Reset Life – Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Oh Yeah? Then Bring It On! (5)

“Jay, Old Man, you seem to be very busy?”

“Phew, don’t even mention it. The money problem has been solved, but it’s not an easy task. Just selecting the group we can rally will take quite a while.”

“There are also qualitative issues. Even three years won’t be enough to achieve what Master has commanded.”

My interesting, likable, and loyal-for-three-years subordinates had faces filled with fatigue after just a few days. I chuckled looking at them and said,

“More than anything else, we need to hire clerks first. Is the information we received accurate?”

“Yes. We filtered the information focusing on accuracy. We used the power of Sky Ears, so it’s certain.”

I nodded. Sky Ears is an information organization operating secretly in the Imperial Capital Nek. They are dedicated solely to gathering and selling information. And even after 10 years, no one knows who’s behind them.

I don’t know the mastermind, but anyway, it’s a reliable source. For now, my goal is to make our organization bigger than Sky Ears.

“Artshever Le Setrife……Nickname, Als. Quite a cute nickname for a dark mastermind.”

I scratched my head and read the information I had purchased.

What I ordered them to do was to investigate the recent activities of the Salain family and Artshever Le Setrife. Naturally, I should have received two pieces of information, but I only had one.

The meaning of this is very simple.

Artshever Le Setrife was with the Salain family.

According to Namia, Artshever has white hair and green eyes. He looks to be in his mid-twenties, about 180 centimeters tall. He has a friendly face, always smiling.

First of all, white hair is a major characteristic. It’s not uncommon for people to be born with milky white hair, but if you narrow down the number, there probably wouldn’t be more than a thousand in the Imperial Capital.

Sometimes people have white hair due to illness, but Artshever is said to have been born with it. Also, green eyes are quite rare. It’s the color of the indigenous people living in the western part of the other continent.

I didn’t expect someone with such distinctive features, who is also a target of the Lynin Religion, to be walking around so openly, but it’s even more surprising that he’s with the Salain family.

Since I’ve never seen such an impressive person before I died, I wonder if he has also traveled back in time. However, I don’t really understand why he became an enemy of the Lynin Religion.

Anyway, he is currently staying as a guest at the Salain family’s mansion in the Imperial Capital. It’s been over six months, and it’s said that he has gained the trust of the family.

Old Man pointed to the unread paper and said,

“As you can see, he often meets with Duke Narvilt and is particularly close to his children. These days, he’s practically become the family’s confidant.”

“Someone like Artshever? It’s the other way around.”

I snorted. Somehow, I don’t think this Artshever is someone who would be satisfied as just a close aide to a Duke.

There’s no basis or evidence, but I’m sure he’s using the Salain family. Come to think of it, I even suspect that he might have orchestrated this duel.

Moreover, the Salain family is the rear support of ‘Edian’, which controls more than half of the thieves’ guilds across the Empire. They’re the perfect target to exploit.

After reading the report, I put it down. This duel is entangled with invisible strings, ultimately turning into a power struggle between the Herduke and Salain families.

It included not only what my father told me, but also things he wouldn’t tell me. It’s the beginning of an incident that involves not only our family but also my mother’s family, the Lorand family.

Scratching my chin, I told Jay. It seems like it’s time to make a move.

“Jay, I need to buy land.”

“Land?”

“And people too.”

“People?”

“Jay looked at me with a vacant expression as if he didn’t understand what I was talking about. The land, the people—everything seemed that way. I nodded and said, ‘Jay, go to the land office and check the land registry for a place called Dereon. We need to buy some land there.’

‘What? Why all of a sudden?’ Jay asked, looking puzzled.

‘Because the land prices are going to skyrocket,’ I replied.”12

Feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance!

According to the report, the Lorand and Salain families are currently making a fortune by brokering the salt trade from the large salt farms in the Dakard Barony.

This time, the Dakard Barony is planning to expand its salt farms, and the planned site is Dereon. However, unable to purchase the necessary land, the Dakard Barony is trying to borrow money, and the target is either the Salain or Lorand family.

It is said that Salain and Lorand are scheming to lend their money to Dakard in exchange for exclusive brokerage rights for the salt, or to increase their trading volume compared to before.

The Salain family is a Duke family, so they have power from the beginning, but the Lorand family is a Marquis family. Although they have considerable power, it’s a reality that they are a little lacking compared to a Duke family. However, the Lorand family is related to us, that is, the Herduke family.

Furthermore, Orknesia, a fief of the Herduke family, borders the territories of Dakard and the Lorand family. It’s easier to pressure them compared to the Salain family.

Ultimately, this case is a power struggle between two families vying for the brokerage rights of salt, a daily necessity, and one family that can immediately support the weaker family.

The Salain family, which is relatively disadvantaged, first devised a scheme to silence the Herduke family. That’s the provocation Pilledvan brought.

Of course, there are other noble families related to the Salain family. However, only Lorand and Herduke can conduct military training in the border area of the Dakard family, in plain sight.

We can negotiate with Lorand, but if our family, which has a strong relationship with its wife’s family, gets involved, things will get complicated. So, they’re trying to exclude the Herduke family first.

Our family also has its reasons; we need to support the Lorand family to secure a cheap and abundant supply of salt. Daily necessities like salt, especially the high-quality salt produced in the Dakard Barony’s territory, are chronically in short supply.

The first solution to smoothly resolve this issue, entangled with various interests, is my duel.

“In conclusion, the boss needs to win the duel, right?”

“That’s right. But even if I don’t win, if we buy the land in advance as it becomes available, we can sell it at a high price later to either Lorand or Salain, right? And we’re only buying the land suitable for salt farms. We don’t need to buy all of Dereon.”

“Ohh, so you’re saying you’ll do something good for your wife’s family in preparation for losing?”

“You can think of it that way.”

Jay stroked his chin with an expression that showed he was tempted. Ultimately, there’s no loss. Even if I lose the duel, I still profit. This kind of calculation will probably suit Jay’s taste.

“Well, that’s reasonable. Good. But what about the person?”

“Ah, there’s a boy named ‘Virean Orcanto’ there. Buy him.”

“A boy? Not a girl?”

For a moment, Jay had a very suspicious expression. There was also a slight feeling of physiological discomfort, or something similar. Then suddenly, he remembered what I said when I hired him. What are you thinking right now, Jay?

“Old Man, hit him hard.”

“Whoa?! Hey, boss, you’re telling me to buy a boy! Anyone would think that’s strange!”

“That’s just your thought! I’m telling you to bring him because he’s useful. If you can’t because he has a family, bring the whole family.”

“Hmm, are you sure he’s useful? He’s a fishing village boy?”

“Of course.”

I nodded. It was a good opportunity to introduce a disciple to Levidian. Come to think of it, I think I clashed with the Salain family over this issue even before I died.

“Tsk. Alright. It’s a long business trip after a long time.”

“I’ll give you two months.”

“Ehh?! Boss, are you crazy?!”

“Go at super speed. And Old Man.”

“Yes.”

“Secretly contact the Magicians’ Guild and tell them you want to hire ‘Kersilla Creon,’ the disciple of ‘Madsan Ast.’ If they ask how you know, show them the book ‘The Subject of Modern Magic Theory and a Comparison with Ancient Magic Theory.’”

Old Man doesn’t ask twice. He nodded as if he remembered everything I said.

“Understood. However, may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“What’s the reason for this sudden action?”

Jay, who was going crazy about the two-month timeframe, stopped and turned his head towards me, seemingly curious as well.

They must be curious. All I’ve done since bringing them to the capital is set up an office, make some money, and have them continue working behind the scenes.

So, if I suddenly tell them to buy land and bring people, they’ll have questions.

I leaned back on the sofa and said.

“The reason is simple. It’s because Artshever Le Setrife is right around the corner. He may not be related to me, but as long as he’s there, there’s no time to dawdle. He’s definitely someone who will cause trouble. It’s strange to say this about someone I’ve never met, but I’m sure he’ll do something.”

An existence that evoked a strange feeling that was unfamiliar, familiar, and repulsive all at once.

And he’s behind the Salain family. I don’t know his true identity, but I have a strong feeling that he’ll definitely do something.

“Understood. I’ll take action.”

“Tsk. I need to move too.”

They’re finally not questioning my actions anymore. It’s probably because what I said I would do always came true.

Since things I don’t remember are already happening now, I won’t be able to give orders like this after a certain amount of time. I need to fully establish a system where they’ll listen to me before then.

Who knows? Maybe if a completely different future from what I know comes, I might hesitate to give orders then. Haha!

September 25th, 372nd year of the Imperial Calendar.

Looking at Pilledvan, who was standing with a spear in his hand and a nervous expression, I grinned and said.

“Are you eating properly?”

“What do you mean?”

“You look like you skipped breakfast.”

Judging by the expression on his face that showed his stomach was hurting, it seemed like he felt the pressure of the duel. Pilledvan forced a nonchalant expression, and I decided to commend him for his mental strength.

And I looked at the observer behind him.

A handsome man with white hair and green eyes.

Artshever Le Setrife.

Really, I didn’t expect to meet him here.

I turned my gaze. Behind me stood the observers of my duel.

There was my father, mother, brother, Levidian, Aila, and Namia. Namia looked like she wanted to punish the enemy of the church right away, but it seemed she couldn’t do that in front of the ‘His Majesty the Emperor.’

“Both of you, greet each other with respect.”

The Emperor was present as the judge of my and Pilledvan’s duel.

Since a duel continues until one person surrenders or becomes incapacitated, there’s no need for a judge, but what was at stake was the Emperor’s honor.

I drew my sword, held it straight up, and nodded. Pilledvan held his spear behind him, extended his left hand, and bowed his head.

The Emperor, the judge, said.

“The rules are as follows. The one who surrenders, loses consciousness, or is deemed incapacitated loses. However, if one kills the opponent, the killer will be considered the loser and will be punished for the crime of murder according to national law. Weapons that cannot inflict fatal wounds must be used, and only one set of weapons, including the body, is allowed. Violating this will be considered a loss and will result in the dishonor of a coward. Fight fairly with your skills for the honor you have each staked. Under the gaze of the Sun God Achuni, may your honor be heightened.”

Clang-!

A clear sound rang from the golden bell in the Emperor’s hand.

The duel had begun. A duel entangled with honor and the hidden interests behind it.

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz! Crack!

Pilledvan spun his spear a few times and aimed it at me, holding it low and mid-range. And I quietly aimed my sword mid-range and glared at him.

The distance was about 6 meters. But the spearhead was emitting a blunt light 4 meters ahead. Even if the tip was blunted for practice, it would be dangerous if it hit a vital point. My sword, with its blunted blade and tip, was the same.

The human body is surprisingly fragile, so if you want to beat someone to death, you can do it with your bare hands. After all, there’s tension that starts the moment weapons clash.

But I……I’m already too used to that kind of thing. Sadly, I’ve been beaten by Levidian enough times to count at least 3,000 hits, and before I died, I had to throw myself into sharp spears, swords, and arrows.

Breathe in……

By inhaling air through my slightly parted lips, I shook off the tension. Unlike sparring, attacks filled with malice will come, but Levidian has often attacked with malice even during sparring.

I have the upper hand over Pilledvan in experience and skill.

There’s nothing to be afraid of.

Slowly, I drag my right foot forward, and my left foot follows. Little by little, I close the distance.

I can see Pilledvan’s spear tip trembling slightly. Since he’s holding a long weapon, the trembling part will be relatively larger. But looking at his face, the tension seemed to be growing even more.

Hmm. Should I try to reassure him?

“What’s wrong? Didn’t they say the Salain family’s spearmanship could pierce even the sky? It won’t be pushed back by a mere dancing sword, will it?”