Vol 2 Chapter 50 – To the Laboy Trading Company【Vol 2 – The Condemned Knight Edition】

Heh… The time has finally come.

I’m standing in front of the Laboy Trading Company.

Naturally, Eleonora-san and Miriam are here beside me.

But… what an enormous mansion.

It appears to be both a store and the home where Klet Laboy lives. A magnificent building on a vast plot of land. It seems to have a garden, too.

Coming from a poor village, Miriam and I are completely overwhelmed.

Though, it’s not quite on the level of the Vilemse Royal Castle, of course.

I’ve had more chances to visit the Royal Castle since getting to know Debora, so I didn’t find myself shamefully flustered.

…Actually, it might have been better for me if I had been flustered and gotten some scornful looks.

Still, it’s a building you wouldn’t expect from a recently booming trading company. Is this what they call ‘new money’?

As we stood there gawking, a group of men approached us from the building.

Hmm… They don’t exactly look like upstanding citizens.

“I am the knight entrusted with the capital’s public order, Eleonora Bratukhina. These are Hero Erik-san and Miriam-san. We have an appointment with Klet Laboy-san.”

Even in the face of such a rough-looking bunch, however, Eleonora-san maintained a resolute demeanor.

Miriam was a little frightened, and I was just wondering if I could provoke them into hitting me, so I was glad she was here.

The men looked us over… or rather, they stared at Eleonora-san’s and Miriam’s faces and bodies before breaking into leering grins.

Miriam immediately hid behind my back in response.

Well, they were being quite rude.

…If I gave a woman a look like that, I wonder if I could get a good slap out of it?

“Yeah, we heard about you from the client. Follow us. We’ll show you the way.”

With that, they opened the heavy-looking gate and welcomed us inside.

Then, they led the way, striding forward purposefully.

We follow them, and as we do, we take in the spacious garden and the splendid interior of the building, letting out a breath.

“It really feels like ‘new money,’ doesn’t it…”

“It’s so different from our village…”

Eleonora-san, with her noble family name, is probably used to this, but Miriam and I, being from a poor village, were a little taken in by the luxury.

Debora and the other royals are the ones with the real assets, of course, but this is the first time I’ve seen a building that screams ‘I’m rich!’ so loudly…

The Royal Castle is more stately than it is luxurious…

As I was pondering this, Eleonora-san moved closer and began to speak in a hushed whisper.

“They are not mere servants. They are likely mercenaries or members of the Adventurer’s Guild, personally hired by Klet Laboy. Bodyguards, in other words.”

I see. So Klet’s side wasn’t about to welcome us with their guard down.

Well, that’s to be expected.

“And it’s not just the ones we can see. I can feel gazes on us from all over, as if we’re being watched.”

“I agree.”

Heh… I noticed that as well, of course.

Every so often, I’d feel a mocking gaze, as if to say, ‘What fools, coming all the way to a place like this…’

There’s no way my M-sensor wouldn’t pick that up.

“…Impressive. However, given the situation, please be prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

“Understood.”

The worst-case scenario Eleonora-san mentioned… in other words, a battle.

They have a clear advantage in numbers, and since this is their headquarters, we don’t know what to expect.

There might even be traps set.

Kuh…! It really might have been better if I had come alone…!

I regret it now, but what’s done is done… For now, I’ll just have to hope I get to be the subject of a good lynching.

“Hey, we’re here. We’ll be waiting out here, so go on in.”

While I was wallowing in regret, they had stopped in front of a door.

Inside is Klet Laboy, the man Eleonora-san says is almost certainly corrupt…

I was filled with excitement, wondering what kind of person was waiting for us.

Eleonora-san looked at Miriam and me, so I nodded to signal her to proceed.

And with that, she opened the door, and we stepped inside.

“I’ve been expecting you, Knight-dono, Hero-dono.”

The one who greeted us was a pudgy middle-aged man with a kind-looking smile.

He gave a slight bow, showing off his bald head.

He gestured for us to sit in some chairs, then sat down himself and spoke.

“I am the president of this Laboy Trading Company, Klet. …Now, what can I do for you today?”

Though Klet’s face was still faintly smiling, it was not a friendly one.

It was… how to put it… the face of a man harboring something on the inside… the kind of person who fills you with a vague sense of unease.

I absolutely love people like this.

Miriam, however, seems to dislike him; she’s lightly pinching my clothes.

“First, thank you for granting us the opportunity to speak with you.”

Eleonora-san stepped forward and began to talk.

Her posture was poised and dignified; even I was impressed.

“The reason we came today is none other than to ascertain if the dark rumors about you are true.”

Eleonora-san didn’t beat around the bush; she asked him point-blank.

I might need to learn from that strong will and boldness of hers.

“Ho-ho, dark rumors, you say?”

Klet didn’t flinch, his smile never fading.

It seems he still has some composure left.

“My company has grown rapidly in recent years… and with that, we have become a target for jealousy and resentment.”

“And you believe these rumors are of that nature?”

“Yes, that’s right. After all, I conduct my business fairly. I have nothing to hide from prying eyes.”

Klet nodded with confidence.

It’s true that when you pull ahead of the pack, you often become the subject of others’ jealousy.

“Besides, do you have any definitive proof? You came to ascertain the truth of these rumors, so I assume you must have some.”

A suspicious glint appeared in Klet’s eyes.

His tone suggested it was now his turn to go on the offensive.

“I see. Regarding your business dealings, I must admit we have no particular proof.”

“What! And yet you came here to accuse me?”

Seeing Eleonora-san back down so easily, Klet broke into a smirk.

“That simply won’t do. You are a knight, are you not? I thought you were an ally to good citizens like myself… This is something I’ll have to discuss with your superior.”

Seeing that Eleonora-san wasn’t fighting back, he grinned even wider.

…He’s not even trying to hide his wickedness anymore, is he?

“You are a knight of the Royal Capital, are you not? I happen to have a few connections, you see. If I speak with him, you may find yourself transferred to the frontier.”

…Wait? Isn’t that a threat?

That alone seems like a crime we could haul him in for…

…No, I suppose he’s managed to sweep things like this under the rug until now.

“However, let’s see… If you, and the two women hiding behind you, were to keep this humble merchant company, then perhaps we could keep this just between us.”

Klet said this, his slimy gaze fixed on Eleonora-san and Miriam.

Ew… Isn’t that a little too blatant?

It’s like… he really has no intention of hiding it at all.

No, perhaps this is how he’s always operated.

He provokes anyone who tries to report him, demands they present evidence, and when they can’t, he presses them like this.

Heh… Do you not require my body? I am prepared to endure any and all forms of torture.

“‘Company,’ you say…”

“Yes, yes. I would like you to keep me company for a full day and night, if possible. I have no wife, you see, and I am a lonely man…”

“…I don’t want to deal with a pig.”

Miriam, don’t just mumble it, say it louder!

I’ll definitely protect you!

“Unfortunately, we must decline.”