Vol 5 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3
Editor:Starbuck11
Money/Gold. It was an all-around weapon in civilized societies that went beyond certain constant standard. <tln: by=”” context,=”” it=”” is=”” gold=”” that=”” falls=”” into=”” such=”” category,=”” because=”” since=”” ancient=”” times=”” and=”” until=”” today.=”” we=”” can=”” still=”” use=”” it=”” as=”” a=”” currency=”” weapon...=”” but=”” i=”” will=”” use=”” money=”” for=”” the=”” entire=”” explanation=””>
Money can be turned into foods, clothing and shelter/residence. In times it can be turned into knowledge and depending on the situation it would even rule over life and death of a person.
It was the so-called ultimate power.
(Such things didn't change even in a different world... Well in that sense, I can feel relieved that this world is not an open world with no currency.)
In extreme cases, no one knew whether or not there was another world with people primitive enough, that they didn't know the term of currency .
Because being in this world itself can be said as absurd as a fairy tale.
Resting his cheek against one of his hand, Ryouma listened to the progress of the meeting while looking at the gold coins in his other hand.
(This does has a nice touch...)
A certain weight, characteristic feeling of gold.
Naturally, he lifted his lips after he felt such peculiar sensation on his hand.
Although Gold coins were heavier than bills, and they were inconvenient to carry, there was a sense of fulfillment in holding them that paper money didn't have.
”I don't understand really well... In other words, the aim of the both of you was gold from the start?”
A conference meeting room. It was a place where the ruler of Wortenia Peninsula and his aides surrounded a huge ebony roundtable.
The one who opened her mouth was Lione who had kept silent during the meeting, but the moment Simone ended her speech, she was the first one to open her mouth.
Ryouma smiled bitterly since he could notice dark anger hidden behind her pupil.
(Wah, her mood turned bad... I guess I've expected that reaction from Lione...)
The problem was the reason why she was angry.
As a mercenary Lione could understand that reason. And as a field commander, she could also understand that such aim was also right. But, the problem was she wished that Ryouma trusted her a little bit more.
And not only Lione held such thoughts.
(Though she herself seems to have calmed down considerably...)
Otherwise, Lione would've flared up seriously right now.
And if she was that short-tempered, she would've left a long time ago.
”Lione-san, your words, I think it was a bit wrong. It is true that Ryouma has given me the duty to gather funds and supplies. But for him, that was not everything.”
Lione frowned after she heard Simone calm argument.
Probably because she realized something from Simone's words.
(Well, it's not like what she said is a lie...)
At least,
Ryouma never told Lione a lie.
Certainly, he didn't say everything in details, but he cannot be blamed for deceiving either.
If there was a reason for Ryouma to be blamed, then there was only one. And the only reason was that he didn't explain everything properly.
”I see, then what the young master told us at the beginning, that he wanted to demonstrate our prowess to the neighboring countries and n.o.bles, while buying time for Zalda to find a breakthrough...”
Sitting next to Lione, Bolts who was silent all this time opened his mouth.
”Regarding that, Ryoumsama didn't lie. As a matter of fact, those objectives were essential for us.”
”It's just that he didn't say everything, is it ?”
”Briefly speaking, that is right...”
”I see... That means it was not important to tell us everything, eh ?”
Bolts then directed a meaningful line of sight to Ryouma.
”No no, I have no intention of keeping it secret.”
”I see... Which means just like Simone-san had said. It was because we didn't ask about it in the first place, is it ?”
Bolts scuffled his hair while shaking his head sideways in an exaggerated manner.
”Well, fine then. I'm not convinced, but certainly, I didn't inquire about it in the first place...”
Probably because she finally understood Ryouma’s intentions. Lione let it pa.s.s despite feeling distrusted.
”Well then, how about we talk about it from the start. That was the reason why the boy had gathered all of us here this early in the morning, no ? And besides, I also have something that I wanted to ask. About various things...”
Following Lione's gaze, Ryouma shrugged his shoulders.
Certainly, there were many things she would want to ask.
Because she felt that Ryouma himself avoided proper explanation.
”The things you want to hear, is it about the matter with King Julia.n.u.s?”
It was the problem that Lione had kept asking for an answer, and also the problem that Ryouma had kept avoiding to answer.
”That's right, I was wondering, just what is it that that old man told you, right before we returned back?”
”What's with that question ?”
Bolts who cannot follow the conversation stared at Lione's face questioningly. Or rather, everyone in the room did the same.
Their line of sight focused on her all at once. However, Lione applied silent pressure while kept starring at Ryouma without averting her gaze.
”You can't go and say there's nothing to say, alright ? After all, your behavior that night was unusual...”
Her tone of voice demanded a proper explanation. It came out after enduring Ryouma's att.i.tude all this time.
(Well, fine then...)
It was a long story. And also pretty complicated too.
Speaking frankly, Ryouma was troubled as to where he should start talking.
”Let's see... I guess I should talk starting from that...”
Ryouma opened his mouth after sighing deeply.
”King Julia.n.u.s, rather than just the previous
previous war, he told me that every wars happening on this western continent was the work and intentions of a certain group of people....”
The things that came out from Ryouma's mouth was as shocking as a bomb explosion.
Because of the unexpected words, Lione was looking stunned.
”Wh? What do you mean by that?”
Not only Lione, almost everyone else also stared at Ryouma with a surprised expression
Only two people didn't show any surprises, and that were the Marfisto sisters.
”Well, at first, I could not believe it either...”
It was a very natural reaction. Ryouma himself would doubt the sanity and wonder how he should interact with people who believe in it immediately, if he told them.
A heavy silence dominated the room.
Everyone gazed at Ryouma without saying any words.
From the others’ point of view, Ryouma's words could only be regarded as delusion or words that came out from someone insane.
”Well, let us hear young master explain everything until the end first.”
Finally, Bolts opened his mouth.