Chapter 36
After Mayor Grine's speech concluded, preparations to head to the capital began immediately. The scene unfolded in the courtyard of the estate where Caron and his group were staying.
"Haha, Mayor Grine! You truly are a master orator. I almost found myself caught up in the fervor!" Caron said.
Mayor Grine chuckled and said, "Haha, Young Master Caron, you're too kind. I must give credit to you, for giving me the perfect cause. Ah, and about Duke Halo...?"
"Could there be any doubt? Don't worry. Additional forces have already been dispatched from Azureocean Castle," Caron replied confidently.
"As expected of the Leston family! Such impressive efficiency!" Mayor Grine said.
Caron and Mayor Grine exchanged hearty laughs as they looked at each other with shared understanding.
From a distance, Leo watched the scene unfold. Perhaps it looked like a simple, friendly exchange between an elderly man and a thirteen-year-old boy on the surface, but Leo knew there was more to it.
"Ah, and Mayor Grine, since you'll soon start to move in earnest, you're going to need quite a bit of money, won't you?" Caron asked.
Mayor Grine cleared his throat and said, "Yes, that's right. I certainly will."
"Now, now, don't be shy..." Caron said as he glanced around, before pulling out a small pouch and handing it discreetly to Mayor Grine.
The mayor took the pouch Caron offered and peeked inside. Inside the pouch, there were gold coins, and a significant quantity at that.
"Have you perhaps heard the news that a mana stone mine was discovered in Belrus Barony?" Caron asked.
"Oh, yes, I'm well aware. I heard the Leston family has already set up a joint venture there," Mayor Grine responded.
"Haha, I happen to have a small stake in that joint venture. You know what that means, right?" Caron continued.
Of course Mayor Grine knew. It was impossible not to. Wasn't Caron hinting that he would continuously provide under-the-table money? That would be a vital resource for running a city effectively.
Funds were essential for appeasing opposition, buying loyalty, or even using personal wealth to win over the people. Money didn't solve everything, but it solved most things. Mayor Grine, a former finance minister, was one of those people who believed firmly in the power of money. The council that had governed Thebe for so long drew its strength entirely from financial power, after all.
Mayor Grine quickly and carefully slipped the pouch into his pocket so no one would notice. Since he had already boarded the same boat as Caron, it only made sense to take everything he could get.
"You're the only one who truly thinks of me, Mr. Caron," Mayor Grine said with a grin.
"Mayor Grine, you're my grandfather's close friend. Of course I'll look out for you. Oh, and this is our little secret!" Caron said.
"Hmm, but Mr. Leo is watching us," Mayor Grine pointed out.
"Leo has a stake in the joint venture as well. And I've included his share in that pouch too," Caron replied. If he couldn't hide something from someone, it was better to make them a partner in crime.
Leo, who had been quietly observing, widened his eyes in surprise and called out, "Hey, when did I—"
"Come on, Leo, you should know better. Be grateful, not upset. Give and take is how connections are made. Honestly, you've got a lot to learn," Caron interrupted Leo's protest with a satisfied smile. He then extended his hand to Mayor Grine and said, "I hope we can continue to have a good relationship."
Mayor Grine grasped Caron's hand firmly and replied, "That's what I was about to say. By the way, Mr. Caron, do you have any way to contact Caligo?"
"Why would a righteous mayor like you need to reach out to such a shadowy organization?" Caron asked.
"The underworld in this city is too vast to ignore. And I'm not foolish enough to disregard it," Mayor Grine answered.
There were some people who, when they set their minds to something, would achieve it no matter what. Mayor Grine was exactly that type of person.
"They're the ones who uncovered the dealings of a powerful merchant guild like the Oyun Trading Company. They've probably made some enemies after this incident. If we share the same enemies, we might as well become friends, don't you think?" Mayor Grine suggested.
"So, the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Caron asked to confirm.
"Yes, that's a truth that will last as long as humanity exists," Mayor Grine said.
Caligo was an organization even Caron hadn't fully understood yet. But as the mayor pointed out, like it or not, they were already entangled with them. After a brief moment of consideration, Caron nodded and said, "I'll have them drop by the City Hall sometime."
"Oh, and remind them that it's better if they don't come too openly," Mayor Grine advised.
"You don't need to worry about that," Caron assured him, keeping to himself the fact that the leader of that organization was a high-level mage.
A seasoned politician from the central government and a mysterious elf mage...
It's a combination that fits quite well together, Caron thought.
As Caron and Mayor Grine continued their conversation, Zerath approached from a distance, signaling that the preparations for departure were complete. He added, "The supplies lost in the accident will be sent to the capital later."
Mayor Grine was disappointed to hear that and offered, "It's only been a day since the incident. Why not stay a bit longer? I can take good care of you here."
Caron waved his hand dismissively and replied, "The emperor has ordered us to come immediately. What choice do we have?"
"If it's an imperial order, I suppose there's nothing I can do," Mayor Grine said.
"But I'll stop by on the way back. Is that all right, Sir Zerath?" Caron continued.
"I'll inform Duke Halo. I'm sure he'll grant permission," Zerath replied with a nod.
"Mayor Grine, you should be on your way, since you have a lot of work to do. You've got a showdown with the council, don't you?" Caron remarked.
"Given how the tax office is likely driving everyone crazy right now, I doubt my presence will make much difference," Mayor Grine said with a sigh
"But you should at least see the grim expressions of your former employers. That's the real spice of life, isn't it?" Caron remarked.
"I suppose I should bring a bottle of liquor for the trip. Good-quality tobacco, fine liquor, and those council members' sour faces... Sounds like the perfect pairing! Hahaha! Well, I'll take my leave, then! See you next time, Mr. Caron and Mr. Leo!" With a hearty laugh, Mayor Grine walked out of the estate with confident strides.
Caron watched him depart, murmuring softly, "...He'll do well, right?"
Zerath nodded in agreement and said, "He rose to the position of finance minister. That's not a role one can achieve by simply knowing the right people. His competence is undeniable."
"You understand that from now on, the entire family must support him, right, Sir Zerath?" Caron asked.
"Yes, don't worry. If we fail to capitalize on the opportunities you've set up, Duke Halo won't be pleased," Zerath assured him.
"So, are we heading straight to the capital now?" Caron asked.
"Yes. Except for Hans and the other injured, everyone else is ready, including the knights and servants who arrived yesterday. Oh, and there's one more person."
"Young Master Carooooon!" a large man shouted as he came running toward them from a distance. Caron sighed deeply as he recognized the man's face. He muttered, "...I'd forgotten about him."
"Young Master Caron! It's me, Urhan! I've fully recovered. And during yesterday's chaos, I protected the clothes you're supposed to wear!" Urhan said.
Despite his rough background as a deserter and former bandit, Urhan had played a crucial role in the incident by providing quick first aid, saving several lives.
"Urhan," Caron called out almost inaudibly.
"Yes, Young Master!" Urhan responded eagerly.
"Why did you call me, Caron... Damn it. You set this up, didn't you?" Leo snapped, the irritation clear in his voice.
Urhan and Leo responded at the same time. While Leo was annoyed, Urhan looked at him with wide eyes, clearly confused by the situation.
Caron couldn't help but chuckle. "Pfft. It's fun teasing you."
"Pardon? What do you mean, Young Master?" Urhan asked, puzzled.
"You don't need to know, you bandit. Now, quit slacking off and go help the others," Caron said.
"Yes! Right away! I'll see you later!" Urhan hurried off.
As Urhan walked away, Zerath watched him for a moment, then said, "Honestly, I would like to accompany you to the capital, but I have to transport the prisoners to Azureocean Castle, so I won't be able to join you."
"What? Then who's going to protect us? We can manage on our own, but still..." Caron trailed off.
"Duke Halo has already made arrangements, so there's no need to worry. Also, Hugo will be joining you in the capital. He'll be in charge while you're there, so keep that in mind," Zerath explained.
"Hugo?" Caron repeated, surprised.
Hugo Leston was the eldest son of Caron's uncle, Dales, and the eldest grandson of Duke Halo. Before Caron came onto the scene, Hugo had been regarded as the greatest talent of the family. He had reached the threshold of 6-Star at the age of twenty-eight, a feat that clearly marked him as a genius.
This is quite the twist, Caron thought. He had been planning to stir up some trouble in the capital, but with Hugo around, it wouldn't be as easy.
A cousin I've never met before... If he's anything like his father Dales, he's probably an insufferable jerk.
"Understood, Sir Zerath," Caron finally replied.
It seemed most of the chaos had been sorted out. All that was left now was to head back to the capital.
Caron paused for a moment and gazed up at the sky. It was a clear, cloudless day; the perfect sky for setting out on a new journey.
***
Once preparations to depart from the mansion were complete, the escort party assigned to accompany Caron and his group arrived.
"Sir Zerath," Caron called out.
"Yes, Young Master Caron?" Zerath responded.
"Are you sure we can trust these guys?" Caron asked, eyeing the newly-arrived escort with a look of displeasure.
He had every reason to be wary when he heard the identity of the newcomers. They were Imperial Guards, the sworn rivals of the Oceanwolf Knight Order.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Luke Hymer, a royal knight assigned to escort the esteemed members of the Leston family to the capital. You may simply call me Sir Luke," the leader introduced himself.
The Imperial Guards were also suspected of trying to cover up the recent incident. It was natural for Caron to feel uneasy.
With a tone dripping with sarcasm, Caron responded, "I heard you arrived yesterday, but you didn't bother to show up. I almost thought you'd forgotten we were attacked."
His hostility was evident in every word, but Luke merely lowered his head, his expression unchanged as he explained, "My apologies. The destruction of the tracks is an act of treason against His Majesty, and as royal knights, we were obligated to prioritize the investigation into this rebellion."
"Oh, I see," Caron replied, still with a sarcastic edge.
There was no concrete evidence directly implicating the Imperial Guards in the conspiracy. There were only suspicions. Confronting them here could easily backfire. Caron gritted his teeth as he cast a sideways glance at the guards standing behind Luke.
He was unhappy with the situation. To be exact, the entire situation disgusted him. The Imperial Guards were an order he had once been a part of in his previous life.
Those who claim to represent the imperial family are nothing more than lackeys for the nobles now? At least when I was a knight, I never lost my pride even when my soul was forcibly sold to a demon, Caron thought.
At that moment, Guillotine's voice echoed in his mind. "...Isn't that worse, you crazy bastard?"
You, I didn't even pull you out of the sheath. How are you talking? Caron retorted.
"The moment you encountered them, you put your hand on my hilt."
Ah, my bad, Caron thought.
Caron released his grip on Guillotine's hilt and shot a glare at the Imperial Guards. There wasn't a single thing he liked about them. Someday, when the opportunity arose...
I won't let you off so easily, he vowed silently. He would uproot every last one of those rotten bastards. But first, he needed to regain the power he'd had in his prime.
Caron turned his dissatisfaction toward Zerath, asking, "But, Sir Zerath, don't you think it looks strange for us to be under the protection of the imperial guards?"
Zerath seemed prepared for the question and answered promptly, "This is something Duke Halo approved."
"Grandfather did? Why?" Caron asked, surprised.
"You'll see. Ah, there they come," Zerath said as he pointed toward the entrance of the mansion.
A large gilded carriage rolled into the courtyard; its luxurious design was powered by a mana engine. Sitting atop the carriage was a knight Caron found familiar.
"Sir Mason?" Caron muttered, recognizing the knight who had served as a guard to the sixth Prince, whom he had encountered in the black market of Caligo.
The carriage came to a stop before Caron, and Mason got off the carriage.
"Good to see you again, Young Master Caron," Mason said.
"Indeed, Sir Mason. Your presence here must mean... Could it be that inside the carriage, there is...?" Caron asked carefully.
"Your guess is correct," Mason replied.
With a creak, the carriage door swung open and revealed yet another familiar face.
"Oh, Caron! Leo! Did you sleep well? Have you had breakfast?" It was the royal brat himself, the Sixth Prince, Revelio.
As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, he eagerly grabbed Caron by both arms, shaking them in an overly enthusiastic greeting. He exclaimed, "Who would've thought we'd reunite so quickly? It must be fate!"
"You certainly have a knack for being a nuisance, Your Highness," Caron remarked, barely hiding his irritation.
"Hey, why not just call me brother? What's the matter, is it making you uncomfortable that there are too many eyes watching?" Revelio teased, which caused Caron's head to begin throbbing.
Caron sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him as he replied, "Why in the world do you have to travel with us?"
As Caron was about to speak more casually, Zerath shot him a fierce look, reminding him of the prince's status.
"...I mean, Your Highness," Caron corrected himself with a grumble.
"Well, why not? I was already on my way, so it'll be fun to travel together to the capital! We can bond and share stories. Don't you agree?" Revelio replied cheerfully. Then, he leaned in closer to Caron's ear and whispered, "By the way, did you happen to tell the grown-ups about that little incident where you held me hostage? Hmm?"
"Are you threatening me right now?" Caron replied.
"Threaten? Not at all. I just thought it would be nice to share the story of how our friendship began with everyone," Revelio replied with a sly grin. He continued, "The truth is, I snuck out to visit Thebe without anyone knowing, but my father found out. So, this trip isn't exactly voluntary. It's more like I'm being dragged back. Haha! It's a bit embarrassing now that I've admitted it."
The thought of traveling all the way to the capital with this annoying prince was enough to make Caron feel ill. He was certain that he'd die of frustration before they even arrived.
"Sir Zerath," Caron pleaded.
"Yes, Young Master Caron?" Zerath responded.
"Please tell me I don't have to ride in the same carriage as His Highness," Caron said.
"Unfortunately, Duke Halo has ordered that you travel with Sir Mason," Zerath informed him.
"...Oh, please no," Caron whispered desperately, looking at Zerath with pleading eyes.
However, Revelio threw an arm around Caron's shoulders and said, "Come on, little brother. Let's talk about our exciting future. It's a long journey to the capital, and I'm glad I'll have some company. Mason is such a bore."
"...I really, really hate this," Caron muttered under his breath.
Standing a step behind, Leo observed the scene and couldn't help but think, Everyone has their own nemesis. Serves you right, Caron.
But just then, Revelio turned his gaze toward Leo with a grin and asked, "Leo, you're coming too, right?"
"P-Pardon? I was planning to ride with the other knights..." Leo stuttered.
"Nonsense! The more the merrier! Come on, don't be shy. Join us," Revelio insisted, leaving Leo no choice but to join them.
"This is all your fault, Caron..." Leo mumbled.
"Huh, Leo? What did Caron do?" Revelio asked.
"... Nothing, Your Highness." Leo sighed in defeat.
"Now that I think about it, if you're my brother, that makes our father your adoptive father, right? Hey, Caron, how does it feel to be the emperor's adopted son?" Revelio teased.
"Just shut—" Caron began.
And so, the journey to the capital resumed.