Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: A Villa and an Unexpected Visitor
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The main house of the Rantzverger Assassination Guild.
The Acting Head's office on Black Scale Island.
Kairam was receiving a report on important matters concerning the assassination guild and the family.
“A magitech train… All sorts of strange things are popping up. Just as expected of the Empire.”
“The reception has been quite positive. It seems neighboring countries are very interested in where the next line will be built.”
Replying to the Acting Head’s murmur was the Chief Elder, Ozma the Glutton.
Kairam, who had been staring at a red line drawn on the map, briefly smacked her lips.
“Of course, they are. It must be a profitable business.”
“There has been significant lobbying directed at House Richter regarding the route of the next railway line.”
“What are we doing about it?”
“We don’t have any particularly related businesses, so we are simply observing for now.”
“Is that so? Any other matters?”
“The civil war in Railharshe is escalating. I’ve heard that the Third Prince has recently joined the fray.”
“Wasn’t he the one who attended Venderford?”
“That is correct.”
Raul, the Third Prince of Railharshe, had not been considered a significant figure by the assassination guild.
But his importance skyrocketed after he enrolled in Venderford.
It was thanks to the fairly decent grades he achieved there.
As a result, influential figures in Railharshe began to rally behind Raul.
Moreover, the connections he made at Venderford were proving to be remarkably effective.
“His friends might see their companion become a future king. Wouldn't that be an investment worth making?”
“Since it’s only foreign financial support, the risk is low. However, we have received an assassination request.”
“From whom?”
“It appears to be from the Second Prince’s faction.”
“Is he joking? It seems he sees us as nothing more than high-performance hunting dogs.”
Kairam frowned and flicked the report.
*Sssk!*
The paper split into dozens of pieces, as if sliced by a sharp blade.
It was an astounding result from a mere light tap.
Her reason for being so displeased was simple.
It was the Second Prince who had originally requested an escort for the Third Prince to the Principality of Karzan.
And now, he wanted him dead.
Of course, a client’s request could change depending on the circumstances.
And dealing with some run-of-the-mill royalty wasn't a difficult task.
The problem, however, was that the Rantzverger Assassination Guild’s situation had also changed.
“I immediately conveyed our refusal.”
“Well done. There’s no need to stir up trouble that could affect the mission given by the Head. Just keep an eye on things over there.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“By the way, what has that boy been up to?”
The person Kairam referred to was Ray, who had been dispatched to Venderford under the guise of an undercover mission from the Head.
In fact, the refusal of the Second Prince of Railharshe’s request was also to prevent any variables from affecting the boy’s mission.
Ozma tilted his head and turned to the back of the report.
“It’s reported that he has pacified the underworld of the lawless city of Ilekre, which is under the jurisdiction of the Western Continental Branch.”
“…What?”
Kairam’s brow furrowed as she scanned the report.
This fresh piece of news seemed to have caught her by surprise.
“There was a report from Rainmaker that he came to earn money during the break.”
Ozma added the explanation in a cautious voice.
He seemed worried that the Acting Head’s mood might sour due to the fourth child's eccentricities.
However, she nonchalantly flipped past the report.
The fourth child had done so many strange things that this was no longer surprising.
“Money? Why… No, I have a rough idea of what he's planning.”
“He says he’s buying a luxury villa in the Penant Marquisate.”
“I know.”
“However, we have not been able to determine why he needs such a house.”
“There’s no need to dig too deep. It’s obvious.”
“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”
Ozma scanned Ray’s report, looking skeptical.
He was suspicious of the reason for insisting on such a grand villa.
After all, he wouldn’t even be able to live in it much while on missions.
But Kairam’s attitude was utterly nonchalant.
“If you’re curious, go ahead and look into it.”
“Yes, I will.”
“It probably won't be a pretty sight.”
“…”
She let out a small snort and folded the report on Ray.
It was better for one's mental health not to know the details about that boy.
***
Meanwhile, in the new villa district of the Penant Marquisate.
A beautiful, newly constructed house stood completed on plot A3, awaiting its owner.
“Ahh! This is it.”
I walked around the luxurious villa, exclaiming in admiration at every turn.
How much I had struggled to get my hands on this house.
‘Of course, there was some easy money involved.’
Still, these were gold coins earned through all sorts of adversity.
Now, this villa was completely mine.
“Thank you for paying the remaining balance in full.”
The accountant from the Penant Marquisate came by to offer his modest congratulations.
It seemed he was paying me special attention since I was the first person to move into the new villa district.
“Don’t mention it. It was money I had to pay, naturally.”
I nodded calmly and greeted the accountant warmly.
After all, there was no harm in being on good terms with the fief's officials.
Besides, I had a favor to ask him.
“By the way, where should I go to hire staff?”
“Typically, those who move into the villa district have trustworthy people sent from their main estates.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to hire locally?”
“Of course. It also helps create jobs within the fief. That’s why…”
The accountant, his wide, M-shaped forehead gleaming, rubbed his hands together slyly.
I felt a severe sense of unease.
‘Oh? Why do I get the feeling he's looking at me like I'm a sucker?’
Sure enough, the words that came out of the accountant’s mouth were not at all to my liking.
“The Villa District Management Office offers an employee rental service. It’s a business where we dispatch reliable personnel belonging to the fief’s administration.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“The price is quite steep, but it’s frequently used by those who lack the manpower at their main estates. That’s how trustworthy it is.”
“How much is it?”
“Five thousand Geld a year.”
“…”
Who does this rotten bastard think he’s trying to rip off?
A deep rage momentarily shot to the top of my head, but I suppressed it with superhuman patience.
If I were to crush his dark intentions right now, my life in the Penant Marquisate would become difficult.
“If the employees are good, then it’s a price worth paying.”
“As expected of a man of great means. You are indeed more than qualified to own this magnificent villa.”
“However, I have a condition.”
“And what might that be?”
“I’d like to select them myself.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m saying I want to meet them before making a decision.”
“That’s not a difficult request. But may I ask why you make such a suggestion?”
The accountant tilted his head, a look of confusion on his face.
He was implying there was no need for this, since the employees wouldn’t be staying at the villa all the time anyway.
‘Tsk, tsk! You just don’t get it.’
But I wagged my finger and wore a meaningful smile.
“If they aren't pretty, there's no reason to hire them, is there?”
“…”
For a moment, a look of contempt flickered in the accountant’s eyes.
He seemed to think I was some kind of madman.
Hey, you!
This is every man’s fantasy!
To enjoy a life of luxury while being cared for by beautiful maids.
Without such a spectacular scene, what use is a villa like this?
Do you think I bought this expensive piece of real estate just to enjoy the natural scenery?
But the accountant continued with a troubled expression.
“None of our employees will meet your condition.”
“Then we’ll have to recruit new ones.”
“It seems you desire maids of noble birth, like in the Imperial Palace, but few would likely apply.”
“Why not?”
“There’s no honor or real benefit for them.”
“But they’ll have a handsome master.”
“…Are you serious?”
Ah, right. I was currently using my Treasure Hunter face.
Right now, I had a scar and a rather rough appearance.
Of course, I still looked more presentable than your average mercenary.
“Ahem! In any case, the employee rental won’t work for me.”
“Perhaps you should reconsider. It will likely be difficult to find employees this skilled within the fief.”
“It’s fine. I can just hire them myself. I can always teach them the work.”
“Hmm…”
The accountant smacked his lips with disappointment.
He emphasized once more that I would never find people to my liking.
It was at that very moment.
‘An incredible beauty!’
In a flash, I caught sight of a woman passing in front of the villa.
She was dressed in a classic black and white housemaid uniform.
My senses tingled instantly; there was no way she wasn't a beauty.
I rushed out the front gate and started with a greeting.
But as it happened, she seemed to be trying to enter my villa.
“I haven’t even put out a notice, yet such talent has already found me. You’re hired! Unconditionally hired!”
I immediately started rambling about exceptional treatment, but her gaze was not on me.
She merely looked back, as if awaiting an order.
Naturally, I also turned my head to follow her gaze.
There, standing behind the maid, was an unexpected person.
“You’re… the Treasure Hunter?”
A blonde beauty with large, blinking eyes, her brow furrowed.
Her identity was none other than Sophia, the precious daughter of the House of Penant.
“What are you—I mean, what brings the young lady of the marquisate here?”
For a moment, I almost spoke to her informally, as I did at Venderford.
If I hadn’t quickly corrected myself, I would have been torn to shreds by this foul-tempered young lady.
Right now, I wasn’t the student council president, just a mere mercenary grunt.
“I came to see the fruits of a business I had a hand in. But what were you saying to my maid?”
Unlike at Venderford, Sophia was incredibly venomous.
She was like a completely different, two-faced person.
Or maybe she was only like this with me?
“It was nothing. Haha!”
“I’m sure I heard something about a recruitment notice.”
I had a feeling that if I told her I was holding a beautiful maid contest, I would get a verbal beatdown.
I quickly tried to end the conversation and sneak back inside.
Even if she was the marquis’s daughter, she couldn’t just barge into someone else’s villa.
It was at that very moment.
“He refused the employee rental contract and said he would only hire beautiful maids.”
The accountant, who had popped up from behind, cluelessly blurted everything out.
‘Wow! Look at this bastard, how fast he tattled. No wonder his hairline is…’
I cursed the wide-foreheaded man internally while sneaking a glance at Sophia.