Shadow's Oath

Chapter 13

[Translator - Jjescus][Proofreader - Gun]

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Chapter 13: Vadio (2)

As soon as Vadio left Terdin’s tent, he began

“No, sir. Besides, isn’t most of the commander’s work handled by Aedun, the lieutenant? I see the lieutenant often, but he’s never brought anyone wearing a helmet and hood. Not even when he came here a few days ago to delete records.”

“Delete records?”

The quartermaster quickly covered his mouth, realizing his slip.

“It was classified as military intelligence, my lord.”

Vadio let out a deliberately loud laugh.

“And who am I? I’m a commander privy to the most sensitive secrets without needing your permission, an administrative officer of the northern region appointed directly by the crown. Every record you write passes through me to the royal court, and every record you delete is essentially deleted through me. Your little actions as quartermaster don’t concern me much. They’re just a curiosity.”

The quartermaster scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Yes, my lord, but I was strictly instructed to keep this matter confidential.”

Vadio’s expression hardened, and his tone turned icy.

“You’ve been in this role since the start of the war, haven’t you? Then your pay has likely been delayed for over a year.”

“Well, yes, that’s true...”

The quartermaster scratched his head again, nervously.

“A year is long enough for you to forget that it’s me who stamps the certification for your salary.”

The quartermaster’s face turned pale.

“If you die during the war, that certificate will be all that’s left for your wife and children. Did you know that many lords forge those certificates? Changing a single digit can turn 100 nobles into 10, and swapping a word can transform golden nobles into silver crowns.”

Vadio patted the quartermaster’s shoulder.

“Of course, the opposite is possible too. What’s your compensation amount?”

The quartermaster flinched as he replied,

“Including winter bonuses, 35 nobles and 50 crowns.”

“What? 50 nobles and 35 crowns? Be careful not to mix up the numbers. You know how important that is, don’t you?”

The quartermaster swallowed nervously.

“Y-yes, of course. I know it’s crucial.”

Vadio lightly patted his shoulder again and asked quietly,

“What record did Aedun delete?”

The quartermaster glanced around and whispered,

“A noble named Zenri Selken passed away, and I was told to delete the records of the slaves under his command.”

“The name?”

“I don’t know. They burned the document, so I don’t recall the name well. Oh, but I do remember one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Do you recall the night when the trumpet sounded from the heavens?”

“How could I forget?”

“That night, the nobleman Zenri Selken came to me and requested a supply item.”

“A supply item?”

“Yes, and he still hasn’t returned it.”

“What was it?”

The quartermaster made a circle with his hands, about the size of his head.

“A leather pouch about this big.”

[Translator - Jjescus]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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