Yuu stared intently at Victor, who was leading the way ahead. The man’s usual sleazy demeanor and false smiles were nowhere to be seen. Instead, he was now moving with the composure of a top-tier merchant, guiding them with impeccable manners.

After walking for a while down the hallway, the sound of laughter could be heard, indicating their destination. Victor opened the door himself.

“Please, this way, Lord Satou,” he said as he ushered Yuu inside.

Inside the room, five men awaited them, seated casually on sofas and chairs. Victor’s eyes narrowed in irritation at their relaxed attitudes, but the men seemed oblivious.

“Oh, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“Finally, we can start the negotiations.”

“So, this is the rumored Lord Satou?”

Three of the men made light-hearted remarks, while the remaining two eyed Yuu appraisingly, their gazes disrespectful.

“And which one of you is Warren?” Yuu asked, his tone flat, completely unconcerned with formalities.

The men froze, astonished. The idea that someone would casually refer to the leader of the Free Nation of Hameln—Warren Martivon—by name, without honorifics, was inconceivable in their world of decorum.

“Lord Warren… will be arriving shortly—”

“He’s not coming,” one of the men interrupted Victor, causing Yuu to raise an eyebrow.

“What do you mean by that?” Victor asked, his tone unusually sharp.

“What I mean is, do you seriously think someone of Martivon-sama’s stature would bother to show up for a negotiation like this?”

“You mean to tell me he’s breaking our agreement?”

Victor had spent days coordinating everything, arranging accommodations and staff for Warren’s visit, only to be repeatedly thrown off by Warren’s last-minute changes. Despite all that effort, Warren wasn’t going to show up.

The frustration was clear on Victor’s face. He had been doing everything in his power to facilitate cooperation between the factions of Benjamin and Warren. If they aligned, the political landscape within Hameln would shift significantly.

Victor’s exhaustion was understandable, given how often he had been jerked around.

“Victor, you seem upset for no reason. We’re here as representatives of Lord Martivon, aren’t we? What more do you want?”

“Exactly, now let’s get started, shall we?”

“Please, take a seat. We’re all busy men, and we’d like to use our time wisely.”

The merchants remained seated, not bothering to stand or offer a handshake. Namari, though outwardly calm, radiated an aura of suppressed fury. Even Momo, lounging atop Namari’s head, seemed irritated by the merchants.

“You sure talk a lot of crap,” Yuu said, taking a seat on the sofa across from the men, followed by Namari. Victor stood behind Yuu, refusing to sit, silently enduring the disrespect from the merchants.

“So, how much are you offering?” Yuu asked.

The merchants exchanged confused glances.

“You’re after the ancient dragon scale, aren’t you?”

“Oh, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. We were under the impression that you, Lord Satou, were the one begging Martivon-sama to purchase the scale,” one of the merchants said.

Victor didn’t say a word. He knew by now that these men were trying to drive a wedge between him and Yuu.

“There seems to have been a communication error,” another merchant said mockingly.

Victor remained silent, knowing that whatever he said, these men would twist it to suit their narrative.

“Perhaps you should explain yourself to Lord Satou, Victor,” one of the men said with a sneer.

“Ha!” Yuu let out a dry laugh, throwing his head back to glance at Victor, who stood silently behind him.

“You merchants are a riot,” Yuu said, still smirking.

Victor, though silently apologetic, said nothing, his gaze cast downward in shame.

“100 trillion,” Yuu muttered.

“Huh?”

Though they clearly heard him, the merchants couldn’t believe their ears.

“Did… did you just say what I think you said?” one of them stammered.

“Surely we misheard. You couldn’t have said 100 trillion…”

“That’s absurd! Did you say 100 trillion?”

“Lord Satou, surely you’re joking. There’s no way you could be serious—100 trillion Madoka?! That’s a ridiculous sum!”

The merchants, once smug and confident, were now drenched in sweat as they nervously questioned Yuu.

“You heard me. I said 100 trillion Madoka. Since you’ve entertained me with your foolishness, I’ve decided to offer a nice, round figure.”

The merchants froze, shocked into silence.

“Y-You can’t be serious!”

“No one would offer such a ridiculous price!”

“You’re insulting not only us but Hameln itself!”

“This is why I said I hated dealing with these nouveau riche types!”

“We won’t stand for this! Apologize to Victor—and to Lord Benjamin!”

“That’s right! Benjamin Goschester will hear of this insult!”

“We’ll also be reporting this to Martivon-sama!”

Their voices rose, but Yuu remained unfazed.

“Hey.”

Yuu’s single word was enough to silence them. It was as if they had been struck, their voices dying in their throats.

It was no wonder. These men were not warriors—they were merchants. A verbal dispute was one thing, but facing a man like Yuu, who had taken countless lives in battle, they couldn’t handle the pressure.

“You’re not buying it then?” Yuu asked, his voice calm but carrying an overwhelming presence.

Beads of sweat dripped from the merchants’ brows as they struggled to maintain composure.

“N-No matter how rare the dragon scale is, 100 trillion is beyond what we can offer,” one stammered.

“I-It would exceed even a major nation’s annual budget—no one could pay that.”

“Lord Satou, surely we can negotiate…”

It was clear they were terrified.

“Oh, so you’re not buying it? That makes you my enemies then.”

“E-Enemies?!”

The merchants looked aghast.

“Why are you so surprised? You dragged me all the way here, thinking I’d grovel at your feet? You’ll pay the price for underestimating me. You’re merchants, right? You must’ve done your homework. You should know what happens to people who cross me, right?”

The merchants, now pale with fear, turned their pleading eyes toward Victor, hoping he would intervene. But Victor avoided their gaze entirely, unwilling to help.

“If you so much as lay a hand on us, Martivon-sama won’t let you get away with it!”

“That’s right! Are you willing to make an enemy of Lord Martivon?”

“You were the ones who said you were his representatives, didn’t you? So of course, Warren’s an enemy now.”

“Th-That’s absurd! We’re on the land of the Udon Kingdom. You think you can do whatever you like here?!”

“Reconsider, Lord Satou—there’s still time!”

“Making an enemy of Hameln means opposing the Five Great Nations!”

The merchants desperately pleaded, their voices trembling with fear, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“You’re so annoying. And besides, you’re already dead men.”

“W-What? Dead…?”

“I might have a lot of enemies, but Warren’s not one I’ve bothered with much. From what I’ve heard, he doesn’t leave loose ends. When he finds out you’re still alive after botching this negotiation, what do you think he’ll do?”

The merchants’ minds raced as they recalled Warren’s ruthlessness.

“No… Martivon-sama wouldn’t abandon us, right?!”

“We were acting on his orders!”

“I-I was just following instructions!”

“What, you trying to save yourself now?!”

“N-No! Lord Satou, please—hear us out!”

“I-I swear loyalty to you, Lord Satou! I’ll serve you—”

Ignoring the frantic pleas of the merchants, Yuu stood up.

“Looks like this meeting with Mago isn’t going to end well either.”

As Yuu and Namari left the room, the tension in the air remained thick. Mago, still seated, stared intently at the middle-aged man with the golden beard sitting across from him. The man claimed to be Warren's representative, and his offer to Mago had left the air heavy with implications.

"You want me to fall under your umbrella?" Mago asked, narrowing his eyes at the man.

"Oh no, you misunderstand," the man responded with a smooth smile. "This is merely a partnership."

Mago had been led into a separate room for an unofficial meeting with this merchant, who claimed to be acting on behalf of Warren Martivon. The situation itself was not unexpected. Mago had anticipated that Warren’s people would eventually reach out. But the content of their proposal was another matter.

“Offering my stores and land in the capital to Warren Martivon… seems rather excessive, don’t you think?” Mago replied.

“It’s a necessity. Surely you’re aware that the previous finance minister of Udon, Value Vory Nox, made it impossible for merchants from Hameln to establish a foothold in the capital of Tenkashi. You remember that, don’t you?” the man said, his smile unwavering.

“Oh, I remember all too well,” Mago said, his voice tightening. He had indeed been one of those whose ventures in Tenkashi were crushed under the former minister’s rule. The bitterness of that memory was still fresh.

“With Value now out of the picture, Hameln’s merchants are finally free to expand into Tenkashi,” the man continued. “That is—only those from Benjamin’s faction.”

“I see,” Mago thought, piecing together the situation. Victor’s efforts had allowed Hameln merchants aligned with Benjamin to enter the capital, leaving little room for Warren’s faction. Despite Tenkashi being one of the greatest commercial opportunities in the world, Warren could not afford to let that pass by unnoticed.

“And that’s why Martivon-sama is seeking your cooperation, Mago-dono,” the man explained, leaning forward with his pitch.

Mago pondered for a moment, his gaze turning distant. “It’s a difficult offer to accept right here. I’d need to—”

“No,” the man cut in, his tone suddenly sharp. “We need your answer now.”

Mago’s face hardened. “Demanding such a decision on the spot seems rather unreasonable.”

“I understand,” the man said, softening his tone once more. “But know this—if you agree to cooperate, Martivon-sama will regard you very highly.”

The merchant spoke as though Warren’s approval was the greatest honor one could hope for. But for Mago, it was nothing short of burdensome. Once, the idea of being recognized by the great merchants of “The Eight Coins” might have excited him. But now, after meeting Yuu, his perspective had changed entirely. Nothing stirred his heart like the deals he’d made with Yuu.

“Lord Yuu Satou would also be pleased with this arrangement,” the man added, his voice growing sly.

Mago’s eyes narrowed. “Are you implying Lord Yuu is aware of this meeting?”

The merchant didn’t answer, simply offering Mago a knowing smile.

(Partnering with Warren might be important for Yuu-sama's future, but… he didn’t consult me at all about this…) Mago’s mind raced. He thought back to his first encounters with Yuu—their potion deals, their ventures, and the revenge against Value that he had never thought possible. Yuu had made it all happen.

(When I consider the debt I owe Yuu-sama… there’s no need to hesitate.)

Just as Mago reached for the quill to sign the agreement, the door swung open.

“Mago,” Yuu’s voice cut through the room.

Behind Yuu, muffled cries could be heard from the other merchants who had begged for Yuu’s mercy earlier. “Please reconsider!” “Grant me asylum!” “Spare us!”

“Yuu-sama!” Mago stood up at once, startled by his sudden entrance.

Yuu glanced briefly at the documents on the table. The air around them seemed to groan under the weight of Yuu’s presence, a subtle pressure filling the room.

“Are you just another boring merchant?” Yuu asked, his eyes hard.

Mago glanced past Yuu to Victor, standing with a hollow look on his face, as if the life had been drained from him. Whatever had happened, it had clearly broken Victor’s spirit.

(So, that’s it… Yuu-sama isn’t interested in Warren at all.)

In that instant, Mago’s heart felt lighter, as though all his doubts had been washed away. Smiling, Mago picked up the agreement from the table and tore it to shreds in front of the merchant.

“What are you doing, Mago-dono? Do you even understand the gravity of your actions?!” the merchant shouted, his face turning red with fury.

Mago let out a small chuckle. “You underestimate me. I am not some merchant content to be shackled under ‘The Eight Coins.’”

Turning to Yuu, Mago continued, “Yuu-sama, I intend to keep working with you, making more money than ever before. One day, I’ll surpass even ‘The Eight Coins.’ That is my dream.”

“Good,” Yuu said, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. Even Namari chimed in, mimicking Yuu’s tone. “Yeah, you better remember that!”

The merchant, flustered and desperate, attempted to address Yuu directly. “L-Lord Satou, I represent Martiv—”

“Shut up.”

Yuu’s sharp rebuke silenced the man instantly.

Then, Yuu turned his gaze to Victor. “You’ve disappointed me, Victor.”

Victor flinched, his whole body trembling at the words.

“I thought you were an interesting guy, but in the end, you’re just as boring as these fools,” Yuu muttered, disgust evident in his voice. Suddenly, his expression shifted.

A soft whisper filled Yuu’s ears—several voices overlapping.

“Danger…”

“Danger is coming…”

“Your friends… are in trouble.”

“Hurry… before it’s too late…”

“Quick, quick…”

“Go now… or you might not make it…”

“Lord Satou?” Victor asked hesitantly, noticing Yuu’s sudden change.

“Odo-sama?” Namari asked, concerned.

Without turning to face them, Yuu muttered, “Spirit Whisper.”

Namari’s eyes widened in recognition. The spirits had warned Yuu of impending danger, and without hesitation, Yuu activated his unique skill, “Parallel Thought,” something he had refrained from using recently. Despite the headache that always came with it, Yuu had no time to waste. He quickly synchronized his vision with his avian familiars circling the city of Ryubefo, scanning for any signs of trouble.

(Nothing here… more smoke… was there an explosion?)

As he processed multiple streams of visual information at once, Yuu finally spotted them.

(There they are.)

In the central square of Ryubefo, Marifa and the others were locked in combat.

“Namari, stay here and protect Mago,” Yuu ordered, quickly donning his armor.

“Got it!” Namari responded, already retrieving her sword and armor from her item pouch. Momo, lying atop Namari’s head, perked up, ready for action.

Once fully suited, Yuu infused his armor with magic, causing the joints to unlock and expand. This technique allowed him to easily wear and remove the armor, a function normally reserved for large, cumbersome weapons or specialized armor.

“What about him?” Namari asked, nodding toward Victor, who stood off to the side, pale and defeated.

“Leave him. He’s got a flower warrior watching his back,” Yuu replied curtly.

With that, Yuu jumped from the window, quickly disappearing into the distance as he dashed through the air, heading straight for the square.

“Victor-sama…” Namari muttered, still standing guard near Mago.

Suddenly, flower petals began to flutter through the room.

“Huh? Flowers?” Namari exclaimed, glancing around in surprise.

“Dalibor… you’re here?” Victor murmured, recognizing the presence behind him.

A man kneeling nearby lifted his head. “Indeed. It seems Lord Satou was aware of me all along.”

“Do you need something from me?”

“I am here on orders from Lord Benjamin, to ensure your safety.”

“I see… but right now, none of that matters,” Victor said wearily, his voice heavy with fatigue.

Dalibor placed a hand on Victor’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper what was happening in the central square. As the words sunk in, color slowly returned to Victor’s ashen face, his weary expression hardening.

“Victor-dono?” one of the merchants called out cautiously.

Victor turned to face them, his eyes blazing with fury.

“You’ve made a grave mistake,” he growled, his once calm demeanor replaced with something far more terrifying.