Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Bernard's Dream and Cecil's Secret
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Bernard's workshop was a chaotic mess late into the night. There was just so much he needed to pack.
"This too. Oh, and this one!"
Every single one of his precious inventions felt too valuable to leave behind. Bernard stuffed his backpack until it was overflowing.
But once it was full...
"You, uh, that's way too much."
The bag looked ready to burst like a balloon. This would definitely earn him an earful from Korel.
Just take a little. Just a little.
"Uwaaaah! But it's all so precious..."
He decided to leave the soil nutrient device behind.
It's already failed 124 times, hasn't it? Taking it would just be like advertising, "I'm right here!" since it's so bulky.
Bernard crammed only his essential tools into the bag.
Once he finished preparing to leave, he stepped outside and looked down at the village.
"Haah..."
His chest ached.
This was the village where he'd grown up since childhood. That's why he couldn't bear to abandon it.
He wanted to save the villagers from that dog of a Cecil.
But in the end, he was forced to run away.
Still, Bernard steeled his resolve.
'I'll become the world's richest man and come back for sure.'
The moment he had even a little spare cash, he'd pay Cecil off properly and free the villagers.
Beyond that, he wanted to restore the village soil too, but that wouldn't be easy.
The crops that Cecil and his gang were growing.
No, they couldn't even be called crops. They were dangerous.
Getting too deeply involved could bring disaster.
The important thing wasn't the land—it was the people.
They could abandon the village site and build a new one.
Bernard placed his hands on his hips.
"Wait for me, everyone!"
As he made his personal vow, a shadow suddenly dropped from the sky with a thud.
"Uwaaack!"
Startled by the unfamiliar figure, Bernard toppled over, but he quickly recognized the face and tilted his head.
"D-Deyan?"
Deyan glanced at Bernard, then at the backpack behind him, and smirked.
"Looks like you're getting ready to leave."
"Ah, w-well!"
What excuse could he make?
Even if Deyan had no connection to this place, if word got out that Bernard was leaving, it could reach Cecil's ears.
As Bernard scrambled for an excuse...
Deyan spoke to him.
"Bernard, one question."
"Yes?"
"Answer carefully."
"Ah, yes."
Bernard straightened up.
What choice did he have? He had to answer.
Deyan was the scion of the empire's prestigious Pador family. And he himself was one of the top noble heirs in the current empire in terms of skill.
Deyan stared at him intently.
Under that serious gaze, Bernard's throat bobbed.
"Why do you conduct these experiments? And why seek sponsorship again?"
"Well..."
"Don't lie. Be honest. What do you want?"
"...!"
"I already know you were planning to run away with that woman Korel."
"...!!"
No one was supposed to know that. How?
For a split second, Bernard considered pulling out the hammer from his pocket and attacking Deyan.
He had to strike before everything fell apart...
'Me against that guy?'
Bernard recalled how Deyan had overwhelmingly crushed the North family in combat.
Forget it.
This would be like a frog charging at a lion.
What should he do?
How could he turn this situation around?
As Bernard agonized...
Deyan opened his mouth as if to ease his worries.
"I have no connection to this Cecil fellow. And don't forget."
"...?"
"I'm here because of you. Do you think I'd harm you?"
Only then did Bernard meet Deyan's eyes directly.
Deyan had an aura like pitch black, but there was no sinister vibe hidden within.
If anything, it felt pure—like not a single speck of impurity tainted it, making it seem truthful.
It was a strange feeling, but that's how it struck Bernard.
Bernard decided to take a gamble.
At least, the Pador heir didn't seem like someone who'd harm him or Korel.
He took a deep breath and spoke.
"I'm sorry. The truth is, I didn't just want sponsorship for research funds. I wanted to pay off the villagers' debts."
"Debts?"
"Yes."
Bernard decided to be completely honest.
"I wanted to save this village from that trash Cecil."
It was all or nothing. Lying wouldn't work on this man anyway.
Didn't people like that exist?
The kind where one wrong word could cost you your head.
Like a confession, Bernard murmured.
"This village, the truth is...!"
"Enough."
Deyan held up his palm, stopping Bernard.
"Pardon?"
"I don't need the reason. That's your wish, right?"
Bernard couldn't fathom this man Deyan at all.
In his view, he was like a machine made of incredibly complex parts?
"So, what will you do once the village is freed?"
"Well..."
Bernard scratched his head sheepishly and flashed a bright smile.
"I want to create a world where no one starves like in this village, where everyone can smile. With my science!"
A pipe dream.
That's what others called it, but Bernard had always said the same.
He didn't mind if Deyan laughed. He was used to it. The villagers, the nobles he'd sought sponsorship from, the merchants—all had mocked him.
That was fine. He'd achieve his dream no matter what.
So Deyan's mockery would be familiar too...
"I'll sponsor you."
"Pardon?"
Bernard blinked. The man before him smiled faintly and said,
"It's an honor to sponsor a man with such grand dreams."
Bernard's throat tightened.
What was this man saying?
He was the first not to laugh at those words.
Of course, sponsorship was something to be deeply grateful for, but he was too curious.
Why on earth would he sponsor him?
Bernard asked Deyan.
"Why... why sponsor me?"
"Maybe I felt like it on a whim."
Deyan gave no real reason.
He wanted to see the future of a man dreaming purely, not out of revenge.
Wouldn't the world feel a bit warmer then?
He hoped to keep things strictly contractual with Bernard.
The letter Deyan had found.
Handing it to Bernard would make him follow willingly without all this, but...
'No need to drag in that cycle of resentment.'
Receiving the letter filled with Korel's resolve would bind them with too heavy a debt of gratitude.
For now, Bernard being saved by a noble's whim was enough.
"Then, shall we start by dealing with the thugs terrorizing this village?"
"Pardon...?"
"Wait here."
Bernard tried to stop Deyan, but he was already gone.
"Wh-what? What the heck?"
I headed straight to the village center without asking the villagers or Bernard.
I already had my interrogation target picked out.
What could the villagers know anyway?
For matters like this steeped in long traditions, it's best to capture one enemy.
Conveniently, I had the perfect guy in mind.
Where might he be? Let's scan the village.
Ah... there he is.
A rough-looking mercenary, drunk and pissing with his pants down.
This was the guy who'd demanded my pass, given me dirty looks and tone.
How many offenses had he racked up?
What a sinful bastard.
You know, right?
I never forget a grudge.
"Huaa... I'm wasted."
Naras pulled up his pants and turned around.
"Hey, shit! What the?!"
Was it because I stood silently behind him?
He glared at me, eyes narrowing. Then he recognized my face and laughed.
"Whoa, a noble lord? Here for a drink?"
The bastard cackled.
Drunk as he seemed. No point talking.
No choice.
I'll help sober him up a bit.
Slap!
"Kuwaaaack!!"
Naras rolled on the ground from the slap.
So sudden, maybe?
He clutched his cheek, then sprang up.
"You fuck! What the hell?!"
"You looked drunk, so I was waking you up. Got a problem?"
"S-sobering up? Oh, yeah?"
Naras scratched his head briefly.
"Stupid bastard. I just felt like hitting you."
"Wh-what?!"
The alcohol seemed to clear from Naras as he drew his sword.
"Noble lord, you crazy? Don't you know I'm a mercenary hired by the village under imperial management? Noble or not, you can't just hit imperial-hired mercs!"
Ptooey!
Naras spat phlegm and bulged his eyes.
"Perfect. Fucking hated that smug face anyway. This is self-defense, self-defense!"
Naras thrust his sword at my right shoulder.
I casually pulled my shoulder back, dodging easily.
Naras lost balance. As he tried to recover, I grabbed his collar and flipped him over.
Even after falling, he swung his sword wildly in rage.
"You fucking bastard!!"
Slap!
Naras's head snapped left.
His left cheek swelled red. Only then did he sense something wrong, caressing it as he asked me.
"Wh-why are you doing this?"
"Hitting only one cheek is unfair. Didn't want you feeling shortchanged, so I got the other."
"What kind of bullshit...!"
Slap! Slap!
Naras's head whipped side to side. Blood trickled from his nose.
"Pl-please spare me."
The cocky bastard from moments ago lowered his eyes.
A bit disappointing.
I thought he'd resist more. Pretty perceptive guy.
"No more?"
"Wh-what?"
"You know, charging in without knowing your place."
"I'm a mercenary. Live off scraps and stares. Haha..."
His eyes turned vicious despite the words.
This bastard would definitely scheme something once he escaped.
Slap!
Naras seemed genuinely wronged, fuming.
"Aaaack!! Why hit me?!"
"Those eyes. I know what they mean. Don't pull stupid shit. You're pretending nice now, planning to bring all your sword-swinging buddies later, right?"
Caught off guard?
Naras's lips twitched.
I've dealt with armed thugs my whole life.
I could tell from his eyes alone.
But Naras forced a smile, deciding to lie.
"N-no way!"
Time for the rod again.
I raised my hand. Naras flinched and blurted,
"S-sorry! That's exactly what I thought!"
"Good."
I slapped his cheek again. Now tears streamed down.
"What was that for now?!"
"Didn't you just admit thinking that? Gotta punish it."
"Oh? Yeah, makes sense."
Naras scratched his head.
This guy's quick to submit. Nice.
"From now on, answer my questions properly."
"Of course."
"No bullshit. I want to hit you again. I repay one offense tenfold, so know I'm already exercising patience."
"Yes, got it."
"First: if you disappear, will the mercenaries notice right away?"
"N-no. Tomorrow's our day off, so they won't know."
"Good, lucky you. Was gonna poison you silent."
I meant it.
I'm not kind enough to hesitate poisoning scum like this.
How could I trust a stranger?
When even blood kin can't be trusted.
"...!"
Blood dripped from Naras's nose to his chin. He trembled, not even wiping it.
"Next. Those crops the village is growing—they look weird. What are they?"
Naras hesitated.
Slap!
"I really don't know! That's why I hesitated!"
"Don't know?"
"Yes! To us, it just looks like farming. All I know is they suck the life from the soil."
"Suck the life?"
"Yes. Whatever they are, it's bizarre. The more you plant, the drier the village land gets."
I could guess...
I see how Cecil roped in the villagers.
Probably planted them secretly at first. Ruined the soil, sabotaged the farmers' crops, then sweet-talked the desperate ones...
Just like black path thugs. They ran loan sharking the same way.
Clever scheme. The naive Ehalin villagers fell for it.
Without knowing who ruined their farms.
"Cecil planted those to deliberately ruin the villagers' land, right?"
"Exactly. Brilliant scheme. I could learn a lo—!"
Naras realized his slip and shut up.
"Perceptive. Almost got hit again."
"S-sorry. If I mess up, do I get both cheeks?"
"Smart question. Thought you were just unlucky scum, but you're useful. Keep talking."
"Th-thank you. Anyway, our mercenaries just watch the villagers. That's it. Please no more hits...!"
His face suggested he'd spilled everything.
Should I hit once more?
Even trees bear fruit when beaten...
"It's true, really!"
Naras teared up.
"...Fine, I believe you. Wipe your tears. You're not a kid."
"Th-thank you."
"Got it. So the mercenaries are just for controlling the village. Good. Next: numbers, deployments. Everything."
"Yes, sir!"
Did Naras know messing up meant death?
Not bluffing about living off stares—he detailed it well.
100 mercenaries. Grunts like him weren't strong, but officers were mid-level knight caliber.
Some exaggeration, sure.
But better than low-level knights at least.
Need to be cautious.
Mercenaries aside...
What caught my eye was Cecil.
"Ac-actually, this is top-secret info..."
"Top-secret?"
"Yes! You really need to know this. No, you must!"
"Out with it."
"Before that..."
"Before that?"
Naras gulped.
"W-will you spare me?"
"Do I look like someone who treats lives like flies?"
Of course, to me, he was a beast, not human.
Naras swallowed hard and said,
"Fine, I'll trust you. There's this Cecil guy, right? He's a land overseer, but his real identity is..."
Naras glanced around warily and whispered,
"A black magician."
"Black magician?"
Black magicians get hunted continent-wide if discovered.
Like evil path scum, marked for death like public enemies.
And one's here?
Valuable info. Could've rushed in blind and gotten countered.
Black magicians wield forbidden spells—each one grotesque and powerful, from what I knew.
Naras thought he'd scored points.
He spoke more confidently.
"Yes! A black magician. Summons monsters even our captain can't handle."
"How strong is your captain?"
"Bragging a bit, but at least mid-level knight. He said even advanced knights couldn't guarantee victory against that monster!"
Advanced knights were elite, acknowledged elites—only ten in Pador family.
And even they couldn't assure win?
Believe it? Doubt it?
Maybe his wild guess, but black magicians aren't to be underestimated...
Explains why villagers stay silent.
100 mercenaries plus a black magician with advanced knight-level summons.
Even for me, with overflowing inner energy, risky without prep.
Always account for that one-in-ten-thousand chance.
Need proper stamina management.
As I simulated fights in my head...
Naras mistook my thoughtfulness and rambled on.
"So, whatever your goal, don't touch him! If you let me go, will I snitch? No way! This man Naras seals hi—mmph?!"
"Quite the speech."
I stabbed a needle into his mouth like a latch.
Too noisy, disrupting my thoughts.
"Shut up a bit."
Guess I'll assess personally.
I hoisted Naras over my shoulder and returned to Bernard's workshop.
Bernard jumped at my reappearance, then again at Naras on my shoulder.
"Wh-what's that mercenary? Deyan?"
"Nothing much. Gave me the evil eye, sassed me, demanded my pass."
"Pardon?"
"Come to think, minor stuff. Anyway..."
I pressure-pointed him and tossed him in a corner.
"Rude attitude."
"...".
Bernard gaped, speechless.
"Wh-what are you planning?"
I straightened my clothes and smiled at him.
"Oh, before that, can you make these?"
I handed him a list of needed items.
Bernard took the paper and tilted his head.
"What for...?"
"Village is too gloomy. Not enough light at night."
"Pardon?"
"More importantly, see that guy? If bored, slap his cheeks. Always both sides equally. Have those items ready by tomorrow night."
I gave Bernard my instructions and headed out again.
If Cecil's truly tied to the Evil Society, gotta find out what he's growing way out here.
Chance to sabotage their plans.
So, uncover those crops' true nature.
As I moved to leave, Bernard grabbed the door and shouted.
"Wh-where are you going?"
"To meet Cecil."
Know how to meet a tiger in its den?
Become the tiger yourself.