At the luxury hotel where Liam stayed, the three summoned merchants arrived.

Thomas of the Henfrey Chamber of Commerce who had the longest relationship with Liam.

Elliot of the Clave Chamber of Commerce who is doing business in the imperial capital of the Empire.

And lastly, Patrice of the Newlands Trading Company, which is widely involved with businesses in the empire.

All three were very impatient.

Is it going to be okay? Banfields main source of revenue is rare metals. If we cant trade this, it would be a big blow.

Thomas seemed very uneasy, Patrice returned irritably.

Its a big blow. I dont have a solid position in the Newlands Chamber of Commerce. Right now, some of the executives have begun cutting me off..

Elliot appeared calm, but his inner heart was in turmoil.

Its the same with me. The Executives in my organization are debating a change of leadership. Turning His Highness Linus into an enemy-what on earth was the count thinking?

The three were staggered by Liams incomprehensible behavior.

However, Thomas had experienced various things so far, and he was used to Liams behavior.

Thats right, Lord Liam may act brash, but hes a firm man. There was Rosetta-sans case, and maybe this time as well.

Patrice shudders remembering the fate of the Berkley Family.

I wouldnt want to be crushed by that kind of force. Its proof of Lord Liams endless depth.

But this time, the enemy is not a noble family like the Berkeleys, but a genuine prince contesting for the throne.

Its not like how it used to be.

Besides, the aristocrats of the Linus faction are also turning belligerent.

It would be hard for even Liam to tackle them alone.

Elliots eyes turned cold.

We need to deliberate this

The two were thinking about abandoning Liam, but Thomas had other thoughts.

I think Lord Liam is up to something in this case

What do you mean?

When Elliot asks, Thomas has a hard time answering.

However, It felt like Liam is planning something, something immense.

I dont know exactly, but something big

The door opens and Liam entered the room where the three were waiting.

Thank you very much for gathering here! Liam greets them cheerfully.

Looking at Liams cheerful smile, Patrice and Elliot both greet back mockingly.

Thank you very much for this situation, Lord Liam.

Looking at your smile, It doesnt look like youre engaged in a battle with His Highness Linus.

Liam was completely unfazed by the stinging words of the two guests.

Is it about the second prince? It doesnt matter, I dont care about him.

The second prince was not someone Liam put in his eyes in the first place.

When Liam sat down on the sofa, Thomas asked a question on behalf of the two of them.

Lord Liam, what are you going to do about this? I hear that economic sanctions are going to be imposed upon your territory?

Economic sanctions? Oh, that. If I said that I was going to fully support the Third Prince and make him the Emperor, it would naturally result in fighting the Second Prince.

The spines of the three people who heard it suddenly became chilled.

Liam was still smiling.

I will make His Highness Cleo the Emperor. You can help me to do so if you wish.

Thomas was dizzy.

What the hell is this guy saying? Its mind-boggling to think that a count of the Empire could decide the next Emperor.

But is that really possible? In the first place, Lord Liam received economic sanctions on your source of wealth

I have a few ideas. The empire isnt the only trading partner, you know. The world is vast-is there any shortage of other interstellar nations?

Thomas had his mouth wide open.

Do you intend to trade the rare metals with other countries? he asked. It would be a felony to trade with other countries without permission

Some nobles also traded rare metals to other nations, but the amount was not large by any means.

They would be covert dealings evading the Empires gaze.

However, the amount of rare metals in Liams territory is colossal.

If that amount moves, even the Empire will immediately notice.

His Highness Linus, who picked a quarrel with me, is the one in the wrong. And Im not going to be a criminal. Im just dealing with undesignated metals and commodities. Did Thomas and Patrice ever trade with foreign countries?

Thomas had traded with various countries before becoming Liams contracted purveyor.

That is why there was merit in believing that this was an avenue they could pursue.

Yes, but even if I had some dealings with them, itll become a problem when it comes to regular transactions.

The same goes for Patrice.

I cant say that I have a reliable network either. Finding a trading partner is will be difficult.

Is there a foreign country that wants to do business with the Empire?

Even if there is, could they trade openly?

The Empire is currently at war with its neighbors, and should their dealings come to light, it would be seen as an act of treason.

The military wouldnt be silent about it either.

It was Elliot who smiled at the two worried companions.

-There could be something we could explore, Lord Liam.

What would that be Elliot?

Liam turned his attention to Elliot and asked him to explain.

Elliot talked about the rumors he heard in the imperial capital.

There is a rumor going around among the court nobles of the capital, and it seems to be extremely credible. The countries adjacent to the Empire seem to be having internal problems.

Continue

Liam expressed his interest.

We are collecting various materials to be used for war efforts. That is why the Empire was seeking cooperation with us.

It was an open secret that the Empire had begun gathering various materials for the war.

It also involved the upper echelons of the Empire.

This is one of the reasons why Calvin and Linus are intensifying the fight between their factions. After all, the enemies are unable to move on a large scale.

Considering the current state of the neighboring countries immobility, this could the ideal time to push for succession.

What are the movements of the Imperial Army?

We dont cooperate, we dont attack. I dont know what exactly is going on. But its true that something is happening.

Thomas recalled after hearing Elliots story.

(This is it. Sometimes it seems like heaven is on Liams side. This moment of desperation is offset by the neighboring nations internal conflicts-I think its immensely lucky.)

If this wasnt the case, Liam might have been stuffed.

It was as if some higher force, a powerful guardian angel was watching over Liam.

Lets make money by picking sides in the neighboring countries conflicts. Ill prepare the resources.

Liam said, wondering if Patrice had finished the calculations in her head.

Believing it would be profitable, she seemed to be enjoying the situation.

I will prepare a list of trading partners later. Before that, I beseech you to lend us your power.

My power?

Escorts to guard our shipments. Hundreds of ships.

Elliot was a little dispirited and requested the same.

I dont have a firm standing in my organization right now. I will aid you, but I would need your power as well. The Executives of my organization would raise a fuss if I were to use my own.

Liam nods and immediately issued an order to prepare the escort ships.

Thomas, do you need protection as well?

If you can, please provide them, Lord Liam Thomas replied.

I would be in trouble if you were to die.

Liam immediately leaves the room for a detailed meeting with the military, but the remaining three stay to discuss their plan.

Elliot immediately confirmed the requisite supplies.

If we prepare a lot of rare metals to trade with the adjacent nations, His Highness Linus will catch on to us. We need to prepare a dummy.

We dont need to. I think well be able to make good excuses when we sell through my channels, so you can leave this matter to me.

We just need to pick a side then.

Yeah, its me and Thomas wholl be on the scene. Is it permissible for us to decide on which side to pick?

It would have been so much simpler to pick the one with the most funds, but alas-

The two of them were very lively unlike just a short while ago.

Thomas joins in on the conversation.

Im going to talk to someone Ive traded with before. Even so, the surroundings of the empire are getting very busy.

It was eerie.

It is not uncommon for a civil war to occur, but large civil wars rarely occurred.

Patrice comes up with a suggestion!.

Oh! The Imperial Armys fleets are annoyed and weary due to this long-running dispute. If we can make a ceasefire in secret, we can sell a favor to the Imperial Army!

The Imperial Army can also take a break.

The truth is that the people who wanted to fight and the Imperial Army both wanted to take a breath.

Elliot knew a few people.

Ill talk to an acquaintance of mine in the Army.

It would be nice to see the enemy weaken. Well take a break before the big offensive and monitor the situation meanwhile.

They dont know what exactly is going on.

However, the three of them smell an opportunity.

And at the same time, there is no other path for them.

If Liam loses, their status and life will be in jeopardy.

At any rate, they needed to survive this crisis.

And hope is now visible.

All they had to do is win.

Thomas observed the two who seemed happy about making money by supplying resources to the conflicting parties.

Dont get too greedy and touch upon Lord Liams bottom line. Lord Liam is a virtuous personage. What would happen if he knew that you had dealings with someone unscrupulous?

Patrice hurries to settle Thomass apprehension.

Of course, of course. We will investigate and only deal with personages with the right cause

Elliot is no different.

We cant make mistakes by looking at just the profits and choose the one thats most convenient for us. Lord Liam attaches great importance to just causes.

Liam told them to make money for themselves.

He had a good understanding of how the merchants moved.

He understands that you cant ask a merchant to do business by absolutely complying with the law. But they know that Liam was also a virtuous ruler who had a bottom line.

Thats right if you look at his actions so far, its better not to get on the bad side of Lord Liam. Once he gets angry and judges you to be an enemy, youll be decimated just like the Berkleys.

The two of them acknowledge Thomass opinion, after all, he had been with Liam for many years.

Okay. Lets support only those who have a just cause. Anyway, it would be convenient if they would fight. This will allow us to earn their grace while enriching ourselves.

Elliot nodded at Patrices opinion.

I will support the two of you, so make sure you choose right.

It meant that they carried great responsibility.

Elliot smiles at them.

Good luck. I really wish you good luck. This is very important. Lord Liam is blessed with luck on this occasion. I am still anxious about the matter of the Third Prince, but the future is not all bad.

For the three of them, its important that Liam is alive and well.

Patrice agrees.

Even if it fails, its an opportunity to branch out abroad, and Im happy to get involved.

And its extremely desirable to make new connections in other countries.

Also, their rewards would be enormous if his Highness Cleo, whom no one other than their Lord has bet on, were to win.

And both Patrice and Elliot were optimistic about their chances.