Dragonslayer’s Class Regression Chapter 76

Chapter 76

House Graham was the ruler of Panstas, one of the three major cities of Midland.

During the Holy Empire era, they were a powerful family that ruled the entire eastern region where Midland is currently located.

Even after the Holy Empire’s decline, the Graham family maintained enormous influence by leading the central continent’s finance and real estate industries.

Zeke headed to Panstas with Farrell and Felix to visit House Graham.

Inside the carriage, Felix was excited about getting to visit the Graham family in person.

“House Graham! Master, this isn’t a dream, right?”

Zeke clicked his tongue watching Felix.

“We’re not going there for fun, Felix.”

“B-but it’s House Graham! They’re known for having the most handsome men and beautiful women on the continent!”

Besides their wealth and power, the Graham family was famous for their outstanding appearances.

There were even rumors that they had mixed blood with the now-vanished elven race.

Zeke looked at Felix with a disapproving gaze.

Then Farrell, who was beside them, said with a kind smile.

“Haha. The Graham family’s exceptional beauty is quite famous after all. Not just Felix, but everyone who visits the Graham family has such expectations. Don’t be too harsh on him, Sir Zeke.”

Felix nodded his head next to Farrell and said to Zeke.

“See? Master being so indifferent about this is what’s strange.”

“Tsk. Instead of talking nonsense, put more effort into your training.”

Though Felix was four years older than Zeke, their conversation sounded like one between an immature fellow and a stern knight.

In fact, there was a separate reason why Zeke didn’t have any particular expectations about the House of Graham.

‘I saw quite a bit of the Graham family members in my previous life.’

The Graham family, who had been in finance for generations, fled to the Northern Continent after the Continental War broke out to escape the Roman Empire’s invasion.

They also supported the Northern Continent by handling war supplies from the rear.

And in that process, Zeke had quite a few encounters with Graham family members.

‘They may look pretty, but if people knew how miserly they are, they wouldn’t say anything good about them.’

The Graham family never invested in anything that would result in a loss.

As a result, in his previous life, they initially sought asylum in the Northern Continent, but as the Imperial Army gradually pushed northward, they later sided with Nirvana to ensure their safety.

Having been backstabbed by the Graham family at the end like that, Zeke didn’t have very good feelings about them.

‘Though they’re not a family I’m particularly fond of, they’re reliable when it comes to calculations, so I should make good use of them.’

* * *

“Wow!”

Felix exclaimed at the scenery of Panstas visible from the carriage.

While Atlas had the sophistication of a new city and Mycenae possessed the classical elegance of an ancient city, Panstas had a completely different charm from both.

“Wow, Master. This is my first time seeing a city with so many different races.”

Panstas was a strategic transportation hub connected to the Northern Allied Nations above and the Central Kingdom to the east.

Anyone traveling from the north to central or from central to north would inevitably pass through Panstas at least once.

As a result, various races and cultures mixed, and Panstas developed into a city with an inconsistent but unique charm.

Ching! Ching! Ching! Ching!

In the city square, halflings were performing their traditional dance to attract travelers’ attention, while dwarves had set up stalls displaying and selling their handmade goods.

The snake-like Naga race and the mysterious bird-people race, rarely seen in other cities, could also be spotted occasionally.

Felix gaped at these fascinating sights different from Atlas.

The carriage passed through downtown Panstas and headed toward the Graham family castle.

Thanks to having clearly distinguished individuals like Zeke and Farrell, they could enter Graham Castle without much difficulty.

The problem was that meeting Duchess Catherine Graham, the wife of Duke Graham, was the first hurdle.

They couldn’t meet her right away because her schedule was packed as a prominent figure in social circles.

Farrell returned to the reception room after talking with the head butler.

His expression wasn’t very good.

“The Duchess seems extremely busy as it’s the beginning of the debutante season. I apologize, Sir Zeke.” [TL/N: A woman making her first public appearance]

Zeke nodded at Farrell’s words.

“Thank you for your effort, Sir Farrell. I’ll try talking from here.”

Zeke rang the bell to call a servant.

A Graham family servant promptly entered the reception room.

“Is there anything you need?”

Zeke said to the servant.

“I would like to meet His Grace the Duke.”

“May I know why you wish to see His Grace?”

Then Zeke said.

“Please tell the Duke that I’m interested in investing in the mithril mine.”

The servant was startled by the unexpected words and asked back.

“You mean, the mine investment?”

“Yes.”

The servant tried to hide his bewildered expression and left the reception room.

Exactly 30 minutes later, a young man who wasn’t the Duke appeared in the reception room.

“I am Albert Graham.”

He seemed to be a banker handling investments for the Graham family.

True to the Graham bloodline, he was incredibly handsome.

Zeke spoke to Albert.

“I said I wanted to see the Duke.”

Albert replied with a stiff expression.

“The Duke is away at an external meeting, so I came instead. If it’s about investment consultation, you can tell me. I heard you’re interested in investing in the mithril mine.”

Albert was only saying what he wanted to say.

Zeke spoke in a calm voice.

“I heard exploration work is currently underway in the northern mountain range.”

“That’s correct. Since we’ve practically found the vein, if you invest now, you can be guaranteed stable returns.”

Then Zeke smiled and said.

“That’s different from what I heard. I heard that after three years of exploration, there’s still no results, and the initial investment has almost dried up.”

Albert’s eyes trembled slightly at Zeke’s words that hit the mark.

Zeke laughed inside while looking at Albert.

‘The mithril vein will be discovered next year. I remember the Graham family nearly went bankrupt before barely surviving thanks to the vein discovery – I didn’t expect to use this information like this.’

Albert Graham collected himself and asked Zeke in a somewhat arrogant voice.

“How much investment are you considering? Mine development requires substantial funds, so we’re not accepting small investments at present.”

At his words, Zeke took out a check issued by the Northern Bank.

Albert’s mouth gaped open after glancing at the check amount.

“Fi-fifty thousand gold?”

Albert was shocked when Zeke presented an amount far exceeding expectations.

Farrell and Felix, who were standing nearby, also lost their words at the astronomical sum of fifty thousand gold.

Zeke asked Albert.

“Is this amount sufficient for investment?”

Albert, who had been wearing an arrogant expression, took out a handkerchief and wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

“O-of course. Will you be investing the full amount?”

“That’s the plan.”

Albert’s expression completely changed after receiving the check.

“S-Sir Zeke. Before that, may I verify the check with the Northern Bank first?”

“Of course.”

Albert wrote down the check information and left the reception room briefly.

Ten minutes later, Albert returned to the reception room with Duke Graham.

Duke Graham extended his hand to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke! I apologize. My external meeting just ended, and I’ve been rude to keep you waiting. I am Brian Graham.”

As rumored, Duke Graham was incredibly handsome.

Though known to be in his fifties, he looked no older than his thirties even at most.

After shaking hands with Duke Graham, Zeke asked Albert who was standing behind.

“Have you verified the check?”

“It-it’s verified. There’s no issue with the investment.”

Given their shortage of funds, Zeke bringing 50,000 gold was practically a godsend.

Duke Graham immediately wrote up an investment contract without delay.

By investing 50,000 gold, Zeke was able to secure a 38% stake in the mining business.

It was the highest percentage for individual holdings.

The Duke’s attitude was extremely courteous toward Zeke, who had become the major shareholder of the mithril mine.

“Sir Zeke. There are other good investment opportunities, would you like to see them?”

Zeke shook his head at the Duke’s proposal.

“I have to participate in the upcoming Draker Tournament, so I don’t have time to consider other investments.”

The quick-witted Duke Graham immediately understood Zeke’s words.

He smiled at Zeke and said.

“The Draker Tournament! It’s a dream stage for young and capable knights. Ah, come to think of it, I have a way to help Sir Zeke.”

“What kind of help do you mean?”

“I’ll arrange a meeting with my wife, Catherine. She has close relationships with nobles in the central region, so she might have heard information about this Draker Tournament.”

Zeke smiled and replied to the Duke’s words.

“That would be very helpful.”

“Let’s have dinner together tonight. My wife will also be very pleased to build a friendship with an excellent knight like you.”

After promising dinner, Duke Graham and Albert Graham left the reception room.

Then they gave Zeke’s party the best rooms in the castle and had the most beautiful servants attend to them.

Farrell wore a dazed expression at the dramatically improved treatment.

“I-I never imagined this method, Sir Zeke.”

“Sometimes money is the quickest solution, Sir Farrell.”

While some things can’t be solved with money, Zeke had learned painfully in his previous life that more things actually can be.

And that evening, Zeke’s party was able to meet Catherine Graham at the dinner.

Catherine Graham smiled and greeted Zeke.

“I’ve heard much about you from the Duke. They say you’re currently the most watched knight on the continent.”

Catherine Graham had the typical appearance of a central noble with brilliant blonde hair.

Along with her gorgeous appearance, every gesture and word was imbued with central noble education.

“You’re too kind. I still have much to learn.”

The dinner proceeded formally.

Proper pleasantries and cultured conversations about various continental issues were exchanged.

After dinner, Catherine stood up and said.

“It would be disappointing without tea time after dinner.”

Duke Graham quietly stepped aside as Catherine, Zeke, and Farrell moved to sit at the tea table on the balcony.

Felix stood guard behind them.

Catherine spoke to Zeke while elegantly drinking tea.

“I heard you’re participating in the Draker Tournament.”

Zeke nodded.

“That’s correct.”

“I’ve heard that unlike other competitions, the Draker Tournament’s charm lies in its events that surprise people every time. Do you know what events have been decided for this tournament?”

Zeke shook his head.

“I’m not well-informed, so I don’t know yet.”

Catherine covered her mouth and smiled slightly as she spoke.

“I see. Let me give you a little hint about what I’ve heard from others. Since I hope Sir Zeke achieves good results in the tournament–”

“Lady Catherine.”

When Zeke interrupted, Catherine looked at him with round eyes.

Zeke said to her.

“I didn’t come here just to hear simple information.”

Catherine’s eyebrows trembled slightly.

“I don’t quite understand what you mean, Sir Zeke.”

“I would like Lady Catherine to help me.”

Zeke conveyed his intention directly without beating around the bush.

Then Catherine folded her fan and slowly stood up.

“The night has grown too deep. Sir Zeke, Sir Farrell. It was truly a pleasant time. I hope we can have another enjoyable conversation next time.”

As Catherine showed a clear intention to refuse, Zeke said to her.

“I want to make a deal.”

Catherine turned her head to look at him.

Zeke slowly opened his mouth.

“If I can cure Lady Angelina’s illness, would you agree to the deal?”