Chapter 58: The Twisted Contract
The ogre’s words pierced my thoughts more sharply than the night’s cold air.
“The Golden Lion.”
Why would a monster that ruled this forest know the name of the organization manipulating the city’s economy from the shadows?
In the tense silence, the ogre saw that I had not lowered my guard and slowly set his club on the ground.
Whether it was proof that he held no hostility—or a sign of overwhelming confidence—I couldn’t tell.
“…You aren’t working for the Golden Lion?”
This time, the ogre looked at me with suspicion.
“We received reports that someone had been investigating our movements over the past few days.”
“I assumed they had sent you… but it seems I was mistaken.”
So they had been the ones tailing us after all.
They probably hadn’t realized I had found the collar on the wolf.
Still, it was obvious my presence had never been part of their plans.
“I have no intention of joining forces with the Golden Lion.”
“I’m merely here to protect this ranch as its hired guard.”
At my answer, the ogre let out a deep, heavy sigh.
There was less anger in it than exhaustion—almost resignation.
“Then listen.”
“I will tell you why we have resorted to this.”
The ogre began his story.
It was far more shocking than I had expected.
“We have a contract with the Golden Lion.”
“We are not to harm humans.”
“We are to take only fully grown livestock.”
“In return, they overlook our existence.”
“That is the agreement.”
Then he revealed something even harder to believe.
“A portion of the livestock we steal is handed over to them.”
“It is not a contract we wanted.”
‘…What kind of madness is that?’
If he was telling the truth, then the whole affair was a farce.
The Golden Lion was using demi-humans to steal livestock, deliberately worsening the shortage throughout the market.
Then they were taking a cut of the stolen livestock from the monsters themselves.
This went far beyond simple profiteering.
Before me stood three ogres, several wargs, and dozens of wolves still lurking in the darkness.
I could defeat them.
That much was certain.
But even if I wiped them all out, nothing would change while the Golden Lion remained.
There would simply be a second incident.
Then a third.
“Why would you agree to such an absurd contract?”
“With strength like yours, there had to be a better way.”
The ogre’s expression twisted in bitterness.
“We did not choose this willingly…”
Originally, they had lived peacefully in mountains far from here.
Several months earlier, however, a band of human brigands had attacked their settlement and driven them from their home.
The survivors wandered from place to place.
Unable to find enough food, they eventually drifted into the outskirts of Vaide.
“At first, we intended to find honest work.”
“But before we reached the city…”
“…the first human we encountered was the masked swordsman.”
That masked swordsman again.
“With overwhelming strength, he cut down several of our companions as an example.”
“Then he warned us.”
“‘Come near the city, and I’ll slaughter every last one of you.'”
The ogre clenched his fist tightly.
“That was when he offered us the contract.”
“We were starving.”
“We had no choice but to obey, no matter how unwilling we were.”
Silence settled between us.
They were perpetrators.
But they were victims as well.
And the one responsible for creating this twisted situation was inside the city of Vaide.
Slowly exhaling, I returned my sword to its scabbard.
“I understand your circumstances.”
“But you know what will happen if you continue these raids.”
I pointed toward the watchtower where the ranch owner and the shopkeepers were waiting.
“Because of the livestock you’ve taken, countless people in the city are suffering.”
“If word of this spreads, the city will organize a proper extermination force.”
“When that happens, this won’t end with a small skirmish like tonight.”
“…!”
The ogres stiffened.
They had made an agreement with the Golden Lion, who claimed to represent the city.
Why, then, would the city attack them?
Confusion and anxiety filled their faces.
“There is no guarantee the Golden Lion intends to keep its promises.”
“If anything, they’ll abandon you the moment you become inconvenient.”
“When the extermination force comes, you’ll be hunted as nothing more than monsters.”
I looked the ogre leader straight in the eye.
“Now that I’ve heard your story, I don’t want that outcome either.”
“But as long as I’m here as this ranch’s guard, I can’t allow any more raids.”
“…Then what do you expect us to do?”
“For now, withdraw.”
“I’ll return to the city and find a way to change this situation.”
“I don’t intend to let this end badly.”
“Wait until I’ve decided how to proceed.”
The ogres looked at one another and quietly discussed my proposal.
Eventually, their leader gave a slow nod.
“Very well.”
“Not because I trust you.”
“But your strength is genuine.”
“As things stand, we gain nothing by fighting someone like you.”
“…But you don’t have much time.”
As the ogres and their wolves disappeared into the darkness, the ranch owner and the shopkeepers hurried down from the watchtower.
“Sir Edwin! What in the world were you talking about!?”
“Ogres!? There were never any living around here before!”
I turned toward them and reluctantly opened my mouth.
“It seems the ogres aren’t the true culprits behind this incident.”
“If anything…”
“…the real mastermind is someone living in our own city.”
I began explaining everything the ogre had told me.
The shopkeepers could do nothing but stand there in stunned silence after learning that their business rival had manipulated even monsters as pawns to control the market.