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chapter 56
“Is this for real?”
Inside the official-looking city hall building.
Perhaps because they had entered the heart of enemy territory, Yeonwoo asked cautiously.
“Don’t worry. They won’t arrest us here.”
“That’s not what I mean. Brook and Vares already know you found the temple, right? Won’t this just increase the number of assassins?”
“They won’t send them immediately. Since the citizens know me now, killing me suddenly would only cause trouble. And if I don’t die, that’s an even bigger problem.”
Vares using this place as a forward base was still a future issue.
Until then, he needed to lead the city and aim for expansion toward the center, so he couldn’t afford suspicion.
“This way.”
The knight led them to the second floor and stopped in front of a large central room.
At a glance, it resembled a royal audience chamber.
It was a space remodeled at Brook’s request after he took the mayor’s seat.
“Your Excellency, the adventurer Black Dragon has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
The response came immediately from inside.
“Follow the red line.”
Following the knight’s instruction, Hanbit stepped inside.
Since his weapons were stored in his inventory, there was no obstruction.
“So you are… Black Dragon.”
When he reached the end of the red line, a voice spoke.
On a chair set atop several steps sat a gaunt man.
[Mayor of Edlen, Brook Northton]
The mayor of Edlen appeared for the first time from Hanbit’s perspective.
But what mattered more was the man standing beside him.
[Vares Roberg]
“Hm.”
The center-parted hair, snake-like eyes beneath thick brows.
The layered chin fat and protruding belly jiggled exactly as remembered.
Even that unpleasant gaze scanning him.
“I am the adventurer Black Dragon. It is an honor to meet you.”
-Honor.
-He looks trashy every time, love it.
-If it weren’t for that bastard…
-Black Dragon, draw your sword and kill him now.
-Seriously, it’s your chance.
Chat erupted at the enemies’ appearance.
Hanbit felt the same urge—but killing them now would only bring emotional satisfaction.
“…I heard you discovered a temple in the underground waterway. Why were you there?”
Brook went straight to the point.
His hollow eyes flickered anxiously, trying to gauge his opponent.
“Your Excellency, aren’t adventurers primarily responsible for terrain exploration? Especially as an outsider, Edlen must’ve been fascinating. He likely wanted to examine every corner.”
“I… see.”
At Vares’s words, Brook nodded weakly.
Even at a glance, the hierarchy between them was obvious.
Vares stepped forward slightly and met Hanbit’s gaze.
“I heard the temple was quite large. You did a great service for the city. It was something we overlooked.”
“Yes. I was surprised myself. I never imagined those Holy Nation scum had infiltrated Edlen. If I find any hidden spies, I’ll twist their necks and kill them for Edlen and the kingdom.”
“…Your loyalty to the kingdom is impressive.”
-LOL
-Saying that to their faces.
-Let’s play a profanity medley.
-He’d cry if we went five minutes of insults.
[User 착한말고운말 donated 5,000 won.]
[Ten-year veteran community gremlin standing by.]
At the blatant hostility, Vares’s expression darkened slightly.
But he soon continued as if nothing was wrong.
“Did you find anything inside the temple?”
“Nothing particularly special. Ah, but we did find traces of combat uniforms.”
“Combat uniforms?”
“Cloth fragments from Holy Nation combat gear. Judging by the wear, they seem to have been left recently.”
“…?”
Vares failed to completely hide his surprise.
If Holy Nation combat uniforms were found in Edlen, it meant those operating in the shadows.
Such an infiltration without his knowledge was no small matter.
“Since this involves a foreign nation, the city will take over the investigation from here. We will provide you with a reward for your achievement.”
“No. Since I discovered it, I can’t just ignore it.”
“It’s a matter that could cost you your life. Is it worth risking your life as an adventurer?”
At the firm response, Vares frowned slightly as he asked.
Hanbit answered confidently.
“I’m aiming for the Investigation Team. Catching Holy Nation spies would be a better achievement than anything else. First, I need candidate status from a nation.”
“…The Investigation Team?”
The organization that gathered the world’s strongest to search for Erfort—the Investigation Team.
Candidates were nominated by each nation’s king, then verified before becoming full members.
Knowing its structure well, Vares smiled.
“I’ll write that recommendation for you. There’s no need to risk your life unnecessarily.”
“This level of achievement isn’t enough. I’ll catch the spies no matter what and produce definite results.”
“I said it’s fine. Don’t you agree, Your Excellency?”
“Uh? Uh, yes……”
Startled, Brook belatedly agreed.
He looked at Hanbit with uneasy eyes.
“An adventurer’s convictions matter. Even if I’m cut in half and die, I’ll place the corpses of every Holy Nation spy before you.”
“Hik!”
When Hanbit stared him down with murderous resolve, Brook recoiled and rose from his chair.
His face was pale with fear.
-LOL
-He jumped.
-This is what happens when you commit crimes.
-Brook is seriously transparent.
-Without Vares, he’d have been caught planning. LOL
Even viewers could see how obvious his reaction was.
Vares looked at Brook with disdain, then stepped forward.
“I understand your enthusiasm. Then how about sharing information? Catching them quickly would be best for Edlen.”
“I’ll consider it. Adventurers are a greedy bunch. Don’t expect too much.”
Grit—
The sound of grinding teeth echoed in the quiet room.
Satisfied with the scene, Hanbit offered a polite bow.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll receive the reward all at once.”
“…Fine. I’ll be expecting it.”
With Vares trembling in anger and Brook shaking in fear,
Hanbit exited the room.
An alert rang immediately after.
Ding—
[You have completed Main Quest #10.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Main Quest #11: Kidnapping]
You have confronted Brook and Vares.
Having rejected all their offers, their vigilance has increased greatly.
There is no time to delay.
Execute the plan immediately.
Objective: Infiltrate the Northton mansion and kidnap Brook.
Reward: 150,000 gold, 50,000 EXP, 7 stat points
*Current progress: 76 percent
***
“Huh? You’re back already?”
“Adventurer!”
In the secret underground space beneath the old building,
Ria and Plona, who were examining Kamon’s workshop, greeted Hanbit.
“It didn’t take long. Why are you looking around the workshop?”
“To see if there’s anything that might help.”
Ria would be joining the kidnapping mission as well.
The hidden passage connected to the mansion could only be opened with the Northton ring.
“Black Dragon.”
A voice came from behind.
Turning his head, Hanbit saw Artsvel standing there with an unusual smile.
-Oh damn.
-That smile is terrifying.
-I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry…….
-Bow first, apologize later.
“…Ah.”
The reason for the ominous atmosphere was clear.
After the brief explanation given when bringing her here, they hadn’t properly talked yet.
“Ahem.”
The white-haired old man cleared his throat and stepped back a few paces.
He was remarkably good at sensing when things might get uncomfortable.
“I’ll go talk for a bit.”
Hanbit walked toward the exit where Artsvel stood.
She seemed to have been examining teleportation-type magic tools.
“…How much did you hear?”
Hanbit asked cautiously as he approached.
Perhaps sensing his hesitation, Artsvel let out a small laugh.
“I heard everything from Ria. And you did well not telling me right away.”
She explained that since yesterday, people under Vares had been frequently seen in the streets.
Given the situation, it wouldn’t have been good for others to see Ria and Hanbit together.
Especially with Holy Nation assassins involved.
“Thank you for protecting Ria. With my abilities, I wouldn’t have been enough.”
“…I could only manage because my master was there. Holy Nation assassins are on a different level.”
“Speaking of which, that gentleman is a spirit mage, right? I thought they vanished into history.”
Artsvel glanced at the white-haired old man avoiding eye contact in the distance.
Naturally, the two hadn’t spoken much.
“Most spirit mages have hidden themselves, but they still exist across the world. My master is one of them.”
“Then you’re a spirit mage too?”
“In a sense. I’ve just begun.”
With the atmosphere eased, the conversation continued.
Hanbit decided to bring up an old story.
“When did you know Ria was from the Northton family?”
“From the start. I caught the kid trying to sneak into the Northton mansion alone.”
Artsvel had been young then as well.
While cleaning in front of her shop, she noticed a small child awkwardly trying to hide and move forward.
Thinking she was lost, she stopped her—and naturally noticed the ring on the child’s hand.
“Uncle William was a benefactor to my family too. I never thought he’d leave so unjustly, or that he even had a daughter.”
The gang that destroyed Artsvel’s family had been exiled from the city by William.
He also helped her establish the general store afterward, so she felt deeply indebted.
That was why hearing of William’s execution as a Holy Nation spy felt like being struck with a hammer.
“But is kidnapping really okay? Ria has to go too, right?”
“Don’t worry. My master will be there. It won’t take long.”
Artsvel’s concern was understandable, but the kidnapping plan was already built on a safe route.
Having terrified Brook thoroughly, he would choose isolation on his own.
A moment where his mistrustful nature would shine.
“He’s already here.”
At that moment, Cowen appeared at the entrance.
Hanbit, walking with Artsvel, asked him,
“How’s the preparation?”
“I’ve created my alibi, and I’ve arranged for those working in the mansion at night to be absent as much as possible.”
The former retainers had joined the plan in various ways.
Having worked in Edlen for so long, they were more than capable as collaborators.
“Artsvel, stay here with Plona.”
“Got it.”
Artsvel replied while patting Plona’s head beside her.
Turning his gaze, Hanbit looked at the entrance of the passage connected to the mansion.
“Then let’s enter at midnight.”
