Chapter 75 (1/2)
The ferry sailed up the Grand Ca.n.a.l and reached its destination safely. The ferry pa.s.sed through the Grand Ca.n.a.l and entered the Kurente River, which was the lifeline of the continent’s middle regions. After a day of sailing through this river, the ferry arrived at the city of Kurentes.
“It’s been a while since I last visited here.”
Isaac said as he looked around Kurentes. It should have been a nostalgic sight for Isaac, as it was the first city he visited while on the way to New Port City after graduating from the College. Yet Isaac’s remark was empty and emotionless.
Perhaps the one thing that changed in the city was that the people in the city recognised him. Although the looks he received were those of envy and jealousy, like they were looking at the greatest swindler, the lowest of sc.u.m, or a man who gained his wealth through sheer luck. Still, Isaac was now famous.
“I have acquired a transport for us.”
“Wow. Where did you get this?”
“It’s a newly released automobile. It was designed in a way so that pa.s.sengers don’t need to stay in a lodge or a hotel. It’s rather popular with the merchant guilds.”
What awaited Isaac when he got off the ferry was a middle-aged man who seemed to be the driver and a camping car. No, perhaps it was more of a trailer since the living quarters weren’t connected to the driver’s compartment itself.
Trentor approached the driver to complete the confirmation process, and Isaac shrugged his shoulders and asked Trentor.
“Did you rent this?”
“Of course not. It’s not even worth considering that option when it’s not my money I’m using. I just bought it straight up.”
“You’ll receive a scolding from Cordnell once he finds out.”
“We’ll just use it as a vacation vehicle for our city hall employees.”
“Is that right?”
Isaac smirked and entered the trailer, whistling once he looked at the trailer’s insides.
“It’s got everything it needs.”
Inside the trailer were a sofa, a dining table, a mini bar, a kitchen, and other oddities and curiosities for entertainment purposes. Isaac threw his body onto the sofa that was next to the window. Trentor also entered the trailer, and once he closed the door, the camping car began to make for its destination.
Isaac leisurely looked out the window whilst smoking and began to receive looks of curiosity and amazement from the onlookers. As time went by, the sight of buildings became spa.r.s.e, the view fading into wide open farmlands infused with peace and harmony.
“Would you like a drink?”
Trentor, who remained silent until they left the city, suddenly asked Isaac as he made his way to the mini bar.
“Give me one of whatever you have there.”
Trentor poured some green liquid in a gla.s.s cup and handed it to Isaac.
“That’s a strange colour.”
“It’s a wine called Oruho. It’s a specialty in this region, where they make the wine by distilling grapeskin.”
“Kuk! This is pretty nice!”
“It’s a pretty strong drink, might I add.”
Isaac smirked at Trentor’s explanation and gulped the entire gla.s.s in an instant. He then placed the empty gla.s.s onto the table and asked.
“Were you in it since the start, or did you join in the middle?”
“Sorry?”
Trentor asked back, unable to understand what Isaac was on about. Isaac rubbed his now-burnt cigarette onto the ashtray and spoke again with a relaxed look.
“I’m asking when did you start working with Central?”
“… What do you mean by that?”
Trentor’s faced stiffened and replied coldly. Seeing this, Isaac smiled and played with his coat as he exhaled the smoke out of his lungs.
“This thing was really worth its price. Although it was only partially working, its core functions were still operational inside the mana crystal vein.”
“That’s probably because you stuffed it with pure mana crystals.”
“That’s right. And it’s thanks to the fact that I’ve used so many mana crystals without a care that I managed to survive against the warlock. But did you know?”
“Know what?”
“How did the warlock find out there were mana crystals in that mine?”
“… Isn’t it just a coincidence?”
“I thought so too. But that is my mine, not yours. I’m making that fact clear. Although I doubt saying all this will have any impact. Anyhow, shall I let you know something interesting? I wanted to find out how much money I could make by selling the mana crystals that were mined, so I looked up the market price. Thankfully, the market always releases the price publicly. But what’s strange is that the price of pure mana crystals never fluctuates too much, with a few rare exceptions. Do you think that makes sense? From what I know, pure mana crystals are found by coincidence! There isn’t anything else that produces the crystals other than these lucky finds. Yet the market price is stable. Interesting, is it not?”
“Don’t you think you’re thinking too deeply about this? The warlock could have easily made the mine his hiding spot, but once he found the crystal vein, he determined that it was no longer possible to remain hidden. He could have decided to involve you, Sir Isaac, to take the Queen’s artefact as he made his escape.”
Isaac smirked at Trentor’s argument.
“You do know the law of supply and demand right? They say that the size of the pure mana crystal market shrunk slightly after the introduction of manufactured mana crystals, but once the development of magical artefacts advanced, the market for pure mana crystals grew larger than it had been before manufactured mana crystals were introduced. And if the prices are stable, there must be a supply that can match the demand.”
“That’s impossible.”
Trentor shook his head as if it was all nonsense and poured another gla.s.s of the green wine. Isaac took the gla.s.s and had a sip as he continued.
“Do you really think the market for pure mana crystals can match the demands when the only way you can supply it is by finding crystals by coincidence? I don’t think so. Then the answer is already there. Pure mana crystals are not found by chance but are excavated from mines just like the one I have. And a secret organisation has a monopoly over it, keeping it a secret from the public. I wonder what this secret organisation is, to be able to supply these mana crystals without a problem alongside an extensive information network and security detail – without a single rumour about it, no less. The warlock that is being chased by Central? Or Central?”
“If Central was aware of the existence of the mana crystals in the mine, they would never have appointed you as the Administrator of New Port City in the first place. It would have been easier for Central to manage the mine if the city was still in chaos.”
“I know. That’s why I’m curious as to why they appointed me.”
“What the…”
Trentor let out an empty smile, seeing Isaac agree with him so easily.
“But the fact that you are an agent of Central is still true.”
Trentor let out a small sigh and played along with Isaac, annoyed that Isaac was continuing the conversation that he thought was over.
“Is there a reason why you are so convinced of that?”
“I have evidence you can’t refute.”
“What is that?”
“When did I ever mention anything about the mana crystals in the mine or the warlock to you?”
Isaac’s statement seemed to have hit its mark, as Trentor couldn’t hide his bewilderment. He hastily started making his excuses.
“T, that’s because I heard something along those lines from Mr. Cordnell or Krent.”
“About the Queen’s artefact too? I only mentioned that to the damsel.”
Trentor rubbed his chin with a troubled look. He made a sigh and spoke as he shook his head.
“Sigh. For someone with a complete lack of talent, your head is as cunning as a snake.”
“So you admit it?”
“Well, I’ve no choice since I pretty much confessed to you with my own mouth. Let me introduce myself again. I am Mission Support Agent Trentor from the Directorate of Surveillance.”
“Mission Support Agent? What’s that?”
“Simply put, my role is to stay at the protagonist’s side as a close friend, a trusted subordinate, or a loyal va.s.sal whilst staying with the target forever, and it is also to betray you at the most crucial moment when you show signs of going against the Empire’s will.”
“… Forever?”
“There are quite a lot of volunteers for this role you know. Graduates from College aren’t just your run-of-the-mill geniuses. It’s very unlikely they’ll be sent on a dangerous mission, and if you’re lucky, you get to enjoy untold wealth and fame along with the target. Although I happened to pick the worst of the bunch.”
Seeing Trentor sigh at all of the suffering he had been through, Isaac recalled the occasional hostile looks that Trentor gave him ever since the start.
Isaac just overlooked it, thinking that Trentor was just disappointed in being forced to work under some pathetic sunbae for money, but to think he was tasked with following Isaac forever.
There was a look of pity in Isaac’s eyes as he comforted Trentor.
“You are so very unlucky too.”
Trentor couldn’t help but feel depressed, seeing the cause of his suffering looking at him with pity and comforting him. However, all of this was about to end.
“So when did you notice that I was an agent of Central?”
“Hm? I thought I already told you.”
“No, I’m already aware that I spoke too much like an idiot. But when did you start suspecting that I was an agent of Central?”
“When you volunteered to come with me.”
“Was the reason that I was from the same city as you not enough? That was the entire reason why I was a.s.signed to you, Sir Isaac.”
“Well, yeah. There was no real reason for you to volunteer, seeing how you could just ask for a leave to visit your own family. There’s no specific reason that you had to travel with me.”