Chapter 169: The Smug Smile
But now...
Everything would be changed.
’We can receive the backing of a Mid-Golden Knight.’ That single thought filled the minds of nearly every merchant present.
In truth.
When Viscount Aldaric wanted to occupied the Blackstone Highlands, many merchants hadn’t opposed it.
Some had even welcomed it. The reason was simple. He was a Mid-Golden Knight.
With someone of that strength overseeing the territory, almost no bandit force dared to approach the Blackstone Highlands.
That alone had greatly reduced their losses while making the trade route much safer.
Now...
Baron Luke—the husband of the territory’s original past owner—was rumored to possess the very same level of combat power.
Naturally they hoped to build the same relationship with him.
After all they had already been using the Blackstone Highlands as one of their regular trade routes for quite some time.
If they maintained a good relationship with Baron Luke.
Perhaps...
He would even show them a little leniency when it came to the toll fees.
At least that was the hope each merchant secretly carried.
Thinking of this. Many of the merchants quietly exchanged glances.
Some smiled politely. Others remained expressionless.
A few, however openly looked at one another with hostile eyes.
Because every merchant gathered here understood one thing.
The people standing beside them. Were also their competitors.
And none of them wanted to see their rivals secure better terms before they did.
That was precisely why many of them had brought expensive gifts. The presents had been neatly arranged in one corner of the hall.
Each gift bore the sender’s name.
Beside them, a young maid diligently recorded every merchant’s name onto a parchment, ensuring no contribution would be overlooked.
Luke swept his gaze across the mountain of gifts before a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Thank you all for waiting." His calm voice echoed throughout the spacious hall as he stepped inside.
Behind him the heavily bandaged Osric quietly followed, looking every bit like a walking mummy.
Their attention quickly returned to Luke.
The very next second. Every merchant respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Baron Luke!!!" Their loud voices echoed across the hall.
Warm smiles decorated every face. Some even lowered their heads a little further than necessary.
Deep inside many silently thanked their lucky stars.
Fortunately they had never openly mocked Baron Luke in the past.
Even those who had once looked down on him had only done so behind closed doors.
Never in front of him.
Otherwise they would have been standing here today with nothing but regret.
Seeing the scene before him a faintly smug smile slowly spread across Luke’s face.
He couldn’t help but recall the past. When he had first arrived in the Blackstone Highlands.
He had wandered through the territory several times.
Back then many of these very same merchants had crossed paths with him.
Yet not a single one had greeted him.
Some hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge his presence.
To them he had merely been the talentless hero. An insignificant baron living in a remote territory.
But now...
Luke slowly swept his gaze across the hall.
One familiar face after another entered his sight. He recognized quite a few of them.
The irony wasn’t lost on him. The same people who had once ignored him. Were now standing respectfully before him.
Smiling. Greeting him with enthusiasm. Treating him as someone worthy of their utmost respect.
’Heh... hypocrites.’ Luke shook his head inwardly.
Still he didn’t let those thoughts show on his face.
Maintaining a calm expression, he walked toward the elevated platform at the end of the hall.
Several broad marble steps led to a single seat reserved exclusively for the lord of the Blackstone Highlands.
His seat.
Step. Step. Step.
The sound of his footsteps echoed throughout the silent hall.
Reaching the top, Luke calmly turned around before taking his seat.
His gaze swept across the gathering below.
"You may all sit." His voice wasn’t loud.
Yet it carried enough authority for everyone to hear clearly.
"Thank you, Sir Luke."
One after another, the merchants bowed before taking their seats on the rows of chairs arranged neatly beneath the platform.
The previously tense atmosphere eased slightly.
Meanwhile...
Osric quietly walked toward the corner where the gifts had been placed.
Ignoring the curious looks directed at his bandaged appearance, he simply stood there with his hands behind his back.
Luke rested one arm on the throne’s armrest before slowly examining every face in the hall.
His eyes calmly moved from one merchant to another.
Experienced traders. Young successors. Representatives of merchant guilds. Not a single expression escaped his notice.
Then.
His gaze paused for a brief moment.
Sophia.
A faint smile appeared on Luke’s face. He gave her a small nod.
Sophia politely returned the gesture with a graceful smile before quietly lowering her head again.
Only then did Luke shift his attention back to the crowd.
"So..." He folded his hands together.
"For what reason has everyone gathered here today?" His calm question echoed across the hall.
The merchants collectively twitched.
’Sly bastard.’ Several of them cursed inwardly.
’As if he doesn’t already know why we’re here.’ Everyone understood perfectly well.
Luke was intentionally making them speak first.
That way whoever opened the negotiations would lose the initiative.
It was a classic bargaining tactic. And they had all fallen into it.
For a few moments...
Silence lingered throughout the hall.
The merchants exchanged subtle glances, silently urging one another to take the first step.
Finally one middle-aged merchant slowly rose from his chair.
As soon as the merchant stood up. Every gaze in the hall shifted toward him.
Luke’s blue eyes also settled on the man.
Despite becoming the center of attention. The merchant remained completely composed.
Not even the slightest hint of nervousness appeared on his face.
He was an elderly man in his fifties. His neatly combed white hair gave him a dignified appearance.
Several expensive rings adorned his fingers, each embedded with a different gemstone.
His luxurious robes were woven from high-quality fabric, while every accessory he wore silently proclaimed one thing—
Wealth.