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Chapter 658: Hands Off.

The initial topic was unrelated to this situation and leaned more towards a commercial discussion.

I recounted the experiences from the North Sea.

I didn’t spit out what couldn’t be said. Instead, I organized the possible things to share and passed them to Moyong Hi-ah.

Of course, that role should have been for Yuri, not me.

Rustle.

Moyong Hi-ah read the neatly prepared letter a few times.

In the room, only the sound of her fingers fidgeting with the letter could be heard.

After pondering over it for a while, Moyong Hi-ah spoke up.

“I understood the story well.”

Even while talking, her gaze remained on the letter.

“First of all, I express my regrets over what happened in the North Sea.”

“Thank you for your consideration…”

Yuri responded to Moyong Hi-ah’s statement, but tension was palpable in her voice.

There was no helping it.

Moyong Hi-ah was indeed a hard person to deal with in such a position.

Thud.

Setting down the letter, Moyong Hi-ah looked at Yuri.

“However, separate from that regret, I have many questions for the representative of Gungju. Can we begin?”

“…Yes.”

This was just the beginning.

“Thank you for your understanding. Now, concerning the contract we made before proceeding with the work.”

Her voice lowered. Even the most peak-level person could exude an immense pressure that wasn’t a joke.

“In the contract, you mentioned that we could obtain exclusive rights for trade with the North Sea upon completion. Is that contract still valid?”

“…It is valid.”

Moyong Hi-ah nodded at Yuri’s reply.

“Then, regarding your earlier statement about proceeding with trade within at least three months after the conclusion. Is that still possible?”

‘Hmm?’

I widened my eyes at Moyong Hi-ah’s words.

‘Did they actually have such a contract in place?’

I knew about securing exclusive trading rights, but it seemed they had also set deadlines effectively.

Regardless, the handling of matters was indeed impressive.

Yuri’s expression darkened upon hearing that.

“…That part may be problematic and quite difficult.”

Conducting trade within three months… No matter how one sets a contract, it was unrealistic at this moment.

‘Of course it would be difficult.’

Yes, that was a given. The war wasn’t over; it was ongoing.

Judging by the situation, victory and resolution would come soon, but even that would take at least three months.

Afterward, rebuilding the Ice Palace and stabilizing the manpower would take, at the very least, over a year.

To ignore all that and expect trade to begin within three months? That was nonsensical.

“I see.”

Moyong Hi-ah lightly nodded at the reply.

Considering she had already heard the news through the letter, she must have expected it.

“Then, when do you think trade could realistically commence from your perspective?”

“At least by this time next year…”

“Please be specific. You stated the same when the contract was finalized.”

“…”

Even though they looked somewhat similar, the vibe was entirely different.

I could tell Yuri was struggling under Moyong Hi-ah’s audacity.

Yuri, too, had her own clever aspects, but she seemed no match compared to Moyong Hi-ah.

“It could be possible by next fall.”

The shift from summer to fall was reasonable.

However.

“That means the timeline has extended by a few months.”

That was something we didn’t need to understand from our side.

“Though I regret the situation in the North Sea, as a result, the contract has been violated, so instead of canceling it, I believe we should adjust the terms. Do you agree?”

Before Yuri could respond, the letter already landed on the table.

When did she pull that out again?

No, to think about it…

‘When did she prepare that?’

It was clear it wasn’t just freshly prepared. Judging from the state of the letter, it seemed to have existed for several days.

This meant.

‘…Does this indicate she anticipated this from the start?’

Without a doubt, it was impossible to complete this within three months.

Moyong Hi-ah had been preparing to change the contract already.

‘This is a fearsome character.’

Regardless of others, I must never let Moyong Hi-ah find a loophole.

Seeing this only solidified my conviction.

Of course, changing the contract wasn’t something that could be easily done, so as the conversation progressed, Yuri seemed to try to come up with some counters.

But.

“Thank you. Then let’s conclude this matter here.”

“…Yes, yes…”

As time passed and the conversation came to an end, Yuri looked drained, as if all energy had been sapped from her.

Meanwhile, Moyong Hi-ah maintained a composed demeanor, unchanged from the beginning.

Even watching from the side had me breaking into a cold sweat.

The sight of her verbally cornering the opponent was enough to make anyone’s tongue loose without even realizing it.

“The residence for the princess has been prepared. The guards who came with you will also head in that direction.”

‘Oh right, those guys were here too.’

Come to think of it, Yuri’s guards were abandoned here.

They must have been left behind out of annoyance, but Moyong Hi-ah had managed them well.

‘…Then, Yuri has to stay here at least until next fall.’

Though the Gungju likely saw it as sending her away for safety, it also effectively meant holding her as a hostage.

A justification to keep hold until the contract was properly fulfilled was now secured.

Thus, the Gungju had a reason to commence trade with the Upper House the moment the war concluded.

Yuri was practically a leash now.

Moyong Hi-ah said that with a smile.

“…Thank you.”

With no words left to express, Yuri nodded tiredly, signaling the end of the conversation.

Afterward, Yuri rose to follow the attendant’s guidance.

I nudged Woo Hyeok and told him to follow.

Without a word, Woo Hyeok followed Yuri out.

“I’ll take my leave first.”

Tang Soyeol, who had been observing from behind, quickly greeted Moyong Hi-ah before disappearing.

That irked me even more.

“…If I see both of you again, you won’t get away easily.”

With a promise of vengeance upon their return, Moyong Hi-ah finally caught her breath.

Then she realized.

Right now, she was left alone in this room with a rather inconvenient character.

“…”

Looking a bit embarrassed by the situation, Moyong Hi-ah straightened her posture.

Then she gazed at the young man before her.

Black hair, black eyes, with a gentle yet striking appearance—Mi Gungja.

‘Two Dragons.’

Bloodline of the Pejon.

Bi Yi-jin, of the same Six Dragons and Three Peaks group, but we had never engaged in conversation.

I merely viewed him as an acquaintance since he usually accompanied Gu Yangcheong.

Moyong Hi-ah felt a bit uncomfortable around him.

‘…He has an odd vibe.’

It was strange; although he didn’t seem to have built walls, he appeared indifferent to others.

His disinterested gaze only intensified the dark color of those black eyes.

Her instincts warned her.

Not to treat that person lightly.

An inexplicable sense of unease gripped Moyong Hi-ah’s attitude as she watched Too Dragon.

‘Why isn’t he leaving?’

Too Dragon, for some reason, remained seated and did not leave the room.

Even after his companions had departed, it seemed he had no intention of standing up.

As her confusion grew, he finally broke the silence.

“Say, was it Seolbong?”

“…Yes, that’s right. Prince Too Dragon.”

As Moyong Hi-ah responded, Too Dragon smiled.

Though that smile appeared gentle, a sense of eeriness lingered beneath it.

Between those unsettling vibes, Too Dragon unexpectedly spoke.

“It seems you enjoy trading. Care to make a deal with me? The reward will be considerable.”

“…What kind of deal are you suddenly talking about? If it’s about what we just discussed…”

“Oh no, it’s not that. That’ll be evident enough; I can find that out myself.”

“Excuse me?”

So it wasn’t a question about the Pejon?

Then what exactly was he trying to trade?

“I just thought you seemed like a trustworthy individual. I’d like to ask a small favor—could you gather some information for me?”

“…Information, you say?”

“It’s nothing serious.”

As Too Dragon began speaking, his expression shifted.

“I’d like to request some information about the Flame King.”

Although he was maintaining his smile, it now felt more like a grimace.

That left Moyong Hi-ah feeling a chill run down her spine.

 

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