Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The City Master's Seat
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Invitations to the Black Market were scattered across the continent, and one by one, their 'representatives' were arriving in the Guild City.
Nobles possessing the greatest power and wealth on the continent.
Among them, the 'Lord Black' of House Sachsen was no exception, nor would be the Holy Sword Master or Lord Crimson.
Although they could not head to the Black Market themselves, they did so by sending representatives who could best understand their masters' intentions.
The Empire's greatest genius, the son of Lord Black, the 'Black Prince,' was one such representative.
And when Dale expressed his intention not merely to participate in the Black Market but to contact the upper echelons of the Grand Guilds, the <> willingly arranged a meeting for the 'Black Prince.'
'Arte di Kalimala.'
One of the Grand Guilds that ruled the seven cities of the Guild City, responsible for the textile and clothing industries.
In the past, the Black Magic Tower had not hesitated to procure 'test subjects' from the guilds to pursue the truth. In a sense, it was no exaggeration to say they were one of their most powerful clients.
Thus, when the Black Magic Tower under Lord Black's regime refused to deal with them, the blow to the 'Grand Guilds' was not to be taken lightly.
And so, Dale headed to the 'City of Kalimala,' which they controlled, accompanied by the human trafficker from the Grand Guild who had met him in Greenwood.
'The textile and human trafficking industries.'
A truly incongruous combination. Furthermore, their criminal enterprises surely didn't stop at human trafficking. Their rule was to sell everything that could be sold.
But right now, Dale had not sought them out for the sake of justice.
In one of the Guild City's seven cities, the city of the Kalimala Guild. The city hall of Arte di Kalimala—one of the seven Grand Guilds. A room in the lavish residence that symbolized their wealth and power.
"I never expected the representative of the Master of the Black Magic Tower to visit us so soon."
The Kalimala Guild showed Dale the courtesy befitting the name of House Sachsen. Their 'Guild Master' had come to greet him personally.
The ruler of this city and one of the seven heads of the Grand Guilds.
It was a position not obtained through sword or magic. The velvet coat, stretched to its limits and seeming ready to burst over his large frame, was proof of that.
"It seems you have come in person to participate in the Black Market, Your Highness?"
"That is correct."
Dale gave a calm nod.
"I have long heard of your renowned reputation, Your Highness!"
After that, the Guild Master began to praise the 'Black Prince's' exploits.
The Empire's greatest genius. The tale of his great victory in the Black-and-White War, his halting of the Great Demonic Migration, and his heroism in the war on the Isle of Britannia. It was a story so tiresome he'd heard it until his ears bled.
But there is power in stories.
The infamy Dale held as the 'Black Prince.' The weight of that name. As Lord Black had said, fear is an irreplaceable asset.
"I hear there's an item of interest so intriguing that His Grace the Duke would covet it."
At Dale's words, the Guild Master smiled meaningfully.
"I can confidently say it will meet the expectations of His Grace, Duke Sachsen."
"Should you happen to betray the expectations of His Grace, Lord Black..."
Dale retorted with a deliberate threat in his voice.
"The Guild City will also have to take responsibility for its words."
"..."
Dale said, using the notoriety of House Sachsen and the Black Magic Tower as his shield.
"We at the Guild City consider trust to be our most important value."
But the Guild Master was unfazed. He wasn't wrong.
Separate from their criminal enterprises and miserly nature... their financial network, rooted across the continent and including bills of exchange, could not exist without absolute trust.
The trust of gold is absolute, and in that respect at least, the Guild City was made of 'trustworthy people.'
"To hear you say that, I am truly looking forward to it."
"There is still some time before the black market opens."
Dale smiled calmly, and the Guild Master continued.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea to take your time and see the city."
An empire of gold where all things are justified in the face of coin. As the Guild Master said, there were indeed many 'sights' to see here.
Fight Club. An underground arena where participants wagered their lives.
"It is without a doubt something to look forward to."
Dale smiled.
"However, I sought out the master of a 'Grand Guild' for another reason."
Having said that, Dale finally changed the subject. Not as a mere participant in the Black Market, but to thoroughly carry out his own objective.
"Duke Sachsen has shown considerable interest in the Guild City's business."
"..."
Dale spoke. It was not difficult to grasp the meaning of his words.
"Are you speaking of an investment?"
the Guild Master asked back with a smile.
"Investing in our Guild City is always an excellent decision."
"Ah, this is no ordinary investment."
Dale smiled. After smiling, he opened his mouth to speak.
"After the Black Market, which will soon open... a meeting will be held to decide the next 'City Master.'"
City Master.
The paramount position, reigning over the seven Guild Masters and overseeing the entire Guild City.
At those words, the Kalimala Guild Master's expression froze. The decision of the City Master was a top secret within the Guild City, and the fact that it was closely tied to the 'Black Market' was no exception.
'How did House Sachsen get that information...'
But the Guild Master showed no sign of it, and Dale continued.
"The Guild City's trust is impeccably strong, truly beyond doubt."
"You are correct, Your Highness."
"But is the trust between the seven Grand Guilds the same?"
"...!"
Dale spoke of the seven Grand Guilds, still vying for position within the Guild City, and their secret strife.
"As I said, House Sachsen is willing to make a considerable investment."
A considerable investment from House Sachsen. Grasping the weight of those words, the Guild Master held his breath.
"To one of the seven Guild Masters, that is, who will become the next 'City Master.'"
"Could it be...!"
"And it seems the master of the Kalimala Guild is very interested."
Outwardly, the 'Guild City' is a symbol of unbreakable trust.
"Having ambition is a good thing."
But in reality, it is nothing more than a jungle where seven organizations fiercely compete for their share, a world where the strong prey on the weak.
"There will be giving, and there will be taking."
Dale said, with the conviction that he could place the man before him in the 'City Master's' seat.
"Then please, take your time and think it over carefully."
Leaving those meaningful words behind, Dale rose to his feet.
"W-What."
It was at that moment.
"What do you want in return?"
The Guild Master cautiously opened his mouth.
If Dale, backed by the power of House Sachsen, were to hand him the 'City Master's' seat. What Dale and House Sachsen would want in return.
"The ledgers."
"...!"
"The ledgers you will obtain upon becoming the 'City Master' of the Guild City."
The City Master's ledgers.
The records of income and expenditure of money and goods. The flow of wealth within the Guild City, and by extension, all seven Grand Guilds. While it might sound trivial at first glance, its meaning was not so to 'those who could understand.'
For the Guild City, trust was life itself, and the ledgers were the very heart of that trust. In other words, handing them over would be like handing over the heart of the Guild City itself.
The Guild Master, at least, understood the implications. The scales in his mind tipped back and forth rapidly.
"If we work together, House Sachsen will feel at ease to make even greater investments."
Dale said.
"Along with the 'Black Armor Company' that I command, the military might of Sachsen will stand with the Guild City."
The black bear crouching in the north. The greatest Archduke on the continent, the power held by the name of House Sachsen was beyond imagination. Dale was using that backing without reservation.
"I wish for House Sachsen and the Guild City to officially be in the same boat."
"..."
"Then, while the Guild Master makes his decision."
Dale continued.
"I believe I'll go take a look around the city for a while."
A firm alliance with the Guild City. There was only one reason for making this offer to a mere Guild Master instead of the current 'City Master.'
Because it would be meaningless unless he was the one to pull the strings and place him on the throne.
***
At that same moment.
"D-Did you say the next City Master?"
'Arte della Rana.'
One of the seven Grand Guilds of the Guild City, one that dealt in wool. In the 'City of the Rana Guild,' the Guild Master held his breath.
Before him stood a blond boy. The representative of Marquis Yuriseu, Lord Crimson, who had received an invitation to the Black Market.
Ray Yuriseu.
His purpose was not merely to participate in the Black Market.
"Our Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and furthermore, my father..."
Ray Yuriseu said.
"In deciding the next 'City Master.'"
With the Empire and the Red Magic Tower as his backing.
"We believe without a doubt that the master of the Rana Guild is the most suitable candidate."
It was a proposition that even the great Guild City could not easily dismiss. It is human nature, after all, to bow before a stronger presence.
Power. The ideology pursued by Lord Crimson and the Red Magic Tower.
The one with power takes the world. Gold, wisdom, knowledge, and even all the secrets piled up by the mages of the other magic towers—they are all nothing more than byproducts that can be seized by force.
"This is not a request or a plea."
That is why Ray Yuriseu said.
"It is a decision that has been made."
His voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
***
The Guild City was indeed a city with many forms of amusement. At least, in terms of entertainment.
Excluding the 'Street of the Grand Guilds,' the rest of the city was a place of pleasure, lined with red-light districts and gambling dens. However, none of it was of interest to Dale.
Nevertheless, Dale crossed the city with a clear destination in mind.
Considering the fierce battles that were to unfold in this city, the tasks that needed to be handled now were piled as high as a mountain.
Dale was now heading to the very bottom of that mountain. The back alleys of the City of Kalimala.
'Was it around here?'
A quick glance revealed a distinctive 'code' carved into the corner of a stone wall in the back alley.
'I found the right place.'
Seeing the code, Dale did not hesitate.
How many years had it been? —Since the thieves' guild 'Kaleidoscope' had attacked Dale and Charlotte that day.
At least, truly competent criminal guilds were not foolish enough to attack the Empire's greatest Archduke. Even more so when it was 'House Sachsen.'
Just as ripening rice bows its head, the strong are no different. That's why they would have refused the Holy Sword Master's request, even if he had offered a fortune.
'Kaleidoscope' was not like that. Which is why, at the time, the Holy Sword Master's request must have eventually made its way here.
A minor guild with only a few skilled members. They failed to grasp the gravity of the situation, blinded by the gold he offered.
And now, it was time to make them pay the price for their foolishness.