Chapter 101
Chapter 101
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: crow Chapter Title: Councilor Gadum's Proxy (2) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ‘Pardon me, but why is this Rishir fellow the councilor's proxy?’ Rishir's question was immediately resolved. “Ah! Well, about that—” As Rishir's expression twisted in doubt, Dogal, already intimidated, hurriedly began his explanation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Gadum had prepared to flee Bondales immediately after his face-to-face with Rishir. Stealthily and swiftly. But that stealth proved pointless, as Dogal knew the man named Gadum all too well. 'He got so scared he sent the guards away from the mansion? This bastard...' Sensing something amiss, Dogal had stationed his trusted men at every city gate and issued strict orders. —Seize any carriage trying to pass inspection ambiguously by throwing around their authority! As expected, the fish was caught in the net. —Dogal! What the hell is this!? —You know damn well. The gate checkpoint fell under the guard corps' jurisdiction. Guard Captain Dogal had no trouble falsifying the documents.
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Will that secure our positions? —Who is that man moving with? —Lan Fellos... —Exactly. When this is over, our places won't be here anymore. —Then why... —Surviving comes first, doesn't it? Survive, then plan for the future. —The future...? —Who knows? The "councilor proxy" might grow attached to the title. —... They looked around. Gadum's mansion interior was among the most luxurious in Bondales. All made possible by Gadum's power— The councilor proxy position was tempting enough to seduce anyone. They thought. Maybe they could bend that dangerous figure to their will. And thus secure their own positions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dogal explained the full story with zeal, hoping to earn recognition for his merits. 'So, he cut ties before getting cut off—something like that.' Thanks to this, Rishir accepted the tremendous title of "Councilor Gadum's Proxy."
Separately, he was confused. 'And all that chaos happened entirely because of me?' Rishir looked at Dogal. He could sense infinite respect and awe from his demeanor. A familiar expression. 'No way, Teacher too?' Rishir realized. Just like the city nobles, Dogal was influenced by some action of his and now held infinite respect toward him. Gadum probably was too. Causing this whole mess. 'What the hell did I even do?' Feeling an injustice that wasn't quite injustice, Rishir began pondering his future course. Then, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind. —Well done. It was Clana. —Now you won't need to stay under that wench Lan anymore.
“What do you mean?”
Rishir reflexively retorted. 'Fuck, what now!?' Unaware that Dogal and the guards were distancing themselves from his sudden mutterings. —That councilor wench you've been following. Didn't she cower before that Gadum bastard? That's why I'm saying this. Take over Gadum's faction that fell into your lap and rule this city as its power broker.
"So you're telling me to keep pretending to be Gadum's proxy from now on?"
The immense power and wealth of a councilor. Rishir was tempted by Clana's words for a moment. Just a moment. Crime and corruption. To maintain Gadum's faction built on that foundation, he'd have to continue Gadum's businesses as is. Rishir was certain. He had no talent for that sort of thing.
“Intriguing offer, but I'll pass. I'm confident I can succeed honestly.”
Clana burst into incredulous laughter. To a murderer like her, it was far too soft a mindset. Yet for some reason, Clana laughing in his inner world looked oddly pleased. She neither challenged his judgment nor raised questions. 'Alright, let's go report to Lan first.' Having sorted his thoughts through the exchange with Clana, Rishir faced a new dilemma. 'Will the guards cooperate smoothly?' They were Gadum's subordinates, after all. Men who pursued pure profit, not honor or duty. Such men wouldn't switch loyalties without expectations. 'They're probably hoping deep down that I'll continue Gadum's businesses...' In that situation, how would they react to being asked to cooperate with Lan, Bondales' symbol of incorruptible integrity? 'Not well, that's for sure.' It might even spark another betrayal. Minding all this, Rishir cautiously broached the topic.
“Of, of course!”
“?”
But contrary to expectations, the guards' attitudes were extremely cooperative. Rishir didn't know. How his "mutterings" to Clana had reached them. —…What do you mean? —So you're telling me to keep pretending to be Gadum's proxy from now on? —Intriguing offer, but I'll pass. I'm confident I can succeed honestly. To them, it was a sudden outburst of soliloquy. And its content. The guards immediately grasped the intent behind those mutterings. It was a warning. —I know what you're expecting. —The same things you expected from Gadum. —You'd best abandon those expectations. —I won't dance to your tune. A warning against their subtle hopes. They had thought. Maybe they could bend this man to their will. And secure their positions. But his "warning" changed their minds. In this instant, they discarded all greed.
"We'll actively follow Councilor Lan's orders!"
Survival became their sole goal. The moment Bondales' guard corps was reborn as an ironclad group of incorruptible officials untouched by bribes.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[The incident has been deactivated] [The incident has been deactivated] Lan decided to rip off the iron horns while they were hot, following the proverb. She had gained three major backers. She had won over Gadum's friends. She had obtained the secret ledger of [Liquor in the Left Hand] as a weapon. Now was the time to sway the city council. That was why Lan had invited Councilor Morin to the mansion. Morin, who had held her council seat longer than anyone currently serving, wielded great influence within the council. If she could secure her support, the plan to oust Gadum from the council would be complete. Thus, Lan conveyed her plan to Morin in front of the gathering of Gadum's friends. The stern-faced old woman furrowed her brows and spoke.
“Impressive, Lan. Convincing all these people, and securing that damning secret document to boot. Your plan is undoubtedly reasonable. Highly feasible.”
“Then—” “Even so, I must urge you to reconsider.”
“Councilor Morin?!”
“Assume your plan works and we corner Gadum. We pressure him inside and out the council, expel him, drag him to court for judgment under city law. Fine up to there. Then what?”
“Then—” “Lan. You think a cornered Gadum will sit still? He'll unleash the guards with full force to voice discontent. The guards will strike or protest, crippling city security in an instant. Gadum's cunning. He'll make the citizens think the chaos stems from us councilors. Can you handle that?”
“I can. But—” “Right. The other councilors will think differently.” —... Lan fell into anguish. The old woman looked at the young councilor with mixed feelings and spoke.
“Moreover, I've received word that the back alley council is soon to convene.”
“... They're gathering?”
“Yes. The [Liquor in the Left Hand] incident must have provoked them. Think. If Gadum doesn't show, how do you think they'll react?” —...
“Right now, they're at peak dissatisfaction with their turf shrinking from the saint and lord's emergence. If Gadum—who guaranteed minimum profits—vanishes in that state—” “War will break out...”
“Exactly. Citizens will die daily. Until we root out and crush the heads of those hidden across this vast city. Gadum ousted by council decision, guards striking, criminals suddenly rampaging. Lan, think. Who will the citizens' blame fall on then?”
“That—” “I know what you want to say. To heal, cut out the abscess—willingly bear the damage. But Lan—think carefully. Do we have the strength and leeway to endure that pain?” —...
“Don't underestimate his vile nature. Gadum. He's far stronger than we think. Look at how easily he bought the guards—something we can't even dream of, leaving us tearing our hair out.”
As if that concluded it, Morin rose from her seat. Then, with a bitter smile, she told Lan.
“I'm always impressed by your steadfast convictions. But Lan, reality is harsh. Most people besides you think realistically. What you need isn't convincing yourself, but them. So Lan, if a good way to persuade them comes to mind, call me back then.”
In other words, don't come back until it did. Thus, the veteran councilor left the young one with warm yet cold consolation and turned to leave. —Wh-what is it, Dogal...? Why are you here!? The old councilor's wrinkles deepened. The urgent voice from outside the door belonged to her escort. Soon, the door opened, and Dogal along with numerous guards entered the room.
“Rishir...!”
Lan rose, calling the name of the man with the guards.
“Rishir...”
Morin murmured the name.
“So you're the young man she mentioned—” Morin sighed deeply. The Rishir who filled the young councilor's head with delusions had finally caused trouble. The situation was clear. 'In the end, he crossed the line, provoking Gadum and providing him pretext...' The guards marching on a councilor's mansion with forces. Impossible without solid grounds. 'A shame, truly.' To Morin, Councilor Lan's political life ended here. The old councilor spoke with sincere regret.
“Lan, you shouldn't trust people so—” “You did it, Rishir!”
“?”
Morin doubted her ears. Not just ears—her eyes too. Lan was beaming with joy. Morin asked her in bewilderment.
"Lan, what is this..."
"Councilor Morin! Rishir seems to have won over the guards!"
"Hah...!"
Morin sighed. The young councilor appeared to have lost her mind, refusing to accept reality.
"Guard cooperation" as the first outcome in this situation. Only a madman would— "It just kinda happened."
“?”
Rishir signaled Dogal. Dogal bowed to Lan.
"No..."
The veteran councilor couldn't keep up.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[The incident has been deactivated] Rishir's attendance brought the meeting to a new phase. "Gadum appointed you councilor proxy? How is that even—" "Rishir! You won over all of Gadum's retainers!" "It just kinda happened." "..." Suddenly, the meeting topic shifted from "ousting Gadum" to the next stage: "handling the back alley crime organizations." Morin felt extreme cognitive dissonance, as if her decades of life were denied, struggling to follow the conversation. "—...
As such, there's a high chance a powerful dark mage is among their collaborators, so keep that firmly in mind if approaching them rashly." "Got it. How about I infiltrate that back alley meeting then." "Logically, that makes sense." "..." The veteran councilor and her companion nursed headaches.