Chapter 102: The Back-alley New Master

The story progressed swiftly.

Except for the elderly city councilor, who was left behind, unable to keep up with the tempo set by the youth.

– You’ve won over the city guard? Wonderful.

– You’ve convinced all of Gadum’s vassals and earned the position of deputy? Wonderful.

– There’s a powerful black mage among the back-alley bigwigs? Oh, how wonderful.

– Then how about Risir infiltrating the upcoming back-alley summit to pressure them? Ah yes, that’s splendid.

Perhaps age wasn’t the problem.

It was the inability to follow a conversation that trampled all over common sense.

Among all the citizens of Bondalles—regardless of age or gender—how many could truly follow that flow of conversation?

Perhaps only the people in this room.

The elderly councilor felt obligated to raise an objection.

Matters related to the crime syndicates of Bondalles were extremely sensitive.

How could they entrust everything to a fledgling who had just come of age?

“Councilor Morin, is there something you wish to say?”

“Huh? Ah… no.”

Yet despite reason screaming inside her, Morin held back.

As an elder stateswoman, she had an exceptional talent for reading the room.

If I speak recklessly now, it might be worse than staying silent…

Morin cautiously read the atmosphere.

“By the way, I’ve heard of Gaderok, the ruler of the southern slums. There are rumors he wields dark magic so strong that not even tower masters or top adventurers can handle him… Are you really planning to send Risir into that?”

There it was, an opening.

One of the noble Bellas had cautiously raised a question.

Yes! Finally, someone speaking with rational thought!

Morin prepared to support him and build momentum against the plan.

“It’ll be fine.”

But Risir beat her to it.

With confidence, he declared nonchalantly.

“Please trust me and send me.”

His confidence was so strong that one might think he welcomed the encounter with the black mage.

…Seriously?

No one could be unfazed in the face of something like a black mage.

Surely, this was a bluff meant to inspire confidence in others.

But a bluff wasn’t necessarily bad.

How many people could bluff that convincingly in matters involving black mages?

Morin began to understand, if only a little, why these people were so taken with this young man.

That said.

Morin had no intention of indulging the bluff.

Everyone knew.

That a black mage wasn’t someone who could be handled on confidence alone.

Morin was convinced.

Bellas would respond to Risir’s words with some reluctance.

That’s when I’ll step in.

She fixed her eyes on Bellas.

At last, Bellas replied.

“Ohoho, if you say so, very well! I’ll trust you!”

“…”

You’re just going to trust him? Without asking for a shred of proof!?

The elderly councilor felt a migraine coming on.

From what Morin knew, Bellas wasn’t a fool.

On the contrary, he was politically sharp and perceptive.

The fact that he cooperated with Gadum without being deeply entangled with him was proof.

And yet here he was, acting carelessly beyond belief.

Bellas, you’re not that kind of fool… so why!?

Before she could recover from her confusion, another noble, Galruan, raised a concern.

“The black mage isn’t the only issue. Those attending the back-alley summit are major players in the lawless world. Risir. They’re nothing like the people you’ve dealt with before. Can you truly handle such individuals?”

Yes, that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say!

Galruan.

In Morin’s eyes, he fell squarely in the category of “wise city nobles.”

Her judgment wasn’t wrong.

She prepared to once again ride the wave of Galruan’s concern and steer the mood.

“No need to worry about that. I’ve met people far more dangerous than them.”

“Hmm. I suppose with you, that could be the case. Very well.”

Morin clutched her head with both hands.

Galruan, dear gods! You believe that? Look at that boy’s face! He just reached adulthood, where would he have met such people, let alone survived them!?

She couldn’t make sense of it.

How had these wise city nobles become fools who believed a kid’s obvious bluffing?

“Councilor Morin, you don’t look well…”

“Ah, i-it’s nothing.”

She forced an awkward smile at Risir’s question.

She was about to explode from frustration, but the more emotional she felt, the more cautious she had to be.

In a village of one-eyed men, a two-eyed man is the freak, they say.

Reasoning now would only backfire.

So then—

…

So then—

…What do I do?

“Well then, let’s confirm once more. Risir will attend the upcoming back-alley meeting as Gadum’s deputy and pressure them. Any objections?”

“Of course not!”

“Hahaha! Well said! No one here would be foolish enough to object!”

How exactly was she supposed to guide these idiots back to the right path?

“Lastly, Councilor Morin, please give a few words on behalf of the city council about this plan.”

“With the council’s support and acknowledgment… if this ends well, Risir will be rightfully rewarded.”

“As he should! Who else in Bondalles is doing this much for the city right now?”

“Can we really call what he did as just helping? He’s accomplished more in this short time than I have in my entire career.”

“Hahaha, Lady Lan, you flatter me too much.”

“…By the way, Councilor Morin hasn’t said a word.”

“Councilor Morin? Is something wrong?”

Countless hands reached out for handshakes.

“…The city council will never forget the dedication and effort he has shown for the city.”

As the others cheerfully carried on their celebratory gathering, the elderly councilor nearly passed out.

There was a man called Brimport.

Through smuggling, he built a massive organization that dominated the entire southwestern slums of Bondalles.

He was a member of the seven-seat back-alley summit and the ruler of the southwestern back-alley.

That was the man known as Brimport.

“Councilor Morin, what are you saying…?!”

Brimport’s position had recently begun to change drastically.

The sudden emergence of the Master and the Saint caused the western back-alley ruler, Gaderok, to expand his power, posing a threat to Brimport’s safety.

Gaderok, whose main commodities were drugs and mercenaries, wasn’t someone a mere smuggler could resist.

He planned to devour Brimport’s entire territory.

Fearing for his life, Brimport began exploring ways to survive.

That’s how he connected with the respected city councilor Morin, forming a kind of pact.

If Morin requested assistance with back-alley matters, Brimport would comply without question.

In return, she offered him full protection in the name of her city council authority.

“Isn’t this what you wanted? If this goes well, I’ll help you take a portion of your assets and escape Bondalles. I can even help you settle down elsewhere.”

Hope lit up in Brimport’s rat-like face adorned with thin mustache, but it didn’t last.

“No, come on now, this kid is going to represent Gadum in the back-alley meeting?! To pressure the crime syndicates with Gadum’s authority?! And I’m supposed to assist him!?”

He couldn’t contain his emotions any longer.

“The hell do you think you’re doing with me!?” His expression practically screamed those words.

“…”

Morin averted her gaze without a word.

Meaning: take it or leave it.

“No way…!”

Goddammit.

He couldn’t exactly grab a city councilor by the collar.

Fuming, Brimport eventually turned his frustration toward the young man claiming to be Gadum’s deputy.

A neat face with a mild, boyish air.

To Brimport, there was no other word for him but “rookie.”

And surely, most of the lawless types in the back-alley would think the same.

This kid is Gadum’s deputy?! What the hell is going on?!

Brimport couldn’t even imagine this boy raising his voice in front of the other back-alley rulers.

Those who reigned above criminals were never pushovers.

Even seasoned nobles would break out in a cold sweat before them.

Only someone like Gadum could possibly manage it.

Handling such beast-like outlaws as an outsider? Impossible.

But what? This soft little boy is playing Gadum’s role, trying to pressure the back-alley rulers? And I’m supposed to help him?!

At last, Brimport made up his mind.

“Lady Lan, I can’t do this. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s impossible. I have no intention of putting my life in this kid’s hands!”

But Risir calmly smiled and replied.

“Aw, come on, now. Let’s do it together.”

“Hey, kid. Do you even know who I am?”

Brimport narrowed his eyes as he spoke.

Despite his rat-like appearance, the pressure in his voice was formidable.

He hadn’t come to rule the slums just by being good at business.

“Of course I do. You’re Brimport, the man helping me with this task. And you, Mr. Brimport, do you know who I am?”

“Hah! Look at this guy. Fine, go ahead. Who are you? What are you doing, stepping into something way above your paygrade? Do I need to spell it out for you? If you go there, you’re dead. I’m telling you—”

“Dogal.”

“Yes, Council deputy Risir.”

“?”

Brimport’s rambling abruptly stopped.

Captain Dogal, who had been standing nearby, came forward at Risir’s call.

Brimport had assumed Morin brought him, but apparently not.

“Do you know anything about Mr. Brimport?”

“He’s a criminal who built his power through smuggling in the slums.”

“Isn’t ‘criminal’ a bit harsh?”

“I’m just stating facts. Considering the city laws he’s broken, there’s no issue with arresting him immediately.”

“Uh…”

Attendees of the back-alley summit fell into two broad categories.

Gadum’s partners.

Gadum’s subordinates.

Once upon a time, Brimport might have been different, but under Gaderok’s recent pressure, he had lost most of his power. Now, he wasn’t immune to threats from the city guard.

But that wasn’t why Brimport was panicking now.

That Dogal…?

Dogal was the captain of the city guard, not even Gadum could fully keep him on a leash.

And now, here he was, bowing respectfully to a rookie.

Brimport was shaken.

Risir.

The movement he had sparked over the past few days was incredibly rapid.

So rapid, in fact, that most people—outside a handful of insiders—didn’t even know who he was yet, let alone what he had achieved.

Brimport was no different.

He knew nothing about Risir.

But that was no longer the case.

“What will you do?”

Risir asked.

“…”

Beside him, Captain Dogal glared with gleaming eyes.

“…”

Brimport had no choice but to nod obediently.

And that very night—

The back-alley summit was convened, and the time and location of the secret meeting were conveyed to them.

This back-alley summit came with a rule never seen before.

“We’re allowed to wear masks?”

Risir asked, and Dogal nodded.

“It seems to be out of consideration for the new attendees.”

“You mean me?”

“No. I’m referring to the Saint and the Master. After suddenly appearing and displacing the previous rulers, they began governing their territories in a new way. To the existing rulers, they are an uncomfortable presence.”

“In what way?”

“To put it bluntly, they seem to be taking steps to eradicate criminal activity in their regions. I suspect the main purpose of this summit for the others is to probe the intentions of the Master and the Saint.”

“Oh-ho.”

Back-alley bosses trying to stamp out crime?

The Master and the Saint… what kind of people are they?

Risir’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Time to head out.”

Soon, Risir took a mask that only revealed the lower half of his face and headed to the appointed location.

His transportation was Gadum’s carriage.

The one and only companion permitted was Dogal, the former captain of Gadum’s guards.

They arrived at a residence in the affluent district.

Through the back door, they entered the living room, where a large round table had already been set up.

Several seats were already occupied.

Despite plenty of empty chairs, the attendees had huddled together.

When Risir entered, they all fell silent and turned to look at him.

“…”

Among them, the most blatant gaze came from a man in a black mask.

With black hair and black eyes—he looked like a giant crow.

Gaderok.

His narrowed eyes curved into crescent moons as he stared at Risir.

So this is the guy they picked as Gadum’s deputy—

Gadum’s vassals had wasted no time spreading rumors to prove the deputy’s legitimacy.

They claimed Gadum had appointed a deputy and left the city.

And now—

The suspicion in Gaderok’s heart turned into certainty.

Whatever’s going on… Gadum’s power is crumbling.

This lackluster deputy standing before him was proof enough.

Even the mask couldn’t hide his young, gentle demeanor.

Gaderok knew Gadum well.

If the man were in his right mind, he would never have entrusted such an inexperienced rookie with his authority.

A chuckle leaked out from behind Gaderok’s mask.

He had made up his mind.

The time was ripe.

“Brimport has arrived.”

Brimport arrived next and stood beside Risir.

“Don’t just stand there. Come take a seat.”

Gaderok gestured to the two of them.

“…”

Dogal scoffed at Gaderok’s arrogant tone.

A manner he would never have dared use before Gadum.

Risir and Brimport took seats opposite Gaderok.

“Now then—”

Gaderok opened his mouth again.

“Isn’t the atmosphere a bit too disorderly to discuss serious matters?”

He smiled at Brimport.

“Let’s start by getting rid of the rat among us.”

Fwoosh.

It happened in an instant.

“W-What!? Aaaaaagh!!!”

Brimport’s body was engulfed in black flames.

“Lord Brimport!”

His bodyguard immediately threw off his coat to smother the fire—

But the black flames had been waiting for that and swallowed the guard whole as well.

“Brimport. That’s a no-go. You can’t. Cozying up to another councilor behind our backs—”

As the room filled with screams, Gaderok’s satisfied voice cut through.

This was an execution.

And a show of dominance.

Gaderok spoke as he looked at Risir.

“Now the atmosphere feels a bit more proper, doesn’t it?”

Gaderok had taken his first step toward seizing control of the entire back-alley.

Everyone knew who the real star of this meeting was—and no one questioned it.

Until the moment—

The black flames devouring Brimport suddenly fizzled out.

“P-Please! Please spare m—huh?”

“…”

All eyes turned to Risir.

“…”

He was smiling with absolute satisfaction.

Gaderok had no idea what that smile meant.

His black-masked eyes quivered ever so slightly.

At that moment—

Two carriages pulled up to the front and rear entrances of the house where the meeting was taking place.