How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 60

Episode 66: Subjugation of the Black Magician’s Workshop (11)

Fortunately, we haven’t confirmed yet if this place is a trap.

And I know the author’s personality and settings.

‘That guy is an antagonist who will communicate as long as it doesn’t interfere with his goals.’

There are various types of antagonists in the original story.

Some would try to kill me on sight if they encountered me.

But there are definitely those who wouldn’t.

The author is known as a crazy lich in this world, but that’s only because of his goals and eccentricities.

So, I just need to avoid provoking him.

If anything, if I can pique his interest, he’s easier to talk to compared to other bosses.

His danger level is high, but his aggression is low.

That’s the author’s defining characteristic.

[……Young spiritist, what is your reason for speaking to me? I wish to know.]

As expected, he’s purely curious about my actions.

Now, the real problem begins.

“I only have this to say.”

I took a moment to gather my breath and got straight to the point.

“How about we pretend we didn’t see each other regarding this matter?”

[……Is this a joke?]

“I’m making a sincere proposal.”

It wouldn’t be strange if he got angry right away.

But it was quiet.

In fact, the author has nothing to lose anymore.

He was just observing, curious about us defeating the giant.

The problem is, there’s no guarantee he’ll ignore us.

It’s true that we defeated the giant.

He was probably contemplating.

[For what reason? There’s no reason to pretend I didn’t see you. Besides, my precious research has been ruined.]

“But you’ve already moved the core to safety, haven’t you?”

[What’s your basis for saying that?]

“Because I’m still alive.”

If I had truly reached the ‘core,’ I would already be dead. I can say that with confidence.

Of course, I know what the ‘core’ of his research is.

[Hmm, there’s no reason to listen to that nonsense.]

“I’m not just begging for nothing. I’ll offer something good in return. Don’t you need a replacement?”

[Hmm? What are you talking about?]

He sounded surprised, showing agitation for the first time.

“I can guess that you’re using black magicians. If so, I know a place where there are black magicians worth using.”

The disadvantage of conducting research in parallel is that the workshop can be exposed and destroyed, like now.

The results can be taken away, but it’s difficult to replenish the lost black magicians easily.

Talent is precious to him too.

“At least seven or more. They are quite skilled. They’re different from the fools who were playing around here.”

[That doesn’t make sense. Then why did you come here?]

“Because I can’t handle that side. Do you think I’m crazy enough to fight multiple black magicians?”

Actually, this place was the easiest.

[……So you’re going to hand that over instead?]

“It’s not my thing, so it’s more like a good-faith report rather than handing it over. What you do with that information afterward is up to you.”

I’m not going there anyway.

The place I’m going to tell him about is that secret organization.

The place where the black magicians of the Integration Council operate.

The items used by that secret organization are made by the black magicians they favor.

My magic sword, Chain Sword, is also one of the items produced there.

So, I’m going to snitch on one of their workshops.

‘I’m not going to attack it anyway…….’

Moreover, that place is not where the protagonist directly attacks in the original work.

It’s just mentioned, and the kingdom’s army ends up raiding it.

It’s going to fall someday, so I might as well hand it over to that lich as a bargaining chip.

And in a way, it will also keep their activities in check.

‘I was already wondering if there was anything I could do to divert attention from the Galdena and Kiel incidents.’

If I provoke that lich and make him target them, it will be a big issue.

If I play my cards right, I can pin my actions on the author [the crazy lich].

‘I need to use what I can.’

For some reason, I can hear the screams of those black magicians I don’t even know, but it’s none of my business.

To me, both this guy and those guys are existences that could threaten my future.

So, I’ll just let them devour each other.

Go on, kill each other.

“Isn’t it a pretty good alternative? This place is destined to collapse anyway. You know that, right?”

[Is there a guarantee that you’re not lying?]

“There’s no proof. But if I lied, what benefit would I get other than extending my future by a few days?”

It would be easy for the author to find me.

“I don’t know who you are exactly, but I know you’re far stronger than me. It would be easy to find me and inflict pain.”

[Hoo? Is that all? Really?]

“Yes. Because I value my life.”

It’s too late from the moment we entered this place and faced that giant.

And I have some confidence too.

‘The author isn’t that attached to this workshop…….’

So, my proposal will work.

In the original work, Cruse, who only destroyed the workshop itself, didn’t have any grudge against him.

In the first place, the fact that Cruse in the original work didn’t know anything about this place is proof.

[……How strange.]

Kmelz muttered after a long, long deliberation.

[It’s truly strange. I can’t even guess how much time has passed since I became like this. Until now, those who knew of my existence showed various reactions. Even if they didn’t know my name, they hated and opposed me.]

Some were angry, and some were blinded by greed and foolishly pointed their swords at me.

[I thought you would be the same. But conversation and a proposal. Hahahahahahahaha! You must be crazier than me! Definitely!]

He suddenly burst into laughter.

The arm of the corpse he was using as a medium fell off because he laughed too much, but he didn’t care.

[Alright. I admit it. This place was going to be abandoned anyway. You can think of it as payment for those trinkets you’re taking. They were no longer needed anyway.]

“Trinkets…….”

[Are you dissatisfied?]

“Not really. Um, then would it be okay if we didn’t bother each other regarding this matter in the future?”

[Think as you please. However, only under the premise that your deal is true. I’ll check it myself. I’ll also take the opportunity to go out. Khehehehehehe.]

The outing of that shut-in.

I kind of want to see it, but let’s refrain. I’ll really die.

“I’ve never lied, so there’s nothing to worry about. Then I’ll tell you.”

Acting as nonchalant as possible, I told him the location of the bargaining chip.

“……It’s here.”

[……It’s in a place like that?]

“However, I don’t know what kind of people they are. I also hope you don’t ask about the source of the information. Just like I’m not interested in you.”

[I don’t care.]

Anyway, that lich will probably act indifferent even if he finds out about the existence of that secret organization.

He won’t be interested in anything other than his own goals.

[……Well, I hope your words are true.]

After that, his voice gradually faded, and soon the corpse collapsed again.

[……Then I’ll bid you farewell.]

He’s retreating quickly.

He’s lost interest in me.

The research data and results, which are his interests, are safe, and thanks to my snitching, he additionally obtained the location of black magicians to acquire.

Everything else is probably irrelevant.

I survived because of that personality.

‘I was wondering if he would do something harmful…….’

In the worst case, I was wondering if he would plant a curse, but it went well.

I can be sure because I know the author’s personality.

He’ll definitely bury ordinary humans like me in a corner of his memory.

That’s all I need.

Yes, until the protagonist provokes him instead someday.

‘……Then should I leave now?’

I have a lot to do.

Let’s not forget.

I’m just here to make money.

To earn the capital for my business.

Right now, I have no other interest than that.

“……It seems like there’s nothing more to do.”

I glanced at my back, at the place where only piles of rubble were stacked, and left this place without saying a word.

* * *

I couldn’t find anything more noticeable.

I’m still greedy, but I don’t want to step on another mine [dangerous situation] rashly.

Let’s retreat.

A wise man knows when to leave.

“Let’s just pack up what we need and return.”

“Let’s do that. I’m starting to miss the outside air.”

“Then we’ll go get the luggage we piled up over there.”

The mercenaries immediately hurried to prepare for withdrawal as if they agreed.

They carefully carried the treasures they found on their backs.

I also packed my luggage and was about to move when I turned to look at her, who was still silent.

For some reason, the back of my head is tingling.

“…….”

“Ms. Cruse?”

“……I know. I’ll follow you, so please leave first.”

She clearly has something to say to me, but I have no intention of bringing it up first.

So, we returned with a lot of loot on our backs.

At this moment, we were all immersed in a sense of elation that no one could envy.

I probably felt like a hero.

* * *

As soon as we returned to the city, we immediately decided to start discussing the distribution of the loot.

The most important thing in the world is to calculate money accurately.

No matter how tired you are, it’s a big deal if you skim money.

First, we decided to borrow a suitable room from the guild for a while and have a discussion there.

While Mr. Soland went down to report on the achievement of the subjugation request, we decided to wait quietly, looking at the treasures until he returned.

Waiting won’t be boring, because there’s something to see.

Behold, those numerous spoils!

Gulp.

Everyone can’t take their eyes off it.

In addition, so am I.

“By the way, the amount is quite substantial…….”

“Don’t you think it’s worth carrying it with a groan?”

The mercenaries whispered as if they were dreaming, as if they were ecstatic.

The atmosphere is that they can’t help but look forward to the distribution.

Well, I’m no different.

‘……Just dividing it will be thousands of dollars, and how much will it be if I dispose of the jewels and items?’

I’m getting ecstatic.

My mental calculator is already being hammered to the point of breaking.

I can’t help it, if you maintain your composure in front of money, are you even human?

You’re worse than a beast.

Look.

“……Ugh. With that, I can make new equipment…… Ha, but…… Coveting it is too vulgar, but still…….”

There’s the magician who’s most shaken by desire and restless.

He’s probably counting money in his head and his joy is clashing with his pride as a magician.

Gee, you have a lot of worries.

‘……Come to think of it, that lady was subtly weak to money.’

Due to the nature of the profession of magician, money is bound to be spent no matter what you do.

She’s unlikely to be poor, but I don’t think it’s strange to prick up her ears at the mention of money.

If you have the leeway [financial flexibility], you can do new research.

As we silently kept our eyes on the spoils in our respective desires, how long did we wait?

About an hour later, Mr. Soland finally returned to the room, perhaps because the story was over.

“……Sorry to keep you waiting. The story with the guild got a little longer.”

“Well, I thought it would be. Then let’s start the distribution.”

Immediately, we started working on dividing this achievement as if we had been waiting for it.

The first is the achievement money received from the guild.

500 gold coins for a successful subjugation.

But no one pays attention to it right now.

How luxurious.

“……Well, let’s just divide this appropriately.”

“Let’s do that.”

The conclusion was reached immediately.

In the first place, that achievement money itself is just a superficial formality, and in fact, these spoils are the real achievement itself.

That’s not the problem right now.