Chapter 68

#68 Episode: Tin Knight and the City of Wind-Up Toys 4 Act (2)

Making an engaging story is harder than it sounds.

Even with the same plot, characters, and dialogues, the atmosphere changes depending on how it’s told.

In that sense, Sophia was a master storyteller.

With clever eye movement, a tone that shifted with the situation, and the skill to appropriately stir emotions.

The more the adventurers listened, the more they felt like they were right there in the scene, carefully suppressing even their coughs as they were absorbed in her tale.

“─And that brings us to the end.”

Only after Sophia let out a soft sigh at the conclusion of her long story did they start to move, as if a spell had been lifted.

“So, in order to snag the treasure from the ruins, they’re trying to frame innocent people for their crimes, right?”

“They even killed fellow adventurers from their own guild for this? Have you ever seen such scum?!”

“The Schwarz Branch, their reputation was already terrible, but I didn’t think they were this rotten!”

Sophia’s story was shocking.

It was one thing to deliberately nitpick at something contractually sound to steal treasures, but everyone was furious and horrified at the part where they had killed guild adventurers as a means to an end.

Actually, the latter was the main point.

Sophia had intentionally emphasized the tragic plight of the adventurer betrayed by their own organization and the unfortunate situation of a fellow adventurer nearly assassinated while trying to avenge the fallen. This tactic was incredibly effective.

If the story had centered on the false accusations against Dorothea and the Halder Trading Company, it would have seemed like someone else’s problem to the adventurers.

They might feel a momentary pang of sympathy or click their tongues, but by the next morning over a drink, they’d probably forget all about it.

But when the focus turned to their own fellow adventurers, it was a different story—they couldn’t just brush it off as easily as intermediaries.

Thinking that they could be betrayed and discarded at any time stirs a chill in their bones and makes the back of their necks tingle.

Sophia drove her point home.

“I’m actually hesitating right now. What if the request I submit is completely ignored? Since it’s the same Adventurer’s Guild, will everyone pretend it never happened just to hide a comrade’s flaws? I’m terrified of the gigantic ‘evil’ that’s leeching off the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Adventurers with determined expressions replied to Sophia, their sentiments blowing up like balloons.

“You don’t need to worry, sister! Our Weiss Branch is not involved in such shocking plots!”

“That’s right! The branch chief of Weiss was originally an adventurer himself, and understands our situation better than anyone else! If he finds out about this, he will never let it slide!”

“Thank you, everyone….”

Sophia’s voice trembled as she took a moment before lifting her cup to her lips.

“Thanks to you, I feel braver. …Master, may I entrust you with the request?”

“Rest assured. I’ll make sure it gets delivered properly.”

The innkeeper, with bronze skin and a shiny bald head, nodded with a serious expression, looking like he just stepped out of a movie.

It was hard to believe this was the same person who’d been joking and cursing with the adventurers moments ago.

Sophia began to write the request so that all the adventurers in the guild could see.

Some adventurers who could read paused in awe at the first line Sophia wrote.

“Show the will and romance of adventurers.”

The already intoxicated adventurers felt their minds go even hazier.

They felt as if they were somehow part of a heroic epic.

After finishing the request, Sophia whispered to them.

“This matter must remain a secret, okay?”

The adventurers nodded.

And then—

“Hey, only you keep this info to yourself. It’s important, so don’t blab!”

“I’ve heard some incredible stories lately! I’m only telling you guys, so don’t go spreading this around!”

“Wait, where did you hear that? Well, if it’s already out, what can we do? So it goes like this….”

The story of the ‘evil conspiracy of the Schwarz Branch and the righteous adventurers fighting against it’ spread through the entire city in no time.

***

Ranger Kumara said, “Oh, that? It’s all true. They called me out from the Guild and were threatening me to give fake testimonies. But I’m just a lowly adventurer. I won’t bow to unjust power, so I flatly refused.”

Mage Magia said, “It’s a lie that the Halder Trading Company’s adventurers betrayed any adventurers. After they left, we clearly verified that the adventurer was still alive.”

Warrior Sitarr added, “When we defied them, they sent assassins after us. …Do you think it’s related to the recent sightings of unidentified corpses? Well, your guess might be right.”

Former assassin nearly had their head taken off by the Tin Knight after boasting, but that’s just how the wheel of society turns.

“There were vile orders from above. We were threatened that if we didn’t comply, they wouldn’t let us off lightly. Although I initially couldn’t endure that threat, at the last moment, I hesitated. Is this really right? Should I let such injustice go unchallenged? I chose to stand against evil and fight for justice!”

If the fellow adventurers who had fought alongside the assassin heard such false testimony, they might’ve collapsed in shock, but the dead don’t speak.

At least, one necromancer could do that, but she was not kind enough to vindicate the grievances of those who tried to kill her.

As various testimonies piled up from the involved parties, and when circumstantial evidence fit together, there was no one left in TikTok who denied the ‘dirty conspiracy’ of the Schwarz Branch.

TikTok was a major city in the northern Empire, and its influence stretched deep into the surrounding territories.

As rumors of the connected events spread like wildfire, one day, a response from the Weiss Branch of the Adventurer’s Guild arrived in TikTok.

However, the method was not via letter.

“Hey, can someone get the person in charge out here?”

One morning, as the strange visitor entered the main door of the guild and barked orders, the adventurers responded with a mix of confusion and displeasure.

“The, uh, innkeeper just went out to buy something. If you came to submit a request, you’ll need to wait a bit.”

“Huh? That guy goes grocery shopping? Wow. He’s really gotten into the shopkeeper role. Quite a wonder.”

“…Are you a nobleman by any chance?”

The representative adventurer cautiously asked, grimacing.

This young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, couldn’t possibly think well of the guy who was over 50 by calling him this and that.

Still, they checked just in case, but the visitor shook his head.

“I’m no noble. Why do you ask?”

“Damn it, how can a young punk talk like that if he’s not even a noble? Is the innkeeper your buddy or something? Huh?”

“Huh?”

The visitor blinked, not understanding for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Wow, the bald guy knows how to manage people well. Seems to have a good reputation. He was complaining like crazy when I first came around.”

“Wait, what the heck—”

Just as the adventurer was about to voice another complaint, the front door opened, and the innkeeper returned.

The visitor’s face brightened.

“Oh, bald guy! It’s been a while, good to see you!”

“What? Who dares…?”

Hearing himself being called a “bald guy” made the innkeeper frown, and then he dropped the items he was holding onto the floor in disbelief.

His face showed absolute disbelief as he muttered dumbfoundedly.

“…Brother? What are you doing here?”

“Why else? You guys sent a really fun request, didn’t you?”

The visitor said this as he pulled out a neatly rolled piece of paper from his bosom and spread it open.

It was the request that Sophia had personally written and sent to the Weiss Branch.

The branch chief of the Adventurer’s Guild, Weiss Branch.

One of only three gold-ranked adventurers in the guild.

He’d even earned the new title of “Filthy-Mouthed Youngster.”

Peter with his platinum hair bared his teeth in a smile.

“I want to meet the client, so prepare a seat for me, bald guy.”

***

The meeting was prepared relatively quickly.

Partly because the poor innkeeper, who was being teased for being bald, was working desperately, and partly because the Tin Knight had just finished a duel with Instructor Lenart and the opening ceremony of the Smith & Sync Doll Workshop and became relatively free.

In the reception room deep inside the guild, the following came together for the meeting.

The Tin Knight and Sophia.

The bald innkeeper and Peter.

Kumara’s party and the former assassin now working as a trumpeter.

Leaving the adventurers trembling in a corner before the appearance of the industry’s great elder, Peter opened his mouth.

“I’ve been watching the atmosphere around here, and you’ve created quite an interesting situation. The Schwarz Guild is a unique breed of evil in this world. Thus, it’s up to our ‘righteous’ adventurers to help the unfortunate and set justice right.”

Even while seated on a leather sofa, he sprawled out with his legs crossed, propping his chin, staring at Sophia.

“Good cause, good setup, and too many witnesses. Most importantly, there are enough people who know the story. If we don’t act from our side, we’ll draw stares from around. You’ve managed to escalate this situation in just a week. Hmm, skillful. It’s impressive. You’re quite the instigator.”

Sophia tilted her head.

“Is that a compliment?”

“Indeed, it’s praise. But it’s also a critique.”

“Both sides, huh? Well, language is inherently like that.”

Seeing Sophia nodding in agreement, Peter made a face as if he didn’t like it.

“You seem overly relaxed. Were you perhaps expecting my visit?”

“Don’t be silly. I only learned about you today, uh, Mr. Peter?”

“Oh? What kind of information?”

“That you’re a branch chief who was an adventurer and respected by fellow adventurers. Renowned for various achievements, like hunting down notorious bounties and monster crocodiles. But your personality and appearance are so shrouded in mystery that not much is known about them.”

“You seem to know well enough. Still, it’s just boring. You’re lacking that teasing element. It’s draining my motivation.”

Peter sunk back into the sofa as if genuinely bored, and the Kumara party members silently screamed at the disheveled state of their respected senior.

“Anyway, that’s it, isn’t it? After riding the public sentiment and booting the Schwarz fellas, you’ll team up with the Halder Trading Company to seize control of the guild. That’s the plan, right? Sure, the groundwork is well laid out, but that’s it. It’s necessary due to the situation, but it’s also boring. I’m disappointed; while talking about the romance of adventurers, you, the central person, seem to know nothing of it.”

“Oh my.”

Sophia covered her mouth and blinked, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.

“What should I do, Tin Knight? It seems we’re quite mismatched. If I’d known this would happen, I should have brought along Adelheid.”

[‘Tin Knight’ certainly agrees that Adel is better for reactions!]

[‘Tin Knight’ agrees that Dorothea also has a knack for impact and suggests her as the second option!]

“Ah, indeed.”

[‘Tin Knight’ encourages Sophia to utilize her strengths!]

“Understood. Then, I’ll proceed in my own way.”

Clearing her throat, Sophia continued.

“So, Mr. Peter. As a reward for successfully completing this task, how about I introduce you to a splendid adventure?”

“Hmmm?”

Peter reacted.

“An adventure? Nice. Just hearing that word makes me feel good. But satisfying me with an adventure isn’t that easy, you know?”

“A fallen ancient nation with little remaining records.”

Peter’s ears perked up.

“A civilization with a different system from other kingdoms, but thus treated as heretical and faded away.”

“Ooh.”

“A monster that was never fully dealt with and had been sealed away, even in that civilization.”

“Ooooh.”

“A creature that consumes blood, possesses incredible regenerative abilities, and was said to have powerful combat prowess in legends.”

“Oh, oh! Is it, is it really!? Are you really talking about that thing?! The one that only appears in fairy tales and legends!?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Sophia’s eyes shone with meaning.

“I’ll provide you with the details on the legendary creature, the vampire. With specific locations included!”

Peter sprang to his feet.

“Sounds great! I accept the request! I’ll thoroughly kick the ass of those Schwarz punks and don’t you forget the reward!”

Peter bolted out of the room with no time to stop him.

Not a single soul had a chance to intervene in that terrifying momentum.

As everyone stood there, dumbfounded, Sophia looked towards the Tin Knight.

“What do you think?”

The Tin Knight pondered for a moment before silently giving a thumbs up.

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