Reset Life – Chapter 17

KR Translators:

・StarrySkySailor
・KawaiiKage
・ImmortalInk
・KingPotato
・SugoiSenpai

Chapter 17: You Should Understand When I Speak Nicely (2)

“I’m looking for the heaviest thing, even though it has no form. Do you have it?”

The receptionist’s smile didn’t change, but his eyes became serious. The young man asked with a smile still on his face.

“The price varies depending on the weight, doesn’t it?”

“Give me the special rate.”

“Understood. Please come this way.”

He pointed to the stairs next to him, and I headed that way.

The logistics I’m trying to find here is information. It has no form, but depending on its weight, it could even overturn the Empire.

As I went up the stairs, there was a hallway with small rooms lined up for consultations. A female employee working at the entrance looked up at me and said bluntly.

“Go to Room 208.”

The door was made of thick wood, so the sound inside couldn’t be heard from outside. The reason there were no bars or anything like that was also for confidentiality. This was because talking about logistics in a public place could make you a target for bandits.

That’s funny. Worrying about bandits in a place like this.

When I opened the door to Room 208, a middle-aged employee was preparing documents. The room was quite spacious, with drawers full of documents and bookshelves filled with files.

The employee pointed to the table next to the door and said.

“Please put all your weapons on the table next to you.”

“Alright.”

I shrugged and put down the Iperfect dagger and longsword. I had already removed the family crest from the longsword. I dusted off my hands and sat across from the employee.

The employee looked at me and suddenly spoke.

“Since it has no form, we can only measure it by weight. First, we need to fill out an order form, but your name is……?”

“I told you to handle it with the special rate. I don’t want to leave a trail.”

“Understood. Then what are you looking for? Our transportation company will transport any logistics for you.”

“Right. I know you also transport people. It’s literally everything.”

“You know it all, so why are you saying this? Hehe.”

The middle-aged man grinned. And I chuckled too. Edian Logistics and Transportation is a thieves’ guild known only to a select few. It’s a group that thoroughly disguises itself and only reveals its true nature to those in the know.

A transportation company for thieves……it’s strangely fitting. After all, asking someone to steal something is also a form of ‘logistics transportation’.

I said what I wanted.

“The recent political situation of the Azot Kingdom. Important people’s reactions to the delegation. And the power structure of Azot’s back alleys with a brief explanation.”

“Hmm, that’s quite a heavy item. Besides, it’ll be expensive if you don’t leave an order form, right?”

“Will this be enough?”

I took a pouch out of my pocket and poured it onto the table in a relaxed manner. Platinum coins fell with a heavy thud.

One platinum coin is ten times more expensive than a gold coin. One gold coin can cover the weekly living expenses of a family of four farmers. One platinum coin can cover the living expenses of a family of four farmers for 50 days.

There were a total of 15 of them.

No matter how frugal my father is, the allowance a Duke’s child receives is a considerable amount.

Moreover, around this time, I had no interests other than books, so I had been saving up. And with my participation in the delegation, the allowance my father reluctantly gave me and the secret allowance I received from my mother are quite substantial.

15 is just the tip of the iceberg.

I twisted my lips and said exactly what I wanted.

“I don’t care about the level of information. Notable information in the areas I mentioned, issues that are becoming hot topics, incidents and their background. Everything. Compile it into a book and bring it to me.”

“Right now……immediately?”

The employee asked, swallowing hard, and I nodded.

“I’ll give you an hour. If you succeed, I’ll add 5 more.”

20 platinum coins are enough to support a family of four farmers for two and a half years if they are frugal.

That’s my monthly allowance.

Actually, that’s a bit stingy too.

The Empire-wide thieves’ guild, Edian, originally started as the Edikinz Thieves Guild.

It is said that it originated from obtaining information from both Azot and the Empire and selling it to people on both sides. The guilds within the Empire formed a single network, but the ones within Azot split up and were divided by city.

Actually, I learned this fact when I had access to classified information while serving in the military 10 years later.

Probably around this time, Edian would have been in contact with about half of Azot’s organizations, which is why I could leisurely visit Edian and request information.

As I said before, money is a good friend who knows silence and doesn’t complain about being treated poorly. Moreover, it’s a friend with the excellent trait of being able to greatly motivate others.

The power of 20 platinum coins was truly amazing.

A 400-page book made of mulberry paper was produced in just one hour.

“Good. Good work. I’ll leave the payment here.”

“Thank you. Please use our services again.”

Leaving behind the middle-aged man who seemed to have aged considerably in an hour, I put the book in my backpack and went outside.

The fee was a special rate. A secret rate, too. Firstly, they wouldn’t know my identity, and secondly, they would try to find out, but I had made various preparations before coming here.

It would be hard to think that the person who bought information on Azot as soon as the delegation arrived isn’t part of the delegation, but unfortunately, there’s no odd-eyed young man in the delegation.

They’ll probably think I’m a subordinate of some guy who pretended to be part of the delegation to buy information. If I shake off the guys following me like this, my identity will be safe in the labyrinth.

Slowly, slowly.

After going around four inns, five clothing stores, and four bookstores that I had checked out in advance, I returned to the lodging in a different outfit than when I first left.

Actually, since I went out secretly, no one would remember that my clothes had changed. That’s why Marlin greeted me with wide eyes.

“Young Master, you’re back?”

“Yeah, Marlin, you were out?”

“Yes. I went out with Teacher Ibi to buy some spare clothes for Joey since he didn’t have any. What about you, Young Master?”

“Just a walk. Oh, did Aila and Rob-hyeong say anything?”

It was just before sunset. Since I left after lunch, it took about 6 hours. Maybe the two of them are very angry.

Marlin smiled with a strange expression and said.

“Young Master, you may not know it yourself, but you have a very handsome face.”

“Uh, Marlin, whenever you say that, something strange happens, you know?”

“What strange story? Still, you shouldn’t make a girl cry too much.”

“See? That’s a strange story. What is it?”

“Miss Sermaila Hind said to tell you that if you don’t come to her room as soon as you return, she’ll personally strangle you in your sleep.”

That’s probably true, Marlin. It’s not like she’s sulking or pouting out of affection.

I struggled to convince Marlin, who was completely misunderstanding the situation, but eventually gave up.

After all, saying anything more would only be falling for the tricks of the middle-aged maid who raised me.

Instead, let’s talk about something more practical.

“Oh, did anything come for me?”

“Ah, several packages arrived from the bookstore and clothing stores. I left them all in your room. But why did you buy so much?”

“Just……because I needed them.”

I shrugged and said nonchalantly. This was the result of spending 20 gold coins while going around the stores, the so-called”hide a tree in a forest”strategy.

First, I need to check the book I received from the thieves’ guild, but if I don’t go tonight, Aila might kill me. But, when did we become close enough for her to kill me or not?

I went to her room and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

“If it’s Risel, come in. If not, go away. The door is open.”

Well, even her way of answering a knock is peculiar.

“It’s Risel. I’m coming in.”

As I went inside, I saw her writing something at her desk. Whatever it was, the speed at which she was moving her pen was extraordinary.

She has quite the shorthand skills.

“Sit there. Wait a minute. I’m almost done.”

Next to her, dozens of papers were already piled up, just like before.

Is that the counter-argument logic?

She dipped her pen in ink, placed a new sheet of paper, and scribbled on it while saying.

“Why were you so late looking at carriages?”

“I’ve always wanted to ask, but you knew all along, didn’t you?”

It seemed like she had noticed that I was going to the thieves’ guild. She didn’t reveal it, but there were subtle hints.

Writing while talking is difficult, but she spoke without slowing down her writing speed at all.

“Hmm. What do you think? But don’t ask me the silly question of what your identity is. Anyway, it’s a favor for now.”

“So it means it’ll be a quid pro quo later?”

“Who knows? Anyway, it’s not bad for you, right? Think about the reason yourself, and for now, just sit there. I’ll be done writing this soon.”

I should have asked the thieves’ guild to investigate the Hind family. It would take time, but I would have gotten quite accurate information.

I looked at her for a moment, then turned my head.

After a while, the rustling sound stopped, and I heard her sigh deeply. Then, she brought a stack of papers she had finished writing and placed them in front of me.

“Here. The expected counter-arguments and the corresponding counter-logic that Rob-oppa and I discussed. It’s not just a simple rebuttal, but I’ve also set several traps. Read it carefully and learn it well. Rob-oppa and I even had a mock debate to create this. We almost had a falling out.”

She took off her black-rimmed glasses and rubbed the space between her eyes. It’s glasses that make her look intellectual with a scholarly atmosphere. Just the glasses.

More importantly, there’s something I need to address before that……

“Is there even any loyalty between you and Rob-hyeong that could be broken?”

“Oh my? You’re ignoring me. We’re quite close. Rob-oppa is a good debate partner. As expected of a graduate of the Sage’s Academy.”

“First of all, thank you for helping me, but……is it because of my personality that I think there’s a reason behind it?”

“Yes. Did you just realize that now?”

Aila nodded as if it couldn’t be simpler.

Ugh, let’s calm down for a moment.

Whenever I talk to Aila, I feel like I become the strange one. I counted to three, then counted back down from three, and said to her.

“Okay. You said the help you’re giving me is a favor. Anyway, thank you. By the way, why is a Baron’s daughter like you going through so much trouble, even doing it yourself?”

“It’s just a slightly rephrased version of the previous question, but I’ll return it with a question. Why is a Duke’s son like you trying so hard to antagonize the High Priest, even doing it yourself? Even if the High Priest’s intention to join the delegation is impure, it’s something ordinary noble children wouldn’t do, right?”

“You too. An ordinary noble daughter wouldn’t be able to figure that out.”

“Hmm. Fine. Let’s call it a draw. Read this first.”

She shrugged and handed me the first page of the stack of papers. I decided to accept her intention to stop for now, or to talk again later. I started a mock debate, familiarizing myself with the counter-logic that she and Rob-hyeong had developed.

That night, I dreamed of being chased by three Damachis who were eager to correct their misguided disciple’s ideology.

I thought I was having a sleep paralysis nightmare.

★⭐★⭐★⭐★

July 8, 372 of the Imperial Calendar.

The handover of the delegation between the Imperial forces stationed in Eastern Edikinz and the Azot Kingdom forces stationed in Western Edikinz, the verification of identities, the inspection for smuggled goods, and the confirmation of the presence of criminals was quite a time-consuming process.

Whatever you say, it was about crossing the border. Even if you complained, you couldn’t simplify it any further. Even for the sake of friendship between the two countries, they wanted to do everything they had to do before crossing.

One of the convenient things about wartime was that you could just advance without any of these procedures. Soldiers live and die by orders anyway.

While the inspection and search were going on, I started reading the book that the thieves’ guild had compiled about the Azot Kingdom. Since the cover was just a tourist guide to the Azot Kingdom, no one suspected anything.

By the way……why are you so fidgety, Joey?

Sigh, I need to calm him down.

“Joey, did you do something wrong?”

“Oh, no. But……it was the same when we entered Edikinz……”

Around the time we entered Edikinz, thanks to Joey, we did lose some time, even if no one else noticed.

Of course, no one would say anything since I vouched for him, and the guards were speechless when they found out Joey was fifteen years old.

Even though that happened, you don’t have to be so anxious now, do you? Your sitting posture is comfortable too.

Certainly, Joey is sitting much more comfortably now than before.

The carriage’s basic frame was reinforced, and the wheels were replaced with larger ones, making the body higher. And the rear part was expanded downwards so that Joey could sit comfortably.

It looks a bit funny in a cross-section view, but the exterior looks quite elegant with the bottom of the carriage, which used to be a straight line, curving downwards and spreading out from the 1/3 point.

The door was also widened so that Joey wouldn’t have to hunch his shoulders. However, the interior was modified so that the rear part was sunken. Later, this part would be covered with a lid for ordinary people to ride.

This is almost like building a new carriage rather than just modifying it, but anyway, the carriage modification was successful. It’s a success in that Joey can now sit with his shoulders and back straight.

However, it’s a bit distracting to see a 2-meter-tall figure squirming while sitting still.

Joey said with an anxious expression.

“Um, besides, this is the carriage that His Majesty the Emperor bestowed……If you do this without permission……”

“Ah, that doesn’t matter. It was a gift from His Majesty the Emperor, but it’s not an Imperial possession. Strictly speaking, it belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the government. If there’s a problem, we can just buy it. Besides, a carriage like this can be purchased with my allowance.”

If necessary, I can even buy the carriage and the coachman. And since I’ve already touched it, it’s only natural that I buy it. It’s practically a custom-made carriage for Joey.

There’s no problem between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our family.

Sometimes, it’s really enjoyable to be the child of a high-ranking noble.

At that moment, there was a teacher who was burning with the desire to correct the crooked thoughts of his disciple.

“Risel, I told you to be wary of materialism, didn’t I?”

“Ah, of course I know. But to reassure Joey……”

“Um, I’m sorry that you’re being scolded by the teacher because of me, Hyung-nim.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“Oh? So, Risel, you’re not going to retract your previous statement? I’ve told you time and time again that a swordsman who hasn’t reached a certain level should befriend austerity……”

“Of, of course I understand. Well, this is, you see……”

“As expected……it’s because of me. I’m sorry for causing you trouble……”

Calming Joey would anger Levidian, and explaining to Levidian would make Joey depressed again. A vicious cycle began.

Grrr! These people, really!

“Excuse me. Inspection.”

“So I told you there’s no need for that!”

The border guard who opened the carriage door froze in place.

Could it be that I was the obstacle to the friendship between the two countries? Damn it.