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Today's double chapter, yay!
For those who skipped the previous chapter, there are character illustrations from the manga if you want to see them.
【Garonne】
In the Verted Kingdom, one of the Great Nations, there was a particularly notable region called Winter Valley. This region could also be called Academy City. Boasting the world's finest magic academy, it attracted people and wealth from not only the Great Nations but also various other countries.
Where there was money, the darkness of the land deepened. In other words, the darkness here was markedly thicker and deeper than in other major cities in the world.
The darkness was so profound that no single organization could control it. Instead, multiple large organizations fiercely competed with each other, repeatedly clashing. Currently, the turf wars had calmed down, and the situation was in a stalemate, but violence could erupt again at any moment.
Before that time came, I had to increase my manpower and accumulate wealth.
With this in mind, I had been recruiting mercenaries, adventurers, indebted guards turned slaves, and even thieves into my organization. Among them were former candidates for court magicians.
All preparations were complete, and there was no room for complacency or negligence. If any organization was to remain in the end, it had to be mine.
Thinking of this, I deliberately fell for the tempting words of the suspicious Nevis family this time.
They claimed to have a huge money-making opportunity. There was no more ridiculous offer than this, but it came from the Nevis family.
Although they were a mid-sized organization, they were an established force in this city. Their members had been citizens of the Verted Kingdom since its establishment. Therefore, they possessed different information sources and profit avenues than we did.
When the Nevis family talked about a big profit opportunity, no organization could ignore it. Moreover, it was quite understandable that the Nevis family, which only had a few dozen members, would seek manpower.
"… Boss, the head of the Nevis family, Kalila, is here."
While pondering, I heard a knock on the steel door, followed by a report from a subordinate.
It was much earlier than expected.
"Let them in."
Two of my elites standing by the door unlocked and opened it.
The door slid open with a heavy sound. A large woman stood there, arms crossed, her long brown hair swaying, boldly staring at us. Beside her stood a petite black-haired girl who looked out of place. She was small and delicate, but there were no signs of fear on her face.
Ordinary people, or even sturdy soldiers, would find this space terrifying. At the very least, they would feel intimidated.
After all, my skilled subordinates guarded this spacious basement. The design of the room itself was also intimidating, with its oppressive stone walls creating a dark and heavy atmosphere meant for interrogations and intimidation.
When Kalila and the girl stepped inside, four of my men silently positioned themselves diagonally behind them. Additionally, an assassin lurked at the end of the corridor.
Standing on either side of me were the most skilled members of my organization, a former adventurer and a magician.
The Nevis family was united under Kalila. It might be worth it to subdue and interrogate them here and force them to reveal the money-making scheme. That way, I might even be able to absorb the Nevis family entirely.
Kalila had to be considering such a possibility as well… But why did she look so relaxed?
"Long time no see, though we've seen each other quite often recently, Garonne," Kalila greeted me with a half-smile, causing some of my subordinates to frown.
When two outlaws met, they focused solely on who held more power. If you were underestimated, it was over. This was a common understanding in the underworld of any country.
So I smiled confidently at Kalila, who spoke as if we were equals. "It's good to see you again, Kalila. Besides, I hear you have a fascinating story to share. I hope it lives up to my expectations. For your sake, too, right?"
Kalila shrugged and smiled wryly. "I’d hate to ruin your facade, but you shouldn't act too high and mighty. We're just parasites nesting in the shadows of the city. If the host dies, we go down with it. If we cause too much trouble, we'll be hunted down and crushed… That’s all we are."
"What did you say?"
The atmosphere became tense. But her statement not only belittled us but herself as well.
Why would she say something like that? Why would she say something that could anger the person she was going to collaborate with? Surely, she wasn't planning on starting a proper trading company together, was she?
While I was thinking, Kalila looked around the room with a dissatisfied expression and finally fixed her gaze on me. "Garonne of the White Ash, unfortunately, I suggest you return to your homeland. It's the only way for you to make the most profit."
The atmosphere froze. Seconds later, some of my subordinates shouted in anger.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Do you want to be crushed right now?!"
"The likes of the Nevis family…!"
Angry shouts and the sound of swords being drawn echoed in the room. From Kalila's perspective, the situation was dire. There were only two of them, and one was a petite girl. If it were just Kalila, she might have had a chance to escape.
"Calm down."
At my command, everyone stopped moving, weapons still in hand.
Despite being pierced by countless murderous intents, Kalila kept her fearless smile. Rather, she even looked at us with pity.
Then the petite girl beside her spoke. "Is the promise fulfilled now?"
It was a cryptic statement.
As we exchanged puzzled glances, Kalila laughed awkwardly. "No, one more time… Well, that's impossible. Even a self-proclaimed villain like me feels sorry for Garonne. Just having the chance to persuade him once is enough. Now, I can accept it as unavoidable."
She shook her head with a sigh. I felt more confusion than anger. It was as if Kalila were genuinely concerned for our well-being. No, it seemed as if that girl held our fate in her hands…
"Kalila, there are several things I want to ask, but just one for now. Who is that woman?"
Kalila opened her mouth with a disinterested look. "She is a teacher at the magic academy, a new one."
"A teacher at the academy…?" I was even more confused. Her appearance didn't quite fit the image of a teacher, but that could be due to a difference in race. What puzzled me the most was why an elite academy teacher would come to such a place.
"… A teacher. Even if that’s true, why have you come to us? Do you think that because an academy teacher has high magical skills, you can defeat us alone?"
Hearing my question, the girl grabbed one of the swords pointed at her. Then she broke the steel sword as easily as she would a twig.
"What?!"
"Wh-what kind of magic is that?!"
My guards became tense, and I stood up and grabbed my staff. "Are you serious about fighting us? Alone?"
It had to be a joke. I looked at my subordinate at the end of the corridor, but he shook his head. In other words, there was no sign of knights or anyone else approaching this hideout.
The girl gave a gentle smile and stepped forward. "I have three questions. What kind of business are you currently engaged in? Where are the other organizations' hideouts? And have any of our magic academy's students become victims of your business?"