Chapter 27

The tavern of the Duke of Yahe in the city of Noktar.

The appearance of this place was vastly different from any tavern one might see elsewhere. Its shape resembled a sophisticated bar (Bar), and entry was permitted only to nobles or wealthy merchants.

It was a space for the socializing of the well-off, as well as a place to share information that wasn’t floating around outside.

Just like now.

Men adorned in expensive clothing and extravagant accessories were seated at the barrier, raising their glasses and engaging in light conversation.

“Have you heard the rumors?”

“What rumors?”

“The rumor that a Death God has appeared! They say the Death God has shown up in Praksh and Agartha, killing people and taking their souls!”

“Wow.”

Taking souls.

That was a different level from ordinary death. It would be a matter of wailing somewhere even now, with no hope of reincarnation.

“What’s even creepier is that all the dead seem to have deep connections to the witch purge.”

“Then that means it’s the witch’s doing, right?”

“It’s obvious without looking. They must have touched a witch and got cursed.”

“They just poked a beehive. Anyway, aren’t there hardly any witches around these days? Is it really necessary to poke at them? As long as they’re not causing trouble, they can live as they please. Nowadays, it’s the Mages who are more of a problem.”

The man nodded in agreement, shaking his head.

While it is true that witches have a history of rampaging across the continent and massacring innocent people, that is a thing of the distant past. Back then, only witches could wield magic.

Now, after centuries, magic had diminished to something akin to a peculiar skill. It was foolish to even distinguish between Mages and Witches.

“Besides, aren’t all witches beautiful?”

“What are you talking about? From what I know, they’re all just old hags with wrinkled skin.”

“They’re terribly cute.”

An unfamiliar voice suddenly intruded into the conversation. The men turned their gazes towards the source of the sound.

It was a handsome man with black hair sitting two tables away.

He was leaning back slightly, savoring an ivory-colored wine.

“What did you just say?”

“I was just talking to myself. This wine glass is quite cute.”

“It’s just an ordinary wine glass.”

“Oh dear, it’s a shame you can’t see the difference. I’m disappointed that I cannot share my sentiments with you.”

The man chuckled frivolously.

The men exchanged glances and gestured. They shrugged it off as some odd character and turned their attention back.

“Where were we?”

“I don’t know. I forgot because of that guy. Oh, have you heard? They succeeded in hunting an Elf at the Desert Rose guild!”

“What? Is that really true? Ropermong finally succeeded.”

Ropermong, who runs the Desert Rose guild, is a famous collector and has an obsessive fixation with collecting rare items.

Elves are included in that collection.

The appearance of Elves is stunningly beautiful, but they live hidden behind barriers in the great woods, making encounters difficult.

Even if you are lucky enough to stumble upon one, it’s incredibly difficult to catch because of its agility. Therefore, Elves are extremely rare. When they occasionally appear in the market, nobles scramble to bid, and the minimum bidding price is astronomical.

To successfully hunt such an Elf is no small feat.

What a huge jackpot!

“I’m so envious.”

“They say they’re transporting it now, so let’s at least go check it out when it arrives.”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

That was another voice.

The man turned around sharply.

“Are you eavesdropping on our conversation?”

“Excuse me?”

“Like before and now, you’ve been interrupting our conversation!”

“I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

Unable to hold back, the man stood up abruptly.

After all, information is something that can sometimes be bought with money, yet he had heard it for free. Of course, considering the public space, it was somewhat excusable, but being so blatant about it was indeed unpleasant.

“Are you going to pretend you don’t understand? Then what did you mean by looking forward to it just now? You wouldn’t try to backtrack and say you never said that, would you?”

“I meant that I’m looking forward to the bubbles rising. The carbonation makes it bubble up more than usual. Just look at this.”

As the man brought the wine to his lips, he exhaled. The bubbles were frothing up. Then he looked at the men.

“Ta-da!”

He spread his hands wide, striking a pose as if he had performed a great trick.

A chuckle escaped despite the absurdity.

“Are you seriously asking me to believe that?”

“Cough, cough.”

“W-why are you suddenly laughing?”

“I have a disease where I laugh when I see bubbles. I’m sorry… cough, cough.”

Bubbling.

Cough, cough.

The man repeated a series of actions, laughing to himself.

“Hey, just leave. You look a little off. There’s nothing good to come from getting involved with that guy.”

Though not pleased, his words were a hundred percent correct.

Everyone who could enter the Duke of Yahe was influential in their own right. Therefore, just seeing their faces was usually enough to recognize them, but this man was a stranger.

If one were to escalate matters without knowing anything about the other, there would be no turning back.

Moreover, even now, the man was caressing the rim of his wine glass as if cherishing a lover’s skin, gazing at it with a loving glance.

It’s particularly dangerous people like that.

“Tsk.”

The man clicked his tongue loudly as if to be heard and then left his seat.

The black-haired man continued to rub his wine glass even after the other men had departed, not wiping the greasy smile from his face.

“Free information is the best.”

Sipping his drink contentedly, Carami was looked down upon in disdain by the older bartender who was wiping glasses.

“Why do you keep eavesdropping on others’ conversations when you already have plenty of money? You’ll only get scolded for it.”

“If I sit here, valuable information just pours in, so why would I spend money? Every little bit adds up to a lot.”

“Then why do it in my bar?”

“Master, is it unfair to say that? I even saved your granddaughter.”

“That’s why I can’t chase you away.”

Though Carami spent all day sitting in the bar like a layabout, there was a world of difference between his outer appearance and his true self.

This is also the reason why a mere slave trader who isn’t a noble or a guild leader can be in this place.

Victor, the Master of the Duke of Yahe, recalled his first meeting with Carami.

***

It was a rainy night.

As the damp buildings softly reflected the moonlight, Victor was closing the store as usual.

Plick.

The sound of footsteps pressing through the water on the ground.

Without even glancing, Victor realized that it belonged to a man. The footsteps stopped beside his store.

“Today’s business is done.”

“Is that so? What a pity. I’ve heard the drinks here are quite exquisite.”

A light voice.

It was the first time he had heard it.

“Sorry, but we restrict our clientele. Even if you come back tomorrow, I can’t guarantee that you could enter.”

“Wow~ It works anywhere, huh? If you emphasize sophistication, the rich come pouring in with money, feeling a bit of a superiority complex.”

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come. There are plenty of other taverns besides ours.”

It wasn’t a big deal to get worked up over someone trying to stir trouble. Victor quietly closed the wooden door. Each time the chain in his hand brushed his fingertips, the faint sound of metal mixed with the sound of rain.

Plick.

Since Victor was showing no interest, the man seemed to lose interest too and casually moved on.

As he brushed past Victor,

“The twilight fades, and the Duke stops dancing.”

Bang!

Victor’s arm swung in the rain. He grabbed the man and slammed him against the wall. With one arm pressing on the man’s neck, a dagger that had sprung out at lightning speed from somewhere was aimed at him.

“Who are you? How do you know the code?”

Only then did Victor first see the man’s appearance.

With black hair and black eyes, a distinct feature alongside considerable handsome looks. Although he was being strangled, he looked down at Victor with a mocking expression.

“Hmmm, that’s strange. The secret code I know is not that one. It seems you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

“No, you’re undoubtedly the one I’m thinking of. Stop stalling and answer my question.”

“Even if you talk like that, I can’t confirm what you’re saying…”

“…”

Victor hesitated for a moment.

“…But the shadows continue to dance.”

“On a rainy night, where is the Duke heading~?”

“To where there is darkness, to where there is no moonlight.”

The man’s eyes narrowed mischievously.

He smiled as if pleased.

“Ah, so you must be the one I know. I’ve wanted to hear your voice directly, and thanks to you, I’ve fulfilled my wish.”

“Then answer my question directly. Who are you? How do you know this?”

After all, this secret code was used by the assassination guild.

Victor was the Guild Master of that assassination guild.

But after falling into a trap and having his comrades wiped out, the guild disbanded, and Victor had been running a tavern in Noktar since.

There was no one left in the world who knew of his existence. And the secret code was similarly buried in the memories with his departed comrades.

Yet this stranger was reciting it.

“I am Carami, a slave trader. I’m also known as the Slave Death God in the world. If you ask how I know your identity, it’s because I’m a great fan of yours.”

“A fan? You expect me to believe that?”

“Haha, it’s true. I can’t really show you my true feelings.”

“Don’t worry. Whether you’re sincere or not will be revealed soon enough.”

Victor moved his hand.

Thwack.

The dagger pressed against Carami’s throat. A drop of blood trickled down along the blade.

“Hmmm, if you kill me, it’ll be a problem for you, Victor.”

“Well, wouldn’t having someone who knows my identity still alive be even more troublesome?”

Carami smirked.

He added one more thing.

“If I’m dead, there won’t be anyone to cure your granddaughter’s illness. Are you really okay with that?”