Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Rift (4)
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A sloop with triangular sails on two masts sliced through the waves.
A steep coastal cliff, reminiscent of a massive city wall, stretched along the cape.
The ship made a wide turn following it and slowly entered the inner bay.
"Lian. We'll be arriving soon. Wake up, sir."
Lian slowly opened his eyes. He had been dozing in a chair in the cramped cabin.
Pablo, who had accompanied him as an escort, was looking down at him.
"Ugh. Already?"
"Good lord! How do you sleep so soundly on a rocking ship like this, sir? You handle everything so well, even sleeping!"
"It's not like that. I pulled an all-nighter, so... I just lost track of time and fell asleep."
"Whoa! Even if you haven't seen Madam Isabel for a few days, isn't that pushing it too far?"
"What are you imagining? I was working all night. Work."
After soothing the sulking Isabel late into the night.
Lian had to finish five days' worth of paperwork in advance.
A team had been formed to share his workload, but it wasn't yet time to hand everything over to them.
Ding-dong-ding—
The bell rang, signaling that the ship had reached the dock.
Lian stretched as he stepped out of the cramped cabin.
It had definitely been morning when they set off.
Now, the sun was beginning to set, dyeing the sky red.
"Looks like I'll have to visit the castle tomorrow."
"Then shall we find lodgings first?"
"Come to think of it, you're from North Harbor, right? Know any good places to recommend?"
"Of course, sir! Just follow me and leave it to ol' Pablo!"
Lian toured the North Harbor area like a first-time visitor.
It was so different from South Harbor that he wondered if it was even the same island.
"It's definitely got a completely different vibe from South Harbor."
"Honestly, I think it's a stuffy, boring place."
Lian nodded in agreement, giving a quiet wry smile.
Identical walls and identical roofs everywhere.
The uniform architectural style made Pablo's point crystal clear.
Even the dilapidated buildings that looked over a century old.
And the brand-new ones that seemed freshly built—all adhered to the same style.
It was a stark contrast to South Harbor's buildings, which blended styles from different eras and cultures.
Even Isabel's mansion mimicked the style of the desert kingdom Aslan across the sea, didn't it?
"All these buildings look the same. I might get lost if I'm not careful."
"That's why folks distinguish 'em by the curtains in the windows or flowerpots out front."
"Doesn't that get annoying? Is there some building code forcing them all to be the same?"
"Nah, not exactly. They say it's all to preserve the spirit of Madella or some such nonsense..."
"Ah."
This street must have once featured a mix of buildings from various eras.
But after the island was annexed by the Castel Kingdom a century ago.
Clinging stubbornly to tradition in the form of that century-old style had led to this.
"Hearing it explained like that, it kinda makes sense."
"Huh? You serious, sir?"
As someone who knew the sorrow of a lost homeland, Lian could empathize to some extent.
However, Madella Island had been granted a degree of autonomy under the centralist Castel Kingdom.
In fact, it was among the better-treated territories in the kingdom, so the circumstances differed.
"Huh? Their uniforms look different from the security force's."
While passing through the street.
A group in uniforms marched in perfect formation, catching Lian's eye.
"Oh. Sharp eyes as always, sir. Those ain't security force, actually—they're kingdom army. That formation... probably a search mission?"
Most of the mansion's guards were former soldiers or mercenaries.
Pablo was no exception, so he could tell what they were up to just from their movements.
But something was off.
With a perfectly functional police force like the security team, why were kingdom troops operating in the city center?
"Must be some deserters."
"Hm. Feels like too big a group for that."
"Then maybe a whole unit went AWOL. Anyway, Pablo—how much farther to the inn?"
"Not far, sir. Just 'round that alley over there."
"Let's hurry. I wanna check out the market street before the sun sets completely."
The next day, in the afternoon.
Lian headed to the castle to meet Leon.
"Be off with you, sir. You won't be seeing the lord today."
"How about tomorrow, then?"
"We'll know tomorrow."
The gate guard replied curtly, giving hints to leave quickly.
Treating him like an unwelcome intruder.
Of course, Lian bore some blame for showing up unannounced.
But a lord's castle should always be ready to hear the voices of its people, shouldn't it?
"Has something happened at the castle?"
"Not something we share with outsiders."
He didn't deny it.
Probably related to those soldiers from yesterday.
Bad premonitions always came true, as usual.
"Then please just inform him that Lian of the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House wishes an audience. I'll return on the appointed day."
"Uh... who did you say?"
"Lian of the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House."
"Gasp!"
The guard's face darkened upon hearing Lian's name.
Even if his attire screamed wealth—different from the traditional nobles' garb—he'd guessed rich merchant.
But that exceptionally handsome face!
"Y-yes, sir! I'll report it right away!"
The guard's attitude flipped to brisk efficiency as he dashed into the castle.
The other sentries at the gate stiffened in tense postures.
And shortly after.
Someone came running out with the guard from inside the castle.
It was someone Lian knew somewhat.
"Lian! What brings you without notice?"
"Advisor Simon. Long time no see."
Simon, Leon's aide.
A low noble who had served Leon since his security commander days.
"I came to North Harbor on business and stopped by. Seemed proper to pay respects to the lord. But I heard an audience is difficult today..."
Simon shot a quiet glare at the guard who had summoned him.
The guard, who had only followed orders, looked aggrieved.
"True enough. But there's always exceptions, right? Especially for the pillar upholding Madella's economy."
Treating him like that at the gate—unacceptable.
'But he couldn't know about that old woman and come here on purpose, could he? Even if they call him a magic hunter...'
Simon swallowed dryly, cautiously observing Lian's expression.
It looked utterly serene.
"Oh, and just so you know—I haven't changed my mind about that previous proposal."
"Ahem...! Regardless, you're always welcome. Please, come inside!"
Simon shook off his unease and escorted Lian into the castle.
Just needless worry making his feet itch.
"My lord. Lian of the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House wishes an audience."
"Send him in."
In Leon's office, guided by Simon.
There, Lian witnessed a rather unusual sight.
Leon buried in a mountain of documents, racking his brains.
A man more warrior than anything, who even as security commander preferred the field to the desk.
This was both unfamiliar and oddly relatable.
"I pay my respects to the lord of Madella."
Unlike their casual past interactions, Lian offered a formal greeting.
Leon’s lip curled slightly upward.
"Am I disturbing you during a busy time?"
"No. These aren't urgent matters."
Leon shoved the document pile aside with a short sigh.
Lian examined Leon closely.
Dark circles were forming under his eyes, but otherwise, no major changes.
'Leon isn't under magical control. That's a relief, at least.'
He focused intently on the spirits' whispers for any missed signs, but no magical presence lingered nearby.
"So, what brings you?"
"Just to say hello. And the succession ceremony—I regretted not attending."
"No need to worry. I didn't invite you anyway. Ah, yes. I received your gift well."
"I hope it pleased you."
"Pleased? Indeed. It made me wonder why someone who knows my tastes so well doesn't understand other things."
"Seeing that paperwork hell, I think I was wise not to."
Lian traded lighthearted banter as before, gauging Leon's expression.
He seemed a bit miffed at not getting his way, but not displeased.
Which made it all the more puzzling.
What was he thinking, allying with the Delico Matron?
Leon surely knew it was tantamount to crossing Lian.
Did he truly believe it would never be discovered?
"Actually, I met Sir Albero Faro recently. He helped sort out the farmstead, I hear?"
"Mm. Yes. Couldn't just leave it be, for various reasons."
"I was agonizing over it myself. Thanks to you, I saved some trouble. My gratitude."
"No need for your thanks. It concerns the territory's welfare—my duty, naturally."
Leon shrugged and leaned back comfortably in his chair.
The Delico farmstead incident was long over—why are you bringing it up now?
That nuance hung in the air.
"Ah, about that. I've decided to invest in rebuilding a sheep ranch there. Planning to base a textile business on it."
"Oh?"
"Something I've considered for a while. Madella has potential for textiles, and it's a shame to waste it."
"I see. Thanks to you, the island prospers more—I'll always support you."
Lian’s gaze lingered briefly on Leon's shoulder.
Tee-hee-hee—
Simon the advisor too.
And Leon, right after facing Lian—the spirits' mocking laughter at those hiding secrets persisted.
The court mage's decryption of the note was surely accurate.
"Hearing that reassures me. I thought I'd fallen out of favor after refusing your appointment."
"Heavens. Do I seem that petty?"
"Then why ally with the Delico Matron?"
"......"
A pointed accusation laced with certainty.
Lian stared steadily at Leon.
"I see. You came all this way for that?"
"'That'? Just 'that'?"
Yet he met Lian's eyes with a bold face, as if wondering what the problem was.
"I promise. The Lapis Lazuli Merchant House is the pillar of Madella's economy—I won't let her trouble you."
"I trust you, my lord. But I don't trust the Delico Matron—that's the issue."
"No worries. She's under proper control."
"Control? That's exactly what people say right before something blows up."
If he truly believed that, it was a massive miscalculation and arrogance.
A mage is a mage, even without hands or feet.
Wasn't that why he took her in—because she still had use?
Tap-tap-tap—
Leon drummed his fingers on the desk, lost in thought for a moment.
"How about you meet the old woman yourself?"
"Me, meet the Delico Matron?"
"See for yourself, and you'll understand she's under control."
What gave him such confidence?
A leisurely smile spread across Leon's lips.