She Is Not a Witch

After finalizing arrangements and plans, the Carithes Merchant Association began operating at full capacity. They first invited representatives from the major merchant associations who had sent gifts in recent days, and the respective leaders started discussing their agreements.

In the past, these merchant associations might have been reluctant, but now, needing Carithes’ help, they agreed without much fuss. After all, they had to sell to someone, and this provided a long-term sales outlet.

But they could never have guessed what kind of monster this would unleash.

Loranhil sat at the head of the table, her shoulder-length golden hair revealing a hint of her collarbone. Today she wore a light red off-shoulder dress, showcasing the charm of a young lady. She signed her name on one contract after another, then invited the merchant association representatives to dinner. Among the group of middle-aged men, this young girl stood out, but her youth didn’t equate to weakness. At this moment, she exuded a composed confidence.

The representative from the Aoni Merchant Association was Lady Shelly, wife of the current Aoni family head.

Looking at this girl about the same age as her daughter, she couldn’t help but sigh. Her own daughter was still concerned about which poet was handsome, which dress was pretty, and discussing recent fashion trends with her close friends. Yet this young lady from the Carithes family was boldly using this event to tie Carithes and other families together, pushing the merchant association beyond market limitations to advance further.

Although she didn’t understand why this young lady wanted to sign agreements with all the merchant associations present, she could sense the extraordinary significance. Even if Carithes didn’t earn much money in the end, such cooperation would greatly expand their business and enhance their reputation.

Once successful, this cooperative project would bind these dozen or so merchant associations together, forming a huge, tightly-knit interest group. Ultimately, Carithes, as the leader of this group, would gain immense power, permanently changing the landscape of Vegar. Other merchant associations not involved would be marginalized and suppressed, gradually losing market share until they disappeared.

What a terrifying yet beautiful young lady.

She thought to herself, then stood up, raising her glass.

“Thank you, Lady Lacey, for your help. May you stay forever young and beautiful.” As she rose, other merchant association representatives also stood up, joining in the toast.

“May the trade winds never cease, may the long sails billow, and may the treasures of the seven seas arrive as promised.”

The representatives present recited this ancient blessing in unison, representing the local trading spirit and contractual beliefs of Vegar since ancient times. It was also the most famous maritime toast.

“Cheers!” ×N

Amidst laughter and merriment, the banquet gradually came to a close.

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Tisphone family, study.

“Edley, the delegation from Ruluna will arrive in two days. Have you made up your mind?”

“Made up my mind about what? Killing Angus’s daughter?” Edley asked from the sofa.

“I didn’t say that, but once she cooperates with Ruluna officially, it will be much harder for us to make a move. By then, the organization will also side with Carithes.”

“Verdant has been somewhat unstable internally for the past two years. Some grand nobles have already started suggesting to the emperor to restart the war to divert conflicts.”

“The Dragon of Ill Omen, huh? Heh. Who else but the Basca family would be so eager and bold?” Edley guessed confidently.

The Basca family was the southern duke of the Verdant Empire, or one could say king, as their fiefdom combined with those of their vassals was larger than the Western Wind Kingdom. Being close to Ruluna, they could quickly gather nearly five hundred thousand troops to the border, and if fully mobilized, could summon around 1.2 million soldiers.

Their family crest was a red dragon on a black background, also known as the Dragon of Ill Omen. The family possessed the complete advancement path for the Dragon Sequence 8 · Nightmare Dragon Jabberwock. Their ancestors were a branch of the Verdant royal family, so they had always been deeply trusted, guarding the empire’s wealthy south. They were also one of the four great ducal families of the Verdant Empire.

The other three were the Trey family with their gray raven crest, the Landswarth family with their white unicorn on a blue background, and the Sarius family with their griffin on a gold background.

“The Dragons of Ill Omen have always been warlike. The Ravens won’t leave the northern border. It depends on what the Unicorns and Griffins think. If the Dragons of Ill Omen can ally with one of them, the war that’s been quiet for a hundred years will erupt again.”

“Our organization needs to integrate the Snow Flower Seven Countries as quickly as possible. Vegar is a crucial part of this.”

“Only in this way can we, the descendants of fallen countries, continue to live on. Otherwise, when the nest falls, there will be nowhere to hide.” Wick slowly analyzed the situation.

Edley closed his eyes in thought. He hadn’t expected things to change so quickly. According to the original plan, they should have secretly caused some trouble for Carithes, then he would appear to help solve the problems, gaining Lacey’s favor. Ideally, she would marry him, giving him control over everything Carithes owned.

If that didn’t work, he could gain her trust and then easily take control, gradually absorbing Carithes.

But man proposes, God disposes. This civil war in Western Wind had disrupted everything. No one had expected that the peasant uprisings, which happened almost every year, would be so powerful this time, directly defeating Western Wind’s northern allied forces on the battlefield. Suddenly, various parts of Western Wind were in chaos, affecting southern Vegar as well.

“Let’s not make a move yet. I’ll go visit that master the organization sent over recently,” Edley opened his eyes, having made a decision.

“You mean that person? I don’t think those alchemists who care so much about their reputation will directly help us.”

“Many things are not about whether to do them, but merely about the price being right,” Edley smiled.

“I’ll give him an offer he can’t refuse,” he said, putting on his coat and leaving the study.

Watching Edley leave, Wick continued to sit on the sofa, slowly sipping his coffee, silent for a long time.

“My clever brother… Now you’ve been bewitched by that Lady Lacey, even abandoning your longtime coldness.”

“If that’s the case, let me help you cut off this undue fantasy.”

He slowly finished his drink, gently placed the cup on the coffee table, then began to summon some hidden figures.

The desolate autumn wind picked up. Outside Hopland port, sailing ships began to set sail, preparing to travel along the coastline to the northern Western Wind Kingdom. Accompanying them were personnel from the other twelve merchant associations. The ships were loaded with large quantities of food, which Western Wind urgently needed, provided by the Methyl and Rhea merchant associations.

“Goodbye, Uncle Fang. I hope to hear more about the Eastern Continent from you next time.”

Loranhil waved to a middle-aged man wearing a white robe with scale-like patterns at the port, then watched as the fleet raised its sails and set off.

This uncle was the nephew of the Easterner that Angus had saved years ago, now the leader of the ‘Trade Wind’ fleet. According to his description, the Eastern Continent was very similar to the ancient times of Loranhil’s previous world’s ancestral country, with people wearing elaborate clothing and valuing etiquette. This made the young lady very curious, and she had listened to many stories about the Eastern Continent from him over the past few days.

“Haha, I’m glad the young lady enjoys listening. Well, old Bai is setting off now. We’ll see each other in two months.” The uncle laughed and waved, his wide sleeves billowing in the wind. Such unique Eastern attire was rarely seen in Vegar.

Seagulls circled overhead, and the sea breeze blew. The vast fleet began to weigh anchor, heading towards the setting sun, accompanied by the purple-red evening glow, gradually disappearing into the distance.