Chapter 55 - 55 Lucy
Steve and his party arrived at Viscount Keard's mansion as planned, where they were warmly welcomed.
Viscount Keard looked very much like his son Mitchell, like a prediction chart of what Mitchell would look like in another 20 years.
The Viscount treated them to a feast of every luxury. Among them was Soba made with buckwheat flour harvested from the Archibalt Territory. To Viscount Keard, he intended to send a message that since he was purchasing specialty products from the Archibalt Territory this way, please also order our cattle hides. However, whether it was there or not, Steve intended to purchase half from Viscount Wall anyway, and it did not move his heart.
And next to Viscount Keard was Mitchell, introduced as his son. Through this, Steve and his party confirmed that Mitchell was truly the Viscount's son.
Inside, Mitchell was anxious about what would happen if Steve revealed his past actions, but from Steve, who had no intention of doing such a thing, nothing came out regarding any apology or challenge to a duel.
When the meal ended, they finally entered the cattle hide negotiations.
"The cattle hides here are what our territory produces."
Steve confidently took the cattle hides brought by Viscount Keard and examined them. To Viscount Keard, he thought Steve wouldn't know about cattle hide quality, but Steve had been taught how to judge it by Emmanuel beforehand, and he could judge it with knowledge equivalent to a merchant.
"Wonderful genuine leather, isn't it?"
If Steve were to make proper leather shoes with this, he thought he really wanted this genuine leather, but rather he thought it would be better if it were sole leather without silver, so he could coexist with shoemakers. Even so, it was hard to say that to Viscount Keard who recommended good things, and he couldn't put it into words.
Besides, aside from the factory workers of the Archibalt Territory, he couldn't think craftsmen would waste things, and he thought they would use Safety Shoes for a long time while maintaining them, so he thought genuine leather would be fine.
Originally, Safety Shoes should be exchanged regularly, but now the Kingdom of Cascade still lacks a culture of mass production, mass consumption, and the general idea is to use things for a long time as long as they can be used, and he had no intention of forcing a change to that.
Pleased by Steve's praise, Viscount Keard pushed his territory's genuine leather as much as possible. And finally, he began to find fault with products from Viscount Wall's place.
"The cattle hides of the neighboring territory have incomplete tanning and are inferior in quality to our genuine leather. If such things are used, it will tarnish Your Excellency's name."
"Heh, domestically, both Viscount Keard's and Viscount Wall's leather products are said to be famous specialties."
"That is the evaluation of those who do not know leather well. From an expert's eye, the difference is clear, and even in famous workshops in the Royal Capital, ours are chosen."
In reality, Viscount Keard's territory was not superior, and the usage rate in workshops in the Royal Capital, famous or not, was unchanged. The Viscount assumed Steve wouldn't know such things and exaggerated the story.
"I see. But, what's concerning is the price, isn't it?"
At Steve's lines like a TV shopping assistant, Viscount Keard's eyebrows twitched. It would be troublesome if he overpriced it and escaped, but since he had advertised high quality so much until now, if he presented a cheap price here, the talk of high quality would be ruined.
Thinking he should push with quality, he took an unexpected blow from the price and ran out of answers.
Since Steve's purpose was not to overwhelm Viscount Keard, he decided there was no need to pursue further, and decided to end the conversation there.
"Well, since it is a large transaction, we cannot decide immediately on the spot. We are also tired from the long journey, so shall we stop here for today? Regarding the transaction, we have entrusted it to Emmanuel."
Told by Steve, Viscount Keard was relieved. From that relaxation of mind, he didn't notice Steve making eye contact with Mitchell.
At night, Mitchell secretly visited Steve's room. Mitchell closed the door making as little noise as possible, and when he turned his gaze into the room, everyone except Emmanuel was gathered there.
No matter what, there were too many people to move secretly.
Mitchell thought so and said that, and Steve said it was no problem.
"If we all go, it will stand out when leaving the house and when arriving at Lucy's house."
"No, you don't need to worry about that."
Steve said that and used Teleportation magic to take everyone to a place far away from Viscount Keard's mansion.
Mitchell was surprised that the scenery before his eyes suddenly changed. And, looking around nervously, he was relieved that it was a familiar place.
"Is it a place a little away from the mansion?"
"Yes. With this, you could go out without being noticed by anyone, right?"
Steve smiled like a child whose prank succeeded. He intended to surprise Mitchell, and since it succeeded, he was very satisfied.
Mitchell was also surprised that such magic could be used, but he understood that this was why Steve was awarded the Dragon Wing Medal. And, he offered to guide the way.
"Then, from here I will lead the way."
"Please take care."
Steve entrusted the guidance to Mitchell, but he did not neglect vigilance around him by using nocturnal owls. However, that preparation was not useful, and they arrived at Viscount Wall's mansion without any problems occurring.
The time was past midnight, and the night watch soldiers were few, and the mansion's security was very thin. Steve saw that and became worried.
"The security is quite thin, but..."
"Since there are no bandits appearing, the night security in this area is like this. Ours is similar too."
Mitchell puffed his chest at the good public order. Thanks to the good public order, the two could have a secret meeting late at night, and both Mitchell and Lucy prayed that no bandit commotion would occur that would strengthen security improperly.
Viscount Wall's mansion was a large single-story house, and it was said Lucy slept in her own dedicated room. However, Mitchell said that since he visits every day, she should be awake even at this time.
And, saying he would bring Lucy here, he ran towards the mansion.
After waiting about 10 minutes, Mitchell brought a blonde beauty.
"Your Excellency, I have brought Lucy."
"It is my first time meeting you, Your Excellency."
When Lucy greeted, Steve replied.
"Nice to meet you. I am Steve Archibalt."
"I am thrilled to meet such a distinguished Your Excellency."
"Yeah, well, rumors tend to get embellished."
Bella poked Steve's side with her elbow, happy that he was praised. It was a warning that he had a smug smile. And, Steve felt an aura like killing intent or resentment from Christina. Scared to turn around, he continued the conversation while looking at Lucy.
"I heard from Mitchell here, there seems to be a talk of marrying me. Could you tell me in detail?"
"Yes. Father heard that Your Excellency is seeking cattle hides, and for the expansion of cattle hide transactions, he plotted to marry me to Your Excellency."
"I don't think such talk came to my father either."
"Yes. Father said that if he showed me, Your Excellency would like me at a glance."
It was the parental bias, and while Lucy was indeed beautiful, she was not someone Steve would fall in love with at first sight. In terms of completeness, Christina and Aurora were superior. It can be said that because they were upper nobility, they could afford money without restraint. In addition to the quality of materials, the power of money enhanced beauty.
Therefore, she was appearance that would make Mitchell, the son of a Viscount, fall in love at first sight, but against Steve who was used to seeing above that, her beauty did not work.
And, the three women who came with Steve whispered in the back.
"Even though parents say it, she seems not bad herself, showing off her beauty."
"The personality evil seeping out is unsuitable for Steve-sama."
"It's annoying."
Among the three, Lucy's evaluation was low. It might be the eye to see calculated actions behind gestures liked by men, or the sense to feel when the same sex targets the opposite sex.
Such three were anxious whether Steve would be seduced, but Steve himself was not looking at Lucy with such eyes. Purely, he only thought it would be good if she was joined with Mitchell.
Information heard from Lucy herself here was the same as what Mitchell said, and it turned out that regarding Lucy's marriage, it was Viscount Wall's rush.
"Well, as for me, it would be good if I could purchase equally from both families, but to do that, I confirmed that if the two marry, it is the shortest route. The problem is, how to reconcile the two families that have opposed each other for many years. Even if I say it with my mouth, that will not be true reconciliation, and we need to create a big opportunity."
Steve looked at Mitchell while smiling. Mitchell, seeing Steve's smile illuminated by moonlight, feared that this is how it feels when a demon stands by the pillow at midnight. It was a smile, yet not a smile. The evil plotting behind the smile was clearly visible.
"Steve-sama, the scenario must already be ready. Could you tell me without holding back?"
Christina asked so, but Steve did not nod.
"There is nothing more boring than being told the final ending beforehand while watching a play. Like the stock transaction of the previous Oclair Trading Company, if Christina was on the performer side, she might have done that."
"Indeed, that is so."
"Shall we prepare opera glasses for tomorrow?"
"Will Steve-sama prepare such luxury goods?"
Steve also sold opera glasses with the same principle as Telescopes. Using brass and stainless steel plus chrome-plated steel plates to make complex designs, he was selling them at high prices to nobles.
Of course, since it is technology convertible for military use, the royal family is involved in sales. Due to the added value that only nobles with the King's permit can purchase, although manufacturing cost is only mana, it is priced at several hundred gold coins.
There was such background behind what Christina said.
Christina, who is Steve's fiancée, can give opera glasses without the King's permission. However, there will be restrictions on transfer from Christina to someone.
"You can see it from a special seat where that is not needed."
"I am happy. What script it will turn out to be, I am so excited I don't think I can sleep tonight."
"Don't sleep at the important part."
When the conversation with Christina ended, Steve turned towards Lucy.
"What we met here tonight is a secret. Next time we meet, please treat it as a first meeting."
"Understood. I look forward to the next time."
Thus the conversation with Lucy ended, and she returned to her own room.
"Well, shall we go back too?"
"Understood. Then I will lead the way again, so please follow me."
"No, let's go back with magic."
Saying that, Steve teleported everyone to his own room.
"Staying up late takes a toll on a child's body. I want to sleep tonight."
Saying that, he winked at Mitchell.