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Chapter : 56 – Movements (3)
Ian’s regrets, yes.
And also… in preparation for a possible battle with the Lord of the Abyss.
Serapia’s medicine…
I was gathering my thoughts when—
“Then I’ll continue to investigate this man named ‘Ian,’ and if I find any distinctive information, I’ll contact you right away.”
It was Adellun’s voice.
He had a knack for picking things up without being told—quick-witted indeed.
“Also, could you gather the medicinal ingredients I’m about to name?”
“Ah, yes! Just a moment, please!”
Adellun swiftly pulled a notepad from under the counter, ready to write.
I recalled, one by one, the ingredients I had identified through Predator’s Instinct [S] that could improve Serapia’s condition.
“Flame Heart, Sun Herb, Magma Heat Pillar, Dawn’s Flame.”
Even the names sounded ominous.
“Uh…”
Adellun’s expression grew serious as he wrote.
“These won’t come cheap.”
“How much?”
“At the very least…”
He dragged out his words as if calculating.
“About twenty thousand gold per ingredient.”
A damn ridiculous amount.
But I had more or less expected that price—and it wasn’t a problem for me right now.
I took out 100 platinum coins—100,000 gold—from my inventory and set them on the counter.
“Whoa?!”
Adellun flinched in shock—not at the sight of my inventory, but at the mountain of gold.
His wide eyes were fixed on the money.
Typical merchant—more impressed by the gold than by spatial magic.
A faint awe entered his gaze.
“Can you get them?”
“M-may I ask… what you intend to use them for?”
“Is it hard to obtain?”
“A little. It might take quite some time.”
Apparently, even with enough money, you couldn’t just get them instantly.
That was precisely why I was entrusting this to him—I didn’t have the time to go hunting for them myself.
“Is it urgent?”
“It’s for treating my younger sister.”
Adellun’s eyes went wide—not because I had a sister, but because he hadn’t known she was ill.
The infamous wastrel of the Count’s family in Frece—that was me. Naturally, he knew of Serapia’s existence.
But her illness was another matter entirely.
After a brief, thoughtful silence—
“Leave it to me!”
He puffed out his chest.
“I’ll scour the entire continent and get them as fast as possible!”
“I’ll pay you a generous fee—”
“No! No fee! Absolutely not!”
“You’d be taking time away from your business.”
Especially in the middle of peak sales.
“Pah! After all the revenue you’ve brought in, that’s nothing!”
Of course it wasn’t “nothing.”
But he clearly didn’t care.
“If you tell me her symptoms, I’ll even bribe the best alchemist I know to prepare the finished medicine for you!”
…That much?
“So please, don’t worry about a thing and just focus on your work!”
He pounded his chest in earnest.
I could see his ulterior motives, but it didn’t bother me.
Frece was, without a doubt, firmly on my side.
And since he was volunteering, there was no reason to refuse.
I pulled out an additional 10 platinum coins—10,000 gold—and placed them on the counter.
“Here’s more than enough for the commission. Use whatever’s left as you see fit.”
“Th-this much…?”
His eyes widened. Ten thousand gold wasn’t the kind of sum you casually handed over.
But after selling Rex meat for 5,000 gold per 100g, I’d made an enormous profit.
Adellun swallowed hard, then—
“From this day forth, I, Adellun, shall serve you with my life!!!”
He bowed at a sharp ninety degrees.
◆ Adellun’s favor toward you has greatly increased!
◆ Adellun’s favor has reached [Close] status!
[Close] – The person shows basic goodwill toward you, prioritizes your needs over their own, and treats you with consideration. However, constant attention is still required, and the bond can weaken if neglected.
His affection had jumped to [Close] in an instant.
Who says money can’t buy friendship? Hand over enough gold and watch the affection skyrocket.
“Keep it up, then. I’ll be going.”
“Yes, sir! Take care! And call for me anytime you need me! I’ll drop everything and come running!”
Even after I left, Adellun remained bowed until I was out of sight.
The cost of Serapia’s medicine and the commission fee…
My expenses had overshot expectations.
I now had—
About 3,000 gold left.
Basically, I was broke.
Not nearly enough to fund and operate an allied army.
Above all—
The Dark Merchant Guild…
I didn’t have the capital to challenge them.
They’re moving faster than I expected.
Which meant the Emperor was acting quickly.
The Dark Merchant Guild was deeply entrenched in the politics and economies of various kingdoms.
They had political patrons and noble allies, operating from behind the curtain.
Even the armies of kingdoms were mere puppets to them.
But—
Not yet.
The Emperor wouldn’t begin his full-scale activities for another ten years—when all preparations to devour the continent were complete.
They might be moving quickly now, but that didn’t mean they were ready.
They were only just beginning the groundwork.
I have to stop them before they solidify their influence.
If I moved now, I could disrupt their plans before they gained total control over the kingdoms.
This was another reason I’d founded the Predator Merchant Guild—
Not just to find Ian, but to create an organization capable of exerting influence across the continent.
And for that, I needed capital.
Three thousand gold wasn’t going to cut it.
Luckily, outside the restaurant, a line of customers stretched like a snake.
The moment they saw me—
“He’s here!! The Predator Guildmaster!!”
“Where—oh, it’s really him!”
“Please! I’ll pay double for Rex meat! The Marquis said he’ll kill me if I come back empty-handed!”
“Hey! Can’t you see there’s a line?!”
“And you think my life isn’t on the line too?!”
Earning money from nobles—well, that wouldn’t be a problem.
Across the continent, countless kingdoms dotted the land.
Typically, a kingdom meant a state ruled by the absolute power of a monarch.
Most followed this system.
But there was one exception—
A nation where divine authority and royal power were intertwined, ruling according to the will of God, with religious doctrine as the law and social code.
The Holy Kingdom of Cordelia.
Beneath the vast, high ceilings of the Papal Basilica, hundreds of candles flickered, casting a dim, sacred light.
A great many believers had gathered below.
As solemn hymns filled the air—
“Beloved brothers and sisters.”
A clear, crystalline voice resonated gently.
“Today, we gather before God to cleanse our hearts under His grace, and to pray for mercy upon those who suffer.”
Her voice echoed against the marble walls, like the voice of heaven itself.
At the central altar stood a dignified woman.
Her pure white vestments shimmered faintly; her platinum-blond hair caught the candlelight like silk.
Her lips were soft as roses, tinted with tulip pink.
Her fair, ivory skin shone with the purity of lilies in morning sunlight.
Long lashes softened her eyes, but rather than adding liveliness, they heightened her unearthly beauty.
“Guide us away from sin and onto the path of renewal.”
Wherever her gaze fell, sanctity seemed to follow, filling hearts with reverence.
Her expression was calm and serene.
Her eyes held deep compassion, as if embracing all the world’s sorrows.
“Bring food to the hungry, comfort to the grieving, and healing to the sick, that they may find peace in Your mercy.”
The congregation bowed their heads in unison, listening intently to her every word, hands clasped in prayer.
It was a majestic sight, as if they were all part of a single soul.
“Hear today’s message—the teaching our Lord has left for us.”
At that moment, she was no mere human—she was the messenger and representative of God.
“Do not see another’s success as your own failure. Jealousy is not shameful, but do not drag others down—use it as the drive to pass through the narrow gate.”
Her clear eyes shone with unshakable faith and devotion.
When she lifted the Holy Grail to begin the blessing ritual, the choir once more raised their voices in praise.
The faithful joined in, singing until the ceremony ended.
The woman descended slowly from the altar.
Her name was Isolde Cordelia—Princess of the Holy Kingdom of Cordelia and the 213th Saintess.
After leaving the altar, she quietly exited the basilica.
While hymns still echoed within, she walked along the basilica’s corridors.
A priest hurried after her.
“Your Highness, troubling rumors have been circulating within the kingdom.”
“Rumors?”
“Word has it that monster meat is becoming popular among the people.”
Isolde stopped in her tracks.
