novelraw Chapter 170
Chapter 170
Chapter 170. Crumb (1)
"Hmm, seeing it like this again feels quite different."
"Does it? I was just thinking the same."
From beyond the iron bars, Zahard, who was flipping through a newspaper, looked at me visiting him and chuckled.
"How's life in custody?"
"Hmm, it's likely better than the conditions you had at the North Pole Wall."
"Life in custody at the North Pole Wall wasn't too bad, aside from the cold."
"Isn't such an environment usually considered bad?"
He chuckled.
Zahard turned another page of the newspaper with laughter, leaving me simply dumbfounded.
'Aren't you supposed to be blind?'
How is he reading a newspaper without being able to see?
"Oh, are you talking about this?"
Sensing my gaze, Zahard started to trace his fingers over the letters on the newspaper.
"I lost my sight afterward, so I know how the letters look. By following the traces of ink, I can read to some extent even if I can't see."
Indeed, the parts where inked letters are printed feel slightly raised compared to other areas.
By running his fingers over those parts, one could figure out the shapes of the letters.
'But still, the fact that he can do it.'
It was quite an impressive skill.
"So, did you come empty-handed?"
I handed over the item I brought, seeing Zahard looking like he expected something.
"You'd probably appreciate this more than me."
"Do you like confections?"
"Confections?"
"Yes, I brought cookies from a famous bakery at the Immel intersection."
"Hmm..."
Zahard's reaction to the mention of cookies wasn't so positive.
"Yulian, I have no doubts about your skills, but I am beginning to question your taste."
Zahard shamelessly says it's 'completely disappointing'. I'm not particularly fond of 'cookies' myself, but I brought these because I thought Zahard would like them.
"They're something I used to nibble on back in the days of frequently visiting the cult. A treat that women or dandies would likely enjoy."
"... They have whiskey in them. Quite a strong dose, too."
"Hmm... Come to think of it, perhaps I have a feminine side. Kuheum."
Srrsh.
Zahard, who accepted the box filled with cookies, started to open the wrapping while clearing his throat.
"Whiskey... I hope it's a flavor I like."
He mumbled while inspecting the cookies.
Ignoring the letters or the fancy pictures on the surface, he sniffed the aroma of the cookies and nodded before putting one in his mouth.
Crunch!
"... Not bad."
Zahard, with a surprising look, uttered his impression.
"Then again, you didn't just come here to give me this, did you?"
"Yes, I came to interrogate the culprit caught during the previous incident."
"Interrogation, huh."
Zahard picked up another cookie. It seemed to suit his taste as I expected.
"How's the trial progressing?"
"Well, they're not being too hard on me. Although I was summoned to a military court, the secretariat's proactive defense is smoothing things over."
That's a good sign.
Zahard kept reaching out for the cookies while talking, seemingly unconcerned about getting inebriated from the whiskey content of the cookies.
Since it's weaker than actual liquor, it probably won't matter much.
"Ugh..."
However, after eating a few more, Zahard started complaining of a headache.
"That was just right. I should stop now."
Watching him close the cookie box, I thought, quite skilled with the sword, but...
'A lightweight in alcohol.'
It was amusing to think that a blind warrior was an 'alcohol lightweight'.
***
After handing over the gift to Zahard, I proceeded to the solitary cell where Annarui was detained.
"Is the prisoner awake?"
"Well... the doctor finished treatment, but they haven't regained consciousness yet."
Indeed, considering only a day has passed, it's quite possible.
The spot Fern pierced was none other than the neck.
Considering the location and the amount of blood loss, it's not impossible.
'Did I come here for nothing?'
Even so, since I came all the way here, I should tell the guard to notify me when Annarui wakes up.
"Hm?"
Just then, I noticed some documents neatly arranged on a table next to the solitary cell.
"Are these the documents related to the incident?"
"Huh? Ah, yes, they are!"
I was curious.
After getting permission to look, I approached the table and started reviewing the documents one by one.
Among them, I found the list of participants for the 'Scenic Photos' meeting.
'This doesn't seem particularly problematic...'
Huh?
One thing seemed off. There was a familiar name on the participant list.
'... T'alle Genid'a Bathory?'
Like the 'Six Fingers', it's a group that divides the slums in half. The boss of the 'Blood Demon Order'.
I had no idea why her name was on this list.
T'alle is not a 'noble', neither does she seem connected to such gatherings.
'Doesn't she usually avoid being out when the sun's up?'
Being a vampire, it would be natural for her to avoid sunlight.
'Then why?'
I don't know the reason.
However, there was one connection.
'Six Fingers and Blood Demon Order.'
Excluding the now-defunct 'Nameless Band', they are the powerful entities dividing the slums.
For 'Six Fingers', if the 'Blood Demon Order' wasn't there, they could earn more money.
'Could it be, Annarui attended the gathering to eliminate T'alle?'
When I thought that way, the puzzle pieces seemed to fit a bit more.
It led to the possibility that Annarui might not have delayed to aid 'Dantes' escape, but maybe because he wasn't her employer.
"Hm..."
The guard watching me go through the list with a groan showed a look of wonderment.
"What, is there something strange?"
The guards began sweating nervously, concerned that the information they gathered could face scrutiny.
Imagining being caught by the 'Smiling Executioner' was something ... they didn't even want to think about.
"There's nothing in particular."
As I shook my head left and right indicating it didn't mean anything, they sighed in relief.
As if coming back from the brink of death.
I didn't mind much, truth be told.
'I should go see T'alle's face for myself now.'
I'd have to ask how she received an invitation to the 'Scenic Photos' meeting and whether she was aware of the recent moves of the 'Six Fingers'.
Additionally, I need to verify the location of 'Dantes', using her special skills.
***
Among the organizations ruling the slums, as the leader of the 'Blood Demon Order' known as the 'Vampire', Arthur noticed that the atmosphere in the slum had started to become strange recently.
Specifically, the actions of the 'Six Fingers', known as the only worthy adversary to the 'Blood Demon Order' in the slum, appeared suspicious.
'Are they trying to unify all the forces in the slum this time?'
From the look of the current atmosphere, it was a possibility.
If so, a confrontation between the 'Blood Demon Order' and the 'Six Fingers' is inevitable, and 'T'alle', the boss of the 'Blood Demon Order', could be in danger.
She is a 'Vampire', an existence that shouldn't be revealed to the world, and Arthur is her guardian against such threats.
― Do you want to follow me? It'd be better than rotting away in this dump forever. At least I can ensure you don't starve three times a day."
In a hopelessly desolate landfill of the slum, with no means of survival, a young boy, knowing nothing, silently followed T'alle who uttered these words.
Who in the slum would refuse someone offering food and shelter, after all?
Though he later realized she wasn't as upright as he thought, and neither was she even technically 'human', what did it matter?
'Isn't she the one who granted me a place to belong?'
Moreover, the place known as Bright Moon Pavilion(月目館) was also an establishment created by T'alle.
Two primary rules Arthur received from T'alle to strictly follow:
1. Protect oneself.
2. Allow no one unauthorized entry into Bright Moon Pavilion.
"In that regard, you cannot enter here."
Having locked the door at the Main Gate of Bright Moon Pavilion, Arthur stepped into the garden and stared at the elder figure walking towards him with a staff, under the pouring moonlight.
"Cackle, are you 'Vampire' Arthur, then?"
Though it was Arthur's first time seeing him, he could roughly guess the identity from the fierce aura emitting from him.
It was Locust, the pest controller, referred to as the 'Ring Finger' among the Six Fingers, an elder.
"Then you are Locust?"
"You seem well informed. Have we met somewhere?"
"No."
"Then how did you know?"
"The filthy presence squirming inside your body. I figured it out because of those things."
At the words 'filthy presence', Locust began to laugh once more with a cackle.
"Calling them filthy... They're like my children; hearing such words doesn't make me feel too good."
The squirming presence Arthur referred to were the bugs he nurtured inside his body.
True to his moniker 'pest controller', he wielded these bugs, nurturing them with 'magic'.
But they weren't merely 'bugs' to be underestimated.
Rumor had it that many who had belittled them like that had died, countless in number.
'The scent of blood is thick.'
Though known as the 'Vampire', Arthur, being a normal human aside from his large build, sensed a 'distinct scent of blood' emanating from the person in front of him, Locust.
'Is he feeding humans to the bugs...?'
Though Arthur was aware that the slum's inhabitants were of ill nature, the 'Six Fingers' was beyond that bad quality.
Armed robbery and theft were merely the basics, extending further to drug trafficking and human trafficking.
A group devoid of conscience, not flinching from any profitable venture—the term 'psychopathic group' was apt for them.
So with one of the leaders of such a group visiting here, it was natural for Arthur to be on edge.
"What's your business here?"
"I came to meet with the leader of the Blood Demon Order."
"Then you should be speaking to me. I am the leader of the Blood Demon Order."
"Cackle, your lies are a bit clumsy."
With a grin piercing through Arthur, Locust exhibited a displeasing smile.
"The Lady of Bright Moon Pavilion. Isn't she the head of your Blood Demon Order?"
'How much does he know?'
The question in Locust's words stirred cold sweat on Arthur's back and hands.
"What are you so scared of? Aren't we 'business partners'? I'm simply here to 'have a conversation'."
Thud──!
After setting down the halberd that was leaning next to the Main Gate, Arthur gripped its handle.
As unrefined energy flowed from his body, Locust chuckled again.
"Not bad for a fake head."
"Even the leader of the Six Fingers would be rendered useless on my halberd."
"Cackle, quite a dream you have. He's a complete monster. You couldn't lift a finger against him."
Shrugging as if to say, 'What can I do', Locust spoke again.
"Still, I have to use what I've brought."
Tap, tap, tap──!
As Locust struck the ground a couple of times with his staff, a familiar silhouette sprang from behind him.
"... Eren?"
It was a small child who often followed T'alle around.
"Ah, Arthur..."
"Oh no, stay silent. I've placed a Bloodworm inside him."
"... Bloodworm?"
"Ah, don't you know? Simply put, if I infuse magic power like this..."
Srrsh.
"Ah, ahhhhhh...!"
With Locust gripping Eren's shoulders and infusing them with magic power, Eren's eyes started to shake violently.
Soon, tears brimmed over in his eyes and an unprecedented amount of pain saw snot dribbling from his nose.
"What... what are you doing!?"
"What else? Didn't I say I came to see the Lady of Bright Moon Pavilion? This is just a means to that end."
This time, placing his staff down, Locust grasped Eren's shoulders with both hands.
A crimson worm crawled out from beneath his thick sleeves and started wriggling its way into Eren's ear.
"Cackle, isn't it time you called for the Lady? For a child this age with two Bloodworms—you won't even get ten minutes."
"..."
Arthur tightened his grip on his halberd.
Eren was surely dear to T'alle, but his primary duty was to protect her.
While grinding his lips and about to lunge, Arthur was caught short.
"Did you want to see me?"
Because T'alle's voice stopped him.
"Oh oh, as expected, I knew you'd be here, lady of Bright Moon Pavilion."
Locust released his grip from Eren's shoulder, seeing T'alle's face.
"However, the Lady of Bright Moon Pavilion is said to be a coward despite her refinement and looks, but to think you'd show up in front of me?"
"I may be a coward, but I'm not dumb. No way am I so stupid as to hide from trash as weak as you."
At T'alle's sharp critique, veins protruded on Locust's forehead.
"Wouldn't you better watch your words? You're in a position not that strange to die at the hands of this 'weak trash'."
Rolling up his sleeves once more, Locust revealed a centipede tattoo coiling on his wrist.
"In this place, I am more than a 'Sword Saint' to you."
The centipede, drawn on as a tattoo, began to race down his arm, slithering onto the ground.
"An insurmountable being. One you can never defeat. A creature from your nightmares."
All of a sudden, as Locust started pouring out all of his magic power, his aura felt close to that of a literal 'monster'.
The surrounding aura was heavily suffused with his energy.
In such an infested slum, imagine how many pests and insects could be present.
Visualize them all swarming in.
Swallowing nervously, Arthur found himself pondering,
'Could I win?'
No. At least, perhaps buying time for the Lady to escape should be given the top priority.
"Puhahahahahahahat!"
At that moment, T'alle's laughter began filling Bright Moon Pavilion.
"Calling yourself beyond a Sword Saint here? Saying you are an insurmountable presence... is laughable."
Even as the hoards of creatures that Locust controlled obscured the cries of the crickets.
And as those emitting out sinister energy caused those around to shiver,
T'alle calmly opened her mouth as if none of it mattered.
"And a monster? Seems like you haven't met a real monster."
"I wonder what your reliance on..."
"Take a look behind you. Observe, with that narrow grasp of yours."
As T'alle suggested, Locust turned around.
"To reach the realm of 'monsters', one should be at least that level."
A figure approached, dressed in a neat cobalt coat, with a sword at their waist.
Their purposeful gait striking him as fitting, walking this way.
When Locust realized who it was, alarm marred his features.
"That person is..."
Clacky's Corner:
A slit-eyed villain is never late, nor is he early; he arrives precisely when he means to.
Yeah, I bastardized the quote, what'chu gonna do about it?