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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Deep Night (2)
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4.
*It would be better to visit and share a drink, but forgive me for being unable to move so easily in these uncertain times, my dear in-law. I send this letter for no other reason than Karron. I know well how much you care for him, but…*
"Hah, it seems my in-law's thoughts differ greatly from mine."
Ga-il smiled, a sense of futility washing over him as he read the letter from Halo that Jeras had delivered.
"Whose letter is it?"
Across from Ga-il sat Grine, the mayor of Tebe, sharing a drink with him.
"As I said, my in-law."
"…His Grace, Halo?"
"He says not to mind whatever Karron gets up to tonight. That a wolf has a wolf's ways."
"He seems to be raising his grandson to be very strong. I feel that is very much the Leston way."
"Have a drink."
"Yes, my friend."
They lightly clinked their glasses before downing the liquor within.
Ga-il, having emptied his full glass in one go, let out a great sigh and set the letter down.
He wanted to keep his grandson safe, no matter what, but things weren't going as he wished.
He was only thirteen.
An age where he still needed his parents' care. Should he just stand by and watch the boy walk into danger?
Worries kept swirling in his mind.
"Since His Grace has stepped in himself, it seems there's not much for me to do."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your grandson made a request of me earlier. He asked me to keep you occupied, even if it meant drinking with you through the night."
"The boy knows me well. He must have anticipated how I would move."
"Well, for me, it's a chance to share a drink with an old friend and score some points with the duke's youngest grandson. Killing two birds with one stone, wouldn't you say?"
Grine smiled as he refilled Ga-il's empty glass.
"I fully understand your concern for your grandson. But I don't think you have much to worry about."
"Karron is still only thirteen."
"For an old master or a young prodigy, age is but a number. Karron has already taken the head of a 6-star knight. And with the commander of the Sea Wolf Knights in the city, I doubt anything will happen."
"This is Tebe. A city where anything can happen. Even you, the mayor, have a hard time grasping what goes on in the city's shadows, don't you?"
At Ga-il's pointed question, Grine nodded with a bitter expression.
A city where desires writhed in the open.
All sorts of illegal activities took place in its shadows. Under the silent approval of those in power, countless incidents were orchestrated by those who pursued only money.
The black market was a prime example.
A place where smuggled goods, stolen items, and even slaves were sold.
It was rumored that anything that existed in the world could be sold there.
"Some of them are even building their power by lining the pockets of politicians. You're well aware of that, aren't you?"
"Even mages from the Imperial Magic Tower are frequent visitors to the black market."
"I'm sure they are. A few of those mad mages covet forbidden materials."
"The same goes for our esteemed nobles. There are quite a few with the refined hobby of collecting slaves."
A city tangled in a web of countless interests.
That was why Tebe enjoyed the truly unique status of an 'autonomous territory' within the Empire.
Tebe's city guard only protected the bright side of the city.
What happened in the shadows was the business of those who lived in them.
"By tomorrow morning, the city will be turned upside down."
This time, it was Grine who downed his drink in one gulp.
"A mountain of tasks I must handle as mayor will come crashing down on me."
"The Imperial Family intends to use this incident as a pretext to intervene in Tebe. It seems His Majesty the Emperor is finally making his move."
"I came here to make some money in my later years, and now I'm in for all sorts of trouble."
"There's always a reason for a large sum of money. The Tebe council, filled with greedy bastards, wouldn't waste their coin for nothing, would they?"
"Is it a crime to dream of a comfortable retirement, my friend?"
Grine let out a sigh.
His hopeful retirement plans had been shattered long ago. What mattered now was surviving in this city.
"Ah, I have something to tell you."
"Speak."
"Sir Mason is currently in Tebe. He visited City Hall three days ago."
At Grine's words, Ga-il's face creased into a deep frown.
Sir Mason.
Full name, Mason Paul.
An 8-star knight formerly of the Imperial Guard. Nicknamed the Unbreakable Shield.
He had currently left the Imperial Guard due to a direct order from the Emperor.
Ga-il recalled the mission given to Mason. His duty was to protect the sixth prince.
If that was the case…
"…He is here?"
"He is a mage, after all."
"Does the Leston ducal family know about this?"
"That, I do not know."
"Hah, well now."
Ga-il felt a burning sensation in his gut.
The timing was terrible.
Of all times.
"The Emperor's bastard son."
To think the abandoned royal bloodline was in Tebe.
He could only pray that Karron wouldn't clash with him.
"How powerless I am."
Ga-il shook his head, clenching his fist.
Grine spoke cautiously to him.
"I'm sure nothing will happen."
"You say that because you don't know our Karron."
His beloved grandson, as he had seen him until now.
That grandson of his…
"Is the type to stir up trouble if there isn't any."
5.
"You really could have just stayed and relaxed at the manor, you know."
"I can't send you alone. But Karron, can I ask you just one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"Why are you wearing that while I have to wear this?"
On the streets of Tebe, bright as day despite the night, thanks to the lights.
Standing on that street, Leo voiced his complaint as he scanned Karron from head to toe.
Karron was wearing a dress shirt tailored by a famous designer from the capital, adorned with accessories made of gold and jewels.
A slight roll of his sleeve revealed a luxury watch on his wrist.
With his perfectly curled blond hair and the top two buttons of his shirt undone, he looked every bit the part of a delinquent young master from a noble family.
And himself?
Pants and a shirt that prioritized only mobility, topped with a bland brown jacket.
Anyone could see he was dressed as a servant attending a young master.
Naturally, he had to complain.
But Karron merely looked at Leo with an indifferent expression.
"You said you'd help me."
"I did say I'd help."
"Dressing like that is helping me."
"I get that the concept is 'delinquent noble and his attendant,' but why do I have to be the attendant?"
Couldn't he have at least consulted him?
At Leo's complaint, Karron smirked and said.
"Leo."
"What?"
"Do you really not know, or are you just pretending not to know?"
Leo was left speechless.
"Hah."
It wasn't that he didn't know.
He was just sulking, that was all.
He knew Karron was better suited for the role of a delinquent young master.
Though the kid sometimes put on an innocent act in front of adults, a devil lived inside him.
And above all…
'He's handsome.'
His face just screamed nobility.
And himself?
He was neat, but he didn't exude that same noble air. It was all because this damn kid had to be handsome, too.
The two walked briskly toward the city's eastern district.
The lights grew slightly dimmer, the colors shifting to a deeper shade of red.
The people on the streets changed as well.
Whereas before they had mostly seen families, now…
"If you're here because you're lonely tonight, why not come to our establishment?"
"Beastkin? Elves? Pretty boys? We can cater to any taste. Just say the word."
From women actively soliciting customers to individuals exuding a somewhat dangerous aura, their numbers began to increase.
It was proof they had entered Tebe's eastern district.
A place where the city's murky desires writhed and squirmed.
The eastern district was Tebe's public shadow.
Karron immediately took out a white mask from his coat and put it on.
A mask with a blue teardrop engraved on the right cheek.
Leo followed Karron's lead and put on his mask as well.
It was something of an unwritten rule for members of noble families to wear masks here.
"Won't wearing a mask draw more attention?"
Leo muttered quietly. Karron slowly nodded his head.
"It's a badge of nobility. It draws attention, but it keeps you out of petty trouble."
"It would be easy to impersonate someone."
"If you get caught impersonating, you'll face a fate worse than death."
Indeed, the masks were effective.
Even the madams who were actively soliciting customers hesitated to approach them.
Men lurking in the alleys glared at Karron and Leo, but none dared to approach them openly.
'It would have been a mess if we just came here without a plan.'
To enter the black market, one needed a broker.
Especially to access a place that handled high-risk goods.
'Past the first tavern, third alley on the right.'
Karron followed the information Jeras had given him beforehand.
A dark alley, untouched by the streetlights.
A man in a hood was waiting in the alley where he and Leo arrived.
"Your business?"
The man asked Karron in a gruff voice. Karron silently drew Guillotine halfway from its sheath.
The unique dark blue blade of Guillotine.
Even in the darkness, Guillotine emitted a sinister, dark blue light.
"Do you need more proof?"
At his words, the man immediately bowed his head and answered.
"…I received word from Sir Jeras. It is an honor to serve you, young masters. Please call me Julio."
The man was an informant for the Leston ducal family.
After the capital, Tebe was a city where all sorts of information converged, so it was only natural that the Leston family had a presence here.
"What's the plan?"
"I will explain at the safe house. This way."
Julio led the two to a small house located deeper in the alley.
The safe house was a bit cramped for three people, but it seemed thoroughly secured.
"An artifact with built-in soundproofing magic is installed. I report to Azure Castle through the communication device on the table."
"You work hard in this foreign place."
"…It's not foreign. I was born in Tebe."
He took off his hood, revealing a face with a burn scar on the right cheek.
He looked younger than expected.
Probably in his mid-to-late twenties. Without the scar, he likely would have been called handsome.
"I am indebted to Sir Jeras from my childhood."
"Sir Jeras is quite blessed with good people."
At Karron's affable remark, Julio offered a faint smile. He then took a book from a shelf and placed it on the table.
"The black market here isn't just one place, but several. Each market deals in different items, with varying levels of risk. Among them, there are only two places that handle extremely dangerous items like explosives."
He turned a page in the book and handed it to Karron.
"The black market run by the Ker Guild, and the one run by a violent organization called Kalligo. Those are the two."
The Ker Guild was a merchant group famous for its rapid expansion. In fact, one of the council representatives he had met during the day was the head of the Ker Guild.
He knew that much, but he had never heard of an organization called Kalligo.
"Kalligo?"
"It's an organization formed by former slaves. They're the most powerful gang in Tebe. They'll do anything for money."
Hearing Julio's explanation, Karron frowned slightly.
It was good that the list of suspects had been narrowed down to two.
So, which one should they visit first? If they stirred up one, the other would surely react immediately.
Karron carefully examined the book, then placed it back on the table. He looked at Julio.
"Which one do you think it is?"
"The Ker Guild is completely established in Tebe now. They've even been showing signs of wanting to pull out of the black market recently. Kalligo, on the other hand, will do anything for money."
"So Kalligo is more likely?"
"That is my judgment. We have intelligence that Kalligo members left the city during the day today. The probability is quite high."
There were no apparent flaws in Julio's logic.
Between those with something to protect and those with nothing, it was always the latter who caused trouble.
This could be like sticking his neck into a tiger's jaws.
Just as Jeras had advised, evidence related to the case could be disappearing even as they spoke.
In the end, the decision was his to make.
In times like these, it was best to make a bold bet.
Karron slowly exhaled.
"Let's check out Kalligo first."
The night was too short for long deliberations.
At Karron's words, Julio bowed respectfully.
"Then, I will escort you to Kalligo's black market."
*Wuuuuung.*
Guillotine, sheathed at his side, let out a low hum.
A Mad Dog Lives in the Duke's House