Guard Corps Standoff (3)
As Leah's mana began to dominate the area, the Guard Corps members who had drawn their swords hesitated.
They glanced nervously at Leah and Elder Gehan, looking around uncertainly as if unsure what to do.
Gehan eyed Leah and Humphrey with clear discomfort before speaking up.
"What connection do you have with this man that you're interfering with me?"
"We're just curious, Elder Gehan. What reason do you have for trying to detain him?"
"It's not detention. Just a simple questioning. There's something I need to ask him."
"That seems a bit rough for mere questioning."
Humphrey glanced at the Guard Corps surrounding me.
"The one involved in this incident wasn't a young Guard Corps swordsman? To reiterate, this man is a mage."
"Humphrey. You shouldn't speak further."
"...My apologies."
Humphrey apologized at Gehan's sharp retort.
Regardless, Gehan continued, staring at me behind Humphrey.
"Kid. Didn't you come here yourself because I summoned you directly? That means our agreement takes priority."
"...Is that true?"
Humphrey turned his head slightly, shield still raised.
Well, he did tell me to come directly... but that's just words.
"I have no intention of going to the Guard Corps. If you have questions, ask them here, Elder Gehan."
"Silence. You know I can't speak freely here, so you're acting bold."
Shing—
Gehan sheathed his sword.
The other Guard Corps members followed suit, one by one.
"Kid. I'll come find you again soon. Dawn. This matter—is it Guild Master Sia's will?"
"......"
Gehan looked at Leah, but she silently lowered her raised arm without a word.
At her response,
"Just as I thought. I'll lodge a formal protest about today's events."
Gehan led the Guard Corps away from my mansion.
Once Humphrey confirmed they were gone, he quietly lowered his shield.
Leah approached me then.
"By any chance... did you want to go with them?"
She belatedly asked my opinion.
I shook my head lightly, and Leah nodded with a knowing "as expected."
"Humphrey. We can head back now."
"Yes."
Humphrey took the Dawn members lined up in front of my mansion and left.
I waited until they were gone before speaking to Leah.
"So, what exactly is going on?"
"That... can we talk inside first?"
Leah gestured toward my mansion.
I opened the door and invited her in.
As I led her to the front of the mansion,
"This scent..."
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, nothing."
Leah paused briefly at the mansion entrance before stepping inside.
I guided her to the guest reception room on the first floor.
Once seated, Leah began.
"Early yesterday dawn, the Guard Corps put out a warrant for one of their young knights. They said he stole something from the Guard Corps and fled..."
Suspect: Ghir (New Recruit Knight)
Crime: Theft of Guard Corps property and assault on elders during escape.
Last seen: Fled toward Labyrinth City outskirts.
Reward: Information leading to capture.
"The knight who stole and fled is named Ghir, a new recruit in the Guard Corps. They say his skills were exceptional. Almost like Elder Ghirtas of the Guard Corps."
Leah smiled slyly.
"...You know? The true identity of the Guard Corps newbie knight, Ghir."
I nodded lightly.
Ghir is a puppet.
A puppet that Elder Ghirtas of the Guard Corps obtained through some deal with the witch Ilena.
Judging by Leah's reaction, she knew something about it too.
"So, this Ghir stole something and fled while stabbing the Guard Corps—and even two elders at that."
Ghirtas is an elder, so if his puppet stabbed elders... internal strife?
But... no idea why.
I waited quietly for Leah's next words.
"Impressive for a newbie, right? Even if they're old, stabbing two elders. But the really strange part is the two elders who were stabbed."
Leah held up two fingers.
"The first is... Elder Schrein. And the second..."
Leah's lips curved upward.
"Elder Ghirtas."
"......"
Leah tilted her head slightly.
But this is weird.
For good reason...
"Strange, right? Ghir the newbie is actually Ghirtas himself. This means he stabbed himself... which doesn't make sense."
The story only grew more confusing.
Leah nodded as if reading my thoughts.
"From here on, this is what I dug up separately. Don't tell anyone, okay?"
Leah pressed a finger to her lips and continued.
"Actually, Elder Ghirtas sneaked into the Guard Corps at dawn and stole some item. I heard it was... a note? Something like that."
A note?
...No way.
That note with Korean writing on it?
"While taking it, he ran into Elder Schrein and they fought. The result..."
Leah mimed slicing her right arm with her left, up and down.
"Schrein's arm got cut off... Internal strife among them, so Guard Corps-like, huh?"
Leah smiled brightly.
I voiced my lingering doubt.
"...What does that have to do with me?"
"Ah... That's what I wanted to ask. Rain, do you have any connection to Elder Ghirtas?"
She turned the question on me.
Connection to Ghirtas? Not really.
If anything, just seeing the note he handed me once?
"He came to my mansion once."
"...Did you see the note that day?"
She even knew that?
...Well, he came with Guard Corps permission, so records would exist.
I nodded in affirmation.
"He showed me a strange note. So, what's the connection?"
"Well... All I know is that Ghirtas fled, and..."
Leah held out her palm toward me.
"For some reason, the Guard Corps elder wants to detain you. That's it. I was hoping you'd have some clue?"
I shook my head lightly.
"None."
"Too bad. I want to know what's going on too."
Leah sighed genuinely disappointed.
"So, no charges against me then."
"Right. No formal accusation in your name, so I figured we could push back against the Guard Corps with force. It worked out as planned."
Leah raised one finger and continued.
"Oh, one more thing. They seem convinced there's an accomplice... If they want to frame someone, wouldn't it be easy to pin it on you?"
Leah looked at me.
"...Meaning I could be labeled the accomplice."
"High possibility. They were fired up searching for you specifically."
...Hmm.
Pure speculation, but given the Guard Corps' recent behavior, it's not impossible.
"Obvious why they want to take me in, right? Rain, you're unaffiliated still?"
"...Yes."
"No family."
"Fallen."
"So... From their perspective, if they can drag you somewhere off the record... the rest is easy."
The Dungeon Deep Stone the Guard Corps brought.
With that, they can block return scrolls.
Once locked in the Guard Corps, escape would be impossible—or so they'd think.
"Why help me?"
"Ah... I kinda hate the Guard Corps. Especially their elders."
"I just started hating them too."
"Right?"
Leah grinned.
"Well, I'll head out then. Can't leave my post empty too long."
"Sure."
I escorted her to the mansion entrance.
"Oh, if the Guard Corps shows up again like this, absolutely don't fight. Got it? Drawing swords was just to intimidate."
"I know."
"And no need to go with them!"
"Yes."
Leah left, promising to return, and headed into the bustling streets.
I returned to my bedroom and flopped onto the bed.
"...Ghirtas."
I still vividly remembered the note he showed me.
The gate to Transcendence exists between the dungeon's twists.
Gate to Transcendence.
Only one meaning...
Where did he get such a note?
And the item stolen from the Guard Corps...
"More similar notes?"
That's the only logical thought.
If so, why?
Ghirtas is one of the more peculiar elders in the Guard Corps.
Unlike others who grew obsessed with wealth in old age, he devoted himself solely to swordsmanship.
A man who lifelong dreamed of transcending physical decay and limits.
"...Transcendence."
Perhaps achievable if he reaches Transcendence.
Back in the game days, no Transcendent beings ever appeared.
Only passed down in records.
"......"
Lost in thought, I unknowingly fell asleep.
Elder Gehan, leaving Rain's mansion, felt blood trickling from his clenched gums in rage.
Ignoring it, he addressed the other Guard Corps members.
"...The nerve."
Gehan spat the words like chewing gravel.
His face twisted in fury, he returned to the Guard Corps.
Elder Brpen approached and spoke to him.
"Gehan... what now?"
"What else? Stick to the plan."
"...You don't mean."
Gehan continued irritably.
"We go after the Labyrinth Lord."