Leon’s Vow and the Mayor’s Summons
“Did you just say vice-captain?”
-Huh?
-Leon's gaze?
-Is this for real?
-From today on, Henry's enemies are my enemies.
Mentioning Leon the vice-captain sent shockwaves through everyone.
Kang Hanbit spoke up on behalf of the stunned group.
“I know the Royal Knights are one of the top powers in the Raven Kingdom. You got a promise from their vice-captain?”
“When William was executed, the Royal Knights came to Edlen too. Back then, Leon was just a lowly knight, but he was the only one who voiced doubts.”
A mayor colluding with the Holy Nation was a national security issue. It was only natural for the Royal Knights to investigate under the king's orders.
“Leon questioned the too-perfect circumstances, testimonies, and evidence. He wasn't in a position to back up his words, but he kept raising objections to his superiors until he faced punishment for insubordination.”
-Classic Leon.
-Justice GOAT
-Info) Insanely dedicated.
-Crashes into superiors and still rises to vice-captain on skill alone. lol
One word summed up Leon's character: justice. She never bent, no matter the situation—even if the opponent was the king himself.
For instance, even as she defended falsely accused rebels and faced execution, Leon's eyes burned straight and true. That's why she was one of the most trustworthy people in this world.
“What kind of promise did you get?”
“A month after William's execution, Leon came to me disguised as an adventurer. He told me to contact him immediately if anything suspicious came up.”
“...And in that time, he rose to vice-captain.”
Cown, listening in, let out an admiring murmur. A position that usually took over 20 years of service—and he'd claimed it in less than seven. No ordinary man.
“This will be a huge boost for us. With this evidence, it'll go straight to the royal audience.”
Henry was a far cry from his initial demeanor. Clearing William's name, restoring Libentia to her rightful place—it would naturally lead to punishing Bares and Brooke too.
“Libentia, what do you want?”
Henry knelt to meet Liora's eyes. He wanted to fulfill his own wishes and William's last will, but her survival mattered most—her will above all.
“I...”
Liora gazed at her ring. Moments later, she lifted her head with resolute determination.
“I want to prove Dad was innocent.”
“...I see.”
No more words needed. Henry nodded and turned to the group.
“I'll go to the capital. I have business there anyway, so it won't raise immediate suspicion.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Whether I am or not doesn't matter. We need people in the right places. You all draft a petition on William's case right now.”
At Henry's order, the old retainers fetched parchment and quills from the side, scribbling earnestly. Washing away their lord's injustice was their lifelong wish; their sincerity poured into every line.
“Understood. I have a teleportation magic tool, so I'll minimize travel time to the capital. We'll secure the remaining evidence here.”
“Remaining evidence? There's more?”
“The workshop had blueprints and this note.”
Cown handed over the rest of the materials from the workshop. Henry scanned the note first.
<To whoever reaches this place, I entrust the evidence I've gathered. The crystal orb records the underground temple altar scene—a projection magic tool. The parchment shows blueprints for the renovated Norton estate and Bares's mansion. Please restore the honor of Lord William and Lady Libentia.>
“...Camon went this far.”
The forceful handwriting brimmed with emotion. Paying respects, Henry shifted to the blueprints.
“Nothing stands out on Bares's mansion. Given his personality, he wouldn't keep anything risky.”
A few colored passages were marked, their meaning unclear. He wasn't the type to leak threats to his safety—even his inner circle might not know.
“The Norton marks... Brooke's safe?”
Henry knew the rumors about the Norton estate: Brooke's safe changed locations daily. Whatever was inside, Camon wouldn't leave meaningless blueprints.
“Likely a seed planted for betrayal. Brooke must feel uneasy too, so he'd prepare leverage.”
“Yes. That's why we'll infiltrate via the secret passage connecting to the Norton estate. We'll try to steal the safe whole, but destruction's on the table if needed.”
“Hm.”
Henry pondered the plan, then eyed the blueprints.
“Bares would know the safe rumors. A paranoid guy like him would've checked the contents somehow.”
No room for mistakes or failure. They had to consider every angle.
“Given when these were drawn, things have likely changed. He wouldn't let rumors swirl about key evidence.”
Even a puppet like Brooke would scheme to protect himself. He'd hidden evidence somewhere only he knew.
“Then let's just kidnap Brooke.”
Kang Hanbit tossed out the idea casually amid the talk. The nonchalant tone belied its extremity.
-??
-Kidnap the mayor. lmao
-This guy's insane.
-But fun tho?
“...Did you say kidnap?”
Henry echoed in disbelief. Fallout aside, the repercussions were obvious. Bares grasping the situation could unleash anything.
“Yes. To eliminate variables, getting evidence straight from him is best. Infiltrating's just to move before Bares.”
“If Brooke's kidnapped, the city locks down. Bares will tear Edlen apart with every soldier.”
“That's fine. We'll trigger the lockdown first.”
“...?”
Henry's face screamed confusion. Reading his mind, Kang Hanbit addressed the group.
“Let's publicize the underground aqueduct temple to everyone.”
***
Edlen's central street buzzed amid the crowds with one hot topic.
“Heard they found something in the underground aqueducts? Black Dragon? That adventurer discovered it.”
“Holy Nation temple? No way that's real.”
“Guild confirmed it! Holy Nation infiltrated Edlen ages ago!”
Early morning, the guild officially announced the temple discovery. Word spread via adventurers, keeping streets abuzz into the afternoon.
“So you wanted this chaos, hyung?”
Juyeonu asked, eyeing the NPC reactions.
Kang Hanbit nodded as they walked.
“Yeah, our goal's kidnapping Brooke. This level of disorder's perfect.”
Publicizing the temple was simple: sow chaos in Edlen, amplify Brooke's fear in the atmosphere.
“But the quest? We just watch?”
“Hm.”
Kang Hanbit pulled up the secret room message.
[You have completed Main Quest #8.]
[Received 50,000 gold.]
[2 Stat points granted.]
[15,000 EXP gained.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #9: Execute the Plan]
You met the old retainers and devised a plan to expose Brooke and Bares's crimes.
Move to fulfill roles, but it's too early to kidnap Brooke. First, publicize the temple info to shift Edlen's mood.
Goal: Monitor the situation on Edlen streets.
Reward: None
*Current Progress: 70%
As the quest directed, everyone from the secret room got to work. Here on the street, Kang Hanbit awaited one contact.
Juyeonu spoke up again.
“It says monitor, so wanna check elsewhere? Something might happen.”
-Roper bored?
-Scared to cut stream? Upvote.
-Kinda bored.
-Info) Cut to side scene midway, been 3 mins.
Juyeonu seemed antsy in the lull. For streaming, action was ideal, but movement was imminent—someone approached already.
“Black Dragon!”
A familiar woman raced up, voice urgent. Guild staff Miel.
-?
-Why you out here?
-Miel can leave guild?
-Not a ghost after all ;;
“Huff, huff...”
Stopping before Kang Hanbit, she panted hard.
“What's up? You out and about?”
“Just... a sec.”
Miel braced on her knees, speech ragged. Her voice steadied after a bit.
“Whew. Feels like I ran a year’s worth, seriously.”
She wiped sweat from her brow. She rarely sprinted all-out like this.
“So, what's the emergency?”
“Come to the guild first. Someone's looking for you, Black Dragon.”
“Looking for me?”
“Let's go!”
Miel grabbed his arm, no time for talk. Knowing the situation, Kang Hanbit followed smoothly.
“Huh? Why are you out here?”
As the guild came into view, Miel asked puzzled. Armored knights and soldiers stood at the entrance.
“There they are.”
Spotting Miel and Kang Hanbit, they approached.
Clack—they halted before him.
“You're the adventurer Black Dragon?”
The lead knight spoke first. His armor and weapon gleamed brighter than the rest.
“That's me. Why?”
“I'm a knight from city hall. Heard you found a Holy Nation temple in the underground aqueducts—is it true?”
“I was the first discoverer.”
“Hm.”
His frank admission prompted a slow scan from toes up. Then straight to business.
“Mayor Brooke wishes to commend your achievement. Come to city hall with us.”
[You have completed Main Quest #9.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #10: The Invitation]
You received an invitation from Brooke, mindful of public opinion.
Bares's orders, no doubt—but a prime chance to gauge the situation?
Their invite seems worth accepting.
Goal: Head to city hall and talk with the enemies.
Reward: None
*Current Progress: 74%