Chapter 44
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Old Comrade
I blew on the steaming hot black tea in my cup.
The conversation I'd just had with Brunhilt lingered in my mind, refusing to fade.
"The reason I can interfere in the mortal world from the spirit realm? Simple—I'm not dead yet."
At first, I didn't understand what she meant.
Not until I heard the rest of her explanation.
"My body's still trapped in that tower. Only my soul barely escaped. That's why I'm trying to climb the tower again."
That's right.
Brunhilt had two reasons for ascending the tower.
One was to become a perfect god. The other was to reclaim the body she'd lost long ago.
"Now it's your turn. Tell me—how did you learn about the talisman?"
"I heard about it."
"Heard? From whom?"
"A mage from the Glazer family."
It wasn't a lie.
In my previous life, it was a Glazer family mage who had found this talisman.
Of course, the fool got branded a heretic and exiled from the family the year I turned fifteen.
'Couldn't be helped.'
He was a mere collateral branch member with the gall to covet the family head's seat.
I took a sip of the tea.
Gazing out the window, I heard crickets chirping late into the night, tickling my ears.
Siegfried and Brunhilt, who had been quarreling moments ago, were now laughing and playing as if nothing had happened.
'Lucky bastards.'
Not that my own situation was so bad.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone rapped on the door.
"It's Kanggradra."
I set down my teacup and lowered my voice.
"Come in."
The door didn't open.
Instead, a shadow slipped through the narrow gap beneath it, halting before me. Darkness swirled within, and Kanggradra's voice emerged.
"Apologies for showing myself like this. I picked up a tail on the way here—"
"A tail?"
"Yes. While carrying out the task you assigned, young master, it seems someone discovered my identity."
"Bourbon doesn't have anyone skilled enough for that."
Before leaving for the tower, I'd given Kanggradra orders.
To keep watch on Marquis Pierre in my absence.
He might seem quiet now, but he could still raise an army for revenge over past events.
"A man named Bongsin commissioned the guild to recruit strong mercenaries from all over. There were at least a hundred, by the look of it—some with quite a reputation out west."
"Mercenaries?"
"Yes."
"Any idea why he's gathering them?"
"Seems like they're targeting you, young master."
Just as I thought.
I'd figured he'd behave after hearing the Strange name, but to scheme like this behind my back...
I'd anticipated it to some degree, but his judgment was impressive. This could escalate into a full war between families.
'He's prepared for the consequences?'
No matter his imperial blood, killing me would make all-out war inevitable.
Kanggradra continued cautiously.
"That said, I doubt he'll come for you right away."
"Oh?"
"Yes. The mercenaries are skilled, but not enough to wage war on the Stranges. There's likely another motive."
"Fair enough. Keep surveilling Marquis Pierre until I give further orders. Lure your pursuer somewhere quiet and eliminate them. Can't risk a long tail leading back to us."
Kanggradra replied in a deep, resonant voice.
"Understood. Oh, and I heard an odd rumor from one of Marquis Pierre's trading companies."
"Odd rumor?"
"Bongsin announced they're halting advanced potion supplies soon, urging those in need to stock up. The black market price will likely jump tenfold in a few days."
Who suffers most if advanced potion supplies stop?
Just pondering that revealed his scheme at once.
'Fool.'
He knows what happens if he makes an enemy of the Stranges.
Even the emperor avoids that risk, yet here he was plotting it.
'Of course...'
Cutting advanced potions would hit us hard too.
Father might even have to halt his tower climb if unprepared.
"How many trading companies supply advanced potions?"
"Five at most, three or four at least. All tied to Bourbon."
So Bourbon controls the entire market supply.
"What about production?"
"Production? You mean the potion makers?"
"Yes."
"Currently, only Bourbon-affiliated companies produce them. But any company could, with the right materials."
"With just materials?"
"Yes. Bourbon hoards them all. The technique for advanced potions is common knowledge anyway—mid-level alchemists handle it."
If we secure materials, any company could produce them.
We could counter Pierre before he squeezes us.
"Kanggradra."
"Yes."
"Do you know what materials go into advanced potions?"
"Roughly. Basic, intermediate, advanced—big differences, except for one thing."
"One thing?"
"Yes."
Hiss—
Black smoke rose from Kanggradra's shadow, forming petals shaped like a puppy's paw.
"Blue Cannabis."
"Blue Cannabis?"
"Yes. A flower found only in ogre habitats. It blooms from slime that feeds on their dung absorbing into the soil."
"So, if we get Blue Cannabis, we can make advanced potions?"
"Exactly. The rest are basic low-grade market goods."
A flower from ogre habitats.
Ogres don't appear near Legion, and they're scarce in the central regions—hard to find.
'...Ah?'
I turned to Rox, snoring away on the bed.
The guy hadn't stirred even with Kanggradra here.
Slap!
"Rox, wake up. Looks like you're heading south."
The Bourbon Trading Company was a major player, supplying potions across the continent.
Once rumors spread of them halting advanced potions, small merchants in Legion borrowed heavily to stockpile.
They figured no one would dare produce and distribute under Bourbon's watchful eye, even with materials available.
That judgment backfired. In just two days, most Legion merchants faced crisis.
"The beastkin are selling advanced potions?"
Pierre clenched his fists, face twisted in rage.
Even old Bongsin, reporting the situation, couldn't hide his shock.
How the hell did beastkin get advanced potions? Bourbon controlled production and supply entirely.
"Y-yes."
"How did they get the materials?"
"Through some nameless adventurer from the south... Not confirmed yet; still investigating."
"What?!"
Pierre slammed his fist on the table.
Bam!
He shot to his feet, raising his voice.
"So you still don't know who's behind this?!"
Bongsin bowed his head low.
"My apologies."
"You useless—"
"I'll look into it right away. There are only a few Blue Cannabis suppliers anyway—we can trace it quickly."
"Trace it? And then what, kill the bastard? Spread rumors I'm slaughtering for profit across the continent?"
"No! Instead, we outbid the beastkin companies and buy them up."
"..."
"Leave it to me. I'll handle it within three days."
Pierre rested his chin, pondered, then sighed deeply at Bongsin.
Whew—
"The Stranges haven't caught on, have they?"
"Impossible. If they could source materials, they'd have acted ages ago."
"Right... yeah. Here's the plan: Buy up every advanced potion the beastkin are selling through Legion companies—everything."
"The advanced potions?"
"Once we monopolize them again, we sell at higher prices."
"Yes, Marquis Pierre."
"And bring that guy here."
"That guy?"
"The nameless adventurer supplying Blue Cannabis to the beastkin company."
Berddin de Strange, the youngest son of the Strange family, had climbed to the 10th floor of the tower.
Word spread across the continent that he'd slain the 'Goblin Champion'—a feat no one else had achieved.
This not only elevated the swordmaster family's prestige but solidified their position after Gunter and Hysteria's departure.
"Conquering the 10th floor at just eight... Makes all my achievements feel insignificant."
Roys de Strange, family head, chuckled softly with a smile. He was proud of his son yet worried about his boundless, skyrocketing talent.
Family children usually challenged the tower after academy graduation. Hadn't Dean climbed too high, too soon, without even enrolling?
But he didn't dwell on it.
'Dean's my son.'
With Strange blood, he wouldn't die easily anywhere.
His sharp eight years of life proved it.
"Isn't that right, Bess?"
Bess, the castle's guardian knight captain, answered promptly.
"Young Master Berddin is exceptionally skilled, but it doesn't tarnish your achievements, family head."
Roys laughed heartily.
"I asked a silly question."
"Not at all."
Bess actually felt pleased by the query. The man who'd given only orders before now showed such emotion.
Humanity, perhaps? It felt like glimpsing Roys's heart for the first time.
"Valentine stopped by the castle."
"Yes. While on an imperial commission, she learned of suspicious movements from Bourbon and asked to relay it to you."
"Bourbon? You mean Marquis Pierre."
"Yes."
Roys rested his chin.
"What suspicious movements?"
"They're halting advanced potion supplies that they monopolized in the market."
"Advanced potions?"
"Yes. Reason unknown, but she cautiously suspects it stems from the recent friction with young master Berddin."
Most advanced potion users were Strange family knights.
Clearly, they were targeting us.
'Clever move.'
Pierre was strong.
Dean alone couldn't handle him yet.
If he intervened, things would escalate—did they need to antagonize the emperor's close ally, Bourbon?
Roys paused, lost in thought, then shook his head slightly and continued.
"Tell Berddin this: If he wants war with Bourbon, we'll provide ample troops."
"...?!"
"But he must create ironclad justification."