Act 15

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There are many words to describe the character Linne Londebell. 

But if I had to choose just one, it would be “nation’s beauty (傾國之色).” 

Linne’s appearance was exceptional. 

Her demeanor effortlessly attracted the hearts of men. 

Thanks to her personality, which made her a good follower of the protagonist and representative of the player, ‘Hayden Reich,’ she consistently ranked high in popularity polls targeting players. 

Indeed, her appearance was remarkable. 

If I weren’t Julian, I would have tried to become friends with her immediately. 

But that was impossible. 

Because I was a disciple who had turned against my master. 

Naturally, there could be no friendly relationship between her, who follows my master, Hayden Reich, and me. 

Anyway, the reason for her appearance was easy to predict. 

The sword sheath I held belonged to ‘Hayden Reich.’ 

The guest of the secretary’s office must be ‘Hayden Reich.’

“Let’s skip the greetings. Please return the master’s sword.” 

As expected. 

Linne made a gesture, clearly disliking the idea but asking for the sword back. 

“It seems the master has visited the royal palace, hasn’t he?” 

“What does that have to do with you?” 

“I was just asking, Linne. After all, Sir Hayden is my master too.” 

I returned the sword sheath to Linne. 

I had no intention of keeping it; I was just curious.

Then, I sat down and waited to be called. 

‘It stings.’ 

The look coming from the far end of the opposite side felt very sharp. 

Although trying not to care, crossing my arms and turning my gaze elsewhere, I could occasionally feel glances sneaking a peek at me. 

They were trying to seem indifferent, but it must have been very concerning. 

‘Given her personality and her background, it couldn’t be helped.’ 

Linne took great pride in being a disciple of Hayden Reich. 

To her, Hayden Reich was everything in her life. 

Yet, Julian is someone who has received Hayden’s thoughts and teachings, only to deny them outright.

The one fortunate thing is, unlike with Aileen, I’m not clueless about the situation. 

The emotion of Linne seen through the ‘Color of Denial’ was red, signifying ‘anger.’ 

It was the first time I encountered an emotion other than fear, but it wasn’t disconcerting. 

In some ways, knowing the explicit emotion is reassuring because I am well aware of the limits of her attitude and actions that stem from that emotion. 

‘As long as I don’t cross the line first, she won’t make a move.’ 

The most troublesome person to me right now is one who might surprise attack at any time. 

In this regard, Linne is not considered a target for caution. 

Although she clearly shows hostility towards me, she is just like a barking puppy with a leash on. 

Naturally, the leash is Hayden Reich. 

As long as she is by his side, Linne can’t lay a hand on me, 

even if she dislikes me. 

‘Because Hayden Reich wouldn’t want that.’ 

Although Linne is described as a person who will surpass Julian in the future, she is still just a novice. 

“Miss Linne Londebell, Sir Hayden Reich is calling for you.” 

The unilateral hostility in silence was ended by a secretary’s office employee. 

Linne hugged the sword sheath and stood up. 

Whether she didn’t want to be here even for a second, her haste to leave was evident. 

“I’ll go ahead, Sir Julian. Let’s make sure we never run into each other again.” 

Linne bid farewell with a spiteful tone, just like at the beginning. 

“Don’t be too harsh. Aren’t we both disciples of the same master, Miss Linne?” Linne looked at me coldly in response to my answer. 

Seems like my act as Julian was spot-on. She left the waiting room without any response. 

*** 

The reason the royal secretary personally called me was as I expected. 

In addition to reporting on the mission, it was also to check on me in person. 

Hence, the mission report was formally skimmed over, and the conversation ended after exchanging some trivial talk about whether I was okay or if I had any injuries. 

After finishing my business, I left the royal palace and headed to the Imperial City. 

‘It might be good to complete it now.’ 

It was a good time to finish the unstable <Moonlight Sword>. 

As my weapon had been insufficient so far, it was necessary to get a new one now. 

Engraving mana veins with a gemstone on the blade was the most effective method at the moment. 

Of course, not just any gemstone would do. 

As I had confirmed before, I needed a moonstone, which suited me best. 

If it’s as I know, the moonstone would be dealt with by a jeweler. 

I should be able to find one if I ask around there. 

‘It’s crowded.’ 

The Adratan Empire was one of the most populous on the continent, so the Imperial City was bustling with people. 

Finding my destination among them was not an easy task. 

‘Lucky to have a map.’ 

I took out the map I received from a servant and checked it before moving on. 

Julian, who loves to show off, was as interested in jewels as he was in crafts. 

It seems he had a favorite jewelry store, as I could get a map with its location drawn on it from a servant.

“Sir Julian, it’s been a while! Are you well?”

As I entered the jewelry store, a middle-aged man wearing a monocle greeted me with a smile. 

From his reaction, it was clear I was a regular customer.

“I would like to purchase a moonstone.”

“A moonstone, you say?”

“Yes.”

The owner of the jewelry store looked troubled.

“That is… We do not carry moonstones here.”

“Is that so?”

That’s disappointing. 

But I understood. 

In this world, moonstones were difficult to come by and had almost no demand.

“That’s unfortunate.”

As I let out a sigh tinged with regret, the shop owner smiled nervously, sweating slightly. 

A ‘purple haze’ shimmered above his head.

“But, if it’s a request from Sir Julian, I will try my best to find it.”

“Is that possible?”

“Yes… It will be difficult, but I will take care of it.”

It seems that infamy can be useful at times. 

Anyway, this is good. 

Honestly, it would have been a hassle if I had to find it myself.

After finishing my business, I returned to my office.

“What is all this?”

The desk was piled high with various documents. 

There were not only work documents that needed to be processed but also personal documents brought from the mansion, such as utility bills and registration fees for some bizarre art association.

‘What kind of art association is this…’

I tossed the unnecessary documents into the trash bin. 

At that moment, Razlot entered with a knock.

“Sir Julian! Oh, Commander Odwin is calling for you!”

Odwin? I couldn’t tell why, but after acknowledging, I headed to the commander’s office.

“Julian, you have a mission.”

Again? 

I’ve barely returned. 

When I asked what it was, she said there was information about a demon appearing in the ‘Imperial City’s slums.’ 

The order was to investigate, and I felt something was off.

“Do we have any reason to care about the lowly slums?”

I asked in a deliberately harsh tone. 

Since when did the royal family care about that area? 

The appearance of a demon was a problem, but it wasn’t causing immediate trouble. 

An investigation could very well end up being just suspicion.

Especially since it’s in the slums. 

The royal family doesn’t pay any attention to that area. 

They would only move if a real demon appeared.

“I thought it was strange, too. The royal family doesn’t care about the slums.”

It seems Odwin had similar thoughts and had already inquired. 

The slums are like remnants of the empire forcibly annexing other countries. 

People who don’t follow the empire’s dominant culture or religion, and even those of different ethnicities, are refused entry into the city (都) and end up congregating in the eastern slums.

“There are so many people who would oppose if the royal family reached out to the slums. It doesn’t seem like they have any intention to, though.”

“Then, why?”

“It seems like it was requested by Sir Hayden Reich. To verify the truth behind the rumors of the demon’s appearance, the royal family has requested someone to be dispatched.”

Ugh. 

As the protagonist’s name came up, I inwardly sighed. 

Getting involved with him at this point was not good. 

Already not fully established as Julian, suddenly getting mixed up with the story’s protagonist would be more of a loss than a gain, especially given their relationship isn’t the best according to the setting.

‘But I can’t just outright refuse.’

Since it’s an official request, refusing isn’t a good look. 

After all, if I were truly Julian, I wouldn’t care much about being involved with the protagonist.

“We can’t send a knight order as it would draw too much attention, so it was decided to send someone from ‘Closed Eyes.’ It’s unlikely that Sir Hayden will come himself.”

“Is someone else coming, not the master?”

“Most likely. According to the information from the secretary’s office, that seems to be the case.”

Odwin’s words somewhat eased my mind. 

But someone else is coming? 

Our protagonist isn’t someone who delegates tasks to others and acts organizationally.

Does this mean… 

‘They’re thinking of giving Linne some experience?’

That must be it. 

After my fallout with Julian, he appointed Linne as his protégé and has been devoting all his efforts to her training.

Suddenly, her words when we parted came to mind. –

‘I’ll go ahead, Sir Julian. Let’s ensure we never meet again.’

Saying such things, and here we are meeting again.

***

“I thought we agreed never to meet again.”

Linne Londebell spoke in a disgruntled voice. 

Without looking, I knew her expression would be contorted.

“How could life always go as one desires?”

“I don’t want to hear it. You’re not needed for this patrol mission. You don’t have to follow. No, please don’t follow.”

“This is a task personally requested by the master. Are you saying we should ignore it?”

“That, that’s…”

Her brusque demeanor softened. 

She had nothing to say when the protagonist was brought up. 

Truly, it was a magical word.

With Linne quieted, I reviewed the contents of the orders again. 

The location was the slums, with suspicions of a demon appearance; we were to investigate. 

It was the same as what I’d heard beforehand.

“But why is it just the two of us? If it’s a demon subjugation mission, shouldn’t soldiers accompany us?”

“It’s not exactly subjugation but an investigation. They probably don’t want to cause unnecessary commotion.”

“….”

She suddenly fell silent, so I turned my head. 

It wouldn’t be strange for Linne, as I knew her, to say more.

“I never imagined you could say something so sensible.”

Was my image that bad? 

How recklessly had I acted for such a standard opinion to elicit that reaction…

With a slight sigh, I started walking, and Linne followed with a disgruntled face.

‘Anyway, I hope this mission ends with just an investigation.’

I haven’t acquired proper power yet. Just like the last escort mission, but…

Given that Linne, the protagonist’s disciple who is hostile towards me, is by my side, I need to be even more cautious than before. 

Honestly, I hope we don’t have to resort to ‘subjugation.’

Whistle –

While checking the location written on the directive, Linne passed by me and started to lead the way. 

She looked at a sign and attempted to turn right.

“Miss Linne.”

“What?”

“That’s not the way. The slums are a maze of illegal and unauthorized extensions, with roads twisted and turned. Relying on the signs will only get us lost.”

She stopped walking and looked at me intently, her suspicion clear. 

I tried to give her a reassuring smile, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that was a mistake.

“Then why is this sign here? I’d think it’s more accurate than the words of Sir Julian, who isn’t from here.”

Linne’s animosity only deepened in front of my villainous smile.

“I’m aware that you want to surpass the master’s fame. That’s why you’re participating in this mission, isn’t it? You want to spread rumors that you’ve trampled over the current Sword Saint’s favorite disciple.”

“One should know to separate personal feelings from work. What do you do if personal feelings interfere with the task?”

With that, Linne started walking again. 

Accusing me of letting personal feelings interfere with work…

I had a lot to say but decided to let it go. 

It’s not like she would believe me anyway.

Anyway, the correct path is to the left. 

This eastern slum district is like the ‘Wall of Despair’ that players of <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord> would feel at least once. 

The maze-like twisted roads here have frustrated many users.

Of course, having gone through several playthroughs, I know this place like the back of my hand.

‘From Hayden Reich’s perspective, she was quite adorable.’ 

Everything she did, perking up her ears, jotting down stories, her demeanor was truly cute. 

Of course, from my current perspective, she’s nothing but a nuisance who retorts to everything I say.

Watching Linne walk away, I brushed my hair back once and slowly started to follow her.

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