-Step Step.
A building that was as old and terribly unmatched on the outside.
Interestingly, the further inside one went, the cleaner it became.
“It’s the architectural style of the East.”
Elizabeth, who had traveled to various regions as a merchant, was the first to make such a comment.
“Really. Even the ceiling and wooden floorboards. It’s like you’ve laid the floor with money.”
“…Is the ceiling also made of wood?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened.
It was also my first time actually seeing it.
The bright-colored material was glossy, and above all, the sweet scent of peaches faintly wafted up to my nose.
It matched the characteristics of Cheondo wood furniture shown in the game tooltips.
“To see it in such a small place. Really unexpected.”
“Well, being a district leader of a thieves’ guild that manipulates information, perhaps that level of luxury isn’t too surprising. Isn’t that right?”
Camilla, who had been silent since entering, showed no intention of hiding her displeasure, constantly scowling.
“…All I need is to find out the identity.”
After staring intently, she spat out those words and swiftly turned her head.
“Speaking of which, the welcome is proper.”
Turning away from the grumpy Camilla, I addressed someone who could give a proper response.
“…Huh? I’m not sure what you mean….”
Perhaps the vice district leader of the thieves’ guild.
I smiled at the man with scars who turned to look this way.
-Thump!
A tied post.
It was kicked vigorously and rolled to a stop right before his feet.
“True to a thieves’ guild, there are many traces of traps.”
“Ho-ho.”
His mouth agape in shock, as if he was a painting drawn in astonishment.
It was amusing to watch.
“How did you…?”
“Being from the West, I tend to notice such things.”
[Wire Trap (Disarmed)]
[Ankle Trap (Disarmed)]
[Sleep Gas Device (Disarmed)]
Though the status window was a great help,
Seeing all kinds of traps lurking everywhere one looked,
Had I chosen a frontal assault, it would have been quite troublesome.
“This is the place.”
The middle-aged man, barely concealing his astonishment, pointed to a spot where an elegant sliding door stood.
“Then, I’ll have a private discussion with the district leader, could you please step aside?”
“…That’s difficult.”
Worried that I might somehow harm the district leader,
That concern was clearly visible on his face.
“Hydal, it’s okay. Step back.”
As he hesitated, a small yet firm voice came from beyond the door.
“District leader!”
“The champion of the martial arts tournament in the North, the one who faced the coming-of-age ceremony alone, and the rising star from the West.”
These words referred to me, Elizabeth, and Camilla respectively.
As expected of the district leader of the thieves’ guild, she had thoroughly gathered information about us. She must have ordered the traps to be disarmed.
“Even with you here, you wouldn’t be able to beat them.”
“Moreover, with a high demon among them. If they had come with evil intentions, I would have been in their grasp long ago.”
With a firm voice, Hydal gritted his teeth and slowly moved away from us.
“Welcome, esteemed guests. Please, come in.”
“Excuse us then. What are you doing, you two? Not coming in.”
The inside was even more splendid.
Not to mention the Cheondo wood furniture from before.
And the furniture was adorned with glittering gold leaf.
There was also a set of fine refreshments prepared for us, apparently.
“It is an honor to meet the three of you, whose fame has recently been widespread.”
And in the center.
The district leader of the thieves’ guild was leisurely sipping tea.
“It’s quite rude to have a private meeting without showing your face, isn’t it?”
However, all we could see was a hat with black cloth draped over it.
Against the contrast of a pure white jeogori and skirt, the woman, emitting a more mysterious vibe, let out a small laugh.
“Please forgive me. The head of a thieves’ guild is always under scrutiny. There’s nothing good about revealing oneself, whether it’s the face or the voice.”
As if emphasizing that even revealing her voice was a significant risk.
She made such a complaint.
“Well, do as you please.”
I immediately sat down at the table where the refreshments were laid out and popped one in my mouth.
The rich, nutty flavor spread across my tongue.
It was tastier than anything I used to snack on in the North when I felt peckish.
“Are you crazy? What if it’s poisoned?”
“What a joke. You live on trust. There’s no way she would have poisoned it.”
Excluding the North and the West.
In other regions, the nobility and the underworld have maintained a somewhat tense coexistence.
Would the underworld, of all places, threaten the lives of us, who could be considered significant nobles?
‘Unless they’re thinking of upsetting their own table, there’s no reason to.’
Moreover, the woman I knew wouldn’t end things with just poisoning once she made up her mind.
“Here, I’ve checked it first, so don’t worry about poison and have some.”
…
“Forget it. Even if you say so, it bothers me. I’ll pass.”
“I feel the same way.”
The two of them just sat on my left and right, not even glancing at the refreshments.
“As I said before, I’m only here for my own business and then I’ll leave.”
“What is the young lady of the Duke’s family from the West curious about?”
Her voice was smooth and soothing.
Though only recognizable by the difference in shadows, the shape of her mouth, even just in shadow, was enough to entice someone.
“I am…?”
Swept up in the moment, Camilla naturally began to speak.
Naturally, she was looking for the whereabouts of the person who had killed her mother.
“Ugh!”
But those words never made it out.
Because I had lightly pinched her arm.
“…What are you doing?”
Camilla, seemingly furious, glared at me with burning eyes.
“No, we need to make sure the terms are clear. You can’t just resolve and hand over the information you want for the cure for Hanhyul syndrome, can you?”
“Didn’t you come for the information you wanted?”
“That’s part of it, but it’s also an opportunity to get more.”
You should take everything you can get. The more you receive in exchange, the better.
-Snicker.
Perhaps because of our little drama, the woman with her hand on the veiled hat chuckled softly.
“Interesting. Then, propose your terms first. However, if I deem them unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“Isn’t your life at stake? I don’t see how the terms could be an issue.”
Elizabeth flinched at the mention of the district leader in front of us needing a cure, but I shrugged it off without care.
Hanhyul syndrome is an incurable disease that ultimately takes lives. Saving a life is what matters. What’s a little condition in comparison?
“After my death, the thieves’ guild will continue to buy and sell information and maintain its lineage. If the request is to shake that foundation, it would be better to let go of this life as insignificant as a field weed.”
Her tone was firm in her response.
‘Really, the disdain for the thieves’ guild is the same even now.’
I hadn’t planned to be so harsh.
“Don’t worry. My request isn’t that big. Spreading rumors isn’t that difficult, is it?”
“Rumors…?”
The thieves’ guild had many uses beyond just buying information.
Identity laundering, theft requests…
And slandering others was also part of it.
The thieves’ guild is an organization that buys and sells information.
Rumors about a certain individual were also under their jurisdiction.
‘Actually, we often visited them to wage a public relations battle before a domain war.’
A ‘debuff’ that occurs with money or a specific exchange.
Stirring unrest in the opposing domain, lowering other nobles’ perceptions to cancel their support, etc. It worked better than expected.
And for targeting a single person, even more so.
“You must have heard about the existence of a saintess who opposes disaster.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Just spread one rumor about the saintess.”
The reason I came to the thieves’ guild and had a meeting with the district leader.
It was partly to satisfy Camilla’s deal, but my stake was bigger.
‘The crown prince was enchanted by her beauty and even asked her to dance. We can’t afford to wait until the academy.’
Even if it wasn’t her beauty that enchanted him, it was the same.
The very existence of the saintess was a risk factor.
For me, Luciana’s safety was the top priority.
Their relationship, which could be the beginning of her ruin, had to be cut off from the root.
“Please spread the rumor that she is lowborn, has become intoxicated with her newly gained position, and her character is arrogant.”
“I understand, but baseless malicious rumors will soon be buried. Other than her being of commoner origin, there isn’t a fact to it.”
She seemed to agree to do it, but her answer implied doubt about its effectiveness.
“Are you aware that she refused the Crown Prince’s dance invitation at the social gathering?”
I provided a recent story as appropriate material.
The most noble blood of the Manhett Empire.
Wouldn’t the evidence that she’s become so arrogant as to refuse him be sufficient?
“Then… it’s possible to try.”
“Ah, could you also spread malicious rumors about the Crown Prince…?”
“That’s impossible.”
That was a bit disappointing.
It seems you can’t go against the highest power after all.
But it seems spreading rumors about the saintess is possible.
She’s just come into the limelight, so she’ll likely be a hot topic.
The shadow behind the veil slowly nodded.
“What an interesting request. Is it because of the lord you serve?”
“Ahaha. You know everything.”
“A loyal retainer indeed. You being a phantom thief is unlikely. I feel foolish for once suspecting you to be the Frost Mane.”
…Huh?
What’s that about?
Noticing my puzzled look, she spoke again from behind the veil with a graceful voice.
“A few days ago, I received a request from the Sand Mole to investigate the identity of Frost Mane. Considering various circumstances, I concluded you might be the thief.”
I felt a penetrating gaze from the left.
It was Elizabeth’s.
-Sharp, isn’t it?
Knowing she had met the Sand Mole and knew about my relationship, she pursed her lips.
“However, after receiving contact from the Northern Thieves’ Guild leader, I realized my speculation was wrong. Never would I have thought the thief’s identity was a demon.”
This time from the right.
Though no words were spoken, the disbelief was evident.
“Moreover, upon visiting our guild branch, that vampire who revealed herself… I had heard from the Northern leader about a demon surrendering to the Speda Ducal family, but seeing it for myself is astonishing. Her being an ally, despite being an enemy of Frost Mane, means my guess was completely off.”
From my shadow, I could almost see Bathory struggling to hold back laughter.
Receiving all these gazes, I secretly wiped away sweat without the district leader noticing.
‘Indeed, I can’t ignore that intuition.’
If Camilla pieced together some circumstantial evidence to reveal my identity.
Then hers was purely instinct.
Among the prominent figures revealed through information, she had the peculiar ability to pinpoint or identify the mastermind behind actions.
Her knack for choosing unfailingly loyal subordinates and securing the position of district leader at a young age must also be due to that intuition.
“My request ends here. Do you two have anything else to ask?”
I hurriedly shifted the conversation to escape her interest.
“I’m good. I have nothing immediate to ask. Lady Roberk, go ahead with your business.”
The original purpose of visiting this place.
Camilla struggled to calm her trembling fists.
“…18 years ago, the assassin of Duchess Roberk was not caught. I heard you know his whereabouts, so tell me.”
“Hmm. I will send someone to the West soon.”
“On what basis do I trust? Just tell me now.”
Then, the district leader responded with a voice that was thin yet firm.
“I stake the name of the Central Thieves’ Guild leader, Wolbaek. As it’s not a brief piece of information but requires compilation, please comply for the sake of reliable information.”
The shadow stood up briskly, bowed at the waist, and placed its left hand over the heart.
A gesture of understanding common among nobles, revealing her name and origin discreetly.
Seeing this, even Camilla’s momentum faltered slightly.
“…I won’t wait long. You do know I have the right to an immediate judgment? If you delay, I will destroy the entire Central Thieves’ Guild.”
“Oh my. We must act quickly to prevent such an incident.”
The shadow’s head turned back towards me.
“It seems I can satisfy all the conditions you’ve mentioned. Now, will you inform me about the cure for Hanhyul syndrome?”
This time, she boldly made her request of me.
Through the thick veil, the intensity of her gaze felt sharp against my skin.
Cliche Novel 