Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 40: Negotiation

Chapter 40: Negotiation

“The matters discussed underground won’t leak out, so please rest assured.”

With this preface, Eric begins to speak.

“You, Sir Rofus, are the one holding Gillan hostage, aren’t you?”

Eric inquires.

“And if I am?”

“If you are, then there’s room for negotiation.”

“What?”

Negotiation, after the heads of the houses have concluded their talks and the treaty has been finalized already?

“You are a master of magic. It wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve done something magical to Gillan, would it?”

“Hmph, is that what this is about?”

Indeed, this isn’t something to be discussed in public.

Stera’s desire to have Gillan’s person is likely because without Gillan, their economy would collapse.

If I have tampered with Gillan, whom they are trying so hard to secure even by making concessions to Lightless, it would certainly be inconvenient for them.

Well, the fact is that I have indeed tampered with him.

Eric seems to have a strong conviction, but he needs evidence.

“Making baseless accusations is disadvantageous in negotiations. Are you saying this with proof?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m here to negotiate.”

“Go on.”

I narrow my eyes and urge him to continue.

“Strictly between us, whether Gillan has been tampered with or not, he is scheduled to disappear soon.”

“…Oh?”

So they plan to kill Gillan after securing him, even after paying reparations?

“Why are you telling me this? If it’s true, it should be a top-secret matter.”

“If Gillan has been magically tampered with, I think you might interfere.”

“Ah, you’re giving me a warning.”

Eric narrows his eyes and smiles.

“I appreciate your quick understanding.”

“But if this is a negotiation, what are you offering? What will you give in return?”

“I will do nothing.”

“What?”

Do nothing?

What is this guy talking about?

“Doing nothing. Is that insufficient, Sir Rofus?”

Eric smiles meaningfully and reiterates his point.

I ponder the meaning for a moment and understand.

This is why Lightless’ demands were unilaterally accepted in the heads’ meeting.

Because Eric didn’t testify about what happened in the prison tower.

And now that the treaty is finalized, it could become a poison.

Even if it comes out later that something else happened, a treaty once agreed upon will not be easily revoked.

However, if rumors spread among citizens and other nobles that Lightless imposed an unjust treaty after an attack, it would damage Lightless’ reputation.

Whether true or not doesn’t matter.

The bad reputation itself is disadvantageous for Lightless.

If this reaches the royal family’s ears and they intervene, it would be extremely troublesome.

Eric is saying that he will keep quiet about things that are inconvenient for Lightless, so don’t interfere with Gillan’s assassination.

“…I see, doing nothing. You have quite a personality. Fine, if you do nothing, I will also do nothing regarding Gillan’s assassination.”

“That’s good to hear. It was worth coming to talk today just to hear those words.”

Eric, showing relief, pats his chest.

“But it’s just a verbal agreement. Should we draft a contract?”

I propose, but Eric shakes his head.

“No, that’s unnecessary. I’d prefer to keep this between us. Besides, you aren’t the kind of small man who would break a promise just because it’s a verbal one, right?”

As if to push me further, Eric subtly suggests that breaking the promise would make me look petty.

Not that I intended to break it, but now it’s even harder to do so.

“…You really have quite a personality. However, Yurika is here. She’ll probably report this to my father. Is that alright?”

I glance at Yurika, who stands behind me, covering her ears as if trying to escape from something she shouldn’t hear, crouching in a corner.

…What is she doing?

I clear my throat lightly and look at Eric.

“…She’s my father’s direct knight. She will report everything seen and heard here to my father.”

“That’s fine. I anticipated that.”

Well, if it were truly problematic, he wouldn’t have allowed Yurika’s presence.

“The discussion is over. Sorry to have kept you.”

Eric steps aside and gestures for me to go ahead.

I head toward the stairs, looking at Eric as I pass by.

“Are you the next head of Steria?”

Eric shakes his head.

“No, the next head is my brother. Not me.”

“The eldest son is proficient in magic, right? I don’t know much about him, but you seem more suited for the role.”

“…Spare me. I’m not good at such things.”

“What are you not good at? You’re a hard man to read.”

I look straight at Eric and continue.

“Oh, and I’ll keep this conversation from your father. Consider it thanks for the potion.”

Eric looks up at the sky, as if exasperated.

“…Ah, I’d appreciate that. Really, who’s the hard one to read here?”

With Eric’s deep sigh behind me, I continue walking.

And then I return to the room assigned to me.

As I sit on the sofa and sip the coffee Yurika prepared, our eyes meet as she stands nearby, glancing at me.

“What is it?”

“Oh, nothing…”

Yurika averts her gaze.

Is she curious about my conversation with Eric?

Well, understanding it might make it easier for her to report to my father.

Even if she reports just the facts, my father would probably grasp the situation to some extent.

I prop my cheek on my hand and look at Yurika, then start speaking.

“I suspect that Gillan’s assassination is Eric’s independent decision.”

“…What?”

Yusurika widens her eyes at my sudden remark.

Ignoring her reaction, I continue.

“He is acting with a different motive than the head, Adler. Gillan, who manages their economy, is the cornerstone of Steria. If he’s been tampered with, it would be very concerning.”

Indeed, Gillan is set to die if he acts against my will.

Although Eric likely doesn’t know the specifics of the tampering, the risk of leaving economic control to someone potentially compromised is too great.

“…So they want to eliminate him? But then, why did they agree to hand him over after making so many concessions?”

Steria paid reparations and signed an unequal treaty to secure Gillan.

If they were going to kill him anyway, they could have just abandoned him.

I shake my head in response to Yurika’s question.

“They probably judged that the economic loss from losing Gillan would be greater. Killing him before taking measures to mitigate the economic damage would lead to significant losses.”

The latter would indeed be more damaging.

Seeing Eric’s independent actions, Adler might have intended to secure Gillan and maintain the status quo.

If so, he is overly optimistic.

He seemed quite emotional when we met yesterday, and he might not be fit to be the head from the start.

Letting someone like Gillan, a commoner, control the economy was already a mistake.

That said, Gillan is quite capable for a commoner.

He’s expanded his business to the point of controlling a territory’s economy and risen to the rank of trade guild director.

Unlike some noble trash who increased taxes for personal gain, sold their people, and ruined the economy, Gillan is a different league.

He has his wicked sides, but in the world, results are everything.

Being unable to achieve results due to concerns about the process is for third-rate trash.

In that sense, Gillan is excellent.

If he hadn’t offended me, I might have considered keeping him as a valuable asset.

But he crossed Lightless.

And he made me uncomfortable.

That sin is heavier than anything.

I never intended to let him live long, but this time I’ll let Eric have him.

“They temporarily secured Gillan to mitigate economic losses, then?”

“He’ll probably be killed after appointing a successor and making the necessary preparations.”

“Steria essentially bought time from Lightless, then.”

Bought time, huh?

That’s an apt expression.

“Well, in hindsight. That head likely didn’t think that far ahead. The sword saint is the one maneuvering things in this direction.”

“I see. I’m surprised you’re knowledgeable about economics, young master.”

“I didn’t go through elite education for nothing.”

Economics is a required subject for the next head of the house.

“I’ve spent so much time studying that it’s almost unbearable.

Well, this time, it’s more of a backdoor deal and subterfuge than anything else.

I finish my coffee and look at Yurika.

‘Shouldn’t you be reporting this to Father?’

‘Of course, I will report it, but for now, I am assigned to stay by your side, Young Master.’

‘It would be better to report it sooner rather than later. I won’t be going anywhere, so go ahead and contact Father.’

‘No, I can’t…’

Yurika hesitates.

‘Are you suspecting that I’ll disappear again? Think about it. If I were planning to disappear, I wouldn’t be telling you to go.’

‘…That’s true.’

Hey, what do you mean by ‘that’s true’?

Even though I’m the one who said it, still.

Yurika glances at the empty coffee cup in my hand and then looks at me.

‘…Would you like me to make you a new coffee?’

‘No, I don’t need it.’

Yurika stares at me with a broad smile.

‘…So, where are you planning to go next?’

‘…You’re quite perceptive.’

Honestly, how did she figure out that I was planning to go out again?

I sink my body into the shadows.

‘Young Master!’

Yurika reaches out to me, but I deflect her hand with a magical barrier.

‘Sorry, Yurika. This time, I’ll try not to get hurt… probably.’

‘You always say that, but you always come back seriously injured…’

Yurika’s sorrowful voice trails off as she lowers her head in despair at my words.

What an impudent person.

That makes it sound like I’m a fool who gets hurt wherever I go.

Leaving Yurika behind, I teleport using Shadow Move.

My destination is the remote village where Vallum’s family is staying.

＊

The meeting of the heads of families has concluded, and the Lightless party will return by the end of the day.

Rofus needs to meet with Vallum before that.

Vallum has already left the lord’s mansion, telling Rofus he was going to pick up his family.

Thus, Rofus heads to the remote village where Vallum’s family is staying.

Since Yunnel has also asked him to undo the Shadow Devourer, he needs to discuss it with Vallum.

After repeated teleportations, Rofus arrives at the village.

However, Vallum is not there, and Rofus is greeted by Vallum’s sister, Sera.

Apparently, she has already heard the gist of the situation from Vallum and repeatedly thanks Rofus tearfully for saving her brother and apologizes for the previous rudeness.

Rofus roughly pats Sera’s head and then asks her where Vallum is.

That place is—

＊

The sunlight reflects off the snow-capped mountains, making them glow white.

At their base.

This is where Rofus and Vallum first met.

Three months ago, it was where they had their fierce battle.

The winged Frugel, cloaked in darkness, lies as if sleeping.

Just as before, when the Shadow Devourer had almost turned him into a corpse.

Vallum looks at the sleeping Frugel with a troubled expression.

Every time he sees Frugel sleeping like this, Vallum is plagued with anxiety.

What if he never wakes up again?

Frugel’s sleep periods have been growing longer day by day.

At this rate, the time may come when he truly never wakes up.

The cause is unknown.

Originally, Frugel is being kept alive by Rofus’s magic.

The dark energy forming his broken wing is a clear sign that he is not in a normal state.

However, the fact that Frugel, who should have been dead, is alive here is a reality Vallum does not want to let go of.

Vallum considers whether it might be best to consult with Rofus, the magician.

Rofus appears just then, teleporting in without any warning from the shadows of the nearby rocks.

Rofus looks at Vallum and mutters in exasperation.

‘What’s with that gloomy face? It looks like you’re visiting a grave.’

‘…Don’t say such unlucky things. Frugel is alive.’

Vallum’s eyes flash with a hint of menace at Rofus’s remark.

‘How did you know I was here? Did Sera tell you?’

‘Yes.’

‘…Since Frugel was revived by magic, he started sleeping here instead of in the dragon shed. He refuses to be taken back. Moreover, he’s been falling asleep as if he’s fainting more and more often.’

Vallum speaks, looking at Frugel, then turns back to Rofus.

‘Just in time. I was thinking of consulting you about Frugel…’

Just as Vallum is about to speak, Frugel, who had been sleeping, suddenly raises his head.

He looks at Rofus with the same blue eyes as Yunnel and lets out a cry.

It seems as if he’s prompting something.

‘Frugel! You’re awake… Rofus, what’s wrong?’

As Vallum tilts his head in confusion, Rofus sighs.

‘I also have something to discuss about that flying dragon, Frugel.’

‘…What is it?’

‘I intend to finally undo the magic on that dragon and release him from his false life.’

Vallum narrows his eyes.

‘Why? You said before that you wouldn’t undo the magic…’

‘I changed my mind.’

Vallum instinctively grips his spear tighter at Rofus’s unyielding response.

‘Rofus, take that back. It’s not a false life. Frugel is alive.’

‘Ending that life is her wish.’

‘You say “her”? What do you know about Frugel?’

Vallum’s hostility towards Rofus is palpable.

‘You mean to say you haven’t heard anything from Yunnel?’

‘Yunnel… ? What are you talking about? Who are you referring to?’

‘…You don’t know?’

Rofus sighs deeply.

That means Frugel hasn’t revealed herself as Yunnel to Vallum.

Rofus is left to explain and persuade Vallum on Yunnel’s behalf.

He glares at Frugel, but the dragon just looks back at him quietly with those blue eyes.

He can’t tell what Frugel is thinking.

It seems Frugel has no intention of revealing herself as Yunnel.

Perhaps, after using too much power before, she can no longer reveal herself.

After a moment of silence, Rofus channels his magic through the darkness into Frugel.

The overabundance of magic revitalizes Frugel’s withered body.

‘…!? Rofus, what are you doing to Frugel!?’

‘Don’t jump to conclusions. I’m just giving him some magic power.’

Rofus scolds Vallum, who is glaring at him in surprise, and then looks at Frugel.

‘Frugel Yunnel… you want to fly more, right? I’ll indulge your lingering attachment for a bit. So you’ll have to indulge me too.’

A dense wave of dark magic power emanates from Rofus.

‘What!?’

Vallum exclaims in shock at Rofus’s sudden action, while Frugel grabs Vallum by the scruff of his neck and lifts him onto his back, then takes to the sky.

‘Rofus… you again!?’

Considering how many times Rofus has attacked him, Vallum’s reaction is understandable.

But Rofus smiles aggressively.

‘Don’t be rude. You make it sound like I’m some kind of battle maniac.’

‘You are a battle maniac! You always attack without any warning!’

‘Don’t say that. You, the strongest dragon knight, are only at your peak now because you have Frugel. That peak won’t last long. So this is the last time I can fight the strongest dragon knight.’

Rofus conjures a dark scythe.

‘It’s not the last time. Frugel will continue to live…’

Vallum, mounted on Frugel, points his spear at Rofus.

Rofus smirks.

‘Is that so? Then let’s do this. If you can defeat me, I’ll let that dragon live.’

‘…Are you serious?’

‘I don’t lie. But in return, come at me with everything you’ve got. Fight like you mean to kill me. Otherwise, you’ll be the one who dies.’

A massive array of magic circles forms behind Rofus.

Frugel gives Rofus a reproachful look, but he ignores it.

A barrage of lower and mid-level dark magic forms and all of it is aimed at Vallum.

Vallum doesn’t dodge or retreat but meets the assault head-on with his spear clad in golden lightning.

An immense clash of darkness and golden lightning lights up the sky over Steria territory.