Volume 4 Chapter 4 Future Policy ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kian spoke quietly, outlining the details. “Regarding Ms. Priscilla’s request, she wants three items delivered: ‘Death Fruit,’ ‘Underworld Smoke Crystal,’ and the heart of the immortal Minotaur. She’s asking for five kilograms of Death Fruit and thirty kilograms of Underworld Smoke Crystal.”
He glanced around the room before continuing, voice lowered further. “According to Talia, both Death Fruit and Underworld Smoke Crystal are highly toxic. They’re also on the prohibited import list set by Châtillon. Ms. Priscilla’s letter says the handover will take place on a small island in the Kingdom of Crete, so the items won’t be brought directly into Châtillon.”
”But even so,” Kian added, “transporting them still counts as an offense. If the authorities find out, there’s a high chance we’d be seen as accomplices or co-perpetrators.”
Natra muttered under her breath, cautious and troubled. “Sir Kian, even though the reward is two thousand Gold Coins, I think we shouldn’t take this request. The travel and lodging costs won’t be that high, and while two thousand is a considerable sum, with the strength we have here, it’s something we can earn without risking such danger.”
Rufna frowned. “No, it’s not that easy to earn.”
Isthbaran shrugged, speaking casually. “That’s roughly the equivalent of a war involving thousands of people.”
Natra nodded solemnly at the old warrior’s words.
”Rufna, for us, defeating thousands of enemies would be an easy task,” she said quietly.
”Miss, your sense of perspective seems off… The battles at Ramsey were far from everyday occurrences,” Rufna replied.
Serena’s innocent question cut through the tension. “Which is worse—killing people in war or helping smuggle prohibited items?”
Both Natra and Rufna were momentarily speechless. Aliona’s voice broke the silence gently. “Neither is good.”
”We should think about it more simply,” Kian said, scanning the room again. “What matters is whether we want to help Ms. Priscilla.”
”Master,” Rufna said with a warm smile, “if it’s about helping Priscilla’s lady, then of course we want to. We’re not strangers. She supported us a lot during our trip to Ramsey and even traveled with us for part of the way.”
”There’s no chance the crime will be exposed. As long as I’m here, Kian and the others are practically beyond the reach of law,” Aliona added with a playful smirk.
”What matters is whether we want to help Ms. Priscilla—and whether we want those two thousand Gold Coins,” she continued smoothly. “We don’t need to worry about the downsides or the trouble. With me and General Isthbaran here, those risks are practically zero.”
Natra raised a pointed question. “Isn’t this a matter of morality?”
Aliona nodded deeply. “No powerful person in this world is truly moral. What matters is whether we’re willing to strive toward the ultimate ideal.”
Kian, who had been quiet, flinched at Aliona’s words—struck like a blow to the chest.
”How much cash do you have on hand right now? Not counting the money Lord Owl has deposited in the vault,” she pressed.
Kian hesitated. “Uh… I’ve already withdrawn fifty Gold Coins.”
”Then, including that, how much do you have left?”
”…Forty Gold Coins.”
Aliona’s eyes widened. “What? That’s all? No way, Master! What happened to the reward from Oswald?”
”Kian, you’re loaded, right?” Moimoi, an employee who came to refill Aliona’s hot water, remarked casually.
Serena tilted her head, curious. “You’re not really rich, are you? Just average for a noble?”
Kian said nothing, but if one considered his sense of money, forty Gold Coins was a huge sum. The net profit an average intermediate-rank Adventurer might earn in a year of hard work was about one Gold Coin. For some, it was an amount they might never see in their entire lives.
Now that Rean and the others from ‘Lion’s Companion’ had disbanded, Kian surely had more Gold Coins than any Adventurer group in the town on the eastern outskirts of the Franz Kingdom.
”You’re such a fool. What on earth did you spend so much on?” Aliona teased.
”Are you really the one asking that, a lady?” Talia exclaimed in disbelief.
Kian furrowed his brows, preparing to explain.
”About the money I received from Sir Oswald and Ms. Aisha in August…”
The total amount gifted by the two was three thousand five hundred Gold Coins from the Franz Kingdom.
Of that, thirteen hundred coins were taken as tax by the Izerland government during the gift.
From the remaining two thousand one hundred and seventy coins, one thousand were distributed to Rufna, Sarah, and Linca as payment for repairing Ramsey’s barrier—divided among them after discussion: Rufna and Linca each got four hundred coins, and Sarah received two hundred.
”…So what’s left is one thousand one hundred seventy, divided among the six of us—me, Natra, Rufna, Sarah, Linca, and Serena—making ninety-five coins each.”
”That’s exactly what we agreed on in August,” Serena confirmed.
Kian nodded once and continued.
”In September, I bought Roses Mansion and the surrounding land owned by Her Excellency Maribel for two hundred Gold Coins.”
”That leaves you short by five Gold Coins,” Serena pointed out.
”So, I sold all the armor and the longsword I received from Her Excellency Maribel to cover the difference. After that, I withdrew fifty Gold Coins from Mr. Owl’s account for living expenses.”
”Isn’t that tax too high?” Isthbaran raised thick silver eyebrows, his tone sharp.
”Did my lord protect Ramsey? Why is there a tax on a gift?”
”Because that’s the law of this frontier, Isthbaran,” Kian replied.
”But… don’t you think it’s a terrible story, my lord?”
”You’re foolish. The tax collectors for Maribel—that little girl—are just inexperienced kids. If you had kept the gift quiet, you wouldn’t have been taxed.”
Camilla snorted as she sipped warmed red wine.
”The Lord Louis’s Head Magician was present at the gift ceremony.”
”Hm, now that you mention it, yes. A witch with red hair, smelling of blood.”
”That’s Ms. Lishena. So, I ended up paying over fifteen hundred gold coins in taxes and for Roses Mansion to Princess Maribel.”
Oswald must have foreseen this and handed money to Kian in front of the inspector. He seemed concerned about burning down the historic Izerland fortress but didn’t want to bow to Maribel and pay for reconstruction directly. So, he disguised it as a ‘donation’ to the Izerland government while officially rewarding Kian.
”Kian, I’ll return your share eventually,” Serena said, frowning. “I haven’t done anything yet. It feels strange to receive the same amount as the others just for following Kian.”
”There’s nothing strange about it. Serena completed the party’s tasks according to the contract. Ninety-five gold coins is a fair reward. Besides, once your training’s complete and you become an advanced-rank Adventurer, you’ll leave the group and travel the world. You need money.”
”But…”
”Serena, you should accept it.”
”High Warlord… yeah…”
Aliona clapped her hands, steering the conversation back. “So, that means you have no money, right?”
Even considering the money stored in Owl’s vault, the situation was precarious for Kian. Despite Sarah’s efforts at the Izerland fortress, it would be some time before profits from the government returned to him.
However, considering the half-destruction of Ramsey and the collapse of the Nakash family, now was the chance. If they were to grow wheat in Dacia, they had to act quickly. Two thousand gold coins were… necessary.
Kian spoke with quiet resolve. “Originally, I intended to accept Ms. Priscilla’s request. I owe her a favor. It would be too heartless to refuse simply because it seems dangerous or uncertain.”
Natra shook her head firmly. “Sir Kian, I oppose. Lady Talia, you oppose as well, don’t you? Am I wrong?”
”That’s not wrong,” Talia answered with a sigh. “I oppose it too, Natra. But since Kian seems resolute, I thought I might support him.”
Aliona leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “The tiger does not capture its cub without entering the tiger’s den. I see this as a chance for a leap, even if it looks like a difficult problem. At least, I think it’s a healthier option than Kian fighting General Isthbaran day after day in the eastern plains.”
She gave Kian a quick wink.
”Besides, I’ve always longed for the southern sea. You know how cold and dreary a town on the eastern outskirts of the Franz Kingdom gets in winter? Now that I’m finally free from the Church’s grasp, I want to savor the air of the outside world to the fullest.”
Natra raised an eyebrow. “Is it just that you want to swim in the sea?”
”That’s a joke, but it might help with the removal or suppression of the thorn cells parasitizing my head.”
”I see. Vampires are weak to strong sunlight. Since Thorn Demons can be classified as vampires, does that mean those cells might also be weak to the sunlight of the Kingdom of Crete?”
”Exactly.”
”So it also serves as a treatment for Ms. Aliona.”
Kian frowned thoughtfully.
”Sir Kian, while that may reinforce the reason for going to the Kingdom of Crete, it does not provide a reason to accept Lady Priscilla’s request. If you insist on helping Ms. Priscilla, I can’t say anything against it.”
Kian’s gaze hardened. “I want to be on her side. If I’m to be a pawn in Châtillon’s Salon, then I want to be her savior.”
Rufna sighed, exasperated but resigned. “Such a grand statement.”
”If that’s the case, then I will only support Sir Kian. As Ms. Aliona said, with the strength of those present here, we should be able to push through some difficulties.”
Natra spoke solemnly before falling silent.
”It seems we’ve skipped agenda two and finished agenda three,” Kian remarked.
”Ah. I will accept Ms. Priscilla’s request. The problem is deciding which members will go to Crete Island.”
”Regarding that, I have three letters from Izerland Fortress.”
Natra snapped her fingers, summoning a small bird-shaped golem that flew in and dropped three envelopes: a plain white one, a beautifully decorated blue one, and a letter radiating a sinister aura, as if it were a high-grade cursed object.
”Elder Sister—this is a letter from Sarah, and this one is from Lady Christina, and… this is a letter from Lady Linca.”
”A letter from Sarah and Christy. I wonder if they are doing well in Izerland,” Kian murmured.
”Also, a letter from Lady Linca, Sir Kian.”
Kian’s face tightened as he eyed Linca’s letter.
”Elder Sister’s letter can be read by everyone. Lady Linca’s is said to be a personal letter to Sir Kian.”
”I—I see. Somehow, I feel like Linca’s letter carries a very ominous aura. It’s not cursed or anything, right?”
Kian examined the letter warily.
Aliona smiled reassuringly. “There’s no curse or anything. It just… seems like there’s quite a bit of thought put into it. It looks like she really wants you to read it.”
”This letter is from Elder Sister regarding the members going to Crete Island. Sir Kian, please kindly accept this.”
Kian nodded. “Ah, yeah.”
He picked up the letter from Sarah on top and peeled off the red wax seal. While listening to Aliona, who said with deep feeling that the appearance of a letter reflected a person’s character, Kian examined the contents.
”What does the young lady say?”
”As usual. Updates on Izerland Fortress and the movements of the nobles in the Salon, along with achievements noted from the last letter until now.”
”A report, huh…”
”Well, she is Elder Sister.”
Natra shrugged.
Kian’s brows furrowed deeper. “According to Sarah’s informants, a group of assassins hired by the anti-Maribel faction may be plotting terrorist acts within the fortress. It’s said that Defense Minister Sir Louis is investigating, but having Your Excellency inside the fortress is becoming dangerous.”
”Don’t you have any evidence?”
”It seems not. Apparently, the one who hired the assassins is someone secretly supporting the Anti-Maribel Alliance. They’re not someone who can be seen casually in the Salon. It’s written that they might even be from abroad.”
Kian continued reading.
”It seems the spy who got closest to the enemy’s true form died at the beginning of this month. The last code he left behind reportedly mentioned a person known as ‘Life Gambling,’ a powerful wielder of a magic sword, involved with the assassination group.”
”‘Life Gambling’… what an amazing code name.”
Aliona placed her hand on her cheek. “Well, the assassination business is kind of like gambling, after all. I never want to do it again. I was seriously shocked by the last order from Lord Shajar. I’m your Head Magician, you know.”
”That’s your cause of death,” Kian muttered dryly.
”Hahaha… not funny.”
Rufna leaned on the table and tilted her wine glass. “I mentioned this last month, but I’ll say it clearly again. Please send support personnel, Kian. However, of course, I don’t intend to interfere with your Adventurer business, and if you think our situation is trivial, I’ll manage with our current forces. You’ve already lent us enough support with Ms. Linca, a reliable ally, after all.”
Natra added quietly, “The request for support has become longer than last month. This is quite desperate, Sarah. The situation on the ground must be critical.”
At the end of Sarah’s letter were plans for the future. Since it had been revealed that there was a powerful wielder of a magic sword among the enemy, staying in just one place—the Izerland Fortress—was too dangerous. Therefore, she planned to visit nobles of the Maribel faction in the border areas and influential figures currently in limbo, one by one, to provide financial and material support from the end of the year to early spring.
Sarah and Louis would accompany her on this journey across the Maribel border. They intended to leave the operation of the Salon to Linca during that time, but that meant there wouldn’t be enough pieces to protect Christy and other close aides of Maribel.
Linca’s life had become a relentless grind—three days off a month and fifteen-hour workdays. But with Sarah’s departure for Maribel, things were set to get even more extreme: no days off, twenty-hour shifts.
”Can humans really maintain that much concentration?” Aliona asked, tilting her head in disbelief.
Rufna smiled knowingly. “Linca is not human. She’s physically and mentally tough enough to work like a carriage horse. She may seem careless, but her work is impeccable. Whatever I assign her—even unfamiliar tasks—she completes with a score of ninety-five or above out of a hundred.”
”Hmm. She sounds like quite an exceptional child.”
”She was born into a prestigious family from the East—the daughter of the former Head Magician, Umar. Not only gifted, but truly elite, with special education from a young age. This isn’t exaggeration; she was among the top talents in the vast Azrael.”
Aliona’s eyes widened. “Is that so? That’s incredible!”
”But no matter how talented, working twenty hours a day is brutal. We were supposed to be heading on vacation to a southern island, after all.”
”It’s not a vacation. It’s a top-secret quest,” Kian interrupted, her face troubled.
”Ms. Priscilla requested me for a secret assignment,” Kian continued. “That means Ms. Aliona will accompany me. We have to deactivate the thorn cells at least once every ten days.”
”We need to speed up investigating Dacia and developing magic tools and golems for land development. I can’t do it alone—I need help.”
”If it’s about magic tools or golems, then it’s time for this old lady Camilla to step in.”
”Anyway, I can’t go to the Kingdom of Crete. I want a lively slave from Azrael, though. Hey! Are you listening, Kian?”
”Are you joking? I don’t have any money left, Mrs. Camilla,” Kian replied wearily.
”Nonsense. Don’t you still have the sugar you got from Linca? Sell it in Crete, and buy a slave with the proceeds!”
”Me? Come on. Save that nonsense for bedtime.”
”No one will hear you in a coffin! I’ll send a familiar with you. Have it buy a good-quality slave at the Crete slave market—using the sugar! I’ll make sure the magic tools and golems are ready, so just get a handsome slave without complaining!”
Kian shook his head reluctantly. “So that’s the deal. I wanted to use the sugar for something else, but I guess I can’t trade it for farming magic tools.”
”The lady is a renowned magic tool engineer vampire. Especially her mithril golems—they’re famous across the Empire of Night. They can operate for five hundred or even a thousand years.”
”Oh, she sounds impressive, Talia.”
”Isn’t your reaction a bit too casual? You don’t seem very interested.”
”I’ll carry the sugar,” Aliona said, snapping her fingers.
The space above her head shimmered, and Linca’s white snake—a massive sandworm head rivaling the legendary Mizuchi—peeked out. Its eerie lamprey-like appearance made Isthbaran and Natra instinctively take combat stances, but Aliona smiled, snapped her fingers again, and sent the creature away.
”Now that I’m free from the Church’s chains, I can fully exert my power. Kian, since you helped me, I’ll do my utmost to assist you. Look forward to it ♡”
”Y-yes,” Kian stammered.
”Why do you look so dazed, Kian?”
”No, haha…” For a moment, he felt a flicker of anxiety—had he freed someone who shouldn’t be unleashed upon the world? But he quickly dismissed the thought. Aliona was a goddess, kind and beautiful, who treated everyone equally.
”I’m going to stay here and train with Ms. Rufna and Ms. Natra.”
”Please continue your training with Rufna, Serena,” Natra said curtly.
”What do you mean?”
”At this rate, no one will want to go to the Izerland fortress for reinforcements, right? It’s just me and General Isthbaran who are free. I want to protect Sir Kian by your side, but…”
”Natra, I will protect my lord.” Isthbaran’s voice was steady. “Though Sir Kian is strong enough he doesn’t need protection. There’s no need to worry.”
”Rather, I want you to protect me—a magician.”
Aliona chuckled. “I’m still not there yet, Isthbaran. I’ll keep seeking power so one day I can surpass you.”
”Hmm… Even though you serve me, hearing that makes the blood of a warrior stir.”
”You all fight every day in the eastern plains. You truly do well.”
Rufna commented, but Kian couldn’t understand her hesitation to train. To him, neglecting fighting for too long would dull a sword’s edge—a fear far worse than death.
Natra looked up at him. “Sir Kian, I will go to protect Lady Christy and the others. May I have your permission?”
”Permission or not, if you go, it gives me strength. Sorry for always pushing this kind of work onto you.”
”No, I’m glad to use my power to protect people. I will inform you about my return after discussing it with Elder Sister. I expect to be back by early spring, when Elder Sister returns from her travels.”
”Oh. Even if Sarah says she doesn’t want to return you, I will bring you back by force.”
”Fufufu. Yes.”
Rufna nodded, manipulating chalk with magic. “It’s settled.”
* * *
The Crete Island expedition group consisted of Kian (and Talia), Aliona, Isthbaran, and one familiar of Camilla.
The remaining group in a town on the eastern outskirts of the Franz Kingdom included Serena, Camilla, and the thunder beast.
Reinforcements to Izerland fortress would be led by Natra.
”Is there anyone with an objection?” Kian asked.
”No. By the way, shouldn’t we have dinner soon? I’m about to die from waiting!” someone joked.
At Kian’s command, everyone began serving food from a large platter, using spoons and forks. Natra served Kian’s portion. After thanking her, Kian opened the letter from Christy.
The letter was wrapped in a beautiful light blue envelope, carrying the soft scent of Roses perfume she often wore. Christy had a peculiar personality, but in this regard, she was truly feminine. As Kian’s eyes scanned the elegantly written text, a fleeting thought crossed his mind: he wanted to be with Christy, too.
* * *
Dear Kian,
It’s been a while. I am doing well.
Since Ms. Linca arrived here in August, my burden has significantly lessened.
Before, my days were spent endlessly diving into the city’s underground like a golem, merely managing the waterways. But now, Ms. Linca assists me using Shikigami. My irregular life has become steady, and by the time hunger strikes, I can calmly sit down to eat.
July and August were truly hellish.
Well… there was that incident too.
It felt as if the entire fortress was sinking into complete darkness. Manon, my colleagues, and I all wore grim expressions.
However, since Ms. Sarah took over as Head Magician—a position that had been vacant—the atmosphere here has changed. Thanks to Lord Louis as well, but mostly because Ms. Sarah has been earnestly communicating with Manon. I couldn’t help Manon much… Communication skills really matter, don’t they? Watching Ms. Sarah makes me realize how poorly I communicated with my friend Manon.
When I confided in Ms. Linca, she said, “That’s not true; words aren’t the only way to communicate.” Still, when I said I wanted to improve at conversation, she suggested, “Let’s have a tea party during break time.”
Ms. Linca is already a wonderful friend.
Ms. Sarah might seem a bit cold, but she is a very reliable boss. I wonder if someone like her was what Manon really needed.
I’m sorry for rambling so much about myself.
How is Kian doing?
I hope he is spending his days in good spirits.
Though it’s not much, I have enclosed a voucher from the Herb Guild of Izerland Fortress (I haven’t had time to brew healing potions). Please use it for your adventures.
The colleagues have finally finished learning how to maintain the water purifier and such. At this rate, my workload will continue to decrease. Instead, I think I will have more time to teach the Beastmen children that Manon brought.
Ms. Sarah suggested that once the water purifier can be adjusted by witches other than me, I should visit home—to the Famille family. I don’t think it’s because I’m disliked (rather, I believe Ms. Sarah values me), so I wonder why she said that.
Lately, I’ve been spending more time with Ms. Linca. Yesterday morning, I went out to the garden to exercise when suddenly a brick fell from above. At that moment, Ms. Linca flew in with a sharp “Achoo!” and smashed the brick to pieces. She’s surprisingly an interesting person.
I’ve written too much.
I have kept all your replies safe.
Please let me know how things are going over there.
Until next time.
Yours,
Christina Famille
* * *
Though it was probably not the assassin Sarah mentioned, it was clear Christy’s life was becoming a target.
Until now, Christina’s golem and water purifier had managed the water supply and drainage of the Izerland Fortress. Because Christina was closest to Maribel and capable as a witch, she had escaped targeting—even though Lucretia and Baron Mankovitch suffered early damage.
Kian carefully folded the letter scented faintly with Christina’s perfume and slipped it back into its envelope.
If Linca is with her, there shouldn’t be any problems, but I’m worried. I need to prepare to pick Christy up soon.
Natra, who had been tilting his glass beside him, caught Kian’s uneasy expression and grew serious. Kian, trying to keep his face neutral, tucked Christina’s letter into the Wraith pouch at his side.
”Well then, shall we eat?” Kian asked.
”Oh, aren’t you going to read the letter from Ms. Linca?” Aliona asked.
”────”
”Sir, I think you should read it,” Natra added.
With Aliona and Natra urging him from both sides, Kian couldn’t refuse. Taking a deep breath, he reached for the paper from the East, which radiated a heavy, dark aura. The letter carried Linca’s usual scent but felt rough and brittle to the touch.
It was like paper that had been spilled on and dried.
Nervous in countless ways, Kian gently unfolded Linca’s letter.
Notes:
• Isthbaran – The High Warlord of the ‘Storm Herd.’
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Camilla – A woman; the subject of the chapter; her body was used to seal Erynys’ soul.
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Lishena – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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