Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: A Use for the Treacherous Subject
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"Impressive. I never thought... you'd actually bring it. But can you guarantee this is what I wanted?"
"You're the one who proposed an unfavorable deal in the first place, so don't be too difficult. You do need a map, don't you? I scoured every bookstore, shop, and library in the capital and surrounding areas and bought them all up. With money."
"I'm not like you, a merchant who tries to weasel out of things by saying they're not in the contract. I acknowledge what should be acknowledged. That's my way. Hoo~ My schedule today is practically empty anyway. Sain, here's some money. Have a meal with Heidi, attend your remaining classes, and then come back. I'll go ahead."
"I anticipated that and prepared a place in advance, Lord Beonald."
Beonald followed Deren to the location he had prepared.
After leaving the academy and going to the secret mansion Deren had arranged, he immediately spread out the bundles of maps and began his work.
As expected, the maps weren't proper ones but were just randomly purchased, so the recorded years, map locations, and so on were all haphazard.
"...What were you thinking, buying this stuff?"
"Well, the item you desire is something you can't get even with money. This was all I could do."
"Quite brazen. Hoo~"
But Deren was right.
A proper map, especially one that precisely depicts the entire continent, is something treated as a state secret, not something a mere merchant could obtain.
For Deren, this was the best option, and Beonald fully understood that.
'But this is like solving a puzzle... What a headache. At least familiar terrain and place names are visible, so that's a relief.'
As familiar place names and terrain were found in the ancient maps, whose age was unknown, hope arose that perhaps he could locate Benofis with these.
But it seemed it would take quite a lot of time to discern that, so Beonald sighed as if resigned and tossed him three gold coins.
"What is this?"
"Meal and lodging expenses. And buy more oil too. It seems we'll have to work through the night. Also bring parchment, a pen, and ink for writing a letter. I need to send a message."
"Yes. I will do as you command, Lord Beonald."
He didn't like Deren acting as if he was now serving him, but for now, sorting out these maps took priority.
After writing the message to send to Heidi and Sain, he continued piecing the maps together.
From sorting the maps to matching them by place names, none of it was easy.
'But the outline is slowly taking shape...'
It was time-consuming, but progress was being made. Based on the materials in these map bundles, Beonald even paid Deren more money to buy a piece of leather and began drawing a new map himself.
He lacked professional knowledge for mapmaking, but for now, a general location was sufficient.
'If I can just figure out the location of the Benofis territory, I can go and search for it myself. My secret lab, research room, treasure vault... There's probably something left.'
Considering the brilliant achievements he had accomplished 500 years ago—even if they were built by embezzling imperial funds—if someone had his research data and treasures, civilization couldn't have ended up like this.
Even if it had split, surely some outstanding individual would have taken his treasures and ruled or seized power. No matter how much turmoil turned everything upside down, it couldn't have reached this state.
'Moreover, looking at these idiots, they probably thought the treasure vault I disguised in the mansion was everything and looted it... Or they were too busy fighting among themselves to think of searching underground. Anyway, if I can just find it... just find it!'
There was the 'Star Vein,' and the treasures sleeping within it... no, the things he had sweated and bled to achieve were stored there, so he absolutely wanted to find it.
Thus, he forgot about the passage of time and devoted himself to piecing the maps together.
And, though he really disliked it, he had no choice but to rely on Deren's help for unknown place names or languages that had changed differently.
"Ah~ This is probably the Ronsom Mountain Range. Here it is. The nobles who settle here keep changing the names, you see. Especially since owners change in less than a few years due to war..."
'That's why it's annoying! So I have no choice but to use this guy's help.'
It was frustrating, but asking someone else about this matter now would be awkward.
Even Beonald himself thought this was a huge blunder, and it seemed he was stuck with this merchant for the time being.
The only saving grace was that he hadn't yet revealed his purpose to this guy.
"By the way, why are you looking for such a large map?"
"None of your business."
"Honestly, isn't it commendable enough that an outline of this level has emerged? Ah, there, it's similar but different. The difference is whether there's a village nearby or not."
While helping Beonald piece the maps together, Deren persistently tried to sound him out to figure out his thoughts. But Beonald maintained an iron wall, deflecting his questions.
However, Deren was no ordinary human either, and he continued asking questions and helping with the work, trying to break through Beonald's sharp attitude.
"Truly. Anyway, acknowledging something and stating my thoughts are separate matters. We're not partners, after all."
"That's right. Colleagues and contractors are distinctly different. Ah, then are those ladies also contractors?"
"Two are family, one is a temporary relationship for mutual benefit."
"Then, after this work is done, will I also be promoted to a relationship for mutual benefit?"
"No, let's start with just being acquaintances."
Since no transaction or contract had been exchanged, Beonald strictly distinguished the stages.
But Deren seemed displeased with that and subtly emphasized his efforts once more.
"...These maps cost quite a bit of money, you know? Putting aside the legwork and using my connections..."
"I never forced you to spend money."
"Ah, saying it like that is disappointing."
"Disappointed? In commerce, isn't it commonplace to lose investment costs on risky ventures? It's your own fault."
Refuted sharply with sound logic, Deren had nothing more to say on the topic of money.
At this point, it was time to play a new card.
"You'll need 'merchant' connections anyway, won't you? Young Master Beonald, the alchemist."
"So you didn't approach me knowing nothing."
"Yes. Since you're a talent recommended by Imperial Knight 'Sir Repart,' I naturally paid attention. And I confirmed it when I saw you before. An ordinary person, even a noble, would normally be intimidated and shrink back in the presence of someone of high status like the princess, but you, Lord Beonald, were very composed. Even though you are of noble blood yourself."
'...That's because they're all youngsters in front of me. One is practically my grand-niece.'
Outwardly a youth nearing his twenties, but inwardly an old man nearing 100 years old including his previous life, a monster who had once been a high noble who held the entire continent in his grasp.
Whether it was a princess or a noble, in the end, being cowed by children whose blood hasn't even dried yet would be even more absurd.
But conversely, that very point had given this leech-like guy the confidence that sticking to him would be profitable.
"So?"
"Naturally, investing in 'good things' and getting involved with them is a merchant's duty. A greater benefit is clearly visible, isn't it?"
"Right, that's your instinct. But even so, I won't entrust everything to you. I'll thoroughly compare you with other merchants and do my utmost to save funds."
"That's fine too. I'm confident."
"Is that so? Good. Do as you please. But~ don't forget the map isn't finished yet."
Beonald continued piecing the maps together.
As expected, a day or two wasn't enough, so he eventually called Sain, Heidi, and even Selina to guard this place in shifts. For over a week, they repeated the process of attending classes at the academy and returning to work, managing their attendance.
No matter how much an aura-trained knight, prolonged sleep deprivation would take its toll. Eventually, Beonald ended up unable to attend classes properly at the academy, supplementing his sleep there instead. But since Sain was the main one attending the classes anyway, it wasn't a problem.
"Uuuurgh! Slept well. Sain, any problems?"
"Yes. No problems. However, the teacher's gaze was a bit sharp."
"That can't be helped. Haaam~ The work... just won't end."
"But, is it necessary for you to make a map? Wouldn't it be better to use an already made one?"
"If I could easily get one, I would have. Since I can't, I'm going through this trouble. But it's a task worth putting in considerable effort."
As the map's outline gradually took shape, Beonald wished he could pinpoint 'Benofis's' location as soon as possible. He was about to leave the academy to finish the map when he spotted someone approaching him at the entrance.
A youth in a pristine white uniform, wearing glasses, with a fussy appearance—Kedron Valderian of the Valderian family, whom he had seen not long ago.
'Why is this guy waiting for me?'
"Ahem, ahem! Hey, may I have a moment of your time?"
"What is the matter? I have been keeping a very low profile since that incident. Senior."
Indeed, since the entrance ceremony, Beonald had been leaving Alterio at the mansion and walking to school.
And since he hadn't been doing any other activities, just quietly attending classes and going home day after day, there was no way he could do anything to attract noble attention. Wondering the reason for the question, Kedron Valderian pushed up his glasses and answered.
"No, that's not what I came to talk about today. So... have you had dinner yet?"
"Not yet. But why do you ask?"
"Good. Then let's go to my house. Sephar!"
"Yes! Young Master! Coming!"
Neigh!
Without even waiting for Beonald's answer, Kedron called out to someone, and instantly a carriage arrived and stopped before the two.
The butler inside opened the door and bowed to Beonald and Sain. Sain looked at Beonald in confusion, but he wore a distant expression, seeming to feel something different in this situation, and remained silent.
"We'll talk details there. Just get in."
'Your Grace, have you dined? You haven't? Okay! Boys! His Grace hasn't eaten. Fetch him right away! Bula! Hurry!'
'The story? We'll talk details there, so please get in quickly, Your Grace.'
'This is... an offer I can't refuse.'
Whether by coincidence or not, Kedron's actions now were exactly the same as those of Kedron's ancestor, Kerwell von Valderian, who had been Beonald's subordinate 500 years ago, bringing back memories.
Seeing a memory recreated in a descendant across 500 years, Beonald couldn't refuse Kedron's offer. He ended up boarding the Valderian family carriage and heading to their mansion.