Synopsis

The chapter opens with a confrontation between the protagonist and a rival merchant who is accused of copying their products. The rival is arrogant and belittles the protagonist's reliance on his noble bloodline. During the confrontation, the protagonist fiercely defends his escort, Meril, revealing she was chosen for her ambition to support her fallen aristocratic family, not merely as an escort for vanity's sake, showcasing a deeper understanding of character beyond social status and highlighting a strategic mind. The confrontation escalates to a declaration of war regarding the copied products.