I summoned Neurath and Schünzel and headed for the dungeons. The bandits we had captured en route to Anheim had already been executed, and the girl who trespassed on my residence had been released in exchange for her fine. The Salters’ Guild’s cronies had also been exiled to Triot, meaning the man who we’d imprisoned earlier in the day was the only one inside.
The two didn’t look happy about it, but they agreed to accompany me. I wasn’t all too happy about this either but plastered a wry grin on my face as I loomed outside the cell framing the prisoner’s silhouette. He looked at me, his mouth agape.
“To think I’d be seeing you here,” he said.
“Can’t say I wanted to see your mug either. How are you, Rafed?”
The Lesratoga spy in my memory had been pudgier. I suppose the capital’s dungeons had helped him stick to a diet, I thought snidely.
He opened his mouth with an expression that made it clear he was trying to shake the answer out of me. Evidently, he didn’t know what I was here for. “I suppose you’re the man who is to execute me?”
“If that’s what you want from me, I’d be happy to oblige. But first, I have some work for you.”
Rafed blinked vacantly at me. I obviously didn’t have eyes on my back, but I didn’t need them to know that Neurath and Schünzel were both dumbfounded and angry by what I had said. Hopefully, they’d hold themselves back for now.
“First, let me say this. After trying to put your hands on Lily and the others, I’ve got no faith in you.”
“You put that quite plainly.”
“That also means that if you refuse, I really will just execute you.”
Rafed was still on the ground, but he looked up with a clink of his chains. If someone’s going to glance up at me, beseeching me with puppy eyes, I wish it were at least some pretty girl. Getting it from a middle-aged crook sure wasn’t doing anything for me.
“We’re on the front lines, and it’s likely that the Demon army will attack soon. If you refuse to cooperate, I’ll just kill you. That being said, if I lose to the Demon army, they’ll rampage through this town, and you’ll die anyway.”
“I can’t be a spy for the Demon army, I suppose. They’d just eat me before I could extend an offer.”
“It’s not safe outside of town either. Even if you tried to run, there’s no guarantee you’d survive.”
“I see. So if I wanna live, working with you is my only choice,” he said with a sigh. It seemed like theatrics, but whatever. I didn’t think he was stupid, and actually, if he had served as a spy, I was sure he was naturally quick at judging his circumstances.
Plus, he was once a member of the second prince’s faction. With the groundwork now laid for the first prince to take over, I was sure he’d have some difficulty returning home. However reluctant he might be, he needed to throw his lot in somewhere new.
After a moment of consideration, Rafed at last spoke. “And the esteemed viscount will assure my safety if I cooperate?”
“I will, though I’m not clearing your slate when the job’s done.” That wasn’t a lie. I mean, why would I bother lying, anyways?
“What would you have me do?”
“First, a question. You’re a merchant and have some familiarity with poisons, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
That’s all I needed. His knowledge would help me win. During Japan’s Warring States era, Takeda Shingen once said, “You do not use people, you use their talents,” and I planned on using Rafed’s talents as much as I could.
“I suppose I could have you work with numbers as an official, but I’d rather make use of your knowledge. First…”
I explained myself. In the beginning, he seemed to be in disbelief, but as I spoke, his visage became drawn. It was true that the methods I was proposing were underhanded, but if I was fighting the Demon army, I sure wouldn’t be fighting evenhanded.
“So, that’s how far you’d go?”
“It is. I’ll afford you a living wage. Oh, and I won’t limit your movements, but I will post a guard to watch over you.”
“Understood. In that case, I will have to prepare myself accordingly.”
I would have to do something if he somehow managed to escape, but I was pretty sure he’d first decide to take some time to gather information about the town’s current state of affairs and its periphery. Even if was planning something, he’d be obedient for now.
First, I’d introduce Rafed to the others. Then, in order to work some stress out of Neurath and Schünzel, and maybe get some exercise myself, I figured I’d get used to my new spear. Failing to adjust to its new weight could lead to mistakes. I’d have to get the hang of it before things got busy.