Chapter 241
Chapter 241
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-1. Iris
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"No, how could I not worry?"
It was the Shadow Kingdom. Not just any ordinary assassin guild, but the Shadow Kingdom.
The dream workplace for all assassins! They didn't take on jobs they couldn't succeed in, and rumors swirled that they could even assassinate a nation's king if needed. And that was just the beginning—their influence was immense. Even without them stepping in personally, it was common knowledge that organizations connected to them had their hands in drugs, murder, finance, gambling, slaves... everything.
But what was even more terrifying was the abilities of the assassins belonging to the Shadow Kingdom. Though he'd never seen it himself and there was no hard evidence, they were said to move through shadows, wield weapons made of shadow, and pinpoint targets precisely even in the dark. Lime honestly had no confidence he could win against such an assassin. Even if he wrapped himself in a protective barrier, a poisoned dart could fly at him while he prepared his magic, or they could ambush him from behind. There were spells to counter such situations, but could he cast them in time?
"Have you done something wrong by any chance?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean, like... cheating on your wife and earning her wrath. Or cleaning out all the money at home and running off?"
At Jude's question, Lime immediately shook his head.
"Heavens, no. I wouldn't even dream of such things, and I haven't committed any sins."
He'd maintained good relationships with people and never done anything to earn a knife in the back from a passerby. If anything, he could say he'd lived a decent life.
"Then there's no need to worry needlessly. They don't kill people for fun without reason. Besides, we're their guests, aren't we?"
"...Hm. You're right. Of course."
Yet the human mind didn't work so neatly. It was true there was no reason to fear, but after hearing so many stories about their power and exploits, he couldn't help feeling cautious.
"So, what's the purpose of coming here?"
"To eat delicious food."
He hadn't expected the food to be this cheap, tasty, plentiful, and leave him wanting to come back. It lingered on the palate. Seeing Lime's expression that said he was joking, Jude continued.
"And?"
"To find the labyrinth's location. And if possible, hire a capable companion. Like how I hired you, Mr. Lime."
"...A companion? From them?!"
Not just anyone, but hiring a member of the Shadow Kingdom as a companion—Lime covered his face with his palm and bowed his head.
Buying information was one thing. Their intel was expensive, but it was worth every coin. But he never imagined saying he'd take one of them as a companion. And understandably so—he'd never heard of anyone adventuring with a Shadow Kingdom assassin. Of course, labyrinths were riddled with traps to prevent carelessly breaking the devil's seal, so a companion skilled in traps and disarming them was necessary. In that sense, a Shadow Kingdom assassin would excel at the role.
'Ah, this. When I get back, can I brag about it?'
Adventured with the Spirit Sword's owner and a member of the top assassin group, the Shadow Kingdom—even if he didn't know how far they'd go together, just that anecdote alone would make for great drinking stories.
'......'
What would Ms. Arhil think of this? He glanced up at her, but her face was utterly serene. Their eyes met, and she smiled sweetly as if asking what was wrong, making him sigh. She seemed to think it no big deal.
'Well, come to think of it, she was a priestess of Yophiel.'
Yophiel was famous for not discriminating much based on status or race. So unless an assassin joining the party caused major issues, she probably wouldn't take it seriously. Lime nodded.
He never suspected Arhil was a saint chosen by Gabriel. Nor did he know there were more than one or two things they were hiding from him.
"Hm. Alright then, I understand why you've come. So you'll be staying here for a while?"
Jude nodded.
"For a bit, yes. At most..."
How long would it take?
To recruit Moon Night Iris as a companion. It could be faster or slower than expected. If he allotted plenty of time, maybe about a week...? He couldn't be sure. It wasn't like a game quest with a guaranteed reward at the end.
"Probably won't take more than a week."
Whether success or failure.
In a week, he could at least gauge the results.
"Then in the meantime, I should learn to cook here."
"Cook?"
What he made was plenty delicious already—so much so that he wondered if there was any need to learn more here. And would the shop's cook even teach him? But it was Lime's choice, not Jude's. Worried it might come off as meddling, he quickly added before Lime could respond.
"...Good idea. Ah, learning to cook is fine and all... but don't go causing trouble using your mage title, or blabbing around that this is a Shadow Kingdom base or anything? I can't take responsibility if big trouble happens."
Lime burst into hearty laughter.
"Don't worry. Do you think I've lived these years in vain?"
"True enough."
"Right. Then I'll assume you're staying here for a while and head down. Better to ask quickly and start learning."
He wouldn't get taught easily. But a man smart enough to become a high mage would probably manage on his own. Jude looked at Arhil sitting beside him. Before he could say anything, she pointed to the bed across the room with her finger.
"I'll sleep here. You take that side."
Arhil, sitting next to him, lay down on the bed the moment Jude stood, rolling herself up in the blanket. Seeing her blissfully happy expression melted his heart too.
"Tired?"
"I ate too much and got sleepy. Full belly, warm back, cozy bed... perfect conditions for sleep."
Watching her yawn cutely, Jude nodded. It wasn't just from eating her fill—the fatigue she'd accumulated without realizing was catching up. Days in a bumpy carriage sleeping cramped inside, then walking here without rest. She hadn't complained, but she had every right to be tired.
"Then sleep. I'll step out for a bit."
"Where to?"
"To aid digestion. And check out what's around."
Arhil looked like she wanted to go too, but fatigue won out. She murmured to come back safe and closed her eyes. She knew lying down right after eating made you gain weight, but this languor was hard to fight. Not long after lying down, Arhil let out a soft snore, do-ro-long. Jude quietly closed the door behind him, not forgetting to lock it.
He walked down the hall. At the stairs, he stepped aside for a man staggering up, drunk and supported by a companion.
"Yaa! Thanks!"
The man waved at Jude, giggling "ee-hee-hee," and his companion turned to apologize, "Sorry about that." There was no need, really. Jude watched them enter a room, then descended the stairs.
"......"
Just then, the mute waitress emerged from the kitchen. She glanced at the man chatting with Lime at the counter, approached him, and scribbled something in her notepad to show him. Jude couldn't make out the words, but the man nodded. As Jude reached the bottom of the stairs, their eyes met just as the mute waitress finished at the counter. She hurried over, scribbling in her notepad with pencil. The distinctive shh-shh sound cut clearly through the first floor's noisy clamor.
-Do you need anything?
He read the proffered note and smiled warmly. Even if it was an act, her kindness was genuine.
"No, nothing in particular."
She bowed her head politely and headed for the door. Jude had been thinking of stepping out briefly too, so it looked like he was following her. Passing incoming customers, they exited, and Jude looked at her watching him.
"Heading somewhere?"
As if to answer, she pulled out her notepad and wrote again. He almost worried if asking was bothering her.
-Just stepping out to buy some things and take a walk while I'm at it. Been stuck inside the shop all day and feeling stuffy...
"Ah, perfect. I was thinking of wandering to see what's nearby. Mind if I join you?"
-Won't be much fun. You sure?
"Of course. If anything, I should be asking if it's okay with you. Might be a hassle."
She shook her head no. Then, as if to say follow me, she took a step forward, glanced back, and led the way.
