Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 106: Imperial Defender of the Southern Shores

The Merchant Guild headquarters occupied a prime location near the capital’s central marketplace—a four-story building made of polished stone with gold-leafed windows that reflected the sunlight.

Grim arrived on time, accompanied by Chen Xing and a single guard. His white and black attire had already become his signature in the capital.

A guild attendant guided them to a meeting room on the third floor, where large windows overlooked the bustling market below. Two men rose as Grim entered: Guildmaster Torren, a heavyset man with a neatly trimmed beard, and Guildmaster Riva, who was taller and leaner.

"Lord Ambrose," Torren greeted, offering a bow. "Welcome to the Merchant Guild."

"Guildmasters," Grim acknowledged, taking the offered seat at the head of the table.

"We understand congratulations are in order," Riva said smoothly, pouring wine for all present. "Your appointment as Imperial Defender of the Southern Shores is quite an achievement for one so... recently restored to position."

The slight emphasis wasn’t lost on Grim. "The Empress recognizes ability regardless of tenure," he replied evenly.

"Indeed," Torren agreed, his smile not reaching his eyes. "And naturally, the guild wishes to establish positive relations with the new authority overseeing our southern shipping routes."

"Positive relations benefit everyone," Grim replied. "I understand House Draykar maintained certain... arrangements with the guild regarding tariff and inspection schedules."

The guildmasters exchanged a brief glance.

"House Draykar understood commerce," Riva said carefully. "Their approach balanced imperial requirements with practical business necessities."

"A diplomatic way of saying they accepted bribes to overlook smuggling," Grim noted, his tone conversational.

Torren’s smile tightened. "Lord Ambrose, commerce is complex. Unofficial accommodations have always—"

"Let’s dispense with euphemisms," Grim interrupted. "I’ve reviewed the official cargo manifests for ships docking at southern ports over the past year. I’ve also examined House Draykar’s private records of actual goods transported. The discrepancy is... significant."

He placed two ledgers on the table—one bearing imperial seals, the other the Draykar crest.

"Approximately forty-five percent of all cargo moves through southern ports," Grim continued. "House Draykar received compensation for their discretion—five percent of the value of undeclared goods, paid in coin or valuable commodities."

Riva’s expression remained neutral, though his fingers tapped once against his wine glass. "You seem remarkably well-informed for someone who’s held authority over southern shipping for less than a week."

"Part of House Ambrose’s legacy is thoroughness," Grim replied. "I assume you’re both here to discuss continuing this arrangement under new management?"

The tension in the room eased slightly. Torren leaned forward.

"Naturally, we recognize the transition of authority requires renegotiation. If the five percent commission was satisfactory to House Draykar, perhaps six percent would acknowledge House Ambrose’s more... stringent standards?"

"An interesting proposal," Grim said, taking a sip of tea. "However, I have a different arrangement in mind."

The guildmasters waited, their expressions politely attentive but wary.

"As Imperial Defender, I have complete authority to inspect any vessel operating in southern waters," Grim stated. "Beginning next week, I intend to exercise that authority thoroughly. Every ship, every cargo, with no exceptions."

Torren’s composure slipped briefly. "That would be catastrophic for trade efficiency! The delays alone would—"

"Would cause merchants to lose substantial profits," Grim finished for him. "And if undeclared goods were discovered, the penalties would be... severe."

"What exactly are you proposing, Lord Ambrose?" Riva asked, his voice cooling.

"Three conditions," Grim replied, setting down his cup. "First, any merchant affiliated with House Luminaris will face a special assessment—thirty percent above standard rates for all goods passing through southern ports."

Both guildmasters stiffened at this.

"Second," Grim continued, "all business with Lord Terras will cease immediately until he settles his outstanding debt to House Ambrose—twenty thousand imperial crowns."

"Lord Terras is a significant trading partner," Torren protested. "Cutting him off entirely would—"

"Would encourage paying his debt." Grim interjected. "His debt hasn’t been paid. My patience has limits."

"And the third condition?" Riva asked tightly.

"The Merchant Guild will provide House Ambrose with detailed information on all private shipping arrangements maintained by noble houses," Grim said. "Not just manifests, but true cargo contents, values, and special considerations."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Chen Xing remained perfectly still beside Grim, observing the merchants’ reactions.

"You’re asking us to betray the confidence of every noble house in the Empire," Riva finally said. "To compromise relationships built over generations."

"I’m asking you to cooperate with imperial authority," Grim corrected. "Or would you prefer I perform my duties with... excessive diligence?"

The threat hung in the air. Random inspections, delayed shipments, seized contraband—the guild stood to lose far more than pride if Grim implemented the full extent of his powers.

"These terms are extraordinarily harsh," Torren said, making one final attempt at negotiation. "Perhaps we could discuss more balanced—"

"They’re non-negotiable," Grim cut in. "In return, House Ambrose will maintain shipping operations through southern ports. Standard inspections will be conducted swiftly, standard tariffs will apply to all goods not affiliated with House Luminaris or Lord Terras, and your legitimate business interests will be protected."

"And the five percent compensation House Draykar received?" Riva asked.

"Will continue at three percent," Grim replied. "The reduced rate reflects the more selective nature of our arrangement."

The guildmasters exchanged glances, communicating silently in the way of long-time associates.

"You leave us little choice, Lord Ambrose," Torren said finally.

"There’s always choice," Grim responded. "Though some options are more profitable than others."

"We’ll need to consult with the full guild council before formalizing these terms," Riva said.

"Of course." Grim rose smoothly. "You have until tomorrow evening. After that, new inspection protocols will be implemented."

As they prepared to depart, Torren made one final observation. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Lord Ambrose. The guild has relationships with every house in the Empire. Creating so many enemies so quickly is... unwise for a recently restored house."

Grim smiled thinly. "Your concern is noted, Guildmaster. Though I wonder if you’ve considered that House Ambrose’s fall was possible precisely because it didn’t create enough enemies quickly enough."

The merchants clearly hadn’t expected this response, and Grim left them to ponder its implications as he departed with Chen Xing.

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"They’ll agree to your terms," Chen Xing observed as their carriage returned to the Ambrose estate. "Though they’ll look for ways to mitigate the damage." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"Of course they will," Grim replied. "This is merely the opening move in a longer game."

Chen Xing studied him thoughtfully. "The requirement for information on other noble houses’ shipping arrangements is particularly valuable. It gives us leverage."

"Knowledge is its own currency," Grim agreed.

As they approached the estate, a messenger intercepted their carriage, delivering a sealed note to Chen Xing.

"From the terraformers," he explained after examining it. "They’ve completed their initial survey of the Draykar estate. Demolition can begin as scheduled, though they’ve discovered something unexpected beneath the main house—old foundations predating the current structure, possibly from the original settlement."

"Have them document everything before removal," Grim instructed.

The carriage stopped at the manor’s entrance. As Chen Xing departed to arrange tomorrow’s schedule, Grim remained behind briefly, considering the day’s developments.

[Your confrontation with the guild was direct,] the voice commented. [Perhaps more direct than necessary.]

"Merchants respect strength and clarity," Grim replied quietly. "Subtlety would be interpreted as weakness."

[And the targeting of Luminaris and Terras? That seemed personal rather than strategic.]

"It’s both," Grim admitted. "Luminaris deserves every obstacle I can place in his path. And Terras’s debt is legitimate—long overdue for collection."

[The merchants were right about one thing,] the voice noted. [You’re accumulating enemies at a remarkable pace. Julius Luminaris, Lord Terras, and now potentially the entire Merchant Guild.]

"Better visible enemies than hidden ones," Grim said. "House Ambrose fell because it didn’t see the danger until too late. I don’t intend to repeat that mistake."