Chapter 34

In the free city of Fasa in southern Apennia, there were two main pillars.

One was the Corsini Family, the native nobles of Fasa, and the other was the Signori Family, the recently prosperous merchant class.

Matriarch Costanza was the head of that Signori Family.

Normally, she was not someone just anyone could meet, but since I had saved her youngest son from the clutches of pirates, she readily accepted my request for a meeting.

“She wouldn't just ignore the person who saved her son's life.”

“Is that so?”

Theo looked at me strangely as I questioned him, but I shivered slightly as I thought about what was to come.

Matriarch Costanza was a merchant.

And the virtue of a merchant is the pursuit of profit.

These people didn't go out to the pirate-infested sea because they didn't value their lives.

It was all for gold.

And Matriarch Costanza was considered the best among those merchants.

Would such a person readily help with investment recruitment just because I saved her son's life?

I thought not.

Unless I went into the details of the investment plan, she was more likely to argue that that was that, and this was this.

“Anyway, it's time, so let's go.”

“Alright.”

I went over what I would say when I met Matriarch Costanza one more time and started walking.

***

While the awning attached to the building blocked the midday sun, we sat facing each other in the central garden of the Signori Palazzo.

And unexpectedly, Randolfo sat next to his mother.

Matriarch Costanza answered my unasked question.

“I told my youngest to rest as it seems he hasn't fully recovered yet.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Come to think of it, I haven't properly thanked my benefactor yet. Thank you so much for saving my youngest, Ludo.”

“Ah, Mother.”

‘Youngest Ludo’ blushed bright red, embarrassed by the nickname.

Well, he was old enough, so it would be embarrassing to be called by a nickname in front of others.

The conversation was briefly interrupted while the maid served refreshments and drinks.

This time, too, there was no coffee, and instead, tea brewed from dried flower petals was served.

While I was glaring at the teacup, Matriarch Costanza brought up the main topic first.

“So, why did you ask to meet?”

“I heard that you worked hard for us. Thanks to you, we were able to receive the prize money for the capture properly. I wanted to be sure to express my gratitude.”

“You're welcome. I was just repaying the favor Mr. Gryph had bestowed upon us.”

“Not at all. Whose child's life is not precious to them?”

“Huhu.”

“Haha.”

Indeed, Matriarch Costanza came at me right from the start.

That statement roughly meant, ‘The price for saving my son's life has been paid with this.’

But that wasn't the price I had in mind.

Especially for a life, it was too little.

As the old saying goes, you should stop a fight and encourage a bargain.

I had to give it a try.

After a long staring contest, Matriarch Costanza’s expression suddenly became calm.

“From what I see, Mr. Gryph, it doesn't seem like you asked to meet simply to offer thanks. There's something about you that's different from ordinary people.”

“That's right.”

“What is your business?”

“I will be holding an investment briefing in Fasa soon, and I would like to receive your help with it.”

As soon as the topic of business came up, the friendly atmosphere from a moment ago vanished.

The look in Matriarch Costanza’s eyes changed.

It was an overwhelming atmosphere befitting a merchant.

“Then what's in it for me?”

***

I had expected it, but hearing it head-on was a breathtaking question.

I studied Matriarch Costanza’s face to gauge her intentions, but she was expressionless, as if wearing a mask.

She was truly a formidable person.

It was like when I was trying to persuade Zeta for the first time after coming to this world.

“I thought you would naturally be interested in a new business.”

“I heard from Randolfo. You want to start a mercenary business? It's certain that Mr. Gryph has an eye for seeing things we haven't thought of. We merchants only know how to lend money to nobles; we are complete novices in the military field.”

Was this a roundabout way of saying she didn't want to invest?

“If you are worried about the funds, I have a large prize money that I will receive from the city hall. That is sufficient for the initial capital of the business.”

“Young man, the calculation for the prize money you'll receive was finished down to the last quattrino at dawn yesterday. I know the number. It's 5,706 silver coins. It's a lot of money, but it's not enough.”

I groaned inwardly.

It certainly wasn't a large sum.

With that, I wouldn't even be able to form a single battalion.

Matriarch Costanza spoke without a flicker of emotion on her face.

“And I don't worry about things like money. Who do you think I am?”

When the foremost merchant and heroine of Fasa said that, I was left speechless.

But my spirit wasn't broken by this.

The negotiation had only just begun.

“I believe you are already well aware of the advantages that come with possessing military power.”

Matriarch Costanza showed a mischievous smile as if she had already expected it.

And she immediately brought up a counter-argument.

“Of course, you won't mention the troublesome issues that will follow, will you? Who will manage the mercenaries, and who will command them? And where will the supplies for them be procured from?”

“……”

“In the first place, having an army in this small country will only lead to unnecessary conflicts. That is why I do not invest in the military field.”

“But in return, you can gain peace and security. Wouldn't that advantage more than cover the other disadvantages?”

“Well, to me, it looks like a sly person trying to profit from the crisis of others.”

“……”

“This plan has too many flaws and shortcomings to persuade me. Hmm, it's a bit much to invest recklessly in such a plan. I may be a woman, but I still have my pride as a merchant.”

I sent a look to Randolfo, asking for help.

Matriarch Costanza seemed to dote on her youngest, so maybe if Randolfo stepped in, she might change her mind?

She did not.

The person who had boisterously said he had the authority to invest remained silent.

This made it clear who held the real power in the Signori Family.

Matriarch Costanza, who held that real power, spoke.

“As an elder, let me give you a piece of advice. If people don't enter a certain field, there's a reason for it. Of course, it's a young man's privilege to delude himself into thinking he's smart.”

Matriarch Costanza now wore a sneer.

“Instead of investing in a vain dream, why don't you scatter that money on the streets? That would be more entertaining for people.”

“……”

It felt like I was about to pick up some delicious food, and suddenly my hand was slapped away.

That's how unpleasant it felt.

But I still had some room to maneuver.

“Is that so?”

“?”

I smiled faintly at Matriarch Costanza, who was looking at me with a puzzled face.

I was the one who had already overcome all sorts of problems.

I had grown too much to lose my mind over something like this.

And, I hadn't used my final card yet.

I didn't know I would have to pull this one out.

I used the killer move I had been hiding.

I set a heavy tone to my voice and began.

“It has been a long time since Apennia was oppressed by the pirates of the Golden Sea. During that time, the people of Apennia who suffered damage only resented the pirates of the Golden Sea, and no one thought of saving themselves.”

For the first time, Matriarch Costanza was flustered.

“That's because the pirates are too powerful……”

“Are you going to say it couldn't be helped? No. That is just an excuse.”

“……”

At my firm denial, Matriarch Costanza’s facial expression became peculiar.

“That is just laziness. You could even call it weakness. But now it is time for the people of Fasa to escape from the shadow of the pirates. Because I am here.”

“I……”

“Have you truly never harbored the thought of taking revenge on the pirates? Swear to God?”

“……”

Matriarch Costanza’s pupils wavered.

Next to her, a surprised Randolfo’s jaw dropped.

I held out my hand to Matriarch Costanza.

“I can give you a chance. A chance for revenge.”

“!”

“If you help me, I will bring you the head of Tospol.”

「Trait Activated: Descendant of a Demon Revealing hidden desires is a sign of doom foretold by fate.」

As the trait activated, I saw Matriarch Costanza’s face contort as if she had been struck at a weak point.

In that expression, I felt not excitement or anger, but pain.

Just pain.

“Wouldn't that be enough of a price?”

***

To persuade someone, you must first present a benefit.

The fact that precise logic has less influence on persuasion than heated emotion was a fact proven by the ancient Greeks thousands of years ago.

So, what kind of benefit should I present to Matriarch Costanza?

First, I didn't know Matriarch Costanza well.

But I knew a strategy that might be helpful.

Yes.

I knew Matriarch Costanza as an NPC.

In , Matriarch Costanza was a character who lost her family to pirates and commissioned their subjugation.

The fact that I remembered this before going to sleep was the reason I had tossed and turned all last night, unable to sleep.

“In your youth, you lost your husband to pirates. All that was left were your young sons. Nevertheless, you did not yield and built the Signori Family into the foremost family in Fasa. It is truly admirable, madam.”

Matriarch Costanza was, so to speak, the head of a modern conglomerate family, and normally, I was not someone who could even approach her.

The title 'madam' contained not just a respectful way of addressing her, but a sense of reverence.

Matriarch Costanza sighed.

“For a foreigner who just arrived in Fasa, you know a lot more about me than I thought.”

“Please think of it as a merchant's particular talent. Isn't collecting information a basic skill?”

It was a matter of course.

The strategy guide was only in my head.

Only I knew its value.

“But Mr. Gryph, my judgment is no different from before. The prize money Leon Gryph will receive cannot cover the service costs of this city. Mr. Gryph's plan is bound to run aground midway.”

“Then I'll have to find other investors.”

“You seem to take the name of the Signori Family too lightly. If rumors spread that the Signori Family will not invest, no other family will invest either.”

My eyes met with Matriarch Costanza’s.

I suddenly realized that Matriarch Costanza had not even gotten to the main point yet.

If she was going to refuse the investment, there was no reason to continue the conversation this long.

She could have just thrown me out.

At some point, the look in Matriarch Costanza’s eyes had softened.

“Conversely, if the Signori Family steps forward to invest, other investors will flock as well.”

“By that, you mean?”

“The Signori Family is willing to invest in Mr. Leon Gryph's plan. However, there is one condition. If you agree to that condition, we will invest.”

“What do you desire, madam?”

In Matriarch Costanza’s eyes, which were like a calm water surface, a hint of madness flashed by.

It was a familiar madness that had become a part of her daily life from accepting pain for too long.

“Send all the pirates of the Golden Sea to hell. That is the condition I desire.”

My heart stung, but a smile came to my lips.

Wiping out the pirates and taking control of the sea routes of the Golden Sea was something I had to do, even if no one asked me to.

If I could receive the sponsorship of the Signori Family on that condition, there was no problem at all.

In fact, it was a cheap bargain.

I stood up from my seat and approached Matriarch Costanza.

Matriarch Costanza looked at me with unwavering eyes.

It was indeed a dignified attitude, enough to earn her the title of Matriarch.

“Matriarch Costanza?”

“Just call me madam. People who know me don't call me by such a grand title.”

“I understand, madam.”

I knelt on one knee before Matriarch Costanza, kissed the back of her dry hand, and tried hard not to laugh like a madman.

“Everything will be as you wish, madam. I will gladly set the world on fire.”

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