“Where do you hail from?”
The question came as the blade pressed deeper.
Was this guy really asking for an answer or just about to stab us?
Hmm… Should I really have to put up with this?
From amateurs who aren’t even experts?
Just as an unpleasant feeling began to rise…
Tsk-
Black Wolf placed a hand on my thigh and shook his head – a signal that he’d handle it.
I sighed inwardly and crossed my arms, deciding it was best to wait since I’d already left it to Black Wolf.
“We’ve come from Blackwater. Are you the branch chief?”
At the mention of Blackwater, the previously confident man flinched.
“…Do you have any proof? If you’re from Blackwater, show us some proof.”
The most definitive proof would be the black dagger tattoo, but showing that would be troublesome since it’s on his lower ribcage.
Apparently, it was branded when he was young – what a dog-like organization.
Anyway, there’s no way we can show our torsos here.
Out of curiosity, I glanced over and saw Black Wolf take something out from his coat and place it on the table – his favored black dagger.
“…!”
The surrounding blades reacted with surprise, and the man could be seen swallowing hard.
These guys were clearly lacking in judgment.
Would they even have the information we’re looking for?
A sigh escaped me at the scene.
“Just because someone wields a black dagger doesn’t mean they’re from Blackwater…”
Black Wolf cut him off calmly.
“Call your branch chief.”
“I am the branch chief…”
“If you’re the chief, there’s no way you wouldn’t recognize this. Or is Arion Kingdom’s branch lacking in discernment?”
Sharply stung by the words, the man fell silent while the blade pressed further – crossing the line of my patience.
“Put away your sword unless you want trouble.”
– Roar!
In response to my will, Opheucus moved.
“Aaah!”
“W-what is this?! Guaah!”
Transforming into a single dagger, Opheucus pierced through the hand gripping the sword and landed gracefully on my palm, identical to Black Wolf’s black dagger on the table.
This guy has quick reflexes too, huh?
– Roar!
“I tried to hold back, but why keep pushing it? You’re making me want to kill.”
Since I’ve drawn my weapon, might as well see it through.
With rising killing intent, I struck the table with Opheucus.
“Stop talking nonsense and call your chief. Otherwise, I’ll slice everything here, information or not.”
“…”
The man bit his lip, struggling to stand firm despite trembling legs.
The blood-stained table.
The groaning men clutching their pierced hands, collapsing.
Me, casually sitting with crossed legs, fiddling with Opheucus.
And finally, Black Wolf silently observing the scene.
“Tch. I told you to wait. Allen always causes too much trouble.”
“…What?”
Never thought I’d hear this from Black Wolf. After all these years of cleaning up after his messes, for him to forget such a favor…!
Ignoring my indignant gaze, Black Wolf spoke to the man.
“Hurry and bring the chief. Allen has little patience.”
“Again I say, I am the chief…”
“That’s enough. Roslind, these are people beyond your handling.”
Interrupting the man’s quivering voice, an elderly figure appeared.
Dressed in lavish jewelry and an expensive gown, she exuded more nobility than most aristocrats.
“Th-these people are dangerous, ma’am!”
“It’s fine. Surely you wouldn’t wish harm upon an old woman like me.”
Brushing aside the man’s protests, the elder smiled gently at me.
“So, where exactly do you hail from, honored guests?”
I returned her smile.
“Now we can finally get to the point.”
The elder nudged the trembling man beside her.
“Stop standing there and bring some tea. Herbal tea.”
“Y-yes sir! Understood!”
Just as the man moved to leave, I quickly added.
“Make mine coffee please.”
Certainly don’t like tea.
Looking at the bewildered man nodding, Black Wolf muttered under his breath.
“…Idiot.”
What’s wrong with me?
I felt wronged.
*
“So, why exactly are you here?”
Sipping my coffee, I glanced at Black Wolf.
Making eye contact, he nodded – signaling it was my turn.
“We need information about the queen.”
“Which queen…?”
“Is there more than one? Information about the current queen, Queen Sara. How she became queen, what she did before ascending, anything you have.”
“Hmm… That’s quite difficult.”
The elder put down her teacup and shook her head.
“Do you lack the information, cannot provide it to me, or is this place under the queen’s influence?”
Though no traces of demon energy were detected, it was hard to be sure they hadn’t aligned with heretics for personal gain.
Many had done so throughout history, regardless of whether they’d turned to demon energy or not.
If they were allied with Lust, caution was necessary.
“Her Majesty would never use insignificant beings like us. We do have the information. In fact, it’s so abundant it’s problematic.”
The elder raised a finger toward me.
“Information handled by White Crow is categorized into three levels. Common knowledge accessible to anyone is ‘pebble’. Information obtainable through a decent network is ‘ore’. The final category, exclusive to us, is ‘gem’.”
“You have pebbles, ores, and gems about the queen?”
“Exactly. Which would you like?”
“Obviously the gem.”
“It won’t come cheap.”
“Price…”
I pondered briefly. Could we obtain it for free through force? Unlikely, given the potential for tampering.
Having quickly decided, I tossed a pouch from my coat to the elder. It contained exactly one hundred gold coins.
“Will this suffice?”
“Imperial gold coins. Judging by the weight, around a hundred, right?”
Impressive ability to judge by weight.
Aren’t you a thievery guild, not a commerce one?
Handing the pouch to the man behind, the elder nodded and continued.
“Slightly insufficient, but as first-time customers, we’ll give you a special discount.”
“Damn, so generous.”
Muttering under my breath, I watched as the elder handed me a piece of paper. The faint magical energy indicated it was indeed a magical device.
“Go ahead and open it. Once you understand the contents, it will burn away.”
“Interesting security measure. For confidentiality?”
“Some customers prefer opening it elsewhere. Normally we’d add magic to ensure only the owner can open it, but since you’re opening it here…”
“True.”
I wonder what kind of magic they used. Suppressing my curiosity, I opened the paper to find a single short sentence.
[Queen Sara is affiliated with heretics]
“…?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected information, I froze momentarily. Not long after, the paper burst into flames.
Gazing blankly at the vanished paper, I looked up at the elder.
“How did you obtain such information?”
“That’s a trade secret.”
“Why sit idly knowing this? With information like this, one could make a fortune.”
“We’re merely a humble information guild. Crossing lines would risk our insignificant lives being wiped out with a wave of a hand.”
I silently requested another coffee, watching as the man behind poured it while I rapidly processed thoughts.
Judging by the phrasing “affiliated”, it’s clear the information about the queen being a high priest hasn’t been revealed yet.
That they remain unharmed despite knowing this suggests either their exceptional skills or protection from heretics.
Then what should I do?
If they’re connected to heretics, I must eliminate everyone nearby to prevent our information reaching Queen Sara, High Priest of Lust.
However, if it’s simply their skill…
Pushing aside complicated thoughts, I quietly sipped my coffee – bitter with a hint of sweetness, truly high quality.
Tap-
“As an information guild, you buy information too, right?”
“Of course. We pride ourselves on offering the fairest prices…”
“Queen Sara is the high priest of heretics.”
“…? …!”
The elder, who had remained silent after my statement, eventually couldn’t hide their shocked expression. The same went for the man behind.
“The queen of a kingdom is actually an evil high priest of heresy… How much will you pay for this information?”
Hope it’s pricey.
Negotiation is prohibited, though.
