Chapter 85 (1)


    <i>Bonus chapter thanks to @SuperLazerBeam''s continued subscription to Dwarven Sovereigns on Ko-fi!</i>


    <b>Guild Meeting #2(1)</b>


    With only a week left until the guild meeting hosted by the guild leader, an unwee guest visited Benjamin, the owner of the Lyon Bank and the leader of the guild.


    "Um..."


    "That is the intention of Prince Ryan. He made it clear that if you support someone other than him in the uing Crown War, you will have to pay a hefty price for it."


    The person who unexpectedly visited Benjamin was an imperial military officer dressed in a neat military uniform. He was a follower of Ryan Tepez, the first prince of the empire, and his purpose for meeting the leader of the Lyon Guild was to deliver a direct warning from the first prince.


    "Now, look here. How am I supposed to respond when you suddenlye to me with such words? Everyone knows that the Lyon Guild receives the protection of the Sinir family."


    "That doesn''t matter to Prince Ryan. What he cares about is the uing Crown War, and everyone involved in it should take his warning to heart."


    The imperial military officer continued.


    "And as you may have heard, Prince Ryan has no mercy."


    "No mercy, you say..."


    "Have you not heard any rumors about Prince Ryan?"


    "I knew that the Tepez family was originally cruel and ruthless. It has always been such a family."


    "He is a true heir to that family''s blood. So, it would be best for you not to support the third prince in the uing Crown War."


    Benjamin, who found himself in a difficult position, naturally argued.


    "Then what about the Sinir family''s opinion? What should I do about that?"


    The visiting imperial military officer smiled faintly.


    "That''s not our concern."


    "Not our concern, you say..."


    "I am only here to convey Prince Ryan''s warning. The decision is entirely up to you, Benjamin."


    ''This is crazy. I never thought it woulde to this.''


    The Crown War was an age-old tradition of the imperial family, which valued the survival of the fittest and the strong preying on the weak. The war was their unique way of selecting the crown prince from among the princes who inherited the emperor''s blood. Only one prince could survive and attain the status of crown prince and the title of emperor.


    ''Why should we be involved in the Crown War? All we need to do is quietly do our business.''


    Benjamin could not simply ept this and tried to show some backbone.


    "Look here. Do you think I''ll just blink at that? We''re under the protection of the Sinir family. If you mess with us, the Sinir family won''t stay quiet either."


    The visiting officerughed, seemingly finding Benjamin''s bravado amusing.


    "Haha, depending on the oue of the uing Crown War, Prince Ryan maypletely eliminate the Lyon Guild."


    "What? Eliminate the guild?"


    "Isn''t the bank already ostracized by the church and the academy? It''s a ce with a notorious reputation for usurious practices and is despised by the citizens of the empire. Even if all such ces were closed down, it wouldn''t be a problem, would it?"


    "Wh-who says! We''re conducting our business ording to proper procedures!"


    "If Prince Ryan bes the emperor, there''s nothing he can''t do. It''s the imperialw, after all."


    The imperial military officer, who seemed to be smirking, continued.


    "Isn''t it all ording to the emperor''s will?"


    "Ah..."


    Benjamin couldn''t help but sigh at the situation.


    Ryan Tepez, the first prince, was one of the strong candidates for the next crown prince among the various princes. Therefore, the words of the visiting imperial military officer did not sound light to Benjamin.


    ''I can''t ignore the Sinir family''s opinion, but he''s not wrong either.''


    The first prince, Ryan Tepez, received full support from the swordsmanship family Tepez, while the third prince, Calman Sinir, received support from the magic family Sinir. If both princes participated in the Crown War, the position of the Lyon Guild, which received the protection of the Sinir family, would be very difficult.


    "Give me some time to think. We''re also under the protection of the Sinir family, so it''s unreasonable toe out of the blue and tell us not to support the third prince. Our guild has its own position."


    The visiting imperial military officer did not seem to be in a hurry.


    However, that did not mean he was considerate of Benjamin''s position.


    "We will give you plenty of time to think. Prince Ryan will likely visit Lyon soon for matters rted to the magic stone tanks, so you can think until then."


    "Wait. Prince Ryan ising to Lyon soon?"


    "Yes, the schedule hasn''t been set yet, but he''ll be visiting soon. It will probably be right after the suppression of the Yormungand Revolutionary Army."


    "Heh... I heard that the suppression of the Revolutionary Army is almost over."


    "That''s why he''ll being soon."


    The visiting imperial military officer, seemingly satisfied, delivered his final words to Benjamin.


    "Then, I believe Benjamin will make a wise decision. If Benjamin and the guild members want to continue doing business as they have been, that is."


    After the imperial military officer left and Benjamin was alone in his office, he began to ponder, wrapping his head in his hands.


    ''Damn it! To hell with...''


    However, all that came to mind were curses about the current situation.


    ''The world ising to an end with that madman, warmonger Prince Ryan visiting Lyon? If the suppression of the Revolutionary Army is over, that means he''ll being soon.''


    In the midst of preparing for the guild meeting, the visit of Ryan, the first prince, who was a strong candidate for the crown prince, also became a headache for Benjamin.


    ''I know he''s a merciless person like the rumors say. After all, the Tepez family is known for that.''


    A swordsmanship family notorious for its cruelty andck of mercy.


    Historically, members of the Tepez family were described as madmen who were consumed by madness, ughtering their enemies and reveling in the carnage.


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