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Chapter 33
Chapter 33
[Translator – Helga]
[Proofreader – Lucky]
Chapter 33
The branch office was very shabby.
It seemed like no one had stayed there for a while as the ceiling was full of cobwebs.
“Daniel hasn’t arrived yet, it seems.”
Kane roughly wiped the dust off a chair with his hand and sat down.
“Young Master, aren’t you hungry?”
“I’m starting to get hungry.”
“Should I go to the market and buy some simple food?”
“Please do.”
“I’ll be quick. Just wait a little.”
With his permission, Camilla went outside.
Only the two of them were left in the house.
Mikhail called out to Kane.
“Hey.”
“Call me Young Master.”
“Alright. I have a question for you, Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“What is your true strength like?”
“Isn’t that a rather blunt question?”
Kane smirked.
“I don’t like beating around the bush.”
“It can be considered rude to others.”
“I know it’s rude, but I’m the type who can’t stand curiosity.”
Mikhail spoke confidently.
He might have come off as shameless, but he didn’t look shameless.
Rather, he appeared sincere.
“Can you answer my question?”
“It’s not a difficult question, so I’ll answer.”
“Thank you.”
“I have never hidden my abilities.”
As if he wanted the rumors to spread.
Hadn’t he fought openly in front of many people?
“Gillip is at the Mid-tier of 3rd class. To subdue him without killing him, you would need to be a High-tier 3rd Class knight. Yet, you did it so easily.”
“Is it strange for someone at the beginner tier of 3rd class to defeat someone at the intermediate?”
“Yes.”
“Just think that it was due to my unique mark.”
It was a simple answer.
The ‘Blood Mark’ held power on a different level compared to other runes.
Mikhail knew this well.
However, there are opponents you can’t defeat with just raw power.
“Gillip also has much more experience than Young Master thinks. He’s known for being good at dirty fighting.”
Mikhail’s curiosity was justified.
It was hard to understand how the dullard Young duke, who had been cooped up in the family estate, could overwhelmingly defeat Gillip, who had faced numerous strong opponents.
“What puzzles me is how Young Master smells more strongly of the battlefield than Gillip does.”
“Are you curious about the reason?”
“Yes.”
Kane sat in his chair, arms crossed, and looked at Mikhail.
If he didn’t resolve this curiosity, it would only build more suspicion.
That would mean a drop in favorability.
Even if he recruited him, a drop in favorability could lead to events where he would leave.
Conversely, if used well, it could increase favorability.
Managing Mikhail’s favorability was essential to keep him as a subordinate.
“Why do you think the emperor still protects Rehinar?”
“Isn’t it because Rehinar guards the borders of the Fresia Empire?”
“From whom is the empire being protected?”
“Close by, it guards against the Hatzfeld Kingdom, and from afar, it protects us from the Lycera Theocracy.”
[TL/N: A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.]
“That’s correct. But that’s not all. Rehinar is a domain built next to the demon forest. It was destined to protect the empire from mutated monsters. I have slain countless monsters for this purpose. Does that explain it?”
It wasn’t a lie.
Even when he was Ray Hatzfeld, he had fought against mutated monsters to the death.
This game is centered on defense battles.
Mutated monsters attack periodically.
He had always been at the forefront to block the monsters each time.
“That answers my question.”
Mikhail nodded, indicating he understood.
Rehinar’s location is on the empire’s outermost border.
By deliberately concealing information, they could avoid the world’s scrutiny.
“Rehinar has been deceiving the world.”
[Mikhail Pervartz’s favorability has increased by +1.]
[Mikhail Pervartz’s favorability has increased by +1.]
……
……
……
[Mikhail Pervartz’s favorability has increased by +1.]
By basing his story on real experiences, Kane saw Mikhail’s favorability increase sharply.
By a total of 15 points.
Adding the previous 5 points, it became 20 favorability points.
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
“No. I’ll learn more as we go along.”
Mikhail had always been this way.
Despite his appearance, he was pure-hearted.
He trusted people easily.
That’s why he hadn’t asked the most obvious question he would have been curious about.
“Aren’t you curious about where the Flame Emperor’s Spear is?”
“I am.”
“Then why haven’t you asked?”
“I believe you’ll tell me eventually.”
He showed unwavering trust in those he believed in.
What an incorrigible fellow.
“I’ll make sure to get the spear you desire so much.”
For now, it was out of reach.
It would only appear after progressing further in the story.
‘The Flame Emperor’s Spear will only appear once the mutated monsters become rampant.’
The Flame Emperor’s Spear was found in an utterly unexpected place.
North of Rehinar.
Near the Sian Mountain Range, deep in the demon forest.
It was held by an undead knight, a mutated monster.
That creature had used the Flame Emperor’s Spear to spread infamy.
‘To promote Mikhail to a 5-star, the Flame Emperor’s Spear is essential. I must obtain it.’
Once acquired, Mikhail would fully inherit the power of Pervartz.
“If you find the Flame Emperor’s Spear for me, I will dedicate my life to you, Young Master.”
“Make sure you keep that promise.”
“I won’t go back on my word,” Mikhail said confidently.
Kane knew this well. Mikhail was not one to lie.
“Before that, there’s something you need to do.”
“What is it?”
“When we return to Rehinar, you’ll take charge of the blacksmith.”
“The blacksmith… you say?”
“Don’t you enjoy making weapons and armor?”
“…Do you know my profession?”
Kane flashed a bright smile.
“I know a lot more about you than you think.”
Mikhail was mesmerized by Kane’s smile. It was a trustworthy smile, one that made Mikhail’s faith in him grow even stronger without realizing it. Kane was gradually leaving an indelible impression on Mikhail’s heart.
* * *
Camilla returned with Daniel, who had gone to buy some food.
“Young Master, would you prefer fruit or bread?”
“Give me the fruit.”
Kane took an apple from Camilla and bit into it.
“Being a trade city, the fruit here is fresh and delicious.”
The taste was distinctly different from Rehinar’s apples. Philaec was rich in fertile land and clean water, the complete opposite of Rehinar’s barrenness.
This abundance was a key factor in Dyer’s rapid growth.
As Kane savored the apple, Daniel leaned in.
“Young Master, is what Camilla said true?”
“What did she say?”
“That you received 1 million gold per slave.”
“Is that surprising?”
“What did you do at the Black Crow Exchange? They are notorious slave traders, even in Philaec!”
It wasn’t just Daniel who was shocked. The elders of the Blue Merchant Group were all in disbelief.
“I had a good conversation with them.”
“If it were them, they would have tried to haggle and intimidate you for sure…”
The Black Crow exchange was the most avoided place for slave trading. Many who went there returned without a single coin. Making 50 million gold in one transaction there was unprecedented.
“Did you threaten them… No, that can’t be. The Black Crow exchange wouldn’t be intimidated by anyone. Right?”
Daniel turned to the elders of the guild. They shared his disbelief.
“If noble titles held any sway, the Black Crow’s reputation would have plummeted long ago.”
“There’s even a famous story about a count’s son who tried to intimidate them and ended up crippled.”
“Rehinar’s current status wouldn’t even get their attention.”
Everyone reacted negatively.
At that moment, Kane took out a box.
“If you don’t believe me, see for yourselves.”
Inside the box were dozens of gold bars.
“Gasp!”
“Am I seeing things?”
Daniel and the elders couldn’t believe their eyes.
They rubbed their eyes multiple times.
Despite their repeated checks, the gold before them did not disappear.
“H-How did you do this?”
“I made a deal.”
“So, it’s a trade secret….”
Daniel thanked the goddess.
“Oh, thank you, goddess.”
Rehinar’s hope was right in front of him.
They had thought that selling all the slaves would bring, at most, 5 million gold.
Even if someone had talent in strategy or martial arts, they believed that making money was a different skill altogether.
That’s why they had someone else in the family to handle finances.
“To think he’s also skilled in business… the heavens haven’t abandoned Rehinar.”
They had given the task of slave trading to the heir to test his money-making abilities.
Not only had he achieved the goal, but he had surpassed it.
First in combat, now in business.
The heir had everything.
“There is no longer a dullard in Rehinar.”
The elders of the Blue Merchant Guild shared Daniel’s gaze.
They exchanged looks and nodded.
“There’s hope.”
“Even Duke Carl had no talent for business.”
“The future of Rehinar looks promising.”
“Now I can die without regret.”
The elders rejoiced together.
Rehinar had not yet taken flight, but it felt as though its wings were already flapping.
“Daniel, it seems I’ve won our bet.”
“It’s a complete defeat.”
“About the advance money I took, I don’t need to repay it, right?”
“Of course not. But….”
Daniel turned his gaze to the person standing next to Kane.
“This is someone who will be with us from now on. Mikhail, this is Daniel Lindemann, the former chief administrator of Rehinar.”
At Kane’s introduction, Mikhail stepped forward.
He placed a clenched fist over his chest and greeted respectfully.
“I am Mikhail Pervartz.”
Though he spoke casually to Kane, he showed utmost respect to Daniel, acknowledging his status as Rehinar’s former chief steward.
Kane grinned at this display and muttered.
“His appearance contradicts his noble demeanor.”
Mikhail had a rough and wild look.
Yet, every action was imbued with elegance.
This was one of Mikhail’s contrasting charms.
There was a time when noble ladies went crazy over Mikhail, calling him the beast-man.
“He’s no ordinary guy. It’s clear he knows how to use his charm.”
Kane suddenly remembered how Mikhail used to be more popular with women than he was.
Meanwhile, Daniel greeted Mikhail formally.
“I am Daniel Lindemann.”
“Please, speak comfortably. As the former chief administrator of Rehinar, you are the legendary figure who helped elevate the current lord above all others.”
True, Duke Carl was one of the twelve absolute lords of the continent, a Grand Duke of the Frecia Empire, and the head of the Rehinar family. People also called him the Guardian Lord.
“You’re too kind, those are tales from long ago,” Daniel replied modestly.
Yet, he was the loyal servant who had served three heads of the Rehinar family. Kane agreed with this sentiment.
“He stayed to support Sara and resist the Hatzfeld until the very end.”
If Daniel hadn’t funded Sara’s army, Rehinar would have fallen easily. Daniel’s dedication to Rehinar was genuine.
“Alright, let’s leave the introductions here and have some food while we talk.”
They had taken care of business immediately upon arriving in Philaec, and Kane was very hungry.
“I’ll get the food ready right away.”
Daniel and the elders rolled up their sleeves. Their long experience as merchants had made outdoor cooking second nature to them. It wasn’t long before the food was ready.
They sat together, enjoying the meal and sharing stories. Kane felt a warmth spreading in his heart.
“Again,” he thought.
It was an unfamiliar emotion—the heart of Kane Rehinar.
He had felt this warmth only with Mikhail and his old followers, but now, as Kane, it came to him often.
“I can’t afford to get lost in this comfort.”
Previously, he had relaxed, thinking he had reached the game’s ending. What was the result? He ended up dead. He had let his guard down, becoming complacent.
He didn’t want to lose this second chance because of such feelings.
“For now, I need to focus on moving forward.”
Warm emotions were a luxury he couldn’t afford.
[Translator – Helga]
[Proofreader – Lucky]