Chapter 135

Miyoreun’s expression faltered slightly. She asked, looking flustered.

“Hesitation…?”

“Guardian has only just found its footing. Expanding with new branches right now would only complicate things.”

“We can offer you every convenience. The Council of Elders has promised as much.”

“There’s no point in setting up a branch if no guild members join. Our current members can’t possibly cover two nations.”

“Ah, you needn’t worry about that. Once the branch is established, the Council of Elders will recommend that people join the guild.”

“Will a recommendation be enough?”

“The influence of the Elders in Akron is immense. Just as the Master of the Magic Tower’s influence is absolute among Taikan mages.”

It was a recommendation in name only—in reality, it was an order.

“Are there no other guilds?”

“Some small guilds have formed after hearing news of Guardian, but they’re barely party-sized. We expect they’ll be absorbed once a Guardian branch is established.”

I nodded nonchalantly, feigning a lack of interest.

“When do you need an answer by?”

“Ah… I was hoping you’d be able to give me an answer today…”

“This isn’t a decision to be made lightly. I need to discuss it with the Duke as well.”

“Then… could you give me an answer by tomorrow? We need to hear back before our representative enters the palace the day after.”

“If the decision is positive, what’s the next step?”

“You will meet with the Council of Elders. That is when the initial negotiations for establishing the branch will take place.”

The seven Elders weren’t about to cross over to Taikan just for me…

‘Which means I’ll have to visit Akron myself.’

“For how long?”

“We’ll just lay the groundwork first, and the rest can be handled by traveling back and forth through a portal… Hmm, I’d say you should plan for about a week?”

A week? That was longer than I expected, and I was a little surprised.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow, so come back around this time.”

“I’ll be waiting for a positive response. As I said, we will accommodate the Guild Master’s requests to the fullest extent.”

“I’ll take that into consideration.”

Miyoreun bowed deeply and left the office. The sound of her conversation with Jean faded into the distance.

I focused my hearing until the sound vanished completely, then shot to my feet.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Talk about a windfall!”

My goal was to maintain this world’s path to ruin.

To do that, I needed to bring as many Hunters as possible under my influence. I didn’t know which of them would become a hero.

In other words, establishing a Guardian branch in Akron was essential to my objective.

And to think they’d come to me, begging for it! Even promising to provide every convenience.

“If I’d just sat back and done nothing, I would have been the one begging them to let me set up a branch… Fools.”

A goal that had seemed so distant now felt within reach.

The bridge of my nose tingled as the events of the past flashed before my eyes.

From barely saving the world only to be struck with Hunter Syndrome and die a miserable death.

To thinking I could finally rest in peace, only to be reincarnated in another world where ruin had already begun…

To think that I, who never had a shred of luck, would be blessed with such fortune.

Things were going so unbelievably well it was almost frightening.

I placed my hands on my hips and laughed heartily.

My laughter echoed resoundingly through the office.

* * *

That night.

After dinner, I showed the Ruthius father and son the barrier artifact.

Alex asked listlessly.

“What’s that?”

“A barrier.”

Duke Ruthius, who was sipping his after-dinner coffee, turned his attention to me.

“…Is that the artifact that sold for the highest price at the central auction?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

That was the extent of the Duke’s questions.

I thought he’d at least ask how much I paid or where I planned to install it… It seemed he wasn’t even curious.

“Our guild members will be here to install it tomorrow.”

My unexpected words made Duke Ruthius raise an eyebrow.

“You intend to install it in the mansion?”

“Yes.”

“…Why?”

I told him about my conversation with Miyoreun.

“I fail to see the connection between establishing a branch in Akron and installing a barrier in the mansion.”

“I told you. I have to go to Akron. I’ll be away from the mansion for about ten days. What if something happens while I’m gone?”

“…I am a Sword Master. I can protect myself just fine without you.”

So that’s why he was being so sensitive… It seemed he felt slighted.

‘What does it matter if he was once a great Sword Master? He can’t even walk for long now.’

I consciously avoided looking at Duke Ruthius’s cane. For some reason, just seeing it made my stomach churn.

“Let’s not talk about the good old days. This time, please just go along with my wishes.”

“It’s unnecessary.”

“Don’t be stubborn. The barrier is a minimum safety measure to protect everyone in the mansion while I’m away. Did you really think I’d spend 2.4 billion Ruan just for you?”

Alex’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.

“What? This thing is 2.4 billion? It’s just three pretty marbles!”

“…”

Oops.

I bit the tip of my tongue and glanced nervously at Duke Ruthius.

He already disliked the item, and now he knew I’d spent a fortune on it. There was no way he’d let this go quietly…

Sure enough, Duke Ruthius clicked his tongue.

“I thought it looked shoddy… It seems you get what you pay for.”

I envied Duke Ruthius for being able to call 2.4 billion cheap.

“Your Grace, you understand what it means to establish a Guardian branch in Akron, don’t you? It means bringing not just the Empire, but the entire world under Guardian’s influence. This is a chance to surpass the Emperor’s authority.”

“…”

“But if you don’t allow me to install this barrier, I can’t go to Akron. If we miss this chance, who knows when we’ll get another opportunity to set up a branch. Do you really want me to pass it up?”

“…Install it.”

“Hah, thank you for your permission.”

I even needed permission to protect him. It was exhausting trying to preserve a former Sword Master’s pride.

“By the way, the Emperor declared the Crown Prince today. Are you aware?”

“I heard from Alex. It’s a relief that things were resolved so easily.”

Duke Ruthius stared down into his coffee cup.

I thought he’d be pleased that the matter was settled before he had to rally the nobles, but his expression was grim.

“What’s wrong?”

“The Emperor has summoned me. It seems I will be entering the palace soon.”

“Do you know why?”

“He mentioned nothing specific. Though I have my suspicions…”

Duke Ruthius trailed off, then suddenly asked.

“Your relationship with His Highness… is it all right?”

“Us? We don’t have any problems.”

“How long do you intend to maintain your contract with His Highness?”

I wanted to know that myself. What on earth was I supposed to do about Dante?

“Don’t push me away. Not unless you want to see me go mad.”

Even as he said those words, Dante’s expression hadn’t changed in the slightest. He’d simply recited them, deadpan.

Why did that feel so fake? It was as if he was desperately hiding his true desire to cling to me.

That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to coldly reject him. I could feel the fear of being abandoned beneath his mask-like expression.

‘Have I developed a soft spot for him without realizing it…?’

“It’ll be difficult for the time being.”

“Why?”

“Well, it’s… it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.”

I slowly turned my head, avoiding Duke Ruthius’s piercing gaze.

I was too ashamed to face him.

After boasting that it was just a contract at first, I still hadn’t managed to cut ties with Dante…

Duke Ruthius let out a long sigh.

“I knew it. So it’s come to this, after all.”

Huh? What has come to what?

Just as I was about to ask, Alex shot his hand into the air.

“I’m going too.”

“Going where?”

“I’m going to Akron too.”

“Who said I was taking you?”

“What if something happens to you in a foreign country? I’m too worried to let you go alone!”

“I’m not planning on going alone.”

“Who are you going with?”

“Sir Johan and Sir Kaiel. A priest, a dark magician, and a swordswoman make for the perfect party.”

“Party or not… they’re all men?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it, they are.”

Duke Ruthius and Alex stared at me in unison.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m definitely going.”

“Take Alex with you.”

The Ruthius father and son began to display a strange stubbornness.

“Taking Alex would just be dead weight.”

“Hey! Why am I dead weight?”

“If you don’t take Alex, I will throw away the barrier while you’re gone.”

“…The 2.4 billion Ruan one?”

“I don’t see why you keep mentioning the price. Are you bragging about getting it so cheaply?”

“…”

In that moment, I realized.

There was no way I could persuade Duke Ruthius.

“Alex, let’s go together.”

I declared my defeat.