SWNOVELXO Chapter 93
“W-Why are there so many?”
Inside the village hall’s warehouse, it was filled with orbs. Orbs here, orbs there. Since the colors of the orbs couldn’t be distinguished at night, he had to re-enter during the day, but the village chief frequently came and went from the warehouse, which was a headache.
It seemed like every night, the village chief would collect the orbs brought by the villagers and pile them up inside the warehouse. According to the innkeeper, the warehouse seemed to be managed by the village chief alone.
“Dawn Wolves mercenary? Isn’t that a famous mercenary group from the capital?”
“You know your stuff, Chief. I’m Carlo, the assault captain of that mercenary group!”
“No wonder you looked familiar, a celebrity indeed. With the visit of the Silver Hawk Knights and now this, our village really feels famous. Hahaha!”
“It’s all thanks to you leading the village so well, Chief.”
“Haha, you sure know how to flatter!”
Carlo had no choice but to start by pretending to accidentally befriend the village chief. With his natural charisma, Carlo quickly became close to the chief. Seeing the attire of a cleaner in the inn’s corridor, he came up with a clever plan.
“So the orbs don’t function properly if not cleaned?”
“That’s right, Chief. But the cleaning method is top secret, only I know it. How about I help?”
“Thanks, but I need to know the method to so I can give you the right tools to do that.”
“Just give me the usual cleaning stuff. It’s more about the technique than the tools. But don’t watch me do it, or I won’t help again!”
“Alright, alright.”
That’s how he ended up here.
“In such a small village, it’s rare to see someone dripping with gold. Now I see why. Looking at the warehouse full of orbs, you must have sold off whatever was originally here for a tidy profit.”
As Carlo grumbled while rummaging through the mountain of orbs, the village chief’s voice came from outside.
“Carlo! Are you done with the cleaning?”
“
Ah
, Chief! Almost done!”
“Why not head out for dinner now? We can finish the rest tomorrow. You’ve worked hard today, so I’ll treat you to some beer and pork knuckles. A distinguished guest will join us.”
“Pork knuckles?
Ah,
alright. Sounds good.”
Carlo quickly straightened up and tidied the cleaning tools he had scattered around.
* * *
At the dinner, the village chief, Carlo, and Edward gathered together in the village’s oldest tavern.
“…You tasked him with cleaning?”
“Yes. He’s very capable and efficient!”
“I do my best.” Carlo chewed a mouthful of meat and nodded.
Edward eyed Carlo meaningfully, and Maxion quickly arranged a meeting with the chief. It was purely coincidental that Carlo was present, but since they were bound to meet him anyway, it was a welcome situation. However, meeting this man made Edward feel uneasy. Was there some unpleasant incident involving him in the forgotten future? Perhaps it was the aura of black magic emanating so blatantly from him.
“Have we met before?”
“That’s a classic line. No, we haven’t.” Carlo scratched his head.
But why did Edward sense his own mana from him? Precisely, traces of his magic remained on him. Regardless of the reason for the future him to have cast magic on this man, it didn’t seem to be for a good cause.
Watching Carlo, Edward spoke up. “Why would the assault captain of the Dawn Wolves mercenary, famous in the capital, come all the way here to accept a commission for cleaning orbs?”
Twitch
. At Edward’s question, Carlo rolled his eyes before slowly lifting his head. “Well… That is…”
“Being a mercenary means living off commissions, so I understand being busy. Our knight order is resting here, so we are in a leisurely state.”
“Well, that’s true. The knight order was resting,
huh
.” Carlo nodded thoughtlessly.
Edward continued with his usual smile, “I have a good idea.”
“A good idea?”
“If it’s about cleaning orbs, our knight order excels at it. Chief, as a token of appreciation for the conveniences you’ve offered us while we stayed in the village, we would like to help with that. Chief and I share a bond through the blessing, so trust is guaranteed, isn’t it?”
“Oh my, that would be an honor for our village to receive help from the Silver Hawk Knights!”
Carlo looked visibly panicked. “
Uh, uh
? That’s, that’s supposed to be a job only I can do because it requires important skills…”
“We have that skill on our side as well.”
“D-Do you really think so?” Carlo asked in disbelief.
“Do you think the Silver Hawk Knights would lack even such a skill?”
“No, but… that skill actually exists?”
“Of course. Your reaction is odd. It’s as if you made up something that doesn’t exist.”
Edward’s calm response made Carlo’s pupils shake.
“
Ah
… it’s real.” Scratching his head, Carlo added in surprise, “No, not really. That’s my job!”
“The entire village’s orbs are gathered there. It seems like too much for one person to handle.”
“The warehouse is too small for the entire order, so it’s right for me to do it!”
“We plan to only send in a select few, so it should be fine.”
Carlo glared sharply at Edward. Sparks flew invisibly between them.
“Then, I have a good idea!” The chief slapped his knee and spoke up, “I’d like you to help together. It’ll surely finish much quicker than if Carlo does it alone!”
“
Uh
…”
While Carlo hesitated, Edward quickly interjected, “Thank you for accepting the offer. Knowing we can repay the Chief’s kindness, even a little, lightens my heart.”
“Thank you. Everyone from the capital is so kind and wonderful.”
“
Uuuh
…”
Carlo looked at Edward with wide eyes as if he had been robbed, while Edward leisurely lifted his beer mug.
* * *
The next day, Edward and Carlo met again in the warehouse of the village hall. The elite members from the Silver Hawk Knights included Edward, Aiven, Maxion, and Luize.
Carlo whispered to the chief, “Chief, this is suspicious. He’s the grand duke. When does a grand duke personally clean? It’s unheard of.”
“As the order’s captain, I take the lead in our duties.”
“Truly, Your Excellency is exceptional. I have much to learn!” With Carlo clinging to him, the chief looked at Edward with admiration,
“Chief is also such a figure in this village. We have a lot in common.”
“Yes!”
“…” Carlo looked back and forth between the chief and Edward, utterly bewildered.
“Then, I’m counting on you! And thank you, Carlo!”
Creeeak- Bang.
As the door closed, Carlo threw the apron and the dry towel he was holding onto the floor.
“Why are you interfering with me! Even if you are the grand duke, it’s not good to hinder the Dawn Wolves mercenary’s tasks.”
“If you hadn’t been exuding the scent of black magic, I wouldn’t have interfered.”
Twitch.
“T-That’s because I’m not the one who used black magic… Also, does it smell? That’s strange.” Carlo sniffed around himself, smelling only his musty clothes and a faint sweat odor.
“It seems like you’re still carrying something related to black magic.”
“
Ah
, right. That’s true, but it’s not mine, it was given to me! How did you know?”
“If you can’t explain properly, as per the emperor’s command to settle the Empire’s turmoil, I will have no choice but to detain you. The Empire has officially declared war on black magic.”
Edward casually mentioned the emperor, knowing full well it was all his doing. After all, what he said about his mission on this expedition was true.
“
Ah
, right. I remember. I was there on the last day of the swordsmanship tournament.”
Carlo sat down exhaustedly on the floor. “
Sigh
, no choice then. I can’t be taken away like this, so I’ll explain everything.”
He revealed how he came to be here and what he was looking for.
“…So, this was given by the client. This magic stone will help find the black-tinted orb. It’s all because of the commission. I just did what I was told!”
“
Ah
, I see. Since this isn’t your fault, I’d like to overlook it. However, there’s a condition.”
“Yess! Thank you.”
Carlo sprang up, energized by Edward’s response, but Edward’s lips curled slightly.
“But there’s a condition.”