It had been about three days since Rudell and the Trading Guild returned to the Count’s Domain.
“This is the Weinstein Count’s Domain.”
“It looks like a peaceful land.”
Kurt expressed his short impressions upon seeing the vast Count’s Domain before him.
Perhaps it was his first time seeing a civilized world, as Kurt’s eyes were scanning the Count’s Domain here and there.
Compared to the Eternal Winter Plains, where all life was a struggle for survival, Weinstein Count’s Domain must truly feel like paradise.
“It is definitely peaceful compared to the Eternal Winter Plains.”
Rudell chuckled softly and stepped into the street.
It had only been a little over a week since leaving the Count’s Domain, yet it felt as if several months had passed for Rudell.
That meant this journey had been quite exhausting and arduous.
As Rudell proceeded down the road with the Trading Guild…
“Young master.”
Kyle, who was advancing along the path, pointed to something he had discovered.
And as Rudell turned his head following Kyle’s finger, he saw…
“Rudell!”
“You’re back!”
“Mother! Father!”
It was his parents, Maria Weinstein and Carlos Weinstein.
Hurrying to them, Rudell dismounted and embraced his parents.
Maria and Carlos warmly welcomed Rudell in return…
“I’m back.”
“Good, nothing happened?”
“Yes, nothing happened.”
“I’m really glad you returned safely.”
“It hasn’t even been a few days.”
Responding to Maria and Carlos, Rudell looked at them with a gentle smile.
“Kyle, you worked hard too.”
“Thank you, Count.”
“You all worked hard. And this is…?”
Then, upon seeing Kurt, who was amidst the Trading Guild’s procession, Maria and Carlos looked puzzled.
Why is a Nord tribesman here?
Their expressions seemed to say just that.
“This is Kurt, a new friend I made during this trade.”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Kurt. I’m Rudell’s friend.”
“I see. It must have been hard for you to travel such a long way, so let’s take our time with details.”
As Rudell introduced Kurt, he bowed his head to Maria and Carlos, who replied with kind smiles.
“I’d like to hear about the results, but let’s postpone that for now.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Rudell lightly bowed his head to Carlos, who spoke.
Rudell indeed needed a breather.
Having traversed the notoriously harsh Bladehook Mountain Range back and forth in a mere week was certainly a valid reason…
“Alright, then let’s all head back to the castle.”
Saying that, Carlos boarded the carriage, and following him, the Trading Guild began to move forward.
*
A few hours after Rudell and the Trading Guild arrived at Weinstein Castle that afternoon.
“I’m really proud of you, Rudell.”
Carlos said with a look of disbelief while reviewing Rudell’s report in his office.
It made sense since the estimated profit from this transaction alone was about the same as the Count’s monthly budget.
Considering they planned to trade every three months, the Count’s income would likely jump by nearly 40%.
Moreover, if they could increase their trading partners through cooperation with the Winter Great Tribe, future income would undoubtedly rise even more.
“It’s nothing special.”
“Have a bit more confidence; you’re more than qualified.”
Responding humbly, Rudell nodded as Carlos returned to his report, still smiling.
“When do you plan to gather the guilds?”
“I should call them right away. Of course, it will take some time for them to gather.”
“That’s understandable.”
Those who had been gallivanting wouldn’t respond to a summons immediately.
At the very least, it would take about fifteen days.
Rudell expected that much.
“Father.”
“Speak.”
“Can I take part in the negotiations with this Trading Guild?”
“You, really?”
Carlos looked at him with astonishment, lifting his gaze from the report.
Rudell was only fifteen, after all.
There was no way to describe it other than he was far too young to be involved in something like this.
“Can I ask what you’re thinking?”
“Well… it’s nothing much. Given what I’ve been through, I think I should pay them back, right?”
Through this transaction, Rudell aimed to completely undermine the large trading guilds.
Now that he had become a proper upper noble, being a Count, he needed to make a significant impression on other nobles.
In that sense, this trading deal was the perfect stage.
“Hmmm…”
Carlos made a low groaning sound at his words.
Of course, it would be understandable if he refused.
After all, Rudell was still too young.
Thinking that, Rudell stared at him with a firm expression.
Then, after a moment…
“Alright. If that’s what you want, I’ll grant you full authority.”
“Thank you, Father. And one more thing, is it alright?”
“Speak, and if it’s something I can help with, I will.”
“Could you write a recommendation letter to enroll Kurt in the Academy?”
“You mean Kurt?”
Carlos asked with a puzzled expression.
“Yes, because a nobleman of Count rank or higher needs to write a recommendation letter for someone to transfer in mid-semester…”
“Hmm… Since we are now a Count family, it shouldn’t be too difficult. But is that kid worth it?”
After all, he was just a Nord boy.
It was understandable for Carlos to think that way.
The image of the Nord tribe was firmly established within the kingdom as savages.
Of course, now that they were an important trading partner, Carlos’ perception would be softer, but breaking down long-held biases wouldn’t be easy.
“Yes, he is.”
“Got it. If that’s what you want, I will write the recommendation.”
“Thank you, Father. Then I’ll take my leave.”
Rudell bowed to Carlos and, as he left the room, gave a thumbs up to Kurt standing beside him.
Seeing Kurt nodding without a word, Rudell let out a low chuckle.
“Are you sure it’s okay? It won’t be easy.”
“As long as I can get stronger, I don’t care.”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to.”
If he couldn’t become strong, it would be a problem on their side.
With that thought, Rudell began to think of plans for the future.
First, he had to deal with the guilds, and he also had to submit Kurt’s application to the Academy…
‘And I need to visit the Duke Duchy as well…’
Come to think of it, the deadline for the Duke’s invitation was nearing.
If he accidentally ignored the Duke’s invitation, it would lead to an immediate bad ending.
“Kyle. Are you there?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
At Rudell’s voice, Kyle emerged from the shadows in the hallway.
Seeing him, Kurt looked as if he hadn’t noticed him at all…
“I need you to write a letter and send it to the Duke Duchy; I think I need to visit soon.”
“Understood. I will do it right away.”
Kyle bowed his head at Rudell’s words.
Soon after, his figure vanished into the darkness, and silence began to envelop the hallway once more.
“Rudellheit.”
Just then, Kurt looked toward the direction Kyle had disappeared and spoke up.
“Yes? Why?”
“Is Kyle strong?”
“Yeah, he’s definitely strong.”
At this point, if Rudell were to name the strongest person he knew aside from Leje, he could confidently choose Kyle.
There had been many occasions where the story would have ended in a bad ending if it weren’t for Kyle.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“I want to train with Kyle.”
“From Kyle?”
Rudell looked puzzled at that statement.
In the original story, the synergy between Kyle and him was, to say the least, ‘terrible.’
That was inevitable because Kyle was an assassin, and Kurt was a warrior.
Their combat styles clashed, but also, within the Nord tribe, assassination was considered a dishonorable act that could never be accepted.
Naturally, without the protagonist, Kyle, an assassin, and Kurt, a warrior, would be at each other’s throats if left unchecked, and it wasn’t until the last chapter, when Kyle met a glorious end, that Kurt finally acknowledged him and their tension eased.
“Are you sure about that? Kyle’s fighting style is considered dishonorable if expressed your way?”
“I don’t care. I’m willing to accept anything to get stronger.”
In response to Rudell’s question, Kurt answered as though it didn’t bother him.
This, too, was a change brought about by Rudell’s involvement diverging from the original.
Rudell, looking at Kurt with a surprised expression, spoke with a gentle smile.
“Alright, if that’s what you want, I’ll talk to Kyle.”
“Thank you, Rudellheit.”
“Thanks, but it’s just between friends.”
