Chapter 123: The Wealthy (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: The Wealthy (2)
Glancing left and right, looking around vigilantly...
Choi Seol-ah was playing the spy to the fullest. As a former villain, this game of espionage had her heart pounding. It felt like stepping back into the past.
She was already standing out enough wearing her rabbit mask.
Choi Seol-ah didn't care. Watching her surroundings in all directions, she slipped into an alleyway. Only then did she take off the rabbit mask.
“…Are you trying to broadcast your presence to the whole neighborhood?”
A man was already standing there like he owned the alley, half-draped in the red neon lights of the street and half in the shadow cast by the buildings.
“Gasp! Give me some warning next time!”
“Choi Seol-ah, try suppressing your presence a little when you walk.”
It was Choi Seol-ah’s lord, Kang Geomma.
“Hehe… My Lord. Even if you are the Heavenly Sword, I’m the expert when it comes to this ‘spy’ stuff, you know?”
“Let’s hear whatever bullshit logic you’re about to throw out.”
“In situations like this, if you act blatantly suspicious, people just assume you’re crazy and actually ignore you! Besides, look where we are.”
He shot her a deeply unimpressed look.
“So you don't care if you get treated like a lunatic?”
“Nope!”
How energetic.
“No matter how much of a lunatic I’m treated as, I still couldn't match My Lord's level of—”
……!
A piercing scream tore out from the entrance of the alleyway immediately after.
The one operating this operation was none other than Kang Geomma.
Operating. A term he hadn't used in a while since using it on Victor Poison back in the day.
Right.
It’s been a while.
“…I’m sorry, My Looord!”
The Demonic Physician, Kang Geomma, takes up the scalpel once more.
Episode. The Wealthy
Since it wasn't wise to idle about in a crowded marketplace with so many watching eyes, Choi Seol-ah and I moved to a different location.
“Sniff, sniff.”
Choi Seol-ah whimpered all the way.
“I’ll never be able to get married now……”
“You’ve committed plenty of bad deeds. Don’t even dream of marrying and settling down into a happy family; spend the rest of your life serving others.”
“Ah! Then I’ll spend the rest of my life serving My Lord!”
Crunch!
“Kyahhhhh!”
She really works hard to draw aggro, doesn't she?
Yet, perhaps Choi Seol-ah’s plan actually worked.
“Ah, young love.”
“Tell me about it. Kids, enjoy yourselves while you're young. When you get old, your whole body aches, so you can't play even if you want to~”
Passersby snickered and shot us glances as if looking at lunatics before moving on. Both Choi Seol-ah and I had our hats pulled down low, so no one recognized us at all.
‘Disguises are so easy for me.’
As long as I cover my black hair, no one ever recognizes me.
Vrrr-.
Just then, the phone vibrated in my pocket. The caller ID was Ryozo. She was calling to check on the situation.
Perfect timing. It was so spot-on it almost felt like she was watching me from somewhere.
‘She’s so busy with all sorts of matters that she couldn't join this spy operation in person.’
Our other classmates were also hard at work on their assigned tasks. Chloe was our classmate and friend. Given that her terminal diagnosis was something that could be stopped, there wasn't a single person who refused to cooperate.
‘Even the professors from the graduate school sent word of their willingness to help.’
My chest swelled with emotion.
I felt a sense of fullness, as if the volume of my emotions was pushing against my ribs from the inside.
‘I’ll make sure to save you, Chloe.’
I answered the call as I kept walking.
“Yeah, Ryozo.”
—Hey, Geomma. How did things go?
“I think it went well.”
Before explaining further, I gestured for Choi Seol-ah to stay back.
Then I continued.
“I don't know how Secretary Kim managed it, but apparently Pertinax X agreed.”
—Secretary Kim is surprisingly capable in weirdly specific areas. He seems a bit clumsy, but he handles his tasks flawlessly. Anyway, securing the Pertinax Auction House was half the battle, so that's great.
“Yeah.”
Though I didn't show it on my face, I was relieved too.
‘Only by securing the Pertinax Auction House can we start from the same line as the competing auction house.’
Bidding for the item to save Chloe. The core of this operation wasn't the "item auction." While we certainly needed to acquire it, bidding for it through normal monetary means was a losing battle.
This was clearly a provocation directed at me by the Emperor. I didn't know through what channel he found out, but…
Using Chloe’s condition as a hostage, he challenged me to another contest. Even if Nox and I ran around making legwork to secure enough money...
‘The Emperor will try to crush us with superior financial power.’
It was a fight that couldn't be won with money.
Because the Emperor's net worth wasn't measured in billions or trillions, but in quadrillions.
However, resolving it through violence...
‘It’s a sensitive time.’
Ever since the Seoul Disaster, my public image has been soaring high.
As a rule, the higher a public reputation rises, the more devastating the fallout when it crashes.
If I pulled out my sashimi knife here and committed armed robbery, sharp reprimands would rain down, claiming I can't break old habits.
“Sigh……”
—I know. A figure like the Emperor is a much harder opponent for you, Geomma. He's a similar type to that guy, right?
That guy referred to the Archery Saint, Saki Kojima.
The Emperor and the Archery Saint shared quite a few similarities.
However, there was a difference.
If the Archery Saint was a cold-blooded man driven by desire...
‘The Emperor... I don't know.’
I had no way of knowing.
To call him driven by amusement, there was no emotional fluctuation whatsoever when I faced him. His expression was so dry and withered that for a moment, I wondered if he was even human.
“What choice do I have? I have to win this time so he never tries to step on me again.”
—You’re probably the only person in the world who talks about telling the Emperor not to step on you. Committing global high treason… somehow makes my heart race.
“You’re probably the only person whose heart races over something like this, Ryozo.”
—That’s why we make such a good match.
“Naturally.”
Over the phone, Ryozo chuckled sweetly.
—Ah, as for the rendezvous location, turn right from where you are, then go straight diagonally. The shop name will be written on a standing signboard.
“Thanks……”
My heart dropped.
‘How?’
H-How is she giving me detailed location instructions right now?
‘It was the same earlier.’
She had called as if she was literally waiting for that exact moment.
Too.
Precisely.
Chills.
Reflexively, I raised my eyes.
Attached to a utility pole tangled with wires was a CCTV camera. Inside it, a red dot blinked on and off.
As if...
Monitoring me.
—Geomma? Is something wrong?
Her sweet voice cut in.
“…Nothing. Nothing at all.”
—Right? Nothing’s wrong, right?
Yes, ma'am.
—Make sure you don't do anything foolish with Secretary Kim and go straight to your destination. Got it, Heavenly Sword-nim?
Understood.
—Since this operation was planned by you, Geomma, we'll support you wholeheartedly. Don't worry about risks and just act like you usually do. Got it? Alright, good luck~
Click…
My feet froze automatically.
Thud!
Choi Seol-ah, who was following behind me, slammed her forehead into my back.
“Ouch!”
“Don’t cling to me!”
“Hey! You’re the one who suddenly stopped, why are you yelling at me?!”
“Get off! I said get off!”
“That's so unfair! Waaah!”
After having a bickering match in the middle of the night, we resumed walking.
I didn't care if Choi Seol-ah was pouting. If I was careless, I was the one who was going to die!
Anyway.
The distance wasn't long, but after a journey filled with a fair share of twists and turns, we arrived.
The standing signboard Ryozo mentioned welcomed us.
Our destination was an old-fashioned real estate agency.
It looked like the kind of place where elders would be playing Go if you opened the door.
Chime.
Sure enough.
“Excuse us.”
“Hmm?”
Two elderly men were leaning in over a Go board between them. Choi Seol-ah peeked her head out from behind me.
“Ooh! They’re playing flick-Go!”
“Hey, quiet. Why would they be playing flick-Go?”
“Look for yourself, My Lord!”
“What nonsense are you—”
Hmm.
They certainly live young. Good for them.
I composed my flustered expression and approached the elderly man who looked like the shop owner.
“Elders.”
“Eh?”
He seemed hard of hearing.
“I am Kang Geomma.”
“E-Eh? Genma?”
“Ah! You shouldn't do it like that!”
Choi Seol-ah barged in yet again.
“The Academy Principal told us the code phrase! You have to use that!”
“…No way. That’s too childish.”
“Even if it's childish, things like that are essential in espionage!”
“Look at Miss Expert Spy over here. Fine, do it yourself.”
“Hehe.”
Choi Seol-ah flashed a meaningful smile and crouched down beside the Go board. Then, with a playful look, she tilted her head.
“The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?”
“…….”
“…….”
The old men sprang to their feet, straightening their bent backs completely.
The Go board overturned, scattering stones everywhere.
“We will guide you.”
“Heavenly Sword-nim, and Rabbit Princess-nim.”
The elderly men politely escorted us.
Choi Seol-ah jerked her chin at me as if to say See?
Yeah, yeah, you're great.
I let out a sigh and headed into the inner room of the agency.
* * *
There were already guests inside.
Not just one person, but several.
“By Imperial Decree!”
They saluted me with crisp, synchronized discipline like a military drill. Choi Seol-ah gasped in surprise and pressed close to me.
“At ease.”
“Understood.”
They stood at attention.
They were members of the Imperial Guard.
“It is an honor to be summoned by you like this.”
These men were my main force for this operation.
How ironic. Using the Imperial Guard to screw over the Imperial Household.
They knew it too.
Yet they answered my summons without a word of complaint. Every single one of them.
“Don't mention honor. This task will likely tarnish your reputation.”
“It matters not.”
Samseok stepped forward on behalf of the group.
“The one who preserved our lives and our honor when it was nearly ruined completely was you, Heavenly Sword-nim. Entrust us with anything.”
“Give us your orders!”
“Give us your orders!”
They were filled with sharp determination.
Feeling inspired without even realizing it, I opened my mouth again.
“Please share the information I asked for in advance.”
“Yes.”
Samseok unrolled a paper scroll.
It was made of flammable material that would vaporize without a trace if set on fire.
“This is the list of sponsors for the newly established auction house. While it is true that the Imperial Household provided sponsorship, the amount is not large. It doesn't even match the amount sponsored to the Pertinax Auction House during its peak.”
“So the rumor that the Emperor is the financier behind the new auction house is false?”
“That is highly likely.”
Samseok continued with a stern look.
“To be honest, it is unthinkable that His Majesty would fixate on an auction house like this. If he wanted one, he would simply build his own.”
“Hmm.”
“Separately, it has been confirmed that he did submit an item to the auction. The item's name is……”
My eyes widened upon hearing the item's name.
‘That’s...’
Because I recognized it.
It was an item within the scope of my available knowledge as a user of Miracle Blessing M. For that name to pop out of all things, I couldn't help but be shocked.
“…So that’s what's going to be used to save Chloe.”
It seems to have a function I didn't know about.
For now, let’s focus on obtaining it.
I nodded to the Imperial Guards.
“Thank you for your hard work. Ah, as you know, I have one more request...”
“We have already been informed by the Sword Princess.”
Thanks, Abel.
“Then I’ll be counting on you that day as well.”
“By. Imperial Decree!”
The moment they saluted, the guards dispersed. Only Samseok remained behind to bid me a separate farewell.
“Thank you, Heavenly Sword-nim.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
And I feel guilty too.
As if reading my uneasy heart, Samseok shook his head.
“All of us joined this operation fully aware that we are betraying the Imperial Household. Please do not feel indebted.”
“If the Emperor finds out and you have nowhere to go, come to Joaquin. We have plenty of open spots in the graduate school.”
“We don't have open spots!”
Choi Seol-ah interjected frantically.
“If there aren't any, I'll kick her out and give you her spot.”
“My Lord!”
“Hahaha! Thank you for the kind words.”
Samseok laughed heartily.
“However... though we are playing spies to repay our debt of gratitude to you, Heavenly Sword-nim, the Imperial Household is the place that raised and fed us. Even if we are boiled in a cauldron, we will remain with the Imperial Household.”
“…….”
I caught a glimpse of unwavering resolve deep within his eyes.
“I understand.”
I extended my hand for a handshake.
“Instead, make sure to work even harder at spying so the Emperor doesn't catch you. I don't want to see you boiled alive.”
“Of course.”
Our calloused hands met.
“Then I will see you on that day.”
Samseok, their leader, also departed from the inner room.
Choi Seol-ah, who had been quietly standing with her arms crossed, spoke up.
“…Was this My Lord's plan? Not the Academy Principal's, but your own original idea?!”
“Yeah.”
“Turning the Imperial Guard members into our allies en masse?!”
“That’s right.”
“Wow… seriously. I’m getting goosebumps, crazy.”
“Choi Seol-ah, if people like you are the spies...”
I tipped my chin toward her.
“…then someone has to be the one dispatching them.”
In ten long years,
Kang Geomma had become that kind of figure.