Chapter 30: The Trading City of Velheim

───The Trade City of Velheim.

A city unlike any other, one that carried within it the defining traits of countless nations.

At a glance, the skyline seemed dominated by the stonework and domed silhouettes typical of desert kingdoms—yet in the very next street, carriages built for snowbound lands rolled along, their wheels clattering briskly. Lush plants native to tropical regions had been deliberately arranged as part of the city’s scenery, while beneath one’s feet the roads were paved in brick, just like those of the Imperial Capital.

The moment one passed through the main gate, a violent rush of spice-laden air struck the body like a sudden gust of wind.

No doubt, it was designed to leave an overwhelming first impression on visiting caravan merchants—an invisible hook meant to seize the senses and stir the desire to buy.

Along the stone-paved sides of the streets, merchants from every nation crowded shoulder to shoulder. Calls to customers and heated haggling overlapped in a constant roar. Beneath canvas tents, vividly colored fabrics, rare magical tools, and suspicious antiques of unknown origin were displayed without shame.

On the city’s busiest main avenue, the headquarters of renowned trading companies stood in unbroken rows. Beneath the vigilant watch of burly guards, dazzling gold wares and jeweled ornaments were put on display, greedily drawing the gazes of everyone who passed.

This city had no lord, nor could one find a building bearing the crest of the Commercial Guild.

In truth, this trade city had been deliberately constructed by an emperor several dozen generations ago. His aim was to secure a distribution network and fortune that did not rely on the Commercial Guild. As a result, relations between the two were like oil and water—but that very independence granted the city an unmatched degree of freedom. Merchants from every nation flocked here eagerly.

This was the Trade City of Velheim—
the Empire’s great bank, governed and run independently by an assembly of grand merchants appointed by the Emperor himself.

◇◇◇

…Several days later.

The carriage bearing the First Prince had already arrived in the trade city. Guided by the Merchant Council, the group now walked down the main avenue. From the corners of nearby buildings, seasoned warriors could be seen subtly watching them—elite operatives belonging directly to the Council Chairman.

The First Prince was surrounded by the Orise Squad and two Court Magicians, their formation so tight it boasted enough force to repel even the army of a small nation. Excessive, perhaps—but appropriate.

Sirius had come to Velheim this time as the Emperor’s representative. This level of escort was only fitting.

Rubbing his impressive nose moustache, Chairman Orban—who looked every bit the grand merchant—spoke.

“As expected of His Highness Sirius, hailed as the genius prince. Not only did you accept the role of acting Emperor upon your return, but you even drew two Court Magicians into your faction. Truly impressive.”

“I was merely blessed with capable people and good fortune,” Sirius replied calmly. “I deserve no such praise.”

The chairman narrowed his eyes, smiling.

“Heh heh. It may be presumptuous of me to say so, but in the world of business, both people and fortune are part of one’s own ability.”

The surrounding council members nodded vigorously in agreement.

“To hear such words from the head of Velheim—whose financial power surpasses that of many small nations—carries weight,” Sirius said. “It seems I still have much to learn from you. I look forward to working with you on this visit.”

“The pleasure is entirely ours.”

The reason the other council members had joined the escort, rather than leaving it solely to the chairman, was simple: they had come to see the revived genius prince with their own eyes.

A prince who might one day ascend the imperial throne—what kind of man was he truly? Was he worthy of their loyalty?

True to their nature as active merchants, they had come to judge Sirius with their own eyes.

As for Chairman Orban’s private evaluation—

(Flawless, this prince. At first glance, he appears gentle, wrapped in an aura that puts those around him at ease. Yet beneath that lies a clear streak of cold decisiveness—a royal who understands balance. Handsome, accomplished in both letters and arms, sharp-minded. He claimed earlier that he still has much to learn from me, but that must have been mere courtesy. If nothing happens… then Sirius-dono will surely become Crown Prince. Well… assuming nothing truly does happen.)

In the long history of the Luxion Empire, there had been almost no succession struggles in which “nothing happened.”

Battles between those who shared Luxion blood never ended quietly.

There was, however, something else—besides the prince—that strongly caught Orban’s attention.

(…So that is the rumored infant ancient dragon. If that were placed in an international familiar auction, kings and nobles of the great powers would raise their number plates with bloodshot eyes. Just how much money would move then? Enough to buy an entire noble territory? Or perhaps wealth vast enough to purchase a small nation itself… Ah—no, no. There I go again. A merchant’s bad habit.)

Haku was extremely sensitive to malicious intent.

Sensing Orban’s gaze, he stared back sharply.

“Pii…”

Al noticed as well.

“Chairman. Mind not looking at someone’s family like that? You’re asking to get—”

Before he could finish, Seles clamped a hand over his mouth.

“That’s enough. He’s on our side, at least for now. Let it go.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

This visit had been made so Sirius could receive Marquis Rian, who had come from afar for diplomatic talks.

The Merchant Council, ruling Velheim in the Emperor’s name, was—of course—firmly on Sirius’s side.

Orban, however, showed no signs of stopping.

“My apologies, Court Magician of the Dream Attribute. …But if I may ask, could that beloved blade of yours be the famed great masterpiece Kurikara? To behold the real thing is truly moving. How much did it fetch at auction?”

Al responded with visible annoyance.

“You’ve got way too much momentum… do you ever stop?”

“Ah—my merchant blood got the better of me again. My sincerest apologies.”

“You seriously think apologizing fixes everything, don’t you…?”

“Not at all, not at all.”

At last, their lodging came into view—but Haku’s eyes were locked solely onto a massive bone-in slab of meat hanging from a food stall. The speed at which his priorities shifted when his appetite was stirred might rival any dragon alive.

“Oh? Haku, do you want that meat?”

“Pii.”

“Sorry, but you’ll have to hold out until we reach the lodging.”

“Pii…”

Hearing this, Sirius stopped walking.

“We’ll be busy nonstop once we arrive. If he wants it, you can buy it now, Al.”

“Thank you. Haku, say thanks too.”

Haku raised one foreleg toward Sirius and chirped.

“Pii.”

“Haha. How adorable.”

Al stylishly pulled his wallet from his coat and flipped it into his palm—

…only for a few rusted copper coins to tumble out.

A cold wind drifted through.

Everyone present stared in silence, utterly stunned by the unexpected sight.

“………………….”

“Pii…”

Even Haku wore that expression.

“…Sigh.”

Seles pressed a hand to her forehead as she always did.

In contrast, Sirius burst out laughing.

“Hahahaha!”

“This is no laughing matter,” Seles scolded. “Rotten or not, he holds the highest military rank in the country. At this rate he’s a penniless Court Magician.”

“Ahahahaha!”

…In the end, Al borrowed Seles’s wallet and hurriedly bought the bone-in meat.

Truly pitiful.

“Pii! Pii!”

As Al watched Haku happily gnaw at the meat, Orban approached, smiling and stroking his moustache.

“Court Magician of the Dream Attribute. If you are short on funds, the Velheim Bank would be delighted to offer you a loan.”

“Like hell I’d borrow from you… I’ve heard plenty about your reputation.”

There were countless nobles who could not lift their heads before the Merchant Council due to the enormous debts they owed this very bank.

…and above the bank stood the Emperor.

Which meant those nobles were nothing more than puppets, unable to defy imperial orders no matter what.

This, too, had been one of the ancient emperor’s intentions when he founded the Trade City of Velheim.

“And now, a once-in-a-lifetime offer! If you sign the contract today—interest will be reduced to two-thirds!”

“Quit flaunting your shameless merchant spirit.”