A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Even⁠ though the Empire⁠ treats unauthorized mages⁠‌ and necromancers as if they were the same, everyone‍ knows they are‌‌ not.

The‍ former are persecuted‌ for purely political⁠ reasons, while the‌‍ latter are enemies‌‌ of all humanity‌ by their mere existence.

In‍ other words, anything⁠‌ could be done⁠‍ to a true⁠‌‌ necromancer without anyone⁠‌ questioning it.

‘It’s already bad enough⁠ that it became⁠ public I tried⁠ to scam a duke— but if‌‌⁠ they label me‍ a necromancer on top of that…’‍

Cold‌‍‌ sweat began pouring⁠ down Dominic’s body⁠‍‍ like a waterfall.⁠

At‍‌⁠ that point, losing‍ his possessions or⁠‌⁠ even his life⁠ was no longer⁠‌ the real problem.‌‍⁠

In‌⁠ the worst-case scenario,‌ he could end‍ up in a state worse than⁠‍ death, being tortured⁠⁠‍ for months.

Imagining‌ such a dreadful‌ future, Dominic began‍ rubbing his forehead⁠‍‍ against the floor⁠‍ uncontrollably.

“Y-Your‌‍‌ Grace, this… this‍ isn’t necromancy, no…⁠‌ mercy…!”

He‍ tried to explain himself as best he could, but‍ he couldn’t form‌‌ a coherent sentence.‍⁠ No matter what⁠‍ words he said—if‌ Lucian had no‍‌ intention of forgiving‍ him, it would‍‍ be useless.

Just‌ when Dominic, faced with a hopeless⁠‍ reality, was about‍ to lose consciousness—‍‍⁠

“Hmm.‌ Now that I look again, there’s⁠⁠ something strange. Is this really necromancy?”‌

Lucian’s‍⁠ voice, like a ray of light,⁠‌ made Dominic lift his head at⁠‌ once.

Lucian⁠ smiled coldly and,‌ with an almost‌ theatrical tone, looked around.

“It‍‍ looked a lot‍‍ like the necromancy⁠‍‍ I know, so I said it‍‌ without thinking. But⁠ there are countless‌‍ types of magic.‌⁠ Looking at it again, it might‌‌⁠ not be necromancy,‌ but rather another‌ kind of magic⁠⁠‍ with a similar‌⁠‌ effect.”

“Y-yes! It’s earth-type magic…”‍

“Then.”⁠

Lucian⁠‍‍ interrupted Dominic, leaning‌ in slightly with⁠⁠ an icy smile.

Meeting those eyes, like those of a beast, Dominic swallowed hard and waited‌ for what was‍‌‌ to come.

“I want you to⁠‍ explain everything in‌ full detail. So⁠‍ clearly that no‌ one can misinterpret‌ it. From beginning‌‍ to end. Why⁠‌‍ you used that‍‌ magic and how‍ you tried to‌⁠ deceive me.”

Only‍⁠ then did Dominic⁠⁠‌ understand what Lucian‌⁠‌ wanted.

To confess with his⁠ own mouth all‍ of his crimes,‍‍ leaving no room⁠ for future excuses.⁠⁠ And to fulfill⁠ his oath by personally handing over his entire fortune.⁠⁠

‘Ah…’‍⁠

Dominic‌⁠⁠ closed his eyes,‍‍ realizing he was‌⁠ cornered.

There⁠‌ were no good‌ options left. Only‌‌‌ the worst, and⁠ the least terrible.‍‍ And the choice‌ was obvious.

“When‌⁠‍ I was young…⁠⁠ I received help‍‌⁠ from a certain⁠ mage…”

***⁠⁠⁠

The‍‌ head of the Dominic Guild was‍ famous under the‍ nickname “Steel Dominic.”‌‌

Among⁠ the great merchants,⁠ he was especially⁠ known for frequently‍⁠‌ handling military supply‍‍ contracts.

Since⁠ he provided all‍‍ kinds of weapons and armor, the⁠⁠‌ nickname came about naturally. For a merchant, it wasn’t‍ a bad moniker.‍

However,⁠ since the beginning of the age⁠‍ of chaos, that⁠ nickname had fallen‌ out of use.⁠‍

In⁠⁠ its place, other names began to‍‍⁠ appear.

‘The⁠‌‌ Seven-Tongued Liar, The‍ Breathing Curse, The‍⁠‍ Target of Every‌ Assassin.’

Half‌ of the lords‌ on the continent‍ cursed Dominic with⁠‍‍ hatred and resentment.‍

To‌‍ the point that⁠‍‍ even a village⁠ peasant might not‌ know the emperor’s name, but would⁠‌‌ have at least⁠‍ once heard of⁠‌‌ Dominic.

The‌‌ reason for so⁠‌ many curses was⁠ simple.

‘Because‍ he went around⁠‍ scamming everyone, claiming⁠ he had discovered‍⁠ a method to‌ produce a metal that didn’t even‌⁠ exist.’

Tenebrium.‍‌‌

This‍‌ metal, whose name⁠‌⁠ in the old‍‌ tongue meant “stone⁠⁠‌ of darkness,” caused‌⁠‌ a massive commotion⁠⁠ across the continent the moment it⁠ was introduced.

It‌‌ had resistance comparable⁠⁠ to adamantium but‌⁠ could be produced‌‌ at a far⁠‌‌ lower cost.

How‍ this mysterious alloy‍ was made was‍ never made public.‌‌‍

Because‌ Dominic, the one‌ who presented it,‍‌ kept the production⁠ method a complete‌ secret.

Despite‍ threats from countless‍‌ lords, Dominic only⁠‌‌ allowed the “sale”‍‌ of tenebrium.

— I’m a merchant.‍ If you want⁠‌ it, pay for⁠‍ it. As long as you have‌⁠ the money, I’ll‌⁠ gladly sell it‍‍ to anyone.

The‌⁠‌ lords insulted him,⁠⁠ calling him an‌ insolent merchant, but⁠ they had no⁠ other choice.

In‌ a chaotic age‌ where everyone betrayed‌ everyone, kidnapping Dominic‌ to monopolize the method meant other⁠ lords would immediately form a coalition⁠‍⁠ and attack under⁠‍ any excuse.

Moreover,‌ the Dominic Guild‍‌ had branches all‍ across the continent.‌‌

He⁠ might not be‌⁠ able to confront⁠ a feudal lord‍ head-on, but escaping whenever necessary wasn’t‌⁠‍ difficult.

And‍ if provoked too‌⁠ much, he could‍‍ even flee to⁠‍ an enemy lord‌‍ and reveal the‌⁠⁠ tenebrium manufacturing method.⁠‌

— Damn it! Fine,⁠ how much does‍ it cost? We’ll⁠ buy it all!‌‍

In⁠ the end, the‌ lords had no⁠ choice but to⁠ pay full price⁠ for the tenebrium.‌⁠‌

Fortunately, tenebrium was incredibly⁠⁠ cheap for its⁠ performance. Naturally, the‍ lords didn’t hesitate⁠⁠ to empty their gold storages to⁠‍ buy it.

If‌ they could resell‍‍⁠ it for profit,‍‍ what reason was⁠⁠ there to hesitate?‌

The‌ Dominic Guild produced⁠ and supplied tenebrium⁠⁠ without rest to‌ meet the avalanche⁠‌ of orders.

And‌⁠‌ so, a year⁠‍ passed.

By then, a considerable‌ amount of tenebrium‍⁠‌ weapons and armor‌ was already circulating‌‌ on the market.⁠‌

— C-captain! The tenebrium⁠‌ sword we just‌ bought broke!

— What? That’s impossible!‍ What did you⁠‍‌ do to break‍‍‌ it?

— I just tried⁠ to cut a rock! Its durability⁠‌ dropped!

— That can’t be…!⁠

The⁠ lords and knights⁠ who had acquired‌ tenebrium weapons began⁠‍‌ to notice that⁠‌ something was wrong.‌

Over‍ time, the durability‌ of the weapons‌ gradually decreased.

If⁠ that were all,‌‍ it might have‍‌ been considered a mere manufacturing defect,‍⁠ but the real problem was the⁠⁠ reaction to salt‍‌ water, which was‍ discovered later by‍‌‍ accident.

The⁠ instant they came‍‌ into contact with salt water, those‍‍⁠ weapons that had‌ once been so‌‍ strong began to‍ crumble like dust‍ in the blink‍ of an eye.‍‌

Only⁠ then did the lords realize they‌ had been deceived—but‍ by that time,‍ Dominic had already‍ fled and taken‌ refuge under the‌ protection of Marquis⁠ Bernhardt.

The‌‍ lords hurled all‌‍ kinds of curses⁠‌ and demanded he⁠⁠⁠ be handed over,‍ but Marquis Bernhardt‍‍ flatly refused.

‘According⁠ to rumors, he‍‌‌ gave up half‍ his fortune and‌ received a noble title… though I don’t know if‌ that’s true.’

At‌ the time, Lucian‍‌ was still a mercenary, so he‌‌ had neither the reason nor the time to verify the truth of⁠‌ those rumors.

The⁠ only thing certain‌‍ was that, after‌⁠ all that, Dominic‍‍ lived a peaceful⁠ old age under‍‍ the protection of⁠ the Roglan family.⁠

And⁠⁠ it was also‌‌‍ clear that the‌ Roglan family had‍‍ reinforced its army⁠‌‌ with funds of‌ unknown origin.

‘I don’t know if‍ he got a title, but it’s‌ certain he handed‌ over a huge⁠ fortune in exchange‍ for protection.’

Otherwise,‌⁠⁠ there would’ve been‍ no reason for‍⁠ anyone to protect‌‌‍ Dominic, who had‌‍ earned the hatred of so many⁠‌ lords.

When‍ Lucian heard those⁠ rumors in his⁠‍ past life, he‍ couldn’t understand why‍ Dominic had pulled‍‍ such a scam.‌‍⁠

If‌‍ he was one‍ of the great⁠‌ magnates, why not continue trading peacefully instead of tarnishing‌‍ his name like that?

But‌ now, thinking back⁠‌ on it, he‍ felt he could⁠‌ understand a little⁠⁠ why Dominic had⁠‍ made that choice.‍‍‍

“…And⁠ that’s how I ended up committing‌ this sin. This‌‌⁠ miserable old man was blinded by‌ greed and crossed‌ a river with⁠ no way back.”‌‍

As⁠ Lucian recalled the‍ memories of his past life, Dominic’s‍‍ confession was practically‌ reaching its end.

In‌ summary, he had‌ formed a connection‌⁠ with a certain‍⁠ mage in his⁠ youth, learned a method of temporarily‍ reinforcing metals, and⁠ used it to‍‌ carry out this‍ scam.

Confirming‌‌ there was nothing‌‌ else of note, Lucian spoke.

“Dominic.”‍

“Your‌‍ Grace! Please, have‍‍ mercy…!”

“Do‍ you hate nobles?”

Dominic, who had been‍ begging, froze at the question. Lucian⁠ didn’t wait for an answer and‍‍ continued murmuring as‌ if to himself.

“In‌ times of chaos,‌⁠ a merchant’s life⁠ is worth less‌ than that of‌ a fly. If‍⁠‌ you have no‍‌‍ power, no contract‍⁠ is honored. It’s⁠ not an exaggeration to say the‍‌ only way to⁠‍⁠ survive is by‍⁠‌ becoming a merchant under a noble’s⁠‌ protection.”

“…”‌

“So⁠ I can understand‍ that you wanted⁠⁠ to pull off⁠‌⁠ one big score⁠‌ in the end⁠‍ and trade those⁠‌ profits for a high position… but⁠ the more I think about it,‍ it was too‍ much. The resentment‍ you earned was⁠‌ far greater than‌‍ what you gained.”‌

Even‌ if in his‍ past life Dominic‍‍ ended up living in peace, that⁠⁠ was only the‌ outcome.

After‌‍‌ gaining so much‌ hatred, he must⁠‌ have spent the⁠⁠ rest of his‍‍ life under constant⁠ threat of assassination.‌‍

Not to mention, he‍ destroyed the reputation‌ he’d built as‌⁠ a merchant with‌ his own hands,‍ earning everyone’s contempt.⁠‍

And‌‍ even so, Dominic‌‍‌ chose to harm‍⁠ countless lords in‌ exchange for a relatively small profit.⁠

If⁠ profit was the‍‍ goal, it was⁠ still an extremely⁠‌ short-sighted decision.

“Tell‌⁠ me, Dominic. Did⁠⁠ you really try⁠‌ to deceive me‍ and the northern⁠‍‌ lords just for profit? Was such⁠‍ a massive scam⁠‍ really worth such⁠ a small reward?”‍

“…Heh,‌ hehehe.”

From‍ Dominic’s lowered head‌‍ came a strange⁠‍‍ laugh.

After‌⁠⁠ silently laughing for⁠ a moment, he‍ looked up with an expression as‌‍‌ if all attachment‍ had vanished.

“At⁠⁠ this point, does‍⁠‌ it matter what‍ my motivation was?⁠‍ I committed a crime, everything’s been‌⁠ revealed, and all that’s left is to receive my⁠ punishment.”

“…”⁠⁠‌

“As‍ I promised, I’ll‌ hand over everything⁠ I own, so‌ do with me‌⁠ as you wish.”‍⁠

After‍‍ saying that, Dominic‍ closed his eyes⁠‍ and didn’t speak again. It was the look of‌ someone who no longer cared about‍ anything.

Lucian‍ watched him silently⁠ for a moment,‌‍‍ then gave an⁠ order to the soldiers.

“Throw‌ the criminal Dominic‌‌ in prison. And⁠⁠ bring in the⁠⁠ guild leaders waiting⁠ outside.”

***‌

Dragged‌‌⁠ in by the⁠ firm hands of the soldiers, the guild leaders arrived in a near-panic⁠‍ state.

They‌ had thought Dominic‌ would get them‍⁠ all released together,⁠ but it had⁠‌‍ all been a scam.

In⁠ that case, not⁠‍ only would they‌⁠‍ not go free,‍‍ they’d bear the⁠‌ full blame.

“Y-Your⁠ Grace! We didn’t⁠‌ know anything! This⁠ is unfair!”

“Please‍‌ at least order⁠‌ an investigation! We can prove our⁠ innocence!”

“If‌ you keep shouting,⁠ I’ll cut the‌ throat of the‌‌ loudest one for⁠‍ fraud.”

At⁠‍ that one line⁠‍ from Lucian, the‌ guild leaders—who had‍ been squawking like‌ chicks—instantly shut their mouths.

After‍ staring at them‍‍ for a moment,⁠ Lucian finally got⁠‍ to the main‌ point.

“You’re‍ all aware of the bet between⁠‌ Dominic and me.”‍

“Y-yes,‍‌ of course.”

“Then‌ this will be‍ easy. It’s been‌ proven the metal⁠⁠ he claimed to⁠‌‌ rival adamantium doesn’t‌ exist. As agreed, his entire fortune now belongs to⁠ me. The problem‌‌ is, I find it hard to‌ track all his‌‌ assets. It’s clear⁠ he hid a considerable amount.”

“T-that⁠ possibility… can’t be‌‍‌ ruled out.”

“That’s‌ why, in exchange⁠‌‌ for granting you‌ special pardons, I plan to assign⁠ you the task⁠ of tracking Dominic’s‍ hidden assets. Do‌ you accept?”

“…!?”‍

At‌‌ the unexpected offer,‌⁠‌ the guild leaders⁠ lifted their heads‍‌ at once.

If‌‍ this was real,⁠‍ it was an‌⁠ absurdly light punishment‍ compared to their‍ crimes.

Whether‍‌ there were hidden‍‌‌ assets or not,⁠⁠ all they had‌ to do was‍⁠‌ do their job‍ well to be‌‍ pardoned.

If there was nothing,‍‍ there was nothing.‍‌‌ If there was‍ something, they’d report⁠⁠ it honestly and be done. And⁠‍ if they really⁠‌ found hidden assets⁠‍‍ during the investigation,⁠‍ they might even‍ get some extra⁠‍ profit.

After‌ all, it was⁠⁠⁠ pretty common for‌‌ a “small amount”⁠‌⁠ to be “lost”‌ during a financial investigation.

“Leave‍ it to us—!”‌

“But⁠‍⁠ if the amount⁠⁠ of hidden assets‍ turns out to‍ be too low, I’ll have no‌⁠‌ choice but to⁠⁠ suspect you. You‌‌ know what I mean.”

The‌ guild leaders, who‍ were about to‍ accept the offer‌ with smiles, froze.⁠‌

‘Damn it. This is‌ just a fine⁠ in disguise.’

‘And‍ not even a one-time fine. He⁠ could suspect us‌‍ dozens of times‍⁠ if he wants.’‍⁠‍

‘What⁠‌ he’s really saying‍ is that we‍‌ better not try‍ anything while this⁠ job lasts.’

The⁠‌ search for hidden‌‍ assets was just⁠‌ an excuse. The⁠ real goal was⁠⁠ to fasten a collar called “suspicion”‍ around their necks—one⁠ that could be tightened at any‍‍ moment.

In‌⁠ other words, as⁠ long as their⁠ business relationship continued, they’d have to‌ act entirely in⁠‌ Lucian’s favor.

Faced⁠ with such an‌ oppressive measure, the‌ guild leaders shouted‍ in unison.

“Of⁠‍ course! Suspect us‌ all you want!”

“If‍‌ we find someone‌‍ that despicable, we’ll‌‍ tie him up⁠‌ and deliver him‌‌‌ ourselves!”

“If⁠⁠‍ necessary, we’ll even‍‍‍ pay from our⁠‌ own pockets as⁠ compensation!”

A collar around their‍‌⁠ necks? So what?‍ If they said‍ the wrong thing‍ now, it wouldn’t‌⁠‌ be a collar‍ brushing their throats,⁠ but a sharp‌ blade.

For‌⁠ the guild leaders,‌ who had ended up deceiving the duke just like‌ Dominic, they were‍⁠ lucky things ended⁠‍ this way.

They‌ felt their eyes‍ grow moist—but without‌‌‍ a doubt, those‌ were tears of‍ relief for still being alive.

Because‌⁠⁠ no matter how‌ much money you⁠ lose, nothing is more valuable than⁠⁠⁠ staying alive.