Although it was dim, the light from the magic lamp in the room could still show Arthur's facial expression. He showed a look of relief rather than surprise. Because he was worried that it would be long to explain.
While talking, Dean picked up some files in the bottom drawer of his desk. It contained papers that were stacked using clothespins. The stack was so thick that it covered Dean's face who brought it to the table.
"These are the records and movement reports of the nobles in Crown Prince's Faction. Quite a lot of movement in the backworld and dark funds going in and out." Dean explained as he picked up his glasses.
When he put on the glasses, he continued, "All of this is still a little bit. Because it has to do with the Garunam Kingdom and the Senova Empire. So we're separating all those issues."
"The Crown Prince again funded the illegal trials in the Central Magic Tower at Garunam Kingdom, while Senova Empire became the place where the test subjects were imported." Dean seemed to be struggling to find the few pieces of evidence in the pile of records.
After finding them, he handed them to Arthur. "New Free City, which is still being contested until now, used to be clear. However, it became disputed again because the Senova Empire found a treaty document that required the free land to be owned by the empire if neglected for 100 years. It was a treaty signed by King Gladius the 5th. The Marithus Kingdom had already undergone construction for the New Free City, but without paying for the construction, the empire requested it for free."
Arthur looked at the document carefully. There was indeed a stamp and seal of the Marithus Kingdom. Although the document was copied so that Dean's guild would have the archives, it was clearly the original.
"So, they're like a landowner on whose land several buildings are being built and the owner initially allows it. However, the owner wants to take control of all the buildings without paying the usual construction fee, is that right? In that case, the building owner should just pay rent to the landowner, right?" Arthur shared his thoughts.
At Arthur's last question, Dean said coldly. "How can the Future Duke not think critically about that matter."
Arthur wanted to retaliate harshly, but Duke Rudolf's words today made him think back.
'The residents of the New Free City are the ones who escaped from paying taxes. Telling them to pay rent is just like the old days. Not to mention it's a sign of peace from the Garunam Kingdom.'
Arthur thought a bit. If only there was Woo Jihyuk, his best friend back then. Surely he wouldn't be so confused about this matter. He didn't even go to school properly and just burdened Woo Jihyuk. However, in games, entertainment, and raiding, Arthur was very good.
'Brainwork is not suitable for me.'
"Crown Prince was crowned about 6 years ago, when he graduated from Marithus Kingdom National Academy. It's a bit strange because some of the cooperation agreement he made with the Garunam Kingdom date back decades." Dean went back to talking about it.
He recounted again with some discomfort. "One thing is for sure, this has something to do with the rise of necromancers. I found out that Crown Prince Xavier Gladias has necromancer bloodline. What will he summon here? Dead people? I don't recall anyone of value to him having died."
'There it is! This is the main road leading to the protagonist's summoning ritual here!'
Ting!
[Preparing the character 'Arthur Rudolf' to enter the main story plot: 30/100%]
The notification immediately showed that the process had increased by 20 percent, ten times faster than usual. Was it because it alluded to the original story?
Immediately Arthur said, "I want to offer you a deal."
Dean still showed a cold stare, he wasn't interested. "A successor to a neutral faction leader like you, what can you do? The slightest mistake, your noble followers immediately expel you from the position of leader. You're just continuing your father's hard work."
'Gosh his words, if Arthur Rudolf were to face him directly, he might take offense.'
"What if I, the son of Irene and godson of Her Majesty Queen Cosette, created a heroic event and earned the title of Second Prince?"
Dean was a little surprised by Arthur's words. He had never heard of Arthur being a godson. "If you mean Irene Terra, she is not a member of the imperial family."
"You can find out later. Legally, I am written the son of Irene Gestrine rather than Irene Terra." Arthur took the bait again.
Dean tried to find other documents. He found some very important reports, they were reports that Isaac Rudolf had requested years ago. The request fabricated that the current Duke Rudolf was only married once, with Irene Gestrine, covering up that Duke Rudolf was once married to Irene Terra. They were forbidden to find out what it was for. That's why Dean automatically knew what Arthur said was true.
Seeing Arthur Rudolf in front of him who was confident, arrogant, brave, and rude to him, Dean saw Isaac's figure at that moment in Arthur. Wasn't Arthur famous for being generous and kind?
'In the end, all nobles are two-faced and want the power.' Dean thought.
"I accept your offer, but you have to dethroning the Crown Prince as well."
Arthur got up from his seat, walked towards Dean and extended his hand. Inviting him to shake hands with Dean.
"With this, we have a deal."
[Preparing the character 'Arthur Rudolf' to enter the main story plot: 34/100%]
***
"Last night's annoying person made me fall into a deep sleep."
Dean Volton, a K-Night Assassin Guild Leader. His background was very sad. He was called a cursed child by the two tribes of beast people he was related to. The blood of both tribes flowed in him.
Throughout his 18-year career as an assassin, he had never met anyone as attractive as Arthur in person. That person was particularly attractive because he had a mana-like odor or aura. In the identity reports of the Gigana Continent's nobles that he had collected, this was the first time he had shown such a real attitude. Usually, they remain hypocritical because they are dealing with a Dean Volton.
Last night, when the two agreed, Arthur left a strange message as if he had predicted the future events. "Watch your mages. Who knows if there is someone unique among your subordinates."
Thus, on this morning, Dean immediately prepared the morning training for the mages. Since the guild mostly employed information experts, most recruits were dagger or sword users. There were very few vacancies for mages.
About ten mages were gathered to discuss the attack formula. It was just that, since Dean had always only recruited non-attacking type mages, they were confused.
"Are we going to have a war or a large-scale attack, Leader-nim?"
A beautiful caramel brown-haired girl with gray eyes called out to him to ask. Dean looked at the girl. He had never seen her before.
Then, the secretary he was angry with last night, Leon Rith, apologized. "I'm sorry, Leader-nim. She's a new member and I forgot to tell you. She's still a rookie for now."
Leon looked timid with his chairman. However, Dean, who usually had a cold expression, showed interest.
"Try attacking me."
"Yes?"
The girl confirmed what she had heard. Even her nine fellow mages were surprised. Then she looked at Leon, as if asking for an explanation. However, Leon only spoke silently while showing a frightened look on his face. He seemed to be telling the magical girl to continue.
As requested, the girl immediately stuck out her hand. "Fotiá!"
Doom!
"A-ah! Leader-nim, I'm sorry!"
'Awesome!'
When the girl shouted the spell, a large fireball fell on her. Dean was even pushed several meters by the flames and fell on his back. Leon painstakingly extinguished the remaining flames on his body.
Now he understood why Arthur had said that. Seeing the girl's interaction with the other mages, it seemed like she was shunned because she was not a supportive type of mage, but an attacker.
Quickly, Dean stood up from his position. He looked at the girl. "What's your name?"
"Cindy Esperen."
***
"My goodness, the high noble family is indeed very embarrassing. Succession is just around the corner and the successor doesn't know anything? How very unlucky I am."
Arthur sat silently on the sofa in his study. A man with bright red hair walked back and forth in front of him. That man's green eyes were truly unique as they glared.
He was Count Felix Rubel. A young count who quickly became the successor due to his father's death. He was a loyal follower of the Crown Prince Faction.
'That side is dealing with Baron Esperen's son. On this side I'm dealing with a crazy count. Damn, if I wasn't in Arthur's body, I'd have kicked this guy too.'
Arthur continued to force a friendly smile, even though he was inwardly cursing the man. They were brought together today because Duke Rudolf had secretly sent a tutor for Arthur's coronation. The previous tutor was someone from the queen's side. Wanting to keep Arthur's condition a secret, Duke Rudolf called someone from the crown prince's side.
Count Rubel was almost the same age as Arthur, so he was chosen. The problem was that Count Rubel's attitude was very bad.
Surprisingly, Arthur wanted to play, 'Who is the worse of the two of us.'
"Hey, watch your manners, you trash!"
[]
'-Nim' : A higher honorific than '-ssi'