Chapter 41 – The One and Only (1)
“Herman that guy? What a fool…”
News that their leader Herman had caused a commotion and was caught by the guards had already spread throughout the entire organization, and he couldn’t help but chuckle upon hearing it.
The very way the news had been conveyed was so pathetic that he couldn’t help but laugh.
“But the Lord, Herman was one of our loyal subordinates. I wonder if this will hit us hard.”
“If he was that stupid, it’s better to get rid of him before he causes a bigger incident. Is he the only talent we have?”
The person delivering the news worried about one of their branch offices being destroyed, but he laughed heartily, dismissing it as trivial.
Erns, one of the core executives who had built the organization from its early days and experienced various trials, was a man who held authority appointed by the lord and ruled the city from the light, while he controlled the underworld of the vicinity. Events like this were just minor inconveniences to him.
“So, the elf was eventually lost?”
“Yes. From what I’ve heard, even the guards couldn’t find her. She probably fled without even looking back.”
“Foolish… There’s a way to tame elves. If you force them down recklessly, it only increases their resistance and is prone to damaging them.”
Of course, there was one thing that still piqued his interest. His eyes sparkled at the mention of the elf that Herman had failed to acquire, and he clicked his tongue, expressing disappointment at the lack of news.
Although he had an excellent theoretical understanding of this mysterious race, he had lived for over fifty years without ever having a conversation with one.
“There are so few of them, and they’re such cautious creatures that making contact with just one is quite difficult.”
He actually had little interest in slaves themselves. The greedy man only desired one thing: to hold treasures that no one else could possess.
It was hardly an ambition or thought suited for a mere guild leader, but he instead believed in his own status and wealth.
If he could possess power to move freely in the shadows where laws did not exist, then even a king of a nation would be unable to acquire what he could.
“Then, how should we conduct the next vote for the next leader in the upcoming meeting? With Herman’s sudden mistake, it is certain that our rival Ethan will gain the upper hand.”
“That arrogant brat, if he had come to me from the beginning, I wouldn’t have to worry about this.”
After listening to his subordinate mention Ethan, he let out a bitter laugh and sighed.
Ethan was a member of the rival faction. He recognized the man’s abilities, but politics were a ruthless game; he couldn’t support someone who was not loyal to him.
“Oh dear, is it already this time?”
In the midst of this, he checked the time and jumped up from his seat, as his only daughter was due to return home from the academy.
*
“Time flies; I thought she was still a child, but she’s all grown up now?”
“She’s in the academy’s upper class. In just a few years, she’ll be out in the world starting her own career.”
The city they had just arrived in via the spatial leap was the territory of Erns, the leader of the organization that Ethan was gearing up to take down.
Having arrived discreetly, I and Ethan observed a figure in the distance. It was a black-haired female student who had stepped out of an extravagant carriage. The guards closely surrounding her resembled the typical rich girl or the princess of an organization.
Considering she was someone’s daughter, I expected her to look like a toddler, but she looked far from that.
“She seems to be learning swordsmanship to become a knight, and I hear her grades aren’t bad.”
“Her name was Lila, right? Good. At least I’ve memorized her face.”
We had come here earlier to conduct thorough investigations before implementing our plan. Memorizing the faces and names of those who would later help me, we began to draft our specific strategy.
“According to the plan, I will sell you to Erns. In return, I will receive votes in the leader election. If Erns’s mindset changes, then the vote is basically a done deal.”
“We need to ensure that he has no suspicion that you and I are scheming together. Do you have any ideas in mind?”
“Generally, a lie must mix a bit of truth to become perfect… I will say that I found you unconscious in a restricted area.”
Ethan had already prepared the intricate details. It was a façade mixed with undeniable truths, minimizing weaknesses while maximizing persuasive power.
“Erns will likely take you and try to manipulate you to his desires. Given his personality, he’ll undoubtedly try to show you off. During that process, gaps will certainly appear.”
“That seems sufficient.”
Hearing the detailed plan made me somewhat satisfied. If things went according to plan, we would attain everything we desired, while Erns would end up losing everything after pouring his efforts down the drain.
“Good. Then, let’s prepare.”
Now that the plan was reviewed, the next step was simply to prepare accordingly.
In this particular case, the preparation began with Ethan visiting Erns first.
“W-who’s there!?”
“It’s Ethan from the Su’an branch. That guy wants to see the Lord right now.”
As I ducked into the alley where the mansion was located, I chuckled, finding the chaos that Ethan created in approaching Erns amusing, conveyed by the wind spirit that whisked me right there.
Caught off guard by the unexpected visit, Erns stuttered nervously.
Given that the person from the rival faction he was carefully monitoring had suddenly appeared, it was no surprise he would be startled.
“It’s been a while. I’ve heard some unpleasant news recently; are you well?”
“I wondered why you came; is it to probe? I couldn’t care less what happens to that fool Herman.”
Soon, the sounds of conversation between Ethan and Erns could be heard. Ethan remained calm, as he was someone who had already crafted a plan, while Erns quickly hid his surprise and lowered his voice.
Indeed, it seemed that a seasoned person like him could handle himself, but he couldn’t avoid a defensive attitude.
After all, Erns knew nothing at this point, including why the person he had backed, Herman, had fallen.
“It is true that I came regarding that matter, but I did not come this far to babble nonsense to the leader.”
“What a strange statement. If you came for that matter, how could you not speak nonsense?”
“It’s the truth. I intend to earn the leader’s trust this time.”
Ethan’s voice became laced with amusement. The wind spirit, seemingly intrigued, even relayed what was happening to me.
Even surrounded by Erns and his subordinates, Ethan remained confident. It must be thanks to me, but how bewildered must Erns feel, unaware of this fact?
“I would like to give the leader a gift. If you enjoy it, you can give me your vote right there. Surely, you still have the tokens given by the eldest brother?”
“I know you’re not the type to engage in such acts. So there must be something up your sleeve. Fine, it seems you’re quite hung up on the leader position; I will examine why I should support ‘you.’”
Ethan’s unwavering demeanor piqued Erns’s interest as he feigned indifference, emphasizing the ‘you’ with an air of condescension. The two then established a concrete agreement.
It was then that the topic of a villa located far from the city came up.
“I was planning to spend the holidays there. Of course, it’s not just a simple vacation. It’s a rare occasion where key figures from the bureaucrat to the lord’s housekeeper gather.”
“Then I will take my gift there. I assure you, it is something that is truly one of a kind in this world.”
“Ha…”
Ethan declared that he would take me to that villa. Erns sighed incredulously, producing a hollow laugh, and Ethan maintained his boldness, stepping out of the mansion without a hint of hesitation to rejoin his subordinates.
“Now it’s your turn.”
Having left that place, he found me and started with the preparations in earnest.
“I know I suggested this, but is this too serious?”
“Sometimes, just a façade can produce greater effects. This is that time.”
I chuckled at seeing Rina, who looked tense as she brought items under Ethan’s orders. Strangely enough, I was the one who was about to work, yet Ethan seemed far more tense, appearing rigid as a stick.
“Are you really confident? A strong desire for greed means being even more thorough about what one has acquired.”
“I’ve heard the details. All sorts of strange and perverse methods to subdue rebellious slaves. So, if I act a bit compliant at first, he might let his guard down a bit, right? You’re correct, but being greedy also means understanding the value of precious items.”
From the information I had received from Ethan and what I had thoroughly observed and eavesdropped on throughout the day, I was confident Erns would not treat me lightly.
What he desired was valuable treasure. Damaged and broken treasures inevitably lost their value.
So, with just a little concession, he would be immensely satisfied, and an opportunity would definitely present itself for me.
“I really don’t want to touch that daughter.”
Thinking about her, whom I might have to hold as a hostage if necessary, I smiled bitterly.
I did not intend to hurt her, but if the situation called for it, I had to utilize her.
