Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World
Chapter 95: Pushing the Boundaries

TL: Etude

At 9 A.M., the next morning, Emerson once again visited the Lord’s Mansion. This time, he did not make Paul wait for him intentionally.

“Heh, Lord Grayman really has set quite a stage,” Emerson remarked with a laugh upon seeing the increased number of people in the room.

Of course, this did not intimidate him. Emerson confidently took his seat where he had sat the day before, not waiting for Paul to speak before settling himself down. “Lord Grayman, a night’s time should have given you enough time to think, right?”

“I’ll endure it,” Paul silently urged himself, maintaining a smile and nodding. “Sir Emerson, I have made my decision.”

“For the sake of the friendship between the Kent and Grayman families, I agree to your demands regarding the sharing of profits. However, regarding the joint governance of Baylding, I absolutely cannot agree. It would be a betrayal to my late Uncle Ganard, and the true lord of Baylding is Malron Ganard.”

“I will not agree to your demands about Baylding from yesterday.”

Malron, standing nearby, shook his head as he addressed Emerson.

“Oh…” Emerson appeared somewhat disappointed, shaking his head.

“Lord Kent will be very disappointed.”

He stared motionlessly at Paul, and a standoff ensued between them.

Finally, after a long internal struggle, Paul conceded to his bottom line: “If the Kent family can relinquish their demands on Baylding, we can offer a larger share in the profits.”

He then waited silently for a response.

Emerson continuously stroked his chin, seemingly pondering Paul’s recent offer.

In reality, he had already made up his mind, but he relished this feeling of ‘judgment’, watching the other party anxiously await his response. He felt a sudden rush, as if his word alone could decide their fate.

“The whole room is silently awaiting my verdict,” thought Emerson.

What verdict should he pass on them?

“Ah, Grayman, Grayman, if only you had come to greet me immediately upon my arrival the day before yesterday, I would have spared you now.”

Unfortunately, you made the mistake of disrespecting me then, and must be punished.

After intentionally waiting a bit longer, Emerson put on a serious face and finally spoke: “Paul Grayman.”

“Since you failed to make a decision satisfactory to the Kent family in time, I, on behalf of the Earl, demand the following.”

“First, the profits shared with Earl Kent and Duke Ferdinand should be increased to one-third each.”

“Second, hand over the technology of papermaking and porcelain manufacturing to the Kent family.”

“Third, immediately cede half of Baylding’s territory to the Kent family.”

“Fourth, …”

Emerson’s originally serious face broke into a sinister smile.

“… swear allegiance to the esteemed Earl Marltz Kent and his lawful heirs.”

After stating these four demands of his own accord, Emerson felt an uncontrollable excitement within:

“Hmph, kneel and beg for mercy, this is the punishment for your neglect.”

“Paul Grayman, as a weakling, dared not to meet me immediately, thinking too highly of yourself, a mere titular count without even a single knight under your command.”

“But if you please me enough, perhaps I might spare you. Just perhaps.”

Though inwardly excited, Emerson maintained an unperturbed demeanor with a slight smile on his face, leisurely taking a sip of water.

At this moment, Paul was stunned, utterly astonished by the other’s greed.

The others in the reception room also wore incredulous expressions, unable to react.

Paul suddenly felt a tug at his sleeve and turned to see it was the steward, Ford, signaling him.

Ford’s right hand was stretched out straight, slicing downwards – a clear signal: “Lord, let’s go to war!”

The demands were too excessive, crossing the limits that Alda could bear. Agreeing would mean the Grayman family would have no standing in the northwest.

Some things, especially on a spiritual level, cannot be surrendered. Clearly, it was time to fight.

Seeing even Ford, the greatest advocate for peace, urging for war, Paul quickly made a decision.

He straightened up and asked Emerson with a smile, “Sir Emerson, do you have full authority to represent Earl Kent?”

Emerson, awaiting Paul’s plea, hesitated but firmly responded, “Of course, Lord Kent has appointed me to handle all negotiations with you.”

Paul continued, “Are the conditions you just mentioned personally requested by Lord Kent?”

Emerson, slightly irritated, replied, “What are you implying, Lord Grayman? I’ve already said, Lord Kent has entrusted me with full authority. I do not wish to repeat myself.”

Alright, Paul thought, no need to ask further. Whether these were Marltz Kent’s own words or the envoy Emerson overstepping his bounds, the situation was now do or die.

He crossed his arms and leaned on the table, his face set with determination.

Emerson, noticing Paul’s posture and expression, felt uneasy. Could this minor lord dare to refuse his terms? “Ha, impossible.”

His confident smile returned. Representing Earl Kent, he had secured many benefits beyond expectations. Surely, his elder would reward him handsomely.

However, Paul’s next words took him by surprise.

“Sir Emerson, given the Kent family’s outrageous demands, I see it as a great insult to the Grayman family.”

“From now on, anyone related to the Kent family is no longer welcome in Alda and Baylding. Once found, they will be expelled immediately.”

“Now…”

Paul paused, his eyes fixed on Emerson’s detestable face, and said word by word:

“Get—out!”

Emerson’s smile froze. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ n0vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“What? I must be hearing things. This minor lord, without a single knight, dares to tell me to leave? Ha, absurd!”

He asked in confusion, “What did you say, Count Grayman?”

Paul replied irritably, “I said get out. Are your ears clogged with dung, or is your brain too waterlogged to understand?”

Emerson finally understood. This minor lord, without a knight to his name, had truly told him, a noble from the capital and an envoy of the Kent family, to leave.

Absurd! Utterly absurd!

Emerson stood there, bewildered.

“Leave!”

Bryce suddenly roared at him.

“Leave!”

“Leave!”

The others in the reception room began to angrily echo the same words.

Emerson felt a wave of fear, trying to suppress it, pointing at Paul and the others.

“You, you, and you, just wait, all of you.”

Seeing his arrogance, Bryce unsheathed his sword and pointed it at him, yelling again, “Leave!”

The intimidating blade shone on Emerson’s face, causing him to shiver, but he quickly regained his haughty expression.

“Hmph!”

He huffed, adjusted his clothes in front of Bryce’s sword, and turned to leave.

…

After returning to the inn, Emerson did not stay, riding out of Lakeheart Town with his servants.

“Just wait! Wait until the Kent family’s knights crush you ignorant fools!”

He cursed inwardly.

But first, he had to think about how to face his Uncle Kent. If not for his overstepping with those four new demands, Paul Grayman was almost ready to agree to the previous conditions…

Sᴇarch the Nʘvᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.