Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Phantom Thief Dauphin (22) - Dahlia's Ideal
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The city's atmosphere was in disarray.
As a member of the guard responsible for maintaining public order, the vice-captain of the 8th Squad could feel it deep in his bones.
"...Not that it's anything strange."
Levruk was currently as good as a political vacuum.
With all the key figures either crippled beyond recovery or having fled the city, there was no one left to govern or lead it.
Some argued that the city's leadership had never done anything for the citizens anyway—just exploited them—so their absence didn't matter. And indeed, life went on without much trouble for the people. But that wouldn't last.
A city of over a hundred thousand had just as many voices, and without someone to mediate and guide them, it was obvious it would collapse before long.
Even without peering that far into the future, immediate issues like taxes and diplomacy with neighboring territories loomed large.
Factions had begun slinking about, eyeing the abandoned power vacuum. Each one vied desperately to pull Dahlia to their side.
With the Phantom Thief Dauphin vanished without a trace, no other candidate enjoyed the citizens' support like she did.
'But can our captain really handle politics?'
There was no doubt about her goodness, but she was just as stubbornly principled.
If she stuck to her duty as a guard and nothing more, adhering rigidly to the rules like before, someone would surely exploit that weakness.
He and the squad members would do their utmost to prevent it, but it wouldn't be easy.
As he sighed with those thoughts, the vice-captain blinked at the book Dahlia handed him one day.
"Uh, um. Captain. I might not have heard right, so could you say that again? What is this?"
"A mana cultivation method for you all to learn. You know what a mana cultivation method is, right?"
"I know what it is, but..."
Mana was an innate talent.
Physical strength or swordsmanship could improve with hard training—slowly or quickly—but mana was all or nothing. You either awakened to it or you didn't.
But with a mana cultivation method, even those without natural talent could acquire mana through acquired effort.
Of course, talent would rear its harsh head again once you had it, but at least you'd be at the starting line.
That made mana cultivation methods invaluable, and nobles guarded that knowledge jealously.
He didn't know about other countries, but in the Kingdom of Birka, you couldn't just obtain one if you wanted it.
So where on earth had Dahlia gotten this?
Maybe, just maybe...
"It's not a scam, so drop those suspicious looks, everyone."
"...Have you awakened mind-reading now?"
"Anyone with half a brain could tell from your faces right now."
The squad members averted their eyes sheepishly, and Dahlia urged them toward the books again.
"Just read it first. Illiterates can have someone who can read help out. It's written as simply as possible, so it shouldn't be too hard. Ask me if anything's unclear."
It was suspicious in many ways, but since it was Dahlia recommending it, no one refused outright.
They read with each other's help and even tried practicing the contents.
And about a week later...
"Wha? Whoa! It worked! It really worked!!"
One female squad member among the 8th Squad's guards jumped for joy upon awakening to mana.
Coincidentally, she was the very one who had delivered the mysterious man's book to Dahlia in prison.
The once-skeptical squad members, seeing a comrade truly awaken, widened their eyes and dove into training.
About half a month after training began, half the squad had succeeded in awakening. By the one-month mark, even the vice-captain—who had progressed slowest—could wield mana.
Considering that mana cultivation methods normally required years of preparation for real results, this was an insane acquisition speed.
"C-Captain. How... no, where did you even..."
The squad members looked joyful yet fearful.
To gain such a power so easily, one they'd thought forever out of reach?
"It's not 'easy'."
Dahlia dismissed their concerns.
"This mana cultivation method specializes in physical enhancement. The more you cultivate, the stronger your body becomes, which in turn boosts enhancement efficiency. You're picking it up fast because you've already trained your bodies so well."
Every member of the 8th Squad was in the upper ranks of 2nd Class.
With all foundational requirements except mana already met, their progress was swift. Others learning the same method wouldn't see results this quickly.
Cultivation methods were, after all, a form of 'training'.
Just like how people know consistent exercise is good but rarely stick to it, neglect Dahlia's method, and your level would regress immediately.
"Train hard. Soon you'll be teaching others yourselves."
"...Are you planning to share this with people beyond us?"
"The current guard structure might handle internal cleanup, but not external invasions. Physical labor draws guards anyway, so plenty will volunteer."
"Isn't that too risky? Some might take the method and run. Others could abuse it. In that case—"
—Better to limit it to devoted followers who revere Dahlia utterly.
As if guessing the unspoken words, Dahlia shook her head.
"Of course we'll screen people. But the criterion won't be loyalty to me— it'll be how well they follow rules and fulfill their duties."
Not knights swearing fealty to a lord, but a group loyal to order and discipline itself, safeguarding the peace and safety of the innocent.
An overly idealistic, unrealistic dream.
They might even corrupt, oppressing the innocent for personal gain.
Still, Dahlia intended to try.
Even if it wasn't a perfect solution, she'd walk the path she believed right.
She might fall into arrogance at the end, but that was fine.
If she lost her way and became a vile tyrant, a certain cheerful phantom thief would surely come to punish her.
Several months later.
"—Dahlia, was it? Want to come work under me?"
The words from a noble lady of House Redbell froze the reception room.
Levruk's side didn't know whether to show dismay or anger. Redbell's side sighed endlessly, thinking, 'The young miss did it again.'
Only Dahlia herself, the Redbell lady, and her sky-blue-haired mage escort remained composed.
Dahlia answered flatly.
"No."
"Too bad."
That was it.
The Redbell lady didn't rage about a mere commoner rejecting her offer or show displeasure at Dahlia's indifference.
Just a hint of regret, as she'd said.
Her refreshingly straightforward reaction stirred something odd in Dahlia.
'Claudia Redbell. One of the key players in the massive political struggle unfolding in this kingdom.'
Born between House Redbell and the royal family of Birka, she bore what could be called the kingdom's noblest blood.
From personally visiting even remote Levruk—after Dahlia refused a mere portrait request—to conversing eye-to-eye with a commoner like Dahlia, despite her position representing Levruk... it was boldly unconventional in every way.
'And that one beside her—Blanca, was it?'
Dahlia's gaze turned to the sky-blue-haired adventurer.
Eyes that held sorrow and the strength to overcome it and press on.
Her build was slender—almost frail—contrasting the crude sword at her hip, but Dahlia's instincts told her otherwise.
'...If we fought, I might win, but I couldn't say for sure.'
Objectively, Dahlia's realm was higher at present.
But Blanca emanated something that made even the strong wary—a giant-killing vibe. And she felt mid-growth, not fully refined.
Were all top Adventurer's Guild members like this? If so, the Guild might be far more formidable than she'd thought.
Unaware—or uncaring—of Dahlia's misconception, Blanca stayed silent.
Her demeanor suggested she was merely a temporary bodyguard.
"Then how about an alliance?"
At Claudia's new proposal, Dahlia countered.
"What kind of alliance, specifically?"
"You're isolated in Sarnos's sphere right now. The earl can't move easily under our watch, so you're left alone, but once he falls, others will eye you. I'll protect you from that."
Indeed, few fools would challenge a territory under Redbell Marquisate protection.
Even without direct troops, petty harassments via trade or passage were common—and those might vanish entirely.
"Does that mean making Levruk part of Redbell lands?"
"One option. This place has massive potential. With this population, location, and vast farmlands, it's baffling how the earl bungled it. But you don't want to serve under me?"
Claudia leaned forward.
Her pink eyes locked straight onto Dahlia's lime-green ones.
"You seem swamped not just by political pressure but administration too. I'll handle that. In return, provide us with manpower and force. How about these employment terms?"
Dahlia's eyes widened at the documents Claudia offered.
"...Is this for real?"
"Too stingy? First contracts are like that. How do we know if you'll send talent or trash? Try it out; if you're capable, we'll raise pay gradually."
Dahlia fell silent.
Far from stingy, the terms outstripped even House Sarnos's by so much it was unbelievable. Best not say that.
She'd heard marquisates were wealthier than earldoms, but this gap seemed excessive.
Dahlia requested a day to consider, got approval from Levruk's governing committee, and nodded to Claudia.
It was the first collaborative effort of the three women who would one day sway the Kingdom of Birka.