Chapter 160
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: A Matter of Value
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A semester had ended.
The academy was on break, and the students left their dormitories.
“Well, I’ll be heading off first. If any trouble comes up, please contact me right away.”
“Alright. I hope it goes well.”
“Yes.”
Aint left the academy immediately and headed for his family home. To break the long silence, he needed to persuade his father.
Having already borrowed the money, he was in a position where he couldn't back down.
“I will also be returning to my family home, Pernyan.”
Ruina, too, returned to her family home.
The Bercefe territory was showing signs of revival after the Fallenberg family’s massive investment following the demon’s defeat, but that wasn't her purpose.
“I learned a great deal from the battle with my father, the Mercenary King, and the demon. Thanks to that, I broke through a wall, but I'm still lacking. I plan to receive my father’s guidance during the break.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Yes. I never want to retreat before a demon again.”
Although the Bercefes were no longer Electors, their direct magic circle remained, and unlike Aint, she returned home in an instant.
‘It’s a rather amusing situation.’
The Friediens, the new Electors, had yet to have a direct magic circle created, while the Bercefes still had theirs despite losing the title.
“Then, Sunbaenim. You’re coming with me, right?”
Pernyan did not return to his family home. It was because of his promise to Aria.
“To be honest, I didn’t find anything particularly suspicious.”
“So you’re not going?”
He had begun a full-scale investigation into Adolf Friedien, but it hadn't gone as smoothly as he’d expected.
Part of it was that Adolf had covered his tracks well, but openly investigating a blood relative of the Friedien family was no easy task.
Getting caught could escalate into a major problem.
So, he had gained less than he'd hoped, and still couldn't be certain that Adolf was a Vile Breed.
“No, that’s precisely why I’m going.”
Despite the lack of hard evidence, Pernyan chose to go. There was no clear proof, but he had more than a few circumstantial suspicions.
‘If I miss this, and it really is the work of the Vile Breeds…’
If the Friediens fell into the hands of the Vile Breeds, the Empire could crumble from within. That, he had to prevent.
‘Even if it’s a wasted effort, it doesn’t matter.’
He had arranged to receive compensation if it turned out to be a wild goose chase, so there was no loss for him either way.
“First, let's use the transportation magic circle to get close.”
Direct magic circles were a privilege exclusive to Elector families, but the academy had magic circles connected to several major cities.
He had used this same magic circle when he went to retrieve the Branch of the World Tree.
“But no matter how much I think about it, I don't get it. Why the hell am I even here?”
“Because you have to earn your keep for that elixir, Sunbaenim.”
“……”
Pernyan rode alongside Aria, Hyde, and Gismond on the main road. They were accompanied by dozens of elves.
They were the escorts Pernyan had requested to prepare for a possible attack from the Vile Breeds.
“Now, tell me about this Adolf Friedien fellow.”
“Adolf Friedien? The guy who supposedly joined hands with the Vile Breeds is named Adolf?”
“Yes, do you know him?”
“No, the name just really rubs me the wrong way.”
“Sunbaenim, please be quiet.”
“…Uh-huh.”
At Aria’s glare, Gismond immediately lowered his eyes and shut his mouth.
“What did you say?”
“I said, tell me about this Adolf Friedien.”
“Don’t you know everything already?”
“I’m not so great that I can uncover what a direct descendant of an Elector family is determined to hide. Besides, nothing is more trustworthy than the words of someone who has watched him up close for a long time.”
For some reason, Aria felt a sense of pride at his words.
“Brother Adolf is seven years older than me.”
“I know he’s twenty-eight. He never once lost his position as the top student in the Knight Department during his time at the academy.”
“That’s right. He was the pride of the Friediens. Of course, he still is.”
He also won the jousting tournament every year, except for his first.
However, he didn't win the unified tournament during the previous Continental Academic Conference.
The winner at that time was the monster who currently holds the position of the youngest professor.
“I did ask Professor Rosalia what kind of elf he was, but she didn’t seem to know much.”
It was Pernyan’s mistake for forgetting that Professor Rosalia was the type of person who had no interest in anyone but herself.
“His swordsmanship ranks within the top five in our family. He’s the vice-captain of the Guardian Tree Knights.”
“The Guardian Tree Knights… that would be the Friediens’ finest knight order.”
Even though the Friediens placed more emphasis on their spirit callers than their knights, it was still one of the most renowned knight orders on the continent.
Being the vice-captain there at the age of twenty-eight meant he was exceptionally skilled.
“And his personality?”
“He’s proud of his skills and takes good care of those around him. He can have a fiery temper at times, but it’s never excessive.”
“And?”
“He says what’s on his mind and is a man of action. He’s also a bit ambitious. The story of how he defeated the previous vice-captain in a duel to take his position is famous.”
“He’s certainly ambitious.”
Aria nodded.
“But I believe he’s fundamentally a good person. Though, if he’s joined hands with the Vile Breeds, that’s a different story.”
No matter how much discrimination they faced, could an elf who joins forces with the Vile Breeds, who seek to destroy humanity, be called good?
“It’s still just a suspicion.”
“I hope it stays that way.”
If Adolf truly had joined hands with the Vile Breeds, and word of it got out and became public, what would become of the Friedien family?
“I have an idea. Everything the Friediens have worked for would go up in smoke.”
“I’d rather not think about that…”
She shook her head as if the mere thought made her shudder.
“Oh, and he believes elves are superior to humans.”
“Uh, that’s total racial discri…”
“That’s rather dangerous.”
It wasn’t entirely wrong. Elves were born with bodies that had a fundamentally higher sensitivity to mana than humans.
But it wasn't something a person who was part of an Empire composed mostly of humans should say. The fact that Aria knew meant he had voiced that thought out loud…
“I’ll have to meet him to know for sure.”
“I’ll arrange a meeting as soon as possible.”
It didn't take long to reach the Friedien capital.
‘What a peculiar place, no matter how many times I see it.’
Intertwined trees and buildings that harmonized with them.
A city that was one with the forest was something only the Friediens, once a kingdom of elves, could even dream of.
“It’s been a while. Welcome to Friedien territory.”
“It is good to see you again, Your Excellency the Marquis. Thank you for your hospitality.”
This time, Pernyan was invited not to a banquet hall, but to the marquis’s private office.
The marquis, whom he hadn't seen in some time, looked quite haggard, as if weighed down by worries.
“Have a seat.”
The marquis brought the tea himself.
“I’m busy, so I won’t beat around the bush. I heard the story from Aria. Do you think it’s true?”
“I don’t believe it’s entirely impossible.”
“Why? That boy is my nephew. He may be a bit extreme, but he’s full of pride as an elf. He’s not one to bow to the likes of the Vile Breeds.”
Pernyan lifted his teacup. The fresh, fragrant aroma of the tea was pleasant. When it came to plants, the elves were truly the best.
“You know what happened about a year ago.”
They were attacked by demonic beasts while transporting the Branch of the World Tree.
“I heard about that from Aria as well. You covered it up flawlessly. As if you had anticipated what would happen.”
“I don’t do things that waste money so needlessly. If I did, my father would be the first to have my hide.”
“Indeed, he is that kind of man.”
The marquis let out a short laugh.
“Returning to the main point, at that time, I believed there was a traitor within the Friedien family.”
“You mean an elf who has joined forces with the Vile Breeds?”
“I intend to find that out on this occasion.”
The nephew of the family head. And the vice-captain of the Guardian Tree Knights.
His status was more than sufficient to have access to the secret of the World Tree Branch’s transportation.
“…In the northern part of the Friedien territory, there are mountains composed mostly of rock. Go there.”
This was the pre-arranged cover story, as he couldn’t openly declare he was there to hunt for Vile Breeds.
As far as anyone was concerned, Pernyan was there on business as a representative of the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild.
“I’ll assign that boy as your escort.”
The heir of an Elector. It was more than enough justification for an escort from the Friediens’ finest knight order.
“I wish you good results.”
“I will do my best. But there is a mineral vein there, right?”
“I can’t give you a definite answer. Elves rarely go to that place.”
“Understood. This is a gift for you.”
“What is this?”
*Click-*
The marquis opened the elegant box. Inside, dozens of black cigarettes were neatly arranged.
“Cigarettes?”
“Mana cigarettes. They contain no harmful substances and stimulate your mana to awaken your mind. You looked a bit tired.”
“Don’t people usually give you something to help you rest?”
He looks tired, so I’ll give him something to wake him up and work more.
“I was going to, but you seem to have a lot of work.”
A mountain of documents was piled on the marquis’s table.
Of course, his haggard appearance was likely not just due to the workload.
‘The Elector council. He must have realized a great deal there.’
He must have faced the harsh reality of the Friediens’ position. That’s why he isn’t dismissing Aria’s suspicions and is helping Pernyan.
If a collaborator for the Vile Breeds really did emerge from a direct bloodline, the Friedien family would plummet into ruin.
“You must be tired from your journey. Rest for today. The work will begin in two days.”
“Yes. Until we meet again. And, Your Excellency.”
“Is there something else?”
“We consider the Friediens to be true Electors.”
“……”
With those words, Pernyan left the office.
“…Yes.”
The marquis pressed a hand to his forehead.
“We must become true Electors…”
Only then could it be said that the Friediens had perfectly assimilated into the Empire.
The marquis picked up his pen again.
* * *
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Pernyan prepared for the expedition at the local branch of the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild.
When all the preparations were complete, Pernyan finally came face to face with Adolf Friedien.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Adolf Friedien, vice-captain of the Guardian Tree Knights.”
“Pernyan Fallenberg.”
“…Thankfully, no mustache.”
An odd interjection aside.
Adolf Friedien was an elf with a sturdy build and handsome features. His vermilion hair was similar to Aria’s, and his black eyes were like obsidian.
Overall, he had a likable appearance.
“I have been tasked with escorting you, Gongjanim. I will serve you to the best of my ability.”
“Yes, I’ll be in your care.”
Twenty Guardian Tree Knights, thirty Dusk Spirit Corps soldiers, and one hundred regular soldiers.
‘The Dusk Corps was the unit of earth spirit callers, wasn’t it?’
Perhaps thanks to his pestering Aria for a thorough escort in preparation for a potential Vile Breed attack, the number of guards was more than generous.
As long as there were no Vile Breeds hidden among them.
“What do you think? Is this enough?”
“For now.”
Aria whispered quietly and shrugged.
“We shall depart.”
The large-scale expedition, including fifty mineral vein prospectors and one hundred laborers from the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild, finally set out.
Pernyan rode at the head of the column, alongside Adolf Friedien who led the escort.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
“Me?”
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Aria.”
“Aria spoke of me?”
For a brief instant, Adolf’s gaze flickered back toward Aria.
“She said you never once lost the top spot during your time at the academy, that you were the pride of the elves.”
“That’s high praise. It seems Aria has gilded my reputation due to our acquaintance.”
Haha, Adolf laughed.
“Actually, I’ve also been wanting to meet you, Gongjanim.”
“Me?”
“Yes, there is something I wanted to ask.”
“If it’s something I can answer, I will gladly do so.”
After a moment’s pause, Adolf slowly began to speak.
“A long time ago, I bought an item. It was quite expensive, so I paid a fitting price for it.”
“Did you buy it from the Golden Turtle?”
“Yes, I did. I cherished that item. I also trusted the name of the Golden Turtle. But to my surprise, I began to think it might not be as great as I had imagined.”
“Why is that? We would never commit fraud.”
They don’t commit fraud regarding the quality of their goods.
They know that while it might bring massive profits in the short term, it’s detrimental in the long run.
“I believe this item holds great value, and others think so as well. Yet, simply because the owner has changed, it is no longer given its proper due.”
Adolf Friedien turned his head to look directly at Pernyan.
“If the value of an item changes depending on its owner, couldn’t that be the seller’s fault?”
“No, it isn't.”
Pernyan replied instantly, without a second of hesitation.
“Let’s say you bought a piece of chocolate. But you, Vice-Captain, found it too sweet and couldn’t finish it. Is there a problem with the chocolate? People who like that sweetness eat it for that very taste.”
“This is completely different from chocolate.”
“The ‘value’ of the item you bought is the same as the ‘taste’ of chocolate. Complaining that its value has dropped after purchase is no different than complaining that it doesn't taste the way you expected.”
Because its fundamental nature hasn’t changed at all.
Pernyan said this while observing Adolf’s face. His expression showed no change.
Only his gaze had deepened slightly.
“But what if that chocolate was crushed from the very beginning, making it unappetizing?”
“In that case, compensation would naturally be in order.”
Pernyan nodded.
“However, in that case, you’re addressing the wrong party.”
“The wrong party, you say.”
“Yes. The Fallenberg family only acted as an intermediary. The initial state of the item is not our responsibility.”
Trying to pin the blame on me.
A thousand years too early for that.