Chapter 148. Vintert (3)
The problem with Vintert.
Verden had thought of two solutions.
One, to settle the matter by negotiating directly with Vintert.
Of course, if the other side had no intention of holding a conversation, that would be impossible, but since executives of their rank had come in person, they must have intended to propose a deal or demand compensation. Verden's expectation hit the mark, just as he had guessed.
'But if, for some reason, the dialogue were to fall apart.'
If conflict became unavoidable.
Only one solution would remain.
'Annihilate Vintert.'
To such an extent that no aftermath would remain.
For a single individual to topple a power that ruled over the kingdom's darkness… it was, by common sense, an absurd solution, but it did not apply to Verden.
Even he himself had yet to fully grasp the extent of his current strength.
And no matter if they called themselves king of the underworld or whatever else, in the end it was a story limited to within Roafra.
Literally frogs in a well, clowns hiding underground and playing at being kings — Verden was not one to shrink before such men.
The air sank heavily.
Robert, who had been staring intently at Verden, opened his mouth.
"What's the reason?"
"Do I have to say it?"
"I'm curious. What meaning do those two slaves hold for you, what benefit could they possibly bring you, that you dare to antagonize Vintert over them?"
Benefit.
Within Robert's words, Verden noticed something.
'Vintert knows nothing about Aiden.'
The reason was simple.
Those born with peculiar traits in this world were extremely rare.
With magic power and magic circuits deviating from the established magical system, their value was immeasurable.
Their very existence provoked a mage's curiosity, and if nurtured well, they could become special mages who walked a different path from others.
'Especially the magic tower, they would go to any length to take such a one in, even at enormous cost.'
Of course, if some petty figure like Costa had tried to approach, he would have been immediately executed. That was why Costa had sought to lure him in by conceding ownership to Verden.
If Vintert had known this fact, they would never have asked about profit and loss.
For with the scale of Vintert, they might even have been able to make secret dealings with the magic tower.
But Verden had not helped the siblings for such a reason.
That they had peculiar traits was irrelevant.
He had simply recalled the despair of his past and grasped Aiden's outstretched hand, unlike the mages of the magic tower.
To Robert's question, Verden answered with silence.
The conversation was as good as broken.
Galliark, having already heard of the fallback solution, glared at Draken.
At some point the two had gathered their aura, and each had placed a hand upon their weapon. At the slightest provocation, they would swing, aiming for each other's throat.
The issue was who would be the first to break the taut tension.
Then.
"Very well. We shall, in particular, concede Costa's property to you."
Robert suddenly conceded.
The situation flowing in such an unexpected direction left Verden and Galliark inwardly bewildered.
Verden met Robert's gaze.
Not the slightest change in expression. He could not guess his intent.
"...Quick to change your mind."
"Costa's legacy holds more value than Costa's death. Nothing more can be gained from the dead. But even so, to confront you two over a single property right does not seem profitable to us."
Robert asked again.
"Then, aside from the property rights, will you accept the first condition?"
Something felt off.
Yet there was no reason not to accept.
Verden took Costa's ledgers out of his spatial bag.
These were tied not to Costa's wealth but to his business rights. It meant he was accepting the price he had demanded.
"Thank you."
Robert gathered up the ledgers.
"And the second price?"
"It's simple. Nothing else is demanded."
Robert spoke firmly.
"Asher, Galliark. The two of you are requested to leave Roafra, forever."
From now on, they would never set foot in Roafra again. In other words, it was a ban on entry.
If one considered the auction to be held next year, perhaps it would matter.
But having already participated in this year's auction, and with no plan to settle in Roafra, the demand meant little to the two of them.
They were not even sure they would remain in the kingdom until next year.
"Well, that's nothing much."
Galliark spoke with a yawn.
"Do you think the same?"
Verden nodded.
"Then, since you both have accepted the prices we presented, the matter regarding Costa ends here. The deadline to leave is today. After this, may we never see you again in Roafra."
Leaving those words, the two leaders of Vintert departed.
Thus ended the negotiation with Roafra's ruling faction.
***
After Vintert left.
Once the sound of footsteps had completely faded, Galliark grimaced.
"Those bastards are suspicious."
"They seemed intent on letting us go."
The price Vintert had demanded was far too light. They had even gone so far as to concede Costa's property.
Of course, they had taken Costa's territory and business rights, but to Verden those were nothing more than burdens. He could have had them without needing to offer them as a price.
Robert had cloaked it under the guise of profit and loss, but it was not to be taken at face value.
'What is their true purpose?'
This could as well be called a form of goodwill.
Verden dredged up every piece of information he knew about Vintert and Roafra, attempting to connect the dots, but nothing stood out.
It was certainly not as if they were trying to lure him in, like Costa had.
As he pondered, Galliark threw his legs up onto the desk.
"What's the point of thinking. If those bastards say they'll let us go, then we should just go. Or are you planning to storm in there, seize their lives, and demand the reason?"
"Of course not."
To storm Vintert just to ask why they were not antagonizing them. It made no sense at all.
'For now, I can only let it pass.'
With no information, further thought would be a waste of time.
Verden turned his head.
Peeking over the desk were three faces, Aiden and Charlotte's eyes brimming with tears.
Samwell spoke.
"Well… it seems they were moved by Lord Asher's words."
That they had not abandoned the siblings even while confronting Vintert.
Even Samwell, an outsider, felt his chest tighten, so how much more for Aiden and Charlotte, the ones involved.
Though Verden had never intended such a thing.
"Sit down. There is something I need to discuss."
The three immediately sat on the sofa.
Then Verden inscribed a magic circle on the floor.
As the circle was completed, the entire chamber was sealed with magic power. From outside, not even the faintest presence, not even sound, could be perceived.
"What the hell, when did you learn to draw magic circles?"
"It's basic."
"If that's basic, then is Goad an idiot? You really are crazy."
Galliark shook his head in disbelief.
"So, what is it? If you inscribed such a damned complicated circle, it must be important."
"It's about treatment. But before that, I need to address Aiden first."
"Sniff, uh… me?"
Verden nodded.
"The peculiar trait you possess must never be revealed."
A mage with a peculiar trait draws the attention of the magic tower.
They are worth the investment. Moreover, if their limit tier is high, they might even become the direct disciple of a tower master.
But such a bright future was not the only possibility.
They could all too easily suffer a past similar to Verden's.
There were ten magic towers currently in existence.
That only Bohemirn Magic Tower carried out unofficial experiments? Impossible. Perhaps all of them, in their own shadows, tested the madness of magic.
As long as such a possibility existed, Aiden's background must not be revealed.
Fortunately, only the five present here knew of it, including Aiden himself. With Costa's entire group annihilated, this was possible.
"Galliark, Samwell, Charlotte. The same goes for you."
"I was wondering what it was. My mouth is heavier than your body, don't worry."
"The same for me. Not that I even have anyone to tell."
Nod, nod.
All agreed.
Then came the next.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Uh...!"
Verden placed his hand upon Charlotte's throat.
With delicate touch, he examined the inside. Though her vocal cords were sharply damaged and had long hardened from neglect...
"It can be healed."
At those words, Aiden's eyes widened.
"R-really?!"
"Impossible with potions, but the Church should be able to. It will take time and some donations, but it's possible."
Whatever the price, Aiden did not care.
If the voice of his sister, which had disappeared before his eyes, could return.
"Uugh..."
Verden removed his hand and looked at the siblings.
"Do you have family?"
"N-no. My sister is everything."
Nod.
"A place to return to?"
Aiden and Charlotte shook their heads.
They might be orphans, or perhaps they had lost their home because of slave raids.
What should be done.
Originally, he had intended to send them back to the village where they had lived, and with the money taken from Costa, provide treatment as well.
But with no home to return to.
Naturally, he could not simply abandon them in some random town or city... even after pondering, nothing concrete came to mind.
Verden turned his head toward Samwell.
"Then let me ask first. Samwell, what will you do?"
"M-me, sir?"
"You're in a similar predicament, aren't you."
Since Samwell was not included in the payment, he could still come and go from Roafra as he pleased. But whether he could continue to live as a guide was uncertain.
He had become embroiled in dangerous matters such as Costa's murder.
If someone close to Costa bore a grudge, powerless Samwell might be killed.
"I will divide Costa's property with you, so money will be sufficient. And I'll personally escort you to the town or city where you want to settle. Of course, if you don't wish it, I'll respect that."
Samwell closed his eyes and sank into thought.
He too seemed conflicted. Clenching his fists, he groaned, and then, as if having reached a decision, he spoke carefully.
"In that case, may I go to Rines?"
"Rines?"
"Well... truth be told, it's always been my dream to own a proper shop. I'd been saving money for that, and I thought, why not open it in the best city to live in."
Samwell was still afraid of the outside world.
But with the mage before him to protect him, it was a different story. The abnormal species or demi-humans he had heard of as a child would not dare to bare their fangs.
He could move to the city in safety.
"To open a shop in Rines. The maintenance costs will not be trivial, will they?"
"That's true, but I happened to come into a large sum..."
Samwell glanced at Galliark.
"This bastard, after bragging with 1 million Elk, spun the roulette at the end and hit the jackpot. He won 80 million Elk right there."
"It must have been a sign that I should leave Roafra, haha. So, that being said..."
Samwell turned his head toward the siblings.
"Would you consider coming with me?"
"Eh?"
"...!"
Startled, the siblings looked at him, and Samwell hurried to add.
"N-no, not in a strange way, it's just that, going alone to a distant city is lonely, and since you two have nowhere to go..."
He wanted to be of help, even if just a little.
Samwell scratched his head shyly.
He was far too pure to be someone born in Roafra. Perhaps it was because, being timid by nature, he had avoided all the filth.
Verden thought.
'It certainly isn't a bad option.'
The living conditions were very good.
Compared to other cities, it was overwhelmingly safe, and the Church there was large enough to treat Charlotte's throat as well.
For siblings with no place to go, it was the perfect place to live.
Galliark made an uninterested face.
"Can you manage if the mouths to feed increase from one to three? What if the shop goes under?"
"T-that..."
"I intend to share Costa's property with Aiden and Charlotte as well. For living expenses until they become independent, it will be sufficient."
At Verden's words, the siblings looked at each other.
Then, after glancing back and forth between Verden and Galliark, they seemed to reach a decision and turned toward Samwell.
"...Can we really go with you?"
"O-of course, absolutely!"
Samwell nodded vigorously.
Galliark smirked at Verden.
"Oh, this bastard's not bad. Quite the saint, huh."
"..."
Verden answered with silence.
Thus ended the matter of the three.
Now it was time to leave Roafra...
"Wait, why don't you ask me?"
"Why should I?"
"I got dragged into this because of you too. Don't you owe me responsibility?"
Responsibility.
"I admit I'm the cause. But who was it that, with the axe bought at the auction, turned Costa's territory into ruins, and then, when I suggested annihilating Vintert, laughed and agreed? Should that be called being dragged in?"
"...You bastard, making me speechless."
"And even if you came with us, there's nothing you could do. Unlike with Pale, the kingdom's intelligence networks are tied to me. So I have no requests to give you, no information to sell────"
"Fine, fine, I get it! I've got requests waiting anyway. I just said it because it pissed me off, so drop it already!"
An ill-mannered bastard.
Grumbling, Galliark stood up and left the room first.
Well, in any case, there was nothing left to do in Roafra.
It was time, at last, to leave the kingdom's underworld.
***
The Gray Castle of Roafra.
In the audience chamber at its highest point, four people were present.
"They have just left Roafra."
Gail's voice resounded in the chamber.
The gray carpet led to an empty throne. To either side stood Robert, Draken, and Slay, the leader of the assassination division.
Among the many leaders, these were counted within the top three.
"Was it not too easy to let those who harmed Vintert go?"
Slay.
His cracked voice grated against the ears. To those unaccustomed, it was unpleasant even to hear.
Robert spoke with an expressionless face.
"You know the reason well enough. Asher is clearly a 'special mage'."
"Even so, it's the same. At the very least, the slaves he took should have been retrieved."
"This was a decision made within the authority His Majesty granted me. Why should I take interference from you?"
"Because your arbitrary choice has marred Vintert's reputation, of course."
Slay turned his pale eyes toward Draken.
"And your division, at the auction, had your goods snatched away by that Asher. Would it not have been wiser, here and now, to capture him, seize the items, and bind him?"
"I have no authority to decide."
"No authority, is that your excuse?"
"And if it is?"
Slay's eyes twitched.
"You have no loyalty at all. The both of you are always like this. You have always weighing profit and loss, and you, drowning in alcohol and drugs."
His colorless finger pointed at Draken.
"Especially you, Draken, you only do as you are told, never stepping forward on your own. Well, I suppose that makes sense. You're a 'fallen adventurer', too afraid of the world, hiding in the dark."
At the mocking epithet, veins bulged on Draken's forehead.
"You're asking to die."
"That's my line."
The two flared with killing intent, confronting each other.
At that moment, the door to the audience chamber opened.
All four, including Gail, immediately knelt.
A man entered, accompanied by two guards.
His hair was neatly kept, dark gold that reflected no light.
From beneath heavy shadows, turbid golden eyes glimmered sharply. The indescribable oppression pressed upon the hearts of those facing him.
Upon his head was set a gray crown.
The pinnacle of Roafra.
The ruler of Vintert.
The king of the underworld, Grond Veil di Validus.
In the past, he had personally dragged down Vintert's leader.
Ascending to the throne he had made for himself, he had renamed himself in the style of the Estiria royal family — a being filled with arrogance and greed.
Each step he took made the audience chamber tremble.
Ascending the stairs, he reclined upon the empty throne and rested his chin upon his hand. From the gauntlets on his arms, engraved with strange patterns, emanated a sinister aura.
"Rise."
At Grond's single word, all stood at once.
The king's gaze turned to Slay.
"You seem displeased."
"Forgive me."
Thud!
Slay smashed his forehead against the floor. Blood dripped from the torn skin.
Grond turned his head.
"Robert, Draken, what of that mage Asher?"
"He is certainly unlike any ordinary mage."
Robert spoke of the conversation he had with Asher. Grond seemed intrigued.
"To think he dared oppose my Vintert. Truly different, indeed."
"But we could not confirm him as possessing a peculiar trait."
Grond dismissed Draken's addition.
"No, he must have a peculiar trait."
With a flick of Grond's hand, his guards distributed bundles of paper to each of them.
Upon reading, they saw it was a principality newspaper, Asher's name appearing everywhere.
"This is..."
"Such accomplishments, at the fourth tier. Even with high affinity for an attribute, it should be impossible. Unless he was born with a talent unlike others."
Grond laughed.
A wicked smile, drenched in greed.
"A mage with a peculiar trait, the first to appear in a long time. It is right to let him go, until the Estiria royal family commissions us to take charge of him, letting his own value grow higher."
That way, he could be sold for a very high price.
"When that time comes, Slay, I will entrust the authority to you. So do not speak of complaints again."
"I shall obey your will."
Slay struck his head upon the ground once more.
Grond faced forward.
The king's eyes, beyond the audience chamber's window, reached toward the magic elevator that descended to the surface.