Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 97

Episode 97: Going to the Kingdom (2)

The border between the Kingdom of Estyria and the Republic of Libyan.

In between, two barriers were erected on either side.

These were walls created through magic at the request of the Magic Tower, and belonged to each principality and kingdom respectively.

If it were a normal border, there would be only one, but two are countries divided by war. This was to prevent small frictions from turning into big fires.

And between the barriers there are checkpoints.

It manages and supervises all the logistics that go between the duchy and the kingdom, as well as travelers and other passersby. Because it is quite large, many people settle down here.

If you open a restaurant, unless the food is really bad, it won't fail.

From that perspective, the checkpoint could be seen as a city.

Since it was a place that symbolized neutrality between the two countries, those in charge of it came from the private sector, so there were no major conflicts.

The duchy and the kingdom only watch each other from afar.

The guards guarding the checkpoint shivered from the cold.

“Ah, I’m going to die from the cold. Hey, rookie! How long has it been since your shift change?”

“Yes! It’s been 8 minutes!”

“Just that? Why is it that time doesn’t pass by?”

“I don’t know either!”

“I don’t know!”

"evil!"

The expression on the face of the rookie who got kicked in the shin was distorted.

But what can I do? If you don't like it, just quit. The weather is harsh, but it's rare to get paid this much for security work.

That's why it was so stagnant that the downward slope was severe.

As time passed, the snowstorm grew stronger.

The senior soldier was dozing off in a corner, wrapped in a blanket. The rookie glared at the senior soldier and spat down the wall.

'I wish I was frozen.'

At that moment, a magnificent carriage decorated in gold and black appeared in the snowstorm. The senior soldier got up at the sound of rough horse hooves.

“That’s… the Icarus chariot?”

“What is that?”

“Don’t you know that checkpoint guard? Anyway…… That’s an international carriage. It’s a carriage that handles everything from the passengers’ entry procedures to everything else. It’s incredibly expensive and not just anyone can hire it……”

Is he a nobleman? Or maybe he is an executive of a wealthy company.

The top priority is to make sure that no one is nitpicking. The method is simple. It is the only know-how that a senior soldier has acquired during his seven years of guard duty.

“Go and bring the captain of the guard right now.”

If a problem arises, pass it on to the person in charge.

This was a checkpoint.

* * *

“We will handle your entry perfectly. However, it will take time, so you will have to stay at the checkpoint today. We have already prepared a hotel for you, so don’t worry about where to sleep. We will pick you up tomorrow morning.”

The driver of the Icarus chariot headed toward the checkpoint commander, guided by the captain of the guard.

Originally, there was an escort service, but Verden refused. Instead, he reduced the cost by a certain amount.

Verden looked around the small, snow-covered town.

'This is the checkpoint.'

There are more people than I thought.

The upper level was full of travelers, mercenaries, and adventurers looking for work. There seemed to be requests at the checkpoint as well.

Verden walked slowly through the city, looking for the largest tavern.

'I said that Pale's informant was here.'

A place where you can get the latest information on the Kingdom of Esritia.

He went inside and sat down at the far corner of the bar. The female bartender approached Berden.

“What would you like?”

“A glass of Baker’s 3-year-old red wine and a smoked duck.”

After saying that, he knocked on the desk twice.

The female bartender's eyes darted around, then she tapped the desk once.

That's correct.

After a while, the food came out.

The taste wasn't particularly interesting, considering the cheap price. While he was simply filling his stomach, a drunkard staggered over and sat down next to Verden.

“I have heard of your reputation, Asher. What information do you require?”

A voice without a single flaw.

The drunkard's acting was top-notch.

“Updated information about the kingdom.”

“Thank you for the latest information. I think I’ll be able to help you out a lot.”

The drunkard gestured to a wall with his chin.

There were notices from the principalities and kingdoms, and the one from the kingdom that said 'No Flying Order' was in the middle.

“About a month ago, a wizard seriously injured the count’s child and ran away. The count was desperate to catch him.”

To seriously injure a noble child… … .

But does that mean we should issue a no-fly order across the kingdom?

“That is the Kingdom of Estyria. The authority of the nobles is incomparable to that of the principality. Most nobles will make up a cause if they have no justification. And the current situation is even more so.”

“What if that's the situation?”

“The whole country is in turmoil right now as people are fighting over the next throne.”

The king is old.

That is why the princes form their own factions and fight for power in secret. When the king comes down from the throne, the king will be decided by who has the greatest power.

“The First Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince are secretly trying to maintain their factions even if it means stealing from the national treasury. For now, the First Prince is the strongest. He has the support of the huge underworld. And the neutrals who do not want to get involved in the factional fights are flocking to the First Princess.”

“Is the princess excluded from the struggle for the throne?”

“It’s because she’s a woman, but it’s impossible to do that in the first place. The princess isn’t in a condition to move normally.”

The princess is currently in a state close to idiot status.

As a child, he suffered a serious head injury from an explosion, and has spent his entire life in a wheelchair with dead eyes.

All that remains is an extreme self-defense mechanism.

“That’s why people call her the doll princess.”

“What about the treatment?”

“As you know, if your brain is injured, normal recovery is impossible even with divine power. Unless you are a Pope or a saint. And even if it were possible to cure it, the princes would be against it. The princess was once so smart that she was called a genius, so no matter how small the possibility, the princes would not want to increase their competition.”

The kingdom is in the midst of a political civil war.

The privileged class is not interested in the people's livelihood at all in order to protect their own property. The citizens are enduring an era where each person survives for himself.

“Normally, when flesh rots, it is cut out. Even if it hurts, it can reduce the damage. But the kingdom is different. Even if the flesh rots and puss …

There was disgust in the drunkard's voice.

Verden asked for other information.

It wasn't as big as the previous information, but it gave me a vague understanding of the situation in the Kingdom of Estyria.

After paying for the information, Verden spent the night at the inn.

* * *

The next day, Verden left the checkpoint without a hitch.

As expected of a famous international carriage, it took care of the complicated immigration procedures for me without me even having to do anything. And it even provided me with an ID card that could be used in the kingdom.

'You're getting your money's worth.'

Verden looked outside the carriage.

This is the Kingdom of Estyria.

A white meadow covered in snow spread out before us. Perhaps because it was not far away, it was not much different from the scenery of the duchy.

Verden took out the map he had obtained from Pale.

Among them, I turned my gaze to the city in the direction that Verden was heading.

The city of Asern.

This was the place where Gray's information agent, 'Ferne', who Pale had written a letter of introduction for, was active.

'I said that the security situation was quite bad.'

That's what I heard from the drunkard.

From the count who acts as the mayor and lord to the poor, there is no one who is not good. Corruption, that is the Kingdom of Estiria.

That's why Verden was so anticipated.

How large will the commission be?

There may be a strong person who can become a stepping stone for Verden.

'I wish it was better than the duchy.'

Of course, I don't intend to just take whatever comes my way.

As requested by Pale, I will move forward while maintaining my own standards.

All of this for Verden's growth.

A few days passed like that.

“Customer, we have arrived at Aserne.”

Verden poked his head out the window.

The huge town was surrounded by a circular wall.

'This is an old architectural style. I heard that this type of style was banned for safety reasons.'

Since there was nothing that could be done about what had already been built, in that case it was mandatory to build a wall to protect the village.

But there was no such wall here.

Rather, development was underway on the outskirts of town. Glancing down the street, I noticed that people seemed familiar and didn't seem to care.

Finally, we passed through the gate of Aserne.

Upon arriving at his destination, Verden got out of the carriage and looked around the city.

It was more hectic than I thought… … Unlike the duchy, I felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort.

“Thank you for using the Icarus Chariot. Have a nice trip.”

The carriage drove off and Berden was left alone.

It was quite some time after lunch, but the sun hadn't set yet. I didn't really feel like eating.

'I guess I should visit the Dyna Bank first.'

Open an account and deposit money.

Next, we need to meet with the information officer, Fernet. Verden, who had decided the order, took his steps.

* * *

Ferné with lavender hair.

She was a capable information agent and a local lord for the Kingdom of Grey.

Once upon a time.

“Gyaaaaaaah!”

Fernet was on the verge of going crazy. No, he was already halfway crazy.

Ferné took out the vodka he had been saving and poured it into his mouth. He knew that he would not be able to remain sane if he did not do this.

Gulp, gulp!

I drank a bottle of vodka in one go.

But reality remained the same. I stumbled and soon fell to the floor, hugging my knees.

“What should I do?”

Fernet prided himself on being an information broker. In fact, his reputation outside was similar.

But not now.

Now she was just a powerless woman sitting on a mountain of debt. Why did she end up like this? It must be because she couldn't survive Gray's competition.

However, what was unfair was that he was not pushed aside simply because of his skills as an information broker.

“You little shits……!”

New information brokers with nobles and the wealthy as their patrons.

They were too strong. They took control of Gray in an instant and took away all the clients. The same goes for arranging commissions.

She couldn't resist literally pouring money into it alone.

It was difficult to gain an advantage in terms of quantity and quality of information because it involved absorbing various information sources and creating a ‘combination’.

Fernedo had also been invited to join the union.

But I refused. It was my pride as an information broker.

And the consequences of that choice were disastrous.

Nobody comes here to buy information.

No one wants to take on a commission.

I borrowed money to maintain my connection, but it was eventually cut off.

This was the world. Monsters who had no sense of loyalty and only cared about money and their own gain.

‘I should have gone to the duchy too… … .’

Ferné rolled around, sobbing.

At that time, if I had followed my senior, Pale, would things have been different?

When he suddenly said he was leaving the kingdom, I thought it was a stupid decision, but it was me who was stupid.

Rumor has it that Pale holds great influence in the Duchy of Grey, while he himself is a loser in the competition.

'No, now is not the time to regret.'

I have to get out of this situation somehow.

I borrowed tens of millions of dollars from a notorious loan shark, but I can't even repay the interest properly.

It's already been a month.

After two months, forced collection is possible according to the contract.

All that's left of Fernet is his body.

In other words, becoming an illegal slave. As a woman, I couldn't even imagine what would happen to me.

‘… … Should I run away?’

I had that thought for a moment, but quickly gave it up.

How far can he run away from this city? He will surely be caught soon. And he will suffer even more terrible things.

Should I die now?

But I didn't want to die. How had I lived until now? It was too scary…

There is no way.

I don't like this or that.

Fernet was cornered.

If someone doesn't lower a rope, I'll be trapped and die.

“Oh my, my fate…….”

Ferné shed a few tears.

Just then, the door opened and sunlight came in.

When Ferné turned his body and looked in that direction, someone wearing a robe turned inside out was standing there.

* * *

‘… … Is this the right place?’

Verden entered an old tavern.

There was floating dust and a musty smell. Inside, a woman was rolling around on the floor, sobbing.

Verden recalled the information Pale had given him and went outside for a moment.

'Perper Tavern'.

It sounded like a name a child would have made up, but it was the same name on the sign I had heard from Pale. As we went back inside, a woman with lavender hair asked.

"who are you?"

"I am……."

“Oh, you’re not a customer?! Just a moment! I’ll bring you a chair!”

Without even listening to the answer, Ferné started moving in a hurry.

She hurriedly prepared a seat and sat down across from Verden.

“I’m not accepting requests right now, I’m only selling information! What kind of information do you want? If I know it, I’ll give it to you cheaply!”

It's true that information is needed, but… … .

Verden took out Pale's letter of introduction from his space bag and handed it to him.

“I was introduced.”

“Introduction…? Then you’re not a guest…?”

thud.

Fernet collapsed on the desk.

She looked at the letter of introduction she was handed, her face suddenly turning tearful.

What on earth is this sudden letter of introduction? No matter how much I thought about it, nothing came to mind.

But there was a familiar name written on it.

“Pale?”

Fernet immediately opened the letter of introduction and looked at its contents.

There were only two sentences written there.

[2nd grade. Treat with extreme care.]

Huh? What is this?

Fernet naturally raised his head. At that moment, Verden opened his robe.

"uh……."

Slightly dark gray hair and clear blue eyes. That mysterious aura was extraordinary in itself.

For a moment, Ferné was dumbfounded, but at the same time, he realized something.

'To Pale, being a second-tier customer means you're a big shot!'

And if you receive a letter of introduction, it means that someone has come to you with information to arrange a request.

Fernet got up from his seat in a hurry.

Without a moment of hesitation, she knelt down next to Verden and grabbed the hem of his robe. Verden blinked at the unexpected turn of events and Fernet shouted.

“Please help me!”

What is this?