***

The next day.

Edmund left the Aschwin Mansion alone, stepping into the front yard and seeing crowds of people gathered outside.

Market stalls stood neatly in place, heavily guarded by the family’s soldiers, with Sebastian assigned to lead the event.

Several servants were assigned there as well, helping Sebastian control the crowd.

News about the discount market shocked many people. Most of those who came were poor residents of the city, while only a few belonged to the middle or upper classes.

"Please line up properly. We’ll open the discount market shortly."

"Anyone who hasn’t received a ticket, go to that counter over there. You only need to pay one silver coin to receive an affordable food package," Edmund explained firmly, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

Edmund observed them carefully. He did not step outside even though the mansion gates were open.

Occasionally, the people smiled and greeted Edmund, not feeling guilty at all despite continuing to gossip about the Aschwin Family from yesterday.

Food came first. Gossip could wait.

From the city’s main road, a group of horse riders approached, led by Lucas from the Trade Department.

He arrived together with Rachel, a wide smile spreading across his face.

He could hardly wait to see Edmund’s reaction after learning that the wheat shipment from outside the city had already arrived before dawn.

"Viscount Edmund," Lucas greeted.

Edmund turned and gave a small smile. "What is it?"

Lucas dismounted from his horse and handed over a document, data regarding the amount of wheat received by the city along with the current prices of bread and flour.

Edmund carefully read through it before smiling in satisfaction. Since early morning, the system warning regarding public trust levels had not appeared.

He had been anxious while waiting, but until ten in the morning, not a single system panel had appeared to surprise him.

Looks like I succeeded.

"With this wheat supply, we can fulfill the needs of the business owners and bakery shops," Lucas explained.

"Good work, Lucas."

"Maintain this trade route. If you need subsidies or anything else, let me know."

Lucas smiled, accepted the document back, and lowered his head in gratitude after receiving praise from Edmund.

After handing over the report, Lucas and Rachel excused themselves and left the Aschwin Mansion.

Then the system panel that surprised him appeared, no longer as a warning like before.

────[Second Rule System Mission]────

[Objective: Control commodity prices in the market] [Completed!]

[Public trust level: 90%]

[Reward: Skill Graceful Accord || +10 AUTH || +10 CHAR || +15 LUCK]

[Profile Status:]

[Name: Edmund Aschwin || Title: Viscount Aschwin]

[Extra Attributes:]

[AUTH: 135 || LUCK: 95 || CHAR: 115]

[DING! Congratulations, Host has obtained the skill Graceful Accord]

[Description: The ability to excel in negotiations, agreements, and debates. Capable of convincing people and making them obey. The Graceful Accord skill works effectively when AUTH and CHAR attributes are high.]

Edmund’s eyes suddenly glowed white. The Graceful Accord skill had become fully effective and ready to use.

However, unlike ordinary skills, Graceful Accord worked passively. It would only activate whenever its host was facing negotiations or agreements.

Not a skill that strengthens swordsmanship, but this will be useful for me.

Maybe... I can convince Oleander and Clara with this skill.

"What the hell is this?!" someone shouted.

He slammed down a bag filled with food supplies and pointed forward, yelling at Sebastian and the other servants.

"You’re giving me this tiny amount of supplies? Do you know what I can buy with one silver coin?" asked the bald middle-aged man.

"The actual value of those supplies is three silver coins. You should feel lucky," Sebastian replied.

"I could bargain better than you. These supplies are useless! Give me my money back!" he shouted.

Seeing the commotion in front of the market, Edmund immediately stepped in. He walked firmly past the mansion gates, causing the servants to obey and the city residents to fall silent.

Only the bald man refused to calm down. He still insisted on demanding his money back.

"Is there a problem?" Edmund asked as he arrived beside Sebastian.

"Yes. He refuses the supplies he received even though their actual value is three silver coins," Sebastian answered.

Edmund’s attention shifted toward the bald man. There was no fear on the man’s face. He even turned and glared sharply back at Edmund.

"You... you want to interfere too? A good leader is supposed to be fair!" he argued.

Edmund narrowed his eyes. His Graceful Accord skill immediately activated and locked onto their conversation.

[Graceful Accord skill activated]

[Target cannot be interrupted by external disturbances]

"Look around you. None of them are arguing about these supplies. Only you are," Edmund replied.

"Sir Sebastian and the servants already showed the contents of the supply package before the market opened. Yet you still bought a ticket."

"Tell me... what is it that you truly want?"

To most people, Edmund’s voice sounded normal. There was no sense of intimidation at all.

But to the bald man, Edmund’s voice echoed endlessly inside his mind, softening his stubborn heart and throwing his focus into chaos.

The more Edmund questioned him, the more the man’s mind filled with Edmund’s whispers and voice.

It nearly drove him insane.

"Stop! Don’t intimidate me," he shouted.

The people in the crowd looked confused. They did not hear Edmund threaten or intimidate the man, yet his behavior was becoming strange.

"I’m only asking. Maybe I can help you," Edmund said.

"STOP!"

"You’re intimidating me too much. You’re scaring me!" the bald man screamed while clutching his head, refusing to look at Edmund.

"What is he talking about? Is he crazy?"

"No doubt about it. His business collapsed. He’s completely insane."

"Cursing in front of the most powerful man in the Archie Territory. He’s got courage... and stupidity."

Edmund showed no expression at all, simply staring flatly at the bald man.

The bald man slowly peeked upward again. What he saw felt different. Edmund’s face looked firm and serious, his brows sharp and his forehead furrowed.

An expression of anger, disappointment, and irritation.

It terrified him.

"I’m just frustrated!" the man shouted.

"Frustrated?"

"You revoked my business permit. I became poor because of you."

Edmund’s gaze sharpened as he stepped forward, "Did you fulfill the requirements for your business permit?"

The bald man fell silent, grinding his teeth in frustration. "No."

"Then don’t blame us for shutting down your business permit," Edmund explained.

"Now leave and take your supplies with you. Your wife and children are waiting for you at home," Edmund said gently.

The bald man picked up the food supplies he had thrown down and hurriedly ran away from the place while the crowd laughed at his strange behavior.

Sebastian walked closer to Edmund. "You seem to have such overwhelming charisma that you can scare someone just through ordinary words."

Edmund smiled. He was pleased with the effects of his Graceful Accord skill. It would be effective whenever he became involved in troublesome negotiations later on.

He turned around and lightly patted Sebastian on the shoulder. "It’s not something worth exaggerating."

"Registration for new students at Livden Academy will open soon. I’ll handle them while you take care of this event," Edmund said.

"Alright. I’ll help you if I have spare time later, Lord Edmund."