Semi-Coercive Imperialist

A restaurant somewhere in the Canilan Independent State.

“……Thanks to that crazy guy, I’ve been making quite a bit of money these days~ That’s what I’m saying.”

Ren, the commander of the mercenary corps 「Akarius」, tilted her head as she listened to her old friend Russell.

“I have no idea what bullshit you’re talking about. Buying insurance to sell insurance?”

“You don’t have to understand it. It’s a way to lose money.”

Russell’s arrogance was extremely irritating to look at.

“……Whatever. Recommend me something too.”

“Hey. Back when I told you to do it, you kept your eyes shut tight. Why are you like this now?”

“Everyone except me is making money like crazy. They say it’s like printing it with a copy machine. I’m the only one who became dirt poor?”

Russell chuckled. Recently, Canilan’s stock market had soared madly, and while asset values skyrocketed, Ren, who had only held cash, had essentially lost money by sitting still.

“Want me to be precise? Because you and your company didn’t invest for three years, your asset value practically got cut in half.”

“Haa. You messing with me, you…….”

Ren roughly ran her hand through her hair.

“Messing with you, dear customer? Here, take a look.”

Russell paused from cutting his steak and casually tossed over a folder.

“It’s a Corporate‑Backed Collateralized Debt Obligation. These days, this is our money-copying machine. The single most~ magnificent invention in human history.”

Ren snatched up the folder.

“So I just buy this?”

“You sign a contract. A contract-”

“Fuck, you have been acting all smug since earlier?”

“Oh? Ah. Well then, forget it-”

“Just kidding~”

Ren grabbed Russell’s wrist as he tried to take the contract back.

“So I just sign right away?”

“No. You gotta decide how much you’ll invest. How much do you have?”

“Right now…… I can use about three million.”

“Eh? That’s it? The commander of Akarius?”

Ren frowned.

First of all, his face already looked sleazy, and with that smug attitude and snide remarks, he was a real fucking asshole.

“I get paid a salary from the company too.”

“Then use the company’s money.”

“……Are you crazy?”

“Eh.”

Russell shook his head in disbelief. Chewing on his thick steak, he spoke.

“You still don’t get the concept of risk-return?”

“Using company money is a risk?”

“Hey, hey. How many times do I have to tell you? Corporations can invest too. In one year, you’ll get a 30% return. Wouldn’t it be great to use that surplus profit to build some buildings and stuff? With just a one-year contract, you can earn a safe 30% profit, safer than putting money in the bank.”

“……30%?”

30%.

Ren’s face showed clear interest.

“Yeah. But it’s gotta be a decent amount. Not just from Canilan, money’s pouring in from the Western and Eastern regions, even from the Empire.”

“30%…….”

“So, how much can you invest?”

At Russell’s question, Ren swallowed hard and replied.

“……Thirty million.”

“Thirty million? Great!”

Russell clapped his hands.

“Add that to my part and it’s thirty-three million, right? There’s a contract of just that scale available. Come on, follow me. Ah, I really wasn’t planning to offer this to just anyone.”

Russell stood from his seat and naturally picked up the bill. Ren quickly reached out her hand.

“Hey, hey. I’ll pay. I was the one who asked you to meet.”

“Oh no. What kind of money does a mercenary commander even make. Customer, I’ll cover this.”

“……Huh.”

Ren bit her lip.

A mercenary corps that ranked among the top across the continent, beyond just Canilan, was now being treated like a beggar by some securities firm vice president. That’s how much the world had changed.

“You’re really going to invest, right?”

Russell waved the bill as he asked.

For a moment, Ren felt the urge to smack that suit-wearing bastard on the head, but she pulled herself together again.

“Yeah. I said I would. Let me make some damn money too.”

“Right~. How long are you gonna keep trailing behind Sebestian? I heard his son hit the jackpot with a mana stone mine and became some kind of tycoon…….”

Maximilian, the son of Sebestian, and his mana stone mine windfall.

That was the reason why Ren, the mercenary commander, had recently taken an interest in investments.

***

The black market on the 9th floor of the Underground City wasn’t the kind of place one typically imagined when hearing the word “black market”. Rather, it was a fairly convincing space decorated like a castle.

The ceiling was carved in Gothic-style arches, the floor was covered with a purple carpet, and masked guards stood at the entrance.

I approached them and presented my ID card.

“Please, go on in.”

The first-floor hall was lined with stalls. From rare magical items to banned substances, there was a wide array of illegal goods.

Thump─

The virus inside me pulsed again. It was the presence of Ezenheim. Not far ahead, members of the Revolutionary forces could be seen walking somewhere inside. However, they disappeared down a separate passage heavily guarded, likely because they were VVIPs of the black market.

“Tch.”

Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do. I have a separate mission for now anyway.

I pulled a compass from my coat. It was the contact device given by Chiron. The needle spun in circles before pointing in one direction.

I walked that way.

Before long, the needle’s tip locked onto a notably short man.

Tap. As I placed a hand on his shoulder, he turned to face me.

I asked him,

“Are you Black Fur?”

“……Yes. Please, follow me.”

The field agent led me to a secluded corner of the black market.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Eshton.”

“I’m Maximilian.”

“I was informed in advance by Sir Chiron. First, the item we need to acquire is this.”

The photo he showed featured a cylindrical bomb.

“A mana-chemical bomb. It’s a product made by some lunatic named ‘Ekentoi’, and rumors say its performance is absolutely monstrous.”

Thump.

Even amid the conversation, my heart continued to pulse steadily. I had anticipated it to some degree, but there was indeed a significant Ezenheim population here in this underground space, beyond the reach of the Empire’s eyes.

“However. That place over there.”

I pointed to the VVIP passage the Revolutionary forces had entered.

“We can’t get in there?”

“Ah, yes. VVIP access is by recommendation only. You need connections.”

That’s unfortunate.

“How much is this bomb priced at?”

“Roughly about one million dollars. Ekentoi has his own special booth, so please follow me.”

I followed him.

We climbed the stairs and reached a corner on the 3rd floor with a sign that read [Life and Death of Ekentoi].

“That guy is Ekentoi. The terrorist organization called ‘Skidmark’ is currently trying to purchase bombs from him.”

The field agent pointed at a man who looked like a mad scientist, and a cylindrical bomb the size of a forearm was displayed in the best spot.

I approached and asked,

“This bomb. How much?”

“Ah~ hahahaha. I see you’ve already heard the rumors and came here. But this has already been reserved.”

I opened my bag right in front of his eyes. Imperial dollars spilled out in bundles.

“2 million dollars. Is it reserved?”

“Uh…….”

I opened the bag a bit more. Even more imperial dollars tumbled out.

“2.5 million dollars. Is it reserved?”

“Just take it~”

He chuckled and began picking up the dollars, and the mission was completed much more easily than expected.

“Mr. Eshton. Since we’re here, let’s do some shopping.”

“……Ah. Yes.”

The dazed-looking field agent belatedly nodded. I browsed the black market while waiting for the Revolutionary forces to come back down.

The best way to choose good items was to leave it to the virus.

The virus, highly knowledgeable in mana, could easily distinguish finely crafted mana.

I bought every item the virus reacted to. Fountain pens, cloaks, prosthetic legs, glasses, jewels, etc…

“……Are you sure it’s alright to buy this much?”

The field agent was impressed by my spending.

“Mr. Eshton, pick one for yourself too.”

“Uh, no, it’s fine.”

“Refusing a favor is not good manners either.”

“……Okay.”

Just as the field agent was about to pick a small magical tool as a token of gratitude.

KWAaaaAAaa─!

A massive explosion erupted from the upper level of the black market.

“Looks like a fight broke out.”

At my words, the field agent gave a bitter smile.

“It’s a daily occurrence here in the black market.”

Indeed, no one seemed particularly alarmed.

The field agent also went back to picking up the magical item.

KuwAAAaaa─! KWAaaAANG!

Explosions echoed one after another.

“……Is this a daily occurrence?”

“Ah…… yes. A daily occurrence. Definitely daily.”

The field agent was stubbornly reaching out to grab a magical tool, something that looked like a crystal orb.

Krrrkrrrrkkk───!

The ceiling tilted, and debris and fragments came crashing down from above.

It seemed a bomb terror attack had occurred.

The black market instantly turned into a scene of chaos. Amid the confusion, people began to evacuate.

“It’s still a normal day so far.”

“Mr. Field Agent. Take these and go up to the surface.”

“No. It’s normal. It’s just a normal day!”

“I’ll give you one of the items I bought.”

“……Yes.”

I handed the goods over to the field agent.

Thump─

Taking advantage of the confusion caused by the explosion, he emerged from the VVIP passage.

A core-level executive of the Revolutionary forces and a wanted criminal, Ezenheim.

Thump─

I pushed against the flow of the scattering crowd and pursued him.

The man quickly exited the black market and leapt down into a dark passageway.

Thump─

I jumped after him in the same manner.

Using my heartbeat as a GPS, I tracked him down.

Thump─

At last, the virus pointed to a spot in front of a sewer.

Sticky, unidentified sludge was oozing down the edges, and rats squirmed and squeaked underfoot.

“…….”

I pressed on my gas mask and entered. It was pitch black with not a single trace of light, but I moved forward through the darkness, guided only by the beating of my heart.

Thump─

A sudden thought crossed my mind.

This was a remote place, beyond the reach of the Empire’s gaze and power.

Could I, alone and unassisted, truly defeat the enemy?

Thump─

……No, even that kind of fear is a luxury.

Don’t falter, Maximilian.

You’re the one who cut down Dun Caan.

You have no nightmares now.

You must not fear battle. On the contrary, you must move forward enjoying it.

If you believe in yourself, you will surely win.

Thump─

I took a deep breath and felt inside my coat. I still had an insurance, a “Super Stimpack”.

Thump─!

As I turned the corner following the increasingly vivid heartbeat, I saw the silhouette of the man in the distance.

Step.

The moment I took a step forward.

“……Are you an ally?”

At his question, I gripped my longsword.

“Yes. I am an ally.”

Suddenly, a third voice came from behind.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I flinched and turned around.

It was Sonnet Kandel, whom I hadn’t even sensed approaching.

She looked at me and nodded expressionlessly.

“Nice to see you, Knight.”

“……You walk quietly.”

Though all my attention had been focused on the man, Sonnet’s movement had been in perfect concealment.

“Did I?”

Sonnet approached the man casually. I was briefly confused.

Was Sonnet a member of the Revolutionary forces?

No, that couldn’t be. She had clearly died by execution.

“Let me introduce you.”

Sonnet gestured toward the man.

“An internal intelligence agent of the Revolutionary forces, Mr. Arshtel.”

I tilted my head at her introduction. My body moved reflexively on its own.

Ezenheim was Sonnet’s internal agent?

Again, I stared blankly at the man named Arshtel.

“Have a seat.”

Sonnet waved her hand in the air. Mana rose up, and an elegant table and three chairs formed, an odd match for the sewer’s stench.

I walked over and sat down.

“Was this meeting orchestrated from the beginning?”

“No. It’s a coincidence. If we must place blame, it would be on your intuition, Knight Maximilian.”

Sonnet continued speaking as she pulled out a thermos and teacups.

“We passed the information to the field agent under Sir Chiron’s command, and Sir Chiron assigned you the mission. Originally, the task was meant to end with retrieving the bomb.”

Her gaze swept over me.

“But your keen eye is impressive, Sir Maximilian. Do you remember every wanted criminal?”

“Yes. I remember most of them.”

All the wanted criminal sketches distributed by the Knight Order were stored in my mind. Even more so because of the virus.

“How did you know I would pursue him?”

“You lifted his robe with the wind.”

I let out an involuntary, hollow laugh. Sonnet was, as always, Sonnet. The true core of the Kandels, on a completely different level from Jun.

She continued.

“So rather than letting an unnecessary fight break out, I thought it better to make an introduction.”

I stared at her for a moment, then asked again.

“What exactly are you?”

“I’m the eldest daughter of the Kandel family. I hold a lawyer’s license and a medical license, have published three essay collections, and I run a business here in the Underground City.”

Then as now, she was a major player in the Underground City. Though I still didn’t know exactly in what sense.

“Is this black market your business?”

“Yes. But the shares are divided. My stake is fairly low.”

“Was that bombing just now orchestrated too?”

“It makes for a perfect excuse to meet in secret.”

Sonnet spoke all this without the slightest change in her expression.

She gestured with her eyes to the seat beside her.

“This Mr. Arshtel is also part of my business.”

I turned to look at Ezenheim.

“……Pleased to meet you. I’m Arshtel. Codename Gideon. I’m in love with Lady Kandel.”

Sonnet let out a brief sigh, and for me, it was revolting.

An Ezenheim pretending to be human. Fucking son of a bitch.

I wanted to cut him down right this instant, but first I needed to understand this situation.

“Ahem. Just joking. First, I want to say it was I who provided the intel that the terror group was trying to purchase the bomb.”

I stared at him and asked.

“Why go out of your way to cooperate with the Empire?”

“I’m tired of this life. Exhausted. Dedicating my life to a world that hasn’t changed in over ten years…… it’s all so meaningless.”

Arshtel sighed and brushed back his hair.

“I want to retire. A new face. A new identity. I’d like to live as a billionaire.”

This bastard’s good at acting. His expressions were stitched together like delicate embroidery.

If he weren’t Ezenheim, would I have been fooled too?

“And?”

“Since the meeting’s already been arranged, I have a request.”

Clink. Sonnet poured tea into a teacup.

“Of me?”

“I’m merely a lady of the Kandel family. I don’t have many inheritances coming my way. Even if I run a few businesses, I can’t provide Mr. Arshtel with a proper identity or make him a billionaire.”

Well, she did say this was “business”. Which meant she was a kind of broker.

I looked at Arshtel.

“In return, what can you offer?”

“Accurate intel on the whereabouts of one of the Revolutionary command, codename ‘Redflower’.”

Arshtel smiled and raised a finger.

“And, one more thing.”

As I glared at his smug face and listened to his unnecessarily poetic, twisting voice, I thought.

“Do you know that the fire of revolution has infiltrated the Sentinel Knight Order as well?”

As a regressor, I already knew all of this.

Redflower’s whereabouts, the existence of a Sentinel knight harboring revolutionary ideals, everything.

Which means, his intel holds no value. And if it holds no value-

Is there a need to keep alive a bastard who is clearly a ‘double agent’?

If it were an Ezenheim I could exploit, I might’ve kept him alive. But should I really bear the opportunity cost of being manipulated around by him and Sonnet?

My thoughts were organized in an instant.

I gripped the sword at my back.

─Tick

Time slowed. A silent draw of the sword.

The most noble sword of Ebenholtz, ironically, was most effective when ambushing an opponent.

──Slice.

A silver arc lit up the sewer, and the blade quietly passed through someone’s neck.

And blood splattered across Sonnet’s face.