Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Preliminary Investigation (2)
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3.
The qualification she spoke of was as follows.
...So youre saying you want me to rescue the elven slaves in the southern border city of Leven, is that right?
Slaves are no longer traded in Tebe. I buried all the bastards who used to deal in them. So, the slave hunters chose Leven instead. The slave market is still open there. War refugees from the southern kingdoms, deserters the south is full of prey for them to target.
Poina took a sip of tea from her cup.
I recently acquired information that elves are being traded there. To be honest, I wanted to go and rescue them myself, but the circumstances aren't ideal.
Because if you made a move yourself, your presence would be revealed.
Yes. I have a lot of family to look after now, so my movements are restricted.
She was an 8th-circle mage.
Her very existence was considered a strategic weapon.
The fact that she had stayed in Tebe all this time without being detected by the Empires intelligence network was an incredible feat in itself.
But what if she moved carelessly and her identity was exposed?
The Imperial Guard and the Mage Tower would mobilize immediately. Evading pursuit alone wouldn't be difficult for her, but the Poina of today was the head of a massive organization called Kalligo.
It meant she couldn't easily choose to abandon Kalligo to save her kin.
So youre entrusting that mission to me.
That's about the gist of it.
If theyre trading elven slaves I imagine not just anyone can get close.
I hear its operated on a members-only basis. Though Ive heard exceptions are made for those of exceptionally high status.
High status, enough to access a members-only slave market.
And the skill to handle the job alone.
There weren't many people who could satisfy both conditions. And among them, the only person Poina could choose was Karron.
Realizing this, Karron gave a subtle smile.
This feels like a bit of a losing deal for me.
Are we such distant friends that we have to calculate losses?
Hey, the closer you are, the more you need to keep the books straight. Lets break it down, shall we? Youre telling me to bear all the risk, and if I do, youll introduce me to the elves No matter how I look at it, the price isnt right.
Come on, were both pros here. You know youll need my help to enter the Southern Great Forest.
Poina narrowed her eyes and glared at Karron. In response, Karron shrugged.
Please consider the hardships of those in the field.
Are you really going to be like this?
Im not saying I wont do it, just that I want a little something extra. Theres a nice term for it, isnt there? Hazard pay.
At Karrons slick words, Poina let out a small laugh. She raised her hands and nodded.
This is why they say the rich are the worst. Fine. Name your price.
An archmage who had reached the 8th circle could manifest miracles.
For instance.
A subspace pocket?
A miracle that transcended the constraint of space, something like a subspace pocket.
At Karrons words, Poina scoffed.
Wow, you really have no shame. Do you have any idea how hard it is for even an archmage to create a subspace pocket?
Come on, its just one little pocket.
Its not just one little pocket! You have to design a magic circle that can simultaneously run countless spells, from space creation to coordinate fixing, magic sustainability, and auto-casting! If it were easy to make, every Tom, Dick, and Harry would be carrying one.
Poina argued passionately.
Seeing her react like that, it must truly be difficult to make.
Cant an archmage handle something like that?
Just getting the materials is a problem. You have to liquefy a top-quality magic stone to draw the magic circle, find high-quality leather and magically treat it. Were talking an astronomical amount of money.
So its just a matter of money.
I could make it if you get the materials, but it also takes a long time. At least three months for production. A rough estimate of the material cost alone would be a provincial baronys entire annual budget Ah.
Poina, who had been rattling off her explanation, suddenly realized her slip of the tongue.
She had momentarily forgotten that the boy before her was rich.
You rescue the elves, and Ill make you one subspace pocket.
Karron, having seized the opportunity, said with a grin.
The Azure Fortress had about three subspace pockets, but their capacity wasnt very large.
At most, they could hold the contents of two large carriages.
Archmages were, without exception, arrogant and eccentric beings who wouldn't create one even if you offered them money.
This is why its so convenient to have an archmage as a friend.
...I mean, its not really an artifact worth spending that much money on these days Transportation has improved so much
Its about the romance of it.
Youd burn a baronys annual budget for mere romance?
Thats what makes it romantic.
At that, Poina let out a long sigh and slowly nodded.
Fine. If you just rescue my kin, what couldnt I make for you?
Or Dew of the World Tree would be fine, too.
Were you born with a conscience?
Probably?
...Ill just make you one subspace pocket. A nice, spacious one. Deal?
Deal.
Karron stood from his seat and extended a hand to Poina.
It was a pleasure doing business with you.
It was a pleasure for you, maybe.
Thats what makes it a good deal.
Since he was heading south anyway, stopping by a border city wasnt much of a hassle.
He could carry out the mission and pocket a bonus income in the form of a subspace pocket. All in all, it was a very satisfying deal.
What happens after I rescue the elves? Surely youre not going to ask me to escort them all the way to Tebe, are you? The price would go up
...Ill handle that part myself. Just get them out of the slave market.
What a relentless man.
Poina shook her head as she looked at Karron.
If hed been born in the back alleys instead of a noble house, he would have been a huge success.
Perhaps the role of an underworld boss suited Karron better than that of a young master.
I will be sure to complete my valued clients request. I promise you, on the name of the Leston Ducal Family.
Karron, who would sell even his familys name without a second thought.
He stretched and said to Poina with a smile.
Now that the important business is done, lets go get something to eat. Do you happen to know any famous restaurants around here?
Dont tell me youre going to stick me with the bill
Dinners on me. I also have some things to discuss with the mayor, so lets bring him along.
Gaining information on Kerua while also securing a subspace pocket as a bonus?
It was truly the perfect negotiation.
Karron smiled in satisfaction.
4.
The very next day, Karron boarded a train bound for Leven, a border city in the southern Empire.
There was no need to linger in Tebe.
Ill send you information through the communication sphere as it comes in. Oh, and please contact me as soon as youve rescued my kin.
Aboard the train to Leven, Karron recalled Poinas words.
...A slave market.
Memories of his past life surfaced.
A place filled with horrific memories.
Of course, no place was pleasant for a slave, but the slave market was particularly dreadful.
There, sentient beings were traded like livestock.
It was rife with vile desires.
Some sought slaves to attend to them at night, while others looked for slaves to satisfy their sadistic tendencies.
Those with good physical abilities were sold to underground gladiatorial arenas or mining companies, where they were forced to work to death.
They were treated as less than beasts.
Thats what a slave is.
His first master in his past life was a trashy baron.
That bastard had a very refined taste: he enjoyed watching children wield knives and spill each others blood in gladiatorial combat.
The Norlang Barony.
He still remembered that masters family name.
He had tried looking for them after his regression, but he couldn't find any trace, whether the family had been annihilated or had simply changed its name.
Hes a cockroach, so theres no way hes dead.
Since it was a personal matter, he had put in a request with Kalligo.
If the members of the Norlang Barony were still in the Empire, their trail would eventually be found.
And once he located them?
Just let me find you.
He would show them a hell far worse than the one he had experienced.
As Karron was lost in old memories while gazing out the window, the train finally arrived at its destination.
Twelve hours after departing from Tebe.
We have arrived at our final destination, Leven. Please check to ensure you have not left any belongings behind.
Karron had finally reached the border city of Leven.
As soon as he stepped off the train, the city came into view.
...Look at this atmosphere.
High walls befitting a border city.
And regular army soldiers visible throughout the train station.
It was a city with a completely different mood from the vibrant Tebe.
It was tense, one might say, and its gloomy atmosphere was certainly memorable.
And that atmosphere became even more dramatic the moment he left the station.
The city was dark, with no proper lighting installed.
Moving against that backdrop were citizens with dead expressions.
Finally, there were those sleeping on the streets, covered in blankets.
The temperature difference was so stark it was hard to believe they were citizens of the same Empire.
When that atmosphere was combined with the high walls surrounding the entire city, it felt less like a city and more like
A giant prison.
Youre right.
Just as Guillotine said, it felt like a prison.
A fortress city, so to speak.
It looked difficult to conquer, but conversely, it also looked difficult to escape from.
Karron thought about the lord who ruled this massive fortress city.
Margrave Leandro.
A man who followed Duke Salmon, one of the capitals most influential figures.
Due to the ongoing wars in the southern kingdoms, he was a man permitted by the Emperor to maintain the largest number of private soldiers.
He was the lord who governed this city.
Even if I rescue the elves from the slave market, getting them out of here wont be easy.
In contrast to the citizens with dead expressions, the soldiers patrolling the streets seemed quite skilled.
Well-maintained discipline and high-quality equipment.
Those two things alone were enough to tell that the soldiers here were elite.
And leading those soldiers from the front was a knight.
Hey, you.
As Karron was sizing up the soldiers, a knight who had met his gaze strode toward him.
The knight glanced down at the scabbard at Karrons waist and spoke.
A mercenary?
Leather armor reinforced with steel plates, shin guards, and leather boots.
The lower half of his face was also covered by a steel mask.
To anyone, Karrons current attire was that of a typical mercenary.
Karron nodded in response to the knights question.
Yes.
Present your mercenary tag.
His tone was authoritarian.
However, Karron obediently took out his mercenary tag and showed it to the soldier.
The knight inspected Karrons tag from all angles, then nodded and handed it back to him.
What is your destination?
The Keas Kingdom.
The Keas Kingdom, huh Youre heading to a damn troublesome place. Alright, dont cause any trouble while youre in Leven. The citys security has been a mess lately with the influx of mercenaries. If you cause trouble, youll be seeing me again. Understood?
Ill keep that in mind.
The knight was 4-star.
As expected of a margrave who had to defend the border, he seemed to maintain a knight order.
Karron watched the knights retreating back and let out a small breath.
Ive got a rough idea.
A knight order and elite soldiers.
A lord possessing this level of military force would have complete control over the city.
After all, a margrave held that much power.
And the military strength of a border city was directly linked to its security.
It meant that a place with this kind of military power couldn't possibly have poor security.
But according to the information provided by Kalligo, slaves were being traded in this city.
...So thats it?
Combining the clues led to one conclusion.
Either Margrave Leandro is turning a blind eye, or
Karron looked toward the lords castle situated in the city center. The castle was the only thing shining brilliantly in this dark city.
...Margrave Leandro is running it himself.
If so, this entire fortress city might be the enemy.
Realizing this, Karron furrowed his brow.
It felt as if a chilling malevolence emanated from the grim night air.