I became the sick nobelman

Chapter 28 - You have to take care of yourself (3)

***

Tak.

Cassion carefully put the documents down on the table.

Ruel coughed lightly before looking at Jirie.

The man looked a little surprised.

"Have you already gone there...?"

"What will you give me if I give you this?"

Ruel pointed at the documents.

It was too important for Jirie to refer to it as simply this.

Not only was Ruel able to restore the people's lost trust, he was also able to improve public opinion and get a chance to reverse the losses he had suffered.

Rather than glancing at the documents, Jirie looked at the man he previously thought was weak.

'It's fun.'

Jirie's heart swelled.

As long as Ruel had the power and strength, it was possible to make his face immediately touch the floor.

But Jirie wanted to make a deal with him.

The difference between other nobles and him was so interesting.

"What do you want?"

For the first time, Jirie handed over the initiative to his opponent.

What he didn't have was power.

The essence of merchants was to build up capital by clinging onto those in power and using their influence.

However, Jirie didn't attach himself to anybody.

Was it because the aristocrats who claim themselves to be noble and the barons under their feet dirty?

It wasn't.

He was a dirty merchant himself.

But it was pathetic.

The ones he saw were all the same, only the names and faces were different.

Things that shone the more one wiped them, things that were old but valuable because of their old age.

Jirie had seen so many of such things that he didn't find interest in them.

But Ruel sparkled.

Who said he was a weak nobleman?

Who said he was a poor Lord?

"You."

His arrogant smile, his desire to possess, and his blatant intentions were so bright.

There was a smile on Jirie's face.

"You mean me?"

"Yeah."

The value didn't match. Jirie closed his eyes for a moment.

After he sold Beto's Merchant, he ceased all his plans without hesitation.

He didn't need it anymore.

But Ruel appeared.

'Yeah, it's kind of an investment.'

Seeing the smile Jirie gave, Ruel already knew he would accept. Jirie made a joke without hesitation.

"I'm expensive."

"For a failing upper-class merchant, you've got a lot of pride."

"I failed because I had the pride to not beg."