Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Hardworking Scoundrel-7
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It began with the accusation.
I suddenly learned that the Frontia Merchant House had submitted a petition to the imperial court, accusing me outright.
They claimed I had snatched the silk product they were ambitiously preparing and started selling it first.
In short, it was a plagiarism dispute.
"Ridiculous."
In the Aslon Chronicles lore, clothing made from Arachne silk was Unique-grade.
Because no one but players had ever processed that silk into garments before.
So the odds of the Frontia Merchant House having prepared Arachne silk ahead of time were about the same as me smashing the Nidhogg Cult single-handedly and making it back alive.
Despite knowing it was bogus and would be exposed—not to mention my ties to the imperial family—I couldn't fathom why they'd make such a reckless play.
"A new suicide method?"
I'd figured some retaliation would come for dismantling their silk monopoly.
But petitioning the imperial court? That was way off my radar.
This was the kind of stunt that could end in total ruin if it backfired. What gave them the confidence to roll the dice?
"Heinz, someone from the information guild is here to see you."
"Huh? Those guys don't show up unless it's urgent."
"They say it's something important they need to tell you."
"Bring them in."
Maribel opened the door, and in rushed Johnny—the information guild's liaison and tavern bartender—gasping for breath.
He looked like he'd sprinted so hard he might keel over any second.
His face twisted in distress, he worked his lips frantically toward me.
"Y-Young... huff! Huff! Master...! E-Emergency!"
"Easy there. You'll hyperventilate and pass out first. Unless the world's ending right now, calm down and talk slow."
Even as I replied, Johnny braced himself on the floor, veins bulging.
"Huff! Huff! Gasp! Whew...! A m-monster wave has hit the territory!"
The instant I heard Johnny's report, I stopped writing the letter I'd been drafting to Princess Rosmel.
Monster wave.
A phenomenon triggered when monsters run short on food or a apex predator shows up in their area.
Monsters that never stray from their territories invade human lands, slaughtering and pillaging indiscriminately—a calamity.
And it hits at this timing? In our Altesia territory, no less?
A foul stench started prickling my nose. Too perfect to chalk up to nature.
"Cause?"
"Not confirmed yet!"
"Get people on it, fast. Harvest season's breathing down our necks—a monster wave could be devastating for the territory folk."
"Got it!"
"Also, head to the adventurer's guild. Announce that, by the lord's authority, we're issuing a massive subjugation quest. Rewards will be generous."
Even after my orders, Johnny stood frozen like a statue.
Sweat pouring down his face, he kept stealing nervous glances at me—something was seriously off.
Just as I opened my mouth to ask, the office window—which had been shut tight—flew open as Lena vaulted inside.
Her face was grim, though she'd spent the last while escorting elves to Arachne's Forest.
"What's wrong? You look awful."
"Young master, adventurers and mercenaries are massing at Arachne's Forest."
"...What's the deal there?"
"At noon today, an emergency quest popped up at the adventurer's guild. Said they'd found an Arachne habitat—subjugate immediately."
"Frontia Merchant House behind it?"
"Spot on. Bounty of 50 gold per Arachne. Greedy fools are swarming the forest. Kizen and Coco are holding them off for now."
"They're pulling out all the stops."
Now it clicked why Johnny had frozen up.
No adventurers left in the city to fend off the monster wave.
They'd all chased the jackpot to Arachne's Forest.
Even a manticore—zero wasted parts—fetches 45 gold on average.
Relatively safer Arachnes at 50 gold a head, location handed to them on a platter?
If I were an adventurer, I'd have bolted too for a shot like that—once in a lifetime.
But now we were short-handed against the wave.
"Gotta call it—the merchant house's doing."
"I-Is it even possible to trigger a monster wave artificially?"
Johnny stared in disbelief.
I shrugged it off with a vague reply.
"No precedent, but who knows—maybe some power makes it doable."
This was peak harvest season. No reason for starving monsters to abandon territories.
Unlikely a new apex predator disrupted the ecosystem.
Lena would've sniffed it out and dealt with it already.
One conclusion.
'The cult's holy relic.'
Had to be—they used it to drive the monsters berserk and spark the wave.
'Frontia Merchant House is in bed with the Nidhogg Cult.'
Proof was in the perfectly timed hits.
Sent adventurers swarming the Arachne Forest we'd sworn to protect.
Unleashed the wave the moment we lost adventurer backup.
Tie me down quelling monsters, then rig the capital trial in their favor.
Without me there, they'd fool the court and public with their cooked-up perjury.
"Bastards actually used their heads this time."
Propping up one merchant house to screw me over like this.
Way beyond a single house's death rattle.
Nidhogg Cult was now viewing me as a serious threat to eliminate.
Not shocking—bound to happen eventually, sooner or later.
If anything, flipping this messy board sounded fun. My lips twitched into a smirk.
"Some adventurers might not have left for Arachne yet. Head to the guild and fire off that official notice first."
"On it!"
"Spread word of the wave to those who did go. Gotta sort who'll ditch their families' burning village for coin."
Sorry to Johnny, who'd run himself ragged already, but I sent him sprinting again.
Needed to presort adventurers who valued lives over gold.
Can't let good people pay for it.
Johnny bolted from the office at my command. Now it was just Lena and Maribel.
A heavy silence settled. Maribel spoke up cautiously.
"Heinz, you okay?"
"Huh?"
I turned. She gazed at me with worry in her eyes.
Merchant house backed by a cult, territory staring down disaster.
Most folks would crack—she was fretting for me.
"Just... thought your mind might be troubled."
"No need to worry. I saw some of this coming."
It'd edged past my predictions a bit, but nothing to tear my hair out over.
Solidly solvable.
Just not solo.
"That tone. Sounds like you've got a plan lined up. Am I right?"
Lena probed with a sly smile.
No reason to hide from them. I answered straight.
"You know it. Downside: I'll be working you two pretty damn hard. Cool?"
"Any amount! My life's for you from the start!"
"After all you've done for me? How could I say no? Just give the word—we'll handle it swift and sure, like always."
Their ironclad resolve drew a grin across my face.
Now I got why the lords in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms obsessed over talent scouting.
Nothing beats the security of having them plug my gaps perfectly.
"Alright then. Time to pay back those fools who underestimated us... no, hit 'em harder!"