Chapter 358
Chapter 358
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 358
>Chapter Title: What is Justice?
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In a conference room in the first development zone.
Only two people occupied the vast space.
One was Font Harjen, the proxy of the Third Imperial Princess and patriarch of the Viscount Kalond family—commonly known as Viscount Kalond.
And the other was Aster.
"So, let me summarize what you've told me..."
The situation Aster had heard from Viscount Kalond was as follows.
"First off, we're the First Development Zone."
"That's right."
"If we go by proximity, Second and Third Development Zones follow, and it was the Second that proposed this gathering? Ostensibly for fostering camaraderie and..."
"To devise countermeasures against the tyranny of the nobles around Araphurg."
It was a very constructive purpose.
They would compete in the future, but for now, they wanted to join forces to drive out a common enemy.
'Fostering some camaraderie while keeping the latecomers in check, huh.'
But if that were all, Viscount Kalond wouldn't have requested this private meeting.
"The problem is... the Second Development Zone's movements are suspicious?"
"Exactly. According to our mercenaries' recent reconnaissance, unidentified mercenaries have been heading to the Second Development Zone. I see two possibilities."
First, the local nobles sent forces to sabotage them.
Second, the Second Development Zone was reinforcing its guards.
"We couldn't be sure which. So, I sent mercenaries to check on the Second Development Zone's status. Fortunately, one of the Whirlwind Wings members knew one of their mercenaries."
The Whirlwind Wings member casually probed the mercenary.
Any issues in the Second Development Zone? Anything unusual lately?
They figured if forces were being reinforced, there'd be some reaction. But the response was unexpected.
"The mercenary acted like he had no idea."
"No idea at all?"
"None whatsoever."
That's when Viscount Kalond started feeling uneasy.
They'd spotted dozens of reinforcements, yet the mercenaries stationed there claimed ignorance?
Sure, he might be playing dumb even if he knew... but whether he truly didn't know or was feigning ignorance, either way spelled trouble.
In any case.
"The letter arrived around then. The timing was too coincidental. Ahem. Don't you think... it's suspicious enough?"
"It's suspicious, sure..."
Frankly, something felt off.
"But why?"
"Why what?"
"What's the Second Development Zone's goal? I get your suspicions, Viscount. Whether that mercenary was bluffing or clueless, it looks like they're plotting something. But is it really military action?"
Let's see.
Military action. Seize the rival zone's interests by force.
On the surface, no issue.
'On the surface, that is.'
But a development zone wasn't some hole-in-the-wall shop.
"There are countless entangled interests. Take us, for example—you know that, right? Resorting to force means picking a fight with the investors... So what's in it for the Second Development Zone?"
Would the investors sit idly by?
They might gain something short-term, but long-term, the losses would outweigh.
Unless they planned to live on Araphurg soil forever, force was never a good option.
Yet they were resorting to it?
"Any guesses?"
At Aster's question, Viscount Kalond broke into a cold sweat.
"Well, that is..."
"That's?"
"...We haven't figured that part out yet."
This was what had been troubling Viscount Kalond too.
Circumstantially, the Second Development Zone seemed poised for military action... but their motive was a complete mystery.
Still, he'd come to Aster to prepare for the worst.
Better safe than sorry.
...But Viscount Kalond couldn't help regretting his decision.
"Hmm. So nothing's been uncovered?"
"..."
A chill ran down his spine.
He'd gotten used to seeing the guy lounging on the roof, sunbathing, and forgotten for a moment.
Just how insane the mage before him was.
As an info broker himself, the viscount had naturally learned who owned that old mage and the knight of unknown origins.
Touching either one meant no foothold left in the Empire.
But this lunatic mage didn't give a damn.
'To think I came to someone like this...'
Regret hit him late. Viscount Kalond's eyes twitched. His mouth went dry, and sweat soaked his clenched fists.
"Viscount, justice has to be upright and fair, you know that?"
"I... do."
He didn't ask why justice was coming up out of nowhere.
The guy wasn't one for normal conversation anyway.
"But I thought this was a place for upright justice, and it turns out it's not so upright? How awkward for those dispensing justice."
"..."
"Ah, think about it. If we just barge in and flip everything over, aren't we the bandits, not the good guys?"
"No..."
...If nothing's wrong, we just leave. Isn't that it?
Was non-violence never an option?
"No what?"
"...Nothing."
If he'd known, he should've gone to Whirlwind Wings, Kalia Mercenaries, or the Hamern Great Forest mercs.
Hell, the old mage would've gladly tagged along, but no, he came here...
"Justice shines against evil. But there's no evil in sight. No matter how I look."
"..."
Viscount Kalond sensed this was his last chance.
He had to say something.
And so.
"...I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Melond Merchant Lord isn't ordinary... I thought we needed to be extra cautious. But I seem to have overworried."
The longer he spoke, the dimmer his eyes grew.
He'd given up hope.
'...At least he won't kill me.'
Chief Steward Evelyn said he knew his limits.
Though what limits meant to a lunatic...
But why?
"Huh? Who's that? Melond?"
"...?"
"You're saying the legendary figure who turned the mid-tier Kriton into a continent-topping merchant group like the Big Three—the Melond Merchant Lord—is the one you just mentioned?"
"...Yes?"
"So... if I got this right, he's the head of the Second Development Zone?"
"Yes...?"
What's going on?
Acting like he'd never heard the name.
...Viscount Kalond tilted his head in confusion, but his 'worst-case' hunch was spot on.
Aster was hearing the Second Development Zone's leader's name for the first time right here.
Or maybe Evelyn mentioned it, and he just forgot.
Anyway.
"Hmm. There's something here."
Viscount Kalond tilted his head at the sudden shift in demeanor.
"...?"
"Right? Think about it. Someone like Melond Merchant Lord—gathering forces in secret for no reason? And right on cue, oh-so-coincidentally, calling a gathering? There's definitely something."
How to put it...
It didn't feel like pure logic.
More like...
'...Someone hoping there's something to find.'
Viscount Kalond carefully, oh so carefully, gauged Aster's sudden change.
It was astonishing, really.
Despite his scheming goatee and sly looks, Viscount Kalond was tough-minded.
Yet here he was, acting the sycophant.
...For survival.
"What do you think, Viscount? Something's definitely up, right?"
"...Indeed, the head's insight is beyond me."
"Cut the formal 'head' crap. Call me Sir Aster. You can drop the honorifics too—I'm higher up anyway."
"Of course. Age matters more? Not the responsibilities."
"Haha, yeah. Anyway, you think there's something too... What're your thoughts?"
Viscount Kalond's mind raced. Soon, he hit on the answer Aster wanted.
"We need to show them what we're made of."
"Why?"
"Because..."
One word caught on his tongue.
Even selling your soul has lines. Duties you must uphold.
That hesitation...
But Viscount Kalond crossed it easily.
"Because... it's justice."
Aster smiled contentedly at those words.
"Right, that's justice."
"...Justice."
Viscount Kalond chewed and spat the word again. ...But the initial revulsion was gone.
...Why?
His tongue just got smoother, yet it felt like he'd lost something vital.
Aster's voice came then.
"Date?"
"Probably set once we confirm attendance."
"Then let's notify them now."
"How should we handle the personnel?"
Aster answered.
"Need a crowd? Just you and me. That's enough."
"I see..."
"What, not confident? We gotta rip 'em good."
"No. I'm confident."
He might suck at fisticuffs, but not interest games. He'd just lacked the backing and setup to shine.
That's why he latched onto the Third Imperial Princess.
To shore up his background and change his environment.
"Yeah, be confident. With a mage like me backing you."
Those words jolted Viscount Kalond awake.
'...Why was I scared of this lunatic mage?'
No, of course he was scary.
What could be more terrifying than a walking disaster you couldn't predict? Nothing, probably.
But now was different.
Because...
...Now, the lunatic mage was on his side.
"..."
Viscount Kalond took in Aster's triumphant grin. Baby fat still puffed his cheeks as it pushed up his lips.
Staring at that smile brought back the terror from their first meeting in this room.
If he could let the Second Development Zone's—no, other zones'—leaders taste that fear too.
If he could...
"Sir Aster."
"Yeah?"
"You're a reliable man."
"Now you notice?"
"Yeah... now I do, haha."
Viscount Kalond flashed a bright smile.
...Probably the first time.
Showing teeth to Aster.
"Then I'll prepare for the gathering. I'll inform you once the date's set."
"Yeah, do..."
Bang!
Before Aster finished, Viscount Kalond was already in the hall. No, sprinting.
...Now, to Viscount Kalond, whether the Second Development Zone's Melond Merchant Lord was evil or justice didn't matter.
'I'll just do my job.'
So what if he's friendly, or not?
His heart simply raced.
He held the famed sword named Aster.
With support from a mage like that, whose heart wouldn't pound in negotiations?
The viscount had abandoned justice.
* * *
A few days later.
"Let's go."
"Yeah, let's head out."
Viscount Kalond and Aster spurred their horses toward the Second Development Zone.
Blue sky.
Barren plains.
The two plunderers advanced.
One grasping justice, the other harboring expectations.
Just an ordinary winter day.