Damned System

Chapter 99. Gift (2)

After the situation was settled, I listened to an explanation and was told that a restriction had been placed on Vellego.

It was a limitation that prevented specific words from being uttered.

To be precise, even if specific words were mentioned, they would not be conveyed.

Words caught in the restriction were trapped in another space and could not be spoken.

“A magic of a higher level than a barrier…”

Because of this, finding out who was ultimately behind this affair had become intricate.

“I suppose I could resort to trickery if needed…”

One could narrow down the main suspects and have Vellego read their names, hoping to identify the one name that wouldn’t be heard.

But there wasn’t a clear method to narrow down the suspects.

“The best I can deduce is that it’s related to the Order.”

Since Vellego was promised a position as a priest, the possibility was high.

However, it couldn’t be confidently said that the person who approached Vellego with the proposal was a priest.

“They could have sent a proxy.”

With no minimal conditions to filter suspects, my little trick was about as useful as doing nothing at all.

Unless I planned to have Vellego read out the names of everyone from Bihar, it would be an enormous waste of time.

Thus, I concluded that it was impossible to find out the mastermind through Vellego for the time being.

Instead, I decided to actively leverage Vellego’s background.

I decided to take advantage of his somewhat unique origins to ensure ample compensation.

“Wow, it really shines.”

The result was that I could witness a sight with gold and silver treasures piled like a small hill before my eyes.

I toured the interior of the vault I took from Vellego with great satisfaction.

From a brief explanation before entering, I was told it contained assets worth nearly several billion.

Furthermore, income from a small textile business under Vellego’s name flowed into this vault.

No need to worry about Vellego embezzling that money.

“This key guarantees that no contracts can be altered here, correct?”

I tossed the golden key I held into the air, caught it, and asked. Jordan, who followed me into the vault, responded.

“Yes, that’s correct. It’s not only impossible to terminate the contract, but entry is also restricted without a permit.”

“And the earnings currently coming into this vault are maintained as is?”

“If that’s how the contract is initially set up.”

While Vellego was the owner on paper, I was the one who could actually access and utilize it.

This golden key I held allowed for such an unconventional arrangement to be possible.

The key was not merely a simple key but was akin to a membership card granting access to Kerak Bank’s vault.

A reissue was possible if the original owner lost it, but…

“When a key transfer is officially documented, things change.”

When there’s an official document proving the transfer of the key to another person, it could be blocked.

The paper Jordan was holding was precisely that official document.

Thinking of Vellego handing over the golden key and the transfer document made me smile.

“It was a sight too good to see alone.”

Initially, it was bothersome to see him confidently laughing, trusting in the restriction’s effect on him.

In the end, I was satisfied to see his hand trembling in fear, as he was compelled to sign the transfer document.

“If he’s handing it over so easily, there might be one or two more vaults.”

That’s something to worry about as I gradually acquire them.

“I must get a memory-altering magic tool to record it next time.”

If I want to keep teasing him for trembling in fear, I need to record it.

For now, this was sufficient.

“It’s more than enough for activity funds, after all.”

I didn’t even need to convert valuable mana into cash, so that alone was a valuable gain.

Of course, not everyone shared this view.

“This affair shouldn’t be just brushed aside.”

As I was about to thoroughly explore the treasure within the vault, a low mutter caught my attention, and I looked around to see Rashar, who had entered after Jordan.

“Still wearing that serious face.”

Her demeanor hadn’t changed spontaneously. It had started when I decided to cover up Vellego’s crimes.

The vault we stood in now was obtained in exchange for our silence.

Rashar was of the opinion that Vellego’s heinous deeds should be exposed to the whole world and that he should pay for his crimes.

Harming the Outsiders who came to this world in the name of the 7 gods could be interpreted as a challenge against the 7 Orders.

“When you look closely, it’s like they attacked the allied forces.”

Thus, she believed a doctrinal trial to discern right and wrong was necessary.

“I mean punishing everyone involved in this matter severely…”

I recalled the conversation I’d had before extracting the vault from Vellego and let out a soft sigh to myself.

It wasn’t because I was unaware of the principles of justice and retribution.

‘Dreams always seem sweet, after all.’

It was just that I sought an alternative because I knew that what Rashar advocated wasn’t feasible in reality.

“It’s impossible to hold the guild accountable for the ones caught today.”

They would cut their losses, and vested interests wanting to maintain the current state would intervene.

Even if I managed to uncover the truth and overturn the situation, those trying to cover it up and bury it would be even more active.

It was an unwinnable game against even Palao’s waning power.

Making a wrong move might result in the mercenaries as well as Vellego getting eliminated during the cover-up process.

‘That’s a blunder.’

This indicated it wasn’t the time yet to stand up.

In these circumstances, it was better to bide my time and keep a low profile rather than react emotionally.

With the guild controlling the military power of a specific group like mercenaries, it was inevitable.

In wartime situations, the military also signified power.

Hence, instead of playing a losing game, I switched to focusing on scraping up any tangible benefits I could immediately grab.

In my view, this was the most rational, efficient, and best approach.

So, no matter what Rashar said, I had no intention of changing my mind.

Since I had explained my position thoroughly already, I simply looked at Rashar without adding further explanations.

Eventually, Rashar clenched her teeth and bowed her head.

“… I’m sorry for bringing up a finished matter.”

She seemed to have a lot to say but didn’t want to criticize what I had decided.

“It looks like her feelings are complicated in various ways.”

After a brief pause, I approached Rashar.

Bending down to match her eye level, I spoke.

“Does it seem like I’m letting this pass too easily?”

While she didn’t actually express an answer, guessing her potential response wasn’t difficult.

I couldn’t help but chuckle upon seeing Rashar’s frustrated silence.

‘Considering how many times we’ve seen each other.’

We were neither family nor friends; merely people embarking on the same ship toward a similar destination.

Yet, here she was, getting angrier about what I had faced than myself.

‘It doesn’t feel bad, though.’

Normally, I might find continuous opposing views regarding my decisions unpleasant.

But I was more amused than displeased at this moment.

Rashar’s outrage was genuinely due to how wronged I had been.

Knowing this made me think I should soothe her at least once.

With a flick, I tossed the key and caught it again, straightening my back as I spoke.

“Don’t worry too much.”

“Hmm…?”

“This is just, like a trailer.”

“A trailer?”

“Yeah, I’m the type to hold grudges.”

“A grudge?”

“I always make sure to pay back what I’ve suffered.”

Finding the mastermind through Vellego right away was difficult.

Even if I found it, there wasn’t a definite way to repay the suffering.

However, that didn’t mean it would be impossible in the future.

It’s also why I decided to bury Vellego’s involvements.

“Keeping him alive is better than having him dead.”

I believed that keeping an eye on the connection Vellego had with the mastermind would eventually reveal clues.

Yes, I hadn’t given up on the investigation.

“I’ve decided to bide my time until I figure things out.”

And I intended to repay everything.

Even if I was to be criticized as petty, what could I do?

I wouldn’t feel at ease without settling things myself.

“Might as well just bring some patience into play.”

Delaying gratification with Vellego as a minor outlet for my frustration wouldn’t be boring.

“So, don’t worry unnecessarily.”

“………”

“When you see what I get up to later, you might find Vellego pitiful? I mean, you might end up disappointed in me.”

I intentionally lightened the mood and joked because Rashar’s serious expression was still noticeable.

“I’ll never feel that way!”

However, Rashar responded more seriously and intensely than I had anticipated.

It wasn’t meant to be taken this seriously.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my neck and shrugged.

“Well, in that case, I guess I can freely torment him.”

“Promise you’ll show him what real retribution looks like. He really deserves to be taught a lesson!”

“Yes, yes, I assure you I will live up to those expectations.”

Laughing as I replied, I handed the golden key to Rashar.

This was my first effort to meet her expectations and also one of the reasons I intended to collect compensation from Vellego.

“Hmm?”

Rashar, looking back and forth between me and the key, tilted her head.

I kindly explained my actions to her.

“Take it.”

With a consistent smile, I spoke, causing Rashar’s eyes to widen like full moons.

She seemed extremely surprised, but this was something I had considered since realizing Vellego had significant income.

I decided to support Palao’s temple’s funds.

It was also repaying a debt I owed Rashar.

“Though it won’t directly benefit a lady of the Bennet family, it should aid an apostle of the Palao family.”

The debt I owed was to the Bennet family.

However, it was also true that I could owe it thanks to Rashar.

Placing my bet on Rashar meant returning it to her was appropriate.

“If the Order needs funds, feel free to withdraw from here. You can’t use your personal funds anyway.”

I recall hearing that her father, the Bennet Marquis, blocked it.

Preventing even a penny of the Bennet family’s wealth from flowing into the Order of Palao.

“A grudge against the irresponsible goddess who appointed his daughter as an apostle and then vanished.”

The impression I gathered through Chandler was straightforward.

Rashar, exhibiting genius-level talent from a young age, had her father’s high expectations.

She was supposed to join the holy knights’ division of the Senoa Order, serving the Bennet family.

Then, out of nowhere, Palao chose Rashar as an apostle.

That in itself could have been seen as an unexpected variable.

Being chosen as an apostle of one of the 7 gods was an enormous honor.

Yet, soon after choosing Rashar as an apostle, Palao disappeared, and rumors of her being extinguished surfaced.

An apostle of a godless Order.

‘Honestly, her father would be devastated.’

In his eyes, Palao was the entity that had ruined his daughter’s future.

Resentment against a goddess who irresponsibly bestowed a duty on his daughter and then vanished wasn’t unexpected.

Blocking funds to the Order of Palao likely stemmed from that resentment.

Indeed, I had witnessed Rashar struggling with financial issues related to the Order on several occasions.

With nearly no regular income flowing into the temple, it was an unsurprising struggle.

“Being a rich lady might mean she lived comfortably physically.”

However, I doubted her mind was at peace.

Therefore, upon realizing Vellego had considerable funds, I thought of it.

Securing operating funds for the Order would be beneficial.

Having thought it through from the beginning, there was no reason to hesitate.

I handed the key over to her, given she wasn’t moving at all.

But Rashar started, wanting to return the key.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:
I like that although Rashar has that sense of righteousness on her, she doesn’t have that my way or the highway mentality. She’s willing to concede to the MC and doesn’t screw things up so far. She also has that mother goose mentality of being protective of the MC but not to the point that it’s suffocating.