Chapter 180 Secret Social Hall (2)
"Please return safely! Please! I beg you!"
With the now familiar plea of Perne, Verden set out from Asern.
To be honest, he could not guarantee that nothing would happen.
The world was filled with countless events, and the branches stemming from them packed even the smallest crevices.
Getting through without catching on anything was not something that could be done at will.
At least, until now it had been so.
'Causality, was it.'
The businessman he had met at Roafra, Derick Kendes.
Recalling his words, who had warned him about Beken's illegitimate child, Verden flew through the sky. Soon he arrived at the location mentioned in the commission letter.
An abandoned village deep within the forest.
He had heard that the residents had left due to the frequent appearances of beasts and demi-humans, and to prove it, traces of the wild remained everywhere in the ruined buildings.
[Keeerrrk....]
A goblin wandering nearby bared its teeth at Verden.
'Brings back memories.'
When he had first teleported to the principality, the first thing he killed had been a goblin.
As Verden reached out to cast magic, a presence was felt inside a ruined house.
A steel bolt shot out from the darkness.
Kwa-jik! It easily pierced through the goblin's head and nailed itself into the tree stump.
A voice followed.
"Sorry for the scare. Waiting made me quite bored, you see. Well, judging by your face, it doesn't seem you were surprised anyway."
"I arrived on time, did I not."
"Regardless, I came rather early."
Verden retrieved the bolt with telekinesis.
As he gently sent it back inside the ruin, footsteps approached. A middle-aged man wearing a fedora, holding a crossbow in his left hand and a bolt in his right.
A thick burn scar marred his jaw.
"Seeing you like this brings back memories, famous Asher."
The black-market dealer, Cland.
The one who had given Verden the auction list.
"I did not expect you to be a man of the Marquisate Esperanza. I thought you and Vintert couldn't touch each other because of the non-aggression pact."
"That is only the surface. Beneath, this and that is exchanged. Besides, isn't Vintert the apex of the kingdom's criminal forces? Believing that they would strictly uphold such a pact would be foolish. Do you understand?"
There was no need for explanation.
It was only natural.
"Perne asked me to ask you. Since when had it been."
"Since when, huh..."
Cland caressed his scar.
"To tell the truth, from the very beginning. From the start, this Cland was created for his sake."
Created?
'So it's no wonder they're called the kingdom's foremost Marquisate.'
As far as Verden knew, Cland had been active as a black-market dealer for at least a dozen years...
All the while concealing his identity so perfectly that even the information dealer Perne, and even Vintert, had been deceived.
It was not only ability, but also great patience.
"Never thought I'd end up working with you. The world sure is unpredictable."
Cland turned his body.
"Come inside. I'm too old to stand around talking."
***
Inside the ruin of the abandoned village.
Verden and Cland sat facing each other on creaking chairs.
"I've heard about you through the Marquisate. You've captured wanted criminals, fought unknown black magicians, completed dozens of commissions both large and small, with a success rate of 100%. And now you've taken on a commission directly from His Excellency, and come all the way here. You're living quite a busy life. I suppose you're being paid handsomely... but even if the results follow, doesn't it tire you mentally?"
There was no such thing as exhaustion.
Verden was doing it because he wanted to in the first place.
"No problem."
"Full of spirit, I see. Then let's get to the point. You must already be well aware of the secret social hall and the old royal castle, yes?"
Verden nodded.
Those invited to the 1st Prince's secret social hall numbered six.
Verden's most basic plan was to infiltrate the old royal castle disguised as one of them, as the close aide of the black-market dealer Cland.
'The man I'm disguising as is named Maltead.'
His physical build was similar to Verden's, and being mute, there was no need to speak.
His personality was calm, and his main weapons were physical enhancement through imbued magic and knuckles made of alloy.
For Verden, inexperienced in acting, he was the perfect role.
"You memorized it without missing a single word. Good. Now, try disguising yourself as Maltead."
Verden pulled the Face of Deception from his spatial bag.
Covering his face with the white mask without a single hole, faint mana stirred where it touched his skin.
He strongly recalled the portrait of Maltead he had seen beforehand.
Mana pulsed from the mask.
Soon the mask blurred and perfectly shaped the face of Maltead. From his neck up, even the hair.
Not the gray-haired, blue-eyed mage.
But a man with a cross-shaped scar at the corner of his mouth, with shaggy black hair and flashing brown eyes.
"Perfect. Any discomfort?"
"None."
His vision and sense were just the same as usual.
Even when he tapped at it, there was no sign it would fall off.
"As you know, while wearing that, you won't be recognized as Asher. As long as you only use magic below the 3rd tier, that is."
The weakness of the Face of Deception.
If he caused excessive mana, or used magic of the 4th tier or higher, the disguise would be undone. And to use it again, a waiting time was required.
"Well, there will be no need to use magic if you don't get exposed. Its durability is outstanding. Even if someone suddenly smacks you, it won't break, so don't worry. And here are the clothes you'll wear and the knuckles you'll carry."
A bluish-gray leather armor reinforced with metal.
A black robe to wear over it, and gray knuckles as well.
"...Quite refined for a criminal's fashion."
"That's because those gathering in the secret social hall aren't just riffraff. Each one is distinguished in their own field, so you must not underestimate them. Ah, but what will you do about that?"
Cland pointed at Verden's spatial bag.
"The 1st Prince is full of vanity and arrogance, so he never searches people's bodies or bags. He thinks the very act of inspection is showing fear that someone might harm him."
Well, not incorrect.
"So in that regard, there's no problem. But the design of that spatial bag is the issue. If you carry one with the same design, size, and even color as the mage Asher, suspicion may arise. I could keep it for you without getting caught... but it seems you don't want that."
Naturally.
Most of Verden's wealth was inside that bag. He had no intention of handing it over to anyone.
Of course, Verden had already thought of a countermeasure.
"How about this."
Verden pulled out a badly charred spatial bag.
It was something that the black magician, White Bone Viola, had possessed.
"Heh, the condition is terrible. On the market, it wouldn't even fetch a fraction of its value. Whoever the owner was, they must've treated it roughly."
...Well, that happened during the process of killing its owner.
Verden kept silent.
"Well, that'll do. The design is completely different, the size smaller, easy to hide inside your robe. And its battered exterior makes it look criminal enough. That solves the belongings problem."
He had perfectly memorized the outline of the operation.
He had received Cland's acknowledgment for the level of disguise.
There was no reason to delay further.
"So now, I'll be departing. Do you have any other questions? For example, why did they entrust such a serious mission to you, and what do they trust in you for?"
"I understand that."
Through numerous commissions, Verden had earned the trust of the Marquisate.
And the fact that there was no substitute but Verden who could breach the defenses of the old royal castle. Nothing incomprehensible about that.
Still, there were one or two things he was curious about.
"The man I am disguised as, Maltead, is he real?"
"He is known to be real."
Creating a person was simple.
Leave behind the right traces, spread a few rumors, and the public would believe such a person existed.
Cland had created many such false identities.
To use them for various purposes. This infiltration commission was one of those.
"It's basic to have many cards you can use. Provided, of course, that you can manage them well. So, what is the other question?"
"It is personal."
"Speak."
"The purpose of this commission. Is it simply to check the royal authority?"
The king and the 1st Prince's secret dealings... understanding that was reasonable.
If used well, it could allow the 2nd and 3rd Princes to restrain the 1st Prince.
'But finding out about the 1st Prince's main forces is different.'
Enormous funds and even Perne's information network had been mobilized.
Surely it was to identify the strength the 1st Prince possessed.
But what purpose was behind such an effort was unclear.
One thing was evident, it had gone beyond the scope of mere political struggle.
To that, Cland answered.
"...Every result contains many reasons. Like how, although this village is said to have been abandoned because of demi-humans and beasts, sword marks remain everywhere in its ruins. Yet the result is the same."
For the Kingdom of Estiria.
"That is all we are."
***
The former capital of the Kingdom of Estiria, Esla.
As one of the kingdom's four great cities, including the current capital, it boasted considerable scale.
And at the center of Esla.
Within Ariente, the old royal castle built upon a vast, man-made lake, a tense atmosphere pervaded.
The secret social hall.
To soldiers and servants alike, it was terror itself.
They dared not open their mouths, mistakes were not tolerated in the slightest.
The proud 1st Prince Valrgna hated nothing more than being humiliated before others. Especially before the factions in front of whom he had to display his majesty.
'So far, no problems.'
The butler, Senuel, patrolled the corridors, keeping an eye on the situation.
By the time he had made one round, a soldier came to him.
"Lord Senuel, the guests are arriving."
"I shall go at once."
Senuel hurried to the castle gate.
Four bridges led to the castle.
From the one connected to the main gate, a party of three approached. Soon they passed through the gate, and a man, grinning throughout, glanced about.
"Kikikikikikik, well, well, looks like I'm the first one here?"
The kingdom's northern drug dealer, the madman Tolav.
The heavy dark circles under his eyes, the ruined complexion of his face, were chilling.
His half-crazed eyes turned to Senuel.
"Welcome to Ariente, Tolav."
"Kikik, ah, Senuel. Since the secret social hall was held two years ago, is it two years now? That prim face of yours hasn't changed, eh?"
Even at Tolav's sneer, Senuel did not so much as blink.
"The two behind you, are they 'Al' and 'El'?"
"So what if they are?"
"Confirmed. Please follow the guide. For your information, the social hall will be held in the same place as two years ago."
Senuel gestured toward the castle.
At his calm demeanor, Tolav shrugged.
"Kik. Ah─── still treating people like dirt, I see. I'd like that mouth of yours torn a little wider... but if I do that, His Highness will have me killed, so I guess not."
"I am glad you understand."
"Right?"
Tolav snickered at nothing in particular.
Addicted to all manner of drugs, he was madness incarnate.
Tolav patted Senuel's shoulder and walked into the castle.
With a displeased look, Senuel brushed off his shoulder.
'The first guest is a madman.'
Somehow, it felt like this social hall was bound for misfortune. Clicking his tongue, Senuel quickly composed his expression and greeted the next guest.
"I am hungry."
From the east, the great merchant Dario.
"Been a while since a secret social hall was held, hasn't it?"
The schemer of plots and slander, Nelita.
"Hope it's something profitable."
The leader of the Geul Mercenary Corps, who would do anything for money, Geul.
One by one, those infamous across the Kingdom of Estiria appeared with their attendants.
And then, the black-market dealer Cland.
"You look well, Senuel."
"Glad to see you in good health as well, Cland."
Senuel's eyes shifted behind Cland.
"Different from two years ago, I see. You are 'Marlos', correct?"
Verden gave a silent nod.
That alone was enough to confirm his identity. As Cland had said, they did not so much as touch his belongings.
'Easy enough.'
Then, from afar, the sound of hooves approached.
Unlike the others, this group passed through the castle gate in a carriage. It was obvious who they were.
Excluding the coachman, four people alighted from the carriage.
The head of Vintert, Robert.
Led by his, the underworld king's secretary, Gail. And the twin magicians in charge of security, Robat and Rocky, followed in turn.
"Welcome, Vintert."
Facing them, Senuel bowed deeply.
Not upright as he had with the others, but as though before a prince, or a king.
"Is identity verification necessary?"
"Of course not."
Vintert was the foundation and pillar of the 1st Prince.
Naturally, their treatment was on an entirely different level.
Robert's gaze shifted sideways.
Facing him, Cland removed his fedora.
"Good to see you, Robert. I heard the last auction was a great success. My sincere congratulations."
"Thanks to you. The black-market dealers also put in great effort."
Robert and Cland exchanged light words.
Mostly about the underworld auction, its profit structure, and its future prospects.
"Ah, dear me. The conversation has gone on too long. Let us continue later."
"Call me whenever you wish."
Cland stepped aside.
Robert accepted the courtesy and moved forward with his party.
"...?"
At that moment, Robert halted.
Directly before Verden, disguised as Maltead. His eyes fixed on him.
"Hm? What is it. Do you have business with Maltead?"
"Just a moment."
Passing Cland, Robert slowly approached.
He stared intently into Verden's eyes, then tilted her head.
Maltead.
As Cland's aide, he had heard his name a few times, but this was the first time he had actually met him.
And yet, an uncanny sense of familiarity struck him.
Strongly so.
"...Haven't we met somewhere before?"