C127
"What's going on, Cecil?"
Compared to Cecil, who seemed nervous, I responded to her words in a relaxed manner.
"I heard that you asked to buy magic stones from the Lucibiu mine. That's why I, the mine owner, decided to meet with you in person."
Cecil exclaimed.
"But..."
"I asked the imperial family! Ethel Wallace, not you!"
"Lucibiu."
"Ah."
"My last name is Lucibiu now. If you want the magic stones from my mine, be careful with this."
"...yes, I understand."
Cecil seemed dissatisfied, but she lowered her head, probably under the pressure of my influence.
Yesterday, Terence informed me that Cecil had requested the imperial family to buy magic stones.
"As you know, most of those who want magic stones are busy writing letters to you."
"It's inevitable. The portion taken from the imperial family through the contract is only a portion, and the imperial family is busy using it."
"That's right. Several other places requested magic stones from the imperial family, and all of them were families or organizations close to the imperial family. Except for one, the Iver Guild."
"The Iver Guild?"
"The name in the document was different, but considering that the representative was Cecil Iver, it seems they simply changed the name."
"Yes, the Iver Guild officially dissolved last time. It can't continue using the same name."
However, just because the guild dissolves doesn't mean its members disappear.
Moreover, Iver's high executives were a group with strong solidarity under Cecil, a reliable leader.
In a way, it was even stranger that they were all scattered at once.
"But Liena abandoned them."
That was certain, as the imperial family still closely monitored Cassius's movements.
From Liena's perspective, there was nothing good in continuing her relationship with the members of the former Iver clan.
Since Elliot claimed to be the mastermind, the people caught as criminals were limited to him and some of his direct subordinates...
"There's no way the world's perception of those who stay will be good."
If Liena wanted to do business again, it would be better to form a group of new and impeccable merchants rather than using Iver Merchant's employees.
Therefore, Cecil and her subordinates could be said to be in a situation where they couldn't do this or that.
No matter how well-known Cecil was to those around her, it wasn't easy to reach an agreement with her in the current situation.
Since she lost her economic resources and her former partners rejected her, the only support she could get was through high-quality magic stones.
If she produces artifacts using high-quality magic stones, she will make money, though not as much as before.
But Cecil made a mistake.
"I understand your situation more or less."
I said, looking at Cecil's trembling eyes.
"But you should have asked me, not the imperial family. That way, you would have a better chance of getting magic stones."
"...But since we're not strangers, I would like to offer you a special opportunity. If you make a formal request now, I will consider it positively."
"That's it."
"I don't understand. Why?"
"I said no. Please leave me alone."
"Oh, I casually brought a high-quality magic stone. Do you want me to show it to you? It's really beautiful."
I continued saying what I had to say, ignoring Cecil's direct expression.
But the content of the words was not important.
From before, I had been deliberately provoking Cecil and carefully observing her eyes.
There was no significant change. In other words, my blessing wasn't working at the moment.
"I guess the content of the conversation is important too."
It seemed to be effective only when the other person was, to some extent, convinced of what I was saying.
Now that I think about it, even Duke Cassius, Elliot, and Roland Cassius had conversations with me, or their attitudes changed after reflecting on themselves.
Duke Cassius read his wife's letter from the time capsule, and Elliot frequently met with Count Miloam and realized he had changed a lot from the past.
In Roland's case, there wasn't such a characteristic occasion, but he was repeatedly told that what he was doing was not true love for his granddaughter.
It was when.
"Stop!"
Cecil seemed to have exploded at my provocation and hit the table between us with all her strength.
"I get it! The chances of getting the magic stones are much higher if I ask you!"
"...Then why didn't you ask?"
"How can I do that?! You're the one who repaid Lady Liena's kindness with vengeance!"
Finally, her true feelings came to light.
"Lady Liena was good to you, but you deceived Tara and stabbed her in the back. Elliot was right."
Cecil snorted and looked at me.
"Thanks to you and the Second Prince's behind-the-scenes work, our business was ruined, and even the young one was abandoned. I don't know about the imperial family, but I don't want to bow down to you even if I die!"
If it were me in the past, I would have tried to refute each of these accusations, but now I know very well that it's useless.
Would that work for someone who fell madly in love with Liena because of the blessing?
The important thing is to make them reflect on themselves.
"I don't feel responsible."
Cecil's words, which had been firing rapidly at my single word, stopped.
"But you're still the leader of an important group?"
"W-What...?"
"Think about it carefully. Whom should you prioritize? Between Liena, who simply abandoned you, and your subordinates and the Iver Merchant Guild."
Cecil's eyes widened.
"If you really want to revive the guild and take responsibility for its livelihood, wouldn't it be right to set aside your pride or loyalty to your former mistress?"
"Just because you think you know something..."
"That's right. I don't know much about you. But I'm sure Cecil Iver cares a lot about her subordinates, and they responded to that feeling by not abandoning a job that was on the brink of bankruptcy."
It wasn't only Liena's financial power and her knowledge of the future that pulled the Iver merchants from almost ruin.
Next to Cecil, there were employees who believed in her and worked hard. Just as Ethel did in her past life.
Cecil lowered her head and pursed her lips, but it was clear that she was trembling.
"The divine power of my mistress is slowly spreading through that human's body."
As if my assumption was correct, the divine beast in my bag informed me in my head this time.
"But I think it's still not enough. The divine power of that woman remains so deep within her body... Ah, it's about to go mad against the divine power of my mistress!"
Suddenly, Cecil seemed to have a headache and cast me a resentful look.
"If you think you can appease me like this...!"
Is it time to use the trump card I prepared?
I gathered all my power and shouted with all my might.
"Awaken already!"
Cecil paused for a moment when she heard me shout for the first time, and then the door to the room opened with a loud bang.
"Are you okay?! Boss!"
"What the hell is going on?!"
Cecil opened her mouth in confusion when she saw the two people rushing into the room.
"...You. I told you to wait quietly outside. What are you doing here?"
They were Cecil's subordinates who had followed her here today and were waiting outside.
The two protested as if they felt unjust.
"We were worried, how could we wait?"
"Boss was shouting loudly in the room and suddenly fell silent, so I thought something had happened!"
At that moment, Vinetta entered and bowed her head to me.
"I'm sorry. I tried to prevent them from entering, but the resistance was so strong..."
After telling Vinetta that I was fine, I approached Cecil and spoke to her.
"These are people who care about you enough to dare to ruin the event prepared by His Highness the Prince."
The following words were unnecessary.
Cecil looked silently at her subordinates, who were only concerned about their own safety, as if her throat were choked.
Those who truly matter to her.
Cecil asked for time to discuss with her subordinates.
I don't know what they discussed, but after a while, Cecil fell to her knees in front of me.
"I'm sorry! I was presumptuous and ended up speaking rudely to Viscountess Lucibiu."
She pleaded with a desperate voice.
"I'll accept any punishment! But, but! Can't you just give us a chance? I'll leave the guild and never come back, so now the guild has nothing to do with me!"
I quickly helped her up.
Cecil's eyes were clearer than before.
"You don't have to leave. No, don't leave."
"Yes?"
"The best thing about the Iver Guild is the bond between you and the employees, and you can't leave."
"That means..."
"Please complete a formal purchase request and send it. I promise. You will be evaluated on the same level as others, without being affected by past events."
A light of joy spread across Cecil's face.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"You called me ungrateful before, didn't you?"
"H-How should I apologize...?"
"I don't want to scold you; I just want to make a suggestion. From now on, experience and judge for yourself."
"Judge what?"
"You've never experienced what kind of person I am. You have to experience it yourself and judge."
Cecil seemed somewhat surprised.
As if she was surprised not to have considered this simple principle before.
Biting her lip, she nodded.
"Yes! I swear by my reputation as a merchant!"
I asked Cecil if I could meet the other executive members one by one.
She seemed curious about my intentions, but without saying anything, she immediately invited me to the Iver Merchant Guild.
"I like that you don't ask every single question."
When I arrived at Iver, I picked some employees who had particularly cloudy eyes, had a pleasant meeting with them, and experimented with my blessings to the fullest.
A few hours later, Vinetta asked me in the carriage that left Iver.
"Wasn't my performance careless?"
"Oh, when did Cecil's men attack?"
"Yes, I had no choice but to pretend to let them in, but I don't know if it was natural."
"You did a great job following my instructions!"
"But how did you know, Ethel, that they would take such reckless actions?"
"All high-level employees are famous for their loyalty. So, if you place them where you can easily hear the conversation in the room, I thought it would turn out that way."
I smiled happily. A little direction was needed to create a dramatic impression.
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