Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Incompetent Minister Wants to Retire
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Fairytale. It was the haunting name of a treacherous new type of drug that had suddenly and ominously appeared in the world exactly two years ago.
As befitting a potent narcotic, its consumption brought about an intense, overwhelming pleasure that was incomparable to any conventional drug known to man. But the price for this euphoria was severe pain, a torment so excruciating when off the drug that one might truly believe death would be a preferable escape.
"That is exactly why users easily fall into a vicious and inescapable cycle of taking it again. It is simply that addictive."
But the addiction was not the only horrifying aspect of it.
According to Owl's deep investigation, the true, dark purpose of Fairytale was nothing less than mutation.
The novel monsters that they had recently secured were immediately dispatched to the Imperial Research Division for analysis. The examination results were utterly shocking, exactly as they had feared: people who had originally been human had been transformed into grotesque monsters due to the influence of the drug.
This revelation turned the situation into something far more dire than a simple social issue of drug addicts appearing in the streets.
"If we are not extremely careful, it could lead to a mass slaughter right here in the heart of the capital. We must cut off the supply completely, no matter what it takes or what the cost may be."
John's grim words drew solemn nods from the Owl members, the other Intelligence Department staff and agents, and even from Celine herself.
He was absolutely correct in his assessment. The very moment a mutant appeared within the capital, a bloodbath of killing would inevitably begin.
"But in the midst of this urgent situation, where in the world did the Minister go?"
The answer to the burning question everyone had been harboring since entering the conference room came directly from Celine.
"He stepped out precisely because the situation has reached such an urgent and critical state."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"The Minister went to hash things out and settle the matter with the Sinister Merchant Union. He should have arrived at the capital branch by this very moment."
"What did you just say?!"
The Sinister Merchant Union. As its name suggested—with the continent's very name embedded within it—it was the world's largest and most powerful merchant conglomerate.
It had established branches in every single country, and any merchant guild of a decent size was invariably affiliated with this massive entity.
"To them, gold is their only god and their singular faith. Especially those in the upper echelons—they will commit any dirty deed for the sake of profit."
For instance, not long ago, the Anti-Noble Faction in the minor kingdom of Clamor had attempted to smuggle Fairytale into the Empire.
No matter one's high position—even as the Imperial Prime Minister—one could not arbitrarily control logistics and trade in a distant foreign land.
But if one were to grease the Merchant Union's palms with enough gold, they would bring in drugs or anything else requested, no matter the vast distance involved.
"Those of you who went to the scene yourselves know best, but making that entire incident 'disappear' involved no small stake and influence from the Merchant Union."
They conducted business across the entire expanse of the continent, so even a power like the Empire could not treat them lightly or without caution.
If the Merchant Union and the Empire were to fall out, both sides would suffer massive and devastating losses.
That was the reason they usually swept most delicate matters under the rug at an acceptable and convenient line.
"That line can be fuzzy for 'most matters,' but that is for His Majesty the Emperor to judge—it is not our concern. Drugs like that are common enough in the slums anyway, even without the Merchant Union's involvement."
But now, the circumstances had fundamentally changed.
With Fairytale directly threatening the safety of the Empire, they had to settle this dispute with the Merchant Union once and for all.
"So the Minister went to the capital branch alone for that very purpose."
He technically was not entirely alone, always having his shadows and escorts, but given the delicate purpose of negotiating, it was as good as going solo.
"Celine, why did you not accompany him on this mission?"
Celine let out a heavy sigh at Christina's probing question.
"Of course I wanted to go, but honestly, I realized I would not be much help to the Minister in this regard. And..."
"And what?"
Recalling how the Minister had suddenly shot to his feet the moment he received the report, Celine shivered lightly as she offered her answer.
"...The Minister was absolutely furious."
"For real?! He was actually angry?!"
A shock of realization rippled through the entire room.
The Minister, who always handled every situation with a blank expression and the utmost professionalism, had shown raw, unbridled emotion.
Anger, no less than that.
"Leader, if things go well today, the entire capital branch might just be blown away by his wrath."
"Indeed, it very well might..."
John quietly nodded in grim agreement to Alexander's chilling remark, his own face remaining stern.
I was incredibly pissed off.
Really, seriously pissed. This was full-on, unfiltered rage territory for me.
Because the prefab bookshelf I had splurged on yesterday turned out to be completely and utterly defective!
A prefab unit that is missing essential parts and cannot be assembled? Then it is not furniture to begin with!
Truth be told, I had realized the issue while attempting to assemble it yesterday and rushed straight back to the store to complain. But the owner shamelessly claimed they just received and sold the goods—I should take it up with the manufacturer.
When I asked where that manufacturer was located, they said the Palsitas Republic. So I decided to take the matter up with the Sinister Merchant Union's capital branch, to which that specific store belonged.
It was already too late yesterday, but today the situation was different.
I had been grinding my teeth all day long after work, and now I was striding out of the Intelligence Department toward the capital branch office.
Upon my arrival and stepping inside, someone hurried over with great haste to greet me.
"Welcome, Minister Barrmut. I am Maximilian Zamel, the branch chief of this Sinister Merchant Union capital branch."
I gazed silently down at the man who was bowing nearly 180 degrees in front of me.
A branch chief? That is the top authority in this building, right?
Impressive. True to form for merchants who are serious about their business, even for a relatively small matter like this, the chief himself came down to handle it.
My anger had not subsided in the least, but I had to respect that level of professional dedication.
"Do you know exactly why I am here?"
"Yes, of course I do. There are far too many eyes and ears here—shall we discuss this matter in my private office?"
So the formal complaint from yesterday had reached their ears already.
I nodded my assent, and Branch Chief Zamel led me and my escorts directly to his private office.
He served tea the very moment I sat on the sofa, but I deliberately chose not to touch it.
Drinking it might calm my temper down too much to get what I wanted.
"I will get straight to the point. How exactly does the Merchant Union plan to compensate me for this?"
"...If I may say, 'compensation' might not be the right word to use. That was merely an individual's deviation, not the will of the Merchant Union as a whole."
Ah, just when my temper was starting to cool a bit, he goes and pours oil directly onto the fire.
"Is that truly your final answer?"
"Yes, it is."
"Fine. I got it."
"Pardon me?"
I stood up abruptly. If the leadership of the capital branch was going to be like this, there was absolutely no point in talking further.
There will be no more shopping at any Merchant Union stores for me from now on.
"Then we are completely done here. At least within the borders of the Empire."
"A-Are you truly serious?!"
Of course I am. Once I make up my mind about something, I follow through on it until the end.
Well, sometimes I do not, but mostly I do.
Probably.
"W-Wait just a moment! N-No, you really do not need to act so emotionally about this!"
"Emotionally? I am being perfectly rational right now."
Rational as hell. A hot head and a cool heart—or was it the other way around in this situation?
"Understood! I get it now, so please, I beg you to sit back down! I am begging you!"
Zamel dropped to his knees for real, bowing his head low and rubbing his palms together in desperation.
It felt like a massive overkill, but thinking about it, for a merchant, a customer's reputation tied directly to their profits, so his desperation made sense.
Still, sitting back down immediately after standing up seemed a bit awkward for me.
After some thought, I decided to remain standing and ask my next question.
"What exactly do you mean by 'understood'?"
"W-We will compensate you as you said. Just name your amount, and we will match it as best we can..."
"I do not want your money."
It was pricey for a prefab, but I had not come here seeking a mere refund.
"Th-Then what is it...?"
"…………"
That is a good question. Beyond a sincere apology, I had not really wanted anything specific from them.
Suddenly tongue-tied and fidgeting with my fingers, my eyes landed on something suitable just in time.
"That will do nicely as payment."
"I beg your pardon?!"
I was pointing directly at a rather upscale-looking, massive bookshelf by the window on the far wall.
"N-No matter what, that is far too much to ask...!"
"Do you not want to? Then we are done talking."
"No! I do! Whatever you want, it is yours!"
Seeing Zamel nod tearfully made me feel like I was strong-arming him, but I could not take back my words now.
"Then that settles that particular issue."
"Is... is there actually another problem...?"
"Obviously. I am talking about the distribution structure."
"D-Distribution?"
They could source and sell wherever they liked—that was their own business. But telling customers to go all the way to the Palsitas Republic for missing parts was utterly ridiculous.
This was not just my individual problem. It affected every consumer in the capital buying prefab furniture from them.
"You called it an individual's deviation, but common sense says no one imports goods without the Merchant Union's official approval."
"W-Well, that is true, but..."
"I am not trying to meddle in your whole setup. Just stop importing that specific one."
Import them with all the parts included, so any shortages like this could be fixed on the spot.
"If it is just that... yes, the upper echelons should be able to accept it."
"Good."
It was about time. There was no need for us to have red faces then.
"Then I will be off. I hope we do not have to meet over something like this ever again."
"Y-Yes... T-Take care of yourself."
Feeling it was a good deal overall, I stepped out of the branch—only to realize I had not given them our home address for the delivery.
I considered going back inside, but it felt silly, and since I had achieved my main goal, I let it slide.
Maximilian Zamel rose shakily from his seat, feeling as though he had barely survived a life-threatening encounter, and staggered toward the window.
'Damn it all. The upper echelons made the deal with the Anti-Noble Faction—so why am I the one taking the hit...!'
Any sane member of the upper echelons would not pick a fight with the Imperial Intelligence Minister, so Fairytale would soon vanish from the Empire.
That was fine with him.
Telling them not to supply Fairytale to the Empire was a Union-wide matter—it was no personal loss to him.
But this was different.
'Refuse his demand, and he threatens to boot the Union out of the Empire... I had no choice but to give it to him.'
Once that happened, profit calculations aside, the upper echelons would surely kill him. Literally.
Severing ties with the Union was unthinkable for most, but when the speaker was Erwin Barrmut, it changed everything.
The Minister did not make empty threats. If he would not do it, he simply would not say it.
When he said he would, he always did.
After one top executive, cocky under the Union's halo, saw himself, his family, his friends, his relatives, and all his businesses across the Empire all 'evaporate' overnight, the upper echelons gave up fighting the Minister.
'What a tragic waste...'
Zamel swallowed his tears, gazing from the window at his masterpiece—the continent's largest magic tool department store—soon to become state property.