Sungjin cut into the interrogation before Alberto could be completely swept away by the Sage.
“Judging by the nonsense you’re spewing, I guess you still haven’t come back to your senses.”
“Your Highness!”
Alberto hurriedly rose from his seat and bowed respectfully. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t wearing the heavy makeup he had before, but with the pockmarks fully exposed, his face had an innocent quality much more appropriate for his age.
Right. No matter how cleverly he played at acting lord, he was still bound to show his lack of experience.
Sungjin regarded Alberto with a somewhat softened gaze before continuing.
“You want the stall tax waived? Don’t make me laugh. Did you really intend to occupy the other street vendors’ places all day for your gatherings without paying anything in return? You speak of a fee you ought to pay as though it were some kind of unjust extortion.”
Step. Step.
Sungjin slowly approached the Sage, planted a hand on the table, and looked coldly down at him.
“And what was that? You contributed to Benso Territory’s economy? You’re the bastard who lured the territory’s people away from the livelihoods they should have been focusing on and made them spend the entire day at your gatherings, yet you have the nerve to say something like that. Go on, then. Keep wagging that tongue of yours. I’m rather curious to see just how far your nonsense can go.”
The Sage pressed his lips tightly…