A Different Path (2)
The two visiting magicians held their tongues.
They knew that he wasn't just bluffing.
"I thought the Lyon Guild and the Sinclair family were... on good terms, but I guess that's not the case."
As she expressed her disappointment, Rockefeller responded.
"On good terms... yes, we were once. We were their loyal supporters. But not anymore. The situation has changed. At least from now on, it will be a completely new relationship."
"A new relationship? What kind of relationship are you talking about?"
"I think it's appropriate to describe it as a horizontal relationship, where both parties are on equal footing."
"So it wasn't like that until now?"
"Are you asking me, someone who knows well? Wasn't it obviously a vertical relationship until then?"
To desire an equal relationship with the prestigious magic family of the empire.
And that's coming from a group of money lenders.
Jason's anger was boiling, but he couldn't find an opportunity to interrupt since she was having the conversation.
Meanwhile, Isabella continued speaking.
"If we part ways like this, it won't be good for you either, right?"
Rockefeller did not deny it.
"Perhaps. At least we've had some help so far, so there would be more than enough left. But even if it's difficult now, I don't think this will last."
Seeing that he seemed prepared for something, Jason and Isabella quickly exchanged glances.
The Sinclair family was not as hot-blooded as the Tepez family, but they were a group that never compromised when it came to their interests.
Sometimes they didn't hesitate to use force, so when Jason asked her if it was time to show his strength, she quietly shook her head.
The atmosphere in the room was too cold.
'It's that feeling from back then. It's exactly the same as when I faced Ismail.'
She had a faint idea.
There was something else watching in this place, besides them.
"No."
She eventually stopped Jason, who was about to do something.
"Miss. Why are you stopping me?"
As he protested, she continued in a calm tone.
"There's someone else in this room. Jason, don't you realize it yet?"
"Someone else?"
Jason looked around the room again.
As she said, there was a subtle current flowing through the room.
'This is Ismail's energy.'
"Ah..."
It seemed that the direct descendants of the family were indeed different. She never missed the parts that he had overlooked.
As a result, Jason, who had no choice but to suppress his strength forcibly, found Rockefeller again with a twisted expression.
"You had a hidden trust."
Rockefeller shook his head as if he was pathetic.
"As I mentioned earlier, Ismail's family is involved here, whether we know it or not."
Rockefeller's words continued.
"Do you know why there was no interference when we initially waged a full-scale war with the Union and absorbed them?"
Isabella answered his question.
"Did you get their permission?"
"Exactly, they gave us their permission. Why? Because our interests aligned."
Rockefeller continued.
"The Ismail side was longing for their past glory. And we wanted to grow into a larger group. So, with these interests aligned, we were able to absorb the Union without any problems."
Rockefeller stared straight at her and continued.
"Considering that we are closely tied with Ismail's forces, would they want something to happen to my safety here? Probably not. So, if you cause trouble here, it might not be good for you either. That's how desperate Ismail is."
Ismail was once one of the prestigious families of the empire, even if they had become a toothless tiger.
It was burdensome for the Sinclair family to establish another confrontation with the remaining Ismail forces when they were already busy worrying about the upcoming crown war.
So, she tried to find a way to resolve this matter wisely.
"Why do you need to continue being tied to the Ismail family when the Union's forces have also weakened?"
She continued.
"And the Ismail side is not on good terms with the Order, so you'll have to keep some distance from them if you want to continue your banking business."
Rockefeller laughed.
"So, are you telling me to betray them? And if I die quietly without anyone knowing, will you take responsibility?"
"If you feel threatened, we can help you."
Rockefeller shook his head.
"That's not the point."
The threat to his safety.
That was merely a choice.
"You seem to be misunderstanding something. My insistence on the Ismail family is my choice. If we've been with the Sinclair family until now, from now on, we'll be with Ismail."
Isabella couldn't understand his attitude.
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