Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Inscrutable Man
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"..."
Ran let out a groan midway through reading the secret ledger Rishir had handed her.
The ledger was packed with content suspicious enough to classify it as a shady document, but the truly critical details were concealed in a unique format or coded slang.
It was like a puzzle, really.
Even for Ran, who had encountered these kinds of secret codes multiple times while dealing with back-alley criminals, solving this puzzle was no simple task.
'So, this Gerhen guy received something from [Liquor in the Left Hand]... From what's written here, it doesn't seem like a problem... But they wouldn't bother writing it like this if there wasn't something fishy...'
In the end, frustration creased Ran's brow.
If it had been any other young man who brought her the secret ledger, she would have demanded an explanation on the spot.
Evidence that could strike a blow at the political life of a city councilor who dominated the city's underworld with unchecked power?
How did you obtain it?
And is this really [Liquor in the Left Hand]'s secret ledger?
Normally, there would have been a mountain of questions for Ran to grill him on.
But if that young man's name was Rishir?
Ran was a quick study.
From her experiences so far, she had learned that when it came to anything involving Rishir, the best course of action was to just say "Yep" without prying or questioning.
Take the time he turned the demon worshipped by the cultists into his familiar(?), for instance.
If she had reacted as she usually did as a councilor—"Convince me"—things would have gotten incredibly complicated.
But because she went with "A demon became your familiar? Yep," everything resolved smoothly.
That was why Ran didn't dare question or probe Rishir about the secret ledger, reduced instead to groaning inwardly to herself.
'Just what did he see to conclude this was a secret ledger...'
Rishir watched Ran's struggles for a while before casually speaking up.
"Is there perhaps something I can help with?"
"Pardon? Ah."
Ran barely managed to suppress a cry of "Yep!!!"
As a councilor tasked with cracking down on back-alley criminals, she couldn't exactly save face by asking the young mage who brought her their secret ledger, "I don't get it—what makes this a secret ledger?"
'Hmm? Ah.'
Rishir picked up on her intent and changed his approach.
"Come to think of it, I never explained the basis for why I judged that document to be a secret ledger. If it's alright, may I go over it now?"
"...Would you?"
Ran felt a fresh wave of admiration for Rishir's occasional displays of social savvy, even though it wasn't the first time.
Nobles were creatures of face.
When dealing with other nobles, they always strove to maintain the upper hand in terms of dignity.
This tendency was especially pronounced among young nobles Rishir's age.
Around the time they came of age and became aware of their own exceptionalism, they often committed breaches of etiquette in their eagerness to show off their abilities in front of others.
Overlooking such youthful bravado was considered a virtue of seasoned nobles.
Yet Ran could never find an opportunity to exercise that virtue around Rishir.
His social grace was far too mature for his age.
'Come to think of it, he never mentioned his family...'
Ran felt a belated curiosity about Rishir's origins.
Normally, one's first interest upon meeting a noble was their house, but he had subjugated a demon before she could even ask—
'He can't be a bastard.'
The common perception was that nobles who didn't (or couldn't) disclose their houses were bastards.
However, Ran couldn't bring herself to connect Rishir's personality and abilities with that of a bastard.
Who could?
'Why hide his family...'
As Ran spun her imaginings from the scant clues, Rishir's explanation proceeded steadily.
Rishir quoted the explanation he had heard from Klana to help Ran and the three heavyweights interpret the ledger's contents.
"..."
Ran and the three heavyweights listened to Rishir's explanation with initial satisfaction, but their expressions gradually shifted to bewilderment.
'Doesn't he know a bit too much...?'
The way he referenced the habits, customs, and methods of criminals was excessively expert.
His explanations were as vivid as the firsthand accounts of someone who had spent long years immersed in the criminal underworld.
How could a young noble who had only just undergone his coming-of-age ceremony have acquired such knowledge—or experience?
"Does that explain things sufficiently?"
"...Yes, that's more than enough."
The doubts Ran and the three heavyweights had about the secret ledger's contents were neatly resolved.
...And in exchange, the doubts they harbored about Rishir himself only grew larger.
Sunset that day.
Rishir answered Ran's summons and visited her office again.
"Ah, Rishir."
Ran, lost in thought at her desk, greeted him with a pleased smile that quickly turned serious once more.
Ran had been thinking.
That Gadum must be feeling a sense of crisis from the defection of his barbarian mercenaries and the loss of his secret ledger.
And that he must suspect her as the mastermind behind the incidents.
It was an opportunity.
Ran was planning to press the advantage while Gadum was on the back foot.
However—
Gadum was no ordinary man.
Ran guided Rishir to his seat before broaching the topic cautiously.
"Gadum. That man has invited you and me to the banquet tonight."
Just moments ago.
Gadum's agent had come and invited the two of them to his mansion.
In the midst of all this, his proactive move to seize control of the situation nearly made Ran forget she held the advantageous position.
Ran wanted nothing more than to refuse Gadum's invitation outright.
She didn't want to show weakness to an enemy, nor leave any room when she had firm control of the reins.
"What do you think we should do?"
She suspected Rishir's thoughts aligned with hers.
If not, what might he be thinking?
Ran watched his reaction with an expression half hope, half worry.
"I'm fine with it."
"Fine?"
"Yes. It's just a meal, isn't it?"
Rishir replied with a cheerful smile.
'If the big shots want to play, they will. What can I do about it? Besides, no matter how shady Gadum is, he's not going to cause trouble after inviting a fellow councilor. It'll be fine.'
Harboring such plebeian thoughts,
"…!"
Ran was greatly shocked by Rishir's response.
"Just a meal..."
This was the man who had "dealt with" Gadum's barbarian mercenaries.
He had to know exactly what kind of person Gadum was.
The sort who wouldn't hesitate to pull tricks even with a councilor and her guest in his own home.
To call stepping into such a man's jaws "just a meal."
Ran let out a wry laugh.
Talking with Rishir made her own seriousness about a "mere" Gadum feel petty.
Compared to this monster's true nature, Gadum's position was nothing.
"Yes, exactly. It's just a meal. Nothing to worry about. Right?"
Gadum would never get what he wanted out of this young mage.
Ran declared confidently, buoyed by her steadfast faith in Rishir.
"...!"
Rishir's eyes widened at Ran's demeanor.
'Look how reliable she is. A true councilor—my safety rope!'
Rishir too declared confidently, bolstered by his steadfast faith in Ran.
"Of course not."
"Hehe..."
"Hehe..."
Feeling mutual reassurance, they headed to Gadum's mansion.
"Ran. Come on in. I appreciate you accepting my sudden invitation and saving my face like this."
The plump man flashed a satisfied smile.
Councilor Gadum.
He was inwardly flustered before the guests he had ushered into the reception room.
'She's actually coming?'
The news that the Kadogan siblings, who managed the entertainment district, had ditched Gadum's businesses and left Bondales spread like wildfire across the city.
In response, his "friends" expressed anxiety, while his "enemies" gleamed with anticipation.
As Ran had predicted, Gadum felt a great sense of crisis over the current situation.
That was the reason for the sudden banquet at his mansion.
Gadum planned to gather his "friends" and show them Ran's empty seat as a no-show to the invitation.
Thus demonstrating that his enemies still feared him—
That his influence remained intact.
But what was this?
Defying expectations, Ran had accepted the invitation.
'Why, Ran? You're not the type to make that call.'
The area where Gadum's mansion was located fell squarely under his influence.
There were no residents who weren't his "friends," and the guards under his command "maintained" order in the district.
If trouble arose at Gadum's mansion, the guards would deploy under the banner of enforcing city ordinances, wielding legal force.
This was Gadum's empire within Bondales.
Knowing and wary of that fact, Ran had never once accepted Gadum's invitations before.
Yet here she was, firmly occupying a seat in his reception room.
With just a single companion, no less.
'Could it be because of that guy?'
Gadum's gaze turned to him.
This was the first time seeing him in person.
'Rishir...'
The moment he registered his presence, all of Gadum's lingering questions dissolved.
How had Ran managed the astonishing feat of expelling the cultists hiding in the city before they could cause trouble?
How had she protected her colleagues from his bribes?
How had she bought off Kadogan and Ran?
How had she boldly set foot in his empire?
'It was all because of him...'
Only now did Gadum etch the existence of his true enemy into his mind.
"..."
"..."
Rishir met Gadum's eyes and gave a bright smile.
At that boyish, unassuming appearance, a smile tugged at Gadum's lips too.
'So that's what he is—'
Gadum had dealt with countless nobles and power players to reach his current position.
Handling a greenhorn like this was child's play for him.
"The banquet preparations must be ready. Shall we move to the hall?"
Gadum's unease had vanished without a trace.
He was already smiling in anticipation of the coming enjoyment.
The banquet hall.
The massive rectangular table was already packed with people.
"What do you think Lord Gadum plans to do from here?"
"He's already in enough hot water over the lord and the saintess incidents, and now Ran is starting to move in earnest—"
"The [Liquor in the Left Hand] matter—was that definitely Ran's doing?"
"Who else could it be?"
"Did Ran... have that much power?"
"Hmm..."
"Maybe she made a new powerful friend... Oh my. The guests of honor have arrived."
"...Huh? That is—"
Suddenly, the hall fell deathly silent.
Councilor Ran.
She had been invited, but an uninvited guest had appeared alongside her.
"Councilor Ran."
Those seated right next to the head table greeted Ran.
City nobles who wielded immense power within Bondales, if not quite on a councilor's level.
"Didn't expect to see you here."
"Didn't Gadum tell you I was coming?"
"Well, no—that is—"
This was Gadum's domain. Ran ought to be intimidated.
Under that assumption, the two had tried to psych her out, but they quickly backed down before her confident demeanor.
"Where should I sit?"
And like that, they yielded the seats next to the head table to Rishir and Ran as if fleeing.
The atmosphere in the room had been utterly overwhelmed in an instant.
Ran glanced at Rishir, savoring the thrill.
'Thanks to you, I'm having experiences like this.'
She hoped that expression reached him—
-This is who I am.
Rishir smiled brightly in response.
'Wow, these folks seem like big shots themselves, but they can't even twitch in front of our councilor.'
He hoped that expression reached her—
-You're too kind.
"Hehe…"
"Hehe…"
It was then, as the two mutually bolstered each other,
"Let's begin."
At Gadum's command from the head seat, the hall doors opened and servants entered.
They bustled about, filling the table with a feast.
Rishir and Ran's seats were filled last.
A bottle of wine, specially ordered by Gadum, was placed before them.
"This is Modea."
"..."
Ran's expression twisted the moment the servant uttered the name.
Modea.
It was a wine that received the adoration of Bondales nobles for various reasons.
Known for its unique aging process that imparted a distinctive flavor, it was extremely finicky about aging and storage— a single mistake could spoil it.
And spoiled Modea carried a mild toxicity that induced vomiting and temporary hallucinations in the drinker.
Bondales nobles often used spoiled Modea to serve unwanted guests.
The Modea Gadum had brought out had its cork already popped.
This was spoiled Modea—behave accordingly.
Refusing a drink at a noble gathering was shameful, but better than hallucinating and vomiting in public.
"…"
Ran let out an incredulous laugh.
To resort to such a low tactic for humiliation.
Separately, it was undeniably effective.
"What do we do? I'm not in the mood to get drunk today."
She forced down her humiliated grimace as she spoke.
"On such a fine day, with such fine wine!?"
"Yes, unfortunately."
"Hah... What a pickle."
It was the humiliation one had to endure upon accepting an enemy's invitation.
As the ritual exchange of humiliations proceeded according to form,
"Please don't worry—I can drink Councilor Ran's share too."
Ran looked at Rishir in surprise.
A person of his stature couldn't possibly be ignorant of Modea.
Rishir conveyed with his expression:
'I can hold my liquor.'
He hoped that reached her—
-Leave it to me; I've got countermeasures.
"...!"
Of course.
Ran nodded in conviction, as expected.
"..."
Gadum was just as taken aback by Rishir's reaction.
Was it because he was from out of town?
An utterly unforeseen response.
Of course, it deviated from expectations, but it was far from wise.
"Is that so? Then no problem. Here, have some."
It was a move he could easily counter by simply pouring the glass.
'Now what?'
Gadum pressed with his gaze.
And at the next action—
"Thank you kindly."
Gadum ground his teeth.
To hold back the bursting laughter.
Truly a hot-blooded youth?
Downing "poison" out of sheer bravado to avoid embarrassment—
'To think I was troubled by the likes of him...'
Caught between amusement and annoyance—
Gadum asked Rishir,
"How's the wine taste?"
"I'm not very familiar with fine wines like this, so I can't describe it precisely. But I can tell it's good stuff."
"Hahaha, is that right!? Then drink up plenty this time! Here!"
The sequence repeated.
"Heh, what a rare sight."
"Indeed. Who actually drinks Modea for real?"
The onlookers' expressions grew increasingly sly with delight.
But then,
From some turning point, their faces began to change.
"...Is that really 'Modea'?"
"The cork was definitely open..."
Half the bottle was gone already, yet nothing had happened.
Rishir.
He wasn't wracked by hallucinations or doubled over vomiting, nor was he making a fool of himself from drunkenness.
He was simply savoring the taste.
Eventually—
"It seems like I'm the only one drinking. If it's alright, may I pour you a glass?"
With a purely kind smile devoid of any coercion, he reached for the Modea in Gadum's hand.
"..."
The eyes of the seasoned politician gazing at the youth wavered.