Chapter 92
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Golden Bell
-----------------------------------------------------------------
92
Golden Bell
“I can hardly breathe from the stench of commoners.”
The moment Penere’s eldest son appeared, the pub fell silent.
‘Oh…’
I was faintly impressed by the aggressive remark.
It had been a while since I’d seen a true medieval noble.
‘But doesn’t he lack a title himself?’
As I mulled over the sudden question and considered raising my hand to ask…
The young lady who had received Berman's confession came in, her expression unreadable.
Following her were Adela and Ben.
Adela, who had entered with a blank face, spotted me and craned her neck back so far it looked like someone was pulling her hair from behind.
‘Has she really been avoiding me?’
Adela didn't usually come to the outer wall, but I would still see her occasionally during inspections.
I’d been wondering why I hadn't seen her lately; it seemed she was actively keeping her distance.
After holding that bizarre posture for a moment, her eyes met mine. She gave me a deep bow before pointedly looking away, feigning nonchalance.
‘I guess she’s not planning to deny it. Adolf saw her, after all.’
Then, a familiar face entered.
‘The original compliment machine?’
Priest Blian, looking much healthier, stood between the two as if wedged there.
‘A notary, perhaps.’
According to the church’s rules, an unmarried maiden required a notary when going out with a man who was not her relative. The notary was usually a priest or a monk.
It was a strange rule born from a complex web of interests: the church’s desire to create jobs, a parent’s worry that their child might get into trouble, and medieval notions of sexuality.
Of course, it was an ancient tradition that almost no one followed anymore. Some even considered it an insult to be assigned a notary.
‘Looks like things have soured with the Penere family.’
Soldiers filed in after them.
Among them was a familiar face.
“Oh, my friend! There you are.”
Ben approached me with a greeting.
Adolgu and another knight, who had been sitting beside me, shot up, exchanged a few words with Adela, and hastily left the pub.
With Adela accompanying the young lady, it meant the lord’s castle was currently without a knight, so they were likely rushing back.
“I never thought a pub this spacious existed in Casedic.”
Ben shook my hand, looking around in admiration.
The eldest son behind him wore a sour expression, but Ben seemed to pay him no mind.
‘Well, he’s just a baron’s eldest son… A knight’s rank is higher for now.’
It was a comical situation where the escorting knight outranked the person he was protecting.
Of course, since the son was next in line to become the lord, it was tricky to say he was of a completely lower status.
“Sir Ben, the commoner stench in here is so strong, I can’t possibly…”
The eldest son grimaced.
“I’m fine! I’m so hungry, I need to eat something right now!”
The young lady shouted, then approached my table.
As she sat down, the others at the table rose to their feet.
I was about to stand as well, but she looked at me with puppy-dog eyes and muttered softly.
‘Tsk.’
Her eyes reminded me of a Jindo puppy I raised a long, long time ago, so I sat back down.
Nova and Hana subtly moved to stand behind me.
They both struck a pose with determined faces, but they weren't the least bit reassuring.
‘Seriously, how has no one noticed him yet?’
Meanwhile, I was dumbfounded by Dylan, who was still standing behind the door.
Two knights and the Penere soldiers had entered, yet no one seemed to have spotted him.
I shook my head at Dylan, who was gesturing at me with his eyes.
When the young lady sat at the table, Adela had a violent reaction.
Her face crumpled like a death row inmate on their way to the gallows. She hesitated for a moment before taking a position behind the young lady.
Then, in an exaggerated effort to avoid my gaze, she stared up at the ceiling.
However, the chandelier hanging from the ceiling was one I had carved, which made Adela flinch in horror.
‘I need to get the second shift for the guard dogs running in earnest.’
It seemed I’d need to schedule a guard dog interview with the now much meeker-looking Adela soon.
“Then at least take a seat by the window.”
The eldest son clicked his tongue, holding his nose and gesturing to the side.
“I’m already sitting. Don’t you know the saying that a maiden who moves her seat can’t bear children? That would be terrible!”
The young lady shook her head firmly.
At that, the eldest son gestured at me—a gesture one might use for a dog. I was impressed yet again.
This was the default setting for nobles.
The ones I’d met recently had just been unusually decent.
It was a little surprising to see the son of a mere baron act so high and mighty.
“Rivilian, what sort of disrespectful behavior is that? This is not Castle Bolt.”
Ben rebuked him with a stern face.
“Sir Ben, why speak of respect when dealing with a mere commoner?”
The eldest son replied without a moment’s hesitation.
I was once again impressed by his authentic nobility.
‘I think I see why the young lady dislikes him.’
He was the complete opposite of the young lady, who treated even commoners with kindness.
The eldest son’s continued remarks made the atmosphere even frostier.
‘This is fun.’
It felt like watching a morning soap opera live.
I leaned back slightly in my chair to get a better view.
“Aron, you don’t have to get up. Rivilian, watch your words. I’m telling you this as a knight.”
Thinking my movement was an attempt to stand, Ben glared at the eldest son and spoke firmly.
“Th-that’s right. For someone from the Penere family to oppress a citizen of Castle Casedic… this is a clear overstep of authority.”
Adela, stealing a glance at me, chewed her lip and backed Ben’s statement.
The situation was getting more and more interesting.
As a baron’s eldest son who hadn't inherited the title, he was technically a common noble. And a common noble was definitively below a knight.
“If you can’t sit here because of the smell, you can leave first! I’m quite all right!”
Just then, the young lady chimed in to support them.
‘…Indeed.’
I watched the cornered eldest son with anticipation.
In a situation like this, a true noble would…
“Tsk, as a noble, I understand. It’s fine. I can tolerate this level of stench. We have plenty of smelly commoners at Castle Bolt, after all.”
His expression didn't change in the slightest as he brazenly sat down in a chair.
‘A true noble, indeed.’
I was impressed all over again.
The eldest son kept calling me a ‘commoner,’ but I wasn’t offended.
Why would I, a man who once used a bidet, be offended by nobles who preen themselves while shitting into a gaping hole they call a toilet?
If anything, it was amusing.
“Tsk, bring out the food. I’m only eating for Lady Vivian’s sake.”
The eldest son flicked his hand.
The young lady’s face contorted, but she seemed unable to say anything and turned her head away.
“My apologies.”
Ben offered a short apology and stood behind the eldest son.
As a result, I ended up sitting between the eldest son and the young lady.
‘Am I watching a blind date live?’
Hana went inside. She gestured to the men nearby, then reached a hand under the counter table.
The men casually surrounded the area, and Nova was now holding something.
‘…What are they doing?’
Dylan, still behind the door, licked his lips and muttered.
—Do I take him out?
He seemed to be asking on behalf of the others around him.
I shook my head.
Only savage medieval fools resolved things with violence.
‘The Penere family was famous for being heavy drinkers, weren’t they?’
It seemed there was no need to resort to fists.
“…My, my. To meet Honorary Monk Aron here.”
The compliment machine, Blian, sat across from me and slyly pulled over a bowl of stew.
The abbot had dragged everyone from the church away earlier for evening prayers, so his timing was perfect.
“Lady Vivian is as beautiful as ever.”
“Hmph… Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
Her tone was anything but thankful, but the eldest son was either clueless or chose to ignore it, nodding in satisfaction.
The compliment machine began shoveling food into his mouth as if he hadn't eaten in days.
More food arrived, and a peculiar white sauce was generously drizzled over the eldest son’s meat.
I glanced back and saw the guards smiling with satisfaction.
“It smells good, for commoner food.”
The eldest son nonchalantly began to cut his meat.
‘Looks like his men spit in his food on a regular basis.’
A chilly meal ensued.
The eldest son didn't even glance my way.
He seemed to be treating me as if I didn't exist.
In response, I stuck my tongue out. He was probably looking at me with the whites of his eyes, judging by the way his expression soured.
“Vivian’s coming-of-age year is passing. Considering the children we must bear, it would be best to hold the wedding within the year.”
“…My father will decide.”
I sipped my beer, observing the situation.
Undeterred by the young lady’s cold reply, the eldest son continued to press the matter of marriage.
Seeing the young lady clench her fist, I quickly spoke up.
If she so much as flicked the man’s forehead, his skull would surely shatter.
Having a murder on opening day felt a bit grim.
It was opening day, after all. It was better to end things in a clean, gentlemanly fashion.
‘Besides, he’s an eldest son, so he must have a lot of money.’
The calculation was complete.
“Wow, your skill with a knife is truly exquisite! A noble bloodline really is different!”
My out-of-the-blue compliment drew everyone’s attention.
“We commoners just tear at our meat with our hands, but to think you carry your own knife… I can truly feel the lofty prestige of the Penere family.”
Even to my own ears, it was forced praise, but it didn't matter.
He saw me as an ignorant commoner anyway.
“Hmph… You have a decent eye. Yes, we of the Penere family learn true dining etiquette from a young age. Unlike those nobles who merely imitate, the Penere family is the real deal.”
Just as I expected, the corners of the eldest son’s mouth turned up slightly.
In contrast, the young lady’s face soured, but her reaction was of little consequence.
The eldest son put a piece of cut meat into his mouth, and—
“Whoa! To eat without getting a single thing on your lips! How truly dignified! This is the renowned Penere family!”
I showered him with mindless praise.
“Hmph… A commoner, but you have a good eye.”
The barrage of compliments made the eldest son’s lips curl into a smile.
‘An opening day celebration isn’t complete without a Golden Bell.’
There were too many people to calculate each bill individually.
I grinned brightly at the noble sucker who was about to ring the Golden Bell on opening day.
***
‘From his looks, I thought he was a bandit, but he has a decent eye.’
Rivilian, the eldest son of the Penere family, was in a very good mood.
Just moments ago, upon entering the pub, he had been thoroughly displeased by the distinct stench of commoners and the insolent stares of the men.
But it seemed that being a commoner didn't mean one’s eyes were blind; there was one man who recognized true worth.
‘At first glance, I really thought he was a bandit.’
The man’s appearance was so rugged that Rivilian felt reluctant to get close, even feeling an urge to draw his sword. But he found his character quite agreeable.
For a commoner, he had a good eye, one that could see through to his true value.
“Tsk… You were eliminated because of those bastards!”
“Indeed. On the last day, they told me to go home for no reason! The man next to me was even weaker than I was. They couldn’t give me a reason, so it must have been connections. There’s nothing a man from the provinces like me can do.”
He and the man hit it off so well that stories he wouldn't even tell his own vassals came pouring out.
‘And Vivian is watching.’
Rivilian nodded, impressed by the man's ability to recognize true worth. Vivian's expression also seemed to have softened, if only slightly.
With contact with the Black Blood severed, his marriage to Vivian had to happen.
Even if it meant bloodshed.
It was essential.
“To not recognize a man among men like this! They must all be fools!”
Seeing the man get so worked up that he was actually angry, Rivilian laughed heartily. What a simple-minded fellow.
“I’ve heard that the Penere family, a house of men among men, are exceptional drinkers. Is that true?”
“Of course. I have never once been drunk.”
It was a rather random question, but he was just an ignorant commoner, so Rivilian didn't bother trying to understand the flow of conversation.
“Oh! Such a gallant man, and a good drinker to boot! It’s no wonder you are betrothed to Lady Vivian!”
It was only natural. Being able to hold one’s liquor was a basic qualification for a man.
Seeing the young lady smile faintly, Rivilian quickly nodded.
“I can hold my own as well. Would you care for a match? I’ll lose, of course, but I plan to make it a family heirloom to boast that I drank with the Penere family for generations to come.”
‘Drinking, huh…’
Rivilian sized up the man for a moment.
He was one of the largest men he had ever seen in his life.
He looked like he could drink a whole cask by himself, but…
“A man who can drink well is a fine thing, isn’t it?”
“It is!”
The foolish oaf turned to the young lady with a playful question, making it impossible for Rivilian to refuse.
Backing down now would surely make him a laughingstock.
He didn't think he would lose, anyway. Drinking wasn't about size, but mental fortitude.
“Very well. I shall grant you the honor of matching my cup.”
“Oh, what an honor this is!”
For a man of his size, his fawning was out of place, yet it suited him strangely well.
*Thud.*
Before the man could finish his sentence, a large cask of ale was placed beside him.
“I can’t wait to see who wins!”
At the young lady’s bright-eyed excitement, Rivilian picked up his cup.
“Then I shall start with a drink.”
The scar on the man’s lip creased slightly.
From that point on, they drank without a moment’s rest.
Being an ignorant commoner, the man didn't savor the drink but chugged it down relentlessly.
Because of this, Rivilian had to drink much faster than usual.
With the young lady watching beside him with sparkling eyes, he had no choice but to keep up.
After just a few cups, the man already seemed loose, which reassured Rivilian.
Contrary to his intimidating appearance, the man seemed to be a lightweight.
Still, perhaps due to his size, he didn't collapse.
His words were slurred and his body swayed, but the man emptied his cup to the very end.
‘He must be at his limit.’
Rivilian looked down at his cup and let out a small burp.
He had been drinking so fast he’d lost count of how many cups he’d had.
“Ohhh… Can’t you drink anymore-sh?”
He felt full of alcohol, but he couldn't back down here.
Not with the young lady, the knights, and these lowly commoners watching with such interest.
Besides, his opponent was swaying so precariously he looked like he would fall over any second.
Just a little more…
Rivilian couldn't even tell if he was drinking wine, cider, or beer anymore.
The man was still swaying, so he raised his cup again.
Just a little more…
‘Why… why… won’t he fall?’
The man had been staggering for a long time now.
A good while had passed, yet he remained on the verge of collapse without ever actually falling.
Losing a drinking contest was unacceptable for the Penere family.
If his father heard of this, the scolding would be even worse than when he failed the knight exam.
“Wait.”
Rivilian looked at the filled cup and spoke.
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re giving up-sh? Then does that mean I, a man among men, am the Pe…”
The man mumbled, his words trailing off at a critical point.
If he had dared to utter the name Penere, Rivilian would have yelled and flipped the table, but…
Rivilian focused on the fact that his opponent was a stupid commoner. There was no need for him, a noble, to stoop to his level.
“A soldier is like a noble’s limbs. Do you know that?”
“Yes-shhh.”
The way he dragged out his words was incredibly grating, but Rivilian forced himself to ignore it.
“It would be foolish not to use one’s limbs when one has them. I shall use my limbs for a bit.”
Even to himself, it was a forced argument, but he was a noble, and his opponent was a commoner.
Between the two, the noble’s word was always right.
“So you mean your men are going to drink for you? How scandalous.”
“Hmph! No… that’s not it. I mean my limbs will drink in order.”
He kindly explained to the man, who was so stupid he came up with a bizarre interpretation, and called over the soldiers who had been standing guard behind him.
Six in total.
As private soldiers of the Penere family, every one of them was a renowned drinker.
“…Cowardly!”
The young lady’s insolent mutter made his hand itch, but he suppressed the urge to strike her. They weren’t married yet.
Rivilian slid aside.
A heavily bearded soldier sat down.
“Lord Rivilian! Your beard is growing so long—ohhh, I’m dizzy.”
‘Tsk, was it a mistake to switch?’
Rivilian clicked his tongue at the man, whose speech was heavily slurred. It seemed he too was at his limit…
The pace of the cups being passed quickened.
The moment a cup was emptied, it was refilled.
And…
‘…Why won’t he collapse!’
All six soldiers had collapsed and were now sprawled on the floor.
Sure, one of them was a pathetic welp who passed out after a single cup, but still, the man had been alone.
At this unbelievable drinking prowess, Rivilian’s eyes widened as he studied the man, but there was no trickery.
The man hadn't spilled a single drop on the floor.
To lose a drinking contest after bringing in his soldiers would be an unparalleled disgrace.
“Ohhh… I’m gonna die…”
The man seemed to be at his limit too, his head drooping so low it was about to hit the table.
‘I can do this. After all those casks, there’s no way he’s fine.’
Rivilian raised his cup again.
That memory didn't last long.
As Rivilian collapsed onto the table, the man muttered.
“You know the loser of a drinking contest pays the bill, right?”
He had drunk so much that it sounded like the man was speaking informally to him.
The man who had been comically staggering just moments ago was now sitting up straight, looking down at him as if nothing had happened.
No, now that he thought about it, he was the one who had been swaying from drunkenness; the man had been sitting still the whole time.
The scar on his lip made it look like he was smiling.
*CRASH!*
Rivilian watched the table rush up to meet him and lost consciousness.
***
‘Ah, I’m full.’
I drained the last of the wine and stretched my back.
Sitting in one place for so long had made my body stiff.
“You, my friend, can really drink.”
“Since when is wine considered alcohol?”
I shook my head at Ben’s heartfelt admiration.
“Anyway, I’m truly sorry about what happened today. The Penere family is just so…”
Ben trailed off, then bowed his head to the young lady.
“I’m fine! If anything, I feel sorry to Sir Aron for ruining the good atmosphere!”
The young lady replied with uncharacteristic calmness, her eyes fixed on me.
“It’s fine. Thanks to them, I got to drink this much for free.”
At the word ‘free,’ both the young lady and Ben tilted their heads.
“Ah, so what about the bill?”
Hana asked confidently, putting the crossbow back under the counter.
“The loser of a drinking contest pays for everything.”
“So that was your plan. Can’t be helped. It was a bet.”
Ben laughed out loud, nodded, then pulled a pouch from Rivilian’s clothes and tossed it over.
The pouch was quite heavy, which made me smile broadly.
Ben got up, hauling the limp form of the eldest son with him.
Dylan, meanwhile, was still standing in the exact same spot by the door.
‘…Does he really think he’s an assassin?’
Hours must have passed. His persistence was commendable.
I clicked my tongue and gestured with my hand.
At my gesture, Dylan’s hand moved toward his dagger, and I quickly spoke.
“Get a few men and carry them. They paid for today’s drinks, so escort them carefully.”
Dylan licked his lips as he looked at the unconscious men, then went outside.
A moment later, the men who had been waiting outside swarmed in.
‘…Why are they holding tools?’
Their armed appearance was deeply unsettling.
Thanks to the volunteers who had signed up, the mess was quickly cleaned up.
The young lady left with Nova.
Adela, who was behind them, paused to look at me, then placed a fist over her heart and bowed her head deeply.
It was a formal salute, as if she were facing her liege. I gave a casual wave in return. Adela’s face filled with humiliation as she followed the others out.
‘She doesn’t plan on breaking her promise, then. Just avoiding me.’
Though, her facial expressions could use some work.
There were quite a few people passed out around the pub.
They weren't sleeping too deeply; a light slap on the cheek was enough to jolt them all awake.
I casually opened the pouch to check its contents.
Five gleaming gold coins lay inside.
‘He may not have received much love or proper upbringing, but he’s a good man at heart.’
I nodded, thinking of the eldest son.
Of all the guests who came to the opening, he was the kindest.
I carefully picked up Kanna, who was sleeping curled up beside me.
Deciding to leave the rest of the cleanup for tomorrow, I left the pub.
“Aron, are you okay?”
Hana asked, bumping her body lightly against mine.
“Yeah.”
“You’re not drunk?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm…”
Hana trailed off, her eyes holding a strange light.
“I’m just going to use the main branch as a warehouse and home now. You don’t have to pay anymore, Aron.”
“Then will you return my gold coins? I paid a lot.”
Remembering the gold coins I’d paid for lodging, I asked. Hana’s eyes went wide before she broke into a bright smile.
“I don’t have any cash right now, so how about this instead…”
I chuckled at her lewd hand gesture and headed home.
“Five gold coins in one day… At this rate, we’ll be rich. Then you won’t have to work as a guard anymore, Aron. I’ll earn all the money!”
Hana shouted, full of confidence.
Kanna flinched at the noise.
I quickly and very gently patted the back of Kanna’s head.
She fell back into a peaceful sleep.
***
Berman came to his senses much later.
By then, the pub was empty.
The door was even locked and wouldn't open, so Berman had to exit through a second-floor window.
He botched the landing and ended up covered in mud, but he was in no state to care.
Berman staggered through the streets, wandering aimlessly.
He knew where she was, but it wasn't right to go looking for her after being rejected.
Yes, Berman had been rejected.
‘Was it not fate? I was so sure it was fate.’
Berman sighed deeply.
His chest felt empty, as if a hole had been punched through it.
It hurt like he’d been shot with an arrow.
Not that he had ever been shot with an arrow.
“There you are.”
“…Kel.”
Berman looked up at the familiar voice.
Kel stood before him with a strange expression.
It was odd to see him here, the man who usually ran to Rosa the moment his shift ended.
Kel sat down beside him and offered a bottle of liquor without a word.
Berman bit his lip hard and took the bottle, drinking from it.
“…Even if you got dumped pathetically, you should still open your mouth to drink.”
It seemed the effects of the alcohol were still lingering.
The two of them drank in turns until the sun came up.
“If you get lonely, let me know. Rosa said she’d give you a discount since you’re a friend of mine.”
Normally, he would have been appalled by the suggestion, but it seemed to hold a genuine sentiment that was strangely comforting.
“It’s fine. There are no more women for me. I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to devote my life to Dylan’s plan. Starting today, I’m going to swing my sword like Jojang Aron.”
Berman said, idly spinning the empty bottle.
“Just because you got rejected once… you stupid bastard.”
Kel’s bitter voice brought back a distant memory for Berman.
“…It wasn’t just once.”
“You’ve been rejected before?”
It was a secret he planned to carry to his grave, but for some reason, he wanted to confess it today.
Kel’s face, illuminated by the rising sun, looked strangely trustworthy.
“Did you know I originally held a farm tool, not a sword?”
“I know, you’ve mentioned it a few times. You even scolded the tenant farmers, saying they’d ruin the harvest if they reaped like that. You never said why you picked up the sword, though.”
Berman hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“There was a woman I was promised to marry, since our parents were close. Of course, I liked her too. A week before the wedding, a handsome mercenary came to town. And…”
*Hooo.*
It was a memory that remained heavy even after all this time. Berman took a deep breath.
“The woman and the mercenary hit it off, I see. Can’t be helped. If a mercenary is handsome, no matter what village he goes to…”
Kel clicked his tongue.
“Huh? No, the mercenary offered her a job. She was strong enough to split a log in one go, and she had an incredible frame. She took the offer and joined the mercenary company. Rumor has it she’s doing quite well among them.”
The woman with the unusually thick waist.
Unburdening himself of the painful memory of his first love to someone else made his heart feel a little lighter.
Just as he was thinking how cruel the rising sun was…
“What are you two doing here?”
A deep voice called out.
“Jojang? Ah, Berman was feeling down because he got rejected, so I was comforting him.”
“Down my ass. What have you done to feel down? Get up. It’s time for work.”
The rough, firm voice paradoxically made Berman feel relieved as he got to his feet.
He had felt lost, but the harsh scolding reminded him of what he had to do right now.
Confessing his secret to Kel had been cathartic, too.
He was a little worried, but the Kel from a moment ago had been serious, unlike his usual frivolous self…
“Jojang, you know how Berman hates mercenaries? It’s because the woman he was supposed to marry was built like a general…”
Seeing Kel stick close to the Jojang and immediately start blabbing sent a surge of heat through him.
“You son of a—!”
Berman broke into a run.
***
In the city of Karzan, Grunn, leader of the Cute Rabbits, clenched his teeth and inhaled.
The cold wind whistling through the gap where his fang used to be was strangely addictive. It was a habit he’d picked up since it was pulled.
*Ssssp…*
He glanced to the side and saw Joe Anderson, leader of the Cool Daggers, doing something similar.
“Why’d you call us again?”
Grunn asked, looking at Danso, who sat opposite them.
He was already short on time, and now this Danso fellow had summoned him again.
He wanted to refuse the insolent summons, but Danso had already established himself as the one in power, so he had no choice but to come meekly.
‘To move so quickly. It’s as if he was waiting for that incident…’
“First, your reports.”
Danso issued a blunt command, but Grunn and Anderson had no choice but to answer politely.
‘That man…’
Because of that man in the strange helmet who appeared in his nightmares, threatening him with, ‘I smell a vampire… I can tell…’
As long as that man was behind Danso, they couldn't act carelessly.
After they finished the now-familiar report, Danso was silent for a moment before speaking.
“You both know the Imperial army has come to Karzan. Other cities are in chaos, but we were able to get through it safely thanks to the wise method *he* taught us beforehand.”
Grunn and Anderson nodded at Danso’s words.
‘To identify vampires by their fangs…’
It was a truly clever and brilliant method.
They had to admit it.
The Imperial army they had faced was so ruthless that even a veteran like Grunn had shrunk back.
‘Though, not as much as I did before *that man*.’
“But I hear the Imperial army is heading to Casedic. To *his* castle.”
‘His castle? Was he a lord? He definitely didn’t seem like a noble.’
“So, one of you two will have to go to Casedic to assist him. Take a few of your men with you.”
Danso’s subsequent words were on a completely different level from his previous orders.
‘To leave the city entirely… What is this.’
The wrinkles around Grunn’s eyes deepened.
Even if things were calming down, Karzan was still in a state of chaos. And chaos was an opportunity for back-alley thugs like him.
But he couldn't refuse Danso’s order.
Grunn focused on the words ‘one of you two.’
He turned his head and saw that Anderson was having similar thoughts, glaring back at him.
“You two will come to an agreement ‘on your own’ and report back.”
Grunn pulled out his hammer and immediately lunged at Anderson.
At the same moment, Anderson drew a hideous whip and swung it.
To a thug, ‘on your own’ had only one meaning.
***
“What? He can’t fulfill the promise because of ‘One Soul’? What insolent wench dares…”
At the sharp, hostile voice of the ‘Beautiful Ninth Star,’ the fox bowed its head low.
“What woman could possibly defeat him, the man who tore apart Imperial soldiers with his bare hands and drank their blood! He, with his stuffy and naive personality, must have been tricked by a woman again. I must go myself. I will bathe in the blood of that insolent wench who dared to covet what is mine.”
The fox trembled slightly as a pair of firm, bronze legs strode past.
Fortunately, the fox was female, so she was outside the Ninth Star’s interest.
“Prepare the carriage!!”
““Yes, ma’am!!””
A resounding answer came from outside.
‘…But did they say One Soul’s partner was a woman?’
A sudden question popped into the fox’s mind, but she quickly shook her head.
Reading all those Imperial books for information must have messed with her head.
‘If the Ninth Star makes her move…’
The fox, after a moment of calculation, vanished from the spot in a blur of motion.