Chapter 182: How was it? You got it, right? (2)

The man basked in the attention directed at him and spoke in a leisurely tone.

"I am Glenn, from the Crimson Magic Tower. I will purchase as much food as possible."

Hearing his identity, the others' expressions grew even more astonished.

The Crimson Magic Tower was currently regarded as the best magic tower in the north.

On top of that, Glenn himself was quite renowned, a 5th-circle mage in charge of the tower's external affairs.

Glenn looked around, wearing an expression as if to say, "Isn't this enough?"

Indeed, the others could only swallow their dry throats, unable to utter a proper word.

'One gold per sack of wheat? The best magic tower in the north truly must have a lot of money.'

'These lunatics! If they buy at that price, what are we supposed to do? Are they just flaunting their wealth?'

For the impoverished northern territories, the price was utterly unattainable.

They were buying food to last until the next harvest, but at that price, their territories would go bankrupt before the harvest arrived.

But the magic tower, with its relatively small population and overflowing wealth, had no such concerns.

Glenn, fully authorized by the tower, continued confidently.

"Ah, I've heard rumors of rune stones being here. We'll buy all of those too."

At the mention of rune stones, greed glinted in the others' eyes as well.

'Does this young lord truly have rune stones?'

'Ah, we should've taken them earlier.'

'Such a treasure in the hands of someone like him… What a waste. Truly a waste.'

The others were already aware of the rune stones. When rumors had surfaced, many lords had debated how to take them.

Although they couldn't confirm the rumors since Ghislain traded only with the magic tower, they didn't dismiss them outright.

Of course, when news came that Marquis Branford was Ghislain's guardian, they had all given up.

Glenn, waiting for Ghislain's answer, smirked.

'Right now, food is everything. Soon, it'll be impossible to buy it even with money. While I'm at it, I should also check how many rune stones are left. I can always take the money back later.'

Though not overtly obvious, the Crimson Magic Tower was nurtured by the Delphine Duchy.

Naturally, Glenn knew that Count Desmond would eventually attack Ghislain, so he felt no hesitation in spending money.

Even beyond their ties to the Duchy, Ghislain was a thorn in the side of the Crimson Magic Tower.

'The Scarlet Flame Magic Tower is still standing. It's definitely because this brat is providing them with rune stones.'

The Crimson Magic Tower had spent a fortune trying to crush the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower.

Yet, somehow, they continued to operate, likely with rune stones acquired from Fenris. To the Crimson Magic Tower, it was an infuriating situation.

As he glanced at the murmuring crowd, Ghislain chuckled softly.

'What a bunch of ridiculous people.'

The Crimson Magic Tower would be supported by the Duchy for anything they lacked.

And yet, here they were, brazenly asking him to sell food and rune stones.

They were audacious in every sense of the word.

'They must be desperate to secure more food while confirming how many rune stones are left.'

Having fallen into the rune stone trap before, they must be even more agitated now, eager to seize every remaining piece.

Narrowing his eyes, Ghislain scanned the faces of those gathered.

'So many of them.'

Like the Crimson Magic Tower, many of the Duchy's hidden pawns were present.

There were those who had openly allied with the Duchy, places where even the lords didn't realize their vassals had been bought, and others merely probing while keeping their options open.

Ghislain, calling out the names of territories linked to the Duchy, including the Crimson Magic Tower, declared flatly:

"I won't sell food to these territories. Leave immediately."

Glenn and the representatives from the named territories all wore expressions of shock.

No negotiation, no consideration of prices—even when they offered several times more, he refused to sell.

"What do you mean by this? Why won't you sell to us?"

"At least explain your reasons!"

As the hall filled with protests, Ghislain shook his head.

"Leave. Don't ask why—it's my decision. Remove them all."

At Ghislain's signal, knights rushed in and began escorting the named individuals out.

The reactions of those being removed varied widely. Some made threats, while others pleaded for sympathy.

"We will never forget this insult! You will regret this!"

"You think you can act like this because of Marquis Branford? Let's see how long that lasts!"

"Please, I beg you. My people are starving!"

"Have mercy on those suffering!"

Hearing the appeal about "suffering people," Ghislain couldn't help but snort in derision.

The northern lords, notorious for their cruelty, would never distribute food to their people even if he sold it to them.

It was obvious they'd focus solely on maintaining their armies, fearing revolts from their starving subjects.

To them, their people were no different from slaves.

Perdium had managed to endure poverty precisely because Zwalter hadn't exploited his subjects.

Knowing this, Ghislain was impervious to such pleas.

While the named emissaries were removed, Glenn slapped the knights' hands away, standing his ground with a furious voice.

"Baron, do you think you can insult the Crimson Magic Tower like this? Do you even know who I am?"

Glenn's entire body began to radiate a menacing aura.

As a senior mage of the most prestigious northern magic tower, even most nobles showed him respect and deference.

But this mere baron's audacity was too much to bear.

Yet Ghislain's response was even more infuriating.

"Who are you?"

"What… What did you say? You don't know who I am?"

How could someone in the north not know him? Even if they hadn't met him personally, surely they'd heard of his name as the tower's diplomat.

To feign ignorance was an insult not only to him but also to the tower he represented.

With his pride shattered, Glenn glared at Ghislain, struggling to contain his emotions. For the first time, he found himself unable to control his anger.

"Baron! Look at me again and say it clearly. Do you really not know who I am?"

Ghislain tilted his head left and right, feigning ignorance, then asked:

"I really don't know… Claude, do you know who he is? Is he famous?"

'Why are you asking me that, damn it?'

Claude made an awkward face.

Of course, he knew who Glenn was. Knowing the key figures among prominent organizations was a basic skill for any lord.

Even the most reckless rulers wouldn't claim ignorance in this situation unless they were deliberately provoking the other party.

'What is he even trying to achieve?'

Sighing, Claude decided to play along.

"Hmm… I've never heard of him. Is he a scroll merchant? I think I might've seen him in the market. But, uh, he seems a bit self-absorbed. I could never say something like that about myself. Ugh, just listening makes me cringe."

Ghislain couldn't help but burst into laughter. He had only intended to provoke lightly, but Claude's reaction exceeded expectations. The man was truly unmatched in sarcasm.

Thud.

The tenuous string holding Glenn's composure snapped entirely. As a senior mage of the magic tower, this humiliation was intolerable.

"You insolent fools! Do you even know who I am?!"

Boom!

The overwhelming mana of a 5th-circle mage erupted from Glenn's body.

Overcome by rage, Glenn decided to use force to assert his dominance.

What could this pathetic barony possibly do to stop him?

"Ugh!"

The surrounding emissaries, intimidated by his aura, retreated in fear.

Thud.

With a menacing expression, Glenn took a step forward.

In that instant—

Shing!

Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor suddenly appeared, pressing their swords against Glenn's neck.

At the same time, the knights blocked the room's exits, all drawing their weapons to encircle him.

Claude quickly ducked behind Wendy for cover.

"Huh?!"

Glenn's boiling rage instantly froze.

He had been so consumed by anger that he hadn't noticed the three approaching. On a battlefield, his head would already be rolling.

'Fenris… has warriors like this?'

He had heard that Fenris lacked military strength and knights. When had they recruited such formidable individuals?

The three holding their swords at his neck turned to Ghislain and spoke.

"Young master, may we kill him?"

"Lord, just give the command."

"Hey, did you all see that? I was the fastest, right? Come on, admit it—I'm amazing, aren't I?"

Glenn's body stiffened, and he could only bite his lip.

The killing intent was unmistakable. If he so much as flinched a finger, he would lose his life.

"You… insane wretches…."

Never in his life had anyone dared treat a magic tower elder like this.

As his body trembled with uncontrollable fury, Ghislain's hearty laugh filled the room.

"Do you want to keep going? Be my guest. After all, there are plenty of witnesses here."

At that, Glenn snapped back to his senses.

This level of humiliation was a first for him, and he had lost control in the heat of the moment. If he had acted, the consequences could have been dire.

Not yet. They were the Duchy's hidden blade, a secret weapon to strike decisively at the Royalist faction in a critical moment.

Now was not the time to draw the Royalist faction's attention.

If Glenn acted impulsively and independently, he might find his head severed by the Duke himself at any moment.

"Hah…"

Taking a deep breath to calm his emotions, Glenn glared at Ghislain and said,

"Our tower will not overlook this insult. Prepare yourself, Baron."

"Looking forward to it."

"You will regret this."

With those final words, Glenn turned to leave.

In any case, Count Desmond was already planning to attack this territory. Glenn vowed to lend a hand and personally ensure Ghislain's death at that time.

Mages never forget their grudges. This brat would come to know the true terror of mages.

As more than half of the attendees were expelled, and Glenn also departed, the remaining individuals began nervously observing the situation.

'What's going on? Why were they kicked out?'

'Why are we still here?'

'He dares to oppose the best magic tower in the north? This guy's got some guts!'

Unable to discern the criteria for the expulsions, confusion was inevitable.

One thing, however, was abundantly clear—negotiating with this lunatic, who clearly didn't care about diplomatic relations, was impossible.

Watching their uneasy expressions, Ghislain spoke gently.

"The atmosphere became a bit tense just now. Honestly, I have a soft heart. Thinking of the countless people starving in the north breaks my heart to the point where I can't sleep. I… am a pacifist."

Hearing this, the remaining attendees thought to themselves:

'Is he really insane?'

'Then why did he kick those people out?'

'I heard rumors that he wasn't in his right mind, but to think it's true…'

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment. Breaking it, Ghislain continued.

"So, I won't take money."

At this, everyone gasped. Right now, food was worth its weight in gold. No, even offering gold often wasn't enough to buy it.

But now, he was saying he wouldn't take money?

One of the attendees cautiously asked,

"Th-then… are you planning to trade for other resources from our territories?"

Since Fenris was also notoriously lacking in resources, this seemed like a plausible option.

However, Ghislain shook his head at this question as well.

"No, I won't take resources either."

Hearing this, the remaining attendees' faces lit up. If he wasn't taking money or resources, the only things they could offer were their goodwill and gratitude.

'What a commendable young man. He's just pretending to act tough when he's actually so kind-hearted.'

'Ah, he's young—no wonder his actions are so endearing.'

The emissaries, each hiding their dark intentions, freely entertained these thoughts.

'We just need to secure the food. We can ignore the defense fee.'

'All we need to do is survive this drought. We'll teach him a lesson later.'

'He got lucky with his food reserves this time, but does he really think things will continue to go his way? The world doesn't work like that.'

The emissaries smirked subtly, struggling to contain their laughter. At that moment, Ghislain nonchalantly spoke.

"Instead of money, I'll take soldiers. Each territory will send an appropriate number of soldiers proportional to its size."

The emissaries' faces turned pale in an instant.

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