Chapter 345
Chapter 345
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 345
>Chapter Title: Those Guys Killed It
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The conversation's initiative shifted from Aster to Evelyn.
Having seized control of the conversation, Evelyn skillfully led Viscount Dramusi along.
"First, let's assess the damages. You said you want compensation for mental anguish, but you know that, right? If we really focus on the 'mental' aspect, no amount would ever be enough."
Viscount Dramusi, who had experienced Aster for even a short time, nodded vigorously.
"Yes, yes. That's right."
"Then, let's focus on the material side... Let's see. Aster, do you think the stress had a negative impact on your work?"
"Of course."
"To what extent? It'd be good if you could be specific. Like, the stress caused you to waste a whole day... or your work efficiency dropped to half of normal."
"Hmm."
Aster pondered.
Riley watched the scene in silence, utterly speechless in disbelief.
'What the...'
At first, he thought the girl named Evelyn was at least leading the discussion somewhat normally.
But what?
Work efficiency this and that?
'What work is she even talking about?'
Over the past few days, from Hazen to this place, the Aster that Riley had seen was, in crude terms, no different from a freeloader.
He'd wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, read a book or kill time, then have lunch.
After that, he'd observe some freakish creature that was either a lizard or a drake until it was time for a nap.
And then dinner.
Dinner was the same.
Eat, kill time here and there, then back to bed.
He did nothing.
A true freeloader.
And yet, what? Processing work?
'These con artists...'
But the truly shocking thing came after, with Aster's response.
"To my shame, I completely dropped the ball on my work."
"You dropped the ball on your work?"
"Yeah. I was scared. Do you know how many people were mobilized for our development site? And the mercenary bands? Their livelihoods were all on my shoulders. But thinking it might fail..."
"You were burdened by the pressure."
"...Yeah. It's shameful."
Aster truly seemed ashamed, squeezing his eyes shut and biting his lower lip.
Anyone could see it: the image of a leader ashamed of his own shortcomings.
That alone was shocking enough for Riley, but Aster's words didn't end there.
"Viscount, you might not know, but I was really scared and heartbroken. I took on this huge ambition, gathered investments from so many people, and barely got it started, only for it all to come crashing down. Can you even imagine? This feeling?"
It was agonizing and terrifying.
Agonizing to think of betraying the faith of those who believed in him.
But even greater was the fear.
Fear that the livelihoods of those who believed in him and followed would collapse. That their families, their happiness, their daily lives would be plunged into an abyss.
"I spent sleepless nights. I even thought of going to beg. Sometimes I railed at the heavens. Why me? Why this trial?"
"......"
"Viscount, I understand. To you, we must have been unwelcome guests. But... have you never thought about it? That there could have been a way for all of us—you and us—to be happy together. Have you never considered calmly talking it out and finding a way to coexist?"
His emotions grew more intense, and by the end, his voice was almost like a sob.
At the same time, eyes trembling faintly... brimming with tears.
It was right then that Aster slammed the armrest of the sofa.
Bang!
"Don't you have a heart? Or tears?"
"......"
"Have you ever thought of those withering away because of you bastards? Why can't you see it? Beyond the numbers in your reports, there are people. Why... "
A growling voice.
The viscount shrank back at that gaze.
He was frightened.
And at the same time...
'...Me.'
He realized.
What he had been doing.
...Of course, that reflection didn't lead to true self-reproach. It was merely a small trigger for him to look back on himself.
As Viscount Dramusi reflected on his actions, Evelyn's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Aster, calm down."
"...Mm."
"The talk isn't over yet. And..."
Evelyn turned her gaze to Viscount Dramusi.
"Viscount Dramusi? He says that's how it is. He couldn't do anything. What do you think about that?"
"What part are you referring to...?"
"Whether you can admit to that statement."
"Ah..."
Letting out a short sigh, Viscount Dramusi took in Aster with his eyes before opening his mouth. Or rather, his fist.
"Yes... I admit... it."
"Good. So that's acknowledged... Let's see. What else can we add?"
At her question, Viscount Dramusi fetched parchment and a pen from one side of the drawing room.
"Thank you."
"N-No, not at all."
By now, even Viscount Dramusi knew.
She had pretended to be considerate by saying focusing on the 'mental' part would have no limit, but in the end, it was all a scripted play.
Still, he went along with it because there was no benefit in offending her...
"Alright, let's summarize then."
Now came the main point.
Picking up the pen, Evelyn began writing on it immediately.
"The revenue from the work Aster handles in a day is... roughly this much."
"......"
"And how long has it been since the stress made him drop his work?"
"Exactly 100 days as of today."
"Then multiply by 100... Huh? Viscount, why the long face?"
At Evelyn's question, the viscount hid his rotting expression and forced a smile.
"Ah, no. It's nothing."
100 days? What 100 days... Ridiculous.
They had only started coordinating with nearby nobles to blockade the area a couple of months ago.
But the viscount said nothing more.
'Still... this much is manageable.'
The amount proposed as 'daily revenue x 100' was substantial, but not unacceptably so.
"So, you agree to this amount?"
"I... agree."
"Good. Then let's draw up the contract first."
Evelyn pulled out fresh parchment and wrote up a contract on the spot.
Viscount Dramusi watched, swallowing hard, but something felt off.
1. Viscount Dramusi shall pay the following amount to Aster, the person in charge of the development site, as compensation for mental damages...
'...1?'
In a world where nothing existed but one thing, distinctions between numbers held no meaning.
Me and you. Without that distinction, what use are 1 and 2?
But...
'1?'
The existence of 1 implied a 2.
Viscount Dramusi's pupils trembled faintly.
Then Evelyn's voice wormed into his ear.
"Since you've clearly admitted that, let's move on. Normally, we'd calculate the damages from reduced work efficiency next, but since there are so many things to claim, I want to list them out first."
"What do you...?"
"Oh, nothing major. So..."
Evelyn folded her fingers one by one as she listed them.
"Excluding Aster's mental damages, the losses from delayed material procurement and the additional losses from the extended schedule ahead. Plus, you mentioned earlier, right? Your secrets, Viscount. If I go around talking about them, it'd be trouble for you, so there should be hush money too..."
"......"
"Oh, almost forgot. One more sheet of parchment?"
She pulled out new parchment and wrote down the items she had just mentioned.
Viscount Dramusi's eyes twitched as the page filled densely with writing.
"All of... this?"
"Why? Too much?"
Evelyn asked.
But the viscount didn't answer. He couldn't.
"Too much?"
Scritch, scratch.
...Next to him was a monster crumbling the solid wood armrest of the sofa with sheer grip strength.
"L-Let's... discuss it."
"Not too much, right?"
"......Yes."
At Viscount Dramusi's reply, Aster flashed a broad grin.
* * *
Riley classified Aster's madness into five stages.
Extreme Minor Madness, Minor Madness, Medium Madness, Major Madness, Extreme Major Madness.
Among them, Major and Extreme Major Madness were stages that even Riley, who had observed Aster for so long, had never witnessed.
The highest he had seen was Medium Madness.
The stage where his 'malevolent creativity' fully activated, and this incident fell under Medium Madness.
So, how does one resolve Medium Madness?
It had been Riley's long-standing research topic, but through this incident, he glimpsed a clue to resolving the Medium Madness state.
After the negotiations with Viscount Dramusi concluded, in a guest room of the viscount's castle.
"Nice."
"Good."
Riley took in the two who were smiling contentedly.
Aster's face, blooming with a smile.
Radiant.
Unimaginable as the face of the one who had been so mournful throughout, like a flower fully bloomed on a spring day.
He had once thought that.
Perhaps only sufficient force could suppress the madness?
But there were few strong enough to overpower that mage, so it had remained mere theory.
Yet it turned out force alone wasn't the answer...
Riley engraved this newly learned fact deep in his heart while trembling at the sight of the two smiling.
"Glad we could realize justice."
"Justice pays well."
"Because it's the right thing."
"Right?"
What nonsense of a conversation.
If justice truly existed, these degenerates—who would be the first culled—were brazenly preaching it.
It was a detestably repulsive scene, but Riley dared not say a word.
Against immense evil, it was wisest to hold one's breath and wait for it to pass.
But.
From the ensuing conversation, Riley realized this villainy wouldn't end with just Viscount Dramusi.
"I overheard earlier..."
"Yes."
"Two? Or was it three more places?"
"Oh, the nobles in cahoots?"
"Yeah."
"Right. Besides Viscount Dramusi's family, there are three more. But why?"
"Why do you think?"
Aster gazed with resolute eyes, smiling sadly as he took in the darkening sky beyond the window.
"Our business isn't over just because ours is done. Listen closely. Hear the cries of those suffering from them."
"Ah."
Evelyn, grasping Aster's intent, grinned brightly. Then she posed a question to him.
"But if we save those suffering people... they might even thank us with rewards, right?"
What was this?
It meant squeezing something out of the other development sites suffering under the nobles too.
But why?
Aster's response was cold.
"If it's such a mercenary motive, better to quit. Justice isn't executed for a price."
"Ah..."
Evelyn let out a sigh of disappointment.
...Until Aster's words continued.
"Ahem, but well... if it's a voluntary offering, refusing would be rude."
"Right?"
Evelyn grinned again.
Watching her, Riley thought.
'...Justice is dead.'
Those guys killed it.
...The cutting gale that had struck Viscount Dramusi's family was spreading across the lands of Arapurkin.
Like a swarm of locusts devouring everything greedily.