Chapter 15
Alone(1)Alone(1)
A few days later.
The day Rael was supposed to meet with Mr. Eric finally arrived. Fortunately, Bennet had not returned to the orphanage during this time. Rael had been spending time at the Special Guard Unit, preparing for the outing.
‘I didn’t want to get involved with the original story.’
If he hadn’t beaten up that idiot noble, he wouldn’t be dealing with such nuisances. It felt like all his efforts to avoid getting entangled in the original plot were in vain.
“Tsk. Let’s just get it over with.”
Rael grabbed his sword and popped a tomato into his mouth. The sun in this medieval fantasy world was blazing hot, but at least he wouldn’t suffer from a vitamin deficiency.
“Hm-hm- Let’s sing- Hm-hm- Morning in the forest-.”
Ha-aak- Ha-aak-
Next to him, Reina was lounging in a hammock, humming a tune with Vermiel the Third in her arms. She had a remarkable talent for lounging in a hammock all day long.
“Rael. Some good wine has been made. Care to have a drink?”
At that moment, Gant approached with a bottle of wine.
‘Does this guy love nature or just alcohol?’
Rael also enjoyed drinking, but today was important. Uncle Eric had finally procured a branch of the World Tree.
“Can’t. Busy today.”
“Pity. What about you, Reina? The wine is of good quality.”
“I have plans with a friend.”
Reina got up from the hammock and put Vermiel the Third on the ground. Gant blinked at her.
“Reina. Do you have friends?”
“You stupid Gant! Argh!”
Reina kicked Gant’s shin and immediately grabbed her foot in pain. Gant’s body was so tough that attacking him hurt her more.
“... Are they idiots or morons?”
“Rael! What did you just say?”
“Nothing.”
Rael avoided Reina’s burning gaze. He didn’t want to get kicked in the shin. He made a casual comment to deflect her attention.
“You’ve been running around a lot lately. Did you manage to get a branch of the World Tree?”
“Ah. Well, no...”
Reina’s shoulders slumped, her face crestfallen. She looked so pitiful that Rael couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
‘She could make a fortune begging.’
In a world where beggars were treated well, that was a talent in itself.
“You’re all gathered here as usual.”
As Rael played with the two long-lived beings, Yuri emerged from the Special Guard Unit building. She wore loose, commoner’s clothes, though her noble bearing was unmistakable.
“Yuri. Care to join me for a drink? The wine is excellent.”
“I’m afraid not. I have work to do today.”
“Too bad…”
Rejected by Yuri, Gant slumped his shoulders in dejection. When Reina slumped her shoulders, she looked pitiful. When Gant did it, it felt more like a threat.
“We’ll drink together another time, Gant.”
“Sure. I’ll look forward to it.”
Rael patted Gant’s shoulder in a Korean-style greeting and left the Special Guard Unit. They would drink together eventually.
*
Eric’s tavern was quiet as usual. There was a man drinking in the corner, likely looking for work. Rael glanced at the man before naturally taking a seat at the counter where Mr. Eric was visible.
“Nice evening. Mr. Eric. It’s rare to see a customer here.”
“... Evenings are always nice. Have a drink before you go.”
“I’m headed to the orphanage, so I don’t have time. How’s the item?”
“Fortunately, the item from the magic tower arrived safely.”
Uncle Eric pulled out a branch from under the counter with reverent care.
“Though lightly enchanted to contain the magic, you’ll need to wrap it with your magic later. You haven’t forgotten how to use sword energy, right?”
“Of course not. Wow, is this really a branch of the World Tree?”
Rael carefully accepted the fresh branch with both hands. Just holding it made him feel mentally clear.
“Yes. It’s from the magic tower, so handle it carefully. It’s expensive, so don’t drop it.”
“Thank you. How should I pay? Empire gold coins as usual?”
“I heard you got demoted to the Special Guard Unit. Why didn’t you tell me you got fired as captain?”
“... It’s nothing to brag about. Why salt the wound?”
Damn it. If the news had reached Mr. Eric, it would soon spread to the guards. His career as a guard captain was officially over.
“I’ll give you the branch as a consolation gift. No need to pay. Spend the money on the orphanage kids.”
“Are you an angel, Uncle Eric?”
Rael was moved by Uncle Eric’s kind gesture. Even in this filthy world, there was still decency left.
“Haha, you’re talking nicely today.”
“... You’re not just giving it away because it’s cheap, right? Trying to make a show with a pittance?”
“Guess we should handle money matters clearly, huh? I’ll charge you properly.”
“It was a joke. A joke. The world made me this way, Uncle Eric.”
Testing the waters just in case, Rael confirmed that Uncle Eric was indeed a kind-hearted man. He cursed himself for doubting him; it was only because he had encountered too many scoundrels.
“You’re selling this branch to the elf? You can contact her yourself, right?”
“... It’s not for her. Do you know a guy named Bennet? I plan to sell it to him.”
“Bennet... Bennet? Hold on.”
After rummaging under the bar, Mr. Eric nodded and pulled out a piece of paper.
“Is this the guy? He’s got a bounty on his head. Says here he embezzled funds from the academy and ran off.”
“Yes, that’s him. But how did he end up in the church?”
“The academy wants to keep it quiet, so they only leaked it to some parts of the information guild. And the church doesn’t thoroughly investigate all lower clerics.”
“Those bastards can’t do anything right.”
Rael, who spent his entire salary on the orphanage because of the greedy church, couldn’t view the religious folks positively.
“Anyway... Bennet, right? I’ll make the connection.”
“That would be great. But I feel bad making you do all the work after giving me the branch for free.”
“Don’t worry about it. Thanks to you cleaning up District 4, our tavern is always peaceful.”
“...”
Was he implying that his business was slow because of Rael? Rael hesitated, but Uncle Eric didn’t seem angry.
“The deal should be set for tomorrow night. Now, head to the orphanage.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Rael bowed. Thanks to Uncle Eric and the beggars, his task had become much easier. However, the one downside was that he didn’t have his Gaksital mask. In this dangerous world, one had to always be cautious, especially when heading for a shady deal.
“Uncle Eric, could you lend me a spare mask?”
Fortunately, Uncle Eric’s tavern had everything.
*
After Rael left, the man who had been sitting in the corner of the tavern stood up.
Click-!
The moment he stood, the tavern door locked, and Uncle Eric put down the cloth he was using to clean glasses.
“Is that the friend Rael you mentioned? He seems like a good young man.”
“... I told you to be gone before nightfall. Your habit of not listening remains unchanged.”
“Offering a branch of the World Tree for free and getting treated like this. Refusing a visit from the Blue Tower Master must be unique to you, Eric.”
The Blue Tower Master, the most influential of the Empire’s magic towers, Ferma, smiled and took a seat at the bar. He had come in person to see his old friend’s daily life, but the reception was cold.
“Hmph. Didn’t I say my daily life remains the same? You offer a branch of the World Tree for free? You’re terrible at transactions. Did you win the title of Tower Master by playing card games?”
“I thought it was a joke when I heard you ran a tavern despite being wealthy. But I didn’t think you’d be serious. Don’t the people in District 4 find it odd? There’s a jack-of-all-trades in this shabby tavern.”
“... Maybe say they’re untainted.”
“Hmm, alright. The people of District 4 are untainted, and you’re still no fun. But... it wasn’t a wasted trip.”
Ferma turned to gaze at the closed door. The look in that young swordsman’s eyes lingered in his memory.
‘He sensed me without using magic, relying only on his instincts.’
As a high-ranking mage, his barrier couldn’t be detected even by a Graduates-level mage. So, was that kid a Sword Master?
“Eric. How old is that guy who just left?”
“He’s 25 now.”
“... Wow.”
A 25-year-old Sword Master? He found it more plausible to believe his magic had a flaw.
‘Could he be a dragon hybrid? Damn, I should’ve checked his magic pattern more closely...!’
If Eric hadn’t been glaring, he would have approached Rael and read his magic.
Noticing Ferma’s burning curiosity, Eric spoke.
“Ferma. Don’t tell me you’re interested in Rael?”
“Eric! So you knew he was talented!”
“... Tsk.”
This was getting troublesome. From the moment Rael had noticed Ferma, he had been worried. He had hoped Ferma wouldn’t pick up on it, but of course, that monster wouldn’t miss anything.
“He’s definitely special. Whether it’s his instincts or magic! How is he stuck in the guard? If only I’d found him ten years earlier, I’d have taken him to the tower...!”
“You still like collecting disciples.”
“Exceptional humans are always welcome!”
“Haa.”
Eric scratched the back of his head and sighed. It had to be the most troublesome person.
“Don’t mess with Rael. A lot of people in this district live thanks to him.”
“Are you threatening me? A word from me and your fugitive life would be over.”
“...”
“Kidding. Don’t give me that scary look. I don’t want to antagonize the giant of the Empire either.”
Still... he wanted to meet that kid again. Ferma etched Rael’s name and face into his memory as he stood up.
*
Night enveloped the city, the streets illuminated by its heart. But in the shadows beyond the alleys, those who had been asleep during the day awoke.
In the outskirts of District 4, Rael navigated the alleys by the faint moonlight. Tonight was the night to trade the branch of the World Tree.
“Cough, cough. Did he really give me something lying around?”
Rael, wearing a dust-smelling mask, coughed lightly. It seemed the warehouse manager at Uncle Eric’s place slacked off like those at Beggars.
‘At least it covers my face well.’
The black cloth mask concealed everything but his eyes and nose. He looked like a prime suspect in a detective manga.
“Why meet in a place like this?”
Rael found himself at the entrance of an abandoned factory in District 4. It used to produce magical items but was cursed after a demon attack. There were rumors among the guards that a homeless man had been found dead and rotting here.
‘I don’t feel anything... Were those rumors false?’
There was little to trust in this world. Rael surveyed the area before entering the factory. Moonlight through the windows illuminated rusting machinery and decaying structures.
“What a dreary place.”
Rael suppressed his breathing, hiding his presence. He couldn’t trust anyone in this world. If it was a trap, he needed to escape quickly.
Step- Step-
Soon, he sensed someone approaching. Rael kept his eyes wide, scanning the surroundings, but detected no one else. It seemed the person had come alone as promised. They must have trusted the information guild’s arrangement.
‘Bennet.’
The cheerful face he saw at the orphanage was gone, replaced with one full of discontent. As Bennet approached, Rael revealed himself. Bennet walked toward Rael.
“The item?”
Bennet glanced at the masked Rael before speaking.
“Here.”
Rael briefly showed the branch of the World Tree before tucking it away. Bennet’s brow furrowed.
“Do you know what that item is? You can’t just bring it here!”
“I wrapped it well with my magic, so don’t worry about it. Let’s get on with the deal. Don’t try to scam me.”
“... Tsk.”
These people took pride in their bluster, trying to scam first and negotiate later. Bennet, looking displeased, handed over the payment.
“I’ll check the money. Wait.”
Rael confirmed the money, thinking.
‘What now?’
Killing him immediately was an option, but he needed to be thorough. This dirty world had taught him to leave no loose ends.
‘I’ll let him go for now... and follow him. Any allies might endanger the orphanage.’
Though likely alone based on the story’s flow, he couldn’t take chances.
As Rael checked the money, he reached for his coat. It was a gesture to pull out the branch.
“Hmm?”
But at that moment,
Crash-!
The factory window shattered with a sharp noise. Through the shards glittering in the moonlight, a shadow appeared. The masked and hooded attacker wordlessly channeled magic toward Bennet.
“Who are you... Gah!”
A white magic orb hurtled toward Bennet. He barely dodged, then shouted at Rael.
“Damn it! Is this your ally?!”
“I don’t know anything about this.”
Rael had already retreated a few steps. He was as surprised as Bennet.
“Then give me the branch, now!”
“Oh? I can’t do that. Not until I verify the payment.”
“... Damn it! Stay back then!”
Bennet turned his back on Rael, facing the masked attacker. Rael wasn’t a threat, so he focused on the immediate danger.
He knew there was a bounty on his head. A surprise attack wasn’t unexpected.
“You’ll regret this!”
Wooong-
Dark magic oozed from Bennet’s fingertips. Twisted forms of curses swirled around him.
‘An internal struggle?’
Rael observed the masked attacker confronting Bennet. His keen eyes scanned the attacker from head to toe.
‘A lightweight step for their build... an elf?’
If it was an elf, it wasn’t an internal struggle. They might be targeting someone dealing in World Tree branches.
‘But then, they should be targeting me.’
Rael had the branch. If they were after it, they should have attacked him. And it was odd the attacker was alone. Elves, known for their camaraderie, wouldn’t act solo without special reasons.
‘Wait?’
Rael squinted at the elf. He knew an elf who had no choice but to move alone.