"Isn't it true that the calm seas here are all thanks to you, Lord Warren? Then use that to pressure Chancellor Austin. If he doesn't want to see the old situation return, he should drive out those who are overstepping their bounds and doing business here. Would the chancellor risk not driving out the guild's influence?"
Everyone seemed to have the same thought upon hearing this.
"That's a great idea."
"Isn't the chancellor also keeping an eye on Lord Warren because of the calm seas?"
"We're not some gangsters, after all. That approach might be better."
The Union representative was also somewhat positive.
'Not bad. The chancellor here can't completely ignore my opinion. It seems like a better approach.'
"That's a good suggestion."
As the atmosphere improved, Joseph, who had been watching from the side, approached the Union representative and whispered.
"Lord Warren, I agree. It's a great idea."
'What a useless subordinate.'
Warren frowned and said,
"Why are you bothering me? Go to the side and be quiet. Don't come near me and scratch my nerves."
"Yes..."
"No, wait. I'm going to see the chancellor soon, so go prepare the carriage."
"Yes! I'll prepare the carriage right away."
After sending Joseph away, the Union representative stood up and spoke to the visiting moneylenders.
"I'm going to meet with the chancellor right away. Please wait at ease. I'll bring back good news soon."
At this, the faces of the Union-affiliated moneylenders brightened.
A short while later,
Union representative Warren Dragoon rode his splendid carriage to the Black Castle, where the de facto ruler of Black Label, Chancellor Austin, resided.
The Black Castle was a fortress-like castle built on a cliff by the sea, a place with a deep history, as his pirate fleet once bombarded it relentlessly in an attempt to take control.
'Back then, who would have thought that I would ride a carriage here peacefully? It was a fight to the death between you and me.'
Without any hindrance, the Union representative entered the castle and went straight to meet with Chancellor Austin.
Since they were not on good terms, the chancellor's reception was rather cold.
Without a word of welcome, the chancellor was moving model ships on a map spread out on a wide table.
"Ahem!"
The Union representative loudly cleared his throat as if to announce his presence.
Only then did the chancellor turn and glance at him.
"Why are you here when we agreed to pretend not to know each other?"
The Union representative naturally frowned at the sharp remark.
"Do you think I came here because I wanted to? I have things to discuss."
As he approached, the chancellor pushed away some model pirate ships that had increased since their last meeting.
"These damn pirates. No matter how much I get rid of them, they never disappear. I don't know where they keep coming from. I should catch them all and throw them to the kraken."
The Union representative's expression darkened at the unfavorable remark.
"Did you say that for me to hear?"
"It's for you to hear. But pirates? Why are you so upset when it's not even about you?"
The chancellor smirked, making the Union representative want to punch him, but he held back and forced a smile.
'I have to endure. I'm now a respectable landlubber.'
"What pirate am I? I quit that a long time ago. Now I'm a Union representative. A nobleman of the Empire, in a way."
It was as if the chancellor didn't hear him at all.
"Ah, the former pirate has come a long way. So, why did you come here? A mere nobleman visiting me rudely without making an appointment must have urgent business, right? Though I bet it's a trivial matter."
The chancellor started organizing the documents piled near his desk, indirectly showing that he was a busy man.
Ignoring the chancellor's indifference, the Union representative bluntly said, "I heard some riffraff appeared here."
"Riffraff? What riffraff are you talking about?"
Pretending not to know.
"You know, the guild guys. They have no manners. They dare to do business here, knowing whose place this is."
While the Union representative was fuming, the chancellor remained calm.
"What manners? In this era of infinite competition, even businesses can compete with each other."
As the Union representative slammed a stack of documents with his palm, he narrowed his eyes.
"What are you doing!"
"Competition? That's for others! This is our business! People come here to do business in our place, and you, the chancellor, just stand there! We need to drive them out right away!"
The chancellor frowned and replied.
"Is that my business? As long as I get my taxes, I don't care who does business here."
"Are you really saying that now?"
How could the chancellor not know his past?
But unlike the past, he was now just a retired pirate who had adapted to life on land.
"Anyway, I have no intention of getting involved in your affairs. If you have a problem, deal with it yourself, and if you keep causing trouble here, I'll take action in my own way."
"Ha ha...."
The Union representative grinned, revealing his yellow teeth.
"Just because I've been quiet like an idiot doesn't mean that the blood from the past has gone somewhere. Are you saying that I'll let this slide?"
"Are you threatening me now?"
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