Chapter 261
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 261
Chapter Title: Branch of the Celestial Church
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Layer 5, Madeline's Citadel.
Adventurers and mercenaries aiming for the higher layers were a common sight here, and occasionally, high-level users descending from above to regroup were just as prevalent.
The White Whale Mercenary Corps had now built quite a reputation, drawing glances from all directions.
A few even tried approaching them, but they brushed them off lightly and headed toward the outskirts on the opposite side of the citadel.
Their destination was a back alley that seemed shrouded in unusually deep shadows compared to the other areas.
The people emerging from within didn't look particularly savory either.
They all had dull eyes or faces obscured by mufflers or masks.
"Just like the black market on the surface, this is Blackout's own black market."
"And they say relics left behind by the children of some eastern warlord are here...?"
Of course, he had no intention of diving in right away.
For now, they were just passing by to take a look.
He planned to move alone later to handle the actual business.
"We're too conspicuous right now, so let's secure lodging first."
"Understood."
"Oh, and... Aiden, look for a suitable weapon again this time too. Just in case."
"Ah, right. Got it."
Unfortunately, the weapon Jun had targeted for Aiden hadn't appeared in the Wyvern Mountains.
There was a sword that had a chance of spawning in the nest of the leader wyvern, but it hadn't shown up this season.
As a result, only a single sword from a renowned forge hung at Aiden's waist.
'Probably won't find one easily here either.'
Though trade was brisk due to the prime location, a famed sword worthy of Aiden was hard to come by.
Still, treasures sometimes surfaced from unaware sellers, so if luck was on their side, they might snag one.
'Not that the odds are great.'
Even in the game, it was akin to scratching a lottery ticket.
Just rumors passed around like urban legends on community sites or bait posts on trash threads?
Around the time Jun and his companions had settled into decent lodgings,
A staff member knocked on Jun's door.
"What is it?"
"Ah, some guests here to see you, sir."
Even in this top-tier inn they'd chosen, for a staffer to come personally...
Who could it be? Jun guessed easily enough.
"I'll head down then."
"Yes, thank you."
The staffer guided him downstairs to a private room, looking somewhat tense—but not from danger, just the nerves of ushering in important guests.
Stepping inside,
"Well, if it isn't the renowned captain of the White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Greetings, Mage Jun."
The two men rose from their seats the moment he entered.
A sharp tension hung between them all.
"Th-then I'll be going."
The staffer, uncomfortable facing the pair, vanished quickly.
Now alone in the private room, the three of them.
Jun gave a light bow in greeting to the two.
"To think both rulers of Layer 6 are here. You live long enough, you see all sorts."
The two organizations dragging the eastern war into Blackout to fund it.
Darkras, captain of the Black Moon Mercenary Corps, and Belgor, leader of the Sun Keeper Adventurer Squad.
Two men who should never cross paths in their lifetimes had come seeking Jun simultaneously.
"I'll get straight to the point. Drop the commission you've taken."
Darkras, the belligerent-looking captain of the Black Moon Mercenary Corps.
A famed Level 7 user, a close-range warrior wielding sword and shield.
Jun merely smiled faintly at his threatening demand.
"You two came in person just to relay that?"
"That's right. Honestly, even I'm surprised. Never thought I'd see this bastard's face so easily."
"Speak for yourself. Anyway, what's your answer?"
Under the focused gazes of Darkras and Belgor, Jun spoke calmly.
"Commission? What are you referring to?"
"Hmph... Playing dumb? I despise haggling. That's what makes me sick of the guy in front of me."
"Or should we take that as a refusal of our offer?"
Though at war with each other, they cooperated seamlessly in pressuring Jun.
Of course, the war probably wasn't that crucial to them.
It had been ages since they'd left the front lines.
Now, they just wanted to secure their positions in Blackout.
In that light, the White Whale Mercenary Corps was nothing but a threat to their safety.
How absurd.
But he showed no sign of it.
He figured dragging things out as long as possible was the way to go.
And...
'Count Mordena must have intel on these two approaching me by now.'
They'd openly clocked them.
Perhaps the count had leaked more info to direct all eyes their way.
'Or left it to leak on purpose.'
It could be a ploy to root out spies and strike the enemy's head in turn.
'What a fine business partner he turned out to be.'
If they planned to use him, he could play the same game.
Even if it meant pasting an adamantium plate over his face.
"I wouldn't know how to convince you two otherwise. If you're this interested in me, you must know—we came here solely to sell spoils from our Layer 7 expedition."
With that, Jun casually drew the leader wyvern's magic stone from his dimensional bracelet.
A child-head-sized stone sparking with bright yellow electricity.
Priceless treasure.
Even the two before him flashed brief greed in their eyes.
In a money-driven world, some things couldn't be bought without the right goods.
This stone was perfect for currying favor with mages.
"Ahem..."
"That thing..."
"Anyway, I'm planning to leave it with a buyer for the next two days. Truth is, last year's mess left us swamped, so we haven't taken many commissions this year."
With a genuinely aggrieved expression, and they nodded.
Not because they were fools, but figuring they'd watch his moves.
What could they do?
Jun kept denying it to the end.
In the end, the two rose uncomfortably, and Jun narrowed his eyes at their retreating backs.
"Well... now what?"
He'd told them he'd entrust the item to a seller in two days and leave.
Of course, he had no plans to sell it. It was destined for Shylock.
If such a prize didn't hit the market, they'd spot the lie and pursue Jun and his crew immediately.
"And our business partner knows that full well."
But this was pushing it.
They hadn't even gotten proper compensation yet—no hazard pay even.
"At least give us something due. What would be good...?"
Just then, Aiden, Maya, and Eleanor descended the stairs.
Jun's gaze landed on Aiden's waist.
"Hey, Aiden."
"Yes?"
"Hold off on buying a sword."
"...?"
His new blade would come courtesy of their excellent business partner.
"Well now... this is something."
Two days later.
Early morning, Count Mordena rose from bed, brewing black tea himself to shake off sleep.
But the letter before him had already done that thoroughly.
"Heh..."
Nothing special on the paper.
Just a motif of a whale breaching the sea,
and
-Sword of the Yellow Springs.
That single phrase.
Who sent it and why was obvious.
"So the initial reward I offered falls short, eh?"
The promised compensation was simple: upon resolution, territorial rights to a desired layer.
Of course, within his discretion—fields held by the eastern factions if the mission succeeded.
Yet even that wasn't enough.
"Sword of the Yellow Springs. He has a detailed grasp on our operations..."
He'd dropped a few hints himself. It was an old habit of the count's.
Provide ample info for tough commissions.
But not everything.
Omit elements that might irk, and up the reward if they notice.
This partner had acquired even the unshared intel.
Demanding the Sword of the Yellow Springs, no less.
Sword of the Yellow Springs.
Long ago, wielded by an emperor who commissioned it personally from the Iron Tribe chief—a sword among swords.
It accepted imperial mana better than any, but bore a curse devouring the user's精神 continuously, usable only by exceptional royals.
Thus, it slumbered in the imperial treasury as a legendary relic.
And the mercenary captain demanded it.
The mage captain wouldn't wield it; it was for the imperial-blooded youth traveling with him.
Aiden.
"In other words, fetch it myself."
The mercenaries could likely pull it off again.
But prompt payment would aid them too.
"Never thought I'd expend imperial treasury access like this."
A dream space for most, but trivial for one of his stature.
Though in Blackout now, he'd use a proxy.
Using an agent for a place where entry alone was honor...
But the count felt no regret.
He'd devoted all to his king, the emperor.
The emperor's will was his, and he'd proffer any price without hesitation.
Late at night.
Using [Mirror of Mosillas] for the first time in ages to exit beyond the streets, Jun headed straight for the citadel outskirts back alley he'd scouted before.
Weaving past the illicit festivities everywhere, delving deeper.
Now into dimly lit alleys few trod.
There, he found the shop he'd sought.
Dark, as if business had ended—no lights.
Jun cast [Detection] magic, concentrating mana, scanning inside.
'Nothing suspicious.'
A rundown antique shop.
Forcing past the enchanted security, he entered to dust-laden interiors untouched for ages.
'Well, it's closed more than open anyway.'
He had reason for this late-night infiltration.
'Good, still here...'
A golden skull mounted on one wall.
Exact match to the game scene.
'Found it right. The branch of the Celestial Church.'
Now, time to retrieve the relics left by Duke Randel's children from here.