Chapter 17

In what felt like the blink of an eye, six years had flown by since I finished my preparations. During that time, I focused on expanding my business throughout the southern territories, using Mr. Beckett's success story as inspiration for others to follow. I made significant investments in the region, significantly improving the lives of the people there. My efforts did not go unnoticed, as I struck many deals over the years to expand my business across the southern border and have gotten the interest of Marquis Calliope of Silverglade.

Lady Calliope Moonlight is a highly respected military general, and it is crucial for me to establish a good rapport with her. I understand that even if a particular deal results in a net loss for my business, it would still be worth it if I could gain her support. Fortunately, I have received news that Lady Calliope is currently facing major financial issues in her territory. This situation presents a unique opportunity for me to manipulate the circumstances in my favor and make her dependent on my assistance. I can use this leverage to negotiate more advantageous deals in the future, increasing my profits and securing my position of power.

"Andrew give me the reports of Owen, Jason, Fred, Malachai, and Preston" After Andrew showed me the candidates for the special squad I choose these five. They were the ones with high talent but best of all they were going to be highly reliant on me.

Owen is a young man of 21 years, with a fierce determination and a deep sense of responsibility towards his family, and possesses fire magic. He is not one to shy away from hard work or difficult decisions and is always willing to put in the effort required to succeed.

Despite his tenacity, Owen is also a realist, understanding that the world can be a harsh and unforgiving place. He does not let his emotions cloud his judgment, instead choosing to approach problems with a level head and a clear perspective.

Jason is a 22-year-old knight who is known for his love of money and his willingness to do almost anything to get a paycheck and possesses sound magic. Jason is not without his own sense of honor. He takes pride in his work and always delivers on his promises. He is also not one to break his word, as he understands that his reputation is his most valuable asset in the world of knights.

Fred is a young man of 21 years who possesses a very neutral personality. He is not quick to judge others and is very level-headed in his thinking. Although he can be prideful at times, he is not arrogant or overbearing in his demeanor. Instead, he carries himself with a quiet confidence that reflects his sense of inner strength.

One of Fred's defining traits is his sense of loyalty toward the de Clare family. He takes his duties as a knight very seriously and is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure their safety and well-being. He possesses Earth Magic and has a very defensive fighting style.

Malachai is a man of 25 years who possesses a dark and unsettling personality. He enjoys killing and the rush of power that comes with it and has a small addiction to the feeling of taking a life. This addiction drives him to seek out opportunities to kill, even when it is not necessary or strategic.

Malachai also possesses dark magic, which he uses to augment his killing abilities. This magic is fueled by his own dark emotions and desires and allows him to manipulate the shadows and darkness to his advantage. In battle, he is a formidable opponent, striking from the shadows and wielding his magic to deadly effect. Despite his dangerous tendencies, Malachai has actually stopped killing since I promised him that he would be able to kill without remorse if it was someone I deemed necessary.

Preston is the last knight under me and he is known for his unwavering loyalty and obedience. He will follow any order, no matter the cost to himself or others. This makes him a valuable asset to the me, as he can be relied upon to carry out even the most difficult and dangerous missions without hesitation.

Despite his willingness to obey, Preston is also known for his strong sense of justice and fairness. He believes in the importance of upholding the law and protecting the innocent, and he will not hesitate to challenge any orders that he believes are morally or ethically questionable. However, he will still carry out these orders if he is given no other choice, as his loyalty comes above all else.

I have dispatched five knights to the territories where my business has expanded, with the dual purpose of gathering information and eliminating any competitors who might pose a threat to the business.

"According to Owen's report, it seems that SilverGrade is struggling. The people there are falling into poverty and the money supply is rapidly decreasing.."As I looked through the report, it became clear that the issues plaguing SilverGrade were rooted in two main factors: insufficient funding and a lack of businesses. The culture of SilverGrade was deeply steeped in militarism, but this posed a problem in times of peace when the territory struggled to generate any significant revenue. In the past, the royal family had typically stepped in with additional funding to compensate for this, as SilverGrade had always played a crucial role during times of war. However, without a sustained source of income, the future of SilverGrade looked uncertain.

"Acting quickly before they weaken any further is in my best interest,". I knew that opportunities like this didn't come around every day, and the faster I acted, the better my chances of success. With that in mind, I decided to send a letter to Lady Calliope requesting an audience. Earning her support was one of my main priorities, and I hoped that she would accept my request.