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Chapter 31.1: ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? (?)
Chapter 31.1: ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? (?)
Chapter 31.1: ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? (?)
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“What are you two doing?”
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“Ah. Iaon branch manager. Long time no see.”
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“Is this person the branch manager? Nice to meet you.”
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When Suetlg and Johan greeted, Iaon nodded with a bewildered expression. At a glance, they seemed to be playing Go. The situation was. . .
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‘?? ??????-??? ????????’
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At first glance, Suetlg was clearly losing badly. Iaon was even more perplexed. After all, Suetlg was an expert who had even won against a Go player under the Sultan.
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“Since the branch manager is here, let’s stop here. It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.”
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With those words, Suetlg swept his hand across the board. Johan looked at Suetlg as if he couldn’t believe it. Suetlg avoided eye contact and then walked away first.
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“Is he always like this?”
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“No, not usually. But, did you know each other from before?”
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“This is our first meeting today.”
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Iaon slightly revised his opinion of Johan.
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Seeing how well he got along with Suetlg, this go player seemed to be quite an eccentric character as well.
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??????
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“You can speak first, Suetlg.”
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“Thank you. Since you’ve been gracious, allow me to explain the reason I came. . .I have heard of recent disturbances in the southeast.”
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“?”
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“Johan looked puzzled. Disturbances in the southeast?”
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Suetlg kindly explained what Johan seemed unaware of.
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Recently, mercenaries have been pouring in from various places, and they have formed a rogue band. Their numbers have grown to over a hundred, and they’ve become a nightmare in the nearby forest. Travelers and merchants in the vicinity prefer to take detours.
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Naturally, Marcel City couldn’t just stand by and watch. The magistrate and the City Council unanimously decided to launch an expedition, and a mercenary group was hired with the city’s gold.
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With over five hundred mercenaries going into the forest for the expedition, it might take some time, but they will soon bring an end to it.
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Everyone in the city thought that way.
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“It seems the expedition might fail.”
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“. . .?!”
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Iaon was surprised, but he didn’t dismiss Suetlg’s words casually. Suetlg was a philosopher(sage) closely associated with the Katana Merchant Guild’s owner. If he said something like that, it had meaning.
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“Why do you say that?”
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“The river and water have shown me the future.”
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‘??? ???????? ???? ???? ? ????????? ???????????. . .’
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Johan found it bewildering. If he were the commander and a wizard came and said, ‘??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ??????, ??? ??’? ???,’ he would have probably said, ‘???????? ???? ?????? ??? ???!’
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Shouldn’t he provide a more plausible reason?
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But that alone was enough.
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Unlike Johan, people took magic and superstition much more seriously.
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“I see. In that case, we should prepare.”
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“?!”
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“That’s why I came here. It’s a good thing.”
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“No. Can it really be done with that?”
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“Thank you for the visit. Do you happen to know why this is happening?”
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“I haven’t seen that part.”
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“Understood.”
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Suetlg immediately stood up from his seat. It seemed like he was about to leave. Iaon cautiously said,
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“If you don’t mind, please stay a little longer.”
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“It’s fine. The accommodations here are quite uncomfortable.”
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There was no way the Guild would provide Suetlg, a wizard like him, with a shabby inn. Even though they were fit for nobles, the reaction wasn’t due to the quality of the accommodations; it was clearly because of Suetlg’s personality.
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Iaon’s mind flashed for a moment. With the wit of a skilled merchant, he opened his mouth.
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“Since it seems like you’re looking for a suitable opponent, wouldn’t it be better to stay here a little longer?”
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“. . . . . .”
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Suetlg looked hesitant. To be honest, calling him a ‘?????? ????????’ would be a bit of a stretch of conscience. . .
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But it was true that the idea was tempting. Where else could one find such a rival?
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Iaon looked at Johan and gave a pleading look. It was a request for help.
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He had already learned and felt that helping a merchant meant receiving help in return. There was no reason to refuse.
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“Why don’t we stay a bit longer?”
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“. . .Alright. If you say so.”
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Suetlg seemed to regret his words immediately, his expression a complex mix of emotions. Still, he didn’t seem to have any intention of taking his words back, as he was the first to stand up and leave. Left alone, Iaon said with a brightened face,
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“Thank you, Sir Johan.”
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“It was nothing. I also enjoy matching wits with a worthy opponent.”
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“I appreciate your words even more then. If it’s alright with you, could you stay not at the inn where you are currently staying, but at the mansion where Suetlg resides?”
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Johan smiled contentedly. What a profitable turn of events.
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“I shall do so.”
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“Thank you very much.”
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“May I ask you something?”
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“Please do.”
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“Since Suetlg has already made his prophecy and left, why do we need to keep him here any longer?”
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“Ah. . .”
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Iaon smiled bitterly. It seemed the knight was not familiar with such matters.
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“Suetlg’s prophecies do not come easily. No matter how much we plead, he does not readily comply. Magic is not something to be used frivolously, after all.”
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“. . .?”
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Johan was puzzled. Then what was the meaning of the prophecy Suetlg had given earlier?
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Was it a favor?