Interlude 10 Part 1
The Vulture's Flag - Part 1: Encounter
Translator : PolterGlast
A hawk grasping a sword dyed black on pure white fabric;
today too, this flag catches the wind and flutters bravely in the clear blue
sky.
Every day before work, I look up proudly at this flag and
make it a daily routine to pray and thank that person. This flag is the flag
indicating the Salaam Acting Governor, which I deliberately requested
and received from the Archduke.
I call this flag the 'Vulture Flag', and it is the origin of
why Salaam later came to be called the commercial city of vultures.
"Boss, your daily worship again today? You're quite
devoted."
"Yeah, I think this flag is the best flag, suitable for
us. And isn't it natural to think of the person who gave an opportunity to
people like us, and give thanks every day. And... can't you get rid of your old
habit yet? I always tell you to call me Acting Governor."
"Ah! That's right. It just slipped out, old habits..."
"Why is the president of the security company saying
that here since morning?"
Based on that person's proposal, I dismantled and
reorganized my own organization, establishing several things called
'companies'. And I appointed one of my close aides, who possesses both physical
strength and quick thinking, as the president of the security company.
"Haha, I have the same thoughts as you, Acting
Governor. Look, several others are here too."
Saying so, men with tough faces were gathering in droves at
the plaza where the flag was hoisted. They were also people I selected
respectively and gave some roles to.
Yes, thanks to those people, and Lord Raphael, we
obtained a new mission and were given the opportunity to step out into the
sunlit front world.
To thank for that and not to forget our new vows, it was
natural to worship this flag, our pride, every day.
From a certain day, I came to side with the Demon
Territory Count at the time for a reason.
The trigger was, thinking about it now, an extremely rude
encounter with the Big Sister I worship, Lady Yoltia, but...
That time, I was truly terrified. The bones in my entire
body creaked, and like a frog glared at by a snake, I couldn't move a single
finger.
Daring to accept the unreasonable demands we provoked her
with, Lady Yoltia, who didn't break the initial promise, gave us
opportunities for business through Halim even after that.
I realized I was completely defeated by the Big Sister in
terms of caliber as well, and renewed my resolve. Now, I am also grateful to Halim who gave me that
opportunity.
During the civil war that broke out in this country, I chose
a completely different path from many merchants.
First of all, as a major premise, I absolutely hate the
nobles of this country.
I never liked the methods of those guys who don't even
consider those who aren't Mages as humans in the first place. Even if you work hard at
business and earn honestly, most of the profits are just taken away by them as
taxes.
Precisely because I was dissatisfied with such common sense
of this country, I poured my passion into controlling the underworld, out of
their reach. Extorting money from the arrogant guys with unscrupulous business to
satisfy my resentment; it was everyday life blinded by money and greed.
However, one day, I caught information that Halim and
his group were making interesting moves. With signs of an overseas expedition
and an army gathering in Salaam too, I went personally to the Tia
Trading Company in a corner of the city to probe what they were thinking.
There, they seemed to be having a secret talk in a somewhat
panicked state... but their voices were completely audible all the way to the
empty storefront.
『What
an appalling bunch. Secret talks are supposed to be done more stealthily, in
hushed voices...』
Thinking so, as I listened to the contents at the storefront
for a while, I was surprised by their thoughts. At that time, as if receiving
some kind of revelation, my heart was set in a certain direction.
Of course, the root of greedy and shallow me hadn't changed
at all at this time, but...
『A
highly profitable business opportunity.』And a huge
one that could outsmart the merchants of the Principality.
『A
once-in-a-lifetime gamble.』 The wager is, of course, myself;
there is even a possibility of ruin, but for some reason, my heart danced.
『An
opportunity to satisfy my resentment.』 That's precisely the opportunity to
pull a fast one on the nobles I always disliked.
I think initially it was just motives of this level. But
acting together with Halim and the others, my thoughts changed rapidly
in a certain direction.
The wealth and vitality of Teigoon, which I visited
for the first time, were like a different world.
The town was clean everywhere, and there were absolutely no
slums or back alleys that become dens of criminals, which are definitely
present in other cities. Everyone was wealthy and full of vitality, and even
women and children were working hard with smiles. Everyone said they would
protect the Kingdom—no, the Demon Territory Count's domain—with faces full
of a sense of mission.
『I
have never seen a city like this!』 I unintentionally muttered.
Since getting the opportunity to accompany the Demon
Territory Count Army, I was constantly surprised by their strength, and
more than anything, by the new tactics we knew nothing about.
Together with Halim, as a side job—no, perhaps it
was the Demon Territory Count's
consideration—while the border was blockaded, we were given the job of
transporting military supplies within the Kingdom.
Thus, while going back and forth to the front lines, I
learned the strength of the army commanded by the Demon Territory Count
and was astonished anew.
『I
have never seen an army like this!』 Dumbfounded, I could only be
surprised.
They easily annihilated even that Mage Corps, boasted
as the strongest by the Principality!
I reaffirmed anew that my choice was not wrong. And there
was an encounter with a person I could call a sufficiently trustworthy
companion.
Since the other party is a noble, it might be extremely rude
to call him a companion, but the Boss dared to tell me to do so. With the Boss
talking to me from the same perspective as us, the common sense of what a noble
is turned upside down within me.
『I
have never seen such a pleasant man!』 It was an honest feeling
overflowing from my heart.
Anew, I was surprised by the magnanimity of the Demon
Territory Count, who appointed and heavily used an interesting man like the
Boss. He also took special care of a mere, and rather weak and newly emerged
power, the Tia Trading Company. Only at that time, I was a little
jealous of Halim.
『If
it's this person, maybe I
too...』 Seeing such a naive dream, I unintentionally mocked myself.
My intuition hit the mark splendidly, and the Demon
Territory Count Army won with truly irresistible force, sweeping the Principality
Army from within the Kingdom. Alongside this, with the mission the Boss gave
us, we seized their supplies and were blessed with opportunities to make money.
『Hahaha,
serves you right!』 I threw
words at the backs of the routing enemies, packing all my feelings until now into them. Finally, we were able to clear our frustration against
those arrogant nobles.
『With
this, my feelings are cleared, and I've made more than enough money.』 While thinking so, receiving a new
espionage mission from the Boss, we returned to Salaam. But there... the
situation there was terrible.
Routed soldiers flowed in, and they were committing every
possible outrage in the city. Merchants had their goods forcibly taken away,
and women were dragged into the dark by soldiers in various places.
『Making
a mess of our city... I absolutely won't forgive you.』 Thinking so, I immediately began taking action.
I made arrangements with the influential figures of the city
and created an organization mimicking the thing called [Vigilante Corps] in
the Demon Territory Count's domain. Of course, the core of the corps
members were the thugs under my command.
However, even thugs like that probably felt the same way I did.
Some protected merchants at storefronts and just endured
silently even when beaten up by soldiers. Some saved girls dragged into back
alleys and secretly beat the soldiers to a pulp. They too desperately continued
to protect this city.
To protect them, I sent a letter to the Demon Territory
Count. The Demon Territory Count immediately responded to it and
dispatched soldiers to Salaam.
Here too, I was surprised by Sir Raphael's resourcefulness and the strength of the Demon
Territory Count Army. I merely cooperated with the operation as instructed,
but the Boss's readings hit the mark in every aspect.
『Such
a one-sided complete victory.』 I never even expected it would be to this extent. Moreover,
the Liberator, the Demon Territory Count, apologized first thing to the
residents of the city!
"Although it was to liberate this city and acting in
accordance with the reinforcement request of the Fearalt King, I deeply
apologize for involving this city in the ravages of war. Regarding city repair,
we will cooperate as much as possible. We will pay compensation, so can I ask
you to arrange laborers?"
『Is
there any other noble like this?』 I don't know. No, I haven't seen or heard of one!
Moreover, he strictly cracked down on the violence of the
soldiers, and the liberating soldiers all willingly lent a hand to us who were
working hard on the city's reconstruction.
『I
have never seen an army like this!』 These are not my words. These are the words the people of
the city said in surprise.
For me, before I knew it, that had become a matter of
course.
"We intend to conduct procurement of supplies and
personal shopping at fair prices. However, please spare us, who are unfamiliar,
from the negotiations in stages that are the custom of this
city."
At these words of the Demon Territory Count, we
unintentionally burst out laughing. No wonder; shopping in this city is all
based on negotiation. Even street vendors initially quote an inflated price and
observe the customer. Therefore, to reach the true selling price, a certain
procedure is necessary.
Hearing this story, we moved immediately. Together with the
influential figure of the city present, we issued strict notices to the
merchants of the entire city.
『Ungrateful
bastards don't deserve to be called merchants.』 That was
my thought, but it ended up being needless anxiety.
To the soldiers who were not only liberators but committed
absolutely no violence and willingly helped with the city's reconstruction, the
city residents showed their feelings of gratitude in a visible form.
"Are you guys from the
Liberation Army? Then it's a different story. Please, let me give you this
price."
"Hmm? The payment? Don't worry about that. Thank
you."
"O-Brothers, if you don't mind, let me treat you to a
drink."
Such voices flew about everywhere in the city, and many
shops spontaneously began selling goods below cost exclusively to the soldiers
of the Liberation Army.
Yes, everyone thought at this time. 『Please,
remain occupying this city.』 『If
only this city became a territory governed by the Demon Territory Count...』
Such thoughts were a common desire everyone in the city wished for.
After that, entrusted with the logistics for the Demon
Territory Count Army and the Head-Cutting Count heading to Fairy, Salim
and I gathered our subordinates and volunteered as a supply unit.
And that splendid victory of the Demon Territory Count
Army in Fairy! It was so anticlimactic that no words came out anymore.
To us dumbfounded in surprise, the Demon Territory Count
requested the purchase of trade goods in Fairy. To respond to that, we
bought up goods with all our might, no, working too hard to the point we
couldn't carry them all. An amount so massive it made the Demon Territory
Count smile wryly...
Perhaps unable to bear seeing us like that, the Demon
Territory Count let us and the supplies board the ship service from Fairy.
Moreover, saying he would reward our labor, he even bestowed alcohol for the
journey!
I also love gentlemen who understand things. I immediately
started a drinking party with Halim and the others, but of course, I
invited Boss Raphael too.
But halfway through, the Boss became strangely meek.
『Don't
tell me he's already drunk from the ship's rocking? That strong Boss who loves
alcohol?』
There was such a question, but since the 'Brother' who
joined the drinking party halfway through could hold his liquor quite well, we
didn't mind and got excited.
But when we returned to Salaam, we almost fainted.
Because we learned that 'Brother' was actually His Majesty the King. Not
knowing that at all, on the ship we kept putting our arms around His Majesty
the King's shoulders and making light banter...
"Boss, please spare me..."
I lost my words out of sheer astonishment, and Halim
was barely able to say that much. We all imagined a future where we would have
our heads cut off by that terrifying Head-Cutting Count and exposed in Salaam.
The future was pitch black; it was a feeling close to despair.
"His Majesty was extremely pleased about yesterday.
Saying he could exchange cups with you all and
hear the voices of the people."
At those words, I suddenly looked to the side, and lo and
behold! That Head-Cutting Count was next to me before I knew it.
"The one present there was just a problem child of the Royal Guard, a habitual violator of military regulations who
loves alcohol, that is what it is. There's no way we could make the shame of
the Royal Guard public. Therefore, nothing happened. That is how it
will be. Make absolutely sure you do not speak of it."
When that Count said it with an embarrassed smile I had
never seen before, we just silently, but with tremendous vigor, kept nodding
our heads vertically.
Needless to say, we felt like we had come back to life.
Later, when 'Brother' departed Salaam, he made a chic
arrangement typical of him.
What! It was proclaimed as King Fearalt that the city
of Salaam would be entrusted to the Demon Territory Count and
become the Demon Territory Count's territory as an enclave!
All the residents of the city rejoiced greatly at this, and
the whole city was enveloped in loud cheers. Needless to say, I myself jumped
up with joy while hugging Halim.
However, this was still just the beginning for us; we had no way of knowing that at that point.
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