Even If I Kneel

Kebir thought for a moment and said to Butler Hank, "Send someone to invite all the members of the Grain Association. Be polite to the nobles, and be direct with the commoners."

"Yes, Master," Butler Hank quickly responded and turned to leave. Not long after, the members of the Grain Association arrived at Kebir's villa.

There were eight people in total, including Kebir. Three were nobles, and five were wealthy commoner merchants. The president was Fulton, a hereditary Viscount, and he was the last to arrive.

Upon receiving the news, Kebir personally came to the mahogany gate on the first floor to greet him.

"Welcome, Lord Fulton," Kebir said, bowing humbly to the president.

Viscount Fulton was sixty years old, with a noble face, meaning he was handsome. He was tall and had a very peaceful demeanor.

"Kebir. What's so urgent? I was learning to paint from Madam Vicky," Viscount Fulton complained, his face showing annoyance.

"What nonsense about painting, it's probably an affair," Kebir cursed inwardly. Many people knew that Madam Vicky, a famous painter in Will City, was the president's plaything.

"I am truly sorry, but something extremely urgent has come up." Kebir bowed and apologized again.

Viscount Fulton's expression turned slightly serious, and then Kebir led Mr. Fulton inside.

Kebir first invited Viscount Fulton to sit down, then bowed slightly to everyone and explained the situation.

The others did not have as much information as Kebir. The other four wealthy grain merchants were greatly shocked and became indignant.

Viscount Fulton and the other two nobles observed with cold detachment. Viscount Fulton even casually crossed his legs.

This was awkward.

Kebir and the others knew they had no power to contend with the Empire's five Knights. They could only rely on the strength of these three nobles.

"Noah Company is making a strong move, Lord Fulton, what do you think?" Kebir asked cautiously.

"The Empire belongs to the nobles. Since the five Imperial Knights are interested in the grain business, why don't you yield some of your profits?" Viscount Fulton said with a slight smile, as if discussing a trivial matter.

The other two nobles chimed in agreement.

This immediately chilled Kebir and the other wealthy merchants, and they cursed inwardly.

"These people who used to call us brothers are now turning their backs on us in the blink of an eye."

But they were helpless. Noah Company was targeting the market share of the wealthy merchants, not Viscount Fulton and the other nobles.

The influence of five Imperial Knights, even retired ones, was not to be underestimated in Will City. Why would Viscount Fulton and the others go out of their way to help the wealthy merchants fight against these people?

Kebir and the others had no other recourse but to send off these three noble lords as if they were honored guests. Before leaving, these three noble lords were very relaxed. Viscount Fulton kept praising Madam Vicky's paintings, perfectly embodying the saying, "Let others die, but not me."

The remaining five wealthy grain merchants, including Kebir, stayed to defend their common interests, but they had no good solutions. In the end, Kebir asked the other commoner merchants to wait for news at the villa.

He then took a carriage to the villa outside the city owned by Knight Victor to negotiate.

However, when Kebir arrived at Victor's villa, he was immediately met with a cold reception.

"Who did you say you are?" The gatekeeper, the same old man who would smile and invite Colin in when he saw him, looked up at Kebir with aged eyes, as if he were hard of hearing.

"I am Kebir, the president of the Will City Grain Association," Kebir said helplessly.

"Who are you?" The old gatekeeper looked innocent, tilting his head to expose his ear to Kebir.

Kebir had no choice but to lean close to the old gatekeeper's ear and shout.

"Why are you shouting? I'm not deaf," the old gatekeeper said angrily.

Kebir understood then that he was being deliberately obstructed. He cursed Knight Victor half to death in his heart. "These arrogant nobles."

Kebir engaged in a lengthy back-and-forth with the old gatekeeper before finally being allowed through the iron gate. Afterward, Victor's butler led the way, escorting Kebir to the living room on the second floor.

Knight Victor sat on the sofa, his expression calm.

"Lord Victor, I am Kebir, the vice president of the Grain Association," Kebir said, bending his waist very low in a show of deference.

Knight Victor didn't even stand up, let alone have a maid serve tea and refreshments. He wore a look of noble reserve and asked indifferently, "Hello, Kebir. What brings you here?"

Kebir was immune to Victor's arrogance. Like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, he said with extreme sincerity, "It's about Noah Company's acquisition of grain."

"Oh. Grain acquisition? I believe there was something like that. Is there a problem with it?" Victor feigned a look of sudden realization and asked.

"Lord Victor. Please be merciful and let us off the hook. As a token of our gratitude, we are willing to yield some of our profits." As Victor continued to play dumb, Kebir's posture had to become lower and lower.

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Victor's eyes, clearly tempted. Their current actions were entirely illegal. Although the matter might reach the Nobility Council, and the nobles would favor them, it would still take time and money to argue.

It was like killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own. If the other party yielded some profits, and everyone could share in the spoils, it would be a peaceful resolution.

However, Victor knew that this matter was not something he could decide alone. Victor thought for a moment and finally brought Colin Russell into the conversation, saying meaningfully, "Kebir, you may not know that I recently took on an apprentice. This apprentice is named Smith Russell. And the controller of that Noah Company is not me, nor the other four Knights. It is Colin Russell."

Colin Russell.

A thunderous roar echoed in Kebir's mind, followed by a lightning strike that made his eyes water and his ears ring.

During the swordsmanship class at Will Knight Academy, Colin Russell had defeated his son, Brian. Unable to accept this, he had used his influence to get Smith Russell fired from the Ministry of Finance.

He had thought it was a minor issue. The other party was merely a fallen noble, a poor wretch possessing only a surname and bloodline. Their own family, on the other hand, was flourishing, not only wealthy but also having "good" private connections with many nobles. Dealing with them was a simple matter.

He never expected that this simple matter would end up causing such severe damage.

Kebir understood the cause and effect, but he became even more confused. Disregarding his decorum, he pressed Victor, "Lord Victor, why? Even if you took Smith Russell as an apprentice, why would you five Imperial Lifetime Knights and Transcendent establish a company, yet the control is in Colin Russell's hands?"

Kebir couldn't comprehend it at all. Why would five dignified Imperial Knights obey a mere youngster? Were these Knights insane?

"Because Smith Russell possesses the Bronze Bloodline, and because Colin Russell is someone who can easily produce three hundred Gold Coins, which I cannot see through," Victor answered inwardly. Outwardly, his expression darkened, and he let out a soft grunt.

Kebir immediately realized he had lost his composure.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir." Kebir bowed deeply and said sincerely.

The conversation ended there. Victor did not see him out. Led by Victor's butler, Kebir left the villa and arrived outside the iron gate, boarding his carriage.

Despite having some time to process, Kebir's mind was still buzzing.

The problem was now largely clear. Colin Russell was entirely seeking revenge; there was no doubt about it. As for how he gained the upper hand in front of five Imperial Knights, that wasn't important. What was important was the terrifying power he displayed.

The nobles of the Grain Association, whom he had spent years currying favor with, were like nepotism – a gentle tug and they would expose themselves when faced with the situation.

Yet, Colin Russell had firmly controlled the five Imperial Knights, making them charge forward. Victor had even said to his face, "The company's controller is not me."

This comparison made it clear how formidable this Colin Russell was.

And he had driven Colin Russell's brother, Smith Russell, out of the Ministry of Finance, in addition to the grievances Brian had at school.

"This bastard, how could I have been so accurate to give birth to such a foolish son?" Kebir knew he was in big trouble. While anxious, he cursed Brian half to death.

No matter how difficult it was, even if he had to grovel, he had to appease the other party. Kebir had this resolve in his heart. He straightened his clothes and said in a deep voice to his coachman, "Go, back to Wright Street. To the Russell family."