Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Disaster (3)
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One of the three great families representing the nobility of Madela.
The matron of the Salazar family had recently developed a new worry.
"My dear, why are you drinking like it's water? Is something bothering you?"
"Am I drinking like it's water? It was just one glass."
"Good grief! Look at you. You're so drunk you can't even remember how many you've had!"
"Haha. When have I ever gotten drunk and caused a scene? See? I'm perfectly fine."
Indeed, her husband's face showed no signs of the two or three bottles of wine he'd emptied on his own.
Instead, the matron of the Salazar family, flushed red with anger, looked far more heated.
"Come on, tell me. Is it about the new lord?"
"The lord? Why would it be about him?"
"Well, you cursed him out as a filthy traitor who killed his own father, didn't you? Wait! Now that you mention it, it fits! Ever since you came back from the succession ceremony..."
"Hey! How can you say such blasphemy!"
"Eek! You scared me!"
The head of the Salazar family, Manuel, suddenly slammed the table with a fierce scowl.
But as if the anger had never been there,
his face relaxed in an instant, and he broke into a cheerful, beaming smile.
"Back then, I misunderstood him because I didn't know him well. Now that I do, he's thoughtful and truly remarkable."
"...Are you serious?"
"Of course! See? Just thinking about him now makes me smile."
"That's because you're drunk!"
His face was clear, but with his mood swinging like that, he was undoubtedly intoxicated.
He, who had never been much of a drinker, was now living with a bottle in hand.
And to flip his opinion of someone he so despised overnight.
It all had to be the alcohol's fault.
"Anyway, stop drinking now! At this rate, they'd mistake you for one of the dockside drunks!"
"Haha. I told you, I'm not that drunk."
"You lot! Clear this away right now! And no more bringing drinks to the master without my permission! Got it?"
"Yes, Matron."
And so the prohibition on alcohol was finally enforced.
The maids hurriedly cleared the bottles and glasses before the fire could spread to them.
"What a fuss..."
Manuel chuckled emptily, thinking his wife was overreacting.
But he didn't seem particularly disappointed.
After all, the strange thirst that wouldn't quite quench couldn't be satisfied by such things anyway.
In the old wizard's hideout somewhere beneath the castle or the city.
When Lian visited again, the old wizard squinted his large eyes beneath the mask and stared at him.
"Moving around already with those wounds? Tsk, you're a tough one."
"It's all thanks to your excellent treatment, wizard."
Indeed, the fine medicine he'd used meant the wounds didn't reopen from a little walking.
"Enough. Spare me the flattery—it doesn't suit you. More importantly, remember this, kid. Dealing with that tree wench doesn't end it all."
"I know that. But I can't just chop off every noble's head, can I?"
"Kekeke. That might be the best way."
Still, one relief was that the feared side effects would likely come after the fact.
There should be plenty of time to figure out a solution.
'If worst comes to worst, I might need to relocate the merchant house's base.'
Judging by Leon's behavior already, the island's future looked murky.
Better to start fresh on a new ship than sink with the old one.
However, taking everyone from the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House wasn't realistic, so this was a last resort.
"Now it's your turn to keep your promise! Help me escape from here safely!"
"About that. There's one condition."
"What? You sly merchant! I saved your dying hide, and now more conditions?!"
"The desperate one always loses out."
The old wizard glared with his huge eyes, cursing silently.
But as Lian said, he was the desperate one here.
"Of course I'll help you escape. But make it as flashy as possible."
"What? You want me to get caught on the way? When stealth is barely enough?!"
"Of course not. If you get caught, you'll drag me down like an anchor."
"Kekekeke. Good thing you know."
"Anyway. Just make it look like you caused last night's chaos and fled."
"That won't be hard."
When fleeing anyway, taking the blame alone was nothing.
The old wizard nodded eagerly like a bird pecking at grain.
"Any destination in mind?"
"Anywhere off this island. I won't ask you to escort me further."
That meant a ship, naturally.
Ideally, one where the passenger could be identified as the old wizard.
Then, an image of a memorable ship flashed in Lian's mind.
"The black ship from when I first met you. Where is it now?"
"The Black Ship? It's at a hidden dock between coastal cliffs. The Monteir family has used it for secret trips since ancient times."
A secretive vessel unknown to all but the castle folk.
It fit Lian's condition perfectly.
"Perfect. That's the one. At night, maybe not, but during the day, it'd draw eyes."
"Stealing the Black Ship won't be easy. And after? I can't sail it alone."
Unless it was a tiny rowboat, any ship needed a crew.
Even a small sloop required at least five or six sailors.
Not even the wizard's stretchy arms could manage solo.
"But ta-da! This solves it!"
"Delico Matron's sap, huh."
"Take it. Charm a few soldiers, and it's done!"
Lian took the amber vial from the wizard and stared at it.
Kyarrur-
A creepy laugh still echoed from inside.
"Even after Delico Matron's death, the magic lingers."
Lian's brow furrowed as he eyed the vial.
Leon probably hadn't extracted it on the spot either.
He likely had some left too.
"Confiscated."
"W-what?!"
"Are you sane? Using this on people knowingly?"
"Don't worry. After I escape, I'll clean up the charmed ones neatly!"
For a moment, Lian wondered if unleashing this cranky wizard on the world was wise.
"Anyway, no. Better to hire people with money."
"That's why I hate merchants! Think money fixes everything? A few drops solve it cleanly!"
"Talk sense!"
Hiring carried risks, sure.
If caught, they might spill the backer.
Worst case, betrayal and snitching.
In that light, the wizard's way was safest...
"Uh, Lian?"
"What, Pablo?"
"If you're hiring, I know some reliable guys."
"Trust matters, but skill too. No room for failure, even if it kills us."
"Don't worry! They've done worse and never been caught!"
Underworld pros, in other words.
Trusting them was iffy, but they sounded useful.
"...Won't ask why you know them."
"Heh. Cocky kid. Must've been a rascal growing up."
"Haha! Troubled my parents plenty."
Suddenly, Lian realized Pablo's knack for shady work wasn't just army experience.
"Then, leave the Black Ship heist to Pablo entirely."
"Yep! Leave it to me!"
"How much budget?"
"About this much?"
"Here's three times that. Go."
"Whoa! Big spender!"
Lian handed Pablo a hefty pouch of gold coins.
Skimping on such jobs bred trouble.
Good thing he'd brought extra for sales calls while in North Harbor.
"One more thing. You're skilled in alchemy too, right?"
"Sharp as ever. Yes, alchemy is my foundation."
"Need a potion. Essential for your safe escape."
"Kekeke. Can't refuse now. Tell me."
As Lian explained the effects and amount,
the wizard dove right into brewing more.
For a sudden hideout, it had everything—clearly prepared for this.
"By the way, is your magic just bird control? Or can you enhance their bodies?"
"Think a master can't do what a disciple can? Principle's different, but possible!"
"Good. Got a favor to ask."
Lian smiled meaningfully at the dozing chicken nestled in the wizard's arms.
"Back home, we have a word: 'chicken game.'"
A perfect role only that chicken could play came to mind.
Pablo entered a rundown tavern reeking of fish on the docks alone.
The place charged several times the normal price for drinks, so it should be empty, yet it was always bustling day and night.
A fact known only to insiders: most weren't customers.
And the tavern was mere camouflage.
"What'll you have?"
"Rum with mint. Strongest you've got."
"Coming up."
Pablo sat in a dim corner, waiting for his order.
Soon after,
a door at the back opened, and a young man sauntered out.
"Whoa! Pablo! My buddy!"
The youth expressed delight with his whole body upon seeing him.
The tavern's tense air loosened instantly.
"Heard you got kicked out after discharge and shacked up with that witch. Booted from there too?"
"Bull. Who got booted?"
"Too bad. Was gonna offer a spot if you were homeless."
"Cut the chatter. Work with me."
"Ooh, work? Sweet."
The youth grinned, curling a finger.
"Even for friends, no freebies. You know."
"Duh. Got the cash."
"Not like guarding houses pays enough to hire us. Errand?"
Pablo just shrugged, not answering.
"Heard the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House's pillar man came up north. You with him?"
"Think what you want."
"Punk. Staring daggers at an old friend. Hey! Just curious how far you've climbed!"
Even with a trusted pal, no need to name the client.
Even obvious truths weigh different spoken vs. guessed.
"So, what? Oh, heads up—security and kingdom troops are sniffing around hard. Might need hazard pay."
"Simple. Steal a ship from here, ferry one... person across the sea."
Pablo placed a hand-drawn map on the table.
"Weird hesitation on 'person'?"
"Bit iffy calling it that. Anyway, keep the ship after."
"Hey, disposing's work too. Don't cheap out on bonus."
The youth eyed the map.
His brow twitched, face crumpling.
"What? A dock here? News to me. And sea access only? Sailing to steal a ship?"
Clearly hidden.
Even regular ships avoided the coast due to patrol galleys.
"Price just jumped. Lord's or navy ship?"
"In or out?"
"Dude, who takes a job this insane..."
"Here's advance. Ten times on success."
Clink-
Pablo tossed the pouch before him.
Golden light gleamed from the open top.
"...But we're the only ones who'd do it!"
Money truly was almighty.