Countess Freya Bloodstone was an ordinary person who lacked the talent or aptitude to be a knight or a mage.

In the Kingdom of Bloodstone, nobility and martial prowess were intrinsically linked. Barons were, at the very least, knights. Viscounts and counts were expected to reach the level of great knights, while marquises and dukes held the rank of silver knights. This was not merely tradition but necessity. A noble who lacked personal strength risked having their authority undermined, becoming nothing more than a puppet to their subordinates. To prevent such a fate, noble families almost exclusively chose heirs with knightly potential.

Even for a direct successor, a lack of talent could spark fierce opposition to their inheritance. If a noble failed to produce an heir with at least silver knight talent, they would often be forced to adopt a more capable relative, allowing another branch of the family to take over.

Such was the case with Lyria. She was not originally the main successor of her family’s branch, yet she inherited the title because the family’s higher-ups—most notably Marquis Alaric Windwalker—recognized her as the most qualified. With their backing, she secured her rightful place.

This was the way of noble families throughout the kingdom.

With one exception.

The Bloodstone family.

Unlike other noble houses, the Bloodstone nobles were little more than bureaucrats—figureheads devoid of any real power. Countess Freya Bloodstone, despite her noble title, was entirely subject to the directives of Bloodstone City. She held no actual authority, nor was there any risk of her being manipulated by her subordinates. There was simply no need for her to wield personal strength.

For at the pinnacle of the kingdom stood King Bloodstone. With a legendary knight ruling over the land, none dared to challenge his will.

The kingdom's governance was left to the prime minister, the ministers, and other influential members residing in Bloodstone City. The king’s time was far too valuable to be wasted on administrative affairs.

Though Bloodstone City held absolute power over its own nobles, it rarely interfered with the autonomy of other noble houses. Decrees issued by the capital were primarily binding on the Bloodstone family itself. Only under extraordinary circumstances would an order extend to the entire kingdom—out of respect for the sovereignty of the noble families.

Of course, the nobles of the Bloodstone family were anything but independent from King Bloodstone!

He was not only their king—he was their patriarch.

There was simply no room for autonomy.

Unlike other noble families, the Bloodstone family’s military was completely centralized—one of the most significant differences in governance compared to the rest of the kingdom.

In families like Windwalker, Darkwind, and Stonefist, each minor noble maintained their own private army, personal guards, and security forces. But the nobles of the Bloodstone family had no personal troops, no standing army of their own. Instead, all military and police forces were under the direct control of Bloodstone City, the capital, and were distributed across the kingdom as needed.

Take Adventurous City, for example—the city under Countess Freya Bloodstone’s jurisdiction. Located on the border, it boasted a population of approximately 800,000 and had been assigned a standing army of 25,000 soldiers. Such a sizable force was necessary to protect the city’s strategic position.

Though Freya Bloodstone nominally commanded Adventurous City’s army under normal circumstances, her authority was strictly limited. She was bound to follow the directives issued by Bloodstone City, the administrative hub of the kingdom. While she had some degree of discretion, it was nowhere near the level of autonomy that nobles from other families enjoyed.

This was the nature of the Bloodstone Family—where power was consolidated, and true authority rested in the hands of the king and his chosen rulers.

...

Edric—or rather, Carl the Merchant—jumped down from the carriage.

Silver Flower Island wasn’t known for harsh winters. Nestled in the middle of the ocean, it typically enjoyed a warm and temperate climate. However, a rare snowfall a few days prior had blanketed the land in shimmering white, transforming the usually vibrant island into a frozen expanse.

Now, acting as Carl—an ordinary merchant—Edric had to dress the part. Wrapped in thick, warm clothing, he blended seamlessly into the role he had taken on.

Behind him, over twenty carriages stood in formation, each laden with luxurious goods. Transporting such valuable cargo under normal circumstances would have required significant preparation—at least one great knight, a contingent of fifty guards, and a group of servants to manage the convoy.

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But recent events had changed everything.

Before the unification of the Darkwind family, their lands had been infested with countless bandit groups, to the point where even the rulers of Bloodstone City had begun to take notice. After all, while the obstructed roads technically lay within Darkwind territory, the disruptions they caused rippled far beyond its borders, choking regional trade.

The Minister of Trade had ordered Marquis Darkwind to eradicate the bandits and restore order, as all noble families were required to maintain open, secure roads for commerce. While nobles had a great deal of autonomy, they were not entirely free from obligation. Trade was the lifeblood of the kingdom—ensuring safe passage benefited everyone, so there was little opposition to the mandate.

However, at the time, Valdrin Darkwind had been preoccupied. Engulfed in internal struggles, he simply ignored the order.

Recognizing the chaos within the Darkwind family, the minister had chosen to wait rather than escalate matters. Sending troops to enforce the decree would have drained too many resources—an expense the Ministry of Trade was unwilling to bear. Under normal circumstances, defying a minister’s order would have been seen as a serious offense, but given the ongoing civil war, the government had turned a blind eye.

Then, Kaelith Darkwind took over.

With the family unified under his rule, the Ministry of Trade wasted no time—they immediately ordered him to clear the roads and reestablish the trade routes.

Kaelith Darkwind understood one thing well—the minister’s patience was not infinite.

When he received the order, he acted decisively, mobilizing a massive force of 50,000 soldiers to eradicate every last bandit from his lands.

It had only been a few months since that ruthless purge, and the aftermath still lingered—blood-stained roads, shattered bones, and the eerie silence where chaos once ruled. Simply put, not a single bandit group had survived the slaughter Kaelith had ordered.

For merchants, this was a golden era. The roads were safer than they had been in decades.

Because of this, Edric had no need for an excessive security detail. Where merchants once required great knights and large armed escorts, he had hired only a single knight and ten guards to accompany his trade caravan.

Of course, in reality, he didn’t need protection at all.

He was a golden knight and a mage, more powerful than any ordinary escort. However, as Carl the Merchant, an unassuming trader, he had to maintain the illusion of being just another ordinary man.

“Let’s go!”

Edric, fully in character as Carl, strode toward the city gates.

When the guards approached, he produced a set of documents, meticulously prepared in advance. The men examined them carefully, then proceeded to inspect each carriage, checking the contents thoroughly.

The process dragged on for half an hour, but finally, they were granted entry.

The gates of Adventurous City swung open before them.

And so, Carl the Merchant stepped inside.

...

The Bloodstone Kingdom’s Chamber of Commerce was an immensely powerful organization.

Virtually every trade group, factory, shop, and merchant within the kingdom was a member. It imposed a flat 1% tax on the profits of all its members—a seemingly small percentage, but one that amounted to an astronomical sum each year.

Every business worth its name was part of the Chamber. The reason was simple—it provided value that made membership essential. No one could trade effectively without it.

What kind of services could a voluntary association provide?

1. LEGAL PROTECTION

The Chairman of the Chamber was a member of the Bloodstone family—a man deeply connected to the kingdom’s most powerful figures. Simply put, being a member provided a layer of protection.

And not being a member?

That was as good as painting a target on your back.

2. TRADE REPUTATION & TRUSTWORTHINESS

The Chamber maintained records of all its members—their businesses, trade history, credit ratings, and trustworthiness. If a merchant had ever committed fraud, every other member would know about it.

This transparency made business smoother and reduced the risks of dealing with unreliable traders.

3. EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & BENEFITS

The Chamber also negotiated special deals for its members. For example, it had a 5% discount agreement with the Guards' Association, meaning Chamber members could hire guards for their trade convoys cheaper than non-members.

Even large trade groups, which had their own private security, still relied on hired guards for extra protection—so this benefit was invaluable.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Becoming a member was fairly simple, but it required meeting three key conditions:

1. Pass a Background Check – This was a surface-level investigation to ensure the applicant wasn’t a known scammer. Since new members joined daily, conducting deep investigations on every single one was impractical.

2. Post a Bond – This cash deposit was pooled into an investment fund, generating profits used to cover potential losses caused by fraudulent members. The initial deposit would be returned after 10 years, but after that, members were no longer covered by this insurance.

3. Own a Place of Business & Provide a Service – The Chamber only admitted actual merchants. If a member failed to operate a business or service for five consecutive years, they would be expelled.

...

Edric, fully in character as Carl the Merchant, gazed up at the grand structure before him.

The Chamber of Commerce Branch Headquarters was an imposing sight—a towering edifice of polished marble and dark ironwood beams, radiating an air of power and authority. The façade was adorned with golden inlays, depicting symbols of trade and prosperity—weighing scales, overflowing coin purses, and a merchant’s ship caught in full sail.

At the entrance, two colossal stone pillars, carved with intricate reliefs of great traders and legendary deals, framed a set of ornate double doors—massive things of reinforced oak, etched with the Chamber’s crest. The emblem was simple yet absolute in its meaning: a single gold coin, wreathed in chains, signifying both wealth and obligation.

Inside, the air buzzed with the hum of business—scribes scratching out records, merchants haggling over contracts, clerks shuffling between desks with stacks of ledgers. Chandeliers of crystal bathed the hall in a soft, warm glow, illuminating rows of polished counters where officials processed paperwork and handled trade disputes.

Edric took a deep breath.

If he was to establish himself as Carl the Merchant, his first step would be registering here. A formal membership would grant him legitimacy, making his disguise more convincing.

With that thought in mind, he stepped inside.