The young lady appears somewhat apprehensive in response to my request, prompting me to swiftly clarify that it's not to lodge a complaint but rather to discuss business matters.
She nods, and within moments, she returns accompanied by the manager.
The paper manufacturing process proves relatively straightforward; however, my true desire is to grasp the specific method employed here, as it remains unfamiliar to me.
A slender gentleman makes his entrance before us, sporting golden cat-like ears and a covetous smile gracing his lips. He wears a white tunic with perfectly coordinated golden edges, complementing his hair.
"May I assist you?" inquires the expectant manager, attentively observing us. His tone is tranquil and assured, leaving me with a favorable initial impression.
I elucidate the situation, detailing my origin and expressing hopes of acquiring information regarding the paper used in the establishment.
Initially, he seems reluctant to divulge many details; however, his demeanor undergoes a complete transformation when I present him with a golden coin.
"The paper is procured by the establishment's owner in Kararagi," he finally responds.
Upon hearing these words, an ominous premonition takes hold of me, and I feel as if destiny is toying with me. At that precise moment, I hear a familiar voice resonating in my ears.
"Well, who would have thought we'd encounter each other again so soon..."
Anastasia enters the restaurant accompanied by Julius and their mercenaries, including the adorable little ones who always accompany them. Mimi excitedly approaches Julius, tugging at his suit.
"Hey! Hey! Was it him you kicked his ass of?" asks Mimi with overflowing joy.
Julius coughs lightly at Mimi's words and attempts to maintain composure, responding, "It was quite a battle..."
Anastasia strides toward me, paying no heed to everything happening around her. She walks with determination as the others take their seats.
"It's truly curious to find ourselves here again, don't you think?" Anastasia says to me with a mysterious gleam in her eyes.
Was she following me from afar?
It doesn't make sense... she couldn't have reached here so quickly. The only plausible explanation is that it's a mere fortuitous coincidence.
"Yes, undoubtedly, a great coincidence..." I reply cautiously, trying to decipher the true purpose of her presence.
She smiles and directs her gaze to the manager, who promptly rushes to explain the situation and detail my order.
Dealing with Anastasia is always intricate; from my perspective, she is like a cunning fox that deceives first and then bites without mercy.
That's how the world of commerce operates.
"The paper, unfortunately, I cannot disclose the creation method, as it's a novel product developed by my mercantile group," asserts Anastasia.
I invite Anastasia to take a seat while the waitstaff connect two tables to join ours with hers. For a brief moment, Anastasia glances towards Emilia; however, due to her cloak, she cannot discern her true identity.
If she hasn't removed her cloak, it's because she wishes to conceal her true identity.
"She's a friend I met approximately a month ago," I cordially explain, introducing Emilia to Anastasia and the other diners.
However, I decide to keep Mimi's name a secret to sow misinformation and make her feel more at ease. I look at her, as if signaling her to introduce herself.
"I'm Mimi! And I'm very strong! Hahaha," exclaims Mimi with a wide smile, extending her staff in front of everyone.
The other companion is a monocle-wearing boy whose name I don't remember clearly. "I'm Tivey Pearlbaton. I apologize for my sister's rudeness," Tivey says, bowing respectfully.
Mimi bursts into laughter at Tivey's apology, while Julius seems to be enduring Mimi's antics with great effort.
"They make an interesting duo," I comment, observing their peculiar dynamics.
"We're a trio! Hetaro is still missing," Mimi interjects excitedly, completing the group.
Mimi excitedly orders burgers, and to my surprise, she also requests them with the special sauce. I want to ask, but I decide to hold onto the surprise until it arrives.
Anastasia keeps her gaze fixed on me, as if trying to scrutinize my reactions and behavior.
But I won't allow her to see what she's searching for.
"I understand the situation then. I suppose that even if you can't reveal the creation method, you can sell me the paper," I say with determination.
It's perfect for my purpose, and I must obtain it without hesitation.
"I would like to know your reason for wanting this paper. As a merchant, it's always interesting to hear the stories behind each purchase," comments Anastasia, directing her gaze towards Emilia and Beatrice, who are conversing calmly.
Emilia seems to act a bit nervous but maintains composure, using a rough manner of speaking as if trying to conceal her true identity.
Anastasia seems to suspect something, so I decide to distract her.
"Well, just today, Miss Emilia mentioned her intention to add posters to the town. The usual practice would be to use thin paper, but this new type is much more durable. Adverse conditions often quickly damage the posters, requiring frequent replacements. A more durable paper would imply greater efficiency in that regard," I explain in detail while observing how Anastasia shifts her gaze towards Emilia, searching for any reaction to my words.
Emilia remains unperturbed.
"I see, it seems she's been working hard; I can recognize her worth, but undoubtedly, you were a significant factor in her speech," asserts Anastasia, once again shifting her gaze towards me without altering her expression in the slightest. To further distract her, Emilia acts excitedly, looking at Beatrice with interest.
"Beatrice, Beatrice, tell me about what the castle was like," Emilia says casually.
Beatrice immediately understands and plays along. A commonplace and expected conversation since the castle is something a commoner or ordinary citizen cannot witness—a superb alibi to deflect any suspicion.
"Well, I've been in miss Emilia's service for just over two months. She took me under her protection, and since then, I've been working by her side," I respond without hesitation, while Anastasia looks at me again with an enigmatic smile, her expression unchanged.
"Did you teach him? You're very eloquent for someone of low social standing. During the selection, you also kept in line with the situation," Anastasia comments, intrigued by my verbal fluency.
I respond to Anastasia's smile with one of my own, but inwardly, I sigh tiredly. I'll have to play along for now.
"You're very perceptive, Miss Anastasia. Your intelligence is evident," I remark, acknowledging her mental acuity. She feels gratified knowing that I've noticed her keen insight.
"I was part of her process, but it was she who wrote her speech. I suppose it will be the same in your case," I add mystery to my background to keep her intrigued and avoid underestimation from Anastasia.
It's natural for her to want to know what kind of person I am: whether I am confident or talk too much, whether I am cautious or careless.
She won't underestimate my actions, as my achievements, being the creator of the steam engine and managing things during the selection, indicate that I am not a normal person.
That's why I weave a veil of enigma around myself while subtly revealing key aspects about me. This way, she will be cautious and take time to investigate before jumping to hasty conclusions.
Anastasia nods without mocking or mentioning anything about Emilia.
"I must admit, I am extremely interested in you, Marco Luz," says Anastasia, attempting to make me nervous with an intense gaze and penetrating celestial eyes seeking to delve into my mind for more answers about who I really am.
I open my eyes, feigning surprise, and make a slight gesture with my hand while quickly scratching my head with the other hand.
"What... could a candidate like you want with someone like me?" I ask shyly, displaying an appropriate response to her insinuations.
Julius remains silent, observing our little confrontation carefully without intervening for the moment.
"You are the creator of the famous steam engine, and you also devised methods to prevent its disassembly," continues Anastasia, revealing her knowledge of my technical skills.
After creating those methods, I personally installed them in the few steam engines I had sold back then. For me, the most crucial aspect is to avoid any unfavorable situations.
I respond with pride and quickness amid halting words:
"I must protect what is mine. That method was obtained... I mean, created by me," I assert with conviction, though the truth behind that statement seems incredible.
A truth that appears like fiction.
Anastasia closes her eyes with satisfaction at my response. If she can see through my performance, she'll know I'm the true inventor of the protection mechanism.
But if she doesn't discover it, she'll believe there's someone else behind all this and encounter a barrier in her investigations.
I'll leave the impression of being meticulous, making cooperation more challenging but generating even more interest.
"I've heard that your biggest buyer is none other than Crusch Karsten," asserts Anastasia without subtlety, seeking to test whether my act is feigned or genuine.
With an enigmatic smile on my lips, I respond, "Unfortunately, I don't usually discuss such matters, so I can neither confirm nor deny that information." It's evident that she is already aware of the fact, but I prefer to keep it as a mystery rather than outright lying.
People always seek to be right or feel superior, and the more skilled someone is, the easier it is to manipulate them by exploiting their narcissism.
However, when a person understands their strengths and weaknesses well, it becomes much more difficult to manipulate them.
Anastasia possesses the cunning of a seasoned fox; once she has categorized her prey, it's nearly impossible to make her see exactly what she's pursuing.
"That's a great quality for a negotiator... quite interesting," she comments while intertwining her arms and thoughtfully resting her chin. Maintaining our gaze fixed between us, she smiles with mischief.
It's evident she wants to steer the conversation into more personal territory.
"I've heard that many caravans gather in your territory; undoubtedly, it seems she is very busy," she provocatively points out.
Shrugging at her insinuation, I decide to hold my ground and not reveal too much.
"Perhaps, as she couldn't celebrate before, she's now planning something," I respond cautiously.
The memory of Crusch's embarrassing act hangs in the air, and Anastasia lets out a small laugh.
"You're right, it could be that," she admits as her eyebrows move slightly before she resumes a smile.
"Do you lack a magic door?" I ask Anastasia, who is surprised by the new direction our conversation has taken.
I immediately stand and bow in apology.
"My sincerest apologies for the reckless behavior of my spirit. For someone incapable of manipulating mana, exposing them to such pressure could be dangerous. If Miss Emilia hadn't been there, it would have been truly problematic."
Anastasia's eyes widen with surprise upon hearing my words.
"Well, you're much more cautious than I thought," she comments admirably as I shake my head and take my seat again.
"I always try to consider the well-being of others; that's why I can be a bit impulsive," I explain, contradicting myself a bit before releasing a small analogy to illustrate it better.
Anastasia seems to have become more at ease as her face shows a certain calmness.
When we force a smile, it's usually ideal, but when we genuinely smile or laugh, it's hard to hide our true expression. You can distinguish between a sincere and a fake smile.
At that moment, the food arrives, and the atmosphere settles.
At first glance, my burger seems normal; however, I can see a greenish sauce timidly peeking out on top of it. I have no idea about the taste of that particular sauce, but tasting it individually now would be cheating.
Taking the burger in my hands and feeling it slightly sink into the soft bread, I approach carefully and take an initial bite to start savoring it.
At first, I can't perceive the taste of the sauce; however, gradually, a sweet aftertaste emerges, followed by a caramelized sensation that expands in my mouth...
"This..."
Mimi's interruption leaves me momentarily perplexed, but I quickly understand that she wants to share her enthusiasm for the delicious special sauce at this place.
"The sauce is truly exquisite. Mimi loves to eat it," explains Anastasia with a smile as I watch Mimi savor every bite as if it were an entry into paradise.
"It'sh very delishoush!" exclaims Mimi excitedly, with bits of food still in her mouth.
I finish my burger and glance at Anastasia, who has also finished hers.
"Don't worry about the burgers, my treat. After all, you've already paid me with your valuable information," she says, and I thank her without objection.
Making a scene would be contrary to my intentions.
I know I can't let her underestimate my intelligence so easily; showing too much foolishness would only complicate the success of our charade.
"How about we make a deal?" I abruptly propose before giving her a chance to respond.
Anastasia tilts her head slightly, curious about my request.
Without letting her speak much more, I comment, "I'm an inventor, and I'm confident I can improve paper production. I would only need a portion of your production. If you'd like, you can verify it yourself in Irlam."
My intention is to show her something complex without explaining too much to instill a certain apprehension in her.
When she sees the efficiency with which I work, she will likely want to form a business alliance immediately to prevent a monopoly from forming.
Or, perhaps, she might want to steal from me.
Although I would prefer the first option, as it would allow me to expand more easily, and the name of Irlam would grow along with me. Besides, I'm sure she's also interested in the rifles, as she has cast several furtive glances toward my side where one rests.
Anastasia smiles as if that is precisely what she was looking for all along.
"It will be a pleasure. After all, the steam engine is also within my interests," she responds as she stands up, and the rest of the group follows her.
We leave the table and exit the restaurant. Anastasia announces that she is heading to her mansion, visibly satisfied with the day she has had.
"It's been a long day," she smiles. "I look forward to meeting again, in Irlam." I nod and bid farewell to her, as well as to Julius and the others present.
It seems Julius wants to talk about something, but having to accompany Anastasia, he decides to avoid it.
"Where do we go now?" Emilia asks with a somewhat melancholic tone. "You've been talking a lot with Anastasia. Even Betty is sad." Beatrice takes Emilia's hand, and when I try to look at her, she turns her face to avoid me.
"How about we find a bar? Preferably one that doesn't look too bad," I suggest.
Emilia agrees, eager to try alcohol again. We immediately head to a bar while scanning all the places for the quietest one.
In Irlam, there is only one inn and a few restaurants/bars that I decided to open for the workers.
Generally, the inn doesn't receive many visitors since most come for business, and few stay to enjoy the local lifestyle. I must create more entertainment venues: bars, nightclubs, theaters... Entertainment always generates significant economic gains.
Just as we walk, someone shouts at us from behind.
"Big brother!" Felt exclaims excitedly as she quickly approaches us.
SS-Anastasia
A latent danger.
I approved of his battle, eager to gather information about him, but the instant I saw him, I knew something troublesome would occur.
Rarely am I wrong in judging people; though some may change, they never truly surprise me.
As they fight, I can't help but think about his demeanor.
He can confront the nobles eloquently and carry on a discussion with such confidence in his eyes and, above all, in his smile. Initially, I thought he was mad, but after witnessing his actions, I realized he had every step meticulously planned.
It was at that moment that my interest began to blossom. The steam engine came through my sources of information, but it wasn't the right time.
I needed to see whom I would be facing.
More and more products were coming out of Irlam: cheap and effective.
This worried me about the shift in demand and raised questions about how they planned to dominate the market. They seemed to be seeking a monopoly, but I couldn't obtain information about their internal situation, so I decided to intervene and contribute my own efforts.
After demonstrating their strength by silencing everyone regarding the cult, I could sense something different in the atmosphere.
I recognize the danger; as a merchant, it's one of my most valuable skills.
My knight stands before me, having had a friendly battle with Marco. However, he doesn't seem entirely content. Upon asking the reason, I discovered what had happened.
My knight's feet were injured by the impact of the blow. Although he claims to have repaired it instantly, that feat highlights the incredible power of that attack.
"Even enhanced, it could damage my body, and it's been just over two months since he forged his door," Julius comments, determined not to say more about it.
He remains silent as I look for a place to eat, deciding to go to my favorite restaurant, where Mimi can also enjoy herself.
Unexpectedly, I saw him again.
I watched how he interacted with a stranger and began to suspect. Although I couldn't see the woman's face, somehow I intuited what was happening.
But that wasn't what mattered most.
As we held a conversation, I realized I had lost control of the pace, allowing myself to be led by him.
It was then that I decided to end that situation and surprise him.
"You're the creator of the famous steam engine and also designed measures to prevent them from being dismantled," I looked at him with a smile, trying to intimidate him.
Since I obtained information about the steam engine, my first impulse was to look for it to buy one and recreate it. However, I discovered that the people to whom he had sold it were all close and loyal to the marquis, except for the Karsten family, who, by contract, couldn't exhibit it.
When one of the machines arrived in Kararagi, I hurried to buy it, but then I learned that it had a mechanism that would explode if dismantled.
Still, I bought it without hesitation and sent it to my group to find a way to break that protection. After weeks of work, they thought they had succeeded, but the machine exploded, causing significant damage.
Creating such a mechanism is not a simple task.
That's why I need to know more; I need to have it all. If I can make his businesses fail and control him, then he'll be mine.
I'll turn him into my pawn to help me dominate everything. Someone like him shouldn't be without control.
Otherwise, he'll devour everything when you least expect it.
Like a dragon about to awaken.
Having achieved my goal, I bid farewell with a satisfied smile.
"It's been a long day," I smile. "I look forward to meeting again, in Irlam."
As I left, I could feel it; the way he speaks without hesitation is not mere arrogance. His eyes convey a dangerous confidence.
It seems as if he already knows everything about me, about everyone, as if he could read my thoughts and intentions.
He's an enigmatic existence.
Marco Luz... is a dangerous man.