Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Second-in-Command (2)
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Diego's retirement proceeded much more quietly than expected.
He finished his final duties in the morning with a simple farewell to Isabel.
Then he packed up his things in the office and left the mansion. That was it.
"I hated seeing your face every morning, but now that you're actually leaving, I might miss you a little, old man."
"I'm thrilled at the thought of never seeing your ugly mug again, kid."
Even the people who came to see him off numbered just one: Lian.
For someone who had devoted thirty years of his life to the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House, it felt a bit stingy.
Lian even worried whether he'd received his severance pay properly.
"Honestly, I thought you'd hang on for at least another ten years."
"I would have, if not for you."
"Whoa! So that makes me the one who chased you out?"
Lian teased playfully.
But Diego simply gazed at him with a solemn look in his eyes.
"You're superior to me in every way. What would be the point of me clinging to this position? It'd just be my own selfishness."
"Whoa, I never thought I'd hear something like that from you... Aren't you about to head out?"
"What? You little punk!"
Diego bellowed, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward.
A sense of ease finally settled on the face that had always looked weary and irritable.
"Lian. One last piece of advice before I go."
"What is it?"
"Always be careful not to cross the line. Remember that Isabel is always watching, even if she pretends otherwise."
Advice befitting the man who had endured the longest under Isabel's command.
"I know that much."
"Good. Then that's settled."
With that, Diego turned away without a hint of lingering attachment.
Did Diego's retirement have some impact after all?
The annex office of the merchant house felt somewhat tense when Lian visited after a long while.
"You've all heard about Uncle Diego by now. Yes, that's how it is."
Whispers spread through the room.
To them, it must have seemed like he'd vanished without warning, sparking all sorts of speculation.
But what good would explaining the details do?
Those who wanted to believe Lian had stolen Diego's position would cling to that notion no matter what.
Lian simply carried on as he always had.
With a straight face and unwavering confidence, that was enough.
"From now on, in addition to Uncle's duties, I'll be handling most of the merchant house operations in Isabel's stead. So, I look forward to working with you all."
Lian bowed deeply to the merchant house staff.
He even wore the sword Isabel had gifted him prominently, as if to make a point.
"Looking forward to it, Lian! No, Sir Lian!"
"Same here!"
People like Miguel, who held favorable views of Lian, cheered in welcome.
On the other hand, many faces soured, though they said nothing.
If they were unhappy about a slave becoming their de facto superior, there was nothing to be done.
After all, their only option was to leave on their own two feet.
Slave in name only.
That seemed a fitting description for Lian these days.
"Isabel. I'd like to check out the workshops on Water Lily Street. Mind if I head out?"
"Sure. While you're there, could you check on that necklace we ordered last time?"
"Costa's workshop? I'll swing by."
Lian planted a light kiss on Isabel's cheek before leaving her room.
No need for a slave permit to go out or anything like that.
There weren't even security officers who bothered to check Lian.
"Pablo. You're off guard duty right now, right?"
"Yes, sir. Plenty of time till evening."
"What about Luko?"
"Same with him. Heading out? Want me to call him?"
"Yeah. Meet at the main gate later."
Lian took the two guards he'd built rapport with as escorts and stepped into the street.
It still felt a bit awkward having people he'd treated like brothers suddenly defer to him as a superior.
"Young master from Isabel's place! Take a look at this! The fabric's gorgeous!"
"How about this pottery? Straight from the Doring Empire across the sea!"
As he passed through the market, merchants recognized Lian and vied for his attention.
To them, he probably looked like Isabel's purse walking on its own.
Today, he crossed paths with patrolling security officers more often than usual.
But they merely glanced at him and moved on.
None bothered to stop him for a permit check.
Of course, there were still those who resented Lian's special treatment.
They'd shoot him dirty looks, click their tongues, or spit on the roadside.
Petty displays of their displeasure.
And if Lian met their gaze, they'd quickly look away.
'Feels like I'm being protected like some VIP.'
Still, it beat getting into pointless altercations on the street.
Lian closely examined the unfinished necklace with its intricate craftsmanship.
The artisan behind him sweated profusely, his face rigid with tension.
"Looks good. Just keep it up like this."
"Phew. What a relief!"
Jeweler Costa's face broke into a broad grin.
"I'll meet the deadline no problem. Make sure to put in a good word with Isabel."
"Of course. Looking forward to the finished piece."
"Oh, right. Lately, there've been some rough rumors on the streets. You take care too."
"Rumors? What happened?"
"Murders! Whole families wiped out—five households!"
No wonder he'd run into so many security officers today.
There was good reason for it.
"Don't worry, Mr. Costa. Isabel and Lian have us guarding them, right?"
"Who's guarding who? Pablo's weaker than me."
"What? No way! We haven't sparred yet, so you don't know."
Pablo blustered, but his partner Luko scoffed mockingly.
"Keep dreaming. You couldn't even beat Pedro—how would you take Lian?"
"Come on, not you too, Luko?"
In truth, Isabel's private guards were generally more skilled than regular soldiers.
The current captain, Ruben, had been an elite from the royal army, or so the rumors went.
Of course, they were a step below the human weapons known as knights, but would a murderer really be at that level?
"Anyway, stay cautious. It'd be a shame if I finished it and couldn't collect payment."
"You too, Mr. Costa. We'd be in trouble if that advance payment went up in smoke."
After exchanging some grim jokes, Lian left the workshop.
Business for the day was done, so unless something came up, it was back to the mansion.
'Hm?'
Suddenly, a new kind of hallucinated voice stopped him in his tracks.
Not a warning or anything like that.
A shy whisper, like timid chatter eager to speak.
"Lian? What's over there? More business?"
Without thinking, Lian turned toward it.
"A dog wandering alone without its owner? Don't tell me it's turned feral already."
And soon, he regretted it.
"...It's been a while, Sir Leon."
Lian glanced sideways at where Leon was.
A two-story house with soldiers guarding the entrance.
Even more security officers in red cloaks like Leon's milled about.
Likely the scene of the incident Costa mentioned.
Yet for some reason...
The whisper that had drawn Lian here continued from inside the house.
"Is the Security Commander on site duty himself? The force must be shorthanded."
"Not quite, but this case is special."
"I see. Well, I'll be going then..."
He set aside his curiosity about the unfamiliar voice for now.
Lian tried to slip away quickly.
But Leon casually draped an arm over his shoulder.
"Hold up. How's a slave wandering without his owner? Got your permit?"
"You're not the rank to check that..."
"Rank doesn't matter when enforcing the law."
Leon grinned and extended his hand, demanding papers.
This guy.
He knows full well I don't have one, yet he's doing this on purpose...
"I have the authority to exercise Isabel's property rights on her behalf."
"Hm. A valid argument, depending on interpretation."
"Glad you see it that way..."
"But your case is unprecedented, so I can't say for sure."
Leon loomed like a thug shaking down an alley, refusing to let Lian go.
"How about we discuss it slowly sometime?"
Lian stared pointedly at his two escorts, Pablo and Luko.
But they averted their eyes guiltily.
You said you'd protect me! Guard me!
Of course, what could they do against the city's Security Commander, future lord of the domain...?
"Haa... Fine. I'll humor you for a bit."
"Knew you'd see reason."
At this point, Lian wondered if the lord's son was his natural bane in life.
Lately, Lian was starting to truly feel how dangerous the world outside was.
After getting dragged into Leon's investigation last time and offering a few insights,
the man had been approaching him on the streets whenever he had the chance.
So these days, Lian stuck to indoor work.
Eventually, the guy's interest would fade... or so he hoped.
Bang!
"Hey, Lian! You're a genius!"
"Gah! Sh...! You scared me!"
While sorting ledgers in the office as usual,
a sudden intruder burst through the door, nearly stopping Lian's heart.
"L-Leon? What brings you here so suddenly...?"
He almost blurted out if the man had a warrant.
"More importantly, how did you even get in?"
"Through the door, obviously?"
Glancing outside, the mansion guards looked flustered as they watched.
They clearly couldn't stop his bulldozing entry.
You lot are getting docked pay.
"So, what's this about?"
"Your hunch was spot on—amazingly so!"
"Pardon...?"
Leon strode over excitedly and thrust his face close.
"They found a blade in the dead slave's stomach. Vicious bastards."
"For real...?"
The family murders had no signs of break-ins or weapons found.
All five victim households shared a slave around the same age.
Recalling movies and comics from his past life, Lian had suggested organized crime using slaves...
And it turned out true?
As he sat stunned in disbelief,
a chill ran down Lian's spine.
Knock knock.
From the open door, Isabel stood there, radiating displeasure.
"Leon. Barging in without the homeowner's permission—what's that about? And no greeting for me?"
"Ah, Isabel. I got carried away—my apologies."
"Leave. Now."
Isabel unhesitatingly ordered out the lord's eldest son.
Though Leon had indeed been rude enough to warrant her anger...
"Understood. Next time, I'll visit properly."
Leon turned away without a trace of remorse.
"Lian."
"Yes, Isabel."
"Did I ever tell you to play politics instead of running the merchant house?"
"...I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention."
"Be careful."
The first cold glare Isabel ever directed at Lian.
Under that look, his heart felt like it might freeze solid at any moment.