Chapter 60
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60
“Ho, the capital is impressive indeed.”
In the northern streets of Tivron, Lucian let out a constant stream of exclamations.
To any onlooker, he looked exactly like a country bumpkin noble marveling at the capital’s grandeur. Since he was half-sincere, his performance was so convincing that no one could have guessed he was acting.
Standing beside him, Raymond chimed in right on cue.
“The walls were magnificent, but the interior is even more so. I can see why they call it the jewel of the Empire.”
“I’ll say. It’ll take days just to see everything.”
“We’ve set aside plenty of time, so please, feel free to explore to your heart’s content.”
“I intend to. Let’s see, shall we head that way next?”
The citizens of the capital cast mocking glances at the pair’s conversation. Their expressions clearly said, Another provincial noble making his big debut in the city.
Of course, even under the weight of those stares, the two continued to wander around, pretending to be completely oblivious.
“Hmm, things are starting to look a bit dull. Did we take a wrong turn?”
“It looks like we’ve stumbled into the slums. Shall we turn back?”
“No, let’s look around a bit more. It’s all part of the experience.”
With his eyes wide and sparkling with feigned innocence, Lucian headed deeper into the slums. It was the perfect behavior for a sixteen-year-old young master who knew nothing of the world. Raymond followed behind, stifling a dry laugh.
“Good grief, it’s getting filthier by the second. I think I smell something strange.”
“It is the slums, after all. I don’t think it’s wise to go any deeper.”
“I was just thinking the same thing. Let’s head back.”
Just as Lucian, who had only just stepped into the slums, was about to turn around—
“Hehe, milords. Is this your first time in the capital?”
A hunchback with a crooked spine approached Lucian, rubbing his hands together obsequiously.
Lucian scowled deeply and pinched his nose.
“Impudent fellow! Do you know who I am to address me so boldly? Begone!”
“Oh, my apologies! Please, forgive me! Forgive me!”
The hunchback recoiled in terror, immediately dropping to the ground and trembling. It was a display of servility so pathetic that any arrogant noble would have felt a surge of superiority. While it looked natural at a glance, it was clearly a calculated performance.
“I—I only wished to offer the young master a tour of the capital! Despite how it looks, there are quite a few hidden sights around here….”
“Hidden sights?”
“Yes, yes! Actually, I work as a guide in this area, earning a few coins from noble lords like yourselves.”
“What coins? There’s clearly nothing to see here.”
When Lucian snorted but didn’t immediately drive him away, the hunchback peeked up with a groveling expression.
“If you look closely, there are surprisingly many interesting things. For instance, the black market or information brokers.”
“The black market and information brokers?”
“Indeed. Isn’t it true that things which cannot be done in the light are always hidden in places like this?”
“Ho.”
At the hunchback’s persuasion, Lucian stroked his chin as if intrigued. Encouraged by the silence that urged him to continue, the hunchback grinned, revealing yellowed teeth.
“Why not give it a try? You might get your hands on items or hidden information that aren’t sold anywhere else. If you wish, I shall lead the way.”
“Ahem. I’m not particularly interested, but it is a noble’s duty to show charity to the poor. I suppose giving you a single job wouldn’t be so bad.”
“Oh, thank you! May the blessings of the Eight Gods be upon you, merciful lord!”
“Lead on, then. But if it isn’t as interesting as you claim, I shall hold you accountable.”
“You won’t be disappointed! I’ll show you the black market first!”
The hunchback scrambled to his feet and began leading Lucian toward a corner of the slums. Lucian and Raymond shared a brief look before quietly following him.
“I knew it.”
Lucian let out a short laugh as they emerged into a dead-end alley that felt like a maze.
Before they knew it, Lucian and Raymond were surrounded by over a dozen men. The hunchback left the two behind and sauntered over to join the thugs.
“I brought the prey. Strip them clean and dump the bones.”
“Boss, why do you have to make ‘take their gear and kick them out naked’ sound so ominous?”
“Thievery requires teamwork! I was just trying to give the young master a little scare, alright?”
“Man, you’ve got a twisted sense of humor. He’s probably already scared out of his wits.”
“Puhahaha!”
Laughter echoed through the clearing. It was a menacing atmosphere that would have made any provincial noble stumble back in fear.
However, Lucian simply shrugged and looked at Raymond.
“What do you think? Can you handle them?”
“Hmm, it might be a bit difficult.”
“Really?”
“Fighting with my hands behind my back in this terrain is a bit much. I think I’ll have to use at least one arm.”
“When dealing with trash like this, you should say one leg is enough.”
“If it were a series of one-on-one duels in the alley, that would be fine, but if they all rush me at once, I’ll need my arms.”
“Hahaha!”
This time, the laughter came from Lucian’s side.
Seeing the two of them completely unfazed, the faces of the thugs, including the hunchback, contorted with rage.
“Look here, milords. It seems you don’t understand the situation—”
Fwoosh!
Before the hunchback could finish his threat, the sound of rushing wind erupted, and a section of the stone wall shattered.
Raymond had drawn his sword and leveled the wall in an instant. The hunchback, who hadn’t even seen the blade leave its scabbard, froze where he stood.
“The structures around here are quite brittle, perhaps because it’s the slums. I thought using the terrain would be a nuisance, but I suppose I can just cut through the whole thing.”
“Try not to kill them if possible; just maim them. If we leave bodies, I’ll have to explain it to the guards later.”
“Aren’t you going to offer them a chance to surrender first?”
“I didn’t think it would work, so I skipped it. But shall we give it a try?”
Lucian pondered for a moment before looking at the frozen hunchback.
“I’ll give you two choices. One: kneel quietly and answer my questions. Two: resist, watch a few of your men die, get beaten within an inch of your life, and then answer my questions.”
“Who… who the hell are you?”
The hunchback drew a curved blade from his coat, his eyes filled with wariness. Even after witnessing the gap in power, he looked ready to pounce if necessary.
Lucian reached into his coat and tossed the bronze medallion he had received earlier in front of the hunchback.
Clang.
“…The seal of the Black Scale Knights!?”
“I received it as a gift. I was told to show it if I ran into any trouble.”
At Lucian’s words, the hunchback and the thugs began to tremble. If there was one thing they knew, it was that the Black Scale Knights were the First Prince’s personal guard—the elite of the elite, personally assigned by the Emperor to his cherished son.
And this boy had received a seal directly from them?
“I thought you were just some brat acting tough because of his bodyguard’s skill, but you’re actually a big shot. Heh!”
“B-Boss. What are we supposed to do?”
“What do you mean? You’ve known me this long and you still don’t know? I’ve told you a dozen times what to do in a situation like this!”
The hunchback glared at Lucian with eyes that didn’t seem to waver. Lucian was inwardly impressed by his resolve.
Is he choosing to die rather than show the weakness of kneeling before his subordinates?
If so, Lucian thought he should at least show the mercy of a quick end. Just as Lucian was about to give Raymond the order—
The hunchback crouched low as if to spring forward, then suddenly shouted:
Thud.
“I’ll tell you anything! Just spare my life, milord!”
“…”
“So, you’re a branch manager of the Thieves’ Guild? In charge of the Tivron branch?”
“Yes! My friends call me ‘John of the Bent Blade’!”
“Bent blade, my foot. More like ‘John of the Bent Back.’”
“Your wit is truly magnificent, milord! If you wish, I shall change my name to that immediately!”
The hunchback, who introduced himself as John, rubbed his palms together so hard they practically smoked. Lucian clicked his tongue at the unsightly display of servility.
“Doesn’t a branch manager of the Thieves’ Guild have any pride? You folded the moment I showed you a little badge.”
“Oh, you don’t understand. Do you have any idea how hard it is to survive as a thief in a city as well-policed as Tivron? The moment you catch the eye of the high and mighty, it’s shink—game over.”
John made a cutting motion across his throat and stuck out his tongue.
“People who don’t know any better think being in the capital is a grand thing, but in reality, we could be wiped out tomorrow on a single word from His Majesty the Emperor. Why do you think I’m only a branch manager and not the Guildmaster, even though I’m in charge of the capital?”
“I see.”
Lucian had wondered why the man in charge of the capital wasn’t the Guildmaster, but it seemed the pressure from the authorities was simply too strong. Even in the heart of the Empire where there was the most to steal, the thieves actually avoided it.
“Conversely, that means you’re well-informed. If you couldn’t read the currents of the capital, your head would have been on a pike long ago.”
“Aha! Your insight is truly startling, milord. You’ve grasped everything from just those few words.”
“Enough flattery. Let me ask you something.”
“Anything! Just say the word!”
“Do you know who has been buying up large quantities of Moonlight Grass recently? Not an organization, but an individual.”
John blinked at the sudden question, but quickly bowed his head when he noticed Lucian’s narrowing eyes.
“I can look into it immediately, though it may take a few days.”
“As long as the information is accurate, I don’t mind the wait.”
“And, if possible, I’ll need a bit of an advance….”
John curled his fingers into a circle and peeked at Lucian. Lucian chuckled at the man’s audacity to ask for money even when his life was on the line.
“Is this enough?”
Clink.
John froze as a pouch heavy with gold coins hit the ground. It was far more than a standard advance. If a man who didn't seem the type to flaunt wealth threw down such a sum, it meant only one thing:
I’ll give you whatever you want. But you’d better find it fast, or else.
John swallowed hard and pressed his forehead to the ground.
“I shall have the answer within two days.”
Two days later.
A member of the Thieves’ Guild visited Lucian’s inn and delivered a document. It contained a list of people who had recently purchased Moonlight Grass.
“He kept his word.”
“He managed to find this in a city this large.”
“I gave him a generous advance; he likely used it to grease the right wheels. There’s nothing like violence and money to open people’s mouths.”
Even so, the speed at which he found it was impressive. As Lucian scanned the document, he quickly found the name he was looking for.
“Just as I thought.”
Lucian smiled at the name ‘Heide’ written at the very top. The amount of Moonlight Grass purchased next to it was several times higher than anyone else’s. Considering Heide had previously shown no interest in the herb, it was highly suspicious.
Furthermore, there was an even more dubious record.
“It says he bought Moonlight Grass on the day we spoke to him. And the day before that, and the day before that.”
“Didn’t that man say he was in another city until recently?”
“He did. And he didn’t seem to be lying.”
If Heide hadn’t been lying, there was only one answer: while he was away, someone else had been using his name to purchase the herb.
Lucian burned the document over a candle flame and stood up.
“Let’s go. I think I know where our target is.”
“Where to?”
“Heide’s manor.”
“What? You’re going to see that pathetic man again?”
“Just because it’s an alchemist’s house doesn’t mean only an alchemist lives there.”
Lucian gave a knowing smile to the puzzled Raymond and stepped out of the inn.
Finding Heide’s house wasn’t difficult. It was one of the manors provided for free by the Alchemist Guild to its official members. Lucian approached the manor, which lacked even a single guard, and knocked. There was no response from inside.
Did he go out to buy more Moonlight Grass?
—W-who is it?
Just as Lucian thought no one was there, a timid voice reached his ears. It was a faint voice, barely audible. Lucian called out.
“Please open the door. I’m here to see someone who lives here.”
—M-Master Heide isn’t here right now. He’s out, so please come back later.
“I’m not here to see the alchemist.”
—T-then you have the wrong house.
“I haven’t. I’m here to see you.”
—…?
“The thief who’s been secretly buying expensive herbs under his master’s name.”
Thump, crash, clatter!
As soon as Lucian finished speaking, a series of loud noises erupted from inside—the sound of someone tripping, falling, and knocking things over. A moment later, someone rushed to the door and flung it open.
Rattle!
“It’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! It’s not stealing! Master asked me to do it for his research…!”
The person who opened the door shouted in a frantic excuse, sweat pouring down their face.
But the excuse didn’t register with Lucian. The face revealed behind the door was far more shocking than any explanation.
A boy?
Looking up at Lucian with eyes like a startled deer was a young boy, roughly Lucian’s own age.