Gamer Reborn

Chapter 499

Ajax, Lexi and Aurora could do nothing but stare at the parchment. They knew now why despite everything the former noble had struggled until the end, thinking there was a way out. Because he had made a move none of them had expected. Before Ajax had returned from the capital with a decree removing their titles he had also reached out to another ducal House, one that had a reason to bear a grudge against Ajax and Lexi.

“I don’t see any form of agreement.” Aurora was the first to react to this, while she might not have been a master strategist when it came to running a merchant organization but she had run one alongside Elija for decades now in the capital and she was quick to adapt to a changing situation. “This is at best a notice of an opportunity.”

“A deal was offered nevertheless.” Lady Berrymore pointed out. “ A deal my family would have accepted.”

“You would have accepted to have him join your family despite his nobility being stripped from him.” The skepticism in Lexi's voice was deliberate.

It was here that Camilla paused. She knew there was no way she could claim that they would have accepted to have the malformed manchild marry into the family, she had proved as much when she stood by as the execution was carried out, this document at the very least could have delayed things if not worked out a deal where the execution was annulled.

“No, there is no chance we would have accepted someone like him into our House.” Lady Berrymore admitted. “But we are still here to work out the details regarding this opportunity, as the ranking nobles of the territory nearest the resource we would look to cooperate with you.”

Even Ajax was quick to catch on to what she meant. House Berrymore was correct in pointing out that while the salamander layer was close to their territory it was technically outside, for the simple reason that the boundary line for the kingdom as a whole was the mountain range and that the salamanders caves extended into the caves beneath the mountains.

“Enough of the games.” Ajax said after letting out a deep sigh and rubbing his eyes in frustration at the oversight. “What do you want?”

It was clear by now that neither side would want this conversation getting out as it wouldn’t paint them in a good light. House Hearthbound would look foolish for not securing an asset as potentially viable as the salamanders and not looking into such desperate moves made by members of House Nestor. On the other hand House Berrymore let the execution go through and were now just looking to gather some benefits, not a good look for a ducal House to just throw away people who tried to make deals with them in good faith, from the looks of things the young Nestor didn’t hide that he was in trouble.

“My fiance has more important things to focus on.” Lexi pointed out.

“That he does.” Both Ajax and Lexi were surprised by the change in approach from Lady Berrymore. “No need to look at me like that, while I might not like you Lexi and I have certain… issues with the title and power your fiance has been granted it does not mean I do not respect what each of you has achieved. Which brings me to my first reason for coming here, my father intends to bury any ill will between our Houses that might be lingering.”

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Both Ajax and Aurora deferred the question to Lexi. She was the one who had any sort of history with House Berrymore. “We’ll be able to put everything behind us.” Lexi answered slowly, letting the words sink in. “ Assuming your son doesn’t push things, he did have a habit of pushing things a step too far. Anything else?”

“My son won’t be an issue.” Though she didn’t seem too happy at the idea. “As for anything else, House Berrymore wishes to partner with you in any distribution of the salamanders. We recognise that you are best located to handle the growth and development of the nests but surely distribution will require some oversight close to the point of sale.”

Ajax, Lexi and Aurora all knew House Berrymore wasn’t wrong about that. Dealing with the distribution of any bonds was a real headache that required management, doing so would however give some negotiating power to the person in charge as all Houses were constantly on the lookout for any potential bonds.

It now became clear what House Berrymore was doing making a move this early. They saw an opportunity not only to nip any animosity they might have had with Lexi in the bud they also a chance to strengthen their political strength in the near future, they weren’t here for a quick profit, in fact they were betting on House Hearthbound succeeding with the salamanders and they wanted in on the ground floor.

“We are willing to discuss having House Berrymore handle the distribution but only in Gryndor. Any distribution outside of Gryndor is not negotiable. “ For the first time since the meeting had started Camilla was truly thrown off balance, everything else she had expected but this was not something she had taken into consideration.

Most established noble Houses were still currently rebuilding their relationships outside of Gryndor following the war. With nobles living for half a millenia being the norm among the high end nobles it would still take time before something as valuable as a bond would be traded outside the kingdom. House Hearthbound didn’t have that issue however, as a new House they had no grudges from the war to work past, more than that Ajax and Lexi had just returned with connections to nobles in other countries and were in the perfect position to establish strong ties while others still nursed their pride. RãNỘ₿Εᶊ

“May I ask, who is taking care of the bond?” Camilla’s remaining retainer asked in a bid to copy Lancel’s earlier move and buy time for her Lady to process the unexpected information. “It sounded quite distressed during the execution.”

It was everything the retainer could do not to tsk her tongue when she saw that none of them seemed shocked by her revelation of having heard the salamander’s pained cries. Ajax had noticed her reacting to the sound and had let them know ahead of time who had reacted though he did so more out of caution in regards to the individual’s Perception Stat.

“Former House Nestor is currently caring for the bond.” Lexi saw no need to hide this. “The bond is comfortable in their home and they have the best chance to reestablish the bond following the grieving period. Their collaboration with us might even lead to the heir becoming a knight.”

This news was another blow to Camilla’s position, she had hoped that House Hearthbound would have needed someone to take in the former House Nestor in an effort to gain their insight on the salamanders but it appeared this wasn’t the case. The negotiations had only gotten started and it seemed to be a long way to go. Ajax was more than happy to leave this to Lexi and Aurora while just watching as they pushed for every inch they could get. It wasn’t often that he got to see such haggling without the fanciful noble etiquette that usually slowed things down.

“Are you sure it was fine to leave them be?” James asked Lancel as he looked in the direction of the room where Lady Camilla was with Duke Hearthbound and Lexi Manashaper. “I know she’s a scout but she isn’t weak.”

While James’ words might have seemed concerned he was in fact trying to needle Lancel, see if he could get under his skin. It was a habit the two of them had gotten into centuries ago when they ended up on the same battlefield as a way to pass the time.

“No need to worry.” Lancel said with a confident grin. “Strongest person in that room is Duke Hearthbound, oh and you don’t have to worry about little Camilla, Lexi will make sure she lives even if she tries something unwise.”

James let out a low whistle at that. “So he’s really that strong. We were half sure it was the crown exaggerating things in a convoluted plan with the Archdukes.” It was clear the ‘we’ he was referring to was Duke Berrymore and himself.

“It’s not.” Lancel grew serious as he looked his friend in the eyes. “The kid’s potential is truly monstrous.”

James also grew serious and he nodded his thanks to his friend. When he returned to the capital he already knew what his advice for Duke Berrymore would be regardless of how Camilla’s interaction would go.