Chapter 56

As long as a person lives, even if the sun were to extinguish, the red lights will not go out.

Recalling a phrase said to best describe the red-light district, the masked figure walked through the streets.

“Take the women and lock them up. They need to work for us, so don’t touch them.”

“Yes, sister.”

“For the men, throw the seriously injured ones into the underground sewer, and treat the ones who are fine.”

“Is there any need to ask?”

“Don’t touch those who can take care of themselves. That way, other ‘stores’ won’t rebel unnecessarily.”

“You are always wise.”

The bottom of the red mask opened, and the masked figure bit into a smoking pipe.

It was illicitly smuggled tobacco not sold in the church.

She took a deep drag and exhaled, shouting, “Alright, let’s go in!”

“Waaaah!”

At the same time, the guards following her shouted and rushed towards the entrance of the hotel casino ahead.

“Those bastards!”

“Stop them!”

The guards of that ‘store’ panicked as they swung steel clubs at the door.

“Die!”

“Break through!”

With each swing of the clubs, heads and limbs shattered.

“We are the hope of this street!”

Even on the night when 70% of the red-light district was swept away, the ‘hope’ of the masked figure remained intact, boosting the morale of the guards following her.

“Let’s go!”

The guards of the attacked hotel began to fall, unable to withstand the assault.

“Dare you…?”

At that moment, a large middle-aged man came rushing out from inside the casino.

With two quick kicks, he took down three of the masked figure’s guards and swung his club at an incredible speed, knocking down four more.

Considering that he struck precisely at the temples causing concussions, he was certainly a capable veteran mercenary.

“Hey, guys! Get it together!”

Just as the momentum was about to rally with the man’s joining, the masked figure gestured with her chin towards a nimble-looking man behind her.

He was one of the guards who had once helped two dukes escape from the ‘Future’ casino.

Wielding two short swords, he dashed up the stairs.

Although the hotel guards tried to confront him, the sword user wielding mana had a reaction speed like no other.

Thud, thud!

“Ah!”

“Kugh…!”

Before they could even draw their weapons, most were already on the ground, having been stabbed in the thighs and ribs.

“Seeing such great individuals, now you don’t even stand a chance in my eyes.”

Thwack, and then slash!

The nimble-looking man blocked a steel club with his short sword and swiftly slashed the large man’s throat.

“Should you have retired when you left the mercenary life?”

“Maybe I should have. Damn it. I just wanted to live with my family in the capital…”

The large man fell to his knees at the entrance.

The masked figure passed by him surrounded by her guards.

“You foolish man.”

By the time she entered the hotel’s first-floor casino, the interior was already cleared.

“It would be better for all of us if you just signed willingly.”

With the manager kneeling before her, she made him write a contract promising to pay 30% of the net profits.

“Give me a kiss.”

The masked figure extended a ringed hand, imitating the loyalty vows of nobles and knights.

The manager in his fifties bit his lip in humiliation but steadied himself as he caught sight of the menacing gazes of the ‘hope’ guards surrounding him.

There were widespread rumors that the notorious bandit Valenciaunos was backing the masked figure.

Not merely 30% of sales, but 30% of net profits was still a bearable amount.

Having entered the shadow of the reigning power, he no longer needed to struggle against the other ‘stores.’

Thinking about the donations to the church that would be used to treat the injured, it could potentially turn into profit.

He dutifully kissed the masked figure’s ring.

“Well done, little brother.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Pay the protection fee starting next month. This is to treat the kids.”

“Thank you.”

As he bowed deeply, the masked figure stood up, smiling in satisfaction.

“Let’s go, everyone!”

“We are the hope of this street!”

The masked figure cheerfully laughed as she returned to the hope.

On her way back, she encountered about a dozen sword wielders.

Clearly from the slums, they wielded swords made from iron plates.

“Damn it!”

“Stop them!”

The red-light district had always been narrow, as both the managers trying to expand their stores and the administrative officers aiming to reduce the scale of fights had the same goal.

With the road being narrow, it was hard to leverage numerical superiority, and it was difficult for personnel in the front and back to join the main fighting area.

While the overall number of the hope guards was far greater, only about five or six could protect the masked figure at the front.

As guards fell one by one to the swords, a sword user who was stationed in the back burst through the crowd; meanwhile, the sword wielders were already pressing their blades against the masked figure.

“Flames that embrace tenderly.”

“Huh?”

“Ah!”

And with just that one phrase, a dozen sword wielders fell to the ground.

No matter how roughly they lived in the slums, they could not withstand the flames.

The masked figure looked up while supporting her injured subordinates.

A silver-haired, white-masked noble walked leisurely around the corner of the building.

From the delicate smile behind the mask to the tips of his white uniform, there wasn’t a single sign of arrogance.

“Thanks to you, I don’t know how many times I’ve saved my life. Thank you.”

“Just know this. You’re not someone who would apologize with empty words.”

He naturally joined the group, walking beside the masked figure.

“How does it feel to be the ruler of this street?”

“It’s tough to be treated like a traitor. I’ve been attacked three times today alone.”

“That’s not what feelings are about.”

“It’s invigorating. My income from unearned gains increases, and I get to hear ‘sister, sister,’ so it’s worth living. I often wonder how I managed to survive as just a manager before.”

“Did you plant the ‘organization’ well?”

Without hesitation, she nodded.

“In this line of work, isn’t it ultimately still centered on the capital? If I relied on kids who can’t even handle a sword, I’d be as good as the fox in the mountains… A fox that could get eaten by wolves at any moment needs to stay close to dragons or lions for safety.”

“Yeah. Just know this.”

The masked figure knew the answer he wanted.

She had never looked down on nobles and royalty just because they frequented her establishment.

Valenciaunos’s yellow eyes glimmered coldly.

“Don’t spread drugs, and don’t toy with information regarding the royal family or the nobility. You never know when the knights might come. Don’t meddle with strange spells or magic tools. If you mess up, you could end up involved with infiltrators, and the Holy Knights will come pouring onto the streets. Don’t touch illegal loans. The Emperor is impatient because he can’t raise cash to expand the military.”

“Yes.”

“As long as you keep to those rules, you will probably continue living as the king of this street.”

For the masked figure, it was an unexpected gift from Valenciaunos.

If Sererassie, Rudi, and Tenitia were connections she must establish, then the masked figure was a fortunate, sustained connection.

Human nature tends not to let go of what one has in hand, so she wanted to maintain a good relationship.

“Are you here to play? We have many pretty girls at our place.”

“No thanks. I need to work.”

“If the girls are uneasy due to bloodline dilution, how about the boys? We have many good ones.”

“I decline even if there’s no work on that side.”

Valenciaunos turned serious, and the masked figure could tell even behind the mask that she smiled.

As they passed the store front, she had her guards present a prepared pouch, and Valenciaunos smiled even behind the mask.

Gold was just as valuable now as it had ever been.

* * *

With his ash-colored hair and sharp, solid features, Jin walked through the Academy, where the autumn leaves were just beginning to color.

A boy dressed in a coat walked alone, a girl sat under a tree writing poetry, and a couple exchanged poetic phrases as they strolled together.

All three formed a scene befitting the Street of Learning, but Jin was an exception.

“Jin, it hasn’t been long since the midterms ended, but you’re going to study again?”

“Sorry! I have a verse I really want to memorize today.”

The court noble children he usually spent time with waved their hands.

“Indeed, it’s the top student. We should follow your example and focus on our studies.”

“Seeing the Emperor increasing his military funds, perhaps you too might get a place in the Emperor’s army?”

“Haha. This friend speaks harshly. If you want to enter the royal magic guild, you need to manage even better than the guild masters…”

Jin headed toward the cave separating the Magic Street and the Street of Learning, leaving behind their friendly banter.

A student in a black robe ran by holding a green potion, and a blue-haired mage chased after a three-headed cat.

An octopus in a fish tank pushed only its legs out of the tank to walk the streets, and in a place where scrolls that could explode due to side effects were made and sold under an automatic extinguishing spell.

In that district where suspicious magic potions, dubious magic tools, and suspicious characters congregated, Jin headed towards a building’s basement.

“I’m late. I’m sorry. The class ended late.”

“No, no. A student should focus on their studies.”

The white-uniformed duke, with a mischievous and cruel smile, awaited him inside.

Jin suddenly wondered about the duke’s age.

He appeared to be younger than himself, yet at times displayed the demeanor of a professor with decades of experience.

“Are these the ones that got involved with corruption?”

“Yes. One from third year and two from the adults’ class.”

In the basement, three students were tightly bound.

They were royal illegitimate children managed by Jin’s gathering.

With an air of indifference, Valenciaunos inquired, “What happened to them?”

“The boy didn’t realize it was a forbidden book and read a grimoire he bought from a secondhand bookstore, which caused mental contamination. The boy himself seems to be mostly fine, but the other two are the problem.”

Valenciaunos opened the eyelids of the boy who had read the book and peered into his eyes while Jin observed his actions carefully.

After inspecting the two boys and one girl, Valenciaunos let out a soft sound.

“Alright. The boy who read it and this girl are fine. Just take them to the church, explain the situation vaguely, and have them purified. I’ll cover the cost. But this boy is a problem. He’s so severe that even if he gets purified, he’ll either die or end up an idiot. His eyes and ears are ruined too.”

“Ah.”

“What do you want to do?”

Jin had felt his limitations countless times over the past month.

He thought he had achieved much compared to his peers, but there were too many people out there who were beyond his understanding and judgment.

“You’re not sure, right?”

Therefore, he wasn’t startled when Valenciaunos suddenly drew a dagger and stabbed deep into the male student’s nape, and instead found himself shocked by his own composure.

Unconsciously thinking there must be a reason for it.

“Why…?”

“An idiot is still a royal, and an idiot has no mental strength at all, right?”

“Yes.”

“If he enters a state of delirium, he might go on a rampage.”

“!”

“Purification would be meaningless. Don’t wear that expression. At your age, it’s alright not to know yet.”

At that moment, Jin inadvertently blurted out the question he had been holding.

“I’m eighteen years old. How old are you, Your Grace?”

For a moment, cracks appeared on Valenciaunos’s face.

His physical body was now only seventeen.

“Forget it. What does age matter?”

He mumbled and handed over coins intended for church donations before exiting the basement.

“Please continue to take care of things. Don’t overdo it. Let me know if you come across capable ones.”

“Is it for the capital’s vows?”

“Of course. A symbol of cooperation and coexistence between the Emperor and the church! Isn’t that wonderful?”

Jin looked at the 40-something bureaucratic smile that appeared on his face.

His golden eyes shone non-humanly.

It wasn’t just because he was doing what he had to do.

He found the current version of him far more frightening than when he had thought he might testify against Valenciaunos.

Without anger or malice, the reason of efficiency made him seem like he’d kill someone.

…What would his standard of efficiency be?

Would he believe that something was efficient if it could be achieved easier and faster?

“Jin, what are you thinking?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Since we’ve been around all day, how about going for a drink?”

* * *

Tenitia walked through the night streets with Valenciaunos.

The strict nighttime curfew had exceptions for knights and royals.

She felt a slight chill as she looked at him.

Until they exited the tavern, he had been completely inebriated, but as soon as Jin returned to the dormitory, he changed his expression and walked as if he had never been drunk.

…For Tenitia, the knight, fights must always be fair.

A knight had to win in fair duels, jousting matches, and battles to gain honor and wealth.

For the opponent was also a fellow knight.

But recently, one question floated in her mind.

Can one face cowardly opponents with fair means?

‘I had to let you know.’

‘The issue of infiltrators is no longer someone else’s problem. The church, which had been building walls for the past year, has a justification to visit the royal family.’

Valenciaunos’s words were right.

Was it not true that a saint and the Bishop Hong had come to the Imperial Palace?

Would it not be meaningless to fight cowardly opponents with honor?

“Your Grace. You bear a troubled expression.”

“Did it show?”

“Have I not told you several times that such a demeanor doesn’t suit you?”

With a small sigh, Tenitia opened her mouth.

“I wonder if it is right for me to teach Your Grace about the path of a just sword and knight. I hate to admit it, but ultimately, it was Your Grace’s bandit-like tactics and provocations that produced good outcomes for the royal family.”

The question was one she had pondered for quite a while, being a knight among knights.

However, Valenciaunos answered without a moment’s thought, as if there were no need for consideration.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Leaving aside the means, that would be the weaker side of you. The world always belongs to the strong. If I had the power of someone like you… perhaps things might have been cleaner.”

“!”

“You’re making me cleaner by the day. Did I not kick Sir Bonnel in the groin during our spar yesterday?”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Always trust yourself. You are a knight worth that much.”

As Valenciaunos confirmed the touched expression on Tenitia’s face, he wobbled again.

“Well, this is something else. Am I being this drunk that I’m babbling nonsense?”

‘I thought I was doomed.’

He felt cold sweat against his back.

Tenitia absolutely had to dedicate herself to becoming a Swordmaster above all else.

“Yes. Understood. I, Tenitia, will definitely work hard to rehabilitate Your Grace. Starting tomorrow, I will extend our free sparring sessions by one hour.”

Fortunately or unfortunately.

“Ha, would you please reconsider? Fighting an opponent I can’t win against only makes me look cowardly.”

She smiled proudly as she spoke clearly.

“I will not accept the rebuttal of one who is inebriated.”