Rotten Viscount Vs Rotten Marquis

"Though you don't need to, you seemed to be troubled by my visit."

Huvel's words entered Marquis Boden's ears like hot lava. He could not keep a smile on his face anymore.

"Is that so? Then, I have to ask you why you say these digesting things are gifts for me?"

The marquis asked Huvel with a frown while pointing at the box Huvel brought.

"Ah! About that?"

Huvel smiled brightly and kicked the box. Two men creepily thin like the stray dogs in the back alleys crawled out of the box!

"I was so surprised to see these two dogs in my room a few days ago. When I ordered my servants to find out where these dogs came from, I learnt that they were from Lord Boden's house. I'd like to thank you for giving them to me."

"Impudent!" one of the men standing beside the marquis cried. "What? These disgusting things are from this mansion? How dare you slander my lord like that!"

The marquis did not say anything but his face was dark. Huvel looked at the man for a brief moment and continued speaking as if he did not hear anything.

"But it seems they broke after being played for a few times. They are useless to me now so I thought I'd give them back to you."

"The audacity…"

Marquis Boden raised a hand to stop his men from saying anything else. He already knew the assassination attempt had been failed a few days ago. Moreover, one of his vessels confirmed that the two unsightly men in the box Huvel brought were the assassins he sent after Huvel. He talked to Huvel only because he wanted to find out how much Huvel knew. Since Huvel seemed to knew that the assassination was ordered by him, he did want to continue the façade.

"To think that you would deliver these criminals back to me after learning everything, you are too foolish, boy. It seems the rumours of you being kicked out of your family because of your insanity is true!"

"Fufufu. I think it is you who is foolish. Do you really think I would walk into your land without proper measures?"

"Hmph! What can a fallen noble like you who can only rely on the powerless first prince do? My soldiers have already surrounded his room. Let me see how you will get out of here without your soldiers by your side!"

"Maybe, I can't do anything here but if I don't return within a week, my vessels will send a letter to the capital. In that letter are evidences of your corruption; taking money and enslaved human girls from a merchant and allowing the transport of slaves through your land."

"What?!.... Don't spout nonsenses! Slaves? I have never heard of such things!"

"Haha! You still want to play a fool? Don't you think he looks familiar?"

"…"

"Yes, he is the grandson of the merchant that do slave trading."

The marquis and his men fell into silence at the end of Huvel's speech as they understood what he meant. The hufelid merchant had fallen into the hands of the foolish-looking brat in front of them and betrayed the marquis!

"What do you mean my grandfather is doing slave trading?"

It was Meodinand who broke the silence in the room.

"Huh? Haven't you already known about it?"

It was Huvel's turn to be surprised. He had thought the twins help their grandfather's dark business but that thought seemed to be wrong.

"No! You are lying about it!"

"Ha! Do you know why he sent his beloved grandsons to me as mere servants?"

"…"

"It seems you don't really know anything. Your grandfather submitted to me because I know all his secrets."

Meodinand was speechless. He could not believe the kind grandfather he loved was selling people as if they were livestock.

"T… Then, the reason you are torturing me is to teach me a lesson because you thought I was involved in slave trading?"

"If so? Are you angry?"

"… No. I will do whatever you ask me to. Just… just don't make it hard for my grandfather and brother."

"Tsk. Tsk. You don't need to be that responsible. Anyway, I've no intention of letting you go from the start so it is good that you made up your mind. I'll reward you for that later. Fufu.

But first thing first… old man marquis, don't try to do anything funny. I went easy on you and only ask for a small amount of money because of your son. But since you don't appreciate my kindness, I will increase the amount of money to 40 years' worth of the bribes you took."

"But 40 years' worth…"

"Or shall I take all your wealth?! Old man, remember that if the royal palace knows that you are involved with slave trading, your whole family will be destroyed!"

Marquis Boden became quiet. He also knew the gravity of his sin. Although he did not want to give the wealth he accumulated slowly to others, he could not think of the way out for the situation.

"Send a years' worth of money, gold or goods every month to my castle. I'll ask Meoldwyn how much bribery the merchants usually gave you so don't even think of reducing the amount you have to send!"

Huvel gave the final verdict and turned his back to the marquis and his men.

"I'm going back now. No need to see me out."