Chapter 12: The Most Opportune Moment
1FEGTHuman memory is finite and unstable.MlW
I3WBut just as one doesn’t forget how to breathe, there’s always something that inevitably remains remembered.iQk
IJxJVIn Perda’s case, it was the object of his hatred.stf7XvY
t7gNot just names, but a list of those he wanted to hate and take revenge on—a list of deaths.ph93
lfQF2eATo hate them, he dug into their achievements.iln
o7lTo take revenge, he carefully memorized their flaws.8JxVwWA
FdF3JZG‘Thinking about it now, it was completely absurd.’nIAgXt
ohyNdJThe reasons he had come to hate them were full of paranoia.AJaKa
YiLawc3They were such petty matters that now they embarrassed him.fX8ojI
zMi‘In any case, in this return to the past, they’ve become useful information.’yVOqqfb
pZVcypPerda clearly knew the weaknesses and strengths of those who would later become important figures.Gmco
RqFPeople who, had they acted differently, could have done better.VIspM
E1vIndividuals who would have succeeded if they had paid attention to a certain talent earlier.7pXs
GULS7N1‘There are so many outstanding people.’0L2
a6uZOAToo many, in fact.gqiKU5S
Mfvu8baTrying to recruit them all was, in practice, impossible.BJvdY
kSsXJust those who stirred his greed numbered over a hundred, and clearly not all could work together.O6g1SX
Foztzj‘First, I must set priorities.’uYDc
KjSANow, as the dragon queen’s fiancé and regent, Perda thought about what was most necessary.kPpbrx
LOMPig‘Valdrova’s territory is currently in neglect.’BDi8V
0sYBvEThe queen did not intervene directly and left administration to the feudal lords.kBEt
Q87TL6kWithout supervision, the people’s discontent had greatly grown.VHk0W
zl6zZ‘I should take care of civil affairs.’HvzR5e
duEHowever, deciding was easier than carrying it out.DgjM3Q
l86WSN3When a king interfered in a lord’s lands, resistance or even civil war was not uncommon.3YqPf
rZsP‘Although that point has already been resolved without trouble.’uL0
gwUWhen he sent letters, he was sure the lords would react with rejection.273muvu
IRXBut that expectation failed spectacularly—he received replies from the fourteen remaining lords swearing loyalty.NW9uy
qt5T0fw‘Seems Ruri’s act of hanging a head on the castle gate had quite the effect.’xzTr
9GyHRThe lords understood they could not underestimate him, so for now, he decided to leave them alone.DSPVN9
ANh4Gw3‘Then internal matters are more or less settled. What about external threats?’B5G
UPwThe main ones were monsters and demonic creatures that caused chaos.xkQzZ
pEYnThe queen’s domain lay in the easternmost region, near the lands tainted by the Demon King.Fj0
VL8That corruption was slowly spreading into nearby areas.7yEvAJ
3BZ9‘One of the main causes is lesser demons.’TzS
ltodb8Beasts born from corrupted magic, they could be found anywhere.oWqbXD
qfTEven in the central region of the continent they occasionally appeared, so on the far eastern edge, near the cursed lands, they were far more common.OYYxkA
Rkr‘The presence of lesser demons taints the land.’5C5
rWqbu2The longer they remained, the faster the devastation advanced.WqB62
W6CoMXNo life could flourish, and the beings living there eventually became corrupted too.3k85
6JYqThat’s why, wherever they appeared, extermination missions were always marked as urgent.GGHg6
GhnGA‘If I can reduce the casualties and land contamination they cause…’3DOcIm
TP0v3GNaturally, there would be more food and civil life would recover.OEY
YkYIf Queen Valdrova defended against external threats, Perda had to deal with the internal ones.dH3
gqHhOKO‘And for that, what’s indispensable is technique.’jYvHZ
jkgWell-trained soldiers alone weren’t enough—civilians also needed effective means to hunt demons.AfUva
VbWbRThat was the priority.mVmdx
JTwBCIOWith that standard in mind, Perda reviewed his death list and selected a few people.N1I1q4
WCqazThe result was a total of four names.Yj3
qKgk“So we must recruit these people before anyone else.”FwNdoSG
UG0kRuri took the paper Perda handed her and checked the names.RNLiL0C
SkHVernell MarquisJPFfcf
ORKpJZed SwallowVvbbH
AjYYmEchidna PhiliazqMA
V46QHelus Povidas66uPs
k0uHAs soon as she read them, she frowned.PtM
Ec7“These are names I’ve never heard before.”L6b
OliGH9x“That’s natural. These are people who haven’t stood out yet.”oYgf
aEL“I asked you to recruit talents, not invite your childhood friends to play at court.”CKOmD
ilzM4uRuri’s gaze sharpened.jp4i
YV9X4Her Dragon Fear, tinged with emotion, enveloped Perda.kqFp1m
jjoK‘There’s definitely a change.’MExQ
4PRhAfter the engagement, the effect of Dragon Fear on him had weakened, but it was still uncomfortable.OBDF
vYwAfter all, having a girl who looked about fourteen glaring daggers at you and feeling nothing would be the weird part.nDoYf
z6T“Do you really see me as someone who’d do that?”w04Lg
uOskx“Exactly because you don’t seem like it, I’m even more worried.”zs5Y
EfD0“That sounds contradictory.”GPA58
tJdzIcS“Be that as it may, could you at least tell me about them? Aside from Helus Povidas, I know absolutely nothing about the other three.”q1xH
238A9FHelus Povidas was a mage known as the Sage of Water.x9v1e
lEnU5It was said his advice was so wise that kings and lords held it in great esteem.kZof0kf
azk0Q“I assure you the other three are even more important than Helus Povidas.”LYc
FQTk“Then explain yourself.”Iqs1x
WLh0i“The first one we must find is this Vernell Marquis, who lives in a city called Escolea.”TR8HG3
mc5SicsUpon hearing the city’s name, Ruri immediately asked,ZSOgDB
cvXAk3O“Is he a scholar?”99fAv
z1tgCey“He is.”R5eF
AGAEscolea was a city located in the central-eastern part of the continent, known as the city of scholars.vgNz
CALsLike a henhouse where one only seeks chickens or eggs, Ruri immediately understood he was a scholar.Hr4Dai
BYD“You do know that scholars receive honorary titles, right?”9dUD4A
qd0U“I heard they’re granted upon graduating from the academy. And what about it?”Ssgkgh
lChdb0D“A lot. Because this man received the title of Chaotic.”FJL
Ns6phHv“Are you trying to turn our castle into a disaster? Showing your true colors like this right after getting engaged is a poor choice.”Rkyav
viUySince the title defined a scholar’s life, negative words were rarely used.dt7p
GDGjTThat someone was directly called “Chaotic” meant even his peers found him unbearable.rG5TQ
bZ0“There’s a reason for that. It means he attempts things no one else dares try.”9o7KK
7Ea4jd“If scholars don’t try them, there must be a good reason, don’t you think?”XYd
fvcaV1“Sure. But he keeps trying anyway.”yITlB
b7wr“Then he’s just a fool.”RcNU
9YAJs“A man of conviction.”nUZnJ1
nZp“A stubborn fool, then.”NPGGfmA
hFZ3crLIt couldn’t be denied.z8M
0tIfHEven Perda, the first time he met him, thought he was a fool.D0rFlAv
IcJIgnoring the scornful looks, he walked alone on his own path. Ridiculous, yes—but at the same time noble.OnCv
oDc‘That kind of stubborn fool always ends up achieving something.’QxY
D4UE5cEven if everyone cursed him, saying it was impossible—even if they accused him of wasting time—the path he walked with dedication would eventually shine.HmWT
983J2Back then, he always repeated with regret:C9J1b
7fV— If I had been able to research a little longer, I could have created so many more things by now.CuPlwo
x70CIt was obvious.tP5pRj
B9w0ui‘What kind of idiot would invest in something destined to fail?’crygwN1
OWAPvgmNot even a noble with enough money to burn would fund a “Chaotic.”YFRWnH
iKQejyNo one wanted to become the fool who supported a madman with such a title.Wh0WJc
8vjEgiBut Perda knew that man.iWO2
iBOhFTV“And what exactly is he researching?”VcYxs
A1AlCIn the future, he would be:ZoiMJL
exr“The refinement of magic stones and the creation of energy sources from lesser demon corpses.”eyX
mY4MAThe pioneer who would open the era of magical engineering.gEDe5
U6n5Y7***E8vgXR
KtPAt the center stood a single Tree of Knowledge, so tall it seemed to pierce the heavens, surrounded by five enormous libraries.LUVI
8RxGBIt might seem that, under such a tree, not a single ray of light would enter—but the Tree of Knowledge had no leaves, making it no more than a gigantic pillar.XfTu5B
jgLtmUIn the city at its base, there was no trace of the typical musty or damp smell, but instead a strong aroma of coffee and black tea.9BlA
8wkpqm2Accustomed to that fragrance, countless people bustled about.nyJ
MW1eomThey had turned every available space into walkways so that the crowds could flow.L6N7H4J
HNTEach had their destination, but all carried at least three books under one arm and a freshly toasted slice of bread in their mouths.uBqaqs
1ir“It’s full of people.”SujVQdf
q2JA“Naturally, all the scholars and their assistants gather here.”5VOob
LOkp“I don’t understand how anyone could want to live in such a crowded place.”kQymN6e
SdTZ7“They say they prefer to seek greater value rather than settle for what they have.”Mu7u
VurrDR2“I don’t get it.”OsURITV
bCI“Me neither.”eIYUWWs
4zx2oNvPerda and Ruri scanned the street with their eyes.afr1Sff
vM8CQIn just their field of vision, there were hundreds of people jostling against each other.7jy3mu
ehkAll dressed in black robes, and in nine out of ten cases, wearing glasses.EPG51S
BhOaqZS“And now we have to find a single person here?”MqTD3UX
PK0“Exactly.”MUAm
tt6Qa“It’ll take us over a month.”8DR
uTYKiIt was almost like searching in an extremely difficult puzzle.kR0mW
2CTpYtJIt would be a lie to say it wasn’t discouraging.qGdD
eR6A5Amid the crowd, street vendors also moved without rest, sticking to the walls, offering mostly quick and simple food.WOe
ZMrLf1DThe people, flowing like a river, picked something up on the go as they walked.DCFfza
TcX‘Maybe the vendors know something.’1EqBV
nLbiWith that thought in mind, Perda looked at Ruri.Wv526
t7DnAad“…”keyXG
5L7s85Her expression was different from usual.5D2iU
Fy3oRGNormally cold and professional, showing no emotion except when angry.t8An7
wOEnBut this time, her face showed something else.QzqesD
oKP1She was staring intently at a stall selling candied fruits.NbWrfNJ
NBYzfHer large eyes sparkled with a silvery glint, and her slender neck moved up and down.gPr
SiNdwPSGulp.nAu
3B30That simple gesture meant only one thing.FfsoF4
rw8et0v“Do you want to eat?”hW9d
IdMd“…What do you think I am?”MXx7
4IPMrRuri narrowed her eyes and protested irritably, more flustered than usual.X0ZhU1r
c3TBIoP“I just thought maybe that vendor might know something.”ZvfAFmL
2pWyVq“I thought the same. We should ask him.”CJaoqp
mVIQdOPerda walked with her to the stall, though Ruri’s eyes remained locked on the candied fruits.cJe
9aRG01“Excuse me.”dkO2w
yefcTxb“Well, well, a young noble and a lovely handmaiden. What can I do for you?”zviickT
xFDq“We’re looking for someone. Perhaps you know them.”MME
DOo6e“Someone? This place is full of people, full of people! Just bespectacled ones, there are tens of thousands, and those who buy candied fruit skewers from me are already in the thousands. How do you expect me to remember them all?”V7UOW7P
FjjjtwJThe vendor smiled slyly, as if expecting something.z9W0
K0YbhPerda glanced at the fruits behind the glass.aSo5
feXeEEF“And if I buy a skewer, maybe your memory will come back?”8UY
zlWv6B“Hahaha, that would make me very happy. But first, tell me, who are you looking for?”udhS6
V9th“The scholar known as Chaotic.”Efy12w
CTrThe vendor’s eyes opened wide.j7iQ
irnFEJ“Ah, Chaotic! Why didn’t you say so earlier?”Poi
wcDX“You know him?”Ko5m2
EAtlThe man gave a wide grin, revealing yellowed teeth.99GTt
KKc“Hundreds of thousands live in this city, but if someone doesn’t know where that guy lives, they must be a spy. Ask anyone on the street, they’ll all know.”ZDc
tqB38r“Then there’s no need to buy those fruits, right?”FgnT
afVXgEZ“……!”GYsS8
WFALvAt that, Ruri flinched.eLkpC
TrlR“Still, showing a little courtesy and buying something would be the right thing to do, don’t you think? Besides, you clearly don’t lack money, and a little indulgence now and then doesn’t hurt. I’ll give you three skewers for five silver coins.”ZXATxV
rP5UNt“Exactly. If someone offers help, it’s only right to return the favor.”XlOC9ni
7xoQRuri quickly jumped in, siding with the vendor.X3sxL
9qV8It was true—if someone showed kindness, it was only fair to respond.yt2QWtz
VPUPerda agreed, bought three skewers of honey-coated candied fruits, and handed them to Ruri.whO9
BdU“Eat them.”JJayv4n
23JCHe handed her the sticky sweet.nrNfb5b
r1ayjn“Aren’t you going to try one?”vRE57Ld
4dN“I’m not a child.”eeM
IhZ“Excuse me? I’m not one either!”oZCB
YAxFqW“I know.”WyH8N9E
yyqYoI“Then don’t you think it’s ridiculous to give them all to me? Aren’t you treating me like one? Are you really going to lie and say you’re not?”1GkOfsp
RBPTCe“So, you don’t want to eat them?”PmcQDd
IEdbY“…”BoW
CeBVztPRuri, frowning in frustration, still took the skewer from Perda’s hand.Jwpp
G74NWithout waiting any longer, she bit into a honey-glazed fruit with clear anticipation.9sK
V600aHer silver eyes sparkled even more.3yy
cn3aLF‘So she can make that face too.’hmqPv4O
9DXipPerda thought maybe Ruri wasn’t someone with withered emotions like he was.NO3DP
yMCA2And seeing her with that childlike appearance, which actually suited her looks, he felt oddly reassured.hzF7j5U
Vbw9fWith cheeks puffed like a squirrel in autumn, Ruri continued devouring the candied fruits.6av
SJINoticing Perda’s gaze, she looked away in annoyance, narrowed her silver eyes, and pressed the stick against her chest.gl89RRq
Pu8J1“Why are you looking at me like that? You think I’m going to give you some?”MyfitT
QQ84D“No. I don’t want any.”WPCbVia
qWGLa***VBwe
h70XdR5All creatures have hierarchies: if the rich exist, so do the poor.YMaT6
e2kpfEscolea, a city founded on the belief that all are equal before knowledge, was no exception.D3qCUGi
dAyGIn Escolea there were wealthy families, and at the same time, there were slums.9wuNg
wsFiJiHAnd within those slums, there were even more miserable zones, where the most destitute lived.Wt9dFVi
AqvjPlaces where sunlight barely entered, invaded by the stench of sewers and rat droppings.x8N53
MI6A place where the foul smell was so persistent it made you fear opening a door without thinking twice.FVUA
w9LNalThat was exactly where Vernell Marquis lived.PillB
6b7xURuri couldn’t hide her shock when she looked through a window that was even lower than her own height.09Tc
CLl“It’s amazing that someone can live in a place like this.”VsUi
7vN“Humans can live in more places than you’d imagine. Even in a toilet, if necessary.”IjMO
zWH“Did you live like that in the Rosnova family?”leQZN56
pIh“Back then it was even worse, a real hell.”1MpJ
6z9It was during the time when he had no money and his master, obsessed with him, had taken even his last coin.xUNGVco
gW2yDjPerda learned then that a person could sleep in a bathroom soaked in the stench of waste and urine.bTs
exPfQUj“Do you think he’s inside?”9dBn
ytSK0ILAt his question, Ruri nodded.dOx2
HerIY“Yes, I sense a presence.”ryQwz
auEZCrash!qzo
yY07gA loud, chaotic noise came from the window.oYgJ6S
9lE89mAfter hearing it, she added,9U2
9ZMQ9Z“And it seems he’s in the middle of some commotion.”rtykhPs
4SK5rR“A visitor, in that case. Entering now means getting caught up in trouble.”llm
o6MGIH3Perda smiled slightly.5rm
9pbytTf“There couldn’t be a more opportune moment.”8No
Ua57dZFAnd with his hands behind his back, he descended the stairs.Ev1e
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