“Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay?”

A short question filled with concern elicited a harsh reply.

Arendt was lying on the floor trying to catch his breath without caring about his appearance. Compared to him, Laius, who was standing upright on both feet, looked refreshed as if he had gotten some light exercise.

‘That fucking protagonist.’

As usual, he was sparring against Laius at the Crown Prince’s training ground.

It was so strong that no spear in the world could pierce it, and at the same time, so sharp that no shield, no matter how strong, could ever stop it.

It was a phrase describing Laius’ swordsmanship. It meant that he was the strongest, as he could neither be pierced nor blocked.

That was what Arendt was experiencing right now.

Tsk, Arendt clicked his tongue and sat up abruptly.

“Let’s do it one more time.”

“Are you all rested?”

“Yes, this is enough.”

Arendt spun his sword around in a circle and took a stance.

Before Laius, who had been staring blankly at the sight, took a stance, he said a word to his subordinate.

“It looks like the magic stone is effective.”

The other knights hadn’t noticed yet, but it seemed that he couldn’t fool Laius’ eyes.

Arendt asked perversely.

“Why? Are you jealous?”

“…”

Wiggle.

Laius’ eyebrows furrowed for a moment, then straightened again.

“I’m fine. I don’t want to lose my fortune like Arthur or Richt.”

“With your financial resources, paying for one or two magic stones isn’t much of a big deal.”

“If you want to sell them so badly, go to someone else.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Arendt rushed toward Laius without warning, but, as if he had expected that, Laius swung his sword with practiced precision to block his attack.

Kaaaaang!

Their swords clashed briefly.

Arendt spun around and swung again, but this time too, his attack was easily blocked.

“The speed at which your skills improve is really fast. It’s enough to inspire other guys.”

“Well, thank you for your kind words.”

Although the compliments he had finally given were met with complaints, Laius paid no attention to them and forcefully pushed Arendt away, counterattacking.

Kuung!

Although he managed to block it, the heavy attack caused Arendt to stagger back.

“This is a move that Richt often uses. However, you are smaller and less powerful than Richt. It could actually be dangerous against an opponent stronger than you.”

Laius gave his assessment calmly.

Suddenly, magic rippled around him, and then Laius’ sword flashed red. He had activated the Shadow of the Strong and at the same time, he had created sword energy.

Oh, no.

At the same time that Arendt had this intuition, the energy crashed into him.

Kwaaaaang!

A loud noise shook the training ground. And a moment later… Arendt fell to the floor with a relatively minor thud.

A magnificent chandelier was visible hanging from the ceiling.

Arendt lay stretched out on the floor, muttering in vain.

“Damn.”

He felt like he was hearing the sound of measured footsteps approaching, and then a blunt face suddenly appeared in his field of vision where the ceiling was previously clearly visible.

Arendt frowned.

“Arendt.”

“What?”

“At the meeting earlier, you said that you were sure that he would try to get the jewel.”

After a brief pause, Laius opened his mouth again.

“You seem confident.”

“…”

Instead of answering, Arendt simply glared at Laius with his rebellious golden eyes as if to say, “What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t care what you do. I won’t doubt you just because you haven’t clearly stated the reason why you are so sure, but I want to ask you just one thing.”

Laius opened his mouth with a look of great anguish on his face.

“Please, take it easy.”

“…”

The face of Laius speaking like that was just a captain worrying about his troublesome youngest knight.

With that, Laius turned around and walked away.

Arendt blinked blankly.

He has no doubts… is that because he is too good, or is that because he is stupid?

‘Come to think of it, I think he’s been reaching for stomach medicine a lot lately.’

He thought he heard the servants chattering about that previously.

He didn’t have to think too long to figure out what the cause was.

If that was the case, it would have been natural to live up to expectations.

Arendt answered refreshingly, raising the corners of his lips.

“I don’t want to though?”

As he walked out of the training ground, Laius’ steps were unsteady.

The story of the cursed jewel soon began to be heard easily even in the palace, from those who were simply curious, to collectors and merchants who showed interest, as well as to those who dismissed it as a rumor.

The reactions varied, but the interest was the same.

‘I don’t think it was ever going to be this much of a topic of conversation.’

Well, it wasn’t that strange. In the original novel, there was no atmosphere to be distracted by jewels and such… Now, Neumann intervened.

His involvement alone was enough to generate publicity.

The auction was to be held like a small tea party in a rented mansion. Accommodations were also prepared for those who traveled from far and wide.

When the cursed jewel, the star of the day, appears in a cheerful atmosphere of eating and drinking snacks and light alcohol, the auction would begin in earnest.

This was the story that Neumann told upon returning to the Imperial Palace after a long time.

“You’re very popular.”

Arendt blurted out, sipping his tea.

“I heard there are quite a few visitors to the palace. Most of them seem to be more interested in Lord Neumann than in the jewel.”

“Haha. If that’s true, then isn’t it all thanks to Arendt?”

As Neumann, sitting across from his, burst into hearty laughter, Arendt added mischievously:

“The Lord of the East Merchants must be feeling a little upset.”

“There’s nothing I can do about it. For now, I’m grateful that they view me as a friendly competitor.”

“As a friendly competitor… considering all that, doesn’t it seem like Lord Neumann was extremely lucky from the start?”

“I can’t deny that either.”

But Neumann just smiled broadly.

In fact, it would have been stranger if it hadn’t been so.

With the royal family entrusting him with the management of the mine, Neumann’s company was on a roll as if riding the wind.

‘The upper headquarters is already set up so neatly.’

Taking another sip of tea, Arendt glanced around.

Neumann had bought the entire three-story building while he was wrapping up his East Safe store. The building had just been renovated, and the smell of crisp wallpaper wafted through the air.

The first floor was a store, the second floor was a warehouse, and the third floor was an office space. Where Arendt was now was Neumann’s office on the third floor.

“The mine side is also organized. We hired new workers who are experts, and there is someone who can take care of it when I am away. Now you can rest assured.”

“I’m sure the Lord will take care of it. Why should I get involved in that? What about the Count?”

“He is completely absorbed in his research. Sometimes he even forgets to eat, which is a problem, so I hired a reliable and generous assistant. At least now he can eat on time.”

As expected, he was a person who knew how to pay close attention to even the smallest details.

Arendt nodded with satisfaction.

“Are you ready for the auction?”

“It is proceeding without a hitch. We will send invitations to those who have expressed their intention to participate, and we will check them at the entrance.”

It seemed like he was quite nervous about the possibility of intruders.

Besides, since the opponents were the same guys who had once been involved in the East Safe, it was no wonder that Neumann was on high alert.

“Only one person with a confirmed identity is allowed to accompany them. Personal attendants are prohibited from entering.”

Neumann, having said that, raised his eyebrows and lowered his voice.

“If there is anything else you need, please let me know. I will try my best.”

“You seem very motivated. Are you going to take revenge on those who almost robbed your safe?”

“It’s not revenge. It’s part of business. If this auction goes down the drain, my credit, which I’ve just started building, will surely hit rock bottom.”

Neumann responded firmly.

“Besides, if I interfere with Lord Arendt and the Imperial Knights by showing off, there is nothing more damaging than that in the end.”

“Why?”

“You are my biggest customers. In Arendt’s words, you are my money. A fool who misses the opportunity to join hands with the best partner is not worthy of being a merchant.”

Arendt burst out laughing as he jokingly added:

“You are my customer, my money provider, and my partner at the same time. That’s great. I think only you, Lord Neumann, can say that to the Imperial Knights.”

“Only when distribution is large can one be called a true merchant.”

“Is that the only way to become a giant?”

“That’s right.”

“Heh,” Neumann added with a playful smile.

“So, if there is any part that requires cooperation, please tell me without holding back.”

“I was thinking of doing that anyway, but now that you say it, I won’t refuse even more.”

The smile on his face became a little awkward.

“What about the thing that I asked from Count Stadler?”

“The Count asked me to pass this on to Lord Arendt.”

Neumann, as if he had been waiting for this question, searched through his pockets and produced a small pouch.

As he opened the pouch, a pure white bead like a pearl appeared.

“Oh, it’s prettier than I thought.”

“He paid a lot of attention to the appearance, to the point of calling in a craftsman. He spent several days just making them right.”

Neumann spoke proudly, as if bragging about what he had done.

Arendt picked up the marbles, looked at them from all sides, and asked:

“How many can he make?”

“He said that since it was made using byproducts from the mine, he can make as much as you need.”

“You don’t have to worry about money. Tell Count Stadler that, too.”

The Crown Prince will pay for it anyway.

Arendt nodded with satisfaction.

“What should I do with these now?”

“Make me some jewelry out of these. It can be any shape, as long as it’s wearable.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sure you know the tastes of the nobles, right?”

It was an unexpected order.

When the curious question came back, Arendt leisurely crossed his legs and continued speaking.

“We will make pretty accessories that even the most discerning people will love, and hand them out to everyone at the entrance.”

“…Okay, I understand for now. And?”

“You tell them that they have to wear it the whole time during the event. It will act as an entrance badge.”

“Everyone…”

Neumann, who had been listening to the story blankly, quickly answered.

“Are you talking about the servants and cooks who work there as well?”

“Yes, even them.”

“Okay, I’ll prepare them like that”

Although Neumann still couldn’t understand the reason for making the accessories, he nodded his head for now.

“Oh, and something will arrive at your place soon.”

“…Yes?”

Suddenly Neumann was overcome by a strong sense of foreboding.

Arendt added with a chuckle.

“Don’t be so surprised. What I said is a secret. You understand?”

“Ah, if it’s a secret…”

“I’m telling you this in advance because I have the slightest bit of conscience. This is something that only you and I know.”

If you are not sure that the enemy will come, then just make it so.

It also gives the actors on stage a reason to properly perform their roles.

All it takes to add tension to this mushy situation is a cursed jewel and one of the most popular gadgets in the play.

The next day, an unidentified carrier bird flew into Neumann’s merchant house.

The content was simple.

On the day of the auction, I will go and steal the jewels.