Chapter 237: Information

“…Right?”

“Now that I’ve clearly proven that I’m a member of the Information Guild, can I start asking questions?”

“Shouldn’t we decide on the payment first?”

“Wow~! You’re really thorough! I totally like that!”

His tone sounded somewhat exaggerated, but it didn’t seem like empty flattery.

I couldn’t quite understand Pret’s reaction.

The sloppier the trading partner, the easier it would be to squeeze out more profit—so why did he look so pleased?

‘I’d heard he wasn’t exactly normal, but… he’s far stranger than how he was described in the original novel.’

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I deactivated the automatically triggered [Character Analysis] skill.

Just then, after finishing his admiring remark, the heir of the Information Guild leader continued.

“Senior Karvald, how much do you think the information you hold is worth?”

“That depends on the purpose for which you want the information.”

“Asking what someone intends to use the information for is taboo for an informant, you know?”

“That rule only applies when informants sell information to ordinary customers. But right now, the situation is the opposite. So the rules should be applied differently as well.”

“Ooh~! Could you give a concrete example?”

His face clearly showed interest.

It felt rather burdensome.

But this was something that needed to be clarified, so I began explaining without hesitation.

“If you were investigating me because someone hired you, then everything I tell you from this point onward would end up in that person’s hands as well. And you would receive compensation from that person.”

“That would probably be the case, yes.”

“Information isn’t a physical object, so you could sell the same content to multiple people.”

“And what are you getting at?”

“You shouldn’t see this as me selling information to you. Rather, it would be more accurate to say I’m transferring the right to sell it.”

“Ahh…?!”

Based on Pret’s comments in the document I saw earlier and his personality, he was probably investigating me out of personal curiosity rather than because of a request.

But that was only my guess, so it was better to confirm it properly.

“Let’s say someone buys information from your guild and then resells it to multiple people for profit. Would that be considered ethical business practice?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Exactly. If someone purchases information not for personal use but for resale, then not only should the initial price be higher, but I should also receive a certain percentage of the profit each time that information is sold.”

“So in short, you’re asking for royalties?”

Apparently the concept of royalties existed in this world too.

Well, considering even Dubai chewy cookies existed here, it wouldn’t be strange if anything else did as well.

“But if I say I’m buying the information for resale, you’ll raise the price while refusing to give detailed explanations, right?”

“Of course. If I know full well the information will be sold all over the place, who would willingly reveal every detail of their private secrets? That’s why I already stated beforehand that I would only sell information I’m willing to disclose.”

“Then what if the purpose isn’t resale, but just satisfying personal curiosity? Would the price drop and the explanation become more detailed?”

Judging by his reaction, my guess was right—he really was investigating me out of personal curiosity.

Even so, I deliberately showed some suspicion.

“You aren’t planning to lower the price now and later accept a request to sell the information, are you?”

“We could negotiate that later… hmm…”

Before I could say I had no intention of negotiating, Pret suddenly stopped speaking and fell into thought.

Not long after, he came to a conclusion.

“I won’t sell it later.”

According to the original novel’s setting, Pret was an extremely loyal person. So I had assumed he wouldn’t casually sell my personal information anyway.

Still, I hadn’t expected him to promise that so readily.

Pret had said he liked me, but we hadn’t known each other long enough to build any real loyalty.

‘I thought it would take more time… Is this the power of the influence event?’

Not only that, but by making that statement, he had also revealed a hint about his own identity.

Whether that was intentional or a mistake remained to be seen.

But either way, it was clear that Pret had opened up to me to some extent.

“So you’re saying that even if someone requests it from your guild, you’ll refuse?”

“Isn’t that what it means if I say I won’t sell it?”

“You’re certain about that?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”

“In other words, you have the authority to reject requests that come into the guild?”

“Ahaha…? I guess that does end up meaning that, huh?”

He clearly looked surprised, but there was no sign of panic.

His smiling face showed admiration and interest.

It seemed the hint had been intentional.

‘Judging by the atmosphere, he deliberately did that to test me…’

While I was wondering whether I should respond or ignore it, Pret noticed and pressed me.

“Senior, why are you silent? Didn’t you figure something out about me?”

“…Wouldn’t it be better for you if I pretended not to know?”

“No, because saying you’re pretending not to know means you actually do know. I prefer making things clear rather than leaving them half-covered.”

“That’s a strange thing to say for someone who deliberately dropped a hint.”

“You think I did that on purpose? Then why did you say pretending not to know would be good for me? Isn’t it just that you wanted to pretend not to know? Though it seems like it’s already too late!”

“…”

“Senior Karvald, you must be quite curious too—just like me!”

For some reason, I ended up being treated as the same type of person.

I hadn’t probed his identity out of curiosity.

I already knew his identity and was merely testing his intentions.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered, whether it was intentional or not.’

Regret came too late.

Just as Pret had said, it was already too late.

Since things had turned out like this, I might as well find out why Pret was acting this way.

Not out of curiosity like someone else, but to fulfill my duty as the narrator.

“Even if your [Disguise] skill allows you to change your appearance, it would be difficult to maintain it all day. And considering you also have combat training, this must be your real appearance.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Even if someone with outstanding ability could rise to a high position, an ordinary guild member couldn’t possibly possess that level of authority. Especially at such a young age.”

“Right, totally impossible.”

“You are… either the designated successor of the Hrafnin Information Guild’s leader, or the current leader’s child. Or both.”

This wasn’t really deduction.

It was simply piecing together information I already knew from the original novel.

But—

“Ahaha!! That’s absolutely correct! The last one you said is the answer! I’m both the heir and the biological son of the current guild leader!”

Judging from his reaction, the one who prepared the test seemed very satisfied with my answer.

As for me, I felt rather displeased.

Still, I had something I needed to ask.

“Why did you reveal that fact to me?”

“Why do you think?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Ahh~! So this is something you don’t know?”

“If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t.”

I had no interest in further tests.

If he intended to say it, he would talk on his own even if I didn’t ask.

And if he didn’t want to, then no amount of begging would make him open his mouth.

That’s why I deliberately showed that I wouldn’t be disappointed even if I didn’t hear the reason.

Sure enough, he started talking on his own.

“As the future guild leader, I also hold authority over personnel decisions. With that in mind… Senior Karvald, have you ever considered joining our guild?”

I never expected him to suddenly offer me a job at this moment.

Naturally, I was startled.

“Wha—what? All of a sudden? Why?”

“You were the one who moved my heart first by showing such a serious attitude toward information. And now you’re trying to deny it?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. I only did that to conclude the deal in my favor. You know perfectly well I had no intention of moving your heart.”

“Ahaha! That’s true. But I still liked it.”

“So just because of that, you’re revealing that you’re both the heir and son of the Information Guild leader and offering me a scouting proposal?”

It was ridiculous.

Even though I scoffed mockingly, he didn’t withdraw the offer.

“Let’s be accurate here. I didn’t reveal anything—you figured it out. Based on a small hint you could have ignored.”

I didn’t figure it out—I knew it from reading the original novel.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t something I could say aloud.

Still, I couldn’t just stay silent.

If I did, it felt like I might end up accidentally employed as an informant.

“Did you forget that I’m a direct member of the Austri Ducal family?”

“I considered that before making the offer. Since your status is high, it would be easier for you to access confidential information that ordinary people can’t even approach. And no one would suspect you’re affiliated with the Information Guild.”

“…Even with high status, I don’t have any authority to access confidential information. You know that.”

“But you can approach people who do have that authority, can’t you?”

“Just because I can approach them doesn’t mean I can extract the information I want.”

“That won’t be a problem! Senior Karvald could definitely do it!”

For some reason, Pret answered immediately without the slightest hesitation.

Both Karvald and I were far from sociable personalities.

I had no idea who had planted such ridiculous confidence in him.

“…Why do you think that?”

“Because you managed to go beyond simply becoming friendly with someone you used to bully. You even made that person promise to rescue you no matter what happens. That means you have exceptional ability to win people’s hearts.”

The mystery was quickly solved.

But the explanation wasn’t convincing.

“That’s only because Raycir is an unusual person. He’s the type who holds no grudges and can completely forget past resentment after hearing just a few words of apology. He even misunderstood and thought I bullied him because I wanted to become friends with him. And Raycir doesn’t act that way only toward me.”

“Raycir treats other people like that too…?”

“If you think otherwise, it’s only because you don’t know him well yet. Raycir tends to throw around embarrassing compliments once he gets somewhat close to someone. No, he does it even when he isn’t close. Didn’t you see him acting like he was flirting while trying to comfort Senior Lishi last Monday?”

I brought up the incident from Chapter 179 to correct Pret’s misunderstanding.

Pret then muttered to himself.

“Hearing that, it does seem possible… Maybe I should investigate Senior Raycir a bit more closely.”

It seemed he was convinced.

Although I hadn’t planned it this way, I was glad I had pushed Raycir to comfort Lishi earlier.