The diamonds unearthed from the heart of Tamaland did not remain within the borders.
The raw stones from the mines underwent exquisite craftsmanship and were shipped to ports, crossing the sea to find their place in the jewel boxes of foreign courts and noble families.
Whenever a silver sailboat left the dock, the vault at the top was filled with heavy gold bars and foreign currency.
And that flow naturally revolved around one person.
Odelia, the master of Talamand.
Influential merchants and the bourgeoisie from both home and abroad hurriedly flocked to Talamand to win her favor, as she held the source of the profits. Her name was now frequently mentioned among the merchants.
From the corridors and reception rooms of the estate to even the taverns of the harbor, voices soliciting trade and alliances never ceased.
Talamand was no longer a periphery of the empire. It was a new center of wealth revolving around Odelia.
Even the nobles who had openly been hostile to her until recently were now lurking around, trying to somehow set foot on the land of Talamand.
Some coveted fragments of mining rights, while others targeted a spot on the trade route. Their gazes now gleamed not with contempt, but with greed and calculation.
Duke Devon was also one of them; having once boasted the prestige of the Empire's most prestigious family, he now did not hesitate to personally make the effort to travel to the frontier territories.
He harbored only one ulterior motive.
It was about his family putting down roots again amidst the massive flow of capital known as Talamand.
Inside the drawing room, even the sound of the servant pouring tea was cautious.
The reason why the Duke of Devon, who once wielded the power of the Empire's most prestigious family, had ventured into this unfamiliar frontier territory was clear.
"So, to summarize."
Devon put down his glass and looked at Odelia across the table.
"Transfer the mining rights to Adamant Mine Tunnel No. 3 to me and assign me 20% of the top-tier stock. In return, I will bear the full cost of the initial facilities."
He wore a relaxed smile, the result of years of negotiation experience. With terms like these, in the past, the other party would have bowed in gratitude.
However, Odelia put down her glass without even frowning and looked straight at him with a determined gaze.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot accept that condition."
"...What?"
"The Duke spoke as if these were generous terms, but in reality, it is no different from demanding that we hand over the management rights of the merchant guild. Furthermore, mining operations are currently proceeding smoothly, and our capital is circulating without any issues. On top of that, there are already several nobles and merchant guilds working with us, yet the Duke's demands are excessively high compared to them."
"Look here, you're going to refuse my offer?"
"Yes."
"Really. Are you saying you will turn down a big shot like me? The moment I enter here, dozens of merchants will line up just based on my reputation alone."
Odelia smiled. It was a polite and kind smile, but it left absolutely no room or opening for intrusion.
"I am well aware of the weight your name once carried, Duke. However, these days, the world looks at direction rather than names. Even the nobles of the capital must know which direction we are currently heading."
"...direction?"
"Your investment is not the 'direction' we are pursuing. We do not need capital that does not align with our direction."
After finishing her words, Odelia stood up from her seat, walked to the window, and looked outside.
Workers bustling about in the market. Merchants returning with diamonds in their arms.
Odelia turned her head and spoke her final words to Devon, who was still unable to suppress his anger.
"This is not the land of the nobility, but the land of merchants. If you wish to make money here, please stand in line for a spot that matches your price."
For a moment, Devon was speechless. There would be few nobles in this empire who could speak to him like that. No. In fact, she was the only one.
Every time the Duke made a proposal, it was clearly born of the arrogance of one who believed the other would bow first.
It was an embarrassing situation to back down at this point. The Duke of Devon pondered how to respond in a way that would allow him to achieve his goals without losing face.
Odelia spoke again in a subtle tone, as if lowering a lifeline to Devon.
"What you want, Duke, is mining rights and price control, is that correct?"
"...I need to receive at least that much to have a justification for taking action."
Odelia nodded silently, picked up a file from the desk, and approached Devon again. The document was a plan to expand logistics routes following the development of the Talamand mine.
"I can provide that justification. In our own way."
The western trade route that has not yet been opened, plans to open the highland tunnel...
"I have heard rumors that the transportation company operated by the Duke's younger brother has recently been operating at a loss. I will formally transfer this route to him. Furthermore, it will be an exclusive agreement. In return, Talamand will retain ownership of the mining rights, and you will receive a 20% stake. An annual return of 10% is guaranteed."
"20%?"
"We cannot offer anything more than that. We are not in a position to spare. However, we can grant you the right to construct a private port. I think it would be nice to name it after the Duke's name or his family. How about 'Devon Port'?"
The Duke of Devon gazed at her in silence. Was this woman really Odelia? It was by no means the way the young mistress spoke that he had encountered until now.
He flipped through the documents in silence for a long time. He slowly leaned back.
"...Who taught you the art of negotiation?"
"Experience, and betrayal."
Odelia smiled gently.
"And, perhaps, the Duke. You taught me so much."
Devon's lips twitched. He realized she had subtly mocked him, but strangely, he wasn't entirely displeased. Rather, this was a price worth paying.
“Yes, I agree to the terms.”
Devon finished the negotiation, climbed into the carriage, and scanned the castle growing smaller and smaller through the curtains before closing his eyes. His expression was calm, but inwardly he was still replaying the conversation from just moments ago.
'Damn it, this isn't a deal where I'm at a disadvantage.'
It is not that it is not obvious. But if we do not do even that, wouldn't there be absolutely no lifeline to connect us to Talamand?
Right, we can't be hostile forever.
Rationalizing it this way, Devon gazed at the thriving landscape of Talamand beyond the window.
He soon drew the curtain as if his pride had been hurt.
***
A streak of shadow flew in through the glass window of the palace where Fabiana was staying.
As she, who was sitting by the window, glanced at the carrier pigeon perched on the bars, the aide untied the paper and placed it in her hand.
Fabiana broke the seal and unfolded the paper.
[Duke of Devon concludes negotiations with Lady Odelia for partial transfer of mining rights and provision of shipping routes; Odelia holds the initiative in the negotiations.]
It was news sent by the person assigned to her father. It seemed he had a very good grasp of her father's whereabouts in Talamand. Fabiana's lips slowly curled upward.
"How could my father not trust his daughter even once, and only think of betraying me like this..."
Soon, the note was crumpled in Fabiana's hand.
***
The lights in the Duke of Devon's office showed no signs of going out until late at night.
It was the Duke of Devon who pushed the signed document aside after checking the papers related to the Talamand case to the very end.
After taking a gulp of wine out of habit, he stroked his beard as if tired and was about to continue working when a commotion outside began to bother him.
"Hey! What's all the commotion outside!"
For some reason, there was no reply. "What incompetent fools," the Duke of Devon grumbled as he stood up from his seat.
He tried to open the door to look outside, but it wouldn't open, as if blocked by something heavy.
"What?"
He barely managed to pry open the gap in the door with all his might. Then, Devon looked out through the gap and shouted, "Hey! Can't you hear me! You idiots!"
The Duke of Devon, who had inadvertently looked down, flinched in surprise.
The heavy thing blocking the door was the guards lying on the floor...
The body lay limp, and beneath it, a dark bloodstain spread widely, glistening under the faint lamplight.
Deep wrinkles formed on the Duke of Devon's forehead. He could not understand why or how the guards, who had been perfectly fine just moments ago, had ended up in this state.
Just as he was about to take a step back, a sharp tearing sound rang out behind him.
With a crash, the thick glass window shattered into pieces, and a man wearing a cloak and hood pulled down low burst into the room along with a cold wind.
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