The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar

'Even without the World Tree, they wouldn't have used teleportation magic circles.'

Transporting this much volume through teleportation magic circles would require an equivalent amount of magic stones.

Considering profit and loss, it would result in zero gain, making it a choice no merchant could make.

"Hyde, has there been a response from father?"

"Yes. The family's combat ships are heading to Kaide now. And items will be delivered along the way."

"Not bad."

By the time they finished checking everything, guards sent from the castle arrived.

"Young Master Gerhard Goldenheim, we come sent by the Viscount."

"We'll escort you."

They were ten elves with sharply pointed ears. Each one was a formidable fighter in their own right.

"Let's go."

It was time to meet Viscount Fridien.

***

The Fridien Viscount family.

Having settled in the southern part of the continent for a long time, they weren't originally part of the Empire.

The kingdom of elves, Elven's old royal family.

A clan that worships the sacred tree, the World Tree, and rules the forest.

As if not forgetting their past, the Fridien territory was distinctly different from other imperial territories.

'More precisely, it's about racial identity.'

A city harmonized with the forest, pointed ears, and the World Tree visible in the distance.

I'd heard that spirits occasionally wander about, but they weren't visible to Gerhard's eyes, which lacked spirit affinity.

"Welcome."

Viscount Fridien was an elf with a youthful appearance. Considering that elves have lifespans similar to humans but generally look younger, this was natural.

Perhaps because they had similar hair colors, he seemed more like Ariadne's older brother than her father.

"Pleased to meet you, Viscount. I am Gerhard Goldenheim, responsible for this commercial expedition."

"I know. I specifically requested you, so I should know who you are."

He laughed heartily, which didn't match his face. The overall impression wasn't bad.

I thought he would be angry because of the sudden request to expedite the schedule.

It was one of two things. Either he was simply a good person, or having Gerhard himself as the person in charge was more important than that.

"I've prepared a meal. Ariadne tells me you haven't had lunch yet."

"I'll gratefully partake."

In the grand banquet hall were only Viscount Freide Fridien, the Viscountess, their daughter Ariadne, and Gerhard and Hyde.

"Does it suit your taste?"

Gerhard lightly cut the steak and said:

"Yes, I can understand why elven cuisine is so renowned."

"Elves do have a certain flair for gastronomy."

Viscount Freide smiled contentedly.

"Aren't you curious? Why I specifically requested you."

"I heard roughly from Ariadne, but is that not all?"

"Of course not. If you become the person in charge, Goldenheim will pay that much more attention, but even without that, they couldn't be negligent, could they?"

That was true.

Even excluding their status as a Grand Duke family, Fridien was a massive collective and wealthy.

If they paid enough money, the Golden Turtle Company would always be ready to do their best.

"Then what is it?"

"So, I was wondering, would you consider an engagement with Ariadne?"

"I decline."

Gerhard answered immediately without a moment's hesitation.

Although the Fridien family had obtained the position of Grand Duke and had the support of all elves within the Empire, Gerhard didn't need to be bound by a political marriage.

From the beginning, Gerhard had better options than Fridien.

"Hmm, was that too sudden?"

"Yes. It was."

"I see."

The Viscount brushed it off casually.

Neither the Viscountess nor Ariadne changed their expressions and continued their meal, and the Viscount quickly changed the subject.

"Let's talk a bit about business then. I've already heard from the branch manager, but since you changed the schedule, I'd like to hear directly from you about the resulting changes."

"Yes, actually..."

And until the end of the meal, the Viscount never asked why the schedule had been moved up.

***

"A letter from the young master."

The Duke slowly and carefully read the neatly written letter.

"I'm glad things went well. Tell them to proceed as planned."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"What do you think?"

"I believe the young master has no reason to lie."

"I think so too."

It was after the second piece of evidence had already been delivered to the family.

Two demons trying to kill Aint Armian.

Upon confirming that these demons had disguised themselves as members of the Golden Turtle Company, the Duke realized they were trying to drag Goldenheim into a swamp.

"How dare those vermin...!"

A thousand years was an extremely long time.

Long enough for humans to forget the existence of demons, and for demons to forget their fear of the Grand Dukes who were their main enemies.

"How many demons could be hiding throughout the family and company, and how ridiculous that we didn't notice until now."

The Duke smiled self-deprecatingly. This was undoubtedly his failure.

"What about the Dragon Faith Church?"

"They said they would send the promised items soon. They are also aware of the demons, so the conversation was easy."

Once the items arrived from the Dragon Faith Church, they would soon conduct an extensive search for demons infiltrating the family.

Of course, they couldn't do it openly.

The fact that no one knew they had started infiltrating again was their greatest strength. And the opposite was also true.

Complacency in thinking they hadn't been discovered yet. That was currently one of the two most powerful daggers Goldenheim possessed. The first was, of course, money.

"For now, grant all of Gerhard's requests."

"Yes. I will do my best."

Tap, tap. As if still dissatisfied with something, the Duke's fingers drumming on the desk gradually quickened.

"...I should assume the worst."

"Your Grace."

"It's obviously a trap set by demons, yet he's volunteering to go. Gerhard is requesting support and devising methods as his own precautions, but what if it's beyond that?"

Given that these were demons appearing after a thousand years, they couldn't be careless.

"If that happens, the transport will fail, and the credit of both the company and family will hit rock bottom. As the head of Goldenheim, I cannot just stand by and watch."

"Your Grace."

"Summon the Red Turtle Squad right now and..."

"Your Grace...!"

The butler interrupted the Duke. It was an enormous discourtesy, but a somewhat familiar action between the two.

"The young master will be safe. Isn't he already aware of the demons and thwarting their plans before we are?"

"That's the biggest problem."

The Duke's eyes grew cold.

"Finding the magic stone vein could have been luck, but..."

Identifying traces of demons multiple times and preparing for them was a separate issue.

How did Gerhard manage to find those whom even the Duke, with his vast information network, couldn't detect?

"When this is over, I have many questions."

Many indeed.

But separately from that.

"What about hiring a lot of mercenaries to send?"

"...Your Grace, please."