Everyone wore puzzled expressions at the unfamiliar term “sewing machine.”

Lea gave a rough explanation of what kind of object it was, but most didn’t seem to believe her. Still, there were some who knew about it.

The reactions of Sonya and Adolf, who knew about the sewing machine’s existence, were very negative.

“Are you telling us to create works with that vulgar and ridiculous machine?”

Adolf strongly opposed the use of the sewing machine.

“I’d rather die. I can’t let a mere chunk of iron render my 30 years of experience meaningless.”

As the saying goes, like husband, like wife. The couple equally jumped up, emphasizing their honor, pride, and dignity as royal tailors.

“Then you both should die!”

Lea shouted, glaring fiercely at Sonya and Adolf.

“Honor, pride, 30 years of experience, dignity as royal tailors? It all ends when you die anyway.”

“My lady, how can you say such harsh things?”

Sonya looked at Lea reproachfully as she spoke. Then Terran stood up and walked towards the couple.

“Haven’t you grasped the situation yet? Breaking the promise with the Empress means hanging.”

In Terran’s eyes, anger that had been burning spread like madness.

“Tell me, do you want to die? If so, you don’t have to do anything.”

Sonya and Adolf turned pale.

Lea had no time to listen to the opinions of the two anymore, so she approached Chainer.

“I think Grandpa Rapha might be able to get a sewing machine?”

“Grandpa can get anything, long long ago he even sold people’s eyeballs.”

Lea reflexively looked at Terran.

“I’ll go get it.”

He rushed out of the mansion with Luke. But Lea still felt an ominous dread.

The Hamilton merchant group also tried to sell sewing machines, but craftsmen threw stones at the group in fierce opposition.

They believed that if a sewing machine that was more than 5 times faster than hand sewing was distributed, it would take away many people’s jobs.

“Pauline, please find people among our employees who are good at sewing and cutting.”

“Yes.”

They needed to cut the fabric according to the patterns before Terran brought back the sewing machine. That way, they could start stitching right away when the machine arrived.

“But don’t we also need someone who can handle the sewing machine?”

Chainer pointed out a part they hadn’t considered.

Lea instructed James to gather all the employees of the mansion.

“Please, I can only hope there is someone.”

The one fortunate thing was that the boots, hats, and gloves were stored elsewhere and were safe.

It was also a stroke of luck that a lot of Turkic fabric remained.

‘Terran, you must bring back the sewing machine.’

Lea approached the window and watched the two men leaving the mansion, leading the guard.

She desperately hoped that when the two returned, they wouldn’t be empty-handed.

Lea turned from the window and spoke to Sonya and Adolf.

“It’s up to you two. Whether you die or live, that is.”

It wasn’t just a simple threat. If they couldn’t make the Empress’s riding outfit in time, as Terran said, those two would be hanged.

Of course, it would be difficult for her to avoid punishment as well.

Even if she didn’t die thanks to Terran’s power, it was clear that she would pay a harsh price for insulting the imperial family.

* * *

Allen smiled very contentedly as he looked at the telegram he had just received.

“Hahaha, the Empress’s riding outfit has turned to rags.”

Moreover, the person who ordered the job was unconscious, practically dead. If so, it would be difficult to reveal who was behind it.

“With only three days left, they’ll probably buy some shoddy ready-made product somewhere. Or fall out of the Empress’s favor and get into trouble.”

It was a very satisfactory result.

The only regret was not being able to watch the situation unfold right before his eyes. He should have toasted while watching Terran’s dirt-eating face.

‘What a pity.’

The Empress of Lubeck, who was the strongest candidate to win the Bellis Royal Equestrian Competition, wouldn’t be able to perform properly.

She wouldn’t stand out much either. After all, she’d be wearing a riding outfit that everyone else wears too. At that moment, the secretary spoke to Allen in a serious tone.

“Sir, it will be difficult to continue contacting people at the Courtois mansion for the time being.”

“I suppose so. Terran’s not stupid, he won’t sit still, will he? We’ll try again when things calm down.”

“Understood.”

Allen wanted to savor this exhilaration for a very long time. Isn’t this the thrill of give and take?

‘When you terrorized me, you should have been prepared for this much. Did you think I’d just sit back and take it?’

Imagining Terran running around frantically looking for alternatives made all his previous anger melt away like snow.

‘Once Rivet becomes the Crown Princess, there’s nothing left to bow down to.’

Wealth, honor, and power would all be in his hands. And if Rivet gave birth to a prince, his life would be smooth sailing.

‘Hmm, poor Grace. If she were by my side, I could at least comfort her. But it won’t be long, the Duke will soon be eliminated too.’

He was confident he could shower her with affection that she couldn’t receive from Terran, treating her like a queen.

Just then, Sara came looking for him.

‘She’s so tactless, she’s an expert at ruining others’ moods.’

She wasn’t too bad as a bedmate, but he wished he didn’t have to see her during the day.

Despite being a mere maid, he had given her the honor of wearing good clothes, eating good food, and sleeping with the most handsome man in Galdensia at night. Yet she grumbled every day, discontentedly, which was annoying.

“Allen, when are we getting married?”

Sara asked, stroking Allen’s shoulder. Allen almost burst out laughing at Sara’s nonsense.

Who’s marrying who? She should say something that makes sense. Suddenly, a good idea occurred to him.

“Prove that you’re a useful existence to me.”

“Prove it? Haven’t I already?”

Who was it that took the lead in betraying Lea and Richard? She had helped Allen swallow up the Hamilton merchant group, yet what more proof did he want?

“Find Richard Hamilton’s memorandum. If you just find that for me, I’ll marry you that very day.”

“What did you say?”

“You know, Sara, you were like a daughter to Richard. Use your head a bit, think about where the memorandum might be.”

* * *

Terran came to the southern outskirts of Revon. Since Rapha had given up smuggling, other gypsies had monopolized the situation.

“They’re even worse quality guys than our organization.”

“The scum of the earth, huh.”

To think there were worse guys than Rapha’s organization, it was a sight to behold. They were said to be good with knives and capable of all sorts of dirty and vile acts.

“I don’t care about that, what I need is a sewing machine.”

“They’ll definitely have it, the question is whether they’ll hand it over willingly.”

“Should we set up a bomb?”

“Those guys mainly deal in bombs and weapons.”

“What?”

Terran’s face changed color and became serious.

Opium or alcohol, or even rare items that weren’t usually handled, that was one thing, but dealing in weapons or bombs was clearly an act of treason.

“We dealt with the northern thugs, and now the southern thugs are running wild.”

Just then, a group of men appeared from the opposite side. They all had fierce faces and large builds, easily identifiable as ‘thugs’ to anyone who saw them.

“That guy with the blue-dyed hair is the boss, Sarubi. He’s really nasty.”

Rapha gestured to Terran, informing him.

“Oh my! Old man Rapha has brought an esteemed guest? So it’s true that you’ve become a noble’s dog?”

Sarubi sneered at Terran and Rapha.

“Hey! Blue hair, I need a sewing machine.”

Terran cut to the chase and stated his business.

“What does the noble lord need a sewing machine for? Planning to make panties for your wife?”

Sarubi’s men laughed loudly at his words.

“Hmm, not just panties, I’ll make underpants too, and if I have time, I might sew your mouth shut.”

At Terran’s response, all of Sarubi’s men, including Sarubi himself, drew their knives at once.

“You need a knife in your gut to come to your senses.”

Sarubi growled and shouted.

Immediately, Terran grinned and pointed his gun at him, and the guards behind him uniformly drew their rifles.

“Do you need a bullet hole in your head to come to your senses?”

At this, Sarubi sheepishly lowered his knife.

Terran dismounted and walked towards Sarubi.

Sarubi hadn’t expected to actually see the Duke of Courtois, whom he had only heard about.

He had thought he was just a youngster at barely twenty-five, but he had a tall stature, robust build, and exuded a strong aura that overwhelmed people.

Especially in his piercing black eyes, all his power seemed to be concentrated.

“I don’t care what you sell. But know that if you deal in weapons and bombs, you’re dead.”

“We’re not the kind of people afraid of dying.”

Sarubi talked back, not backing down. After all, what was there to fear in a life already at rock bottom? They were just living day by day recklessly.

“Hmm, alright. I’ll buy all your weapons and bombs. In return, bring me the sewing machines if you have any.”

Only then did Sarubi seem to be moved by Terran’s offer.

Buy all the bombs and weapons? But handing them over to a noble was a dangerous act.

“I refuse. We don’t deal with nobles. But we do have about three sewing machines.”

“Bring them.”

Terran said in a low tone.

“They say you noble lords are war heroes? Then you must be incredibly good at fighting?”

Sarubi sneered, showing his black teeth.

“Why don’t you fight me? If you win, I’ll give you the sewing machines for free. They were troublesome anyway since there was no one to buy them. In return, if I win, how about you don’t make a peep even if you die?”

“Alright, shall we do it with guns or knives?”

When Terran accepted without hesitation, it was Sarubi who looked slightly surprised.

“Knives.”

For a moment, Terran recalled Rapha’s words. The southern gypsies were particularly good with knives.

Then Terran spoke indifferently to Sarubi.

“I only consider it a win if the opponent’s head is cut off. Remember that well.”