The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-277

Chapter 277: Money War (5)

Vikir, wearing a cat mask, pressed forward with determined steps. His target was Damian, a man with dark brown long hair, standing far away. Damian held the position of the head of the Imperial Currency Mint and an external director of the Bourgeois Clan, an unusual title combining an Imperial official and a corporate director.

Half of him belonged to the Empire as a government official, while the other half served as a director in a business firm. Understanding this arrangement required knowledge of his background—defeated in the internal political struggles within his family, Damian had been exiled. Though he lost in the Game of Thrones, his remarkable abilities and outstanding political sense prevented the Bourgeois family from completely rejecting him.

Receiving recognition from the Empire, Damian oversaw the Imperial Currency Mint while also having some involvement in managing the largest Clan of the Bourgeois family. However, due to his official position taking precedence, his role as a Clan director was relatively inconspicuous, barely known.

Vikir contemplated silently, ‘Perhaps his promotion to head of the Imperial Currency Mint was a voluntary choice for survival.’

According to the words of those who challenged the throne and were defeated, death or a more miserable exile was the only outcome. Smart and capable, Damian must have predicted that he wouldn’t be able to take the head of his family and promptly sought promotion to avoid such a fate, all in pursuit of the nation’s protection.

“Fearing one’s family, seeking refuge in the arms of the state,” Vikir summarized the situation easily. He was well aware that family, though closer than anyone else, could inflict more wounds than anyone else.

In that sense, Damian’s decision to distance himself from his family and enter the service of the imperial court was a very wise move. Thanks to that, he gained the protection of the imperial court, allowing him to keep the Bourgeois family in check to some extent.

‘Staying away from the internal affairs of the Bourgeois, and Damian becomes an excellent informant from the perspective of the imperial family,’ Vikir thought, having already analyzed newspaper articles revealing the hostile relationship between Damian and the Bourgeois head. In other words, Damian was currently walking a tightrope between the imperial court and the Bourgeois, skillfully safeguarding his position.

As Vikir, disguised as a servant, continued to move forward, he discreetly shared cocktail glasses with those around him, blending in seamlessly.

Even Dolores was unaware of the fact that he was undercover. The gap between Vikir and Damian was narrowing to just a few meters.

Damian engaged in various conversations with the people surrounding him. “Haha. Money is truly remarkable,” one person remarked. Another replied, “With money, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

“Younger colleagues indulging in extravagance to this extent. Honestly, it surprised me a bit.”

“Well, money is something you earn to enjoy, after all.”

“I now understand why the phrase ‘money makes the world go round’ exists.”

People holding glasses in their hands laughed with intoxicated expressions.

At that moment, someone spoke up, “Hey, money is indeed impressive, but it’s not omnipotent. How many things in the world can’t be done with money?”

A response to the notion that gold is all-powerful. Another person beside them remarked, “Oh, don’t you know the trendy saying among young people these days?”

“Huh? What is that?”

“If there’s something money can’t solve, maybe you should consider if it’s not a lack of money! Hahaha!”

This statement elicited laughter from the audience. “That’s right. Having money doesn’t guarantee happiness, but not having it definitely guarantees unhappiness.”

“Of course. Eating delicious food, wearing nice clothes, riding good vehicles, sleeping in a good place, traveling to nice destinations, buying good toys, and sharing good gifts with good people. Living comfortably and warmly increases the probability of being happier than others.”

“Hehe, when I was young, I thought money was everything, but as I’ve gotten older, I realize that money is even more important than I thought.”

“Exactly. When I was young, I envied people with a lot of money the most. Now that I’m an adult, I still envy people with a lot of money.”

“Once I said, ‘I wish I had a lot of money,’ and someone replied, ‘You can’t buy happiness with money.’ I found that a bit strange. Who said I wanted happiness? I just wanted a lot of fucking money.”

“Indeed, money is a remarkable invention. It symbolizes the pinnacle of humanity.”

The conversation had shifted towards praising the greatness of money. It seemed like a natural topic given the people present, who were influential figures in the business world. However, beneath the surface, there was another intention.

It was a roundabout way of flattering Damian, the one who actually creates money. As the head of the Imperial Currency Mint, he played a crucial role in minting currency used throughout the country.

However, Damian, the head of the Imperial Currency Mint, simply smiled bitterly. Gradually, he silently left the group and headed towards the terrace alone.

In the sudden awkward atmosphere, people wondered if they had made some mistake, but there was nothing specific to point out.

“What’s going on? Didn’t the head seem a bit unhappy just now?”

“Hmm. Did we make some mistake?”

“There was nothing. We just spoke the truth.”

“Maybe he’s just a bit drunk?”

“Yes, he seemed a bit tired from the moment he entered the party.”

“…And he probably has ‘daughter issues’ too.”

At the last person’s words, everyone nodded in agreement.

“Come to think of it, his daughter seems to have had quite an unfortunate fate…”

“Juliet, right? I’ve heard about that news.”

“She was such a young and beautiful lady. It’s really a pity.”

“Well, he must be feeling awkward in such situations.”

People continued talking about the unfortunate events that Damian and his daughter had faced until the arrival of new performers who captured everyone’s attention with an energetic dance.

The empathy from their mouths seemed rather cheap compared to the expensive liquor going in.

* * *

“Sigh.”

Damian. He leaned against the terrace, gazing outside where the night dew had settled. Beyond the silk curtains, a beautiful view of the Huangduo spread out—a picturesque scene of the blue night, warm and cozy, creating an atmosphere perfect for sinking into a peaceful slumber.

However, Damian merely glanced briefly and turned away. Energetic music and cheerful voices from the hall outside celebrated tonight’s party. Suddenly, he recalled the conversation he overheard in the hall.

“…Money.”

He was a man accustomed to money. Born with a staggering amount of wealth and accumulating vast riches through numerous successful ventures in his youth, he now held the highest position in an institution responsible for creating money. In essence, a man who had lived his entire life with money, having held countless sums in his hands.

Yet, even Damian couldn’t help but shudder at the voice approaching from behind.

“Do you believe there’s something money can’t do in this world?”

Damian turned his head to look behind. When did this person approach? A boy wearing a cat mask stood behind him.

Initially, Damian thought it was just an audacious servant approaching with admiration. However, he soon realized.

“…No footsteps?”

The boy stood silently behind him, approaching like a ghost, with movements so discreet that they couldn’t be dismissed as just those of a well-trained servant. Yet, Damian was indeed a smart man. He didn’t show discomfort or make any noise. He decided to initiate conversation to smoothly navigate the situation.

“Yeah, there’s a lot.”

Nodding, Damian turned his gaze diagonally upward, looking at the night sky.

“Money is just one of the many means to achieve goals. And there are as many unattainable goals as the stars in the night sky. That’s what makes us human.”

In a low voice, Damian responded and smoothly lifted his back from the railing, intending to return to the party hall. At that moment, the servant boy spoke.

“If that’s the case, what do you think is the furthest and brightest star among those stars?”

“…?”

Damian turned his head with a puzzled expression, and the servant boy remained in his place. A star, shining brightly in the night sky. A goal so high and distant that even someone with a social position like Damian’s couldn’t achieve it.

“…Could it be meeting your deceased daughter?”

At the servant boy’s words, Damian’s steps momentarily faltered. Amid a brief silence, the night air grew even colder. Eventually, Damian spoke.

“Meeting the dead.”

He turned slightly and looked at the servant boy. His gaze, unlike before, was now intense.

“I can’t do it, but it seems like you would be able to soon.”

Simultaneously, a formidable aura emanated from him. Swiftly, a golden stiletto flew from Damian’s waist towards the servant boy’s shoulder.

Damian briefly thought that the inexperienced servant boy would likely feel the terror of death but wouldn’t be harmed to the point of endangering his life. However, as a consequence of mocking a high-ranking noble, he would likely lead a lifetime of discomfort.

However…

*Splink!*

Damian’s thoughts went astray. The swift rapier he wielded also missed its mark. The sharp blade protruding from the back of the servant boy’s hand deflected Damian’s blade. At the same time, Damian’s eyes widened as if they were about to tear apart.

“…N-Night Hound?”