Chapter 164

Chapter 164
## Chapter 164: Shadows Over the Merchant House

—

“You look absolutely striking!”

Following the maid’s enthusiastic praise, Berge took a moment to study his reflection.

The suit was sharp, accented with a subtle touch of elegance that didn’t sacrifice utility. It clung to his frame perfectly while providing the freedom of movement he required.

“It will do.”

The attire wasn’t the source of his discomfort; it was the destination. To find himself masquerading as a high-society partner was a twist of fate he had never anticipated.

As a heavy sigh escaped him, Ernyan stepped into the room. Noticing the princess’s arrival, the maid made a quick, respectful exit.

“You look quite handsome. And what do you think of my choice?”

Ernyan spun in a slow, graceful circle. Her gown, a vibrant sky-blue, created a breathtaking contrast against her snow-white hair.

“It suits you.”

“Doesn’t it?”

“My role tonight is minimal, I hope?”

“Naturally. Simply remain at my side. The social maneuvering is my burden to bear.”

Very well.

“The hour has arrived.”

She extended her hand toward him. Berge reached out and took it firmly.

“Shall we depart?”

“Let us.”

Together, the Crown Princess and Berge boarded a grand carriage, beginning their journey toward the estate of Duke Heinz.

—

The caliber of a gala is defined by the status of its host and the prestige of its guests. A royal event is the gold standard, measured by the weight of the titles in the room. By that metric, this gathering was of the highest order.

Duke Heinz, the premier noble of the realm, was the host, and it was common knowledge that the Second Prince and his consort would be in attendance. Many guests had arrived purely to seek opportunities within the new marriage alliance with the Hessen Kingdom.

However, not everyone was focused on trade.

“Have you heard the rumor? A summons was sent to the First Villa as well.”

“That implies the Crown Princess will grace us with her presence.”

Ernyan Hilderan.

The invitation had reached the kingdom’s most talked-about figure, and the whispers regarding her recent private meal with a mysterious man had sent shockwaves through the aristocracy. The central question of the night was whether she would appear with the celebrated Hero Hillun Kagil or the enigmatic newcomer, Pale.

“Surely she will arrive with Hero Hillun? It only makes sense.”

“But they say her personal guard went to meet this Pale in person. They’ve shared meals and he’s residing at the villa; they are hardly strangers.”

Viscountess Orian spoke softly behind the cover of her lace fan.

“I’ve heard he is a member of Hero Hillun’s elite vanguard.”

“Ah, then their connection is logical.”

“But what does it mean for tonight?”

“We shall have our answer the moment she walks through those doors, won’t we?”

‘How tedious.’

Ovest Hilderan, the Second Prince, sipped his wine while eavesdropping on the nearby chatter. He was displeased. The name dominating the room should have been his, not Ernyan’s.

“You seem troubled, my love.”

“It is nothing. Is the gossip not to your liking?”

“The company has been pleasant enough. But how can I enjoy myself when you look so grim?”

“This entire evening was orchestrated for your benefit.”

“We are partners in this endeavor. There is no need for secrets between us.”

That much was true. Ovest turned his gaze to his wife, Peria Hessen—the Second Princess of the Hessen Kingdom.

“If you’ve heard the whispers, you know the cause.”

“I understand. The nobility here seems quite enamored with your sister.”

“They are.”

Ovest harbored a deep-seated resentment for his half-sister. Like him, she was a child of the World Tree, a survivor of that grueling ancient rite. They had both endured upbringing that bordered on torment to reach their current strength. Very few warriors in the land could stand against him, and most royals were beneath his notice.

But everything shifted a decade ago with Ernyan’s birth. The King’s affection had pivoted toward her, and where the King’s favor went, the nobility followed. Slowly, the support he had cultivated began to bleed away toward his younger sister. The bitterness of that decline was a weight only he truly understood.

“Fix your expression. The room is watching.”

Peria reached out, her gentle touch smoothing the tension in his face.

“The past cannot be changed. Look at them. They speak of the Crown Princess, but it is you they are watching with expectation.”

She was right. This banquet served two vital functions: to introduce Peria to Hilderan society and to facilitate trade negotiations between the two kingdoms under Ovest’s direction. Though they had a moment of respite now, they had been besieged by ambitious nobles all evening.

“See? They wait for your lead.”

“…For me.”

“Then rise and give them what they want. The talk of Ernyan is merely a distraction until you speak.”

“…She is not an opponent to be taken lightly.”

However…

“For now, you are correct.”

Ovest stood tall. Immediately, the nobles who had been hovering nearby began to close in. But in that moment, the atmosphere shifted.

“…The Illustrious Flower of Hilderan…”

A series of grand, poetic titles echoed through the hall. Everyone knew who was about to arrive. The massive doors swung open with a slow, deliberate creak.

“…Her Royal Highness Ernyan Hilderan, accompanied by her escort, Lord Pale Krafin!”

Silence smothered the room instantly. Every guest turned as if pulled by a single string.

*Click. Clack.*

The sharp sound of heels cut through the stillness. With her platinum hair flowing like a river of silk and her amethyst eyes shining, Ernyan was a vision of royal perfection. Her sky-blue dress and shimmering jewels only heightened her natural aura of grace and purity.

“She is stunning.”

“The pride of our kingdom, truly.”

The men were mesmerized by her beauty, while the women were struck by her regal presence. Because of this, it took a moment for their attention to shift to the man at her side.

“Oh my…”

Viscountess Orian let out a soft gasp.

The first thing people noticed was the shock of crimson hair. His ruby-colored eyes, which held a depth that felt both ancient and resolute, stood out against his fair skin and the sharp lines of his black suit. He was the picture of refined masculinity.

“…He is breathtaking.”

The Viscountess’s gaze became unfocused, lost in his appearance.

Ernyan and Berge walked forward, the crowd parting like water before them. They stopped before Ovest Hilderan and Peria Hessen.

“It has been some time, brother.”

“The phrase ‘some time’ feels like an exaggeration.”

“Consider it a polite formality, then.”

“I was under the impression you would be attending with Hillun Kagil.”

“The partner I chose is his equal in every regard.”

Ovest shifted his cold gaze to Berge.

“And who are you?”

“This is Pale, my partner for the evening.”

“I did not ask you, sister.”

“Pale Krafin.”

Berge offered the fabricated name along with a shallow, perfunctory bow.

“I am Ovest Hilderan.”

“A privilege to meet the Second Prince.”

“The name Krafin does not ring a bell.”

“I was not born in Hilderan, so your lack of familiarity is expected.”

“And your trade?”

“I oversee a modest merchant organization.”

“Modest? I find that hard to believe, considering you managed to displace Hillun Kagil from my sister’s side.”

“Brother, that is quite enough.”

“I am merely being social.”

“Is that what we are calling it now?”

“You have been away dealing with the Demon King’s forces for too long; you’ve forgotten how we speak.”

The tension between the siblings was palpable, their eyes locked in a silent duel.

“The air is getting a bit thin here. Should siblings not show more warmth?”

Peria Hessen stepped forward, her voice a practiced tool for diffusing tension.

“It has been a while, Your Highness. Not since the ceremony, I believe?”

“A pleasure to see you again. I hope you are finding Hilderan to your liking, despite the unfamiliarity.”

“His Highness is a devoted husband; I am settling in well.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Your beauty remains unrivaled, Your Highness.”

“As does yours.”

“You are too kind.”

“I haven’t finished,” Ovest interrupted, cutting through the pleasantries. “Pale Krafin, your name has reached my ears, even if your house has not.”

“Has it?”

“The one who wields the mana that left Akkan’s sorcerers in ruin? I should like to witness that power for myself one day.”

“Brother, you are being incredibly rude.”

“I am addressing Lord Pale.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be putting on a display at a party.”

“Not even if the Second Prince demands it?”

“I answer to the Crown Princess’s commands.”

Ovest’s expression soured.

“Bold. Your arrogance matches your reputation.”

“You are far too complimentary.”

“I see why Ernyan preferred you over Hillun. However…”

“Yes?”

“That was Akkan. Here in Hilderan, do you truly believe you stand above Hillun Kagil?”

In truth, Ovest was secretly pleased. He knew the King was pushing for a union between Ernyan and Hillun—a match that would solidify her claim and ruin his. By bringing Pale, Ernyan was effectively sabotaging that plan. Yet, her hidden motives kept him on edge. He needed to understand why she was severing ties with the Hero.

“Within the borders of Hilderan, I would not claim to be Hillun Kagil’s superior.”

However…

Berge leaned forward, moving into the personal space between the Prince and his wife. As they instinctively flinched, he lowered his voice to a cold whisper.

“But I am certainly a cut above you, Princess of Hessen.”

The faces of the royal couple twisted into masks of pure, unadulterated fury.

—

Berge had anticipated a more explosive reaction, but the royal pair possessed more self-control than he gave them credit for. Following the confrontation, they were swamped by other nobles, preventing any further exchange. The rest of the night passed with a deceptive sense of peace.

“I am exhausted.”

Having spent hours playing the role of a refined gentleman—a part that felt entirely alien to him—Berge felt the sweat clinging to his skin. Once safely inside the carriage, he stripped off his heavy coat.

“That’s a surprise. I didn’t think you’d find it so taxing.”

“Only when people start prodding. I came very close to snapping that Prince’s neck.”

Berge was usually informal with the stars and the Third Prince, maintaining a level of detached politeness at most. But tonight, he had fought a constant internal battle to suppress his irritation for Ernyan’s sake. That final comment to the Princess was the only indulgence he had allowed himself.

“If you hadn’t insisted I come, I wouldn’t be this stressed.”

“It was a necessary move.”

“So now we wait for the King to make his move?”

“Precisely. My appearance tonight makes it official. He will have to respond.”

“That woman…”

“Which one?”

“The Princess of Hessen. She has the eyes of a serpent. Keep a close watch on her.”

“I am well aware.”

Ernyan ran her fingers over the gems on her gown.

“I’ve had eyes in Hessen for a while. She fought the current Crown Prince for the throne until the very end.”

“And she lost?”

“She did. She lost her standing, but not her drive. She’s using this trade alliance to claw back her power.”

“She’s buying the loyalty of the nobles to build her husband’s faction.”

“Exactly. The Hessen Crown Prince is funding her. Her goal is to become the Queen of Hilderan.”

“What is your defense?”

“I don’t have strong ties to the merchant guilds yet, so my foundation there is weak.”

Ernyan’s strength lay elsewhere: the loyalists, the mages, and the military.

“The mages?”

“Specifically the Spirit Mages. I’ve been their patron since I was a child.”

“And the knights?”

“Soldiers respect strength. My reputation for hunting monsters in my youth earned me their respect.”

“And your brother?”

“He has his own merits, but the majority of the knightly orders favor me. I’m secure on that front.”

“So the military belongs to you?”

“Largely. Furthermore, the people of Hilderan are fiercely independent. My brother’s reliance on Hessen will eventually alienate the common folk.”

Ernyan spoke with absolute certainty.

“Do you have a merchant house of your own?”

“The crown granted me one years ago. I have no head for business, so I left it to a professional manager.”

“I made an agreement with the Third Prince regarding the White Rose and Hyacinth companies of the Traparta Union. We should integrate them.”

“When did you find the time for that?”

“While I was inspecting the blade.”

“Resourceful. I’ll arrange the meeting.”

“Good.”

Suddenly, Berge’s brow furrowed. He reached into his subspace and pulled out a glowing communication orb.

“Who is it?”

“Aman.”

The orb flickered to life, revealing Aman’s panicked face.

『We have a major crisis!』

“Explain.”

『The Black Toad Trading Company has filed a formal grievance. They are accusing us of stealing their master craftsmen and proprietary technology!』

『The Empire is backing their claim—they are demanding the immediate return of the artisans, the mana cannons, and every bit of profit we’ve made!』

“…!”