Chapter 95: Briber (3)

-So there are decent worms even in this sewer of a city! No fancy words, no self-revelation—just a tribute brimming with sincerity! Mastah, I believe this much is acceptable!

“This bundle held such deep meaning?”

-But that aside, how infuriating. How dare they leave just one item behind without any proper greetings? Regardless of their intent, I cannot shake the impression of a worm lacking even the barest etiquette. Therefore, Mastah, I say you pass judgment once you’ve seen what it contains.

“…Um, so is it commendable or infuriating? And why is punishment already a given?”

-This is how underlings should be treated!

“What if I treated you like that?”

-To think you would spare such emotion for me…! This Dan’Galeon feels the extremity of ecstasy just imagining it!

“What am I to do with you…”

Risir felt an unexpected flicker of sympathy for the devil worshipers.

The devil obeying him clearly had a terrible personality—how much worse must it be for the worshipers, openly treated as nothing more than underlings?

In any case, Risir hesitated, wondering if Gadum might have sent this.

Unable to contain his curiosity, he untied the bundle. Inside were several heavily worn notebooks.

-How dare they!

Dan’Galeon roared, the gray-white energy in its crystal orb churning violently.

“You scared me. What’s the matter this time?”

-Those things! They are not grimoires!

“Yeah, I thought the same.”

-In that case, they’re nothing more than worn, unkempt trash!

“I think that’s too harsh.”

-Books are vessels of treasured knowledge! If the exterior is so pitiful, the contents can’t be worth much either!

“Harsh, but you do have a point.”

-Say the word, Mastah, and I—Dan’Galeon—will burn that trash to cinders and curse the fate of the worm who dared gift it!

“You have a point, but that’s way too extreme. We can call it junk after checking what’s inside. Just look at this—”

Risir pulled out the swordsmanship manual Rodan had given him. It wasn’t as worn as the notebooks, but it still resembled an old schoolbook more than an antique tome.

Such exceptions did exist. Books that looked like junk on the outside, but held immense value within.

After all, treasures weren’t always hidden in chests lined with gold and jewels.

“True treasures tend not to show off.”

-Mastah! Open your eyes!!! That scrapbook is also trash!

“What are you saying? Clana, are you hearing this? It’s calling the swordsmanship manual written by your disciple trash.”

<I won’t deny it, as his sword possesses no definitive meaning. And I’ll have you know, he is no disciple of mine.>

“The real trash was in you, huh.”

Risir had expected the swordmaster to explain the value of Rodan’s manual on his behalf. With that hope dashed, he decided to enlighten Dan’Galeon himself.

“Hey, Dan’Galeon. You’re just being ignorant. Mention Rodan’s sword manual to any swordsman, and their eyes’ll light up before they pounce.”

-Which is exactly why it’s trash! What fool requires learning to move their body?!

“No…it’s not just moving but—”

-Swordsmanship is the path of animals!

“…Clana. Are you seriously letting that devil say that?”

<No matter how you dress it up, swordsmanship is about researching and refining the optimal way to kill. I find that a far more honest expression than all that talk of honor.>

“Is it really okay for me to be learning swordsmanship from someone like this?”

-A wise person like Mastah should devote himself to magic, which explores the true nature of the world! On that note, today is the day you must absolutely abandon that inanimate object and train in magic!

“…Alright.”

-Mastah!

“I’ve come to realize that ignoring you is the right thing to do.”

All this ranting just so it could whine like a pup, begging him to play.

Risir tuned the devil out and started reading the notebooks.

-Mastah!!! No! You mustn’t sully your noble intellect with such junk!

“…?”

Before long, a questioning look crossed Risir’s face. The book contained something completely unexpected.

A string of numbers and a combination of enigmatic words.

Wine in the Left Hand? Why does that sound familiar…?

He thought for a moment.

“Ah.”

Risir nodded, remembering what it was.

I’m pretty sure it’s the name of the biggest tavern in the back-alley pleasure district.

Bondalles wasn’t a city particularly influenced by the Church. Hiring friendly, conversational drinking companions at a tavern was perfectly legal business.

As far as Risir knew, Wine in the Left Hand was a legitimate business that stayed within such legitimate bounds.

However…

Could this be…the shop’s ledger?

Throughout the book—presumably Wine in the Left Hand’s ledger—there were numerous entries that set it apart from any ordinary financial record.

[Gorek, second son of House Halomia, visited around 7 PM on the 17th with acquaintances (Halan, third daughter of House Volkan; Karuchi, second son of House Rons) and stayed approximately 4 hours]

[Descriptions of each individual on that day are as follows]

[Escorts and servants accompanying the individuals are as follows]

At first glance, it seemed to be a detailed log of visits by notable figures. But the excessively thorough information about the guests gave Risir an uneasy feeling. Like there was something off, something impure in the intent.

After some contemplation, Risir shared the book’s contents with Clana.

<What is this now?>

“It seems to be the ledger of a certain tavern located in this city.”

<And you’re showing it to me because?>

“I thought you might know something if you saw it.”

<What does it have to do with me?>

“It smells of…illegality and crime, shall we say.”

<…>

So, why are you asking me about illegal and criminal things?

Inside the inner world, Clana’s expression crumpled fiercely, yet she obediently examined the book’s pages.

The script wasn’t familiar to her, but thanks to sharing consciousness with Risir, she could interpret the records without difficulty.

<As you said, it’s no ordinary ledger. This is a secret ledger.>

“A secret ledger?”

<Yes. A document recording illicit business dealings that cannot be publicly revealed.>

Clana explained the unique format and rules of a secret ledger to Risir.

“Oh…”

Thanks to her, Risir managed to understand even more of the ledger’s pages.

“Why record something like this? To make it easier for someone else to uncover carefully hidden crimes?”

<It might seem stupid to an ordinary person like you, but there are reasons. This is evidence. As you said, it contains one’s own dirty secrets, but it also contains the dirty secrets of those connected to them.>

“Ah…?”

<I don’t know the specifics, but if the contents of this ledger were revealed externally, this Gorek guy mentioned here would be in as much trouble as the owner of the ledger.>

“Ooh…? So, it’s a means of blackmail and a safety measure at the same time. To maintain strong friendships with friends made in unsavory ways…”

Risir scanned the secret ledger with a markedly different gaze. He recognized some of the names of families, groups, or individuals mentioned in the ledger.

“Why is Gerhen’s name here again? He took notice of a male beastkin slave serving at the shop…Oh.”

They were the names of Bondalles’ powerful figures, which he had memorized for a wise life in Bondalles.

According to the ledger, the services they received at Wine in the Left Hand clearly crossed the line of legality.

Wealth and alcohol, and friendly, sociable drinking companions. Let’s say that much is acceptable.

But…

“Drugs…contract violence…illegal human trafficking…Turns out this book is far more dangerous than most grimoires.”

Risir muttered to himself with a pale look.

Wine in the Left Hand was actually a hotbed of all kinds of illegality and corruption. Many of Bondalles’ powerful figures were its customers.

The moment the ledger was exposed, the city would be turned upside down.

A moment later, Risir closed the ledger and burst out laughing.

“Why?”

He wondered why such an incredible item ended up in his possession. Why was this delivered to him anonymously?

If Risir hadn’t belonged anywhere, he would have agonized over this for a long time.

However…

“Maybe I should consult Miss Lan.”

He was currently under someone who would take away all these worries and leave only the joy of achievement.

City Councilor Lan was an upright person, vouched for even by Master Meltas. Risir had no doubt she would use this ledger for the right purpose.

-Mastah! You must not trust humans carelessly!

“Miss Lan is trustworthy.”

-But that wench possesses less than that Gadum fellow!

“Just asking, do you even know what trust means?”

Ah.

Then, as if remembering something, Risir looked at Blue Lotus.

“By the way, Clana! I knew you’d be knowledgeable about this sort of thing! Where else could I get this information if not from you! Thank you!”

-Damn it, Mastah is so pleased…I never imagined I’d envy you, inanimate object. If only I were a mere insignificant criminal like you, I could have brought joy to Mastah!!!

The two expressed genuine admiration for Clana, not sarcasm.

<…>

Clana wasn’t sure if she should be pleased.

Early in the morning, Councilor Lan sat down with the three powerful figures.

She was hearing from the three about what had happened between Gadum’s representative and Risir.

“The core of a high elemental…”

Though she wasn’t deeply versed in magic, she vaguely understood the value of that treasure. It was an item capable of captivating not just the heart of an individual mage, but an entire mage tower.

Yet, the young mage Risir had refused something so valuable.

“Why…?”

Lan felt both apologetic and ashamed that she couldn’t offer Risir better terms than Gadum. Which was why his choice left her utterly astonished.

“Lan.”

The three powerful figures answered Lan’s question on Risir’s behalf.

“He said—he didn’t doubt it was the right choice.”

“…!”

Lan’s emotions were plain on her face.

The three powerful figures mirrored her expression, as if they fully understood her reaction. They exchanged silent glances for a long moment, then nodded.

They thought of the young man and made a vow. They would ensure, without fail, that he never came to doubt his pure and noble will.

A meeting convened for that very purpose.

Not long after, Lan brought up the name of a barbarian shaman.

“Will Cadogan use that sorcery off hers on Risir as well?”

Shakan’s expression turned serious as she replied.

“We might be able to counter it if we bring our tribe’s shaman. But that would be too late.”

“Then what should we do?”

“…How about we go find her ourselves and stop her? We have justification, after all. She used that sorcery on us. How dare she peek into another’s karma without consent? In the north, that’s grounds for getting stabbed.”

“But my friend, this is a city of civilized people.”

“What are you trying to say, Maldad?”

“I respect and try to understand you, but most city dwellers don’t. What do you think will happen if we outsiders cause a disturbance in the city, citing sorcery as the reason?”

“…”

Shakan bit her lip.

That wasn’t the only problem. Cadogan was Lagan’s sister, and Lagan was the manager of the pleasure district, including Wine in the Left Hand. He commanded forces comparable to a mercenary company and had numerous “friends” within Bondalles.

“To attack that shaman, we’d have to risk war…”

“And in that war, Bondalles would fully side with them.”

They realized anew how colossal the corruption they faced was. The injustice of the entire city seemed to obstruct them.

But they couldn’t give up. Hadn’t they sworn to protect the young mage’s will?

“Whatever the cost, we won’t ever let them touch Risir.”

The others agreed with Shakan’s words.

But just as the four powerful figures steeled their resolve for the sake of the young man, the butler’s voice came with a knock from outside the door.

“Lady Lan. Lord Risir has arrived.”

They all rose from their seats at once and greeted Risir warmly.

“Oh? Everyone, you were all here. Did I interrupt perhaps?”

They denied it vehemently, each in their own way.

They seem angry?

Their reactions were so intense that Risir, though bewildered, could only nod and say, “I-I see.”

Better finish my business quickly and leave.

Risir immediately took out the item he had prepared and spoke to Lan.

“It’s nothing much, just something I wanted to give to Councilor Lan…”

“To me?”

Lan pointed to herself, surprised.

She was a councilor who firmly refused all bribes and gifts, but she didn’t dare refuse a gift from this young man. Expectation even flickered in her eyes.

Lan’s gaze fell on the shabby book in Risir’s hand.

“…”

She inadvertently let out a wry smile. The shabby book Risir had prepared as a gift suited him, the person, so well.

This is the cutest bribe I’ve ever received.

What knowledge could this book possibly contain?

“What is that?”

Lan asked with expectation, her tone gentle like that of an adult crouching to meet a child at eye level.

“It’s the secret ledger of the shop called Wine in the Left Hand.”

“…”

Her face froze, then a second later, turned horrified.

Why is that there?

The three powerful figures reacted the same way.

Suddenly…

“Lady Lan!!!”

Lan’s retainer rushed in and delivered urgent news. Gadum’s barbarian mercenaries, who were in charge of the pleasure district including Wine in the Left Hand, had fled during the night.

“…”

They found themselves furtively glancing at Risir.

“What happened?”

The young mage feigned ignorance, as if knowing nothing.

Could it be, he went alone last night and…

Single-handedly taking down the mercenary gang that ruled the back alleys? And doing so without causing any commotion?

It was a formidable task—even with the elite forces of their own factions—which was why they tried hard to dismiss the unrealistic possibility.

“Oh, by the way, I received the ledger as an anonymous gift. I had nothing to do with that incident.”

But denial wasn’t easy.