Arahan

"I have not done anything to harm the family," I declared, standing tall.

I knew my statement was brazen, but I had to be more daring to achieve my goals.

"You claim you haven't caused harm?" Geneadin asked, his expression unyielding.

"The slave traders were bound to be eradicated eventually. They opposed the emperor's goals and would have harmed the family in the long run."

Geneadin's face hardened further.

"Your words are contradictory. Slave traders bring significant profits, especially in the south."

I realized he thought I was playing with words. Provoking him further could lead to unpredictable consequences, so I needed to choose my words carefully to persuade him.

It felt like walking a tightrope.

"Of course, this was expected."

Who wouldn't be nervous when their life hung on every word?

I couldn't remain silent; I had to justify myself, even if it meant lying.

I looked into Geneadin's red eyes.

"I believe there are both legitimate and illegitimate gains in terms of utility."

"Is the profit from slave trading illegitimate? Profit is profit, regardless of legitimacy."

"Would you buy dirty goods or clean ones for the same price?"

Geneadin countered, "Your analogy is flawed. It's not the goods that become tainted, but the money. Tainted goods lose value, but money retains its worth regardless."

"Why should the empire's top family accept tainted money? Arahan should only have the most radiant gold."

Geneadin let out a brief sigh.

Was my argument effective?

I tried to calm my racing heart while watching Geneadin's reactions.

What I truly believed in was that Zed Arahan was only 15 years old. At that age, one can think without preconceptions or limitations.

My strategy was to insist that I had not caused harm, regardless of whether I actually had. What mattered was that I had no ulterior motives.

Geneadin looked at me with a peculiar expression.

I met his gaze with a confident face, hinting at a slight sense of injustice.

Geneadin chuckled softly.

"Very well. Why did you accept Bahal's help? Even if you're young and naive, you should know they're our enemies."

"Bahal acted under the emperor's decree. Our paths coincided by chance; I didn't receive their aid."

Geneadin raised his voice, and I felt an unseen pressure on my shoulders.

However, I stood firm, using the prepared response.

"Sir, I don't understand this situation."

"What do you mean?!"

"I wasn't invited; I was kidnapped. I upheld Arahan's pride before Bahal's head and defeated their knight in their training grounds. I took the white horse not as a gift but as a spoil from their heartland. Why am I being scolded instead of praised?"

Geneadin paused, seemingly taken aback.

"The fact that Bahal lost their prized horse to me is a testament to Arahan's prestige. Isn't that something worthy of praise?"

There was a brief silence, and Geneadin cleared his throat.

"Youngest," he said in a low tone.

I prepared for the next question, but he continued, "Don't try to deceive me with your words. If you lie again, you'll face the consequences."

Geneadin's expression turned dry.

"It seems your argument isn't entirely without merit. Perhaps you should be praised instead of scolded... Let's end this here. Now, tell me what you want."

I sensed that Geneadin was wrapping up the conversation, but I wasn't sure why.

"Ask me what I want?"

Geneadin pressed again.

I set aside my confusion and focused on what I needed to achieve: money, a unit, and my companions.

"I would like to receive all the operational funds that should have been allocated to my small mansion. Also, please allow my companions to enter the mansion and grant me a magical unit like my siblings."

"The units will be assigned, but managing them will be your responsibility."

"Yes, I understand."

I realized that Geneadin was aware of how the siblings interacted with the units, trying to make them loyal.

The first unit assigned would be neutral, but once placed in my mansion, the siblings would try to influence them.

Geneadin continued, "Are you referring to the old man, the dirty assassin, and the beggar siblings you brought?"

"Yes. You already know, but the old man is Lakto Cherville. The siblings will be my servants, and the assassins will be my errands."

"Lakto Cherville is unacceptable. He's a traitor to the empire. I should have him arrested and sent to the imperial palace."

This was an expected reaction.

However, I knew Geneadin wasn't serious about sending Lakto to the palace; if he were, he would have acted through the Black Knights already.

His true intention was to test how much I knew.

"Sir, did Arahan intervene in the Cherville rebellion?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Because Cherville dealt exclusively with the Martin family, not Arahan."

"Are you saying Cherville and Martin were thorns in our side?"

Geneadin laughed heartily.

"Ha! Do you think I'd bother with such insignificant rebels? Martin may be second among the mages, but they're nothing compared to Arahan. Why would I care about their struggles?"

It seemed Arahan hadn't intervened.

This was a relief, as I hadn't brought Lakto into enemy territory.

Arahan was powerful enough to withstand any mage in the empire.

For some reason, I trusted Geneadin's words.

I looked at him.

"Please, take Lakto Cherville under your wing."

"I refuse. I won't harbor a traitor on our land."

"You know he's innocent. Please clear his name."

"Why should I?"

"Because he's the best craftsman of magical tools. By taking him in and clearing his name, you'll not only gain a reputation for justice but also strengthen the family's power."

Geneadin's tone softened.

"Very well, I'll take him in, but I won't clear his name. You'll have to handle that yourself."

"I will follow your orders."

I responded without hesitation.

Geneadin didn't need to intervene directly; it was better this way.

I could make Lakto fully loyal to me, and this would also give me an excuse to leave the family's territory.

"You may leave."

"…Yes."

Geneadin concluded the conversation as soon as his business was done.

It felt as though he could see right through me.

The timing was too perfect to be mere coincidence.

I bowed my head, feeling a bit uneasy.

At least, I had achieved everything I needed.