Chapter 91: Black Bandana
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: Black Bandana
“Short and to the point. They certainly have some nerve to threaten us so openly.”
Isabella made no effort to hide her displeasure.
The way the message cut straight to the bone, combined with the aggressive red ink, rubbed her the wrong way. It was impossible not to see it as a blatant provocation.
Ferda, however, saw it differently.
“Isn’t it a bit too bold to be a mere threat?”
If they were just petty thugs looking to squeeze out a few coins, they wouldn’t have ended the note with ‘I look forward to seeing you soon.’
Moreover, their opponent was the Black Bandana. As the largest secret information organization on the continent, they undoubtedly knew exactly who Ferda was.
‘It makes me curious.’
He wondered if this promised meeting would ultimately benefit the Archduchy.
“Administrator. Is there a flagpole in Hestia?”
“We plan to install one soon, My Lord.”
“Erect it today. Hang this scarf halfway up the pole. That will be our reply.”
Following Ferda’s orders, Isabella had a flagpole installed in the center of Hestia Village and tied the scarf at half-mast. The surrounding area consisted only of the Lonely Mountain and dense forests; she couldn’t help but wonder if anyone would even notice it in such a desolate place.
However, only a few hours later, a group of six figures clad in black robes and riding midnight-black horses arrived at Valdrova Castle.
At a glance, they looked like secret envoys from a foreign kingdom, but those in the know recognized them instantly. Ruri went down to identify them and reported back.
“Lord Ferda, there are people at the gates who claim to have come in response to your call.”
“Let only their representative inside.”
Since they were a secret organization, they had to be handled with extreme caution.
The representative who entered Valdrova Castle was a slender woman with sky-blue eyes, ash-gray hair, and sun-kissed skin. She looked as though she had been raised in the southern regions. She gave a polite, measured bow.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Regent. My name is Garnet Swallow.”
As she spoke, her slightly parted lips revealed rows of sharp, pointed teeth.
‘A Dark Elf?’
Though she was strikingly beautiful, her fierce expression was enough to make a lesser man flinch. Her rounded ears identified her as a beauty from the southern tribes.
Ferda wasted no time. “Will you tell me why you threatened me, only to have the gall to show up at my front door?”
Garnet lowered her head. “A threat? Heaven forbid. How could those of us who live in the gutters dare to threaten the Archduchess’s deputy and the Dragon’s consort?”
“Then explain the contents of that letter.”
“The red ink was indeed provocative, but it is merely a stale custom of our organization. If it caused you distress, I offer my humblest apologies. However, if I truly intended to threaten you, I would have no reason to reveal myself like this.”
She had a point. Garnet placed a bag she had brought with her onto the table.
“This is the first gift I offer as the representative of the Black Bandana.”
Ferda checked the bag for any cheap tricks, like explosive magic circles. Finding no traces of magical tampering, he opened it. Inside was a stack of documents.
“Please, read them. I am certain they will be to your liking.”
At her urging, Ferda scanned the contents. There was a reason Garnet was so confident; the documents contained information Ferda desperately needed.
‘Everything regarding Tilda Pascal.’
It was a comprehensive dossier on the schemes she had concocted to push aside Murchit, Stephan, and Herman to seize control of the Pascal Trading Company. It included everything from the organizational chart of the agitators Tilda had planted to her contingencies up to Plan C. The level of detail made the intelligence Murchit and Stephan were trying to dig up look like amateur hour.
‘I’ll have to verify the accuracy later, but...’
Ferda didn’t doubt it. This was the Black Bandana, the continent's premier information network. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to spit in their own faces by providing false intel.
Still, he had to ask. “What is your reason for giving me this?”
The Black Bandana, which had repeatedly rejected recruitment offers from the Empire itself, had reached out first. Ferda needed to know the catch.
“It’s not a simple provision of information,” Garnet replied. “It’s more of a mediation.”
“Mediation?”
“Yes. Tilda Pascal has been in our sights for a long time. Our original client has been tracking and investigating her for four years.”
Only then did it make sense. The wealth of information existed because they had been stalking her for years. It was the client’s wish to present this information to Ferda as a "gift."
“She is truly a remarkable woman,” Garnet said, her voice tinged with genuine appall. “We’ve spent four years digging into her life. Do you know how much she’s accomplished in that time? She turned nearly everyone in the mansion into her pawns and poisoned her father-in-law, turning him into a vegetable.”
“Without killing him?”
“She’s planning to have the will altered first.”
“So she’s using schemes to steal the fortune.”
“Precisely. I’ve never seen a woman whose heart was so filled with greed where a conscience should be.”
It wasn’t that surprising to Ferda. In the future he remembered, Tilda Pascal was the mistress of the Dandolo Merchant House. After the death of the family head, she had rushed a wedding, and a few months later, the next head of the family also died. Tilda had inherited the entire Dandolo Merchant House because there were no other relatives. That was how she had eventually stood on equal footing with Murchit.
Reading the documents, he could feel it—the sheer, ravenous hunger this woman had for the Pascal Trading Company.
“Do you know why this woman remains unscathed despite committing such atrocities?” Garnet asked.
“I don’t.” To be honest, he wasn’t particularly interested.
“After piecing everything together, our conclusion is that the Philias are behind her.”
Now, that changed things.
The Philias were known as the source of all witches. Most of them forcibly broke through the Red Circle out of pure resentment, usually stemming from a grudge against men. However, Tilda Pascal was not a witch. If she were, Ferda would have sensed it.
“That means she has formed a Garden Contract.”
A Garden Contract allowed a woman who had not awakened as a witch to wield a witch’s power. A woman harboring as much malice as a witch would contract with them to act as their proxy. Such cases were extremely rare, and since they didn’t show the awakening of a Red Circle, they were nearly impossible to detect.
“Have you identified the witch she contracted with?”
“We cannot be certain, but the most likely candidate is Yor Philias.”
The Witch of Poison and Snakes, Yor Philias. She was a master of illusion magic. Considering the charisma and organizational cohesion Tilda Pascal displayed, Ferda thought it was entirely possible.
“And?” Ferda tossed the documents back into the bag. “I get the information, and the client gets their revenge. A win-win? Is that it?”
“How could that be? This information is merely a gesture of good faith. If you agree to this deal, you will gain two distinct advantages.”
Garnet held up her index finger. “First, as I mentioned, you can finish your job quickly.”
Then, her middle finger. “Second, this incident will provide the opportunity for you to take possession of the Dandolo Merchant House.”
The second condition was so extraordinary that Ferda wondered if he had misheard.
“Take possession of the Dandolo Merchant House?”
“Yes.”
“You mean the Archduchy?”
“Not the Archduchy.” Garnet pointed directly at him. “It can fall entirely into the hands of Regent Ferda Valdrova.”
The Pascal Trading Company was the largest in the Empire. The second largest was the Dandolo Merchant House.
‘If those two were to merge...’
It was a proposal so massive it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he’d control half the Empire’s economy. It felt like a lie, even coming from the Black Bandana.
“How exactly can I take the Dandolo Merchant House?”
“It is difficult to speak in detail without a promise of cooperation. However, everything is connected to Tilda Pascal. That includes Henri Dandolo and Rico Dandolo.”
Henri Dandolo was famous for being a naive man. Regardless of his personality, his business acumen was excellent, and he was currently stabilizing his father’s aggressive expansion.
‘Once Henri stabilizes the business...’ Tilda would reveal her venomous fangs and bite his neck. ‘What a truly pitiful man.’
However, Ferda didn’t feel pity. If he could save a man destined to die, that alone was something the man should be grateful for.
“If she is brought down, the Dandolo family will lose their credibility. The Merchant House will no longer want to be ruled by them.”
“Aren’t you overlooking the client’s greed?”
“The Black Bandana guarantees it. If these conditions are not met, we will step in as the enforcers.”
The Black Bandana had a long history of maintaining trust at any cost. If a party refused to keep their word, the organization took what was owed by force.
There was no way Ferda would refuse an offer to take over the merchant house. Since such a massive opportunity had rolled his way, he scrutinized it. He wondered if this could truly be resolved so smoothly. The Black Bandana could be trusted, but he had no idea who the client was.
“So, what do you need from me?”
“Again, there are two things. First, I would like you to lend us some personnel.”
“What kind of personnel?”
“Someone to find the medium of the contract with Yor Philias.”
For a Garden Contract to be established, a physical medium was required. Ironically, the easier that medium was to destroy and the more conspicuous it was, the stronger the power it granted.
“That woman’s medium will be inside the house. We don’t know the exact location, but we need an expert who can pinpoint it.”
“And it seems you already have someone in mind.”
Garnet nodded. “Yes. I would like to borrow the strength of Jed Swallow—or rather, the man who should now be called Sir Jed.”
At this point in time, Jed was known only as a simple gigolo, far removed from thievery. Even his performance in Halim would have only identified him as a skilled acrobat.
‘But Jed’s talent for thievery shouldn’t be known yet.’
As expected of the Black Bandana. Their information network was vast enough to make one’s tongue wag.
“I’ll lend him to you,” Ferda answered. “And the second?”
“I want you to turn Tilda Pascal into an imbecile.”
“An imbecile?”
“Keep her alive, but in a state where the body imprisons the soul. Living, but not truly alive.”
The client definitely wanted a cruel revenge. As someone who had exacted vengeance thousands of times, Ferda knew that turning someone into a mindless husk was one of the most horrific fates imaginable.
‘Who would want such revenge?’
Given Tilda’s infamy, it could be anyone. But putting the pieces together, the most likely candidate was one person: Rico Dandolo. Rather than losing the business he had built to a treacherous daughter-in-law, he would choose to hand it over to someone else.
“Specifically, what method do you expect from me?”
Garnet’s eyes flickered toward the girl standing behind Ferda. “Dragon Fear.”
It was Ruri.
“I’ve heard that ordinary Dragon Spawn are incapable of emitting Dragon Fear. However, it is said that those who have trained enough to approach the level of a true Dragon can use a portion of their authority.” Her gaze returned to Ruri. “And I know that the maid over there is skilled enough to use it. I want that Dragon Fear.”
Now he understood. To hand over a massive company like the Dandolo Merchant House to Ferda, that kind of overwhelming power was necessary to shatter Tilda's mind. Garnet didn’t just need a master thief; she needed the power of a Dragon.
“Ha.” Ferda let out a cold laugh. “That is an incredibly bold request.”
Ferda lowered his voice, and the atmosphere in the room turned frigid. Garnet swallowed hard. She was walking a tightrope in the middle of a storm.
“I am well aware that I am overstepping,” she spoke cautiously. “That is why I offered the Dandolo Merchant House. I believed it would be sufficient compensation for the Archduchess of Valdrova.”
“Ridiculous. Do you think this trade is balanced?” Ferda asked with cold anger. “Do you think you can borrow the power of a Dragon with human treasures? Do you think money can buy such a thing?”
“It can.”
“?”
Ruri, who had been standing there like a silent statue, chimed in. Ferda glanced at her. After locking eyes for a few seconds, he turned back to Garnet.
“She says it’s possible.”
“Uh... really?”
“She isn’t my servant, regardless of her attire. If she says she can do it, then she can.”
Garnet couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the sudden shift, but she bowed deeply toward Ruri. “Thank you for your assistance. It is more than I could ask for.”
“You must keep your promise,” Ruri said.
“Of course. We are not so arrogant as to mock immortals.”
Having confirmed Ruri’s assistance, Garnet breathed a sigh of relief. “Since the deal is struck, I will proceed as prepared. Please read the contract and grant your approval.”
The paperwork was handled by Isabella. After checking for any traps, she handed it to Ferda, and the contract was sealed.
“What will you do about Sir Jed?” Ferda asked.
“According to my information, he should be arriving soon. I will speak with him directly.”
“I wonder if that will go well.”
“There is no need to worry. Sir Jed and I are already... acquainted.”
One of Ferda’s eyebrows twitched. “Acquainted?”
“We worked together in a mercenary group called the Swallows. We were together for three years. It’s a deep connection.”
‘Jed Swallow. Garnet Swallow.’ Ferda finally noticed the commonality. ‘There was a reason she knew about him.’
A moment later, a frivolous clattering sound echoed from the hallway. The sound grew closer until it finally arrived in front of the audience chamber.
“Regent, I have returned!”
Jed, who had been sent away for training, returned gallantly.
“Having successfully completed my training and armed myself with chivalry, Jed Swallow has made his grand entrance!”
“Welcome back,” Ferda said.
“Ah, you have a guest. The guest is...”
The two locked eyes. Jed, the "chivalrous knight," turned pale the moment he saw her face.
“Gah! Fiendteeth!”
Startled as if he had seen a ghost, he quickly slammed his visor shut. Garnet stood up and approached him.
“Jed.”
“...Who are you talking to? I’m not Jed. I’m Malcolm from Peach Hill.”
“Stop that ridiculous nasal voice. I know you’re a knight here.”
“...No, really, miss. I don’t know who you are. I’m Malcolm. I’m a blockhead. I don’t know numbers, and I don’t know my left from my right.”
Garnet let out a long sigh. Then, she kicked him hard in the shin. A perfect ‘joint kick.’
CRACK!
The sound echoed through the chamber. Jed jumped as high as the sound was loud. Even so, he refused to open his helmet.
“Guh! Hmph! Hmph!”
“You damn coward! Come with me! You’ve been sold to me!”
“Aaaagh! What does that mean?! Regent? What does this mean?!”
Garnet dragged him away by the ear while Jed wailed for an explanation. The last thing Jed saw was Ferda waving a silent goodbye.
Eventually, six black horses and one brown horse left the castle gates. Jed was on the brown horse, with Penelope sitting behind him. She, too, was being "sold" along with him and was shouting something noisily, but her voice faded as they entered the forest.
“Hmm?” Ruri, who had been watching the scene, spoke up.
“What is it?”
“The horses have all left, but we’re short one person.”
“Didn’t Jed and Penelope leave?”
“I know that. But one of the black-robed ones is missing.”
Sensing something was wrong, Ruri immediately began searching. It didn’t take long. A man draped in a robe was standing blankly below the castle. On the man’s chest, a note was pinned:
—The second gift.
As if unwrapping a present, they removed the black robe. They soon realized why a human was the second gift.
“Mmph! Mmmph!”
It was Frank Fontaine. The man who had gone missing during the ambush. He was the perfect witness. When the gag was removed, he screamed:
“I-I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything, just please spare my life!”