Chapter 72

Ganesha (2)

[Ah, it’s an honor to meet you like this, even if the method wasn’t the most ideal.]

At the sound of that voice coming from somewhere, I frowned and abruptly bowed my head toward Helmut.

With a rough motion, I ripped something out from inside his clothes.

I found a machine no bigger than a finger joint, and with a sigh, I set it down on the table.

"...A bugging device? That's pretty old-fashioned."

Just like with Duke Aslan before, this guy too. Why were all the people who tried to approach me so shady?

However, if there was one difference between this one and the Duke, it was that—befitting someone from the underworld—this one had access to some bizarre tools.

[Ah, it’s not just a simple bug.]

With those words,

a slit opened at the center of the device, and a translucent blue hologram was projected upward.

The figure that appeared was a young man wearing a silk hat and a monocle.

“It’s a comprehensive video device made from the finest magical stones. A prototype recently commissioned by the Mage Kingdom. Quite useful, wouldn’t you say?”

“……”

I was so dumbfounded I didn’t even know what to say.

Seriously?

A hologram?

This world barely maintains early-modern technology, and this guy’s pulling out something from a completely different genre...

“So, what is this? I don’t really enjoy being tested without my consent.”

Still, that’s that. I had to call it out. When I said that,

“Apologies for testing you without permission, Mr. Aiden. I sincerely apologize.”

Surprisingly, he apologized straightforwardly.

Taking off his hat and bowing politely, sincerity radiated from his gesture.

“I just wanted to see with my own eyes. Everyone knows about the Lionhearted, but rumors about her husband have only just started spreading.”

“Was I really that famous?”

I asked in disbelief, and Ganesha responded with a smile.

“Most of what that man I sent told you was a lie, but one thing was true.”

Ganesha’s eyes sparkled as he continued.

“You are currently the hottest topic on the entire continent, Mr. Aiden.”

“……”

“His Majesty the Emperor is desperately trying to control the information because he doesn’t want to lose you, but if everything could be perfectly blocked, information brokers wouldn’t exist. Those who need to know already do.”

Well, that explains why someone like Duke Aslan had approached me first without hesitation.

“I’ve already confirmed how strong-willed you are, but I haven’t yet confirmed your political savvy. If you’re not quick-witted, that’s a problem in its own right.”

After listening to all that, I stared at Ganesha’s projection and responded.

“What’s your evaluation?”

“Perfect score. That phony standing there may look like a joke, but he’s actually got quite the career as a con artist. And yet, you shut him down with pure skill, didn’t you?”

“I don’t think being better at fraud is something to be proud of.”

“Well, if he says it was a way to feed his family, I, at least, can be understanding about it. Others might not, though.”

“……”

“Isn’t that how you thought back then, too? You honed your skills because you had no other way to survive.”

I narrowed my eyes, watching the cheerful expression on Ganesha’s face.

…This guy.

“You speak as if you know a lot about me.”

“Just a hunch. A hunch.”

Hunch, my ass.

It was obvious he’d dug up every last detail of my past.

Well then, it’s only fair to return the favor.

I met Ganesha’s eyes directly and opened my mouth.

“Then I guess I can be understanding about you too.”

“Sorry?”

“I mean, you going around killing people… you’re not doing it with bad intentions, are you?”

“……”

“It’s nothing. Just a feeling I have.”

The corner of Ganesha’s lips twisted slightly.

As far as I knew, the title this man wore—Merchant of Death, a titan of the underworld—was just a disguise.

Sure, his ability to manage money was real, but what he did with that money—he surely believed it was his real duty.

Leader of the covert group ‘Dark Moon.’

A sort of shadowy commander.

The issue was, this wasn’t just any covert group.

‘...They’re ancient, incredibly strong, and, of all things, care about justice.’

A group that chose to kill evildoers as a means to correct a world gone wrong. Ganesha was the current leader of the organization.

To be fair, no matter how you sliced it, killing people from the shadows wasn’t something I could exactly approve of. But at least they weren’t indiscriminate butchers.

In fact, his original role…

In the game, if the protagonist committed too many evil deeds, Ganesha would be considered the enemy of peace across the continent and come to execute him—an ‘Executioner’ type NPC.

“Aiden.”

And with that,

“From here on, what I’m about to say needs to be kept between just the two of us.”

As a crackling noise burst from the device, Helmut—who had been blankly listening in on our conversation—suddenly collapsed onto the floor.

He must’ve gotten hit with some kind of invisible electric shock.

“…Didn’t you say this was a video device?”

“I figured I’d test out a few extra features. All great inventions come from experimentation, after all.”

“……”

This guy's ability to slide through conversations so smoothly was almost on par with mine.

Definitely gave off the feeling of a formidable opponent...

“Your intel is beyond what I expected. I didn’t think you’d know even what we’ve been up to.”

“That’s exactly why I’m more curious.”

With a sigh, I ran a hand through my hair.

“So why go so far as to test me and show interest in the first place?”

To be honest,

I had a rough idea.

If someone like the head of a shadowy organization was approaching me with goodwill and curiosity—going so far as to test my character and capabilities—then it was obvious.

“A scout offer, huh?”

Something like asking me to join their organization, or at least work together.

Even if they had favorable feelings toward me, there’s no way they’d suddenly offer me some sweet deal without expecting anything in return. They were weighing pros and cons on their end too, obviously.

Unfortunately for them, I had no intention of accepting.

Sure, being tied to such a powerful group was appealing. But the moment I got bound to them with any kind of force, my freedom of movement would be restricted. And for someone like me, who needed to stay flexible to deal with the main scenario, that was an unacceptable condition.

Still,

“I can maintain a good relationship.”

Keeping things strictly at a ‘cooperative’ level and slowly building goodwill over time—that much was totally doable.

What I hoped to ‘get’ from this side right now was exactly that.

“...Aiden.”

Ganesha spoke again, still in his usual cheerful tone.

Although his voice was bright, the weight behind it was clearly heavier now than before.

Of course, I was already preparing myself to turn down whatever offer he was about to make—

“I’d like to sponsor you from this point forward. Would that be alright?”

“…?”

Wait.

What?

“Sorry?”

“Sponsorship, I mean. If there’s anything you want, just say it. Whatever’s within reach, I’ll provide it. People from our organization, items, anything you need.”

…Hold on.

“What’s this all of a sudden…?”

“It’s not all of a sudden. The whole point of testing you was to see if you deserved something like this in the first place.”

“……”

“We were the ones being rude, so at the very least, we should offer you that much.”

“…Is there a reason?”

Because really,

Everything in this world is give and take. If they’re giving me something, they must expect something from me in return.

So if he was suddenly offering sponsorship, then surely he wanted me to do something for them—

“Well, I just want you to grow stronger.”

“……”

“In any way you like. Keep developing, and prove to me that my investment wasn’t a waste.”

“……”

“Well, it would be nice if you helped us out with our affairs later… but I can’t force you. For now, I’d just like you to accept it at that level.”

“No, I mean why would you do something like that—”

“Just because I like you personally. I think someone like Aiden Kellermain ought to become someone great.”

“……”

“Is that a bad enough reason?”

Maybe I was just looking at the world too cynically.

-System Message

▶ The organization ‘Dark Moon’ has been added as a friendly faction for you.

▶ You can request manpower support from ‘Dark Moon’.

▶ You can request desired items from ‘Ganesha’.

▶ This is a group with influence large enough to cause changes within the scenario.

▶ It will positively affect the progress of Chapter 3, ‘Imperial Capital Fracture’!

I was still stunned, but everything Ganesha had said from A to Z had to be true.

Otherwise the system wouldn’t have confirmed it like this.

‘…Something.’

I felt like there was still a reason hidden that I didn’t know.

It was true that he liked me, but the suddenness and intensity of his goodwill left me a little uneasy.

‘I’ll look into it later.’

There was no way to find out right now, and besides, the sincerity he showed was certainly genuine.

“Is this the star metal?”

The next day after meeting Ganesha, Noel Astrea Simus caressed the material that had been delivered overnight with trembling hands.

“…It doesn’t look like the metal will break from just a brief touch.”

“I’m nervous. Isn’t this the star metal? It’s a dream material for all weaponsmiths…”

It might have looked excessive, but that only meant that this was an extraordinarily rare material that would make Noel act so fussy.

Ability Superconductor.

When ordinary weapons were imbued with abilities, their durability usually wore down, or they failed to channel the ability fully, and in severe cases they could even harm their wielder.

The time I poured an ability into an ordinary revolver and the weapon exploded was an example of that.

Star metal, depending on the maker’s skill, not only freed weapons from such side effects but also allowed the application of exceptionally useful special effects—making it a top-tier material.

No wonder smiths called it a dream material. Rumor had it that weapons made of star metal numbered fewer than a hundred across the entire continent in a year.

‘…You got something like this delivered in a single day.’

I propped my chin on the table with an incredulous look.

It couldn’t have been easy even for Ganesha, but when he said a word and it was brought to me, it clearly wasn’t empty flattery.

“……”

Well then, I should use it.

Anyway, now wasn’t the time for me to be picky about hot or cold rice.

Every resource—material or otherwise and even the bonus value earned through Affection Level had to be utilized to the fullest.

-System Message

▶ You have copied the skill: Appraisal.

-Skill Info

◆ Appraisal

To become the world’s greatest merchant, it is essential to have a discerning eye for ‘profitable items,’ regardless of field. This skill allows the user to assess an item’s condition, potential, and even its ‘special attributes’ that others cannot perceive.

After reading through the window, I let out a small huff.

As always, there were a few skills among those I could copy that had seriously tempting effects.

In Ganesha’s case, it had to be this one.

No doubt, it delivered exactly what the description promised.

Just moments ago, I’d tested it on my own desk, and an endless stream of data had popped up: material, creator, years of use, recommended upgrades—it had me clicking my tongue in disbelief.

Of course, the system window already provided basic information on objects, but it was mostly limited to names and obvious visible stats.

As expected of a continent-renowned merchant, it was only natural he’d have a skill like this as standard.

‘…This is pretty.’

Useful.

Or more accurately, extremely useful.

-Item Info

[ Star Metal ] [ Special Material ]

[ A superconductive material with 0% ability loss rate. Highly valued by superhumans who fight with imbued abilities. Depending on how it’s forged, additional special effects can be applied! ]

[ If paired with a superior power source, it will exhibit enhanced effects. ]

[ Displays a list of compatible materials. ]

After scrolling through the list of compatible materials, I nodded to myself.

‘…Convenient.’

No, really. This was convenient. It drastically reduced the effort needed for research.

Thinking that, I skimmed through the listed materials.

After all, for someone whose profession would be fighting from now on, a weapon was a matter of great importance. It wasn’t something to choose lightly.

“……”

And just then—

Among the listed materials, one item particularly stood out.

I even had a rough idea of where I could get it.

It was something I probably couldn’t obtain alone, but someone who could help me was close by.

“Dame Noel.”

“Yes?”

“Would you happen to have tomorrow free?”

“…Is it a date?”

“……”

“…Guess not.”

Why do you look disappointed, seriously.