Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Mole (1)
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"So, it couldn't be helped...?"
"Y-Yes...! Yes! We got chased out by the Mole and had nowhere else to go... You must know what happens to beggars who lose their turf. We had no choice but to join up under the Mole."
Oliver, who had been watching from behind Cant, asked the red-nosed man.
"What happens if you lose your turf?"
"Uh, w-well... You know."
"Speak freely."
"...It gets hard to survive. You lose even a place to sleep. You end up joining another beggar gang, or living in some really dangerous, shitty spot. If you get caught, they drag you off to a reeducation center or something."
"Reeducation center?"
"It's where they send beggars and the poor... Once you're in, you're done for."
Cant continued the interrogation.
"So you joined the Mole's crew and even messed with my people?"
"Y-Yes... Please understand. When we work, some of our guys are held hostage, so we can't disobey orders."
"Haa... What were you planning to do with my people?"
"W-We don't really kn— Keck!"
Cant grabbed the intruder's windpipe as he trailed off.
The sheer intimidation made the other intruders shrink back, but Cant lowered his voice and asked.
"Don't tell me you don't know. And don't bother thinking up excuses. You might've heard rumors about me, but they're probably not the full story."
Whether persuaded or not, one of them finally spoke up.
"We don't know for sure, but lately they've been selling them off somewhere... But we really don't know where. Please believe us."
Cant stared daggers at him.
Everyone cowered, but then Cant suddenly spoke.
"...Let them all go."
The completely unexpected words left not just the intruders, but even his fellow beggars stunned.
Only Oliver followed Cant's orders, cutting the ropes binding them one by one with his knife.
"......"
The intruders felt relief at the sudden turn, but were utterly bewildered.
They rose to their feet one by one.
"Y-You're really letting us go...?"
"Yeah. But do me a favor and pass a message to the Mole."
"Huh?"
"I don't know what makes you think you can keep pulling this crap, but if you do, I won't sit idle... Tell him to give me an answer within a week on how he plans to handle it. Got it?"
"...Y-Yes! Got it!"
"Now scram. All of you."
At Cant's command, the intruders bolted like rabbits.
Cant's beggars watched the scene uneasily.
Everyone except Cant and Oliver.
"...That take care of it?"
"Yes. I tagged them with 'Stalker' and 'Eavesdropping Ear' when I cut them loose... Should be fine."
"I know it's rude to say, but what's the chance they notice?"
"Hm... Probably none."
"Probably?"
"Yeah. I haven't used it quite like this before... But the book says no black mage better than me would detect it."
"Haa... Then we'd better hope so. Hm? What? Not you?"
"Pardon? Oh, sure, that'd be ideal... But if it's a skilled black mage, I could learn something from them."
"......"
"...? What's wrong?"
No, just surprised. I've met a few black mages back in the day, but none like you."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I don't know much about black mages, but the ones I met were... worldly, let's say. Pragmatic in a good way."
"Pragmatic how?"
"Obsessed with money and safety... Like most people."
Oliver thought of Joseph, Andrew, Marie, Peter, and the other black mages.
They'd had a bit of that vibe too.
"Is that how most are?"
"Who knows? There are black mages who don't care about that stuff, or so they say... But I wouldn't want to meet one. They're probably dangerous."
"Hm..."
"Not saying you are... Anyway. Alright, can you help me out for a bit?"
"Sure. With what?"
"We can't avoid a fight with the Mole's crew. Need to gather forces."
"Forces?"
"Yeah. Can't just rely on you and sit tight, right? To survive in these streets, we have to seize it ourselves."
"Ah... But do we have anyone to gather?"
"We'll borrow some. Good thing is, if they hit us this hard, the other beggar crews around here must be pretty pissed too. Gotta convince them to fight with us."
"Hm... Not sure how this works, but will they help just if we ask?"
"Fixers have a saying."
"Enough money can persuade anyone. But money plus a gun persuades even better... You mind your face getting known?"
"Uh... Probably?"
"Then wear this."
Cant pulled a crude hood with eyeholes from his pocket.
"This is...?"
"Nothing special. Put it on and come with me. I need you."
"Sure. Alright."
"Good... Hey! Grab all the money from the communal stash."
[So, what's the point...?]
In an abandoned sewer in Randa's W District.
A man was there.
He went by the nickname Mole instead of the name his mother gave him.
"So the point is... the delivery's delayed because things got messy."
[........]
"Black Mage, sir?"
[Delivery's delayed?]
Haa...
Mole sighed in irritation.
Black mages were useful, but that contrived dignity and speech pattern were unbearable.
"Ah... Yes. Sorry."
[Didn't I tell you to meet the deadline?]
Mole's face soured further at the overbearing voice from the radio.
"Yes... I know. I'm sorry again. It was a minor issue."
[Don't care. I want results. Not excuses.]
"Hear me out, and you might change your mind."
[...Speak.]
"Short version: Intruders broke into the warehouse where we store the goods and stole some. And one of them seemed to be a black mage."
[........]
Silence from the communicator.
Mole smirked. That'll rattle him.
Moments later, the voice returned.
[You sure?]
"Didn't see it myself, but my men did... The guys who'd stepped away briefly got attacked by a black mage while working."
[Details.]
"Bullets suddenly flew out and blew their heads open. Summoned a face screaming in agony... Oh, and made some weird meatball thing too."
[Hate Bullet, Creepy Scream... Last one's unknown.]
"Pardon? You don't know it, sir?"
[...I don't know everything. Probably a unique black magic they developed themselves. Creation-type, maybe.]
"Freaks anyway..."
Mole muttered under his breath, then spoke into the device again.
"Dangerous?"
[Doesn't matter how dangerous. Nothing compared to me.]
"Of course, I trust you completely... But my beggar underlings only have weapons—they're just that level. We outnumber other beggars, but a black mage... I need help."
[Help?]
"Sorry. But don't misunderstand. Not trying to bother you. You did say you'd assist when we supply what you need, right?"
[Watch your mouth, beggar... Who do you think made your filthy little kingdom possible?]
"...You, Black Mage sir. I never forget. Thanks to your support, I built my power. But you know we can't handle another black mage on our own."
[.......]
"Plus, this one's apparently with Cant's crew... No idea how he roped in a black mage. Could delay your order to unify W District."
[Threatening me?]
"No, no... How could I? Just saying this mole needs your help to serve you properly."
[.......]
"I need to control W District's beggars to deliver regularly, right?"
[........]
"And I deliver regularly so you can join the 'Black Hand'—"
[-Enough.]
A rage-filled voice cut through the communicator.
Mole tensed visibly, despite his cheeky attitude moments ago.
Black mages were annoying, but if they wanted, one could sweep them all away alone.
He still couldn't forget that zombie he'd seen.
[You forget your place and talk too much.]
"......."
[I told you of my grand plans only to advance our business. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't you dare speak of it lightly if you want to keep playing king of that trash heap.]
"...Sorry, Black Mage sir."
[Fine... So some black mage stuck their nose in. I'm curious who dares interfere when I'm here, disciple of Puppet. Intriguing.]
"Then..."
[I'll send my disciple.]
"Thank you."
[You won't get taken out before that, right?]
"No chance. Cant's gone soft. Letting prisoners go proves it. He's avoiding a fight because of his men. Waiting for my answer now, so no issues till then. Even if he has some scheme, your gift covers us."
[...True enough. Contact me when you need.]
"Yes, goodbye, Black Mage sir."
With that, the line clicked dead.
Mole shoved the communicator aside, exhausted.
"Good work."
His subordinate, standing like furniture nearby, spoke up.
"That bowler-hat bastard Henry... Told him not to take jobs he couldn't handle. And look, he caused this mess. If he were alive, I'd have killed him myself... He really dead?"
"Yes... The ones who went to the underground warehouse all died. Stabbed instantly by something."
"Damn it... Things were going smooth too. How'd Cant snag a black mage?"
"Ex-fixer, right? Probably used old connections."
"Ugh... Even so, black mages don't just help for free. Said he had no money feeding useless mouths, but hoarding cash? Or copying me?"
Mole pondered.
It made sense.
He knew better than anyone how useful black mages were, and the cost was negligible.
Just offer up street beggars.
Too easy for beggars.
Sure, they sometimes wanted specific humans with tricky conditions, but that was solvable with minor expense.
Compared to the backing, profits from deals, and borrowable muscle a black mage provided, it was dirt cheap.
"But it'll be fine? He'll demand more after helping."
"Sure, but no big deal. Probably just more kids or women. Better to pay that and clean up W District in one go. Goods'll pile up fast after. More importantly..."
"Yes."
"I know Cant's an idiot, but why let those guys go? For real."
"My bowler-hat guys?"
"Yeah. I'd have killed them."
"Dunno... Searched them just in case, but nothing. Maybe he's just the nice, rounded type?"
"Even better then..."
Then, frantic footsteps approached, and someone flung the door open.
The underground amplified the sound.
"What?"
"Mole! Big trouble. Cant... Cant's leading other street beggars and charging in!"