Chapter 318- A face-to-face meeting

The large hall of the mansion opened into a floor plan akin to medieval churches in his previous world.

Thick stone walls supported the vaults and trusses of aged but solid wood. The light from the late evening sun flooded inside from the open wooden shutters. Devoid of the trademark stained glass, it still held the same majesty as the structures of his past life.

Given that this chateau-like abode and surrounding acreages belonged to the smaller homesteads in the noble quarters, it spoke volumes for the heritage of Frost City.

Chu sat on the lone oversized chair on the raised dais overlooking the hall. Clad in a gown with bright threads and decorated frills, he portrayed the picture of an extravagant dandy.

The pillow-enhanced waistline, padded cheeks, lotion-induced swollen fingers, and oil dripping red hair, cemented his appearance.

Running his tongue across his charcoal-stained teeth, he drummed a finger on the wooden armrest.

Propping up his tilted head, he shot a glance below.

"You do know you're supposed to eat that over a table, right?"

He drawled to the girl sitting on the step beside him.

"I can't help it, Chu. I mean young master Will. My stomach kept thinking about this evening. Luckily, Aunty Edina finished her stew bone soup. It's a Frost City specialty. Sue has to learn this one."

"U-huh."

He eyed the disguised raven-haired girl, now turned redhead. A dainty hand held onto an oily shankbone, while half of the upturned face lay hidden under the greasy food.

"You do know you're supposed to be acting as a stunning maid at my side right?"

"Yep, don't worry. By the time Old Man Russ gathers and has the debtors sweat a little, I'll be rearing to go for this shakedown."

"U-huh."

This girl sure had a way with words. 

"What about the others?"

"All taken out secretly. Sue and the Willows boy were sent to the Alchemist Guild. Amanda and Hope were sent home. Ming has gone off to handle his errand, and Lucy's keeping a low profile with Ishara."

"Good. It's time to wean out yourselves from the company of young master Will. Once we hook the two fish we want, the young master from Seastone City will fade into the background."

Chu said.

The girl nodded while slurping and sucking the marrow out of the bone.

"One step ahead of you, boss. We put on a show of disregard for coins. Then we show interest in the House competition and open a floor for enticing odds to draw in a crowd. Once we win, we change to moneygrubbers and milk and sell everything before fading away."

"U-huh."

Chu replied.

This girl really made it sound as if they were scam artists.

Her assessment was spot on though.

The gamble at the Caressing Inn served as an introduction to the upper-class nobles of the city. By showcasing himself as a leaky faucet, he aimed for Mr Thomas's main aggressors.

He planned to milk those men and launder it completely before the middle of autumn. Already, travelers from Seastone City had questioned the origins of this wealthy master.

"How's our merchant token and seals?"

Miki swiped her lips with the sleeves of her dress. Her ears turned red on noticing his scowl.

"Ah, don't fret, it's just a matter of slipping out of this and back into another. Wish wash. Oh, Doug already got us a token according to the likes of Seastone City. We got some merchant documents with forged seals. Lucky Quin has filed them in the Merchant Guild. You have no worries if anyone digs for information within Frost City."

Chu drummed his finger, letting the short fingernail knock the wood.

As much as he liked to continue the charade of the foppish young master Will, time went against him. He hoped everyone with outstanding debts would show up today.

The more he had room to plan the better.

With only a week for summer to end, he had a bone to pick with a few guys from the Bloodnight Society.

Then he had to deal with that Ancient House competition.

Somewhere between, he had to pay a visit to Mage Norivak. Then he had to assist Tye in setting up his distillation plant.

Sakura has already laid the foundations for acquiring a solid workforce.

End-of-chain users such as bakers, taverns, and even the red light district owners.

Merchant traders such as Lucky Quin and other grain sellers.

Only the top management needed to iron out and set some profitable goals. Then with a suitable figurehead, all he had to do was rake in the riches.

The high wooden doors at the end of the hall creaked open, as an old man in a neatly dressed robe entered. Old Russ sported a combed white beard and equally colored fastened hair.

Like an amiable respectable grandpa.

With little changes here and there, few would recognize the once frazzled, mean-looking street thug.

"Boss..."

He paused with his mouth half open as his eyes fell on the oily face of the supposed maid.

"Forget it, continue what you wanted to say."

Chu remarked while his eyes followed the girl streaking towards the side door. Old Russ watched her departure for a minute before turning to the boy.

"She's kinda fast, isn't she? I know Miss Lucy's the strong one since she administered that beating during our first captains' meeting, but Miss Miki has some speed."

'What would you say if she had used her Sersen skills then?'

Chu thought while raising a finger for the old man to jump back on track.

"Ah yes. Young Master Will, we have some visitors."

"I see. How many?"

Old Russ caught on to the meat of the question.

"Nearly all."

Chu nodded. His eyes caught the sprouting smile under the groomed mustache.

"Heh. Old Russ, you are solidifying your claim to be the steward of this mansion day by day. I wonder who spilled the beans that I value proactive members?"

"Boss is considerate as he is sharp, haha. By holding everyone together in that room, it would be futile indeed if the serving girls didn't net a whisper or two. The wait was lengthy to not raise an ire but enough to gain some information."

 Chu nodded in agreement.

"Young Master Will, it seems like the majority here are under the sway of the Cleft House. The old patriarch of the Cleft Ancient House is a man with an honorable reputation that is even known in the slums. As someone who lived for over half a century in Frost City, I can tell you that whenever a sortie leaves to the wall, that house never fails in sending out its quota."

The eyes of old man Russ moistened,

"Those who have held the titles of Ancient Houses during the centuries live by only one creed. Protect the city, and assist the Military in the Pass. Those who have lost their rights as Ancient Houses have been because they have sacrificed too much. Personally, I know an old man from the slums whose family once held the title of an Ancient House. Twenty years ago, when demon beasts broke into the Pass, he left his newborn son to join the battle."

Old man, Russ puffed his chest,

"If only I possessed the skills, maybe I would have gone. Boss, those old guys in the waiting room are different from their immature grandkids. Ask anyone in this expanse of a city. Clans of true Ancient Houses rarely flex their power."

Chu repositioned himself on the chair.

"Alright, since this is the case, send them all in. Let me meet them for myself."

The old man nodded. Making a swift bow, he walked along the long hall towards the doors. 

A short time later, the steward entered the doors before announcing the arriving guests. Chu first sat on his chair surveying the faces of the approaching group.

At some point, Miki reappeared and stood silently at the side door below the dais.

Before the party arrived at the foot of the chair, Chu sprang into character.

Young Master Will bounced down the wide steps in his fatty frame.

"Ah, greetings, greeting esteemed defenders of the mighty Frost City. Chairs, we need chairs."

Young master Will slurred through his thick cheeks.

A replying nod from Miki and soon the guests were all seated in three semicircles with young master Will standing in the center.  

With the servants leaving, only the young master and his steward remained. The young master issued a hearty laugh before turning to his old servant.

"See, I told you old Russ. Only the honorable make Frost City their home. Ah, if only I could have been born into such a city. Come, Russ. These are all men of power, we mustn't dilly-daddle. "

As if rehearsed, the side door reopened as a small writing desk was carried in. Behind, a maid followed while holding onto a stack of paper.

Young Master Will browsed through the agreements as old Russ positioned a seal, candle, token, and a stick of wax. The maid delivered ink and paper before exiting.

The dandy sat behind the desk as he pulled the first agreement,

"No disrespect my elders, but to hasten the process, I'll just begin from the top. Of course, if anyone here has urgent matters, we are all men of understanding. It's not hard to expedite on assent from the others."

 From the point of entry to now, the group had not even the time to return a greeting, more so argue their cause.

Now the boy sat behind a desk like a true merchant.

"Ah, Davis, is there an Elder representing the Davis Clan? A thousand gold coins, yes? I recall the young master saying it was but a paltry sum. Mere pocket change."

The steward positioned himself respectfully at the side of the desk. Who knows when a pouch had materialized in his hands?

Old patriarch Davis coughed while glancing toward the center of the first semicircle. He discarded the thoughts of running home to place another beating on his grandson.

Aware of the stares around him, Patriarch Cleft issued an uncomfortable cough. Standing up, he clasped his hands towards the boy.

"Late as it may be, the patriarch of the Cleft clan greets this young master. I wonder if the young master could spare this old man some time?"

"But of course, senior. As long as there are no objections?"

Young master Will replied.

As Patriarch Cleft sorted out his thoughts, the boy smiled, showcasing his blackened teeth,

"If you don't mind, Senior. I'll be drafting up the recipes while you speak. Please don't take it as a disrespect. We merchants pride ourselves on performing these types of tasks."

"Ah, wait, slow down young master. Let's hear what I have to say first."

Chu raised his head indicating the old man to continue.

"I take it the young master of Seastone City arrived not long ago in Frost City?"

"Senior is correct."

Chu answered as he raised his head to throw the words clearly into the ears of the visitors.

"As with most clans of the empire, my old man sent me here to test my luck. I was carded to leave at the end of summer, but I plan to stay until the end of the House competition. Any day longer, and my patriarch will have my head."

The tall elderly man acknowledged his words before speaking,

"The competition of the Ancient Houses occurs far between the years. Infrequent visitors to the city tend to remain and spectate. Personally, I find over the years, it has lost its true meaning. The survival of the city depends on the strong, but it also depends on the committed."

Patriarch Cleft coughed,

"I digress. Young Master Will, us old men are here to first apologize for the behavior of the young. Those children have slowly been led astray as to the meaning of holding a title of Ancient Clans."

The snow-bearded man clasped his hands,

"I shamelessly request that you defer the debts owned until we can acquire sufficient funds. Summer is a period in the north of recruiting and training. Most houses also use this time to plan their expeditions into the north."

Chu stood up slowly and circled the desk.

Clasping his hands,

"Venerable Elders, please forgive this one. I did not know about the operations ongoing in this bastion of a city. Here and now, I claim all these debts settled. Not a coin will I accept from you, nor from the absentees who were so busy in seeking the welfare of this City."