Chapter 228: Just One Thing
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 228: Just One Thing
“A Vampire. Am I right?”
“Correct.”
Iris’s identity as a Vampire was laid bare by Mother’s sharp intuition. I wasn’t sure if Iris had a specific reason for being so blunt or if she just didn't see the point in lying.
She had admitted to being a Vampire without a single excuse.
Damn, Mother isn't exactly fond of the Vampire Species.
As she had told me before, if there were certain beings a human should never involve themselves with, they were the dead and those associated with the dark arts—like Liches and the Undead—and ancient demi-humans, including Titans and Vampires.
Even if they were second on the list, Iris belonged to a category that Mother, in her prime, had explicitly warned me about.
“Ah, Mother, about that. It’s not like Iris is some incredibly wicked Vampire or anything—”
“Enough. I can tell just by looking at her.”
“I-Is that so...?”
“A Vampire?! T-This is the first I’m hearing of this?!”
Dora, listening from the side, was naturally startled. Vampires weren't the kind of creatures you stumbled upon easily in just any labyrinth. In fact, demi-humans were exceptionally rare entities even within the depths.
“It’s complicated, and I don’t really know how to explain it...”
“Fine. Miss Albresto, I hear you know the conditions for hatching a Horus egg.”
“I do.”
“You seem quite knowledgeable. I happen to have a need for someone with your skills. Tell me, would you be interested in a job?”
“Not particularly.”
“M-Mom?!”
I was stunned. Surprisingly, even after realizing Iris was a Vampire, Mother didn't seem to mind much at all.
“Ahaha, Mother. You see, Iris is a bit of an eccentric.”
“No, there is no need for excuses. I think I understand to some extent.”
“...You understand?”
“Even in my prime, I don't think I could have defeated her. Judging by her scent... she must be a remarkably powerful Vampire.”
“My, how surprising.”
She had even seen through Iris’s combat potential. Seeing as she remained composed despite that, I had to ask.
“Mother... are you alright with this?”
“With what?”
“The fact that... Iris is a Vampire.”
“Indeed. I simply choose to believe that my son-in-law would not introduce someone who poses a threat to his mother-in-law’s life.”
“Aha.”
“If my trust is misplaced, then I shall accept my death. Having an eye for people is the most important trait for a merchant, after all.”
“T-That won't happen. Right, Iris?”
“Right.”
Mother’s reaction was relatively calm, but Dora was the problem.
“Wait a second, Aven. What is going on?”
“It... just turned out that way. No one else knows, so don't go telling people.”
Ah, come to think of it, does Ravi know?
“Is it really okay...? That person is a bit strange...!”
“I know that... but she’s not a bad person.”
“How can I trust that?!”
“She’s the one who broke your brainwashing last time.”
“Oh, right. She did.”
They were whispering so Iris wouldn't hear, but I had a feeling she heard every word. And of course, Mother, with her sharp ears, heard it all too.
“Brainwashing? My foolish daughter, what on earth have you been getting yourself into?”
“Hmph, you’re the same, Mom. Right, Aven?”
“Uh, well. I mean...”
When I didn't deny Dora’s words, Mother raised an eyebrow and asked.
“The same? What do you mean by that?”
“Ah, about that, Mother. Iris, can you do it now?”
“The brainwashing? Remove it?”
“Yes, please.”
“What is this talk of brainwashing?”
Mother tilted her head in confusion. Well, rather than explaining, it would be faster for her to experience it herself.
“Mother, I swear on my life that this will not harm you in any way. Could you please close your eyes for a moment?”
“Hmm. Since it is my son-in-law asking, I shall comply.”
“Yes, I am honored.”
Once Mother closed her eyes, I nodded to Iris. She slowly approached Mother and placed the tip of her index finger on her forehead, undoing the brainwashing.
It wasn't like with Theodora, where her expression contorted every second, but Mother was still displaying a very complex range of emotions.
“T-This is...?”
When Iris pulled her finger away, signaling the end of the process, Mother opened her eyes. For a long while, she sat in silence, stroking her chin as she retraced the memories of her dealings with the Antonio Brotherhood.
“Hmm... I see...”
She didn't have a shocked reaction like Theodora, but her face clearly betrayed her confusion and growing rage.
“Mother, are you alright?”
“Give me a moment.”
“A-Alright.”
For the next thirty minutes, she kept her eyes closed, leaning back in her chair and taking deep breaths.
“So this is where the saying 'ignorance is bliss' comes from.”
“Ahaha... did something happen?”
“Things have become troublesome. Since these dealings have been ongoing since we first set foot in Calax, it won't be easy to weed them out. It’s going to hurt to pull them all up at once.”
“I see.”
After spending a significant amount of time reviewing her relationship with the Antonio Brotherhood, Mother turned her gaze toward me.
“How did this happen? I have been spending a fortune on my resistance to brainwashing.”
“Right?! I was shocked too, Mom!”
“Daughter, be quiet for a moment.”
“O-Okay...”
Mother pressed a button, and a few servants entered the room, set out chairs, and left. It looked like this was going to be a long conversation.
“Now then. Miss Albresto, and you as well, Aven. Do you know the truth behind this?”
“It might be quite a shocking story. And... it’s something that must not be leaked elsewhere.”
“That goes without saying. You need not worry about any conversation held in this room spreading.”
“Yes, then I shall tell you.”
The Antonio Brotherhood had been a business partner the Lymain family relied on since they first expanded their operations to Calax over a decade ago.
Back then, the rivalry between the families within the Golden Glove Syndicate was fierce, and aggressive business expansion was a necessity.
“The Antonio Brotherhood... they weren't my first choice, but they were an enticing stepping stone.”
When the first deal was struck, the Lymain family certainly stood to gain a lot. The Antonio Brotherhood wasn't some fly-by-night organization in Calax, and their humble attitude at the time had been quite pleasing.
As the Lymain family firmly established themselves within Calax and the internal power struggles of the Golden Glove Syndicate began to settle...
“Mystery... the one known as Antoinette now.”
Terry Edgar had become the leader of the Antonio Brotherhood as this generation's Antoinette.
“The previous Mystery Antoinette and the current one are likely the same person.”
“Just what is her true identity?”
“A Succubus Queen.”
“...Miss Albresto. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
Iris had been a Monarch-class entity of the Vampire Species, and she was also the only one who had temporarily possessed Succubus magic through a racial skill.
The Succubus race excelled at delving into the minds of other living beings, planting brainwashing, or inducing affection. Their understanding of mental-type magic was unparalleled.
Iris explained that even if she had maintained her Monarch-class Vampire mana, she wouldn't have recognized the Succubus Queen’s magic if she hadn't experienced it herself.
“The leader of the Antonio Brotherhood is a Succubus Queen... a monster that escaped to the surface through a Labyrinth Opening.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“It is such an utterly preposterous story that I find myself nodding in agreement.”
“Thank you for believing me.”
“I meant that it is unbelievable.”
“...Oh.”
“Still, I must believe it. So, she is a Monarch-class monster of a race.”
Dora, who was listening beside us, seemed to have nothing to say. Wait, hold on.
“Dora?”
“Uh, yeah? What?”
“Were you listening?”
“Of course. That the Antonio Brotherhood is Lymain’s business partner?”
“Right, exactly.”
That was as much as Dora needed to understand.
“However, I lack a public justification. I have no grounds to immediately terminate all ongoing contracts between the Lymain family and the Antonio Brotherhood.”
The Lymain family was certainly large. If they cut ties with the Antonio Brotherhood right now, a significant portion of the Brotherhood's funding would vanish.
But Mother’s conclusion was that it would be difficult to do so immediately.
There was the issue of justification, and then there were the Lymain family’s own interests. The Antonio Brotherhood was one of the biggest buyers of the materials the Lymain family sold. Cutting them off would cause no small amount of damage to her own side.
However, the loss that loomed far larger and more painfully was the continued association with the Antonio Brotherhood.
Unbeknownst to her, they had accumulated far too many contracts that subtly and cleverly caused continuous losses. If she shook them all off now, it would take at least five years to recover.
“Maintaining a contract is proof of trust. For a merchant, losing trust is the same as losing money. Even if that trust is directed toward the Antonio Brotherhood.”
“You don't need to worry about that part.”
“What do you mean by that?”
I certainly had a justification for Mother to terminate the contracts with the Antonio Brotherhood.
“One cannot conduct business with an organization that no longer exists, can they?”
“...Explain yourself more clearly.”
Mother stared at me blankly for a moment, then tilted her head and asked again.
“In three weeks, I am going to personally wipe out the Southeast district. Mother, please delay all transactions at the appropriate time before then.”
“Son-in-law, such words are not to be spoken lightly. You know this, don't you?”
“Yes, I know. Of course.”
“Arrogance leads to failure. Do you truly believe you have the power to do such a thing?”
Mother glared at me, her eyes wide. It was true that only a few months ago, I was so weak I couldn't even touch her. Of course, that wasn't the case anymore.
“I do.”
“...My, you are starting to resemble my daughter. You’re giving your mother-in-law a headache.”
“Ahaha, I’m sorry.”
“Mom, I’m right here, you know?”
“I know.”
Mother let out a long, deep sigh and closed her eyes, pressing her hand to her forehead as if a migraine were coming on.
“I’m already so busy, yet the work never ends.”
“It must be very difficult for you.”
“Yes, thanks to you. Well then, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Hmm...”
I glanced at Iris for a moment. She was just sitting there blankly, seemingly without a thought in the world.
“Yes, please prepare just one thing for me.”