Chapter 185: Greinif (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 185: Greinif (1)
The day after he had watched the spectacular sight of the evening primroses in full bloom with Yutia.
"I’ll be going now, Teacher."
"Right. Safe travels."
"Yes. I’ll see you again next time."
Even Yutia had now departed from the Marquis’s estate.
The office felt distinctly desolate compared to the day before.
...It feels like the end of a holiday.
Memories of his original life surfaced.
His uncle and father, who would fight over political differences every time they met.
The youngest, who would take over the eldest son's computer and turn it into a virus-ridden wasteland.
Still, it had been quite harmonious.
Even if chaos erupted every time they gathered, a certain lingering regret always remained once everyone scattered.
"It certainly feels empty, My Lord."
Evan seemed to feel the same, his voice tinged with a hint of loneliness.
"It does feel a bit like that."
"Doesn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well, everyone has their own work to do, after all."
Alon nodded in agreement as he scanned the office.
Indeed, it felt a bit hollow.
"...From now on, if everyone has the time, it might not be a bad idea to hold gatherings like this periodically."
Evan’s eyes widened slightly before returning to their normal size.
"Hmm—then let's discuss that the next time we all meet."
Alon gave a light nod.
"Then we should start getting ready as well."
"By 'ready,' do you mean the Elf village you mentioned last time?"
"Yes."
Evan hesitated, letting out a low hum.
"I'll get the preparations started, but... are you sure about this? It feels wrong to say, but honestly, that place seems dangerous."
"Hmm."
The places Alon had visited so far hadn't exactly been safe either.
However, Alon hadn't been particularly concerned because he already possessed a certain amount of information.
But what about Greinif, the land of the Elves?
Unfortunately, there was almost no information regarding it.
To put it into perspective:
He had gained zero information about it while playing Psychedelia.
The small amount of information he had gathered after possessing this body was all he had to go on.
Even then, there was a high probability that the information he did have was incomplete.
...It certainly could be a bit dangerous.
Fundamentally, the presence or absence of information significantly impacts the level of risk.
No matter how dangerous a place you crawl into, if you have knowledge of it, it’s possible to move while avoiding the hazards.
Conversely, even in a less dangerous place, you could be caught off guard if you don't know what to watch out for.
However.
...Even considering that, it's worth a visit.
Whether he wanted it or not, Alon realized he was entangled with Greinif through many secretive matters.
"...Well, let's prepare for now."
"Are you going to leave without looking into it further?"
"I've already looked up all the information available at this point."
"I suppose that's true."
Alon had also attempted to gather information on Greinif in his own way.
The problem was that despite spending a considerable sum of money, he hadn't found any meaningful intel.
Sitting around and searching further wouldn't yield anything.
"For now, before we cross into the territory of the demi-humans, we'll try to find out more in the nearby estates or villages."
"There should be a territory called Nail nearby."
"We can look into it there."
Alon made his decision.
After some time had passed.
"My Lord."
"Are the preparations finished?"
"No, it's not that—do you remember the Azure Forest Merchant Guild?"
"...Ah, them?"
"Yes. It looks like they've just arrived. I thought it might be good to have a brief chat before we head out. What do you think?"
Evan had brought new news.
After a moment of thought, Alon nodded.
"Very well. It's still early, and this is our first trade, after all."
"Yes, I'll bring them in."
With his permission, Evan immediately turned and disappeared.
A short while later.
A man entered the office under Evan's guidance.
"Greetings, Marquis Palatio."
"You are—"
"I am Lecon. Last time, I was behind the guild leader..."
"Ah, I remember."
"It is an honor."
Lecon bowed his head deeply. He was alone.
"But where is the guild leader?"
Alon’s question was reasonable.
Unless it was a massive merchant group, the guild leader usually handled meetings with nobles personally.
"My apologies. The guild leader was attacked by monsters and is currently receiving treatment, so they were unable to come."
"...I see. Don't mind my question."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Lecon bowed once more.
Soon, they began discussing business.
"...Are the terms the same as what we discussed last time?"
"Yes, there will be no changes."
The terms were extremely favorable to Alon.
He wondered if a merchant guild, which usually prioritized profit above all else, should be doing this, but Alon didn't press the matter.
Regardless, he had nothing to lose in this transaction.
"Then let's proceed as planned."
"Yes, understood."
The discussion progressed smoothly.
After the contract was finally signed, Alon suddenly grew curious.
"By the way, which region does the Azure Forest Merchant Guild usually operate in?"
"The South."
"Where do you mainly travel?"
"Hmm—basically, we tend to travel throughout the entire Southern Zone. This time is a bit of an exception; we came up here to expand our routes."
At those words, Alon asked, just in case.
"Then, I'm asking just in case, but do you know anything about Greinif?"
"Greini... f?"
Lecon, who had been smiling until a moment ago, was suddenly washed over with bewilderment.
"If it's difficult to speak about, you don't have to. I was just asking on the off chance."
As Alon added that, Lecon quickly composed his expression.
"No, it's just—I was a bit taken aback. Well... people don't usually take an interest in Greinif."
"That's true."
"But why the sudden question about Greinif—?"
Alon answered calmly.
"I have some business there."
"Business... you say?"
"Yes."
"Then, are you coming to—no, are you going to Greinif?"
"That's right. So I was curious. Things to watch out for, the path there, that sort of thing."
At Alon's words, Lecon wore a blank expression for a moment before carefully speaking.
"...Well, I do know a very little bit."
"Then I'd appreciate it if you could give me a few pointers."
An hour later.
After Lecon had departed.
"My Lord, shall we head out soon?"
"Yes, I think we can."
"Ah, and I did some digging. They say there's someone in Nail who has been gathering herbs for a long time in the forest that belongs to Greinif. I think we can get some information if we ask them."
Evan brought good news, but Alon shook his head.
"No, I don't think that'll be necessary."
"Eh? Why?"
"I heard some quite good information."
"If you heard good information—ah, from that merchant?"
"Yes, he seemed to know quite a lot."
"...Really?"
Evan looked puzzled.
Alon was equally puzzled.
He had asked with a light heart since the man said he traveled the South, but he had heard far more than expected.
And it was information that seemed quite credible.
...I didn't expect to hear such detailed instructions on how to enter Greinif.
He couldn't be 100% certain it was the truth, but from Lecon's perspective, there was no reason to make up information that didn't exist.
Moreover, it was detailed and vivid...
...Wait, is he an Elf?
The thought suddenly crossed his mind, but Alon soon shook his head.
There was absolutely no reason for an Elf to go through the trouble of hiding their identity just to trade with him.
"Anyway, let's head out."
"Understood."
Around the time Alon and Evan were leaving for Greinif.
Lecon—no, Perion—who had been at the Marquis's estate just moments ago, could not hide his confusion.
The reason, of course, was the Marquis of Palatio.
The Primordial Elf is coming to Greinif? Why? No, before that, was my identity discovered? That shouldn't be possible...?
His thoughts instantly became a tangled mess.
Perion tried to calm himself, listing the points that didn't make sense one by one.
...Philde-nim clearly said that the Primordial Elf would not come to Greinif because he was holding onto something...?
No, before that, why did he ask me for the way to Greinif? There's no way he wouldn't know—
Did he say that to avoid being involved? Wait—then was my identity discovered after all?
That can't be. Last time, I was caught because I used mana for my disguise, but this time, I used an Elven heirloom. In fact, the Queen and I weren't caught last time.
Or—did he just pretend not to know?
Unfortunately, as he followed one thought, another would bite at its heels.
Unable to properly organize his thoughts, Perion finally reached one conclusion.
And that was—
I must report this to the Queen...! And I must do it before the Primordial Elf arrives!
Before the Primordial Elf entered Greinif, he had to report this fact to the Queen.
Perion immediately dashed away.
* * *
Alexion the Appraiser.
"Mmm—"
No, now he was Alexion, the owner of the massive auction house at the Palatio Marquisate.
He had been living a very enjoyable life lately.
Because he was taking bribes from nobles?
Of course not.
Even if he took a bribe, Ladan or his subordinate, the blonde-haired girl, would appear like ghosts and confiscate the money.
Because of that, Alexion had given up on that path early on.
Nevertheless, the reason Alexion could live happily was the 'money' that rolled in even without bribes.
Yes, money.
Alexion's happiness came solely from money.
He was happy because of money when he worked in the slums of Laxas, and he was happy when he earned money even when he had nothing to spend it on.
He was just happy whenever he had money.
To him, 'Money = Happiness.'
And for someone like Alexion...
"Hehehe—"
The auction house operated by the Palatio Marquisate was earning him so much money that the corners of his mouth were practically reaching the ceiling.
Of course, a certain amount of the earnings was continuously reinvested into the auction house's development or sent to the Marquis's estate.
But that was fine.
The money left over even after that was far more than what he had earned through blood and sweat in the slums.
He couldn't help but laugh...
"Oh—good to see you."
"...Ladan-nim?"
...Not.
At the sudden appearance of the demon, Alexion barely swallowed a hiccup.
"I, I thought... you left yesterday—"
"Ah, I did. But I realized I forgot to handle something Big Brother asked me to do before I left."
"Hahaha—I see."
"So, are you still living off bribes these days?"
In less than a second, Alexion shook his head more than five times and hurriedly shouted.
"No way! Truly, since that time, I haven't taken a single bribe!"
"Really?"
"I swear it upon the heavens."
Alexion wore a very righteous expression.
"Oh—"
At that, Ladan gave a smirk as if seeing him in a new light and patted Alexion on the shoulder.
"Really? Then I guess you're somewhat trustworthy."
"Of course I'm trustworth—"
"Then, you take over and manage Big Brother's territory as his proxy."
"...Pardon?"
He had issued a special mandate.
"Didn't you hear me?"
"No, no, no! I, I heard you, but—"
He had heard him all too well.
No, he couldn't help but hear him.
The words that had just come out of Ladan's mouth were essentially the sound of the end of Alexion's happy life.
"Are you... are you talking about being the Acting Lord?"
"That's right. It's nothing much. Just handle the paperwork. Just summarize the important stuff."
A massive crisis.
Alexion's eyes darted around.
Acting Lord.
The words alone had a wonderful ring to them.
In fact, it was quite a high position.
First of all, if one became an Acting Lord, they could reign like a king while the Lord was away and skim off bribes quite deliciously.
But that was only possible when one was the Acting Lord of a weak territory.
What if the territory was the Palatio Marquisate?
I'm screwed...!
He wouldn't be able to enjoy a single privilege of being an Acting Lord.
If he took a bribe, Ladan would try to kill him.
If he acted like a tyrant, Ladan would come.
If he played around, Ladan would come.
It was all Ladan, Ladan, Ladan...!
No, even if Ladan didn't come, that blonde-haired girl would come and—
Ugh...!
Just thinking about it was horrifying.
In other words, being the Acting Lord of the Palatio Marquisate meant taking on all the responsibility with none of the pleasure.
Furthermore, it meant enduring a murderous workload, unlike his current life.
Not only that, but if he slipped up even once, his head could go flying...
Therefore.
"I—I mean, for someone like me... that's a bit—"
"You can do it, right?"
"Well, being an Acting Lord isn't something you can just do on a whim—"
"You can do it, right?"
"Ladan-nim? As you know, I'm just a guy who rolled around in the slums, a real piece of work who's lived a reckless life—"
"You. Can. Do. It. Right?"
Hiccup!
This time, he couldn't hold back the hiccup.
Because Ladan's face, smiling as he looked at him, was clearly saying:
'You know how much I hate repeating myself, right?'
Ladan's finger twitched as if it were about to flick his head off at any moment.
At that.
"...I'll... give it a try."
"Really? Good choice."
In the end, Alexion nodded.
You son of a—
A tearful lament echoed in Alexion's heart—
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"You just cursed at me, didn't you?"
"A-Ah, no? I didn't?"
"...Really? I felt like you did. Fine."
"..."
Before it could even fully resonate, it quietly faded away.
...It was late summer.