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Chapter 44. Peaceful Night In The Wilderness

(Third Person)

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That night.

Somewhere within the city walls.

In the dark, avoiding popular areas.

Three figures, clad in jet-black robes, stood as if avoiding the moonlight.

"How did it go?"

"He's as stubborn as ever. No hope for redemption."

"So, shall we proceed?"

"We lack the pieces for that."

"...What about the plan to involve 'that'?"

"It's not going well."

A splash echoed. Apparently, the location where they stood was by the water. 

A makeshift pier, gathered with debris and garbage, connected to a boat that could barely be called a boat, considering it might sink at any moment.

This was a makeshift dock created by the people of the slums.

In the dead of night, there was no one else in this place where even the ground was invisible.

"It wouldn't be a bad story for 'that' either. The cause is substantial."

"The person doesn't see it that way."

"...Is there a risk of the plan leaking from there?"

"That's fine. Their ideology aligns with ours."

"Then why doesn't 'that' act?"

"...Funding is being provided to us."

"I understand that, but there are other sources of funding. What we need is the popularity to overpower the cause."

"Why not take the lead yourself?"

"I have no intention of doing that. I am genuinely concerned about the future of this country."

"It's troublesome... but I understand that argument. There won't be anyone to lead even if you take the front."

"That's right. That's why 'that' is necessary for us."

"Yes, we need 'that' at all costs."

"<Crimson Chains>... Cherina Veliero... No matter what means, we need her cooperation."

The shadows swayed gently.

The three shadows melted into the darkness, leaving no trace of their presence.

――――

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On that same night.

In a corner of the Pilatus Royal Castle, three figures were present.

"Hey! Didn't you promise Cherina would be in our hands with this plan?!"

The king of this country, fat like a pig, sitting on a pedestal, threw a silver wine glass at the man holding it.

The underlying handsome face was undoubtedly hidden behind layers of fat.

"...I apologize. I never expected they would anticipate this plan and have potatoes hidden..."

The one who replied was Blow Soar, the specially appointed minister, forcibly appointed by Pilatus II, a former merchant. 

He was particularly responsible for economic and fiscal policies.

He was the one who declared Cherina Veliero as the only success of Pilatus.

Blow Soar had repeatedly discussed the plan with Prime Minister Genol Boro, and this plan was put into action.

It was curious that there was both a minister and a prime minister.

But it was the system of this country, and they wanted it to flow that way.

From Prime Minister Genol Boro's perspective, there was a plan to control King Pilatus II's whims by appointing Cherina as a minister and using Blow Soar as a wedge to control her from her position as a wife.

They executed the plan with meticulous care.

They had placed guards on all Veliero Company warehouses for months, secured an insider within the company (not through legitimate means), and monitored all incoming and outgoing shipments, confirming that the company did not possess any potatoes.

Blow and Genol were confident that everything was perfect.

Cherina's attitude when presenting the forged documents had convinced them of victory.

However, an unfamiliar foreigner appeared suddenly. 

Presumably, he was the one Cherina had been negotiating with directly the previous day, but that was not a significant problem.

The problem was that as soon as he appeared, claiming to be an advisor to the Veliero Company, he produced potatoes that should not have existed.

Perhaps the negotiations the day before were a fake.

This man somehow sniffed out Blow and Genol's plan and secretly sold them these potatoes. It might have leaked from an insider in the Veliero Company.

As evidence, the potatoes were of terrifyingly fresh quality. It could be sold at a high price, or it could be a perfect way to gain favor with the Veliero Company. 

It was a mystery how he managed to bring them into the heavily guarded warehouse, but he probably used the darkness and an item bag to transport them back and forth several times overnight.

Blow ultimately reached this conclusion.

There were several things to investigate. Where did the information leak from, how did he gather so many potatoes, and who was this man? How to appease the king, and how to protect oneself. The more he thought, the more his head hurt. It was as if the entire economy of this country depended on it.

No, many of the commercial policies he proposed worked surprisingly well. And now, at this critical moment, the pig king, King Pilatus II had overturned everything.

As a condition for handing Cherina over to the king, they had secured promises of reduced taxes, large purchases of wheat, and the king refraining from luxury.

That's why this situation was going to ignite the worst possible outcome.

The silver wine glass rolled in front of Blow. 

The king didn't realize how many loaves of bread could be made with a cup of red wine overflowing from it.

"You can't be relied on anymore! I'll personally take command and resolve this!"

Pilatus II stood up and called out the name of the vice-general loudly.

"Did you call me?"

"Yes. Bring Cherina here."

"Cherina, is it?"

A somewhat un-military-looking thin man raised one eyebrow skillfully.

"Yes, bring her in front of me."

"...Very well. I'll have the slum people abduct her."

"What? Leave Cherina's safety to those lowly beings?"

"It depends on how you bribe them; they'll do anything for money."

"I see, then leave it to them. But if it fails... You understand, right?"

"Of course. I'll go now."

The vice-general quickly left the room.

"As for your treatment..."

The two held their breath.

"If the vice-general brings Cherina, we'll overlook everything. I'm generous like that."

"Hah."

It seemed their lives were barely spared.

Blow left the room and instructed his subordinates to gather information on the foreigner clinging to Cherina.

The excellent subordinates quickly compiled information on a person named Akira.

But the content was unbelievable.

He arrived in this town one day. Moreover, he came with the <Wandering Hammer> Hagg.

While not well-known in the western small countries, he was a wandering blacksmith and apparently had an unclear side as an inventor. 

Of course, his forging skills were top-notch, but the anecdotes accompanying him were even more outrageous, such as single-handedly annihilating 20 fully armed cavalry.

He also could adjust magical tools, making him a peculiar character, even among skilled dwarves known for their skill with iron.

Being associated with such a person was a mystery. 

On the day after entering the country, he infiltrated the Veliero Company, quickly became an advisor, and is currently working on a top-secret development within the company.

Moreover, he brought the secret development with him; it seemed Akira was the one who brought it.

While they were curious about the secret development, they prioritized the investigation of the man.

Furthermore, he seemed to have strong connections with the church, and it was confirmed that the church (the impoverished church, mind you) was covering all of Akira's living expenses. 

They couldn't inquire too deeply due to the church's authority, but it seemed highly likely that the church was watching over Akira.

None of it made any sense.

What was even more perplexing was that he was dangerous.

Knowing that was enough.

Blow immediately decided to assassinate him using his skilled four shadows.

But.

None of his four outstanding shadows returned to him.