How to Live as a Swordmaster of the Enemy Nation

Zaikov Family

Only then did Gregory feel at ease. It was because Vasili had grasped Gregory's intentions exactly.

'There was a reason he dragged out the conversation like this.'

The Laderios family. While they were not only one of the great noble houses representing the Blandi Kingdom, they were also the central force in the factional power struggles occurring within Blandi.

Among Blandi's several great noble houses, there were three main families representing the commercial sector: Laderios, zaikov, and Gabriel.

Presently, the Zaikov family—Radian's family—was losing ground in this fight. The Gabriel and Laderios families felt threatened by the rapid growth of the Zaikov family.

As a result, those two houses joined forces to threaten and keep the Zaikov family in check.

Attempts to annihilate the Zaikov family were frequent—a grave matter that could lead to disastrous consequences, and from the Zaikov family's perspective, it was impossible to even think of winning when two nobles combined their power.

To avoid extermination, the Zaikov family needed trickery, resorting to whatever means necessary.

That's why Gregory believed there was no way Vasili would refuse his proposal.

"Why do you think you can borrow our strength?"

Nevertheless, Vasili now began to test Gregory. Even though he had come this far to fulfill a promise to Radian, Vasili still lacked enough trust to fully place his faith in a man whose identity was not certain.

'Impressive.'

Even in such a dire situation, he was thorough enough not to be double-crossed to the end. Somehow, it reminded him of his father, Hemingway.

However, even this situation was within Gregory's expectations, so he gave a sardonic smile.

"Judging by the flow of current affairs, you will be forced to lend your strength."

Gregory, in that brief moment, thought that someone as cold-headed as Vasili would be convinced more by action than smooth words.

And then there were the bodyguards watching it all unfold. Since they also performed the role of advisors, they began trying to dissuade Vasili just in case he ended up persuaded.

"Family head, please consider this once more. You know what it means to lend your strength. That gives them justification—"

There's that old saying that 'birds of a feather flock together.' Despite their objections, Vasili let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha... I suppose it's inevitable. Fascinating. Very interesting. Go on."

He no longer paid any heed to his bodyguards' opinions, prompting Gregory to continue speaking.

They realized their master had already completely fallen for Gregory and resigned themselves to it. Preventing an already excited Vasili was beyond their abilities.

After all, the final decision lay with Vasili as the family head.

As if on cue, they all sighed deeply and shook their heads from side to side.

"He's... already swayed."

On the other hand, after capturing Radian's father's attention, Gregory decided things were going well.

Soon, he boldly made a proposal befitting Vasili's response.

"I will help you win the factional struggle."

Upon hearing this, Vasili slowly walked over to gaze out the window.

Gregory grinned and explained the detailed plan to Radian's father.

The way to victory was simple: Gregory intended to use the decisive information. By taking advantage of what Zenop had provided, he aimed for a double payoff—he would intimidate the head of the Laderios family.

Was it too reckless a challenge?

No, once he learned that the Laderios family was one of the members of the Stria group, things changed.

Winning Radian's trial and alleviating the burdens of the factional struggle from the Zaikov family became possible.

Even if the effectiveness was temporary, since the Stria group did not want their identity publicized, Gregory judged that even minor intimidation would be enough to force them to back down.

'His ambition is remarkable. He has nerves of steel... If the plan goes well, the Zaikov family will be restored.'

Winning such a power struggle did not guarantee a rapid leap in status. However, at least for Vasili, it would give him enough strength to restore his family.

That's right. Just the fact that Gregory knew the information put him in possession of an important key.

"I see... Good. I like it. What do you want me to do?"

Gregory explained his plan to Vasili. Since the plan was straightforward and clean, he easily gained Vasili's consent.

Soon, Gregory made three requests of Vasili. First, not to act hastily.

If they were caught investigating the Stria group, the group would vanish. Gregory warned Vasili never to speak to anyone but him about the Stria group, nor attempt to probe for information.

He also asked Vasili to control the press to keep Stria group's existence secret from the public.

Second, he requested a private audience with the head of the Laderios family.

Gregory said he would intimidate the Laderios family head.
Although it was a drastic approach, it was the only way to strip Stria group of its leaves without leaking information to outsiders.

Third, to honor the promise to Radian, Gregory asked Vasili to gather all of Radian's family in his mansion.

Securing Vasili's cooperation and the fact that Radian's life was at risk would make efforts to win over his family all the more effective.

In ordinary circumstances, the time constraint would have made it impossible to learn everything about Radian's family.

Yet Gregory did not want to risk Vasili's suspicion by asking him directly.

He was planning to flee the kingdom anyway.

The idea was to gather everyone together in Batinokan so they could move to safety as a group.

"If the plan fails, there is no turning back."

"I understand well. That is enough. I shall use my power."

The plan forged by Gregory and Radian's father was not ordinary. Great cracks often begin as a series of small successive ones. Gregory's actions could, in the future, greatly affect even the Blandi Kingdom, and he had to take responsibility for all of it.

If this attempt failed, Gregory and Radian's entire family would face execution without escaping from Blandi.

Furthermore, if it were discovered that he had disturbed the Stria group and extracted Blandi's administrators, it could even hasten the outbreak of war.

And yet, Gregory felt no burden at all.

On the contrary, as he was now fully fulfilling the promise made to Radian, he was certain that not bringing the Dawn Knight Order had been the better choice.

Since he had come to Blandi primarily to delay the war, if he could not move freely like this, that group would only become a hindrance. Rather than risking everything, he did what was necessary to protect everyone's safety.

Some time later.

Gregory enjoyed a brief respite in the lounge of the mansion.

'Now that the negotiations with Vasili went well, I finally feel at ease.'

Up to now, the reason he'd been pressed for time was because he'd had to travel the vast Blandi Kingdom meeting Radian's family members and trying to persuade them.

But after persuading Vasili and having him summon the family to the mansion, that issue had been resolved.

Vasili even visited him in person.

"Oh, I should have come up, but you came down yourself."

"It's fine. Don't I look lively? The letter has been sent. Of course, soon my family will all be here too."

"I'm grateful you granted my request."

Judging by Vasili's reaction, it seemed he liked Gregory. Though still unaccustomed to such reactions, Gregory did not show it outwardly.

"No, this is for both of us. You must be exhausted, so rest as much as you need."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Thus, leaving Gregory alone in the lounge, Vasili naturally ascended the stairs.

By his side trailed the bodyguard who had quietly been anxious.

"Family head, can you really trust this man? If things go wrong, we could all die."

"Look at that spirit... I have no doubts. Besides, the die is already cast. The results, well, the gods will reveal."

***

A few days later, Gregory left Vasili's mansion and set out by horse to meet the head of the Laderios family.

Once again, he had to find a way to win over Radian's family members without mentioning the Stria group.

Just because they were coming to Radian's father's mansion did not mean convincing them directly would be easy.

Radian's testimony might serve as a tool to convince them to trust Gregory, but for now, persuading the family came before rescuing Radian himself.

Even though the matter was urgent, with some time remaining he needed to consider a safer, more certain approach. First, he would meet with the Laderios family head, intimidate him, and prepare a means to win Radian's trial.