As I walked deeper into the dark underground waterway, a strange feeling began to creep over me. The musty smell gradually faded, and instead, it started to feel cleaner, like there were traces of human presence.
“Indeed… it seems like someone has tampered with this place; it’s an artificial space.”
“That means we should be close to finding the place we’re looking for,” I said, continuing to move forward without stopping.
Just as the unfamiliar underground scenery started to feel somewhat comforting, Aileen suddenly asked, “Black Knight, who are you?”
“A moment ago, didn’t you call me ‘Black Knight’?”
“Not that… I mean your identity.”
What is this? Why is she asking suddenly? Did I make a mistake?
“Given that I cover my face with such a hideous mask, wouldn’t it be more suspicious if I simply answered that question?” I thought my reply was reasonable, but she didn’t seem satisfied.
“It’s not that hideous…,” she murmured to herself, and I couldn’t help but hear it. An unexpected sentiment. Until now, I’d only heard complaints that it was ‘horrifying’ or ‘terrible.’ When I chose the coat at Baek’s store, I thought it looked fine, but it seems there was something off about it.
“Someone like you must have a separate identity within the empire, one that corresponds to the nobility.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Your equipment and the information you possess. These are not things an ordinary person could imitate.” As she spoke, Aileen pointed to the sword hanging at my waist.
“Especially that sword. What kind of mineral is it made from?”
“It’s similar to ordinary swords.”
“That’s a lie. All the swords I’ve seen before had consistency, but the one you use is made from a mineral I’ve never seen. It’s as black as a shadow… almost like it’s alive.”
Alive… as expected of a mage, she was quite accurate. It’s practically something akin to a living creature.
“Using that mineral is how you can emit such an aura from your sword, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Though it wasn’t relevant, I agreed for the time being. There was no point in explaining about ‘Sombra’ as it would only raise more doubts.
“To possess such a mineral and have the technology to craft it into a sword means you are someone with power higher than a noble in the empire.”
“Your deductive skills are impressive.”
“It also means you might be someone I know.”
There was a certain undertone to her words. It made me want to stop and look at her, but instead, I wondered, ‘Is she testing me?’
No point in engaging. Instead of replying, I remained silent and quickened my pace. Behind me, I heard the sound of her hurried footsteps and her calling out to me.
Try your best to keep up. It’s not me who is curious, it’s you.
***
‘Even the Crypart family, who detests Julian, is secretly supporting him.’
With this misunderstanding, Korund’s next move was clear.
– ‘Set up a meeting with Aiden on this day.’
‘Become bait to lure Aiden out.’
Julian must have said this with such thoughts in mind. At first, Korund thought that ‘Aiden’ and ‘Julian’ were in cahoots. It seemed that way because Julian had suddenly appeared in the Arena, looking like he was plotting with Aiden.
However, his expectations were wrong.
‘Did Julian show up there to prevent me from collaborating with Aiden…?’
By now, it was too late to renegotiate with Aiden. Korund’s body already bore the deep scars left by Julian.
Scars of ‘fear.’
“Aiden…”
Feeling acutely aware of his own shortcomings, Korund lifted his head and looked at the man in front of him.
“I didn’t expect you to agree to meet again.”
His voice was calm but carried a hint of sarcasm, as if he had anticipated this meeting.
“It wasn’t that long ago that you were furious, claiming I would team up with Julian to drive out your faction.”
“…I misunderstood. I jumped to the conclusion that you had allied with Julian.”
“Have you just now realized? What benefit would I gain from joining forces with that filthy imperial dog?”
“That’s true…”
Ignoring Aiden’s incredulous attitude, Korund recalled Julian’s words.
– ‘When you meet him, ask him to temporarily disable the magical devices in his possession.’
That was Julian’s only request.
Meeting Aiden and asking him to disable his magical devices.
“In that case, finding a common ground is important. Meeting again like this means our goals align, right?”
“Julian’s… overthrow?”
“Yes.”
“Before that, I have one request, Aiden.”
Korund spoke cautiously, aware of how absurd his request would seem.
Seeing his demeanor, Aiden wore a slightly puzzled expression.
“What is it?”
“I’d like you to take out all the magical devices you have and disable them.”
“What?”
Aiden frowned slightly. It was understandable. ‘Magical devices’ are the means by which wizards protect themselves and serve as their last line of defense. Asking to disable them was like asking him to expose his neck.
“You still seem suspicious after the incident at the Arena.”
In truth, Korund was making this request under Julian’s orders to overthrow him, but he nodded at Aiden’s words.
“We’re here to discuss the direction of our cooperation, but if you continue to be suspicious, there’s nothing I can do. You know what magical devices mean to a wizard.”
With a scraping sound, Aiden stood up from his seat, as if to signal that there was nothing more to say and the negotiation was over.
‘Oh no…’
Seeing this, Korund grew desperate. He couldn’t imagine what would happen if he didn’t follow Julian’s orders. As the pain from the injuries inflicted by Pintel began to throb, Korund stood up as well, just like Aiden.
And then…
“What are you doing?”
Clatter.
Korund placed the magical devices and wand he had been carrying on the table.
“We’re here to talk, so it’s better to eliminate any doubts.”
“What does that have to do with taking out magical devices?”
“The incident at the Arena. You planted a device on me with an eavesdropping spell at that time!”
To be honest, Korund didn’t know whether it was Aiden or someone else who cast the eavesdropping spell.
But right now, the truth of the matter wasn’t important. Korund knew he had to act regardless. His life, the honor of his family—everything was at stake, and he was increasingly aware of his growing impatience. His voice grew louder, and he felt sweat soaking his back. Moreover, Aiden’s disapproving gaze only amplified his discomfort.
“Let’s make one thing clear. The unfortunate incident back then has nothing to do with me.”
That fact is irrelevant now!
“But since you’re showing such a stance, I have no choice but to respond in kind.”
Saying this, Aiden began to remove his magical devices just as Korund had done. Earrings, rings, necklaces, and other jewelry were placed on the table. Once finished, Aiden sat back down.
“Is this enough?”
Seeing Aiden’s actions, Korund forced a servile smile and swallowed the rising fear.
‘Is this enough now, Julian? I’ve done my part.’
***
“It’s a barrier.”
Just as we were starting to feel close to the laboratory, a magical barrier appeared in front of Aileen and me, as if to confirm our suspicions. It was a spell that ordinary people wouldn’t notice, but anyone with some knowledge of ‘mana’ would instantly recognize it.
“I don’t know what kind it is, but one thing is certain: it’s a barrier that sends some kind of signal to the user.”
“Can’t we just deactivate it?”
“Do you remember when you entered my mansion? Even if you deactivate it, the owner will inevitably notice.”
Aileen inspected the barrier closely.
“The fact that there is an alarm spell installed in this barrier means they have something to hide inside.”
With a meaningful look in her eyes, Aileen stopped me as I slowly approached the barrier’s location.
“Don’t get too close. Sending an alarm is just one of its abilities; it’s likely not its only function.”
I knew that as well. Just by looking at it, I had a sense it would be troublesome.
‘A mechanism that fires multiple metal spheres upon explosion.’
It’s a commonly known fragmentation grenade-like trap. The problem is that even if I manage to disarm them using detection skills or ‘amazing intuition,’ the alarm would still reach Aiden.
‘Seeing that there’s a barrier, Korund must have refused my request.’
I didn’t have high expectations anyway. I just had to be satisfied that Aiden wasn’t here.
Schwing─!
I drew my sword. It wasn’t even necessary to use ‘Sombra’ to conceal the sword made of ‘Moonstone.’
“Wait! Are you thinking of cutting through the barrier?”
Aileen, watching me, looked at me with shocked eyes.
“No matter how skilled you are in swordsmanship, that’s impossible!”
“Stand back. Unless you want to get caught in the crossfire.”
Preparing to shield my entire body with ‘Sombra’ if necessary, I swung my sword.
Swoosh!
But my sword cut through not the barrier but the empty air. To be precise, the barrier vanished just before the Moonstone sword could touch it.
…Did Korund follow my request?
There’s no other way to explain this phenomenon. This barrier could only be deactivated if Aiden’s ‘magical device’ was away from his body, as described in the original story.
‘Good timing.’
As I thought this, I heard Aileen’s startled voice from behind.
“Impossible… Cutting through a barrier with a sword! That’s absurd…”
I know. But this was a coincidence. Just thinking about explaining this process gives me a headache. But is it necessary? Probably not…
Without further hesitation, I stepped into the laboratory.
“Wait a moment! How did you do that!? Disabling a complexly intertwined barrier without triggering it—was it because of that sword!?”
No, it was just a coincidence. I expected some hassle, but Aileen’s fuss didn’t last long. As soon as she took in the laboratory’s scenery, her expression turned serious.
It wasn’t just that. As time passed, her face grew more rigid, and she soon became pale.
“The arrangement and type of tools… they seem familiar.”
She noticed. This place is closely related to Aiden’s… no, to the ‘Donassien faction’ to which she belongs.
“What does this place have to do with our family…?”
To put it bluntly, it’s not just a relationship. This is where the heads of those wizards operate.
“No, I think I can guess without asking. Did you know?”
“Yes.”
“Then you might have already ‘identified’ who it is.”
“Aiden de Donassien.”
“What?”
Aileen was visibly shocked by my immediate response.
“He’s the owner of this laboratory.”
After speaking, I quietly watched Aileen’s face, preparing for any possible situation. If she defended her family head, I would have to make a tough decision in this situation.
“Are you trying to cover this up because you recognize the name?”
“Quietly… that’s impossible.”
Aileen seemed to have made up her mind. Judging by her words and actions, she, too, as a noble, couldn’t abandon the Donassien family.
“We have to expose this on a grand scale!”
Indeed, even if she is a collateral relative, blood is blood…
“We must report that illegal experiments were conducted in this facility to ‘Closed Eyes’!”
Cliche Novel 