Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Demanding Double Rewards
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“Uh, what exactly are you suggesting? Do you have a good idea?”
Barus asked urgently.
His previously hollow gaze had sharpened, revealing just how desperate he was.
I alternated my gaze between Barus Garian and Asion Gail before opening my mouth.
“Let’s start by making sure we’re clear on the facts.”
The first thing to do was retrace the cause and process of this conflict.
“Commander Barus attempted to confine me. Of course, it didn’t actually lead to confinement, but the attempt was still made. In other words, that’s what caused the current situation. Do you acknowledge that?”
“Y-Yeah…… You’re right. I know full well that it was something I shouldn’t have done.”
“And from what I’ve heard of the conversation, it doesn’t seem like this was coordinated with the royal family either?”
Zap.
At those words, the society president and the academy committee members glared at Barus.
Barus nodded with a thoroughly deflated expression.
“……It was all my own judgment and actions.”
“Good.”
Fortunately, Barus admitted his fault without protest.
Whether it was because of the committee chairs present, I couldn’t say, but regardless.
This would make things proceed quickly.
“Then, naturally, you’ll have to take responsibility. In my opinion, an apology should come first…… You haven’t properly apologized yet, have you?”
At that question, Barus clamped his mouth shut.
Then, abruptly, he bowed his head toward Asion Gail.
His face was somewhat solemn.
“……I’m truly sorry. I sincerely apologize.”
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
“Yes. I tried to confine an academy student, and in doing so, I tarnished the honor of Asion Academy and the society.”
“Even without resorting to that, if you had come directly to explain the situation and make a request, we would have seriously considered supporting the war.”
“……Yes, you’re absolutely right. I apologize once more. Society President Asion Gail.”
Barus spoke of his own wrongdoing and apologized politely.
It felt like things would resolve smoothly.
Asion Gail also looked satisfied with this.
However, as if it wasn’t over yet, he spoke again.
“And it seems the person who truly deserves an apology is someone else.”
“Oh.”
Barus nodded as if he understood what Asion Gail meant.
This time, he abruptly turned toward me and bowed his head.
“I’m really sorry. I ended up leaving you with bad memories.”
“Uh, um…….”
He was even apologizing to me.
For some reason, it felt a bit different from the proud Barus I had seen before.
I didn’t know why, but it didn’t feel bad.
“It’s fine. I understand how desperate the situation was.”
“……Thank you for understanding.”
The atmosphere grew noticeably warm.
However, this was merely the first step in resolving the matter.
“Then, shall we move on to the next part?”
There was still more to discuss with Barus.
After openly committing a crime, did he think bowing his head would end it?
He would have to pay a proper price.
“First, about the contract. It clearly states that in exchange for participating in the war, 10,000 gold coins, magic-related elixirs, and one confidential grimoire will be provided.”
“Mm, yes, but……?”
“But was this contract signed under normal circumstances?”
“……What are you trying to say?”
“Since it wasn’t, the contract terms are unreasonably low. It was under coercive pressure.”
“What do you mean by that!”
Barus, who had been compliant until now, raised his voice the moment compensation came up.
“I already offered the best terms possible. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”
His expression showed he felt extremely wronged.
And understandably so.
To be honest, Barus wasn’t wrong.
10,000 gold, elixirs, and a confidential grimoire was an enormous reward.
However, the scale of what he had done was equally massive.
He had dragged the entire society into it, after all.
So, demanding something even more extraordinary was justified.
For example, doubling the overall reward.
“……Double? Are you joking right now?”
“Of course I’m serious. In my view, it was a war worth that much.”
In fact, the scale of this [Prophecy of the Red Moon] war was immense.
If I and the society hadn’t participated, the outcome could have swung the other way.
Thus, doubling the reward wasn’t an excessive demand.
I explained as much.
But.
“Even double is…….”
Barus shook his head, unwilling to accept it.
“That’s beyond what I can approve on my own. The royal family will push back for sure. It’s not a sum they can just overlook.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, definitely. The treasury might not even handle it—His Majesty the King might step in personally.”
At those words, I was about to give up.
Then, one phrase Barus mentioned caught my ear.
‘His Majesty the King…….’
He was referring to Kailyus.
Thinking of that made it seem not impossible after all.
No, it was actually welcome news.
“Then relay it directly to His Majesty. That compensation must be given for our participation in the war.”
“……There’s no way His Majesty would approve that?”
“Who knows. I think he will.”
That’s what I believed.
Perhaps Kailyus wouldn’t just approve but would try to give even more.
This was a moment where my prior rapport with the king proved helpful.
***
“……What?”
King Kailyus frowned upon receiving a letter.
And rightly so—the contents were a bit odd.
“10,000—no, 20,000 gold for participating in the war, two magic-related elixirs, and two confidential grimoires? Hah.”
He scoffed.
He wondered what kind of person would demand such rewards.
This was a compensation no ordinary figure—or any figure—would receive.
It was clearly a blatant disregard for the royal family.
However.
“……What?”
As Kailyus scanned the list of recipients, he blinked.
For some reason, a familiar name was there.
“……Yoo Han?”
No mistake upon double-checking.
It was the name of that mage who had just taken the lich’s wand and formed an alliance with Asteron.
Apparently, there had been prior promises for participating in this war.
“Hmm…….”
Kailyus fell into thought.
It was someone he knew, but could he really hand over such rewards?
But the deliberation didn’t last long.
His gaze shifted to the end of the letter.
And then.
“They accomplished all this……?”
It detailed their feats in the war, and the contents were astounding.
“Hundreds of demons, multiple high demons, and even a legion commander slain?”
Even without participating in the war, one could grasp the magnitude.
They had undoubtedly been the backbone of the victory.
With this, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they won the war.
“……It’s fine to give it. No, we must give it.”
Refusing would be the strange choice.
They were practically the ones who turned the war into a great victory.
Kailyus immediately summoned the treasury and conveyed his decision.
“Hey.”
20,000 gold coins, elixirs, two confidential grimoires.
And as a token of gratitude, one artifact each.
‘Heh, he’ll surely be satisfied this time too.’
Such was Kailyus, eager to curry favor with Yoo Han.
***
Had it been three or four hours since sending the letter to the royal family?
“Sir Barus, a letter from the royal family has arrived.”
“Hand it over.”
The reply came sooner than expected.
However, Barus held no hopes.
‘It’s bound to be a refusal.’
Truthfully, it hadn’t even been worth asking.
No way would they approve such rewards for mere war participation.
Even with the society president and committee chairs involved, it was unreasonable.
Yet.
“……W-What?”
The letter’s contents completely defied expectations.
Not only the three items he had listed, but even artifacts added on top.
‘Is it forged?’
Suspicious, Barus examined the letter closely.
But it bore the seal confirming Kailyus had written it himself.
No room for doubt—it was genuine from the royal family.
So they were really to deliver these items……
‘Unbelievable.’
Securing approval was fortunate, but it defied common sense.
The others felt the same.
“……Is this truly from His Majesty?”
“Yes, if you look at the seal under the light, you’ll see His Majesty’s insignia.”
“……I can’t believe it. I thought it was an outrageous demand.”
Even Society President Asion Gail reacted with shock.
The only one unsurprised here was Yoo Han.
“You don’t seem fazed at all? His Majesty himself approved it. Isn’t it surprising?”
“Well, not really.”
Barus scanned Yoo Han up and down.
He truly showed no surprise.
When asked why.
“Because I expected it.”
He gave that nonchalant reply.
While everyone deemed it impossible, he had foreseen it alone.
Why?
When questioned, Yoo Han calmly explained.
“I just met with His Majesty personally a little while ago.”
“You met the one in District 1?”
“That’s right. We’ve built some mutual trust. That’s probably why he approved it.”
“Hah.”
Barus Garian let out a disbelieving laugh but didn’t stop there.
“Plus, I figured there might be additional rewards.”
Amusingly, events were unfolding exactly as Yoo Han had predicted.
‘How much trust did he build for His Majesty to go this far?’
Whatever method he used, it was impressive.
Well…… it was good news regardless.
Impressed inwardly, Barus began preparing the rewards at once.
First up was the easiest: gold coins.
Thud!
A large chest was placed before Yoo Han and the society committee chairs.
They naturally opened the lid, and at that moment, a dazzling golden light filled the room.
Revealing its brilliant contents.
‘10,000 gold coins.’
This was the 10,000 they had agreed to give this time.
The contract was for 20,000 total, but 10,000 had already been sent to the society previously.
So only this remained to deliver.
“Would you like to verify the amount?”
“No need. It looks exactly like 10,000 gold coins.”
Asion Gail, who had already scanned the chest, spoke up. Barus nodded and moved on.
Next were the magic-related elixirs.
This too was an existing reward, just doubled in quantity, so he had plenty prepared.
Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!
Barus pulled out elixirs filled with liquids of various colors from his vault.
Ten types in total.
He planned to hand over just the four they wanted from these.
“Which ones will you take?”
The moment he asked.
Barus couldn’t help but notice.
The corner of Yoo Han’s mouth twitching upward.
“…….”
Clearly pleased, but why?
An ominous feeling washed over Barus.