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chapter 55
“…Did you just say vice-captain?”
– Huh?
– Leon unnie?
– Is this for real?
– From today on, Henry’s enemies are my enemies.
Mentioning Vice-Captain Leon’s name shocked everyone.
Hanbit asked in place of those who were left speechless.
“I understand that the Royal Guard is one of the most powerful authorities in the Raven Kingdom. You’ve secured a promise from its vice-captain?”
“When William was executed, the Royal Guard also came to Edlen. And at the time, Leon—who was still a low-ranking member—was the only one who raised doubts.”
Accusing a city’s mayor of colluding with the Holy Nation was a matter of national security.
It was only natural that the Royal Guard conducted an investigation under royal command.
“Leon doubted how everything fit together so perfectly—the circumstances, testimonies, and evidence. Though she wasn’t in a position to back up her words, she continued to challenge her superiors until she was punished for insubordination.”
-As expected of Leon.
-Justice GOAT.
-FYI she’s insanely strong.
-She challenged her superiors and became vice-captain through sheer skill. LOL
Leon’s character could be summed up in a single word.
Justice.
She never bent that conviction, no matter the situation.
Even if the opponent was the king himself.
For example, even at the moment she was executed for defending a falsely accused rebel, Leon’s eyes shone unwaveringly.
That was why she was also one of the most trustworthy figures in this world.
“What kind of promise did you receive?”
“One month after William’s execution, Leon came to me disguised as an adventurer. She told me to contact her immediately if anything suspicious arose.”
“…And in the meantime, she rose to vice-captain?”
Cowen, who had been listening, spoke with admiration.
The position of vice-captain required at least twenty years of service.
Achieving it in less than seven years meant she was far from ordinary.
“She’ll be an immense help to us. With this evidence, it’ll be reported directly to the royal court.”
Henry’s demeanor was completely different from before.
Clearing William’s name, and restoring the surviving Riventia to her rightful place.
In the process, the punishment of Vares and Brook would naturally follow.
“Riventia, what is it that you want?”
Henry lowered himself to meet Ria’s gaze.
It was true he wanted to fulfill his own wishes and William’s will.
But what mattered most was the resolve of the girl who had survived until now.
“I……”
Ria looked down at her ring.
After a brief moment, she lifted her head and spoke with determination.
“I want to prove that my father committed no crime.”
“…I see.”
No further words were needed.
Henry nodded and turned his gaze to everyone.
“I’ll go to the capital. I have business there anyway, so I won’t be suspected right away.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Whether it’s alright or not isn’t important. This is a situation where we must place people where they belong. You all should begin drafting the petition regarding William’s case immediately.”
At Henry’s instruction, the former retainers brought out parchment and quills from one side and began writing.
For them as well, clearing their unjustly condemned lord’s name was a lifelong wish, and their sincerity poured into the petition.
“Understood. I have a transportation magic tool, so I’ll try to minimize travel time to the capital. We’ll remain here and obtain the remaining evidence.”
“Remaining evidence? You mean there’s more?”
“In the workshop, along with the blueprints, there was this note.”
Cowen handed over the remaining materials found in the workshop.
Henry took them and immediately read the note first.
“…Kamon went this far.”
Countless emotions could be felt in the heavily pressed handwriting.
After paying his respects, Henry turned his gaze to the blueprints.
“There’s nothing that stands out in Vares’s residence. Knowing his personality, he wouldn’t keep anything even remotely dangerous.”
The colored markings on only a few passages were difficult to interpret.
Since he wasn’t the type to speak carelessly about matters tied to his own safety, it was likely even his close aides knew nothing.
“The markings on Northton… Brook’s vault, then.”
Henry was also aware of the rumors surrounding the Northton mansion.
That Brook’s vault changed location daily.
Though no one knew what was inside, Kamon wouldn’t have left the blueprints without purpose.
“Most likely seeds prepared for betrayal. Brook must be feeling uneasy too, so he would’ve prepared leverage against his counterpart.”
“Yes. That’s why we plan to infiltrate the Northton mansion using the secret passage connected to it. We intend to steal the entire vault if possible, but destruction is also an option depending on the situation.”
“Hm.”
Henry pondered briefly after hearing the plan.
Then, while looking at the blueprints, he said,
“Vares wouldn’t be unaware of the rumors surrounding this vault. A suspicious man like him would’ve confirmed its contents by some means.”
There could be no mistakes or failures.
That was why every possible scenario had to be considered.
“Considering when these blueprints were made, it’s entirely possible there have been changes. Brook wouldn’t leave important evidence in a place widely rumored.”
Even if Brook was an incompetent scarecrow mayor, he’d still use his head to protect himself.
He must’ve hidden the evidence somewhere only he knew.
“Then let’s kidnap Brook.”
Hanbit casually threw out the suggestion as he listened.
Despite his calm tone, the content was extremely radical.
-??
-Mayor kidnapping. LOL
-He’s insane.
-But it’s fun, right?
“…Did you just say kidnap?”
Henry asked in disbelief.
Setting aside the feasibility, the aftermath was obvious.
Once Vares grasped the situation, any response would be possible.
“Yes. To eliminate variables, the best approach is to extract the evidence directly from him. Infiltrating the mansion is ultimately about moving before Vares does.”
“If Brook is kidnapped, the city will be locked down. And Vares will turn Edlen upside down using all his forces.”
“That’s fine. We’ll induce the city lockdown ourselves.”
“……?”
Henry’s expression clearly asked what that meant.
Reading the unspoken question, Hanbit swept his gaze across everyone and said,
“Let’s make the underground waterway temple public.”
***
Central Street of Edlen.
Amid the bustling crowd, the same topic could be heard everywhere.
“I heard something was found in the underground waterway? Black Dragon? That adventurer found it, right?”
“A Holy Nation temple? Isn’t that a lie?”
“The guild already confirmed it! The Holy Nation infiltrated Edlen long ago!”
Early in the morning, the guild officially announced the discovery of a Holy Nation temple in the underground waterway.
As adventurers spread the news by word of mouth, the streets remained noisy even into the afternoon.
“So, this is what you wanted, hyung?”
Yeonwoo asked beside him as they watched the NPCs react.
Hanbit nodded as he walked.
“Well, our goal is Brook’s kidnapping. This level of chaos is perfect.”
The reason for revealing the temple to the public was simple.
To stir confusion within Edlen, and amplify Brook’s fear in that atmosphere.
“But what about the quest? Do we just keep watching?”
“Hm.”
Hanbit brought up the message he had seen earlier in the secret space.
[You have completed Main Quest #8.]
[You have received 50,000 gold.]
[2 stat points have been awarded.]
[Experience has increased by 15,000.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Main Quest #9: Execute the Plan]
You devised a plan with the former retainers to expose Brook and Vares’s crimes.
Everyone must now carry out their assigned roles, but it is still too early to kidnap Brook.
First, release information about the temple to change the atmosphere in Edlen.
Objective: Observe the situation on Edlen’s streets.
Reward: None
*Current progress: 70 percent
As stated in the quest, everyone who had been in the secret space began carrying out their roles.
And what Hanbit was waiting for here was a single message.
Yeonwoo spoke again.
“Since it says to observe the situation, should we go somewhere else? Something might happen.”
-Roper, are you bored?
-Upvote if Roper is getting nervous because nothing’s happening.
-It is boring.
-FYI it’s been 3 minutes since the cutscene ended.
Yeonwoo looked uneasy about the stagnant situation.
From a broadcast perspective, it would be better to show something happening—but they’d be moving soon anyway.
Because someone was already heading their way.
“Mr. Black Dragon!”
A familiar woman came running, raising her voice urgently.
It was Miel, the guild staff member.
-?
-Why are you here?
-Miel could leave the guild building?
-She wasn’t a ghost after all.
“Huff, huff…….”
She stopped in front of Hanbit, gasping for breath.
“What’s going on? You even came all the way out.”
“J-just… a moment.”
Miel bent over with her hands on her knees, unable to continue.
Only after some time did her breathing settle.
“Phew. I think I ran a year’s worth today, seriously.”
She wiped the sweat from her forehead as she spoke.
It was rare for her to run with that much effort.
“So what is it?”
“Let’s go to the guild first. Someone is looking for you, Mr. Black Dragon.”
“Looking for me?”
“Let’s go, now!”
As if there was no time to talk, Miel grabbed his arm and pulled him along.
Already knowing the situation, Hanbit moved naturally with her.
“Huh? Why are they out here?”
As the guild building came into view, Miel said in confusion.
Armed knights and soldiers stood in front of the entrance.
“There they come.”
Noticing Hanbit and Miel, they approached.
Step—
They stopped a few paces in front of Hanbit.
“Are you the adventurer Black Dragon?”
The one who spoke first was the knight standing at the front.
Unlike the others, his armor and weapon gleamed conspicuously.
“Yes. Why are you looking for me?”
“I am a knight affiliated with the city hall. I heard you discovered a Holy Nation temple in the underground waterway. Is that true?”
“I was the first to discover it.”
“Hm.”
After Hanbit readily acknowledged it, the knight slowly examined him from head to toe.
Then he went straight to the point.
“Mayor Brook wishes to invite you to commend your achievement. Come with us to city hall.”
[You have completed Main Quest #9.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Main Quest #10: Invitation]
You received an invitation from Brook, who is conscious of public opinion.
Though it is likely Vares’s command, wouldn’t it be a good opportunity to assess the situation?
Accepting their invitation seems worthwhile.
Objective: Go to city hall and speak with your enemies.
Reward: None
*Current progress: 74 percent
