Hand Over Everything

Afternoon.

The reception room of Librata manor.

A dark elf man and a human man sat side by side.

“Young Master will be out shortly.”

The maid, Amelia, said this and withdrew.

The two men, left alone.

They probed each other naturally.

‘A dark elf at Librata manor? Doesn’t this place receive elven support? And he doesn’t look like an ordinary agent……’

‘A human, and judging by his clothing and posture, a noble. Then he came from the Noble Assembly about the Crocell matter. This side’s information should be known by Heinkel, but that bastard cut off all reports……’

The human man spoke first.

“I am Count Welling. May I ask your name?”

“I am Gunter, a dark elf.”

“Ah, and your title?”

Gunter thought briefly, then answered.

“I cannot disclose detailed duties, but I am a section chief.”

“Oh, dark elves classify field agents from Third Tier to Special Tier, with section chiefs above them, correct? So you’re no ordinary individual.”

“……”

Was he deliberately speaking aloud to gauge my reaction?

Gunter countered internally while responding.

“Haha, I’m embarrassed. Section chief is just something they give you for working long enough. But Count Welling, I hear you’ve been making a name for yourself in the Noble Assembly lately — what brings you to this remote north?”

“Haha, busy with public and private matters.”

“Ah, you mean Marquis Crocell’s affair. That was quite chaotic.”

Gunter spoke casually.

I know why you came here, and I know even deeper matters. So don’t dare probe recklessly — a warning shot.

Understanding this, Welling smiled despite his irritation.

“Hehehe. Indeed, complicated matters occurred. But I’m more surprised that a dark elf is here right now. Isn’t this elven territory, and doesn’t Librata receive elven support?”

“The empire is His Imperial Majesty’s domain — if one is an imperial citizen, one can freely go anywhere. Something like ‘elven territory’ does not exist.”

Gunter spoke seriously, deploying principles.

The empresses’ governance was only temporarily delegated, so his presence here wasn’t particularly strange — that was his argument.

A battle of advances and retreats.

Suddenly, Gunter cleared his throat.

“Count Welling. Since we’ve met, there’s no need for this, is there?”

“Mm, Lord Gunter. I was just thinking the same thing. Since we met like this, it’s fate.”

Let’s extract information from each other.

Welling and Gunter began an information war with hidden agendas.

Things were progressing exactly as Rigen had predicted.

Forty minutes after hearing both had arrived.

The information war should be wrapping up by now.

“Good day to you.”

When I, Rigen, entered the reception room, their ongoing conversation stopped abruptly.

I sat down and observed them both.

The human was Welling, sent by the Noble Assembly, and the dark elf was Section Chief Gunter.

I yawned as I explained.

“Ah, both the count and my brother are busy, so I came instead. Please understand.”

“……Are you by chance the youngest of Librata, Young Master Rigen?”

“You know me. Am I somewhat famous?”

Gunter frowned.

A reaction questioning why such a frivolous brat came out.

In other words, Heinkel had kept his initial promise and reported absolutely nothing about me to his superiors.

Bastard, he keeps his word exactly.

When I sprawled completely across the chair, Count Welling looked at me incredulously.

“Not only did you make us wait forty minutes, now the youngest will handle this? I am a count, and moreover, an envoy of the Noble Assembly!”

The look of truly seeing a childish brat…… ooh, fresh as newly squeezed milk.

Everyone around me had been treating me like someone competent lately, so I’d forgotten.

This was the original treatment for Rigen, wasn’t it?

Gunter spoke quickly.

“Rigen Librata, the playboy who only seduces taken women. No magic. That’s correct, isn’t it?”

“If you know that much, you know everything. I’m the Librata representative, so state your business.”

The reason Gunter deliberately said this was to feed information to Welling.

Welling also straightened his posture.

“……Mmm, it concerns Marquis Crocell’s family. Count Librata must appear before the Noble Assembly to report the full circumstances in detail and receive judgment.”

“What judgment do you mean?”

When I played dumb, Welling shouted.

“Even if Librata is one of the twelve houses, Crocell was still an imperial marquis! If a dispute occurred, shouldn’t explanations be made!”

“Didn’t Gunter explain the full circumstances to you?”

“……”

Whoosh!

Welling turned to Gunter with a shocked expression.

During their probing, Gunter had apparently evaded well.

“Lord Gunter, if you know something, please tell me? It seems the dark elf intelligence network has information? I am an envoy of the Noble Assembly — can I consider concealing this as dark elves hiding information from the Noble Assembly?”

“Mmm.”

When Welling pressed, Gunter only groaned.

Ah, this is a scene that makes you want to eat popcorn.

I instead chewed on the biscuits I brought.

Snacks made by Amelia — savory and salty, perfect for when you’re bored.

After thinking for a while, Gunter sighed.

“……Marquis Crocell plotted treason against the empire.”

“Treason!”

Count Welling shot up from his seat.

Dark elf intelligence — he had no choice but to believe it.

“……Evidence? Is there evidence?”

“I’ll organize that carefully later. Anyway, that’s the situation……”

Gunter settled Welling like that, then looked at me.

“I came not for anything else but to meet the dark elf staying at this estate. A fellow named Heinkel……”

“Lambert got his butt bitten fighting elves and is recovering.”

“……”

Gunter’s face changed through various expressions.

The fact that I knew Heinkel’s family name.

And that I deliberately mentioned a fight between elves and dark elves where Count Welling could hear.

“……”

Count Welling indeed had his mouth hanging open, listening frantically.

A completely changed expression.

He was staring at my mouth with sparkling eyes like it was a treasure vault.

“What?”

I chewed my snacks innocently.

Ah, this is fun!

Even if I just pretend ignorance and eat snacks, the guy in front gets completely shaken down!

This is the fun of manipulating kids!

“Mmmmm.”

Gunter broke out in cold sweat.

Welling, who had been waiting for me to say more, gave up and pressed Gunter.

“……Lord Gunter, is what I just heard true? There was a clash between elves and dark elves at Count Librata’s house?”

“I don’t know either! I came to confirm because I don’t know!”

Gunter suddenly raised his voice and cut off the conversation sharply.

A technique of pretending anger to end dialogue.

Your queen taught you all that.

I shrugged my shoulders and played innocent.

“Goodness, if you shout like that, you’ll frighten the estate staff. They’re already anxious enough from the recent battle between elves and dark elves.”

“……This won’t do. I need to meet the count directly. I’ll wait until he returns.”

Gunter considered me a frivolous brat and tried to stand.

The fish I caught trying to escape?

“Ah, you’re just leaving? I was thinking of getting some support from the dark elves. Since an incident occurred, there’s cleanup to handle.”

Got to throw another lure.

When Gunter hesitated, I turned to Count Welling.

“Well, if the dark elves won’t help, I’ll have to talk with the Noble Assembly.”

“……What is it? Please speak.”

Count Welling was burning with eagerness, urging me on.

Sensing a jackpot.

Gunter hesitated and looked at me.

“Wait a moment.”

As an intelligence agent, he must have heard reports that Lisera came to Librata manor.

Now his head was spinning.

The elves seem settled, but where did the Fourth Princess go?

Can’t we dark elves secure her?

Gunter urgently gestured.

“Just a moment. Just a moment. Rigen Librata? Wait.”

“The thing is, the Fourth Prin……”

“AAAAAAH!”

Gunter suddenly shouted.

Count Welling covered his ears and I exploded with laughter internally.

Gunter, whose face turned red from suddenly yelling loudly, glared at me.

Fourth Princess Lisera currently staying at Librata — that was information Gunter wanted to hide if possible.

But I was about to casually mention it right now, wasn’t I?

The frivolous troublemaker completely ruining everything.

That’s exactly what he’s thinking, I could tell.

“Goodness, why so loud it hurts my ears?”

Of course, I had absolutely no intention of correcting that impression.

Playing dumb and toying with these guys is fun!

Gunter practically prostrated himself in a begging tone.

“……Wh, what support does Librata need? First, before that, can we talk privately?”

“Oh, isn’t that too obvious, Lord Gunter? It seems some unusual matters are occurring. I need to know too. Dark elves are hiding too much information. Aren’t we all comrades working together for the empire?”

When Count Welling grinned broadly, I smiled back at him.

Now it’s your turn.

“Since the Round Table is coming up, we’re planning to head to the capital soon, but we lack proper lodging. Our Librata is somewhat poor.”

“Pardon? Suddenly what……”

“Even though we’re both counts, Count Welling, who serves in the capital, must have separate quarters in the capital, right? If you’re not using it, we’d like to stay there.”

“……Ahem, hmm.”

When Welling cleared his throat, I turned to Gunter.

“Right, let’s talk privately.”

“Is that so!”

Gunter smiled brightly and Welling urgently shouted.

“Wait! No! Yes! A villa! I have one! Use it as you please!”

“We also need carriages, and to live there we need servants — will you provide support?”

“……I’ll do that by all means!”

Welling just said he’d hand over everything.

I nodded and pulled out a pre-written contract.

A contract for free rental for half a year.

Whoever came as the Noble Assembly’s envoy would have an estate in the capital, so I prepared this.

“Well then, please sign here.”

“Uh, well……”

Nobles value honor, but there are plenty who don’t.

Securing it with a contract is certain.

When Count Welling reluctantly signed, I held it out to Gunter.

“Please sign as notary there.”

“What, you want…… me to notarize?”

Gunter looked serious.

Once a dark elf notarizes, they must stake their lives to ensure the contract is absolutely fulfilled.

In a way, it’s like joint surety — one mistake and you lose your head.

So they try not to notarize unless absolutely necessary.

Heinkel was someone I hooked initially, and afterward did it because he trusted me.

So I deliberately pulled the contract back.

“If you won’t sign, it can’t be helped. Actually, I was going to ask dark elves to guard Librata manor.”

“Suddenly what……”

Gunter stopped mid-sentence and flinched.

An anxious expression.

Frightened not knowing what bomb might drop from my mouth.

“Well, since the Fourth……”

“I’ll notarize!”

Gunter stretched out his arm and snatched my contract.

The sight of him hurriedly signing the notarization.

“……”

I was suffering trying to hold back laughter.

Ah, are they going to figure out I’m playing games soon?

But these two just considered me a bomb and were busy with mutual deterrence.

I collected the contract and said,

“Ah, then about the dark elves guarding the estate I mentioned……”

“We’ll do it! Just leave it to us! Satisfied?”

Gunter shouted without considering consequences.

I pulled out a pre-written contract.

Got to bind everything with contracts.

“Well then, here’s the estate security contract. Please sign this too.”

“……For over twenty years forward, deploy five or more First Tier agents?”

“What’s wrong? Father told me to do it this way.”

“……No problem! I’ll do it!”

Gunter gritted his teeth and signed.

In his head, only this thought was spinning: Fourth Princess = elves’ weakness, must hide from Noble Assembly and monopolize.

When I collected both contracts, Gunter showed a relieved smile while Welling looked regretful.

When Gunter’s face showed impatience, I pulled out another contract.

“……Why do contracts keep pouring out endlessly?”

“Ah, I didn’t write this. How would I know Elven script or dark elf script?”

I played innocent while pushing the contract to Gunter.

Welling glanced over his shoulder, apparently not knowing Elven script.

So I told him.

“That’s a contract for the elves to compensate 3 billion for material and psychological damage elven warriors inflicted on Librata.”

“But why are you giving this to me……”

“I thought dark elves might want to buy it.”

“……”

Gunter hesitated momentarily.

Elves and dark elves are bitter enemies.

If it means screwing over elves, dark elves will even take out loans to participate.

And for me, this contract was currently useless.

Having become adversaries and spilled blood, would the elves meekly hand over money?

It’s a bad debt to me.

Just selling it to dark elves and letting them fight each other is far more convenient.

“I’m a section chief but can’t decide arbitrarily. Could you give me some time?”

“Then Count Welling, to the Noble Assembly……”

“No, no. I’m not saying I won’t buy it. The amount is just too large. I’ll report upward and……”

“Don’t you have an agent account?”

When I spoke calmly, Gunter looked caught off guard.

Dark elf agents have separate operational funds for emergencies.

And section chiefs have considerable amounts.

Of course, this is classified — other races don’t know.

But the Queen of Assassins told me everything in bed, with a sweet voice.

“……”

Gunter was probably grinding his teeth, mistakenly thinking Heinkel revealed everything.

Gunter spoke carefully.

“1.5 billion, no, 1 billion then we’ll acquire……”

“4.5 billion.”

“What nonsense……”

“Dark elves would covet this contract greatly. Wayne, who signed here, is already dead, but the contract wording states elves will pay. Meaning payment responsibility lies with all elves.”

“Mmm.”

Wayne signed without proper consideration in the chaotic situation.

But to be emperor, you need knowledge of contracts and law too.

“Of course, elves won’t meekly acknowledge payment responsibility. But it can be dragged to the Supreme Court. In that process, you can humiliate the elves. For that purpose alone, it’s worth acquiring at 4.5 billion, isn’t it?”

“……”

Gunter pondered, then said,

“I’ll acquire it for 3.5 billion.”

“4 billion, but I’ll accept installment payments of 1 billion every three months.”

“……Agreed.”

After thinking briefly, Gunter accepted.

But I got him.

Actually, even if this contract is recognized, it ends with receiving 3 billion won.

Even if it has added value to dark elves, is that over 1 billion?

So I had 4 billion in mind but demanded 4.5 billion.

1.5 times the fair price creates a psychological barrier — they think it’s too expensive and won’t buy.

But about 1.2 to 1.3 times…… resistance decreases.

Like casually drinking overpriced cola at an amusement park.

The finishing blow was installments — clouds people’s judgment.

“Well then, here.”

I filled in specific numbers on the pre-written contract and held it out.

After signing, Gunter reviewed the acquired contract again and froze.

“This notary is……”

“Yes, it’s Heinkel.”

“……”

Actually, Gunter came to decide whether to kill Heinkel or not.

But the notary of the contract he just acquired for 4 billion was Heinkel.

Meaning he cannot dispose of Heinkel for the time being.

Gunter finally realized his mistake and gaped.

“Uh, mm……”

Of course, as an agent, he normally wouldn’t make such mistakes.

But I completely knocked his senses out by mentioning the Fourth Princess.

On top of that, I presented the carrot of screwing over elves.

“This……”

Gunter looked at me with an expression of being possessed.

Seeing me in a completely different light.

I pretended not to notice and changed the subject.

“Ah, I ate all the snacks. Amelia!”

“Young Master Rigen, dinner is in two hours, so you shouldn’t eat too much. Tonight, Princess Lisera will be joining us for dinner.”

Amelia entered and spoke.

All exactly as I instructed beforehand.

“Really? Then I’ll hold back.”

“And the next guest is waiting.”

“Ah, really? Then I’ll go soon.”

Amelia bowed her head and left.

Welling’s eyes bulged.

“Prin, Princess Lisera? Why is the elves’ Fourth Princess here?”

Gunter gaped helplessly.

The information he gave up everything to monopolize — I just announced it.

I smiled and stood from my seat.

“You came a long way, so I’d like to treat you properly, but today is busy with many guests. Let’s talk again next time.”

“Wa, wait! Librata!”

“Lo, Lord Gunter. What do they mean the Fourth Princess is here?”

Leaving the two men arguing with each other behind, I exited the reception room.

Ah, I just sat there holding back laughter and they worked by themselves.

“So, today’s earnings……”

Secured 4 billion won in operational funds.

Also arranged lodging in the capital.

Made a security contract so the estate stays safe even when I leave Librata.

Secured safety for my subordinate Heinkel too.

I extracted everything I needed to extract initially.

Gunter will be too busy shaking off Welling right now.

“Ah, I got less intelligence than expected. But those guys aren’t idiots either. They’ll realize they got played by me in a few days.”

Dark elves gain more knowledge as they rise in rank.

I squeezed a section chief, so a division chief will come.

I can squeeze them then.

“So today, let’s play.”

I pulled off a big score?

Time for everyone to gather for a celebration party.