c85=c104 of the WN
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CHAPTER 85: The Prime Minister Goes to the Tavern
"Well then, I'll be on my way. What about you, Stayle-sama?"
With a swift teleportation from Stayle-sama, I glance around the alleyway that, until recently, should have been familiar.
"I would love to keep an eye on you until the very end, but unfortunately, with this appearance, I would stand out. I'll hide around here. Call me when you're done."
Though he glares at me lightly, it seems he will leave the next steps to me. When I ask how I should call him, Stayle-sama, though visibly displeased, teaches me the signal to summon him. According to him, with his special ability, he can teleport to a specific person without needing to specify the location, as long as it's someone he knows. When I express my reluctance to use such a summons on the Second Prince, Stayle-sama mutters, almost to himself.
"Arthur does the same. Don’t overthink it… But you, I will never allow to call me unnecessarily."
"Then, does that mean I may call you whenever necessary from now on?"
I smile as I say this, and Stayle-sama suddenly turns to face me, his expression twisted in anger. He opens his mouth wide, as if to scold me. "Anyway, just get your business done quickly!" With that, he vanishes in an instant.
...Even though it was a necessary situation, considering his control over his special ability and the fact that he even taught me the same signal as Arthur, perhaps it means he has placed a bit more trust in me than before. I couldn't help but smile to myself at that thought.
"Well then… It's been a while since I’ve been to that shop."
I adjust my clothing slightly, covering my mouth, then move into the alley and take a sharp turn to the back of a building. I descend the stairs to the underground area that has been hidden in plain sight. By now, they should be preparing for business. I reach the bottom of the stairs, place my hand on the narrow door, and push it open. With a faint clink, the door to the shop creaks open.
"Sorry, we're still getting ready...!"
The man who had been preparing behind the counter stops when he sees me. His gaze locks on me, and I notice the wine bottles and glasses stacked carelessly on the stone floor, giving off the scent of old corks and alcohol.
"It's been a while, Beil... Two years, I believe?"
I smile at him, deliberately keeping my expression unchanged. Beil, this man with tattoos on both arms, was the one I had regularly bought information on special abilities from up until two years ago. He's a robust man with sturdy limbs, a slightly taller build than mine, and a strong frame.
His short hair had grown wild, and he had wrapped cloth around his forehead to keep it out of his eyes. He runs this underground tavern, but his past involved running an illegal gambling den, which led to his punishment.
Since then, I've maintained a connection with him through money, using him as a middleman for deals with the underworld, all while hiding my true identity. In retrospect, it seems like a foolish decision.
"I hadn't heard about the change in the prime minister, so I figured as much... But it seems you're still quite the important figure, aren't you, Prime Minister?"
With a look of surprise, he never takes his eyes off me, and motions for me to take a seat at the counter.
"Thanks to your success, the underground business has been booming for us."
He bitterly grabs a cigar and lights it, the smoke swirling in the dim light. While he now runs a legitimate tavern, his main source of income still lies in selling information and introducing people to the underworld.
Over the past two years, I’ve wiped out all those involved in the underground trade, as far as I know.
"Ah, I apologize for that. However, this is my main line of work," I respond coolly.
His anger doesn't flare up, but instead he chuckles, "You’ve certainly changed quite a bit since I last saw you."
"You didn't try to capture me like the others. Was it because you knew who I really am?"
"No, no, it’s just that if it came to that, I would have buried you myself."
At those words, his face changes for the first time. I had once completely crushed him when we first struck our deal. As he lights his cigar, his eyes focus on my hands, as if calculating something. It's easy enough to strangle him right here and now.
"...Just to remind you, when I revealed your identity to them two years ago, that was at your request. And when you tried to cause trouble, I made sure to leave you there with a warning," he says, taking a puff from his cigar.
He continues, "I’ll introduce people to you, but if they cause trouble, I’m done with them." I raise my hand to show I’m not referring to that, signaling that the matter is not of concern.
"I don’t mind that. In fact, I should be thanking you for dealing with it so smoothly, despite the sudden request."
Now, I turn to him more seriously, resting my elbows on the counter and locking eyes with him.
"The reason I left you alone was purely for information gathering. I knew full well that the information I had would eventually run out."
He raises an eyebrow. "So you want to buy information again? Going after the special ability users’ intel again, like last time?"
"Not at all. I’ve sworn to distance myself from illegal dealings," I quickly deny his assumption. When I smile at him, he looks at me, clearly surprised.
Yes, I made a vow with His Excellency. To refrain from illegal transactions. And, at the same time, to use the information I’ve gathered about human trafficking to capture those involved, bring them to justice, and continue serving this country.
But simply judging those criminals whose information I already know wouldn’t be enough. From now on, I will keep finding and judging those who break the law. That’s my duty as a prime minister.
However, once I wipe out all the illegal dealings and the criminals, it will be very difficult to gather information on new ones. But there is a way. I can get it from those who already have that information.
Beil may run a tavern and deal in information, but he's also a man who's been fiercely self-preserving. After he was punished for running an illegal gambling den, he stuck to selling information and making introductions, never crossing the line again. And through his tavern, he’s gained valuable connections and insider knowledge. There’s no better source than him.
I focus, unable to hide the subtle grin forming at the corner of my mouth. Beil, noticing this, trembles slightly.
"Consider this a thank you for all the trouble you’ve taken in the past. I will overlook your knowledge of those illegal dealings and your use of it to profit."
I casually say that I’m thirsty, and he pours me a drink, though his expression shows his reluctance. I take a small sip, checking for any foreign substances, before swallowing.
I slam the glass down onto the wooden counter and catch his gaze, continuing, "But as you know, I’m the prime minister. If the good citizens offer me information, I’ll gladly accept it."
Gilbert's dark smile spreads across his face, aimed directly at the information broker, Beil.
...Is he serious?
Beil is at a loss for words. He instinctively recoils, the back of his heel hitting the liquor shelf.
...What happened two years ago?
Until two years ago, this man would buy special ability user information from me regularly—whether it was just rumors or a list of products in the human trafficking market. He was punished for running an illegal gambling den, and when he later reached out to me for a deal, he tried to drive me off with a knife, only to be nearly killed by me.
When he finally threatened me, I knew for sure he was insane. But when the transactions started, his payments were good, and I could make money just by providing information on special ability users. He became a regular client. Little did I know at the time, he was actually searching for healers who could cure diseases.
And soon after, the entire underworld and the human trafficking rings I’d fed information to were wiped out by the city guards and sometimes even knights. With nowhere to escape, they were caught in a sudden sweep, and every time the organizations were destroyed, I would hear about it from customers.
At the same time, this man, Gilbert, stopped showing up at the tavern. I had a strange certainty that it was his doing. Not many people knew as much as he did. More importantly, among my clients, he was the only one who could get the castle’s people moving.
The last time I saw him, he was gaunt, his eyes dull, and he had the look of someone who was now on our side...
Now, two years later, this.
The man stood before me, his presence overwhelming, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. Upon his appearance, I felt a grim sense of inevitability, as though today could very well be my last. His lively, confident expression alone made it clear that something had changed, but it was not just his face—his eyes, once dull, now gleamed with a sharp, dangerous light.
And then, he spoke. He would not engage in a transaction with me. He would spare me, but in exchange, he demanded information. Not just any information, but intelligence on my clients, on the illegal activities, and on the human trafficking networks. Information I knew, and information that was far more valuable to him than the special ability users I had dealt with before.
Two years ago, Gilbert had been reckless, doing whatever it took to achieve his goal. But now, he was something more, something far beyond that.
It felt as though he was using people like me, like mere cogs in his grand machine, efficiently manipulating the world around him as he orchestrated his plans. A sense of a massive, unstoppable force began to form in my mind.
“Well then, do you have anything to say?” Gilbert asked, his fingers interlocked like a tower, his eyes locked on me with a piercing gaze, unblinking. I felt like a small animal caught in the gaze of a massive serpent. If I even slightly shook my head, I felt certain my life would be forfeit.
“...What kind of information do you want?”
He answered immediately, “For now, I’m interested in the recent trends in the human trafficking market, and also the special ability user who controls chains, whom you mentioned before.”
It seemed Gilbert was intent on taking down the big players in the human trafficking network. Losing such clients would be a blow to his earnings, but personally, I had no attachment to them. After a deep breath, I provided him with what I knew.
“As far as I know, every organization involved in human trafficking has already been crushed by your hands. But recently, demand has been rising again. Especially from the Rajya Empire… After all, they are the largest slave-producing country. Some people are preparing to restart the trade, hoping to sell to them for a high price. You know as well as I do that people from this country can fetch a high price overseas. If it’s a ‘premium’ special ability user, striking it rich isn’t just a dream. So now, they’re starting by replenishing the lower-class stock, keeping it discreet to avoid detection by the authorities. The man who controls the chains… His name and identity are nearly unknown, but he’s been making money as a bodyguard and assassin. Originally, he made his income from human trafficking, so it seems he’s returning to his old trade. The rumor is that once the stock is ready, they’ll open up a market again, probably inviting people from Rajya.”
“Where is the market and where is this man’s base of operations?”
“The market... It’s probably outside the country. All the domestic markets are under government control, thanks to the Prime Minister. There’s no competition in the country now. Before, the market here was dominated by middlemen, but now they’re likely planning to sell directly to approved slave nations near Rajya, without any intermediaries. His base is probably also abroad. People like the man with the chains can easily move between countries, blending in with traders.”
I throw in a little sarcastic comment about how, thanks to the excellent Prime Minister, it’s become hard for the underworld to operate here, but Gilbert shows no reaction to that.
“I see. How far is it from here?”
“I’ve heard that they’re coming back regularly to restock, so it’s probably not too far. From the exit on the lower-class side, probably just a few kilometers to the rocky terrain. There are cliffs around there, so it’s perfect for disposing of products, and they have plenty of places to store large quantities temporarily.”
With that, Gilbert places the payment for his drink on the counter, stands up slowly, and gives me a measured look.
“Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation,” he says, but his words don’t bring me any comfort. I’m relieved that I’ve survived another day, but then Gilbert says, “I look forward to working with you in the future,” and a headache begins to set in.
“If it’s like the past, searching for special ability users, that’s one thing. But if an important figure like you starts passing through, and every time you do, clients and organizations get wiped out, it’ll be suspicious, you know?”
“Well, we’ll think about countermeasures as we go along.”
He says it so casually. As Gilbert turns his back on me, I can’t help but ask him a question.
“By the way… that special ability user who healed diseases, was it? Have you found the one you were looking for?”
He had disappeared for a while, and I finally brought it up. Gilbert shakes his head and waves his hand dismissively.
“No, unfortunately, not yet.”
“That's a shame. After all that effort to find them,” I say, as the tension in the room starts to dissipate. I toss aside the cigar I was smoking and light up another, but when I glance back at Gilbert, I notice something unsettling in his smile.
His grin, so unnatural, sends a chill down my spine. It was the kind of smile someone gives when they’re about to create a bloody mess, like a murderer who relishes their work. My blood runs cold, and I feel paralyzed, unable to move.
“...Beil. I don’t dislike you. In fact, I sincerely hope we can continue a good working relationship.”
He slowly turns back toward me, his sharp, narrow eyes locking onto mine as he moves closer. The air grows heavy with tension.
“However, don’t even think about crossing that line. Don’t ever think you can escape me... If you ever cross that line, get involved in illegal activities, and fall to the same place I’ve reached,” Gilbert continues, his smile never fading, as he slowly raises his hand.
With deliberate slowness, he presses his hand against his neck in front of me, clearly demonstrating the point he wants to make.
“I’ll show you whether it’s possible to sever your head without a blade—using only your own strength.”
My entire body trembled, and I found myself unable to speak. My breathing grew ragged, and I backed away helplessly, colliding hard with the wine shelf behind me.
Had I really been dealing with such a dreadful man for years? I doubted myself.
Gilbert, however, turned his back on me as if nothing had happened.
"Oh, and by the way, the liquor here isn’t bad. A hidden tavern like this isn’t a bad place to work honestly," he added.
"Well then, see you later," he said, and this time, he truly left the tavern. I collapsed onto the floor in relief, thankful to have survived at least for today, but his last words, "I look forward to our continued cooperation," made my head throb.
"With the way you’ve been going around, if you, someone so important, keep showing up and every time the clients and organizations get wiped out, it will raise suspicions, you know?"
"Well, we’ll think of countermeasures later."
He said it so easily. As Gilbert turned his back to leave, I couldn't help but ask him a question.
"By the way, have you found the special ability user who heals diseases… the one you were looking for?"
He had disappeared after that, and I connected the dots. Gilbert just shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.
"Unfortunately, no."
"That's a shame. You looked so desperate trying to find them. Well, unless it’s by the guidance of God, I doubt you’ll ever find someone like that."
The tension in my body eased, and I flicked away the cigar I had been smoking, lighting up another one. But as I glanced back at Gilbert, I saw an unsettling, spine-chilling smile on his face.
A cold shiver ran down my back, and in a panic, I dropped the cigarette I had just lit. Instinctively, I stomped it out, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Gilbert.
His gaze pierced through me as if he was looking at something far beyond me, a look so unnerving, so full of dark affection, as if he were savoring the moment. His lips parted unnaturally, twisted into a smile that seemed to come from deep within, as if something malevolent was bubbling up inside him.
In all the years I had dealt with him, I had never seen such a smile. It was the kind of smile a sadistic killer would have when about to make a gruesome scene out of someone. The blood drained from my face, and I found myself frozen in place.
"Beil," Gilbert said, his smile never faltering, "I don’t dislike you. I sincerely hope we can continue a good working relationship."
He slowly turned back toward me, his piercing, narrowed eyes now fixed on me, his gaze heavy with a silent promise of something dreadful.
"But," he continued, "don’t even think about crossing that line. Don’t even consider the idea that you could escape me. If you ever cross that line, get involved in illegal activities, and fall to the same depths I have..."
Gilbert slowly raised his hand, never losing that dark smile, and placed it around his neck, gently, almost mockingly.
"I’ll show you how easy it is to sever your head without a blade—using only your own hands."
As Gilbert closed the door behind him, he let out a long, heavy sigh.
It seemed I had unintentionally let my emotions show on my face. From his reaction, I could easily guess the expression I must have had, even without looking into a mirror.
Though I had become a father, it seemed that I had let a moment of weakness slip through. If I kept behaving like this, I risked scaring my daughter, Stella, without even realizing it.
I slapped my cheeks a few times, forcing myself to tighten my resolve.
Before I had heard from His Excellency, I had expected to make contact with him soon. I had already exhausted all the information I had gathered. So, when His Excellency and Stayle-sama consulted with me, it seemed like the perfect time. I knew that Gilbert had the information we needed.
I looked up at the stairs, noticing how dark it had already become outside. I hurriedly ran up the stairs, hoping I wouldn't bump into any customers. Reaching the top, I quickly hid in the shadows behind the building.
“Unless it’s by divine guidance, it’s impossible.”
Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but let out a small smile. I desperately tried to hold back the urge to say out loud that I had "met him." I was sure that Gilbert had no idea he had hit the mark.
The words I spoke to him afterward were the truth, though. I didn’t wish to dispose of him, not at all. But if he dared to dirty his hands with acts that threatened the country and its people, I would not hesitate to cut him off.
That, too, was the truth. For my beloved wife, Maria, my daughter, Stella, and His Excellency, the royal family, Arthur, and, most importantly, the innocent people... I would not waver. For the vow I made that day, I would stand firm.
Earlier, when Stayle-sama had teleported to my estate and told me, "Right now, Lady is seeking your help," there had been no hesitation in me. I felt proud to be asked by someone of such standing, and when Maria smiled and sent me off, holding Stella in her arms, it filled me with joy.
If His Excellency requires my help, I will offer everything without reservation—this ability, my life, and all my talents.
I will give my all as the Prime Minister for the sake of my country and its people.
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EUN: THIS CHAPTER IS QUITE LENGTHY. Oh well~ this wasn't in the anime but scenes like this really adds depth to the characters and the story^^
Not sure though if I should just use Bale or Beil >.<
Thanks for reading~ I'll try to update...as soon as I can. siiigh. we've got tourist-y plans tomorrow so this will be all for today I guess.
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