Infinite Reincarnation – Arthur Hurt - Chapter 159



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Infinite Reincarnation – Arthur Hurt Chapter 159

28-Military supply

Arthur’s lips closed for a moment at the calm answer. What should I say… It’s not that the person is stupid or has a bad personality, but is it because he lacks tact that he gets annoyed, frustrated, and wants to distance himself from them?

“…What did you say?”

“He said he would consider it.”

Those words ultimately meant that he would not do away with the custom. When he realized that, the expression on Plavan Jeongwi’s face was unpleasant.

He continued.

“If you climb to a high position that is not appropriate for your position, you will eventually end up in hell.”

It was about Hans. Arthur responded to him like this.

“Is it so bad that my brother can’t get promoted to the position?”

“… That’s not true.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Plavan Jeongwi couldn’t answer Arthur’s words and just sighed. How could Arthur not know that he was tormented by the conflict between ideals and reality?

But in the end, it was one of two things. Either adapt to reality or gain strength to change reality according to your ideals.

In Arthur’s view, Plavan Jeongwi was still struggling between two choices. So he just sighed like that.

He sighed and opened his mouth.

“When you donate to the defense fund, you must do so in your brother’s name.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

Plavan Jungwi’s advice did not mean that he had compromised with reality. Was it simply that he was paying Arthur back for his debt in this matter?

Arthur, taking the advice, wrote to Hans to inquire about the amount of money needed for promotion to the position of clerk.

Well, things like improving military supplies and reforming them were not someone else’s business for Arthur, but he felt he had no choice but to step forward. It is true that he is a member of a national community that cannot help but be affected by whether he wins or loses a war, but does that mean he does not have the position or the feeling to take the lead?

War… it definitely sucks… … .

“So are you telling me to participate in the military supply?”

“I plan to use this opportunity to instill a sense of vigilance by largely replacing existing military suppliers.”

Even though he no longer had private meetings with the Queen, there was still a line of communication: the Kato Zeltny.

He met Arthur after a long time and secretly conveyed his highness’s intention. Was he going to completely break the framework of military supplies that had been monopolized by the aristocrats of the metropolitan area?

To be honest, utilizing the industrial city of Tsuraz would have lowered the cost of military supplies, but in the military supply process, Tsuraz was merely a subcontractor for military suppliers in the metropolitan area. In the end, economic logic had to be linked to political logic.

However, this uproar created an opportunity for Tsuraz’s factory to jump directly into military supply.

Arthur nodded to what Kato Zeltny had said. It wasn’t a burdensome order, nor was it one given only to Arthur. Since it was a competitive bidding, he would try to spread the news to as many companies as possible.

Could it be that the reason he sent Cato to provide information was because Arthur was a loyalist who had been given a title by the king? Although he had recently behaved in a way that was so unpleasant that he had been slapped by the king, it was not a great loss, and showing leniency could have hinted at the king’s mercy to the loyalists who were in disarray due to the recent military supply scandal.

“I will contact the guild and prepare a bid.”

Arthur, who had decided that there would be no great danger, answered, and Cato nodded. With that, his official business was over and he turned to personal matters.

“I’m planning on having dinner with Isabella this weekend.”

His expression seemed somehow happy, and that must have been why. However, Arthur responded with an indifferent attitude.

“congratulations.”

You wanted to brag about that? Poor Mrs. Zeltney. How much trouble did Cato have to take to get that dinner table?

But Kato just laughed proudly. So, I wish he had bragged like that in front of his rival, Attorney Sangswart… … .

Anyway, since I was instructed to bid competitively for military supplies, I had to act accordingly. Arthur didn’t have much to do personally. Military supplies didn’t require the artistic sense of a craftsman. They just needed a mass production system that could guarantee maximum productivity at minimum cost.

Anyway, since it was a big deal, all the important guild executives hurriedly gathered the materials and went to the capital. In fact, even Cossack Jarunga, who had influence as the guild leader, was included.

“Arthur!”

“Ugh!”

Arthur was startled when Cossack, who had been shaking hands with him, grabbed his hand and hugged him, rubbing his chest. Arthur was startled and quickly pushed Cossack away. After straightening his wrinkled clothes, he shook hands with the other executives and guided them to the branch.

The Cossack, who was riding in the carriage with Arthur, said:

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty the Hurt.”

Arthur nodded inwardly and felt humbled as he saw the Cossack speaking politely to Arthur, who had become a semi-noble.

“I had nothing to do with this. Really.”

Who would have thought that a personal matter that started out as a way to promote my brother would grow into something like this?

But the Cossack was busy gilding Arthur’s face.

“Isn’t this the result of the efforts of the late Chief Hurt?”

“I’m lucky, I’m lucky. But it’s a bit uncomfortable that someone who’s old enough to be my grandfather is being so polite to me.”

“Do I look that old?”

Arthur snickered back as Cossack laughed and joked.

“First of all, you are older than my teacher. And it’s just us here.”

Master Tony did not join this trip to Seoul. He said the couple would come up together in a few days? The executives could not leave the guild headquarters often, and it was calculated that it would be better to come after things were a little more organized than to come together in the early days when things were chaotic and busy, so that he could be with his daughter Viana and see his grandchildren.

Anyway, Arthur’s friendly attitude made Cossack speak more comfortably.

“Tony looks quite old, but he looks younger than I thought. So even though I’m old, I’m not as old as I think.”

“I will tell Master Tony.”

Laughter flowed out as they joked back and forth.

In a much more relaxed atmosphere, the conversation turned to military supplies. Arthur drew a line here about his role.

“This is a bidding war after the military procurement scandal broke out. I don’t think connections or political backgrounds will work. Even if they are royalists who have His Majesty the King on their backs, they will be able to see things.”

That is to say, don’t count on Arthur Hurt ‘Quarter’ in this bidding war.

Cossack asked with a dubious look.

“Haven’t they already made the decision behind closed doors?”

“Even so, we must participate in the bidding. This is His Majesty the King’s directive.”

“Hmm… … .”

As Cossack let out a sigh, Arthur warned him of one thing so that he would not be mistaken.

“Just in case, this is a competitive bidding competition. Each person calculates their bid on the abacus and writes down the bid that will win without losing money.”

“And what if you fall?”

“If we fall, we will fall. Isn’t it impossible to do business while losing? It’s not like we will fail if we fall here anyway.”

“Hmm.”

The Cossack nodded.

“Then, thank you for your hard work.”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“Let’s go home.”

Arthur remained in the carriage where he had dropped off the Cossack and waved.

“Don’t criticize me for talking to you, I’ll be thinking of other items in case I don’t get the bid.”

At those words, Cossack could only burst out laughing.

* * *

The date for the military procurement bid was fast approaching. However, Arthur was rather relaxed. Was it because he had distanced himself from the troublesome Scalon that his work-life balance had stabilized?

“Installment?”

“Yes! I am your grandfather!”

“Grandma?”

“Yes! I am your grandmother!”

While Tony and his wife, who arrived in Seoul late, were immersed in the cuteness of their grandson, Arthur enjoyed a long-awaited salon date with Viana.

“Still feeling awkward?”

“It’s more awkward because there are only two of us.”

Viana, who had been seldom exposed to high-class culture under the pretext of raising her children, still seemed awkward with the glamor of the salon.

An even more awkward event occurred for her: an acquaintance of Arthur’s discovered Arthur and approached him.

“Hey, Mr. Hurt.”

“Mr. Balan.”

It was the blond pretty boy Balan Jertoni.

“This is the famous wife.”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course. Isn’t that Lady Viana Hurt, who is so loved that her husband was given the title of Lady, and is the envy of many ladies?”

Viana’s face turned red with embarrassment at Balan’s dazzling words.

Arthur stopped Balan.

“Don’t tease my wife too much.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Hurt.”

Balan joked around so playfully and then sat down on the empty chair.

“How have you been these days?”

“I got a job.”

“Where?”

“To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Was your major in law and diplomacy? Arthur congratulated you on getting a job that would allow you to utilize your major.

“Congratulations. Please do great things for your country.”

“Huh. That would be nice.”

Balan glanced at Viana and replied cynically. It seemed like he had something more to say, but was holding back because he thought it wouldn’t be pleasant for the lady to hear.

At that sight, Arthur changed the subject.

“By the way, how are things going with Miss Catherine?”

“It’s broken.”

“… … .”

I felt awkward bringing up a public topic, so I brought up a personal topic, but the atmosphere became even more awkward.

But Balan smiled faintly as if he didn’t care at all and continued talking.

“Why is it that when a man and a woman meet, their love can fade?”

At those words, Viana blinked, grabbed Arthur’s sleeve, and whispered in his ear. Arthur tilted his head so that she could whisper easily, and that was what she heard.

‘Are all the people in the capital that corrupt?’

It was indeed a question befitting of a woman from the Tsuraz clan, who was under the influence of the old industrial aristocracy. After all, she was satisfied with the husband her father had chosen for her, so she immediately agreed to the marriage. Perhaps because she had no experience in dating, she could not help but view dating without marriage as being immoral.

Arthur whispered.

‘I don’t know either.’

Well, isn’t it Kebakke?

Arthur opened his mouth to try to ease the awkward atmosphere.

“Well, a better woman will come along.”

“Of course. Half the world is made up of women.”

Balan nodded in agreement. But one person disagreed.

“Huh~ Really? Is there a better woman than me?”

I turned my head at the sarcastic tone of the voice and saw Balan’s ex-girlfriend Catherine laughing with a man’s arm around her.

Arthur was surprised not because the saying that even a tiger will come when called came true, but because of the man Catherine was holding.

“Attorney Sangswart?!”

Why is the gentleman who is seeing Madame Zeltney here with Catherine?

Catherine spoke instead of Sangswart, who was unable to answer due to avoiding Arthur’s gaze.

“I borrowed it from my sister for a bit.”

Borrow a boyfriend? While Viana was confused as to what exactly this meant, Catherine pulled out a chair and sat down. Sangswart also had no choice but to sit down. The table, which had felt empty because there were no people, was filled in an instant.

“Hello, Mr. Hurt?”

“What about honorifics again? That’s enough.”

“I like Arthur because he is so consistent.”

When Arthur waved his hand, Catherine smiled brightly. Then she greeted Viana as well.

“Hello, Mrs. Hurt.”

“My hands and feet are shaking.”

Viana made an expression as if she had chewed a sour lemon. It was hard to get used to someone who had been acquainted with her through Madame Zeltny before she became a lady, suddenly acting like that.