Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 140

Episode 140: Cause and Effect

“……?”

Verden stopped his hand and turned his head.

He locked eyes with the old man, a man he had never heard of or seen before. While he was wondering why he was looking for him, Samwell poked his head out over the table.

“That person…….”

“Do you know him?”

“Derek Kends, a businessman who recently moved into Loafra. He’s said to be an octopus-like figure with a hand in a variety of industries… and I’ve heard he recently left the union.”

Samwell doesn't know much about news outside the city.

However, I was quite perceptive about the rumors floating around the underworld. I only heard them by ear, so they weren't very deep, but I was able to act with awareness.

'It's a combination.'

The walls of Verden glowed coldly.

Are you here to seek revenge for the big blow to the union? That's the only possibility for now…

'Something seems strange.'

There is absolutely no sense of hostility or murderous intent.

Rather, there seemed to be a small hint of favor on the face of the old man called Derek. It was a reaction that was incomprehensible to English.

Knock. Knock.

Derek approached with brisk strides, leaning on his cane.

The guards behind him tried to follow him, but he waved them away as if they were not needed. Then he spoke to Gaulic, who was blocking his way.

“Excuse me, could you step aside for a moment?”

“……Tch, those weren’t casino guys.”

With a look of regret, Gallic returned to his seat, shaking off his trembling hands. Then he snatched the drink Samwell was about to drink and drank it down.

Derek faced Verden alone.

“I see you’re Asher.”

“…….”

Verden responded with silence.

It was both an affirmation and a urging to tell him what had brought him here. Derek, who understood him, introduced himself.

“My name is Derek Kendall and I run a variety of businesses.”

Derek pointed his wand at Samwell.

“That guy is making a fortune by running an octopus-style business like that.”

“D, did you hear……”

“I may be old, but I have good hearing. Well, I don’t plan on doing anything, so don’t be afraid. I’m not making up stories. I’m also saying that I quit the union. But there’s one important thing missing.”

Derek stared at Verden.

“I left the union ‘voluntarily’. Since I was forcibly merged with the union from the beginning, I have no good feelings towards it. Of course, there is no reason for me to harm you by saying it is the union’s revenge or anything.”

The union grew in power by swallowing up various forces.

This is a fact that Verden also knows well. From that perspective, Derek's words were credible.

'I don't know if it's really true.'

It didn't occur to him what merit he could gain by telling such a lie.

“I have something to tell you. Can you spare some time?”

“What is your business?”

“It’s nothing grand. Let’s say… well, you could say it’s just paying off a simple debt.”

debt?

Verden tilted his head inwardly. Although he didn't know what it meant, it was clear that he had something he wanted to say.

<Telekinesis>

A nearby chair floated up and landed behind Derek.

“Oh, thank you for your consideration.”

Derek sat across from Verden.

Inside the restaurant, there was no one else but Verden and his party, Derek and his escorts. The customers and employees had all fled, fearing that sparks might fly.

In the silence, Derek finally brought up his business.

“Do you remember the Land Spider Company?”

* * *

Land Spider Company.

It's one of three companies that run the union. Well, to be exact, it was one.

Because the merchant Becken was captured together with the Viscount Melves at the villa of the Count of Plissire.

At that time, the Land Spider Company was destroyed by the Marquis of Esperance. It was to the point where it could no longer be called a company.

I knew it well because Verden was directly involved.

'But why is that name suddenly coming up?'

Derek answered Verden's question.

“The Land Spider Company is almost ruined. However, that doesn’t mean that all of its subordinates were captured. The few who managed to escape the Marquis’ encirclement have secretly entered Loafra. This is the only place that has signed a non-aggression pact with the Marquis of Esperenza.”

Derek cleared his throat and continued.

“And among those who fled was Becken’s illegitimate son.”

……bastard?

“Beken is the child of a lover that he kept secret from his wife. He was famous within the company for his strong aftertaste. There were even people who couldn’t stand it anymore and committed suicide.”

anyway.

“As soon as he realized that Becken had been captured because of you and Kalia, he fled to Loafra with all his possessions, and according to rumors, he went under the command of Luing Costa.”

It's the first time I've heard that name.

Gallic continued eating alone, seemingly oblivious to the situation. Samwell was the only one who responded.

“I see you know. My throat hurts, so could you explain it for me?”

"ah……."

Their gazes gathered together.

Samwell was a timid man, but he couldn't refuse in this atmosphere. He swallowed and stood before them.

“He, that is, Luying Costa, is one of the minor powers that wields influence in the west of Loafra. And… he is well known in the underworld as a cruel and depraved person.”

Luying Costa treats those below him like animals, distinguishing between male and female.

It was a well-known fact among the underworld that if they were even slightly offended, they would kill slaves by stripping them of their flesh while they were still alive.

It was nothing short of terrifying to the slaves.

Verden said.

“So, is Becken’s illegitimate child going to take revenge on me by borrowing the power of Luing Costa?”

“Originally, it would have been impossible. They have no influence outside of Loafra. But since you came to Loafra yourself, I can guarantee that the bastard will not just sit back and watch. Because he does not forgive those who harm him. Well, it is a personality problem.”

“You ran away as soon as the incident happened, and now you’re asking for revenge? That’s just ridiculous.”

Gaulic laughed and stood up from his seat, heading towards the kitchen. It seemed like he had gone to get some alcohol himself, as all the staff had run away.

'Revenge.'

Verden thought for a moment.

I understand what Derek is saying. He was warning Verden that he might be in danger.

That's why I couldn't understand it.

“Is there any reason why you should do me a favor?”

Then, as if he had been waiting, Derek answered.

“The world is made up of cause and effect.”

One change can have many consequences.

Whether it's good or bad, expected or unexpected, intended or unintended.

“I was one of the victims who were forced to merge with the union.”

I resisted, but half of my business was gone in just one year. There was pressure from nobles from all sides. So I had no choice but to join the Land Spider Company in order to survive.

Derek laughed at himself.

“Well, you know, Sanhaji was just a moneymaker. But he didn’t just take it without any reason.”

Even if I couldn't do the combination, I at least secretly found the bastard's weakness in order to get revenge on Becken.

“In the process, I found out about Becken’s illegitimate child that no one knew about. I was waiting for the right moment to ruin his family, thinking that if I did well… then suddenly, one morning, the situation changed.”

Becken was captured and the Land Spider Company was ruined.

It was absurd, but it was reality. Derek took advantage of this opportunity to voluntarily turn himself in to the Marquis of Esperanza. He had raised funds through his power, but he had not directly participated in the crimes of the Guild.

That was the only way I could receive an indulgence and leave the union.

Derek smiled pleasantly.

“Just as your actions made the illegitimate child feel revenge, so I have come to feel favor. If this isn’t cause and effect, then what is?”

“So that’s why you said it was debt?”

“To be honest, I had no intention of paying it back. It was a debt that the person in question didn’t know about. But then I happened to hear that you showed up in front of Loafra’s casino.”

It's not just a few days, it's a few steps away.

I didn't feel comfortable just ignoring it, so I took the trouble to come here and warn you about Becken's illegitimate child.

“By the way, you came to Roafra because of the auction house, right?”

Verden nodded.

“Then Costa will take action after the auction is over.”

“Is there a reason?”

“That’s when the time is right.”

Derek glanced at Samwell.

He meant that he wanted me to explain for him because his throat was sore. Samwell nodded in surprise and said.

“If you want to participate in the underworld auction, you must arrive with an invitation at least two days in advance.”

There you register your name and deposit the funds to be used for the auction. We never accept cash or checks, only cash.

If you win an item at an auction later, the amount will be deducted from your funds, and any remaining money will be returned along with the item you won immediately after the auction ends.

“The organizer and general manager of the auction house is Wintert. As long as his name is on the line, he rarely dares to attack participants before or immediately after the auction…….”

“That rule is implicit. And Luing Costa has connections to Wintert. If he wants to, he can do something about it. Of course, as long as it doesn’t offend Wintert.”

The point in time when you have received the item you bid on at an auction house and are also in possession of the funds.

If Luying Costa is planning to kill Verden at the request of his illegitimate child, then we will attack him. That way, we will gain more.

“I know you are a strong wizard in your own right. However, Loaf is different from the outside world. It is a place full of evil people who are hard to call human. There is no such thing as being upright here. So I recommend that you leave if possible… but it is entirely up to you. Oh, it’s time.”

Derek looked at his wristwatch and stood up, leaning on his cane.

“I consider my debt to you repaid by giving you that choice. Oh, and.”

Derek took a million elk bill out of his wallet and handed it to Samwell.

“Thank you for the additional explanation. You explained it well. This is a reward for your efforts.”

“Ah…… Ah, yes! I will gratefully accept it!”

“Then I guess I’ll be going now. I hope you leave Loafra safely.”

Derek said hello and walked out of the restaurant.

* * *

As Derek and his escorts left, the interior of the restaurant became empty.

Gallic, who had been in the kitchen inside, returned to his seat with a bottle of expensive whiskey. He uncorked the bottle with his mouth and said with a grin.

“I don’t know if it was causal or not, but it looks like it was taken as soon as I arrived at Loafra.”

“Were you listening?”

“I have sharper ears than that old man named Derek. I can hear everything inside the restaurant. It’s so far away. So what are you going to do? Are you going to run away?”

Verden snorted.

“That’s funny.”

Verden worked hard to save money for the auction house. He literally pulled out all his soul.

He is the person in power in Loafra.

He has a cruel nature.

He has a connection with Wintert.

Whatever it is, if it bothers you, I'll just erase it.

Even if it meant becoming an enemy of Wintert, I would take the risk. Verden was that kind of wizard.

“This kid, his face doesn’t show his hot body, but he’s still hot.”

Gaulic chuckled and blew on his whistle.

Verden asked Samwell.

“Is there a separate time to register for the auction house?”

“You can register all day long. There are still about four days left until the auction house opens, so you can go whenever you want within those two days.”

“Then let’s go now.”

There is no reason to go with a tight fit.

As Verden stood up, Gaulic also stood up.

"……what?"

“I haven’t registered yet either.”

You haven't registered yet?

Gaulic shrugged at Verden's gaze.

“I got locked in the casino as soon as I got here. I kept my money somewhere else. So since it’s come to this, let’s go together.”

Verden frowned.

I had no desire to go along, but… … .

'Even if I refuse, he'll come with me.'

Because the destination is the same anyway.

“You figure it out.”

Verden placed the money for the food on the table.

Then he walked out of the restaurant with Samwell in front, and Galliak followed him.

* * *

“So you want me to avenge your father?”

“Yes, Mr. Costa.”

Becken's illegitimate son, Daniel, bowed his head.

In front of him was a man sitting in a luxurious chair.

Her short, golden hair rang. A solid gold hoop earring rang out on her right ear, and a silver, straight-cut earring rang out on her left ear. Her face was covered in makeup.

Luying Costa licked her lips.

“What, Chief Dalishian said there was a guy who caught his eye, is that Asher? I thought he worked under that girl Kalia…….”

Non-aggression pact.

Seeing that he ignored it, I wondered if he was simply involved in a relationship of commission.

“Well, that could be possible, since he’s a wizard who made a name for himself in Gray. And since he’s come to Roafra at this point, he must have come to participate in the auction. Did he bring a lot of money?”

“I’m sure he has at least a few hundred million. And some precious magic items.”

“It’s a magic item. That’s tempting. But what will you do for me if I kill him?”

Daniel took out a small box.

It was full of precious jewels and trinkets. Costa licked his lips and pulled the box towards him with his tiptoes.

“It’s not bad for killing one person. Well, he’s a 4th-tier lightning wizard, but killing one wizard isn’t a big deal.”

Wizards are definitely dangerous, but they're there.

You can kill them by secretly poisoning them, or you can cut off their heads while they are not paying attention. There are dozens of ways to kill them.

“Okay, I’ll take it.”

“Ah……! Thank you, Costa! But when will it be……”

“I’ll take care of it after the auction is over. If you understand, then you can leave now.”

Daniel went out the door, repeatedly thanking everyone.

Costa counted the jewels in the box and looked out the window. He saw the nice dark district of Loafra.

“Hmm, Asher.”

Normally, I would have just sent an assassin to kill him.

But he had heard something too. The power and appearance of the wizard Asher. Costa was intrigued. If the rumors were true, it would be a shame to kill him.

“……It would be perfect to use it as my signboard.”

Daniel paid the price and asked for revenge, but Costa had already forgotten.

I had already decided to persuade her and was thinking about what I could give her in return, but soon I clapped my hands.

“Yeah! That would be great.”

There are some good things going on here.

That would have been a perfect gift. It certainly was according to Costa's values. Neutral laughter echoed through the room.