Chapter 88: How Shameless of You
4KOjAThe sun finally tilted toward the west and night fell.8ihJ
FLpSLQLeaving behind the refugee group led by William, Perda returned to the castle.kGpYB
nvfVePerda sat on the sofa in the reception room and looked at the man seated in front of him.4c7
PAlR7vRThere was Stephan.6Ajds
YikThe haggard appearance of someone cornered had faded a little, but his eyes were still empty and exhausted.zLXS
PiEM9ClPerda looked at him and spoke.yIO0ft
gEM“I have good news.”AuP95
1N3dp4U“W-what kind of good news?”jbA
C4QStephan asked with a nervous expression.L6lQ8XA
oo19Perda slowly began explaining all the information he had gathered.VgYo
rtRmbaT“Stephan, the mercenaries you hired had far more malicious intentions than we imagined.”uuavJh
IB6uMThey were not third-rate mercenaries.Zcp77C
dz8c2XThey were assassins specifically organized to create chaos.bbtxg
EmFlcsThey killed all the merchants and workers at the rendezvous point.HSw
EyXThey rummaged through all the cargo and took part of the contents to make it look like a robbery.LAuh
kkBO“But turning it into a simple robbery carried too much risk.”l2G
a6gcnX“Because of the anti-theft magic.”pA583
nXyv1blAs a merchant, Stephan understood that matter perfectly.l4BHE7
M6ZCbThe anti-theft magic placed on valuable items.fiW
mOywUuPThe moment someone touched them, they would be marked as criminals, and for assassins that was the worst possible situation.bUH
MwyRiaATo make it look like a robbery, the valuables had to disappear.gM0BP2Z
fXWQFjIBut if the treasures did not disappear, that ironic incident only made it even more obvious that it was murder.GPe4vM
k7ph“That’s why two mercenaries laid the groundwork.”EPFxcG
dSpD“What do you mean?”JJmTtAD
mLq“They must have forced open and broken the boxes containing the valuables to take some things out.”aqRf
3ZV“Even so, the tracking magic would have reacted, so why would they do something so stupid…?”dObQ
Owp“Those men were probably caught in a trap as well. Maybe they were not given all the information, or perhaps they were used to purge the greediest ones.”sMB
UutRCZStephan understood his words and nodded slightly.A8H
4724gWA“Then taking out those valuables was the foundation for something… but for what exactly?”SWTD
xFOFJPerda moved another piece.8qYQq
8hnqEIt was a pawn.1JGNKGd
unb“The foundation for involving the refugees in the looting.”d6uG1pJ
2YYho6Refugees trembling from the cold at the very beginning of winter.ywbQ
pWBagSince those mercenaries came from the Empire, they surely already knew that refugees were heading toward the far east searching for hope.Y7v
mMpR1They found the group led by William.6Sd
kgnToYExactly as planned, they tempted them by saying they would give them food and offered them a small ray of hope.y9Ins
4oi“The refugees had no choice but to head there. After all, they needed food immediately.”4y1
ZKXEven if it had been a lie, for starving people it was impossible information to ignore, so they hurried there.ohl
IOkmBxtAnd the place they arrived at was not a generous distribution center, but the scene of a brutal massacre.MCH4
vzDaRBL“They only needed the refugees to stir the table that had already been prepared.”2mc
4q02RPerda lightly moved his index finger as he spoke about the refugees.JcfVW2
hnjct2“What would they have seen? Food, weapons, and golden treasures they would probably only see once in their entire lives. Things they immediately needed, things they desired, and things they could never possess no matter how long they lived.”LzDT
ltYjPLIt was practically like stepping into a temple of desire.jDPz
9XmStephan could imagine how that plan worked.8xxq9
LDrvnThat way, the murder would transform into a robbery case by using the refugees as tools.RSidp
dc0gSince most of the looting was carried out by the refugees, naturally everyone would think they were the culprits and exterminate them.XsJj
HTrNo one would bother chasing the remnants of the group.S7x
mbVBecause the exemplary punishment would already have been enough.Ypic9A8
0GXGlHowever, there was something strange.psdBd
gGIgZThat was precisely the main point of the entire story.ssfVpG
nX9Everything that had happened so far was murder disguised as robbery.Vusy2ng
Eq0IcNfAnd that meant everything they had tried before had failed.i3FP
G61vE“Then the refugees did not touch the jewelry.”pyQlyp
c8PI1b“There was a variable.”ZEGNDn0
QcZ9S6Perda nodded.6HM
kLW“No one could have predicted it. No, the odds were too absurd to even include in their calculations. It was like being struck by lightning under a clear sky.”r4MwkY
SImIcPerda placed a knight piece next to the tilted pawn.4TAmq
Q21kDGi“There was a knight leading that group. A man determined to uphold his convictions.”hGLX
DB3FBrWilliam.TNGCzsb
tdYzSrThat man who could have become a knight understood duty and righteousness perfectly.ShMxmR
y33ulHe looked at the gold before him as though it were mere stones.5qGArZc
C0m9e88He gathered the corpses and prayed for them.hvzA9
vcKTNEven though he took some supplies, he only took the bare minimum needed to survive, and all within the limit of one Golden.BEcc
FaA7r2It was something that could be overlooked.LSsi
ezFM8B“Thanks to that, we were able to confirm with certainty that this was murder.”499o6Y
hAgThat was the conclusion of all the events discovered so far.6Wj
NRYjnAnd naturally, the next question arose.PyJ
8sPia“Then… who ordered that murder?”8VLn1V
ElJ7Wmr“The most likely suspect is this man.”68Gs
zEz3VPerda handed him a personnel document from the Pascal company.dyzLVR
RWraQMN“A man named Frank Fontaine, the only missing merchant among the twelve.”NGs
T6P4EIC“Frank Fontaine…”NKZ6yfQ
PSpoO9Upon hearing that name, Stephan immediately frowned.LciMe
7wg1m“It seems you did not like him very much.”DhpRKY
u2wg7“He has worked here for ten years and always complained about not being able to become a branch manager, saying he was still stuck doing coachman work.”20ph3MT
vLekLfO“And what was the reason?”MfXh7
IjtJtn“It’s nothing complicated. He simply had poor results. He just did not have aptitude as a merchant.”imK
OJhStephan clenched his teeth as he looked at the document.cCa
XYBO1kJ“Several times he acted like an arrogant old man and we clashed quite a lot. I even thought about firing him, but in the end I let it slide.”mwsV
wXOpfWz“Why?”eklNkQZ
lUwcXut“He had five children.”5aba6a
TmUrM4s“How soft.”pIomYD
Fxg“Yes… I know.”a9M
j63Rumble—WBASM
2KdDJcKThe personnel document crumpled in his hands.PMEr8eJ
46C“That bastard… ordered the deaths of eleven of my merchants…?”klDbW
TvD6A little compassion.d9md
h6cDid this entire disaster happen because that weak compassion ended up costing other families their lives?xppT
9UIe“Not exactly.”xg2SNx
asbwWPerda shook his head.FuimXS
nKrYS4J“I am certain Frank Fontaine is involved, but he cannot be the true mastermind.”ihp
BRh2Bok“Can you tell me why you are so certain?”YPVAy
MlJPerhaps it was too bold a question, but Stephan needed something that could convince him.TUY
ivjGXZ“According to the report, aside from the refugees’ tracks, traces of twelve people moving around the area were found. That means thirty-two mercenaries participated in this murder, correct?”cfT2
kze2“That’s right.”KUA7
KgeLkSS“Even calculating generously, the stolen loot would barely amount to 200 Golden. If thirty-two people split it equally, each would receive approximately 3 Golden and 25 Shillings.”1uP
DSED73 Golden and 25 Shillings was quite a lot of money.7oDrdZ
fqlgBut it was far too little for work stained with blood.tFfl
qVfnY“If they were merely cheap mercenaries, I could understand it. But these men were experts at erasing their tracks. Do you know how much those types usually charge?”sm1
SvG“I don’t.”Wgx
JPck“At minimum, they charge 50 Golden per person just to begin. Even calculating cheaply, together it easily exceeds 1,000 Golden.”xZy
CGQiu“Then with Frank’s financial situation, even if he gathered everything he owned, he could never have afforded such a sum.”QbMTY
nCVcDQStephan placed Frank’s personnel file on the table.NY1lMo
Xan774“If there truly is someone behind this trying to destabilize me, then what kind of damned bastards are they…?”FW5qq
xhAm“That is precisely the good news.”SwLq
mhTz6pLPerda reached into the inner pocket of his coat.mNXB
lL2hOUp“We were able to identify the culprit.”bgC
d5BHe took something out and placed it on the table.LPAC1Y
JshlwHIt was a green scarf.zyCVwT5
sq4The item the little refugee boy had picked up.IBZNM
Cy1ft“That is…”yGDi
BxTULEStephan recognized it instantly.czUDQ
1ka9“It’s an item from my brother’s company employees. Why do you have it, Regent?”jjJUPk
KvEgkw9“One of the refugee children said he saw one of those involved drop the scarf.”peY9c
WrzWHOw“Then… the culprit…? the culprit is…?”HTXtCMC
VcnmStephan could not continue.gAibWoX
48RBut both he and Perda knew perfectly well what name was about to come out in that conversation.AdlbwR
4JpqHOThe shock finally made him drop the cup he was holding.pPGPqXn
sfFCQU0Crash—SxC6
n3IRThe cup shattered and its contents spilled, but he did not even pay attention to it.tq27
An7NMxAnd Perda ignored that triviality as well.rz61S
ZQ5Stephan covered his face with both hands.uqs
vnIAHe did not even know what expression he was making at that moment.QKkOBx
dOIqT“…Are you sure?”LKJJEy
Vzj“That seems to be the case.”ydwv1k
zNzBfNStephan extended his hand and picked up the scarf.CZQmA
GmwHis pupils, constricted from the shock, slowly traced the embroidery.W5JQzg
hfbIVraHis gaze fixed on the Pascal family emblem.A7H
AcIDFXAnd behind it, two crossed swords.CHAFHb
WvWnbZHe checked it several times, but there was no mistake.ndJINOz
uoFIt was not a counterfeit.wpj
J2ntIt belonged to the Pascal Mercenary Company.IkNiNvU
tMAPi“My brother’s company…” Stephan muttered as he looked at the scarf.vbzyr6g
kLODC“There is a saying about signing contracts with the Pascal Mercenary Company. Do you know it?”ZHdhIh
szaZxe“No.”wrpAG5S
5EWhFJg“Once you sign with them, you can never leave.”XbIs
wMmGAn empty smile appeared on Stephan’s face.XqVeq
rjNyETBut it soon twisted.nq0H
CZuWIt seemed as though all the emotions swirling inside his head were escaping directly through his expressions.HNC1p
nCV“They say that once a contract with the Pascal Mercenary Company ends, the bandit groups that had stayed quiet immediately begin attacking caravans. As if someone deliberately tipped them off.”gkbGQd
aYEtleStephan’s voice trembled slightly.rsVexU
p12G3cm“It always seemed strange to me. The first trade expedition after ending a contract almost always ended badly. Either they were ambushed, or the mercenaries themselves turned into bandits, or they simply fled. Eight out of ten ended up suffering some kind of disaster, and seven of those eight eventually returned to sign with my brother again.”HuS85f
vZsutr“Do you think all of that was staged by Merchit?”3yJgppQ
TnPQn“There’s a saying. Necessity creates demand. And in the security business, you need to make the customer feel that necessity.”fc6
c89Q1Stephan remembered the recent conflict he had with Merchit.LVyUL6W
dQzHe himself had said it.Uugn87
CeStGQAThat he would see how long Stephan could survive without him.1UJg
FncBut this went far beyond simple rumors about attacks.j0rlgmy
DVSopq4It was something far crueler.PFI
7U4ICBThose people were practically family to Stephan.hi9vBP
nvTThere were superiors who were like parents, subordinates who were like younger siblings, and colleagues who were like friends.GBE6p
Ea5EZAnd Merchit took their lives away.DQO
Y5bnJust because Stephan dared to stand against him.zQH
lTejThe scarf in Stephan’s hands crumpled.A3WD
GZjHe shut his eyes tightly and bit his lips.Dn7U91E
eozfXIt hurt.eNToCTn
mWqHe wanted to cry, but no tears came out.Mov
IKJ1ZkHe wanted to scream, but his throat closed up.CIJ5
x2bRIt hurt so much it felt like he was going insane, and not knowing what to do with that pain only made the frustration even worse.jPEcV
9J144oIt was then.YKeHk
6xtETvyRuri entered the room and stood beside Perda.U31
YQRU“Lord Perda. A visitor has arrived.”kCEA0DQ
hJfGF“At this hour?”7OE
AdbZ3hHis eyes shifted toward Stephan, who was still clutching his head.MN0K
zBpazh“Yes. He specifically wishes to see both Mister Stephan and you, Lord Perda.”BqV
RHvcVd“M-me?”Tq1k
mGs“Who is it?”NkD
U3IThe name that came from Ruri’s mouth left both of them stunned.uUhDp
fNFs“He said his name is Merchit Pascal.”Pyj
OTk***HuzpSx1
xH3O“It is a pleasure to meet you, Regent.”vNXbSaw
GeRMerchit Pascal sat across from Perda in the reception room and greeted him.VXPd
pBcyKAs Perda observed the two brothers, he could not help but think something.Hi1pUcL
WCeoN‘Does the same blood really run through their veins?’ePCN
zxDQ2mStephan had smooth skin and a refined appearance.oLLq
cMKytLike a proper merchant, he radiated wealth, and looked like the type of model student who would even leave the imprint of a huge peach-like backside on a chair.eCmFT
YL49ppVBut Merchit was completely different.JsEvmiC
gHE2iTanned skin and a short, rough regent cut.6uIFVlO
WfDzfA9A thick neck and broad shoulders.7ht3RZM
kc55XREven though he wore a formal uniform, the threatening outline of his muscles made him look like the leader of a criminal gang.oZF90y
1oeIf not for the fact they shared the same hair and eye color, no one would have believed they were brothers.aHwmoUj
os3MSKM“Welcome, Sir Merchit.”n79
b3Zm“Sir? I’m merely a lowly commander who leads a few subordinates.”UrEk
Fa7x6Merchit smiled awkwardly while pretending to be humble.4YhP4
dPjfoUzHe gave off a bold energy completely different from the typical entrance of a ruthless villain.ZnqilO6
OfkoqetPerda could feel it clearly.3XTqF
d8gThat man still did not know he had become a suspect.S11N5
wkkNo, he acted as if he could not even imagine they might suspect him.dbzG
EK4Rd“I heard my little brother has been going through a difficult time, so I came looking for him and ended up all the way at the castle. Thank you for receiving us at such a late hour.”ftm5T
IA8bj“It’s nothing. When things become difficult, seeking out family is not such a bad thing either.”0ujj
N6PAfter exchanging a few trivial words, Merchit turned his gaze toward Stephan.smrXG
XhvOwS7Stephan’s eyes were ice cold.Ic8Zqu
TXovWWithout noticing—or pretending not to notice—Merchit tried to comfort him.ceyB4
dZ4GR8“Stephan. I heard what happened. They say the eastern trade caravan was destroyed.”OIYU
N1a“……”WK5B
Vv3V“It’s truly unfortunate. I know how loyal those boys were to you. The emptiness they left behind must feel enormous.”G6IC
RuRbi“……”uKEDlm
wTshl6“For now, I already sent people to inform the families. We will also handle the funerals. First, try to calm yourself.”ErAU
Xa8ZNqsHis words sounded like those of the best brother in the world.lTwyBh4
Et5But that only applied to those who did not know the truth behind them.Y26
c6jz4AStephan was neither blind nor deaf.wxkx
zUgHe was someone who saw, heard, and thought.Hf2
CFZNAnd because of that, he knew perfectly well what hid behind that shameless facade.iKg
hu9lU“Truly… how shameless of you.”OrBAlc
IqGGoBz“Hm?”aVQiN9L
hzruIndignation boiled inside Stephan, yet he still managed to speak calmly.m7ckZL
Mb2i4s“You sent people to murder them all… so why are you acting like a good person?”Qlx
Q9D“……What?”4vx
jFCOne of Merchit’s eyebrows slowly rose.Wvy8K
zZSAnd the spark inside Stephan’s heart began to burn violently.0EtEDDj
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationOho Stephen character development we needed this.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationStephen brother is really shameless.