Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Empty Tribute Crates
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"Where have you been?"
"With Number 20."
I poured out everything I'd heard to Number 20.
Her voice grew heavy.
"...If all that is true..."
"We'll have to confirm it."
I stopped by the Records Pavilion, made an excuse about checking the ledgers again, and borrowed the most recent ones.
The Sima clan's supply warehouse.
I headed to the firmly sealed building. But two warriors were blocking the entrance.
"No entry allowed."
"Cooperate with the Blood Demon Squad's investigation."
"Never heard of it. This place is off-limits. It's the Blood Demon Squad's warehouse, full of all sorts of rare items. Can't just open it for anyone."
The gatekeeper drew his sword.
"If you force your way in, you'll have to get past us first."
His eyes were sharp. His tone was grave.
The warrior before me was dead serious. Even if it meant getting run through by a sword in the next instant, he would stand in our way.
"......."
I fiddled with my sword hilt. I couldn't understand why they were guarding the supply warehouse so fiercely.
Accomplices?
Or loyalty to the Sima clan?
Before I could figure out which, a heavy voice came from behind me.
"Step aside."
"C-Chu warrior!"
"The Blood Demon Squad is investigating the Sima clan. I'll oversee it myself, so clear the way."
Chu Ui-kyung.
The Sima clan's escort warrior stood there. Number 20 asked,
"What's your angle?"
"If we check here too and find nothing wrong, won't it prove the Sima clan's innocence to the world? Whether we're the ones being investigated or you're doing the investigating, it's exhausting either way."
Chu Ui-kyung opened the supply warehouse door.
"We know we're innocent. So take a look. See that nothing's wrong here."
The interior was packed floor to ceiling with all sorts of goods. The space was enormous.
Grains were stacked in one corner. The divided sections served as boundaries to keep the supplies from mixing.
"Look around, Blood Demon Squad."
We headed deeper inside. With Chu Ui-kyung guarding the door, we inspected the supplies.
"...Everything seems fine here."
I slowly counted the goods in front of me. I checked for shortages and cross-referenced if items were in place.
Time passed. We meticulously checked every item, not wanting to miss a single one.
Deeper in.
Even deeper.
At the very end, after walking further, we reached the last stack of goods. There was a label.
True tributes.
The items the Heavenly Evil Sect had mentioned.
The true tributes destined for the Demon Cult's stronghold, the Heavenly Hall, were all boxed up. After confirming Chu Ui-kyung was keeping his distance, we slowly examined the crates.
They were securely locked. Padlocks made it impossible to pry open carelessly. But there was a way to check if something was inside without opening them.
Just pick them up and shake.
I lifted a crate. Shook it.
No sound. As if to prove it was unusually light.
"...Number 30."
Number 20 whispered. I was staring at the same sight.
Inside the thick crates. Most of the loads I'd shaken several times...
---were empty.
"......."
I exchanged glances with Number 20.
I turned to leave.
"Done?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go."
I glanced at Chu Ui-kyung's face. No emotion was visible.
If he knew about this, would he have let me in?
No way.
Letting us in was a show of proving his own innocence.
I stayed silent. The missing supplies meant at least that the Heavenly Evil Sect's information was true.
The goods had been siphoned off. Items meant for the Heavenly Hall, where the Heavenly Demon resided.
High treason.
...Deceiving the Demon Cult's leader right before our eyes.
---Clunk.
The door locked behind us. I glanced back slightly.
My eyes met the gatekeeper's. His glaring eyes were filled with hostility.
Number 20 whispered,
"Number 30. We need to send a messenger bird to the Blood Demon Squad Leader. The Sima clan has definitely made some deal with the orthodox sects. That's treason in itself. But... we can't subdue the Sima clan alone. We have to report it now...!"
"You're right, but..."
"If it's right, it's right! Why hesitate?! Send the messenger bird right-"
"Number 20. Doesn't everything fit together too perfectly?"
"That's exactly why it's true! Look! Number 30! Everyone in the Sima clan is hostile to us! They hate us poking around!"
"......."
"And now the supplies are missing. From the supply warehouse only the Sima clan can access!"
Number 20 was right.
All the circumstances pointed to the Sima clan committing rebellion.
Back at our lodgings, I fiddled with my sword. Sitting on the floor by the bed, I glared at the wall.
A sense of unease.
Everything fitting together too perfectly.
"......."
The task was simple. We'd confirmed the situation, so just contact the Blood Demon Squad Leader.
It was only natural two people couldn't subdue a massive group like the Sima clan. Confirm the truth and report up-that ended the job.
An utterly easy task. One that could be done with a nod.
"...Could you wait a moment?"
But I strolled through the garden. Leaving Number 20 alone, I cooled my heated head.
My head said to send the messenger bird, but my instincts said otherwise.
...Something.
Like I'd missed something...
"Milord."
"...?"
In this vast estate, only one person called me that. I turned around.
A small child was looking up at me. A boy too young to be a servant.
The kid who had guided us on the first day.
"Is your cheek okay?"
"...It's fine. What are you doing here?"
The only person in the Sima clan without hostility in his eyes. I slowed my pace so his tiny steps could keep up.
"Thinking about work."
"...Milord. The Sima clan is innocent."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. It's true. Please believe me."
"Hmm."
I strolled leisurely, hands behind my back, looking down at him. A sudden curiosity struck.
"Little brother."
"Yes?"
"Is the clan head always so fierce?"
"...Huh?"
"He yelled at me the moment he saw me. Even mixed in some curses. It was insulting enough to make my face burn a bit."
"Th-that's because you're from the Blood Demon Squad..."
"What do you mean by that?"
The young servant fidgeted with his fingers.
"I-I heard the Blood Demon Squad is like beasts that rummage anywhere. N-not that you are, milord... I overheard the warriors talking."
"What did they say?"
"That at least the Execution Squad should have come, that just the Blood Demon Squad showing up is a grave insult to the Sima clan... And they're pretty much convinced we're apostates..."
Considering the Blood Demon Squad's reputation, it wasn't wrong.
I trailed off slightly.
"I see. Not wrong. We're here for an investigation, after all."
"Wh-what were the results?"
"Didn't find anything suspicious."
"R-right?! See! Our clan head is so meticulous!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes! The elder is really kind. So gentle... He always looks out for the likes of us."
The young servant grinned brightly.
"There used to be lots of workers like me. But lately, they've dwindled. When times got tough, he sent people off first to work elsewhere."
"......."
"The ones left now are just people like me or old man Baek who can't work anywhere else. He even said not to clean places we don't use, so we don't strain ourselves."
"Then the pavilion I saw before..."
"Yes! Exactly! Ah... S-sorry. I was really angry then... We haven't committed any sin, but hearing apostate rumors from outside..."
"It's fine. That happens."
"As expected... You're a good person, milord."
A clan head respected by the servants.
"The hired warriors feel the same?"
"Yes! Everyone working for the Sima clan does! The elder always cherishes and cares for us. Treats workers like family."
"......"
"He pretends otherwise and clears his throat sometimes, but we all know better. And... this..."
The young servant rummaged and pulled something out. I bent down.
Candy.
Similar to what Number 20 and I had eaten before coming here.
"This is...?"
"Old man Baek bought it today. We all shared, but a bit left over... So I brought some. Here!"
"......."
His smile was purely innocent. I took the candy from the young servant's hand.
"You're a good person, milord, and our elder is good too... Everything will work out, right?"
"......."
I held the candy up to the fading sunlight. Slipped it under my mask.
It melted. Intensely sweet.
"...Of course."
I mumbled, then swallowed.
"Everything will work out fine. Little brother. Take the rest to my comrade in the room."
"Will she like it?"
"She will."
"Shall we go back together...?"
"You go first."
I patted the young servant's head.
"I have something to do. Tell my comrade I might be late?"
...
...
...
The lantern flickered.
Sima clan head Sima Ak blinked. He glanced at the darkened outside and finally realized his state.
I dozed off.
Deeply, at that.
When was the last time I slept properly? Couldn't remember. Sima Ak gripped his sword. Drew it from the scabbard and spun it around.
The Sima clan's treasured sword. One only the clan head could possess.
Bloodless Sword.
Just drawing it unleashed a fierce aura. Touching it would slice deep. The Bloodless Sword was infamous as a demonic blade where once cut, the bleeding never stopped.
A sinister energy that made even hair stand on end. Sima Ak sheathed it with a click.
Instead of the treasured sword, he reached for an ordinary iron sword leaning against the wall.
He put on his shoes and stepped outside. The silent night, devoid of people, was filled with stillness.
The moonlight was bright. A slight chill hung in the air.
Late night.
Closer to dawn than night.
Sima Ak walked along the path. Reciting poetry lightly to chase away sleep, he headed to a place no one would come.
The thickening underbrush. A space only Sima clan blood could enter.
Amid rustling leaves, Sima Ak stopped. He faced the stele in the wide, secluded clearing.
Tall.
And sturdy.
A stele inscribed with the names of past Sima clan heads. This was a sort of grave. A grave without bodies.
Only names remained.
Sima Ak's gaze lifted. He stared silently at the stele, then drew his sword.
The sword tip pointed at the last engraved name. After reciting it in his mind for a while, he swung.
The clan swordsmanship only Sima clan heads could learn. Now, with even the manual lost, on the brink of extinction.
Sima One Sword.
---Whoosh.
Sima Ak halted his thrust. He looked at his trembling hand.
"...Damn it."
A heavy curse drew a response.
"Sima clan head."
Sima Ak turned toward the voice.
Someone sat atop a tree. A warrior in a black mask. A face I'd glimpsed several times passing by.
"Busy late at night."
---A Blood Demon Squad member.
Sima Ak clicked his tongue. Politeness hid a blade.
Different from our first meeting. The atmosphere had sunk.
...Feels like facing the Bloodless Sword. Like blood would gush endlessly if cut.
Why was he tailing me?
Strength naturally entered his sword-gripping hand.