Volume 4 Chapter 48 The Mysterious Man of Early Spring ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
On the east side of Water Island in the Kingdom of Crete, many international ships arrived, so the townscape was richly international.
But on the west side, it was completely different, the local culture standing out strongly in the buildings.
There were the same plain white houses on the mountainside as in the east, but more often there were red-based buildings and pictures painted on pillars and walls that seemed to be drawn from Crete’s mythology. The pictures were not the flat ones common in the West or Azrael, but realistic ones that used perspective and shadow.
Still, what they showed were the gods of Olympus—Zeus, Hecate, Aphrodite. Beautiful naked figures flying in the sky, or slashing at monsters whose names were unknown. However realistic, they were still stories.
Kian and Rou got down from the wyvern golem and, with the beautiful arches of a V-shaped bay to their left, headed inland from the northwestern pier Michelangelo had told them about, a few hundred meters to the shopping street.
They had expected Michelangelo or Banana to be waiting at the pier, but it seemed both had already gone ahead to the scene of Luchian’s murder, since neither were there.
It was January 1st.
Just like in Azrael, most people had the day off.
Instead of fishing boats returning to the pier, the local people filled the streets. The crowding rivaled the southern shopping street of Izerland. From the look of things, there had been festival excitement last night. Ropes stretched across the streets between buildings, and from them hung small baskets once used to hold candles or magic lamps. Now they were empty. Even if there were lights, under the southern sun they would not have decorated the street much.
Since so many people were out, the restaurants and food stalls were busy.
The scent of charcoal and strong spices drifted everywhere.
Kian and Rou pushed through the thick crowd of the port area and finally reached a quieter street.
There they saw Michelangelo and Banana arguing with several men in guard armor.
”Mr. Michelangelo, Mr. Banana.”
”Ah, Master Kian! Please listen! These people cleaned up the scene!”
”What?”
Michelangelo’s arm, wrapped in flashy wine-red cloth, swung as he pointed ahead. That street was not as packed as the port, but still many men and women in white togas passed through.
”The place where Luchian fell has been trampled by the crowd! Rubble was scattered there, but they added cement and stone and patched it up with Earth magic until there’s nothing left!”
”We had set a watch, but these—these guards forced their way past.”
Banana rolled his big white eyes in his dark face toward the men in battle skirts. But the guards were broad and surrounded by strong magic power. Even in the face of the alchemy guildmaster’s anger, they stood with their hands on their hips, unmoved.
”You were blocking the road. That’s a nuisance.”
One of Balinars’s subordinates, whom Kian remembered seeing that morning, spoke with a sour look.
”And we don’t need extra trouble during this busy time, sirs.”
”Luchian—my magician is dead! He was our guild’s chief magician! There is no one as skilled as he was!”
”We do regret that.”
Balinars’s subordinate removed his fine helmet and bowed to Kian. Among the ten guards present, he seemed the leader.
”But Mr. Luchian was stung by bees. The coroner’s report said the stingers were in his body. There is no crime here.”
”Ridiculous! Bees here!? And at night? What bees sting in the night!?”
”Well, if you disturb them, they’ll sting. We even found a nest on a nearby roof. An accident, plain and simple.”
”You’re saying Luchian poked a beehive like a child? He was my comrade for ten years, a calm, skilled barrier practitioner. He would never do that. And before being stung so many times on the back, he would have raised a barrier.”
Banana insisted, but Balinars’s man only clicked his tongue.
”That’s just your opinion, Mr. Banana. The fact is, Mr. Luchian died from bee stings. The nest has been removed. The facts say no crime.”
”Leader, cleanup’s done.”
”Good work. Let’s go. General Balinars will just give us another job.”
”Wait, please.”
Michelangelo and Banana spread their arms to block them.
”Master Kian says Luchian wasn’t killed by bees but by sea snake venom. And from the wounds on his back, the amount of poison was far too much for bees.”
”Immediately assign us guard soldiers or knights,” Banana said firmly. “This is the same Azrael assassination attack as ten years ago.”
”Hey, hey! Don’t say such things! Disperse! It’s not an Azrael attack! No such fact exists! As long as we, the guard, are here, the kingdom is safe! Now go! Leave!”
The man’s eyes bulged, and he shouted to the passersby who had stopped to watch.
The other soldiers also shouted at the people, driving them away.
The street turned noisy like a stirred-up hive, then, once the crowd scattered like spiderlings, it quickly returned to calm.
”—What is this commotion?”
”Your Excellency Scipio!”
Relief crossed the man’s face.
As the people still scattered into alleys, another group of ten sturdy soldiers appeared, surrounding a nervous-looking half-elf in glasses.
It was Scipio Crete, who had once raided Kian’s guild with Balinars.
He had said he would always be watching, and sure enough his eyes first fixed with hostility on big Kian. But maybe he had heard of the Cyclops Island affair, because he said nothing and looked away.
His gaze next fell on Michelangelo’s gaudy outfit, and he made a face like he had stepped in cow dung.
”What’s going on? Even on this New Year’s day, you must not drink and carouse so much.”
”Your Excellency, these people blocked the road without a stall permit.”
”We weren’t blocking the road for a stall! We were trying to find the truth of Luchian’s death!”
”Luchian… ah, yes, the report. Michelangelo, I’m sorry about your magician. He was stung by bees, I believe.”
”This is an Azrael attack! We need countermeasures at once!”
Banana pressed strongly, but Scipio only raised his hand.
”The guard was perfect. No armed group reached us. Patrol ships, ports, watchtowers—none reported anything.”
”That’s because your eyes are blind!”
”Michelangelo, watch your words. Such talk could be insulting to the royal family. Surely you weren’t including me in ‘your eyes’?”
”Of course not, Your Excellency! But forgive me, please discipline your men. They destroyed Luchian’s murder scene!”
”Your magician died in an accident. That’s what I’ve been told. The nest was confirmed, the coroner agreed. Now go. If you keep on, I’ll take you to the guardhouse for obstruction.”
”—!”
”Your Excellency Scipio, at least assign guards to the Alchemy and Magician Guilds.”
”No. We lack the men. We can’t spare any.”
”A court mage was assassinated. For barrier expert Luchian to die at the same time is no coincidence.”
”I understand your feelings, but according to the report—”
Kian had listened silently, but noticed Rou slipping from his side into a back alley.
He must have judged staying here was useless.
Truthfully, Kian wanted to leave too, but Scipio’s eyes kept flicking to him, so he couldn’t move carelessly.
”The talk is over. I trust my men’s reports. Luchian died from bee stings. No crime. If you keep troubling us, it’s obstruction of duty.”
Scipio pointed down the street and coldly ordered them to leave.
Naturally, Michelangelo and Banana glared at the half-elf in glasses with fury.
’No wonder he has no support. Even if you want to dismiss them, this is the worst way. In such matters, emotions matter. You must choose words that let the other side give up or feel satisfied.’
Over Talia’s exasperated voice, Scipio ordered, “You will stay, Lord Kian.”
”Do you need something, Your Excellency?”
”In that alley. There’s something I wish to say.”
”…All right.”
As Michelangelo and Banana withdrew, Kian let Scipio and his guards surround him and step into a nearby back alley.
The soldiers looked around, checking for eavesdroppers, but with his Super Senses Kian already knew no one was listening. Everyone had pulled back behind their windows.
”My sister was in your care the other day.”
Scipio pushed up the bridge of his glasses and began to speak.
”Your results astonish me again. You destroyed Azrael’s forward base for our country, defeated Flora of the Twelve Divine Generals along with other strong enemy officers, and captured Abbas Shakerdoust alive…. Even General Asterios could not have done all this easily.”
”I only carried out a request from the princess. It wasn’t for your country’s sake.”
”…Of course. Guria Selda and Medea may be fooled by your outward face, but not I. Even so, results are results. Just as there’s no point in debating who gave the Gold Coins, it’s not proper to discriminate based on who crushed Azrael’s base.”
The half-elf man raised his right hand at his shoulder.
A soldier bent low and pressed a quill to his palm.
Scipio pulled a promissory note from his cloak and smoothly filled in the sum and details.
”From my bank in Chatillon, I grant you two thousand Franz Kingdom Gold Coins. As Minister of War, the cornerstone of national defense, I thank you. And, if you’ll accept it, I’ll also give you one of my villas in Phoenicia of the Malc domain.”
”A villa in Phoenicia?”
Phoenicia was the capital of Malc domain.
Malc lay west of Nakash, Sarah’s old country. The south was desert, but the coast was lush and wet, a thriving merchant city.
”It’s far, and war will soon begin. Though I give you the keys and deed, Malc could seize it anytime. But if the hero of Ramsey holds it, they’ll hesitate to touch it.”
”You’re being generous. I thought you disliked me.”
”Not dislike—caution. But you’ve given us great results. If we didn’t reward you, it would show Crete as ignorant and foolish. —Will you accept the deed and keys, Master Kian?”
”I’ll need to check the taxes, and it’s distant. For now I plan to run the sugarcane business here in Crete. May I take it back and decide later?”
”That’s fine. I’ll send your guild the maps and exterior later. Discuss it with your people.”
Then Scipio’s gaze behind his glasses sharpened.
”Make no mistake—I’ve not opened my heart. As I’ve said, I’m still watching you. Do nothing strange. Devote yourself quietly to the frontier and sugarcane business. And pay taxes to the crown.”
”Of course. I’ll return to the crown what must be returned, without being told.”
”Just to be clear—you’re not a spy, are you?”
”For which country?”
”Azrael.”
”Would an Azrael spy really butcher nearly all of Malc’s key men and smash their base just to get close to Your Excellency?”
”――――”
Scipio clasped his hands behind his back and glared upward with suspicion. He stayed silent for a while, then turned on his heel.
”Crete is my country. Once Azrael is driven back, the next is you, Master Kian. Three or four years maybe, but five or ten years from now, don’t think you can keep doing business here.”
”Hence the villa in Phoenicia?”
”Keeping Maribel’s pet dog in our belly is dangerous. In Malc, you may feed as you like. Tell your true master so. —We’re leaving.”
With that signal to his soldiers, Scipio left the alley.
* * *
While Kian spoke with Scipio, Rou had gotten permission from the homeowner to investigate the house where the hive was found.
So they decided to check the hive first, then head to Luchian’s home. Since Luchian supposedly had a wife, she might know something.
As for the hive, the owner hadn’t noticed at all. Hidden behind palm trees and buildings, it was invisible until the guards arrived. But by then, the hive had been scraped off so cleanly there wasn’t even residue, and the place had been washed.
Next, they went to Luchian’s home. But the servant said the grieving wife refused to see anyone.
Kian wasn’t law enforcement—if she didn’t want to talk, he couldn’t force it. If she refused visitors, he couldn’t even enter the grounds.
So he asked the servant about last night.
But the servant only knew that after dinner, Luchian went to his room. Being New Year’s Day, maybe he snuck out to a high-class brothel without telling his wife—that was all speculation.
”No results, then.”
By evening, in the marble plaza where Kian and Rou had first met—the guilds’ district—Kian faced Rou.
”Nothing to do but tell the guildmasters we found nothing.”
That would only disappoint them after he raised hopes, but night had come, and with forty Azrael Gold Coins as reward (a fortune, but not worth wasting time), it wasn’t worth clinging to.
At least he’d spent half a day, so formally he’d shown effort.
”No, guild master.”
”Hmm?”
”We cannot report no results. If we don’t get the results we wanted, we bring back something else. Always some result. Returning empty-handed is forbidden. Our reputation depends on it.”
”You’re right, but what more can we do?”
”We’ll bribe the guards who removed the hive and get their story. And, once more, press Luchian’s wife for details. We’ll report after that.”
Kian thought Rou might be overdoing it—but maybe that was the difference. Kian had always lost in life, while Rou, even with Linca’s help, had graduated a monastery alone and built his own guild.
Capable people never said “we failed.”
They stacked up positives for their bosses and the world.
Sarah, Linca, even Aliona were like that.
”Guild master, Kian merchant guild needs public opinion on its side. These small steps add up to more allies in the end.”
”Hmm. Well, January 5th I’ll transform and be summoned, and the 4th I’ll rehearse speech and manner. So the 2nd and 3rd are open. As long as I don’t check the mailbox, I can investigate.”
”Let’s finish tomorrow morning. I must return to the money work too. But until then, we should give it our all.”
”All right. But first we must dress properly for our meeting.”
At ten that night, they had to meet the buyers of Asterios’s sword and crown.
So they had to eat, go to the rental shop, change, and then head east to the casino run by the Eastern man.
Rou nodded.
”Yes, tonight that’s all we can do. I’ll take you to the rental shop.”
”Food first. My treat. If we eat at the casino, we might stain the clothes.”
”Understood.”
Kian and Rou stepped into a nearby tavern.
Watching Rou steadily spoon up sheep-brain soup reminded Kian that Jibril liked sheep brains too.
He wondered—if he and Jibril had been born as mere commoners, not generals, would they be sitting face to face now, sharing their favorite foods?
He considered it for a moment, then dismissed it. Jibril’s mind would never allow such a thing.
Even without magic power, that man would have outpaced Kian and found success. Kian felt strangely certain.
After eating, they stepped out into streets now dark.
But since it was New Year’s Day, the bamboo baskets overhead held magic stone lamps. The scene looked like the stars had come closer, a fantastic air.
The lively warmth was unlike the western countries (where East End and beyond lay buried under snow at this time). The foreign feel struck Kian, though he’d seen such sights in Azrael before. Those memories felt far away now. He wondered—was his homeland Azrael, or Franz?
At the rental shop, they borrowed white-and-gold Azrael-style formal wear.
One set for Rou too—he had made the deal and had to attend.
Without sand or sun, both Kian and Rou wrapped red turbans and hurried through the twilight streets. From the pier, they mounted the wyvern golem, circled the coast rightward, and reached the cove where the casino stood.
The cove with the casino was at the far end of a sudden V-shaped cut in the island’s coast.
The seawater only came in partway, leaving stretches of wet sandy beach exposed.
Landing on the beach, Kian saw many pillars built into the roots of the cliffs on both sides.
Beyond the pillars was a raised walkway, and beyond that, partly hidden under the cliff, he glimpsed red-based buildings of an Eastern style.
The light from the magic lamps reaching the sandy beach glowed mostly red instead of orange.
Thinking how suddenly the atmosphere had changed, Kian followed Rou’s lead toward the ancient cavern at the far end of the V.
For the record, Chin-chin was hidden in the cliffside shadows so no one could see.
When they entered the casino, the sharp smell of drugs hit Kian’s nose.
It was technically legal in Crete, but banned near Franz’s royal capital or in Azrael’s dominions due to the risk of addiction. Kian had always hated this smell, so he pressed his nose to avoid breathing it in.
While Kian grimaced, Rou briskly spoke to the Eastern swordsman at the entrance and called the manager. Soon, another Eastern man wearing a mask appeared.
”We have been waiting, Mr. Coffee Black.”
”Thanks. —Rou, the letters already?”
”Yes, I sent them. This is Mr. Huan.”
”Huan. Pleased to meet you. The customer seeking the sword is already here, though it is early. Will you see him? Of course, you may enjoy cards until the time as well.”
”I’ll meet him. I want to finish the job quickly.”
Kian said shortly in Eastern Common, and the casino manager bowed low and gestured: “This way.”
”All personal information is protected here. If you wish, we can provide a mask.”
”Guild master, the mask. I already bought one.”
”Thanks. If it’s not rude, I’ll wear it.”
Inside the ancient cavern the lighting was dim, with many seats to the left and right.
About a third of them were already filled, masked men and women of many races enjoying popular card games, poker, chess, and dice gambling.
Kian and Rou were guided not to the ‘general seats’ but to a private room at the back.
The twin doors painted with Eastern pink flowers and swords opened to reveal a narrow room, the floor covered with woven fragrant grass mats.
After removing his shoes and stepping in, Kian saw a gloomy man with seaweed-like hair, sitting cross-legged and eating dried fish.
It was Lord Blumer.
Guy of Chatillon’s right hand.
A heavy retainer who sometimes handled state affairs in Guy’s place.
Blumer looked at Kian from beneath his fish mask and muttered, “Oh,” in a voice that showed little surprise.
”If I’m not mistaken, you are the hero?”
”—Then please enjoy yourselves.”
Huan bowed and left.
Kian and Rou stepped onto the mat and sat opposite Blumer.
Behind him stood a large wooden chest. Likely eight hundred gold coins inside.
”Hello, Lord Blumer.”
”Guild master, you knew him?”
”Yes. Lord Blumer of Chatillon, Lord Guy’s confidant.”
”Ku ku ku, to meet here of all places.”
Blumer’s eyes licked over Kian’s body.
”The sword, where is it?”
”Here.”
”Oh.”
One glance was enough to know it wasn’t fake.
The name of Asterios engraved, the crest of Crete’s royal house.
Gold, silver, and gems of every size encrusted in a lavish treasure blade.
Kian handed it over in its sheath.
”Lord Blumer, you’re a collector?”
”Of course not. My master is the collector. He had me search for this treasure blade long ago. By chance I came here on other business, and it was good fortune. Ku ku ku…”
”And that business?”
”You, Lord Kian. Recently, my subordinate received a letter from your head magician. My master and I read it together. It was amusing, so I was ordered to hear more directly from you.”
”I see.”
That was convenient.
Kian refused wine, sipped hot water, and told in detail of his adventure on Cyclops Island. When he finished, Blumer nodded once.
”Fascinating. And the Windsong Blade fragment, later?”
”A letter from Rufna should arrive.”
”Understood. I’ll report so. —Still, binding dead souls for use… it’s just like Lady Priscilla. If you can reproduce the living self without restriction, then whatever the trick, it’s practically resurrection. Lord Jibril is indeed a terrifying foe.”
”The enemy’s hand is already close. Will Chatillon send aid to Crete?”
”That is for my master to decide. As things stand, who knows. But at least until General Asterios himself appears, my master thinks there can be no true fight. Chatillon must not be dragged into another tragedy like ten years ago.”
”I see.”
”Why, may I ask, has Lord Kian come here?”
”For business. I wasn’t paid.”
”Ah.”
It sounded foolish even saying it.
Kian half-expected suspicion like from Scipio, but Blumer accepted it easily.
Yes, he had also been present at Oswald’s revival in August.
”Ku ku ku, you’re rising step by step, like Oswald. But unlike him, you have many allies and ties in politics. Perhaps Princess Maribel won’t last long?”
”I have no ambition. I am not like Sir Oswald.”
”I hope so. I don’t want to fight you. —I’ll remain here. If I can help in any way, do ask. That is my master’s wish.”
Inside, Kian thought, You’re the last one I’d ever ask. Out loud, he smiled wryly: “Thank you.”
Clearly Blumer had another reason for being here. Kian deflected with small talk until exactly ten o’clock, then excused himself for another meeting and left the room.
Huan was waiting outside, and as soon as Kian stepped out, he led him upstairs to the left.
After explaining vaguely that the upstairs was for ‘special rooms,’ he brought them to a hall that could seat forty.
Kian removed his shoes and stepped in.
A guest was already there, sitting cross-legged and drinking wine, but rose with a bright smile.
Though the upper face was hidden by a mask of the ancient Nile god Osiris, the thick lips could be seen.
His earlobes were oddly large, and his eyes under the mask glittered.
The young man’s formal chest was open wide as he spread both arms.
”Good evening, Mr. Coffee Black! I’m Gensou, Illusion! I heard I could get a wonderful crown, and I’ve been so excited waiting!”
(What is with this guy?)
Kian noticed something wrong with the youth’s presence.
There was no heartbeat.
No breathing either.
’Kian, right-hand back corner. A woman is there. Be careful.‘
At Talia’s warning, Kian looked to the shadowy corner of the hall.
Sensing discovery, a woman stepped out of the dark as if melting from it.
Her face was covered with a cloth bearing a large Eastern character: “Ring.”
Her presence was strange in a different way than the man’s.
As if many presences had been condensed into one, not the aura of a single human.
”Time is short, let’s start. Show me the crown, okay?”
Unaffected by the wary stares, the masked man spoke innocently, holding out his right hand.
Notes:
• Michelangelo – Guildmaster of Crete’s Merchant Guild, flamboyant and charming in purple-red finery. Diplomatic yet shrewd, allied with magician Luchia and representing the Guild’s interests. Greets Kian warmly with gifts, opposes Scipio’s restrictions, and requests aid against the Fire Island lava mole-dragon. First appears v4c21. Reminder: Charismatic merchant chief, smooth talker with pragmatic courage.
• Luchian – Magician serving Guildmaster Michelangelo Rendano of Crete’s Merchant Guild. Calm, graceful, and reliable, he aids him with conjured items and discreet support. First appears v4c21. Reminder: Loyal guild mage, quiet strength behind his master.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Abbas – The heir of the Shakerdoust family, a prominent clan within the Twelve Divine Generals.
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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