Chapter 159
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Recalux (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Pervert."
"No, no. That's not it. She's just a subordinate."
She didn't look like she believed me at all.
"What are you, some kind of slave trader? Don't you already have enough with just me...?"
"Sigh... Slave trader, my ass... Anyway, she's the master of that information clan I mentioned before."
Ha Yu-ri's eyes flashed with interest at my words.
"... That information clan you said you had?"
"Yeah."
"If it's a clan you own, then yeah, she's basically your slave."
"... Stop fixating on that. What, are you jealous because you're not my only slave?"
"Ha, what did you just say? Jealous? That's ridiculous... It's just pity for another victim like me. Who knows how much hell that woman must've gone through with you... You must've forced her into slavery, just like you did to me."
"No... That sounds all wrong."
As Ha Yu-ri and I bickered, Luska spoke to her in a tone that implied things weren't what she thought.
"Ha Yu-ri, master of the Madan Clan, right?"
"Ah... Yes."
"Sorry, but it's not what you think. I'm a voluntary slave."
"Pardon...?"
Ha Yu-ri's expression was priceless. It was the face of someone who'd just heard utter nonsense.
I'd never heard the term "voluntary slave" in my life either.
"I chose to become that man's slave of my own free will. In other words, I'm different from you. So don't lump us together."
While Ha Yu-ri sat there stunned, Luska's words kept pouring into her ears.
"Come to think of it, I heard you rebelled against your master and got forcibly contracted? Know your place. The only true slave who serves her master properly is me."
"Wh-what did you say?"
I had no idea why Luska was suddenly going full throttle like this, but I decided to just watch for now.
"You think I wanted to become that guy's slave?! That's insane...! If you like groveling under him so much, you do it!"
Luska smiled seductively in response.
"Oh, absolutely. And I'm willing to do even more."
Ha Yu-ri's face turned beet red as she screamed at me.
"What the hell is wrong with this woman?!"
"Whoa... Let's both calm down first. I have no idea what's going on here. Luska, what's your deal?"
"Just warning her not to eye my master."
Ha Yu-ri bellowed at Luska's words.
"Who the hell is eyeing who?!"
'Agh, fuck... My ears are gonna bleed.'
"What a massive misunderstanding! Isn't this woman crazy?!"
'... Honestly, she's not exactly normal.'
"Anyway, Luska's introducing herself because she can help you, Ha Yu-ri."
"I don't need it. I can handle things on my own without some woman like that..."
"Your little sister might still be alive, just maybe."
Ha Yu-ri's face froze in disbelief at my words.
"Wh-what...? Say that again. What did you...?"
"Your little sister might still be alive."
"Ah...?"
'... She's pretty shocked.'
Anyone in her shoes would react the same way.
"Really...? Really? My little sister is alive?"
Her tear-streaked face as she begged for confirmation looked like someone who'd found a lifeline at the edge of a cliff.
"... Not a hundred percent sure. But it's too early to say she's definitely dead."
"How...? What did you find out? Please, please tell me."
Ha Yu-ri dropped to her knees before me, pleading desperately.
"M-Master. Please, please tell me. Yeah? We can find my sister? Please... sob..."
'Only calling me master when she needs something.'
"... I'll help as much as I can. So take Luska's help. You can't do it without her."
Right after I finished speaking, Luska reacted with a dissatisfied look.
"Master, I don't want to help this woman. She's so ungrateful. She was all high and mighty just moments ago, and now she calls for her master only when she needs something. It's infuriating."
Ha Yu-ri's face went pale, as if she thought I'd change my mind because of Luska's words.
"S-Sorry! I was wrong!"
She prostrated herself flat on the ground.
"I'll do whatever you say! I'll throw away all my pride! Please tell me... Help me..."
I looked up and sighed, closing my eyes.
I had no idea how things always ended up like this.
'Lately, everyone's quick to grovel first. Sheesh...'
The problem was Ha Yu-ri misinterpreted my sigh as rejection.
"Wh-what do you want me to do? Huh? I-I'm your master's doggy. Woof! Bark! Sob... I'll do anything. Anything, please..."
"Get up for starters..."
"Finally realized your place? That's a slave's position."
'Hey, why are you piling on...?'
... It seemed Luska really hated Ha Yu-ri.
"Feeling calmer now?"
"....."
Ha Yu-ri gave a small nod in response to my question.
"Don't drop to the ground so suddenly from now on. I've told you a million times I'll help. You really can't trust me that much?"
"....."
"... What's with you? Why no answer?"
"N-No, I trust you!"
"You're full of shit, aren't you?"
"N-No?!"
"... You suck at lying."
Ha Yu-ri glanced at me nervously and mumbled in a mosquito-like voice.
"... Is it that obvious?"
"Super obvious."
"W-Well, anyway, how exactly are you going to help?"
"First off, according to the Acacia Clan's investigation, she's currently wanted, so she hasn't crossed the border."
"Huh...? The Acacia... Clan?"
"Yeah?"
Ha Yu-ri reacted as if something had clicked.
"Wait. Is that... No, the clan you said you had... Is it the Acacia Clan?"
"What's it to you?"
"The Acacia Clan... They've been really famous in the underground lately..."
I was pretty surprised. Not just that Ha Yu-ri knew of the Acacia Clan, but that it was famous enough to reach her ears.
"Ah! That's how...! I was wondering how you sell player status windows, and it was because of you...?"
She quickly pieced it together with my unique trait.
"Yep. Luska handles most of the clan's operations, and I provided the startup capital."
Ha Yu-ri looked at me with newfound respect.
Maybe lucking out on reading her earlier was one thing, but creating the Acacia Clan and owning it outright seemed to impress her.
My shoulders puffed up a bit, so I threw in a line.
"Getting the picture now? This is the level I'm at."
"... You were almost cool until that last line..."
... My mood deflated instantly.
"Anyway, intel says she was sighted in Laderam, a city on the outskirts of Baronia. Oh, and I need to confirm something with you."
"Confirm what?"
In truth, there was over a 99% chance that Recalux was Ha Yu-ri's enemy, but I had to go through confirmation just in case.
I nodded to Luska, and she brought over a composite sketch.
It was based on Sharis's description and the intel.
I took the sketch from her and showed it to Ha Yu-ri.
"Is this the old man who attacked you and your sister?"
The moment I showed her the sketch, I didn't even need her answer.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and murderous intent poured out. No verbal response required.
"Yes, that's him. That's the bastard. He attacked me and my sister..."
I immediately took the sketch back after her confirmation. No need to let her dwell on it and get more worked up.
"Good. That's confirmed then. Our job is to head to Laderam and track down this old monster's trail. Slim chance he'll slip away. I'm planning to deploy Luska's subordinates all around the city's outskirts."
"Yes..."
"Oh, and it'll be the three of us plus one more. Someone who knows Recalux well."
"Someone who knows him well?"
I debated telling Ha Yu-ri the truth but decided to be straight.
"Hear me out calmly. It's one of Recalux's former colleagues."
"What...?"
'Agh, I said hear me out calmly.'
"But he had nothing to do with what happened to your sister. Sorry to say it, but try to understand. He's one of my subordinates too."
Ha Yu-ri agonized with a complicated expression for a while before asking me.
"... You're sure he has no connection to my sister?"
"Yeah, doesn't seem the type, and even though they were in the same group, he operated separately."
Honestly, even if there was a slight connection, I'd have told her there wasn't.
Sorry to Ha Yu-ri, but Sharis was valuable manpower for me. I couldn't ditch her over this.
"... Alright, I get it. So when do I meet this person?"
"We meet up in a week and head out. Just in case, don't do anything stupid."
"... I'm not that unreasonable. After all this help from you, I wouldn't dream of getting you in trouble."
"Good."
Ha Yu-ri hesitated a moment before suddenly bowing her head to me.
"I'll never forget this. I mean it. Thank you so much for helping me."
Luska sneered at Ha Yu-ri's gesture.
"Finally realized her true role, huh? Right, Master?"
'Agh, just shut up. Why are you so hell-bent on picking on her?'
I waved it off at Ha Yu-ri.
"No need for thanks."
She looked at me with a strange gaze.
"What? Why?"
"... Guess my people-reading skills suck."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
"Whatever. See you in a week."
"... Yeah. See you in a week."
With that, Ha Yu-ri left.
"... Luska."
"Yes, Master?"
I couldn't hold back my curiosity.
"Why are you so dead set on hating Ha Yu-ri?"
Luska replied as if it was obvious.
"What I want to devour is you, Master."
... I was speechless at Luska's words.
"... Anyway, did Ha Yu-ri do something to you?"
"No, she hasn't wronged me."
"Then why?"
"... Her attitude toward you was insolent."
"What? Just for that...?"
"Master, you are my master. It's not 'just' that—no one should disregard or snap at you."
'Isn't that going too far...?'
"I'm not some emperor. That's a bit extreme..."
"To me, you are no different from an emperor."
I was taken aback by Luska's words for a second.
"... Don't say crazy shit like that. Someone might drag you off to the palace."
Her high loyalty was great, but I was genuinely scared she'd say that in public.
'Just imagining it is horrifying...'
Her follow-up was even worse.
"We just need to avoid treason charges. It'd be tough, but if you wish it, Master, I could make you emperor."
"What the hell?"
'What kind of lunacy is this?'
"With our combined power, it's possible. I assassinate key figures in the palace, and we slowly mobilize your subordinates underneath. It wouldn't be impossible."
'She's saying this seriously?!'
I had to speak up urgently, terrified this madwoman might start scheming behind my back.
"Crazy talk. I have zero interest in that, so don't even think about it. Got it?"
"... Understood."
"Fuck, I'm dead serious."
... There was a pause before her reply, so I couldn't help but worry.