Chapter 66: Trishel and Negotiation
"…That’s what she must be thinking."
『Hey, are you serious? I really wouldn’t recommend this.』
"I know. But right now, this is the most reliable option we have."
We had arrived at the entrance of the dungeon where Salem was hiding—“Usurpation.”
Everything was going according to Riven’s plan.
Over these past three days, he had devised his strategy and put every single part of it into motion.
『Wouldn’t it be smarter to just wait for Charlotte-chan?』
"No. If she comes, we’ll end up playing into their hands. In negotiations, seizing the initiative is crucial."
"I get it, I do… but still…"
I just can’t see her sitting down and talking this out calmly.
For all her years, she can be pretty childish.
I really doubt this is going to be the clean, straightforward negotiation he’s imagining.
『Let me ask you one last time—do you honestly think she’ll agree?』
"She’ll have no choice but to agree. If you’re that worried, let’s do one last confirmation."
That would ease my mind, at least a little.
It’s not that his reasoning doesn’t make sense—it does, on paper. But still, I can’t shake this uneasy feeling…
"Right now, we’ve allied ourselves with the craftsmen in the lower layers and driven off Salem’s forces."
『And the sneaky types lurking in the shadows? Your people took care of them. That means she’s got no choice but to act openly.』
If we went as far as striking down those who dared to move openly, it would hand her the perfect excuse to escalate things.
So instead, we made sure to crush only those who lacked any pretext for their actions.
"Exactly. And thanks to the work you pulled off, Salem herself can’t move either."
『You’re welcome.』
The “work” I handled was a misinformation campaign, spreading rumors under the name of the Crimson Bell.
Honestly, there was no guarantee it would succeed. I’d planned to act alone, and I didn’t have much of a track record to back me up.
But unexpectedly, members of other clans offered their help. Thanks to them, the plan unfolded smoothly.
Specifically, what I did was spread rumors that the upper-layer factions were planning to monopolize the craftsmen. And I didn’t stop there—I made sure those rumors reached not only craftsmen, but also adventurers and merchants.
The idea was that if adventurers and merchants echoed the claims, the craftsmen would have a harder time doubting them. After all, these were people they dealt with every day.
Merchants, in particular, would take this as a chance to dig into the details of the supposed monopolization. And if they investigated far enough, they’d inevitably stumble onto the planted lead about Charlotte-chan.
Once word spread that Charlotte-chan herself was being targeted for monopolization by the upper layers, merchants would start vying for her attention. That was supposed to give us a way to track her movements—but that part didn’t pan out.
Adventurers, though, were a different story. I deliberately focused on those with past ties to Charlotte-chan, the ambitious sort who’d see a chance to benefit.
If they wanted to approach her, they’d have no choice but to gather at the Stray Cat Inn. With adventurers converging there, Salem’s side would find it hard to make a move. Without lifting a finger, we’d have created a protective force around her.
And if any of those adventurers were harmed, they’d probably rally around her out of a sense of debt.
So how does this tie into keeping Salem trapped? Simple—Riven had realized she couldn’t afford to be seen in public. The way she always spoke from the shadows, never showing herself, was proof enough.
The decisive clue was when she let us escape all the way to the boss floor without pursuing.
In other words, she has a reason she can’t reveal herself. Riven may not know exactly what that reason is, but he found a way to exploit it.
By flooding the town with rumors and eyes, he made it impossible for Salem herself to appear.
Personally, I doubt she ever would have left her dungeon to begin with… but if, by some miracle, that recluse had mustered the courage to step out, things could’ve turned ugly fast. So I can’t say his plan was wasted.
Now then, to sum up our stance against Salem: our victory condition is to get Riven’s sight and hearing restored without handing over Charlotte-chan.
Salem’s victory condition is to secure Charlotte-chan at any cost.
Which means she’ll likely demand Charlotte-chan in exchange, even if she’s willing to give back Riven’s eyes and ears.
That’s why we have to act now—before Charlotte-chan arrives.
『And you still think this is really going to work?』
"This much is clear: the fact that she hasn’t made a move proves she doesn’t want the town’s order disrupted. That means if we put that order on the scales, she’ll have no choice but to listen."
Theoretically, yes—that’s how it should play out.
Neither Salem nor the others have any intention of disturbing the town’s order. If they did, it would only tighten the noose around their own necks.
…Except for extremists like Salem, most of them no longer wish to step outside at all.
"Just look at how they haven’t suppressed the craftsmen by force—it proves they value order. If all they wanted was to get their hands on her, they could abandon the town entirely and devote every resource to that. But they haven’t."
He understands that much.
That’s why he insists on solving this through logic.
…But really, is that going to work?
Right now, I have only two choices before me.
I can follow his plan and threaten Salem. Or I can reject it and argue to call this whole thing off.
Following him would be easy. Rejecting him, though—that’s hard. I have no argument to stand on.
And yet, my gut tells me this negotiation will collapse.
He doesn’t know Salem’s obsession. He doesn’t know the weight of the grudges she’s carried all this time.
I can’t explain that to him, which means I can’t persuade him. I can’t show him the kind of reasoning that would overturn his plan.
I let out a sigh. Getting caught between stubborn people is exhausting.
Charlotte-chan really managed to rein him in all this time? I could never pull that off.
『Fine. Let’s go.』
If things go south, I’ll make sure he gets away.
It’d be better if he died, honestly—but if Charlotte-chan came back and found out I’d let that happen while she was gone, how would she ever look at me again?
The plan hasn’t even started moving yet. I have to stay at her side.
…We can’t be found out. Not yet.
Suppressing the pounding in my chest, I tug his hand and head toward the dungeon.
But before that—better take one precaution.
『Hold still for a second.』
"Hm? What is it?"
『Don’t move.』
I hate this. I hate the thought of casting this spell on him. But if the worst happens, I need a safeguard in place.
Gathering mana at my fingertips, I trace a magic circle onto Riven’s back. With that, I can trigger the prepared spell whenever I choose.
『Done. Let’s go.』
"…Alright."
He clearly has no idea what I just did. That’s fine.
Honestly, I never wanted to use this spell—not deep down. Being stripped bare in front of Charlotte-chan… well, that wouldn’t be so bad, I guess. But vomiting on command? I’d rather die.
Still, better that than actual death.
I slip my arm through Riven’s, guiding him forward into the dungeon.
Inside, it’s the same as always—pitch black. But there’s something else in the air too. Probably Salem noticing our intrusion and watching us warily.
"Heh. Thinking she’s scared of us is almost funny."
I mutter under my breath, using bravado to mask my nerves. No one can hear me anyway.
Scared? Of course I am.
After all, what we’re about to face is a living legend—a woman who once stood among the mythic few.
Even if she looks pathetic now, that truth doesn’t change.
"…Don’t worry. Why do you think I’ve prepared like this?"
So my fear leaked out, huh? He must’ve sensed it.
Sure, we have a few cards Salem doesn’t know about. But will they really be enough?
If she could be beaten with something like that, then in the first place—
I let go of Riven’s hand and slap my own cheek, hard.
The sharp crack echoes through the darkness.
"…Alright! Let’s do this!"
At this point, whatever happens will happen.
All I can do is give it my best.
I clasp Riven’s hand again, and together we press onward into the monsterless dark.
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