Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 96: Taking Advantage

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

At 9 AM the next morning, Emerson once again arrived at the Lord's Manor, this time without deliberately making Paul wait for him.

"Hehe! Lord Grayman, you've set up quite a gathering," Emerson chuckled upon seeing the additional people in the room.

Of course, this didn't faze him. Emerson confidently took his seat from yesterday without waiting for Paul to speak, asking, "Lord Grayman, I trust you've had enough time overnight to consider?"

'Endure it Paul—' Paul silently advised himself.

Smiling, he nodded, "Sir Emerson, I have made my decision."

"For the sake of the friendship between the Kent family and the Grayman family, I have decided to accept your request regarding profit sharing. However, concerning the co-administration of Byerldine, I absolutely cannot agree. Otherwise, I would dishonor my late uncle, Ganard, and besides, the true lord of Byerldine is Malon Ganard."

"I cannot agree to your proposal regarding Byerldine," Malon interjected beside him, shaking his head.

"Oh..." Emerson looked somewhat disappointed as he shook his head.

"Lord Kent will be very disappointed," he added, staring at Paul motionlessly, and thus both sides confronted each other.

Finally, after much internal struggle, Paul compromised to his bottom line, "If the Kent family can abandon their demands on Byerldine, we can share more in terms of profit."

Then, he waited silently for Emerson's response.

Emerson continuously stroked his chin, seemingly pondering Paul's words. In truth, he had already made his decision, but he relished the feeling of "judging" the situation, watching the other side anxiously (in his view) awaiting his reply, feeling somehow that his words could determine their fate.

"Now, the entire room waits in suspense for my judgment," Emerson thought to himself.

What judgment should he render upon them?

Alas, Grayman, oh Grayman, if only you had come to greet me promptly the day before yesterday, I might have spared you now.

Unfortunately, alas, you committed the error of disrespecting me at that time and must be punished.

Intentionally waiting a while longer, Emerson finally put on a serious expression and spoke, "Paul Grayman."

"Since you have failed to make a satisfactory decision promptly to satisfy the Kent family, I, on behalf of the Earl, hereby make the following demands upon you."

"First, increase the profits to be shared with Earl Kent and Duke Fraule to one-third."

"Second, transfer the technology of papermaking and porcelain manufacturing to the Kent family."

"Third, immediately surrender half of Byerldine's territory to the Kent family."

"Fourth..."

A strange smile appeared on Emerson's initially serious face:

"... Swear allegiance to Maltz Kent, the rightful heir, in the most legal and appropriate manner."

After stating these four demands he added himself, Emerson's excitement could no longer be suppressed:

Hmph! Kneel and beg for mercy, for this is the punishment for your disrespect toward me.

Paul Grayman, as a weakling, dared not to come to see me immediately. Who does he think he is, just a nominal earl without even a knight under his command?