Chapter 84. Interference (1)
Verden left the capital together with Count Rodenmeyer.
Naturally, unlike when they came, they did not use any strategic weapons like airships, but simply traveled by carriage. As Verden gazed at the scenery outside, he spoke to the count.
"Mining rights for silver and magic stones, it was more than I expected."
"They're called mining rights, but it's not that grand. To build tunnels, you need a lot of investment, and we don't know exactly how much silver is actually there. At worst, we won't suffer losses, but it'll take at least three years to recover the investment."
"What about the magic stone mine?"
"That belonged to a certain merchant guild. But midway, due to bad investments, they went bankrupt and it was taken over by Magnus Bank. The ducal palace later acquired it. The reserves have been reduced by half, but since it's only closed down, reopening it won't be difficult. We won't make more than expected, though."
It seemed Count Rodenmeyer had done some prior investigation. He must have already estimated the approximate profit.
He might be deliberately downplaying the profit to reduce Verden's compensation, but that was probably just a misconception.
"Still, isn't it too much for a reward that comes once a year at the Inauguration?"
"It is excessive. In fact, it's the largest reward ever given in all past Inaugurations. But it's not as though only our Rodenmeyer family benefits."
Whether silver mine or magic stone mine, some noble had to own the rights and conduct the mining. The duke merely placed them as prizes for the Inauguration.
Such enterprises were never carried out directly by the duke.
Instead of funneling profits to the palace, he let them go to the territories. From the fact that he put the rights up as prizes, even though he could have sought profit himself, one could guess.
The duke always prioritized the development of the state over his own gain.
But that didn't mean the duke was losing anything.
Minerals and magic stones.
These were especially taxed at high rates.
In other words, the more Count Rodenmeyer earned, the fuller the national treasury became.
"They wouldn't hand over that much money just because of a good evaluation of your territory. His Grace the Duke may be cheerful in personality, but as you know, he's quick-tempered. Even so, he instinctively does his calculations. It's obvious that he judged this situation would benefit the entire duchy before making his decision."
Count Rodenmeyer had long observed the duke.
His assessment was surely accurate. Verden nodded in agreement, then asked quietly.
"So what is my reward?"
Verden had won the tournament.
That had clearly contributed to Count Rodenmeyer's evaluation.
The count paused briefly before opening his mouth.
"Four hundred seventy-six million Elk. Two hundred million in cash, the rest in goods."
It was less than the reward from the Soul Tree subjugation.
But among all the requests he had taken so far, this was the largest sum.
"And the goods are…?"
"They'll be given in gold bars. If you prefer, jewels are possible as well."
Cash was more convenient.
As Verden was hesitating, the count continued.
"Jewels have stable value. But they're weak as an investment. Gold is the opposite. It has considerable volatility, but lately, the price has been showing signs of rising. It wouldn't be bad to hold some."
Yes, it wouldn't be bad.
And since he had a spatial bag, carrying them wouldn't be inconvenient either.
Still, did he really need to take gold bars?
Verden wasn't interested in investment. If needed, he could always earn money through commissions. When he gave no answer, the count sighed.
"Just be honest. Because of the magic stone mine and silver mine, I don't have enough available cash, so just accept it. You also obtained a robe and a ring from the Inauguration, didn't you? And the deadline for the missing person request was extended for you as well. Don't you think you can just accept this much?"
That was true.
Verden had gained much from the Inauguration as well.
And it wasn't as if Count Rodenmeyer wasn't paying him at all. To insist on only cash would frankly be shameless. This was a concession he could afford to make.
Verden nodded.
"Understood."
"Good. I'll have the reward delivered through Pale."
And so, the carriage continued forward, and after some time, they arrived at the count's mansion.
"Then, I'll be on my way."
Verden returned straight to the city of Cohen.
The count, watching his back, turned and headed into the mansion.
With the Inauguration, prepared with great effort, now over, it was time to focus on himself and his family. To activate the magic stone mine and silver mine, there was much preparation ahead.
Administration of the territory could be entrusted to his aide, Viscount Bailon. The count planned to rest for a few days, then set things in motion.
But a few days later—
"…Someone died?"
"Count Dabirk has been murdered."
An incident had erupted.
***
The death of a noble was never a trivial matter.
Especially when it was one higher-ranked than a count, and murdered at that. Moreover, since he died while returning home right after the duchy's Inauguration, the ducal palace was in uproar.
Listener came to see Verden.
He said,
"The ducal palace intends to suppress the information and deploy the 3rd Central Knights. For support troops, they'll ask the surrounding lords to cooperate."
The death of Count Dabirk could bring chaos.
Naturally, until the matter was clearly resolved, it was better not to make it public. In the midst of this, Verden thought,
'Does Ark's information network extend even into the ducal palace itself?'
To get hold of information treated as top secret in the duchy so easily.
He even wondered if a member of Ark might be among the highest ranks of the duchy. A noble of very high standing at that.
"But you said the Central Knights?"
"Yes, one of the knight orders directly under the palace. All composed of officers, a small elite force of great skill. The captain and vice-captain are respectively the heirs of two marquis families. And it's not due to the marquis families' influence, but purely their ability."
Captain.
The only son of Marquis Gardran, Rupel Rains di Gardran.
Vice-captain.
The eldest son of Marquis Ravishrun, Dukel Veil di Ravishrun.
'Dukel, huh.'
The former he did not know, but the latter, he did.
It was that muscular noble, the one who had devoured food nonstop at the banquet.
Information about the Central Knights, that was more than enough. It wasn't of much use anyway.
What mattered lay elsewhere.
"Has Gluttony moved?"
Listener nodded.
"I don't know exactly how, or for what purpose they killed Count Dabirk, but we caught a tail. However, it's nothing more than expendables to Gluttony, just one of countless tails that can be cut off at any time."
"I don't care. I never intended to cut it in the first place."
If they reacted to the bait thrown, that was enough.
If things went as he thought, they would reveal the head they were hiding.
Verden handed over the Doctor's mark, the front tooth of Gluttony.
"Then, I'll leave it to you, as we discussed."
"Yes… but are you really fine with going alone? At least take Lord Locke with you…"
"No, it's more convenient moving alone."
Locke possessed strength beyond his years.
But for Verden right now, he would only be a hindrance. In a situation where he might have to face Gluttony's hidden forces, he had no intention of worrying about another's life.
He wasn't even sure he had the leeway for that.
Listener hesitated for a moment, then as if resolved, pulled out a small crystal from his robes and handed it over. Verden tilted his head, unfamiliar with the item.
"What is this?"
"A kind of transmitter. If you break this crystal, a particular mana wavelength bursts forth, and its location is transmitted to Ark. No matter where that may be. Because of its purpose, it has only ever been given to a tiny handful within Ark."
Once the position was transmitted, Ark would move.
That made it dangerous. If something like Gluttony got hold of it, it could be easily misused. Which was why it had never once been handed to an outsider.
"This is my decision alone. If you ever find yourself in danger, don't hesitate to break it."
It was Listener's goodwill.
It meant he valued Verden that much.
He had no intention of joining Ark, but it was quite pleasing nonetheless. At the very least, the unpleasantness from their first meeting had long since disappeared.
Verden took the crystal and placed it into his spatial bag.
Gluttony, scheming in the duchy,
it was time to rip out its fangs.
***
The lords governing the neighboring territories of Dabirk.
They gathered in a city, conducting a meeting under a heavy atmosphere.
"How long has it been since the Inauguration ended, and already such a thing has happened…!"
One count fumed.
None of those gathered here had shared deep friendship with Count Dabirk. But regardless, they recognized him as a fellow noble of the duchy.
Even if there had been enmity, to feel anger at the murder of a count was only natural.
"Has such a thing ever happened since the duchy was founded? Now and then there were reckless nobles who were injured or killed, but for a count to be so brutally murdered…"
"It wasn't just a simple murder."
Count Rodenmeyer pressed his brow.
"Count Dabirk's knights were guarding him. Yet they couldn't protect him. They didn't just fail, they were all massacred without exception. Whatever it is, there must be that level of danger lurking nearby."
"He's right. Identifying the cause comes first. Judging from the traces at the scene, it's likely abnormal species or demi-humans… but it could have been humans. The traces may have been forged."
"Then you're saying someone is deliberately targeting the nobles of the duchy?"
"I wouldn't know. Maybe it was someone who held a grudge against Count Dabirk. As you all know, he didn't exactly have the best nature."
Everyone agreed.
In business or anything else, there were almost no cases where Count Dabirk succeeded. Along the way, countless victims had been made, causing more than a few uproars.
Still, whatever the reason, murdering a noble was an unforgivable crime.
"In any case, the 3rd Central Knights will arrive from the palace today. Once they do, they'll quickly uncover the truth."
In an ordinary incident, a lord would have sent knights to deal with it. Or else commissioned Gray, hiring trustworthy people to take care of it.
But this was an exceptional case.
When information had to be contained, bringing in outsiders carelessly could lead to suspicion of being the culprit.
The murder of a count of the realm carried that much weight.
Even if most nobles had not looked kindly upon him.
At that moment, voices came from outside the chamber, then the door opened, and unfamiliar figures entered. Uniforms and armor of deep navy. The 3rd Central Knights, dispatched from the ducal palace of Riviant.
The lords all rose at once.
One count was the first to greet them.
"Welcome, Captain Rupel. And Vice-captain Dukel."
The heirs of two marquis houses who supported the duchy.
Rupel bowed slightly.
"I am Rupel Rains di Gardran, leading the 3rd Central Knights. I would like to greet each of you formally, but given the urgency, I must ask your understanding."
"Of course. We've mustered the necessary forces, so go to the site at once. If you lack manpower, our houses will gladly lend support."
They were not just knights, but sons of marquis houses.
Cooperation was only natural. When several lords pledged their help, Rupel smiled.
"Thank you. I hope it won't come to that, but if necessary, I will seek your aid."
Rupel.
As the rumors said, was a man of upright character. And above all, dedicated to his duty. Without delay, the Central Knights left the city, accompanied by dozens of soldiers and knights mustered from the city, riding swiftly toward the scene.
And Verden, from the sky above, was watching them.
"So they finally depart."
In his hand, the compass of Black Hour. The needle still wavered without direction.
Was it that he had to approach within a certain distance of Gluttony, or was it simply malfunctioning because there were too many targets? He didn't yet know.
For now, it was impossible to identify Gluttony.
But even so, Verden had a good idea.
Of what Gluttony was thinking, and what action it would take.
Verden rose above the clouds.
Slowly, the air grew thinner, and his mana consumption increased. The dizzying height brought even a psychological pressure. An ordinary mage would never even dare such an altitude, paralyzed by fear.
On rare occasions, there had even been cases where mages who misjudged their ability fell to their deaths from suffocation or mana depletion.
Of course, Verden was different.
He thickened the density of the air around him to maintain breathing, used his robe to shield his body temperature, and executed an even more refined flight. No strain. His body, his mana reserves, his mana control, none of them lacked.
Before he knew it, Verden had risen above the clouds.
Below, he could see the Central Knights, heading toward the site.