Chapter 8
Chapter 8
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: A Calculated Partnership
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'Just what choice will this woman make? No, even my thoughts are getting steeped in this persona. Am I getting too into character?'
Disguised as Keros, the Butcher of Daysol, I had roamed like a madman for two long months.
Using the Rantzverger family's Art of Disguise, I created scars and even changed the color of my hair and eyes.
Since no magic was involved, I went undetected by the Valiant agents' sensors.
They would never recognize me unless they physically damaged my skin.
"What is your business?"
I asked an abrupt question, feigning a deadpan expression.
At that, the eyes of Sertin, who had been sensually smoking a hookah, changed completely.
"Hah! What on earth are you talking about? We never invited you."
"Weren't those Valiant grunts lurking around for the past few days? They were so annoying I came to find you myself. Tell me what you want with me."
"..."
She fell silent at my direct question.
Then, one of the agents standing at the very back slipped out of the secret chamber.
It seemed they had communicated discreetly using a code of their own.
A brief silence followed, and the agent who had left soon returned, handing Sertin a small note.
She took the paper with an elegant gesture, her brow furrowing slightly as she read its contents.
Of course, she controlled her expression in an instant, but I didn't miss that moment.
'Still testing the waters? Make your offer already. Go on, beg me to work for Valiant.'
Sertin slowly crumpled the note and gazed at me intently.
She was likely weighing the pros and cons based on the evidence they had gathered so far.
Keros, the Butcher of Daysol, was an entity who had appeared out of nowhere two months ago.
With his only known history being that he came from the Forest of the Dead, he was difficult to trust.
But they couldn't simply deceive and use him either.
How many merchant guilds had bled dry trying to leech off me like parasites?
If they weren't careful, Valiant could suffer a similar fate.
In the end, she would have no choice but to make the decision I expected.
Sertin's rage toward Discret was at its peak, but she was at a disadvantage in terms of strength to make a rash move.
"Fine. I admit we were watching you. You're someone we desperately need, so a verification process was necessary."
"...It seems you wish to wield me as you please, like a sword in your hand."
She shook her head at my seemingly displeased reaction.
Then, with a serious expression, she met my gaze.
"I already know that's impossible. We want to cooperate. It would be mutually beneficial."
"What help could you possibly offer me?"
Instead of answering, Sertin spread her arms and tilted her head slightly.
The gesture indicated the agents who filled the secret chamber, not making a single sound.
An information guild, meaning they would do what they do best.
"Is any more explanation needed?"
"If we're to build trust, you'll have to show me something first."
"So, we each do something the other wants. Fine. You go first."
"The whereabouts of the Gaien Gang."
"You scoured the Daysol region just to find some bandits? Any hints other than the name Gaien?"
"They have connections in the Pellard Autonomous District. That's all I know."
In truth, I knew much more, but I deliberately released the information in a limited fashion.
That was the only way to explain why I had wandered the wasteland for over two weeks.
As she nodded, a few more agents discreetly left the secret chamber.
"Now, tell me what you want."
"...We want the annihilation of Discret."
Sertin, after a moment of silence, spoke with difficulty.
It seemed that fully revealing her intentions was unsettling, given the nature of an information guild.
But she needed to be honest now.
It was the only way to win over a formidable individual like me.
"That's a steep price for simply telling me the whereabouts of some petty bandits."
"Of course, we're well aware the terms of the deal aren't fair. In return, we'll take on requests of a corresponding value. If there's anything you want, just say the word."
At her proposal, I pretended to think for a moment before getting up from my seat.
"I'll state my demands after we've started the work."
"And our request?"
"Give me a name of someone suitable. I'll kill one for you."
"Then take care of a man named Vartang first. He's the Discret branch manager in the Veltia Autonomous District. I'll give you his description and frequent haunts."
The moment Sertin finished speaking, a Valiant agent abruptly held out a note.
Vartang wasn't a member of the family anyway, so killing him wouldn't cause any major problems.
Taking the paper, I glanced at Sertin.
She was a woman of stunning looks, a decadent air, and outstanding charm.
'Ah, she's my type. But I have no reason to date her. No reason at all.'
I couldn't break character, so I maintained a blank expression and turned to leave.
* * *
The next day, I returned to the secret chamber in the Valiant Guild's safe house.
Naturally, Vartang, the Discret branch manager, had already met his end at my hands.
I had deliberately wandered near him to draw attention, and when the agents tailed me, I slaughtered them all.
The reason I gave was that they were annoyingly persistent.
The security patrol rushed to the scene of the sudden murders, but they fled the moment they saw me.
The Discret agents hiding here and there couldn't make a rash move either.
That was how much Keros's notoriety was spreading throughout the Pellard Autonomous District.
"You work fast."
"And you?"
"We've found the Gaien Gang. They were hiding near the Forest of the Dead."
"I'm certain I started my search there."
"Have you been back since?"
"No."
"It seems you missed each other. While you were active over here, they were holed up near the forest."
"To think it was that simple. All my efforts feel wasted."
"The feeling is mutual. We never thought that eyesore Vartang would die so easily."
Vartang was swift-footed and a master of disguise, making him difficult to catch.
But he couldn't escape the eyes of a Rantzverger 1st-class assassin.
By now, Sertin must have been convinced that a relationship with me would be of great benefit to Valiant's future.
"So? Don't you think we can cooperate? We provide the information, and you lend us your strength."
"Not bad. Though I'm not thrilled about having wasted two weeks on a fool's errand."
"Thanks to that, you've formed a relationship with our guild. Let's look on the bright side."
"So, where are they?"
"We're in the process of capturing and bringing them here. But there was a considerable amount of wealth at their base. Is that related to your business?"
At her question, I maintained a brief silence, as if pondering.
Then, a moment later, I told her the story I had prepared in advance.
"...It's just a grudge. There are people I need to catch through them."
"May I know who?"
"The Governor of the Pellard Autonomous District and the Sword of Thunder."
"Olson and Brooks... They're not easy opponents. We'll do our best to find out. We'll hand over the Gaien Gang as soon as our agents return."
"Alright."
In the afternoon, the Valiant agents brought in the captured Gaien Gang.
They were a wretched sight, but I looked at them with an indifferent gaze.
"Find anything?"
"This is information we obtained through... beautiful methods. We haven't verified it yet, but it's likely true."
The Valiant interrogator had beaten Gaien and his men to a pulp.
It was incredibly convenient, as they did all the work without me having to question them myself.
I carefully reviewed the documents the interrogator handed me.
'They sold goods obtained through smuggling to the merchant guilds and slapped a massive tax on them. Meanwhile, they restricted the logistics of other guilds.'
The guild masters must have been furious.
They were trapped, unable to leave the autonomous district, and forced to pay exorbitant taxes.
As they continued their commercial activities, their net profits would have dwindled, making it harder to operate their guilds.
It seemed this insane situation had led to a request for the assassination of Olson and Brooks.
The merchants had realized that normal methods wouldn't work.
"It turns out such a situation really does exist in the Pellard Autonomous District. Unauthorized external merchant guilds are prohibited from commercial activities in the city."
Sertin, who had entered the interrogation room, muttered as she shuffled through the intelligence reports she had received from her agents.
It seemed she had already looked into the current state of the Pellard Autonomous District.
"The location of this Olson?"
"Give me a little time for that."
"Fine. I'll take care of the next target."
"You'll have to be quiet about it this time. If you go around openly killing only Discret agents, they'll become suspicious."
"Understood."
I received the next assassination target from her.
'It's like I'm carrying out two sets of assassinations. This is thrilling.'
* * *
The Valiant Guild worked very quickly.
While I was taking care of the second target, they had discovered Olson's identity.
Thanks to them, I could now carry out the Rantzverger Assassination Guild's true mission.
Late at night, I infiltrated the governor's office, heightening my senses to observe my surroundings.
Even though I had penetrated deep inside, there was no sign of security.
'Just as I'd expect from those dull-witted Feltons.'
If I had infiltrated Black Scale Island, I would have been discovered long ago.
That place was teeming with agents specialized in stealth.
Brooks was staying in the mansion behind the governor's office building.
After breaking through the tight security and entering the heart of the mansion, I found a white-haired old man sleeping.
Standing on the windowsill, I confirmed the man's face and clenched my jaw.
I had to suppress the rage surging from within my chest.
'I've finally come face to face with this rotten bastard.'
Though much time had passed, Brooks's face still bore the features of his younger days.
Taking a small, deep breath to calm the fire in my heart, I stealthily opened the window and slipped into the room.
Fortunately, the room had no magical wards.
*Swish.*
Drawing my dagger, I checked to make sure the blade was properly coated with poison.
This amount was enough to kill even the most skilled master in a single blow.
'It's a relief I don't have to look for Olson. I can end this all in one strike.'
The identity of the governor that Valiant had uncovered was none other than Brooks.
He had been operating under the alias Olson, which was why the governor had never once appeared at an official function.
Quietly raising my dagger, I unleashed the Silent Assassination Arts at Brooks's neck.
'I want to make you die as painfully as possible, but I can't. Be grateful for this luxurious death, you specter of Felton.'
*Swoosh. Clang!*