Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 95 -Even in this sewer-like city, there’s a proper insect! No flowery words, no self-display—just pure, sincere tribute! Master, don’t you think this is worthy of acceptance? "This bundle contained such deep meaning?" -Actually, how insolent. To dare leave just one item without proper greetings. Regardless of intent, I cannot erase the impression of a maggot lacking proper etiquette. So Master, let's decide on punishment after examining the contents. "... No, are you saying it's commendable or insolent? And why is punishment a foregone conclusion?" -This is how inferiors should be handled! "How would it be if I treated you that way?" -To spare such emotions for me...! This Dangaleon feels the ultimate ecstasy just from imagining it! "What am I going to do with this." Risir felt unexpected sympathy for the Demon Followers. If he couldn't erase the impression that even the demon following him had such a wretched personality, how much worse must it be for followers who were openly treated as inferiors by demons? In any case. Risir hesitated briefly with the concern 'Could Gadum have sent this?' Unable to overcome his curiosity, he unwrapped the bundle. The contents inside were several notebooks heavily worn with use. -How dare they! Dangaleon burst into angry shouts. The grayish-white energy inside the Crystal Orb violently fluctuated. “You startled me! What’s the issue now?” -Those things! They're not Grimoires! "Right. I can see that too." -Then they're nothing but shabby, neglected trash! "That's too extreme." -Books are vessels that contain the treasure of knowledge! With such a wretched appearance- the contents inside must not be worth seeing! "It's extreme, but there is some logic to it." -If you just give the command, I, Dangaleon, will immediately burn that trash and curse the fate of the insect who gifted it! "There's logic to it, but it's too extreme. Classifying it as junk can wait until after checking the contents. Just look at this right now-" Risir took out the sword technique manual he received as a gift from Rodan. Though not as worn as the books from the bundle, it too was better described as an old notebook rather than an elegant tome. Such things exist occasionally. Books that appear to be nothing more than junk on the outside but possess tremendous value. After all, treasures don't have to be stored only in treasure chests studded with gems and plated with gold. "True treasures tend to hide themselves well rather than showing off on the surface." -Master! Open your eyes!!! That miscellaneous book is also trash! "What are you saying? Clana. Look at what this one is saying. It's calling the sword technique manual written by your disciple trash?" <I won't deny it. His sword is neither this nor that. And let me be clear, that guy is not my disciple.> "The trash wasn't the sword technique manual but this one." He had expected the sword master to explain the value within Rodan's sword technique manual on his behalf. Betrayed in his expectations, Risir finally set out to personally enlighten Dangaleon. "Hey Dangaleon. You don't know because you're ignorant. If you mention 'Rodan's Sword Technique Manual' to swordsmen, their eyes will roll back and they'll rush at you." -That's exactly why it's trash! What kind of world needs learning just to move the body! "No... it's not just moving-" -Swordsmanship is the path of beasts! "...Clana. It's saying things like that, are you going to stay quiet?" <No matter how you dress it up with modifiers, the essence is practicing and researching the optimal methods of killing people. I think it's a much better expression than talking about honor and such?> "Is it okay for me to learn swordsmanship from something like this?" -A wise person like Master should stay close to magic that explores the world's truths! In that sense, today you must put down that weapon and devote yourself to magic training! "...I understand." -Master! "I understand that ignoring what you say is the right thing to do." To think this lengthy discourse was groundwork for a single phrase of 'whining whining let's play together today.' Risir appropriately ignored Dangaleon and began reading the notebooks. -Master!!! You must not! To defile your noble intellect with such miscellaneous books! "...?" Before long, Risir's expression showed puzzlement. The book contained completely unexpected content. Sudden arrays of numbers. And meaningful combinations of words. 'Left Hand Has Liquor? Where have I heard this before?' He fell into thought briefly. "Ah." Risir nodded repeatedly. He remembered. What 'Left Hand Has Liquor' was. 'The largest tavern in the back alley Entertainment District probably had this name.' Bondaless was not a city with strong Religious Order influence. Providing kind and enthusiastic drinking companions for money at taverns was clearly a legal business. As far as Risir knew, [Left Hand Has Liquor] was a legal business that pursued only such 'legitimate business.' However- 'Could this be that shop's ledger?' Throughout the book presumed to be [Left Hand Has Liquor]'s ledger, content that differentiated it from ordinary ledgers was written here and there. [Gorek, second son of Halomia House, visited around 7 PM on the 17th with acquaintances (Hallan, third daughter of Volkan House, and Karuchi, second son of Rons House) and stayed for approximately 4 hours] [The appearance and attire of said individuals on that day were as follows] [The guards and servants accompanying said individuals on that day were as follows] At first glance, it was content detailing the visits of important figures. However, the excessively detailed records about visitors created a strange sense of unease. As if impure intentions could be felt. After much deliberation, Risir shared the book's contents with Clana. <What is this.> "It seems to be the ledger of some tavern located in this city." <Why are you showing that to me?> "I thought you might know something if you looked at it." <What does it have to do with me?> "There's something like the scent of illegality and crime about it." <...> So. Why are you asking me about illegal and criminal things. Clana's expression twisted within the Inner World, but even so, she obediently examined the book's contents. Though the script wasn't familiar to her, sharing consciousness with Risir allowed her to interpret the content without difficulty. <As you said, this isn't an ordinary ledger. This is a secret ledger.> "A secret ledger?" <Right. It's a document that records shameful business contents that can't be publicly revealed.> Clana explained to Risir the unique format and rules that secret ledgers possess. "Oh..." Then, Risir was able to read much more information from within the ledger. "Why record such things? To make it easier for someone else to expose the criminal facts they worked to hide?" <It might seem stupid to ordinary people like you, but there's a reason for it. This is evidence. As you said, it contains their own shame, but at the same time it also contains the shame of those connected to them.> "Ah...?" <I don't know the details, but if this ledger's contents are revealed to the outside, this Gorek guy written here would be in as difficult a situation as the ledger's owner.> "Oh...? So this is both a kind of blackmail tool and a safety device. For maintaining close friendships with friends made through bad means-" Risir scanned the secret ledger with a considerably changed perspective. He recognized some of the names of houses, groups, or individuals mentioned in the ledger. "Why does that bastard Gerhen's name appear too? He was eyeing the male Beastkin slave serving at the shop... Oh." These were the names of Bondaless power holders he had memorized for wise living in Bondaless. According to the ledger, the services they received at [Left Hand Has Liquor] clearly fell outside the realm of legality. Wealth and alcohol. And kind, enthusiastic drinking companions. That much could be acceptable. But- "Drugs... violence contracts... illegal human trafficking... This was a far more dangerous book than most Grimoires." Risir muttered with a disgusted expression. [Left Hand Has Liquor] was actually a hotbed of all kinds of illegality and corruption. Many of Bondaless's power holders were customers of [Left Hand Has Liquor]. The moment the ledger's contents were revealed to the outside, Bondaless would be turned upside down. Soon, Risir closed the ledger and let out a bitter laugh. "Why?" He muttered. Why had such a tremendous item come into his possession? Why had some unknown person delivered this to him? If Risir hadn't belonged anywhere, he would have agonized over this matter for a long time. But- "Should I consult with Ms. Ran?" He was now under someone who would take away all these worries and leave only the joy of merit. City Councilor Ran was an upright person guaranteed by Master Meltas. Risir had no doubt that she would use this ledger for the right purpose. -Master! You must not carelessly trust humans! "Ms. Ran is trustworthy." -But doesn't that woman have no less than that guy Gadum! "Just asking in case, do you know what trust means?" Ah. Soon, Risir looked at Blue Lotus as if something had occurred to him. "By the way, Clana! I knew you'd be knowledgeable about this kind of thing! If not for you, where could I have gotten such information! Thank you!" -Damn it, to think Master is so delighted... I never imagined I'd end up envying you, weapon. If I had been a mere petty criminal like you, I could have brought joy to Master!!! The two were expressing genuine admiration for Clana, not being sarcastic. <...> Clana was confused about whether she should be happy. *** Early morning. City Councilor Ran held a meeting with the three big figures. She was hearing from the three about what had happened between Gadum's representative and Risir. "A high-grade Spirit Core..." Though she wasn't deeply versed in magic, she still had a vague understanding of the value that treasure held. It was a treasure that could captivate not only individual mages but entire Magic Towers. Risir. That young Mage had refused such a treasure. "Why...?" Ran felt sorry and ashamed that she couldn't promise Risir conditions better than Gadum's. Therefore, she felt unprecedented amazement at Risir's choice. "Ran." The three big figures answered Ran's question on Risir's behalf. "He said. That he believes without doubt it's the right choice." "...!" The emotion she was feeling right now was fully reflected in Ran's expression. The three big figures made the same expression as her, as if they completely understood Ran's reaction. Soon, they looked at each other silently for a long time, then nodded repeatedly. They made a resolution while thinking of one young man. That they would absolutely prevent that young Mage from ever doubting his own pure and noble will. A meeting for that purpose began. Shortly after. The name of a barbarian Shaman was mentioned from Ran's lips. "Will that Kadogan use her usual Sorcery on Risir too?" Shakan's expression became serious. "We might be able to handle it if we bring a Shaman from our tribe. But then it would be too late." "Then what should we do?" "...How about we go directly and stop her? We have justification for that. She used that Sorcery on us. To dare peek at another's Karma without consent? In the north, that's worth getting cut by a sword." "But, friend. This is a civilized city." "Maldad. What are you trying to say?" "I respect you and try to understand. But most city dwellers don't. What do you think will happen if we, as outsiders, cause a commotion in the city over Sorcery?" "..." Shakan bit her lips. That wasn't the only problem. Kadogan was Ragan’s sister, and Ragan managed the Entertainment District, including Left Hand Has Liquor. He possessed military force equivalent to a mercenary company and had numerous 'friends' within Bondaless. "To touch that Shaman, we'd have to risk war..." "And in that war, Bondaless would completely side with them." They realized anew how enormous the injustice they were confronting was. That unfairness where the entire city seemed to obstruct them. But they must not give up. Hadn't they sworn? To protect that young Mage's will. "Whatever the cost, we absolutely won't let them touch Risir." The others agreed with Shakan's words. It was at that moment when the four big figures were steeling their resolve over one young man. -Lady Ran. Lord Risir has come to visit. The butler's voice came from outside the door along with knocking sounds. They all rose from their seats simultaneously and warmly welcomed Risir. "Oh? Everyone, you were all here. Did I perhaps interrupt?" No! They each denied it completely in different ways. 'They seem angry?' Their reaction was so intense that Risir could only nod bewilderedly, saying "I, I see." 'Let's finish business quickly and leave.' Risir immediately took out the item he had prepared and spoke to Ran. "It's nothing special, but I have something I'd like to give to City Councilor Ran-" "To me?" Ran pointed to herself in surprise. Though she was a City Councilor who firmly rejected all bribes and gifts, she couldn't bring herself to refuse a gift from this young man. Even expectation arose in her eyes. Ran's gaze turned to the shabby book in Risir's hands. "..." Ran unconsciously let out a bitter smile. The shabby book that Risir had prepared as a gift suited him as a person so perfectly. 'This is the first time I've seen such a cute bribe.' What content could the book this young Mage wanted to gift to a City Councilor possibly contain? "What is it?" Ran asked with expectation. Almost like lowering her posture to match eye level with a child. "It's the secret ledger of a shop called [Left Hand Has Liquor]." "..." Ran became serious. And was shocked. Why was that there? The three big figures showed the same reaction. It was then. "Lady Ran!!!" Ran's retainer rushed over urgently to deliver breaking news. It was news that Gadum's 'barbarian mercenaries' who were in charge of the Entertainment District area including [Left Hand Has Liquor] had carried out a nighttime escape. "..." They were already watching Risir's reactions. "What's happening?" The reactions of the young Mage who was playing innocent as if he knew nothing. 'Could it be, last night he went alone and...' To single-handedly eliminate the mercenary group that dominated the Back Alleys area. And without causing any commotion. It would be difficult even if they brought the elite forces of their respective groups. Therefore, they struggled to deny that unrealistic possibility. "Oh, by the way, this was a gift from someone unknown. I have nothing to do with that incident." It wasn't easy.