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chapter-332

In this place, engaging in banter would not yield any meaningful exchange. Thus, he decided to remain silent.

Soon after, Kishiar learned the address of the district where the Red Deer Consortium was located from a merchant who appeared with an introduction letter. Yuder sighed softly as he peered inside the carriage, noting even more boxes than before. If Kishiar had bought any more items here, they would have needed to call for an additional carriage.

"Why? Aren't you pleased with the gifts?"

"It's fortunate that we've made progress in our investigation into the trade of the Tain Ducal House, but I feel you've spent too much for it."

"This isn't that much of an expense."

Kishiar replied nonchalantly, resting his arm atop one of the stacked boxes.

"The cost is worth several times this. Don't worry."

Although his smile was alluringly confident, Nathan's gaze on Yuder's cheek became even more intense than before. Yuder surmised that Nathan Zuckerman must have sensed something from them, something that couldn't be explained simply by their roles in this charade.

Thinking about it, Kishiar being the first to act in front of others today was what they had hoped for. However, the fact that the first person to act was Kishiar's loyal adjutant, a knight from the Southern country, was slightly problematic.

It seemed that on this matter alone, things wouldn't go as Yuder had intended.

"This is the Red Deer Consortium."

Kishiar parked the carriage where he could oversee the entire building. For a guild that claimed to inspect all traded goods entering Tainu, its size was rather modest. However, the number of people bustling about was surprisingly large. Workers emerged from the building to unload the arriving carriages, then transfer the goods to other vehicles. It was a continuous scene of busy activity.

"There sure are a lot of people, considering they said it's difficult to enter without an introduction."

"The name may be a guild, but their actual task is to manage traded goods on behalf of the Tain Ducal House."

"Do you think they're also connected to Baron Willhem?"

"Probably."

Yuder attentively watched the carriages as they continually loaded and unloaded goods. Given the volume of merchandise being moved, there must have been a separate storage warehouse somewhere.

"Shall we go in?"

Without hesitation, Kishiar took the lead, introduction letter in hand. When the tall, handsome man flanked by two other men approached with the letter, the bustling workers of the guild halted, unsure of how to react. They tried explaining that they didn't sell goods here, but Kishiar, true to his carefree duke demeanor, dismissed their words with a simple tilt of his head.

"I want to see the special items being brought in right now. I wish to find a nice gift for my lover today."

Soon after, a man holding a bundle of papers and a quill pen rushed out from inside the building, approaching Kishiar.

"Who... Who are you, sir?"

"Don't you recognize me?"

Although it was obvious they wouldn't know him, Kishiar asked with a hint of mischief. Imperial family members were often born with blonde hair and red eyes, but these features were not exclusive to them. Many noble families with a long lineage had members with golden hair or red-colored eyes appearances, a result of mixed imperial bloodlines. The Tain Ducal House, rulers of Tainu, was especially famous for many members born with such features.

Assuming by his appearance that he was simply a noble from a prestigious family, the ordinary man was taken aback when Kishiar revealed his identity as the Duke of Peletta.

“Duke Peletta, also known as the Commander of the Cavalry, Kishiar La Orr."

"Yes?"

"I am currently staying at Baron Willhem's mansion."

"Yes?"

"Haven't you heard of the achievements of the Cavalry from the Great Sarain Forest? This is truly disappointing."

"No, I haven't."

The man, with a shocked expression, lowered his head, clearly unsure whether to kneel or not. After a moment of confusion, he regained his composure. Carefully, he led Kishiar, Yuder, and Nathan inside. The main building consisted of two floors. Without pausing, Yuder wandered the open space on the first floor, observing the workers carrying luggage, then headed to the second floor. The second floor had proper rooms, but most were filled with stacks of documents.

The man led them to the cleanest reception room and asked them to wait momentarily while he fetched the person in charge. As soon as he left, Kishiar immediately called over Nathan Zuckerman.

"Nathan."

"Yes?"

"From now on, you're going to pretend you went to find the restroom and got lost."

"..."

"After you've assessed the interior structure and personnel, reconvene with us."

The instincts of an exceptional swordmaster sometimes surpassed even that of a mage or an Awakener. With Nathan Zuckerman's skills, he would quickly discern such details.

"Understood."

Nathan Zuckerman promptly stood up without any sign of discomfort at the command. Not long after he left the room, a middle-aged man with glasses hurriedly entered. He bore a striking resemblance to Baron Willhem.

"It's an honor to meet Duke Peletta, the hero who saved the entire west and the guardian of noble blood. I am Graham Willhem, the adviser of the Red Deer Consortium."

"Willhem?"

"The Baron Willhem you've already met is my elder brother."

"Oh, I see."

Graham seemed better at hiding his true feelings than his brother. He appeared unfazed even by the sudden visit of Duke Peletta, who had brought only two attendants to the main building.

"My apologies, Your Grace, but I heard you came here to arrange a gift for someone dear to you. Is that correct?"

"Precisely."

"However, our firm only evaluates and authenticates items brought in to Tainu from outside. We do not have the right to sell. I'm truly sorry."

"Who decided that? Isn't it inconvenient to have to distribute imported items to other stores for sale?"

"That was the directive of Duke Tain, the owner of Tainu. Tainu has been one of the central trading hubs of the western land route for a long time. Without such procedures, there would be problems with indiscriminate imports, verifications, and sales. Duke Tain, after repeatedly experiencing such issues, established this system about 15 years ago to prevent further inconvenience."

Yuder discovered another virtue in the younger Willhem compared to his brother: he was very eloquent.

"I see. If your family has been doing this for 15 years, when did you start working here?"

"Me? I... took over this position after my uncle, so I've been here for about 7 years."

"That's impressive. It must not have been an easy task."

"Not at all."

As the unexpected praise began, a brief expression of suspicion flickered across Graham Willhem's face, as if he were trying to decipher Kishiar's intentions.

"Did you hear about me from your brother?"

"Yes. I heard that you would soon be visiting Tainu. I thought I wouldn't see you since I don't stay in the mansion, but... It's truly an honor to meet you here..."

"Oh? So, you really consider it an honor?"

"Yes?... Yes, of course."

"Then shouldn't you help me even more?"

Kishiar chuckled and poked Graham Willhem's side.

"But I just told you I don't have the authority to sell..."

"How frustrating."

Kishiar shook his head.

"I get that I can't buy right now. But time isn't infinite. Do you think I'll have another chance to visit here with my lovely assistant? At the very least, can't you show me what you have? Other merchants visiting here can at least look at the goods, can't they?"

"..."

"I've wasted enough time getting here, so I don't intend to leave just like that. I'd rather stay here than let my assistant leave empty-handed."

With an absurdly childish threat, Kishiar pulled Yuder close, embracing his shoulder. Yuder leaned in, trying to be as cooperative as possible. Graham Willhem's eyes twitched uncontrollably, trembling minutely.

"I'm sorry, but... your precious one, the one you wanted to gift...?"

"Why don't you find out?"

Kishiar teasingly kissed the top of Yuder's forehead, laughing. Graham Willhem abruptly stood up. His gaze, fixed on the two of them, was filled not with restrained emotion but with disgust. Despite his eloquence, it seemed he wasn't so different from his brother in essence.

"What are you looking for? Let me know, and I'll guide you to the warehouse directly. The warehouse, unlike the store, is a dirty place where only the lowly work, but if you still want to see..."

"I'm looking for rare and interesting imports that require meticulous verification. I'd appreciate it if you could hurry. Otherwise, while waiting, I might get so bored that I'd want to do something here with my assistant."

"Some of those valuables just arrived today and are in the basement. I'll guide you. Please follow."

Graham Willhem hastily exited the room. Kishiar, with a soft laugh, led Yuder. As they left, it was fortunate that Nathan Zuckerman's absence hadn't been noticed.