Capítulo 20: The Three Viscounts, A New Plan
In the core area of the Litel Trading Site, an intended space was left untouched. There was a massive manor built on this free space, stretching over thousands of meters square, even dwarfing several football courts in Fredrinn's previous life.
Inside, three distinguished individuals gathered around a feast presented on the lavish dining table as they laughed and chattered among themselves.
"Viscount Trey, you were quite ambitious, trying to cover the whole Greenwood Forest. Don't you fear the retaliation from the nearest count, that yellow-skinned Yeldon?"
A tall, skinny, sinister middle-aged man sneered playfully as he clicked his wine glass, taking small sips. His narrow eyes landed on a fat man with a striking mustache, who blanched severely at his statement.
"Shut your damn mouth, Withering Whes! I just want to cooperate with the establishments across the Greenwood Forest. Don't add anything else to the already murky water! You think I don't know your sophistry tricks?"
The fat man, Trey, was quite annoyed. Hidden beneath the simplicity of the Litel Trading Site, one could distinguish three dominant forces if they observed closely, as long as their knowledge was sufficient.
Whes has long been dissatisfied with Trey. They had already agreed to cooperate with each other to build a profitable chamber of commerce, but this greedy pig was still trying to scrape as many benefits as he possibly could.
Shameless! Even he, an old man, wasn't this shameless. To scrape off profit was fine, but don't do it alone!
"Tsk, you think I did not see your petty tricks to gain more benefits? Do you think you're all smart and sneaky? Think again!"
"Old Whes, all you could do is talk. You can't even prove anything at all, so stuff yourself with your claims and do me a small favor: stop slandering me!"
The last member of the group, a scholarly, intelligent elder, sighed nonchalantly as he watched them bicker. Why did he agree to such a contract, especially since it involved these two insufferable fools?
In the Greenwood Forest, people would recognize them as the Three Scholarly Viscounts, though it was pretty much just a glorified rumor modified and articulated throughout the territory by these two fools.
"Reigns, stop acting as if you were better than us. Do you think we don't know the things you did in the past? Heh, I wonder how many little girls you managed to pierce!"
"Shut up, you insufferable fools! Stop wasting my time and state your intentions!"
His past was something he tried to bury deep into the core of the earth, guarded so tightly that even his own wife did not know it. Unfortunately, these two idiots happened to stumble upon his secret stash.
It was ridiculous! God, you really wanted me off dead!
In truth, these 'scholars' are just a bunch of degenerates: a greedy black-bellied noble, a sinister envious old man, and an elder with a sick mind who utterly relished in tormenting little girls.
These viscounts were the founders of the Litel Trading Site, which was established a couple of dozen years ago. The beautiful scenery of the Greenwood Forest, which was pretty novel compared to other barren territories, served as a perfect vacation spot for most nobles.
Of course, to build a vacation site, safety is a must. Before the Litel Trading Site was established, this area was nothing more than a rural, dangerous land filled with dark creatures and wild beasts.
The three viscounts gathered funds through their coalition and quickly hired a Grand Knight, Pernil Urthra, one of the Supreme Commanders, through the connection of Whes, who somehow had a red string with this aloof individual, to clean up the area so they could develop it as they pleased.
So the effort put into the result of their coalition was massive, but the profit was something that even a Duke cannot ignore. As of now, the Litel Trading Site is almost the same size as a city!
Almost!
The trading site was established in this particular place for its strategic location. Near the border shared by the Western and Northern Forest, there was a river that stretched into their neighbor, the Yuriledd Vast Dryland, on which the Litel Trading Site was built. The passing traders and merchants from the dryland were merely one of the profits they scrapedd off each year.
If not for the connection with the Supreme Commander, perhaps many other lords would've come to seize it. However, since Pernil Urthra has a share of the profits, even the other Supreme Commanders did not consider it as a force worth seizing.
Of course, all of this could be achieved mainly because of the brilliant ideas of Reinns, a widely known businessman in the kingdom. The greedy Trey mostly contributed with funds, while Whes was self-explanatory.
Presently, they are holding a meeting to discuss the collapse of the Kennel Branch Family on the Northern Forest, which resulted in a surge of tourists towards the Litel Trading Site. If it was considered a favorable place to take a vacation to the Greenwood Forest, now, it was undoubtedly the best spot for tourism here!
As these viscounts conserved, a cold, ruthless figure silently appeared in the core area of the Litel Trading Site. Since it was night, the market activity had ceased, turning the once-bustling site into a peaceful place.
Unlike the Kennel Branch Family, which directly acted as a subordinate towards the main family, the Litel Trading Site was different. It was the result of a coalition between three viscounts, and if handled properly, could be a huge gain for him.
There was no need to unleash a massacre. After all, he merely came for the profit, unlike the previous act where he moved for vengeance. He just had to take over the Litel Trading Site by force.
Fredrinn explored the outskirts to ensure safety, in case he missed something important. Unfortunately, he wasn't proficient in observing since his sense was that of a mere knight, but hopefully, this meager investigation would suffice.
He had heard of the rumors about the Three Scholarly Viscounts beforehand; he was somewhat pessimistic regarding this. What knowledgeable, righteous, and dignified? Have any nobles harbored such great qualities?
It was too fabricated, too... Forceful. He, who has been taught by the world's indifference, understood that reputation was just a shiny shell worn by individuals to glorify themselves. In his opinion, there's nothing wrong with the mistakes one made in the past.
No need to create such a perfect reputation. I'd only bring one to ruin.
What Invincible Emperor, what Peerless God, what Sons of Heaven; such exaggerated reputations were too much. Fredrinn cupped his chin, not that he'd mind if his people bestowed him such titles in the future...
"Damn, my hypocrisy!"
He smiled wickedly as he chuckled. His eyes dawned upon the massive manor in front of him. He wondered why nobles loved manors so much. That yellow-skinned Yeldon always slept in the barrack with his men; a true combatant through and through.
The night was still young, and the moon softly glazed the manor with its graceful silver. Fredrinn's eyes dimmed as his demeanor turned cold.
Tonight, the Litel Trading Site would be turned upside down.
"Hopefully, the plan about nurturing the livestock into powerful breeds has already been implemented when I return. Carabaos, cows, and goats are pretty strong, after all..."
He tastelessly murmured as he landed before the massive entrance, knocking the guards whilst he was at it.
With his strength, the massive gate was carefully opened to prevent any noise, and his immense power was enough to control every bit of weight of it, rendering the sound nill.
No matter who he came across, the Killer Fredrinn would duck under their sight and quickly deliver an uppercut while his leverage hand hovered above their head to mitigate the commotion.
To preserve their life, his uppercut was actually a small tap, but the effect was so devastating that it was comical, rendering even the killer him speechless. Just a small tap, yet their heads were thrown back so dramatically. If one observed from afar, one might think they were acting...
Soon, a conspicuous door was revealed; clearly the biggest and the grandest room in the manor. Usually used for significant meetings and events.
Inside, he heard the voices of the three viscounts, and his dimmed eyes turned cold. After a while, he concluded these viscounts' traits.
So they were a bunch of profiters made up of a greedy fatass, a sinister old man who half-stepped into a grave, and a pedophile...
Well, the chance to go against his own laws to be a hypocrite has gone down the drain. A pity.
After all, immersing himself in such a ruthless, shameless persona was very entertaining in its own way, except when he had to kill those he deemed innocent.
"Now that I found them, what should I do?"
Fredrinn put up a thoughtful look. He watched as they enthusiastically chatted about the expansion of their business. If he killed them, he wondered who he should entrusted the Litel Trading Site to? It seems like he lacked subjects with business talent.
He acknowledged his shortcomings. While his origin was that of a Blue Star citizen, he admitted that he really had no knack for business. He feared that he'd ruin this site instead. Unless he received a business talent, leading a chamber of commerce was a big no-no.
Besides, wouldn't others be suspicious if the leading figure was suddenly replaced by some strangers? These viscounts were still nobles and were acknowledged by the king.
He thought of coercing them to share the profits, but he remembered that his main target was not the wealth or the glory, but the people!
His eyes subconsciously drifted to the direction of a border, and his eyes gradually turned bright. He couldn't help but turn back to his original self since the enlightenment was too significant!
"After killing these guys, I could strike a deal with Viscountess Nemhil, which will be used as a foundation to establish our cooperation. Since the crisis was near, I could also help her in subduing the Outcasts, deepening our connection even more."
It barely scratched the surface of his sudden plan, but Fredrinn was satisfied! His previous plan to play as a hero ceased.
Letting Viscountess Nemhil take over the Litel Trading Site was certainly the best option. No matter what, she was still a noble. As for the issue regarding her acknowledgment of his status as her Lord...
He looked at his fists with a smile. He wondered if leveling down a mountain was enough to convince her... Or perhaps he could even bring her to see how he destroys the territory of those outcasts?
It was only when the viscounts stood up and bid farewell that he snapped out of his trance. Fortunately, no one passed the room when he was befuddled.
"Well then, it's decided."
With a menacing stride, he stepped into the room. His intent to kill was thick and resplendent.
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