NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 37
▽▽▽ Side Alcain (Duke) ▽▽▽
Zaigen, furrowing his brow, flipped through the report with a displeased expression.
“After the Shaldina thieves’ destruction operation, we’ve decided to deal with four trading companies and eight noble houses. We crushed the trading companies and confiscated their assets, but the problem lies with the noble houses. Six out of eight are entrusted with territories. It’s easy to wipe them all out, but…”
“But then, the management of the territories afterward won’t be viable.”
We have many vassals who are noble landowners. Although they are referred to as landowners, in reality, they are stewards who govern the land on behalf of me, the duke.
If we crush the six houses we’ve entrusted with territories, the subsequent management of those territories becomes a problem.
“However, it seems the territories entrusted to those six houses were in quite a terrible state. According to the report that arrived this morning, it seems it will be challenging to rebuild them.”
“…Destroy all eight. Those who lent a hand to the thieves must face the consequences. Show no mercy. Execute the head and his wife. Adult males, including sons, are to be executed. Women and children can go to the temple.”
While it’s unfortunate for the children, it’s the noble way. If we show leniency here, those individuals might repeat the same actions in the future. It’s crucial to handle this sternly.
“What about relatives?”
“Present their record cards. If crimes are confirmed, punish them. Otherwise, no specific penalty is necessary.”
If everything and everyone were disposed of, it would become a reign of terror. It’s essential to maintain balance. Completely eliminating the main family and punishing many others would disrupt the management of the territories. If they haven’t stained their hands with crimes, that should be sufficient.
“Next is the report. It seems the identity of the collaborator has been identified.”
“Identified…?”
“We haven’t confirmed it with the person directly.”
“I see. That’s right. It’s better not to provoke someone with such excellent stealth abilities.”
“Exactly. That’s how I see it. Is that acceptable? So, who is this person?”
“It seems to be a person named Tooi, a wanderer.”
Upon hearing Zaigen’s report, it seems we’re dealing with an elusive individual.
This Tooi person claims to be a traveler. He arrived in Kerniffi just a month ago.
Although he seems to remain a traveler, he ventures into dungeons. If my memory serves me right, travelers shouldn’t level up through combat. What’s the story here?
“He seems to be exceptional. According to the person identification, one is a Level 21 Mage, and the other is a Level 16 Battle Master.”
“Battle Master? I’ve never heard of that job.”
“I checked the records, but there’s no mention of a job called Battle Master.”
Unusual jobs are generally powerful. Most likely, this Battle Master is also a formidable job.
“If he’s a Level 21 Mage, clearing the 5th floor should be a breeze.”
“The 6th floor should pose no problem either. However… Tooi purchased two slaves who were supposed to be an old woman and an ugly goblin, but for some reason, they have turned into two young and beautiful women.”
“Huh? Hasn’t it been only a month? Are those two slaves exceptional?”
It’s considered a full-fledged achievement for an adventurer to explore the 5th floor. However, the 6th floor is known to be challenging. The Gargoyles that appear on the 6th floor are particularly tough. To defeat them, you need either a mage or someone capable of dealing attribute damage. That’s why surpassing the 6th floor becomes the first major obstacle for first-rate adventurers.
Normally, clearing the 5th floor in a month is impossible. Even the fastest would take over a year. Even so, exploring the 6th floor would be difficult…
“The slaves are excellent. I had them identified. One is a Level 21 Mage, and the other is a Level 16 Battle Master.”
“Battle Master? I’ve never heard of that job.”
“I checked the records, but there’s no mention of a job called Battle Master.”
Apparently, unique jobs are generally powerful. This Battle Master must be a formidable job.
“If he’s a Level 21 Mage, clearing the 5th floor should be a breeze.”
“The 6th floor should pose no problem either. However… Tooi purchased two slaves who were supposed to be an old woman and an ugly goblin, but for some reason, they have turned into two young and beautiful women.”
“Huh? Hasn’t it been only a month? Are those two slaves exceptional?”
Balkan’s face remained impassive as he listened.
“Golteo Shop’s slave purchase report stated that they were an old woman and a goblin. The shop is reliable, so I don’t believe there would be any mistakes in the records. Moreover, the bizarre thing is that Tooi seems to have miraculously acquired two young and beautiful women, not an old woman and an ugly goblin.”
“I don’t understand. So, he purchased young and attractive slaves?”
“I have the report from Golteo Shop here, and it clearly states an old woman and a goblin. As a reputable establishment, I don’t think there would be any mistakes.”
Golteo Shop is a major company with its main store in the royal capital. There’s no need for them to get involved in criminal activities. They were not connected to the Shaldina thieves this time.
Submitting inaccurate records of slave transactions seems unlikely as well. As Zaigen mentioned, there seems to be something strange happening.
“…Could it be a different person with the same name?”
“We’ve checked the records at the government office. Also, it’s confirmed during the registration at the Explorer’s Guild. Tooi’s job is listed as a traveler. However, I’ve heard that assassins have a skill to disguise their jobs and skills. Could it be that?”
The skill composition of the so-called phantom job, an assassin, is not recorded. It’s said that assassins possess skills to falsify their jobs and skills, but that’s not confirmed.
“What do you think, Balkan?”
“It’s hard to say without meeting the person.”
Perhaps Balkan, if he meets Tooi, might be able to determine if he’s the collaborator. It might not be through skills but rather Balkan’s wild instincts that could reveal the truth.
「Can you somehow pretend to encounter him casually…?”
“I would be troubled if such a request were made to me.”
While he’s an incredibly reliable figure in matters of combat, relying on him for anything else is out of the question. He has no talent for subtleties.
“Zaigen, do you have any good suggestions?”
“It’s impossible. So, meeting him openly might be the best approach.”
There’s no need to ponder over it. If something is impossible, it’s impossible.
“Then, Balkan, please arrange for a meeting with this Tooi.”
“After finding the collaborator, what do you plan to do?”
“Reward him. He has resolved such a significant matter. It’s inconceivable not to reward him. This concerns the reputation of my ducal house.”
If the collaborator desires a reward, they would have already stepped forward. Not stepping forward could mean they either don’t want a reward, want to keep a distance from me, or have some other reason.
Not rewarding someone who has achieved so much is a matter that concerns the reputation of the ducal house.
Not identifying the person who has accomplished such a significant feat is the root of the problem. Swearing on the name of the duke, I must find and reward that person.
Regardless of the reason, I will provide a reward. Even if the collaborator claims not to want it, the fact that it was given will remain.
And yet, the security of this castle is said to be on par with the royal castle, yet this person easily entered my sleeping quarters. If the collaborator so desires, they could even enter the king’s sleeping quarters. I cannot leave this person unchecked. At the very least, I must discern the nature of this person.
If the collaborator is an evil individual, they must be eliminated. Ideally, I wouldn’t want to resort to such measures. First, let’s thoroughly confirm the nature of the collaborator.
“If Balkan determines that Tooi is the collaborator, bring him before me. Don’t delay; even with surveillance, he might escape.”
If he’s truly an assassin, he could easily escape. While there’s no need for him to run, it seems he dislikes having his identity known, so it’s a precautionary measure.
“Understood.”
If it’s Balkan, he won’t fall behind, but I instruct Zaigen to provide proper support.
Now, as for this person called Tooi—is he a collaborator? Is he good or bad?