How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 266

[Abduction] Double arm scales (7)

Oldeck’s clock is turned 90 degrees.

It was an idiom that expresses in one line what foreigners feel when they visit Oldeck, a commercial city.

Few people in this world are as industrious as the greedy merchants.

Oldeck, a port city built on the seashore, is full of people who come out to the streets more diligently than the morning sun and run for a living.

When it’s time for people from other countries to wake up with their eyes wide open, Oldeck’s merchants are running around busily… Oldeck’s early morning streets are busier than other cities when the sun is up in the middle of the sky.

At around 6:00 in the morning, most workplaces are already full of people, so it’s not strange if you’re mistaken for thinking that the clock is really turning to one side.

On that topic, bedtime is much later than in other cities, so it’s actually an idiom that only fits half the time.

In such a lively city, indolence is the greatest sin.

I don’t hate the atmosphere of this city, where every passer-by has a lively expression on their face, but I’m sure there are people who don’t like living in such a militant environment 365 days a year.

It can be said that it is the complete opposite of Pulan, the hometown of Yenika, which I visited not long ago.

“You arrived later than expected.”

Belle, who took the dreamy Lortel by the hand and got out of the carriage, oversaw the unloading of her vassals and said to me:

The venue is the central plaza of the Oldeck commercial district.

Even in this Old Deck, where there are more than 11 large and small squares, it was the square attached to the most central street.

Behind the large fountain in the middle rises a government building that manages all the administration of this old deck.

If the head of the Chloe Empire is Chloeron, the capital. This old deck is the heart.

This is because all the logistics of the bloody empire revolve around this place.

Therefore, the government office that manages this old deck has no choice but to boast of its grandiose size. A refined marble wall was showing off its majesty, centered on a wooden pillar rising in an antique style.

“Wow, whoa…”

Lortel was gaping at the government building. In reality, it was a building that he had visited many times, but to the inexperienced Lortel, this magnificent building was truly surprising.

“Lortel.”

I called out to Lortel.

Hearing the voice, Lortel was startled, and, holding Belle’s hand tightly, pressed herself against her waist.

“Yes, eh…”

Lortel answered me in a timid voice.

Perhaps it was still embarrassing that he had revealed the contents of the notebook, he glanced up at me while twisting the ends of his auburn hair.

“How do you like this city?”

“yes?”

At the sudden question, Lortel let out a look of bewilderment.

I know about Lortel’s past.

For Lortel, this city called Oldeck was a place of love and hatred.

From his childhood when he could only survive by stabbing someone while walking through the slums, until he opened his eyes to money and stood at the top as a merchant.

Lortel could neither love nor hate this city.

That’s why, I wanted to ask Lortel now who doesn’t remember the many adversities in life.

“This city…?”

“Last time I was leaving in such a hurry that I couldn’t even look around the old deck properly. This is the largest plaza in Old Deck, and it is where the most people come and go.”

I don’t understand why he would ask such a question in this situation, but Lortel didn’t ask why. They are not mature enough to understand and act on such intentions in the first place.

Lortel looked around, holding Belle’s hand tightly.

Opening and closing my eyes gently, I took in the sight of Oldeck.

Surprisingly, the scenery of Oldeck contained in the girl’s innocent eyes did not make the girl too uncomfortable.

There is no way for this girl to know just how complicated she feels about this city when she has grown up.

So, Lortel spoke while looking at the huge stone statue on top of the fountain in the central square.

It was a stone statue of a merchant wearing a robe, holding a large double-armed scale.

“…just… good. The atmosphere is… lively.”

Before long, Lortel smiled with difficulty.

*

“I’ll give you three missions.”

Bell Maia, the head maid, is a high-class employee.

Her role in the Roth Taylor mansion is enormous. The practice area in which she stretches her hands extends to the entire mansion operation.

If she leaves the mansion for a long time, it will have a considerable adverse effect on the management of the estate.

Nevertheless, the reason Bell personally accompanied him to this old deck was because he needed a reliable person.

A manpower that is sure of work, has guaranteed combat capabilities, and will never betray me.

I sat on a bench on one side of Old Deck Square and talked while rubbing my chin.

Bell, who is quietly focusing her gaze on me with her arms folded in a modest posture, has an expressionless face as always.

“While I’m taking care of Oldeck Corporation’s business, you’re only going to take care of three things.”

“I will do as you instructed.”

“For now, protect Lortel. At the point of entering the old deck, the people on the slog side will try to secure Lortel somehow. You must protect Lortel while I finish.”

Even this situation, already crowded, is a threat to Lortel.

Before I could even give the order, Bell was clearly looking around and alert.

“It is a natural order.”

Bell is a high-level wizard who not only excels at handling a rapier, but also knows how to use medium-level magic.

It is not necessary to protect them for days and days, and escort for a short time will do as much as they like.

“Second, go into the government office and meet the commissioner in person.”

“Would you like to meet me?”

I pulled out an envelope containing documents from my bosom and held it out.

“It is my mandate. If the head maid of Ross Taylor Mansion said she had brought my power of attorney, of course I would show my face.”

“It is an honor to represent Ed in person with a lowly status.”

“Let’s put aside unnecessary greetings and only talk about what is necessary.”

“yes. sorry. It’s because of the way you speak.”

Bell carefully accepted my power of attorney, checked the outside and put it in her arms.

“By the way, why do I have to meet the Commissioner in person?”

“I use the Ross Taylor family’s business conditions as an excuse to take my time. If you keep doing that, your third mission will appear.”

“You mean the third mission?”

“okay.”

I confirmed that the wagon had all been unloaded, and I stood up while shaking off my pants.

“To solve all the problems, after all, the fourth and third missions are essential. To lift the curse on Lortel, and to firmly capture the slog.”

Saying that, I clearly conveyed her mission to Bell.

Bell nodded with a serious face.

*

The head office of Elte Trading Company.

This store building, which occupies the largest site in Oldeck’s dockside, which is said to be a land of gold dust, is completely different in size from the branch in the Sylvania Academy.

The huge store that all merchants want to set foot in at least once is like a utopia for greedy people.

Everything works for money, and if you can earn money, you will never choose the means and methods.

And now, the head of the Elte Firm is the old fox Slog Keldlux.

He had made a pact with Lortel and temporarily held the position of the head of the club until she graduated.

In Slog’s office, two executives of the company were sitting together.

In principle, the governance structure of Elte Corporation is dualized.

The head of the business who coordinates the grand operation plan of the business association.

And the ‘Six Colossus’, which selected people with the greatest influence among the merchants belonging to the merchant association.

Of course, in the end, the one who can raise the loudest voice is Hoeju. The 6 colossus can only produce a voice similar to that of Hoeju only when all 6 of them sit together.

At least, there is no direct decision-making power, and it is only in a position to discuss with the lord.

In addition, the status of the 6 colossus has become much weaker than before.

Slog Keldrux, who had been sitting in the seat of the six colossus, had fallen out as he became the owner of the colossus, and Lortel Kecheln was also scheduled to leave the colossus seat soon.

Whether it’s becoming the head of the party or the other way around… Lortel’s position will change completely sooner or later.

In the end, there were only four Colossus who could maintain that authority.

And, two of those four were already determined to stick to Slog.

Mineral Merchant Puellan, Bond Trader Caldenheim.

The two greedy men were sitting in Slog’s office, interrogating him.

“He was confident that he had completely entrapped Lortel Kecheln, but in the end, he was unable to push her away and was sluggishly passing time.”

Puelan, who had gained a lot of weight, sat on the guest sofa with a displeased expression and glared at the slog.

“I’ve already completely bet on you, but if you don’t handle things neatly like this, I just get anxious. Is it certain that you are reappointing the position of Chairman?”

“I agree too. Slog Lord. I, too, cannot sit still and watch the daughter of Elte, the golden emperor, eat the chair.”

“Everyone is very worried.”

Slog flicked his quill down on the office desk and leaned against the backrest.

As the two colossi looked at him suspiciously, he sighed and laughed and continued talking.

“okay. Lortel Kecheln… Pushing that foxy girl away isn’t easy. With the family of the Duke of Ross-Taylor on the back of my stomach, it’s no small feat from my point of view. But… it’s not impossible.”

Slog is a veteran who has endured for decades in this world of commerce.

The two giants didn’t know that. It’s just that the opponent is that Lortel, so I’m just uneasy.

“If those who have risen to the ranks of the colossus in this cruel Sangdo are so impatient, what kind of big business will they build?”

“I’m just going to say it, Slog Keldlux. No matter how much you say you are a lord, there will be limits to your ability to exert your influence without the help of the giants.”

“Heh heh, yes. my apologies However, I am not without thoughts.”

Apparently, Slog Keldrox personally went to Roth Taylor Mansion to check on the dynamics.

It meant that Slog was running around with his feet on fire. It was to end Lortel more clearly.

“Lortel Kecheln has already been completely incapacitated by the degeneration curse. At this point, no matter what we do, we’re powerless to deal with it. It would be safest to cover up the embezzlement case like when expelling Elte… But first of all, we need to handle things carefully.”

“His prudence, prudence. How long are you going to keep an eye on it carefully?”

“Do you think that all we have to deal with is simply Lortel Kecheln’s personal forces?”

Slog got up, pushed the office chair into the desk, and sat down in front of the reception table.

Across from them sat two colossi, and hot tea was served on a low coffee table.

Slog lifted a cup of tea and poured it over Mineral Dealer Puelan’s lap.

“f*ck you! Are you crazy?! Wow!”

“You seem really anxious, so it means to calm down. Reap some of the shortsightedness of thinking that simply pushing Lortel will solve everything.”

“Hey, Sipal! Is anyone out there?! ice! Bring the ice!”

Slog buried himself on the hospitality sofa and crossed his legs.

“I have to get past the Duke of Roth Taylor who is sitting behind Lortel. That way things get done neatly. If you try to finish things prematurely, everything will be wrong.”

“If it’s the Duke of Roth Taylor, isn’t it the place that boasts the highest authority on the continent? Its power is still weak, but I heard that it is under the protection of all nobles.”

“yes. So you have to be even more careful.”

At Caldenheim’s words, Slog put the empty teacup on the table with a smile.

“Currently, it is led by the children of Crepin, the former head of the family. I saw Ed Rosteiler and Tanya Rosteiler, who play the role of the head, and measured them myself, and I got a rough idea of ​​what kind of person they were.”

Slog raised an eyebrow and spoke.

“Compared to their age, they certainly have great bowls, but their behavior is easy to read. They are careful, cunning bastards. So you’re going to try to be more careful when dealing with me. I will try to find out who my backbone is and root it out from the root.”

“If you’re just listening, it’s like you’re in a crisis situation.”

“No, rather, it is much easier to read the movement of such aristocratic children.”

Slog spoke leisurely as he buried himself in the backrest.

“I looked through the records of that family’s powerful man, Ed Rosteyler. He currently serves as an emeritus professor at the Sylvania Academy, engages in various research positions, and is slightly involved in the administration of the school. Do you know what the characteristics of nobles who are immersed in the teaching profession are?”

“…”

“I firmly believe that everything can be solved with papers and politics. I’m sorry, but I don’t realize at all that that’s our specialty…”

At the level of the Duke of Roth Taylor, they try to seize the pod and put political pressure, but there is a limit to attacking the Elte Company with just pressure without any legitimacy.

In the end, what is needed is justification and legitimacy.

Ed Rosteeler will try to solve that part somehow.

To do so, he would have to go directly to the Old Deck and gather information.

Information warfare, political warfare, secret warfare behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, all of this is Slog’s specialty.

“What are we really afraid of? An enemy with unpredictable movements. An aristocrat like that is not the young master.”

The figure of Slog looking down at the two colossi with a grin is the unmistakable ruler of the dark back alley.

“I don’t know if it’s crazy people who can’t guess what they’re thinking, but nobles with such obvious behavior patterns are better… Rather, it’s much easier to coordinate and conciliate. I’d rather be afraid of bandits and ragtags I meet while peddling. They’re cutting right in front of your nose.”

In front of the slog, who was sitting cross-legged, it was difficult for even the two colossi to raise their voices recklessly.

“So wait slowly… by the time the obvious tricks come in…”

– Boom!!

– Quaaaaaaa!

It was then.

A loud explosion sounded from the front door of Elte Firm.

The ensuing aftermath was a huge gale. The thumping and shaking glass windows looked as if they would break at any moment.

“What, what?!”

Slog trembled.

The two colossi facing each other also opened their eyes wide and looked at each other.

Slog quickly got up from his seat and headed towards the window to check the identity of the explosion coming from the front door.

However, before he could properly look out the window, the outer wall of the office burst open.

– bang!!!!

second explosion.

A huge arrow made of magic power pushed through the marble wall like a piece of paper.

As if it were a siege weapon, the arrow that casually shattered the outer wall of the store had the lieutenant explosion magic imprinted on it.

– Kwaaaaaang!

“Aagh!”

Caught in the aftermath of the explosion, the two colossi and the slog rolled unsightly on the floor.

– Kung, Kwaang. Kugu Palace!

– Patter

falling dirt.

belch. Heat. scream. A rising sense of crisis.

The feeling of being thrown from the middle of a business site into the middle of a battlefield.

Slog caught his breath and stood up. And he ran toward the half-destroyed outer wall.

A gust of wind whipped through Slog’s gray hair. And, as soon as the sight of the front door where the explosion had been heard came into view, Slog couldn’t help but curse.

“No, no… crazy… the bastard…”

I’ve heard rumors that he was an idiot, but there’s a degree to it.

Oldeck, the central city of the Chloe Empire.

And Elte, the best company in the old deck.

No matter how well-known dukes descend, there is a limit to just going out.

In the distance, from the front gate of the merchant house, Ed Rosteeler holding a large bow caught his eye. He was standing on the roof of a carriage bearing the duke’s coat of arms.

nothing more to see

In broad daylight with the sun rising in the middle of the sky, there are so many eyes to see. It was a magic arrow that had an explosion stamp engraved on the building of the Napda Trading Company.

Near the main gate, several vassals accompanied by Ed Rosteiler stood with long weapons.

In the center of the scene, Ed casually reloads the next arrow. That expression is terrifyingly insensitive. It is a movement as if it is taking care of normal, everyday tasks.

“Uh, madman… How are you going to fix this! You did this on the wall of the building of a business that does business well without any suspicion…!”

While he was saying that, Ed Rosteylor had already finished loading the next arrow.

The next one was aiming at the roof of the storehouse.

The first shot was at the front door of Sanghoe, the second shot was near Slog’s office, and the last shot was toward the roof of the building to avoid any casualties.

It was a goal setting whose intention was clearly visible.

“Oh, get down…! One more flight!”

– Bang! Whoaaaaaaaaaa!

Another vibration reverberated, and the sound of shopkeepers running in terror penetrated Slog’s eardrums.

“What, what! How are you really going to handle it… that… that crazy guy…! Did you really go crazy?!”

Pedestrians and merchants passing in front of the store building widened their eyes as if they had no idea what the hell was going on.

The building of Elte Company, the tallest of all decks, was already in a state of disrepair. The rising smoke and dust signaled the seriousness of the situation.

– Tak, Tak.

He held up the large bow with one hand and brushed the hem of his shirt with the other.

It’s a great bow made with great care, but there are still many areas to adjust. I tossed the cigarette I was burning on the side of the road, and instructed the vassals who were waiting around.

“Enter.”

As soon as the instructions were given, the vassals picked up their long weapons and pushed into the building of the merchant house.