Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Treacherous Subject Has Uses Too - Chapter 115
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The next day, in the afternoon, at Derren's trading company.
Beonald, who had received a secret meeting request from a man named Escal, returned to the company with Sein.
Sein, having rested soundly at a high-class inn while Beonald took care of business, came back in excellent spirits. He was overflowing with motivation and gratitude for Beonald's kindness, but Beonald told him to take it easy for today.
"Huh? But I already rested soundly..."
"Then help me clean up the lab."
"Yes, Lord Beonald!"
Hmm... Let's see... Just what is that suspicious guy thinking, trying to draw me in?
Escal Kmel. He was, for now, a member of the Kmel family and someone who handled external affairs.
He claimed he didn't know the 'sword'.
And while he shouldn't have revealed it, he spilled all the information obtained by the Kmel family to Beonald to gauge his reaction. Thinking about it conversely, this likely indicated a favorable view.
First, the possibilities are either trying to use me or wanting to ally with me, right?
For someone from a traditional, prestigious knight family like Kmel to be doing this, he probably didn't have as much power as one might think.
So, to expand his own influence and ambitions, or to create a bigger opening in the Kmel family's power structure by bringing me in... There were many imaginable scenarios.
Anyway, the fact that he was trying to use me was certain.
But to do that, he'd need to throw out some pretty good bait... Hmm...
If the bait was clumsy, he could just refuse. The problem was when the guy resorted to forceful means.
He couldn't rule out the possibility of being kidnapped and then coerced or used.
So, Beonald decided to formulate a plan for tomorrow—no, for tonight—and first get some sleep.
Condition management was the most important thing above all else. Judgment and wisdom came from the brain, so he needed to be in peak condition.
And six hours later.
Beonald, who had slept on a mat laid out in the lab, opened his eyes.
In the lab, he could see Sein and Bethia busily moving about doing work, Heidi standing by, and Selina sitting at another desk conducting magical research.
"Ah, you're all here?"
"If you were going to sleep, why not sleep in the perfectly good room we prepared?"
"Ah~ I was thinking a bit. But this is a fine place to sleep. The only downside is the dust from my mess. Haaam~ Come to think of it, I need to finish that construction too... This is getting to be a lot of work. Ugh!"
Thud-thump!
Stretching as he got up, Beonald felt a headache coming on as he looked at the lab.
He'd started these projects thinking he'd have free time after the sports festival, but with sudden issues popping up everywhere, he hadn't been able to properly attend to them.
Thinking this wouldn't do, he decided to tidy things up one by one thoroughly. He sprang up, resolving to finish the construction first.
"Heidi, I have a place to go with you around 11 PM. Finish your training and taking care of Alterio, then get some sleep to be on time."
"Ah, yes! But what about you, Lord Beonald?"
"I need to clean up this mess first. Selina, I need your help. Time is tight."
"...You're not thinking of me as some sort of magical tool, are you? Sigh~"
Selina let out a deep sigh but soon stood up, picking up her staff.
It meant she would listen to Beonald's words, one way or another.
In truth, she was already accustomed to it, and being near Beonald provided an overflowing amount of research topics, so she grumbled but began assisting him with magic.
"Well, then we'll go prepare a meal. It seems you'll be eating here."
"Yes, understood."
Sein and Bethia, who had been watching, returned to their own tasks.
Even while continuing the construction work, Beonald never stopped thinking about Escal's invitation, constantly pondering how to respond and what preparations to make.
Time passed like that until night fell, and Beonald headed to the meeting place with Heidi.
Heidi was fully armed. Beonald also wore his sword, had light armor under his clothes, and carried a large quantity of pre-prepared drugs, moving cautiously.
Moving around in the middle of the night would normally be stopped by the guards, but Beonald was under the Valderian family's protection. By subtly implying he was on a secret mission from them, he was able to pass through the gate easily.
The capital guards are sharp, as expected.
"Lord Beonald, over there... There's someone below."
"He's here."
Just as Heidi noticed, there were three suspicious shadows under a bridge near the gate.
Not using torches, their forms were barely visible by moonlight. Beonald instructed Heidi to keep her hand on her weapon and be on guard, then slowly approached, opening his mouth nonchalantly.
"Good manners for a meeting. Just the location choice is bad."
"Hahaha, my sincere apologies. I wanted to have a confidential conversation. But who is the intimidating lady behind you?"
"My guard and retainer."
"Aah~ Well, I brought guards too, so it can't be helped. Shall we take a short walk together then?"
It was dark, so expressions weren't clear, but Beonald, anticipating the face he might be making, nodded.
And so, the two began walking along the riverside, leaving their respective guards behind.
With the moonlight shimmering on the flowing river as a backdrop, this scene would have been romantic if it were between a man and a woman. But with two men mutually wary of each other, it was not romantic at all.
"How much do you remember from yesterday? You didn't drink and have your memory cut off or anything, did you?"
"I remember to some extent."
"Then this will be quick. So, what will you do about Her Highness the Princess's issue?"
"...Just thinking about it makes my heart heavy. The Empire itself hasn't been able to find her to this extent, and too much time has passed, so there's nothing I can do. Hooooo~"
...Just as expected.
Though the moonlight cast a faint glow, it was still dark. Thanks to the blessing of darkness, Escal was perfectly visible.
Beonald's expression held weariness, helplessness, and despair, leaving no room for doubt in his words. Escal continued to probe Beonald according to his pre-established plan.
"His Majesty the Emperor is truly indifferent. Just because the bloodline is slightly off, he fails to recognize such a valuable talent. It's a shame. I, too, know that kind of pain well."
"...Pain?"
"Yes. As you can see, I handle external affairs for the Kmel family, but I... am a body that cannot wield the 'sword,' so I can never be part of the mainstream. So I've had many... arduous experiences."
"Ah, I think I roughly understand. Children who don't fit what families pursue are mostly treated worse than slaves or servants."
"Aha! You do know."
"It's common sense..."
It was a truth that applied 500 years ago and now. Prestigious families make excessive demands on their children to uphold the family name, and those who can't keep up are treated worse than slaves or servants.
It existed everywhere, but Beonald had seen it at its most extreme under Felix's rule, making it all the more harsh.
Men with no talent or ability were immediately thrown into mines or salt farms, and girls were given as rewards to retainers, knights, or soldiers... And... Kgh!
Perhaps because it was night and his sensitivity was heightened, memories he had sealed away and never wanted to recall began surfacing.
He thought he had barely forgotten them over decades in his past life, but hearing that guy's words suddenly brought them back to his mind.
'Why are you here? What's with that outfit?'
'...Brother... Father said... to serve you 'tonight'...'
During his time competing for succession, when he had achieved merit for the family, Felix had suddenly said there would be a good reward waiting in his room. Half-doubting, he went, and the shocking thing there was his half-sister.
Even for Beonald, who thought he had somewhat adapted to the darkness of the Neumel family during his prime, it was an immense shock. It made his already deep hatred for his father Felix pierce the heavens.
Of all things, that memory I had forgotten...! That!
'Ooh... That swirling vortex of rising dark emotion! His power is tremendous.'
A faint violet aura shimmered from Escal's hand as he watched Beonald tormented by memories.
It was one of the powers granted by the 'Dark God' for more effective 'persuasion.' Combined with the heightened nighttime sensitivity, it was effective at dredging up dark memories and moods.
Meanwhile, Escal continued his story to 'persuade' Beonald.
"Sometimes... I think this world is truly structured absurdly. Hahah."
"...True."
"So sometimes, don't you feel like... smashing it all to pieces? If all the hateful things disappeared... wouldn't you wish for that peace?"
"That's not it."
"...Huh?"
Something about the flow felt off.
Escal sensed something strange.
Normally here, one would be swept up in dark emotions, agreeing while lamenting with grief-laden complaints.
Especially someone like Beonald—competent, wise, possessing various abilities—should feel even greater despair at the world's limits, and the negative emotions surfacing now proved that. But he was different.
"If there isn't any..."
"Huh?"
"I'll make it. Isn't that easier?"
Twisted, but in a different direction.
Normally, one would be consumed by darkness and grieve together, but Beonald was a man who had pierced through that darkness and stood at the summit.
And one who had excluded everything, ruled, and completed his own garden. He failed due to betrayal, but that was solely because he trusted his son too much, so there was no one else to blame.
Thus, even while swept up in negative emotions and darkness, he remained lofty and dignified.
"...Kgh! 'Make it,' you say... How arrogant."
I've tried it... you know.
"Well, fine. Anyway... You're still young, so such ambition is understandable. Let's get to the main point."
"Main point?"
"Yes. On the day of your duel, when His Majesty intervened and overturned the result, he made a certain deal with our Kmel family. The deal was to hand over the excavation rights to a ruin in the Haldeon region. That ruin, by the way, is speculated to be from the era of the 'Unified Empire.'"
At the mention of a ruin from the 'Unified Empire' era, Beonald couldn't help but flinch.
A remnant of the golden age he had built. He was still striving to find it and its artifacts, but now they had not only discovered it but were planning to excavate it. He couldn't just stand by.
Beonald immediately pressed Escal for more detailed information.