Chapter 96 - A Visit to Orlando & Co.
Author's Note: This is Ivano’s chapter.
Beneath the blazing sun, wearing a navy three-piece suit was stiflingly hot.
Even so, Ivano dressed meticulously, adjusting his blue tie with precision.
Before stepping down from the carriage, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and donned a composed expression. With that, he opened the doors of Orlando & Co.
"Good afternoon. I’m Ivano from the Rossetti Company. I’ve come to place an order and pick up the items we requested."
He approached the reception desk and greeted in a loud, clear voice.
Suddenly, the murmurs of those around him quieted, and he felt their gazes darting toward him.
There were a few familiar faces among the employees at Orlando & Co.
But the tension in the air was undoubtedly due to the name "Rossetti Company."
"...Please wait a moment."
The receptionist didn’t appear to be Tobias’s wife, as Ivano had heard about before.
The young woman gave Ivano a polite bow before disappearing into the back room.
"Ivano-san?"
At the familiar voice, Ivano composed his expression and turned around. The one who called his name first was Tobias.
It had been a while since he last saw him. Tobias appeared slightly thinner, and his complexion seemed a bit pale.
"It’s been a while, Tobias-san."
"It has. So... you’re with the Rossetti Company now? What happened to the Merchant Guild?"
"I resigned and joined the Rossetti Company. It’s been so busy, I feel like my head is spinning."
In truth, he hadn’t officially left the Merchant Guild yet, but he decided to say otherwise.
Somehow, without realizing it, he had become deeply invested in supporting Dahlia. Enough that he now wanted to firmly draw a line with this man—Dahlia’s former fiancé.
"Chairwoman Dahlia has been quite busy as well, but she seems to be enjoying herself every day."
Feeling the sting of his own pettiness, Ivano flashed the best smile he could muster.
"I see..."
He braced himself, wondering if Tobias would press him for details or ask endless questions.
However, Tobias only offered a surprisingly simple reply, leaving Ivano feeling momentarily disarmed. For some reason, Tobias’s expression also seemed somewhat relieved.
"She’s... doing well, then."
"Yes, she’s in excellent health."
Ivano couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind Tobias’s words but answered plainly. Tobias, his gaze downcast, moved his lips slightly.
"...That’s good."
Ivano didn’t pick up the murmur that barely reached his ears.
Their connection had already been severed. There was no need to burden Dahlia with information that might only weigh her down.
"Thank you for waiting, Rossetti Company Representative. Please follow me."
"Thank you."
Gathering the stares of those around him, Ivano followed the receptionist to a meeting room.
・・・・・・・
Waiting for him in the meeting room was the head of the company, Ireneo.
He, too, seemed to have lost some weight. The dark circles under his eyes mirrored Ivano’s own, a detail that was hard to overlook.
Ireneo’s sharp, black almond-shaped eyes—reminiscent of his predecessor—narrowed as they settled on Ivano. For a brief moment, Ivano felt as though he was being appraised.
"Welcome, Ivano-san. I apologize for the trouble my foolish younger brother caused you the other day."
"Not at all. I’m now with the Rossetti Company, and I understand from the chairwoman that the matter has already been resolved, so there’s nothing to worry about."
As he took a seat on the offered sofa, a staff member placed black tea on the table.
The moment the staff member left the room, a silver magic-sealing box was set on the table.
"This is the 'fairy crystal' that Chairwoman Rossetti requested."
"Thank you. It’s stunning... I’m sure the chairwoman will be delighted."
Ivano opened the magic-sealing box to inspect the iridescent crystal within.
Dahlia had described it to him in advance, but seeing it in person exceeded his expectations. The crystal, reminiscent of quartz, sparkled in seven shifting colors that danced and swirled within, radiating a mesmerizing brilliance.
With proper craftsmanship, it could be transformed into an accessory more exquisite than any gemstone.
"Though it’s only a small quantity, here is the order form. Please let us know if there’s anything beyond your capacity."
"...Understood. We’ll do our best to procure it. The black slime powder may take some time, however."
Ireneo furrowed his brow for a moment but quickly restored his composed expression.
“Thank you. Then, we will consider the 'fairy crystal' officially received.”
Ivano signed the receipt for the fairy crystal in bold, deliberate strokes and handed it over to the man.
"Please check this document."
"Understood... Mercadante...san?"
"Yes, my name is Ivano Mercadante."
"Pardon my intrusion, but did you change your surname through some kind of marriage arrangement?"
"No, I’ve simply reverted to using my original name. My surname is Mercadante. My father was Oris Mercadante."
As Ivano spoke in one breath, Ireneo's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Are you, by any chance, from the Mercadante Company...?"
"Oh, it seems worthwhile to mention it after all. I never imagined you would remember. I’m honored. I’m the son of the company your father—renowned for his foresight—was quick to sever ties with as soon as he received the first signs of trouble."
"...!"
The moment Ivano finished speaking, Ireneo’s expression crumbled into one of sheer shock.
Feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction, Ivano only lifted the corners of his mouth in a small smile.
Sixteen years ago, when the Mercadante Company was on the brink of collapse due to debt, there were several trading companies that immediately severed their dealings with it. That triggered a cascade of terminated partnerships, driving Ivano’s father into a corner.
One of the first three companies to cut ties had been Orlando & Co.
Ivano still remembered the names of those companies—and the order in which they had withdrawn.
It was standard practice in business to sever ties with unstable partners.
At the time, Ireneo had likely been a teenager or an apprentice himself. Ivano held no personal grudge against him; in the world of business, the man had been just as much of a "fledgling" as Ivano was back then.
"Forgive the trip down memory lane. Rest assured, I harbor no lingering resentment. I was simply pleased that you remembered my father’s name."
Ireneo, whose astonishment had momentarily shattered his composed demeanor, quickly regained his composure and responded.
"Of course, I also recall your grandfather, who was exceptionally capable..."
It seemed Ireneo, as befitting the head of a major company, was not one to let remarks slide without addressing them.
"Are you more like your grandfather or your father, Ivano-san?"
Noting the subtle sting embedded in the question, Ivano maintained his carefully constructed expression.
His grandfather, famously skilled in business, was whispered about as the "cold-blooded chairman."
His father, respected as a "benevolent chairman," was kind but perhaps too soft-hearted.
After inheriting the company his grandfather had built in a single generation, Ivano’s father had lost everything by becoming a guarantor for struggling associates.
At the time, young Ivano had been powerless to help. All he could do was flee that city.
Even after sixteen years, the bitterness of that memory remained fresh.
"My wife says I don’t resemble either of them. They say sons often take after their mothers, after all."
Rumor had it that Ireneo’s mother, who used to frequent Orlando & Co. offices, was no longer seen around—likely due to the influence of some noble.
Ivano’s response was a thinly veiled jab at that situation, but Ireneo’s business face didn’t falter.
"I’m often told I resemble my father."
"Is that so? To be praised for having foresight must be quite enviable."
If he truly had foresight, he never would have hurt Dahlia or let her go.
While the outcome had been undeniably favorable for Dahlia, one had to wonder how much damage Orlando & Co. had incurred as a result.
Ireneo’s brow twitched ever so slightly.
It seemed Ivano’s jab had landed, at least a little.
"Here’s to a prosperous partnership and good business dealings."
"Indeed. May our partnership and business dealings be fruitful."
The exchange of pleasantries concluded with both men reaching out for a handshake.
The fact that both their palms were equally damp with sweat struck him as strangely amusing.
At the Rossetti Company, it was not Dahlia but Ivano who handled the business affairs.
If both companies could thrive in their respective ways, so be it. If it led to dramatic success, that would be welcome too.
As merchants, they would craft smiles, probe each other’s intentions, and anticipate their opponent’s moves.
This time, he had risen to the stage of business he had longed for, and fortunately, with a goddess who scattered gold by his side.
He had no intention of losing—or stepping down.
With a genuine smile, Ivano offered his final words of parting.
"Thank you for your continued support of the Rossetti Company."
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