Chapter 63 - Bounty Head and Awakening [6] (1/2)

63. Bounty Head and Awakening [6]

I was distressed and had completely forgotten.

(The right to borrow the help of one of the Five Wealthy Merchants…)

There is no better time than this.

「What do you mean by『this could work』, Allen!? Explain in detail!」

「Yes! Actually–」

Then I talked about the incident at the Daido Commercial Festival three months ago.

When we were working as Magic Swordsman, we took on an escort mission from Orest to Drestia.

During the Daido Commercial Festival which was held once a year there, the Five Wealthy Merchants held a meeting at the Daido Firm.

The Black Organization aimed at that opportunity to blow up the Daido Firm, and attacked the Five Wealthy Merchants.

We happened to be there, and fought off the Black Organization and I received the “right to request help just once at any time” as an expression of gratitude.

「I see… So that’s what happened.」

Leia-sensei, who was quietly listening to the story, murmured.

「Yes, I’m sure Rize-san will help me!」

Then sensei frowned silently.

「I don’t know what kind of impression she gave off to Allen, but… Rize is a heartless, rotten personality.」

「Is that so?」

The day when I saw her at Drestia, she didn’t give off such an impression at all though…

「She is a shrewd proprietor who established『Fox Finance』within a single lifetime. She always smiles and smiles around people, so she looks like a nice person.」

As sensei said, Rize-san was basically smiling and smiling.

「But behind that smile, she always uses methods which are barely legal – sometimes completely illegal, to crush rival firms and people who oppose her, one after another. Rize, who monopolized 50% of the financial market in that way, was then connected to various『shadows』. They would be the『backers』who’d protect her from people who seeked revenge and government regulations. Nowadays, we don’t even know which organizations are connected to Fox Finance – It has become a darkness that couldn’t be shaken at all. To be honest, I don’t trust her one bit.」

Leia-sensei concluded the story, and added a single line at the end.

「But… I’ve never heard of her breaking her promise.」

「T-Then…!」

「Aa, since we don’t have time or any other way… Allen, can I ask you to use that precious right?!」

「Yes, of course!」

As such, I finally saw a sliver of hope.

「Please wait a minute!」

Rose, with a bandage around her forehead, came into the director’s office.

「Ro-Rose!? I’m so glad that you’re safe!」

「Oo, so you’ve regained consciousness!」

When we ran up to her,

「Thank you, my body is all right now. That’s why I want you to take me with you.」

Rose looked straight at me and said clearly.

「Rose… I appreciate your feelings, but with your body in this condition…」

Her hands and legs were covered with bloody bandages.

「My body is fine. In combat, with the power of〈Winter Sakura〉, it will move as much as I want!」

「Well, even if you say that…」

That power has a limited duration and she doesn’t have complete control yet.

Taking Rose’s body condition into consideration, it is pretty obvious that it would be better for her to rest here.

However,

「–Yoshi, that’s fine.」

Leia-sensei readily accepted Rose’s request.

「S-Sensei?」

「At present, we can’t use No.18 who was issued to border security. So it’s better to have a little more fighting power. And with Rose’s strengthening-type soul dress, a few injuries won’t be a problem.」

If sensei, who is much more familiar with soul dress, says so, I have no choice but to agree.

「…Rose, please don’t overdo it, alright?」

「Thank you, Allen.」

And when we finally agreed on it,

「Then, let’s leave for Drestia! I’ll arrange for fast horses, so you guys go wait in the schoolyard!」

Sensei quickly rushed out of the director’s office.

「「Yes!」」

■

Then we were pulled to Dresstia by the Director’s personal fast horses.

The capital, Orest, is not far from the Merchant Town, Drestia.

After riding in the horse coach for some time – we finally arrived at our destination.

「…Returning to Drestia for the first time in three months.」

I looked around while walking down『God Street』, which passed through the center of Drestia.

At both ends of the street, there were stalls lined up, and people were active as if it were still daytime, even though the time was around ten o’clock at night.

「Come… Rize’s mansion is this way.」

Following Leia-sensei, who was quick-paced, we navigated through the city of Drestia. And a huge mansion came into view.

「As usual, it’s a nasty house which shows off her wealth…」

The beautiful mansion, reminiscent of a white palace, was remarkably huge.

It reached about six stories, no, seven stories.

The vast garden had a large pool and a beautiful fountain, and a magnificent stone garden can be seen in the distance.

A stupendous mansion with a mix of different cultures, was surrounded by elaborately designed iron fences.

(A-Amazing… )

As the overwhelming mansion captivated me, a number of flashlights shone on us.

「Who are you!? Why are you peeking into Rize-sama’s mansion at this hour!? Depending on what you next answer… Wha!?」

They seemed to be Rize-san’s private soldiers,