Free City Poznyu (2)

Calix Szczecin arrived at a tavern in the entertainment district with his escort.

One of the soldiers let out a gasp of admiration.

"Whoa... couldn't we build something like this back in our territory?"

As he said, it was far too grand and flashy to simply call a "tavern."

While ordinary territories might have just a simple pub or two, Poznyu—where the pleasure industry catered to mercenaries—was on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠another level entirely.

At that moment, a child came scampering out to greet them.

"Welcome!"

He was a cute boy who looked just around ten years old.

With a ponytail, a brown vest, and shorts, his delicate features were so adorable you wanted to take a bite.

Normally, a sudden approach like that would raise alarms.

But even at his young age, the boy knew how to tout without coming off as annoying.

That was why even the stoic knights couldn't coldly refuse when he boldly grabbed their hands and led them along.

Calix followed behind with an amused smile.

Guided by the boy into the building, they were hit with a cacophony of noise.

On the central stage of the massive hall, dancers swayed or bards strummed their instruments.

The dozens of tables surrounding it were packed with mercenaries, leaving no room to spare.

Calix asked the boy who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had guided them.

"Isn't there somewhere quieter? Even another shop would do."

"Well, there is... but if I guide you elsewhere, I'll get in trouble."

"The soldiers can stay here and have fun. But the knights can't play in a place like this, right? Guide us to a quiet salon, and I'll give you this."

Calix flicked a silver coin into the air and caught it, subtly probing.

The boy's eyes followed the coin up and down before he nodded.

"Do these people absolutely have to eat here?"

"Of course."

"Then follow me."

The boy led Calix's group out a back door, away from the tavern.

Unlike the glittering main street outside, the dim alley felt almost eerie.

Loud laughter and cheers echoed faintly from afar now and then.

Calix called out to the boy leading the way.

"Have you lived in Poznyu a long time?"

"Over ten years."

"You don't look a day over ten."

"What? I may look it, but I'm fourteen!"

"I see."

Calix nodded, then lowered his voice slyly.

"Who's the strongest person in Poznyu?"

"They say it's Sir Omar, captain of the Iron Shield Mercenaries—he's the best fighter. But he's never actually clashed with the captains of the other three great mercenary corps, so it's just rumor."

"Sir Omar?"

The boy glanced around cautiously before whispering.

"Sorry... in front of real knights and all..."

"It's fine. More importantly, what are the three great mercenary corps?"

"You don't know? Red Wolf, Iron Shield, Black Wing—that's what they call the big three."

"Got it. How was the monster wave this fall?"

"Lucky for us, not much damage. Look how packed the taverns are. Good news. But the adults are worried about the super gate coming."

"Adults always worry too much."

"Pfft, you don't look that old yourself, Sir Knight. Guess you're an old soul like me. My godmother calls me that all the time."

"Heh! I see."

As they chatted, Calix's group arrived at a mansion.

Artifacts enchanted with light magic illuminated every corner, banishing any gloomy vibe.

The well-manicured garden and sculptures made it seem quite luxurious.

Stepping inside the entrance, a beautiful woman emerged—one who must have enchanted many men in her youth.

Her simple attire made her look less like a salon madam.

"Oh? You don't seem like reservations... how may I help you?"

"The boy guided us here."

At Calix's reply, the boy peeked out from behind the knights.

"Phew, Yurin. Causing trouble again."

"Hehe."

"We're not open for business today, sir. I'm sorry, but please leave."

She bowed politely with her request.

But Calix's gaze lingered elsewhere.

Noticing, she lifted her head and subtly covered the ring on her left ring finger.

Calix kept staring her down as he called to the boy.

"Hmm, you guided us wrong, kid, so I guess I need the tip back."

"No way! I guided you right! What the knight wanted wasn't a woman—it was info! I can't give this back!"

"Yurin!"

The beauty snapped sharply.

The dejected boy looked up at Calix with teary eyes.

"Do I really have to give it back?"

Calix grinned at the status window dominating ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the edge of his vision.

"Heh, so this is where you get info, huh? Then you've achieved the real goal, so keep it."

"Knew it! Yay!"

Calix had a habit of checking status windows first with anyone who approached him.

He'd followed the boy to this suspicious mansion because he already knew her true identity.

Calix had set two goals for this trip.

One: Acquire the S-grade skill slumbering in Poznyu's dungeon.

The other: Find the future super-merchant in the capital and invest the stolen slush funds.

He never dreamed he'd encounter the protagonist of the second goal here.

She was originally in Poznyu before moving to the capital later? What a coincidence...!

Though her combat prowess kept her out of the Seven Heroes, she was a special talent he absolutely needed.

The Black Witch Behind the Curtain, Celestina Yurin.

When it came to making money, she was the game's top talent.

The problem? She was far younger than expected.

Ha! No need to go to the capital is great, but I didn't account for her age. Well, she was under twenty even during the Great War...

As he smacked his lips in regret—

Clank! Clank! Clank!

With metallic sounds, people emerged from spots around the mansion, crossbows trained on Calix.

Schwing!

"My lord!"

The startled knights surrounded him and drew their swords.

"How dare you aim crossbows at him?"

Tension filled the air in an instant.

It was a powder keg ready to blow.

The knights' killing intent poured toward the beauty.

Despite the pressure, she threatened Calix's group in a voice devoid of emotion.

"High-class salons like ours sometimes get stubborn uninvited guests. Especially ones with knight-level or higher skill, forcing us to prepare these ugly tools. Please understand. Of course, leave quietly, and you're free to go."

Calix was no pushover.

Even with sharp bolts aimed at him, he retorted calmly.

"Hmm, aren't you being too rigid? Chasing out everyone who comes here without even talking—how do you make allies? Disappointing."

Yurin, apparently frustrated herself, jumped in quickly.

"See? Told you! Way too much."

"Yurin!"

"You have timeless beauty untouched by age, but your wisdom falls short of your young mistress."

At Calix's mockery, the beauty bit her lip.

She knew Yurin’s brilliance from experience and had profited from it.

But in this critical time of hiding identities, caution was key.

Lives hung on her shoulders—not just one or two.

"Conversation... fine. Answer my questions now. Unless you want a bolt in your head."

"Heh, twenty questions? Sure."

"Who are you?"

"Shouldn't you know that much already? How ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about removing that ring and asking the girl beside you?"

"...You know what this ring means?"

"It's got the Agrapartna royal crest plastered on it—what's to know? You wanted someone to recognize it, right?"

Blue killing intent flashed in her eyes.

"You're digging your own grave deeper, Young Master Calix!"

"You knew my name. Should've said so sooner. But what good does that do? How did I uncover this place? What info do I need now? And what can I offer you in return?"

She couldn't answer.

She had no choice.

Until moments ago, she'd thought anyone spotting the ruby ring's crest was either a fellow royal exile or an assassin hunting them.

A successor to a foreign count spotting it instantly? Unsettling.

Calix watched her wavering eyes, then turned.

"Yurin, what do you think?"

"Like I always say, the more complex the problem, the simpler the answer. The young master’s sharp—sees something once, never forgets. What's a ring? Flip through a few history books; fallen royal crests are everywhere. Big deal..."

"Lady Yurin!"

"Puhahaha! You're really smart, huh?"

"Hehe, you're not bad yourself, young master."

Seeing them praise each other carved deep furrows in the beauty's brow.

She pressed her throbbing temple.

Then a man approached and whispered.

'Reservation time's up.'

'Sigh, hand it off to someone else. I need to deal with these guests.'

'Understood.'

She sighed softly and waved her hand.

The crossbow wielders vanished one by one.

"This is a public area, so let's talk inside."

Guided deeper into the salon, they entered a room of refined luxury.

A sofa and table sat in the center, with a large bed against one wall.

Designed for seamless fun: eat, drink, straight to bed.

There, Calix faced Madam Hari, whom Yurin called godmother.

"Atmosphere's too hostile for a salon with ladies present."

"I haven't decided if I'll let you leave unharmed yet. You're the one who needs to convince me."

"Your hospitality's lacking, no? At least bring some tea."

Madam Hari shook her head in exasperation, then clapped.

Soon, women brought simple refreshments and tea.

Calix sipped slowly, pondering.

Celestina Yurin.

In the game's history, she was part of the shadowy merchants called "Children of Eredna," the Black Prince's strongest financial backer.

Her money-making skills were unmatched.

That's why he planned to invest the stolen silver bars with her.

Money-obsessed, yes—but she knew credit was a merchant's greatest asset, making her trustworthy.

Problem is her age. Just realized.

He'd wait for her to mature or raise her himself.

Meanwhile, Madam Hari gaped at Calix calmly sipping tea without suspicion.

"No thought it might be poisoned?"

"Nah, don't worry. I've tasted enough poison to know."

Truth was, Calix trusted the taste less than the situation—not poison territory.

Unaware, Madam Hari felt cowardly by comparison and bristled.

Feeling drawn in deeper, she decided to end it.

"Sigh, party's over. No assurance your secrecy holds? Negotiations done."

"Ten thousand."

"Pardon?"

"I'll invest ten thousand gold."

"What..."

"Now I'm throwing those words back. Convince me you won't run off with my money."

As stunned Madam Hari hesitated, someone entered.

"Too much to refuse."

"Lady Yurin! I told you not to come here...!"

Celestina Yurin.

The best way to tempt her? Massive investment capital.