Chương 74: Professional Disagreements

"Well? What'll it be?" The leader asked, his voice harsh and gravelly.

"We don't have all day. Accept the money or enjoy a lengthy stay at the healers. Your call. I suggest you choose well." Under normal circumstances, Levi would have played along, if only out of curiosity's sake. However, right now he was unreasonably tired (which didn't even make sense; he was used to being awake for days on end, a single sleepless night had no right making him this exhausted), considerably frustrated (why wouldn't the System just cooperate?), and more than a little irritated (with Montague dead, the Adventurer's Guild had no reason to even hold a retrial; they should've just reinstated Liliya as an adventurer, no questions asked). As such, he got right to the point.

"I'm insulted," Levi said.

"Did you seriously expect me to buy this?"

"Buy what?" The leader narrowed his eyes, the arctic azure glow of his blade intensifying.

"Do you think we're bluffing?"

"No, I think you're being completely genuine," Levi said.

"It makes total sense that you'd threaten me in the literal heart of the Adventurer's Hall where any witness can stumble across us. That sounds like a perfectly sound and logical plan." He scoffed.

"Please. Of course you're bluffing, it couldn't have been more obvious. Even a first-year Institute student wouldn't have been fooled. Do me a favor and just tell me what you're actually here for, otherwise get out of my way. I don't have the time for this."

"I knew you were inept and immoral, but I didn't think you would be delusional as well," he growled menacingly.

"This is your last chance, Levi Ironwood. Accept the offer, or else we'll–""You can cut the charade, Donovan," a cold, melodious voice drawled out.

"The kid's got you all figured out. In record time, too. I'm afraid you'll need to undergo remedial acting lessons after this." Levi looked over the leader's shoulder to see a newcomer step into view from around the corner, approaching them in a graceful stalk. The other men immediately snapped to attention in rigid salutes. Levi blinked. Although he had never laid eyes on the man before, he still recognized him.

Short silver-violet hair cut impeccably in a military hairstyle, light bluish-purple eyes, an icy, arrogant expression on his face… Levi's magic began swirling within him.

"So you're Levi Ironwood," the man said, stopping in front of Levi and looking him up and down with an assessing gaze. What he saw, he clearly found to be lacking, for his lips curled in distaste.

"I am Dmitri Volkov, captain of the Royal Sentinel's seventh cohort. I would say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I prefer not to equivocate–""You're Liliya's older brother," Levi said.

"I am," Dmitri said with a curt nod.

"I'll forgive your faux pas just this once, but for future reference, one ought to address their social betters with 'my lord' or 'sir.'" If Levi had met Dmitri only a month ago, he would have bowed and apologized, insincere as it might be. Turned the other cheek for the sake of diplomacy.

Making waves when newly reincarnated would've been a profoundly foolish decision; he had lacked knowledge on both the geopolitical and sociocultural situation of the new world – not to mention how he'd been worried about being discovered as a dimensional transmigrator and subsequently getting vivisected. Fortunately, this was not a month ago.

"Social betters?" Levi cast a glance around in mock confusion.

"I don't see any of those around here." His voice hardened.

"Only a group of odious cowards and one motherless rat-faced fucksmear standing in front of me." Silence. Dead silence. Dmitri's expression cycled through a mixture of bafflement and disbelief before finally settling on furious outrage.

"I beg your pardon?" he hissed, his eyes narrowing into slits. A sudden pressure filled the hall. Even his men seemed terrified, their eyes wide as they regarded the ongoings. One of them even broke attention and took a step back. Levi, for his part, didn't seem to even notice.

"Deaf on top of dumb, what a fucking sorry combination," he spat.

"I'm not certain whether to pity Liliya, or to thank your genetics for taking one for the team."

"You dare?" Dmitri hissed. A saber materialized in his hand.

"Have you any idea who you're speaking to? Just who I am?"

"Yeah, I do," Levi snarled right back.

"You're the worthless sack of shit older brother who stood by and watched your little sister get sold off like a prized mare to Theodore Montague. Have you no shame? No sense of human fucking decency?" He didn't know where this rage was coming from. It surged up from deep within him, overwhelming and implacable, like some dormant volcano that'd suddenly come alive. He had never been overly fond of Dmitri, but he didn't recall ever being this angry with him before.

Was the former Levi Ironwood's emotions rising up again? No. This time, these were his own. Levi didn't know when, nor had he even fully realized it until now, but sometime in the past month, he'd stopped seeing himself as an'orphan' and begun seeing himself as an ' older brother.' Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Older brothers were meant to protect their younger siblings. To be role models.

To make sure that they weathered all the hardships and burdens of the world so their younger siblings could continue smiling. Liliya hadn't been smiling. Disgusting.

"Sold off?" Dmitri repeated, affronted.

"It was an arranged marriage agreed to by all parties, including Liliya herself–""You amaze me, Dmitri Volkov!" Levi snapped.

"To have the temerity to claim that Liliya wanted such a partnership, when you know damn full well that she felt she had no choice, that she would've preferred literally anything else!" It was a testament to his self-control that he managed to keep his magic under perfect control. After experiencing magical overburn the previous night, his body was still too strained. Despite his fury, he didn't let a single drop of mana escape him–"Enough!" Dmitri roared.

"How dare you slander us so? Slander the entirety of House Volkov, at that? Blood feuds have been declared before for lesser insults. From the likes of you, no less! A disinherited, disgraced cur." The pressure he emitted doubled.

"Apologize now, and I might not put you down where you stand." Fuck it. Levi unleashed his magic upon the hallway, and everyone froze. Dmitri's presence was instantly swallowed up like an ocean to a pond. The air itself became suffocating, an unbearable pressure pressing down upon them all. Several of Dmitri's men were forced right to their knees. Dmitri himself struggled to remain upright, and had to stab his sword into the ground to stabilize himself.

"Put me down?" Levi said softly.

"Interesting. I look forward to seeing how you plan on accomplishing that." Dmitri choked.

"How are you…" Levi regarded him dispassionately for several seconds. Then, he shook his head in disgust and cut off his magic. The pressure disappeared.

"You're lucky we're short on time," Levi said.

"Otherwise, I'd be doing a lot more." He tilted his head.

"Now, why exactly did you order your men to offer me a false bribe?" Judging by the cold weather gear that they wore, the men weren't Royal Sentinels but rather soldiers from up north. Dmitri let out a low, shuddering breath. For a second, a myriad of emotions rapidly flickered across his face. However, he took a deep breath and forced a professional mask back into place. When he spoke again, his tone was calm and emotionless.

"Let's not have this conversation out in the open." He reached out and opened a nearby door to reveal a small meeting room. He must've intentionally chosen to approach Levi in this hallway due to its location. He hesitated before turning to his men.

"You're all dismissed. I'll talk to Ironwood alone." Naturally, they immediately protested.

"Sir, that's too dangerous–""We can't allow you to–""If he attacks you–""If he attacks me," Dmitri interjected, "then it won't matter if the five of you are here – or five hundred. You felt it as clearly as I did." His tone held an unmistakable resignation to it.

"Now, leave. Ironwood is right – we're short on time. The trial will begin soon. I'll manage." His men weren't happy with it, but they obeyed and left. Then, Dmitri turned back to Levi.

"After you." Once they were inside the room, Dmitri summoned a white crystal from his [Inventory] and placed it on the table. Magic expanded forth to cover the entire room. A privacy enchantment, not unlike Qorbin's dice. Dmitri didn't waste any time.

"It was a test," he immediately said.

"We needed to see whether you were loyal to Liliya, or if you would've betrayed her to save your own skin." Levi nodded. He'd thought that might be the case. He'd expected Dmitri to attempt some obfuscation, but it appeared that after his display of magic, Dmitri had judged the best course of action was to be fully transparent.

"Why?"

"What do you know about the events that transpired at Montague Castle a week ago?" Levi made sure to keep his expression carefully placid.

"Not much."

"Your master, Mythmaker Qorbin Ravenbane, attacked Montague Castle," Dmitri said bluntly.

"He, along with another unknown accomplice, pierced through the castle's defenses and murdered both Royal Sentinel Commander Theodore Montague and Duke Alan Montague."

"I see," Levi said.

"How tragic." Internally, he was cursing. So even though a formal declaration hadn't yet been made, they had already decided to pin the whole mess on Qorbin, huh? He and Anastasia must've failed to convince the government of Phantasm's involvement. Dmitri regarded him like one might regard a highly venomous viper.

"If it weren't for the fact that I had hundreds of eyewitness reports saying the other assailant was a 'large, rotund man', I would've thought it was you. In any case, after assassinating those two, Qorbin Ravenbane kidnapped Liliya from the castle and returned her to Luxanne. I don't know what his motives were, but… as you can imagine, her disappearance following her fiance's death reflects very, very badly on her.

"Already, there are those who suspect foul play. Some claim that she aided her master in somehow breaking through the castle's defenses. Others claim that House Volkov intentionally arranged the marriage so she could be in position to help Ravenbane." He sneered.

"There are even those who believe that she was the one who killed her fiance." Levi's face could've been carved from granite.

"Ridiculous."

"Indeed," Dmitri said.

"Consequently, her retrial today isn't meant to be a retrial at all. The Adventurer's Guild's Council only agreed to her request so that she would attend on her own accord. The real purpose of today's trial is to determine what happened at Montague Castle, whether or not she's guilty, and if she is, to sentence a punishment that'll set an example for generations to come." … shit.

"That's why you're here?" Levi asked. Dmitri nodded.

"My father sent me to manage the fallout and ensure that whatever happens, House Volkov isn't dragged into the scandal of the century. However, I was too late. Liliya was already taken into Guild custody by the time I arrived. Which is why I come to you. During the trial, you will be called to testify on her interactions with Qorbin. Regardless of the true nature of their relationship, you will tell the Council that she despised him. That she was pressured into accepting the apprenticeship.

That she loved Montague and fully intended on marrying him. If you do this, House Volkov will compensate you–""Yeah, nah, I'm good." Dmitri froze.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not going to lie about that," Levi said.

"Speaking of, though…" He eyed Dmitri.

"Why did you let Liliya get married to Theodore Montague?"

"What do you mean?" Dmitri seemed honestly confused.

"What was wrong with that?" Levi let out a long exhale.

"That you even have to ask… But I digress. We don't have time for that. For now… Thanks for telling me. Rest assured that I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that Liliya makes it through in one piece." For some reason, Dmitri didn't seem to be very reassured by that. Levi had no idea why.