Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Black Sand Claude
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Black Sand Claude.
He had long reigned as the supreme master of the family and was one of the four strongest individuals on the continent.
Connoisseurs often referred to the heads of the Rantzverger, Felton, Everfilt, and Ties families as the Four Celestial Stars.
Though the Demonic Sword Emperor, Lucas, had once stood above them.
After the annihilation of the Riverune family, the Four Celestial Stars were the strongest on the continent.
Of course, since the Demonic Sword Emperor's death, no single absolute ruler had been decided.
'Am I finally going to see the face of my enemy?'
No matter how cheerful one's personality, a moment like this would force anyone to become serious.
The vengeance I had harbored for so long began to boil up from the depths of my gut.
Ever since I was an infant, I possessed the cognitive abilities and intellect of an adult.
Yet I had no memory of ever meeting the Head.
My mother died during childbirth, so I was raised solely by my nanny, Abigail.
Perhaps it was easier to hide my ferocious true nature because I had never seen my enemy.
I casually probed Dusk.
"Why has he suddenly returned?"
"Who knows? We don't even know why he was away in the first place."
"I suppose that's true."
The Head was truly a man of many secrets.
Few people could claim to have seen his face, and he had handed over most of his authority to his wife, Kairam.
And yet, the family ran smoothly.
It was likely because the high-ranking members were well aware of Black Sand Claude's absolute power.
The legendary tales of him turning his targets into a handful of sand were probably not mere exaggerations.
"It's been fifteen years since I last saw the Head, so this summons is a bit of a surprise."
"Fifteen years..."
"Was it my last promotion? That was actually the first time I saw him, too."
Even Dusk, a Transcendent Grade agent, seemed to know nothing about the Head.
The branch chief shrugged and rose from his seat.
"He's always been like that, so it's not strange. Get ready. We leave today."
"Is there any other choice? It's an order."
"Hah! You're exactly the kind of agent the family wants. I'll have to work you to the bone from now on."
"Why don't you say that after you pay me?"
"Ahem! I told you, the amount is too large. I can't pay you until the budget comes through!"
"Yes, yes, of course."
I replied sarcastically and left the branch chief's office.
Ugh, it's not even that much. Why is he so hung up on procedure?
Hasn't he heard of payment first, report later?
* * *
After packing my things at the safe house, I met Dusk again on the outskirts of Marquis Penant's territory.
In truth, I didn't have much to pack.
I just left with the long-distance travel pack a Grade 3 agent had prepared for me.
This was one of the perks of a higher rank.
They took care of most of the support for you.
The journey from the Eastern Branch to Black Scale Island took a full month.
We had managed to shorten it this much only by packing light and riding our horses like madmen.
If we had traveled by carriage, like when I was escorted from the Forest of the Dead, it would have taken over two months.
As we entered Black Scale Island by boat, Dusk looked at the agent training grounds with an interested gaze.
"It feels like just yesterday I was working you to the brink of death over there... When did you get so big?"
"If a request comes in to assassinate you, Chief, I'll accept it without a second thought."
"Hey! You're starting to sound just like that Deltron fellow."
Deltron was a Special Grade agent at the Eastern Branch who also served as the deputy chief.
He had a rather reckless personality, which was why Dusk was comparing me to him.
He was the type of man who would kill even the branch chief if the price was right.
"It'll be a while before the agents from the other branches arrive. Think of it as a vacation and get some rest."
"How long will it take?"
"They might arrive a month later than us. The distance is pretty far, isn't it?"
"Then was there any need to come this early?"
"How else are you going to get your special bonus paid out quickly?"
Dusk gestured toward the Head's office with his chin and replied bluntly.
It seemed he intended to request payment of my special bonus directly from the Acting Head.
A smile naturally formed on my lips.
"Such a profound intention!"
"I'm off."
"Take care, Chief!"
"You're only polite at times like these."
Dusk waved his hand dismissively and walked toward the dark stone building.
As if I had never bowed, I straightened up and headed for my quarters.
We both knew it was empty flattery, so we didn't even exchange glances.
Ordinary Grade 1 agents had to use the communal dorms, but as a direct descendant, I had my own room.
That was one of the nice things about coming to Black Scale Island.
But as I was about to head to my room, someone suddenly blocked my path.
"Hey, are you really going to be like this?"
It was Isabel, the woman with long, dark brown hair and red eyes.
The quarters for the direct descendants were all in one place, so it was quite natural to run into each other occasionally.
"Are you some kind of guardian spirit? I feel like I always see you here."
"Well, I'm stationed at the Rublic County. It's only natural I'd get here quickly."
Rublic was a Transcendent Grade agent, also known as a Black Spot Manager.
On the surface, it was a county recognized by the empire, but in reality, it was no different from an assassination guild branch.
Moreover, it occupied the southern part of the four divided autonomous regions, making it a stone's throw from Black Scale Island.
"Anyway, what was that all about in Troven?"
"What was?"
"You helped Wendy! That was the perfect chance for her to be utterly humiliated... Ugh! You idiot."
"She was in trouble, so I had to help. We might bicker normally, but we're still siblings, aren't we?"
"She doesn't give a damn about you, you know?"
"Even if you dislike someone, you don't want to see them get beaten by others, right? It's that 'only I can insult my family' kind of feeling."
"What are you talking about? Are you stupid? Just spouting sophistry."
Isabel treated me like a pushover, but I had gained a clear advantage from the Bluebird escape mission.
Faceless probably couldn't refuse my offer.
I tried to walk past Isabel, who was chattering away without knowing the full story, and head into my quarters.
But then, someone rounded the corner and stopped upon seeing me.
Dark red, shoulder-length hair and black eyes, with a blunt expression that was the complete opposite of Isabel's.
It was Wendy, codename Bluebird.
She looked like she had just arrived, a travel pack on her back.
"..."
Wendy and I just stared at each other blankly.
We weren't particularly close, so there was nothing to say even when we met.
Wendy considered only Mitra her rival, so she completely ignored Isabel and me.
But having received significant help, she couldn't just walk past me.
"You did something unnecessary. I could have handled it on my own."
Of course, I never expected any kind words from her in the first place.
"See? Look. I told you there's no point in helping her. How can an excuse come out before a thank you?"
Isabel began to badmouth her as if she'd been waiting for the chance.
But Wendy's expression was as if she couldn't hear a thing.
Her unwavering gaze was fixed only on me.
"Still... I will repay my debt."
She mumbled in a grumbling tone and slowly averted her gaze.
Seeing her eyes dart around, it seemed expressing herself like this was difficult for her.
If she's not good at expressing her emotions, that's understandable.
As long as she repays the favor properly, I didn't really care.
"You'll have to repay it handsomely. My services don't come cheap."
At the reply I shouted at her back, Wendy glanced back at me.
Seeing her give a small nod, it seemed she fully intended to repay the favor.
If only to protect her pride.
"Oh! What exactly happened to make her act like that?"
Isabel looked back and forth between Wendy and me, her eyes wide.
This was clearly a first for her, and she seemed to find it fascinating.
I walked past her with a playful smile.
"Don't worry about it. Little kids don't need to know."
"Who are you calling a little kid?"
"I can hear a voice, but you're so small I can't see you. Did I have an older sister?"
"Why you little-?"
As I was teasing Isabel about her short stature and about to head to my room, a heavy presence suddenly washed over us.
*Thump!*
Wendy, Isabel, and I reflexively turned our heads.
We had felt a powerful presence and dignity.
'This aura...'
Far in the distance, a slender figure stood in front of the Acting Head's office.
Pure white hair and crimson glowing eyes.
The Acting Head, Kairam, was staring silently at us.
Despite the considerable distance, the energy wave she projected was aimed precisely at me.
"Mother?"
Isabel's face brightened, and she started to run forward, but she quickly stopped.
The reason was immediately clear.
—To my office.
Kairam's voice had suddenly echoed in my ear.
She had likely used a sound transmission technique to stop Isabel from approaching.
Just as she had done with me.
'I'm naturally defiant, but what's your excuse?'
I glanced to my right and saw Wendy standing stiffly in place.
Her reaction was quite different from Isabel's.
In any case, it seemed the Acting Head had summoned only me.
I smiled meaningfully to myself and nodded readily.
"Yes, yes, I'm coming."
Not that I had a choice, but I might as well sound cheerful about it.
* * *
Dusk must have already returned to his quarters, as there was no one else in the Acting Head's office.
Kairam sat in her chair, staring at me with a gaze that seemed to pierce my very soul.
After a moment of silence, she lifted her chin slightly.
"I heard about what happened in Troven."
"I was just passing by and helped out."
"I see. By the way, this came up from the Central Branch."
I saved her daughter, and she can't even offer a word of thanks?
The Acting Head's attitude was just like Wendy's.
'Like mother, like daughter.'
I suppressed the urge to retort.
She was the one with the authority to grant my special bonus, after all.
Wow! To think I'd hold my tongue for money.
The document Kairam placed on the table was a letter of recommendation stamped with Faceless's seal.
It was the reward I received for saving Wendy.
A branch chief could only write a letter of recommendation once every two years.
It was usually used to recruit talented individuals to one's own branch.
However, the recommendation could also be substituted for a significant achievement.
"The assassination of Governor General Pellard, the completion of a Special Grade retrieval mission, and on top of that, a letter of recommendation. You've succeeded in every major task."
Huh? Wait a minute.
'The Governor Everdeen's office retrieval mission was Special Grade?'
I furrowed my brow, feeling a deep surge of anger toward Dusk.
But this wasn't the time to express my anger.
Kairam hadn't finished speaking.
The Acting Head, who had been shuffling through the papers, finally looked me straight in the eye and spoke.
"You have met the requirements to become a Special Grade agent. Would you like to enter the Training Hall?"