Act 61

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As soon as I heard that the repairs on the Moon Blade Sword were finished, I headed straight to the “Dusk Flame.”

The blacksmiths were busy moving around.

The hot air of the forge cooled rapidly with my arrival.

“Julian?”

“Did you come here to investigate the ‘Black Knight’?”

“It’s possible. Though he did help Lupina, it was essentially similar to the actions of a vigilante group.”

Why would I come to investigate the ‘Black Knight’? I am the person in question.

It seems the employees at this place, Dusk Flame, know quite a bit about the ‘Black Knight.’ I thought there were no rumors since it’s something you’d only see on page three of the newspaper.

“This guy, there’s nothing he can’t say! Even though he saved Lupina, calling him a vigilante!”

“Exactly! It’s not enough even to call him a hero.”

“Do you know how hard it is to help others without any reward? He’s an incredible person to be called a vigilante!”

I involuntarily coughed at the cringeworthy comments of the employees.

It wasn’t unpleasant due to Julian’s egotistical nature, but it wasn’t something to be proud of either.

“Look, it seems Mr. Julian doesn’t like this story much.”

“Well, it’s unauthorized action from the royal perspective.”

It wasn’t exactly that, but it seems my cough sounded threatening.

The blacksmiths gathered in conversation began to lower their heads and move away from my vicinity.

“Hello.”

In the midst of this, Lupina approached, holding the sheath of the Moon Blade Sword.

“Um.”

I sighed internally. Lupina couldn’t possibly know that I was the ‘Black Knight,’ but I couldn’t help but flinch.

Noticing the strange atmosphere, Lupina asked,

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. I don’t see Elder Ruger around.”

“Elder Ruger had some business, so I came out instead.”

“Is that so?”

Just like before, Ruger seems to be quite busy. Well, he is known as the best master in the system.

In any case, it was none of my concern. I just needed to get back the repaired Moon Blade Sword.

‘But since when did I start calling Ruger ‘Elder’ instead of ‘Sir’?’ 

As time passes, I feel like my personality and Julian’s are getting mixed up.

“The repair is neatly done. My grandfather introduced a new technique, so it’s less likely to crack like before.”

Lupina did not seem to notice my startled expression and continued with an awkward smile.

“Still, being made of gemstones, it’s not as durable as steel. You know that, right?”

Of course, I know.

The Moon Blade Sword isn’t used for its strength but because it matches well with my mana.

Ultimately, if I can just get the ‘aura’ to resonate properly, it can be made stronger than steel.

“Please, let me check.”

As I reached out my hand, Lupina flinched. Above her head, the color of ‘fear’ flickered, though she tried not to show it, she seemed to be scared.

Having witnessed Julian causing havoc here before, her reaction was understandable.

“Here, take it.”

After receiving the Moon Blade Sword, I drew it from its sheath and examined the blade. The gleaming edge of the Moon Blade Sword seemed slightly different than before.

‘Maybe it’s because he had made one before that he had accumulated some know-how.’

It’s no wonder he’s called a master.

I began to channel my aura into the Moon Blade Sword. The gently glowing blade always reminded me of moonlight.

“Ah.”

Lupina, watching closely by my side, let out a short sigh.

For some reason, the emotion of ‘fear’ above her seemed to fade.

‘Why? I can’t figure out the reason.’

“What?”

“Huh? Oh, no… It’s, it’s nothing!”

When I asked out of curiosity, Lupina was startled and waved her hands. Meanwhile, her eyes continued to follow my hand holding the sword.

‘…It’s mysterious.’

Even as I fastened the Moon Blade Sword at my waist and left the ‘Dusk Flame,’ that peculiar atmosphere did not dissipate.

***

Once I fastened the Moon Blade Sword at my waist, the emptiness I had been feeling disappeared.

It seems that one must use what they are accustomed to.

“Sir Julian, we’ve been waiting for you since we heard you were coming.”

Having returned to the imperial palace, I didn’t go back to the ‘Closed Eyes’ building but headed to the dungeon prepared under the Gate of Heaven’s Respect (敬天門).

Upon entering, I was greeted by a musty smell and a gloomy atmosphere, fittingly accompanied by a haggard-looking manager.

“Ha, haha… However, Sir Julian, as you suggested, we’ve prepared the prisoner for release, but um… what was it… a small… haha.”

Rubbing his hands together, the manager twitched his lips. Watching him, I wondered if this guy had lost his mind.

To think he was trying to get a bribe from ‘Julian,’ I couldn’t tell if he was bold or foolish. Smiling at him, I said,

“Oh, I seem to be oblivious. Would you like to see what I’m good at?”

With that, my hand moved towards the belt where my money pouch was.

The manager’s smile deepened, but soon my hand touched not the pouch but the sheath of the sword.

Startled, the manager bowed deeply, handed me the keys with an apology, and left.

With a slight smile, I continued deeper into the dungeon. The dim air and heavy atmosphere were not as unfamiliar as I expected.

“It’s been a while.”

Reaching my destination, I placed my hand on the bars and looked at the imprisoned prisoner.

“Sir Julian?”

Inside was Bayden, a low-ranking member of the ‘Six Fingers,’ a dark organization that divided the slums into three parts.

Bayden looked at me blankly, his face filled with confusion.

“Why are you here in such a place…?”

“Didn’t the manager prepare you for release? Didn’t you hear?”

The institutions affiliated with the royal palace can employ prisoners for labor once the proper procedures are followed. Naturally, the ‘Closed Eyes,’ a royal exclusive agency, can do the same. The day after the newspaper published the emergence of the ‘Black Knight,’ I had arranged for Bayden’s release.

“No, I heard, but I never imagined it was something you requested…

It seems Bayden is afraid of me. He’s the guy who, intimidated but not exactly threatened, turned himself in when I and Linne visited the slums before. If all this is because of the fear of ‘Julian,’ his reaction makes sense.

“But… what exactly am I supposed to do once I’m out?”

“Are you curious?”

When asked if he was curious, Bayden vigorously shook his head no. I didn’t mean to scare him.

“I can’t explain in detail. It’s closely related to a royal decree. It’s confidential.”

I mentioned that it was confidential, but in truth, it had nothing to do with the royal family. It was just a personal gain thing. Using the name of the ‘royal’ makes it untouchable by others.

“The royal secret…”

But Bayden wouldn’t know that. He looked at me as if in awe.

Clank.

I inserted the key into the dungeon door and twisted it. The bars opened, and Bayden’s shabby figure appeared.

“Come out for now.”

Following my command, Bayden nodded and slowly emerged from the cell, hunched over.

As I led the way, I felt Bayden glancing at me from time to time. It must have been strange for him; the person who had captured him in the slums was now taking him out of prison to task him with something.

“You seem too tense. Considering the task you’ll be helping with, it might be better to relax a bit.”

“Ah, yes! Understood, Sir Julian…”

Bayden responded eagerly, but soon trailed off. Afterward, confusion clouded his face, evidently unable to guess why he was released.

“Sir Julian, but what exactly am I supposed to do?”

Eventually, that question was posed by Bayden again. Instead of answering, I turned my head and looked at him.

“You were a part of the dark organization in the slums, the ‘Six Fingers,’ if I recall correctly.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, not just the ‘Six Fingers’ but other organizations might also recognize your face.”

“Well… that’s likely. I’ve always been a networker.”

Bayden showed confidence at the mention of his networking skills. Seeing his smile made me smile as well.

“That’s perfect.”

We kept walking without stopping, and Bayden and I began heading outside the city. He seemed familiar with the direction, a puzzled look appearing on his face.

“This way leads to the slums, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Signposts and the landscape of the slums came into view. The dismal atmosphere was no different than before. I purposefully donned a ragged hood.

The gray hair tinged with gold and the dazzling coat only draw attention in the slums. Moreover, it’s better to keep my identity hidden.

A bit deeper into the slums.

We passed a sign marked 032A and soon, a sign labeled 040A came into view.

“…Sir Julian,” Bayden’s complexion darkened.

“What’s the matter?”

“From here on, it’s not the ‘Six Fingers’ territory. This is the area of the ‘Blood Fiend Clan.'”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“What?”

Bayden was startled by my acknowledgment.

Blood Fiend Clan (血鬼團).

One of the three dark organizations dividing the slums. While Bayden’s group, the ‘Six Fingers,’ is involved in slave trading, smuggling, security, and gambling—anything profitable, the ‘Blood Fiend Clan’ focuses solely on one thing.

Specifically, they run a ryotei (料亭).

Naturally, this isn’t your average restaurant.

It’s a favored location of ‘high-ranking individuals,’ used for discreet entertainment and negotiations.

‘This area is dominated by the Blood Fiend Clan who run the ryotei.’

Of course, the ryotei itself is not located in these grimy slums. If such ‘high-ranking individuals’ were to visit such a place, they would sneer at the lack of class.

“You don’t mean… Sir Julian, you came to see the ‘Vampire’!?”

Bayden looked unmistakably flustered. Trembling, he uttered the name ‘Vampire.’

It’s the nickname of the leader of the Blood Fiend Clan. During past turf wars in the slums, the 9-feet tall leader of the Blood Fiend Clan reputedly bathed in so much blood that it seemed to cover his enormous frame. To the slum dwellers, he resembled a blood-drinking monster, and the rumor evolved until he was dubbed the ‘Vampire.’

“You’re quick-witted.”

“Th-thank you for the compliment.”

No need for thanks.

“So, will you cause a disturbance here for us?”

I pressed the hood further down and spoke as if it were a matter of fact to Bayden.

“What do you mean…”

“I’m planning to summon the ‘Vampire.'”

TRIVIA:

A ryōtei (料亭) is a type of traditional Japanese restaurant. Traditionally, ryōtei only accept new customers by referral and feature entertainment by geisha, but in modern times this is not always the case. Ryōtei are typically a place where high-level business or political meetings can take place discreetly.

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