Ⅰ
Bette Territory, Rondohart Port.
Inside a secret room, three thick candles on a silver candlestick illuminated the entire space. The ceramic round table and stools bore the unmistakable style of the early Empire era.
Beneath the table and stools lay a predominantly white handmade rug. The gold at its corners marked it as a relic of the Holy Age.
Everyone knew that both Empire-era furniture and Holy Age carpets perfectly embodied one word-
Expensive!
Sought after by nobles.
Admired from afar by commoners.
Such was the legacy those two eras had left behind.
Of course, these were only a small fraction of what the room held. The oil paintings on the walls and the jewels in the display cabinets included no shortage of masterpieces by renowned artisans.
Even Greisa Hamlet thought Depro was being far too extravagant.
It was not that the Golden Lion Family lacked the wealth to purchase the same things, but Little Lion needed to invest more of his money where it mattered.
The guards at his side.
The hidden pawns and death warriors he had deployed.
And the extraordinary individuals he had recruited.
All of these required gold coins.
Maintaining them afterward cost even more staggering sums.
Yet apart from surprise, Little Lion felt neither envy nor jealousy.
After all, these things would soon belong to him.
Once Depro was dead.
His estate would naturally become Little Lion's.
While calculating Depro's worth inwardly, Little Lion wore a warm smile. Looking at Depro across from him, who appeared to be thinking with his eyes closed though his breathing had long since become erratic, he spoke softly-
"What are you worried about?
Relax.
Nothing will go wrong with the plan."
Little Lion spoke with absolute confidence.
He would not allow himself to fail again.
He had been