Chapter 34 – Ethan Conrad (4)
“Are the reports about the thieves being accepted? Is the guard actually considering them?”
“The trading company we commissioned is reporting directly, so they had no choice but to accept it. However, even though we’ve submitted the report, I’m not sure they’ll catch them properly. They’ll strengthen the patrols, but the chances of recovering the goods seem low. The guard is wary of us as well.”
“It’s not an accident. This is clearly a setup by some scum who are targeting us.”
Ethan arrived at the scene where the items had been stolen, clicking his tongue as he listened to the report from his subordinates who were investigating.
The enemies had swiftly ambushed the trading company, subduing the guards and made off with the items, but they seemed to intentionally avoid causing any casualties to avoid giving justification for their actions.
They only took the property. Furthermore, they even burned the heavy items they couldn’t steal quickly. It was an act filled with malicious intent.
‘Those are probably the ones the elf mentioned. The likelihood is high.’
Ethan gritted his teeth. Frankly, he had some suspects in mind for those who would dare to commit such acts.
Having realized through Irilia’s warning that there were those watching and restraining him, the list of potential culprits narrowed down significantly.
“Could it be that they’re a rival organization that’s trailing behind us?”
“No, those guys don’t have the resources to pull something like this anymore. I’d bet it’s definitely Herman’s faction.”
He shook his head at the words of his subordinate who recalled the intense clashes with rival organizations from a few years ago. However, the most important thing was evidence.
It was difficult to retaliate based solely on the gut feeling at this level, and even if he did retaliate, the chances of falling into a trap set by the opponent were far too high.
‘They are trying to obstruct me and figure out the source of the slush funds that I’m going to offer to the upper-ups. Although I disguised it as artifact reselling, if they keep digging, they’ll find something. I need another method to wash it clean.’
The fact that they ambushed the trading company to ruin one of his revenue streams indicated that they were determined to learn the flow of money he was controlling.
Despite this sabotage, Ethan now had the task of thoroughly punishing them once he achieved his goals.
“First, tell those dealing with the artifacts to halt their activities for now. I’ll move after we restore the business.”
“Then, we can’t conduct investigations on the enemies?”
“There’s no other way. Until we dig a trap to catch them.”
Returning home after giving instructions to his trusted subordinate, Ethan felt fatigued as he entered the mansion. During such times, his routine was to receive the maid’s attention while soaking in hot water.
“Seems like handling things isn’t easy? You didn’t even catch a clue on who’s obstructing you.”
“Ugh!”
However, as he stepped into the elegantly decorated marble bath, he was startled by a clear voice already present inside.
Dropping the towel he was holding while flailing around, Ethan stammered, “H-How did you know!? More importantly, this is my bath…”
“I like taking baths too. Now, tell me more.”
As he clutched his pounding heart and gasped, Irilia, who was sitting with her back turned in the bath, laughed softly.
Amid the rising steam, her silver hair glistened with moisture.
Her slender shoulders were almost visible, and it was clear she wasn’t wearing anything. Despite that, Irilia was calm.
It was a scene that perfectly reflected her usual mindset of not wanting to squeal and blush like a girl.
“Since we were ambushed so suddenly, we must first assess the situation without rash movements. Motives, actions, information about me. When I compile all that, honestly, I have a strong suspicion about just one person. Herman’s faction, who’s my competitor and another leader of the organization.”
“Then shouldn’t we just take them down?”
“They wouldn’t act so foolishly without preparing something first. They’re surely on high alert, so I’ll guide them into a trap to make them waver.”
“But at that rate, how long will it take to catch them? If they hit somewhere else in the meantime, we’ll just be left waiting.”
“Ugh…”
Ethan frowned at Irilia’s overly casual demeanor. No matter how much he thought about it, the plans he was formulating were the most rational and efficient.
‘No matter how you put it, she’s an elf that’s been around for ten thousand years, but she doesn’t know much about the current era.’
He understood that she was an absurd being, but at least in this situation, he felt he knew more than her.
“Should I help you?”
At that moment, Irilia smiled as she rose from her seat, water dripping from her body.
Caught off guard by her unexpected question, Ethan flinched as he caught sight of her red eyes through the steam.
*
‘What Ethan is troubled with, I think I can help if I step in.’
Sitting alone in the warm bathroom, I had managed to hear everything from Ethan whispering with his subordinates outside the mansion, thanks to the wind spirit. I concluded that I could assist him.
It was possible because I had gained the new power of wind.
Using the powers of wind, specialized in information, exploration, and detection, I felt I could uncover the secrets that were troubling Ethan.
“The compensation…”
“I don’t really need anything. It’s better for me if you continue to thrive. Conversely, if you find yourself in trouble, it will be inconvenient for me too. So, this is also for my sake.”
Unlike me, casually showing confidence, Ethan modestly covered his large body with a single towel, stuttering as he brought up the compensation.
However, as I mentioned earlier, this situation was also beneficial for me.
There was nothing more I particularly desired from him, who I already controlled like an extension of myself. I simply wished for him to maintain the status quo.
“Alright. With your abilities, it seems you could acquire information on them without being discovered. They probably wouldn’t even imagine it.”
As his mind began to clear up, a smile crept onto Ethan’s lips.
Like me, he overvalued my abilities.
He believed that if I stepped in, I could uncover the enemy’s schemes without any detriment.
“Having a capable boss is quite convenient. So, can you do as I say?”
“Let’s hear it.”
I chuckled at the term ‘boss.’ Seeing someone like him treating others with such respect showed just how uncontainable his ambitions truly were.
“Their base is here, in this place called Ed, which has Herman’s branch.”
“That’s not a free city but part of the kingdom, right?”
“Indeed. It’s land governed by Count Id, the border count of the Narian Kingdom. Even though it’s on the border, it’s highly developed due to exchanges with the surrounding areas.”
After stepping out of the bath and sitting in front of the table, I listened to Ethan’s plans. He pointed to the city I was to head to on the map.
“They will have concocted all their plans there. If I can naturally go there and eavesdrop on their plans, it will be a smooth operation.”
“Heard that, Rina? Our destination is decided.”
Hearing his plan, I smiled at Rina.
Looking back, it would be my first time going far since I was ejected from the tower.
Of course, even being far away wouldn’t take long. This world had space leap technology, a ridiculously efficient means of transportation that could surpass airplanes.
As long as the leap technology was installed in the city, I could instantly travel, and both Su’an and the destination, Ed, had the leap technology.
“But the checkpoints are tricky. After all, it’s lands of the kingdom, so strict identity verification will follow if we want to use the leap technology.”
“I prepared a fake adventurer’s identity for situations like this. Plus, thanks to the previous incident, even the mayor will vouch for us.”
I clapped at Ethan’s mention of identity concerns. The fact that I had been posing as an adventurer while leading Rina wasn’t something I intended, but it unexpectedly turned out to be useful in this situation.
“Well, then there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Ethan nodded as he finished checking the plan.
Although it was somewhat spontaneous, it was detailed and thorough, so we were set to leave for another city the next day.
“Send a message to Patrick. Tell him to come to the meeting place tomorrow morning.”
Afterward, Ethan, or rather his subordinate, contacted Patrick, who had been resting comfortably for the past few days.
“I never was the type to enjoy travel.”
My heart raced for some reason. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was looking forward to seeing a new place or if it was because I was tasked with an exciting mission.
However, one thing was certain: compared to the time after I learned the truths of the world, when I wanted to leave everything behind, this was a significant improvement.
‘If I just keep doing something, even if it’s unclear, a path will surely appear.’
For me, that was hope. A chance to bridge the long years, immerse in this world, and begin to fill it again.
