—I have no intention of ruling the North.
Sungjin denied it over and over again, but most people did not take his words at face value.
The Ortona economic reconstruction project was a massive undertaking involving not only “Bertrand & Lee,” but also numerous trading companies belonging to the Merchants’ Union.
Naturally, every one of those company heads wanted to meet the Third Prince, the overall director of the project. And they tried to attach meaning to every single thing he said and did.
—Hey. What was it like meeting the Prince in person? Did he happen to give you even the slightest hint about the Empire’s future course?
—He wears the uniform of an Order of Holy Knights even at private gatherings? Could Prince Morres be indirectly expressing his belief that even commercial activity should be conducted within the doctrines of religion?
Nor did they believe his explanation that he had come to search for Giacomo Milo. They read far too much into it, assuming that his true intention was to pressure the disobedient northern lords with military force.
Surprisingly, though, that deduction came fairly close to the truth.
—Berseus Darsiano, that arrogant bastard—I always knew he would get a taste of bitterness someday!
—You should be able to make quite a tidy profit in the County of Castilla, Your Highness. The Andres…