Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Lead
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'That swordsmanship... is it the Flowing Star Sword Art?'
The techniques used by the Libertà members fighting fiercely were remarkably similar to Riverune's basic swordsmanship.
There were some differences from the original, but the fundamental structure was perfectly intact.
It almost felt as if the changes had been added intentionally.
'So Abigail was on the right track to the Tomb of Swords.'
Honestly, the information Vice Commander Zimmerman gave me was too fragmented.
He'd only given me the name of the nation, Railharshe.
But it seemed my capable informant had finally managed to get close to the truth.
See? It was worth investing a fortune in her operational expenses.
"But why... is that all they're using?"
Watching the battle unfold, I couldn't help but wonder.
Despite being in considerable danger, the Libertà members were only using the Flowing Star Sword Art.
It was likely because using Riverune's secret arts would make them a target for the Three Vicious Families.
After all, they were fighting the knight order of the Felton family.
'Is there another reason? Ah! It's also possible they've only ever learned that much.'
Riverune's secret manuals had been divided among the Three Vicious Families.
Those bastards wouldn't have managed basic sword manuals properly, so they were probably leaked here and there.
Of course, I never imagined one would turn up in a lawless frontier region like this.
In any case, it was clear that Libertà was connected to the Riverune family.
"It's certainly worth investigating."
A group of people collectively practicing a strangely modified version of the Flowing Star Sword Art has appeared, and I'm just supposed to pass them by?
Having found no clues yet, I couldn't afford to be so complacent.
I need to keep an eye on anything that seems even remotely related.
'But where the hell did that information broker go?'
Libertà was part of Ilek's establishment, so they wouldn't just disappear if I left them for a bit.
They were holding their own quite well against the two factions even now.
But this elusive information broker was someone even the Rantzverger couldn't properly identify.
I had to strike before he realized he was being tracked.
'Ah, of course, the Rantzverger Assassination Guild in Ilek is a bit...'
They seemed less like a secretive organization and more like a bunch of muscle-bound addicts.
Frankly, at this point, I had to question the Acting Head's criteria for selecting branch managers.
I wondered if he was intentionally sending only the crazies out of Black Scale Island.
"Hehehe! What are you searching for that you wander so?"
As I was wandering near the battle scene, a suspicious voice suddenly reached me.
I feigned nonchalance, stopping in my tracks and glancing to my right.
Inside, however, I was quite surprised.
Despite being so close, he had made no sound at all.
It was nearly impossible to deceive my senses without a stealth technique on par with Soul Shadow Evasion.
He must have used some special method.
'This must be the information broker Rainmaker mentioned.'
I could easily deduce his identity.
Well, with abilities like these, it was no wonder the assassination guild had trouble identifying him.
Normally, I would have grabbed the broker the moment I saw him and beaten the hell out of him.
But I quickly changed my mind.
His stealth skills were on par with a top-tier Rantzverger agent.
"Who are you?"
To dispel as much suspicion as possible, I asked with a deliberately uncomfortable expression.
"There's no need to be so wary. I'm just a broker."
"A broker?"
"You haven't been in Ilek long, have you? People like you are usually looking for profitable work."
I nodded deeply, as if I agreed with the broker's words.
'But this guy... he hasn't gotten a single thing right. Is he really an information broker?'
It wasn't that I couldn't understand him spouting nothing but wrong answers.
I wasn't just some common criminal who had drifted into Ilek.
Thinking I had fallen for his smooth talk, the man laughed grimly.
The rotten smile visible beneath his deeply pulled robe hood made him seem like some grand mastermind.
"Hehehe! I knew it."
"But why me, of all people? That just makes me more suspicious."
"I saw you take care of those dregs from Felton and Wolf Fang as soon as you arrived. You've got some skill."
"I'm pretty good with a sword. So?"
"I need a new swordsman. The less known in Ilek, the better."
"Oh?"
My eyes gleamed as if my interest was piqued.
The more I acted the part, the more excited the broker became, continuing his explanation.
"The pay will be solid. I can guarantee 500 geld per job."
"Is that so?"
I'd made so much money recently that my sense of its value was a bit skewed, but I still knew what gold coins were worth.
No job in Ilek could possibly guarantee such a high profit.
But just as he was chattering on, the broker suddenly tilted his head.
"Huh? When did you get so close?"
Because with every word I spoke, I, who had been far away, had been inching closer.
Before I knew it, the distance between us had narrowed considerably.
I feigned leaning in to listen, acting nonchalant.
"Your story was so interesting, I must have moved without realizing."
"What are you, a ghost?"
"Enough of that. Keep talking. What kind of work pays 500 geld?"
"Well, that would be... Ack?"
Thud.
Just as he was about to continue the conversation, I had already closed the distance and slung my arm around his shoulder.
The broker, finally sensing something was wrong, struggled to get up.
But he couldn't achieve his goal, thanks to my body, which I had tensed until it was hard as a rock.
"What do you think you're... Hmph!"
Fwoosh!
He seemed flustered, but he quickly detonated something he pulled from his clothes.
The moment white smoke completely blocked my vision, a chilling killing intent stimulated my senses.
Shnk! Shnk!
The broker, unable to escape my hold, lunged at my neck and chest with a blade.
But there was no way he would succeed.
"Too slow."
Because even as the dagger flew at me through the thick smoke, I dodged every strike.
I put him in a headlock and moved out of the smoke bomb's range.
But suddenly, dozens of menacing glares met my eyes.
"Huh?"
It seemed I'd lost my sense of direction in the smoke and emerged in the wrong place.
Right in the middle of a bloody battle between Ilek's representative factions.
"Judging by their appearance, they must be with Libertà."
"Yeah. None of us are morons who'd wear clothes like that."
The murderous glares came from the Felton and Wolf Fang sides.
It was probably because their factions had distinct uniforms.
It was a situation where they were bound to mistake me for an enemy.
Moreover, the Libertà members didn't bother to deny it.
They probably figured it could work to their advantage.
"Ah... I'm screwed."
The broker sighed, his face a mask of resignation.
He seemed to be the type who survived on cheap tricks, with little combat ability.
He must have been imagining losing his life to them or having his identity exposed.
I looked down at him and muttered softly.
"Hey, looks like we've got a job right here. What will you do for me if I get you out of this?"
At that, the broker's dying eyes sparkled.
"Anything! I'll even lick your toes!"
"Ugh! That's disgusting. No thanks."
"Hehe! A bit much, wasn't it? Then how about something more wholesome..."
"You seem to know this city well, so let's get some information."
"That's my specialty."
"Good. Don't even think about running."
"...Yes."
Judging by his slightly delayed response, it seemed he had been planning to escape when the opportunity arose.
I gave him a wicked smile and cast a 7th-tier spell, Paralyze.
The broker's eyes, barely visible under his robe's hood, glazed over.
"Uh... why do I feel so drunk?"
"You're not drunk. You're being paralyzed."
"W-What did you say?"
Thump! Shing!
I casually tossed him to the ground and drew the Black Dragon Sword.
Now, shall we begin the play?
* * *
Defeating the Felton and Wolf Fang groups wasn't particularly difficult.
They were already somewhat exhausted, and their skill level wasn't that high to begin with.
After the battle, the Libertà members began cleaning up the wrecked shops.
Meanwhile, their leader approached me as I sat on the sprawled-out information broker.
"I don't recognize your face... but thank you for your help, regardless."
"I just happened to get involved. Besides, they were the ones who misunderstood."
"Still, why did you jump in? And what's with all this white smoke?"
"This guy owes me a debt. I came to collect, and what does he do? Throws a smoke bomb and tries to run."
"I see. I think I understand the situation."
The man clicked his tongue as he looked at the broker pinned under my ass.
He seemed to have no idea that this man was the one who had started today's fight.
"First, let's introduce ourselves. I am Patrick, the third leader of Libertà."
"Ray Carter."
"If you tell me where you're staying, I will be sure to reward you."
"I've just arrived in Ilek, so I don't have a place to stay yet. I'll just come find you soon."
"Hmm..."
"You seem to be a rather famous organization. Wouldn't it be faster for me to come to you?"
"Very well."
Leader Patrick was a fairly ordinary-looking middle-aged man.
If not for the scar on his face, he would have looked like a warm, friendly neighbor.
After making a simple arrangement, Patrick immediately bid me farewell.
"Well then, I hope you collect your debt."
"Yep."
I gave a casual wave to the departing man, then immediately woke the broker.
"Hey, I know the paralysis has worn off. Get up. Stop pretending to be unconscious."
"Hey! How am I supposed to get up when you're sitting on me?"
"Oh? You're right. My bad. Hey."
"Hmph! Hmph!"
"What's with the attitude? Haven't you been beaten enough?"
"..."
The man, who had been huffing indignantly, immediately shut his mouth.
He must have sensed a terrifying killing intent behind my smiling threat.
I then posed a question to the broker.
"Hey, I hear you're pretty good at starting fights by sowing discord."
"Huh? H-How did you..."
"How I know isn't important. Let's start something big together."
The suggestion must have been quite unexpected, as he blinked and stared blankly.
With a sly smile, I gazed at the retreating Libertà members.
"Heh! You just have to do what you always do."