Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 49: Imoyan Company [1]

[10 May 1568 W.R.]

[Vesseran, Lythanis Kingdom.]

’This is troublesome.’

Akamir sat at the head of a long oak table, sunlight filtering in through the tall windows.

His body still remained limp from traveling a distance of an entire kingdom, but he didn’t mind.

It was worth coming here to check on the company he was planning to grow.

’...This is really troublesome.’

Dozens of folders were floating before him—ledgers, land rights, purchase orders, even forged inspection reports.

Despite having all these, his company was attacked by—.

"How can some random thugs attack you guys?"

Akamir groaned, letting go of his telekinesis as they all fell back on the table.

The faces of those Mimickers who had taken the identity of the dead row prisoner came to his view.

They all had their heads lowered in front of him, not daring to look into his eyes.

The middle-aged merchant who was leading the company knelt in front of him.

"It was my fault, my lord!" He shook, lowering his head even further. "You can take my life for my incompetence."

"I am not going to kill one of my important men," Akamir said, raising his hand. "Just tell me what actually happened."

"Two days ago, we were attacked at night," he replied, looking up at him.

"They destroyed the carriages that were supposed to be transferred that day."

Akamir frowned. "And they attacked once more last night?"

"Yes, my lord," he replied, his voice low.

Akamir nodded, feeling the strength returning back to his body.

’I should have taken it more seriously.’

Akamir thought, glancing up at the plain ceiling.

When he got the news about the attack two days ago, he didn’t bother with it.

He was sure the Mimickers could take care of it, but—.

’It was a mistake.’

No matter how gruesome or threatening they are, in the end their strength is limited.

’Not to mention they can’t kill humans here.’

The city of Vesseran isn’t lawless; there are police and knights who keep people in check.

People can complain about the death of one of the thugs, and Akamir wasn’t going to take the risk of getting them involved.

’One of them is captured and the entire company will be exposed.’

And in no condition does Akamir want the world to know about Mimickers.

Letting out a sigh, Akamir stood up from his seat.

"It’s my first time here," he said, looking at the middle-aged merchant. "Mind showing me around?"

He beamed in response. "Yes, my lord!"

Akamir wore a mask and a robe to hide his features as he walked out of the office.

The middle-aged merchant rose quickly, still a little shaken.

"We’ll begin with the main warehouse, if that pleases you. It’s where we process the imports before they’re moved further."

Akamir gave a nod, adjusting the sleeves of his coat.

The company’s Vesseran branch was nestled in the old industrial district; not only was it helpful, but there wasn’t any regular inspection here.

Despite the chaos of recent attacks, the compound was bustling.

Men and women in neutral uniforms carried crates and nodded respectfully to the middle-aged merchant.

’It was a good idea to hire normal humans as well.’

This way, things won’t be too suspicious.

The warehouse doors creaked open with a groan.

Inside, towering shelves of goods loomed under a ceiling threaded with pulley chains.

Akamir nodded once as he began to walk out of the place.

The middle-aged man followed behind him.

"Oh, what’s your name?" Akamir asked, looking back at him.

"It’s Nerco, my lord," he replied, bowing slightly.

"Nerco. Alright," Akamir said, walking down the main street. "Tell me about those thugs."

Nerco quickened his pace to match Akamir’s stride, hands clasped nervously behind his back.

"They’re called Wolf Fangs," he said. "They are the only gang of thugs in the area, and everyone pays them protection money."

"So, they attacked ’cause you guys didn’t pay them?" Akamir asked, tilting his head.

"Well, we did, but they started demanding absurd amounts of money," he replied grimly. "Almost thrice what they ask everyone else."

Akamir’s brow furrowed beneath the mask.

"That sounds more like a robbery, or they are trying to suppress us."

"Yes, my lord. That’s what I thought too." Nerco’s voice dropped. "They are targeting us."

Akamir nodded softly as he reached the main streets of the city.

He looked around the place where a lot of shops were opened up.

’..Hm?’

As he looked around, he noticed the same small statue in front of every shop.

It was a statue of a smiling man holding books close to his chest.

His other arm was raised with coins in them.

"Who is he?" Akamir asked, glancing at Nerco. "That statue, I mean."

"He is Aaron—God of Wealth and Knowledge, my lord," Nerco replied, his voice soft. "The kingdom follows his religion."

"...I see."

Akamir lingered for a moment, studying the statue of Aaron.

The expression was almost too serene for his taste.

Wealth and knowledge—two things the world respected, feared, and killed for.

Wrapping them into the image of a kindly god made him uneasy.

"Do these statues serve a purpose beyond symbolism?" he asked.

Nerco nodded. "They’re considered wards. Merchants believe Aaron blesses their trade and protects them from ruin."

Akamir nodded as he began to walk further into the streets of the city.

Now, shops had turned into makeshift stalls with people selling their stuff.

"Did you learn more about the trades between kingdoms?" Akamir asked, glancing back at him.

"Yes, my lord," he replied, keeping up with him.

Nerco cleared his throat. "The Aure trade is stable with Lythanis, but the Krivos routes are always seeing delays."

"Because of Forest of End, I believe," Akamir replied, stopping at a shop selling knives.

"Yes, my lord. The prices change depending on the time, and the most imported items from here are spices."

"I see," Akamir mumbled, inspecting a knife. "What about Aure Kingdom?"

"They... my lord, have a complicated case."

"How so?"

"They are the only humans who have a port that connects them to the other side of the world," Nerco whispered softly. "They use spices and other rare materials to get advanced weapons."

Akamir turned to look at him. "What type of weapons?"

Nerco leaned in, glancing around as if afraid someone might overhear. His voice lowered further.

"Cannons, automated bows, and something called Black Glass. I don’t know what it does, but it’s dangerous." He hesitated.

"And there’s a rumor saying those weapons are outdated for those on the other side."

"...."

Akamir nodded quietly without another word.

’I did hear they were a lot more advanced than those in this continent.’

Akamir’s eyes narrowed behind the mask.

’So they’re modernizing... secretly and slowly.’

And he insulted them by kissing their prince’s soon-to-be bride in front of everyone.

Akamir felt another headache coming for him.

He let out a sigh as he selected three fine knives. "How much for them?"

Nerco quickly moved forward. "Let me pay, my lord."

Akamir let him be as he hid those knives inside his robe.

He looked up at Nayomi, who was quietly floating above him.

"What do you think?" he asked. "Why are they so advanced?"

"Because they don’t worship gods," she replied simply.

Akamir just nodded as Nerco paid the stall owner.

"Where should we go now, my lord?" he asked, looking at him.

"Let’s go to the hideout of the Wolf Fangs," Akamir said, resuming his walk. "Let’s settle the score with them."

Nerco hesitated before he quickly followed him. "...Yes, my lord."

"By the way, how do you use mana?" Akamir asked, glancing back at him. "You don’t have a mana core, right?"

"We use mana like beastmen," he replied. "Instead of storing it in one place, we let it roam all over our body."

"...I see," Akamir mumbled, rubbing his chin. "Do you know how strong their leader is?"

"Uh, Tier Two in human terms," Nerco replied thoughtfully. "But I can’t be so sure."

Akamir just nodded as Nerco led the way.

The streets began to thin as they left the market behind, the cobbled paths growing cracked and weeds sprouting in between.

A collapsed building soon came to their view with a group wearing mismatched armor standing outside.

One of them, chewing on a toothpick, stood up as Nerco approached.

"Oi. This ain’t a place for your kind, merchant," he growled, squinting at Akamir’s masked face. "And who’s your friend?"

"Tell your boss," Nerco said, his voice low. "We are here to pay the price."

The men grinned. "Looks like someone returned to their place." frёewebnoѵēl.com

Without waiting for a reply, he turned around. "Come in."

Akamir followed his lead along with him.

The inside of the place was filled with those thugs.

’There are at least a hundred of them.’

He thought, glancing around the place.

The man led them to the end of the building where a bunker-type gate was present.

"What’s this?" Nerco asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Our boss makes people scream too much," he replied, grinning. "That’s why we made it a soundproof room."

Akamir’s lips twitched as the man opened the door.

A foul scent of sex filled Akamir’s nostrils.

"Boss, you have visitors," the man said, giving them way.

Akamir walked inside only to find a muscular woman lying half-naked on the bed...

...along with some weak-looking men.