Sitting at my desk again and opening the communication crystals the first thing I saw was the crumbled-up faces of the fives heads.
" Oh dear, did something bad happen? " I asked blinking my eyes innocently
" I had heard there was a commotion in the capital, I'm happy to see you all safe and sound "
Keeping eye contact with the heads I was about to add some extra words to stir the pot, but it seems someone already caught the bait
Turning my head towards the raspy voice I saw Don Joseph with red veins bulging all over his face
" You bastard.... "
" What did you just... "
" Don't you dare act like you don't know!! You set us up didn't you! "
" You worked together with house whiteheart so you can trick us all "
Seeing how angry he was I truly believed he would pop a vein.
'However, using this I could steer the conversation to my benefit '
Stopping him from continuing his words I immediately stood up and proceeded to slam my hands on the table glaring directly at him as I spoke
" I am warning you Don Joseph, I have let much of your disrespect slide considering our future partnership, but you are currently threading a very dangerous line"
" HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ARCANE HAS WORKED TOGETHER WITH THE WHITEHEARTS!! "
" Do you perhaps wish to tarnish my families name"
Taking a deep breath after my outburst, silence hung over the call as we all stared at each other.
Thankfully that stopped when a sudden cough came from one of the monitors pulling our attention to Don Vincent.
" I am sure Don Joseph didn't mean such a thing, especially knowing the history between arcane and whiteheart " he began trying to ease the current tension
" Isn't that right Don Joseph " he continued signalling for Joseph to speak
" Yes, you are right Don Vincent it was just that to many things had happened that I got confused, there is no way such a thing could happen especially with house whiteheart "
Feeling calm now having successfully changed the tone of the meeting, I sat back down on my chair covering my face to appear as if I'm holding back my anger, and muttered quietly
" Just this once I'll let it go "
Having heard me the heads simply chose to stay silent, heaving another sigh; I leaned back continuing the topic at hand
" I don't know why those Whiteheart bastards caused such a ruckus either but because of it we know find ourselves without a central market. After all who would go and risk getting raided again?"
" What are you proposing then? " Said Don Rose narrowing her eyes
" We already have your core businesses here at the arcane estate, such a fact will cause a flood of survivors of the purge to come here as well "
" Instead of trying to rebuild the destroyed central market in the capital with the constant looming threat of the whitehearts wouldn't it be better to let us create a new one here under the protection of my household "
"And what is the price " Don Ferrum suddenly interjected
" Nothing different from what we already discussed I will only be adding just one more term" I said as I leaned forward
" The arcane territory will act as an intermediary and safe haven for the people of the underworld however in exchange no crime is to be committed on these grounds, doing so would then have you backlisted from the market "
" Is that all you are going to demand" Don Ferrum asked sceptically
" What more should I add? " I asked with a tilt of my head
" With no other competition currently, your profits will skyrocket which already guarantees 35% of each of your future profit and the re-establishment of the pact taking anything more would just be daylight robbery " I said with smile on my face
" I'm quite content with what I have so will you be taking my deal or not? "
Exchanging glances through the monitors the five heads seemed to have reached the same answer with Vincent giving me a nod
" I see..."
" Well then, we have much to do "
................
After the meeting busy days went by organizing the structure, place, time and new rules that will be part of the new market, without realizing it a month had already passed, during that time the oath came to an end with the 5 heads having exceeded the 50% profit increase ultimately re-establishing the ancient pact between house arcane and the underworld and providing me with 35% of each heads profit which where all put into the households income to help develop the territory.
"The people are currently calling you the greatest lord in the history of the arcane family do you know that? " Albert said as he looked at me
" Not only did you reduce the taxes that they were meant to pay you also proceeded to start many welfare projects for the common people and with the constant influx of visitors the territory is in a state of an unprecedented economic boom"
" Not to mention the zero-crime rate "
His eyes shimmered lightly as he spoke, an unmistakable sense of happiness seemed to radiate from him, which soon however changed as his eyes clouded up with pity once again
" Which is why even if you are tired you must continue reviewing the paperwork "
Having heard Alberts verdict, I could only look at the sea of paperwork in front of me and recalling the rest of my tasks for the day including my training I could only weep silently as I continued working through it all one stack at a time.
After what felt like an eternity, I was finally able to finish all the work for the day with even some time to spare and with that I did what I have been wanting to do for so long, I went to bed and slept like a log.
' Now this is life '
Waking up the next morning I couldn't help but feel at ease
'Having finished so much yesterday I don't have anything to do in the morning I can laze around as much as I want'
Turning around to take another nap I suddenly heard the door of my bedroom being opened urgently causing me to sit up finding none other than other than Albert walking towards me with a grave expression on his face
" Albert what is the problem did something happen "
However instead of replying he reached into his jacket he pulled out a letter with a golden dragon insignia tailored on it, seeing it my eyes flew open and confirming my suspicions was none other than Alberts next words
" A letter from the imperial palace has just arrived "
Hearing his words I jumped out of the bed