In the tundra, the concept of full-body armor doesn’t exist.
To begin with, iron is scarce; furthermore, metallurgy isn’t developed enough to craft full-body armor, and wearing it over thick clothes for the cold restricts movement far too much.
On top of that, due to the tundra’s inferior metallurgy compared to the Empire’s and the extreme cold, metal can stick to the skin easily and be difficult to remove.
Leather armor might still exist, but the very concept of metal armor could hardly be born in such an environment.
And yet, people described as “foreigners covered in white iron” had appeared right in the middle of the tundra?
“Where are those foreigners now?”
“They’re waiting for your response in a spot a bit farther away. It seemed unwise to let in people whose identities we didn’t know right away…”
“They’re people I know. Bring them at once. I’ll personally vouch for their identity.”
“Yes!”
At Lucian’s sharp tone, Ainar ran off without delay.
Even among full suits of armor, those colored white were extremely rare.
And if it was an entire group equipped with that kind of armor, Lucian knew only one possibility.
As expected, shortly after, a group of people arrived in a rush and knelt before Lucian.
“Gynobi Clover, of the Blue Rose Knight Order, greets the duke, Your Highness!”
“Moritz, of the same order, greets the duke, Your Highness!”
“I also…!”
At the greetings of the Blue Rose Knight Order, Lucian nodded.
The armor they all wore was without a doubt the treasured gear of the northern royal house, which he himself had entrusted to them before departing for the tundra.
Lucian helped the kneeling knights to their feet one by one and said.
“Welcome. I’d like to say I’m glad to see you after so long, but I’m afraid I must scold you first.”
“We deeply apologize.”
The members of the Blue Rose Knight Order flushed red in unison.
That armor was what Lucian had entrusted to them when he left, asking them to protect Asagrim while he was away.
And yet, the moment the cold lifted, they had put it on and dashed after him without a second thought.
Seen from one angle, it could be taken as a sign of distrust toward Lucian, or as having used the entrusted treasure as they pleased.
“It’s fine, let’s let it go. I was gone a long time without a word—it’s only natural you wondered if I was alive or dead. I’m not completely blameless. Let’s forget it.”
“We are grateful for Your Highness’ mercy, as vast as the sea!”
“But tell me, how did you get here? The cold only lifted five days ago… don’t tell me you were waiting this whole time in Laugrad?”
“To be precise, some members of the order took turns staying there on standby. The moment we received the report that the cold had lifted five days ago, we departed immediately on horseback.”
The path from Laugrad to the Blue Dragon Tribe was neither long nor particularly dangerous.
Even so, it used to take fifteen days to travel due to the frigid temperatures—one small mistake in energy management could mean freezing to death, so frequent rest was unavoidable.
But that cold had completely vanished recently, thanks to Lucian.
Riding without worrying about physical strain and on a clear path, they could’ve made it in three days, not just five.
Understanding the whole situation, Lucian furrowed his brow.
“That was reckless. Did you even know what was beyond the road before charging in so unprepared?”
Lucian had been sure the path was safe because he had Helen guiding him.
But the Blue Rose Knights had forged ahead without any guide, into a completely unknown world.
If there had been hidden natural traps, like cliffs covered by snowdrifts, they could have been wiped out.
“The fact that I passed through first is no excuse for you. Unlike me, who had a guide, you had no idea how to respond to an unexpected situation.”
“Your Highness’s words are a hundred times correct. We have no excuse. However, there was news we had to deliver—even at the cost of our lives and honor.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The regent of Asagrim is in a difficult situation.”
Lucian’s expression hardened.
He hadn’t expected much from Hans, but he’d thought that at least for half a year, the area would remain calm, if only out of fear of him.
However, it hadn’t been that long since he’d left, and already a problem had erupted.
“What exactly happened?”
At Lucian’s question, the knight bowed his head in shame and replied.
“The merchants have conspired and are pressuring the regent to make a decision.”
***
No territory can be completely self-sufficient in resources.
Whether it’s luxury goods or basic necessities, trading with other territories is essential to obtain what’s needed.
And the ones who connected these trade networks were, precisely, the merchants.
In a way, they were a crucial existence for the administration of a territory.
Even so, there wasn’t a single lord who treated them with special consideration.
‘Why should I treat guys well when they only trade for their own profit?’
It wasn’t mere disdain, but a statement very close to the truth.
In the end, the one who profited most from trade was the merchant, and when those profits dropped, the merchant would abandon the business without a care for the lord’s situation.
Why thank someone who, no matter how “essential” they were, only looked out for themselves?
In fact, for merchants, the territorial lord was an absolute master who could abuse his position unilaterally.
“The territory’s finances aren’t doing well, so I’ll charge a bit more tax than usual. You don’t mind, right?”
“This is unacceptable! After all I’ve given you until now, my lord!”
“Even so, I know exactly how much profit you’ve made. If you don’t like it, quit and get out.”
“…”
From the merchant’s point of view, it was unbearably unfair, but there weren’t many alternatives.
Setting aside the difference in status, the moment they lost the right to trade, the losses were far too great.
If they couldn’t trade in that territory, they risked losing an important trading post or even a major partner entirely.
To make matters worse, there were always vultures circling—competitors waiting to snatch up any freed-up trade rights.
‘Even if it’s dirty and unfair, I have no choice but to obey the lord. If I recklessly defy him, all my trade rights will end up in the hands of my rivals.’
Even after turbulent times began, merchants’ situations didn’t improve.
No, they actually got much worse than in peaceful times.
It was a world where even territorial lords could lose their land and be beheaded over a single mistake. In such a setting, with no room to think about the future, what would happen if a merchant showed up with something urgent?
In the blink of an eye, he’d be beheaded, and everything he brought to trade would be stolen.
And now, when signs of chaos were already appearing, not only were they trying to collude, but they were threatening the lord regent?
“Explain in detail. What exactly have these merchants done?”
“Not only have they raised the price of necessities for the people several times over, they’re also demanding exclusive trade rights for certain products.”
“And the regent? Did he accept their demands?”
“He hasn’t accepted them, but he also can’t refuse. The merchants are taking a hard stance, saying if their terms aren’t met, there will be no trade.”
“Ah.”
Lucian ran a hand through his hair.
He finally understood the merchants’ true goal.
‘These bastards figured out Hans lacks experience and are forcing the situation on purpose.’
If Lucian himself were in charge, their attempt wouldn’t have had the slightest effect.
He could simply grit his teeth and endure losses for a few months, and the merchants would be the first to panic about their own livelihoods.
The problem was that Hans was acting as the regent.
‘It’s not the same for me to personally absorb losses as it is for Hans to make a decision that ends up hurting me.’
A trusted subordinate, precisely because of that trust, can’t make decisions that would damage their lord. Hans likely understood, in broad terms, how to deal with merchants like these.
But because the consequences wouldn’t fall on him, but on Lucian, he was trapped, unable to move forward or back.
The merchants had accurately exploited this fundamental limitation of the “regent” role.
‘Clever, I’ll give them that but now that I think about it, something feels off. Do they not plan to keep trading long-term?’
They had clearly identified Asagrim’s weakness and hit it directly.
If Hans accepted the deal, Lucian—having granted Hans full authority—would have no choice but to honor the agreement.
But what about the resentment it would cause? That, they couldn’t control.
They might get a huge one-time profit, but when Lucian unleashed his fury afterward, it would end in a bloodbath.
“Who’s the ringleader? There’s no way all the merchants went insane at once. Someone has to be leading this.”
It’s one thing to be able to do something, and another to dare to do it. No matter how great the profit, if the merchants were in their right mind, they’d never dream of such blatant blackmail.
If they still went through with it, then someone had pushed them—someone who claimed they’d take responsibility.
“Even if it’s only a hunch, tell me who’s acting as their representative.”
“It’s the Dominic Merchant Guild. Though they claim they’re all equals, when it comes to important matters, they’re always the first to move.”
“Dominic? Don’t tell me you mean the Dominic Merchant Guild led by Dominic the Steel?”
“That’s right.”
“Ha.”
So it was Dominic, after all.
Seven forked tongues, a man cursed with every breath, target of every assassin.
That scum, infamous across the continent in Lucian’s past life—was he twisting around again, unable to let go of his old ways?
‘Actually, this might work in my favor. If Dominic’s the opponent, then there’s no need for me to hold back either.’
The corner of Lucian’s lips curled up.
If the other party wasn’t thinking about consequences, then Lucian had no reason to, either. And, of course, his way of responding was simple.
“I get the general picture now. But I still have matters to handle here, so I can’t return immediately. Instead, deliver this message to the regent.”
“Please tell me.”
“Have him accept the merchants’ proposal—but until I return, every transaction must be made on credit. Also, all exclusive trade rights are to be consolidated under the Dominic Merchant Guild.”
“…!?”
At Lucian’s order, the knights were stunned.
After all that, he was telling them to accept the merchants’ demands? And even hand all the exclusive rights over to one single guild, instead of dividing them?
“Y-Your Highness… we don’t know what your plan is, but this is far too dangerous.”
“Dangerous? What’s dangerous about it?”
“This is a huge matter. Even if they’re just merchants, if Your Highness makes a direct statement on something this major…”
The knight left the sentence unfinished, but his meaning was clear.
This wasn’t some passing whim, but a deal involving massive profits.
No matter how absolute a lord’s position was over merchants, a contract of this magnitude couldn’t be casually broken.
If it were, the lord’s name and credibility would be in ruins.
The merchants whose contract was invalidated might be ruined, but the lord would carry the stain on his reputation for life.
However, Lucian brushed off the knight’s concern with a short reply.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of breaking my promise to those guys.”
“You mean you plan to accept all their demands?”
“No.”
Lucian smiled slightly and said.
“Before I even lift a finger, the Dominic Merchant Guild will be the one to break the contract.”
____
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