Chapter 9: Deathwish (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9: Deathwish (2)
He still didn’t know why the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom was staking an even stronger claim on him, but he had to do what needed to be done.
The first step, naturally, was to seek out Noel the moment morning arrived.
Since she monitored his every move, sneaking out was impossible anyway—especially considering her sheer capability.
“You want to go out?”
“I don’t think I said anything that strange…?” Aiden replied, bewildered by Noel’s narrowed eyes.
A person was allowed to step outside for a bit. There was no need for her to look at him like he had just uttered the most absurd thing in the world.
“Are you, by any chance, dissatisfied with your current living conditions?”
“Pardon?”
“If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will do whatever I can for you.”
“No, it’s not that I’m uncomfortable…”
Honestly, idling beside Noel every single day while she worked at the military headquarters was its own kind of torture. To any outsider, he looked exactly like a live-in son-in-law.
When he explained his reasoning, she simply replied, “…Isn’t that a good thing for you, Aiden?”
“…”
“Even if you do absolutely nothing, I’m paying you a regular salary. Your food, clothing, and shelter are all completely provided for.”
“…”
True. Put that way, framing it as a complaint felt a bit ridiculous.
As Aiden stood there in silence, Noel let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through her hair.
“It’s not like I intended to keep you locked up in the headquarters forever, so it’s fine… but I’d prefer if you took an escort with you.”
“An escort?”
“Given the skills you’ve shown, I don’t think you’ll be easily harmed. But you do have an aura that seems to attract trouble, Aiden.”
“…”
“So, to be frank, I’m a bit reluctant to let you go out alone.”
He couldn’t argue with that. After all, he was the one who wanted to escape his trouble-attracting nature the most.
“…I’m just going out for a breath of fresh air. An escort would be too cumbersome.”
Besides, considering what he was about to do, bringing an escort along was a terrible idea. He wasn’t exactly heading somewhere he could proudly tell others about.
“No, still, an escort is—”
“I need some alone time.”
“…”
It was an excuse that sounded like a husband exhausted after ten years of marriage, but Noel merely let out another deep sigh without pressing further. It was true, after all, that she had been glued to his side almost all day.
“Then, go ahead.”
He hadn’t expected her to give permission so quickly. Aiden blinked blankly at her cool, immediate approval.
“I won’t assign any guards, nor will I wiretap you, so go do whatever you want. But take this with you.”
With those words, Noel handed him something. It was a small switch, about half the size of his palm, resembling a personal safety alarm.
“What is this?”
“A tracking device. I can’t have you running away before the wedding.”
“…”
“Just kidding.”
“…I wasn’t planning on running away in the first place.”
Even if he did run, he had the distinct feeling this woman would chase him to the ends of the earth.
Noel let out a satisfied chuckle and continued. “It’s a beacon. Press it if you find yourself in even the slightest danger. I’ll rush over immediately.”
“…You’d go that far?”
Having watched her from the sidelines, Aiden knew better than anyone just how buried in work she usually was. Every single task she handled had a major impact on the administration of the state. Was he really important enough for her to throw all of that aside?
“Since I’m the one who brought you here, it’s my responsibility to return you safely once the contract ends. It’s not ‘going that far.’ It’s only natural.”
As Noel spoke, she turned her gaze back to her paperwork. Aiden’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at her.
This woman…
Kidnapping him out of nowhere aside, he had to admit she took her responsibilities incredibly seriously. The way she fussed over every little detail—despite being his captor—was almost parental.
“Thank you.”
She really was a good person.
The thought crossed his mind out of nowhere.
* * *
“I’ve been kidnapped by a weird person, Dad.”
…Of course, considering she had kidnapped him in the first place, it was hard to evaluate her as anything else.
The very first thing he did upon stepping outside the headquarters was, naturally, contact his family.
[What on earth are you talking about?] His father’s startled voice echoed from the receiver. [Did you borrow money from the mafia? I told you so many times not to get involved with those criminals…]
“Dad, you and I are criminals too.”
It was hard to believe that a man spouting such law-abiding, ordinary-citizen remarks made his living through thievery.
Then again, this was the same man who had drilled it into Aiden since childhood never to play in the big leagues.
Aiden let out a deep sigh and continued. “I was kidnapped, but it’s not a serious situation. I’m well-fed, warm, and even getting paid for it.”
[…What on earth is that supposed to mean?]
“It’s exactly as it sounds. I can’t tell you the details right now, but surprisingly, it’s all true. I’m living it up in the most expensive neighborhood in the Imperial Capital.”
[Can’t they kidnap me too?]
…And this man was his father.
If his father knew exactly what kind of position Aiden was currently in, he would likely faint from shock. Aiden decided to save it for later, spinning it as a heroic tale once everything was settled.
“More importantly, Dad.”
Though his father was unreliable in some ways… there were certain things Aiden could absolutely trust and rely on him for.
“Do you know anyone in the Imperial Capital Black Market?”
A brief silence seeped through the receiver, followed by a heavy sigh.
[Are you going to work there too?]
“I need to gather some information. I don’t have any connections here, so I need an introduction. Where should I go?”
[Billy Hagen at the tool shop. The password is ‘Crescent Moon and the Sun.’]
Even for a petty back-alley thief, surviving in the underworld for decades meant building an absurdly vast network.
Aiden chuckled. “How cute. Got it.”
[Aiden.]
“Yeah?”
[Be careful. Don’t forget that Cisella and I are always on your side. If anything happens, make sure to tell your family.]
“…I know.”
These people, at least, would be on his side until the end of the world.
That was exactly why he was struggling so hard. To live peacefully once again in the embrace of his father and younger sister.
“…Sigh.”
And, truly… the place he was currently walking through was somewhere he could confidently say he was struggling just to survive.
The back alleys of the Imperial Capital exuded a menacing atmosphere fitting of their name. No matter where he looked, everyone practically reeked of shadiness.
Yet, the reason he had come all this way was simple.
—Act 1 starts here.
Act 1, <Imperial Capital Rift>, was a story about a large-scale disturbance and rebellion occurring inside the empire’s capital. That much he knew for certain.
He also knew what he had to pay attention to first.
The massive influx of illegally distributed weapons flooding the black market.
Naturally, a large-scale rebellion required a trained army, and the supplies to arm them wouldn’t just fall from the sky. Smuggling them in through shady routes was standard procedure. Act 1 began with the “Protagonist” getting entangled in an incident related to those very weapons.
“…”
Yes. The Protagonist.
Characters like Noel or the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom, who were labeled as “characters of utmost importance to the scenario” by the system, were indeed crucial figures who interacted with the protagonist. But they were not the protagonist themselves.
The center of this world who drove the entire plot of the game. The savior who would ultimately save the world.
Such a being had to exist somewhere.
They absolutely had to.
Because that guy is my express ticket out of this scenario.
What Aiden needed to do right now was find that person and dump all of his current burdens squarely onto their shoulders. An extra like himself should fade away into the background, pushing the person truly meant to shine onto the stage.
Let them handle all these troublesome matters—like being the groom of the Lionheart, or the grand scenario to save the world.
To do that, he needed to get at least a rough outline of the incident set to occur in just a few days. If the protagonist existed in this world, they would inevitably be entangled in whatever was happening.
“…”
But… what if they didn’t exist?
Just as they hadn’t appeared in any of the records he had searched before, what if they truly didn’t exist—
…No, it’s not certain yet.
Hadn’t he come all this way specifically to confirm that?
This is the place.
Lost in thought, he arrived at his destination.
Billy’s Workshop. It was an incredibly plain name, even for a tool shop in the black market.
As he stepped inside, a middle-aged man who looked like he had absolutely no intention of greeting a customer stared at him languidly.
“Crescent Moon and the Sun.”
When Aiden gave the password, the shopkeeper scratched his cheek. “Information costs 50 gold. What do you want to know?”
“I’ll give you 500 gold, so make sure you scrape up everything listed here.”
Aiden slammed a stack of pre-prepared papers onto the counter.
It was a list of inquiries regarding the weapons circulating within the black market. Just by grasping the general flow, one could easily outline the transaction locations, sellers, and buyers.
The shopkeeper flipped through the documents, scanning them rapidly. Soon, a snort and a sneer escaped him.
“You’re digging into information that’s perfect for getting yourself killed. Do you have a knack for dangerous work?”
“…I don’t exactly have a choice.”
“Pity.”
The irony of having to place himself right in the middle of a deadly situation just to avoid one wasn’t lost on him. While Aiden wiped away imaginary tears, the man asked another question.
“How long do you have?”
“As fast as possible. How long will it take?”
“Tomorrow is plenty. Keep your promise of 500 gold.”
He was indeed his father’s acquaintance. His efficiency was trustworthy.
Nodding, Aiden wandered around the shop while the man moved the documents from the counter to his workbench. The tool shop in the Imperial Capital Black Market clearly dealt in far more goods than the magic tool shops in the outskirts where Aiden used to operate.
The fact that something immediately caught his eye proved it.
Why on earth are they selling something like this in the black market?
As an “industry insider,” Aiden recognized it at a single glance.
A variable mask powered by magic stones and a voice modulator.
Though perfect for committing crimes, it was originally a product researched by government institutions. It wasn’t something that should be sitting out in the open like this. It was definitely a premium item he would never have laid eyes on outside the Imperial Capital.
“Are you buying? I guarantee the quality, but no discounts.”
“…I don’t have the money.”
In truth, Noel had given him such a generous “down payment” that his pockets were quite deep, but there was absolutely no reason for him to buy such a thing anytime soon. A situation where he would have to go so far as to use this to “deceive” someone was not something he would easily encounter in his current position—
“…”
—or so he thought.
That is, until a certain sight outside the window caught his eye.
“…?”
Aiden craned his neck, peering at the scene unfolding right in front of the shop.
Something about it… felt familiar.
A “sight” that felt like it shouldn’t be left alone was playing out over there…
“…!”
And the moment he recognized it clearly… his eyes widened.
— System Message
▶ A ‘Side Quest’ has been issued.
▶ Failure will result in a penalty.
▶ Would you like to check the details? [Y/N]
The moment he checked the message that popped up in sync with the scene, Aiden’s face turned deathly pale.
…No.
No.
No, there was no way.
There was no way this was the situation he was thinking of.
With trembling pupils, Aiden checked the contents of the Side Quest.
“…”
He dragged a hand down his face, his eyes completely vacant.
…I want to die.
Considering what he had to do next, it was a perfectly natural sentiment.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“This. How much is it?”
Aiden pointed straight at the mask and voice modulator he had waved off as too expensive just moments ago.
* * *
By its very nature, the black market attracted all kinds of people, but there were a few things that everyone tacitly avoided.
For instance, “standing out,” “carrying valuables,” or “coming completely defenseless.”
In that regard… the small girl standing outside right now was practically bleeding prey in a school of sharks.
Her appearance was best described by a single question: Why is such a noble person in a place like this?
She wore a luxury suit that was clearly handcrafted, stitch by stitch, by a master artisan. With matching gloves and boots, selling just her outfit would easily yield enough to cover an ordinary citizen’s living expenses for a month.
No matter how one looked at her, she did not belong in a place like this.
“—Wandering around looking like that won’t end well for you, young lady.”
When all those elements combined, thugs were bound to appear, drawn in like iron filings to a magnet.
A group of them stood there with sinister smirks. Though they held weapons of questionable quality, a few of them carried small firearms like pistols.
For ordinary citizens without supernatural abilities, that alone was a good enough excuse to turn a blind eye. Besides, this was the black market—a lawless zone to begin with. A scene like this wasn’t even worth paying attention to.
Indeed, as the gang surrounded the girl, not a single soul tried to intervene.
“This place isn’t soft enough for you to show your face in such fine clothes. Did you come here without even knowing what kind of place this is?”
“Isn’t it a black market?”
“…”
At her response, which was so cheerful it was almost jarring, the thug was left utterly speechless. Her tone made it sound as if she had just gone out for an afternoon picnic…
“…I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to come knowing that. What were you thinking, coming all the way here—”
“For my hobby.”
At an answer so completely off the rails, the thugs blanked out simultaneously.
“What?”
“It’s my first time at the Imperial Capital’s black market. Though I’ve been to the back alleys of my hometown plenty of times.”
As she spoke, the girl’s face wore a bright, beaming smile.
“Can you help me out? You guys seem just about right.”
The thugs exchanged glances. Soon, snickers began to leak out from the group.
“Sure. We’ll help you. Of course we will. Why don’t we head over there first and hear what you need help with?”
One of them pointed toward a dark, secluded alleyway. In his head, he was likely already mapping out a plan, second by second, to strip this girl of her belongings and hold her hostage to squeeze even more out of her wealthy parents.
Yet, even in the face of such a desperate crisis, the smile on the girl’s face only grew brighter. It was as if she was genuinely relieved to have found people who would “help” her.
“Let’s take our time and talk. Yeah? We’ve got plenty of time from now on—”
The thug continued, his face failing to hide his sinister intentions, but his sentence was cut short as someone grabbed his shoulder with a vice-like grip.
“Who the fuck is that!”
The man spun around with a snarl, only to flinch instantly.
The man holding his shoulder possessed an appearance that was nothing short of a nightmare. His skin was bumpy and uneven, as if someone had meticulously carved it with a knife. A scar ran from his forehead down to his neck, his nose was hooked like a hawk’s, one eye was missing, and half of his lips were gone, seemingly sliced off.
It was an overwhelming hideousness that would make even a battle-hardened criminal turn pale at first sight.
“Get lost.”
Even his voice was a bizarre, grating tone, like a knife scraping against a steel plate. It was enough to make every single man gathered there take a step back just from hearing it.
“W-What? You looking for a fight, you bastard—”
“Don’t make me say it twice.”
His voice dropped another octave. As that horrific face drew closer, a gasp of terror escaped from one of the thugs.
“Last warning. Get lost.”
“…”
It was clearly a speech passionate enough to move hearts. This was proven by the fact that every single thug present understood the message perfectly, scattering and fleeing in a panic without uttering a single word of protest.
“—You too.”
Next, the man who had just displayed such brilliant eloquence turned to the girl, spitting out his words.
“Go home. This isn’t a place for someone like you.”
Having said his piece, the man spun around coolly, showing no lingering attachment. He looked as if he was simply going on his way now that his business was done.
“Mister.”
However, a voice immediately caught him by the scruff of his neck.
“You know who I am, don’t you?”
Feeling his limbs freeze, Aiden—currently in disguise—slowly came to a halt.
“…What do you mean—”
“You didn’t come to save me, did you?”
“…”
“It’s pretty obvious.”
She was, without a doubt, correct.
The ones Aiden had intervened to save were not this defenseless-looking girl, but rather the armed thugs.
To be precise, when he considered who this girl actually was…
— Side Quest
▶ Contact ‘Deathwish’, Katya Heinkel Craven.
▶ Resolve the situation as peacefully as possible.
▶ If you handle the current situation smoothly, the target’s Affinity toward you will increase significantly!
▶ If you fail, a penalty will be imposed!
…Those guys just now had practically been sticking their heads into a lion’s mouth, and Aiden had merely grabbed them by the scruff of their necks and pulled them out.
“That’s no good. I was just about to have some fun, and you went and ruined it all.”
“…”
“I could have written those guys off as ‘self-defense.’ You know?”
With her hands clasped behind her back, and still wearing that beaming smile, the girl trotted over to Aiden. Though her voice was as sweet and clear as rolling glass beads, listening to it made Aiden feel as if the blood in his veins was drying up.
“What are you going to do about it?”
“…What do you want me to do?”
“You have to take responsibility. You ruined my leisure time.”
“…”
“Since I had some spare time after coming all the way to the Empire, I went out of my way to make time and seize a great opportunity.”
Damn it. Fuck.
While Aiden repeatedly cursed in his mind, the girl continued speaking with her ever-present, beaming smile.
She was a face Aiden remembered well.
The Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom.
A core figure of utmost importance in the main scenario, specifically on the Holy Kingdom’s side.
Such a person…
“Would you keep me company for a bit?”
…casual as could be, threw those words at him.