Arestia Empire'S World Domination
Chapter 35: Preliminary Investigation

...—Hauzen City, Arestia— Empire...

...—14 September 1238—...

"I feel very sorry for the non-participation of some of the company leaders who are also among the largest in the world. Therefore, I, as the representative of the merchants, intend to apologize to the Arestian Empire and especially to you, Your Majesty."

Along with his last words, Ullysia lowered her head, followed by a few merchants who were behind him.

"It's okay, I'm not at all concerned about it, Representative Rottern. To me, they just chose to be with Renacles."

Ares smiled. His carrying was calming, as if not taking issue with the maneuvers of the eastern merchants who had betrayed him.

However, all traders understand. Whether from the nobility or the commoners, they felt that Ares was proclaiming himself to be their opponent.

"Your Majesty. Can I say something that stuck in my mind?" Ullysia's forehead had a slight frown, but was disguised by her wrinkles, which only Ares could tell.

"Yes, I let you." Ares answered quickly.

"From the words you've said, do you intend to cut off economic relations with the East?" ask Ullysia.

"No, not at all." Ares shook his head lightly, revealing a wry smile, "I am even anxious to establish a bilateral or even multinational cooperation with the Renacles Empire as our partner."

"Are you really sure?" Ullysia was a little surprised, the face she had slowly groaned.

None of the invited guests or merchants knew Renacles was the strongest economic power in the world today.

It would be foolish for Ares to build his own trading network from scratch, especially with traders on the side of the enemy who have dived to do a lot of illegal trading.

Although they knew the decision was undeniable, the admiration the traders had was due to Ares' humility and being able to make more rational decisions, very different from nobles in general who put forward their own ego and goals.

"Yes, I am very sure, even I have prepared some export products that they can receive well" said Ares.

Curiosity also grows. Although Ullysia had a paltry feeling to Ares for thinking he only had good rhetorical abilities as well as a youth of corn, still Ullysia could not ignore Ares, but she could not ignore him, the unknown can impossibly bring five countries under his feet.

"May we know, Your Majesty?" ask Ullysia.

"After the cordial ends, I'll take you to see the contents of this building and its warehouse." Ares gave a gentle smile, though he knew that Ullysia was investigating.

On purpose, Ares gave a decoy. All of his personal movements were certainly visible through his activities within the Merchant Guild.

When Ares found out that Gene Lounders—, the head of the Lounders Firm, which was also a Renacles— spy trader, and several other Renacles traders, had switched sides, he felt a little sad, it was unexpected that Emperor Renacles was so wary of him and preferred the old way of infiltrating their intelligence, making the effort he put in felt a little futile.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to using this strategy. After formulating it carefully, Ares assesses if the benefits he will get more. Naturally, Ares had previously also thought about the safety of his entire family members as a top priority.

Manipulation of information that can lead to strategy manipulation is something that Ares is aiming for. Before entering the era of war, Ares will keep all the cards he has well and open some cards that are felt necessary to show.

"That's it..." Ullysia slowly bowed in, as a form of homage to the Emperor, "I deeply feel that the mere expression 'thank you' is not enough for the kindness and protection you have given us, Your Majesty."

"No need to worry" Ares said.

With a smile, Ullysia again raised her head, "I hope that if you can immediately open the trade door towards the Holy Empire, Your Majesty."

"I hope so, too, Representative Rottern," Ares said.

Just investigating, eh?

Ares' gaze was fixed on Ullysia's departure, which was escorted by some of her subordinates. For a moment of pondering, thinking of the various things that the Eye of Truth would do, Ares could only reach a conclusion where they would not move for a while.

"Dear." The Excel call standing right next to Ares sounded very worried, diverting his increasingly directional thinking.

"I'm sorry," Ares said, feeling a little indifferent to his wife's whereabouts.

"No... It's just..." Following Excel's gaze that turned to Ullysia, Ares immediately understood the origin of his wife's worries.

"Yes, I know. He had several times of stealing glances to pay close attention to Loic and Esther." The answer was so subtle, it could only be heard by the couple as well as Raze who was staring in confusion at her father, not understanding the conversation of her parents.

"What are you gonna do?" ask Excel.

"Let's let this calm down for a while. I also don't think they will act rashly and maneuver anytime soon" Ares replied.

"so." Excel breathed a sigh of relief.

Ares also showed a gentle smile. However, Ares realized that the smile only lasted for a moment.

"So... Darling... Do you know the middle-aged man and the girl who moved closer to you?" Using his chin, Excel points forward, feeling full of the thickness of his tone. Even so with his forehead that looks cringing.

Ares's gaze once again followed. Both of his eyes immediately opened wide after seeing the approach of the slightly long blue-haired middle-aged male figure with the beautiful girl who had long strayed hair of a similar color to him.

Merchant who also served as the Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Holenstadt, Edward el Honzermus and his first daughter who had just turned 17 years old, Lucia el Honzermus.

Edward was dressed in glamorous blue, his shirt-laden suit giving a pure noble high authority. Even so with the dress worn by Lucia very give the impression of luxury, decoration and trinkets attached to her dress almost filled her entire body.

However, no one disapproves if all the attention is on Lucia, mostly because of her overflowing breasts.

Ares felt a cold sweat. Recall that Edward almost managed to trap himself to get engaged to Lucia. Moreover, Ares certainly knew that Lucia was very liked by two people who became the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Holendstat.

"Dad, what are you going to do?" Lucia whispered, retaining both of her lips from being seen saying anything.

"He is Emperor Ares I, someone who will be your husband in the future." Indifferent, Edward gave an answer.

"Eh?! Daddy's! Isn't it very impolite to offer such a proposal when Her Majesty the Empress is standing right beside her?!" Lucia said softly, although her tone sounded very astonished.

"It's okay, Lucia! I'm gonna get you out of those two fucking wolves!" Edward stepped even faster, leaving little Lucia behind him.

Edward's hair immediately stood up, a very thick killing intent was on him to make his body faintly tremble, which was also no different from what Lucia was feeling.

With only a red look in his eyes, Edward was terrified. Even so, he did not in the slightest undo his intentions.

"Se—happy afternoon... His Majesty the Emperor." Sounding very nervous, sweat began to pour over Edward's forehead. Excel's sharp gaze felt even more intense to him.

After the meeting, Edward could only bow languidly in his room and get a pitiful look from his daughter, not expecting his mouth to be so bold as to utter the words that led to his daughter's engagement.

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