I watched Roland's struggle to find the right words, his attempt at explanation falling apart with each passing moment. Meanwhile, Finnan seemed to take pleasure in Roland's discomfort, a faint smile forming on his lips. It was evident that the situation was getting increasingly difficult for Roland to explain away, especially concerning the large quantity of stolen wine that his son had apparently used for this hidden party.

If it had been just a couple of bottles, I might have entertained the possibility that they had innocently acquired it elsewhere. However, the sheer amount of wine they had wasted made it hard to believe it wasn't stolen. The evidence pointed towards their involvement in the theft, and I couldn't help but feel betrayed by the very man I had considered trusting with the future of the business.

But strangely, I didn’t feel any anger. I was calm—no, disappointed. What did I even expect by relying on others? They would always prove me wrong anyway.

"It's always the same," I couldn't help but chuckle. Leaving the bottle on the table, I picked up the cane, pinned it against the surface, and stood up, a pang of pain escaping my lips as my weak legs struggled to carry my weight. This body was truly feeble compared to what I had once been.

Observing me, both men jumped to their feet, Finnan calm as usual, while Roland gulped down a mouthful of saliva, his face paler than before.

"At least stop acting like a thief," I ordered the manager, and with a nudge of the cane, moved towards the window, where the setting sun bathed the vibrant city of Seiren in its golden glow.

The view from the window brought a strange sense of peace to my troubled mind. Despite the disappointment and the betrayal I felt, I couldn't help but find solace in the beauty of the city below. The bustling streets, the laughter of children playing, and the hum of everyday life seemed to go on, oblivious to the turmoil within the walls of Seiren Textiles.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind and think rationally. It was clear that I needed to take matters into my own hands, small or big I had to be there for it all. Relying on others had proven to be a mistake, and if I wanted to save the business and protect its reputation, I would have to do it myself.

Turning back to face Roland and Finnan, I spoke with a new resolve in my voice. "I take back what I said. Roland and his son won't have their job anymore, nor any involvement in the business," I declared. "Finnan, call the guard outside, tell him to inform his captain, and throw this father-son into jail, or whatever you have. From now on, I take full control of Seiren Textiles. Whatever happens, it's on me."

"Lord," Finnan gave a tight nod and swiftly went for the door, while Roland fell back to his seat, ruffling what remained of his hair with a long sigh.

"Is this how it ends…" he asked, his gaze sweeping through the room and finally settling on me. "...After all I have done for you, for your father, for this business."

"It didn't have to be like this," I replied, looking at the golden sky outside the window.

The weight of the situation settled on me, the responsibility, and the consequences of my decisions. I didn’t know Roland or any of his efforts, but I knew many like him, who had been a trusted employee for many years, bathing in power and wealth, but in the end, they bit the hand that fed them for petty greed.

It pained me to see him brought down like this. But I couldn't let sentimentality cloud my judgment. Loyalty and trust could never go hand in hand with theft and dishonesty. He must choose one, and he chose the latter.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. “Why did you do this?” I shifted my eyes to Roland.

The old man left his seat and made his way towards me. He stood a foot away and stared outside the window. "There are only a handful who choose to do wrong, lord," he said, his voice full of regret and disappointment. "Others, like us, have to… because we don't have a choice."

"So, you stole the wines from the vineyard?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I did not, lord," he replied. "I would never do such a thing, but when my son showed me what he had acquired, I had no choice but to save him."

"Your son stole it and you helped him hide it, here of all places," I said, my eyebrows raised, honestly stupefied by the audacity of these people.

"He didn't steal anything. He lacks such courage," Roland sneered, his eyes still focused outside. "He is just a pawn, being used in this game of power and money, like you and I."

"Then who stole it and forced you to hide it in this factory?" I inquired, getting to the heart of the matter. This question held the answer to everything, as Roland had repeatedly hinted at his son's and his indirect involvement in this thievery.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"How much would you pay for my loyalty?" Roland countered with a question of his own.

"Loyalty cannot be bought or sold," I responded firmly, sticking to my beliefs. “It is not a mere commodity.”

“But it is, lord. With enough gold, you could buy it,” he replied, slowly turning to face me, a subtle grin on his lips. "Just as the Vineyard's manager's loyalty was bought."

I narrowed my eyes. “You mean the Vineyard’s manager himself is stealing the wine?”

“Not just him, lord.” Roland rested his hands on the edges of the window, gazing into the luscious forest in the distance. “Your lumber manager is stealing the lumber. The mine manager, the stones; the silver manager, the silver; the spice manager, the spice; and the textile manager–”

“… Stealing the textiles,” I finished his sentence, amazed by the level of corruption that ran deep within every business.

Roland chortled, leaving the window edges, and patting me on the shoulder. “You have gotten wiser, Lord Arwan.”

“They must steal it to sell to someone else, or how would they make money.” I said, ignoring the compliment. “Who are they selling it to?”

“Where their loyalty lies,” he smiled.

“And where is that?” I pressed on. “You are one of them. Tell me where your loyalty lies?”

“…I cannot say, lord,” Roland heaved a deep sigh.

“It is not the Count.” I counted the options. “Nor this land. Then who is it?”

“…” The man stayed silent, only smiling.

“Do you not fear me?” I glared at him. “I could have you killed for a name.”

“Whether you do or them, it hardly matters.” Roland stretched his limbs, now laughing. “I am already dead for telling you all this.”

“How would they…”

Before I could finish speaking, two sickening thuds, one after another echoed outside the room, and the door handle creaked. Instinctively, I gripped the cane, fully prepared to defend myself. But to my surprise, Finnan entered, scratching his scalp, behind him lay the two unconscious guards, one from before and another I didn’t recognize.

“Not today.” He said, a lifeless look on his face, locking the door behind him. “Not any day, until you tell us who is behind this thievery. Or it won’t end well for you, or your son.”

I lowered the cane, easing my breath that I had been holding unknowingly. “How did you know?” I asked. As far as I was aware, Finnan was supposed to alert the guard and wait outside until the captain arrived. We weren’t certainly speaking loudly enough for the noise to be heard through that door.

"I have good ears, lord," Finnan drew near, cracking his knuckles. "And rest assured, I am on your side. I have better things to do than play these petty games."

Without any choice, I nodded. Finnan seemed like a loyal man, but not that disloyal had their foreheads marked in red. They all looked the same and I couldn't help but worry about potential betrayal. In times like these, one couldn't be too trusting, especially when faced with hidden conspiracies.

"You took care of them," Roland praised. "Fast lad!"

"I could wipe out this factory in mere minutes," Finnan scoffed confidently.

Just how strong is he? I wondered. Did they have machine guns or explosives in this era? I didn’t think so. Then how was he going to do it?

“This location isn’t safe anymore, Lord," Finnan said, breaking my thoughts. "I suggest we leave immediately and inform Lord Count about this. He would take necessary steps."

"We lack numbers either way," I added, moving away from the window. "So, the guards are not ours?"

"I am afraid, not." Roland answered instead of Finnan. "They are paid by them to keep an eye on me."

"And you won't tell who are ‘them’," I shot back, anger evident in my voice.

"He will, lord," Finnan grabbed Roland's collar and looked the man directly in the eyes. "Keep quiet and follow us to the carriage, or I promise I will break your son’s neck while you watch."

I expected Roland to snap back, but he complied, his face darkened with rage, and of course fear. With Finnan leading the way, we exited the room and made our way downstairs without any further incidents. There, my eyes caught sight of the captain instructing the now somewhat sober workers.

"Hey!" I called out to him, and he ran up to me immediately.

"Yes, lord?" he asked, innocently waiting for my command.

"Join us," I ordered without any animosity. The captain led the guards, meaning whoever they were must inform him for any orders to be carried out. He must have some information that could help identify these unknown payers.

"What about those men?" The captain pointed at the group behind him.

"Let them go." I announced, and one of the guards gestured them to leave. "Their judgment shall come tomorrow. Now, it's yours."

"Lord?" He looked puzzled.

"You will see," Finnan said, wrapping his hand around the man's neck in a friendly manner and pulling him towards the carriage.

Once the four of us boarded our ride, the large gates opened with loud creaks, and the carriage sped through the now dim roads of Seiren city. Roland and I sat on one side while Finnan still latched onto the captain on the other.

His grip around the man's neck gradually tightened, making him look visibly distressed. "Please, sir… you are… I am…" the captain mumbled, glancing in between me and Finnan.

"Finnan!" I called. "We do not hurt people loyal to us."

"Yes, lord." Finnan let go, and the man heaved a deep breath, hand over his chest.

"Thank you, lord." He said, huffing loudly.

"Loyalists are always welcomed." I replied with a wide grin. “And should be rewarded, don’t you think?”

My repeated use of the word “loyal” must have struck a chord, as the captain looked at me, smiling awkwardly. "Where are we going, lord?" He asked.

"Somewhere, to prove your loyalty!"