I slipped out of the Imperial Palace and moved according to the cipher Black Wolf had left behind.
Keeping my guard up against possible tails from the Royal Palace, I found myself wandering into the slums before I knew it.
“…Well, there weren’t many choices for him anyway.”
As I looked at the people sprawled out like they were on drugs, memories from long ago surfaced.
Maybe if I’d taken a wrong turn, I would’ve ended up like them too.
The thought made me feel even worse.
“Is it impossible for the Empire to get rid of the poor?”
I heard that large and small slums are scattered everywhere.
The biggest one is apparently called ‘Sewer’.
At that point, it should be called a crime den rather than a slum, right?
“…Male.”
“Shoo. Don’t mess with someone you shouldn’t.”
“Tch… What brings a noble sir to such a place…”
Voices whispering here and there reached my ears.
The piercing gazes were an added bonus.
Tch, sensitive senses can be inconvenient sometimes.
It’s not like I can ransack the place just because I’m feeling annoyed…
Reluctantly, I activated my Divine Power.
[Divine Power: Forced Harmony]
Shadow Snake Transformation
“Disappeared?!”
“Was he a noble or an assassin…”
Leaving their useless chatter behind, I kept moving forward.
I should’ve used this sooner.
Quickly checking Black Wolf’s cipher out of the corner of my eye as I ran, I soon came across a dilapidated old house.
“Such taste…”
Not revealing that I’m an assassin.
After looking around, I slowly entered.
The dusty interior was filled with broken statues here and there.
Though their forms were unclear, they were definitely statues of goddesses.
Looks like this used to be a shrine.
“The lack of presence means… there’s a secret passage.”
Finding the entrance to the passage wasn’t as hard as I thought.
Because there was an unnatural pattern in the dust covering the floor.
Now that I’ve found the secret passage, the question is how to activate it…
How am I supposed to know that when I’m not a thief?
“There’s no other way. Guess I’ll have to break it.”
I stomped my foot on what I assumed was the passage.
BOOM-
The rotten wooden floor couldn’t withstand my aura-laden stomp and collapsed.
As expected, there was a long passage underground.
Too cliché to even feel surprised.
Though completely dark without a single light, it wasn’t a problem for me.
No lighting? Then I’ll just use magic.
“Magic really is the best, isn’t it?”
While walking down the passage illuminated before my eyes, a familiar vibration sound reached my ears.
It was Opheucus who had separated earlier, preparing for any unexpected situations.
-WOOOONG!!!
Opheucus instantly wrapped around my wrist.
“You’re really a snake, aren’t you? If it wasn’t for the vibration, I wouldn’t have noticed at all.”
-WOOONG! WOOONG!
“Yeah. Nice to see you too.”
As Opheucus rubbed his head against my cheek, I smiled faintly.
What is this, not even a pet.
Following Opheucus, Black Wolf’s voice reached my ears.
“Late.”
“Not really. I’m here right now, aren’t I?”
Muttering, I entered where his voice was coming from, revealing a fairly spacious area.
“How did you find something like this?”
“It’s Blackwater’s secret hideout.”
At Black Wolf’s words, I hesitated.
This shabby space is Blackwater’s hideout?
“You came from Blackwater. Is it okay to use?”
“Not my problem.”
“…Alright.”
Caught off guard by his confident attitude, I looked at the cold male body on the floor.
Just how did they torture people to turn them into meat lumps like this?
It’s practically disrespectful to call this thing human anymore.
After confirming his breathing had stopped, I asked Black Wolf.
“So what information did you get?”
“Not much. Just a grunt.”
“Tch, I thought since he was giving orders, he might have been useful…”
I stored the barely recognizable ruined face in my memory.
There might be a chance to use it later.
“Did you get the name of the organization? The client obviously wouldn’t know, but…”
“Moonlight Garden.”
“Trash calling themselves fancy names. And?”
“Found a few locations of their bases. Also, the person who requested this was supposedly working in the Imperial Palace.”
That was unexpected.
For a low-level guy to speculate about the client shows he was pretty sharp.
“That’s quite an unexpected gain. Can’t really do anything to these guys for now anyway. As expected, someone from the palace…”
I wonder who it could be.
Lux might know the face, I thought absentmindedly.
“They could be using a disguise.”
“That’s true. We can’t blindly believe what this guy said.”
-WOOONG!
Opheucus nudged my wrist as if telling me not to worry.
Are you worried about me now?
I smiled faintly and activated my power.
Since I already broke the tunnel entrance, I decided to destroy this place.
“Get ready to move.”
“No problem.”
True, if he went all out, he’s faster than me.
[Divine Power: Forced Harmony]
Primordial Pillar Collapse
A dark energy combining aura and mana.
I exploded the energy throughout my body.
KUHGUHGUH-
The stone walls couldn’t withstand the destructive force and started collapsing.
We quickly took off before being buried under the debris.
The moment we escaped using our full strength…
KUUNG-
Behind us, the old house collapsed with a loud crash.
“Now that I think about it, was that alright?”
Isn’t a hideout supposed to be hard to make?
“Grade D hideout. It’s practically unused, so don’t worry.”
“In that case, it’s fortunate.”
Having completely shaken off any unease, I quietly clasped my hands in prayer.
Even if it was just a front, it was still a place that once housed a deity.
Black Wolf, who was silently watching me, also offered a prayer.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
After finishing our prayers, we headed towards the rendezvous point where the eastern envoy group was gathering for the Eastern Union Conference.
***
While Gates are certainly convenient means of transportation, they’re limited to within the Empire.
To cross borders and travel to another country, we unfortunately had to use carriages.
Therefore, the rendezvous point for the envoy group was Lady Selene’s territory at the far eastern edge of the Empire.
“Wow… Incredible.”
After stepping through the Gate, we saw a city bustling almost as much as the capital.
Truly worthy of being called the second capital.
“Quite late, aren’t we?”
The one greeting us was none other than Erias.
Recognizing his colorful robes, I smiled and replied.
“We had some issues. Are you accompanying us, Master Erias?”
“Can’t help it. It’s not like we can magically teleport such a long distance, can we?”
“True, that’s right.”
Thinking about it, we couldn’t teleport into another country’s territory.
“Feels strange thinking I keep getting abducted through spatial transfers, then traveling leisurely by carriage.”
“Stop making useless comments and hurry up. You guys are the last ones.”
“Yes sir.”
Erias walked ahead while Archmage Allen and Black Wolf followed.
It’s somehow surprising to see someone who usually floats around in the air actually walking.
This guy can walk after all…!
“Seems like you’re having some impolite thoughts.”
Indeed, the perception of a Great Mage is unmatched.
However, the Poker Face of a Master is no less impressive.
“There’s no way I’d do that. By the way, this Selene Territory is new to me. In some ways, it’s better than the capital.”
“Surprisingly quiet for such a bustling place. It’s not a bad spot, so come visit sometime.”
“Together?”
“Should I sew your lips shut?”
Exchanging trivial chats, we soon arrived at a square crowded with many people.
There are more people than expected.
As I looked around, Crown Prince Theron, the leader of this envoy group, approached with a cheerful expression.
“Ah! You’ve arrived! You’re here too. Please take care of me during this mission.”
“Yes. I will protect you with my life.”
“Haha, if I were a woman, I might have fallen for you. Already feels reassuring.”
Seeing his bright smile washed away whatever remaining bad feelings I had.
Though it’s an event I’ll never forget, it seems I won’t be opposing Theron anymore.
It feels like my spirit has matured somewhat.
“If you were a woman, would you be a rival?”
At Black Wolf’s words, I hid my exasperated expression while quietly muttering.
“…Don’t say useless things.”
What an inappropriate joke.
“Now, since everyone’s gathered, let’s depart. Sir Allen, please board that carriage over there.”
“Eh? But for protection, shouldn’t we…”
“Don’t worry. Master Infantry Palace will be riding with you. You only need to guard His Highness starting from the Argon Kingdom where the Eastern Union Conference is held.”
“If that’s the case, I understand.”
If Master Erias is guarding, it should be fine.
Bowing my head, I headed towards the carriage Theron pointed to.
Though slightly inferior compared to a Commander’s carriage, it was still quite luxurious.
Opening the carriage door with Black Wolf, I frowned at an unexpected face.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was going to leave me behind again, weren’t you? Never. Since the Academy is on vacation now, there’s nothing that can stop me!”
Earl sat inside the carriage with a villainous smirk.
Pausing briefly, I nodded and closed the carriage door.
“Fine. Since you’re part of the Special Task Force, it’s not a problem to come along.”
“Eh, ehh… Why are you coming too…? I have no interest in blue…”
“As the captain, it’s my job to educate subordinates so they don’t cause trouble.”
“Wha, wait a minute…”
“Let’s start with a beating.”
“Aaaah! Help! The captain is hitting people!!!”
No matter how much he struggles, the firmly locked door won’t open.
Black Wolf is standing guard firmly, having sensed the atmosphere.
“Nice to see you too. Really nice.”
“Does anyone in this world hit people because they’re happy?”
“Are you calling me crazy now? This captain is deeply saddened.”
“Th-that’s not it… Aaaagh!!”
We exchanged physical dialogue until the carriage departed.
Of course, I blocked the sound with aura so people outside wouldn’t notice.
“Aaaah! I’m dying!!!”
Don’t worry.
I know from experience – people don’t die that easily.
