Salvation Through Delusion C109

Chapter 109

It took about an hour to tour the entire estate. Because a floor plan had to be created, I moved around on my own feet, checking everything thoroughly.

What was strange was that no matter how long I lingered in one place, or how many tedious, nitpicky questions I asked, not a single trace of dissatisfaction or wariness ever crossed the face of the servant guiding me.

They simply took a step back and behaved as if they were invisible, no matter what I did. And it wasn’t just that one servant—every other employee in the estate was the same.

They were polite, but it was as if none of them crossed an invisible line. They showed no interest in me at all. Not because it was me in particular, but because maintaining distance and pretending not to know seemed to be a rule of this place itself.

There was only one reason I could think of.

That fog.

At first, I thought the fog was confined to just one area. But when I realized how perfectly clear the sky was today, the sense of wrongness crept in.

…Wait. Don’t tell me this is black magic?

Just in case, I pointed out the window and asked a servant.

“What do you see?”

But the servant didn’t even turn toward the window when answering.

“We are not permitted to speak about the fog surrounding the main castle.”

It was like a prerecorded response, delivered by a machine. As if, beyond performing their assigned duties, they wanted nothing to do with that ominous phenomenon.

That was enough for me.

It meant they could see the fog.

I confirmed it with another servant, and then another. Same answer, same attitude. Extreme caution, as though adding even a single word might invite punishment.

Which raised a new question.

Why could they see it?

The fog around Borhumi Crystal Lake had been visible only to me, because illusions had been layered over it to deceive others.

But the fog enveloping Koon’s main castle stopped at being fog—nothing more. Anyone could reasonably infer that it was black magic. It was practically a blatant warning.

…A warning?

Sitting in the reception hall with its wide, panoramic windows, I leaned forward and focused on the fog.

If it really was a warning, then the meaning was obvious: black magic is in effect—do not approach.

And this wasn’t something an enemy would do. This was the act of someone trying to protect the castle.

So Tyroc did this? To conceal the curse of the main castle while keeping people away?

At this point, I couldn’t help but feel curious about what kind of curse it actually was. If it was something I could—

No.

I shook my head sharply. There is nothing more dangerous than overestimating one’s own abilities. Overconfidence can bolster courage, but it also breeds recklessness and empty hope.

In battles where life and death are on the line, those flaws often turn into fatal mistakes.

I forced myself to look away from the window, deliberately ignoring the fog. I had priorities.

Saving my world.

And searching Acorn Forest.

Just then, a servant approached with the news I had been waiting for.

“The Duke has arrived.”

I sprang to my feet.

He’s here—my contract!

“South Textile Guild has contacted us. They say they’ve entered into an exclusive trade agreement with the Ma Trading Company. According to rumors, Ma Trading presented unlimited bearer notes.”

Solongo’s eyes sharpened as she reported to Lantua.

“That would mean they’re willing to buy at any price. But from what I’ve confirmed, there’s more to it.”

“And?” Lantua asked, lifting her gaze with interest. She was still reclining, her body not fully recovered, but her eyes were sharp and energetic.

“Ma Trading has secured priority supply rights across all of Montaine. They disclosed this to the guild.”

Lantua’s expression brightened.

“Are you certain?”

“You know the personality of the South Textile Guildmaster better than anyone, Madam. He’s excessively cautious.”

“Exactly. The type who grows more suspicious the more money you wave in his face.”

“Yes. Unless he personally saw the contract between Ma Trading and Montaine, he wouldn’t have moved. This suggests Montaine is fully backing Ma Trading.”

For Adeye Trading, a rival’s success was undoubtedly bad news.

Yet Lantua’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She clasped her hands lightly, unable to hide her delight.

“That sly Montaine wouldn’t stamp approval so easily.”

“Right. No matter how large the sum, they never commit without certainty.”

“Which means they’ve obtained solid collateral.”

At last, Solongo understood why her lady was so excited.

“…Don’t tell me. Did they already exchange a partner’s oath?”

“It’s no ‘don’t tell me.’ If Killu is involved, it’s a certainty. They’ve definitely exchanged oaths.”

That meant the traitor could never be tied to Tyroc again. A partner’s oath could only be made once in a lifetime.

“Hahaha! Serves you right, Hoiga!”

Lantua laughed loudly. Solongo smiled beside her, offering congratulations.

“The traitor will never achieve his ambitions now.”

“But he won’t realize it. He’ll feel wronged, furious—perhaps even try to destroy Tyroc just to have him.”

Lantua’s smile remained, but her eyes gleamed cruelly.

“He needs to go more and more insane. Only then will the pain of defeat be truly exquisite.”

Yet Lantua was not one to be drunk on joy alone. When Solongo spoke again, the playful light vanished, replaced by the cold clarity of a seasoned merchant.

“The South Textile Guild has only agreed verbally so far. We still have a chance to steal the deal.”

“Leave it.”

“But—”

“Instead, raise the price of the goods we supply to the South Textile Guild tenfold. The Turtle Island specialty.”

Solongo’s eyes widened.

“The raw material for purple dye? The flower that only grows on Turtle Island? Will the guild accept that?”

“They will. Because Ma Trading will be paying. They said they’d meet any price, didn’t they? They need their first deal with Montaine to succeed.”

“But Montaine won’t add more funds just because of a marriage alliance. That means Ma Trading alone will suffer massive losses—ah.”

Solongo realized it instantly. And Lantua didn’t stop there.

“Flood the imperial capital with purple. Clothes, veils—everything. The better it sells, the deeper Ma Trading’s deficit grows.”

“We’ll start with famous actors. What about the Divine Beast families? We usually send them gifts—should we skip them this time?”

Lantua shook her head.

“No. Send even more than usual. Let them feel we’re groveling, watching the wind. Let them sneer, thinking Adeye Trading is considering supporting Koon. That way our enemies underestimate us.”

A beast that bares its fangs constantly never wins. A true predator hides in the grass and tears out the prey’s throat at the decisive moment.

Lantua’s gaze was steady, like a tiger lying in wait. Solongo admired her deeply—though part of her wished her lady would consider her health more.

“Hasn’t half of your wish already come true? All that remains is for Rue to exchange a partner’s oath with the Duke of Koon.”

At the word “oath,” the smile vanished from Lantua’s face.

“That brat still has to get the contract signed.”

“If the Duke promised, he’ll keep it.”

“One never knows. Rue should just hurry up and exchange the partner’s oath with Tyroc. Writing a contract—how tedious.”

Thinking of that stingy Tyroc, irritation flashed across her face. Solongo nodded in understanding—then froze.

“But… Rue does know how a partner’s oath works, right?”

She had asked casually, but her expression quickly turned serious.

“There’s no complicated procedure. You just share your energy and speak a new name the two of you will use together. Even a handshake is enough. It’s so simple—surely they wouldn’t overlook it…?”

Lantua tilted her head at that, then chuckled.

“Tyroc wouldn’t have done it before the wedding. And with Mo helping, if Rue had exchanged the oath, Mo would have told him. Even if he hadn’t heard it directly…”

Dr. Kim shook her head.

“He’s not that oblivious.”

Of course not.

He’s from Incheon, after all.