WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 106: Listen Carefully

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The sword of annihilation.

He meant Baal. Akarion had already told him the Crows might want to borrow Baal, so Kyle was not particularly surprised.

“Since it would take the form of a request, we would of course pay the fee. As you know, Sir Kyle, Crow Company is the continent's leading private military company.”

Lentz smiled as he continued.

“Crow Company trains private troops and dispatches them to battlefields. Countless mercenary bands and freelance knights also operate under Crow Company's protection.”

Freelance knights licensed by Ransel and mercenary bands belonged to Crow Company, which protected their contracts. What the mercenary guild had done five hundred years ago was now handled by Crow Company. The rights Cyrus had secured long ago had spread the Crow's wings across the continent over five centuries.

“Beyond that, Crow Company also holds partnerships with numerous kingdoms and families.”

Operating a knight order required enormous sums of money and resources. Crow Company offered some support through those partnerships, then borrowed the knight orders when the need arose.

“Of course, we understand that the Alastor Family is not in financial straits to the point of needing a partnership with us. That is why we have been unable to form one so far, but our company would very much like to establish a partnership with Sir Kyle.”

“Do you need Baal that badly?”

“Yes, of course. If we could, we would like to purchase Baal alongside Fenris. Ah, though we understand that you have no intention of selling either.”

Lentz laughed and scratched his head.

“You need not give us a definite answer on the partnership here and now. Today's meeting is simply to convey our company's intentions and take the first step toward building a relationship with you, Sir Kyle. If you consider it favorably, we will visit Gladiheim with a contract soon.”

“Hmm.”

Kyle rubbed his chin.

“Is the reason you want to borrow my sword related to the western dark frontier?”

The west had been uncharted land for five hundred years. It was where Demihumans such as orcs, beastkin, and dwarves lived. The Demihumans who had lived beyond the border and could not advance onto the continent had taken advantage of the continent's turmoil five hundred years ago, destroyed the border, and declared kingdoms of their own.

That was how the Demihuman Allied Nations had come to be, but not all Demihumans had supported the alliance. The unexplored west was a land of savagery, inhabited by Demihumans who had rejected unification.

That land had been left alone until now. Yet as time passed, the need for more territory grew, and the Demihuman Allied Nations turned their blades toward the west, which could be called their root.

Crow Company was fully supporting that war. The conquest of the west was currently Crow Company's largest business, and the dark frontier was the very front line they were conquering and developing.

“Ha ha... There may come a day when we ask for your help concerning the dark frontier, but not yet. The request we wish to make this time falls under the Central Branch's jurisdiction.”

Lentz answered with a smile.

Helenas had warned him that the Crows were dangerous and told him not to get involved with them.

Lentz, standing before Kyle now, did not feel particularly dangerous.

He could not trust that judgment. The people who did not feel dangerous were often the ones whose true thoughts were hardest to read.

Still, he had too many questions about the Crows to simply avoid them.

Cyrus might have wanted Fenris because he wished to reclaim his friend's sword.

But had that bastard really been sentimental enough to keep trying to reclaim Fenris even after his own death? A person's personality could change with age, perhaps. Still, the Cyrus Rubalt Kyle remembered was not the type to leave behind a wish for distant descendants to fulfill his own desire to reclaim a friend's sword.

'Cyrus prepared for the future because he intended to be alive in it.'

He must have also wanted to greatly expand the Crow Mercenary Band. Just as Kyle found joy in swinging a sword and made it the reason for his life, Cyrus had made the business called Crow his reason for living.

Fenris was different, though. Would reclaiming Fenris make the Crow business any larger? To Cyrus, Fenris was only his friend's sword. He would have wanted it back while he was alive, but he would not have thought it had to be recovered even after he died.

Once Fenris returned to the Crows, Cyrus would no longer exist to look upon the sword and remember Raikal.

An elf like Helenas could still remember Fenris and Raikal after five hundred years, but Cyrus was different. He was human, and he had died centuries ago.

'Unless you grew depressed in your old age and became absurdly sentimental, there is no way you left behind a wish saying Fenris had to be reclaimed.'

Cyrus was the one who had said he would not seek revenge even if Raikal died. He had even provided the Empire with the Crows' full military force and led the Empire's wars alongside Ruin as a battlefield strategist. He was the kind of man who could discuss business with the person who had killed his friend.

A man like that did not seem likely to obsess over Fenris even after his death. So why were the Crows so obsessed with Fenris? The Crows were too practical a company to throw around stories meant to tug at people's emotions, like the wish of their predecessor or the roots of the Crows.

Private military company sounded impressive, but the essence of such a company was buying and selling war. Kyle did not know exactly why the Crows wanted Fenris, but he doubted it was solely because of their predecessor's wish.

“Yes, I'll think about it and let you know. If it isn't urgent.”

Fenris was suspicious, and so were the Crows. He had a connection to them, so he could not completely ignore them. For now, Kyle decided to keep an appropriate distance.

“Ha ha... It is rather urgent for us. If this conversation is burdensome, we will prepare the contract and send it to Gladiheim as soon as the party ends. Please consider it at your leisure and give us your answer.”

Lentz did not press him further. With a pleasant smile, he took a step back.

“Ha ha, I have spoken only of business at a celebration. Please understand, it is simply the nature of my work.”

“It is fine. Conversations like this happen at parties too.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Then, Sir Kyle, I hope we meet again for happier matters next time.”

Lentz withdrew neatly.

Kyle fiddled with the empty wineglass in his hand. He was too young to be drinking, ethically speaking, but he had heard plenty to think about, and it was his first taste of alcohol since reincarnating. That only made him thirstier.

'Are they not bringing any more alcohol...?'

No matter what, asking for alcohol himself would draw attention. If someone thoughtful like Lentz brought him a drink, he could naturally accept it.

As he looked around with that thought in mind, many people were approaching with bright smiles. The Empire's Crown Prince and Princess. Ransel's prince and princess. Izelion's father and daughter, Crow Company executives. Important figures had already spoken with Kyle and left, so now the other guests were coming over to speak with him.

'Tsk...'

Kyle forced a smile as he watched the distinguished guests approach with smiles of their own. As the star of today's party, he had to speak with them all pleasantly.

It would have been nice if they brought him alcohol, at least. None of the distinguished guests approaching carried a wineglass for him.

* * *

“Ugh.”

The party was over. As Kyle left the banquet hall, he rubbed his stiff cheeks and let out a deep sigh.

“My mouth feels numb from smiling the whole time. This really is awful.”

“My cheeks are numb too.”

Lucia answered with a sigh. The Sword Wolf Knights had also drawn plenty of attention from the distinguished guests and had to keep talking. They had all received Crescent Moon Medals at a young age, and each had such a distinct personality that the conversations never stopped.

“Was the party all right?”

“For me... yes, it was better than I expected.”

“Why? Did you think people would look down on you for being a Demon Tribe Half-blood?”

“To be honest, yes.”

Lucia answered with a bitter smile. She had even made herself the epithet Unicorn and entered the party with her horn on display. Still, she had worried that the distinguished guests would despise her for being a Demon Tribe Half-blood.

“I did feel like a spectacle... but there was no contempt. Most of them were interested and curious.”

“You are the vice-captain of an Alastor knight order and have an imperial medal. Anyone who looked down on you would be insane.”

Kyle snickered. Whatever someone's birth might be, people would naturally try to curry favor if that person's accomplishments were impressive enough.

“Commander, did you know? Bruno over there even got asked out.”

Jade spoke with a grin. Everyone's eyes widened as they turned toward Bruno. Despite his large build and rough face, he blushed and cleared his throat.

“It was not a date... It was a proposal to meet separately.”

“Is that not a date?”

“Th-they would not be meeting me out of pure affection. They were only interested in the fact that I am an Alastor pureblood.”

“You won't know that unless you meet them. Maybe they were drawn to your dependable... side?”

“Why are you talking like that?”

Bruno glared as he asked, but Kyle did not answer. Instead, he turned his gaze to Narua.

“How was it for Narua?”

“The food was delicious.”

“I meant, did anyone ask you out?”

“Many men tried to speak to Narua, but Narua did not answer them.”

Of course not. Kyle clicked his tongue and glanced ahead. Gerhard, walking beside Julius, was sighing heavily as he rubbed his monocle.

“Uncle. Why are you sighing so deeply?”

“Why do you think? Are you really asking because you do not know?”

“I am asking because I really do not know.”

“Because of you. You!”

Gerhard snapped in a low voice. He whirled toward Kyle, then let out another deep sigh.

“Being rude to the Crown Prince... Fine, perhaps that can be excused. You are young, and if we are being precise, His Highness brought it on himself. But saying you would become sworn brothers with the Crown Prince...”

“Should I tell him we should not do it after all?”

“Can you take back something you have already done? If you do that, it will only insult the Crown Prince's dignity. Just... just be brothers. Do not treat him too casually.”

“I am a polite person.”

“Is Bruno not five years older than you?”

Gerhard gave Bruno an incredulous glance. Bruno sighed in the same way under that gaze.

“Kyle is the youngest member of the Sword Wolf Knights.”

“Just because I now call the Crown Prince hyung, it does not mean I will treat him casually.”

If he had intended to treat him casually, he would have gently crushed the Crown Prince's hand during their handshake.

“There is no harm in being close to the Empire's Crown Prince. Neither of you bears great responsibilities yet.”

“Grandfather, are you close with His Majesty the Emperor too?”

Gerhard's step faltered at the sudden question. If they had not been in a corridor of the Imperial Palace, he would have shouted. That bold brat was openly asking whether he was close with the Emperor in an Imperial Palace corridor.

“No. We are not close.”

Gerhard staggered again at Julius's answer.

“We both bear too much to be close. I do my duty as Grand Duke, and His Majesty does his duty as Emperor. I believe that is ideal.”

What would Julius do if he knew about the Emperor?

He did not have to ponder that question for long.

At the other end of the corridor, Izelion's father and daughter were approaching in eastern ceremonial attire.

“Duke Julius.”

Perhaps because they had already exchanged greetings at the party, Muheok stopped before Julius without standing too heavily on formality.

“Muheok, what is it?”

“Are you not short on alcohol?”

Muheok asked abruptly. It seemed they had exchanged greetings but had not discussed any serious matters, nor had they made plans for after the party. Julius tilted his head with a bewildered expression.

“Alcohol...?”

“Yes. The alcohol at the party was far too weak. We brought some fine old liquors brewed directly by our family. Would you care to drink with us?”

“Hmm.”

It had been a long time for Julius as well since he had met Izelion. Julius was not someone who especially enjoyed drinking, so he did not feel that he lacked alcohol. Still, he did want to speak with Izelion a little longer after so long apart.

“May I bring my grandson along as well?”

Julius asked with a smile. Earlier, he had seen Kyle and Izelion's daughter talking for quite some time. Their conversation had been personal, but connections were often born from such conversations.

Julius's gaze naturally moved to Soha.

Izelion's only daughter. She was eighteen this year, and she was beautiful as well.

Julius was a grandfather, after all, so he naturally thought that if Kyle and Soha became a couple, it would be good for both families.

'Muheok probably approached us with that thought in mind too.'

The choice was up to the people involved, but surely there was no harm in arranging an opportunity for them to spend time together. With that misunderstanding in mind, Julius nodded.

“Where should we go?”

“If it is acceptable to you, would you join us at the detached palace where we are staying?”

“All right. Kyle, is that fine with you?”

“Yes. I do not mind.”

Perhaps they would decide to assassinate the Emperor tonight.

No, it might go beyond deciding it. They might carry out the assassination tonight.

With that thought in mind, Kyle headed to Izelion's detached palace with Julius.

* * *

“Soha is leaving the family for her coming-of-age ceremony next year, I hear?”

The moment they arrived at the detached palace, Julius spoke first.

“The timing works out well. Muheok, you intend to send your daughter to Gladiheim, do you not?”

“Yes?”

Muheok, who had been leading them inside with a stiff expression, turned to Julius in surprise. Julius let out a hearty laugh at that look.

“There is no need to be cautious. Is that not why you arranged this gathering?”

“Y-yes...?”

“Of course, even if she is Izelion's daughter, she will have to prove she has the skill to stay in Gladiheim. But Soha can certainly prove that. The problem is how Kyle feels about it...”

Julius's smiling gaze shifted to Kyle.

“That boy named his knight order Sword Wolf. He said every member was a swordsman. But Soha does not use a sword, she uses a bow. Hmm, I do not see that as much of a problem. A knight order does not have to follow its name exactly.”

“Grandfather? What are you talking about?”

“Did you not find Soha appealing too?”

Julius asked, tilting his head. Only then did Kyle realize that Julius had misunderstood something.

“When Isaac tried to arrange a match between you and Izelion, I thought it was too early. But seeing you and Soha together today, you seemed quite well suited. Of course, a connection, especially an engagement, should be decided after seriously spending time together. Still, it may be all right to regard this meeting as the beginning of a connection.”

“Duke Julius.”

Muheok strode forward with wide eyes and firmly clasped Julius's hand in both of his.

“I am truly happy and honored by your words! But I have no intention of marrying Soha off yet.”

At the same time as he answered, Muheok's finger brushed across Julius's palm. A mark from the same technique he had carved into Kyle earlier appeared on Julius's palm as well.

[Duke Julius. I did not arrange this gathering to discuss a connection between Sir Kyle and Soha. I arranged it to share a greater cause with you.]

Julius could not answer. He only stared at Muheok. He appeared just as surprised that the conversation had opened this way.

[Duke Julius. Listen carefully, we must kill the Emperor.]

“What?”

Even Julius had no choice but to voice that aloud.

“Wh-what are you talking about?”

Kyle had never known Julius could make that kind of expression.

Footnotes:

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