Chapter 39: The Fog of Malice
(Part 2)
During breakfast the next day.
Anyone would be curious upon hearing that a person capable of crushing anki armies or nests with meteors has suddenly showed up and is just wandering around town.
All the more so for the city’s powerbrokers.
Which is why the mountain of requests for a face-to-face that have been flooding Irudo’s place is only natural.
The best method to handle this kind of situation is to proactively offer information from my side to convince them all that I pose no threat to the city.
“...... and that’s what I think. How is it?”
“...... It is exactly as you say.”
After listening to me, Irudo mulls over it for a bit, then nods.
“I really doubt there’s anyone looking to bring your wrath down on themselves. There’s also the report that I delivered, so I agree that there is no need to react in an extreme manner.”
In comparison to me, who has knowledge even less than that of a child in regards to this world’s common sense, Irudo’s judgment is way more reliable. Especially in matters such as these.
“But it still feels wrong, doesn’t it?” (Mora)
Mora’s mouth does her usual へ thing. She is right, of course.
And although I know this sounds terribly unrealistic, but her words seem like the harbinger of bad things to come. I don’t want to say this, but yes, it sounds like a flag.
“Well, I don’t think anything will happen, but just in case, I’ll lend these to you two.”
So saying, I hand over two magic items—a ring for Irudo, and a pale green mantle for Mora.
“Amazing, this mantle is so light! ……Eh?”
“Wha-! Mora?!”
As soon as Mora put on the mantle, her lovely figure vanishes. It is the D&B basic magic item Elven Mantle.
“Calm down. Mora is still there. That’s a mantle that makes the wearer invisible. She can return to normal just by taking it off.”
“Really……? Ah, I’m back!”
Mora’s figure reappears in her previous location.
“Normally, you can keep it folded up and bring it along.”
“Such valuable items…… we are not worthy of them.”
“Are you two not among my small number of collaborators and friends? I would be greatly troubled if something truly befell you two. Irudo’s item is called Genie’s Ring. When you rub it, a spirit of wind, called a genie, will appear and grant you three wishes of anything you ask. I say ‘anything,’ but it’s restricted to combat or physical labor.”
The genie is a relatively strong monster, clocking in at level 12. If it’s Irudo, he should be able to use use it well.
Irudo reverently holds the ring in both hands and bows. Mora also deeply lowers her head.
“Thank you greatly for your regard. These items, we shall hold onto them with the utmost care.”
“Th-, thank you very much, Gio-san!”
“Please keep these secret, alright?”
As a further precaution, I cast [Invisible Demon] once on each of them. The demon summoned by this spell can only obey one command, and would retaliate if the words of the command are not chosen with great care. The upside to this spell is its long duration. The command I gave the demons this time is “If anyone attempts to cause Irudo (Mora) harm, restrain that person for 1 hour.”
I also summon one more demon for myself and give it the same order, add [Detect Enemy] and [Emergency] for good measure. For the immediate future, let"s make sure to always have these three activated.
♥♦♣♠
Several hours later, I am swaying inside the carriage that Irudo had prepared for me, on my way to the Council Hall.
The purpose is for a meeting with the Chairman of the Council of Lelis, Zatou Braus-shi.
While watching the bustling streets of Lelis flow by on the other side of the carriage’s windows (not gla.s.s windows), I mentally sort through the information that Irudo had provided me.
The area around Liuus Lake used to be the territory of the Kingdom of Liuus,which was va.s.sal to Shulendal. When the kingdom crumbled due to internal strife and civil insurrection about 40 years ago, influential merchants and n.o.bles in Lelis advocated for autonomy. Their success gave birth to the present-day independent city-state of Lelis.
Lelis is currently being managed by the Council’s conferences. The criteria for becoming a Council member is to either be the head of the Lelis branch of a Guild (and also an extremely affluent merchant), or be a member of one of the n.o.ble families that helped with the struggle for autonomy. The merchants and n.o.bles have formed factions and are constantly fighting to wrest power from each other. Well, that’s only natural, I suppose.
The current Council Chairman, who I will meet soon, is also concurrently the Head of the Merchants Guild. Although he has reigned for a long time as the top of the merchants faction, he is one of the few people capable of thinking about the city’s benefit as a whole (according to Irudo).
Therefore, he is the most suitable person to explain to that I am harmless to the city of Lelis—that I can rather be of great benefit.
In the midst of my thoughts, the carriage stops in the wide, open plaza in front of the Council Hall.
The entrance of the grave, solemn building that seems to weigh on anyone who approaches is decorated with two statues: one of the G.o.d of Commerce, who is this city’s guardian deity, and the G.o.ddess of Winter, who protects all people from anki.
“Are you the Great Wizard, Gio Margils-sama? We have been expecting you. Please, this way.”
The city official that had been standing ready at the entrance escorts me to the parlor without delay.
♥♦♣♠
“You are most welcome, Great Wizard-dono. I am the Chairman of the Council of Lelis, and go by the name Zatou Braus. Please pardon my rudeness for having you come all this way.”
The Council Chairman is a man in the prime of his life with a splendid beard. There is absolutely zero sense of servility from his deep bow of respect.
“I am the wizard Gio Margils. Your invitation brings me great honor. I, too, beg your pardon for being so late in giving you my greetings.”
The hand grasping the Wizardry Staff is slick with sweat. Braus’ aura is one that would not lose to the professional politicians and businessmen that I had met as a salaryman. In order to not become overwhelmed, I have to keep telling myself “I am a Great Wizard, I am a Great Wizard.”
With the greetings done, I am gestured towards an extravagant chair. We both sit down, now separated by a table in between.
“I have heard of your great exploits from Arnogia-dono and Sedam. For destroying the anki nest, I offer you thanks on behalf of all citizens of Lelis.”
With his second bow as a signal, a secretary pushes a handcart in, on top of which sits a small chest. The secretary directs it towards me and opens the lid, revealing the gold coins and precious jewels packed tightly within.
“Our grat.i.tude cannot be fully expressed with gold coins, but please accept this for now.”
“...... I merely fulfilled my duty as a wizard. I shall accept your feelings with thanks.”
My normal self would never have had the nerve to accept such a large amount of money. However, I was cautioned by Irudo beforehand that “Among powerbrokers, exchanging gifts is as natural as exchanging greetings. Not accepting would rather come across as an insult.” so I have no choice but to just nod along.
“How wonderful. With this, a burden has been lifted from my shoulder.”
So says Braus while smiling mildly.
As he gives the bell on the table a ring, a maid enters while pushing a service cart with a tea set.
“......”
“Some good Kanel leaves came in the other day. How about a cup? Or would you prefer wine?”
So says Braus upon seeing my eyes involuntarily turning to follow the maid. No, I’m not displeased with the tea, I’m just a bit engrossed, as it’s my first time seeing a real life maid.
She is a young woman with her chestnut brown hair done up. Her simple outfit is composed of an unadorned, black longskirt and shirt, white ap.r.o.n, and gloves. Her elegant and flowing movements in merely filling the tea set with hot water gives off a high sense of professionalism.
“Which reminds me, are you not in search of servants? If you so wish……”
“...... Thank you for the offer, but there is no need. I have entrusted that task to Irudo-shi.”
This is bad. I must have stared too long at the maid and caused a misunderstanding.
“Irudo is a young leader within the Merchant Guild from whom we are expecting great things. The fact that he and you have gotten close is something that we are greatly thankful for. This too must be Ashuginea’s favor.”
“Ahh, he has been such a huge help. But with that said, I’m afraid that I myself can’t be of help with his work.”
“Goodness no, hoping for so much would be akin to courting Ashuginea’s wrath.”
Though this exchange flowed quite harmoniously, Irudo’s advice also came into play there. He said that “There might be some who misunderstand that I’m planning on using my close relationship with Margils-dono to climb up in the Guild. This matter should be on Council Chairman’s mind as well.” That’s why I was trying to say that I have no intention of being involved in Irudo’s business. Going by Braus’ expression, I guess I handled it with at least a pa.s.sing score.
“Sorry for the wait.”
The maid places high cla.s.s porcelain cups filled with tea onto the table. Sure enough, this tea gives off a richer fragrance than the Shil tea that Mora usually makes for me.
“These leaves can only be harvested from the Kanel province in Shulendal. While staying in Lelis, please enjoy the large variety of specialty products from various locations throughout the continent that come through here.”
“Ahh, I’ve already had the pleasure.”
Braus brings his cup to his mouth first, as if to prove that the tea is not poisoned. I’m not particularly on guard though, so I sip the light tea-colored liquid and hold it in my mouth.
“...... Mu.”
“Oya, is it not to your taste? In comparison to Shil tea, this one’s flavor might seem a bit strong.”
“That"s not it. I was just surprised at how delicious it is.”
To be honest, this tea…… is not as delicious as I’d expected. But Braus looks like he’s really enjoying it, so I don’t want to throw dirt on his face, and neither do I want to be perceived as a country hick who doesn’t ‘get’ the taste of high cla.s.s things, so I persevere and take a second sip.
♥♦♣♠
“As such, I believe that you will soon receive a missive from the Magician Guild in regards to golem production.”
“I see. That information is truly of great worth to our city. No matter how much we thank you, it would never be enough.”
“Anki are the enemy of all mankind. If it’s for the sake of protecting people from them, I will continue lending however much strength is needed.”
“Thank you for your heartening words. When I convey them to the other Council members and Guild heads, I’m sure they will all be greatly delighted.”
While engaging in small talk, we exchange information like so. In j.a.panese society, this is the territory of politicians much more than of salarymen. Kudos to Braus for earnestly going along with my school arts festival level of word choice.
“If there is anything in regards to the city’s protection that I can help with, please do not hesitate to tell me.”
“Fumu…… Such welcome words one after the other. However, I cannot make this decision by myself, so after I consult the Garrison Commander, I……!......”
“Is something the matter?”
I stand up to take a better look at him as his elbows slam onto the table. His face is rapidly turning blue.
“Uguh……”
“O, oi!?”
Braus finally vomits, then falls over.
This, could this be…… Poison?! Oh, what am I saying, it’s poison no matter how I look at it.
I lift up his collapsed body and look around the room, but of course, the figure of the maid is nowhere to be seen.