While watching Bahamut, Empress Roseveta seemed to be asking if he had something to say.
Bahamut, in the calmest tone possible, carefully opened his mouth while looking at the Rose Empress, who could send him away to the netherworld with a single blow.
“First of all, I would like to apologize for the earlier rudeness, Your Majesty.”
“It’s rude. Well, you did commit a pretty big rude thing. A mere merchant tried to touch the imperial princess…”
“No, that’s not what I’m apologizing for, Your Majesty.”
“What is it, then?”
Bahamut’s words brought up an unexpected topic. Suspicion deepened in the empress’ face, and Bahamut continued to speak calmly while watching her.
“What I want to apologize for is what happened at Benessa the other day. I am referring to the situation that prevented Your Majesty from purchasing the sword at that time.”
“Benessa? Ah… that thing… ha… ha ha…” Empress Roseveta smiled at Bahamut’s words as if a bit dumbfounded. Then, with a slightly chilled expression on her face, she looked at Bahamut and said, “I thought you were a smart person, but now I see you’re just a fool who doesn’t grasp the situation well. You mean to say that playing with one sword was more trouble than my daughter being in danger?”
“Yes, it certainly was for me, Your Majesty.”Bahamut responded so confidently that the empress felt mild anger, and Bahamut continued in a clear voice while watching her.
“As Your Majesty knows, I am a merchant, one who values profit above all and works toward it.”
“I suppose so,” the empress replied quietly, recalling Bahamut’s earlier rejection of Elios’ offer.
“However, in order to achieve greater profit as a merchant, one must follow an essential principle. It’s called trust.”
“Trust?” Empress Roseveta showed a slightly surprised expression at Bahamut’s words. It was understandable—merchants, as she knew them, generally thrived on deception. Inflating prices or distributing false information to leave greater profit was a common practice, as Bahamut had earlier mentioned.
In fact, hadn’t she herself been deceived back in Benessa?
“Isn’t that concept ill-suited to those who make profit with their tongues?”
“You might see it that way. But, Your Majesty, what I’ve learned after spending half my life in this trade is that maintaining trust is the criterion for whether or not a merchant can truly grow. In other words, it’s about how much faith you can inspire in others.”
Though speaking out of necessity, Bahamut addressed the empress sincerely. While he may have had shortcomings as a merchant, during his life as Bahamut, he had always tried to uphold trust as the foundation of his business. This principle had guided him in judging and treating those he encountered.
He had punished Isolda for betraying his trust.
Ophelia, whom no one had believed in, had become a reliable and trustworthy ally.
Bertina, who had lost her way and nearly broken the trust principle, had been helped back onto the right path.
Linda, who had deceived the hearts of those who trusted her, had been utterly destroyed.
And Leira, who had betrayed her people, her country, and even her entire family, lost everything she had enjoyed and was cast out without mercy or concern.
For Bahamut, trust was the fundamental concept that separated good from evil. It had become an iron rule he abided by as a merchant. From that standard, even though he had paid a fair price, using expedient methods to steal the item had violated Bahamut’s principles and credibility.
Even if it had been necessary for survival.
“On the other hand, Ophelia nearly defeating Princess Elios a moment ago was simply to uphold the promise that I would go to war with the Holy Empire. No matter who the opponent is, or how difficult the conditions, fulfilling the terms of a transaction is essential for anyone in business. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”
Although they had met as enemies in this war, Bahamut had rejected any offers of appeasement. He had done so to faithfully follow his beliefs. He explained that it was not just for money but to preserve his credibility as a merchant.
Having said all he needed to, Bahamut stood calmly.
Empress Roseveta remained silent for a while, showing no immediate reaction. It was not a simple silence but a deliberate pause to grasp the meaning behind his words and weigh the profit and loss.
And then…
“Hahahaha!” The empress broke the tense atmosphere with a hearty laugh.
Although Bahamut was unsure what this meant, the fact that no malice was apparent brought him slight relief.
After a while, Empress Roseveta stopped laughing and, with a smile, addressed him.
“It is a very interesting thing. Trade and trust are indeed essential concepts, but it’s amusing to hear you speak of them in such terms at this moment.”
Sensing that the empress had seen through his intentions, Bahamut inwardly sighed. He then continued speaking politely.
“I regret that I concluded a deal with the Holy Empire first this time. However, if a better deal arrives next time, as a sign of apology, I promise to make the deal with Your Majesty. As a merchant, I give you my word.”
“Hm, I understand. Let’s leave it at that for today and look forward to future ‘transactions.’”
With that, Empress Roseveta softened her expression. She then slowly turned around and started walking toward Elios.
At that moment, a sharp voice rang out.
“Princess Elios!”
Andersen, Isaac, the Royal Guards, and several adventurers finally arrived with their swords drawn, shielding the injured Ophelia. Though they were not as badly injured as Ophelia, whose arm was severely wounded, they too bore minor injuries.
Empress Roseveta glanced at them with slight regret.
“It seems that the people I prepared failed to capture the emperor. It’s a shame, despite my best efforts at a surprise attack.”
She turned slowly, her eyes meeting theirs.
Astonishment and fear registered on their faces as they recognized her.
“No… it can’t be! The Rose Empress!”
Originally, Emperor Carol had set a trap to lure Elios into danger. But when Andersen arrived, he found Emperor Carol himself in peril, fending off an unexpected attack with Isaac struggling to hold them off. Andersen’s timely intervention allowed them to retreat, but the close call had shaken them all.
‘I never imagined the Rose Empress herself would be here…’
Instead of an easy prey, they had found a predator far more dangerous than they had expected. Even Isaac and Andersen, though skilled, dared not attack. Everyone present was exhausted and injured from the ongoing battles. Filled with regret and fear, they eyed the Rose Empress warily.
Empress Roseveta gently placed a hand on the injured Elios’ shoulder and spoke softly.
“When it comes to this, I have no choice but to admit it. We’ve lost, this time.”
Indeed, the Dragona Empire’s army, which had been attacking the outskirts, was unable to break through the defenses and had begun retreating. The detachment that had invaded the interior suffered heavy losses and withdrew.
Looking at the situation on the surface, the Holy Empire appeared to be the victor of this war.
However, no one dared utter the word “victory” in the presence of the Rose Empress. It was clear to all that she could annihilate everyone here and even Emperor Carol if she wished.
Yet, she declared defeat for the moment—not as an act of submission but as a concession for now.
As she left with Princess Elios, people, including Andersen, were left feeling a mix of doubt and relief. The Rose Empress and White Dragon Princess disappeared from sight, using mana tools before anyone had a chance to react.
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