem? From our perspective, the Empire is the most reasonable buyer. Or can Armin match the same conditions?”

There was no way they could.

Setting everything else aside, Armin simply did not have the same budget as the Empire.

Why was it called an Empire? Even without considering its vast territory, its power and wealth far surpassed other nations.

In the end, there was only one thing Armin’s supply officer could do.

“T-That would collapse the market! It sets a terrible precedent! Making the buyer bear distribution costs will harm Wibin in the long run—how can you not see that?!”

It was certainly a possibility.

But no one here failed to notice how full of holes his argument was.

It was Polo who stepped forward.

“Hmph! It’s ridiculous to worry that a single deal here would collapse the entire market. In the first place, the competition over grain imports ends here. Besides, we are in wartime. It’s precisely because of these special circumstances that the Empire made this decision. Try doing the same next year—who would buy grain from that territory then?”

“Have you not considered that the war may still be ongoing next year?!”

“Can you guarantee the battlefield will remain in a stalemate like now?”

“That’s…!”

He couldn’t.

The situation on the battlefield was rapidly escalating following Chebor’s fall.

Anyone with an understanding of war already knew.

At most, within half a year, more than half of the nations currently at war would cease to exist.

“Are we finished talking?”

At Elic’s question, Armin’s supply officer could do nothing but tremble.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

At that moment, his gaze turned toward Tiria.

“Madam, what do you think? Do you believe such a deal is right?!”

The young master himself had said it—she was the true authority of this territory.

If so, she was his only hope.

But…

“…If that is the head of the house’s decision, then I must follow it.”

She replied with her eyes gently closed.

Armin’s supply officer flushed red with anger, his veins bulging visibly.

“Hmm, the matter is already settled just as I arrived. I had hoped to enjoy a bit of the countryside atmosphere.”

Polo’s words were clearly mocking.

Elic responded in the same tone.

“The trains will stop running soon anyway. Why not stay the night?”

“I appreciate the kindness, but as a soldier of a nation at war, I cannot indulge in personal comfort. I’ll take the last train.”

The conversation flowed smoothly back and forth.

Yet, even though things shouldn’t end like this, there was no move left to change the situation.

Even Disha’s supply officer seemed to have resigned himself and agreed.

“Hmm, we lacked sufficient information. This round is our defeat. The meal was excellent. We’ll also depart today.”

“Wait!”

“Armin, that’s enough.”

Clack—

Armin’s supply officer flinched.

The look from Disha’s officer was terrifying.

“Restrain yourself. Disha is a nation of knights. We value honor and accept victory and defeat—such is the way of a true soldier.”

“I… I…”

“Remember this. The only reason we are not drawing swords now is because this is the last time.”

His words were true.

Though their battlefronts were far apart, if the war intensified, Armin and Disha would inevitably clash.

The only reason they weren’t killing each other now was simple—

This was foreign land, and as representatives of their nations, they could not cause a disturbance.

“Well then, it seems everything is settled.”

Despite the situation spiraling out of control, Armin’s officer could do nothing.

All he could do was scream inwardly.

This was wrong.

Such a one-sided deal was deeply flawed—yet he had no chance to correct it.

‘How could this…!’

If he alone stayed behind and begged while the other two left, how disgraceful would that be?

Beyond shame, it would become a diplomatic insult.

As a representative of Armin, he could not do such a thing.

So he lowered his head.

It was a complete defeat.

*

Watching the three supply officers leave, Elic let out a long breath.

‘Honestly, I’d rather just cut their heads off.’

The back of that skinny man irritated him.

But acting on such emotions would only put Tiria in a difficult position.

So instead, he chose manipulation.

Using Polo, he twisted the direction of the deal, and with Disha’s officer, he turned it into the prevailing consensus.

Of course, Polo carried out the process.

They did have to send 10% of the grain to Disha, but it wasn’t a burden for Portman’s territory.

After all, publicly, the Empire would bear the distribution costs.

“My lord.”

Tiria spoke.

“Was this your doing?”

Elic’s eyes shook.

“W-What?”

Caught off guard, he panicked.

Tiria lowered her gaze and continued.

“I see.”

She seemed to understand.

Elic felt his heart drop.

“W-What do you mean? I don’t quite…”

“I didn’t know you had connections with the Empire.”

Did she overhear his conversation with Polo?

A sense of crisis gripped him.

“During your travels, perhaps you befriended someone from the Empire? That would explain their favor.”

“Ah…!”

“Armin’s officer may have missed it due to panic, but to me, it seemed like the two of you were conspiring. If I’m mistaken, I apologize…”

“N-No, you’re right! I did form a connection with a noble from the Empire during my travels!”

Cold sweat ran down Elic’s back.

He was relieved she had drawn her own conclusion.

He recalled Elbus Graham’s words:

“Those who trust too much in their own intelligence often become trapped by their assumptions…”

Tiria’s competence had led her into a false conclusion.

But for Elic, it worked perfectly.

“I hope you’ll introduce me next time.”

“Yes… for now, shall we head inside?”

“Alright.”

As Tiria turned toward the mansion, Elic sighed in relief.

‘That settles it.’

His identity was safe—for now.

Relaxing, he followed her inside, lightly tapping his aching knee.

*

Polo returned to the capital of the Mahir Empire.

A vast city of steel and steam—the beating heart of the continent.

Compared to it, Wibin felt almost pastoral.

Lost in thought, Polo pulled out a note.

‘Will this really work?’

It was a hastily written letter from Kasha.

Its destination: the Graham family estate.

Recipient: Elbus Graham.

Arriving there, Polo hesitated.

“What brings you here?”

“I am Polo, third son of Count Notem. I wish to meet Lord Elbus.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No… but it’s urgent.”

Just as he thought it wouldn’t work—

“Hmm… follow me. He has no schedule today, so I’ll ask.”

Polo was stunned.

To meet someone like Elbus Graham so easily?

A prodigy among prodigies—yet this simple?

It almost felt like a joke orchestrated by Kasha and Elbus.

Then—

“A guest? From the Notem family?”

A voice came from inside.

“Hmm… why not? I was bored anyway. Let him in.”

The same beautiful voice as five years ago.

Polo stiffened, recalling a past memory.

Creaaak—

The door opened.

“Lord Notem… or rather, supply officer.”

Inside sat a man in a wheelchair.

Backlit by sunlight, his features were unclear—

Only platinum hair, golden eyes, and an androgynous silhouette stood out.

“What brings you here?”

Polo swallowed.

“It’s been a while. I was asked to deliver a letter.”

Thus, Kasha’s letter was handed to Elbus Graham.

Polo, eager to leave, failed to notice many things.

But one thing he did hear—

“Khah…!”

A laugh.

“So that guy’s been enjoying himself in some remote corner all this time.”

Looking up, Polo saw it—

A mysterious, handsome man smiling mischievously, like a young boy.