“Have you forgotten where you are?”

“Th-that is…”

Awakened by the low voice and rough demeanor, the Viscount finally came to his senses.

Still, the injustice of having lost to Ash Trading Company drove him into making a foolish decision.

“Aren’t you concerned, my Lord? The imperial scum are spreading their vulgar ideology and customs throughout Denerthum, starting with Ash Trading Company. In the capital, commoners no longer bow to nobles, women defy men, and there are even women who claim they will take over their families! This is how it is in the Empire!”

Intoxication once again swallowed up the Viscount’s reason. As his voice rose, he spoke even louder, as if he had nothing left to lose.

He seemed to think this was a masculine way to act.

The Earl looked at the whining Viscount with what seemed to be disdain and said,

“Don’t assume that people from our nation necessarily treasure its traditions.”

“What…?”

Not just the Viscount, but everyone was shocked by this.

The Earl was famous for living in accordance with the traditions of Goruhans. That he would say such a thing was unthinkable.

“I’ve watched how the Oltvea mansion has changed as it stands on my lands. Originally built as a palace annex, it was grand and beautiful. But as it changed hands among the great nobles, the mansion began to change. They’ve been following the latest fads and making excessive renovations. Not that it’s necessarily bad. However, it was not in harmony with the mansion’s original style.”

As the Earl spoke, he was recalling the changes he had observed in the Oltvea mansion.

“The mansion kept changing. Its balance was lost and excessive colors were mixed in. When I heard that Ash Trading Company acquired it, I thought the mansion might disappear altogether. However… they restored its original beauty. I heard they simply wanted to bring out its most fitting appearance. How ironic. The nobles of Denerthum had forgotten, but the Empire brought it back to life.”

The voice was one of deep emotion, but the face of the listening Viscount twisted in agony.

“Damn it!”

Now it was clear to anyone. The Earl was going to transfer his domain to Ash Trading Company.
“Then there’s no need to stay here any longer.”

Seemingly reading the thoughts of the junior baron, the earl also stood up and spoke.

“The meal ends here.”

At the earl’s words, everyone rose from their seats. Baron Jun showed a displeased expression as he opened his mouth.

“I think we should go back early, as the way back is perilous.”

It was also an expression that the road under the Earl’s jurisdiction was not in good condition.

The earl nodded, as if he was no longer surprised by his rudeness.

Without asking for permission, he turned around and headed towards the entrance. Along the way, he saw the stack of gifts the earl had ordered to be cleared, and his face twisted even more.

“Even if the deal failed, I have to give these expensive things.”

His face plainly showed the feeling that it was a waste.

“Take these gifts back. Our earl’s family returns excessive gifts.”

“Really? Understood!”

Relieved at avoiding a loss, the junior baron yelled at his servants waiting at the entrance to quickly load the gifts back onto the carriage.

Apparently unhappy with the speed of his servants, the junior baron himself stepped in to carefully check there were no spillages and closed the boxes.

The servants of the earl’s house, who were watching this, quickly assisted the junior baron’s servants and carried the boxes outside.

As if they didn’t want such items in this house either.