Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Buyer (3)
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"Even in a sewer of a city like this, there's a proper worm! No fancy rhetoric, no flaunting itself! Just pure sincerity in the tribute! My lord, don't you think this is acceptable?"
"This bundle held such deep meaning?"
"Separately, it's outrageous. How dare it leave a single item without proper greetings. No matter the intent, it can't erase the impression of a lowly pest that failed to observe etiquette. So, my lord, decide on punishment after inspecting the contents."
"...So, is it commendable or outrageous? And why is punishment already a given?"
"That's how you handle underlings!"
"What if I handled you that way?"
"To think you'd spare such emotion on me...! Dangaleon here feels the pinnacle of ecstasy just imagining it!"
"What am I going to do with this."
Rishir felt an unexpected pang of sympathy for the demon worshippers.
He couldn't shake the impression that even the demons he followed had contrary personalities, so how much worse must it be for followers openly treated as underlings by demons.
In any case.
Rishir briefly hesitated over the thought, 'Could this be from Gadum?'
Unable to overcome his curiosity, he untied the bundle.
Inside were several well-worn notebooks.
"How dare it!"
Dangaleon bellowed. The grayish energy in the crystal orb churned violently.
"You startled me. What now."
"Those things! They're not magic tomes!"
"Yeah, doesn't look like it to me either."
"Then they're just shabby, neglected trash!"
"That's too extreme."
"Books are vessels for the treasure of knowledge! If the exterior is that wretched—there's no need to even check the contents!"
"Extreme, but it makes some sense."
"Just give the word, and I, Dangaleon, will incinerate that trash at once and curse the worm who sent it!"
"Makes sense, but too extreme. We can classify it as junk after checking the contents. Even this—"
Rishir pulled out the sword manual he'd received from Rodan.
It wasn't as bad as the ones from the bundle, but it suited the description of a worn notebook more than an antique tome.
Such things existed occasionally.
Books that looked like junk on the outside but held immense value.
After all, treasures weren't required to be in gem-encrusted, gold-plated chests.
"True treasures are hidden deeply, without showing their worth."
"My lord! Open your eyes!!! That rag is trash too!"
"What's that about. Klana. Listen to your apprentice. He's calling the sword manual you wrote trash."
I won't deny it. His swordsmanship is neither here nor there. And let me be clear: he's not my apprentice.
"So the trash was this sword manual."
Rishir had expected the sword master to defend the value of Rodan's manual in his stead.
Betrayed in his expectations, Rishir took it upon himself to enlighten Dangaleon.
"Hey, Dangaleon. You don't get it. Mention 'Rodan's sword manual' to swordsmen, and their eyes glaze over as they charge in?"
"That's why it's trash! What realm needs lessons to move its body?!"
"No... it's not just moving—"
"Swordsmanship is the beast's path!"
"...Klana. He's saying that. You gonna let it slide?"
No matter the flowery words, its essence is practicing and researching the optimal way to kill. Better than prattling about honor, I think.?
"Can I really learn the sword from something like this?"
"A wise soul like you, my lord, should pursue the truth-seeking art of magic! In that vein, set aside those armaments today and focus on magic training!"
"...Got it."
"My lord!"
"I get that ignoring you is right."
To think this long-winded spiel was groundwork for a single 'Play with me today.'
Rishir appropriately ignored Dangaleon and began reading the notebooks.
"My lord!!! No! Don't sully your noble intellect with such rags!"
"...?"
Soon, bewilderment crossed Rishir's face.
The books contained utterly unexpected content.
Sudden strings of numbers.
And intriguing word combinations.
'Liquor in the Left Hand? Where have I heard this?'
He pondered briefly.
"Ah."
Rishir nodded.
He remembered. What 'Liquor in the Left Hand' was.
'The biggest tavern in the back-alley pleasure district. Probably named that.'
Bondalles wasn't a city under strong church influence.
Taverns providing friendly, enthusiastic drinking companions for pay were blatantly legal businesses.
As far as Rishir knew, [Liquor in the Left Hand] pursued only such 'legal business' as a legitimate operation.
But—
'Is this... the shop's ledger?'
Parts of the presumed [Liquor in the Left Hand] ledger differed from ordinary ones.
[Halomia Family's second son, Gorek, visited around 7 PM on the 17th with acquaintances (Volkan Family's third daughter Halan, Ronse Family's second son Karuchi) and stayed about 4 hours.]
[Impressions of said individuals that day:]
[Escorts and servants accompanying said individuals that day:]
At a glance, detailed records of notable visitors.
However, the overly meticulous details on visitors evoked an odd discomfort.
Impure intent, perhaps.
After much deliberation, Rishir shared the ledger's contents with Klana.
What is this.>
"Seems like a ledger from some tavern in the city."
Why show me?>
"Thought you might know something."
What makes you think it's related to me?>
"It reeks of illegality and crime."
...
So why ask me about the illegal and criminal.
Klana's expression twisted inwardly, but she dutifully examined the contents.
Not familiar script, but sharing consciousness with Rishir made interpretation easy.
As you said, not an ordinary ledger. This is a secret ledger.>
"Secret ledger?"
Yes. Documents recording shady business unfit for public eyes.>
Klana explained the unique format and rules of secret ledgers to Rishir.
"Oh..."
Thus, Rishir gleaned far more from the ledger.
"Why record this? To make it easy for someone like me to expose hidden crimes?"
Foolish to a layman like you, but there's reason. It's evidence. Holds your own dirt, but also that of those entangled with you.>
"Ah...?"
Don't know details, but if this leaks, that Gorek fellow ends up as cornered as the ledger's owner.>
"Oh...? So it's both blackmail material and a safety net. For maintaining 'bonds' with shady friends—"
Rishir scanned the secret ledger with newfound respect.
He recognized some families, groups, and names mentioned.
"Why's Gerhen's name here again? He eyed a male beastkin slave serving... oh."
Names of Bondalles' power players he'd memorized for savvy living.
According to the ledger, their services at [Liquor in the Left Hand] clearly strayed from legality.
Wealth and liquor.
Friendly, proactive drinking companions.
Fine, up to there.
But—
"Drugs... contract violence... illegal human trafficking... Way more dangerous than any magic tome."
Rishir muttered in dismay.
[Liquor in the Left Hand] was a hub of all manner of illegality and corruption.
Bondalles' power elite were major patrons.
If the ledger's contents leaked, Bondalles would erupt in chaos.
Soon, Rishir closed the ledger and let out a chuckle.
"Why?"
he murmured.
Why had such an explosive item ended up in his hands.
Why had some nameless someone delivered it to him.
If unaffiliated anywhere, he'd have agonized endlessly.
But—
"Should I consult Miss Lan."
He served someone who'd take all the worries and leave only the credit's joy.
Councilor Lan was incorruptible, vouched by Master Meltas.
Rishir trusted she'd use the ledger rightly.
"My lord! Never trust humans lightly!"
"Miss Lan's trustworthy."
"But that wench has far less than that Gadum scum!"
"Just to check—do you grasp what 'trust' means?"
Ah.
Suddenly, Rishir gazed at the blue lotus as if realizing something.
"By the way, Klana! Knew you'd be expert in this! Without you, where would I get such info? Thanks!"
"Damn, seeing my lord so pleased... Never imagined I'd envy you, armament. If I were a mere crook like you, I could've brought my lord joy too!!!"
The two expressed genuine admiration for Klana, not sarcasm.
...
Klana wondered if she should be pleased.
Early morning.
Councilor Lan met with the three bigshots.
She listened as they recounted events between Gadum's agent and Rishir.
"An upper spirit's core..."
Not deeply versed in magic, yet she vaguely grasped its value.
A treasure to captivate not just a mage's heart, but an entire magic tower.
Rishir.
That young mage had refused it.
"Why...?"
Lan felt apologetic and ashamed she couldn't offer better than Gadum.
Thus, utmost astonishment at his choice.
"Lan."
The three answered for Rishir.
"He said he believed without doubt it was the right choice."
"...!"
Lan's face mirrored her emotions perfectly.
The three, fully understanding, wore the same expressions.
Soon, they silently gazed at each other long, then nodded.
Recalling that young man, they vowed.
To ensure he never doubted his pure, noble will.
The meeting for that began.
Moments later, a barbarian shaman's name passed Lan's lips.
"Will Kadogan use that ritual on Rishir too?"
Shakan's face grew grave.
"Bringing our tribe's shaman might counter it. But too late."
"Then what?"
"...How about we confront him directly? We have cause. He used that ritual on us without consent. Stealing another's karma? In the north, that's grounds for the blade."
"But, sir. This is a civilized city."
"Maldad. What are you getting at?"
"I strive to respect and understand you. But most cityfolk don't. If outsiders like us cause a stir over sorcery in the city, what happens?"
"..."
Shakan bit his lip.
Nor was that the only issue.
Kadogan was Lagan's sister; Lagan managed [Liquor in the Left Hand] and the pleasure district.
He commanded mercenary-band-level forces, plus countless 'friends' in Bondalles.
"Touch that shaman, and we're at war..."
"And Bondalles would side wholly with them."
They realized anew the colossal corruption they faced.
The injustice of the entire city obstructing them.
But no surrender.
Hadn't they sworn.
To protect that young mage's will.
"No matter the cost, we won't let them touch Rishir."
The others concurred with Shakan.
At that moment, as the four steeled resolve over one youth—
-Councilor Lan. Master Rishir has arrived.
The butler's voice with a knock.
They rose en masse, welcoming Rishir warmly.
"Oh? Everyone's here. Did I interrupt?"
No!
They denied vehemently, each in their way.
'They seem angry?'
The intensity left Rishir stunned, merely nodding, "I, I see."
'Finish business and leave quick.'
Rishir produced his prepared item and addressed Lan.
"I have something to deliver to Councilor Lan—"
"To me?"
Lan pointed at herself in surprise.
The incorruptible councilor rejected all bribes and gifts, yet couldn't dream of refusing this youth's.
Even anticipation lit her eyes.
Lan's gaze fell on the shabby book in Rishir's hand.
"..."
Lan unwittingly smiled wryly.
The worn book Rishir presented as a gift suited him perfectly.
'First bribe this cute.'
What secrets did this young mage's gift to the councilor hold.
"What is it?"
Lan asked expectantly.
Almost crouching to match a child's eye level.
"The secret ledger of a place called [Liquor in the Left Hand]."
"..."
Lan sobered.
And panicked.
Why here.
The three bigshots reacted identically.
Then—
"Councilor Lan!!!"
Her retainer rushed in with urgent news.
Gadum's 'barbarian mercenaries' managing [Liquor in the Left Hand] and the pleasure district had fled by night.
"..."
They began eyeing Rishir.
"What's going on?"
The young mage feigned ignorance flawlessly.
'No way he went alone last night and...'
Wipe out the back-alley overlord's mercenaries single-handed.
Without a stir.
Even elite forces from their groups couldn't manage easily.
Thus, they desperately denied the implausible.
"Oh, by the way, some anonymous sender gifted it. I'm uninvolved."
It wasn't easy.