I'll Die Before You, My Lord

Henry was drenched in sweat, but he felt refreshed as he began washing up with Bain.

There was mildly irritating tooth powder, soap for washing the body, and refreshing perfume... Who knew how many new things maritime trade and desert caravans had brought in?

Fortunately, Henry had no intention of inventing anything. Otherwise, he would surely end up smashing his head against a wall.

He could not protect such things.

If he had the ability to protect them, he could simply wait for others to invent them.

Why would an overlord bother with inventions?

After breakfast provided by Earl John, Henry changed into an Imperial Robe and put on his noble crest.

At eight in the morning, Henry brought Bain to the Imperial Office and formally signed contracts with the merchants under the witness of Imperial officials.

Yes, this enormous institution, with offices in every city across the Empire, was simply called the Imperial Office... Such a simple name, yet it was the Empire's most formidable institution!

The Imperial Office could handle almost anything: business partnerships, property sales, land transfers, mail delivery throughout the Empire, even tax inspections and bank deposits.

When Henry had been in the Capital, Imperial Office officials had even tried to sell him financial products.

These small merchants had arrived far earlier than Henry. To them, this partnership was their chance to turn their fortunes around!

The dozen or so merchants were all modestly established small business owners, neither particularly successful nor particularly unsuccessful.

One person's supply channels were limited, but the combined strength of a group was enough to contend with the owners of large Trade Guilds.

The nobles who had spent years on the border were not their targets. This newcomer, Henry, held far more investment value than Baron Sula, Baron Nurland, and the others.

Those people were now exiled nobles!

They had all lost their Fiefs, but their circumstances were completely different.

One had built up his power for years only to be beaten into a homeless dog, while the other was an upstart from elsewhere who had yet to show his capabilities.

One was the fading glow of the setting sun, while the other was a rising sun!

After signing the contracts, Henry smiled at the dozen or so small merchants. "A pleasure doing business with you, gentlemen. I hope we will have more opportunities to work together in the future, and that our friendship will endure."

The merchants responded in turn, looking forward to further cooperation. Then Henry and Bain left the Imperial Office.

"Harry, do you think our trade with Knight Henry will proceed normally?"

"Bern, we have already received the deposit. At the very least, we will not lose money on this deal. Do not overthink it.

If you ask me, Knight Henry must care even more about this major partnership than we do. He is an ambitious man."

Harry and Bern were the two most important among the dozen or so merchants who had signed contracts with Henry.

Harry dealt in weapons, while Bern dealt in grain.

Merchants like them, who traded traditional goods, faced the fiercest competition. Every deal and investment was like walking on a knife's edge. One mistake meant total ruin.

Those old behemoths of the commercial world would swallow them whole.

And if they wanted to go further, to get a larger share of the limited market, they needed an opportunity! Henry was their opportunity!

"More than 8,700 Denars... 870,000 Sous. That is enough to support three thousand people for a year. Our partner is about to make a name for himself on the Eastern Border."

Bern nodded. Knight Henry's wealth was outrageously deep. That much liquid capital would be enough to severely strain even some wealthy Barons.

Meanwhile, Henry and Bain were on their way back to the Earl's Mansion. Bain did not understand why Henry was wandering around so leisurely. Henry had never done anything so pointless before.

"My lord, are you looking for something?"

Henry smiled and shook his head. "I am waiting for money to blow in on the wind."

Bain was puzzled. Henry had just spent more than 8,700 Denars as a deposit. That was all of Henry's wealth. Could it be... that he had spent too much too suddenly and gone mad from excitement?

Money blowing in on the wind? How strong would the wind have to be? Bain sighed softly. If Henry had really gone mad, then he could only protect him with his Lance. That was all he knew how to do.

Bain had not attended many academic classes and only recognized a few words. As a Retainer, he had devoted himself entirely to swordsmanship and combat. He could not allow Henry to be harmed while he was nearby.

He did not understand why Henry had spent all his savings. That was more than 8,700 Denars. Even the elite Lancers of the Imperial Legion, the highest-paid soldiers, only received 1,200 Sous a month, or 120 silver coins—just 12 Denars.

Perhaps after Henry went bankrupt and the two of them ended up wandering the streets, he could take Henry begging? He had some experience with that, at least. He would not let Henry starve to death.

Just as Bain's thoughts were running wild, a lavishly dressed middle-aged man stopped Henry.

He wore the typical merchant's robe woven from silk. It distinguished him from commoners in cloth garments, Linen Clothes, and leather clothing, displaying his wealth.

At the same time, it would not offend the nobles by seeming too presumptuous. After all, only nobles could wear Imperial Robes made from silk supplied by the Southern Trade Route.

At the very least, one had to be a sword-bearing court noble or a Knight.

Bain darted between the two men and drew his sword at the man blocking their path.

"Hello, Knight Henry. Please forgive my interruption."

Henry smiled and nodded. "Hello. I hope you did not stop me merely to chat."

Bain sheathed his Knight Sword at his waist and stood to one side, watching the middle-aged man. Damn it, why could these people not greet them properly from a distance?

The middle-aged man turned sideways and said respectfully, "Knight Henry, my employer wishes to discuss a business deal with you, but for certain reasons, he hopes to speak with you at the Opera House...

Knight Henry, I hope you understand. My employer's identity is special, and he cannot meet you personally at the moment. It would cause unnecessary trouble."

Henry nodded and followed the middle-aged man toward the Opera House.

Bain leaned close to Henry and whispered, "My lord, is this someone coming to give us money?"

"Probably."

"That is wonderful. I thought we were going bankrupt."

Henry looked at Bain. "Maybe today we can trade your Travel Horse for a Warhorse."

Bain's eyes instantly lit up! A Warhorse? A Warhorse!

The Empire was no longer as short of horses as it had been centuries ago. The Eastern Grasslands, Western Plains, and Southern Desert had multiplied the Empire's horse population, and Cavalry was no longer synonymous with nobles.

However, fine Warhorses, especially the tall and imposing Noble Warhorses, were still extremely expensive. They were generally bought up by the Imperial royal family and great nobles.

The finest Warhorses could sell for more than 6,500 Sous, while the finest Noble Warhorses could even sell for 26,000 Sous! That was 260 Denars, a figure that city Free People and rural farmers would never see in their entire lives.

The most crucial thing was the connections. It was not something one could buy just by having money. Henry's Noble Warhorse had been bestowed by the King. Otherwise, Henry would never have had access to such a horse.

Bain even imagined himself in armor, riding a Warhorse. That would surely be the most perfect moment of his life!

"My lord, if we both have to die on the battlefield, I will definitely die before you."

Sometimes, words of loyalty did not need to be elegant or refined. A foolish sentence spoken from the heart could move someone beyond measure.

Henry nodded and lightly punched Bain. "It would be best if neither of us died, wouldn't it?"

Bain grinned broadly. "Of course. My lord was first at the academy and champion of the Arena Tournament six times."

Soon, Henry arrived at the Opera House and was led by the middle-aged man to its top floor.

"Knight Henry, my employer is in the innermost room. Your Retainer and I will wait here."

Bain looked at Henry and remained behind after receiving his signal.

When the middle-aged man saw Henry enter the room, he said to the tense Bain, "Hello. Your lord will not be in any danger. Please do not worry."

Bain nodded, but his right hand remained on the hilt of his sword as he warily watched his surroundings.

Inside the room, Henry sat facing an old man. They observed each other without saying a word.

Henry casually poured himself a cup of Black Tea and said to the old man, "Old man, I can understand that you are too old to salute me, but I cannot tolerate you failing to introduce yourself, merchant."

The old man came back to his senses and said with a chuckle, "My name is Pedro Silva. I am an Honorary Baron under Earl John. The Opera House and Arena in Audoh are my properties."

Henry nodded. "Henry Bro, second son of the Baron Chas Family from the former Free City Ficaon Area. I have now received the King's investiture. I am the head of an independent family, a vassal of the King, and Lord of West Lyme."

Henry was unimpressed by Pedro's supposed title of Honorary Baron. Perhaps Pedro could throw his weight around within Earl John's territory, but before Henry, he was insignificant.

Henry was a vassal of the King with real authority. Even as a Knight, he was legally equal to Earl John within the Empire and could possess his own Fief.

And Pedro? He was a vassal's vassal, an Honorary Noble with an empty title, similar to the King's court nobles.

Pedro sensed Henry's displeasure and immediately said, "Knight Henry, I wish to discuss a deal with you, but because of my special status, I can only speak with you here."

Henry mocked him. "Pedro... sir, you are afraid of angering Earl John, yet you dare come to discuss business with me? Do you take me for a fool? If Earl John comes to dislike me, do you know how greatly that will affect the development of my future territory?!"

Pedro smiled as he refilled Henry's Black Tea and handed him several letters.

Henry snorted, took the letters, and opened them to read...