Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Substantial Connections Matter More Than a Wide Network (4)
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Wider connections aren't as important as substantial ones.
Karr Empire's current emperor, Karr 17th.
The man suspected of poisoning his own brother to the throne, without a single speck of hero or warrior quality.
But since that's not widely known, the general consensus among the common folk is that he's a benevolent ruler who's enacted many good policies with them in mind.
I would've thought the same if Marquis Harkur hadn't shared those hidden stories with me.
Of course, he's a frightening man, but I won't deny he's a good emperor.
Maybe because he was the discriminated second son with no hero qualities himself.
They say he discriminates far less against commoners or those without qualities.
Because of that, even the nobles have started to watch the emperor's mood a bit, and attitudes toward commoners or nobles without qualities have improved somewhat compared to before he took power.
So just how much did the hero- or warrior-born nobles look down on people during the previous emperor's reign?
It's still terribly bad now.
Anyway, the conclusion is this.
The image I have of His Majesty the Emperor isn't a bad one.
He's frightening, sure, but he discriminates less than the nobles.
And at the very least, he's not the vile type who makes promises only to stab you in the back later.
Honestly, I think forming friendly relations would be fine.
"What do you think?"
Jenny's currently talking with Emi Brave of the beastkin, so I skipped her for now.
Lin's out on a commission.
Scarlett hasn't shown up at the guild yet—probably sleeping in—so I asked Branch Chief Terry first.
"Hm, let's go with Instructor Kane's opinion. That seems like something Jenny or the others would accept."
"......"
Wait, can I really decide something this major for the Hasler branch on my own?
Aren't you the branch chief?
Is this dereliction of duty or what?
"What His Majesty wants is Jenny, Scarlett... and if he knew about Lin, her too. Those three will respect Instructor Kane's opinion more than mine. Even if it's not them."
Branch Chief Terry chuckled and continued.
"Frankly, you're the most influential person in the Hasler branch right now, aren't you? I bet the adventurers trust Instructor Kane more than me."
"......"
That expression and tone.
It's not sarcasm or jealousy.
He genuinely believes that.
"Man, I was wondering if I should hand the next branch chief position to Iris, but this works out perfectly. She's great at the practical stuff, but she lacks the charisma or appeal to draw people in."
It was the kind of thing that would make Vice Officer Iris furious if she heard, but Branch Chief Terry nodded as if he truly meant it.
...And just like that, I've been tapped as the next branch chief.
I never imagined he'd rate me that highly.
"Understood. I'll check with Miss Jenny and Miss Scarlett too."
"Hm, I don't think you even need to ask."
Branch Chief Terry shrugged like it was unnecessary.
No, I still can't just push this through unilaterally.
This is a big deal.
#
"His Majesty the Emperor?"
"Yes, Miss Jenny."
As I left the branch chief's office and headed to the first floor, Jenny emerged from the reception room at just the right timing, so I asked her first.
I wanted to hear Bastia's story too, but this took priority.
"I didn't expect contact this soon."
"Yeah."
She seemed a bit flustered by the emperor's swift move.
No one would've anticipated the empire's pinnacle reaching out this quickly, personally no less.
"I think we should go with what Big Brother Kane says. It feels like the best option."
"You think so?"
The guild definitely stands to gain a lot.
But for Jenny, Scarlett, and Lin getting directly tangled with the emperor? It might not sit well with them.
They could end up forced to help him when they don't want to.
Refusing the emperor would be tough to handle afterward, but I wanted to leave it to their freedom.
I didn't want to force my choice and make things hard for them.
When I explained that to Jenny.
"I don't think my sister, Lin, or I would see it that way. Big Brother Kane's already thought it all through and picked the best path for us."
She smiled brightly as she said it.
Hm, total trust... that's pretty heavy.
It's true—in my view, it's the optimal choice.
But...
No, never mind.
She's trusting me this much, saying this much.
It'd be lame to keep hedging.
Time to repay that trust handsomely.
"Got it. I'll check with Miss Lin and Miss Scarlett too."
Just in case someone doesn't like it.
If they refuse, we can add an exception clause.
Anyway, that's done with Jenny.
Now, about that Bastia commission...
"Speaking of, what about Bastia?"
I glanced at Emi, who'd been watching us from a distance, and asked.
"Ah, is it okay if I talk about it...?"
Jenny asked Emi.
She nodded blankly, her expression unchanged.
"Doesn't matter."
"Yes, understood."
Jenny nodded and began explaining to me.
As I expected, it was a dragon invasion.
One of the black dragons had demanded Bastia offer up girls as sacrifices. Bastia refused, leading to a battle where Bastia's heroes—including Emi—slayed that black dragon.
Up to here, it's just your standard heroic tale.
The problem started after that.
The black dragon chieftain began threatening them to pay for killing one of his kin.
But from Bastia's standpoint, they'd justly fought and defeated the black dragon that made an unreasonable demand, so they conveyed they couldn't heed the chieftain's words.
Defying a dragon chieftain... one leading an entire dragon species, no less.
Those are some bold folks.
Not quite on the Dragon Lord's level, but a species chieftain wields far greater power than ordinary dragons.
Personal might aside, a chieftain's terror lies in commanding their entire species.
In other words... defying the black dragon chieftain means facing retaliation from every black dragon under them.
Faced with the black dragons' absurd demands and threats.
Bastia's representatives even went to the Dragon Lord, begging intervention.
But the Dragon Lord's sole response was this.
"We don't care."
Bastia despaired at the irresponsibility from the Dragon Lord, who supposedly leads all dragons.
Honestly, even they must've assumed the Dragon Lord would step in to curb such blatant chaos.
But that was far too naive.
Now they faced dozens of black dragons led by their chieftain.
Black dragons... wielders of dark-attribute mana.
The race of black magic.
Thanks to their black magic, their combat prowess surpasses regular dragons.
So that's what Emi meant by 'evil beings'.
"...A single black dragon takes a full hero party. Bastia's heroes can't number more than five or so."
They had no chance against dozens.
They sought outside help, but no nation wants to risk offending dragons, so all refused.
Nearly two weeks after the black dragons' declaration of war.
That's when the heroes who'd become adventurers—having heard rumors of Jenny—came here.
"I'm an adventurer, unbound by any nation, free to come and go. They must've thought I'd surely help."
It was a desperate grasp at straws.
Time had dragged on, and the declared date loomed.
Emi, who set out promising to find aid, couldn't return empty-handed.
"What do we do?"
I asked Jenny.
This was undoubtedly a serious matter needing help.
But it was also far too dangerous.
Frankly, much as I hate to say it about Bastia, I'd prefer Jenny refuse.
Even if it earns us hate, avoid commissions risking your life if possible.
That's the freedom of an adventurer.
Besides, she's a hero, but this isn't a quest for a C-rank adventurer.
Dragon subjugation is S-rank and up.
A dragon army? Immeasurable.
No, the guild can't handle this level.
That's for the Hero Management Bureau.
But...
"We can't just abandon people in danger."
Jenny was the epitome of a hero.
"And it's not just charity. Bastia, the beastkin nation. Friendly ties there would help me and the adventurers hugely down the line."
Of course, she wasn't deciding purely on goodwill.
The returns from saving Bastia later.
Those would be substantial, impossible to ignore.
The non-humans of the Forest Continent fundamentally dislike humans.
Dwarves, elves, beastkin, dragons—without exception.
Good relations with the beastkin could pave the way for adventurers entering the Forest Continent.
If merchants start crossing via the guild too.
The guild's prestige and quest influx would skyrocket.
The money from being a new gateway to the Forest Continent would be enormous.
With His Majesty's full support plus Forest Continent ties.
The Hasler branch could grow massively.
Top guild branch on the continent? Not a dream.
Hell, it might even surpass national institutions.
Stronger branch means higher adventurer status naturally.
Heroes like Jenny and Lin would operate even freer than now.
Might even get heroes wanting to become adventurers.
A virtuous cycle.
Solving Bastia's crisis brings clear benefits.
But.
The bigger the returns, the greater the risks.
"You could die."
No matter that it's Jenny.
No matter her top-tier talent.
Frankly, she's not fully formed yet.
If the former Marquis Harkur were stepping up, I wouldn't stop him.
The monster who beat an upper devil one-on-one.
No one would think he'd die.
He wouldn't listen anyway.
But Jenny's different.
She hasn't grown to the former marquis's level.
Experience lacking, talent not fully bloomed.
I'm worried.
Worried I'll lose her too, after the former marquis.
"Hehe."
Then Jenny spoke.
"Don't worry, Big Brother. I'm not that crybaby kid anymore."
With the most reliable smile in the world.
"......"
In that smile, I saw someone else overlap.
'Kuhaha, such a worrywart. I'll never die in battle, at least.'
The one who laughed off impossible missions, charged out laughing, and returned triumphant.
The strongest hero.
"...Sigh, alright. Come back safe, no matter what."
Me, huh.
Why am I so weak to that face?
No, not weak—it's faith she'll absolutely keep her word.
I lost in the end.
"Hehe, of course. I couldn't die on you, Big Brother Kane."
She beamed and nodded.
Hm, that sent a chill down my spine, but.
She's probably just trying to reassure me.
Yeah, definitely.