Chapter 101: Councilor Gadum’s Deputy (2)

Excuse me, but why am I the Deputy Councilor?

Risir’s question was quickly answered.

“Ah! About that—”

Seeing Risir’s face twist with confusion, Dogal hastily launched into an explanation before the man could say anything else.

Right after his confrontation with Risir, Gadum began making secret preparations to flee Bondalles.

Quietly and swiftly.

But that supposed secrecy meant nothing to Dogal, he knew Gadum too well.

You were that terrified, yet you kicked the guards out of your estate? This bastard…

Sensing something was off, Dogal stationed his men at every gate of Bondalles and issued strict orders:

—Any carriage that tries to pass by invoking status or bluffing authority—stop them immediately!

As expected, the fish swam straight into the net.

—Dogal! What’s the meaning of this!?

—Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?

As Guard Captain, Dogal had access to the gate logs and could easily forge documents.

With Dogal’s “cooperation,” Gadum’s escape became a recorded fact.

Dogal then imprisoned Gadum in a separate location and headed to his estate.

—What are you saying!? Councilor Gadum was trying to abandon us?!

He began with the butler.

—Recognize this?

—That’s…!

—Yeah. One of Gadum’s prized possessions. He flaunted it constantly. It was loaded onto the carriage he tried to escape in. And that wasn’t all. His personal vault is probably empty by now. You get it, right? Gadum was bailing, alone.

—How could he…

—Don’t ask me. You were closer to him than I was. You know what’s been going on here lately.

—…

—And you know where the guests Gadum kicked out this morning went, right?

—Lady Lan’s estate…

Eventually, the rest of the household retainers joined the conversation.

—Right. They followed her. Late at night, what do you think they talked about in the annex? And why did Gadum let them leave? He realized it, he’s done for.

—Wait… does this mean Lady Lan was involved in [Wine in the Left Hand] too?

—More than just involved. She probably led it. Or more accurately, her ‘friend’ did.

—Friend… You mean that Honorary Mage, Risir!?

—Exactly. Truthfully, Gadum wasn’t running from Lan. He was running from that man.

—What do you know, Dogal!? Tell me everything!

—I’ll just say this: Gadum picked a fight with the one person he shouldn’t have.

—Gods above…

Coming from the Guard Captain himself, it wasn’t something to take lightly.

—Dogal! It’s true! Gadum’s private vault is completely empty!

Gadum’s escape, and Dogal’s words, infected the others with the same reverence Dogal held toward Risir.

They no longer dared make decisions on their own. Instead, they asked Dogal what to do.

Dogal looked around and finally revealed what he had been preparing.

—What should we do from here on out? Isn’t it obvious? Before leaving, Councilor Gadum left us specific instructions.

—What… instructions?

—He appointed Risir as his deputy to act on his behalf while he was away. Correct?

—…If we do that, can we keep our positions?

—Who is Risir aligned with?

—Lan Pelroth…

—Exactly. When this is over, there may not be a place left for us. But…

—Then why…

—Survival comes first. Then we think about what comes next.

—What comes next…?

—You never know. Maybe the ‘Deputy Councilor’ title will start to grow on him.

They looked around.

Gadum’s mansion was one of the grandest in Bondalles.

His authority had made all this possible.

The position of Deputy Councilor was more than enough to tempt them.

They thought.

Maybe they could handle this dangerous figure.

Maybe they could preserve their positions after all.

Dogal passionately explained everything, hoping for credit.

So basically, he cut ties before Gadum could cut him loose. Nice timing.

Thanks to that, Risir found himself saddled with the absurd title of “Deputy Councilor.”

Still… he was bewildered.

Wait, all that chaos happened… because of me?

He looked at Dogal.

Respect and awe radiated from the man’s expression.

It was familiar.

Don’t tell me… the same thing happened to Gadum?

Risir realized something.

Just like the city nobles, Gadum had likely come to revere him due to some misinterpreted action.

That’s what caused the whole mess.

But what the hell did I even do…?

Burdened by injustice, Risir began thinking about what to do next.

That’s when a voice rang in his head.

—This worked out nicely.

It was Clana.

—Now you don’t need to work under that Lan woman anymore.

“…What do you mean by that?”

Risir reflexively spoke aloud.

Oh god, now what?

He didn’t notice Dogal and the guards slowly inching away from him.

—That Lan councilor. She was practically groveling before Gadum. So here’s what you do: you take over Gadum’s power, and you become the one running this city.

“So you’re telling me… to keep pretending to be Gadum’s deputy?”

The immense power and wealth of a councilor.

For a moment—just a moment—Risir considered Clana’s words.

But only for a moment.

Crime. Corruption.

To maintain Gadum’s empire, he’d have to continue all that.

Risir knew—without question—he had no talent for it.

“It’s an intriguing offer, but I’ll have to decline. I’d rather succeed through honest work.”

Clana laughed, thoroughly amused.

To a battle-crazed killer like her, Risir’s logic was far too mild.

And yet… she seemed genuinely pleased.

She offered no further comment or criticism.

Alright. I’ll report everything to Lady Lan first.

With his mind clear, Risir now faced another question.

Will the guards even cooperate with me?

These were Gadum’s men.

Driven by gain, not loyalty or justice.

There was no way they weren’t hoping he’d keep Gadum’s businesses running.

What would they say if he announced he planned to work with Lan, the epitome of clean politics?

Probably not gonna go over well…

It could even spark new betrayals.

With caution, Risir broached the topic.

“W-would that be a problem?”

“?”

But to his surprise, the guards were extremely cooperative.

He didn’t know—

That his “conversation” with Clana had been heard, word for word.

—What do you mean by that?

—You’re telling me… to keep pretending to be Gadum’s deputy?

—It’s an intriguing offer, but I’ll have to decline. I’d rather succeed through honest work.

To them, it sounded like a sudden outburst.

But the content…

They understood instantly.

It was a warning.

—I know what you’re expecting.

—You want me to become Gadum 2.0, huh?

—Forget it.

—I don’t play by your rules.

Their hopes were snuffed out on the spot.

They had thought they might be able to manipulate this man to preserve their positions.

But that warning changed everything.

From that moment on, they abandoned all greed.

“We will fully cooperate with Councilor Lan’s instructions!”

Survival had become their one and only goal.

And thus, the guards of Bondalles transformed into an incorruptible force, an iron-blooded public service untainted by bribery.

Lan was determined to strike while the iron was hot.

he had secured the support of three major figures.

She had swayed Gadum’s allies.

She now possessed the secret ledger from [Wine in the Left Hand].

It was time to move the hearts of the City Council.

That was why Lan had invited Councilor Morin to her estate.

Morin, the longest-serving member of the current council, held significant sway within its halls.

If Lan could win her support, the plan to oust Gadum from the council would be complete.

Thus, in the presence of Gadum’s former allies, Lan laid out her strategy to Morin.

The sharp-eyed old woman furrowed her brow.

“Impressive, Lan. You persuaded all these people and secured the key document to bring him down. Your plan is rational. Quite feasible.”

“In that case—”

“Even so, I must advise you to reconsider.”

“Councilor Morin?!”

“Let’s suppose your plan works, and you drive Gadum into a corner. You apply pressure from inside and outside the council, have him ousted, then dragged to court to face justice under city law. That far, fine. But what happens after that?”

“After that…?”

“Lan. Do you really believe Gadum will just sit quietly while cornered? He’ll respond with force, using the city guard. They’ll go on strike—or worse, riot. Public order will collapse overnight. Gadum is sly. He’ll make sure the chaos is blamed on the council. Can you handle that?”

“I can take responsibility. But—”

“Yes. But the other councilors might not agree.”

“…”

Lan fell into thought.

The old woman regarded the young councilor with quiet concern, then continued.

“What’s more, I’ve received word that a back-alley summit will be convened soon.”

“…They’re gathering?”

“Yes. The [Wine in the Left Hand] event must have provoked them. Think about it. If Gadum doesn’t show up there, how do you think they’ll react?”

“…”

“They’re already enraged, having lost territory to the Master and the Saint. If Gadum, the one who guaranteed them a minimal profit, vanishes—”

“There will be war…”

“Indeed. People will die every day, until we track down every crime boss hiding in this vast city. Think it through. Council ousts Gadum, the guards strike, and criminals suddenly run wild. Lan. Who do you think the citizens will blame?”

“That’s—”

“I know what you’re about to say. That to heal the wound, the rot must be cut away. That we must accept the pain. But Lan, ask yourself. Do we have the strength and resources to endure that pain?”

“…”

“Don’t underestimate him just because he’s morally bankrupt. Gadum is far more capable than we give him credit for. He bought off the guard with ease, we’re still wringing our hands over it.”

As if ending the conversation, Morin rose to her feet.

Then, with a bitter smile, she spoke.

“I’ve always admired your unshakable conviction. But Lan… the real world is merciless. Most people—except you—think in practical terms. You need to think less about how to convince yourself, and more about how to convince them. So if you ever come up with a strategy that can convince the others, then call me back.”

In other words, don’t come back until you do.

With that, the elderly councilor prepared to take her leave, offering a farewell that was as warm as it was cold.

—Wh-What’s the meaning of this, Dogal!? Why are you here?!

Morin’s brows knitted deeper.

The voice beyond the door belonged to her escort, raised in alarm.

Moments later, the door burst open. Dogal entered the room, followed by multiple guards.

“Risir…!”

Lan stood up at once, calling the name of the man walking with them.

“Risir…”

Morin repeated the name.

“So you’re the young man she spoke of—”

Morin let out a heavy sigh.

That Risir, the one who had filled this young councilor’s head with dreams, had finally brought disaster.

The situation was clear.

He’s gone too far, provoked Gadum outright and given him the perfect excuse.

The city guard had stormed a councilor’s estate with armed men.

Without concrete cause, that was unthinkable.

What a shame. Truly a shame.

To Morin, this was the end of Lan’s political career.

The aged councilor gave her sincere condolences.

“Lan, I told you not to trust peo—”

“You did it, Risir!”

“?”

Morin doubted her ears.

And her eyes.

Because Lan’s face was radiant with joy.

Shocked, Morin asked.

“Lan, what… what is this?”

“Councilor Morin! I believe Risir has swayed the city guard to our side!”

“Wha…!”

Morin let out a gasp.

It seemed the young councilor had gone mad, unable to face reality.

To immediately conclude that the guards had switched sides? She had to be delusional—

“Somehow, that’s how it turned out.”

“?”

Risir gestured to Dogal.

Dogal bowed politely to Lan.

“No— What…?”

The elder councilor couldn’t keep up.

With Risir’s arrival, the meeting took a sharp turn.

“Gadum named you his deputy? That’s—”

“Risir! You’ve recruited all of Gadum’s men?!”

“Somehow, that’s how it turned out.”

“…”

Just like that, the topic shifted, no longer about ousting Gadum, but cleaning up the underworld.

Morin felt as if her decades of political experience were being torn apart.

Still, she tried to follow the conversation.

“—…So be warned, there’s likely a high-level black mage among their collaborators. If you’re planning to approach them carelessly, keep that in mind.”

“Understood. Then, how about I infiltrate that back-alley summit myself?”

“Logically speaking, that would be the correct move.”

“…”

The elderly councilor and her retinue clutched their temples in disbelief.