/
Tsk.
He clicked his tongue, expressing how much of a pity it was.
“Charon.”
The alleyway was noisy and his voice was low, but it was still strangely clear.
Though the merchants were arguing raucously amongst themselves just now, they all stopped in that one moment and turned their heads in unison towards the two men.
That single utterance rendered them dazed and speechless, but their expressions distorted violently in no time.
Charon was the kingpin of Bastion.
How dare this random guy speak their boss’ name?
“…I don’t know who the hell you are, but how dare you say the boss’ name?”
Amongst the merchants, one of the larger men huffed out.
But before he could even take three steps forward—
“H-Huuk.”
The man was reduced to pained groans. His legs were shaking.
Because, in a blink of an eye, a black blade that was mercilessly glinting got aimed at the back of his neck.
‘When did he even take it out?’
No one saw the man do it.
The buff merchant had dealt with many various people while having to roll through the mud in quite dangerous places, but it was the first time he was facing an opponent such as this.
“P-Please spare me.”
The pale-faced, trembling man stuttered and pleaded for his life.
In turn, Hildeon merely stared at him with indifference. He shook his head exactly one time, then asked again.
“Charon. Where is Charon.”
“Y-You will find him if you go that way.”
The buff merchant immediately raised one arm to point out which direction he meant. He was now completely polite and compliant.
Hildeon then retracted his sword and looked towards that direction.
Where the thickest shroud of darkness loomed.
A large building located at the end of the alley.
It was the business establishment of the ‘Bastion’s kingpin’, Charon.
* * *
“Uh, huuk… That terrified me.”
“You held up well enough… But seriously, you dunce. Why are you still quivering like a ninny?”
“What did’ja say, punk? I can still feel a chill on the back of my neck.”
It was only after that other guy stepped away that the buff merchant returned to his earlier spot with his shaky legs.
Tears had welled up around his eyes.
“Both of you stop fighting. Shut up or I’ll kill you. But really though, who the hell are those guys?”
“I don’t know. I don’t even wanna know. The only thing we can be sure of is that today’s business is a complete bust.”
“Yeah. I thought we’d snag two customers, but apparently they’re Charon’s.”
“Tsk. Whatever, whatever. That woman who came by earlier looked like a big catch, too.”
“That’s exactly why she was Charon’s customer.”
Hearing the conversation between the merchants behind him, Hildeon raised an eyebrow.
As Hildeon was born with the blood of the imperial family running in his veins, his five senses were far superior than that of ordinary people.
Even a scheming criminal wouldn’t have heard it, but it was loud and clear in Hildeon’s ears.
‘So another customer came here first.’
Well, it didn’t matter.
The plan would proceed without a hitch.
He didn’t even think about the possibility of civilians getting unnecessarily involved.
Since that person was a customer of that Charon, then they wouldn’t possibly be called a model citizen either.
So, in the first place, there was no need for him to sympathize or worry about that customer.
…Right.
I’m sure of it, was what he thought.
“I shall open the door.”
After arriving at Charon’s establishment, his aide Hestin quietly opened the door.
And at that moment…
Hildeon realized just how far… no, just how very far his earlier supposition was.
“Saintess! What must I do now?!”
A slender, pink-haired beauty (presumably the saintess) was right there, while a large burly man (presumably Charon) was kneeling right in front of her.
“You have an apple tree in your backyard, yes?”
“No, not a single one.”
“Quite so. If you did, you’d have definitely been in big trouble by now. You don’t have an apple tree, and that’s exactly why you’ve been able to survive until now.”
“Oh my goodness, oh my word!”
At the ensuing spectacle, Hestin couldn’t help but be impressed a little.
“Wow. What commendable skill.”
“……?”
On the other hand, Hildeon completely forgot what he was about to say, and his pupils were now shaking with bewilderment.
‘Just what is this…’
Everything started on this very day.
* * *
“Whoa.”
“Goodness, Milady. With how amazed you are, it’s like you’ve never gone outside before.”
Jane commented, watching me as I admired the scenery outside the carriage window. She was sitting opposite me with a smile.
‘It really is my first time though.’
I smiled awkwardly and tore my eyes away from the carriage window.
“Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I last went out. I’m a little excited.”
Rewind a little, to the day of my second class.
I received the ‘donation permit’ written by the high priest himself. Teacher Victor delivered it to me personally.
‘Now that I already have that document, getting it approved by the imperial court will be a piece of cake and the fountain will be installed in no time.’
After accomplishing the first task, I now need to set off for the second task.
I need to raise some funds for the fountain’s installation, as well as to establish an emergency fund.
First priority was the money to build the fountain.
However, my allowance already got cut off, and Roella wasn’t nearly the type of person who saved up money.
So in the end, I decided to raise the money by selling off the jewelry, just as I had originally planned.