A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression – 76



Episode 76

The Graham Dukes were the rulers of Panstars one of the three major cities in the Midlands.

In the past during the Holy Empire era this family was so powerful that they ruled over the entire eastern region where Midland is currently located.

Even after the decline of the Holy Empire the Graham family continued to exert great influence by leading the financial and real estate industries of the Central Continent.

Zeke headed to Panstars with Pharrell Felix to visit the Graham family.

Felix riding in the carriage was excited about the opportunity to see the Graham family in person.

“The Graham family! Master this can’t be a dream can it?”

Zeke clicked his tongue as he looked at Felix like that.

“We’re not going out to play now Felix.”

“But still it’s the Graham family! The family with the most handsome men and beautiful women on the continent!”

The Graham family was famous for their wealth and power as well as their good looks.

There was even talk that it was because of the blood of the elven race that had now disappeared.

Zeke looked at Felix with pitiful eyes.

Then Farrell who was standing next to me said with a good-natured smile.

“Haha. The Graham family’s outstanding appearance is so famous. Not only Felix but everyone who visits the Graham family has such expectations. Don’t be too harsh on me Sir Zeke.”

Felix nodded next to Farrell and spoke to Zeke.

“Look. It’s strange that the Master is so indifferent to things like this.”

“Tsk. Stop talking nonsense and focus more on your training during that time.”

Although Felix was four years older than Zeke if you just listened to their conversation it was clearly a conversation between a reckless servant and a serious knight.

In fact there was another reason why Zeke didn’t have high expectations for the Graham family.

‘I’ve seen quite a few Grahams in my past life.’

The Graham family who had been involved in the finance industry for generations fled to the northern continent after the Continental War to escape the invasion of the Roman Empire.

They also supported the northern continent by supplying war supplies from the rear.

And along the way Zeke had quite a few encounters with the Graham family.

‘She may look pretty but if you knew how bad those old ladies are you would never hear anything good about her.’

The Graham family never invested in a losing business.

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So in their previous life they first sought refuge in the northern continent but as the imperial army gradually advanced they later moved to Nirvana to seek safety.

As for Zeke who had been stabbed in the back by the Graham family at the last minute he didn’t have very good feelings about it.

‘It’s not a family I’m particularly fond of but it’s a place with solid calculations so I’ll make good use of it.’

* * *

“wow!”

Felix admired the view of Panstars from outside the carriage.

If Atlas had the sophistication of a new city and Mycenae had the antiquity of an ancient city Panstars had a completely different charm from the two.

“Wow Master. This is the first time I’ve seen a city with so many different races.”

Panstars was a key transportation hub connecting the Northern Alliance to the north and the Central Kingdom to the east.

Anyone going from the North to the Center or from the Center to the North has to pass through Panstars at least once.

As a result Panstars developed into a city with a unique inconsistent charm with various races and cultures mixing together.

Ching ching ching ching!

In the city square the dwarves were dancing their traditional dance to attract the attention of tourists while on one side the dwarves were selling their handmade goods at a stall.

The Naga people a snake-like race that is hard to find in other cities and the Bird People people a mysterious race were also occasionally seen.

Felix gaped at the strange sight different from Atlas’.

The carriage passed through the city of Panstars and headed towards the castle of the Raym family.

Because Zeke and Farrell had such clear identities it wasn’t difficult to enter Graham Castle.

The problem was that it was difficult to even see Catherine Graham the Duchess of Graham.

Because her schedule was so packed as she was a socialite we couldn’t meet right away.

After Farrell spoke with the chamberlain he returned to the reception room.

His expression wasn’t very good.

“I think the Duchess is quite busy as the debutante season is about to begin. I apologize Sir Zeke.”

Zig nodded at Farrell’s words.

“Thank you for your hard work Sir Farel. I will do the talking from here.”

Zig rang the bell to summon the attendant.

The Graham family’s valet came straight into the drawing room.

“Do you need anything?”

Zeke said to his attendant.

“I would like to see Your Highness the Duke.”

“May I know why you wish to see His Majesty the Duke?”

Then Zeke said

“Tell His Majesty the Duke that I am interested in investing in the Mithril mine.”

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

“Are you talking about mining investment?”

“okay.”

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

And exactly thirty minutes later another young man not the Duke appeared in the reception room.

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“My name is Albert Graham.”

He seemed to be a banker in charge of investment matters for the Graham family.

He was certainly a very handsome man as befitting a member of the Graham family.

Zeke spoke to Albert.

“I told you that I wanted to see the Duke.”

Then Albert answered with a stiff expression.

“The Duke is out for an external meeting so I’m here in his place. If it’s about investment consulting you can talk to me. I heard you’re interested in investing in the Mithril mine.”

Albert was the type who only said what he wanted to say.

Zeke said in a calm voice.

“I heard that mining exploration is currently in full swing in the northern mountain range.”

“That’s right. The mine is almost there so if you invest now you’re guaranteed a steady return.”

Then Zeke said with a sly smile.

“That’s a bit different from what I heard. I heard that you’ve been exploring for three years but haven’t seen any results so the initial investment has almost dried up.”

Albert’s eyes trembled slightly at Zeke’s words that hit the nail on the head.

Zeke looked at Albert like that and laughed inwardly.

‘The Mithril vein will be discovered sometime next year. I remember how the Graham family almost went bankrupt and barely managed to survive when the vein exploded but I didn’t know it would be used like this.’

Albert Graham narrowed his eyes and asked Zeke in a somewhat haughty voice.

“What level of investment are you considering? Mining development is a very large investment so we are not currently accepting small investments.”

At his words Zeke took out a check from the Northern Bank from his bosom.

Albert glanced at the amount on the check and his mouth immediately fell open.

“Five hundred thousand gold?”

Albert was surprised when Zig offered him an amount far exceeding his expectations.

Farrell and Felix who were standing next to him were also speechless at the astronomical sum of five hundred thousand gold.

Zeke said to Albert.

“Is this worth investing in?”

Albert with an arrogant expression on his face took out a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

“Of course. Would you like to invest all of it?”

“That’s what I’m going to do.”

Albert’s expression when he received the check was completely different from before.

“Sir Ji Ji-k. Before that can I check the check with the Northern Bank first?”

“Of course.”

Albert wrote down the information on the check and then left the reception room for a moment.

And ten minutes later Albert returned to the drawing room with the Duke of Graham.

Duke Graham turned to Zeke and shook his hand.

“Sir Zeke! I apologize for keeping you waiting. I’m sorry but I’ve just finished my external meeting. My name is Brian Graham.”

As rumored the Duke of Graham was a very handsome man.

I knew he was clearly in his 50s but looking at him from the outside he looked like he was in his 30s at best.

After shaking hands with the Duke of Graham Zeke asked Albert who was standing behind him.

“Did you check the check?”

“The money has been confirmed. There is absolutely no problem with the investment.”

Since they were already short on funds Zigg who brought a large sum of 500000 gold was like a noble person.

Duke Graham quickly signed the investment contract without delay.

By investing 500000 gold Zig was able to secure a 38% stake in the mining business.

It was the highest percentage of privately held shares.

The Duke’s attitude toward Zig who had become the major shareholder of the Mithril mine was extremely polite.

“Sir Zeke I have another good investment for you to check out.”

Zeke shook his head at the Duke’s suggestion.

“I have to participate in the upcoming Drake Martial Arts Tournament so I don’t have time to think about other investments.”

Duke Graham who was quick-witted immediately understood what Zeke meant.

He said smiling at Zeke.

“The Draker Tournament! It’s a dream stage for young and talented knights. Oh by the way I have a way to help Sir Zeke.”

“How can I help you?”

“I will arrange a meeting with my wife Catherine. She has close connections with the nobles of the central region so I believe she may have heard information about this Draker Martial Arts Tournament.”

Zeke smiled and answered the Duke’s words.

“I think it would be a great help if you could do that.”

“Let’s dine together tonight. My wife will be very pleased to make friends with such a great knight as Sir Zeke.”

After the dinner appointment the Duke and Albert Graham left the drawing room.

Then he gave Zeke and his party the best room in the castle and had the most beautiful servants attend them.

Farrell looked bewildered at the drastic change in treatment.

“I never imagined this would happen Sir Zeke.”

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

Zeke had learned the hard way in his past life that while there are some things that money can’t buy there are actually more things that it can.

And that evening Zeke and his party were able to meet Katharine Graham at a dinner party.

Katharine Graham smiled and greeted Zeke.

“I have heard a lot from the Duke. He is currently the knight receiving the most attention on the continent.”

Katharine Graham was a typical middle-class aristocrat with gorgeous blonde hair.

In addition to his splendid appearance his speech and every gesture was imbued with the sophistication of a middle-class nobleman.

“You are too kind. I still have a lot to learn.”

The dinner proceeded in a formal manner.

There was some polite greeting and polite conversation about various issues on the continent.

After dinner Catherine stood up and said

“It would be a shame if there was no tea time after a meal.”

The Duke of Graham quickly stepped aside and Catherine and Jacques Farrell took their places at the tea table on the balcony.

Felix stood behind him and guarded his position.

Catherine spoke to Zeke while drinking tea in an elegant manner.

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

Zeke nodded.

“you’re right.”

“I’ve heard that the Drake Martial Arts Tournament is different from other competitions in that it has a lot of events that surprise people every time. Do you happen to know what events are included in this year’s Martial Arts Tournament?”

Zeke shook his head.

“The news is short so I don’t know yet.”

Catherine covered her mouth and smiled faintly as she spoke.

“I see. I’ll tell you a little bit about what I’ve heard from others. I hope that Sir Zeke will do well in the martial arts competition…”

“Lady Catherine.”

Catherine looked at him with wide eyes when Zeke interrupted her.

Zeke told her.

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

Catherine’s eyebrows wavered slightly.

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

“I wish Lady Catherine would help me.”

Zick didn’t beat around the bush and got his point across straight away.

Then Catherine folded her fan and slowly got up from her seat.

“It’s been a long night Sir Zeke Sir Farel. It’s been a pleasure. I hope we can have another pleasant conversation.”

When Catherine showed her sharp refusal Zeke said to her.

“I would like to make a deal.”

Catherine turned her head and looked at him.

Zeke opened his mouth slowly.

“Would you agree to a deal if I could cure your daughter Lady Angelina’s illness?”