Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Good News
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"Elris, Elris. You're a free woman now."
"......With all my subordinates here, do you have to call me that, Enoch?"
"Look at their eyes. They all seem to like me more."
He gave a casual wave toward the organization members, hulking brutes with eyes sparkling eagerly despite their massive builds.
-Waaaaah!!!
A roar erupted as if they'd been waiting for it.
Elris let out a disbelieving laugh at their reaction.
"The palace water must be good. Just a short time away, and you've gotten so handsome you could charm husbands."
"Huh? What's that...... Oh."
He tilted his head, recalling the same golden-sun face in the mirror that morning as always, but realization dawned soon enough.
The faint authority left by the God of Nightmares. The hypnosis app (sort of) had kicked in.
A power that let others see him as they wished.
And most of Elris Family's members were steeped in the underworld's ways.
In other words, to them, he was Elris's backer. The boss's boss.
Underworld grunts all thought alike.
Either claw their way to success or catch a powerful eye and turn their fates around.
Surely none aimed to surpass Duke Zahav himself, so most would be after the latter.
A glance or wave naturally drew applause and praise.
Basic survival etiquette in a world where people dropped like flies.
He could tell Elris about this authority...... but not here in the open. Better in private.
So he shrugged it off vaguely.
"Thanks to the God of Nightmares, they all learned about my past. Guess they've become avid fans."
"......Yeah. Knowing you grew up in a similar hell—or worse—must create solidarity."
Elris nodded in understanding, then suddenly cocked her head. Her long ear, blunt at one end, twitched before she spoke.
"By the way, what do you mean 'free body'?"
"Just what it sounds like. You're off the wanted list now."
"Oh."
Elris paused, choosing her words, then grinned slyly.
"Thanks."
"No big deal. I was ready to use House Zahav's pull if needed, but a cleaner chance came up."
"No, not that. ......The reinvestigation of my house. Nagidel."
She fiddled with the cuff of the men's coat she'd been wearing since Calypso days, when he'd draped it over her in the cold.
"Never dreamed this day would come. I just ground my teeth for revenge someday......"
She tugged the coat tighter, nestling deeper into its folds like it was embracing her.
"Thanks to you, I can finally draw the sword I've sharpened my whole life."
"What? You had something prepared?"
"Sort of. Even as a kid, I heard and saw things. Working right under the capital teaches you stuff. ......Just lacked the power to push it."
She'd gathered info on her house's false charges, but had no way to use it effectively.
Now, thanks to him, she did. Joy gleamed in her eyes alongside a chilling edge.
"I was about to head to Zahav soon and invite you along...... but looks like you need to stay in the capital a bit longer."
"Yeah. Better if I help the reinvestigation personally. And we need to figure out your family."
"Ah, no need to overthink that. Just bring them to Zahav. Whoever wants to come."
A wild proposal for most. Even if they obeyed him and Elris, they were underworld criminals.
What lord imports masses of felons?
But Zahav was different.
Practically a military base. Overflowing with soldiers, even common folk could fight a bit.
Zahav folk only feared monsters and Zahav itself.
Act up like in the capital? They'd get beaten senseless and tamed quick.
Pro mercenaries were another story.
Most had joined the guild anyway, under his direct command.
Mercs causing trouble would face him or the knights, not soldiers or peasants.
Though with Karlona—the capital merc leader—and most elites from the south, trouble was unlikely.
Elris nodded, grasping it.
"Got it. I'll tidy up the organization and bring the rest to Zahav. Problem is, plenty will stay in the capital......"
"Just hand them to Cornelia."
"Huh?"
"Even diminished, it's the outfit that unified the capital's underworld. Waste to scrap it, and it'd breed bigger chaos. Pass it to someone reliable."
Cornelia had imperial blood for baseline power, and her influence was surging lately.
She'd make good use of a gutted organization.
"......You're really set on pushing Her Highness Cornelia for emperor, huh, Enoch?"
"Nah. No real agenda. If she wants the throne, she'll use it there. Otherwise, for her security. Her call."
Sounded irresponsible after dropping a bomb on the succession......
But from the fallout, they'd interpret non-interference as political maneuvering anyway.
Why else would Cornelia's stock skyrocket without him lifting a finger?
Elris chuckled, reading his half-exasperated vibe, eyes crinkling.
"I get it. Fine. I'll handle that before leaving too."
"Good. See you next in Zahav Castle then. Oh right—contacted Rusty and Mare?"
"......Speaking of, that intel you asked for just compiled today. Wanna see?"
"Sure? Sounds good."
Seemed like dodging...... Nah, imagination.
Perfect timing anyway, despite the brief parting.
He took the papers Elris pulled from her bosom and read them carefully.
House Edinburgh (Marquisate)
Bloodline Ability: Cornered Awakening
When facing mortal peril, all abilities surge dramatically for a time. Some persist permanently.
Special Note: Extinct 120 years ago. Self-destructed by deliberately cornering self and heirs for forced awakenings.
House Bellimore (Barony)
Bloodline Ability: Severance
Blocks flows of various forces. But total capacity is too low; limits are clear.
Special Note: Bloodline too diluted; no manifestations in 40 years.
House Baatur (County)
Bloodline Ability: Evolution
Temporarily reshapes body to optimal form for the situation. Excess mutations don't revert, leaving mental aftereffects.
Special Note: 3 years ago, over-mutated battling border bandits, lost sanity completely. Neighboring territories united to exterminate. No heirs; extinct.
(And further entries follow...)
Row after row of noble houses followed.
Most ended badly. Extinction or diluted abilities.
Some powers resembled his, but only partially—far from fully explanatory.
"All duds."
"No luck, huh. Tell me your goal, and I can dig deeper."
"......Nah, this is enough for now."
He could share most intel with Elris, but not that he wasn't true Zahav blood.
He brushed it off and pocketed the papers.
"Thanks for checking. It helped."
"Enoch. Sure you don't want more?"
"Yeah. This has its own value."
At least he knew his bloodline ability didn't come from ordinary nobility.
Not all with abilities lived as nobles, even if all nobles had or once had them.
Simple reason: Nobility meant privilege and duty intertwined.
Many rejected it. Mostly minor abilities, of course......
Exceptions existed everywhere.
And sharp awls pierce pockets.
Narrow to exceptions in or near Calypso, and he'd find suspects.
He calmly sorted names of Calypso powerhouses in his mind and stood.
Some initial misunderstanding, but after explaining......
He'd secured promises from Adriana and Cornelia to aid the dungeon matter.
But like Elris, they had pressing issues—no joint trip.
Sealed heart of the Tragedy God in the center, political entanglements...... Valid reasons.
They'd regroup in Zahav later. Fine.
With Wilfried and Cornelia's aid, he got proper orders, then took Yuria alone through the teleport gate to the Ignatus Archduchy.
No need for stealth now—straight imperial warp.
Woooong—
A touch of tinnitus, vision normalized. Back at the magic tower after ages.
"I pledged to visit Zahav first, yet here you are ahead."
"Call it an escort? Got a favor to ask anyway—hoping you'll come along."
"Hm. Sounds important. Let's talk inside. Heard you stirred big trouble in the capital...... Oh, who's this?"
Igni, in polymorphed form welcoming him, tilted his head at Yuria.
And Yuria stared back, blurting:
"How'd you fit that huge tail?! Geez. Doesn't it rip?"
"......Indeed. A true daughter of Zahav."
Intros done. Good enough.