Chapter 902: Lead the Way
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 902: Lead the Way
A carriage rolled silently through the streets of the Royal City.
The roads were narrow, making it difficult for a carriage to pass, but the driver’s skill was superb. Even with only one hand, he kept the vehicle remarkably steady. Combined with the carriage’s high quality, the ride was smooth, with hardly a bump felt inside.
Muen pulled back the curtain and looked out.
In the drizzling rain, the roads were muddy. In some places, the sewers were clogged, leaving stagnant wastewater that emitted a faint, nauseating stench—an odor that even the cool rain could not mask.
Unlike Belland, which had a massive sewer system built in advance to accommodate a century of expansion, the various facilities of this ancient city, Saint Bran Phazesia, had grown decrepit under the erosion of time.
Furthermore, its population had multiplied several times over the centuries. Much of the crumbling infrastructure was on the verge of collapse, much like these perpetually blocked sewers.
The authorities naturally attempted repairs, but the funds and logistical impact required to completely overhaul the city's infrastructure were simply too staggering. According to intelligence reports, except for a few vital wealthy districts, most areas remained in a state of "making do with patchwork repairs for a few more years."
"So, this is what 'The City of Art Under the Sunlight' means?"
Indeed, it could only be appreciated under the sun. Once it rained, one lost all inclination to admire its artistry.
The corners of Muen’s mouth curled slightly, though not in mockery. In truth, the scene before him was the reality for most of the poor in this era. Even as crowded and narrow as Belland’s Lower District was, many people still risked smuggling themselves in just to scrape out a living.
Muen closed the curtain, sealing out the cold rain and the stench.
Different environments certainly evoked different reflections, but at this moment, he wasn't interested in what he could see or the information he had already gathered from intelligence reports. What he wanted to know were the deeper things hidden within the night.
"Alright, tell me about the situation here."
Muen tapped the table in front of him.
He still wore the guise of "Bruce," though he had set aside the overly tall black top hat. His high-bridged nose cast deep shadows across his face, making his gaze seem even sharper.
Reflected in his eyes was a tall... yet "hunched" figure.
It wasn't a contradictory description; Tyren sat opposite Muen, and because the space in the carriage was limited, he had curled his massive frame tightly to avoid crowding his captor.
A moment ago, he had looked like a mighty giant; now, he looked as if he wished he could roll himself into a ball smaller than a dwarf.
"W-what situation?"
Tyren gritted his teeth. He felt as if his internal organs were being crushed into a ball before he was. If he hadn't skipped supper before heading out, he probably would have vomited from the pressure by now.
Yet, he dared not show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.
"The situation here. The city. Everything you know."
Muen tapped the table again and asked calmly, "Since you already know who I am, you should know what I want to find out... Mr. Tyren, the 'Porsis Behemoth.'"
"No, no, no... in your presence, how could I ever call myself a behemoth..."
Tyren waved his hands frantically, a humble, fawning smile on his face. He was as docile as a lost little lamb, with none of his previous arrogance.
Damn that Tailor...
While appearing peaceful on the surface, Tyren was cursing a storm in his heart. However, even in his mind, he didn't dare direct his vitriol at the man sitting across from him. He had completely suppressed the ferocity he’d been born with, leaving him only able to silently curse the Tailor for leading him into this pit.
If not for that idiot Tailor, how could he have ended up like this? He had tried to go fishing, only to be dragged into the water by the fish.
No, that wasn't a fish. That was a true hunter!
As the old saying goes: an excellent hunter often appears in the form of prey.
In the end, he was the fish...
Tyren sighed in dejection. Blaming the Tailor was merely a way to comfort himself. He knew very well that since the man opposite him had used such methods, he wouldn't have reeled in the line until he was sure the fish was big enough.
"If you want to know the situation..."
Tyren pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
"In the Royal Capital, the wealthiest noble is Marquis Nick. He is the Kingdom's Finance Minister and controls the logistics for the war. God knows how much has gone straight into his pockets. Rumor has it his family treasury is even better stocked than the Royal Vault.
"As for who has the most beautiful daughter, that would be Count Halley. Although he’s known as the Bloodstained Executioner, the Capital’s Headsman, and the Heartless Butcher, I must admit his daughter is a true beauty of the world. Many admire her, but they’re too afraid of the Count’s reputation to dare anything. But if you’re interested, I could..."
"Ahem!"
Muen interrupted Tyren with a dry cough and said sternly, "What nonsense are you spouting? Is that what I want to know?"
"Eh? It’s not?"
Tyren looked surprised. "You didn't come to the Royal Capital for wealth or women? Then what else could it be..."
"...In your eyes, am I just some vulgar man who seeks only money and lust?"
"No, of course not, definitely not..."
Tyren wiped away a cold sweat and stole another glance at the Slav sitting near him.
The man’s features were cold and deep, but he didn't look particularly terrifying. Especially sitting there now, no one would think he was someone to be feared just by looking at him.
But this foreigner held a title that struck terror into the hearts of many...
The Dark Emperor.
The legendary figure from the Empire who ruled the entire Lower District of Belland. Even Tyren, far away in the Kingdom’s capital, had heard of him. He never expected the Dark Emperor to come here, especially during such turbulent times.
He had heard that this Dark Emperor appeared suddenly when the Empire’s capital was unstable and seized control of Belland’s entire underworld in one fell swoop. His appearance here now certainly wasn't for something as simple as wealth or women; he had a much grander goal.
Could it be... just like in Belland, he came personally to take the darkness of this city into his own hands?
If so, what he wanted to know was very clear.
Gulp.
Tyren swallowed hard, feeling he had finally grasped the big shot's intentions. He didn't dare delay.
"Where should I start? Right, let me reintroduce myself. I am Tyren, Tyren Grayle. Nominally, I am the leader of all the gangs in the city's West District."
"The West District?"
Muen raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you call yourself the Dark King? Why are you only the leader of the West District?"
"Haha... that was just a bit of hyperbole. When you're out and about, you have to talk yourself up. Everyone else does it; I couldn't let myself fall behind."
Tyren scratched his head with an awkward laugh. "In reality, among the underground gangs of Saint Bran Phazesia, there are several others whose status is equal to mine."
"How many is 'several'?"
"About..." Tyren counted on his fingers. "Ten or so?"
"...Your 'hyperbole' is a bit much."
"It’s... it’s not that bad." Tyren’s face reddened. "This city is huge. Being able to hold a seat at the table is already quite an achievement. Of course... compared to you, it’s nothing."
"True enough."
Muen turned his head away.
He had sensed it vaguely. Although Belland was the largest city on the continent, the dark side of this Royal Capital was clearly more expansive than Belland’s.
This wasn't because Belland’s reputation was unearned. One reason was the level of governance, and the other...
Thinking back, the Belland underworld Muen had first encountered had already been ruthlessly purged by his father using Celicia’s assassination attempt as a pretext.
But the Kingdom’s capital... clearly, the aging King, who was also busy preparing for war, had no energy to take a knife to the internal rot of his own capital.
It had likely been allowed to grow freely for decades, hiding in the shadows of the city like a foul tumor unknown to the masses.
"Ten or so... that’s a bit too many."
"Is... is it?"
Tyren let out a silent, grimacing smile.
Hmph, even the legendary Dark Emperor finds it troublesome to face ten enemies as difficult as me.
It seemed he wasn't that weak after all...
"Dealing with ten people one by one is too much trouble. I don't have the time," Muen said. "Is there a way to gather them all together? I want to settle this all at once."
"..."
The smile froze on Tyren’s face.
"G-gather them all? Settle it all at once?"
"Yes, all of them." Muen nodded seriously. "I’m in a hurry."
"..."
Because he’s in a hurry, he wants to gather all the gang leaders in the city and finish them off in one go? Is that really something someone can say with such a casual expression?
Normally, Tyren would have mocked the man for his overconfidence, but looking at the person in front of him...
Tyren rubbed his still-aching wrist and forced a smile. "That... I’m afraid that won't work."
"Why not?"
"To reach this position, most gang leaders are extremely cautious." Sensing Muen’s suspicious gaze, Tyren coughed awkwardly. "I mean, when dealing with rivals of equal status. Unless there’s some major event, these leaders are unlikely to agree to a meeting."
"Not even if you invite them?"
"I’m just one person, how could I possibly—"
"Useless."
"Wait, wait!"
Seeing the Dark Emperor’s gaze shift to one that said, 'Since you're useless, there's no point in keeping you alive,' Tyren jolted and blurted out:
"While I can't call everyone together, I can introduce you to another gang leader whose status is similar to mine."
"Oh?" Muen said indifferently. "When? I’m in a hurry."
"Tomor—no, right now." Tyren gritted his teeth. "I can do it right now!"