Chapter 20: Victor not Viktor

Victor Rosebud.

An archmage that hails from a powerful and influential family of Rosebuds which claim to be one of the founding merchant families of the Verondian Republic. Unfortunately those claims often make him and his family a source of jokes and ridicule as there is no concrete proof of that being the case but at the very least Rosebud's wealth couldn't be scoffed at so he had all the tools set to become who he is now.

One might think that would make his life easy but couldn't be more wrong. The problem with merchants is that they expect returns on their investments not to mention that in order to become an archmage money mattered a lot less than hard work and talent even though it's impossible to even study magic without it.

There is a reason why he was named Victor by his parents and not a regular Viktor. It's a small difference of one letter but it could tell a full story of his struggle and large expectations from family.

***

Victor stepped out of his private carriage and looked at the mansion in front of him.

He was wearing his usual red robe and had his hood up in order to stop the incoming rain from hitting his face which compared to when he did his speech regained some vigour. Still, he not only looked tired but also extremely unhappy.

Why you may ask? Well, because early this morning he had an unwelcome visit at his residence.

A servant with an official letter from the city's president came by and in short he was not content with his progress so far. Victor was practically ordered to stop by and explain his actions which annoyed him greatly as the mansion in which the president lived was outside of the city. In his mind he could have spent the time doing something productive but instead he had to waste an entire day just to entertain a spoiled politician.

Soon a pair of guards and an older man who appeared to be a butler approached Victor.

"If you may, sir"

The butler gestured with his hand to follow him and Victor simply nodded in response. He really wanted to get it over with fast and did not engage in any conversation.

They entered the mansion and Victor couldn't help but wonder if the president wasn't compensating for something every time he visited because as it turned out not only was the mansion itself large but everything in it as well. Statues, furniture, paintings, rugs, everything… Even the pet dog that slept by the fireplace in the guest room was uncommonly huge. He had a sudden desire to go to the bathroom in order to confirm a certain theory he had for quite a long time but decided against it.

He was led upstairs and after a short walk through the corridor they arrived in front of the president's study room. The butler entered first and invited Victor after confirming that his employer was ready to welcome him.

"Then I will take my leave, sir"

The butler bowed respectfully and left the room. Victor was now alone with the president who was sitting at his desk, reading through some documents not even acknowledging his existence.

"Sigh…"

Victor seemed more tired than angry. He dealt with too many 'princesses' who thought they were important just because they had a high position and the president unfortunately qualified as one.

"What are you sighing for? Perhaps you think that this is a joke?"

The president seemed to be in a really bad mood and although he still did not even as much as glanced at Victor he expressed his anger quite clearly.

"Yes"

Victor answered with a complete poker face which caused the president to finally look up from his stack of papers.

"Is that so? You know I found it quite reasonable to do a search at the time but I did not expect it to not only take this long but produce no results whatsoever. You practically turned it into a martial law for Goddesses' sake! You even mobilised an entire military regiment to search the countryside while the city is being turned upside down, everyone who wishes to exit or enter is interrogated. It's been two whole f*cking weeks this way and I am beginning to wonder if there are really any survivors from Ouroboros. You know how much money the city is losing because of this? Do you still think this is a joke?"

The president was really not having it but Victor maintained his apathetic expression.

"The explosion was large enough to potentially wipe off half of the city. I think that losing some money in order to ensure that won't happen is worth it. Not to mention I recently received an update from the Church of Purity. The team that they sent finally set sail from Iris and will arrive in two days. It took some time since my request was a bit sudden but after this matter ends I wouldn't be too surprised if they finally decided to set up a base in the Republic. If nothing is found in a week after they come I will call off everything but until then nothing that you will say can convince me otherwise"

"So the people from the church are finally going to arrive…"

The president had a look of resignation and realised that he simply could not win with Victor. He stood up from his chair and walked up to the window.

"Tsk…"

If it were up to him he would simply fire him but sadly only people from the capitol had the power to do so.

"Heh…"

Victor let out a soft chuckle. He just now realised that he never saw the president while not seated or hidden behind a stand and the like. He glanced at the plaque on the desk with his name which said:

"President Mox Forkquad"