Chapter 39

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no connection to any real entities.

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037 - Aftermath of the Shaldina Thief Incident

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▽▽▽ Side Arcane (Duke) ▽▽▽

Zaigen, frowning, flipped through the report with a disgruntled look.

"After the operation to destroy the Shaldina Thief Gang, we have decided to punish 4 merchant guilds and 8 noble families. We have dissolved the merchant guilds and confiscated their assets, but the problem lies with the noble families. Six of the eight families have been granted fiefs. It would be easy to dissolve them all, but..."

"Would the subsequent management of the fiefs be impossible?"

The number of noble fief holders among my vassals is considerable. While they are called fief holders, they are actually magistrates who govern the land on my behalf, the Duke.

If we dissolve the six families that have been granted fiefs, the subsequent management of the fiefs will become a problem.

"However, the fiefs entrusted to these six families are in a rather dire state. According to the report that arrived this morning, it will be difficult to restore them."

"...Dissolve all eight families. Those who aided the thieves must be shown an example. Show no mercy. The heads of the families and their wives shall be beheaded. Adult males shall also be beheaded. The children and women shall be sent to the temple."

The children are pitiful, but this is the way of the nobility. If we show mercy here, the same thing will happen again. We must deal with it strictly.

"What about their relatives?"

"Have them present their Record Cards. If they are found guilty of a crime, they will be punished. Otherwise, there is no need for special punishment."

If we punish everyone, it will become a reign of terror. While it is important to set an example, excessive punishment is unnecessary. Moreover, if we completely eliminate the main family and punish many more, the management of the fiefs will become impossible. If they have not committed a crime, that is fine.

"Next, I have a report. We believe we have identified the collaborator in question."

"Believe...?"

"You haven't confirmed it with the person, have you?"

"Yes, we don't want to provoke someone with such stealth capabilities."

"Indeed. That's correct. So, who is this person?"

"He is an explorer named Toy."

From Zaigen's report, Toy seems to be a rather elusive character.

This Toy is a traveler who has only been in this Kelniff for less than a month. His job is still that of a traveler, but he has been entering the dungeon. If my memory serves me correctly, travelers should not gain levels from combat. What is going on?

"Apparently, he has entered the dungeon with two slaves. According to the report, he has already cleared the 5th floor and is exploring the 6th floor."

"Really? It hasn't even been a month, has it? Are these two slaves exceptionally skilled?"

The Balderk Labyrinth calls those who have explored the 5th floor "full-fledged explorers." However, they are still considered second-rate explorers at the 5th floor. The 6th floor is a significant challenge.

The gargoyles on the 6th floor are incredibly tough. To defeat them, a magic user or someone capable of attribute attacks is necessary. Therefore, clearing the 6th floor is the first major hurdle to becoming a top-tier explorer.

Normally, it is impossible to clear the 5th floor in just a month. Even the fastest would take over a year. Even then, exploring the 6th floor would be difficult.

"The slaves are skilled. I had them appraised, and one is a Level 21 Magic User, and the other is a Level 16 Battle Master."

"Battle Master? I've never heard of that job."

"I checked the literature, but there are no records of a job called Battle Master."

Rare jobs are generally powerful. This Battle Master is likely a powerful job as well.

"A Level 21 Magic User should have no trouble clearing the 5th floor."

"The 6th floor should also be no problem. However, the slaves Toy bought were supposed to be an old woman and an ugly goblin, but they are apparently two young and beautiful women."

This doesn't make sense. Does this mean he bought young and beautiful slaves?

"The slave trade report from the Golteo Store lists an old woman and a goblin. The store is reputable, so I don't think there was any error."

The Golteo Store is a major merchant guild with its main branch in the capital. There is no need for them to engage in crime. They were not involved in the Shaldina Thief Gang.

It is also unlikely that they would submit an incorrect slave trade report. As Zaigen said, something strange is happening.

"Could they be different people with the same name?"

"Perhaps, but the old woman's job and level match. The goblin might have evolved into a hobgoblin, but even then, it's hard to believe that a hobgoblin would become a beautiful woman."

It doesn't seem to be a case of different people with the same name. This is a very mysterious situation.

People with many mysteries often have quirks but tend to be excellent. Even if Toy is not the collaborator, I am interested. Moreover, he seems suspicious. I, like Zaigen, have a feeling that he is the collaborator.

"According to the captured thieves, they were seeking revenge for their comrades killed by Toy. However, they lost sight of him immediately after tailing him."

"The traveler's skills are endurance and fatigue recovery. Can they detect and shake off the thieves' pursuit?"

"Toy is likely sensitive to presence and may be a skilled assassin."

"I know that the job of an assassin exists, but it hasn't appeared in over 100 years."

While the conditions for becoming a swordsman or a spearman are widely known, no one knows the conditions for becoming an assassin. It is rare for someone to become an assassin, perhaps only once every few hundred years. Are you saying that Toy is an assassin?

It might exist somewhere in the world, but even then, there would only be one. The job of an assassin is that rare.

"But Toy is a traveler, right?"

"I have confirmed his Record Card at the government office and during his registration with the Explorer's Guild. Toy's job is a traveler. However, I have heard that assassins have a skill to disguise their job and skills. Perhaps he used that?"

The skill set of the assassin, a phantom job, is not recorded. While it is said that they have a skill to disguise, it is not certain.

"What does Balkan think?"

"I can't say until I meet the person."

Balkan might be able to determine if Toy is the collaborator upon meeting him. It won't be his skills but Balkan's wild instincts that will tell him.

"Can you arrange for a casual encounter?"

"I would be at a loss if you asked me to do that."

While he is reliable in combat, he is not dependable in other matters. Tricks are out of the question.

"Zaigen, do you have any good ideas?"

"It's impossible. Therefore, it would be best to meet him straightforwardly."

There's no need to think about it. What is impossible is impossible.

"Then, arrange for Balkan to meet this Toy."

"What will you do after identifying the collaborator?"

"Give a reward. This is a significant matter. It would be inappropriate not to give a reward. This concerns my honor."

If the collaborator wanted a reward, they would have come forward. Not doing so means they don't need a reward, want to keep their distance from me, or have some other reason.

Not giving a reward to someone who has accomplished a great feat would tarnish the honor of the Duke's family.

The fact that we don't know about such a significant matter is a problem. In the name of the Duke, we must identify and reward this person.

Regardless of the reason, I will give a reward. Even if the collaborator doesn't want it, the fact that I gave it is enough.

Moreover, despite the castle's security being on par with the royal palace, someone easily entered my bedroom. If the collaborator wanted to, they could enter the king's bedroom. We cannot leave this person unchecked. At the very least, we must determine their nature.

If the collaborator is a malevolent person, they must be eliminated. I hope it doesn't come to that. First, we must thoroughly confirm the collaborator's character.

"If Balkan determines that Toy is the collaborator, bring him to me. Don't wait, as he might escape even under surveillance."

If he is truly an assassin, he could easily escape. While there is no need for him to escape, he seems to dislike being identified.

"Understood."

Balkan will not fall behind, but I will instruct Zaigen to provide thorough support.

Now, is Toy the collaborator or not? Is he good or evil?

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