Chapter 22


    <strong>#Acquiring a Farm (1)</strong>


    The paper that the boy handed over was indeed a promissory note.


    While the other senior workers promptly exchanged their promissory notes for cash and spent it recklessly, the boy behaved differently.


    This note represented the price of his ndestine entry into a merchant''s warehouse and his involvement in theft.


    Thus, it marked the initial payment forpromising his own conscience.


    He sensed that using this promissory note would lead him across a threshold from which there would be no return. This apprehension prevented him from converting the note into cash, ultimately preserving hisst vestige of conscience.


    "Perhaps you won''t need to hide or flee any longer."


    "Pardon?"


    "Because there''s something called turning over a new leaf."


    "Oh...! Th-thank you!"


    At Dominic''s words, the boy finally found relief and burst into tears.


    His emotions overwhelmed him.


    To survive, he had taken employment with a disreputable merchant, engaged in theft, and just yesterday, had even been coerced into participating in a looting incident.


    He had not willingly joined; a senior colleague had pressured him, iming they required an extra hand, and thus, he had ended up there.


    He had believed that his only destiny was to toil away his life in a sunless mine. But now, a new path to escape had presented itself.


    "I''ll retain this promissory note. And until everything is resolved, you should remain in this vige. While you''re here, Rondo''s remnants won''t be able to harm you."


    "Is that eptable?"


    "Of course. However, remember that regardless of your intentions, some people may harbor prejudice against you or criticize you relentlessly. That''s something you''ll need to contend with."


    "Yes."


    "Very well. You appear astute, so I believe you''ve grasped the situation."


    Further admonishment was unnecessary.


    Henceforth, the boy would forge his own future.


    ***


    "What''s our next move?" Ian inquired.


    "We should gather everything we can," Dominic replied.


    "Revenge?"


    "That''s precisely what it is. What else could it be?"


    "Don''t you want to see them grovel or understand why they targeted Evergreen?"


    "Why bother asking? Their reasons probably won''t be convincing anyway. People whomit such acts aren''t likely to have profound motives or ns. They probably thought we, the Anton Merchant Group, our vige, and I, were insignificant. So, they chose a straightforward and violent approach."


    Dominic''s voicecked anger.


    "Because they''re not worth getting angry over."


    In a novel, they would be forgettable viins that readers wouldn''t even recall.


    Just that.


    So, since it had happened, the n was to salvage what they could and rectify the situation.


    "What do you think the lord''s reaction will be if we provide all the evidence and witnesses of those thugs to him? You''ve observed him from a distance, so you should know his personality, right?"


    "If he didn''t know, he wouldn''t care. But now that he does, he won''t simply let it slide."


    "Forcedbor?"


    "Undoubtedly. Some might even be better off dead. To atone, they''ll have to work until theirst breath."


    "What about their assets?"


    "All of it will be seized since it''s not wealth obtained through legal means."


    Dominic appeared quite content with that response.


    "The confiscated property will be auctioned, right?"


    "Some of it."


    "I''m not concerned about the rest, but I truly hope the farm is included."


    "The farm? Not the merchant group?"


    "What our vige needs immediately isn''t a store in the city butnd andbor to cultivate crops."


    "Why is that?"


    "It''s obvious. Rice is expensive, as are chili peppers, garlic, and green onions. Even sesame and peri seeds are as precious as gold! Oh, if I hadnd, I''d start farming right away."


    Dominic shivered.


    Especially when trying to stock up, the prices of certain crops were so high that he had to deplete his savings.


    "Isn''t it because you always use such unique ingredients?"


    "Did you ever consider that it''s not me using unique ingredients, but that other people have too limited a range?"


    "...You have an overly particr pte."


    Taken aback by Ian''s straightforward critique, Dominic''s jaw dropped.


    <em>''Why is he reacting like this? Well, more importantly, is he joking? Or is he serious?''</em>


    Regardless, Dominic found the rapier that Ian habitually carried on his hip intimidating and refrained from offering a retort.


    <em>''In any case, tounch the kitchen under construction properly, I need a farm.''</em>


    To supply the desired ingredients, he absolutely requirednd where he could cultivate crops as he saw fit.


    "Shouldn''t you first consider whether the farm will be up for auction?"


    Ian''s words brought Dominic back to reality.


    Yes, that''s right.


    To acquire Rondo''s farm, it had to be put up for auction first.


    <em>''The one deciding on the auction items after confiscating the criminal''s assets is... the lord.''</em>


    Everything hinged on Count Sinir.


    To ensure that the farm he desired would be auctioned, he needed to gain favor with the lord.


    "...Should I consider writing a letter?"


    "I don''t think that''s a wise idea. While it''s true that the lord is fond of you, he might not be receptive to someone connected to the criminal."


    Dominic feltpelled not to reject the vige''s investor outright, but he couldn''t anticipate the capricious nature of the aristocracy, which only heightened his anxiety.


    As Ian pointed out, they were the ones who had handed over the criminals.


    In the eyes of the authorities, it might appear as if they had falsely used Rondo''s merchant group out of greed.


    One shouldn''t jump to conclusions.


    <em>''If this goes awry, I might lose out while someone else reaps the rewards?''</em>


    Watching Dominic nervously bite his nails, Ian let out a deep sigh.


    "Why can you find unexpected solutions but struggle with such a straightforward matter?"


    "Oh, if you''re going to offer a hint, just do it directly. Don''t begin with a question."


    "Don''t you know someone who can undoubtedly influence the lord?"


    "Me?"


    Dominic''s expression seemed to say, ''Who could I possibly know? Do I even know another noble besides the Lord?''


    "Don''t tell me you''ve genuinely forgotten? I''m talking about the old lord. The one who first recognized you and ordered me to protect you, the current lord''s father. If he intervenes, no one can object."


    "...Ah!"


    Was it a moment of realization or simply his imagination?


    "Right, that old man... I mean, the esteemed old lord! How could I forget? He''s deeply engrossed in sequestered training. I didn''t want to trouble him with trivial matters! But now, given the circumstances, I should write a letter, shouldn''t I? Oh, the old lord might feel left out if he finds outter. That would be uneptable!"


    "Ugh, just say it."


    Observing Dominic enthusiastically begin writing, Ian wondered if he had made the right decision by providing the answer.


    **


    The trial of Rondo, the leader of Rondo''s merchant group, along with all its executives, concluded swiftly.


    "It''s unjust! It''s all a conspiracy, Your Honor!"


    Rondo, with his goatee, protested to the bitter end, but there was already an overwhelming amount of evidence and witnesses.


    Even those with rtively minor involvement confessed to every small mistake made by the executives and the leader in hopes of receiving leniency in their sentences.


    Loyalty was in short supply.


    "Seeing that he remain unrepentant despite the clear evidence of his crimes, it seems he is beyond redemption. Tsk tsk."


    The lord, seated in the front row, watching the trial, clicked his tongue, and the judge involuntarily swallowed hard.


    From the judge''s perspective, this was an open-and-shut case.


    <em>''Mercy should not be extended in this case.''</em>


    Within the courtroom, the judge wielded the highest authority, but outside, he was merely a servant of the Sinir Count''s household.


    Perhaps that''s why, in trials where the lord personally showed interest and attended, the sentences tended to be harsher than usual. One couldn''t help but be aware of the lord''s gaze.


    "Rondo, the head of the Rondo Merchant Group, listen."


    "Your Honor!"


    "With irrefutable evidence and witnesses, including charges of arson, assault, fraud, illegal loans, human trafficking, threats, and robbery... Given this extensive list of crimes, how could you expect leniency!"


    "It''s unjust! Those were the actions of my subordinates, I truly had no involvement...!"


    "They have promissory notes issued in your name, and yet you persist in lying until the bitter end! I shall pass judgment! All assets of the Rondo Merchant Group will be seized, with a portion allocated to aid the victims. As the mastermind behind these crimes, Rondo, you are sentenced to indefinite hardbor! Send him to the Bailey mines!"


    "No, this cannot be! This is absurd! Damn it! Where are those scoundrels who took my money! Ahhhh!"


    Upon the pronouncement of the verdict, Rondo, sporting his goatee, screamed hysterically. Nheless, he was forcibly escorted out by the guards.


    "Really, who could ept money from such a man? Judge!"


    "Yes, my lord! We will pursue them to the end and root out everyst one!"


    "Good."


    Finally appearing satisfied, the lord rose from his seat and apuded once.


    The judge swiftly descended from his seat and handed a document to the lord.


    "There are quite a few assets to be confiscated. Let''s see, put these up for auction immediately. They can be easily converted to cash."


    "We will proceed with the auction promptly."


    "Ensure that the proceeds from the auction are distributed to the victims without any interference."


    "Understood."


    It was a unique tradition in the southern region where the Sinir Count resided.


    After the trial, when the criminal''s assets were seized, some of them would be auctioned off to the people attending the trial.


    The money from the auctioned items would go to the victims, and because of this, some prominent nobles or wealthy individuals intentionally purchased the confiscated items at a reasonably high price to benefit the victims.


    "There should be some valuable items avable."


    "I heard the Rondo Merchant Group has a significant stash of assets, so we mighte across some valuable ones, right?"


    "We should. Otherwise, why endure such a tedious trial!"


    Quite a few hade to the courtroom today in hopes of participating in the auction of the confiscated goods.


    "Please, please, let there be a farm!"


    Dominic was one of them.


    "If a decent farm isn''t included, I''ll be devastated. No, that can''t happen!"


    Hadn''t he ttered and implored the old man, who had secluded himself for training, through three lengthy letters? He had begged him to ensure that the farm he desired would be included in the auction items.


    "We will post the list of items to be auctioned today. Those interested, please check and gather back in this courtroom in three hours!"


    Upon receiving the list from the judge, an official announced it aloud. Several people rushed to inspect the auction items.


    Dominic was among them.


    "Hold on, just a moment! I''ll check ande out, so please don''t push!"


    Dominic, not hesitating to jostle a bit, stood in front of the notice.


    "...!"


    Dominic swiftly scanned the list.


    Merchant buildings, Rondo''s residence, the workers'' mansion, carriages and horses, jewelry, and artwork...


    "Here it is!"


    Amidst the densely listed auction items, several farms owned by the Rondo Merchant Group caught Dominic''s eye.


    <em>''Among them, the one I wanted is... this one!''</em>


    He had found his target.