I Was Framed, Now I'll Take The Throne

Rylan and Eiden were among the very few people Lionel trusted enough to involve in his plans. If he was going to spend the next three months away, that means he can’t act on his own.

He needs to prepare the two so they can move on his stead.

As he arrived at the training grounds, he was immediately greeted by the sounds of soldiers training.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Soldiers sparred in designated areas while several knights supervised nearby. Others practiced archery, their arrows repeatedly striking targets in the distance. The training grounds were as lively as ever.

Lionel’s eyes swept across the area before eventually finding the two people he was looking for.

Rylan and Eiden were currently sparring against each other at one side of the field. Both of them were drenched in sweat.

Clack!

Clack!

Clack!

Wooden swords collided repeatedly as they exchanged blows. Their movements were pretty sharp and disciplined.

However, the moment Eiden glanced at the side, his eyes widened.

"My Lord!"

"What?" Rylan immediately stopped, his forehead creasing in confusion. "Why did you suddenly stop?" He followed Eiden’s gaze.

The moment he saw Lionel approaching, he immediately lowered his sword as well.

"My Lord!" The two practically abandoned their training and hurried over to run to him.

Lionel almost laughed at their reaction.

The surrounding soldiers noticed the commotion too and quickly lowered their heads to take note of his presence. When Lionel saw it, he gave them a small smile before waving his hand to the side to let them continue.

Meanwhile, Rylan and Eiden stopped a few steps away before bowing respectfully.

"My Lord!"

"We heard the good news!" Eiden looked genuinely excited.

"Congratulations on passing the Imperial Army entrance evaluation!"

"Congratulations, My Lord," Rylan added with a grin. "Everyone has been talking about it."

"Thank you." Lionel smiled faintly.

"The entire estate has been celebrating these past few days."

"Did you also celebrate it?"

"Yes, my lord. Her highness sent over drinks and a feast here in the training ground. Everyone was so thankful about it!" Eiden answered with his eyes shining brightly.

Truth to be told, they ate a lot yesterday, that was why everyone was in a good mood to train.

After the excitement settled slightly, Rylan noticed something. Lionel hadn’t come here dressed for training. Immediately, the man’s expression became more attentive.

"My Lord."

"Hm?"

"You didn’t come here just to let us congratulate you, didn’t you?"

As expected of Rylan. Lionel smiled.

"No."

His expression gradually became more serious.

"I came because there are things we need to discuss."

The smiles on Rylan and Eiden’s faces faded immediately, turning serious. The two understood what Lionel meant instantly. Their lord was here for business.

"We should talk somewhere private," Lionel said.

"There’s an empty strategy room nearby." Rylan immediately nodded.

"Good."

The three began walking toward the building overlooking the training grounds. Unlike the noisy training grounds outside, the room was completely quiet. A large table occupied the center while several maps hung on the walls.

Rylan immediately closed the door behind them.

"What would you like us to do, My Lord?" he asked.

Lionel didn’t waste time. He walked toward the table and pulled out the same folded sheets from his pocket.

"First, look at these."

He spread the two papers across the table.

Both men stepped closer and saw it.

Rylan’s eyes narrowed as he examined them.

"These people are..."

"Yeah, the people in your submitted report." Lionel answered as he tapped the first portrait.

"I want you to approach these two men and convince them to buy our sugar."

"Understood." Rylan and Eiden exchanged a glance before nodding.

"Remember this. Both of them will hesitate at first. The sugar supply throughout the Empire is still normal, so they won’t immediately see the value of securing a large contract like ours."

"That makes sense," Rylan agreed.

"However," Lionel continued calmly, "convince them that the current situation won’t remain that way for long."

The two listened carefully.

"If they still refuse after that, don’t force the issue." Lionel’s voice became firm.

"Pull back immediately."

"Pull back?" Eiden asked.

"Yes." Lionel nodded. "Don’t chase them if they don’t want too."

"Understood."

"Now, you must approach them differently if that happens."

The two nodded.

Then Lionel pointed at the first portrait.

"This man is Pedro."

Both men looked down at the paper.

"Pedro owns a bakery. "His business is fairly ordinary right now, but that won’t last. In roughly a week, one of his desserts will attract the attention of Countess Elis."

Rylan’s eyebrows rose.

"Countess Elis?"

Lionel nodded.

"Once that happens, his popularity will explode, and his business will surely be popular."

The two immediately understood it. After all, A noble trying out something and liking it could completely transform a business overnight.

"When demand rises, he’ll need a reliable sugar supplier. So offer him sugar at a slightly lower price than the current market."

Eiden immediately looked surprised.

"My Lord, won’t we lose money?"

"No." Lionel shook his head as the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

"This small loss won’t matter when the sugar supply hits rock bottom, Eiden."

"..." Eiden froze. That’s when realization slowly appeared in his eyes.

"Now, I understand." Eiden quickly realized that what Lionel was doing wasn’t about immediate profit, but making an introduction that they existd.

"Good," Lionel nodded before moving to the second portrait.

"And this man." Rylan immediately recognized the face.

"Isn’t that James, my lord?"

"You’re right," Lionel looked at him and smiled.

"He’s one of the people mentioned in your report. I saw that he has good connections with merchants. You can offer him a favorable price as well."

"I understand," Rylan answered immediately.

After confirming both targets, Lionel leaned slightly against the table.

His expression became more serious.

"Now listen carefully. In roughly two weeks, a news about a fire incident about one of the largest sugar warehouses in the empire will spread. That’s when I want you to contact both men again." Lionel’s gaze sharpened.

"Advise them not to reveal anything regarding our sugar supply."

"Not reveal it?" Eiden asked.

"Correct." Lionel nodded.

"Have them sign contracts that include confidentiality clauses."

"And after that, my lord?"

"After that..." Lionel smiled faintly while his finger lightly tapped the table.

"Sell the sugar."

"At what price, My Lord?"

Lionel’s answer came immediately.

"Three times the normal market value."