Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 28: Wealthy Merchant
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- Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings
- Chapter 28: Wealthy Merchant
Chapter 28: Wealthy Merchant
Steria Territory, Ice Snow Mountains.
In the night, amidst the mountains, snow howls fiercely, a world of extreme cold in endless white and black as far as the eye can see.
I, Rofus Ray Lightless, found myself alone in such a place.
“That Wyvern, damn it…!”
The Wyvern from Vallum who brought me all the way here to the Steria Territory is nowhere to be found now.
The Wyvern, which flew at speeds beyond its limits due to my magic boost, suddenly slowed down and then plummeted without any strength, with me on board.
And so, I was thrown into this frigid world of snow and wind alone, falling from the sky.
Thanks to the magic barrier I deployed, I have no injuries, but I can’t completely block out the cold.
Alone, I shivered in this frigid place.
“Damn, where is it…!”
I use magic detection to search for the Wyvern’s location.
Visibility is extremely poor in the blizzard, but I can still sense the Wyvern’s magical reaction firmly.
Fortunately, it seems to be not too far away.
“Leaving me in a place like this is no joke.”
I start running through the snow, kicking through the piled snow with my magically enhanced legs, but I can’t gain much speed as the snow hinders my movements.
Running like this consumes more energy than usual, and on top of that, my body temperature is being drained by the extreme cold.
Even though I possess vast amounts of magic power, my body is still human, and if I stay in such an environment for a long time, I’ll surely die.
Dark magic cannot generate heat, so I can’t even keep myself warm.
I advance through the snow relying on magic detection, and finally, after struggling, I reach the wyvern buried in the snow.
The Wyvern is unconscious, not moving at all as if dead.
“…Is it dead?”
As long as there’s a magical reaction, it’s not dead.
With the Dark Magic Wing, it should regenerate no matter what kind of injury it suffers.
However, this is the first time I’ve used “Shadow Devourer” on a living being, so I don’t know to what extent it can regenerate from injuries, or if it will regenerate endlessly like other shadow familiars as long as there is magic power. Since I haven’t verified it, I don’t know for sure.
Why did this Wyvern suddenly crash?
At first, I suspected an enemy attack, but there were no external wounds on the Wyvern, and I didn’t sense any magical reactions resembling attack magic through magic detection.
There are no suitable magical reactions in the vicinity either.
In the middle of such a mountain range, why did it suddenly lose consciousness and fall, and what condition is this Wyvern in now? I have no idea.
The only thing I can say is that if I stay in this extreme cold world like this, I will die.
“…Hmph, don’t take it personally.”
I turn my back on the Wyvern buried in the snow.
I will leave this Wyvern behind.
Don’t take it personally, Vallum. I have no intention of perishing with this Wyvern.
Leaving the Wyvern behind, I walk for a while, but I don’t know any places where people live, and in this blizzard with terrible visibility, I don’t even know which way to go.
It’s not like I’m at a dead end, but I’m at a loss for what to do.
At that moment, I feel someone gently pulling the hem of my coat from behind.
“——!?”
I quickly jump back and conjure a Dark Ball of Darkness in my hand, ready to strike.
There is only the Wyvern lying behind me.
So, who grabbed the hem of my coat?
In the blowing snow and poor visibility, I strain my eyes to discern their figure.
“…What?”
I inadvertently squint.
There stood a girl of about ten years old, with white hair clad in a white dress.
The girl silently gazes at me and speaks.
“Are you hurt? Sorry. It seems that child fell asleep.”
The girl apologizes with an apologetic tone.
In her line of sight is the wyvern lying down.
I remain vigilant, keeping my stance ready to conjure the Dark Ball of Darkness at any moment.
“…Who are you? Did you do something to that Wyvern?”
I ask, and the girl quietly shakes her head.
“I didn’t do anything. It’s just that once he falls asleep, he won’t wake up for a while. And that sleepiness comes suddenly, so he can’t resist it.”
“Asleep…?”
“Yes. Suddenly, like fainting. And the time he sleeps seems to increase day by day.”
Suddenly sleeping? Increasing sleep time day by day?
What’s that about?
Is there some effect from “Shadow Devourer”?
Since it’s the first time I’ve used it on a living being, I really don’t know what kind of adverse effects it might have.
I squint at the mysterious girl who seems to know something about the situation.
“What are you? Are you…”
“I’m Yunel. I’m the one who called you.”
“What? You…?”
The girl introduces herself as Yunel.
So she’s the one who called me here using Vallum’s Wyvern?
“It’s surprising. Can that Wyvern obey commands other than Vallum’s?”
“It’s not a command, it’s a request.”
“I don’t care.”
I frown at Yunel’s unnecessary correction and point the Dark Ball of Darkness at her.
“Tell me again. Who are you?”
There’s no way a girl like her, who’s wandering around in this extreme cold world with just a thin white dress, is an ordinary person.
Although she shows a magical reaction, it’s clearly different from that of a human.
Her presence is akin to that of a spirit.
“I know you’re not human.”
At my words, Yunel squints slightly.
“…I see.”
“Moreover, no human would wander around in just a dress in this blizzard.”
Yunel looks at her own appearance and nods as if understanding.
“Human beings are sensitive to cold.”
Seemingly no longer trying to hide anything, Yunel declares.
“…What’s your purpose?”
Ignoring my question, Yunel turns her back and starts walking.
“For now, let’s go to a human settlement. You’re trembling.”
“Guide me to a human settlement you say, and you expect me to trust you?”
“I don’t lie. Because I’m not human.”
Yunel gazes at me with a somewhat stern look.
“I just want to help Vallum. So I’d be troubled if you died here.”
“…What are you to Vallum?”
“…Friend.”
With just that, Yunel begins to walk through the snow.
Well, I don’t want to stay in this extreme cold world forever.
This Yunel, a non-human girl who claims to be Vallum’s friend, is a story I’ve never heard of before.
In other words, there’s no information about her existence.
Yunel’s words are superficial at best, so I can’t bring myself to trust her.
However, Yunel doesn’t seem to be lying, and above all, I need to know about Vallum’s current situation.
Even if it’s a trap, I can crush it along with whoever set it.
In the blizzard, I follow Yunel.
Steria Territory, Main Capital.
Built on prime land, the mansion erected here is more splendid than the lord’s manor, belonging to the wealthy merchant Gilan.
Gilan is a director of the Steria Territory Commerce Association, and the vast economy of the Steria Territory revolves around this man’s hands.
Normally, Gilan resides in an estate on the outskirts, but he has moved his residence to the mansion in the main capital for now.
Just three months ago, he was attacked by the eldest son of a certain nobleman, and he worried about the laxity of his security.
Even Gilan, who never imagined that there would be someone opposing him in the Steria Territory, had naturally become lax in security and defense.
But now, things are different.
With his wealth, the defense of the mansion is now impeccable.
He even hired skilled guards.
The mansion of Gillan has reached a level of defense that could be called a fortress.
Gilan sits on a high-quality sofa in the guest room, gazing at his guest, the leader of the “Crimson Wind,” Sigil.
Gilan looks at Shigil and asks.
“So, what brings you here, Lord Sigil? Have you found some valuable ancient artifact in the ruins? Or perhaps, has the money for that special medicine been gathered?”
Shigil shakes his head.
“No. The money is not there yet, but it’s about that special medicine.”
Gilan, stroking his double chin that has become plump, looks at Sigil as if appraising him.
“Hmm, it doesn’t seem like you’re here for negotiation on the price. Do you have something you want to ask about that special medicine?”
“Is the effect of that special medicine certain?”
Gillan narrows his eyes.
“…What do you mean by that?”
“That special medicine you mentioned was manufactured in the Empire, right? I heard from an acquaintance that the disease in Iz is caused by a special magical element accumulating in the body. I heard that the Empire is strict about magic and magical elements.”
“Oh, that’s an informed acquaintance you have. Indeed, it seems you are doubting me because of that?”
“…I’m sorry if I offended you. I just wanted to confirm the facts…”
“You must be instigated by someone you don’t know. Anyway, if you can’t trust me like this, the deal is off. I can’t trust someone who doesn’t trust me.”
Gilan gets up from the sofa as if to end the conversation and leave the guest room.
Sigil hurriedly gets up.
“W-Wait. I’m sorry. You were the only one who mentioned selling that special medicine. It’s just that… I couldn’t trust you like that.”
“You certainly seem unpleasant now, Lord Sigil. Do you know? Trust is important in business. It seems Lord Sigil can’t trust me, so I can’t trust you either.”
Gilan, who has no island to attach to, tries to leave, but Sigil runs to the entrance and bows his head.
“I-I’m sorry. You were the only one who mentioned selling the special medicine. It was just… I was out of my mind.”
Looking down at the lowered head, Gilan smirked.
“I’ll accept your apology. However, the fact that you unilaterally doubted me won’t disappear. Lord Sigil, what do you think you should do to regain my lost trust?”
Sigil raised his head. “What…? What should I do?”
In response to Sigil’s question, Gilan wore a vulgar grin.
“Recently, I’ve been feeling lonely at night after being abandoned by my favorite woman. Surely, there was a woman named Elma in your place, right?”
“…What?”
Hostility akin to murderous intent brewed in Sigil’s eyes.
“What, Elma is your woman? Iz is not bad either, but I don’t have a hobby of embracing women afflicted with illness.”
As Sigil trembled with anger, his hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword.
“Hey. Even if it’s a joke, that’s too much.”
“True, there was another woman, wasn’t there? Her name was… yes, Riruka, I believe. She may be a bit young, but that has its own charm, doesn’t it?”
“Shut up, Gilan!”
Sigil, unable to contain himself, finally drew his sword and pointed it at Gilan.
Gilan looked uninterested.
“What’s that? It’s a futile choice, Lord Sigil. Shall we skip the antidote then?”
“Are you telling me to sell my family for that!?”
“Hmm, just for a little while… No, even just for a night. But alas, if it has come to this, there’s no helping it. I thought you were a bit smarter, but it seems I overestimated you.”
Gilan took a few steps back from Sigil and snapped his fingers.
Immediately, the door behind Sigil burst open, and several soldiers stormed into the room.
In an instant, Sigil found himself surrounded by Gilan’s soldiers.
“W-What does this mean…”
With his sword at the ready and a stern expression, Sigil faced Gilan.
Gilan laughed loudly.
“Hahaha, did you think you could meet someone like me without any precautions? Well, never mind. It’s too late now anyway.”
Groaning with rage, Sigil lunged at Gilan.
Naturally, the soldiers surrounding Sigil acted as shields and prepared to intercept him.
However, Sigil, having conquered numerous difficult ruins and dungeons, was a formidable fighter, with combat experience against monsters far beyond ordinary.
His sword was not merciful to the soldiers attempting to stop him.
The soldiers who tried to intercept were knocked aside by the force of Sigil’s sword.
Accustomed to battling monsters on equal terms, Sigil’s sword boasted a power far beyond that which would merely mow down a single person.
One by one, the soldiers behind shields were knocked away, and Sigil quickly leaped in front of Gilan.
“I won’t forgive you, Gilan! For deceiving me about the antidote and trying to swindle money from me! And above all, for insulting my family!”
“Wait…!”
Gilan’s complexion changed, and he stumbled backward, falling flat on his backside.
Unperturbed, Sigil swung his sword.
But at that moment, his sword was deflected—sent flying.
Confused, Sigil looked around, but in the next moment, his vision inverted, and he fell to the floor face down.
Someone pinned him from behind, immobilizing him and locking his arms in a joint hold.
With only his eyes moving, Sigil turned to face his captor.
It was a man dressed in a tattered coat, his skin as pale as that of a corpse.
The man wore a distinctive wide-brimmed hat stained a deep red as if with back-spattered blood.
At the sight of this figure, Sigil recalled a single assassin.
“That hat… could it be… the Blood-stained Hat, Redcap!?”
The man with the pale skin and the red eyes like pools of blood turned his gaze toward Sigil and smiled faintly.
“Oh, do you know me? But I don’t like that nickname. I hate blood, you see, I haven’t bathed in spattered blood in ages. The color of this hat was originally like this.”
Although he spoke calmly, his grip on Sigil was unyielding.
Redcap, also known as the Blood-stained Hat. He was a legendary assassin with numerous aliases such as the Wizard Killer, the Monster, and the Deadliest Assassin, rumored to have been active for three hundred years.
Rumors swirled about him, some saying he hailed from a lineage of assassins while others claimed he was an immortal being who had lived through the ages. However, the details of his existence remained shrouded in mystery.
Some even speculated that it was all a fabrication, that he didn’t actually exist.
But…
“…He really exists.”
Fear crept into Sigil’s eyes.
Unlike the crushing pressure of high-density magic he felt when facing Rohphas, the aura emanating from this man—Redcap—was like being traced by a knife across his neck, a dense presence of death.
Sigil knew just by looking at him—this man was the real deal.
“Why would a man like you work under someone like this…?”
“Because the reward for the job that came to me was the highest.”
As if it were nothing, Redcap replied.
While they conversed, Gilan stood up and approached Sigil, who was still being held down.
“You’ve caused quite a scene. It seems a bit late to come to his aid now, Redcap.”
Redcap shrugged in response.
“This man is quite strong, Gilan. You should refrain from unnecessary provocations too. It might be too late next time. Killing is my specialty, but protecting is not.”
With his red eyes fixed on Sigil, Redcap added, “He’s unconscious now. Should I kill him like this, or would you prefer him alive?”
“Ugh…”
Gilan stopped his feet and took a deep breath to calm his excitement.
Then, he commanded the soldiers standing by in the room.
“Hmph, put him in the underground dungeon.”
“Keep him alive?”
At Redcap’s question, Gilan snorted.
“I’ve been embarrassed this far. I won’t let him off so easily. Kill his comrades, line up their heads in front of him, and violate the women in front of him. Then, I’ll say it again—lick my shoes.”
Gilan’s vulgar laughter echoed in the room.
Redcap adjusted his wide-brimmed hat deeply and muttered to himself.
“You have quite the interesting hobby, Gilan.”
The next day, the morning paper was scattered throughout the capital city of Steria.
The headline read: “Leader of the Scarlet Wind, the Pirate Sigil, Captured by the ‘Merchant Prince’ Gilan.”