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“If he stays longer and is well-treated, there might be a chance to receive more prophecies. It’s a calculation on our part. Such opportunities are rare.”
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“Hmm. Is a prophecy that significant?”
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“A good prophecy can change the fate of a whole guild.”
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Even if uncertain, everyone sought prophecies about the future. Thanks to his prophecies, Suetlg had become an advisor to the Duke.
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“Let’s leave Suetlg’s story at that and talk about you, Sir Johan.”
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“That would be appreciated.”
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“Sir Johan, we have a guess as to why you came to the guild.”
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“!”
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Had his shallow intent of making a stable income been seen through?
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‘Isn’t this too harsh a rebuke?’
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“Ambition is not bad in itself. And if it’s ambition in someone qualified, it’s actually a virtue. Someone like Sir Johan certainly deserves to serve a worthy lord and receive his own fief.”
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“. . .So you’ve seen through me.”
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Caught off guard, Johan decided to play along.
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Being seen as an ambitious knight aiming for a territory seemed better than being thought of as someone just trying to make a quick buck.
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And honestly, the latter seemed too petty.
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“We guessed right, then. Please forgive us for speaking so frankly. As merchants, we like to understand each other’s true intentions.”
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“Ah, yes.”
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“Sir, would you mind or feel reluctant to fight under our flag?”
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“Not at all, I wouldn’t mind in the slightest.”
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“Hmm. . .”
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Iaon hummed in satisfaction. As Eldans had observed, Johan was indeed a knight worth joining hands with.
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His first impression had been favorable.
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Even as a knight, Johan had shown her respect. A younger knight might have acted arrogantly, trusting solely in his status.
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But Johan didn’t.
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He knew his status but understood the situation. This flexibility was rare in other knights.
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“By the grace of St. Ruoak, may this meeting be beneficial for both of us. I look forward to working with you, Sir Johan.”
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“I look forward to working with you as well.”
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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‘𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘧𝘥𝘰𝘮.’
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Johan was lost in thought. Back in the rural fiefdom, his primary goal was to establish his position, not to become a feudal lord. It seemed like an unattainable goal.
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However, hearing Iaon’s words, it suddenly felt plausible. After all, becoming a feudal lord was simply a matter of catching the eye of a noble who would grant the land.
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With the help of the guild, gaining achievements and fame, who knows if such fortune might come?
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“Won’t you sit?”
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“Ah, yes.”
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Johan settled down at once. He was an assassin who had captured a grand wizard. Suetlg’s face reddened then turned ashen.
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“Wizard-nim, shall I give you a break?”
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“. . .I couldn’t sleep well last night because of you.”
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“What did I do?”
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“Didn’t you make the maid cry all night?”
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“Ah, I guess you heard. My apologies.”
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The maid’s seduction seemed like a ruse, and he tried to refuse, but the curiosity about her being a cat person was too much, especially her tail and ears.
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In the end, it was true that cat people had a weakness for their tails.
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“I’ll give you some good advice if you give me a break.”
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“Ah, yes.”
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“Be careful with getting too involved with the guild.”
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“. . .Is there a problem?”
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Johan tensed up. Suetlg’s words were not to be taken lightly. Wasn’t he much more familiar with the guild?
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“Is there a scheme within the guild?”
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“Scheme? The guild is transparent. They grasp what’s profitable and let go of what’s not. The issue is with you. Aren’t you from the Empire?”
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“Yes.”
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“The Katana Merchant Guild is anti-Emperor. A couple of times may go unnoticed, but continually associating with them might label you or your family as anti-Emperor. Be cautious and think big.”
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“Um. . . I’m fully prepared for what I’m doing.”
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“. . .Is that so?”
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“Yes.”
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“Then let’s continue our game.”
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“. . . . . .”
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Suetlg, feeling embarrassed, said no more. An awkward silence followed. Johan spoke to lighten the mood.
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“This mansion is a really nice place.”
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Skilled servants, beautifully decorated courtyards and rooms, and the meals served at every meal were just a bonus. Seeing the treatment Suetlg received made Johan envy the life of a wizard.
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“It was once a noble’s residence.”
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“Oh, whose was it?”
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“Who remembers such details? Besides, I dislike this mansion. I can’t hear the sound of the river. . . The only thing I like here is this pet.”
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Suetlg tried to pet Karamaf, but the wolf shrank away, displeased.
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“But isn’t the name a bit unlucky?”
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“Well, a bit of a sinister name keeps the enemies at bay, doesn’t it?”
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“That’s true.”
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While they were chatting, a messenger arrived at the mansion with urgent news. Panting, he drank a glass of water and delivered his message.
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“The expedition has failed. Johan-nim, the branch manager is looking for you.”
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“The prophecy has come true.”
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Suetlg commented nonchalantly. Unknown to Suetlg, Johan was looking at him with an impressed yet irreverent gaze.