Conference, Competition

In the capital of the Forger Empire, Lindgram, where many Nobles had gathered for the prior conference, Zelia Chatelain, the Three of Hearts, and her companion, the Five of Hearts named Cartwell Heffen sat, conversing. While the gathering of the Lesser Nobles had finished, there was still the matter of the High conference, where not only Lesser and Higher Nobles would gather. This consisted of the Lesser Nobles, as well as the Dukes, Marquess’s, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons of the various Higher Nobility Houses that were scattered throughout the Western Continent.

Besides them, the appointed individuals of both the Senate and the Centurian Assembly would be present. The Centurian Assembly consisted of four-hundred individuals, and the Senate six-hundred. So, of these thousand elected government officials, they were also to be present in another capacity, as members of several associations that managed other aspects of government. This included members of the Trade Commission, which organised and oversaw the laws of trade under the guidance of the Centurian Assembly. The Censor Commission was also present, which conducted census projects on the citizens of the Empire. The Environmental Commission, which had lowly capacity, was responsible for making sure that technological evolution didn’t encroach too harshly on the environment. In majour capacity, the Judicial Caucus also made their appearance at the High conference, as a section of elected judges who oversaw matters of state law, and infractions of such.

Of course, this was all to say that the High conference was a big endeavour. It was to such a degree that it was the only time of the year that the Emperor, Cassander Barron II, would make an appearance. Alongside him, his Twin Consuls, two politically-opposed figures hand-picked from the Emperor’s Senate would accompany him to the High conference.

So, Zelia and Cartwell remained in the capital in order to attend.

Zelia Chatelain was a widow, a woman who had lost her husband. This would often be a precarious situation for a woman. However, the Chatelain family was equivalent to the position of a Marquess. As they had pioneered the industry surrounding the artificial manufacturing and refinement of Iyasul Crystals, a strange self-reproducing mineral that would form on the shores of Sautoise, which were incredibly important in circuit manufacturing for electric-based machinery.

In comparison, Cartwell Heffen was a commoner- of no status or renown. Officially, he was her attendant. Unofficially, he was her closest friend and confidant.

Still, this meant it was both their right and duty to attend the High conference. Yet, despite it, they couldn’t bring themselves to be excited. They were still somewhat shaken from events that had occurred a week prior.

“That One of Spades is too much of a wild card…” Zelia murmured. “One minute he will be docile, and the next he will be a terrifying entity…”

She placed a hand against the side of her face, a headache assaulting her once-calm mood.

“It’s hard to tell whether he’ll be ‘Mr. Ophelia’ or ‘Lumière Croft’ at any point in time…” Zelia sighed. “What if we address him wrong? Will he take offense and kill us? What a situation we’ve ended up in…”

“There’s a hard connection between us and Mr. Ophelia through the seal of the contract.”

Cartwell lifted up his arm, of which the sleeves had been rolled up, to reveal the bright emerald runes that swirled wildly on his skin.

“He may have some method of listening to us, and is hearing what we’re saying right now. If you’ve become aware of this, then watch your words carefully.” Cartwell warned, eyeing the edge of the blade he kept at his side. It had grown warped in recent times, and sharpening it was a necessity to ensure his and his mistress’s safety at the High conference. Such was an occasion for plots. Not all Nobles agreed with each other, after all.

“Still… don’t you think Lumière Croft is kind of adorable? He’s like a small animal- helpless and lost, isn’t he?” Zelia laughed slightly. “Of course, that’s when that acting of his fails- you can really tell that behind that crazed persona, he’s like a cute little puppy.”

“Do you think that he would take offense to that if he were to hear it? You probably shouldn’t say such things aloud. After all, at the heart of the One of Spades, he’s a heretic. Acting or not, he’s prone to perform crazy actions brazenly. You could find yourself in danger if you anger him suddenly.” Cartwell responded calmly while tying the laces on his boots. “Lumière Croft is no demon, but he may be a monster.”

“Technically, isn’t he the host of a demon, if not a demon himself?” Zelia smiled. “Perhaps your way of thinking is flawed.”

“Whatever the case may be, I wouldn’t call Mr. Ophelia a monster. He was kind enough to allow us to keep our lives, after all. You would do well to remember that.” Cartwell spoke calmly. “It likely won’t be the last time we see him, so we shouldn’t fall into the habit of speaking ill of him.”

Zelia leaned on her hand as she ruminated the thought.

“Still, crazy or not, wouldn’t it be better for us to try and befriend that One of Spades? If we are the friends of the Host, then perhaps Mr. Ophelia would treat us kinder in return.” Zelia nodded her head. “Isn’t ensuring our safety the foremost problem?”

“Our foremost problem is the High conference, so stop getting lost in thought.” As Cartwell sheathed his blade, he threw a package filled with thin paper over to Zelia. “The Courier delivered the dress from the Tailor’s, so put it on quickly. We’ve places to be.”

“Right, right.” Zelia sighed. Her gaze fell over towards the window, where the sun had begun to set.

‘Really, why is that Lumière Croft genuinely enthralling of a figure, despite being so terrifying?’
---

Back in Leiden, where rain had overtaken the sky and the ground, Juno, the Four of Hearts slipped a brimmed hat onto his head while walking through the busy streets. Of course, it could be said that despite recent events, a businessman was still keen on doing business. Unlike Zelia Chatelain and Cartwell Heffen, Juno didn't view falling under the Demon of the Garden's control as anything overtly terrifying. In fact, as a man who loved to glean new experiences from every facet of his life, cooperating with Ophelia was somewhat exciting to him.

Of course, this was all contingent on the fact that Juno remained safe under Ophelia’s contract. This wasn’t one of the promises offered to him when accepting the contract. It was only merely implied, and therefore meant that at any time he could become victim to the ploys of the Demon. However, the implication was enough for someone like Juno, who sought the thrills of knowledge and gain.

‘I was being a bit too casual in the beginning.’ Juno ruminated as he walked. Smog filled the air, pouring out from the factories in the distance. ‘At the time I sold Lumière Croft that weapon, it was certainly Lumière. However, it may have been that the Demon of the Garden was already using him as a host at that time. I wonder if he took offense to my brazenness. I’ll have to be far more careful in the future… however, I can’t dispel this urge to learn more. It’s such a fascinating situation I’ve found myself in.”

Juno took a turn into a dark alley, where nothing but broken glass and trash scattered about. In the lower borough, especially in Etten-Leur, this was a common sight. It was something Juno had grown used to. As a former soldier in the Great war, this was a beautiful sight in comparison to the sea of blood.

He eventually reached a door guarded by a singular man. The man, despite his bulky countenance, had an anxious expression upon his face once he saw Juno standing before him. Immediately and without hesitance, the large man opened the door for Juno, allowing him to step inside.

In the room illuminated by dim lamplight, two men sat at a round wooden table. Juno immediately recognised the man closest to him as Alain Monroe, a merchant he had come to know well during his time in the war. It wasn’t a surprise to him that Alain was there. It was him who had invited Juno personally. After all, Juno was an alchemist, and in the mercantile sector, an ironclad deal was quiet valuable.

At the other end of the table, leaning back casually in his seat while surrounded by several bodyguards, a skinny yet menacing figure glanced up at Juno. He had short curly black hair and a bushy beard, almost messy in aesthetic. He wore a flat cap and his hands hovered over his lips, fiddling with the cigarette in his mouth that filled the air with the vapid scent of smoke; he was a strange and terrifying figure.

“Massimo Leonetti?” Juno questioned, removing his hat as his lips curled up into his characteristic grin. “What kind of business does the Leader of Black Rats want with us?”

“War’s craziest merchant…” The figure at the end of the table’s eyes widened, smiling as he leaned forward in his seat. “Monroe, you didn’t say you knew someone like this. Do you know how much this man’s name is worth? How did you even get him here?”

Alain Monroe grinned. “We were all soldiers, Leonetti. Some of us just came out of the war with more than others did. For me, it was the connections I gathered.”

“If you’re keen on lowering me to a simple ‘connection’, then maybe I should bring in some of mine.” Juno spoke casually, as if it were a veiled threat.

“Strength can be bought out with money. What’s to stop me from buying out your mercenaries?”

Juno let out a slight chuckle.

“Do you think you have enough money to do so?”

Massimo Leonetti’s gaze flushed as he stared up at Juno’s genial smile. It was a key element that he had forgotten. When it came to Merchants who served the Wall, Juno was the only one who had broken through it. He was the sole trusted figure between the Four Lords of Leiden’s wall. As the craziest Merchant who served in the greatest war, the knowledge of his true name was more than any wealthy man could afford. He was a target for merchants, and an ally for nobles.

“What name do you go by these days?” Leonetti asked.

“Juno. You can call me Juno.” He replied.

Juno pulled up a chair from an adjoined table, sitting off to the side, speaking as he did so.

“Well, one thing I’ve learned is that not all people can be bought out.”

“What do you base that on?” Massimo asked.

Juno glanced over towards Alain Monroe. “Do you think he had enough money to purchase my services?”

Massimo Leonetti’s eyes flickered before smiling. “No, you’re quite right. Dealing with you is a scenario filled with many oversights, it seems.”

“Enough chatter.” Alain groaned. “Get to why you called us here.”

Juno nodded in agreement. “Yes, I would like to know so as well. There are very few things that would make it worth bringing me in, in comparison to any other half-assed alchemist. Anyone else could forge a binding contract, so there must be reason why Monroe thought it important to bring me here.”

“Didn’t you hear?” Massimo Leonetti spoke coldly. “The Blackfeather Group has recently received sponsorship from the head of the Mechanicus Die Firma. The support of that genius old noble… he’s trying to lead the Blackfeather to a secure, legal path. He understands well the control that Constantine Adler has been able to establish here. If the Blackfeather Group suddenly becomes a legal authority, we won’t have any foothold to stand on.”

“So what do you plan to do about it?” Alain Monroe’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I’ll destroy them.” Massimo smiled, raising his hands to emphasise his point casually. “Of course, my plan will take a while to prepare for.”

“In the meanwhile, you’ve something to propose, yes?” Juno reached into his jacket pocket, procuring a carton of cigarettes, of which he brought out one to alight against his lips.

“You’ve been sponsored by the Lord of Ried recently, haven’t you, Monroe?” Massimo turned his attention towards Alain.

“You’ve heard?”

“Who hasn’t?” Juno chuckled. “The whole industry seems upset at Callis Alisander’s death. Who wouldn’t show interest in learning about the uprising of his rival, a lowly merchant from the belt? Of course, it stands obvious that one would learn of his sponsor straight away. Not even the cold-hearted Lord of Ried would deny involvement in such a situation.”

‘However, the reason I learned of such a development was because of my investigation into Lumière Croft. It seems that Alain Monroe has dodged a bullet. That crazy nobleman has taken interest in the One of Spades. I’m sure it’s nothing worrisome. I almost feel bad for that fool, Callister.’ Juno chuckled inwardly. ‘He has no idea of the Demon he’s chosen to deal with.’

On the topic, Massimo continued. “Right, it’s something most everyone has come to know. Now that the Mechanicus Die Firma is sponsoring the Blackfeather Group, the balance of our Black Rats’s industry will falter in the lower borough. This is where I hope you two will come in.”

Juno’s eyebrows raised slightly, amused. “You want the both of us to act as sponsors for Black Rats?”

Contrary to Juno’s expression, Alain Monroe looked almost annoyed.

“You’re aware of my associations, aren’t you? After all, even a half-rate gang leader wouldn’t dare to enter this room without looking into me first.” Alain grumbled. Upon hearing his words, the bodyguards that stood behind Massimo pulled out their firearms and pointed them at Alain and Juno, whose expressions remained unchanged.

Massimo’s eyes widened, and he frantically stood up from his seat and forcefully lowered his guard’s weapons. “Fools! Do you know who you’re pointing those toys at? You served at the same time as them, so you should know who you’re standing in a room with right now. Do you really want to die that badly? I would rather you kill yourselves right now than offend these men and take me along with you!”

As the guard’s expressions grew weary, Massimo’s gaze turned back towards Alain and Juno.

“Sorry, my men were a little hasty in their actions. Please forgive them on my behalf.”

“It’s no matter, Massimo.” Juno smiled. “However, what Monroe said stands true on my part as well. I have ties with the Blackfeather group, which I have no plans on cutting loose anytime soon. Forgetting loyalty, legality breeds profit. Joining with you is paltry return in comparison.”

‘Of course, my intention is to avoid offending Mr. Ophelia. After learning that Constantine Adler had long-since befriended Lumière Croft, this became a worry for me. Money is no matter in this situation, just my own safety.’

“So, there was really no hope in inviting you here?” Massimo sighed.

“Well, that’s not necessarily true, my friend.” Juno spoke calmly. “I cannot condone the destruction of the Blackfeather Group, but that does not dissuade competition.”

Massimo laughed wryly, almost annoyed. “How can I compete with a legal entity? Don’t you know how many avenues are opened up once you can reach a general audience?”

“So become a legal operation yourself.” Monroe grumbled, lighting a cigarette of his own. “What’s the big deal?”

“Precisely.” Juno chuckled before reaching into his jacket pocket. He threw a stack of twenty-five denomination Len notes onto the table.

“So?” Massimo grinned.

“So, start.”