I Became the Younger Brother of the Female Protagonist in the Novel

But Kayneth waved his hand and replied as if he didn’t care.

“Don’t worry, I’ll provide any budget. I will never starve you guys.”

Albert smiled bitterly at Kayneth’s answer.

Albert spent about two months with Keynes and had many conversations. Even the story that Keynes turned 10 this year.

There were many times when I doubted whether it was really a 10-year-old boy, but how on earth should I take the statement that this boy feeds them?

Albert smiled bitterly for a moment, then hardened his eyes as if he had promised something.

‘Now I’m just following the Master’s instructions. Let’s not think of anything else.’

Albert sent someone to the Skull the next morning, following Kayneth’s instructions.

Arden’s organization member, Warret, who was entrusted with a kind of messenger role, headed to the slums of District 1 with a calm expression.

Is it because it’s daytime? There were really few people wandering the streets of the slums.

Of course, rare large men glared at Warret, but Warret, who was 183cm tall and weighed 81kg, confidently moved to Skull’s headquarters despite their eyes.

smart smart

After knocking three times, the door opened after only 20 to 30 seconds.

kiik-

“Who are you?”

“I came from Ardennes.”

“Arden? What is it?”

“… … .”

Ardennes was no different from some kind of emerging force.

But is it because they destroyed Celtrocell overnight? Among criminals, Arden’s name quickly spread.

Warret looked at the other person’s fishy smile and smiled.

“You can think of it as the organization that destroyed Celtrocell. Please deliver this letter to your boss.”

“what is that?”

Was Warrett’s laugh offended? A 2m tall man with a stern look with tanned skin asked with a growl.

Warrett replied without losing her smile.

“It’s a warning from our boss. Do you know how Celtrocell fell?”

“Alba… … !”

“Because our boss is a fourth circle wizard.”

“… … ?!”

At Warrett’s remark, the man’s eyes widened.

“It is very famous that the Speywon family is behind you, but if you continue to attack Arden, we will be prepared to die and destroy this area.”

“This child… … !”

“So, let’s sign a non-aggression pact not to touch each other’s territory. Please pass this on to your boss.”

Warret left immediately after handing the parchment letter to the man.

Seeing Warret like that, the man frowned and nodded his head at the men hiding in the alley.

‘Look at my hand.’

Soon, five rice cake sticks followed Warrett.

And at the end of the 10-minute chase… … .

Pupper puck!

“Cheuk… … ?!”

“Turn off… … .”

Five men lying on the floor.

The giant rice cakes, taller than 180cm and weighing just over 100kg, rolled on the floor in just one minute.

“Tsk, the captain told me not to touch him if possible… … .”

Warrett scratched his head, put the rice cake sticks away in the alleyway, and returned to the Ardennes headquarters.

And at that time, the letter handed over from Warret was delivered to Hasla, the leader of Skull who just woke up.

The Skull, a gigantic organization that practically dominates the slums of Karvan City as a top-notch expert expert.

They sometimes received commissions from the Spey One family and performed them, and made personal connections with the central government and the guards to pressure rival organizations by handing bribes.

“Arden… … . These are the guys who said they destroyed Celtrocell in one night.”

“That’s right. Besides, I heard that the head of Ardennes is a high-ranking magician of the 4th circle… … .”

“For a high-ranking magician of the 4th circle, it would be impossible to blow up this area.”

Hasla read the contents of the non-aggression pact written in the letter and slightly frowned.

“Who caused a disturbance at the inn of the Ardennes store?”

“It looks like the lower end guys caused a commotion for a while.”

Hasla raised her voice in anger at the subordinate’s answer.

“Take care of it right now! And send someone to Ardennes. I’ll think positively about the non-aggression pact, so come see me the day after tomorrow.”

“… … All right.”

With a height of 190 cm and a weight of 87 kg. black hair and black eyes. And Hasla, who has dark skin.

His whole body was dyed in pitch black, and he smiled as he rested his chin on his face.

“It is as Ain said. If Vesta was attacked, it could really be a 4th Circle mage.”

Unlike the Skull, the emerging force called Arden was a legitimate organization.

According to rumors, they established a business association and organized a mercenary group to build their own power, but it seems that all members of the organization are made up of the poor.

Ain, the only surviving member of Celtro Cell Headquarters, immediately immersed himself in the Skull.

According to Arden’s information obtained from him… … .

“Did I say I was a child less than 150cm tall?”

It was a remark that wasn’t even funny, but Ain replied with sincerity even though a knife had been inserted into his throat.

“Hmm… … .”

It was still questionable whether Ain’s words should be trusted.

But that’s something you have to meet in person.

Hasla aroused a little interest in an organization called Arden.

* * *

March 4, 1249, 11:00 PM, Ardennes Headquarters.

Albert entered the chief’s office on the top floor of the headquarters.

The boy who founded the Ardennes Company and organized the Ardennes Mercenary Corps, Kayneth.

Albert handed him some papers and made a report.

“First of all, I received a reply from Skull saying that I would like to speak with you. Also, the boss, Hasla, said that he would think positively about the Mutual Non-Aggression Pact. I ask you to come to me by midnight the day after tomorrow.”

Keynes rested her chin on her chin and only moved her eyes to look at Albert.

“… … Albert, just follow me. If the number of people increases for no reason, it may cause trouble in case of emergency.”

“All right.”

Albert nodded without question.

“Rather than that, the members of the organization seem to be starting to gain weight these days.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Bocchan.”

“Is there anyone in the mercenary corps who handles swordsmanship?”

At Keynes’ question, Albert shook his head with a bitter expression.

“Not a single person has been found who has received the blessing of mana. Therefore, all members of the current mercenary corps are learning martial arts through Fade, the leader.”

“It’s a martial art… … .”

“Currently, some members have improved their skills to the point where they can easily subdue criminals in the slums.”

After receiving the report from Albert, Kayneth put on a slightly dissatisfied expression, but when she heard about the incident this morning, she let out a small salvo.

The Ardennes mercenary group collided with a small criminal organization.

It is said that 10 criminals were subdued by only 3 mercenaries.

At Albert’s report that it took him less than five minutes to subdue the criminals, Keynes changed his expression and nodded in satisfaction.

“But if you can’t use mana, there will be limits to martial arts and swordsmanship.”

The difference between being able to handle mana and not being able to handle it is enormous.

Even Keynes, who hadn’t physically grown at all, could run a distance of 100m in 8-9 seconds using mana.

Albert let out a slight moan at Keynes’ remark that even the speed and power of swinging the sword revealed a big difference.

“I don’t know what kind of swordsman Hasla uses, but even if all the Ardennes mercenaries attack, he won’t be able to stop him.”

“that… … .”

Albert gave a look of disbelief.

And Kaynez shrugged his shoulders.

“That means that mana is important.”

Well, considering the physical aspect, the Ardennes mercenary corps had a certain win rate.

However, it was clear that the members who would be feared by Hasla’s swordsmanship were clear, and it was not easy to deny that the members who had lost their will to fight might become Hasla’s prey.

“So when I’m away, I need someone who can protect this Ardennes.”

“… … .”

Albert’s expression hardened and he was lost in thought for a moment.

They are recruiting talented people by walking around the slums, but does a person skilled enough to handle swordsman really need to live in the slums? Even if he worked as a mercenary, he would have enough to live on.

“… … I heard that there are many children who do not know whether they have received the blessing of mana or not?”

“Yes, and adults who grew up in the slums don’t seem to know exactly whether they have mana either.”

Every year, the state conducted tests on newly born children to see if they had received the blessing of Mana.

And children with mana were supported by the state and their future was guaranteed, while those who did not had to inherit their parents’ jobs or find a new job.

Children growing up in facilities such as orphanages are also checked every year to see if they have received the blessing of mana, but there is a limit to the number of people that can be accommodated in the facility.

Because of this, children growing up in the slums had to grow up without being able to properly hear the story of the blessing of Mana, and it seems that such a generation has continued.

“Next week, it has been decided that a priest will visit Arden. After examining the new recruits who volunteered to join the mercenary corps, we will report back.”

“… … Yes, for now, secure the power to protect the organization first. It doesn’t matter if the company expands its size slowly, but it must quickly prepare the strength of the mercenary group to protect the organization.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Even if you establish a business, if you don’t have the ability to protect it, you will have no choice but to be defeated by someone someday.

Even if they perform a sabotage operation above the competition, they should increase the number of skilled guards to the level where they can perfectly block it, and pursue perfection by preparing for legally problematic parts.

For a small business that had just entered the market, it was inevitable, like a kind of custom.

If there’s anything I can say I’m glad about… … It was that Spayone Corporation didn’t even pay attention to the current Arden.

“Well, from their point of view, it’s probably just one more hole-in-the-wall shop around the house. Or maybe they’ll try to eat it when it starts to grow a little bit.”

“… … I’m pretty sure there’s a good chance of that happening. There are dozens of small and medium-sized businesses that have been eaten by Speyone so far… … .”

Keynes clicked her tongue and closed her eyes.

‘… … Damn, that’s a lot to think about. I’ll have to revise my plan a bit.’

If you marry Elizabeth, the Ardennes Company will be able to rely on the Rose family. But until then, we will have to continue fighting fiercely with other merchants.

If so, what must be done to protect the Sanghoe?

‘I’ll have to wait at least a few years before I can marry Elizabeth. Can the Ardennes Corporation survive in the meantime? I’d rather secure a title and become independent from the Spey One family… … .’

Pausing his thoughts, Kayneth let out a small sigh and shook his head.

I knew that if I put Albert up as a professional manager, it would be okay to live a leisurely life behind it. However, Albert’s abilities began to show limits after he founded the trading company.

“For now, assuming a contingency situation, reinforce the headquarters’ security. Also check the emergency evacuation facilities properly.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As soon as Keynes heard Albert’s answer, he got up immediately.

I guess I should think about the future of Ardennes for a while.

“ha… … . I have to go today.”

Kayneth escapes Arden Headquarters.

After letting out a deep sigh as if to let go of all his worries, he immediately moved toward the night auction.

after a while,

Swoop.

Endairon, looking around from the sky, perched on his shoulder.

Episode 21

21. Karvan’s Criminal Organization (3)

– There were about three of them. These guys are armed with flimsy weapons in sloppy clothes.

“… … Was the Skull monitoring you?”

Kayneth murmured softly at Endairon’s story. Then, passing through the alley leading to the auction house, I entered the alley that led to the slums in District 9.

Tada da dot.

Three men chasing after him.

Kayneth stopped in the streets of the slums, turned his head, and made eye contact with his pursuers.

The Chaser… … No, the members of Skull’s organization were shocked and tried to hide themselves in the alleyway… … .

“You’ve already seen it all, why are you hiding again?”

that buck… … .that buck… … .

The three men who appeared sighed at Keynes’ one word.

All of them were in their 30s, 170-180 cm tall, and had a stocky body.

Men in their 30s chasing young boys.

“Are you the boss of Arden?”

When a man standing in the center asked a question, Keynes smiled and nodded.

Because the whole body was covered with a cloak, I couldn’t examine Kayneth’s expression in detail.

The men touched their bodies with a relaxed look.

“Is such a child really a wizard of the 4th circle?”

“It’s not even funny.”

“Hmm… … .”

As the men began exchanging something with each other, Keynes took out a staff member from his bosom.