Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 662: The Check

Alex reached into his jacket, produced a prepared document, and slid it across the table toward her.

Lady Wintermere took the paper and perused its contents.

Her brows immediately drew together in a frown.

"If we follow this arrangement, my earnings would be less than what I currently secure through my deal with Brock Peyton. You expect me to forsake Peyton for you with such an offer?" she questioned, shaking her head.

Alex calmly clasped his fingers together, resting his hands on his thigh.

He then responded.

"You are looking at this from the incorrect perspective, Lady Wintermere. Your arrangement with Peyton is already destined for failure. He provoked me—and more gravely, he pursued something he should never have even contemplated. His end is already decided."

"With your cooperation, he might manage to postpone the inevitable for a brief period, but the outcome will remain unchanged. The only significant difference will be the consequences... because your continued backing will also convert us into adversaries."

His voice stayed entirely measured.

"Essentially, what was once a beneficial asset has already transformed into a drawback—and shortly, it will become a non-existent arrangement altogether."

"Conversely, I am presenting you with something tangible. Something dependable. True, the immediate returns are lower than you anticipated, but this agreement enables you to meet your commitments and uphold your reputation.

"And more crucially than the profit itself—this solidifies our bond in a partnership. A partnership that grants us all leverage across numerous city sectors, empowering us to collectively pursue far grander prospects than Peyton could ever provide you on his own."

"Therefore, Lady Wintermere, please comprehend that this agreement is only transitional in its present form. As our alliance strengthens and the potential opportunities we can offer each other broaden, the profits will naturally escalate."

Alex offered a smile and gave her a slight, encouraging nod.

"I recognize this is a significant proposition to evaluate, so I shall grant you the time needed for consideration. There is no necessity to provide your answer today. When the structure of sand that Brock Peyton has erected around himself begins to crumble, your reaction alone will convey all that I need to ascertain."

He arose from his seat.

"Until then."

Raven Horn and the BattleBane Guild Master also prepared to depart with him.

However, just as Alex neared the exit, he abruptly halted, as if a thought had just surfaced.

He turned back, approached the table once more, and set a small potion container upon it. Within lay a single potion vial, accompanied by straightforward usage directions.

"Consider this a token of goodwill. Once this transaction is finalized, this can evolve into the subsequent business venture for our envisioned collaboration," Alex stated.

He then proceeded back toward the door.

"Lady Wintermere, a maxim from my homeland asserts that permanent adversaries are rare; only permanent interests and benefits exist. Should the interests be sufficiently substantial, even animosity spanning generations can transform into close amity."

He paused, then tilted his head slightly to glance back at her.

"And, naturally... the converse holds equally true."

With those concluding remarks, Alex departed the chamber, accompanied by Raven Horn and the BattleBane Guild Master.

As they traversed the hallways of the Banshee Estate, Alex's thoughts remained engaged.

His proposition had never truly hinged on Lady Wintermere's personal sentiments toward Brock Peyton. That was merely superficial leverage.

His genuine trump card lay in the pressure Lady Wintermere was already enduring from within her own organization.

According to the report Raven Horn had supplied concerning her, combined with the fragmented intelligence gathered by Fortuna’s reconnaissance team, Drumvale was not a unified entity and was far from the harmonious structure it presented externally.

Rather than being a singular, cohesive merchant collective as its designation suggested, Drumvale was more accurately an unplanned amalgamation of influential merchant houses.

It had initially commenced in Afordocia as a group of independent establishments entering into a cooperative pact, consolidating their assets and influence under a shared banner to secure a more robust standing within the city's commercial landscape.

Each of those establishments continued to operate autonomously, managing their individual operations and aspirations, yet they did so under the collective brand of Drumvale and in accordance with the overarching objectives determined during assemblies of the primary stakeholders.

Lady Wintermere hailed from one of these constituent shops within Drumvale—the Demin Trade Shop, a business primarily specializing in apparel and cosmetics.

So, why would a merchant house centered on clothing and beauty products be representing the Drumvale name in the Wildlands to secure mineral resources?

The explanation was self-evident.

Demin had experienced a significant slip in influence within the broader Drumvale structure, their desperation for a move that could restore their standing palpable.

By diversifying and expanding into mineral resources, the Demin Trade Shop embarked on a calculated gamble—particularly when the mineral in question was as valuable and politically charged as Theolonium.

It was this very desperation that had emboldened Lady Wintermere, permitting Brock Peyton to leverage Drumvale’s name so casually.

As long as rare and valuable strategic resources like Theolonium could be secured, any damage to Drumvale’s reputation was deemed an acceptable sacrifice, especially given the unsavory context of the Wildlands, a far cry from the refined circles of polite society.

However, should this venture falter, that same “minor” blemish on the Drumvale name could very well signify the final death knell for the Demin Trade Shop.

This was precisely the reason behind Alex’s calculated presentation of a star-studded alignment before her.

In stark contrast to Brock Peyton and his ragtag group, the formidable combination of Fortuna, the BattleBane Guild, and the Black Scar Syndicate presented a significantly more stable and imposing alternative. Alex’s strategic aim was to leverage Demin’s precarious position and the internal pressures they faced, compelling Lady Wintermere to reassess the extent of her continued patronage of Peyton.

“Her complete withdrawal of support isn’t necessary,” Alex mused internally. “A mere hesitation is sufficient.”

A subtle glint flashed in his eyes.

“Given Peyton’s impulsive nature, he will act long before she concludes her deliberation on offering assistance. That hesitation alone will present an opportunity I can exploit.”

And should she ultimately choose to back him regardless...

“Then I will not hesitate to deal with her as well.”

Naturally, Alex did not entertain the notion of physical harm.

Unlike Peyton, Lady Wintermere’s actions stemmed from shrewd business acumen. He could not fault her purely on that basis. Yet, this did not preclude her from facing repercussions.

Even without resorting to lethal means, her entire world could be brought to ruin.

And he wouldn’t even need to employ underhanded tactics. His approach would mirror hers—acting purely in the interest of business.

All that was required was to divert the Theolonium elsewhere.

This could involve selling it to a rival faction within Drumvale itself, or to another major merchant power entirely. After all, Drumvale was hardly the sole significant commercial entity in BloodIron, Afordocia Free City, or indeed across the vast continent of Verdantis.

There were easily several other members of Afordocia’s ruling council amenable to such a transaction.

Provided Lady Wintermere failed to secure the Theolonium necessary to honor her pacts with the Temples and the clergy, both she and the Demin Trade Shop—and possibly even the wider Drumvale Merchant Company, contingent on the final recipient of the resource—would find themselves in dire straits.

And incurring the wrath of the Temples was a predicament no one on Verdantis would willingly court.

The Temples and their devout followers constituted the true governing powers across a significant portion of the continent, their influence in many territories eclipsing that of even Imperial and Royal families. While kings governed nations, the Temples commanded faith, legitimacy, and instilled fear.

The fate awaiting those who crossed their path was easily imagined.

Alex felt as though he could perceive invisible chessboards unfurled before him, with both Lady Wintermere and Brock Peyton already placed in a precarious check.

Towards Lady Wintermere, he remained amenable to a strategic retreat, leaving room for potential cooperation.

But for Brock Peyton… only a single move remained.

The culminating action.

The Checkmate.

“Oi, why didn’t you tell me you already had the BattleBane Guild on your side? Do you know how nervous I was coming here?” Raven Horn’s sudden interjection pulled Alex from his reverie.

Before Alex could respond, the BattleBane Guild Master offered a silent nod. In the next instant, his form blurred, vanishing without another word.

Alex offered a faint, almost helpless smile, shaking his head.

“It’s always advantageous to have contingencies. Still, I’m genuinely glad you decided to come,” he stated.

Raven Horn immediately perceived the unspoken message, understanding that Alex had no intention of elaborating on how he had secured the Guild Master’s allegiance. He simply offered a shrug, letting the matter rest.

Alex’s lips curved into a thin smile.

This subtle tact was precisely what he valued most in the man. He possessed an innate understanding of what inquiries were appropriate and, more importantly, which ones were best left unasked.

“Perhaps this is merely a byproduct of his affiliation, considering the nature of his organization,” Alex contemplated.

Raven Horn’s question wasn't merely something Alex preferred not to answer.

It could be argued that it was information he ought to keep entirely confidential from anyone.

The reason being that everything stemmed from a pivotal event, one among many significant occurrences, that took place approximately a week prior... merely a few days following the ambush on the raid party.

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