Act 108

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Aiden’s secret laboratory.

This is a place closely related to the event “Bloody Tuesday” that appears in *Let’s Kill the Demon Lord*. Due to random elements, it’s impossible to pinpoint its exact location. However, based on my previous experiences, only I could identify the specific location of the “laboratory.”

“So, where should we investigate?” 

“Near the underground waterway. If you find anything suspicious there, let me know.” 

Aiden created his laboratory in such a place not only to keep his experiments hidden from the outside world but also because it was a good spot for disposing of waste. 

‘During the process of creating fake Demon Horns, a lot of wastewater is produced.’

Because of this, despite its random nature, Aiden’s “laboratory” was always located in the slums, connected to the waterways.

“An underground waterway… Why there?” 

“It’s the Black Knight’s orders.” 

If you want an explanation, there’s a lot to tell. It’s just a hassle. 

Like the event “Bloody Tuesday.”

Like the story related to the fake horns.

Like the background explanation of the narrative.

It’s all a real bother.

“Got it. If the Black Knight said so, there must be a reason.”

The enormous trust in the “Black Knight.” If this person knew that I was the object of that trust, how surprised would she be? 

“But if we’re investigating the whole slum, it might be too much for just our ‘Nameless Gang,’ right?” 

Everything is already prepared. 

“It’s fine. We’re also getting cooperation from other sides.” 

“Of course, it’s the Black Knight. He must have persuaded others without us knowing.”

Hmm. Misunderstandings are free, but let’s go with that.

“Alright then.”

With that, Meyer gathered mana on her fingertip and sent it into the sky. It was one of the spirits she controlled. 

Whisper. 

Watching Meyer whisper something, I added a word to her. 

“It would be better if you acted without your mask on. Since the incident with Gerard, the ‘Dawn Society’ has been somewhat monitoring the ‘Nameless Gang.’” 

“Got it.”

Meyer nodded and whispered a few more words to the spirit, which soon disappeared into the sky. 

“Then, I’ll join the search like the other members…” 

“No, Miss Meyer has something else to do. Could you follow me?”

With a gentle smile and his eyes half-closed, this sly villain’s words made Meyer tilt her head in confusion. 

“Why me?” 

Her resistance made my head ache. It’s natural, considering her trust in “Julian” was almost zero. No matter how sweetly Julian persuaded her or how grand a future he painted, she wouldn’t believe him. I had no choice but to use the ultimate cheat.

“It’s a request from the Black Knight. He specifically asked for you, saying only you could do it.” 

“Only I can…”

For a moment, her eyes sparkled but then fell into contemplation. 

Mumbling a few times, “Can I live up to the Black Knight’s expectations?” she finally nodded. 

“Alright. Where do we go?” 

“The Magic Tower.” 

“The Magic Tower? Why there?” 

At the mention of the “Magic Tower,” Meyer’s face twisted as if she had seen a disgusting insect. Her reaction made me curious.

Do You Have a Reason to Hate That Place?

It’s just that the wizards use it for their research…

‘Hmm…?’ 

Thinking about it carefully, I might understand. Among all the wizards I’ve met, only a handful seemed normal. Initially, they gnashed their teeth at me, but now they treat me like a superior—what weirdos.

There’s the insane one researching and experimenting with fake horns. Then there’s the clueless one who tried to eliminate me by collaborating with the lunatic. It’s like a trio of weirdos!

Are all researchers like this? It’s as if they all have a screw loose…

Wait, come to think of it, they all joined the Dawn Society, didn’t they? Maybe the problem isn’t the Society, but rather the problematic people who joined it.

“There is an item we need to retrieve from there.”

“An item to retrieve? What is it?”

“A resonance stone.”

Since Aiden’s laboratory researches fake horns, there’s a high probability of encountering demons there. As we can’t be sure what kind of demon might appear, it’s wise to have a ‘resonance stone’ as insurance.

“A resonance stone? And this is also a request from the Black Knight?”

“Yes.”

Meyer fell into brief contemplation.

“The Black Knight clearly keeps his identity hidden, so how do you know so much about him?”

I flinched. Suddenly, Meyer, who always seemed naive, appeared different. 

Well, I guess you’d need to have at least this level of intellect to be a wizard.

“Perhaps you…”

She looked at me with half-closed eyes.

Did I make a mistake somewhere? Reflecting on our conversation, I realize I might have spoken too much from my own perspective. If she had any sense, she could infer that I’m the ‘Black Knight.’

Maybe I underestimated Meyer too much…

“You must have immense trust from the Black Knight.”

I see, you’re just a fool after all.

“Unlike the rumors, the Black Knight must find you reliable enough to trust so deeply.”

I felt grateful to Meyer for being less perceptive than expected.

***

A creaking sound accompanied a carriage cutting through the night fog of the capital. 

The carriage, bearing the unmistakable emblem of the Donassien family, began to slow down and stopped in a dark alley. Emerging from it was Aiden, who had recently failed to form a corporation with Bishop ‘Korund.’

“To think you’d be living in such a filthy place.”

As usual, with a cynical expression, he stepped out of the carriage, his lips curling into an unseemly sneer.

His derision was directed at a man pitifully leaning against the alley wall. 

Though draped in ragged clothing, the man’s eyes burned with a certain emotion.

“How did you know I was here?”

“Few people know this capital’s layout as well as I do.”

“Is it because of that damn ‘laboratory’?”

As the word ‘laboratory’ left the man’s lips, Aiden’s sneer deepened.

“So you knew too, Bishop Gerard. Or should I say, Sir Gerard?”

Gerard flinched at the word ‘Bishop.’

Then, glaring at Aiden with eyes like a blazing volcano, he spoke.

“Ah, but since you’ve been ousted, calling you ‘Bishop’ might be a bit off, right?”

“Shut your mouth! Before I tear it apart right now!”

Gerard reached into his coat, revealing a gleaming dagger and a fluttering right sleeve that caught Aiden’s eye.

“Calm down. I’m not here to eliminate you, even though you’ve been branded a traitor.”

Aiden then smiled slightly.

“Aren’t we comrades with the same enemy?”

At the mention of the “same enemy,” Gerard’s shoulders twitched again.

“You mean that despicable Julian?”

“Yes.”

As Aiden confirmed, Gerard’s left hand trembled.

Seeing this, Aiden clicked his tongue internally. ‘Useless.’

Gerard’s fist shook as if from rage, but Aiden could detect an underlying “murkiness” in his emotions—fear.

“Is the mighty Gerard really going to back down like this? Doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

With no allies left in the Dawn Society, Aiden aimed to provoke Gerard.

“Shouldn’t you also avenge that severed right arm?”

“I have no desire for revenge against Sir Tenellon.”

“It was Julian who orchestrated that.”

Gritting his teeth.

“If I could kill that bastard Julian, I’d do anything! But…”

“But?”

“If it’s not certain, I can’t cooperate.”

Aiden frowned slightly. Though Gerard’s eyes burned with vengeance, there was a hint of hesitation.

“He’s the embodiment of cunning… no, he’s a demon! I dread the thought of facing such a demon again!”

Gerard spoke as if he was about to collapse.

“I couldn’t grasp what was happening behind the scenes. The Nameless Gang, the Black Knight, it was all part of his scheme…”

His pupils, once filled with rage, were now overcome by an undeniable fear.

“You say that, but aren’t you also aiming to make a comeback?”

Gerard, a man who seemed to personify ambition, wouldn’t be satisfied with this current state. He would find a way to regain his position in the Dawn Society, using any means necessary to remove the disgraceful label attached to him.

“Do you have any method? Any way to kill Julian?”

‘If I had a sure method, would I have gone to the trouble of coming here?’ Such words nearly escaped Aiden’s lips, but he refrained.

“Of course.”

Gerard was merely a pawn to be used and discarded. Despite being expelled from the Dawn Society, he still had connections that Aiden could exploit.

“So, what is it you want from me?”

“Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Aiden then began to outline his plan.

“Children. Preferably ones whose disappearance wouldn’t be suspicious… yes, that would be best.”

“Does it have to be children?”

“Yes, it has to be.”

Gerard, knowing full well what was required for experiments on fake horns, immediately understood Aiden’s implication. Aiden was willing to forsake basic human decency for his experiments and for his family’s secrets.

This was the desire of the man named ‘Aiden’ and his resolution to abandon his humanity.

“You’re a madman.”

“Ha, coming from someone who recruited soldiers from the slums, you’ve got some nerve,” Aiden retorted, making Gerard narrow his eyes sharply.

“Isn’t it easy to find such kids in the slums?” Aiden redirected his gaze from the direction of the slums back to Gerard.

“What does that have to do with taking down Julian?” Gerard’s overly cautious demeanor made Aiden frown slightly, though he didn’t show it.

“It’s not directly related. It’s simply to complete my research.”

“…Do you really believe that diverting attention to this will help you deal with Julian?”

“That part is not difficult.”

Despite Aiden’s assurance, Gerard started to doubt him.

“Didn’t you just fail in your negotiations with Korund recently? And you didn’t manage to carry out the third prince Kaldraak’s orders properly, either.”

“So you’re well-informed about the situation with Prince Kaldraak.”

“Despite my current state, I still have connections within the royal family. My family isn’t completely ruined yet.”

Aiden tensed slightly. Gerard knowing about this could potentially become a problem for him.

“The third prince doesn’t want reconciliation with the Holy Nation. He’s connected with the military, and he needs to start a war to secure his claim to the throne.”

“You’re well-informed.”

Aiden cleared his throat to change the mood for a moment.

“Indeed, the matter with the Holy Nation was unexpected even for me. But you can consider the failed negotiations with Bishop Korund as part of my strategy.”

“A strategy…?”

“Yes.”

Although not every detail was planned, the resulting butterfly effect would unfold as Aiden intended.

“So, it was to create another force to oppose Julian?”

Aiden let out a small laugh, impressed by Gerard’s accurate deduction.

“If Korund is a wizard, he would understand the significance of the crisis Julian has caused.”

A challenge to the authority of wizards. Korund would recognize how arrogant and insolent that was, even without being told.

‘I don’t care if my honor is tarnished. What matters is the troublesome Julian’s demise.’

“In that sense, Gerard, why not take this opportunity to unleash your well-honed vengeance?”

“Hmm.”

Gerard groaned and began to contemplate Aiden’s direct proposal. After all, there was no answer other than affirmation he could give to this question. 

Aiden waited with an inward smile, knowing Gerard would have no choice but to take the bait and cooperate with him.

“No. I will not collaborate with you.”

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