Chapter 154: A Common Enemy, An Enemy Within (11)

"I'll head out now."

Rena had been appointed as a branch chief of T&T, and was unexpectedly coveted by everyone. I had no reason to remain any longer. One of the two major objectives for coming to the Capital had been achieved. Now, it was time to move on to the next one.

Essence Absorption.

I'd planned to absorb Marquis Leandro's essence once again. I didn't need the Kraken, the sea, or the Red Flake this time.

He died less than seven days ago. I could absorb his essence until tomorrow, so I rushed through the canyon and hurried to the Capital.

If possible, I also wanted to know the details surrounding his death. Who had killed that monster? I felt it would certainly become crucial information for the next regression.

"You'll come to the appointment ceremony, right?" Rena's voice pulled me back.

"Of course."

Absorbing an essence didn't take long. I could do it while following the funeral procession—or at its end.

Clatter, clatter.

Perhaps noticing I was leaving, Acorn, who had been tense and alert, rushed over to bite and tug at my leg. I patted him gently, but he wouldn't calm down.

"Stay inside."

I slowly waved my index finger, casting a suggestion. It was a method I learned from Isaac. I recalled the time he hypnotized horses by wiggling his fingers. It worked—Acorn gradually relaxed.

"

Um...

" Rena called out to me.

"What is it?"

There was sorrow in her deep gaze. Fumbling through her belongings, she handed me something.

"Please take this."

It was a pendant she pulled from her pocket. There was neither fancy gem, nor beautiful engraving. Even the string was worn out. It carried nothing but the weight of time, but I knew the meaning behind this pendant. It was her mother's precious keepsake.

"This is something meaningful to me. I'll be happy if you keep it."

How could I possibly refuse after hearing that?

"I'll keep it safe."

"Thank you for accepting it."

Ding!

The moment I closed my hand around the pendant, a pleasant chime rang out. A translucent blue window appeared in the air, filled with lines of text.

[You've acquired an inheritance item!]

[Rena's Pendant]

[An old pendant with a fake gem, given by Rena. It has no value as a product, but it is something she treasures deeply.]

[As a result of scenario completion, the following abilities were granted:

—Skill proficiency for all Hero-rank and lower skills increases by 15%.

—Once per week, you will have a high probability to make a Correct Decision.]

What...?

I'd received the plain, old pendant before, at the start of a cave in another life. Back then, it was just a worthless antique, without such abilities.

This is absurd.

But now, it had become an artifact with ridiculous bonus effects. It unconditionally increased proficiency for all Hero-tier and lower-tier skills by 15%.

The only skills I had that wouldn't benefit from this were the epic skill and the unique skill Essence Absorption and Lord of Bones.

And Correct Decision...?

I didn't know if it was a passive or active skill, but it was practically like having an extra life once per week. Perhaps completing a scenario imbued special powers into emotionally significant items.

An inheritance item...!

Of course, there was no one I could ask. I already knew that these scenarios and quest messages appeared only to me. I stared blankly at the pendant in my hand.

"Hey, Friend. I've got something for you too."

Naneow's voice, coming from where she leaned against the wall, pulled my dazed thoughts back to reality. Something else to give me? Maybe it was my unconsciously expectant look, but she waved her hand dismissively.

"Ah, it's nothing big... But surely you're not thinking of going out dressed like that?"

She looked me over from head to toe.

"..."

I glanced down at my armor. After breaking through that ambus, it was torn and punctured all over, exposing the inside. Very unsightly indeed. I'd be fighting a one-man war if I walked around like this in a crowded city.

"Here, try this on. I picked it by eye, but I think it'll fit."

She handed over a silver set of armor she'd apparently prepared in advance. It was a silver plate armor with flexible joints. Despite being metal, it was thin and looked very mobile.

"Hm..."

"This is what the Imperial Inspection Bureau wears. Wearing this means no guards will bother you. It's the kind of organization high-ranking nobles send their kids to for experience. Nobody messes with them."

Clack.

Naneow handed me the armor. I looked it over. It was pristine.

"No insignia?"

"None. That's the signature of this design—everyone recognizes it. Oh, and take this too."

She handed me a rolled-up map filled with detailed markings of the Capital. It bore a seal reading:

Inspection Bureau, Confidential Operations.

"What's this..."

I unrolled it. The web-like back alleys of the Capital unfolded clearly before me.

"The Inspection Bureau is good at digging around. We're here right now."

Tap.

She tapped a spot on the map with her pale finger. It was marked as a tavern. Then, she moved her finger slightly northwest.

Tap tap.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing here."

"What do you mean?"

The spot she indicated looked like a park. It had fewer markings than other areas, but there were still symbols.

"Looks like a park..."

She smiled faintly. "It's the Imperial Palace."

It made sense—likely for security reasons.

"But this isn't a public map. It's an internal one from the Imperial Inspection Bureau. They hid the palace like this?"

She nodded.

"Yeah.

They

consider everyone to be an outsider."

"They...?"

The silver-haired woman, whose veins flowed with Lurium instead of blood, stopped there.

"I can't say much for now. But if you're curious, we can find out together."

"..."

It was clear. She was inviting me to join her again. After seeing the desperate need for manpower during the earlier meeting, it was understandable.

"I can't give an answer right now. But I'll gladly accept this." I gave a gentle refusal.

She saved my life and now gave me gifts. Whether she knew it or not, her actions were making me feel indebted. I knew I wouldn't be able to easily draw a sword against her.

"First time in the Capital? Want a guide?"

"I'll be fine..."

"You're a precious prospective recruit, I can't let you go without a guide. Now, go straight up. You'll find a room. You can rest there for a while if you want."

"..."

A prospective recruit...

As expected, I had no intention of belonging anywhere.

Though it'd be nice if there was something I could do to help...

For now, it was just a vague thought. I climbed the stairs with the new armor and the map in hand.

Creak!

At the top of the stairs, I slid the door to the side. A large room filled with cleaning tools and miscellaneous supplies came into view.

A staff room, maybe.

I looked back at the open door from inside the room. There wasn't even a handle or any sort of marking—just a plain wall.

It was seamless. Someone must have discovered the underground tunnel and built a tavern over one of its exits.

Was it Naneow who did this...

Inside the room, I changed into the armor. It fit as if it had been tailored specifically for me.

Creak.

I opened the thick door that had been locked from inside. Surprisingly, the outside was incredibly noisy. A chandelier spread a soft glow from the ceiling. Even though it was late at night, plenty of people laughed boisterously and clinked glasses.

It was so quiet inside...

Fitting for a guild branch specializing in information, the building's soundproofing was excellent. I slowly walked through the place, glancing around.

A staff member in a uniform with a cat printed on their apron nodded at me casually. Most likely a guild member. All around the tavern were various sculptures and paintings of cats.

The catwoman, Sharunian. The one I'd seen below seemed to be running this tavern however they pleased. After briefly observing the humans cheerfully spending their night, I stepped outside.

So this is the Imperial Capital...?

It was vast—far beyond comparison to Grassmere, and the night was vividly alive. Softly glowing lamps had been installed every twenty steps. I had never seen such devices before. Perhaps they were enchanted, because even activating the Engineering skill didn't help me figure out how they worked.

There were many people casually walking down the sidewalks. Footsteps echoed through the chilly night air. Enchanted by the vibrant streets, I wandered around. The farther northwest I went, the fewer the lights and the people.

Shhhk.

"Stop."

Suddenly, two men emerged from the shadows on either side of an alley. They aimed long swords at me, reflecting the pale moonlight. I stared silently at the men. I didn't know who they were. It was best not to speak needlessly.

An awkward silence followed. It was brief. It ended the moment they looked me up and down. Then, flustered, the two bowed their heads.

"Ah! Our apologies! You're with the Inspection Bureau, aren't you? Heading back to the Outer Palace quarters?"

I said nothing.

Detect.

I scanned the area and looked down the alley. Men were positioned tightly every ten steps to the west and north. From how still they stood, they were clearly not ordinary passersby.

Guards...

Judging by their posture and the aura they gave off, they weren't easy opponents. If anything, they were likely even more dangerous if they seemed weak, because it’d mean they were hiding their power.

"Thank you for your service."

I slipped a few silver coins into the hands of the two men, hoping to pick up some information. But they shook their heads.

"Come now, sir! Why would someone from the Inspection Bureau be doing this? You're teasing us!"

...So that's not the way, huh.

They still seemed wary of me. It wasn't a matter of money.

"

Hm

."

Feigning nonchalance, I turned away. Going farther northwest would be risky. Besides, that path wasn't part of the Marquis's funeral procession.

I should head back...

Turning southeast, I mentally plotted my route again. I activated the Stealth skill entirely. The farther I went east, the more crowded it became. The area seemed poorly controlled because many drunken people stumbled along the streets.

Hup!

I leaped up onto a rooftop.

Thud!

I lightly jumped between buildings.

This is the route of the procession.

I counted the steps it would take to naturally approach the coffin.

Twenty-seven steps.

If I blend in with the mourners and move toward the front... I can get it down to thirteen steps.

I planned to blend in with the people scattering white flowers and try to absorb the essence as I slowly walked.

But with this armor, things became much easier. All I had to do was mix in with the guards. Pretending to check something, I could get even closer—brushing it off as a Bureau agent's business.

Easy.

I could pull it off. It wouldn't be hard. Protecting a corpse? Who would really care?

I reviewed the route to approach the funeral procession several times. I memorized all the closest access points.

Here... and there.

I walked while calculating travel time.

Hop!

I climbed again. I surveyed below from the rooftop of a tall building for one last check. A variety of rooftops came into view. The smell of alcohol, filth, and the opium I remembered from Yublam gently drifted upward. The stench of desire and oblivion. The city was like a small forest. As if climbing trees, I moved from one rooftop to the next, looking around.

"..."

I saw it on the tallest building in the eastern district. A black cat was there, basking in the moonlight. The cat looked at me and raised its tail.

Purr...

Is it on guard?

I stared blankly at the moon, hoping it wouldn't notice me. Tonight was a half-moon. The weary-looking moon sighed a cloud. When I looked back at the opposite roof, the cat was gone.

"It left."

Maybe it had generously yielded the highest spot. Without hesitation, I launched myself toward that rooftop.

Tap.

When I landed where the cat had sat, I noticed a thin bundle of papers on the ground, about six pages thick. It was too clean to have just blown in on the wind. Untorn, uncrumpled.

Generation's Mirror

A newspaper? That's quite the title.

"

Hm...

"

A glance at the contents revealed it to be a classic tabloid. Since I'd finished mapping the route, I decided to read it.

Shock! The Imperial Knight Order's Prima Donna Countess Isabellele—Her Love and Death with Marquis Leandro

Countess Isabelle, who died on a secret mission. Marquis Leandro, unable to bear the grief, took his own life.

Exclusive: The Marquis's devastating confessions to those close to him.

From the first article, it grabbed attention with its drama. It went into absurd levels of detail about the two, far more than expected. But there was nothing actually useful.

Imperial Knight OOO OO.

"Isabelle seduced me first, but once things got good with Marquis Leandro, she ignored me."

Who gets the vast inheritance now?

A boy claiming to be the Marquis's illegitimate son appears—but his face is totally different!

Let's look into the secret wedding they planned before death!

High society calls for at least a spiritual wedding to be held!

No, actually—it had

zero

value. Aside from that, it was filled with half-baked gossip about imperial royalty, nobles, and the upper class.

I skimmed through it, feeling it was a waste of paper. When I reached the last page, I noticed a small line of text printed at the bottom of the paper.

Publisher - Kevin Ashton