Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Wiruan Merchant Group (1)
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Finally, the capital.
I gazed at the majestic walls rising beyond the window.
Towering like sheer cliffs, they stretched out long and white like crashing waves.
The outer walls of the capital, Magnet.
They retained exactly the appearance etched in my memory.
...Still the same.
As I stared at those grand walls that time seemed to have spared, an inexplicable ripple stirred within me.
Guess I've gotten older.
They say you turn sentimental with age.
I'd walked across Francia's lands to reach this place, but Magnet held a different weight for me than the other cities.
The cities I'd passed through until now were ones I'd only known from books and drawings in my past life.
Familiar names, but strangers I'd never laid eyes on in the flesh.
As crown prince, I'd spent most of my life in the palace, after all.
So the path I'd traveled felt like Francia, yet not truly Francia to me.
But.
These outer walls standing vividly before me.
The great city beyond them, 'Magnet'.
And at its heart, the royal palace, 'Spectrum'.
They were the 'Francia' I knew, the one etched in my memory.
Here lay all my past life's recollections.
Here were packed my short life, the things I'd loved, and the kingdom I'd dreamed of.
For a moment, it felt like I was fully confronting my past life, not just as memories in my head.
Even after one lifetime and 46 years, as I beheld those still-majestic, colossal walls.
“…….”
I wasn't the only one lost in sentiment.
Allen and Iriel stood side by side, gazing at Magnet's outer walls.
Iriel whispered softly.
“To think I'd return here...”
She must have many memories buried here too.
Not her own duke's house, but she'd visited often following Lucian, and her father, Duke Treter Serious.
And she wasn't alone.
“...So this is the capital.”
Allen, seeing it for the first time in his life, was overcome with awe at the walls.
This was the heart of Francia, after all.
* * *
Passing through the massive gates—big enough for giants—into Magnet went smoothly.
Our group was affiliated with the Wiruan Merchant Group, tied to the Governor-General's Office, and the hairy one seemed to know the gate guards somewhat.
The sentries asked him about my identity, then promptly cleared the way.
Crossing the gates, we took in Magnet's streets.
Even through the narrow window, the scale dwarfed every city we'd passed.
The overall layout matched my memory perfectly.
Towering buildings stood densely like trees in a forest, broad avenues sliced through them lengthwise, filled top to bottom with carriages and crowds.
The city, once reduced to ruins by war, had been fully restored.
But this was no longer the Magnet I knew.
No longer the Francia I remembered.
Unlike the walls that had endured unchanged for ages, the city interior brimmed with alterations.
One word for that gap in change.
Exotic.
“This is the capital, huh.”
“Insane.”
“Wow, I didn't expect it to be this huge.”
“It's truly amazing!”
Those in the cart half-stood, gawking around. A few passersby glanced their way but hurried on.
Unlike their wide-eyed excitement, Iriel pressed her lips tight and said.
“...It feels like we've come to another country.”
She was probably seeing Magnet after ten years too.
She remembered it as I did.
“...Yeah. Never been to the empire, but it feels just like that.”
Allen scanned the surroundings in a deflated voice.
Even Allen, with no memory of old Magnet, sensed the foreign vibe.
Among all the cities we'd seen, this one screamed empire the loudest.
It could no longer be called Francia's capital.
It was an imperial city, steeped in empire culture.
It was inevitable.
At Magnet's center stood the Governor-General's Office, a pure imperial institution. High officials, the garrison guarding the walls—all imperial citizens.
Plus, this drew the most imperial immigrants.
No room left for Francia.
Seeing it, I felt Francia's fall anew.
“That's the Wiruan Merchant Group's headquarters.”
The hairy one said.
Amid my heavy heart, we'd arrived at the Wiruan Merchant Group.
I spoke.
“Do my eyes look decorative to you?”
“N-No, that's not—”
“Shut it. I'm especially not in the mood for your excuses today.”
Brushing aside the hairy one, the actual Wiruan Merchant Group occupied a sizable plot even in the dense capital. Outer district near the walls, sure, but grand enough to call a major trading house.
Makes sense—they wouldn't entrust Governor-General business to just anyone.
The hairy one sneaked a glance at me and cautiously spoke.
“From here, the underlings will guide you. I'll do my utmost to arrange a swift meeting with the group leader, Histeron.”
I nodded without a word.
Then the three—hairy one leading, Rat-like Guy and Flounder-like Guy—scurried away from me.
We followed servants deeper into the compound; the cart folk were led elsewhere.
Allen gazed longingly at Daisy among them.
Anyone'd think he'd never see her again.
Daisy stole glances back at him as they parted.
She was holding up better than expected.
This fool's the problem.
“Why not just go with her?”
“May I?”
Eyes gleaming, he quickly added.
“Of course, joking.”
Sure, joke.
If I said yes, he'd bolt.
He's head over heels these past few days.
“She'll be fine.”
Iriel patted Allen's shoulder beside him.
Allen slumped and nodded.
As Iriel said, no harm would come to her. Might be uncomfortable staying there, but.
We'd arranged that beforehand.
Found someone you like? Don't touch the slaves.
Harsh reality to protect them, but best for now.
* * *
“What?!”
Wiruan's master, Histeron, leaped from his seat at the sudden good news.
“A Bastis family member is here?”
What was the Bastis family?
One of the empire's top noble houses.
Even a collateral branch—blood of that great house coming to this frontier.
This could rocket his life up several levels.
Histeron didn't hide his excitement, bellowing.
“Is the identity confirmed?!”
“W-We didn't verify separately.”
“What?”
At the hairy one's words, Histeron glared wildly.
'Is this bastard messing with me?'
His elation chilled instantly.
Growling, he fixed the hairy one with a fierce stare.
“You brought him without checking identity?”
“H-How could I verify a Bastis young master's status? He'd already beaten us once, no choice. Not that I believed on looks alone—exotic features, but noble bearing, intimidating aura. You'll get it the moment you see him, sir Histeron.”
The hairy one paused, then continued.
“Plus, his attitude, personality—undeniable without checking. Never met anyone so picky and obnoxious—er, such a young master. Only a Bastis could be that entitled. Why would I stake my rep? See for yourself.”
“What's his personality like?”
At Histeron's question, the hairy one spilled the tale like he'd waited.
Midway, tears welled from the grievance.
Histeron nodded along.
Indeed, only a great house spawn could have that personality.
Collateral or not, raised in Bastis—how spoiled.
Hence the dog-like temperament.
Great houses' collaterals were often worse than direct heirs.
“You've suffered.”
Histeron's acknowledgment nearly had the hairy one sobbing in his arms.
Histeron said.
“But why come here, not the Governor-General's Office?”
“Family business, moving secretly.”
Histeron nodded.
Varied figures in high Governor-General posts. Didn't want them knowing, probably.
Yet they came to Wiruan.
Simple meaning.
Needed his discreet help.
Prime chance to link with Bastis.
“Go arrange a meeting now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching the bowing hairy one leave, Histeron grinned wide.
“Smells like opportunity.”
He rubbed his palms, eyeing his buzzing instincts.
Merchant senses screaming.
Felt like something big imminent.
Surely a sign his future brightened.
His gut rarely wrong, Histeron anticipated the meeting eagerly.
* * *
“Greetings. From the Wiruan Merchan—”
“Skip the greetings.”
I waved off the bowing servant and flopped onto the sofa.
My mood was twisted tighter than knotted straw.
After seeing Magnet's foreign makeover.
No way they'd look better.
But I had to get something, so I endured.
Just a bit.
“Anything uncomfortable?”
“Never mind. You'd just fail to match my tastes anyway. Vulgar place—I'll bear it.”
“...An esteemed guest honoring our humble abode is our glory.”
“Spare the pleasantries. Sit.”
“Ah, yes.”
He sat carefully before me.
Ran a major trading house well—good at masking expressions.
But I knew his mind raced.
Hadn't confirmed my identity, after all.
He had no choice but to play along.
No matter his info network, he couldn't know every Bastis collateral—and verifying took time.
So he'd humor me while checking quietly.
But I wouldn't give him long.
My presence alone—real Bastis spawn couldn't match it.
Aura pressing the office subtly.
Demanding verification now would irk me—kicking away windfall for him.
No choice but believe me Bastis for now.
No time for his probing—I cut in.
“For reference: I like direct. Short and sweet.”
He got it, sly smile.
“Need my help? Anytime. Whatever it is, I'll assist wholeheartedly.”
“Whatever it is, wholeheartedly...”
Repeating his words, I stared him down.
“Even if I said I want your head?”