Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Scene 040: Toll
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I gazed out the carriage window at the passing scenery.
The eastern district of the imperial capital Luddrow was the residential area for the empire's citizens.
It had the highest population density within the capital, so plenty of people were visible going by.
Most of them belonged to the empire's commoner class.
It was a far cry from the scenery on the west side, where nobles mainly resided.
At most, two-story houses stretched along the streets.
Gazing at the sight, I felt captivated, as if I were visiting some European city.
Wendy probably would have reacted with fresh wonder if I'd brought her along.
But regrettably, I wasn't here for a vacation.
I reread the letter Arthur had sent.
To Tristan.
As you requested, I got in touch with Albert, but there was no reply from him.
He's no doubt holed up somewhere tinkering with his bizarre contraptions again.
Albert's been that kind of craftsman since way back.
Still, among the craftsmen I know, there was one who'd heard recent word of Albert's whereabouts.
So I've jotted down the address he provided.
P.S. - If you happen to find the guy there, pass on my regards for me.
Arthur Ruelverta.
It looked like he'd tracked down the location of the craftsman I was after.
Arthur's letter contained not just the address but also a hand-drawn map enclosed with it.
Old-man talk aside, the geezer made sure to cover all the bases.
With still quite a distance to my destination, I decided to disembark from the carriage.
Being a noble, I stood out too much around here.
People's stares had flocked to this luxury carriage every time it passed.
Uncomfortable with the attention, I deliberately got off in a deserted spot.
I figured walking would be preferable.
But I regretted it almost immediately.
It really reeks like a sewer.
A shadowy alley that sunlight could scarcely penetrate.
The stench of mold and decay permeated the air from all directions.
Unwashed homeless folk lay sprawled here and there, fast asleep.
It was the kind of sight that made me grimace without thinking.
The so-called slums.
Just a single step off the busy streets, and this was the scene.
Bittersweet.
This world of magic and monsters was no different from the real one.
Where there were rich, there were poor.
I confronted the side of the Meikahel Empire's gleaming prosperity that lay hidden.
I took heavy steps forward.
This was a shortcut to my destination, and it seemed better than navigating the packed main thoroughfares.
Besides, avoiding it wouldn't make places like this vanish from the empire.
The deeper I ventured into the alleys, the more wretched the scenes became.
Lunatics wailing amid garbage heaps, and junkies lost in their drugged stupors.
Sickly prostitutes and vagrants eyed me with malice.
My outfit certainly stood out here.
A wrinkle-free coat paired with a fine shirt.
Topped off with shoes buffed to a daily shine.
It was merely the appearance of a wealthy noble scion, but this wasn't noble territoryit was the slums.
To anyone here, it screamed "noble" loud and clear.
And, predictably, some had caught the scent of money.
I halted right there.
Blockers stood in my path ahead.
A quick glance back revealed vagrants had already sealed off the rear.
They'd cut off every possible exit.
Step aside.
Want to pass? Fork over the toll.
The man who looked like their ringleader spoke up.
A tall, burly middle-aged brute.
Good call not bringing Wendy, after all.
It happened to be her training day with Blancheotherwise, she might've gotten dragged into this mess.
Toll?
Yeah.
How much?
He flashed a sleazy grin like some third-rate thug.
Looking at your duds? Gotta be at least a million kael.
..
Uh
Cheaper than expected?
Better to pay up that sum than waste time on these losers.
Had I finally adopted a rich man's mindset?
Casually, I drew a thick wad of 100,000-kael bills from my wallet and held it out.
Take it.
?!
Evidently not expecting compliance, the ringleader snatched the bundle in a daze. He gawked at the amount.
W-what?! You bastard why the hell you carrying this much cash?
No change needed.
This ought to suffice.
I moved to continue past the idiots gaping slack-jawed at the money.
Hey, wait hold up there.
Some vagrants blocked my path again, unfinished business apparently.
For an instant, I winced inwardly.
This vibethey might demand I empty my pockets entirely.
Greed could blind them like killing the golden goose, knives out before I knew it.
That would just get tedious.
I absorbed ambient mana, bracing to handle them.
But the ringleader bellowed from behind.
Hey, you lot! Clear the damn way, quick!
Huh?
He shelled out this muchwe let him go, obviously. Jackpot today! Jackpot! Uhahaha!
S-sorry!
The underlings bowed to me and parted the way.
The power of money, eh.
As I passed them and proceeded, their chatter drifted from behind.
Man, boss! Our luck's insane today, right?
Kuhahaha. We can ditch this life now! Time to expand the business!
That silver-haired girl the little boss nabbed earlier? Total knockout.
I froze.
Yeah. Prettiest bitch I've ever seen in my life. Don't know which noble house's missy she is, but slave her out and we'll rake it in big. Ehheheh.
Boss, before we sellmind if we get a taste first?
Ha! Youre a man after all, kid. No rush. After Ive had my fun with her
B-boss!
What? U-uwaaak?!
The garbage heap beside the vagrants rumbled and collapsed.
A mountain of filthy refuse threatened to engulf them in seconds. Or nearly did.
The pile merely blocked their alleyway.
It doused them head to toe in grimy dust.
But that sufficed.
Cough! Son of a bitch! What the hellwhyd this crap just collapse?!
Ptoo! Filthy shit
Goddamn it! Waterwheres the water?
Move your asses. Let me through.
Huh? Whats this? Guys still hanging around?
They finally spotted me.
I, whod toppled the garbage, gathered ambient mana once more.
The ringleader snarled at me, face twisted in irritation.
Brat. Gonna move or what? Want another toll shaken down?
Pay the toll.
What?
To pass, pay the toll.
Roles reversed, the vagrants all glared in utter disbelief.
Ha?
Tolls everything youve gotincluding info on that girl you mentioned.
You nuts? What you gonna do with that? Huh?
The ringleader drew his dagger.
The grimy blade looked sharp enough.
Hey, fuck off, you pig bastard. Run while you can. Were pissed.
Refusing to pay?
You fucking lunatic?! Why the hell we gotta give you shit! Psycho? So loaded you blind now?
The instant he swung the knife in threat.
I unleashed the seething emotion within.
You invoke 'Wrath'!
Huh?
The ringleader and his crew gulped.
Assailed by my blazing fury, they froze on the spot.
Cold sweat beaded on their brows, plain to see.
W-what?! H-hot!?
B-boss! C-cant breathe!
Guhk
Crushed beneath my wrath, their faces drained to a sickly blue.
Some, like the ringleader, clenched jaws and endured.
Weaker ones trembled and crumpled.
Still wise not to bring Wendy.
What came next wasnt for kids eyes.
I spoke slowly.
Got it. None of you will pay up, then.
I snatched a long iron rod from the spilled garbage.
I recalled the man whod overpowered Blanche with a single macehis every motion.
Anything I shake loose from now on is mine.
You invoke 'Envy'.
Vile emotion surged inside me.