Chapter 408
Episode 408: Are You Awake?
Clatter— Clatter—
Dozens of carriages rolled in a line in front of the lord’s castle gates. The procession passed through Aintrier’s plaza and made its way outward.
In the large carriage at the front were Italus, who was leaving the city, and Arthur, who had boarded to see him off up to the castle gates.
“You’re heading out overland? Isn’t that a bit rushed? One of the Ship Gridments will arrive within the week.”
“No, I’ll feel more at ease if I leave right away.”
In just half a day, Italus had completed the entire handover of the lordship duties to the city’s executives and prepared for departure.
He chose to travel overland to the city of vagrants, rather than wait for the Ship Gridment arriving in a week, because he couldn’t afford the delay.
“I’ve arranged a solid escort, and we’re traveling under the Allied Forces’ banner. That should keep us off Prime Root’s radar.”
“The roads are rough, though. And with your age, I doubt you’re used to such travel.”
“Better than sitting still and dying of stress.”
This festival could turn out to be the greatest event in history. The mere thought of missing out made him restless, as if he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Seeing Italus’s stubbornness, Arthur gave up and shook his head.
“You’re still as passionate as ever.”
“Passion disappears the moment you feel satisfied. It has nothing to do with age.”
“Passion has nothing to do with age... That’s a good saying.”
Acknowledging him, Arthur turned his gaze to the window.
As the outer gate neared, crowds entering the city came into view.
Arthur observed them and commented,
“The influx is intense, just as I thought.”
“Of course. We’ve shut down all checkpoints. The real problem will be security... but the executives assured me there won’t be any major issues. Time will tell.”
“I’m not too worried. Sir Lochter is in the castle, after all.”
At the mention of Lochter, Italus nodded firmly and turned to the window.
Arthur did the same, watching the new arrivals stream into the city.
The first thing the newly empowered executives did was suspend all checkpoints at the castle gates for a month.
This allowed the Black Market’s branch units to enter the city more easily, a move intended to show their control over Aintrier to their subordinates.
It was a plan to demonstrate their influence and dominate the soon-to-be reorganized Black Market.
The city had become noisier because of it, but Arthur didn’t mind.
Italus, however, thought differently.
“Arthur, aren’t you concerned about them?”
“About what?”
“The Black Market’s branch units are spread all across the continent. If they were to gather in one city, they could become a formidable power. That could pose a serious threat to Aintrier.”
Considering they’d been handed the reins to the city, if they consolidated their strength, it wouldn’t be far-fetched for them to try to take over entirely.
It was a valid warning, but Arthur responded with a calm smile.
“A fortress built of sand doesn’t become solid overnight. The faster and larger it’s built, the more easily it collapses.”
The branch units had no loyalty.
They were driven by money. If there was no profit, they could abandon you at any moment.
In other words, the executives would have to constantly prove their worth and provide benefits to retain loyalty—and to do that, they would inevitably have to watch Arthur’s reactions closely.
The authority they’d been granted was like a mirage—one Arthur could reclaim at any time.
On top of that, Arthur had informants. Trustworthy agents who would report the executives’ inner thoughts to him in real time.
“I already have something in mind. Don’t worry.”
There wasn’t even a trace of concern on Arthur’s face, and Italus could feel the difference in stature between them.
Could he entrust an entire city to people he didn’t fully trust?
‘Of course not.’
He would lose sleep over it.
As they reached the gates—
“Take care. Let me know when you arrive.”
Arthur saw him off and stepped down from the carriage.
Just as he was about to turn away, Italus called out.
“Ah, Arthur!”
“What is it?”
“I... I’d like to rename the city. Would you give your permission?”
“What kind of city are we talking about that you need my permission?”
“The city of vagrants.”
“The city of vagrants, huh...”
“The term ‘vagrants’ has symbolic weight, so we’re using it for now—but I thought it might be better to choose a more meaningful name in the long run.”
Arthur understood the suggestion.
“Vagrants” wasn’t exactly a name that suited a growing, prosperous city.
“Consult with Notura first.”
“We already did. He said it would only be possible if you approved. He said the one who gave birth to this city... was you.”
“Notura said that?”
“Yes.”
Notura, who now controlled public sentiment among the hundreds of thousands of vagrants and used Arthur’s name as backing—if he said Arthur’s approval was necessary, then it truly was.
Birth of a city, huh... strange feeling.
Looking a bit awkward, Arthur scratched his chin and nodded.
“If you insist, I’ll allow it.”
“Th-thank you! I’ll work with others to come up with a name that will surely please you!”
“No need to go that far...”
“You’ll hear the name at the festival! Please look forward to it!”
Overjoyed at receiving permission, Italus quickly gave the order to depart.
The caravan he led rapidly left the city.
Watching from a distance, Arthur shook his head and turned back toward the castle.
As he thought about the inside of the castle, he realized—
there weren’t many comrades left at his side now.
Natasha, Fenry, Karl, and now Italus.
Some were busy preparing for the festival, others securing its safety. Arthur felt things were steadily falling into place.
“L-Lord Arthur, you’re back!”
“Please—this way, this way!”
As Arthur entered the office, the executives, who had been chatting boisterously, jumped to their feet in surprise.
Following their lead, Arthur took the head seat and looked around at them.
Though their faces showed signs of stress, their complexions were noticeably better than before.
Thanks to Arthur’s support, they had brought the Black Market out from the shadows and into the light.
They had accomplished something even their former master couldn’t. Naturally, their confidence would be sky-high.
In fact, even within the organization, some members had begun to trust them.
“How’s the organization running?”
“Thanks to your generous delegation of authority, the Black Market has settled into the city smoothly. Once the reorganization is finished, you’ll receive the information you requested.”
What Arthur wanted from the executives was information on the Black Star.
In particular, he wanted detailed reports on the movements of Azolett and Rengua.
“It won’t be easy. Prime Root isn’t like Demtor. It’s harsh terrain, extremely closed off, and people there don’t interact much. You’ll have to work hard to get Black Star intel.”
“Agent No. 4 has strong connections with Prime Root’s slave hunters. We’ve set up a wide network of informants through them. You can expect results soon.”
“I’ll look forward to it. If you produce results, I’ll grant you better terms for running the city.”
“We—we’ll do our very best!”
Arthur wasn’t sure about their actual competence, but at least their confidence was admirable.
The atmosphere wasn’t bad.
At that moment, Executive No. 2 cautiously spoke up.
“Um, I’d like to speak on the matter of public safety in the city.”
“Go ahead.”
“As you know, we suspended all checkpoints to bring in our members at once.”
“I’m aware.”
“But in the process, criminals also entered the city unchecked, and we fear this may cause security issues.”
“That’s a valid concern.”
“So we’d like your permission to form a vigilante group under your authority.”
Arthur smiled faintly and glanced at Executive No. 1.
Receiving secret reports from No. 1 on a regular basis, Arthur already knew exactly what these men were scheming.
A vigilante group created by the lord’s decree would wield real power.
No one inside the city could interfere with them, and the group would easily become a new power structure for the Black Market.
Naturally, Arthur had no intention of granting this request.
“I’ve already made arrangements, so you don’t need to worry about public order.”
“...Sorry?”
“Sir Lochter will be in charge of city security. Do you have a better idea?”
Lochter Felice—A man hailed as the strongest knight in the Allied Forces.
With him overseeing public order, there was nothing more to say.
Arthur planned to continue using No. 1 to preemptively identify and shut down the other executives’ secret ambitions.
They’d likely try to build an independent organization of their own, but soon they would realize—You will never be free from my grasp.
Arthur smiled at the executives and stood up.
“I expect even better news next time.”
“Of course!”
After a brief meeting, he returned to his quarters on the castle’s top floor.
Inside the lavish room, Arthur scanned his surroundings.
After a brief inspection, not finding what he was looking for, he clicked his tongue and collapsed into the plush sofa.
“Samuel’s later than expected.”
Whenever he had time, Arthur waited in his room for Samuel. The opposite portal connecting to Reruze had been set to open here.
But the timing was delayed more than he’d anticipated.
Did something happen...?
He shook off the brief worry.
He had never met anyone better than Samuel at stealth or movement involving spatial magic.
As long as it wasn’t the heart of Reruze, Samuel could reach the outskirts with no trouble.
“There’s still about three days left.”
Arthur decided to wait patiently. He spent time relaxing—or rather, pretending to relax—on the sofa.
Half a day passed.
As the setting sun cast golden light through the window, Arthur realized today wasn’t the day.
Only when Samuel opened the portal could the operation to pressure Prime Root begin.
For now, all Arthur could do was wait.
Staring into the sunset, Arthur let out a soft sigh and rose from his seat.
He thought he’d check on Lily and see how she was doing.
Just then—as he opened the door—
[How long has it been?]
Arthur froze, hand on the doorknob.
A familiar voice.
With a bright expression, Arthur spoke:
“Reto... are you awake?”
Retonicalus, who had fallen unconscious from the shock of full synchronization, had finally spoken.