Chapter 17
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17
"We haven't received the official orders yet," the gatekeeper added with a slight bow. The gold-plated Ouroboros ring on his index finger glinted in the sunlight.
Did 'receiving orders' mean a message transmitted through that ring?
"An auction?"
"Oh, did I not mention it? The Hub is closed today for an auction that's about to start. A truly rare item has been put up for bid this time."
"Why close the entire Hub for an auction? Just how incredible is this item?"
"Because the item is one of the legendary '36 Masterpieces.' 'Guillotine's Tooth,' which had been missing for ages, suddenly appeared on the market a few days ago. We shut down the Hub as a precaution to prevent any incidents."
The 36 Masterpieces.
“Ah, yes, this is quite famous among humans. You've probably heard of them too, Boss. The 36 Masterpieces... they're highly renowned weapons.”
It was a term he had heard from Patrick recently. The sword wielded by the leader of the group that invaded the Primordial Core—the one now in Patrick's possession—was also one of the 36 Masterpieces. And Patrick had definitely mentioned that one of the blades Rene carried was also from that collection.
"Ultimately, it's to prevent anyone from using the Teleportation Hub to infiltrate the auction house. It can't be helped," the gatekeeper concluded.
But from Swallow's perspective, none of this made sense.
How would they stop mages who could teleport without a Hub? And if they were going to such lengths, wouldn't it be simpler to just place a teleportation barrier around the auction house instead of shutting down the Hub itself?
More questions surfaced, but dwelling on them wouldn't change the situation. It was what it was, sensible or not.
He glanced up at the sky. The sun was already dipping low in the west. He had four or five hours to kill until eight o’clock. The thought of waiting around with nothing to do was draining.
He preferred cozy, relaxing places, and these heavy, artificial streets just made him uncomfortable.
"But we can definitely use it if we wait, right?"
"As long as you pay the fee, we provide the best service at all times."
He had plenty of money. Swallow flipped a gold coin from his pocket, and the gatekeeper caught it deftly. He bowed with a faint smile, a silent apology for his earlier suspicion and rudeness.
The Hub's usage fee was indeed outrageously expensive for ordinary citizens, and the requirement to prove noble status was absurd.
In Swallow and Melju's case, they even had to pay a bribe, but with 22 ounces of gold coins at their disposal, it was a trivial expense.
"We'll be back when the auction is over, then."
"We apologize for the inconvenience. There is much to see in Survey Rose, so perhaps you could take your time and enjoy the city..."
"No, I don't think I will."
"Not a fan of the streets? It's true, this area isn't exactly bustling with life. If you're looking for that kind of atmosphere, you could always attend the auction. Or, if you'd like, you can take this."
With those words, the gatekeeper handed Swallow a paper packed with printed text.
As Swallow took it, Melju craned her neck in curiosity. Too short to see properly, she hopped up and down.
"What is it! We are curious too! Show Us!"
"Is this the auction's item list?"
"Indeed. Every item on that list costs more than a low-ranking gatekeeper like me could save in a lifetime."
Saying so, the gatekeeper pointed to the top of the paper. At the spot he indicated was a highly detailed illustration of a small blade. Melju, who finally caught a glimpse by standing on her tiptoes, let out a soft gasp.
"Oh, it is quite a well-drawn picture."
"It's a magical print, so it should look exactly like the real thing. This is the 'Guillotine's Tooth' up for auction."
—It looked incredibly familiar.
He told himself he didn't have time to waste on this, but an inexplicable, ominous feeling kept his eyes glued to the paper.
As he stared at the drawing, the puzzle pieces began to click into place. It didn't take long for the memory to surface.
"Ah, this looks exactly like the weapon my… companion uses."
"Pardon? Surely you're mistaken."
"No, it's identical. Absolutely. If you channel power into it, doesn't it go shwing and transform into a massive blade?"
"I wouldn't know about that, but you must be mistaken. It's a one-of-a-kind weapon."
"Could the one up for auction be a fake?"
A smile played on the gatekeeper's lips. Suppressing a laugh, he waved a hand as if to say Swallow's joke had gone too far. His reaction seemed entirely sincere.
Then, was the one Rene used a fake?
No, that was impossible. There was no way something so exquisitely crafted was a fake. It made no sense for her to have used a counterfeit for decades without issue, and if it were a fake, it wouldn't possess the magic to expand from a tiny blade into a massive one.
Above all, Patrick had explicitly stated that one of Rene's blades was among the 36 Masterpieces. Patrick could recognize one at a glance, so it had to be true.
…He had definitely said it was one of the 36 Masterpieces. He had definitely said it was a one-of-a-kind weapon in the world.
If so?
A deeply disturbing conclusion presented itself.
Either the item currently up for auction belonged to Rene— No, that can't be.
What other possibility was there? Was there any other option?
—There wasn't.
No. No, no, no. Is this a joke?
“Because the item up for auction is one of the legendary '36 Masterpieces.' 'Guillotine's Tooth,' which had been missing for a very long time, suddenly appeared on the market a few days ago.”
“36 Masterpieces.”
“Missing for a very long time—”
“Suddenly appeared a few days ago—”
The possibility.
It might actually be true.
His mind felt like it was about to explode. He clutched his head, and Melju, noticing his distorted expression, watched him warily.
Perhaps he had been too complacent.
“Just like Patrick said, if I grovel and kiss her boots, things will work out somehow.”
The words he had uttered at dawn came rushing back. Yes, he'd been treating this far too lightly. He claimed every second counted, yet his actions had been leisurely. He had a safety net, a confidence that allowed him to act that way.
Because Rene was strong.
Because Rene was truly strong. She might 'reign,' but she would never 'submit.'
He had never once imagined Rene, who had stormed out of the Core, dying at the hands of anyone. The very thought felt blasphemous. Rene, dead? The same Rene whom even the other bosses of the Seven Great Evil Caves couldn't touch? Utter nonsense. She wasn't called the 'Blade Maid' for nothing. In his mind, this story was supposed to have only two possible endings: 'apologize to Rene and return to a peaceful daily life,' or 'reluctantly let Rene go since she has already made up her mind.'
He had firmly believed that was how it would go.
So why was Rene's weapon in the hands of humans?
He recalled her appearance as she stormed out. The pockets on her flowing clothes were tiny. She had thrown a blade at him, mistaking him for an enemy. And she hadn't been wearing her sash.
When Rene stormed out, how many weapons did she have left?
Had Rene ever fought humans with fewer than five weapons?
If you took the 'Blades' out of the 'Blade Maid,' what was left?
Patrick was strong even without a sword; having one just made him stronger. But Rene was different. Rene was strong because she had her blades. A Rene without blades…
Rene was…
"Rene..."
To humans.
To humans?
To mere humans.
His breath caught in his throat.
"Sir Swald? Sir Swald! Pull yourself together!"
Melju's cries echoed in his ears, sounding both incredibly close and miles away. With a dazed expression, Swallow looked down at her, then took a few steps forward.
Melju followed, her face filled with worry.
Only after they were far enough away that the gatekeeper couldn't hear did Swallow slowly speak.
"Melju."
"Has something happened, Sir Swald? Your behavior… You've changed so suddenly. Why are you acting like this?"
"I..."
There was no longer any need to hesitate.
"I'm going to retrieve Guillotine's Tooth."
"Are you serious, Sir Swald? Retrieve it? What do you mean by that? We are utterly bewildered… You said it was identical to your companion's weapon. What is your connection to Guillotine's Tooth?"
"Hey, Melju."
"Yes? S-Speak."
"The 36 Masterpieces. Guillotine's Tooth. It really is the only one in existence, right?"
"If Our knowledge serves Us correctly, yes," she said. "...But why do you ask, Sir Swald?"
"So that's how it is."
His eyes lost their focus, his pupils as cloudy as a dead fish's and shot through with blood. His tone was chillingly flat.
Though his body remained perfectly still, Melju could tell he was desperately suppressing emotions that threatened to burst out of him at any second. He was in a state where even the slightest provocation would cause everything to shatter.
"That… belongs to the companion I've been looking for."
As Melju waited for an explanation, Swallow's hollow chuckle echoed in her ears. Just then, the shadow of a cloud drifted over, blocking out the sun.
"I have to get it back."
Declaring this bluntly, Swallow smiled at Melju. While his mouth curved gently, his eyes were dead. It was a smile of hollow despair.
"It's no big deal. Don't worry too much. And you can stop helping me now. Thank you for everything, however brief it was."
"Sir Swald, surely 'retrieving' it doesn't mean..."
"Now that I know how to get back to Hastin, I can handle the rest on my own."
"W-Wait. You need to think more rationally. No matter how inferior humans may be, causing a commotion in the capital of the human Empire is by no means a wise move. No matter how strong you are, Sir Swald..."
"If we're fated, we'll meet again. Though, I'd prefer it if your fate led you to meet Lord Swallow rather than me."
"Sir… Swald…?"
"So, it's best if you leave this place as quickly as possible."
The shadow of the cloud swallowed them both. With those final words, Swallow turned and began to walk away. Even from a distance, the gatekeeper's faint gaze followed him. Melju stared at his retreating back, dazed.
There was no suspicion in her gaze, only doubt. She wanted to ask so many things, but no words came to mind that could stop him. Only after he had taken several steps did she finally speak.
"...Sir Swald's companion, and the owner of Guillotine's Tooth."
The sound of his footsteps stopped.
"In other words, a dungeon monster in the form of a silver-haired woman, and a powerhouse capable of wielding one of the 36 Masterpieces."
"..."
"Only one person comes to mind. We believe We know who you are looking for, Sir Swald."
It was one of the figures who had crossed Melju's mind when she first heard he was looking for a silver-haired woman—a name she had dismissed, thinking it couldn't possibly be.
"Lady Rene, the 'Blade Maid.'"
Swallow said nothing, but his silence was an affirmation.
A soft sigh escaped him.
—Melju couldn't see his face, couldn't see how his eyes had turned pitch-black and his mouth had split into a thin, sharp grin.
"Judging by your reaction, it seems We were correct, Sir Swald."
"How much do you want to know?"
"No, there's no need. We are not frightened by your terrifying voice, for We have already deduced your true identity. Lady Rene is the gatekeeper of the great Primordial Core—a supreme being. Therefore, the identity of Sir Swald, who calls such a person his 'companion'..."
Her trembling fingertip pointed toward Swallow.
"Lord Swallow, the Master of the Primordial Core..."
"Yes, I am indeed Swallow—"
"...'s subordinate, without a doubt!"
"...Let's go with 'subordinate,' damn it."
Is this the limit of the Demon King's intellect?
The serious atmosphere he had managed to build evaporated in an instant.
Melju's conclusion instantly wiped his cluttered mind blank. Deflated, Swallow let out a deep sigh.
To think that her meticulousness, her ability to look several steps ahead and calculate the worst-case scenario, could transform into sheer stupidity in an instant. Then again, her conclusion wasn't entirely incomprehensible. Back when they boarded the Sky Carriage, he had clearly said he was 'kicked out of the dungeon.' If she took those words at face value, the only conclusion she could draw was that he was, at best, 'a monster who used to belong to the Primordial Core.'