The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 119

When a person works in any field for a long time, they accumulate experience.

And that experience develops into what is called intuition or a sense.

It may be criticized as unscientific or pseudo-science, but anyone who has worked for more than a few years knows that intuition and sense exist.

Even someone who has only worked part-time at a cafe or convenience store can understand.

At first, a person may be clueless, but after just six months on the job, in that short moment when the doorbell chimes, and a customer walks from the entrance to the counter, they can tell just by the gait and appearance whether they are a genuine customer or a “troublemaker.”

And that sense, more often than not, tends to be more accurate when it comes to bad situations rather than good ones.

Earl Rundel, who had spent much more time “playing politics” in the capital than in his own territory, had a very bad “sense” about the person the Information Guild referred to as a whale.

He had an intuition, honed through years of political maneuvering, that if he didn’t personally intervene, not only would nothing get resolved, but the relationship would deteriorate even further.

That’s why Earl Rundel had come in person.

***

“Ah, you’re referring to the man who caused trouble in the August estate. I’ve heard about him. The representative of Olrot’s estate seemed to have had quite a hard time. Although I don’t know the man personally, I offer my deepest sympathies.”

The word “sympathy”—a magical word that can be used both when offering and receiving apologies—came out.

However, Jenna wasn’t sophisticated enough to grasp the subtle (and condescending) implication of the word “sympathy,” so she just smiled slyly.

“If you don’t know him, Count, is there really any need for you to express sympathy? I’m fine with it.”

Jenna truly was fine.

She had been hit a bit, mildly assaulted, and locked up for a few days because of Jens’ scheme, but for someone in her line of work, that was nothing.

In this field, being beaten to death, truly raped regardless of gender, and being imprisoned and tortured for months was not uncommon.

However, Jenna’s genuine feelings were distorted when conveyed to Count Rundel, who was deeply steeped in politics.

‘So this is what it’s like to be a whale’s subordinate? Since the master is doing well, the dog they raise is also throwing its weight around.’

Count Rundel’s gaze darkened.

Before coming here, he had gathered as much information as possible about Jenna Olrot.

She was someone whose fortune had changed after meeting a whale, having previously worked as a local branch head in some remote place.

But apparently, she was quite capable, as she was recognized not only by the whale but also by the higher-ups in the Information Guild.

In short, she was a woman who had risen through the ranks quickly.

For someone like Count Rundel, dealing with such a person wasn’t difficult.

“Although I don’t know him well, I feel personally unsettled by the thought that the representative of Olrot’s estate may still bear wounds from the incident.”

“Uh…”

“So I looked into it to see if there was anything I could do to help. It turns out that this man, Botan, left behind quite a bit of wealth. Although he’s dead, wouldn’t it be proper for his surviving family to offer some compensation for the wounds inflicted on the representative of Olrot’s estate?”

“Well, that’s…”

Just as Jenna was about to say that she wasn’t hurt at all and was genuinely fine, Earl Rundel raised his hand to stop her.

“I’ve arranged for 300,000 Diens to be paid to the representative of Olrot’s estate as compensation. Though I don’t know this Baron Botan well, I’d say one-tenth of his wealth should be enough to soothe the wounds of the representative of Olrot’s estate. What do you think?”

“I feel my body and soul being cleansed.”

Now that she thought about it, there had been a slight discomfort in her heart just moments ago.

Though it had lasted only a second, it was there.

And now, in another second, it was gone.

In any case, it was what it was.

‘Look at that, how predictable.’

Seeing that his intentions had taken effect, Count Rundel felt relieved. Moreover, he sensed it was time to bring up his true purpose for coming in person.

“By the way, I heard that the representative of Olrot’s estate, or rather the head of the Olrot branch, has a specific client they are responsible for. How is that person doing?”

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. Although I may be a former minister of the capital’s internal affairs, I was hoping to form a minor connection with someone who could greatly benefit our kingdom.”

“Ah, are you talking about Sir Salen?”

“Uh? Yes, that’s right.”

He was slightly taken aback by how easily she responded, but convinced that the effect of the 300,000 Diens was working, Count Rundel thought Jenna had completely fallen for his ploy.

“If you’re referring to Sir Salen, you don’t have to come to me first to meet him. You can meet him anytime.”

“Uh…?”

Jenna smiled brightly as she spoke.

“He left for Burgos about three days ago. He said anyone looking for him should go to Burgos directly.”

She didn’t mention that he also instructed her to compile a list of people who would come looking for him.

That was because Si-on had given that instruction three days ago.

– Anyone who seeks you out first, wanting to meet me, likely already knows specific details about you.

– They would have a grasp on the alias the Information Guild uses for me and would likely understand our relationship.

– They will either try to win you over or extract information about me through you.

– You’re free to take whatever they offer. Just make sure to note who they are, and simply tell them to come directly to Burgos.

– This is how I’ll take care of you. Let’s keep up the good work together.

Honestly, when she first heard the instruction, she wasn’t entirely convinced.

But today, just three days later, it had been proven true.

‘Lord Si-on really is a genius.’

She hadn’t expected to make a fortune of 30,000 Diens out of thin air!

“So, Count, you should head to Burgos as well.”

“Is… is that so?”

Count Rundel felt somewhat pleased that things had gone as he intended, but at the same time, he felt a lingering sense of unease.

However, he trusted his instinct regarding the “whale” and, regaining his composure, said with confidence,

“Thank you, anyway. When I meet Sir Salen, I’ll be sure to mention you. And I’ll make sure to tell some very good *fri.e.nd.s* of mine about who you are as well.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that.”

She was being sincere again.

After all, what kind of person was Si-on?

Jenna knew that Si-on didn’t care what others said unless he had seen and experienced it for himself.

He didn’t age, so he had plenty of time to spare.

Once he formed his own judgment after experiencing things firsthand, it was almost impossible for him to be swayed by someone else’s words.

That’s why Jenna, as a courtesy, decided to convey the truth to Count Rundel, who had generously offered 300,000 Diens.

There was no need for that.

Her exclusive client wasn’t going to change no matter what others said.

However, Count Rundel, proud of his political acumen, interpreted the underlying meaning and nuance in Jenna’s words.

Like a self-proclaimed critic digging out unintended meanings in a work, he interpreted her words based on his own assumptions.

“Ha ha. The representative of Olrot’s estate is truly humble. I’ve understood your message completely. Take care.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you.”

In a final show of hospitality, Jenna escorted Count Rundel all the way to the front gate, displaying impeccable service for a customer who had just handed over 300,000 Diens.

“Safe travels.”

“Yes, yes. Keep up the good work.”

Count Rundel, pleased with the bowing gesture from Jenna, smiled contentedly as he climbed into his carriage.

But as soon as the door closed, that smile turned sinister.

“Hmph. Those who rise quickly in status are always low-born.”

He found it disgusting how they would sell their soul for a bit of money.

However, to catch the master, one must first catch the dog. So, this lowly materialist still had value to be used in the future.

“Your Excellency, should we return to the capital?”

“No, I’m heading straight to Burgos. And contact the Crown Prince. Tell him to prepare to accompany me to Burgos.”

Even if Duke Lloyd’s “puppet” held considerable sway, anyone would be caught off guard if both the Crown Prince and a former Minister of Internal Affairs showed up unannounced.

But it couldn’t be done too hastily.

Giving too much time to prepare would be problematic, but so would giving no time at all.

It had to be done in just the right amount of time.

Politics is all about timing.

And to ensure the timing was right, he had personally come to see the master’s prized hunting dog.

‘It’ll bark right in the direction of its master, won’t it? Using the guild’s courier service will take about ten days. That means I can arrange to arrive in Burgos in about 11 or 12 days.’

If they failed to prepare a proper “welcome event” for a Crown Prince after such a

message was sent via the dog, it would reveal Sir Salen’s lack of noble refinement.

At the same time, it would allow Count Rundel and the Crown Prince to show their “generosity” by overlooking the error, displaying their magnanimity.

If a proper event was arranged?

Then it would be an opportunity to show how highly Sir Salen regarded them.

This was an inescapable trap, meticulously crafted by Count Rundel. One way or another, Sir Salen would be bound to them.

It was the perfect checkmate, devised by the highest-ranking political player in the capital.

However.

Count Rundel, who prided himself on being the best at politics, had only played among peers of a similar level in the capital for years.

Furthermore, ever since he became one of the key figures of power, the “CEO” of his workplace, the capital, hadn’t shown up at any board meetings for over ten years, leading to the division of factions.

And he didn’t realize that the “customer” coming to his store wasn’t just someone ordinary.

In fact, this wasn’t even a customer or troublemaker.

It was a relative, delegated with voting rights by the CEO, who hadn’t shown up in over a decade.

Most importantly, that relative, who had been given voting rights long ago…

Had once overturned the board meeting (the capital) back when Count Rundel’s grandfather was a member of the board.

And it was a person his grandfather had to beg for forgiveness from, in tears, to settle things.

Count Rundel didn’t know.

Not even in his wildest dreams.

(Continued in the next chapter)