Audience with the Inept Mayor
"We'll escort you to the reception room."
The process of entering Ifrit's central city hall went smoothly. As soon as they handed over the parchment, an audience with the mayor was immediately scheduled.
"We can actually meet the mayor? The guidebook said even getting face-to-face is impossible."
"For the root cause of all the problems, he never steps outside no matter what happens."
Kim Jaeha and Avant-garde showed surprised reactions. Wasn't Adventurer A's strategy just to fight desperately on-site during monster waves?
-Whoa whoa
-At least see the mayor's face.
-Fr, works like a dog and can't even see his face.
-Does this change the story?
-Can't we just convince the mayor and wrap this up easy?
-You think?
The viewers began flooding the chat with all sorts of expectations and speculation. Hanbit, who had been reading along silently, didn't bother responding.
"This way."
The three followed the attendant alone and stopped in front of a lavish reception room. Inside sat a middle-aged woman holding a pristine white coffee cup.
"Ah, you've arrived."
She stood up as her eyes met Hanbit's. A name floated above her head.
[Firnen de Artua, Mayor of Ifrit]
-Oh.
-She's the culprit, right?
-Should we start by killing her, bro?
-That'd shatter the story, teach.
The viewers reacted first to Firnen's appearance. Just as the chat suggested, this woman with her affable smile was the culprit who had wrecked the city's defenses. Her head was filled only with an obsessive fixation on luxury goods and business profits. It was she who had torn down the sturdy original walls and erected those ornamental glass ones. Thinking of all the people who died in monster waves, she seemed even more repulsive than Edlen's villains.
"Hello. I'm the adventurer Black Dragon."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Firnen de Artua, mayor of Ifrit. Please, have a seat first?"
Firnen gestured to the chairs. As Hanbit sat, she placed a letter envelope on the table.
"It seems you've accomplished great feats in Edlen. I never expected to receive a letter of introduction from Henry."
Twenty years ago, Firnen had worked at the royal castle alongside Henry. That gave the letter ample credibility.
"The timing worked out. I also got help from the Royal Knights."
"...The Royal Knights?"
"Yes. Here you go."
Hanbit handed over a red letter envelope—the introduction from Leon.
"I didn't expect the Royal Knights to get involved. I know a few people there, but..."
Firnen's eyes flicked rapidly as she read the contents. But then.
"Leon?"
Her expression hardened upon reading the final signatory's name.
"Something wrong?"
"...No, nothing at all."
Firnen forced a smile. Unlike her act, her grip on the letter tightened slightly.
"So the Royal Knights' vice-captain came to Edlen. Was there anything else he mentioned?"
She asked just as the edge of the paper began to crumple.
"We didn't talk long. He only left that letter."
"...I see."
She shook her head, and her expression returned to normal. Watching the shift, Hanbit casually broached the topic.
"Do you know Leon by any chance?"
"It's a minor issue. No need to worry about it."
-?
-What's that about;
-She's trash anyway.
-But Artua family isn't that founding hero lineage?
-Yup, influence second only to royalty.
-Ancestors weeping.
Firnen's answer came with an artificial smile. But that lie didn't fool Hanbit.
'Minor issue my ass.'
As the viewers said, the Artua family's ancestors were Raven's founding heroes. And the 'Incompetent Sword' who had led the investigation into the past William incident was also from the Artua family. In other words, Leon had brought charges against someone backed by a colossal family.
'Must be scary for her.'
Leon had naturally earned the Artuas' enmity for daring to touch a founding hero's lineage. But there was no easy way to touch someone who had risen to vice-captain through sheer skill. A embodiment of justice who ignored political considerations wouldn't even fear death. Hell, she might worry he'd turn his sword on her next.
"In any case, I've received the letter. Capable adventurers are always welcome."
Back to her true colors, Firnen changed the subject. She pulled a gold bracelet from a small box by the table and offered it.
"As a VIP, you'll receive the city's highest treatment with this gold bracelet. But remember, gold status is only for esteemed guests from outside. Keep that in mind."
-?
-Gold?
-They're giving that out?
-Fr, black was one-tool before.
-What a dogshit world;
"Got it."
Hanbit nodded and slipped on the bracelet. It was the color he'd expected, so no surprise there. After a moment observing Firnen's face, he cut to the chase.
"I've heard things have been noisy around the city lately. Monsters, right?"
"Word's spread that far, huh. But no need to worry. It's just the usual."
"Really? I thought it was pretty serious."
"Ifrit is a city of magic and technology. Even if some monsters rampage, it's only to that extent."
-Yeah, that extent wipes everyone out?
-Should we still start by killing her?
-Not a bad idea...
The viewers ignited again at her words. The biggest problem in this episode was the complacency of the leadership. With the person in charge like this, failure was inevitable.
'The fact it's not an act makes it worse.'
The magic and technology built up based on the sage's achievements during his brief stay in Ifrit. Firnen's faith in them was genuine. That blind trust had led her to dismantle most basic defenses, including the walls. All that remained were half-hearted ongoing research, military subjugation gear, and a few turrets.
"I heard magic's fine, but other tech is regressing. Isn't that right?"
"Depends on perspective. Tech expressing art has advanced more than ever."
"No worries about the city's defenses weakening?"
"This is sufficient. We can't keep developing kill-focused tech forever."
No major crises had ever hit this city. That long peace had made Firnen's convictions rock-solid to the point of ignorance. Naturally, her gaze turned to profitable luxuries. Turning Ifrit into a tourist spot while lining her own pockets. With the city's economy and her vaults booming as a result, there was no reason to change.
"This monster anomaly isn't normal. Trouble could hit tomorrow."
"Ifrit has an adventurer guild and military forces. I trust their abilities."
"Then let me prepare defenses with them. That okay?"
"Hmm. Using up manpower and resources is a concern. Plus, spreading needless panic could cause other issues."
-Sweet potato stuck in my throat.
-Just ditch and head to next city?
-Abandon the episode?
-Might be okay here.
-Lmao fr.
The stifled conversation flow frustrated even the viewers. Familiar with this situation, Hanbit calmly made the next proposal.
"How about the dwarves? I heard there are quite a few."
"...You want to use those?"
The mayor's eyes narrowed slightly at the suggestion. Hanbit nodded as if it were obvious.
"Better to get help from a proven race."
"Our views differ, it seems."
The contempt was clear from calling dwarves 'those.' And for good reason—the dwarf refugees who had come to Ifrit in the past were now treated as lower class. It wasn't just Firnen's personal view; their treatment in the city was the worst.
She eyed Hanbit briefly, then picked up a quill from the table.
"My principle is to give gold bracelet holders proper treatment. If you need dwarf labor, I'll connect you."
Firnen scribbled a short note and signed it. It felt like another letter of introduction.
"The dwarf settlement is outside the north wall. Show this to the overseer."
"No restrictions? Dwarves must be valuable manpower."
"Expectations seem high, but there are no exceptional artisans. Use them freely."
Firnen handed over the letter readily, as if daring him to try. But Hanbit was already satisfied. This letter was exactly why he'd come to see her.
"Thanks. I'll visit if there's anything else."
"Looking forward to good news."
After the pleasantries, Hanbit left the reception room. An alarm rang in his ear as he did.
Ding-
[You've completed Main Quest #1.]
[Received 10,000 gold.]
[Experience +2,000.]
[Progress increased.]
[Main Quest #2: Allies]
You've roughly grasped the situation inside and outside the city. First, meet those who can become allies.
Objective: Head outside the north wall and meet the dwarf village overseer.
Reward: None
Current Progress: 1%
'This is where the real work starts.'
Dwarves were known as a race skilled in all technologies. But Ifrit's dwarves had lost their former glory. To fully block the monster wave, their issues needed resolving.
"Ugh, that was suffocating."
Once outside, Kim Jaeha sighed. He'd witnessed the mayor's incompetence firsthand.
"Even I felt my blood boil after so long. But you're really planning to recruit the dwarves as allies?"
Avant-garde, well-versed in Ifrit's ecosystem, had tried contacting dwarves at taverns a few times. Results were always poor.
"How were they? Super prickly and money-grubbing, right?"
"Not just greedy—money was everything. A far cry from dwarves elsewhere. It was so extreme, honestly disappointing."
-Avant-garde saying that;
-Saw it live, it was legendary.
-Fr money demons.
-Greed oozing.
Avant-garde and the viewers' harsh assessments matched. Hanbit nodded without denying it.
"Well, can't be helped for now. Dwarves weren't always like that."
Even among dwarves, people varied. But Ifrit's dwarves turning so money-obsessed had a reason.
"Hard to imagine them decent back then. Anyway, heading to the dwarf settlement?"
"No. Got a detour."
Hanbit glanced at the sun high in the sky, then shifted his gaze. In a distant alley corner, someone half-hidden in a robe—short stature, the dwarf prince Gorik.
"He really followed."
Avant-garde had noticed the tailing too, murmuring quietly. Pretending ignorance, Hanbit turned and pointed outside.
"Let's head to the monster corpse disposal site first."