Chapter 60

“Ho, ho, the capital is certainly impressive.”

In the northern streets of Tibron, Lucian kept letting out exclamations of amazement.

Anyone who saw him would think he was a country noble dazzled by the splendor of the capital.

And since half of it was genuine, it was impossible to tell it apart from an act.

Raymond, who was by his side, accompanied his words with continuous remarks.

“The wall was already impressive, but the inside is even more incredible. Now I understand why they call it the jewel of the Empire.”

“Exactly. Just walking through all of it must take several days.”

“We’ve arrived with plenty of time, so take in everything you want.”

“I will. So, where should we head next?”

The capital’s citizens cast mocking glances at the conversation between the lord and his companion. It was the typical “another country noble just arrived in the city” attitude.

Of course, despite the looks being thrown at them, the two pretended not to notice and kept looking around.

“Hmm… there’s less and less to see. Did we end up in the wrong area?”

“From the looks of it, it’s a poor district. Should we head back?”

“No, let’s take another look. Everything is an experience.”

Lucian widened his eyes with feigned curiosity and headed toward the slums.

It was the perfect behavior for a sixteen-year-old young lord who knew nothing of the world.

Raymond followed him, barely holding back a laugh.

“Wow… it’s getting dirtier and dirtier. And I think there’s a weird smell.”

“It’s a slum, can’t be helped. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to go further.”

“That’s what I was thinking. Let’s head back.”

Just as Lucian had stepped in and was about to turn around—

“Hehehe, my lords. First time in the capital?”

A hunchback with a hunched back approached, rubbing his hands in front of Lucian.

Lucian instantly frowned and covered his nose.

“Impudent! Who do you think I am to speak to me like that? Step aside!”

“Oh, I’m sorry! Please, forgive me! Forgive me!”

The hunchback got scared and immediately prostrated himself, trembling.

It was such a servile attitude that any noble with a big ego would naturally feel superior.

At first glance, it seemed natural, but it was clearly a calculated act.

“I… I just wanted to guide the young lord around the capital. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, there are a few interesting hidden spots in this area…”

“Hidden interesting spots?”

“Yes, yes! In fact, I work around here as a guide and make some money from the lords.”

“Money? Don’t be ridiculous. At first glance, there’s nothing to see.”

Though Lucian mocked him, he didn’t send him away, so the hunchback raised his head with a servile expression.

“If you look closely, there are surprisingly interesting things. For example, black markets or information dealers.”

“Black market and information dealers?”

“Yes. The things that can’t be shown openly tend to be hidden in places like this, don’t you think?”

“Oh…”

At the hunchback’s insistence, Lucian stroked his chin with interest.

Seeing him go silent, as if inviting him to go on, the hunchback grinned, revealing his yellowed teeth.

“What do you say, want to try just once? You could get items that aren’t sold elsewhere, or hidden information. If you want, I’ll guide you myself.”

“Ahem… it’s not that I’m particularly interested, but helping the poor is also a noble’s duty. Giving you a little job doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Oh, thank you so much! May the eight gods bless such a generous lord!”

“Then guide us. If it’s not as interesting as you say, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“You won’t be disappointed! Let’s start with the black market!”

The hunchback immediately stood up and began guiding Lucian toward a corner of the slum.

Lucian and Raymond exchanged a glance and followed him silently.

***

“I knew this would happen.”

Lucian let out a soft chuckle as he stepped out of a maze-like alley.

At some point, he and Raymond had ended up surrounded by more than a dozen men.

The hunchback left them there and casually walked among the group.

“I brought the prey. Strip him of everything, down to the last bone.”

“Boss, doesn’t it sound a little rough to strip them and toss them out on the street?”

“Even for robbery, you’ve got to coordinate! I just wanted to scare the young lord a bit, what’s the harm?”

“You always have such twisted tastes. He must’ve been scared to death.”

“Haha!”

Laughter echoed through the open lot.

For a country noble who had only lived in the countryside, the situation would have been intimidating enough to make him step back without thinking.

But Lucian shrugged calmly and looked at Raymond.

“What do you think? Can you take them?”

“Mmm, it’ll be a little tricky.”

“Really?”

“Fighting with my hands behind my back in this kind of terrain is hard. I’ll have to use at least one arm.”

“With this lot, you should be saying one leg is enough.”

“If it were one-on-one in a narrow alley, no problem. But if they come from all directions, I’ll need to use my arms.”

“Hahaha!”

This time, the laughter came from Lucian. Seeing neither of the two showing fear, the faces of the thugs, including the hunchback, twisted.

“Hey, gentlemen. I don’t think you understand the situation…”

Fwoosh!

Before he could finish the threat, a burst of air was heard, and one side of the stone wall was blown apart.

Raymond had already drawn his sword and smashed the wall. The hunchback, who hadn’t even seen when he drew it, froze in place.

“Maybe because it’s a poor neighborhood, the structures around here are weak. I thought the terrain would be annoying, but it’ll be easier to just cut through everything.”

“If possible, don’t kill them. Leave them crippled. If there are corpses, we’ll have to explain it to the guards later.”

“Aren’t you going to ask them to surrender first?”

“I doubt it’ll help much, but shall we try?”

Lucian thought for a moment and looked at the frozen hunchback.

“I’ll give you two options. First—you kneel down quietly and answer my questions. Second—you resist, a few die, you get a brutal beating, and then you answer my questions.”

“Who the hell are you?”

The hunchback pulled a twisted dagger from his clothes, watching cautiously.

Even after seeing the power gap, he looked ready to pounce at any moment.

Lucian reached into his clothes and threw down the badge he had received earlier.

Clang!

“…The Black Scale Knight Order’s insignia?”

“They gave it to me. Told me if I got in trouble, just show it and I’d be let through.”

Hearing that, the hunchback and the other thugs began to tremble.

Even if they didn’t know the details, they did know that the Black Scale Knights were the personal guard of the First Prince.

The absolute elite assigned by the Emperor to his most beloved son.

And this young man had received their insignia directly.

“I thought you were just some arrogant brat relying on his guard’s skill, but turns out you’re someone big. Keh.”

“J-jeez, boss… what now?”

“What do you mean, what now? Haven’t I taught you a thousand times what to do in a situation like this?”

The hunchback looked at Lucian with surprising resolve, showing no sign of submission. Lucian admired him in silence.

“You’d rather die than kneel miserably in front of your men?”

In that case, learning without pain was the least Lucian could offer.

Just as Lucian was about to give Raymond an order—

The hunchback bowed deeply, as if diving, and shouted.

Thud!

“I-I’ll tell you anything! Please spare my life, my lord!”

“….”

***

“So you’re the branch chief of the Thieves’ Guild? The one in charge of the Tibron branch?”

“Y-yes! My mates call me John of the Crooked Blade!”

“Crooked blade? More like crooked back.”

“As expected, the lord’s sense of humor is extraordinary! If you wish, I’ll change my nickname immediately!”

The hunchback who introduced himself as John rubbed his hands so much they nearly smoked, shamelessly flattering.

At such a servile display, Lucian clicked his tongue.

“And you call yourself a branch chief of the Thieves’ Guild without a shred of pride? I flash a simple badge, and you fold instantly.”

“Oh, don’t say that. Do you know how hard it is to survive as a thief in a safe city like Tibron? The moment we bother someone important—bam, we’re dead.”

John made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand and stuck out his tongue.

“Ignorant folks think we’re untouchable because it’s the Imperial Capital, but really, all it takes is one word from His Majesty the Emperor, and we’re wiped out the next day. If it weren’t like that, do you think I, in charge of the capital, would just be a branch chief and not the guild leader?”

“I see.”

Lucian had wondered why, despite running things in the capital, he wasn’t the guild leader. Turned out it was because the authorities were too powerful.

Even though the empire’s center had the most to steal, thieves avoided it.

“Looking at it another way, it means you’re well-informed. If you couldn’t read the currents of the capital, you’d have lost your head by now.”

“Wow, the lord’s insight is amazing. With just a few words, you’ve grasped it all.”

“Enough flattery. I have just one question.”

“Ask anything!”

“Do you know who’s been buying large amounts of moon herb lately? Not a group—a single person.”

At the unexpected question, John blinked, but upon noticing Lucian’s gaze, quickly lowered his head.

“I can find out, but it might take a few days.”

“That’s fine, as long as the information is accurate.”

“And, if possible I’d need a small advance…”

John formed a circle with his fingers and glanced sideways at Lucian.

Even with his life hanging by a thread, he still asked for his cut, which made Lucian smile faintly.

“Is this enough?”

Clang.

“…!”

When a pouch full of gold coins hit the ground, John froze completely. He’d asked for an advance, but the amount was excessive.

Lucian didn’t seem like someone who flaunted money, so the message was clear.

‘I’ll give you whatever you want. But if you don’t find it quickly—you know what’s coming.’

John swallowed hard and pressed his forehead to the ground.

“I’ll find it within two days, maximum.”

***

Two days later, a member of the Thieves’ Guild visited Lucian’s inn and handed him some documents.

Inside was a list of people who had recently purchased moon herb.

“They kept their word.”

“Finding this in a city this big must not have been easy.”

“With the advance I gave, I’m sure they got it done. Nothing opens mouths like violence and money.”

Even so, the speed was impressive. While reviewing the documents, Lucian immediately found the name he was looking for.

“Just as I thought.”

Lucian smiled as he saw the name Haide Forbor written at the top.

The amount of moon herb purchased far exceeded that of anyone else.

Considering he had previously shown zero interest in that plant, it was suspicious. And something else was even stranger.

“It says he also bought moon herb the same day we talked to him. And the day before… and the day before that.”

“Didn’t that guy say he’d only just returned to the city?”

“That’s what he said. And he didn’t seem to be lying.”

If Haide hadn’t lied, then there was only one answer—someone had used his name to secretly buy moon herb while he was gone.

Lucian burned the documents with a candle flame and stood up.

“Let’s go. I think we know where the person we’re looking for is.”

“Where to?”

“To Haide’s mansion.”

“Eh? You’re going back to see that pathetic guy?”

“Just because it’s the home of an alchemist doesn’t mean only the alchemist lives there.”

Lucian smiled at Raymond’s confused expression and left the inn.

Finding Haide’s house wasn’t difficult.

It was one of the residences the Alchemist Guild provided for free to official alchemists.

Lucian approached the mansion, which didn’t have a single guard, knocked on the door—but no answer came from inside.

‘Out again buying moon herb?’

— W-who is it…?

A timid voice reached Lucian’s ears, who had thought no one was inside.

Hearing that barely audible voice, Lucian raised his voice.

“Open the door. I’ve come to see someone who lives here.”

— M-Master Haide isn’t here right now. He went out, come back later.

“I didn’t come to see the alchemist.”

— T-then you’ve got the wrong house.

“I’m not mistaken. I came to find you.”

— …?

“The thief who’s been secretly buying expensive herbs under his master’s name.”

Bang! Crash! Rumble!

As soon as Lucian finished speaking, a commotion erupted inside.

Sounds of someone falling, bumping, and breaking things.

A moment later, someone rushed to the door and flung it open.

Clack.

“I-it’s a misunderstanding! It’s not theft! The master asked me to buy them for research…!”

The person who opened the door shouted with a face drenched in cold sweat, desperately trying to explain.

But Lucian barely heard the excuse.

What truly shocked him was the face that appeared on the other side of the door.

‘A boy?’

The one staring at him with eyes as wide as a deer’s was a young boy—about Lucian’s age.