Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Unfair Contract (1)
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"You're talking about that White Silver Pine Trading Company I know, right? Not some sneaky knockoff like 'Beck' Silver Pine or something..."
"It's the one everyone knows. Hard to believe, I know. They've only ever shown their shabby side."
Leodorn gave a wry smile.
Bran didn't deny it.
The White Silver Pine Trading Company was a massive merchant guild that had made a name for itself not just in Valkeros, but even in the capital.
It was a far cry from the two mangy mules, the rickety old wagon, and the geezer driving it.
"But it's true. Take a look at this."
With that, Leodorn pulled something from his back pocket.
It was a thin, flat metal plate, like a credit card from the real world.
The surface, made of pure silver, bore the engraving of a single, straight pine tree.
Beneath it was inscribed: 'White Silver Pine Trading Company Executive Director, Leodorn Belmayer.'
"Holy shit. It's real."
Bran's eyes widened.
He was so shocked that a curse slipped out.
The proof tokens of White Silver Pine's board of directors even appeared as items in the game.
Crafted from pure silver infused with magic, they were fitting for the executives of a mega-guild.
Leodorn shook his head with a complicated expression.
"Sigh... A symbol of my glorious past. Now it's lost all its power and is utterly useless."
"What happened?"
"One of the other board members framed me with slander. Pinned everything on me, from accounting fraud to all sorts of crimes. The Guildmaster believed me, but a majority vote got me ousted anyway."
It was the kind of thing that could happen in the real world too.
Kael was listening intently, fists clenched in fascination.
Suddenly, Leodorn nodded toward the wagon bed.
"But opportunity has come knocking for me too. Those guys right there."
"Those crates? What's in them?"
"Can't tell you yet. But suffice it to say, they're my ace in the hole to turn everything around. With those, I can not only reclaim my board seat but stir up a storm in the market."
His voice brimmed with confidence.
Now Bran understood the despair when they'd been stuck in the swamp.
Maybe he should've peeked inside once.
He'd figured it was just dried fruit or salt at best.
"Anyway, to the point. I'm planning to attend the White Silver Pine general assembly in a fortnight. Would you protect me until then?"
"Guard you?"
"Yes. Once word spreads that I'm back in Valkeros, the bastard who ousted me and his faction will surely put a hit on me. I scraped together every penny I had to hire escorts, but... as you saw, Bran, it didn't go well."
It hadn't just gone poorly.
Those two had been zealots ready to sacrifice their client.
Leodorn clasped Bran's hand firmly.
"I beg you. I won't skimp on the reward. With your skills, this old man can focus on his business without worry."
"Still, we're not exactly professionals. Wouldn't it be better to hire in the city?"
"Valkeros is White Silver Pine's home base. Even if I scrape together the cash for mercenaries, I can't rule out them being the enemy's plants."
"Fair point."
"Please think it over. If things go well, no need to say more. Even if the assembly doesn't go my way, your cut will be generous."
He wasn't lying.
His eyes were wrinkled with age, but the gaze within burned with fierce determination.
A fortnight.
Bran pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm. A whole two weeks might be tough."
"Wh-what?!"
Leodorn froze.
Pitiful, but unavoidable. Bran wasn't in Valkeros for a vacation.
Besides spec'ing up, he had a mission to stop the first major event leading to doom.
However.
"I can introduce you to an escort worthy of you, old timer."
"Hm?"
"A very reliable friend. Skills are a given."
He could vouch for that.
It was info based on his gamer knowledge.
Meeting her was one of his goals in coming to Valkeros.
Leodorn let out a sigh.
"Sigh... I wanted to ask you if possible. But alright, introduce me to this friend?"
"Of course. We'll head straight there once we're in the city."
"Thanks. I'll reward you properly, no worries."
Leodorn smiled.
After two months traveling together, Bran had sensed he was a decent old man.
He'd caught glimpses of refinement here and there, but a big shot like this? Who knew.
"Friend..."
Kael muttered, biting his lower lip, but Bran didn't hear.
They arrived in Valkeros the next morning.
Beyond the walls, the tip of the Steel Tower loomed.
A massive line of merchants hoping to enter snaked in front of the grand gate.
Kael's eyes went wide.
"Wh-what's that? A monster?"
Bran followed his finger.
A steel giant larger than any wagon paced with a pillar-like spear in hand.
Ah, been a while.
"Steel Guardian. A magic golem that protects Valkeros."
"G-golem...?"
"Yeah. A collab between Valkeros steel and imperial magitech. Pull any funny business, and those things come stomping after you."
"Eek."
Kael hid behind Bran, spooked preemptively.
Fair reaction for a first-timer.
Bran had been shocked too when he first saw them in-game.
"Don't freak. They usually ignore people. They're just for emergencies."
"Phew... Got it. Gotta be careful."
Kael sighed in relief.
Bran didn't mention he'd end up chasing them later.
The line moved faster than expected.
Under interrogation-room-bright lights, the gatekeeper blocked their path.
"Halt. State your names and purpose."
"Leodorn Belmayer. Back for trade."
"Leodorn? That sounds... Whoa."
That was when it hit.
The gatekeeper, scanning Leodorn up and down, gaped in shock.
"My god, Director Leodorn?!"
"I was called that once."
"My eyes didn't deceive me. Long time no see. But how...!"
The guard trailed off, stunned.
No telling when he'd last seen him, but the difference must be huge.
Leodorn just offered a wry smile instead of answering.
Thankfully, the guard wasn't clueless.
"S-sorry. Your foundation helped us a lot. My daughter could go to college because of it."
"Good to hear. Can we pass now?"
"Y-yes, of course. And the others?"
"My friends. Have them introduce themselves briefly."
Leodorn gestured.
Bran and Kael stepped forward.
"Bran."
"K-Kael!"
"Got it. Identities confirmed. You're clear to enter."
The gatekeeper nodded.
The Steel Guardian blocking the gate stepped aside.
Leodorn raised a brow.
"That was too quick, wasn't it?"
"For you and your friends, that's plenty. Planning to cause trouble?"
"Hah, hardly. Thanks for the consideration."
They traded light banter as Leodorn tugged the reins.
The wagon passed the gate.
City lights poured down on the trio.
Once Bran and crew rounded the corner and vanished, the gatekeeper whispered into the communicator on his collar.
.
.
.
"North Gate. Yes. Leodorn's back."
"Whoa, so many people...!"
"Been ages for me too. Never thought I'd live to return to Valkeros."
Kael marveled.
Leodorn murmured nostalgically.
Innumerable people brushed past them.
Shabby shops, taverns, and homes cluttered both sides of the street.
"This is nothing. Wait till we hit the main city—you'll pass out."
Bran chuckled.
They were wandering the Iron District right by the gate.
Home to most workers in the Steel District.
Smoke billowed from chimneys atop every house.
Workers fresh off night shifts quietly nursed beers in open taverns.
"Just finished too?"
"Yeah."
"Right."
The two men clinked mugs after the curt exchange.
Valkeros's most rundown area, where Steel District laborers lived.
Their goal: meet Leodorn's escort before diving deeper into the city.
"Mind if I ask about this escort friend? Basic info at least?"
"Best to see for yourself. Name's Ilrak. She's a woman."
"A woman?"
"W-woman?"
Leodorn frowned.
Kael's ears perked up.
"Not discriminating, but for an escort... isn't that a bit...?"
"It's fine. Not what you're thinking. You'll be satisfied once you see her."
"Hm. Fair enough. You must have your reasons."
Leodorn stroked his beard.
He seemed skeptical.
Bran looked forward to his reaction.
Kael sidled up cautiously.
"Bran. You know her from before?"
"Eh, you could say that?"
Bran scratched his chin.
Tricky situation.
Can't talk game lore, and with Leodorn watching, 'heard rumors' feels off.
Kael shrugged awkwardly.
"R-right. You knew her before me."
"I'll introduce her to you too. She's solid."
"...Pass."
"Acting all high and mighty. No wonder you've never dated."
Bran tsked.
Kael pouted silently and turned away sharply.
What's his deal? Makes me wanna smack him.
Ten minutes later, they reached Bran's target street.
"Here somewhere. Let's look together."
"Ooh, Banquet Alley. Cheap and hearty—hit it up a lot in my youth."
Leodorn brightened.
Dingy eateries lined the alley, as he said.
Bran tilted his head.
"How's a former White Silver Pine exec know this place?"
"What're you taking me for? I was born and raised in the Iron District."
"Ooh, self-made man, huh."
That earned genuine admiration.
A White Silver Pine director not from privilege.
Though hints showed in his frantic swamp efforts.
"Must love food. Merc guild at this hour? Nah, Banquet Alley."
"Needs tons of energy. Hope she's not just boozing."
"Hm? Why?"
"Bad drunk habits. Gets bold... or aggressive, maybe."
"Hah, that's tame for a sellsword."
"No, it's not that..."
Bran started to explain.
KWAANG-!!!
The wall of a restaurant ten paces ahead shattered, a hulking man flying out.
Debris and dust flew.
Onlookers scattered in panic.
"Agh! That's not brains, is it?!"
"C-call a doctor!"
"Urp."
Screams pierced the fresh morning air.
Some gagged; others covered neighbors' eyes.
The man groaned incoherently.
"Ughgig. Thaaat..."
His face was caved in deep enough to hold cereal.
Urine trickled from between his twitching, outstretched legs.
The big sword at his waist marked him as a mercenary, probably.
"Eek!"
"Wh-what the...!"
Kael and Leodorn recoiled in horror.
No clue who could wreck a brute like that.
Suddenly, a raspy voice echoed from the hole he'd burst from.
"Ugh, punk-ass bitch... picking fights and shit..."
Low, but definitely a woman's voice.
Bran cursed.
"Fuck."
The tone was familiar.
Even the voice reeked of booze.
He'd thought today wasn't the day and maybe come back later.
KWAANG!
The wall beside the hole crumbled, and out strode a woman pushing 2 meters tall.
"Already dying for work... and now I can't even eat in peace?"
"Gasp."
Leodorn sucked in a sharp breath.
She was outrageous in every way.
Short, tousled hair blazed like boiling blood.
Top was a daring black bikini armor.
One breast dwarfed Bran's head, but the rest overshadowed it entirely.
Muscles of violence covered her body.
Damn. Deadlift 1200 easy.
More impressive than any real-world physique.
Her bronzed thighs out-thickened Bran's waist.
Bottoms were crude shorts like Stone Age relics.
Bran knew she made them herself—off-the-shelf didn't fit.
But standout was the massive reptilian tail dangling below.
Like a T-Rex beastkin?
Crunch! She stomped the man's chest and bellowed bitterly.
"You think it's funny a dragonblood like me can't fly?! But still... ugh! Gotta take shit from trash like you?!"
"M-mercyyy..."
The bowl-faced man whimpered.
Blood on her fist suggested bare-handed brutality, no hammer.
Leodorn's voice trembled.
"Bran. Please tell me she's not the one."
"Spot on, as expected from a business titan. It's her."
"Lord have mercy..."
Leodorn paled.
Bran cleared his throat and waved at her.
"Ilrak! Come here a sec."
"Huh? Cute little human..."
Their eyes met; she chugged from a barrel.
20 liters easy, one-handed—lethal sight.
Gulp! Gulp!
Beer cascaded down her chin, pooling between ample breasts.
Provocative scene, yet no one felt that way.
Just awe and fear.
She drained the barrel in one go and pulled away grinning.
"Puha."
Her name: Ilrak Zarheim.
One of the continent's rare dragonbloods, heir to Fire Dragon Zarheim.
Key NPC in Valkeros events, playable in Return Lord.
"Yeah, cutie."
Heat shimmered between her beastly fangs.
Crunch! She smashed the barrel and growled down at Bran.
"Who the hell are you, calling me by name like that?"
Her character select title: 'Destroyer'.