BXBX NOVEL Book 2: 282
Book 2: Chapter 282
“Aren’t you being too kind?”
Peran turned his gaze away from the scenery that flashed outside of the rattling carriage.
What he saw was the face of a woman who was unable to hide her displeasure.
No, it would be more accurate to say that this woman was deliberately showing him her displeased expression.
After all, this woman, who looked confident and capable, was Rina, a merchant belonging to the ‘Red Hub’, which was one of the top three merchant companies in the empire.
The standards of the Red Hub were so strict that everyone who wanted to become a member had to take several tests and interviews. And while she might seem unassuming now, Rina was a merchant with a remarkable track record even within the Red Hub. This meant that contrary to her proud, naive appearance, she had a lot of experience when it came to business.
As a merchant, one of the first skills that they mastered was being able to thoroughly hide their inner thoughts, and there was no way that Rina, who was famous in the merchant world, would not be able to hide something as simple as displeasure.
In other words, this woman, Rina, was actually complaining to Peran in a subtle way.
“What do you mean?”
Pretending not to notice, Peran tilted his head slightly and asked.
Rina continued with the displeased expression still on her face.
“He just happened to appear in our path at a time like this. I think that is too much of a coincidence.”
“…”
“Also, don’t you think that saying that he lost his memory is the best lie to use to cover up the situation? No matter what you ask, he will just say he doesn’t remember.”
“Merchant Rina.”
A soft voice sounded in her ears.
Innocent young ladies might swoon just from hearing this voice. Of course, the thing that would have the biggest effect was Peran’s appearance.
Because of her job, Rina had traveled all over the continent. This wasn’t just limited to the human countries. She had also visited the countries of the other races, and she had even seen elves with her own eyes.
In her opinion, Peran’s appearance was no lesser than theirs.
‘This world is so unfair.’
Status, personality, appearance, and talent.
The young man in front of her was given everything from birth.
If Rina had been a bit more innocent, she might have been swayed into giving up her liver, kidney and everything else for this man.
Of course, that wouldn’t happen because Rina loved money more than anything else.
“Please speak.”
“While I respect your professional consciousness, I think it is a bit of an occupational disease to be suspicious of every unexpected thing. Excessive suspicion will only cause fatigue, so it’s best to put it aside.”
“…”
Rina closed her mouth and her eyes narrowed slightly.
She realised that Peran had conveyed his intentions by packaging the phrase ‘stop prattling’ in as old fashioned a manner as possible.
“I’m sure that he was simply involved in something that he has to keep to himself.”
She couldn’t help but question those mumbled words.
Was that really what he thought?
Or did he purposefully say something ridiculous in order to see her reaction?
Rina rolled this thought over in her mind for a long time, but she soon realised that although he might seem like an ordinary noble, Peran was a Wizard.
As they were the type to risk their lives for rationality, their minds were not things that could be understood by normal people. Perhaps he was analysing the young man in his own way.
“…I’ve heard of bandits who used similar methods in the past.”
“I think I’ve heard of it too. They would have some members infiltrate a merchant convoy while pretending to be civilians. That way, they could get an idea of the items being transported as well as lead the group to their hideout.”
For a moment, she was greatly amazed by the accurate answer.
While it might be a common story among merchants, the other was the son of a Duke family.
Of course, now that he’d transferred his real power to his younger siblings and was now journeying across the continent for some unknown reason he had learned some things, but that didn’t mean that the status he was born with would just disappear.
In other words, the reason why Rina was so impressed was because she knew that the child of a high class aristocratic family would usually not be interested in such things.
“…right now, we are in a situation where no matter how careful we are, it won’t be careful enough. Lord Peran, you have a much better idea of their influence than I do.”
“I know that. But he hasn’t said anything.”
“That can’t count as proof of innocence.”
“Trust me, Merchant Rina. There will be no obstacles on our journey as long as I’m here.”
Peran’s voice was still calm but Rina didn’t say anything more.
This was because it was the truth. Peran Jun. As long as she was accompanied by this Archmage, then it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this carriage was one of the safest places in the world.
Besides, it wouldn’t be good for her to continue to press him like this.
Even if Rina was not a member of the Kastkau Empire, the hierarchical relationship between her and Peran was clear.
Of course, seeing as how amiable he was, this man would not be offended if she were to be rude to an extent. But Rina knew. The more like this someone was, the more special attention one had to pay to their behaviour.
‘Once they begin to dislike you, it’s all over.’
Although she was still suspicious of the man they had picked up by accident, it was none other than Peran who was tolerating his presence. Not only would nothing change if she kept complaining, but if she continued to press, it was highly likely that she would leave a bad impression.
After quickly calculating the profit and loss, Rina politely bowed her head and took a step back.
“…how strange.”
As she backed down, Peran muttered softly to himself.
Even during their conversation, his attention had been directed at the white haired young man they had picked up. But he kept doing the same thing he’d done since he’d entered the carriage. Blankly staring at the sky.
“Strange.”
He couldn’t help but mutter again.
When they’d first met, he felt strange mana swirling throughout this man’s body. This mana was so strange that even Peran couldn’t help but feel wary.
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‘I can’t feel it at all now.’
Peran’s eyes were discerning enough to see if there was mana flowing in the bodies of others, and if there was, how much there was and how concentrated it was.
But now, he couldn’t even feel the slightest hint of mana from this young man.
‘…I lost my memories.’
When he’d asked the young man a few questions, this was the answer he received. Of course, Peran didn’t accept these words at face value…
‘His expression wasn’t a lie.’
But he clearly remembered the indescribable emotions on this man’s face when they first met.
Among them, the most prominent emotion was confusion. He wasn’t certain about anything else, but he was at least sure that the man didn’t understand his situation at that time.
He was certainly full of mysteries.
If it were an ordinary person, they would definitely feel hesitant when they encountered a man like this.
But Wizards were different.
For them, ‘something unknown’ was a research subject to be carefully analysed and observed.
That was the best way to describe Peran’s current state. Of course, this didn’t mean he put aside his vigilance.
‘…first things first.’
He would have to talk to him.
With this thought, Peran began walking to the young man.