Episode 89
* * *
Invitations to the Black Market were scattered across the continent, and one by one, their ‘agents’ were coming to Guild City.
The nobles with the greatest power and wealth on the continent.
Among them, the ‘Black Duke’ of the Saxon Duke House was no exception, and the Holy Swordsman and the Bloody Duke were no exception either.
Although they cannot go to the black market themselves, they send a representative who can understand their master’s intentions better than anyone else.
The greatest genius in the empire, the son of the Black Duke, ‘Black Duke’, was also one of those agents.
And when Dale expressed his desire to not only participate in the Black Market, but also to contact the higher-ups of the Great Guild, the Kallimala Guild was more than happy to provide a place for the ‘Black Prince’.
‘Arte di Calimala’.
One of the major guilds that rules over the seven cities of Guild City, and a guild in charge of the clothing industry, including the textile industry.
The Black Tower of the past was not averse to receiving ‘test subjects’ from the Guild in order to pursue the truth. In a sense, it would not be an exaggeration to say that they were one of their most powerful clients.
That is why when the Black Tower of the Black Gong System refused to interact with them, the blow from their ‘Great Guild’ was by no means something to be taken lightly.
And Dale headed straight to the ‘City of Kallimala’ that they ruled. Together with the trafficker of the Great Guild who had welcomed him in Greenwood.
‘The textile industry and human trafficking business.’
It’s a really odd combination. And the criminal business they’re involved in doesn’t stop at human trafficking. Their rule is to sell anything that can be sold.
But right now, Dale wasn’t looking for them for justice.
One of the seven cities of the Guild City, the city of the Calimala Guild. The seat of the seven great guilds – the city hall of Arte di Calimala. A room in the luxurious official residence that symbolizes their wealth and power.
“I never thought that the representative of the Black Tower Lord would come to us first.”
The Kallimala Guild showed Dale the courtesy befitting the name of the Saxon Dukes, as their ‘Guild Master’ personally welcomed him.
The ruler of this city and one of the seven pinnacles of the Great Guild.
It was not a position he had ever acquired by sword or magic. His large body was too heavy for him, and his velvet coat, bulging to the point of bursting, was proof of that.
“It seems that His Majesty came in person to participate in the black market?”
“Yes.”
Dale bowed his head blandly.
“I have long heard of Confucius’ fame!”
After that, the guild master began to praise the performance of the ‘Black Prince’.
The greatest genius of the empire. He led the Black and White Revolution to victory, stopped the great migration of the demon race, and became a war hero of the island of Britannia. It was a story so tiresome that it was almost painful to the point of making your ears bleed.
But stories have power.
Dale’s notoriety as the ‘Black Prince’. The weight of that name. As the Black Prince said, fear is an asset that cannot be exchanged for anything.
“I hear there is an interesting product that His Majesty the Duke would be interested in.”
At Dale’s words, the guild master smiled meaningfully.
“I dare say that I will live up to His Excellency the Duke of Saxony’s expectations.”
“If by any chance you betray His Majesty the Black Duke’s expectations… … .”
Dale asked back, with a mock threat.
“Guild City will also have to take responsibility for its own words.”
“… … .”
Dale said, using the notoriety of the Saxon House and the Black Tower as a shield.
“Our Guild City values trust above all else.”
But the guild master didn’t care. He wasn’t wrong.
Regardless of their criminal enterprises or their servile nature… …their financial network, which extends across the continent, including bills of exchange, cannot be operated without absolute trust.
The trust of the Golden Ones was absolute, and at least in that respect, Guild City was ‘the trustworthy ones’.
“When you say it like that, I’m really looking forward to it.”
“There is still quite some time left before the black market opens.”
Dale smiled blandly, and the guild master continued.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take your time and explore the city.”
A golden empire where everything is justified in front of gold. As the guild master said, there were indeed many ‘things to see’ here.
Fight Club. An underground arena where participants’ lives are at stake.
“It is something to look forward to, needless to say.”
Dale smiled.
“But there is another reason why I sought out the Master of the ‘Great Guild’.”
After saying that, Dale finally changed the subject. Not as a mere participant in the black market, but as someone who thoroughly pursues his own goals.
“The Duke of Saxony is showing no small interest in the business of Guild City.”
“… … .”
Dale said, and it wasn’t hard to fathom what he meant.
“Are you talking about investing?”
The guild master asked back with a smile.
“Investing in our Guild City at any time is truly an excellent decision.”
“Oh, this is not your average investment.”
Dale smiled. After smiling, Dale opened his mouth.
“After the Black Market opens soon… … the place to decide the next ‘City Master’ will open.”
City Master.
Reigning over the seven Guild Masters, he is the pinnacle of authority over the entire Guild City.
At those words, the expression on the face of the Guild Master of Kallimala froze coldly. Determining the City Master is a top secret even within the Guild City, and the fact that it is closely linked to the ‘Black Market’ is no exception.
‘How did the Duke of Saxony get that information…?’
But the guild master didn’t show it, and Dale continued.
“The trust in Guild City is unparalleled, truly beyond doubt.”
“Confucius is right.”
“But is the trust between the seven great guilds the same?”
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“… … !”
Dale spoke. About the seven major guilds that are still fighting for the position of Guild City, and their secret struggles.
“As I said, we, the Duke of Saxony, are willing to make a considerable investment.”
A considerable investment from the Duke of Saxony. The guild master held his breath as he weighed the weight of those words.
“I’m talking about one of the seven guild masters who will become the next ‘City Master’.”
“no way……!”
“And it looks like the Master of the Kalimala Guild is very interested.”
On the surface, ‘Guild City’ is a symbol of unbreakable trust.
“It’s good to have ambition.”
But in reality, it is nothing more than a jungle of survival of the fittest, with seven organizations fiercely competing for each other’s jobs.
“There will be giving and there will be receiving.”
Dale said, with the confidence that he could put the man before him in the position of ‘City Master’.
“Then please, take your time and think carefully.”
After leaving a meaningful remark, Dale got up.
“Wh, what.”
It was just then.
“What do you want in return?”
The guild master opened his mouth cautiously.
If Dale were to rely on the power of the Duke of Saxony and hand over the position of ‘City Master’ to him, what would Dale and the Duke of Saxony want in return?
“I would like the ledger.”
“… … !”
“The ledger you will obtain by becoming the ‘City Master’ of Guild City.”
City Master’s Ledger.
Recording the income and expenditure of goods. The flow of wealth held by Guild City and the seven major guilds. At first glance, it may not seem like much, but its meaning was not so clear to those who could understand.
To Guild City, trust is life itself, and the ledger is the heart of trust. In other words, handing it over would be like handing over the heart of Guild City itself.
At least the guild master understood the meaning. The scales in his head were moving busily.
“If we work together, we will be able to make bigger investments with greater confidence in Saxony.”
Dale said.
“Along with the ‘Black Armor Company’ that I lead, the Saxon army will join the Guild City.”
The black bear crouching in the north. The power of the name of the Duke of Saxony, the greatest lord of the continent, is beyond imagination. Dale was using that support without sparing any effort.
“I officially wish for the Duke of Saxony and the Guild Cities to be on the same boat.”
“… … .”
“Then, while the guild master makes a decision.”
Dale continues.
“I guess I should go and see the city for a bit.”
A firm alliance with the Guild City. There was only one reason why the offer was made to a single Guild Master, and not to the current ‘City Master’.
Because it’s meaningless unless you tie the thread with your own hands and put it on the throne.
* * *
That moment.
“Tea, you said you were the next City Master?”
‘Arte della Rana’.
One of the seven major guilds in Guild City, and a guild that promotes itself as a wool merchant. In that very ‘Lana Guild City’, the guild master held his breath.
In front of him was a blond boy. He was the representative of the Bloody Duke, Marquis Yuris, who had received an invitation to the Black Market.
Ray Yuris.
His goal was never simply to engage in the black market.
“Our Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and my father… … .”
Ray Yuris said.
“In deciding the next ‘City Master’.”
With the Empire and the Red Tower as its backing.
“I have no doubt that the Master of the Lana Guild is the best person for the job.”
It was something that even the world’s greatest guild city could not easily overcome. Human nature is such that they always like to bow down before those who are stronger than them.
Power. The ideology pursued by the Bloody Ball and the Red Tower.
The powerful take over the world. Gold, wisdom, knowledge, and even all the secrets accumulated by the remaining magicians of the Magic Tower are just byproducts that can be taken away by force.
“This is not a request or a favor.”
That’s why Ray Uris said:
“It is a matter of decision after all.”
It was a cold voice without even a shred of emotion.
* * *
Guild City was truly a city of entertainment, at least in terms of entertainment.
Aside from the ‘Grand Guild Street’, it was a city of pleasure with red-light districts and gambling halls lined up all over the city. However, none of them caught Dale’s interest.
Still, Dale crossed the city with a clear destination in mind.
Considering the fierce fighting that would ensue in this city in the future, there were mountains of things that needed to be taken care of from now on.
Dale was now heading towards the very bottom of that mountain. The city of Kallimala, its back alleys.
‘Is this it?’
Looking around, I saw a unique ‘password’ engraved on a corner of a stone wall in a back alley.
‘You came to the right place.’
Dale didn’t hesitate when he saw the password.
How many years have passed already? ──That day, the Sheep Guild ‘Callidoscope’ attacked Dale and Charlotte.
At least in the case of a truly powerful criminal guild, no one would be foolish enough to attack the greatest grand lord of the empire, let alone the ‘Duke of Saxony’.
Just as rice bows its head as it ripens, the strong are no different. That is why he would have refused the request even if the Holy Swordsman offered him a thousand gold coins.
‘Colladerscope’ wasn’t like that. That’s why, back then, the request for the Holy Sword came all the way here.
A mere guild of small-time players with a few powerful members. Those who failed to grasp the gravity of the situation and were blinded by the gold he offered.
And now, it was time to make him pay for his foolishness.
