Laderios Family (1)

Gregory headed for the dock for an official visit to the Laderios family. The reason for this was that the Laderios estate was located on an isolated island accessible only by crossing a large river.

The dock was made of old wooden planks, creaking underfoot with every step, and sailboats anchored here and there.

Even though this was a city renowned for its advanced agriculture, the presence of such means of transport was natural in a riverside town like this.

'Still, though....'

Gregory couldn't help but wonder.

For a family at the center of commercial power, land with easier access would be far more advantageous. Gregory simply couldn't understand why they would choose an isolated island as their base.

For now, since the priority was to intimidate the head of the family, Gregory decided to put aside such trivial questions.

He then approached a boatman near the dock. The boatmen of Vatinochan all received extra pay from the Blandi Kingdom, so he naturally went over to speak.

"Is there a boat heading to the Laderios family right now?"

"To the Laderios estate? That's a bit farther, so there's an extra toll...."

There were exceptions. Some places required an additional toll. Not that one could simply swim across such a distance. Gregory confidently handed the boatman two gold coins. In fact, this had been secretly prepared for him by Vasili, who said he'd need them for the trip to the Laderios estate.

The boatman smiled contentedly, tucked the two gold coins into his bosom, and promptly set the oars into motion to depart.

The boatman didn't miss the chance to ask his own questions.

"By the way... do you have some business with the Laderios family?"

Gregory was conducting his activities in secret, so the boatman's casual question felt a bit burdensome. But the boatman had simply been curious, intrigued by Gregory's odd clothing.

"Ah... yes, I have some business there."

Gregory roughly glossed over the answer, but since he had paid a handsome sum, the boatman was not frugal with his comments about the Laderios family. There were some things Gregory really didn't care to hear, but he picked up some useful information, too.

After about thirty more minutes passed, the boatman kept trying to start conversations but, after being ignored, soon fell silent.

Before long, the Laderios mansion came into Gregory's view. The boatman moored the boat at the dock.

"We've arrived.... You said you'd be back soon, so I'll wait for you here."

The three families at the core of Vatinochan's commercial district, including the Laderios, encircled the capital of the Blandi Kingdom in a triangular formation.

Crossing the river took a bit of time, but he still managed to arrive rather quickly.

During the ride, Gregory had also prepared a method to persuade Radian's family.

'So this is the Laderios family....'

It was the first time Gregory was seeing the Laderios estate himself. In his previous life, the Laderios family had already absorbed several others, so those houses became vassals under Laderios.

Nestled atop a vast land, the grand and spacious mansion stood out. Pillars of pure white marble reflected the sunlight, radiating blindingly, and the buildings were engraved with intricate carvings and gold embellishments, giving off an air of magnificence.

'Excessively extravagant.'

While Gregory was surveying the scenery around the estate—

"Are you here from the Zaikov family?"

An attendant came out to greet him. At a glance, judging from Gregory's suspicious attire, he instantly assumed he was someone sent for a private audience with the head of the Laderios family.

Just as Radian's attendant had shown sharp insight during the martial arts tournament in the Blandi Kingdom, the Laderios attendant was just as discerning.

"Please come inside."

The attendant gestured toward the interior of the mansion with both hands.

Gregory nodded quietly, followed the attendant's courteous guide, and trailed closely behind him.

After a short while, Gregory reached the central hall of the Laderios mansion. The floor was laid with marble, and in the center was a huge rug emblazoned with the family crest.

Stone decorations hung on the walls. Portraits of the family's ancestors boasted of their history.

Gilded candelabras adorned the space.

The majestic spectacle was captivating.

Just as Gregory was about to follow the attendant further, a boorish voice rang out from somewhere.

"Are you even qualified to cross our threshold? Judging by your outfit, it's hardly proper attire.... Surely, you're not here to beg for our help, coming from the mighty Zaikov family?"

It was the foolish son of the Laderios head, picking a fight.

Gregory gave him a cold stare. Ordinarily, if you faced a blustering opponent with silence, it would unsettle them psychologically. And with a young boy, that anxiety only increased.

"Wh-what are you looking at me like that for? Are you ignoring me?"

"......."

Gregory paid him no mind and maintained his silence. Irritated by Gregory's sharp gaze, the head's son chastised the attendant.

"Why are you just standing there? Do something about him. Have you forgotten the dignity of the Laderios family? Let's show him who we are!"

The attendant looked flustered, which reminded Gregory a bit of Magnus.

"But, young master, this gentleman was granted an official audience by the Zaikov family. I cannot go against the master's orders."

The head's son snapped again.

"So you're going to defy me now? Since when were you so insubordinate? I can't stand the sight of that guy, so throw him out right now!!"

Just then, someone approached with a flat tone, rebuking the boy.

"That's enough."

It was the head of the Laderios family, jorhen Laderios.

He was displeased by the fact that the antagonistic Zaikov family had requested a private audience. The Laderios head thought the Zaikov family was sending an envoy to raise the white flag, predicting their defeat in the factional struggle.

But something about this felt off. He had expected the Chaikovs to surrender only after Radian's trial concluded, but they were capitulating much sooner than expected. This left the Laderios master with a strange sense of unease, prompting him to come out himself.

"If it was my order, why scold the attendant? That's an insult to our house."

"But Father, how can we let someone like that into our home?"

Even having been scolded by the head, his son only whined louder. For people like that, there's always an effective cure.

"Father, that guy—"

Before the boy could finish, Gregory leapt up and struck him with a knife-hand chop, knocking him out instantly.

Both the attendant and the master stared wide-eyed in shock, and the attendant, terrified, immediately drew a sword.

The family head bellowed at Gregory, exposing his hostility.

"What did you just do to my son! Was this why you requested a private meeting? I knew something was off!"

"That was not my intention at all. The matter I wish to discuss is for your ears only, so I simply put him to sleep for a while."

Even though Gregory said he had something important to say, the Laderios head was incensed that harm had come to his son. Enraged, he spat venom.

"Silence! I'll have you killed right here and now!"

Gregory replied nonchalantly. Though the master puffed himself up confidently, Gregory had already identified his weakness.

"Stria group. I'm sure you know what that means."

"W-wait. Stria group, did you say? S-stop!"

The Laderios master gave a stern command to the attendant, but having lost all reason, the attendant rushed at Gregory.

"Master, I will deal with him at once."

Slash—!

The master of Laderios abruptly stabbed the attendant with his sword.

Thud—!

A heavy crashing sound echoed as the attendant fell, and soon blood was pooling on the floor.

"Urgh... Master, why...?"

The attendant stared at the Laderios head. He was frozen with fear, his face white as a sheet. The name Stria group terrified him beyond words.

The Laderios master could only gaze at Gregory's shadow, unable to meet his eyes, so frightened he couldn't even look at him.

"D-did Stria group send you here in person...?"

The moment he saw the master's abrupt change in attitude, Gregory realized everything. To him, Stria group must be an entity of unspeakable terror, and this master was petrified of the group.

That meant Gregory didn't even need to intimidate him personally—he could simply act as if he were from Stria group.

'This is going more smoothly than planned.'

Therefore, Gregory crossed his arms, adopted an overbearing tone, and spoke as if reciting:"What are you doing, not bowing your head this instant?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.