#Chapter 87
—
Arthur tilted his head as he looked at the woman who had introduced herself as **Shuga Highbin**.
‘Is this woman really Balans’ daughter?’
He didn’t want to hold prejudice about appearances, but the truth was, Balans barely resembled a human anymore.
Yet the Shuga Highbin standing before him was a beauty anyone would turn their head to see.
Arthur searched for even the faintest resemblance, but there was nothing at all in common between the father and daughter. As he glanced between the two, Willet muttered:
“The Crown Princess Consort… of the Prime Kingdom? Then you’re telling us to escort a member of the royal family?”
Balans smiled brightly.
“Why? Are you afraid?”
“…Since nothing good comes of getting entangled with royalty, yes, I’ll be honest. I’m afraid.”
“Ku-haha! The great \[Ghost], scared?”
Balans burst out laughing as though something were hilarious, then finally lowered his head.
“But Willet, think carefully. It’s true—nothing good comes of tangling with royalty. But if you manage to get *properly* entangled, there’s always a great reward.”
“……”
“The task is simple. Just escort my daughter to the Prime Kingdom’s capital, to Caun station. It’ll take no more than three days.”
Willet’s eyes narrowed.
“For something like that, couldn’t you send in forces from the Seven Lords?”
“Indeed. Normally, yes.”
“…?”
“But soon there will be a war with the pirates. I can’t spare any troops to send out.”
Willet’s eyes widened.
Bonnie, standing nearby, was no different.
‘…A war?’
‘The Seven Lords and the pirates… suddenly?’
As seasoned brokers, they didn’t show their agitation outwardly, but they couldn’t completely hide their inner astonishment either.
If what Balans had just said was true, it meant the two forces that split control of Arcane’s underworld were about to collide.
Whether he meant a minor conflict or full-scale war was unclear, but either way, the impact would be immense.
Balans sipped his tea with a slurp before continuing:
“There are other reasons as well. As the standoff with them has dragged on, rats have multiplied inside our own ranks.”
“……”
“At this point, I trust our own people less than the pirates. That’s why I left the running of this black market to goblins I bought in bulk.”
Willet collected himself enough to ask:
“With my shallow knowledge, I don’t quite understand. War… at this timing?”
Balans chuckled.
“Timing? They’ve been crossing the line for years.”
“……”
“We’ve tolerated them long enough. Now it’s time to talk not with words, but with blood.”
Willet fell silent.
Balans lifted a finger.
“Anyway, I digressed. Now you see why I went out of my way to hire brokers and mercenaries with such theatrics?”
“……”
“When war breaks out, the pirates will target Shuga first. After all, family of the enemy is the most valuable piece in war.”
Bonnie, who had been silent, nodded.
“I see… I understand the situation now. But, Lord Balans?”
“Speak.”
“For mercenaries and brokers to accept, there must be suitable compensation. May we hear what that is?”
At her question, Balans smiled brightly.
“Shall I make your lives the payment?”
“……?”
“A joke. Not funny, it seems. Hm… I haven’t thought of anything in particular. What do you want?”
Bonnie, hands nervously rubbing together, asked:
“Anything at all?”
“The black market is open right now… If you want something, I can get it. One request per mercenary.”
“…We could recruit other mercenaries for you instead.”
“No. The more this spreads, the worse. What I want is for you to take my daughter to the Prime Kingdom immediately.”
Bonnie stroked her chin.
‘He’s pretending to be convincing, but there are holes everywhere.’
Even if everything Balans said was true, there were too many inconsistencies.
Still, the answer was obvious.
‘If I refuse, we’ll be killed here. That’s why he’s pressing us like this…’
She glanced sideways at Kassel, who had been silent throughout, blinking blankly.
“Kassel.”
“…Why call me, Bonnie?”
“I’ll leave the decision to you.”
“My decision?”
“Yes. Will you accept this commission?”
Kassel rubbed his chin, then nodded.
“Hmm… With the client right before us, refusing wouldn’t be polite.”
“……”
“But I think we’ll need to negotiate the reward. Is that possible?”
At his question, Balans’ lips curled faintly.
“What do you want, young swordsman?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“…A person? Hm. That’s a difficult and delicate request.”
Balans stroked his chin, then asked:
“I can take the request, but it’ll take time. There’s a war brewing. Wouldn’t you prefer money or goods instead?”
“Then can I take one of the swords displayed in the exhibition?”
“That much I can grant. Take whichever you like.”
Kassel smiled in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Willet glanced at Arthur.
“And you? What will you do?”
“Me? Hm…”
Arthur rubbed his chin.
‘What should I do?’
The more he listened, the more entertaining this became.
The most amusing part was that most of what Balans said was a lie.
‘That woman Shuga really is his daughter… and the war with the pirates seems true. But the rest is all lies.’
Arthur could tell from the tone and expressions—the telltale signs of a liar—that leaked from Balans’ face.
‘Not like it’s a split personality either.’
After a moment’s thought, Arthur smirked.
He had time to spare, and this incident looked interesting.
And compensation from someone like Balans would surely be generous.
‘Hmm… Then what reward I ask for is important.’
His mind made up, Arthur asked:
“I’d like a top-grade spirit pill.”
“……?”
“Is that possible, Lord Balans?”
Balans blinked before answering.
“A top-grade spirit pill? Why would I have such a thing? You don’t actually believe that nonsense rumor we spread, do you?”
Arthur chuckled softly.
Definitely a lie.
He considered pressing further, but shook his head.
‘No need to stir things up right now.’
For now, it was enough to assume Balans might actually have one.
“Then money, please.”
“How much?”
“About… a thousand gold?”
Willet’s eyes flew wide.
Bonnie and Kassel too.
“Donn… Your joke goes too far.”
Because a thousand gold was the fee paid to *top-tier* mercenaries, the S-rank elites of the field.
Judging Arthur had overstepped, Willet tried to stop him—but Balans spoke first.
“Fine. A thousand gold.”
“……!”
“From your skills, you’re worth that much. Five hundred gold up front, and the other five hundred on completion.”
Willet’s jaw fell open.
“Y-you’re serious, Lord Balans?”
“I do enjoy jokes, but not lies in a setting like this.”
Willet shut his mouth.
Balans rose and turned to Arthur, Kassel, and his daughter.
“Time is short, so leave tonight. I’ll prepare tickets for Caun station.”
—
—
While Balans stepped out, Willet asked Balans:
“Are you really going through with this?”
“Pardon?”
“Are you accepting this commission?”
Arthur’s lips curled.
“Hmm… But were we ever free to refuse?”
“…What do you mean?”
“If I had refused, wouldn’t everyone here already be dead?”
Willet’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“…You thought that far ahead?”
“Eh! What’s with that look, Elder Willet?”
“No… I didn’t expect you to think so rationally.”
Arthur pouted.
“I always think rationally.”
Willet held his tongue, then stroked his chin thoughtfully, lowering his voice.
“This job feels wrong.”
“……”
“This whole situation might be a fabrication. Do you understand?”
Arthur nodded.
“You’re saying Balans is lying.”
“Exactly. Some truths are mixed in, but so are lies. So, what should you do?”
“…Complete the commission?”
“Half right.”
“And the other half?”
Willet pointed to Shuga.
“If it comes down to it, be ready to run—alone if you must.”
“……?”
“You don’t need to stick around out of loyalty. Mercenaries owe loyalty only when the commission itself is legitimate.”
Arthur rubbed his chin.
“Hm… Running away isn’t hard, but wouldn’t that anger Lord Balans?”
“I’ll handle that.”
“…You, Elder Willet?”
“That’s what brokers are for. You just focus on keeping yourself alive.”
Arthur grinned.
“Understood, Elder.”
When Balans returned, he carried three tickets.
“Tonight’s train. Everything’s ready.”
Arthur accepted them on behalf of the group.
“Does your daughter have luggage?”
“Already prepared.”
Shuga held up a small bag.
Arthur turned back to Balans.
“Could we get the advance payment now, Lord Balans?”
Balans slid him a card.
“Five hundred gold is in there. Another five hundred will be deposited once the job is done.”
Arthur smirked.
“Excellent. Then we’ll depart right away.”
“The sooner, the better.”
Arthur nodded and moved out, followed by Shuga and Kassel.
Watching them leave, Balans turned to find Willet’s sharp gaze fixed on him.
“…Why are you looking at me like that, Willet?”
Willet broke his silence.
“Isn’t it about time you told me the truth?”
“About what?”
“The real reason for this performance. As far as I know…”
His eyes gleamed.
“…You don’t have a daughter.”
Balans let out an amused exclamation.
“Oho. You’ve been digging into me, have you?”
“For a broker, knowing the ecology of the underworld is basic.”
“Hm… True. But I suppose I should explain to you.”
Balans’ lips curled.
“To put it simply—Shuga *is* my daughter.”
“……?”
“And the war with the pirates is real. To be precise, the war is centered *around Shuga*.”
Willet’s eyes shot wide.
“What are you… saying?”
“Shall I spell it out?”
Balans chuckled.
“The Seven Lords and the pirates. The cause of their war… is that girl. This whole show happened because of Shuga.”
—
