Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: What Are Friends For?
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I shot Frickson a sideways glance.
A look that asked, *Who the hell is that moron?*
But he wasn't looking at me.
His eyes were burning as he glared at the middle-aged man who had just swaggered out.
*Oh? That's some serious hostility.*
Anyone could tell he had some kind of history with the man.
The portly man, who had sauntered out, glanced at Frickson and smirked.
His attitude practically dared him to try something.
But Frickson, his fists clenched, didn't move.
He seemed to be reining in his anger.
Soon after the man left in a carriage, the tense atmosphere eased a little.
"Ah, sorry. There's a bit of a story there."
"With a reaction like that, you don't need to explain. Is he your family's sworn enemy or something?"
"He's my uncle. A man named Silant."
"A family feud... Well, it's not an uncommon story, is it?"
Wherever there's money and power, succession battles between siblings are inevitable.
Just look at Adel's case.
"You're right. He started hanging out with a bad crowd and got kicked out. But after my grandfather passed away, he came crawling back, demanding an inheritance."
"And?"
"Of course, we didn't give him anything. So he set up his own merchant company and started causing all sorts of trouble. Now he acts like our company is his mortal enemy."
Frickson scowled, as if the mere thought of it made him shudder.
"Sounds like a real piece of work. Now that you're back, just challenge him to a duel and send him packing. You've gotten a lot stronger, haven't you?"
"That's the plan."
His expression was firm, as if he had come with that very intention.
*This should be interesting.*
The triumphant return of the second son and his glorious revenge—it paints quite a picture, doesn't it?
With a look of keen interest, I followed Frickson into the company building.
In the company office, a gaunt, middle-aged man sat in a chair with his head in his hands, a look of despair on his face.
He didn't react even when the door opened, seemingly lost in serious thought.
Frickson cautiously approached the graying man.
"Father, I'm here."
The middle-aged man suddenly looked up, his eyes utterly vacant.
Then, as if recognizing who it was, life slowly returned to his gaze.
"...Frickson! Welcome home. What brings you here so suddenly? What about school?"
"It's break. I plan on staying for about three months."
"Is that so? It's good to have you back. You must be tired from the long journey. Why don't you go get some rest?"
"There's a friend I'd like you to meet. This is Ray Carter. We've been through a lot together. He's from the Quad-Sector Autonomous Zone."
Only then did Frickson's father notice me. A broad smile spread across his face as he extended a hand.
The anguished man from moments ago was gone, replaced by a father welcoming his son.
"Haha! A pleasure to meet you. My name is Bill Mulgier."
"A pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm your son's friend, so please, speak comfortably."
"Shall I? You carry yourself well and have an upright bearing. You're a fine young man. Please make yourself at home during your stay."
"You're too kind."
"We shouldn't just stand here. I'll have a banquet prepared. I'm a bit busy right now, so let's talk this evening."
"Thank you for the invitation."
I played the part that adults tend to appreciate, offering a modest bow with a humble demeanor.
Bill Mulgier smiled, pleased.
"Father, about just now..."
"It's nothing. We have a guest; it would be best to discuss family matters later. Go on up for now."
"Ah, yes."
Frickson started to say something but fell silent at his father's interjection.
Bringing up his uncle at a pleasant time like this would only ruin the mood.
Soon, we left the company building and took a carriage somewhere.
But Frickson, who had been lost in thought, turned to me and tilted his head.
"What was that? 'Carry yourself well'? 'Upright bearing'?"
"Adults are truly perceptive."
"You despicable bastard!"
Knowing my usual self, he rubbed his arms vigorously, complaining he was getting goosebumps.
This guy... He's from a merchant family and doesn't even know the art of social grace.
* * *
Frickson's home was a mansion in the center of Poven.
As befitting a family that ran a large merchant company, the house was grand in scale.
"It's a bit shabby. My father focuses more on reinvesting than spending what he earns."
What? This is shabby?
There's a limit to false modesty. This kid, complaining from a life of privilege...
If he'd spent just one day in an assassination guild safe house, he wouldn't be saying things like that.
*I feel like smacking him on the back of the head.*
Though I thought that, I just shrugged as if I was used to it.
"I get it. We're similar."
"So your family is frugal too? Here, you can use this room."
"Thanks."
After dropping my things in the guest room, I immediately went to look around the mansion.
Of course, I only glanced at the house itself; my real purpose was something else.
I perched on the wall and looked toward the plaza, where a killer view unfolded.
And by that, I definitely didn't mean the scenery was beautiful.
"As expected, heading down to the warm south means lighter clothing."
Frickson, who must have overheard my muttering, shook his head.
"That's a habit you'll never break."
"Haven't you heard the saying, 'Heroes love beautiful women'? It just means I'm that great."
"That's just a sickness! Get down from there."
"You should come up here too. Hey, hey, that girl over there looks like Sophia."
"What?"
As I spoke urgently and gestured, Frickson leaped up and vaulted onto the wall.
But the woman he expected to see was never there in the first place.
*Why? Because I was lying.*
I wiggled my eyebrows and leaned my face close to Frickson's.
A wicked grin was playing on my lips.
"Oho? Such a strong reaction to the name Sophia... Huh? You don't mean...?"
"No!"
"A strong denial is as good as a strong confession."
"It's not true."
"Whispering won't help you now. Your true feelings have been exposed. To think you've been secretly pining for Sophia... I'm quite surprised."
"Hey!"
Frickson grabbed a broom that was leaning against the wall and started swinging it wildly.
But I wasn't so weak as to be hit by such a clumsy attack.
*Whoosh! Whooosh!*
"Hup! Hoit!"
As I dodged every swing while making comical noises with my mouth, Frickson's face turned red with frustration.
"You bastard! Get back here!"
"Hehe! You've still got a long way to go. Come back when you're stronger."
"What are you talking about? Hold still!"
*Swoooosh! Tat!*
A rather sharp attack came flying, but it was just another meaningless swing.
On top of that, I even showed off by leaping from the wall and doing a somersault in mid-air.
Frickson was left with a look of utter defeat.
"When it comes to being annoying, you're truly archdemon-level."
"Archdemon? Not even a Demon God could match me."
I shrugged in response to his words, which sounded like he was giving up.
But it was at that very moment.
*Thud! Clatter!*
The mansion's main gate was thrown open violently, and someone came tumbling inside.
Frickson and I, who had been fooling around, stared at the intruder with dumbfounded expressions.
The situation was so sudden that we couldn't even think to react.
But then Frickson, tilting his head, rushed toward the person and shouted something.
"Jake?"
"Huh? Did you just call him 'brother'?"
I jumped down from the wall and hurried over to get a better look at the man.
*He's been through a rough ordeal, but thankfully, his life isn't in danger.*
His face was just swollen from being beaten up a lot.
A few potions would clear it up in no time—a minor injury.
Of course, that was just from my perspective.
"What kind of bastard did this!"
Frickson's eyes widened as he glared toward the main gate.
He looked ready to charge out and cut down the culprit if he saw them.
But a single comment that flew in soon after froze him in his tracks.
"No need to go crazy. This was a proper duel, with a notary present and everything."
"You..."
A large man who had appeared out of nowhere continued with a slick smile.
"See? It would've been better if you'd just listened when I was being nice. Then this little incident wouldn't have happened."
Wow. Even I can see that guy's personality is completely shot.
It's basically shattered and rotten.
Just as I was thinking that, Frickson, unable to contain his anger, shot to his feet.
Gripping the hilt of his sword, he looked ready to challenge the man to a duel right then and there.
*Yeah. Go crush that bastard!*
I cheered him on internally, doing a little mental dance.
But in the end, Frickson didn't draw his sword.
It was because Jake, who they thought was unconscious, had grabbed his leg.
*Thump!*
"Don't act rashly."
The situation, which was about to escalate, was thus resolved.
We helped Jake into the mansion.
Bill Mulgier, who had been waiting in the banquet hall, came running.
"What in the world happened?"
"...I fell for Malcolm's scheme."
"What? What did he do?"
"He sent a spy disguised as a customer to make a contract, then started a dispute over a trivial matter. I shouldn't have made a large deal with someone I'd never met before..."
Jake calmly explained what had happened at the trading post.
Despite being beaten up and likely disoriented, his explanation was clear and concise.
*He may be weak physically, but his resolve is top-notch. As expected of a family running one of Poven's leading merchant companies.*
Jake's story was over, but some questions remained unanswered.
Frickson, who like me couldn't fully grasp the situation, asked Bill Mulgier a question.
"Father, what exactly has been going on? Why are they resorting to these schemes?"
"That's..."
Bill was about to speak but stopped and looked at me.
He seemed to feel bad about discussing family matters in front of a guest.
Intrigued by their conversation, I smiled gently and said.
"Please, don't mind me. Speak freely."
"Are you sure?"
"From what I can tell, this seems quite serious. And Frickson's brother looks badly hurt."
"Hmm. Very well, if you'll excuse us for a moment."
Bill Mulgier turned back to Frickson.
Then, with a reluctant expression, he continued.
"Recently, the Count of Poven changed the dueling rules within the territory. A best-two-out-of-three 'Great Warrior Duel' has become the standard."
"And that changed everything."
"Exactly. Before, we could manage with just Mr. Talos, but now we need two Great Warriors."
Talos was the captain of the Mulgier Company's guard and had always performed admirably as their Great Warrior.
But the sudden switch to a best-of-three format created a gap in their strength.
Since finding another capable Great Warrior on short notice is no easy task, their rivals were exploiting this weakness to pick a fight.
And the one targeting the Mulgier Company was, of course, Frickson's uncle, Silant.
"He's been challenging us to duels for the past few days, and it seems he's finally made his move."
"One of their fighters will be Malcolm, right? I can definitely beat him."
From what I could see, Frickson's skill level was far above that of the man named Malcolm.
Of course, there was a considerable size difference, but swordsmanship isn't all about strength.
However, Bill Mulgier's reaction was skeptical.
"Malcolm is nothing. The Silant Company is in league with the Crimson Blood Gang."
"He's fallen that low? And no one has arrested him?"
"It seems he has connections with the Count of Poven's house as well. The bribes he's paying must be enormous."
The Crimson Blood Gang was a massive group of mounted bandits active west of Poven, in the south-central region of Reilhash.
They were a name that made merchants in this area shudder.
A truly cruel and lawless bunch.
The next words made Frickson hang his head.
"Then we... have no one to send out. Their side will have someone from the Crimson Blood Gang."
A somber mood fell over the banquet hall.
Frickson felt a wave of despair, realizing that even after a year of honing his skills, he couldn't overcome this reality.
I watched him and smiled faintly.
*But it's no fun if it ends like this. Guess I'll stick my nose in where it doesn't belong for a change.*
What are friends for, right?
I raised my right hand, naturally drawing everyone's attention.
"What if there was someone who could compete for the Mulgier Company?"