There was a saying that said: «Check your partner's room before you get married». In other words, things in a person's room could tell you a lot about their personality. Not only could you tell if someone preferred finery or being frugal, but also if they were lazy or hardworking. You could find out what colors he preferred, what hobbies he had, what kind of job he did, and much more. Even if you didn't know anything about a person when you entered, you could get a rough idea of what kind of person they were just by looking at their room.
A good example of this was the reception room I was in.
The interior of the room immediately gave off a luxurious air. Although the decoration was neither striking nor excessive, the few pieces of furniture and decorations there were clearly expensive. At first glance, it was clear that they must have cost a fortune.
Food.
The snacks they put on my table were also plentiful. It was hard to imagine that so many different types of delicious delicacies had been prepared for one person.
Trago.
There was even a servant who remained at the entrance at all times, refilling my glass half empty every time I drank from it. And that wasn't even the icing on the cake.
This may be the first time I've seen a reception room with its own elevator music.
In one corner of the room was a bald musician playing relaxing music with a string instrument.
He doesn't look like a new hire for today either.
Just by taking a look at this reception room, he could clearly see what kind of person owned this house.
He has the heart of a merchant.
Everything about him told me clearly that the owner put hospitality before everything else, instead of just prioritizing showing off his immense wealth. Well, if I waited here a little longer, I could see how well he ended up treating me when he arrived.
The meeting time we agreed upon is in five minutes. It will definitely arrive just in time.
I crossed my legs and opened a random newspaper from a nearby pile, only to discover that the article on the first page was about me. To be fair, I assumed the headline would have been the same whichever one I chose.
The Great Hero engraved on the Stone of Honor, Baron Yandel, has drawn his sword and pointed it at the traitors of the empire lurking in the underworld...!
Three days had passed since my black market scene, and the story was finally making headlines. It was impossible for Mozlan not to try to keep the incident a secret, but it must have been impossible to hide from the public the 397 slaves who had been freed.
Although they omitted the fact that most of those who frequented the slave trade were nobles...
Although the article was missing some key details, it offered a good overview of the situation. For example, he mentioned how slaves had been able to regain their status as normal citizens and were currently staying in a temporary shelter that Mozlan had prepared. A tax-exempt policy had also been created for five years to help them.
Oh, and there was an interview.
«...he told them that he wouldn't regret it, but that they would».
The interviewee was anonymous, but judging by the statements he gave, it was clearly that boy I knew, the one who had been trapped in the cage.
So the black market has closed completely? Well, I guess it makes sense that they go unnoticed for the moment.
While reading the article, the servant suddenly moved away from the entrance and politely approached me. «Count Alminus has arrived».
«Oh yeah?» I closed the newspaper I was reading and left it on the table. «Tell him to come in».
It was time to get to work.
***
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***
«¡Jajaja!»
«¡Jajaja!»
The room was filled with the raw but sincere laughter of an old man. Next to the table was a photographer, who was passionately photographing us both. So that's why he wanted to meet with me: to have a paparazzo portray us that charged 2,135 million stones for some first-class photos.
«Baron Yandel, a little more... barbaric... No. Can you try to smile more like a man?».
«Of course! Ha ha ha!
«I would appreciate it if you smiled like that while looking at the count».
«Of course! Ha ha ha! Hahaha...!»
In exchange for withdrawing his claim for 2.1 billion stones against me, Count Alminus agreed to set things right with a friendly photo shoot. After all, they would be photos that would be preserved through time. Since he was an old man who didn't have much time left, all he wanted was a way to be remembered after his death.
Of course, as soon as I heard that, I assumed he had some kind of ulterior motive or plan. However, after thinking about it, I became convinced that this was not the case. I mean, I admit that it would seem incredible to me if my grandfather had a photo with Einstein.
«¡Jajaja!»
«¡Jajaja! Jajaja...!»
Be that as it may, the two of us continued smiling widely and laughing together while the photographer took photos. These photos would tell the story of a friendship that had transcended both age and race. Finally, after trying a few more poses, the photographer handed me a bottle of cheap beer and the count a glass of wine so we could toast.
«Perfect! Absolutely perfect!»
That's how we got our photo. The count enthusiastically approached to see the photo and, satisfied with the result, gave the man a good gratification.
And so our mutual affairs ended.
«Haha, good job, Your Honor», the count smiled. «You must be tired, so eat something before you leave».
«No, it's okay. I'm not hungry».
Wait, oops, it's my fault.
«Oh, uh», I stammered, «I mean I have someone waiting for me at home, so I should come back now. It's a shame, but we'll have to share a meal another time».
«Haha, yes... It is best to sit down to eat with the family whenever you can». Like the extraordinarily business-savvy old man that he was, the count smiled and helped me hide my blunder. However, before I could take the exit he had given me and leave, he suddenly spoke. «By the way, I saw that you have recently done something extraordinary. Break into the black market to free those 397 slaves».
«Oh...»
«What you did for those people made a wave of passion run through my old veins for the first time in a long time. That's why I thought it would be wise to offer my help too...»
Oh, I was wondering where I wanted to go.
In the end, it was all a polite way of trying to get a piece of the pie. I went to refuse, but what he said next changed my mind immediately. «There are almost four hundred of them, and they still don't have a suitable place to live, correct?».
«...Correct.»
«If you allow me, I would like to help you. Although they are currently tax-exempt, they should have a suitable residence while starting over.»
I was sincerely surprised by the offer, amazed that they were willing to provide accommodation for almost four hundred people.
Well, I guess House Alminus isn't considered the richest in the kingdom for nothing.
«Of course», I gladly accepted. «This world needs more heroes. Why would I refuse?» Although he did not have the purest intentions, that did not change the fact that this would be of great help to the slaves who had been freed.
«Don't worry. I'll make sure I don't steal your spotlight».
After our conversation, I left the count's house. The next morning, there was an article on the front page of the newspaper that took up the entire page.
Count Alminus had pledged to donate two billion stones to the cause. When asked why, he said it was simply to help an old friend...
Accompanying the article was the photo we took yesterday.
«He must be enjoying fame».
Just as I was leaving the newspaper, feeling strangely dirty, Shavin, the head of our management team burst into my store. «It's been ages since he closed the maze and you decide to come here now?», she scolded me, exasperated.
«¿Sí...?»
«First take these documents. From now on, don't even think about leaving this store until you have reviewed and approved them all!».
Shavin had become much tougher than he remembered. However, it was probably due to the stress caused by overwork.
I smiled and consciously decided to overlook it. «Okay. I'll take a look at them, so don't be mad, okay? But why are there so many of these anyway? I have already delegated most of my power to you».
«...These are all things that I cannot make decisions about with the power you have given me. As our debt continues to grow, we have been forced to budget month by month. But I don't have the power to set the budget, and since you didn't show up, the only thing we could do was approve things provisionally and unofficially manage the general ledger. What should have been a simple process had to be divided into two or three parts, just because you weren't here to give the go-ahead!».
«Oh. Really...?»
How can I get out of this?
Shavin glared at me as soon as I came up with that idea. It was like he could read my mind. «Don't even think about trying to run away right now».
«...Can't you do it for me?».
«Ha! Well, there's nothing I can't do, huh! How about I create the entire budget for the tribe? While I'm at it, I'll decide the cost of the land without your approval and I'll also set my own salary», he shouted, a voice telling me he was about to explode.
But I didn't understand why he acted like that. She herself had said she could do all that, so what was the problem? «Then why don't you do it?»
"... ¿Which? ⁇
«Shavin, I trust you. I don't know about the others, but I fully trust your decisions. And if you make a mistake, I won't blame you, I will take full responsibility. The reason I gave you this position is because I trust that you will do the job better than anyone else. And since I'm the boss, I have the power to do it».
Shavin was speechless.
«So try to trust yourself too. Whatever they say, I know you're the best at this kind of thing. I'm an expert when it comes to the maze, and your calling is management. No one will make better decisions when it comes to these things than you, including me».
Alright, judging by his expression, I almost earned it. Now was the time to deliver the final blow.
«So you don't have to wait for my signature. I trust you can take care of things on your own. And the same goes for your salary. You are free to take everything you see fit».
«...But it sure is dangerous for you to give me a blank check».
«I don't think so. If that's what you say you're worth, I won't contradict you».
Shavin stared at me without saying a word, until he finally broke his silence to say: «...For years, I always thought to myself: 'I wouldn't do that if I were in your place. I would have done better». I always had those thoughts, but in the end, I guess it was because I didn't know how scary it was to occupy such an important position myself.»
«Everyone is afraid at first».
At my words of encouragement, he clenched his fists, apparently making a decision. «...I'll try. If at least I don't try after hearing all that, what's the point? What excuse could I have? I'm not one to back down».
«Okay. I'm sure you'll do a great job».
After successfully executing my emergency escape, I ran out of the store without looking back. My walk made me cross paths with Ainar, so I took the opportunity to give him a new mission.
«Do you want me to gather all the warriors of the holy land?».
«Yeah. I have something to tell you».
I felt sorry for the management team who worked tirelessly, but the real reason I had come today was not because of them. Instead, it was time to put on a little show.
«Okay, I'll get them together, but it'll probably be a lot of people».
«¿What?»
«Didn't you know? These days, all the warriors are staying in holy land to concentrate on building their houses.»
«But we just did our third round of sales. There shouldn't be so many warriors building houses».
«Well, you can't build a house by yourself, right? Everyone is working together. They are calling their friends, and their friends' friends, to help».
Ah, so that's what's happening.
«Either way, bring them all here! Be sure to tell them we're going to have fun!»
«Fun...?»
«You'll see what I mean in a while.»
«Wahoo! You're planning something again! I don't know what it is, but let's get to it! I'm going for it!» Ainar sped out, full of enthusiasm, to gather the warriors.
I went to the meeting place to wait. As time passed, the warriors began to arrive one by one. It was strange to see them walking with hammers and nails in their hands instead of weapons, like great carpenters in leather.
"¡Easy!"
«Ohhh! He is the great warrior whose name was written on the Stone of Honor!».
The warriors shouted with excitement upon arrival. Honestly, I was worried that they would get angry for calling them and interrupting them in the middle of their work.
«I heard we're going to have fun!».
«What's the funny thing I heard?!»
«Let's get to it!»
The boring and menial work of building a house must have been exhausting them.
«Wait! I'll tell you when everyone is together!»
After an hour, the entire forest was full of barbarians. Similar to the festival a few months ago, all the warriors began to sing with burning passion.
¡Bum! ¡Boom! ¡Boom!
At some point, they even started beating their chests like drums.
«Bjorn.»
«When we are in the sacred land, call me Chief.»
«...Cacique, I have gathered everyone.»
«I see.» Then it was time to start.
There was no need to give these excited warriors a long speech. «All! Follow me! Go aheadeeeee!» I just shouted orders without even telling them where we were going. However, as soon as I started walking, the warriors automatically began to follow me. When we reached the dirt road, I already had a procession behind me.
«¡Woohoo!»
«Bjorn, son of Yandel!»
«¡Let's go!»
It was a one hundred percent barbaric parade.
When we reached the city gates, the warriors standing guard immediately opened it without question or suspicion.
Clang, clang.
The door began to open with a mechanical noise, and just like the first day I woke up in this body, a familiar grayish city appeared beyond its jaws. And in the distance, hidden between its well-maintained roads and its stone buildings, a tall spire crossed the sky.
«¡Let's go!»
As we marched towards our destination, street passersby began to throw themselves onto the sidewalks as if we were a runaway cart. At first, I thought we were a nuisance to them, but my expectations turned out to be wrong.
«Wow! It's Baron Yandel! You are Baron Yandel, right?»
"¡Es el...!"
«¡Woohoo, wow!»
Surprisingly, the response from the curious was not negative, but positive enough that even more citizens began to approach us to witness the emerging parade.
Hit!
The windows opened and the city's inhabitants stuck their heads out of their houses to see us parade through the streets. Seeing us pass by, everyone asked themselves the same questions.
«But... where are they going?».
«You see, true…?»
«Shouldn't we call someone? Is it really okay for such a large group of them to march through the streets like this...?».
It wasn't long before members of the Public Peace Agency were urgently sent to confront us. «It is an honor to meet you, Baron Yandel».
«Is there any reason for me to stop?»
«It's because... we received... a report and...»
«Are you thinking about arresting me? Even if we're just walking down the street?»
«No! Of course not! We would never do something like that!»
«Okay. Then get out of the way».
At my command, the captain of the group moved out of our way, looking bewildered.
«Behel-aaah!» I let out a powerful scream as we continued our march toward the center of the district.
It didn't take long for the knights to appear. «It is an honor to meet you, Baron Yandel». They were a group of Mozlan gentlemen, who were famous for their authoritarian approach to law enforcement. However, I didn't have to worry about that anymore. «Forgive us, but can we ask where you are going?»
«Why should I answer that?»
«We were not informed that there would be an event like this today. Nor any other organization, which is why we simply ask for confirmation...».
He had no reason to give them an honest explanation. «I'm just taking a walk, so don't bother us.»
«...A walk?» The captain of the knights seemed bewildered. If I were an ordinary person, he would definitely have questioned me more until he snitched on me. Or maybe he would have even arrested me for disorderly conduct and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.
«I told you we're just taking a walk. Are you doubting me?»
But now I was a baron of this kingdom.
«Of course not. We were only worried after hearing that a group of a thousand barbarian warriors had gathered in the streets. I ask that you kindly consider the position we are in as well.»
«We are not leaving Ravigion. Does that answer your question?»
Hearing that I had no intention of heading to the commercial district of Kommelby or the royal capital, the knights nodded with sighs of relief. «So... Do you mind if we follow you?».
«Well, I have no reason to stop you from walking the streets too».
«Thanks...»
In the end, the Mozlan knights realized they couldn't stop me and agreed to follow me.
«The barbarians!»
«The barbarians are here!»
As we continued our march through the streets, news began to spread through the city, and its inhabitants were excited. People started waiting along the streets to see us pass by like we were a parade. We must have been an unusual spectacle.
«The Magic Tower...! The barbarians are heading to the Magic Tower!»
Finally, they began to notice the direction we were heading. And the barbarians who followed me began to get even more excited as their comments reached their ears.
«The Magic Tower? Shall we head to the Magic Tower?!»
«Bjorn, son of Yandel, the Great Warrior!»
«The chief leads us to the sacred battle!»
«It's time to feast on the wizards' meat!»
«¡Become-aaaaaa!»
Like a huge army heading towards the battlefield, the roars of warriors could be heard for miles away. And the citizens who heard them quickly panicked.
«Have they gone crazy...!?
«Are they really trying to fight the Magic Tower?».
«That? But why?»
«Their hearts! It is for the hearts of the barbarians! Wizards are using them as magical ingredients!»
«...I don't know what's going to happen, but I have a feeling we're about to witness something incredible».
No matter what the people around us said, we continued to march forward.
Stomp.
Finally, I stopped upon reaching our destination. Countless spectators had gathered in the square in front of the imposing black spire, among them hundreds of magicians who had come to meet us, apparently after hearing the news of our departure. When we met face to face, a wave of silence flooded the square and the thousands of people who packed it. There was so much silence that I could hear someone nearby swallowing saliva from the tension. Then, an old wizard came forward to act as a representative of the Magic Tower.
«I am the Chief Magician of the Lengman School, Wilbeth Gwollen». The Chief Mage had a rank similar to that of a long-term disciple of a martial arts master. In other words, since the Lengman School master was the head of the Magic Tower, this old man was his second in command. «How about you show up too?»
Even though he already knew who I was, he asked anyway. Maybe it was because he was a magician, but this guy really seemed to like formalities.
«A presentation...» I smiled. The Giant, Chief of the Anabada Clan, Chief of the Barbarians, Baron of Rafdonia... I didn't need to list any of the titles I had earned. «Bjorn, son of Yandel».
The old wizard took a deep breath at my brief presentation and then nodded his head. «I see. It's an honor to meet the hero I've only heard of. But what brings you here to the Magic Tower?».
«I'm here to do what I should have done a long time ago».
«Something you should have done a long time ago... Although I am also quite old, I am not sure what you mean».
«Really? Then I guess I'll have to tell you». With that, I raised my voice in a shout so that all the citizens gathered in the square, including the elderly and the hard of hearing, could hear me. «I am Bjorn, son of Yandel! And I demand that the Magic Tower stop using our hearts as magical ingredients!».
«Really... That's all why...?», the old man murmured, rubbing the knot between his eyebrows with a heavy sigh. «This is a legitimate area of research», he said calmly, trying to appeal to logic. «You may be a baron of this kingdom and the chief of the barbarians, but that does not give you authority to stop an investigation that is being carried out to improve society. If you still do not agree, then I ask you to formally file a complaint with the royal family and...»
«Too long!»
«...Sorry?»
«Don't talk so long, man.»
Did calling him an old man offend you? «Since it seems that the baron does not understand me when 'I speak too long', I will be brief». His entire performance as a «patient and benevolent old man» faded when he stared into my eyes, his expression wrinkled into a withering look. Totally indifferent to our situation, he snapped at me: «We refuse».
The disrespectful grimace did not disappear from his face. It was childish behavior inappropriate for a man his age.
«Then», asked the old magician, «what are you going to do now?».
After a brief moment, I raised my chin and gave him my answer. «The war».
That single word was more than enough.
«…¡G-War!»
«It's Guerraaaaa!»
«Everyone take up your weapons!»
«Behel-aaaaaa!»
I'd say we've played well enough, right?
***
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