Ch.169Report on the Downfall of Charity (11)

Kain knew that asas grass was used in rituals among pagans. Through his journey, he had also learned that it was secretly used within the Empire as well.

He guessed that the grass, imported through unknown routes from the north or west, was gradually spreading among imperial citizens through priests of the Black Phoenix Faith, eventually reaching the eastern regions.

In the Empire, thanks to inquisitors like Maria, the dangers and harms of this grass were known. But what about Venelucia?

“Could it have been some kind of poison?”

Francesco tilted his head at Kain’s question.

“I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything like that. Even though Niccolo had many enemies, he was still a Duce who exercised strong influence and leadership. But I haven’t heard anything about poison being found during the investigation.”

“What about Leonardo of the Charity? He must have been at the scene.”

“He admitted there was an argument. About money.

As you know, during the Fifth Crusade against the Demon King, Niccolo hired mercenaries with loans from the southern kingdoms and the Papal States, and paid for the mobilization costs of the allied city forces.

The problem is that while Niccolo repaid all the other cities in full, he didn’t properly pay the mercenaries. Even though he must have had the money.

During that argument, for some reason, Niccolo threw himself out the window—that’s Leonardo’s story. He said the grass smell was torturous for him too, but Niccolo claimed it was incense.”

“That’s a vague explanation.”

“It is vague. But why would he throw Niccolo out the window? It doesn’t make sense. Moreover, according to the guards and secretaries, Niccolo jumped shortly after Leonardo entered.

‘Shortly’ is putting it mildly—it was almost immediately after he entered. But if that were the case, wouldn’t there have been a physical struggle?

Niccolo himself was quite large. If there had been a struggle, the guards outside the door would have noticed immediately.”

It was an unsatisfying explanation. Francesco added as if remembering something.

“Anyway, because of that, Leonardo of the Charity showed behavior befitting ‘Charity’ for quite some time.

Actually, he had been called a philanthropist even before the Fifth Crusade, but after the money came in, he greatly increased his scale.

Not only does he help the poor, but he also generously sponsors talented nobles, artists, and thinkers who haven’t had opportunities. Though he’s a bit stricter with inventors who have failed but still have investment value.”

“What does he get besides honor?”

“I heard he receives a portion of the profits. Not much, though. That’s actually good for those receiving support.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t know how much ‘gratitude’ to show. When Leonardo’s side sets a specific amount to give, it reduces the burden.”

Kain thought it was a clever approach. At the same time, he wondered if the harmful effects of asas grass were unknown in Venelucia.

He was about to ask Francesco if he knew anyone suitable, but then reconsidered. The people Francesco would know would be those in the “light.”

Those people would have already been deployed to investigate the Duce’s death and probably hadn’t discovered anything significant. Or they had been threatened into silence.

If that was the case, he needed to find experts from the underworld.

Having organized his thoughts, Kain changed the subject. Lighter topics—the subsequent political climate and Francesco’s life.

Francesco had calmed down considerably since earlier. Calmly and coherently, he shared stories about his experiences and the days he had lived.

“Some people publicly declared, ‘I was wrong about the Rose Revolution back then.'”

“What about you?”

“I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. If I had, I might have faced more ridicule, but perhaps fewer threats.”

“You could have made things easier for yourself?”

Though he asked, Kain already knew the answer. Francesco wouldn’t have done that.

He had always been moody. Others called him self-willed. On good days, everything was rosy; on bad days, he acted like the world was ending.

But if that were all there was to him, Francesco couldn’t have become one of the leaders.

He was a stubborn person. Though he might be so frightened by lightning that he’d bury his head and become disoriented by thunder, he would never break his stubbornness.

Living by his own rules, he was at least honest with himself. And he made that his life’s principle.

For someone like him, a demand for public recantation would have been like lying to himself.

“I don’t know what you’ll think. But I liked that time. I liked the friends from that era. That time is part of me.

And back then, I was truly happy. I really felt like the world could get better, and I believed we could create a better place.

Above all, I don’t want my life ruined for such a reason. I can’t destroy my life with my own hands because of some stone-throwers. My life is my own.”

The master craftsman’s eyes were serious. Kain didn’t smile.

“Bella, right? That girl?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Francesco drained his glass.

“Thinking about her drives me crazy. She doesn’t really like me. She’s just using me as a shield to anger her father. She didn’t come here because she likes me; she had to like me in order to come here.”

“You mean it’s the other way around?”

“That’s the sentiment of a sixteen-year-old lady. The stonemason guild master just warns her not to cause trouble.

He has nine children, and Bella is the sixth. From what I hear about him favoring only his eldest daughter and son, she probably didn’t receive much love.

From my perspective, she’s just throwing tantrums because she needs parental attention. Very different from Beatrice.”

Kain decided to accept that explanation. He poured the last of the alcohol. Francesco fidgeted with his glass.

“Did you really come back to apologize?”

“Yes.”

A faint smile crossed Francesco’s lips.

“But that’s not the only reason you came, is it? Angelo.”

That was the name he had used here. Only Beatrice knew Kain’s real name. To others, he was Angelo. Kain remained silent.

“No, now it’s Iago. Right.”

“Francesco. I promise. It won’t take many days. But when this is over, I’ll withdraw from your life forever. While I’m here, and afterward, I won’t bother you. Not you or Bella.”

“Just don’t get me involved.”

Francesco raised his glass with a smile. Kain also smiled and raised his glass.

It was the last drink, but the first toast. The glass containing sunrise and the glass containing sunset touched, making a clear, brilliant sound.

“I prefer older women.”

* * * * *

The next day.

Kain sat in his usual spot without the slightest dishevelment. Unlike Francesco, who gulped down cold water as soon as he arrived and frequently went in and out.

“Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol!”

Bella jumped up and down, scolding Francesco.

“You can’t even handle alcohol well, why do you drink so much! Last time you got hurt working while drunk! Don’t you have any self-control? Or did you drink that away too?”

“I told you not to call me ‘brother.'” Francesco’s small protest seemed to go unheard.

Bella glared at Kain and expressed her irritation by roughly slamming down tools. She was splitting stones along their grain with a chisel and hammer, so there wasn’t much to say about it.

For a noble young lady, her posture was correct and stable, and she seemed quite strong. Though she looked thin on the outside, she apparently had good muscle strength.

Then unwelcome visitors arrived.

They were a bit more decent than the thugs who had come yesterday. Their weapons varied, but their clothes were neater and their bearing more disciplined.

Above all, unlike yesterday’s men who glanced around nervously, they walked with squared shoulders and confidence.

Among them, a woman with long black hair who appeared to be the leader entered the workshop. As soon as she entered, she nodded at Kain sitting in the corner.

“I don’t want to cause a disturbance. Come out.”

Kain stood up obediently. Francesco seemed somewhat relieved, and Bella blinked in surprise. The woman raised one eyebrow but said nothing.

The group consisted of two women and two men. Kain stood as if guarding the main entrance of the workshop. From the back door came the sound of a lock clicking.

“Iago, is it? We are from the Genovis family…”

“No. I refuse.”

“Without even listening?”

The woman burst into laughter.

“How straightforward. Then let’s get to the point, shall we? Since you’ve rejected our offer, we can’t let you leave unharmed. Antonello is our competitor, after all.”

Kain nodded with a smile. Indeed, exercise is the best cure for a hangover.

* * * * *

A little while later.

The four men and women staggered away. Kain returned to the workshop, lightly dusting himself off. Francesco had gone to the bathroom in the meantime. Only Bella remained in the workshop.

But he couldn’t sit down. The girl blocked his way, holding a hammer in one hand and a chisel in the other.

Despite holding threatening weapons in both hands, she didn’t seem reassured, swallowing nervously.

“T-teach me too.”

Kain stared at the girl blankly. Bella stammered.

“Teach me how to fight!”

“Put down what you’re holding and turn around and run away. That should be enough.”

Kain muttered casually, but Bella didn’t move.

“Not that. Fighting with your body. Like you.”

“That wasn’t in the contract. And you should find a martial arts teacher for that. I’m a wandering mercenary, not someone who can teach others well.”

The girl puffed her cheeks.

“I want to be like Beatrice Dandolo.”

But she soon took a step back. Probably because sparks flew in Kain’s eyes. However, the girl soon remembered her status. Who would dare defy her in Venelucia?

“I-I want to stand up to my father proudly, like she did.”

“So you didn’t come here just because Francesco is handsome.”

The girl’s face turned red. Seeing her lower her head and smile, she did seem to like him. But she quickly put on a serious face.

“Yes. But Francesco never talks about her. But you seemed quite close to her too, right?”

“Run away.”

Surprisingly, the girl just blinked. Kain told her what he should have told someone else.

“Run away. Fighting is only for when you absolutely cannot avoid it. I fight here not because I enjoy it, but because I have no choice.

There are many strong people in the world, and even they die in absurd ways—falling from horses, tripping over their feet, or dying in overturned carriages.

So, before asking how to fight, learn how to survive. From someone who knows better than me.”

The girl didn’t move aside. But her eyes weren’t rebellious either. Rather, she seemed to be pondering Kain’s words.

“I’m not sure I understand, but okay. Then, can you teach me how to run away?”

“…Why do you want to learn that?”

“Why? I have many enemies. It wasn’t what I wanted, but it can’t be helped. However, I don’t want to die stabbed in an alley like Beatrice, just relying on mercenaries. I need to know at least one way to protect myself. But no one will teach me.”

Unexpectedly, a laugh escaped him. Because it was such an absurd, bold statement. Because it was a pure question without any malice. Because that absurd boldness reminded him of someone.

What if, on that day, Beatrice had run away instead of fighting?

“Alright. I’ll teach you a simple method. When someone grabs you from behind, raise your arms as if stretching them and squat down.

Don’t sit all the way down, but lower your posture as much as possible, turn around, and run away. You saw my movement earlier, right?”

“I saw that. But will that really work if I do it…”

“It will.”

Just then, Francesco returned. His face had become gaunt.

“Brother! Please hug me tightly from behind!”

Francesco turned around and left immediately.

The next day, Antonello visited the workshop with a young woman. She was a mercenary to replace Kain.