Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 96 "..." Ran let out a soft sigh while reading the secret ledger that Risir had handed her. Certainly, the ledger was filled with suspicious content that was more than enough to classify it as a questionable document, but the truly crucial information was hidden behind peculiar formats and coded language. Like a puzzle, one might say. Even for Ran, who had encountered such types of secret documents multiple times while dealing with criminals in the back alleys, solving that puzzle was not simple. 'So, this person named Gerhen received something from [Left Hand Has Liquor]... Looking at what's written here, there doesn't seem to be anything problematic... But he wouldn't have bothered to write such content in this manner...' Eventually, Ran's brow furrowed with frustration. If it had been any other young person who brought the secret ledger, Ran would have immediately demanded an explanation. They brought evidence that could deal a blow to the political life of a city councilor who controlled the city's underworld and wielded absolute power? How did they obtain it? And whether this was truly the secret ledger of [Left Hand Has Liquor]. Normally, there would have been a mountain of things that Ran should have questioned and investigated. But if that young person's name was Risir? Ran was a creature of learning. Through her experiences so far, she had gained the realization that when it came to matters related to Risir, the best approach was to simply say 'yes' without asking or questioning anything. Just look at when he made the demon that the cultists worshipped into his own follower demon(?). If she had reacted as she usually did as a city councilor with 'Please convince me,' things would have become truly complicated. But when she said 'A demon became a follower demon? Yes,' how simply everything was resolved. Therefore, Ran couldn't muster the courage to ask or question Risir about the secret ledger and could only suffer inwardly by herself. 'What on earth did he see to determine that this was a secret ledger...' Risir watched Ran's state for a while from the side, then casually spoke. "Is there perhaps anything I can help you with?" "Pardon? Ah." Ran barely managed to hold back from brightening up with 'Yes!!!' As a city councilor in the position of defeating back alley criminals, it would have been embarrassing to ask the young mage who had brought their secret ledger, 'I'm not sure, but why is this a secret ledger?' 'Hmm? Ah.' Risir grasped Ran's intentions and changed his way of speaking. "Come to think of it—I haven't told you the basis for why I judged that document to be a secret ledger. If it's alright, may I tell you now?" "...Would you do that?" It wasn't just once or twice, but Ran felt amazement at this kind of worldly wisdom that Risir occasionally displayed. Nobles were creatures of face. They strived to somehow gain the upper hand in terms of dignity when dealing with other nobles. This tendency was particularly pronounced among young nobles of Risir's age. Having just become adults and beginning to realize their own specialness, it was very common for them to commit breaches of etiquette in their desire to appeal their abilities before others. Generously embracing such youthful impetuosity was considered a virtue of experienced nobles, but Ran couldn't find any opportunity to display that virtue before Risir. His worldly wisdom was far too mature for his age. 'Come to think of it, he hasn't revealed his family...' Ran developed belated curiosity about Risir's origins. When meeting a noble, it was usual to first take interest in their family, but he had subjugated a demon before she could even ask about his family— 'There's no way he could be a bastard.' The general perception was that nobles who didn't (couldn't) reveal their family were bastards. However, Ran couldn't bring herself to connect Risir's character and abilities with being a bastard. Who could? 'What could be the reason for hiding his family...' While Ran was spreading her wings of imagination based on the given clues, Risir's explanation was steadily continuing. Risir quoted the explanation he had heard from Clana to help Ran and the three big shots interpret the contents of the ledger. "..." The expressions of Ran and the three big shots, who had been listening to Risir's explanation with satisfaction, gradually became tinged with bewilderment. 'Doesn't he know too much in detail...?' His manner of discussing criminals' habits, customs, and methods was excessively professional. His explanation was as vivid as the experiences of someone who had been immersed in the criminal world for a long time. Where would a noble of his age, who had just undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, have obtained such information or experience? "How was that, did the explanation help?" "...Yes, it was a sufficient explanation." The questions that Ran and the three big shots had about the contents of the secret ledger were cleanly resolved. ...And in exchange, their questions about the figure called Risir grew even larger. *** That evening at sunset. Risir received a summons from Ran and revisited her office. "Ah, Risir." Ran, who had been sitting at her desk absorbed in thought, smiled warmly upon seeing Risir, but immediately returned to a serious expression. Ran thought that Gadum would be feeling a sense of crisis due to the desertion of the barbarian mercenaries and the loss of the secret ledger. And that he would be suspecting her as the mastermind behind the incidents. It was an opportunity. Ran was planning to press her advantage while Gadum was weakened. However- Gadum, he was indeed no ordinary person. Ran guided Risir to a seat and then carefully brought up the topic. "Gadum. That man has invited you and me to a banquet this evening." Just moments ago, Gadum's representative had come to invite both of them to Gadum's mansion. Even in this situation, his proactive move to take control of the situation almost made Ran forget that she was in an advantageous position. Ran wanted to refuse Gadum's proposal if she had her way. She didn't want to show weakness to the enemy, but she didn't want to give him any room when she had clearly seized the initiative. "What would you like to do?" Wouldn't Risir's thoughts be the same as hers? If not, what would Risir think? Ran observed his reaction with an expression that showed half expectation and half worry. "I'm fine with it." "You're fine with it?" "Yes. It's just a meal, isn't it?" Risir answered with a smile and readily agreed. 'If the high-ranking people want to do it, they should do it. What can I do about it? Besides, no matter how problematic that guy Gadum is, would he cause trouble after inviting a fellow city councilor? Nothing special will happen.' With such ordinary citizen-like thoughts. "...!" Ran was greatly shocked by Risir's response. "Just a meal..." It was Risir who had 'dealt with' Gadum's barbarian mercenaries. He must have known exactly what kind of person Gadum was. That he was the type who wouldn't hesitate to pull tricks even after inviting a city councilor and guest to his mansion. To describe going into such a Gadum's maw as 'just a meal.' Ran burst into laughter. Conversing with Risir made her feel petty for having been so serious about someone 'like' Gadum. Compared to this monster-like person's true identity, Gadum's position would be nothing. "Yes, you're right. It's just a meal. So there's nothing to worry about. Right?" Gadum would never be able to get what he wanted from this young mage. Ran declared confidently with firm faith in Risir. "...!" Risir's eyes widened at Ran's appearance. 'Look how reliable she is. As expected of a city councilor—the lifeline I've grabbed!' Risir also declared confidently with firm faith in Ran. "There's no question about it." "Hehe..." "Hehe..." They headed toward Gadum's mansion, feeling reassured by each other. *** "Ran. Come in. It must have been a sudden invitation, but you've readily accepted. You're really saving my face like this." A man with ample flesh showed a satisfied smile. City Councilor Gadum. He couldn't help but feel inwardly flustered in front of the guest he had brought into the reception room. 'She actually came?' The news that the Kadogan siblings, who managed the entertainment district, had driven out Gadum's businesses and left Bondaless spread throughout the city in an instant. Regarding this, Gadum's 'friends' expressed anxiety while his 'enemies' were brightening up. As Ran had expected, Gadum felt a great sense of crisis about the current situation. This was the reason for the sudden banquet at Gadum's mansion. Gadum planned to gather his 'friends' and show them 'Ran's empty seat for not responding to the invitation.' Thereby showing that his enemies still feared him— He intended to appeal that his influence remained strong. But what was this? Against expectations, Ran had responded to the invitation. 'Why, Ran? You're not the type of person to make such a judgment.' The area where Gadum's mansion was located was thoroughly under his influence. There were no residents who weren't 'friends' with Gadum, and the guard corps under Gadum's command was 'controlling' the area's security. If problems occurred at Gadum's mansion, the guard corps would be dispatched in the name of city law enforcement to exercise legitimate force. This was Gadum's empire built within Bondaless. Knowing this fact and being wary of it, Ran had never once responded to Gadum's invitations until now. Such a person was now firmly occupying a seat in Gadum's mansion reception room. With just one companion. 'Could it be because of that guy?' Gadum's gaze turned toward him. This was the first time he was actually seeing him. 'Risir...' The moment he recognized his existence, Gadum felt all his harbored questions being resolved. How could Ran have achieved the remarkable feat of expelling the cultists who had hidden in the city before they could cause problems? How could she protect her colleagues from his bribery? How could she win over Kadogan? How could she boldly set foot in his empire? 'Was it all because of that guy...' Gadum finally etched into his eyes the existence of the true enemy he was now facing. "..." "..." Risir, whose eyes met with Gadum's, smiled brightly. At that youthful and gentle appearance, a smile also formed on Gadum's lips. 'I wondered what kind of guy he was—' Gadum had dealt with countless nobles and powerful figures to reach his current position. Handling such a youngster as he pleased was nothing to Gadum. "The banquet preparations must be complete. Let's move to our seats." Gadum's anxiety had disappeared without a trace. He already wore a smile on his lips in anticipation of the coming pleasure. *** The hall where the banquet was being held. The massive rectangular banquet table was already packed full of people. "What does Lord Gadum intend to do from now on?" "I know he's already been troubled enough by matters related to The Owner and The Saint, and now Ran has begun to act in earnest—" "Is it certain that Ran led the [Left Hand Has Liquor] incident?" "If not her, then who else?" "Did Ran... have that much power?" "Hmm..." "Maybe she made a new powerful friend... Oh my. The guest of honor has arrived." "...Huh? That's—" Suddenly, the hall became as quiet as a mouse. City Councilor Ran. A figure who was invited but not expected to accept had appeared. "Councilor Ran." Those sitting right next to the head seat greeted Ran. They were city nobles who, while not quite city councilors, wielded great power within Bondaless. "I didn't expect to see you in a place like this." "Didn't Gadum mention that I would be visiting?" "No, well—" This was Gadum's territory. Ran should naturally be intimidated. The two people who had challenged the city councilor based on that judgment immediately backed down at Ran's confident attitude. "Where should I sit?" And as if being driven away, they yielded the seats next to the head position to Risir and Ran. The atmosphere of the gathering had been completely overwhelmed. Ran felt exhilarated as she looked at Risir. 'Thanks to you, I'm experiencing all kinds of things.' She hoped such an expression would be conveyed to Risir— —This is the kind of person I am. Risir responded with a bright smile. 'Wow, those people seem to be quite high-ranking, but they can't move a muscle in front of our councilor.' He hoped such an expression would be conveyed to Ran— -It's nothing special. "Hehe..." "Hehe..." It was when the two were feeling mutual reassurance like this. "Let's begin." When Gadum, seated at the head position, gave the instruction, the hall doors opened and servants entered. They began moving busily to fill the table with a feast. Risir and Ran's places were filled last. At their seats, wine bottles that Gadum had specially ordered were placed. "This is Modoa." "..." The moment that name was mentioned by the servant, Ran's expression contorted. Modoa. It was a wine beloved by Bondaless nobles in various ways. This wine, which enjoyed a unique flavor through its distinctive aging process, was very demanding in terms of aging and storage, where a moment's mistake would lead to the wine's deterioration. Moreover, the deteriorated liquor carried mild toxicity, causing the drinker to experience vomiting and temporary hallucinations. Bondaless nobles often used such deteriorated Modoa to serve unwelcome guests. The Modoa that Gadum brought out had its bottle cap already opened. This meant it was deteriorated Modoa, so handle it appropriately. Refusing liquor at a drinking gathering was a noble's shame, but wouldn't it be better than hallucinating and vomiting in front of people? "..." Ran was so amazed she burst into laughter. To think he would humiliate her with such a low method. Separately, it was certainly an effective method. "What should I do? I'm not in the mood to get drunk today." She spoke while struggling to suppress her expression from contorting with humiliation. "On such a good day, with such good liquor!?" "Yes, that's how it turned out." "Hah... What a disappointment." If she had accepted an enemy's invitation, it was humiliation she should willingly endure. It was when such exchanging of humiliation according to established procedure was taking place. "Don't be too harsh about it, I'll drink Councilor Ran's portion as well." Ran looked at Risir in surprise. A person of his caliber couldn't possibly not know about Modoa. Risir spoke to Ran with his expression. 'I know a thing or two about liquor.' He hoped such an expression would be conveyed to Ran— —I have a plan for everything, so leave it to me. (E/N: In case it is not obvious, this is "what is actually conveyed") "...!" As expected. Ran was convinced, thinking she knew it would be like this. "..." Gadum was equally flustered by Risir's reaction. Was it because he was an outsider? He was showing an unimaginable response. Of course, it was merely unexpected and definitely not a wise response. "Is that so? Then there's no problem. Come, accept it." Like this, it was a move he could simply counter by filling the wine cup. 'Now what will you do?' Gadum pressed with his gaze. And at the action that followed— "Then gratefully." Gadum gritted his teeth. It was to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out. Should he indeed call him a hot-blooded youngster? The sight of him gulping down the 'poison' out of bravado, driven by the single-minded desire not to be humiliated— 'I was worried about such a guy...' Between amusement and displeasure— Gadum asked Risir. "How does the liquor taste?" *** [You have resisted] *** "I haven't had much experience with such precious liquor, so I can't express it exactly. I can only tell that it's good liquor." "Hahaha, is that so!? Then you should drink plenty on this occasion! Come, take it!" The series of processes was repeated. "Well, we're witnessing quite a rare sight." "Indeed. To think there's someone who actually drinks that Modoa." The expressions of those watching were gradually being tinged with vile pleasure. However, at a certain point, their expressions began to change. "...Is that really 'Modoa'?" "The cap was definitely open..." Half the bottle had already disappeared, but still nothing was happening. Risir. He was neither suffering from hallucinations nor experiencing violent vomiting and diarrhea, nor was he showing any disgraceful behavior from intoxication. He was simply trying to savor the taste of the liquor. Eventually- "Somehow, it seems like only I'm drinking. If it's alright, may I pour you a cup?" He reached out toward the Modoa that Gadum held with a kind smile that contained not the slightest hint of ulterior motive. "..." The eyes of the seasoned politician looking at the youngster wavered.