Chapter 109 The Thinking Man
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Excuse us…”
My son, Alest, and my granddaughter, Aristina, entered the room.
Alest wore a troubled expression, while Aris had a look of pure fury on her face.
Luizef stood by my side as the two of them took their positions in front of me.
”The King of the Magic Labyrinth¹ and Iris… I have a firm grasp of the circumstances. First, Luizef. I must thank you again.”
Thanks to his swift actions regarding the guards even after Iris was snatched away, the townspeople remain unaware of the incident.
If there truly is someone claiming to be the King of the Magic Labyrinth… and word got out that the Kelna Merchant Guild² destroyed the relationship between him and the town, the risk management would be impossible to maintain.
In the first place, if it became known that my granddaughter was kidnapped, it would give the other councilors an unnecessary opening to exploit.
In that regard, one could say Luizef succeeded in keeping the wound to a minimum.
”No… I am the one who committed the blunder. I have done nothing to deserve thanks,” Luizef said.
”That’s right! Iris was kidnapped because of you!” Aris shouted.
”Now, Aris…” Alest said, trying to soothe her with a pained smile.
As I thought, perhaps I should have educated them directly in the capital. Alest is far too soft on his daughters.
”Grandfather! Send the knights to the Demon Forest³ immediately! At this rate, Iris will…! Right now… who knows what that humanoid demon monster is doing to her…!” Aris cried.
Since the enemy kidnapped the daughter of an adversary to a place beyond reach, it’s safe to assume they’ve already made their move.
Why take both granddaughters but leave one behind? When you consider the intent, many things become clear.
He likely looked at Aris and Iris and judged which one would be easier to train. By leaving Aris, he sent a message: “I can take this one too, if I feel like it.”
It says: “If you’re okay with that, then come at me. If you do, the remaining girl won’t escape unharmed either.”
”You can move the Knight Order, can’t you, Grandfather!? Please, Grandfather!” Aris begged.
She truly lacks education. If I were to request the Knight Order to move here, everything that happened in this town would be dragged into the light of day.
I cannot simply reveal that Iris was kidnapped by an entity possessing mysterious powers.
There are several reasons for this. I don’t want to show weakness to the other councilors, of course, but the King of the Magic Labyrinth was originally trying to build a relationship with me.
He didn’t intend to be hostile from the start; at the very least, he was trying to establish a friendly connection. I can speculate several reasons why he didn’t present the letter of introduction initially.
In other words, in my mind, I cannot yet conclude that the relationship with the King of the Magic Labyrinth is irrevocably destroyed.
As long as the other side wants something from us, there’s a possibility we could rebuild the relationship depending on our attitude… perhaps.
And he possesses this much power, plus he had prepared fruits and sugar that could actually serve as trade materials. I’m almost inclined to prioritize that over a useless granddaughter.
No… rather, if I can build a relationship by handing over my granddaughter to the King of the Magic Labyrinth, that would be the quickest way.
However, now is likely not the time to make that judgment. Does the King of the Magic Labyrinth truly rule the forest? Are there other agricultural products being cultivated? Can he actually produce white sugar? What is the extent of his military force?
I need to gather this information and make a comprehensive judgment. He is not an opponent I can draw conclusions about based on mere whims or momentum.
”Lambdaine-sama. If you command it, I am ready to head into the Demon Forest at any time…” Luizef interjected.
Even Luizef started saying unnecessary things. He must have sensed I wouldn’t go through the Knight Order and acted out of concern for Aris.
”Don’t be a fool. Why should I use your life to cover for a granddaughter’s blunder? In the first place, where in the depths of that vast Demon Forest would you even aim for?” Lambdaine asked.
”Eh…?” Aris stammered, looking stunned.
I took the letter of introduction Luizef had given me and waved it back and forth.
”This letter of introduction addressed to me from Princess Liliarette Your Highness is the real deal. I’ve confirmed the secret sign I arranged with the Princess beforehand.”
”…!?”
”I don’t know what kind of man this ‘King of the Magic Labyrinth’ is… but at the very least, Princess sent that man to me as a token of her gratitude. Aris… if you hadn’t shown such unnecessary greed, the Kelna Merchant Guild might have had its hands on top-quality white sugar in addition to unknown fruits by now.”
”That…!?” Aris gasped.
There was one thing about Aris and her group’s actions that I simply couldn’t understand. I decided to confirm it with her directly.
”Aris. Why did you think to steal the cultivation site for those unknown fruits from that man? What authority did you have to think you could steal someone else’s property? Are you such a grand existence that you can unilaterally seize what belongs to him?”
”………!” Aris remained silent.
I simply couldn’t fathom the reason for their arrogance.
Wanting to monopolize the unknown fruits the man brought in—I can understand that. I would think the same.
So, what do you do? You put up the money. The Kelna Merchant Guild has the funds for that.
You give the man enough money and talk to him about wholesaling exclusively to the Kelna Merchant Guild.
Negotiations like lending out personnel to increase harvest yields can come after that. In fact, if you don’t follow the proper order, you risk making unnecessary enemies.
And yet, Aris and the others didn’t do that. They involved the guards, attempted to detain the man as a criminal, and tried to take everything by force.
There are a few tricks to continuing to succeed for a long time as a merchant and a member of an organization.
Among the most important is how to avoid making enemies… and how to minimize those who would pull you down.
”What’s wrong? Why don’t you answer?” Lambdaine asked.
”That… is…” Aris’s voice trailed off.
I laced my words with contempt and directed a sharp gaze at her. Aris could do nothing but drop her eyes and hang her head.
In her stead, Luizef spoke up.
”It seems the young ladies were… well, offended by the appearance of the King of the Magic Labyrinth.”
”…What?”
”He had the skin of someone born in a foreign land and a flat face; his features were certainly not of the handsome variety…” Luizef explained.
”So what you’re saying is… you judged and looked down on your opponent based solely on their appearance? You thought that if their looks were distasteful, it was perfectly fine to steal what they possessed? Is that how you thought?” Lambdaine asked.
Judging by appearances. This is something one must never do, not just as a merchant, but regardless of who the opponent is.
After all, opponents often understand their own appearance and use it as a weapon.
They repeat suspicious words and actions, making one think they are of no consequence based on their looks. Behind the scenes, they carry out their objectives with precision… there are countless people with such skills. They are pros at luring an opponent into letting their guard down.
This time was a perfect example. Aris and the others judged their opponent by his looks alone and looked down on him without knowing a thing.
”But…” Aris started.
”Alest! This is because you spoiled Aris and the others! You are responsible for this matter! Because you failed to properly educate your daughter, the Kelna Merchant Guild has damaged its relationship with the King of the Magic Labyrinth, who would have brought us wealth! Furthermore, you have put the townspeople in danger! What do you intend to do!?”
I struck the desk, showing my rage as I harshly scolded Alest. Aris needs to learn why her father is being reprimanded.
”I am sorry, Lambdaine-sama…! Everything is my responsibility!” Alest bowed his head, apologizing to Lambdaine the Councilor rather than his father.
Aris could only stare with wide eyes.
”Hmph… Aris has certainly caused a troublesome situation. Do you have any idea how much effort I put into building a relationship with Princess Liliarette before she came to the Republic? Do you know how much money and time I spent? Just when I thought I could recoup that investment, you’ve rendered it all naught. Quite impressive, isn’t it? I never imagined my own flesh and blood would interfere with my business.”
It’s not that I built a relationship with Princess Liliarette specifically for business.
I figured if she moved to the Republic and acted in a way that somewhat considered my interests, it would just be a lucky bonus.
But it is a fact that I spent time and money. I will plant a sense of guilt in Aris for dragging down the Kelna Merchant Guild.
”Normally, I would want to kick you out of this house… but you still have a use. Though whether I actually use you depends on the King of the Magic Labyrinth. At any rate, I order you to be confined. Do not leave your room under any circumstances.”
”Eh…!?” Aris gasped.
I have to at least create a foundation to make her more obedient. If the King of the Magic Labyrinth is truly the person I expect… Aris will have to take responsibility with her own body.
However, there is still not enough information regarding the King of the Magic Labyrinth. It’s also difficult to predict his next move… but I can make a few assumptions.
Since he withdrew once after taking Iris, it’s unlikely he will retaliate immediately. And if he grasps that we haven’t prepared to move into the Demon Forest and that rumors haven’t even started in town… there is a high probability he will appear in town again.
Since the opponent can use teleportation sorcery, it would be easy for him to grasp the situation in town without us noticing.
What would I do if I were in his position? He has someone powerful enough to treat Luizef like a baby. He’ll appear boldly in town and start selling fruits with a nonchalant face.
Since the townspeople don’t know Iris has been kidnapped, they’ll buy the fruit without a second thought.
Then he’ll wait for the guards or someone from the Kelna Merchant Guild to make contact. Depending on that reaction, he’ll consider his future relationship with the town.
I don’t know how freely teleportation sorcery can be handled… but I find it hard to believe he could suddenly fly into this mansion.
If he could, he would have handled the matter of the letter of introduction differently.
Right now, depending on how we move, we can advance negotiations with any amount of advantage. With that in mind, I would show myself boldly in town.
(Hmph… It’s been a while since such an outrageous fellow appeared. Let’s see… I’ll have a good look at your skill, shall I?)
—
Author:
Lambdaine, a man who considers things from various perspectives of profit and loss. He is currently a politician, but since he is a self-made merchant…
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Summary:
Councilor Lambdaine interrogates his family and Luizef following Iris’s kidnapping. He reveals that the letter of introduction was genuine and scolds Aris for her arrogant, appearance-based judgment that ruined a potential business goldmine. Lambdaine decides to confine Aris, viewing her as a potential bargaining chip for future negotiations. He calculates that the ‘Labyrinth King’ will likely reappear in town soon to test their reaction. The chapter highlights Lambdaine’s cold, merchant-driven logic over familial concern.
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Character Insight:
This chapter provides a chilling look into Lambdaine’s psyche; he is a ‘Thinking Man’ not out of wisdom, but out of relentless greed. His lack of emotional reaction to Iris’s kidnapping—instead calculating her value as a ‘hand-over’ or ‘bargaining chip’—shows he is the true antagonist of his own family’s morality. Aris, who previously seemed untouchable, is completely broken by his cold logic, realizing she is just another asset in his ledger.
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Behind the Scene:
The author notes that Lambdaine’s merchant background dictates his political maneuvering, making him prioritize profit over the safety of his kin. The mention of ‘white sugar’ as a high-value commodity reflects historical settings where refined sugar was a luxury of the elite. The next chapter teaser suggests a shift back to Iris’s perspective and her interaction with the Labyrinth King’s ‘demon’ servants.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Aristina – A young, very cute girl, twin to Iristina. She has pale pink hair tied in high pigtails (twintails) and slightly slanted eyes. She is dressed in expensive clothing with a pretty ribbon on her head.
• Alest – Lambdaine’s son and father to Aris and Iris. He is portrayed as soft-hearted toward his daughters, much to his father’s chagrin.
• Luizef – An elderly gentleman accompanying Aristina and Iristina, dressed in attire suggesting a butler or senior attendant. He possesses high combat ability through a sacred treasure from Ragnarond.
• Lambdaine – A powerful Councilor of the Shital Republic and a successful merchant who built his fortune from nothing. He is the grandfather of Iris and Aris.
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
• Liliarette – The other Princess, who sacrificed her ability to walk and her sorcery talent to save her sister, Cleonora. She is imprisoned in the East Tower and is being used as a political and monetary pawn by Viorga. C-cup, true golden hair, waist-length hair, the fringe was a slightly blunt, hair on her left side was braided to the chest.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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