Chapter 82

Once again, I found myself writing excessively, surpassing ten thousand characters.

This time, it’s quite long, but I’ll post it as one chapter.

I was supposed to have retired as an adventurer.

Five years ago, at the age of thirty, I made a mistake in the mountains. I lost my right toes and almost all of my skills as a swordsman.

In any other town besides Doctus, I might have been a bar owner at best, or worse, dependent on my wife. No, if things went badly, I might have been abandoned by my wife and died on the streets.

However, I, Sai Farman, am still living as an adventurer in Doctus.

Why do I insist on being an adventurer?

It’s a question I often get.

But the answer is simple. Yes, adventurers have lower taxes. They are automatically deducted from the rewards, so in effect, the client pays the taxes.

Young people might say, “It’s just taxes,” but you shouldn’t underestimate them.

So, what happens if I retire from being an adventurer?

If I start a bar, I’ll have to pay taxes on the business, and if I have children, I’ll have to pay a head tax. One way or another, more than half of my annual income would go to taxes.

Most people realize that being an adventurer is a good deal after hearing this.

And the information-gathering work I do is even better.

The reward is fifty to a hundred C (50,000 to 100,000 yen) per job. I get four to five requests a month, so I have a minimum income of two hundred C.

At this level of income, I’m not much different from a beginner below the seventh rank, but my job doesn’t require spending money on weapons or armor. There are some minor expenses for inquiries, but I get to keep almost the entire amount.

In particular, requests from college professors are well-paid and have no strict deadlines, making them a good deal. The job from Professor Elbain, a regular client—Lydiaanne’s old friend, Kitry Elbain—pays well and is simple, involving just listening to gossip from the commercial guild.

On the morning of September 24th, I was told at the guild that there was a request from Professor Elbain.

When I asked at the reception, I learned it was a request from a student at the Tilia Magic Academy, and I was only given a brief overview, with the details to be provided by the student.

I became interested in the student, Zacharias Rockheart.

Before going to him for the details, I investigated the requester. I always do this when dealing with a new client, as I can’t understand what they want without knowing them.

First, the name Zacharias Rockheart sounded familiar. He was the top student in this year’s academy intake, and I had heard from Professor Elbain that Professor Lionel Raspede had praised him highly.

However, that level of knowledge wasn’t enough, and I didn’t have much time. Tina at the reception had already told me that I visit the guild every morning and would go to the requester in the morning.

I hurried to gather information.

I spoke to a few people connected to the academy and learned that he was from the border village of Rasmore in the Kaerlm Empire, that he was childhood friends with Sharon Jakes, who was the second in the class and lived with him, and that his magic level was already over twenty, higher than the practical instructors.

But that didn’t tell me much about his character. What I really wanted to know was the requester’s personality. Knowing that would make it easier to understand what information they really wanted.

After leaving the acquaintance at the academy, I went to see Professor Elbain. There, I learned that he was a student of Lydiaanne Dupre, a former friend of the professor, and was an exceptionally talented magician.

According to Professor Elbain,

“He’s amazing. He has all attributes, but he’s not arrogant at all. And his understanding is incredible; he can deduce ten things from one. It’s no wonder Professor Raspede wants him as an assistant.”

“So, what does this genius want me to investigate?”

The professor said, “You should ask him,” but when I said I’d like to know beforehand, she readily told me about the introduction.

“Those two, Zacharias and Sharon, are being bullied in class. Probably led by the son of Councilor Wagman. It’s not just that. Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Bennett, is also involved.”

I let out a slightly disappointed sigh, “Bullying, huh?” After all, it’s natural to think it’s a trivial matter when you hear it’s just bullying among children.

But when the professor heard my sigh, she laughed a little.

“Disappointed? But you’ll be surprised when you hear the theory he came up with. It’s amazing how he can think so deeply with so little information...”

The professor’s story went like this.

The ones trying to expel them are not their classmates but a faction trying to bring down the leading candidate for the next chair, Councilor Wagman, and the two of them are being used as pawns in this scheme.

The theory was logical, and while there was no evidence, it was so convincing that anyone who heard it would have to agree.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Is it really true that a ten-year-old came up with this theory?”

I regretted saying it out loud, but I quickly resigned myself to the fact that it was inevitable.

Of course.

A ten-year-old analyzing the dirtiest part of politics calmly is already frightening. Even more frightening is his cold and ruthless thinking about their own position.

At his age, it wouldn’t be strange for him to think he’s the center of the world. But he said that if they didn’t get involved in politics, it wouldn’t be a big problem for them. He only asked me to gather information to confirm whether his theory was correct.

Professor Elbain, hearing my mutter, laughed and said, “It’s normal for you to think that. I thought the same when I first met him.”

“This is also a request from me. Losing him now would be a great loss for the academy. I want you to help him stay at the academy.”

I was a bit confused. Could I really help such a genius?

“Is there anything I can do to help? It seems like he already has most of the answers.”

The professor smiled at my uncertain words.

“I thought the same. I did too. But he’s different. He wants to confirm that his theory is correct and then take further action. So, I want you to gather as much information as you can on what he wants to know.”

I left the professor’s office and conducted more inquiries near his house.

When I talked to the neighbors, I learned that they often went into the forest and were very well-liked for sharing the meat of the monsters they caught.

Mrs. Novello, a neighbor, said,

“He greeted us politely when they moved in. And when we told him things like the bread at that store is delicious or when the market opens, he always thanked us. At first, I was quite nervous. Our neighbor, Little Mrs. F, works at the academy’s office and told me a little about Zack. I was worried about how arrogant he might be, being from a knight’s family and the top student at the academy. We have three little girls, you see... Oh, and there’s a funny story...”

She was talkative, and the conversation veered off several times, but when I heard the story about when they rented the house, I couldn’t believe my ears.

McCloud, a shrewd real estate agent, is known to be very strict in business. I know this because I have many acquaintances in the commercial guild. The story that he gave a very expensive table to a child for free to teach him something was hard to believe.

I don’t know what he taught, but since he went to McCloud’s store to teach, it must have been something useful. When I investigated later, it turned out to be advanced business calculations, but they were too difficult for me to understand.

I had a better understanding of his character, but I was still quite confused. The more I heard, the less he seemed like a ten-year-old.

The polite greetings to the neighbors might have been planned by his guardian, Lydiaanne, but it was hard to understand why a noble child would be so humble to commoners. Listening to Mrs. Novello, it felt more like I was hearing about a shrewd businessman.

I tried to clear my confused mind as I headed to his house.

My first impression of him was that he was a well-groomed, sun-tanned young noble.

After a brief greeting, I put on my usual smile and said,

“I’m supposed to ask Zacharias Rockheart for the details. So, what information do you want me to gather?”

He spoke calmly,

“I want information on Councilor Wagman of the council. His character, policies, beliefs, and connections. Most importantly, who his political opponents are. If possible, I’d like to hear from multiple sources.”

I didn’t understand the term “multiple sources” and asked, “Multiple sources? What do you mean?”

He apologized for omitting the explanation,

“I mean supporters and non-supporters. If possible, I’d like to hear from completely neutral sources, but there are budget constraints. I’ll do my best within the limits.”

Since I understood what I needed to do, I told him I would accept the request.

“You can expect a gold coin (100C = 100,000 yen). And since it’s a request from Professor Elbain, a regular client, I’ll gather as much information as I can.”

I said this and extended my right hand to him.

He took my hand with his sword-calloused right hand and shook it firmly.

I felt a sense of unease in his right hand. I wondered why a top student at the magic academy would be so dedicated to swordsmanship. More surprisingly, he had managed to graduate top of his class while practicing both magic and swordsmanship.

As I was thinking about this, he looked me in the eye and started talking about the deadline.

“The deadline is October 4th, ten days from now. On September 29th, five days from now, please update me on your progress. Depending on that, I might ask for additional information. Of course, in that case, I’ll provide additional compensation as per the contract.”

He then explained the request more clearly and understandably.

On my way out, he asked, “Why aren’t you surprised by how I talk?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

Indeed, anyone would be surprised to hear a ten-year-old talk like this on their first meeting.

I had investigated him, but I didn’t want to give a bad impression, so I only told him I had heard from Professor Elbain.

“I heard from Professor Elbain. And Professor Raspede calls him a genius that comes once in a thousand years. Nothing should surprise me.”

This time, he smiled. I was glad I hadn’t mentioned the other things I had investigated.

Honestly, this was the first time I had received such a request.

Usually, my requests were to notify me if a merchant had a rare book or to gather information on newly discovered ruins, which mostly involved asking merchants and mercenaries passing through the city.

Gathering rumors is part of my job, so it wasn’t much different from usual. However, this time it involved the city’s power structure and the Magic Guild, so I couldn’t just casually gather information.

I had many contacts in the Commercial Guild and Mercenary Guild, and of course, the Adventurer’s Guild, but not many in the Magic Guild.

At the academy, I only knew Professor Elbain and a man who considered himself well-informed in the administrative office. There were also private school teachers who made similar requests, but they didn’t have much information from the guild.

So, I decided to pretend to accept Professor Elbain’s request and approach the young staff members of the Magic Guild.

Many staff members ate at a restaurant near the guild.

The headquarters of the Magic Guild seemed to ignore the curfew, and many staff members were still working when the eight o’clock bell rang.

Therefore, many of them finished their work and had a drink at a nearby place.

I staked out at a restaurant and bar nearby and approached a young staff member.

I bought him a beer and pretended to gather information, saying that Professor Elbain was looking for new book suppliers.

Then, I led the conversation to the reform of the academy, saying that I had heard the reforms were about to be accelerated.

“Rumor has it that the academy reforms are about to be accelerated. What’s the real story?”

When I asked, a talkative staff member in his mid-twenties started talking.

“Of course, it’s Wagman’s policy. If he becomes the chair, the academy will change drastically. Personally, I’d like Wagman to reform the guild as well.”

Another staff member sitting next to him disagreed.

“Wagman’s reforms are too radical. If such policies are implemented, the guild’s finances will collapse.”

“No, no, even if Forsyth, who talks about fiscal austerity, becomes the chair, nothing will change. He’s just a rigid conservative who’s stuck in the past. More importantly, the intervention of conservatives in personnel matters is too much. They push out competent people and give positions to their own people.”

The debate became more heated.

In my impression, people in the Magic Guild were generally argumentative. Perhaps only such people could work in the guild, but listening to them, it seemed like a lot of theoretical talk.

“...Still, Wagman isn’t as clean as he claims. I heard he’s pushing for new suppliers to get the support of the Commercial Guild...”

I gathered rumors about Councilor Wagman this way.

His reputation was varied, with clear supporters and opponents. However, he was popular among the younger generation.

Zacharias had asked me to gather information on his character, policies, connections, and political opponents.

Information on his surface-level character and policies was quickly gathered, but there were conflicting stories about his connections, which confused me.

Wagman had a close ally, a counselor named Miles Isherwood, who was his classmate at the academy.

The rumors about Isherwood were the main source of my confusion.

The main support base for Wagman, or the main faction, was the Education Research Committee. Isherwood was now a member of this committee, but he originally belonged to the Personnel Committee, which was controlled by the current chair, Seaburg, and Wagman’s rival, Councilor Ibbetson.

It wasn’t unusual for someone in their twenties to move between committees, but it was surprising that Isherwood, who was on the fast track, changed factions.

The rumors about Isherwood were different from those about Wagman. His reputation could be summed up as “a man not to be underestimated.” While there were few negative rumors about Wagman, there were many about Isherwood, mostly about how he had expelled potential enemies from the guild using various means.

This was the biggest source of my confusion.

The clean image of Wagman and the scheming Isherwood working together. Was it true?

Indeed, Wagman and Isherwood acted in close concert, almost like a single entity. But their images were too different. More importantly, I couldn’t understand why Wagman trusted Isherwood so much.

This nagged at me, and I started to focus on gathering information about it.

Interestingly, as I started to investigate, various rumors began to surface.

Isherwood, after reconciling with Wagman, became devoted to him and was willing to get his hands dirty to eliminate his political opponents. And Wagman, though reluctantly, seemed to tolerate this, according to the rumors circulating in the guild.

I often organize facts in chronological order when reporting to clients. If the source of the information isn’t clear, it can confuse the client, but this method has been well-received.

This time, I arranged the facts about Wagman and the rumors about Isherwood in chronological order. From this, I arrived at an interesting theory.

I was unsure how to handle this information, but I had an idea.

I wanted to see how Zacharias Rockheart would analyze this information.

September 29th, the day for the interim report.

I went to Zacharias and told him the information I had gathered.

Then, I started talking about his political opponents.

“...As I said, his policies and beliefs are as follows. Regarding the political opponents you’re interested in, there is no one in the current council who is clearly opposed to him. Of course, there are