Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 91

The Student Council President's Office.

I sat lost in thought, staring at the gold ingots gleaming on the table.

If I had liquidated these ingots earlier and used the capital to fleece Jeremy's merchant guilds, I could have walked away with a much larger profit.

But… it couldn't be helped.

I hadn't expected the reward for the first dungeon clear to be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this substantial. Unlike in the game, this world made it impossible to farm experience, items, and currency through repetitive grinding. I should have anticipated that the rewards would be front-loaded on the first clear, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I had been a bit short-sighted.

And the timing was off, too.

I shrugged as I glanced at the calendar. Since deciphering the Gate of Eternal Iron required the light of a full moon, it was impossible to finish the dungeon exploration before executing my plan to counter-exploit the stock manipulation.

"Tsk."

What's done is done. There was no point in dwelling on it. I should be satisfied with an additional income of several billion.

The market price of the gold ingots themselves was around 100 million Krone, but considering their archaeological value, I could probably get at least two or three times that. After all, these weren't ordinary bars; they were Dwarven Gold Ingots forged during the continent's golden age.

"Does it please you that much?"

As I sat there mesmerized by the gold, Ciel approached me, having finished tidying up the office. I took the teacup she offered and nodded.

"Of course. The more money, the better. There is almost nothing money can't do."

There’s even a saying: 'If there is something money can't do, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠consider if you just don't have enough of it.'

Of course, I wasn't hoarding wealth simply because I was materialistic. It was partly for my own prosperity, but more importantly, I needed capital to intervene in the main story and prepare for the future. This was especially true for a character like Roen, who relied heavily on alchemy.

I turned to Ciel. "Ciel, how do you plan to use your share?"

I had given Ciel three gold ingots as her cut from the exploration. Thanks to her, we had advanced with ease, slaughtering every monster in the dungeon without me having to lift a finger. Ciel had adamantly refused to accept the payment, but I insisted, so she had deposited the ingots in a bank for the time being.

Ciel gave a slight nod. "I don't have any particular plans. I am content with my current salary."

"How much do you receive?"

"I receive twenty million Krone per month from the family for maintenance, living costs, and mission funds."

"Hmm."

It was a considerable amount, but given Ciel's elite abilities, it wasn't exactly a high salary.

"In that case, how much allowance did I used to get from my sister?"

"…?"

Ciel tilted her head, her expression asking why I was questioning something I had received and spent so lavishly until now. But she soon answered obediently.

"I believe you regularly received about 100 million Krone per month. And when you needed more, you would pester the Family Head for it."

"I got quite a lot."

Receiving 100 million every month… I wondered where all that money had gone. I sighed and nodded.

"Alright. For now, keep the gold ingots I gave you safe. You might have a use for them someday." I added lightly, "If you really have no use for them, you can save them for your retirement fund."

"…"

Ciel looked at me for a moment, then sighed and nodded. "Yes, I will do so, if possible."

*

The next afternoon.

After my lectures ended, I made my way to the Underworld. I needed to wrap up the recent stock manipulation incident and cash in the newly acquired gold ingots.

"S-So? Is it okay?"

"You did a good job. Keep practicing, and you'll improve in no time."

In the reception room of the Panopticon’s Western Branch, I smiled as I examined a pair of bracelets Lize had made. At a glance… no, even if you stared with all your might, you couldn't tell them apart. They were identical.

One was the genuine article, and the other was a replica created by Lize. I stared silently at the two bracelets in my hand, deep in thought.

Lize's Epic Trait, [Eye of Replication].

For now, it was only at a level where she could replicate appearances. But if she mastered it, the trait would develop to the point where not only the appearance but also the abilities of the replica would be indistinguishable from the original. Her trait applied to all artifacts below [Legendary] grade, so its utility went without saying.

Just then, as I was inspecting the bracelets—

Fshhh—.

"Ah."

One of the bracelets dissolved into mana particles and vanished like a mirage.

"S-Sorry. It's not perfect yet."

"No. This is more than excellent."

Right now, to accelerate the development of her talent, she was replicating artifacts using only her own magic. This was the result of creating an object from pure mana, without any of the bracelet's core materials. If she had the proper materials, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the replicated item would be permanent.

"You're probably the only one on this continent who can create a replica of this quality without any materials. It's a one-of-a-kind talent."

"Hehe."

Lize beamed as I praised her and patted her head. The bitterness she had harbored while living alone on the outskirts of the underground city had faded. It was heartening to see her smiling like a child her age.

I took my hand off her head and asked, "By the way, Lize, do you have any friends here? Kids your age? Like older or younger sisters?"

"No. But it's okay if I don't. I'm busy enough with lessons and replication practice every day."

"Hmm."

I hummed thoughtfully. She said it was okay, but she probably didn't mean it. It was good that she was focused on her work, but being alone constantly wouldn't be good for her emotional well-being. I’d have to talk to Alfredo and have him find a solution.

Knock, knock—.

As I was talking with Lize, Alfredo knocked and entered the reception room, bowing politely.

"My apologies for being late. I had a pressing matter to attend to."

"It's fine. My business isn't that urgent."

I gestured for him to sit, and Alfredo settled onto the sofa.

"Hoo."

Alfredo let out a deep sigh, which was unusual for him. I tilted my head and asked, "You seem to have a lot on your mind today. Is it about the internal conflict in the underground city?"

"…You're very perceptive. Their movements have been unusual lately. We are currently tracking an abnormal flow of military supplies. It's likely their doing."

I nodded slightly. The current ruler of the underground city was, without a doubt, the Panopticon. But no matter how powerful the Panopticon was, it couldn't completely control every region of the Meteor Archipelago, which spread out like a massive ant colony.

Moreover, news of Big Brother's deteriorating health must have spread by now. It was a time when rebel factions were bound to spring up. Fierce battles were already being fought in other Panopticon branches, and it seemed the tendrils of that internal conflict were now reaching the relatively moderate Western Branch, which was adjacent to the Union and the port.

I tapped the table and spoke. "Furthermore, since most of them operate in scattered cells, even if you track the movement of their supplies, they're so dispersed that it's difficult to capture their leadership."

"That is correct. Also, they change their hideouts frequently, so there's a limit to how deep our informants can infiltrate. It's hard to establish a reliable communication network."

Even for the all-seeing Panopticon, it was impossible to search every nook and cranny of the archipelago. What's more, the rebels used the undeveloped areas of the Meteor Archipelago as if it were their own backyard, making pursuit and infiltration nearly impossible.

After a moment of thought, I uttered a name. "Gulados."

"Pardon?"

"Gulados Valkain. Track him."

Alfredo understood my abrupt words without missing a beat. "…Gulados, you say? He is indeed a leader of Neo Shadow, one of the rebel factions. I believe he is currently in contact with the head of the Red Hounds."

"Yes. Dig into his background, and you'll find the clue you need."

Gulados was one of the main villains of the sub-quest [The Underworld]. He was a subordinate of the Twelve Honored Ones, a figure who instigated the Underworld conflict using his immense power and Dark Mana Stones.

This conflict would eventually get entangled with Big Brother's succession problem, reaching a point where the Panopticon branches would turn their blades on each other. In the original story, Rebecca is the one who wins that internecine strife, but the Western Branch suffers heavy losses when the cornered enemies deploy Demonkin into battle.

Of course, if I intervene, the situation will change.

If I got involved in this quest, I could significantly reduce the damage to the Western Branch, deal with the enemy's Demonkin, and even recover the Dark Mana Stones.

Alfredo closed his eyes for a moment, contemplating my advice. He soon spoke. "…Yes, I will move our informants to track Gulados as you wish, Lord Roen."

He seemed to have judged that there was nothing to lose by following my lead.

"A wise decision. Now then."

I placed a suitcase on the desk and revealed the gold ingots inside. Alfredo saw them and smiled faintly.

"I see. I heard a magical reaction was observed beneath the Union yesterday. So it was you, Lord Roen, who conquered a dungeon within the Union."

"That's right. These are Dwarven Gold Ingots from the dungeon. They date back about a thousand years."

"I will look for a suitable buyer."

Alfredo was already reading my intentions and proceeding with the work. Working with people like him was certainly convenient.

"I'd appreciate that. As for the commission…"

"Between us? Please. I will simply endeavor to get you the highest possible price."

I had already brought the Underworld a profit of hundreds of billions. That was likely why Alfredo was showing me such goodwill.

"Good. And one more thing."

I took another jewelry box from my pocket and placed it on the table. "I'm looking for a craftsman who can process this gem into a ring."

Click—.

When I opened the lid, a yellowish-green gem that emitted a brilliant, five-colored light was revealed. Unlike before, when he had only glanced at the gold ingots, Alfredo adjusted his monocle as he gazed at the gem.

"This is… an extraordinary, high-quality item. And it seems to hold a very peculiar magic."

The Stone of Truth. This was a [Unique] grade material, the only one of its kind in the Myrillin Saga.

"Indeed. I want a craftsman worthy of this item. I'll pay whatever it costs."

"I will look, but it will likely take some time. We would have to send someone all the way to the continental capital. No, in truth, I doubt we can find someone capable of perfectly handling this item even with our information network. It would be better for you to look for other methods."

"You mean it's too difficult?"

"Yes. I wouldn't want to make a promise I can't keep and risk damaging this item, however small the chance. My apologies."

He could have insisted on taking the job, but Alfredo honestly admitted it was beyond his capabilities. I rather liked that about him.

"I understand. It seems I'd better find another way."

I put the Stone of Truth back in its box. I had come here on the off chance, but it seemed that even with the Underworld's connections, finding a craftsman who could process the Stone of Truth would be difficult.

…Then I have no choice but to use my backup plan.

The risk and difficulty were high, but I knew someone with undeniable skill. I'll have to ask that person.

As if on cue, Alfredo spoke up on that very matter.

"Lord Roen. Regarding the craftsmanship… are you perhaps on good terms with the president of the Spirit Academy?"

"No, we're on rather bad terms. Are you suggesting Yuriel Silverwalker?"

"I am. Because she possesses an Authority that allows her to process any object in the world."

I nodded silently.

Yuriel Silverwalker.

The spiritual pillar of the sixteen elf tribes who made their home in the forested sea of the southern continent. A descendant of the noble High Elves, of which few remained, and a witness to the ancient covenant.

And on a personal level… she was also Kiriel's older sister.