Chapter 15: The Epicenter of the Commotion
In the middle of the dining hall, the president of the Hoen Trading Company was desperately bowing down to me in a manner akin to a dogeza, prompting the manager to rush over. The surrounding patrons, of various ranks and statuses, were enjoying their meals and drinks, making us the center of attention.
“Manager, if there’s an empty room available, I’d like to borrow it.”
“We have a reception room for business discussions. Please make use of it.”
Guided by the manager, I headed toward the reception room. The president of Hoen, sweating profusely, followed like a cow being led to the slaughter. In this city, the Hoen Trading Company held a certain status, notorious reputation included. Yet here he was, desperately apologizing to a mere child, seemingly oblivious to the piercing gazes of curiosity around us.
Once inside the reception room, I faced the president and asked why he was suddenly apologizing.
“What do you want with a filthy little brat like me? Also, I don’t recall introducing myself to you.”
“I apologize. It was all due to my lack of proper training for my employees.”
“Wait, I’m just a kid planning to become an Adventurer. Most of my time is spent in the fields gathering Medicinal Herbs, and to protect myself, I keep my senses sharp. My hearing is quite good, you know. I heard you shout from behind your employees when I visited your shop before, saying, ‘Don’t let that filthy little brat into the store.’ Are you firing your employees, who were just following your orders, without any fault of their own? That’s quite unreasonable.”
As I delivered my biting sarcasm, I noticed Kaito, dressed in fine clothing, looking completely at ease. The few outfits tailored for him when he visited the Viscount’s residence were of high quality, but in Japan, such clothing would be considered off-the-rack, so he didn’t seem out of place in them.
However, Hoen was oblivious to this fact. He finally realized that he had made a grave mistake, acknowledging that he had been blind to the situation. Here, without any tricks, he had to admit his blunder and resorted to his usual quick method of appeasement.
“I have committed numerous offenses against you, Kaito. I feel deeply remorseful, and as an apology, I have brought you a top-class Magic Pouch and 300 gold coins. If you would be so kind as to forgive me, I can provide an additional 200 coins immediately. This is the best apology I can offer. Will you grant me your forgiveness?”
“Why are you offering such valuable gifts to a kid like me?”
“If I cannot earn your forgiveness, I will be unable to conduct business in the Hamawar territory. If I am banned from one territory, it means I cannot do business anywhere in the Nagayarl Kingdom. Please, I beg for your generous heart to forgive me.”
Wow, it seems the Viscount really put the pressure on him. He must have some leverage. If I don’t forgive him, the Viscount won’t either, which means if I do forgive him… it’s like raising the curtain on Act Two. Nobility can be quite frightening.
“Fine, I won’t destroy your shop. I’ll forgive you. Make sure to apologize to Hyalda and Fiene as well, and let the Viscount know about it.”
“Thank you very much! I will never forget this kindness. I will have the 200 gold coins delivered to my family immediately. I will go to the Viscount’s residence to apologize to Lady Hyalda and Lady Fiene.”
As I watched the president of Hoen leave the reception room, I thought to myself, “It’s all up to you now, Viscount Hamawar,” and sent him off with a wicked grin. The rest was none of my concern.
As I sighed and sipped my newly served tea, I heard my name being called once more. Not wanting to deal with it, I pretended to be absorbed in my tea when the manager led a man carrying a small package into the room. This guy was in for quite the trouble.
“Kaito-sama, I have brought you a gift of apology from President Hoen.”
What he presented was another Magic Pouch, similar to the one I had just received, though the design was a bit simpler. When I looked at him questioningly, he explained it was a rank 10 pouch and urged me to accept it. I checked inside and found two leather bags. I lost interest in inspecting them and simply nodded. The man bowed deeply and exited the hotel.
After putting the leather bags back into the Magic Pouch, I tossed the pouch onto the table and leaned back in my chair with a sigh. At times like this, I wished I could enjoy a glass of whiskey and sleep, but I wondered if such a thing existed in this world. Suddenly, I had two Magic Pouches and 500 gold coins. It was almost laughable.
After receiving forgiveness from Kaito, President Hoen visited the Viscount’s residence to report and apologize to Hyalda and Fiene. Guided by the butler, he was led to the office, but Viscount Hamawar was not present. Shortly after, the Viscount appeared, accompanied by Orlan and four Knights, and plopped down heavily into the chair behind his desk. With the Knights standing flanking and behind him, an unusual atmosphere caused Hoen’s complexion to change.
“Hoen, did you gain Kaito’s forgiveness?”
“Yes, I am deeply grateful for Kaito-sama’s generous heart.”
“Then that matter is settled. However, Hoen, there are some unsavory rumors about you.”
As he said this, he slammed a stack of documents onto the desk, flipping through them while muttering, “Hmm, oh… quite interesting,” and glared at Hoen.
The documents were reports concerning the city’s operations, unrelated to Hoen, making it clear that the Viscount was putting on a show.
“Hoen, there are numerous allegations against you, including kidnapping, assault, and murder. Do you have any recollection of these?”
“Viscount, who would dare to say such nonsense? I swear by heaven and earth, I have done nothing wrong!”
“I see. Then you have no need to worry; take your time. Right now, Hyalda and the Knights are conducting a token search of your main and branch stores to prove your innocence. They should be arriving at your shop soon. I believe they will be interrogating your employees and those bodyguards you usually carry around.”
Realizing he had been set up and frantically searching for an escape route, Hoen’s hope was crushed by the Viscount’s words.
“The person I sent to your shop has informed me of many things. Take him away! Strip him of everything and check thoroughly for any Magic Pouches or the like before tossing him into a cell.”
At the Viscount’s command, Hoen crumbled, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
Led by Hyalda, a team stormed into the Hoen Trading Company, detaining all employees and beginning their search. A separate unit raided the branch offices and hideouts of the bodyguards, securing their captures.
The guards also invaded the homes and shops of those close to Hoen, commencing their searches. Many individuals were rescued from hidden rooms and basements, while all involved were detained, and families and employees were placed under house arrest. Shops and homes associated with the underworld were similarly searched.
The City of Egdra was in an uproar throughout the night, but by morning, it began to regain its composure. However, strict inspections were taking place at the city entrances, and any suspicious individuals were mercilessly taken in for questioning.
At the hotel where Kaito was staying, whispers of the commotion circulated quietly. Kaito, thought to be the source of the turmoil, was kept at a distance, but as usual, he was alone. He rarely spent time at the hotel, and when he did, he was often seen dining quietly in fine clothing, with no acquaintances around. The staff, including the manager, were well aware of their connection to the Hamawar family and maintained a facade of calm.
Though Kaito found himself in the eye of the storm, he remained in a vacuum, unaware of the unfolding events, which didn’t bother him in the slightest. Ten days passed without any word from the Viscount’s residence, and he contemplated leaving the city for four or five days, intending to inform the hotel of his absence in his Adventurer attire.
Just then, a messenger from the Viscount’s residence appeared, requesting his presence at the estate. The hotel guests watched curiously as Kaito, dressed in a different Adventurer style, left. The carriage waiting for him bore the Viscount’s crest.
Upon being greeted by the butler, Eforl, Kaito was led directly to the Viscount’s office, where the Viscount and Hyalda awaited him.
“Viscount Hamawar, here.”
As I sat on the sofa, I presented the two Magic Pouches to the Viscount.
“What’s this about?”
“They are what I extracted from Hoen. A portion of his wealth.”
“Ah, that’s just a fee for your trouble. Keep it.”
“Um, this contains five leather bags totaling 50 million daras, along with a class 12 and a class 10 Magic Pouch.”
“Kaito, what did Hoen say when he handed these to you?”
“…Ah, I see.”
“I can’t just take back what I gave to Kaito as an apology. This happened before Hoen’s capture, so make sure to register as a user of the Magic Pouch.”
“Then I won’t hold back. Please teach me how to register later.”
As she watched me store things in Spatial Storage, Hyalda muttered with a disgruntled expression, “I’ve taken dozens of times more than that.”
“You seem quite exhausted.”
“When Kaito is involved, everything is thrown out of the realm of common sense.”
“I had to teach Kaito a certain amount since he provided the lead. We captured Hoen and searched the main and branch offices of the Hoen Trading Company, as well as various trading companies and shops that were close to Hoen. This was carried out immediately after Hoen’s capture, including stores and dens where those claiming to be guards were gathered.”
The Viscount continued, flipping through documents.
“We captured and searched six Hoen Trading Company stores within the territory, eight affiliated trading companies, and five brothels. From all those shops and establishments, we know of dozens who were captured and sold as slaves, as well as those forced to work as prostitutes. The number of those believed to have been killed is even higher. The confiscated valuables from Hoen alone amounted to 430 bags of gold coins and numerous Magic Pouches. This is just from the main office of the Hoen Trading Company; including the shares from other companies and stores, the total becomes terrifying.”