The Great Wish Volume 1 Chapter 3 part7

Chapter 3: Entwined Destiny
Kuhn left the balcony without his mask. As he exited, eyes from every direction stuck to him. If he waited any longer, the people would begin to swarm to him. Kuhn quickly began to walk past them.

"Lord Roxan."

Kuhn stopped. He muttered 'Damn' and composed himself before turning his head.

'Roxan' was one of Kuhns' many identities. The broken half-mask was nothing compared to the many masks he had.

A middle-aged man with a big belly slightly took off his mask before putting it back on.

"I never thought I'd be seeing you in a place like this."

"So did I. It's been a while."

"What happened to your mask?"

"It broke, so I was actually about to leave."

"If it's a mask, I can always get another one for you. You came all the way here, so why don't you enjoy it? I just returned the other day, and this is my first social event since. Having met you here, isn't this fate? Have a drink with me and let's talk."

"Thank you. However, I don't feel like it today."

"How much longer will you be staying at the Empire? Will I even be able to see you again?"

"Yes, I will contact you."

"That's a promise. Call me before you leave."

After receiving Kuhn's reassurance multiple times, the man finally let him go. A nearby noblewoman who had been overhearing this conversation could not contain her curiosity.

"He's quite a striking man."

She would have remembered that kind of man if she had met him before. Who was he? All the women went around asking each other.

"He's not a citizen of the Empire. Edward Roxan. He's the owner of the Roxan business."

"The Roxan business?"

"He has a few locations throughout the continent, but many citizens of the Empire aren't familiar with it."

"As expected, Lord Burock, you are very knowledgeable. You seem to know everything and everyone."

"It's all thanks to my wanderlust. I like traveling and learning new things. Thanks to that, I've picked up a lot."

"You're being too humble."

They burst out in laughter. The amicable conversation between these two was heard by another person.

"If it's a business that hasn't been established within the Empire, it doesn't sound like it's that great. Isn't it more like a general store?"

"It's better than that. Even if it's small in scale, they rake in a lot of profit. Its owner is a good man. He's a well-mannered and hard-working young man."

"Speaking of businesses, about the Raad Company... I heard that the owner is a woman. Have you heard anything about this, Lord Burock?"

"It's the first time I'm hearing about it. Where did you hear this?"

"Oh my. I heard that it was an old gentleman."

"Maybe the owner of the Raad Company can shapeshift. One says it's a woman, others say it's an old man."

Everyone burst out laughing. In no time, the topic of the Raad Company became the main subject. What were their profits? Another branch had opened up somewhere. There was no end to the subject.

The Raad Company was always a subject of interest for the aristocracy. It was rare for the nobility to have such an interest in merchants. Even if they liked money, they pretended not to care for it in public.

However, the Raad Company had a large stake in the Empire, but it was shrouded in mystery. Everyone had a desire to uncover what was hidden. However, they all had an ulterior motive behind it. They all wanted to form a relationship with the owner of the company.

The aristocracy lived their luxurious lives thanks to sponsors. Merchants formed ties with men of power by sponsoring the nobility. It was a symbiotic relationship.

* * *
Kuhn rushed out of the masquerade. He didn't want anyone else to recognize him.

It was already completely dark outside. He walked over to his waiting carriage. The higher your title, the closer your carriage was to the entrance. Kuhn had to walk far to get to his carriage.

He opened the carriage door and saw a young man with ruddy hair nodding off. The young man opened his eyes.

"You said you'd be quick. I was worried something might have happened to you."

He had obviously been nodding off, but his words were shameless. However, when he saw Kuhn's expression, he tactfully kept his mouth shut.

Someone knocked on the carriage door from outside. Russ opened the door slightly and had a hushed conversation with the person outside. He closed the door and looked at Kuhn before speaking.

"Someone is tailing us."

"From where?"

"It's a servant of the duke. What should we do?"

Kuhn didn't have to ask to know who sent him. Recalling the simpleton trembling with rage, Kuhn smiled sarcastically.

"No need to kill him."

"Yessir. Then I'll deal with this promptly."

He talked to the person outside again before closing the door once more. Russ pounded on the wall of the carriage. Shortly, the carriage began to move.

"Where are we going right now?"

"Back to our house..."

"Head to the store."

"Yessir."

The carriage continued on through the dark road. A cart was following after them.

There was no other carriage on the road tonight. The cart was following behind, giving the carriage a moderate amount of space. It didn't want to look suspicious.

What Tom was told to do was simple. He just needed to find out where this guest was living. He was often told to tail carriages, so this felt like a habit at this point.

'I just need to find out where he gets off. Who stepped on Young Master's toes this time? How unlucky.'

Tom clicked his tongue.

As soon as he turned the corner of the road, Tom saw a speeding carriage heading straight at him. Tom pulled on the reins in shock.

"Aaaagh!"

Crash! With a loud crash, the two vehicles collided. The small cart tumbled. The horses also collided into each other and their restraints tangled. The scene immediately went into chaos.

"There's been a crash!"

"Call for help!"

Lights began to appear here and there. The people from nearby houses had been awakened. It seemed to be a normal carriage accident.

Chapter end