Chapter 66: Returning the Favor

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Returning the Favor

Lacas was not surprised by Vili’s humility and politeness. Having interacted with Baron Kels in the past, he knew very well that the Lord Baron disliked arrogant people. If Vili were haughty and stuck-up, Baron Kels would never have valued him.

"Mr. Vili, lunch is ready. Please, right this way."

Nobles and prominent merchants had always maintained the habit of eating three meals a day, sometimes even enjoying delicious pastries as a midnight snack. They never had to worry about money or food; everything they had was in abundant supply.

In the center of the magnificent dining room sat a long table. Despite its size, only three chairs were placed around it. Servants wearing pure white gloves stood in rows on both sides, ready to serve the food.

Accompanied by Lacas and Finlay, Vili took his seat at the table. Even though Vili had previously dined with Bamos, he still couldn’t help but marvel at how tantalizing the feast before him was.

Chicken salad, roasted prawns in tomato sauce, braised lamb, plain pudding, an assorted platter, pickled cucumber soup, creamy fish chowder, butter chicken rolls, charcoal-grilled lobster... and several other dishes Vili couldn’t even name. Recalling the very first meal he had eaten in this world, he suddenly felt as if a lifetime had passed since then.

Lacas and Finlay were clearly accustomed to such extravagance, naturally picking up their knives and forks. Maids stepped forward, gently tying silky napkins around the necks of all three men.

Vili suddenly thought of the impoverished Fandou Village under his jurisdiction. He realized he still had a long way to go.

"I hope these dishes suit your taste, Mr. Vili," Lacas said.

Ever since Lacas had appeared, Finlay rarely spoke on his own initiative. He simply followed behind his father, fading into a supporting role.

"It’s very lavish, and absolutely delicious," Vili replied.

He popped a piece of roasted lobster, already cut by the maids, into his mouth. The crispy exterior, tender meat, and subtle burst of juices made it hard for him to stop. The temptations of good food were truly difficult to resist.

Lacas didn’t show the slightest hint of disdain at Vili’s obvious enjoyment of the meal. Although this young man had once been a country bumpkin beneath his notice, he was now—and would be in the future—one of the most powerful figures in Diamond Town.

Lacas demonstrated social skills far superior to Finlay’s. He conversed smoothly with Vili, keeping the topics perfectly measured while filling his words with humor and wit. They seemed to talk about a lot of things, but in retrospect, they hadn’t discussed anything of substance. This was the mark of a true master of socialization: neither prying nor oversharing, yet still making the other person feel completely at ease.

Because of this, Vili’s perspective on prominent merchants shifted. Originally, he thought such people only thrived by relying on the patronage of nobles. Now he saw that anyone who could navigate seamlessly among the aristocracy was a formidable figure in their own right.

"Mr. Vili, there’s a question I’d like to ask you..." With the atmosphere properly cultivated, Lacas seamlessly steered the conversation.

Hearing this, Vili slowly stopped what he was doing, and his pleasant, conversational demeanor gradually faded. With the life experience from his past life, he wouldn’t be played for a fool by Lacas’s sweet talk like some naive kid.

Seeing Vili’s reaction, Lacas’s respect for him went up another notch. Being able to adapt seamlessly to the atmosphere and snap back to reality when it mattered was something even children from large families, like Finlay, struggled to do so naturally. If he didn’t already know Vili’s background, he would have suspected the young man was a descendant of some fallen noble house.

"Please, go ahead." Vili took a sip of red wine to moisten his throat.

"Regarding the assassination attempt on Lord Baron Kels, is the situation truly that complicated?"

Lacas didn’t hide his intentions, but he phrased the question cleverly, avoiding direct mention of the friction between the two nations.

As one of the helmsmen of the Divar Family, Lacas had access to most non-top-tier core intelligence within Storm Town. However, since this matter involved the Lord Baron of Diamond Town, there was some key information he couldn’t obtain. Given that his family had a considerable amount of business spread throughout Diamond Town, he had to get to the bottom of this.

If the assassination attempt on Baron Kels involved friction between the two nations, the Divar Family would need to adjust its scope of operations. They wouldn’t pull out of Diamond Town—the Divar Family’s survival was already inextricably linked to both Diamond Town and Storm Town. But if international tensions were confirmed, the attempt on the Baron’s life could be seen as the opening signal of a war.

Once war broke out, the baron domains behind the front lines would become the largest resource supply points. As the largest herbal merchant across the three towns, if he could provide a steady and massive supply of wound medicine during that time, he wouldn’t just amass immense wealth—he would also earn the appreciation of the Barons and even Count Lumbar. In Lacas’s eyes, every upheaval was an opportunity.

Vili pondered for a moment, not answering immediately. A brief silence fell over the dining table.

"Teacher Olay went to meet with Count Lumbar in person two days ago." Lowering his voice so only the three of them could hear, Vili stopped right at the hint.

Vili didn’t know the specific intelligence extracted from the female assassin. However, before Olay left, he had met with Vili one last time. During their conversation, Olay had revealed a few things—namely, that the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Baron Kels was the Wata Duchy. It was precisely for this reason that he was personally summoned by Count Lumbar.

As for Olay’s meeting with Count Lumbar, Baron Nando of Storm Town was likely aware of it. But due to the sensitivity of the matter, and the fact that it had occurred in Diamond Town, it hadn’t been spread among the elites of Diamond Town. Therefore, there was no need to keep this information strictly confidential.

"I see..." Lacas’s eyes lit up. Vili had been vague, but it was more than enough for him.

"Thank you." Lacas downed the red wine in his glass, his estimation of Vili rising once more.

The fact that Vili could answer this question indirectly proved that he now had access to Diamond Town’s core intelligence. At the very least, it showed that Olay and Baron Kels truly didn’t treat him as an outsider.

Following his father’s lead, Finlay also drained his glass. Vili smiled and downed the rest of his wine as well.

Lacas turned to the old butler beside him and gave him a look. The old butler understood perfectly, nodding subtly before turning to leave. Vili stared straight ahead, pretending not to notice.

Before long, the old butler returned to the dining room with two men who looked like guards. The two guards carried a delicate wooden box together. The box was a full two meters long and over half a meter wide; it was clear there was something substantial inside.

Lacas smiled faintly. Courtesy demanded reciprocity. Since Vili had given him information, he had to offer something in return.