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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Back to the Capital (2)
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3.
After the mayor's speech, preparations to head for the capital began immediately.
The scene was the courtyard of the mansion where Karron's party was staying.
"Haha, Mr. Mayor. That was quite the speech. I almost found myself swayed by it,"
"Ho ho, young Karron. You flatter me. It's all thanks to you for giving me the justification. Ah, and about Grand Duke Halo..."
"Is there any doubt? Don't worry. Additional troops have already been dispatched from Azurewater Castle."
"As expected of the Leston ducal family. Such decisive action!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hohohoho!"
Karron and Graine looked at each other and burst into loud laughter.
Leo watched the scene from a step away.
On the surface, it looked like a thirteen-year-old boy and an old man sharing a friendly laugh, but the reality was quite different.
"Ah, and Mr. Mayor. You'll need to start making some serious moves now, and for that, you'll need a fair bit of money, won't you?"
"Ahem. Yes, indeed."
"Here, here, don't be shy..."
Karron glanced around before pulling a pouch from his coat. He promptly handed it to the mayor.
Graine opened the pouch Karron had given him and peeked inside.
Gold coins.
A great many of them.
"Have you heard the news? A mana stone mine was discovered in Baron Bellus's territory!"
"Oh, I have. I heard you established a joint venture with the Leston ducal family."
"Hehe, I happen to have a small stake in that company. You know what that means, right?"
He knew. Of course, he knew.
There was no way he couldn't know.
Wasn't this an offer of continuous kickbacks?
To properly manage a city, one needed ample funds.
It was crucial for placating the opposition, and one could even use personal wealth to win public favor.
Money didn't solve everything, but it solved most things.
As a former Minister of Finance, Graine was a firm believer in the power of wealth.
What was the source of the council's power that had led Thebes until now?
It all came from money.
Graine quickly tucked the pouch into his coat, lest anyone see.
Since they were already in the same boat, he had to take everything he could get.
"It seems only you think of me, young Karron."
"You're a close friend of my maternal grandfather's; of course, I have to look out for you. Ah, and this is a secret just between us!"
"Hmm, but young Leo is watching."
"Brother Leo has a stake in the company too. His share is in there as well."
If you can't hide it, just make them an accomplice.
Leo, who had been watching quietly, widened his eyes and spoke.
"Hey, since when?"
"Tsk. Brother. Let's just say it's all for the best. Relationships are built on give and take. You should be thanking me, not getting angry. You still have a lot to learn."
Having so easily dealt with Leo, Karron smiled with satisfaction. He then extended his hand to Graine.
"I hope we can maintain a good relationship moving forward."
"That's what I was about to say. Hmm, young Karron. Do you perhaps have a way to contact Kalligo?"
"Why would our righteous mayor want anything to do with a back-alley organization like that..."
"This city's underworld is not to be underestimated. And I am not foolish enough to ignore it."
There are people who, once they start something, do it properly.
Graine was exactly that type of person.
"They're the ones who uncovered what a massive entity like the O-Yoon Merchant Guild was doing behind the scenes. At the same time, they must have earned someone's resentment through this incident. If we share a common enemy, can't we become friends?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"
"A truth that will exist until humanity goes extinct."
Kalligo was an organization that even Karron hadn't fully grasped.
But, as Graine said, it was also true that they were now entangled with Kalligo, for better or worse.
After a moment of thought, Karron nodded.
"I'll tell them to stop by City Hall later."
"And add that it would be troublesome if they came openly."
"You won't have to worry about that."
The leader of that organization was a high-ranking mage, after all.
Karron swallowed the rest of his sentence.
A seasoned politician from the central political stage and a veiled elven mage...
*They'd make a pretty good match.*
It seemed like a decent combination.
As the two were discussing various matters, Jeras approached from a distance.
It meant the preparations for departure were complete.
"The luggage lost in the incident will be sent to the capital later."
Hearing this, Graine looked disappointed.
"It's only been a day since the accident. Why not stay here a little longer? I'll take good care of you."
Karron waved his hand lightly.
"His Majesty the Emperor has summoned us immediately. What can we do?"
"If it's an imperial command, then it can't be helped."
"We'll stop by again on our way back instead. Sir Jeras, that's alright, isn't it?"
"I will speak to the family head. He will likely permit it."
Jeras nodded obediently.
"Mr. Mayor, you must be busy, so you should get going. You have a council to deal with, don't you?"
"The officials from the National Tax Service are probably driving everyone mad. What difference would my presence make?"
"You have to see the crumpled expressions on your former employers' faces. Isn't that one of life's true pleasures?"
"I should bring a bottle of liquor with me. Fine tobacco, good drink, and the crumpled faces of those councilmen... The best snacks for a drink. Hahahaha! Alright, I'll be on my way! Let's meet again, young Karron! Young Leo!"
Graine let out a hearty laugh and walked out of the mansion with a confident stride.
Karron watched his retreating back and muttered quietly.
"...He'll do a good job, right?"
Jeras nodded in response.
"He is a man who rose to the position of Minister of Finance. That's not a seat one can attain just by pulling the right strings. His competence is assured."
"You know the entire family has to support him from now on, right, Sir Jeras?"
"Yes. Do not worry. The family head will be furious if we fail to capitalize on the opportunity you've created."
"Are we heading to the capital now?"
"That is correct. The injured, including Hans, will be left behind. The knights and servants who arrived yesterday have finished their preparations. Ah, and there is one more person."
"Young Maaaasteeeer!"
A large man came running from the distance.
Karron sighed deeply upon seeing the man's face.
"...I'd forgotten about him."
"Young Master! I, Urhan, am perfectly fine now. And didn't I protect the clothes you were to wear during yesterday's chaos?"
Still, Urhan had distinguished himself in this incident by saving others' lives with his quick first aid.
For a deserter and former bandit, he had undoubtedly performed exceptionally well.
"Urhan."
Karron called Urhan's name softly.
"Yes, Young Master!"
"What do you want, Karron... Dammit. You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Urhan and Leo answered at the same time.
Leo was annoyed, while Urhan stared at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes.
"Pfft. It's fun to tease you."
"Huh? What do you mean, Young Master?"
"You don't need to know, you bandit. Stop slacking off and go help the others."
"Yes! Understood! I'll see you later!"
Urhan bustled away again.
Jeras watched Urhan's retreating back and said.
"I would like to accompany you to the capital, but I cannot, as I must transport the prisoners to Azurewater Castle."
"Huh? Then who will be our escort? We could go by ourselves, but..."
"The family head has made arrangements, so do not worry. Ah, and Sir Hugo will be joining you in the capital. He will be in charge during your stay there. Please be aware of this."
"Brother Hugo?"
Hugo Leston.
Halo's eldest grandson, and the son of his eldest uncle, Teils.
The man who, until Karron's appearance, was called the greatest talent in the ducal family.
He was said to have reached the threshold of the 6th Star at twenty-eight, so he was certainly a genius.
*This is a pretty big variable.*
He had planned to stir up some major trouble in the capital, but it seemed that wouldn't be so easy now.
*A cousin I've never even met before...*
If he's anything like his father, Teils, he's probably a real jerk.
"I understand, Sir Jeras."
Still, it seemed the incident was more or less wrapped up.
All that remained was to head back to the capital.
Karron stood for a moment and looked up at the sky.
A clear sky without a single cloud.
It was a perfect sky for traveling again.
4.
Once the preparations to leave were complete, the escorts for Karron's party arrived at the mansion.
"Sir Jeras."
"Yes, Young Master Karron."
"Can we really trust those guys?"
Karron eyed the arriving escort detail with a displeased expression.
He had good reason to, considering their identity.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Ryuk Heimer of the Imperial Guard, assigned to escort the young masters of the Leston ducal family to the capital. Please, feel free to call me Sir Ryuk."
They were the Imperial Guard.
The archrivals of the Sea Wolf Knights.
And the very ones suspected of trying to cover up this incident.
Naturally, Karron couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Karron responded to Ryuk's greeting with a listless voice.
"I heard you arrived yesterday, but you never showed. I was starting to think you'd forgotten we were attacked."
His tone was clearly sarcastic.
Though the hostility in Karron's voice was palpable, Ryuk bowed with a blank expression.
"My apologies. Destroying the railway is an act of treason against His Majesty the Emperor, and we are Imperial Knights. Naturally, we had to investigate the treason first."
"Ah, I see."
There was no direct evidence that the Imperial Guard was involved.
Only suspicion.
Therefore, confronting them here would only invite a counterattack.
Karron glanced at the Imperial Guardsmen standing behind Ryuk and ground his teeth.
He didn't feel good. No, to be precise, he felt disgusted.
The Imperial Guard was the very order he had belonged to in his past life.
*These bastards who claim to represent the Imperial family are acting as minions for the nobles? At least in my time, even when our souls were forcibly sold to a demon, we never lost our pride as knights.*
Just then, Guillotine's voice echoed in his mind.
-...Isn't that worse, you lunatic?
*How can you talk when I haven't even drawn you from your scabbard?*
-The moment you encountered them, you placed your hand on my hilt.
*Ah, my mistake.*
Karron removed his hand from Guillotine's hilt. He glared at the Imperial Guardsmen.
In any case, he disliked every single thing about them.
If he ever got the chance.
*I won't let you get away with this.*
He would change those rotten bastards from the root up. Of course, he'd have to regain his full power first.
He took his hand off Guillotine and then voiced his complaint to Jeras.
"Still, Sir Jeras. Doesn't it look strange for us to be escorted by the Imperial Guard?"
Jeras replied as if he had been waiting for the question.
"The family head approved this matter."
"Grandfather did? Why?"
"You will see in due time. Hmm, it seems they are arriving now."
Jeras pointed toward the mansion's entrance.
A large, gold-adorned carriage entered the estate.
A luxurious carriage powered by a mana engine.
A familiar knight stood atop the carriage.
"Sir Mason?"
It was Mason, the 6th Prince's escort knight, whom he had met at Kalligo's black market.
The carriage stopped in front of Karron, and Mason disembarked.
"We meet again, young Karron."
"Indeed, Sir Mason. The fact that you're here means... inside that carriage, could it be?"
"You are correct."
*Click.*
The carriage door opened, revealing another familiar face.
"Oh, little brother Karron! Little brother Leo! Did you sleep well? Have you eaten?"
The royal pain in the ass, 6th Prince Rebellio.
As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, he grabbed both of Karron's arms and shook them, showing his delight.
"I didn't expect us to reunite so soon. Hah, it must be fate, huh?"
"You have a real talent for bothering people, don't you, Your Highness?"
"Hey, I told you to just call me 'brother.' Why, are you feeling shy because there are too many people watching?"
His head was already starting to throb.
Karron let out a sigh so deep it felt like the ground would collapse.
"Haaah... Why do you have to travel with us..."
The moment Karron was about to speak informally, Jeras, standing beside him, shot him a fierce glare.
"...Your Highness, the 6th Prince."
"We're both heading to the capital, so it's nice to go together! We can build our friendship along the way, right?"
Rebellio shouted cheerfully, then slowly leaned in and whispered in Karron's ear.
"I wonder, did you happen to tell the adults about that time you held me hostage? Hmm?"
"...Are you threatening me?"
"Threatening you? Of course not. I just want to boast to everyone about how our friendship began."
Rebellio grinned.
"Actually, I secretly ran away from home to have some fun in Thebes, but my father found out. So, I'm not exactly returning; I'm being dragged back. Haha! It's a bit embarrassing to admit it."
I have to travel all the way to the capital with a guy like this?
He was sure to die of frustration before they even reached the capital.
"Sir Jeras."
"Yes, Young Master Karron."
"Please tell me I'm riding in a different carriage from the 6th Prince."
"The family head has ordered you to travel with Sir Mason."
"...Oh, please."
As Karron looked at Jeras with pleading eyes, Rebellio wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Come on, little brother. Let's talk about our exciting future, shall we? It's a long way to the capital. Hah! I'm glad I have someone to talk to. Sir Mason is no fun at all."
"I... really... hate... this."
Watching the scene from a step behind, Leo thought.
*So everyone has a natural enemy. Serves you right, Karron.*
But just then, Rebellio smiled at Leo.
"Little brother Leo, you have to join us too."
"Huh? I was just going to ride with the other knights..."
"Nonsense. Two travel companions are better than one, and three are better than two! The more the merrier. Don't be shy, get in."
Leo, too, could not escape the clutches of the royal pain.
"This is all your fault, Karron..."
"Hm? Little brother Leo. What about Karron?"
"...It's nothing, Your Highness."
"Prince Brother? Come to think of it, if you're my little brother, does that make you my father's adopted son? Hey, Karron. How does it feel to be the Emperor's adopted son?"
"Would you please just shut—"
...And so, the journey to the capital began once more.