Read Novel Full Vol 24 Chapter 10
Vol 24 Chapter 10
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Chapter 10 – Gilmas’s Objectives
While we were busy hauling cargo, I received a summons from the port. When we arrived, the Gothenburg magistrate was lying there, beaten to a pulp, for some reason. After hearing the details from Felicia and Gilmas, I realized that the Magistrate had devised a petty scheme to make a quick profit. Then, Gilmas explained the harsh reality to the Magistrate. Which option will the Magistrate choose?
Hmm… The first option is to give Felicia, a slave, a humiliating apology. The second is death. The third option will most likely also result in death. Which one will he choose?
As I watched the Magistrate, who was on the verge of fainting from the horror of the choices, I thought about what I might do in that situation.
Well, I’d definitely choose the first option.
It’s a bit pathetic, but if apologizing saved my life, I wouldn’t hesitate, no matter how pitiful or embarrassing it felt. Because I’m scared.
Still, the idea of wholeheartedly apologizing to a beautiful woman feels like it might open a new door, and that’s a little scary, too.
What about the Magistrate?
He’s a minor official, but he seems very prideful. Maybe he won’t choose the first option. Nah, that’s unlikely. Few people can hold onto their pride when apologizing means they won’t die. I can’t imagine a magistrate, considered a minor official, having that kind of pride.
“Hey, what are you going to do?”
Gilmas pressed him further.
“I-I’ll choose the first option. I’ll apologize. I’ll apologize.”
He chose the apology. Well, obviously. I’m slightly relieved the obvious choice was picked, but I also feel a bit dissatisfied. If the Magistrate had come up with a fourth option, he would have started to feel like the protagonist.
Huh? Just an apology?”
For some reason, Gilmas seems antisocial, while the Magistrate looks timid.
“Of course, along with the apology, I’ll prepare a token of atonement. I promise to cooperate fully with the reconstruction efforts!”
Pressured further by Gilmas and the furious crowd closing in, he hastily adds more promises of atonement and cooperation.
“A token of apology, huh. It’d be nice to get something interesting, but if it’s unnecessary, I can donate it to Gothenburg.”
“All right then. I’ll guarantee your life as much as possible. That is, if Wataru-dono and Felicia-dono are willing to forgive you. If you don’t want to die, you’d better apologize sincerely.”
Ah, it’s spread over here.
Gilmas unties the ropes binding the Magistrate. Once freed, the Magistrate looks around nervously and realizes he is surrounded by Gilmas’s group of adventurers and an angry mob.
Realizing his predicament, the Magistrate staggers to his feet and approaches us. Had he not been surrounded, he probably would have tried to run.
“Um, I’m sorry.”
The Magistrate mutters to Felicia, looking thoroughly annoyed. In a way, that takes some guts. His life is on the line, after all.
“You think that’s an apology?!”
Before any of us can respond, Gilmas yells, and the surrounding crowd echoes his rage with shouts of abuse. The Magistrate is completely exposed to an air of hostility.
“…I truly apologize for this incident.”
“Why the hell are you just standing there talking?! That’s not an apology! How do you make the most sincere apology? Don’t underestimate us. We’ll skip the apology and start a rebellion!”
The Magistrate tried to offer a proper apology, but Gilmas interrupted him. He didn’t seem like the persistent type, so there must be a reason he was pressing the Magistrate so relentlessly.
Pressured by Gilmas’s voice, the Magistrate dropped to his knees on the ground.
“I am truly, deeply sorry!”
He got down on his knees.
…For some reason, seeing this second kneeling since the Second Prince’s made my inner judge stir. I shouldn’t possess such a meaningless thing as a judge’s spirit, yet I found myself comparing the two apologies.
Neither felt like a sincere apology from the heart. They were apologies made to save their own skins, so no genuine remorse could be felt.
In terms of eliciting pity, however, the Magistrate surpasses the Second Prince.
His battered and bruised appearance successfully evoked sympathy.
However, the Second Prince’s prostration offered greater catharsis. After all, the prostration of a prince—a being of the highest class—has an incomparably stronger impact on those around him.
In terms of the “serves you right” level, the Second Prince’s probably wins. This is quite a difficult call.
“Master?”
While judging the prostrations, Felicia called out to me with a troubled expression.
“Hm? Felicia, what is it? Oh, right. You don’t understand the words.”
I really shouldn’t pretend to judge prostrations. Felicia is diligent, so she should understand the apology. But she probably can’t grasp the situation because she hasn’t heard all the angry shouts or understood everything that’s happened so far.
“The Magistrate is apologizing. Since Felicia was disrespected, you should decide.”
After explaining the situation, I left the final decision to her.
“Understood. Then, if you pledge to devote your full efforts to rebuilding this land, I will forgive you.”
Even without the excuse of rebuilding, kindhearted Felicia would have likely forgiven him anyway. Still, getting a clear commitment to reconstruction was a good move.
“Now then, next is an apology to Wataru-dono, Felicia-dono’s master, whom you troubled.”
Gilmas pressed the Magistrate further. He was clearly trying to break the Magistrate’s spirit.
Since the Magistrate had already prostrated himself before Felicia, I didn’t mind, but if I were cooperating with Gilmas, accepting the apology wouldn’t hurt.
It feels like we’re pushing too hard and risking serious resentment, but I can always return to the Northern Continent if necessary. A little grudge is probably fine.
“I am truly, deeply sorry.”
The Magistrate prostrated himself before me once more.
“Well then. Felicia’s situation was unpleasant enough that I considered leaving. But I’ll accept your apology and see how things progress. Understand? If you don’t cooperate wholeheartedly, I’m leaving.”
Probably the right call, right? If I forgave him, he’d likely renege on his cooperation in a heartbeat.
“I will cooperate with all my sincerity.”
The word “sincerity” just doesn’t suit this Magistrate.
“Wataru-dono, I thank you for your generous consideration. Now then, Magistrate, we’re heading to the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Eh?”
Upon hearing the guild master’s words, the Magistrate looked puzzled, wondering why the guild. I felt the same way.
“Fortunately, the magic circle for the contract with the God of Commerce-sama was safely transferred to the Adventurers’ Guild. I want the Magistrate to demonstrate full cooperation through a contract. You wouldn’t refuse, would you?”
Ah, so that’s why he was pressuring the Magistrate—to secure the contract with the God of Commerce-sama. After apologizing profusely and promising cooperation, he can’t back out now. Refusal would mean certain mob justice. He’ll likely sign the contract and work hard for the reconstruction.
Perhaps Gilmas attempted to break his spirit because the contract necessitates consent, or rather, understanding.
The God of Commerce-sama seems strict about contracts, so there must be certain restrictions. Forcing a contract through violence or coercion is something the God of Commerce-sama would likely despise.
He’s not the type to break the rules, even if doing so hinders reconstruction or destroys the business network.
This contract with the Magistrate seems risky, but the guild master seems unconcerned. Still, it feels like he’s pushing the absolute limit.
Somehow, I feel like they’re taking advantage of the God of Commerce-sama. Maybe I should ask him for more details later. The situation is worse than I expected.
Come to think of it, I promised to follow up on the business network, but the reward was vague. I should make sure to confirm that properly, too.
“…”
While I was deciding whether to talk to the God of Commerce-sama, the Magistrate remained silent, unable to respond. He clearly dislikes the contract. He really is untrustworthy.
As the silence dragged on, however, the killing intent in the air intensified. Unable to endure it, the Magistrate finally gave in with a small nod.
“Wataru-dono, would you like to join the contract negotiations?”
“Huh? Ah, I’ll pass.”
I reflexively declined, but maybe I should have agreed to attend.
“I see. I truly apologize for this whole affair.”
While I was pondering this, Gilmas apologized again. When I told him it was fine, he grabbed the Magistrate by the scruff of his neck and started walking. The crowd surrounding us followed along, so escape would be impossible for the Magistrate.
Lynching or contract? My condolences.
“Wataru, what happened in the end?”
Alessia-san asked me after Gilmas and the others left. It’s no wonder she couldn’t fully grasp the situation without understanding the language. But if you asked me if I could explain the situation well, I wouldn’t be entirely confident.
I’ll try my best to explain, though.
“…I see. Being able to bind troublesome people with contracts is a big advantage.”
I nodded in agreement with Alessia-san’s words.
She was absolutely right. But something felt off. In situations like this, an Otherworlder would usually shine, but maybe that isn’t really my style.
I’m just glad the problem resolved itself while I wasn’t paying attention. Dealing with the business network alone is tough enough; a moralistic event punishing the Magistrate would be way beyond my capacity.
All right, it’s time to head back and resume transporting the cargo. There are still quite a few people at the port, so the dismantling work won’t be delayed.
＊＊＊
“All right, let’s get started! Save the big ones for later. Take out the small fry first! Wataru, be careful; the little ones sink easily!”
“””””””Roger that!”””””””
Following Alessia-san’s command, we set out to hunt and collect the sea monsters that had been gathered. We’re doing this to fill the bellies of those waiting at the port.
In other words, we’re running low on monster supplies. However, we haven’t released the big ones, like sea serpents, yet.
After discussing with Alessia-san and the guild master, we decided that releasing big monsters in the current situation would cause many problems, so we headed out to sea to catch the smaller ones.
Claretta-san and Rimu were the exceptions; they went for treatment.
After we cornered the petty magistrate for several days, rumors spread like wildfire. People gathered in astonishing numbers—where had they all come from? Injured people showed up, too.
Consequently, the port and church became completely overwhelmed. The injured were allowed to use the magistrate’s large but dilapidated mansion. Claretta-san and the others are currently operating from there.
Incidentally, no one has seen the magistrate since then. I think he’s probably still alive. Probably…
As for the overloaded dismantling sites, many places are in shambles, so makeshift open-air dismantling sites are popping up all over town in easily accessible locations.
According to Donatella-san, once things calm down, they might expand into business ventures. This could be the final push.
However, “final push” doesn’t quite fit the current situation. We still have to work hard, but things will get easier.
“Wataru, hurry up and collect them!”
“Got it!”
That’s why I’ll keep working hard to collect monsters. After the magistrate’s issue, I asked the God of Commerce-sama a question and received a reward, so I’m feeling motivated!
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