Chapter 98: Incomprehensible Man (3)

After the banquet ended, the annex that Gadum had entirely set aside for the attendees was meant to host the continuation of the event.

Knock knock.

“Morun?”

The man who broke the settling silence of the guest wing was called.

He was the young head of the Doringham family, who maintained a reluctant “friendship” with Gadum so that his family’s business wouldn’t be affected.

“Galruan. Are you resting well?”

“…I wouldn’t say that. You seem like you want to hear I’m not.”

Galruan, too, was in a similar position as Morun.

As soon as he saw Morun’s face, he understood everything, and stepped inside to hang his coat.

“If possible, may I have a word?”

“Go ahead.”

Knock knock.

“Who is it? At this hour?”

“Pardon the intrusion, Lord Bellas. It’s me.”

“Morun? And even Galruan—?”

“We were talking, and your name came up, Lord Bellas. If it’s not too much trouble, could you spare a moment?”

“…Ahem, I’ll be right out.”

Knock knock.

“Thorn? Galruan? And even Lord Bellas… What are you all doing together at this hour?”

“I imagine you have a rough idea already.”

“…”

“Would you care to join us?”

Knock knock.

Knock knock.

Knock knock.

How much time had passed?

Half the high-ranking nobles staying in the annex had gathered in Morun’s room.

“Now that we’re all here, what a ridiculous building this is. Eight grown men crammed into a single room, yet it doesn’t feel cramped at all.”

“What’s more amazing is that this mansion is used solely for hosting guests and left vacant most of the time.”

“Even so, it’s maintained meticulously.”

“It’s exactly what you’d call ‘money rotting away.’”

“If you stay on good terms with Gadum, you get to pick up that rotting money from underneath him…”

The city nobles traded significant glances, watching each other closely.

A subtle tension filled the room.

After a while, Lord Bellas, one of the oldest nobles present, spoke on behalf of the group to Morun, who had initiated this gathering.

“So, Morun. Why have you called us all here?”

“Esteemed Lord Bellas. I believe you’ve already noticed who’s present, so I trust a man of your insight understands the purpose of this gathering without needing me to explain.”

“Even so, I think I must hear it from your own mouth. Why plan such a seditious meeting, not just anywhere, but inside Gadum’s mansion?”

All eyes turned to the young family head.

He spoke with clarity in his sharp eyes.

“Gadum is faltering. Everyone here knows that.”

Morun’s words made the gathering’s purpose clear.

Even though the nobles had expected it, they showed discomfort.

Naturally, what Morun was really saying was, “Let’s ditch Gadum.”

They had something in common.

Their family influence lay within Gadum’s sphere.

If anything went wrong, their households could be in jeopardy.

That’s why some voiced concern, while others showed interest.

Gadum’s definition of “friendship” kept getting steeper.

Though they were maintaining a safe distance now, at any time he might demand “hospitality” or participation in his “business”.

None of them wanted to be dragged into Gadum’s disgusting dealings.

Not even if it promised massive profits.

As complex glances were exchanged, Lord Bellas spoke again for them all.

“Yes. As you said, we’ve seen Gadum faltering. He recently lost a key business and partner at the same time. Councilor Lan, who once avoided him like the plague, boldly stepped into his domain and publicly humiliated him. So yes, Gadum is shaken.”

“Then—”

But—

Bellas added dispassionately.

“So what do you expect us to do about it?”

“Lord Bellas?”

“He still has many businesses left. And the city guard. His money will take a long time to dry up, and in the meantime, the city council will turn a blind eye. Can you endure that long?”

“Not alone, I can’t.”

“And if we band together, you think it’ll make much of a difference?”

“If we band together and side with Lan, it’ll make a big difference.”

“…Lan is certainly admirable. Every citizen of Bondalles likely respects and loves her.”

“I agree completely.”

But again, Bellas added.

“More than that, the people fear Gadum. While Lan gives her all to help the poor and powerless, Gadum invests just as heavily in exploiting the city. Do you truly believe Lan can stand against him? When even the other councilors take his money?”

“…That’s what I believed too.”

“Then?”

“Until I realized, Lan was the one behind the collapse of [Wine in the Left Hand] and the barbarians. She ruined Gadum’s business and stole his people, yet still came here, bold as ever. She wouldn’t have done that without solid backing.”

“Solid backing…”

The middle-aged nobles furrowed their brows.

Bellas thought of a certain Honorary Mage.

“So what you’re saying is… we stake our future on that young Honorary Mage.”

“…”

The confident look on Morun’s face faltered.

“He’s impressive, no doubt. But can you guarantee this? That with his support, Lan is now Gadum’s equal?”

He couldn’t.

How could he?

There was no way to be certain that a noble barely into adulthood could rival someone like Gadum.

Morun was left speechless.

“…”

Bellas, who had now taken the upper hand in the debate, didn’t look happy either.

Because, truthfully, he had been hoping Morun would convince him.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room.

As the nobles exchanged uneasy glances—

Knock knock knock

“Lord Morun!”

“Lord Bellas, it’s urgent!”

“Mr. Galruan—!”

The hallway erupted into commotion.

Bodyguards and servants accompanying the nobles burst in with news.

“…What? The city guard?”

Morun rushed to pull aside the curtain and looked outside.

“…!”

The fully-armed guard had surrounded the annex.

No one could enter, or leave.

“That madman Gadum—”

“He sent the guard after us?!”

The nobles turned pale.

They’d expected Gadum to take action, but not this fast or this aggressively.

“Let’s go. We need to assess the situation firsthand.”

Morun’s group hurried down to the main hall.

There, they saw the other nobles—those who were truly close to Gadum—already gathered.

These were his true “friends”.

His partners in business.

The ones who had gladly accepted his dirty favors and joined his filthy enterprises.

“There’s no way! This must be some kind of misunderstanding!”

That’s why Morun’s group was so stunned.

“I repeat: there are no exceptions. Orders were clear—until daybreak and the investigation is complete, no one leaves the premises.”

Even Gadum’s “best friends” were blocked by his guard.

“If that’s true, then I won’t stand for this! Move! I need to return to my quarters at once!”

A noble tried to force his way past.

Shiiing.

But the guard pointed his blade without hesitation.

“Advance any further, and I will subdue you immediately.”

“What in the—”

The “friend” froze on the spot, speechless.

The others were no different.

Morun’s group, too, felt the same kind of shock and stood frozen.

“They say one of the banquet attendees might be involved in a cult conspiracy.”

“…Councilor Lan, what are you saying?”

Lan approached and explained the situation.

“Seems like Gadum’s trying to make an example of someone.”

“An example…?”

“To make sure no one ever dares defy him again. Under the pretense of an investigation, he’ll probably try to harass us for a while.”

Is that even possible?

Morun and the others swallowed back their outrage.

It was something Gadum could absolutely do.

“This can’t go on…! We must act, take some kind of—”

Panicking, they looked around for a solution.

Unconsciously, their gazes drifted to one man.

And someone muttered.

“Come to think of it… what about Risir—?”

Lan replied with a wry smile.

“I passed by earlier. His door was still shut. Looks like he’s still inside.”

“He’s in his room at a time like this?!”

Bellas exclaimed—but—

“Well, I’m sure he has his reasons.”

Hehe.

Lan’s meaningful smile left them overwhelmed.

“What is this…”

In this situation, the one in the most awkward position should’ve been Lan.

Gadum could scare off the other nobles, but not her.

She was immune to that kind of pressure.

She knew that, and yet, how could she be so calm?

“Don’t tell me… you’ve spoken with Risir already?”

“I was just about to. Want to come with me?”

“No—”

They hadn’t even spoken to each other, and she was this relaxed?

They couldn’t understand Lan’s composure at all.

And so, as if bewitched, they followed her.

To Risir.

To the room he was staying in.

“Come in.”

A voice answered from beyond the door.

It was Risir’s, calm as ever.

Following Lan’s lead, Morun’s group entered the room.

“…!”

They involuntarily held their breath.

Moonlight filtered through the window, casting a dim glow across the room.

Risir was on the bed.

Not lying down, seated in full lotus position.

His form radiated an odd mix of mystery and pressure.

He’s meditating, in this situation?!

Some nobles stared at Risir, as if enchanted.

At last.

Risir emerged completely from his inner world.

His eyes opened.

He looked straight at them.

What the hell—! That scared me! Why is everyone crowding in here?!

Risir forced himself to stay calm as he spoke.

“To what do I owe this… sudden visit from everyone?”

“What do you mean?! Did you not hear the commotion at all?!”

Morun practically shouted in frustration.

“Commotion?”

Ah.

Risir let out a bitter smile.

Ah, Verdande… Chu!

He realized it.

That little Prankster of the Dunes had gone and caused a problem again.

Determined to resolve the situation, he quickly spoke up.

“There’s really no need for concern.”

“No need for concern?”

She may have been a troublemaker from the dunes in the past, but now she had become a dependable sand elemental.

Risir trusted that whatever issue she’d caused wouldn’t be serious.

Worst case, she raided the kitchen like a sandstorm…?

A whirlwind of sand—or rather, a little sand elemental girl—devouring food.

For those unaware of Verdandes’s nature, it must have been shocking.

But that was all.

An elemental had simply gotten a bit too eager about food.

“Yes. It might look dramatic on the surface, but I assure you, it’s probably nothing.”

“Nothing? How can you be so sure—?”

“I’ll take full responsibility for anything that happened. So please, trust me.”

“…”

Everyone was taken aback by Risir’s response.

The certainty in his voice, the composure in his expression, he was unwavering.

As if the entire situation was already resting calmly in the palm of his hand.

“It’s late already. Let’s talk more in the morning.”

Almost as if under a spell, they followed his lead without resistance.

“Lord Gadum. As you instructed, we’ve sealed off the annex.”

“Good. Make sure no one gets in or out until morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

After making his report, Dogal, the captain of the guards, exited the room.

Gadum was left alone.

“…”

He nodded to himself over and over.

Lan, Risir… What do you think you can really do now?

The only reason they got the better of him was because he had let his guard down.

As long as he kept the pressure on, they would never escape his control.

He had already proven it by mobilizing the guard.

That reassurance brought his calm back.

From here on…

Thinking over his next moves, he left his study and headed for his bedroom.

His opulent bedroom was lined with display cases.

One of Gadum’s favorite hobbies was collecting artifacts infused with dark power.

He took joy in mastering dangerous objects others dared not even touch.

Occasionally, he even used those artifacts to eliminate his enemies.

Maintaining these artifacts—stored in display cases imbued with magical seals—was how he usually ended his day.

“…”

A while later.

After finishing his maintenance routine, Gadum admired his collection with satisfaction and lay down on the bed.

While those fools in the annex lay sleepless, worrying over imaginary threats, he would rest peacefully in his perfectly controlled sanctuary.

Good.

With his shaken spirit finally calmed, thanks to the unexpected variable named Risir, Gadum drifted into sleep.

He truly believed everything would now unfold according to his plan.

Late into the night, when all had gone to bed.

A most unwelcome guest arrived at Gadum’s tightly guarded estate.

Heavy doors. Locks. Night watchmen.

None of it mattered.

The intruder slipped past it all with ease and reached the very heart of the mansion, Gadum’s bedroom.

Sssshhh.

A handful of sand seeped in through the gap under the door, flowing into the room, and took form in front of the display case in the corner.

The little sand spirit girl raised both hands high in the air before the cabinet.

—I’ll eat you all!!!

—You’d better just give up and get eaten!!!

It was a gesture brimming with dreadful menace.

…Or at least, it would’ve been—if it weren’t so cute that any human would just smile.

R-r-r-rumble…

But Gadum’s precious collection clearly felt otherwise.

The cabinet trembled violently.

After inspecting every inch of the display case, Verdandes finally turned toward Gadum.

Her gaze fell upon the thick necklace buried in his fat neck.

—So it was you! That smell!

Gadum’s fleshy neck twitched slightly.

The girl’s hand reached toward the necklace.

And a short while later—

Satisfied with her midnight snack, the girl left without regret.

Swish.

Leaving behind trails of sand all over the room.

The next morning.

As always, Gadum began his day by tending to his collection.

“…!”

But the moment he opened the cabinet, his expression contorted in horror.

Dust—gritty, unmistakably earthy—was stuck all over the artifacts.

Not only that, but faint scratches were visible, as if they’d been caught in a sandstorm.

“What in the world… Huh?”

Gadum ran a hand over his neck.

Rustle…

Grains of sand, stuck between the folds of his thick neck, trickled to the floor.

“…”

Panic-stricken, Gadum scanned the room.

There were no signs of forced entry.

Only the aftermath remained.

“W-who’s there?!”

At his shout, the guards burst through the door.

“What happened, my lord?!”

“Were you not standing watch?! Did you not post a night watch as I ordered?!”

“What do you mean? Of course we were here all night, guarding the councilor’s bedroom, just as you instructed.”

“…Haaah! Haaah—!”

Gadum’s breath grew ragged.

—Never forget. Your pathetic little life can be taken at any moment.

A man’s voice echoed in his mind, pulling off a metaphorical mask.

It wasn’t they who were under his control.

It was he himself who was completely under theirs.

“Mastah! Wake up!”

“Hm?”

The voice woke Risir from his slumber.

And the first sight to greet him,

The sand girl, sitting lightly atop his chest, looking down at him.

“Mastah, you sleepyhead!?”

“Says the Verdande…chu, early birdie?”

“No, I’m not!!!”

“Huh?”

“It’s Verdande…”

Her little body quivered.

Risir instinctively summoned all his willpower.

“-suu!”

“Agh, so close.”

“Here! This is for Mastah!”

Ah~

Verdandes stretched open her mouth with two index fingers, and out popped a yellow mineral.

“…”

He was used to it by now.