Episode 346
To be honest, I didn’t think I would be able to completely convince these stubborn badniks in one night.
At least Hiiro, Risen, and Everan seem to have taken it positively, and the rest seem to be paying attention and making their moves?
‘It’s okay if this is enough.’
Since the original goal was achieved, from then on I ate and occasionally joined in the brothers’ conversations and chatted.
First of all, the atmosphere at the Badnicker family meeting doesn’t seem to be bad.
Of course, that doesn’t mean… … .
Today is the opportunity for a strong friendship to develop between us like brothers and sisters from other families.
But I decided not to think too deeply about those things for now.
For some reason, I felt like these guys wouldn’t easily forget this day either.
When we meet by chance in this vast empire, we ask each other how we are doing.
First of all, wouldn’t that level of distance be enough?
“It will be an unforgettable day.”
“Are you like that too?”
“I’m like that too, but I think that guy is even more like that.”
Saying that, Olivia helped Atsu, who had fallen, to his feet and even gave him support.
“Calm down. “I poured the whole potion on you, so why is it still like this?”
“My fist cuts deep into the bone.”
“ha… … .”
Are you slowly leaving now?
Olivia, putting on her coat, gave me a glimpse.
“I have to go early tomorrow morning, so I’ll just go. “I’m taking this guy with me as I go.”
“They take care of me unexpectedly?”
“First of all, because he is my younger brother.”
“ah.”
That one wasn’t my half-step either.
“I know what you think. Honestly, I like it more than the direction the matriarch suggested. “It means that you are judged based on your performance even if you are not tied to a religious denomination.”
Olivia laughed.
“Then I guess I should set a clear goal. “Within this year, I will make the [Black Peony Mercenary Group] one of the top ten mercenary groups in the South.”
That’s ten fingers, but considering the vast southern land, it’s also a distant goal for me.
This is because the number of mercenary groups in the south alone would be in the tens of thousands.
Of course, most of them are of such a scale that it would be embarrassing to even call them Eojung-ideo-jung-i or Dan-團.
I didn’t have anything else to say, so I just told him to cheer up. Then she gave Olivia a rare, faint smile and walked away.
After Olivia left, the atmosphere naturally became empty.
Normally, when one person leaves a position like this, another person will rise up as if going with the flow.
I thought as I watched my brothers leave one by one.
Still, to this extent, the first Badniker Family Meeting was concluded successfully.
* * *
The next day, a familiar face came to see me.
It was the teaching teacher Junian, one of the family’s great criminals.
I heard that he is currently staying at his hometown, but I have never met him.
But should I say it was unexpected?
Verita was also next to Junian. This guy was averting his gaze as if he had somehow committed a crime.
“Sister Razvet must return to the main school with me.”
“yes?”
Junian said before even asking how I was doing.
Then he glanced at Verita and grumbled.
“… How long has it been unheard of for the interrogation office to contact me? Understanding the situation and conveying information. “This is the basic skill of an inquisitor.”
I looked at him with a confused face, and only then did Junian explain the situation.
“This friend, if you don’t go to the Vatican right now and report your survival, you are in danger of being expelled. “I was going to drag him away right away, but he insisted that I have to say hello to Lord Soga even if I had to go, so I came here like this.”
“aha… … .”
Berita looked at me and only then opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry, brother. I will stop by the main school and join you as soon as I finish reporting. “It won’t take long.”
“Well, come slowly. Because it’s not urgent right now. “Did I tell you about the location?”
“yes.”
“okay. Take care and see you later.”
“All right. however… … .”
Berita, who was slightly observing me, closed her eyes and asked with a determined look on her face.
“Do you have any cookies left?”
“cookie? Why cookies all of a sudden?”
“Well, I can’t forget what I tasted last time… … .”
“aha.”
If it’s unexpected, it’s unexpected.
For some reason, it seemed like Verita would not be interested in desserts or anything like that.
Do you feel like you don’t care about taste as long as you can replenish nutrition?
I nodded, thinking that this might also be my bias.
“Go to the kitchen on the first floor of Socheoldang. If you say what I said and ask the chef to make some snacks, he will make different types of snacks for you. “It’s going to be a long trip, so it might be a good idea to pack some snacks.”
“ah… okay. thank you.”
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Berita lowered her head, but somehow she didn’t look very satisfied.
Anyway, the two nuns left their home… … .
After that, they left their home one by one.
Heero returned to Heros with Nero, and Hector, Raizen, and Everan headed to the islands together.
Now that I think about it, those three are a combination that seems to have quite good synergy with each other.
Hector often attends various gatherings, events, balls, banquets, etc. held in the islands, and since it is his seat, he has no choice but to pay attention to his clothes. It means that you are sensitive to trends.
Naturally, I got along well with Everan, the owner of a fashion store that was quite successful in the system… … .
Ryzen, who possesses overwhelming financial power, wants to somehow establish ties with the institutional nobility.
‘If it works out well, all three will benefit.’
And half a day after the three left, I heard that Atsu, who came to his senses, also followed them.
Come to think of it, that guy was also a businessman.
Olivia seemed to have already left for the South in the early morning.
It was the third daughter, Lina, who showed an unexpected reaction… … .
This Badniker’s third daughter, who was unusually silent, glanced at me before leaving, nodded and said.
“hmm. “It goes beyond what I heard from Koraris.”
“Who?”
“Koraris. I don’t know? “I heard you and I fought Heros’ promotion match together?”
What came to mind at that moment was Heros’ Gimnacion, where the promotion match was held.
A great magic technique that completely destroyed one wall of a huge arena that could accommodate thousands of people.
Did you say he was a strong candidate to be the next Grand Wizard?
I was a little surprised.
Because I had no idea that Lina was familiar with that wizard.
“That guy seems to regard you as his rival.”
“It’s me? why? “I’m not even a wizard.”
“well… … . “The way a genius thinks is sometimes difficult to understand.”
Lina laughed and waved her hand.
“Anyway, that’s all I have to say, and I understand what you’re talking about. However, I am limited by just researching, so once I enter the Magic Tower this time, I don’t know when I will come out again. “I’ll see you when we meet.”
“Let’s do that.”
“I hope you live well.”
I nodded and coolly parted ways with Lina… … .
Only after that did I talk to Ludwig.
“To be honest, I am in the most awkward position right now.”
“What do you mean suddenly?”
“Your father lost all his memories.”
“ah.”
I was convinced by Ludwig’s words.
There are only a very small number of people, including Iron Blood Ball, who know that Ludwig is alive in the first place.
At least the other characters except Iron Blood Prince said that they only found out about it relatively recently.
In other words, Iron Blood Ball was Ludwig’s only direct superior.
That person lost his memory.
In other words, Ludwig’s situation now is… … .
What should I say?
A sack of barley?
Or do you owe it to Dusk River Duck Egg?
“It just worked out well.”
“huh?”
“From now on, you will regard me as your direct superior.”
Ludwig laughed heartily for a moment, but the next moment he looked at my expression and erased his smile.
It seems like he realized it wasn’t a joke.
“… hmm. Certainly, in situations where the head of the household is absent, the small head of the household may exercise some rights on his/her behalf… … .”
“Are you still not trustworthy?”
“To put it bluntly, that’s true.”
“Then you can pay more attention. Since we decided to go to the south together this time anyway, shouldn’t you just decide after seeing my performance there? “Is this guy worth following or not?”
Then Ludwig spoke in an absurd voice.
“… Have you already decided to go together? “I think I said I would think about it.”
“If you haven’t said anything yet, I’m going with you. “If you don’t like it, don’t.”
“You have no choice. I understand first of all. So, what should I do in the South?”
I said with a grin.
“Find the whereabouts of Gustafran. “If possible, please also investigate that guy.”
“… Gustav? Are you talking about the Ulqa’s [Big Boss] that I know?”
“that’s right.”
As expected, it is Ludwig.
Although he is only famous in the West, we know for certain that he is someone you would not know unless you are interested in politics, current events, or crime.
In fact, this empire is as large as dozens of kingdoms combined, so even when I hear news from other regions, it feels like the situation in another country.
“I heard you were caught. “As far as I know, I heard that you are going to be imprisoned in Utgarde concentration camp?”
“For some reason or another, things went astray. “There is a high probability that he is at Rahilde Workyard by now.”
“ah… … . “It’s worth knowing.”
Perhaps because it’s Ludwig, “What is it?” “Why are you looking for something when you already know where it is?” I didn’t ask that stupid question.
This guy knows it too.
Rahilde Labor Yard is an incredibly large place.
“Rahilde labor station chief… … . The last time I checked, the capacity was around 20,000? “The imperial crime rate has continued to rise since then, so it may have increased even more now.”
“… Twenty thousand people? “Only the laborers?”
“okay.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
No matter how big it is, if there are 20,000 laborers, it is almost like a small society has been formed in the labor yard.
The number of workers alone is comparable to that of a semi-city… … .
If you add in the wardens, managers, construction experts, and emergency council members, it might really be the size of a city.
“that’s right. So my new boss’s first mission will be quite difficult.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
“What are you looking at me for? “No matter how dangerous the labor site is, it’s probably not as dangerous as the church headquarters.”
“Of course.”
“It just so happens that Rahilde is in good hands. “I heard some bad rumors about there, so I wanted to stop by at least once.”
“A dirty rumor? What?”
“What do you think?”
Ludwig lowered his voice and said.
“Of course, they are cult bastards.”
* * *
It’s time for me to leave too.
Since I came almost empty-handed to begin with, I didn’t have much to take with me when I left.
I put only my valuables in a separate pocket and put on the clothes I had in Socheoldang.
If you go south anyway, you’ll have to buy new clothes.
“When are we going to the south again?” … .”
At least we should consider it fortunate that Badniker’s headquarters is located in the southeastern part of the empire.
Still, it will take two weeks at the earliest.
While I was alone in my room sorting out my few belongings, the door opened without warning.
I thought some rude guy had barged in without knocking, but seeing his face made me understand.
These days, we bump into each other often… It was Grand Wizard Assad.
“What’s going on?”
“Luan Badnicker. “I heard a rumor that Delac was going to be kidnapped. Is that true?”
“hmm… … .”
It’s all straight to the point.
Although I prefer this way of speaking, I find it a bit embarrassing because it holds me back.
“Originally, it would have been nonsense that would have been passed over with one ear, but they said you were the subject of the rumor.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I thought a crazy person like you could do that.”
“… … .”
Please excuse me in my face.
I said in a frustrated voice.
“I’m sorry, but I got the wrong person.”
“Did I misunderstand?”
“That’s not true, it’s true that I spilled those words while eating. And I expected that the words spilled there would reach the ears of the elders and Mr. Assad. Let’s take a guess. “You were the one who chased after Assad and reported to him, right?”
“… … .”
Only then did Assad change his expression and look at me with a somewhat bewildered expression.
“Are you sure you said something like that to call me out?”
“So to speak.”
“Whoa… … .”
Assad let out a really deep sigh.
“Hey. Luan. No matter how small a family you are, there is a line that should not be crossed. “What do you think would have happened if someone else had started talking nonsense about kidnapping the head of the family?”
“Either I die, or if I’m lucky, I become a half-asshole, right? I apologize for being somewhat rude. Still, I couldn’t help it. “If it weren’t for this nonsense, would I have dared to treat Mr. Assad or any other elder alone?”
“… … .”
Although I have often been involved with this man recently, he is not a person Assad can easily meet.
To put it bluntly, I don’t even know Assad’s residence. I don’t even know where I usually rest.
I know it’s somewhere in the family, but it’s impossible to find it in person.
“good. Well then, let’s take a listen. “What are you trying to say to me by talking nonsense?”
“You already heard it, right? “Your father needs rest.”
“… … .”
While Assad remains silent as expected, I strategically review what to say next.
This man said something somewhat surprising.
“… okay. I’ll admit it. “You have a point.”
“yes?”
“I agree with you that Delac needs rest.”
“… … .”
I was a little embarrassed.
Because I never expected that this strict archmage would agree with my opinion.
But what followed was even more shocking.
“Before I came here, I negotiated with the elders. To put it simply, what I do with Delak is up to me.”
“yes?”
“It means that depending on my decision, I may leave Delak in your care.”
I blinked and asked.
“… “How did you convince those stubborn people?”
“I sold some drugs. Because the achievements you made last year were not even surpassed by Delac. “I’m just suggesting the possibility that if I move with you for the time being, I might not only be able to rehabilitate but also achieve results.”
“aha.”
“… Like I said, being with you doesn’t mean Delac can rest well. It will be impossible to avoid becoming entangled with the cult and the devil. but… … .”
Assad muttered in a strangely ragged voice.
“… Even so, it would be meaningful if I could put aside my work as an Iron Bloodsmith for a while.”
“hmm. then… … ?”
“But there is a condition.”
I knew it would happen.
I didn’t expect things to be resolved easily, so I asked casually.
“What is it?”
“As you know, Delac is in an unstable state right now. It can’t be called power, and it’s dangerous in many ways. But that shouldn’t cause harm to Delak’s body. So prove it.”
“Proof?”
“I’m telling you that you are stronger than the current Delak, and that you have the qualifications to become his protector.”
“… no way?”
And Assad made a shocking declaration.
“Compete with the current Delak and win. Those are my conditions.”
