[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 40
Zeke was confused as to why the Ranger unit, also known as the protectors of the Northern Continent, had sought him out.
'Could it be that Abel hired them? To eliminate me from forming an alliance with Kali?'
Zeke focused on the unique shape of the swords the black-clad figures were carrying.
They were kukri, swords used by the Rangers of the Gorka Kingdom, located at the northernmost tip of the Northern Continent. And these were the most skilled among the Northern Rangers.
Their skills were so exceptional that the Central Kingdoms often paid a high price to employ them as mercenaries for important missions.
Especially since Zeke had lived with the Gorka Rangers during his time in the Northern Continent, he knew very well how formidable they were.
Zeke confronted the Gorka Ranger who drew his kukri, trying to grasp the situation.
"Why are the Gorka Rangers monitoring me?" Zeke asked.
The figure in black didn't answer, simply pointing his kukri at Zeke and watching for an opportunity to escape towards the window.
Zeke moved to block his escape route, positioning himself with his back to the window.
Just then, something flew in from outside.
Thud!
A small ball rolled towards Zeke's feet.
Soon, a hazy smoke erupted from the ball.
[Mandrake root extract detected.]
[If poisoned, you will lose consciousness.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
[The effect of 'Poison Immunity' negates the poison's effect.]
Thanks to the Poison Immunity he gained from devouring the Hydra's head, the poisonous smoke couldn't harm Zeke.
However, Zeke pretended to collapse, feigning the effects of the poison.
A while later, when the smoke cleared, the two figures in black carried the unconscious Zeke somewhere.
***
The figures in black brought Zeke to a dark, narrow room, sat him in a chair, and bound him with handcuffs. After confirming that he was securely bound, they left, and Zeke subtly opened his eyes.
He checked his map and found that he was near a farm on the outskirts of Atlas. It seemed to be a safe house built by modifying a granary.
'The Northern Rangers have a safe house? It seems they have a separate employer.'
Even if he were imprisoned, Zeke could escape using a portal, so he had willingly pretended to be affected by the poisonous smoke.
He had entered the tiger's den to find out directly why the Gorka Kingdom Rangers were trying to monitor him.
Just then, someone entered the room.
He approached Zeke, who was pretending to be unconscious with his eyes closed, and held a bottle to his nose.
[Mandrake root extract neutralizer detected.]
It seemed to be an antidote for the poisonous smoke.
Zeke acted as if he was regaining consciousness.
"Ugh..."
The man spoke to Zeke, who had awakened.
"Zeke Draker."
Zeke slowly opened his eyes and looked up.
'Who is that?'
A middle-aged man with a stubborn impression and an eyepatch over one eye.
Zeke knew who he was.
'Cliff Reinhardt?'
The owner of the Reinhardt Trading Company, one of the future Top Ten Trading Companies of the continent.
The reason Zeke recognized him immediately was due to their connection in his past life.
In his past life, Abel, after taking over the Draker clan, had extended his influence to major trading companies for war supplies. At that time, the Reinhardt Trading Company tried to maintain a neutral stance, but Abel and the Empire wouldn't stand for it. They forcibly disbanded the company and confiscated its assets.
In response, Cliff Reinhardt risked his life to escape from the Central Continent and deliver information to the Northern Continent.
It was Zeke who had met with Cliff and relayed the information he had brought to the North.
'Zeke Murray, I believe you will deliver this information safely.'
Zeke had advised Cliff to seek asylum in the North, but he refused.
'I want to meet my final death in my hometown, Alencia.'
The future Cliff, who had accepted his death, overlapped with the present Cliff before him.
Cliff spoke to Zeke, who was staring intently at him.
"You look at me as if you know me."
Zeke deliberately changed his expression and said,
"I was just curious to see who was brazen enough to kidnap a member of the Draker bloodline."
Cliff's expression hardened at his words.
Seeing Cliff's reaction, Zeke realized that this kidnapping wasn't meticulously planned.
Zeke decided to probe Cliff.
At Zeke's words, Cliff calmly replied,
"What are your terms?"
Zeke held up three fingers.
"If you promise to grant me three requests in the future, I'll tell you about the cure."
Cliff looked at Zeke and said,
"I need to know what the requests are before I can agree to the deal."
"I'll ask for things within the Reinhardt Trading Company's capabilities."
After some contemplation, Cliff looked at Zeke and said,
"If you agree to draw up a contract that formalizes these terms, I'll accept the deal."
Zeke grinned and nodded.
"Alright. A contract is a must for a deal."
At Cliff's gesture, the Ranger went outside and brought paper and a pen.
Cliff took his time meticulously drafting the contract.
Zeke read through the contract Cliff had written.
"It looks fine. But one thing."
He said to Cliff,
"The person who needs to be cured of the Red Flower Plague. You have to tell me who that person is."
Cliff's expression hardened even more than before.
He looked at Zeke and said,
"I can't tell you that."
"Then there's no deal."
After some deliberation, Cliff realized he had no choice and slowly opened his mouth.
"I can only tell you that it's one of the Alencia royals."
Zeke clicked his tongue.
"If that's how it's going to be, then there's no deal."
Cliff clenched his teeth.
Then he finally spoke.
"Melissa Alencia."
At Cliff's words, Zeke's eyes changed.
"The first princess of Alencia."
Alencia was currently in a dispute with the Rom Empire over control of the Beastmen Ghetto in the border region.
The Alencia Kingdom was already in a state of internal instability, with the royal family and the nobility in sharp conflict. The Rom Empire, taking advantage of this opportunity, had built and deployed a large military base in the border region, coveting the Beastmen Ghetto, which was Alencia's territory.
Melissa Alencia was a popular figure among the people, thanks to her effective public policies, in contrast to the sickly and incompetent king.
Moreover, public opinion was growing that if she inherited the throne, the royal authority would be restored, and the internal power struggle with the nobles would end.
If Melissa Alencia, a major figure in the Central Continent's political landscape, were to fall ill and be unable to succeed to the throne, the chaotic situation in the Alencia Kingdom would undoubtedly worsen.
Zeke asked Cliff,
"Why is the Reinhardt Trading Company so eager to cure Melissa Alencia's illness?"
"We were in the midst of negotiating a major deal with Princess Melissa. If something were to happen to the princess before the deal is finalized, the entire company would suffer a significant loss, so we were trying to find a cure by any means."
In his past life, the Reinhardt Trading Company grew, centered around the Alencia Kingdom, eventually becoming one of the Top Ten Trading Companies on the continent.
Cliff Reinhardt had even said that he wanted to die in Alencia if he were to die, so it was understandable that he already had significant influence there, given his attachment to the kingdom.
However, even so, it was still puzzling why he would go so far as to hire Gorka Rangers and infiltrate the residence of a Draker bloodline member.
Although it wasn't fully developed yet, the current Reinhardt Trading Company had a certain amount of financial resources, so if it was really urgent, they could have just bought the cure.
'There must be something I don't know.'
Zeke looked into Cliff Reinhardt's eyes.
Having mastered the Elemental Sword, Zeke had become more proficient in handling mana and could now sense the emotions of others more keenly.
He tried to read the emotions he felt from Cliff.
'Desperation, anxiety, deep loyalty...'
It didn't seem like he was trying to save Princess Melissa simply for the sake of a deal.
Zeke realized that there was something more between Princess Melissa and the Reinhardt Trading Company.
At least with Cliff, it was clear that their relationship went beyond a simple business transaction.
He felt that he might be able to gain something bigger through this deal.
Zeke signed the contract that Cliff had presented.
Cliff breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Zeke's signature.
Then Zeke spoke.
"Alright, Cliff Reinhardt. First, I have a request."
He looked at Cliff and said,
"You need to get me a job."
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]