episode_0032

[Research Institute] 2nd floor, Julia’s office.

“Why did you release those people earlier?”

Julia asked with her legs crossed.

Lloyd, who had been dazed, only then looked up.

Blue eyes that are asleep in reverse.

Sometimes I get the creeps when I look at it.

Because it seems like Lloyd himself will be cut down along with Ortega at any time.

‘I’m not sure if he’s that kind of person… … .’

Rather, Lloyd thought that might be a good thing.

At least if he ran wild—that is, if Ortega took over his body—Julia would be able to subdue him immediately. It was a kind of insurance policy, Lloyd thought, so it wasn’t such a bad thing.

“I think Your Highness the Princess knows this well.”

“… … to backtrack?”

“Yes. Originally, the real power in the city was related to the organization. It was like bait to find out the real power in East Tan.”

“In East Tan, the Marquis who serves the Empire rules… … .”

“Not that kind of official power, but the real power.”

“Real power?”

“Yes. The real power behind everything in the city’s economy, politics, and society.”

The formal ruler and the real power are different.

This is a common occurrence in regions where the abilities of the nobles are not consistent.

Especially in local areas where organizations like the so-called ‘Vincenzo gang’ are active, there is always someone with real power.

“Since the princess has decided to move to East Tan as her base, the best way is to take over the real power… … .”

Princess Aina stood up, banging her fist on the desk.

— Kwaang.

Before Lloyd could finish speaking.

“Are you telling me to become that kind of gangster?”

Lloyd accidentally looked at the princess in disbelief.

Only then did Julia blush as if she had thought briefly before speaking.

‘I’m a bookworm, so I should pretend not to know.’

Instead of pointing it out, Lloyd continued speaking skillfully.

“Of course, there is no reason why the real power must be some kind of violent group.”

“That…then?”

“Rather, it’s more likely to be a guild than a gang. It’s especially likely to be the top. They can easily swallow up even the ruling family by feeding them debt.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Julia nod as if she understood.

She was amazed.

“That’s a better insight than I thought. I didn’t know you’d think that far.”

“You should think about the princess too. Eastan will be the princess’s base.”

The Third Princess must create a new base.

Anywhere other than the already saturated Imperial Palace.

East Tan is a great place to start as a new home base.

Of course, this is just the beginning.

Lloyd gave it strength.

Because there were steps that Julia had to go through to become emperor.

“After gaining power in Eastan, you must first overcome the three heroes.”

At this point, I have no choice but to admit it.

Harold’s upper part, which dominates the capital.

Aria of the Holy Constantine, who is building a system of power competition with the Empire.

And even Aina Estrid, the ultimate contender for the throne.

You will have to fight the three heroes someday.

“… … .”

plural.

Whenever he felt like that, he could always feel Ortega’s heartbeat sleeping deep inside his heart. All sorts of negative emotions, especially intense emotions. Lloyd could tell that Ortega was just waiting for that opportunity.

That said, I have no intention of avoiding my old colleagues.

It just gives me a reason to keep my composure a little more while fighting them.

“Lloyd.”

Lloyd, who was continuing his worries, raised his head at the princess’s call.

She was looking at Lloyd with confident eyes.

“Don’t worry.”

What do you mean don’t worry about it?

I thought about asking once, but held back.

‘If you get swallowed by Ortega, I will kill you.’

I don’t think I would be happy if I got that answer.

◆

— Clang, clang!

The interior of the [Social Science Research Institute] was progressing calmly and smoothly.

“I think you can start business within a week!”

Was his name Karl?

He is one of the subordinates among the members of the organization that was defeated by Lloyd.

These people gave me convenience in things like finding an interior decorator, even though it wasn’t really necessary.

“The area we originally protect is doing things like this!”

Well, it’s not like they received anything from the organization. They were just acting as a mediator. Instead, since they were in the middle, I guess they don’t have to worry about being scammed. Furthermore, since they received protection money, they were responsible for this kind of thing.

Despite all that, Carl was quite diligent in going in and out of the lab.

“Anything you’ve heard of that I mentioned before? Where do you get your drugs from?”

“Sorry, I don’t know about that! But.”

Carl whispered in Lloyd’s ear.

“I found out where they sell sedatives.”

“Wow.”

Lloyd was intrigued.

The tranquilizer that was Arno’s heirloom had already been used up.

Sometimes Ortega’s spirit would crawl up, or it would be the aftereffect of using magic.

‘Of course, you shouldn’t rely on drugs.’

This was more of a necessity than a dependency.

A tranquilizer was needed until all the mana circuits were opened.

Or at least until the applause stops ringing in your head.

“Where is it?”

“Here it is.”

Lloyd took the note Carl offered.

‘It’s a little bit far from downtown.’

I’m familiar with the geography of East Tan and the major roads.

It doesn’t seem like there would be any difficulty finding it.

“I’ll be back. And from now on, don’t come here too often.”

“Why…Why is that, brother?”

“What kind of brother are you? I’m still very young.”

“If you’re strong, you’re all my brothers.”

“Stop talking nonsense. You should only serve your brother within the organization.”

Lloyd tapped Carl on the shoulder a couple of times and stepped outside.

— Get out of the way, kid!

— Heeeing!

As a city where the capital’s cargo passes through, carriages and people are bustling about.

It was closer to noisy than active, but anyway.

“Is this it?”

As we walked towards the place that Karl had told us, we were able to reach our destination without difficulty.

That sign says… The Alchemist’s General Store.

But there was something else that was difficult.

Because there was a group of people blocking the front of the general store.

“Hey, come out right now!”

“If you can’t pay your debts, sell your store! Sell your equipment!”

Excessive noise beyond the noise and bustle.

Lloyd’s brow furrowed.

Loud noises still make him uneasy.

“… sedative.”

Lloyd walked towards the store, regardless of whether people were blocking his way or not.

Naturally, the target of the criticism shifted to Lloyd.

“What the heck is this kid?”

“Hey. Can’t you see that I’m controlling this place right now? If you came to run an errand, go back quietly, kid.”

That’s not my job.

The men’s hands finally reached Lloyd’s body, which was being crushed without any response.

“This little brat… !”

As if he was going to hit me once.

But Lloyd raised his head without even flinching.

Men who meet his eyes hesitate.

‘… I guess there’s no need to use magic.’

Lloyd tried to raise his finger.

I was too unstable to use magic without sedatives.

Instead, he opened his mouth.

“You’d better let me pass.”

“… What the heck. Do you think you can do anything, kid? ”

“No, that’s not it.”

Lloyd lifted his bag of gold coins.

“The people in that store have no money and can’t pay their debts.”

“… … .”

“Then shouldn’t we accept guests? That way, we can earn money and pay interest.”

The hands of the loan sharks who were about to cry stopped.

If you think about it, it was true.

“… Go.”

They quietly moved to the sides.

‘Phew.’

Lloyd stood in front of the store door with a sigh.

Beyond the transparent glass door.

The golden eye that had been watching outside moves, and the door opens with a squeak.

“Customer… right?”

A rather timid voice.

Lloyd, who was observing his opponent, was surprised.

Because a blond, young-looking boy was looking this way.

“… Yes, you are an alchemist.”

The boy spoke as if making excuses.

You’re quick-witted like a ghost.

Instead of answering, Lloyd looked around.

A brazier that looks like a decent size.

Various metals and various herbs.

It certainly seems more than adequate to be called an alchemist’s workshop.

“I heard you can make a sedative.”

“Oh… A sedative?”

“Yeah. Should I say it’s a drug that calms the mind?”

“Ah… Yes!”

The boy suddenly became angry and ran off somewhere in a hurry.

A rustling sound coming from behind.

Soon, the boy brought out some powder on a white piece of paper.

“This is it.”

“Can I try it?”

As he said that, Lloyd put his hand to his forehead.

Because my head, which had been pounding since earlier, was starting to hurt more and more.

“Yes, yes! Try it.”

Lloyd poured the powder into his mouth.

A spicy and bitter taste that spreads smoothly.

Frowning for a moment.

— Swaaaah… … .

The uneasiness that had been bothering me disappeared as if it had been washed away.

Definitely good performance.

It seemed to be considerably more powerful than the tranquilizer Arno had.

“Are you okay?”

I’m satisfied with this.

I don’t know what the performance will be like when magic is used.

Looking at the current state of affairs, it doesn’t seem so bad.

furthermore.

A boy glancing outside.

You’d have to sell it pretty cheap to pay today’s interest.

The timing wasn’t bad.

Lloyd chuckled.