Chapter 160: A Common Enemy, An Enemy Within (17)

To leave the Capital safely, I had no choice but to use a secret passage, like the one at the tavern from which I first escaped.

I lay down on the dirt ground. Staring at the sky, cold and thin like it was coated in frost, I mentally organized my plans one by one.

First, I would stay on the outskirts of the Capital. If serious pursuit began, I wouldn't go to the tavern. I didn't want to drag Naneow or Rena into the storm headed my way. I'd give myself five days. If nothing happened after that, I would head to the tavern.

That way, I could still make it in time for Rena's inauguration.

I planned to ask Naneow for help to escape the Capital. Then, I'd travel here and there, focusing on training, ideally without using magic along the way.

***

I spent five days in the mountains, slowly refining the skills I had absorbed. In the quiet solitude of the mountains, I practiced freely, becoming more familiar with them.

Sword Energy.

Whooom!

My sword rang sharply. The blue energy surpassed the stage of merely coating and sharpening the edge. Not only had the cutting power and explosive force increased, but I could now extend the attack range by about ten centimeters. The length of the energy was fully adjustable to my intent.

It probably didn't seem like much, but in close combat, a ten-centimeter extension could turn a perfectly calculated reach into a foolish misjudgment. Just when the enemy thought they knew the range, the sword would reach just a little farther. The applications were endless.

Whirr!

My Swordsmanship skill had also advanced noticeably. The trajectory of my swings was far cleaner and more precise. I scanned the area using my high-level Detection skill, now enhanced with the Mind's Eye trait. I sensed small animals, insects, and detailed topography all at once, just like always.

There didn't seem to be any pursuit.

Fwoosh!

Before heading down, I launched myself toward the summit one last time. After about thirty minutes of trudging through rough terrain, I arrived at an open space.

Tiny dots moved below—people, perhaps. Even from here, the Capital still didn't look small. If anything, its sheer scale only felt even more impressive. Ever since discovering this spot, I came up once a day to reflect.

I glanced around the landscape and then looked again to the northwest. Thousands of square meters stretched out in all four directions—north, south, east, and west. A thick fog completely obscured an area wide enough to fit hundreds of buildings.

It's always like that over there.

The place where the Imperial Palace sat was a familiar sight. The dense clouds and fog clung to the palace grounds as though nailed there. They didn't budge even in the wind, as if resisting any attempt to peek inside, making me unbearably curious.

The Imperial Palace! What on earth was happening in there? Could it be that a Demon King was already sitting inside? If so, why hadn't they crushed humanity and changed the world yet?

One thing was certain: If I recklessly rushed in as I was, I wouldn't even make it past the outer rim before suffering a terrible fate. Even if I could revive, I didn't want to waste a life meaninglessly. At the very least, I needed to study how the war was unfolding in detail.

Standing at the summit, I started to reflect. Come to think of it, I had never survived this long before. I had narrowly escaped having my body taken over, death while surrounded, and, by some miracle, being crushed by the unidentified serpent.

The amount of information I'd gained was incomparable to any of my past lives. Looking up at the blue clouds, I made a resolution to myself.

Let's just keep on surviving!

Even one more day was a win for me.

I made my way down the mountain trail while maintaining my Stealth. The memory of the serpent that killed Rayleigh still sent chills down my spine. What if it was still hiding behind me? But if that thing truly enjoyed hunting, it wouldn't have killed Rayleigh in one blow.

I swiftly passed through the densely packed winter trees. Maybe it was the improved Stealth skill, but not even a leaf hanging loosely at the edge of the road fell.

When I reached First Garnet Street, where Rena's branch was located, I noticed something unusual despite the cold. Women were gathered outside a building. They were all standing in front of the tavern I had once emerged from. It was Naneow's T&T branch.

What the hell?

I tensed up for a moment. But looking closely, the women didn't appear to be combatants at all.

The staff called from inside, "Miss. Zeniel, both of you—!"

"Wow! It's our turn to go in!"

Two women, who seemed to have grown up in refined households, stood up holding hands.

I couldn't believe the once-generic tavern had transformed like this. Was this really the same place I'd once come out of? There was even a check-in board at the entrance. The name Zeniel was crossed off, and below it, the waitlist was packed.

When a pink-cheeked woman, dressed elegantly, walked in, I casually followed her into the store. In the past, this would have been dangerous. Perhaps due to my enhanced Stealth skill, neither the staff nor the customers noticed me right in front of them. At this rate, I could probably enter any city as long as the gates were open without needing to use the Masquerade skill.

"

Meow

."

"

Nyaaow

."

"

Meeeeow?

"

What the...?

Upon stepping inside, I stood frozen in surprise, staring at the cats all around. What had happened here? The shop was completely different. There were tunnels and walkways for cats to roam, and the menus offered tea and non-alcoholic cocktails instead of booze.

"One cat treat, please!"

"I'm sorry, we've sold out of cat treats for today."

"

Aaw.

That's a shame!"

"Zeniel, don't worry! These little ones will come running even without treats."

Just like that, fluffy cats eagerly approached the unfamiliar humans and blinked at them with affection.

"T-they came right up to me!"

What is this place...?

The shop was filled with people whose eyes sparkled with joy and cats who leisurely played along with them. It was a curious sight. Cats were known to be wary animals. Seeing them so willingly jump into people's arms felt surreal. The clientele had changed, but the number of customers had increased dramatically compared to the last time I was here.

Cat... tavern...? No, they don't serve alcohol, so maybe I should call it a cafe.

I thought for a second that they could be like Sharunian, a member of the cat race I met with Naneow, but these cats couldn't be that rare species. No matter how many times I looked, they were just ordinary cats.

I stayed hidden and scanned the area.

Clunk.

The door opened again. A familiar face walked in. The moment she entered, a staff member quickly approached her.

"Welcome."

The woman asked, "Any customers asking about ribbons?"

"None today. Only the bell sales are doing well."

"I see."

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The woman who had entered was Rena. Her conversation with the staff seemed incredibly natural.

A code phrase? Looks like she's adjusted well.

I wondered if she was doing better without me, but the faint shadow on her face lingered in my mind. Something was clearly weighing on her.

As she headed toward the back room, I quietly followed her. Even Rena didn't seem to notice I was there. Maybe she was too distracted, or this was proof that my Stealth skill had leveled significantly.

Creak.

A small sound accompanied the door opening. It wasn't the secret passage I had used before. It looked like a space used exclusively by the branch manager.

The staff member who entered with her spoke in a troubled tone. "I looked into what you asked, but neither the chief nor any of the Sweepers can move right now."

"I figured."

"The earliest we can get help from the Rin-Len sisters would still take about three weeks."

"Understood. You may go."

The staff member bowed deeply.

Just as she turned to leave, she hesitated and spoke again. "Forgive my boldness, but wouldn't it be best to ask for help directly? Even someone like Lady Sharunian herself would surely assist you..."

"No. It's personal. I can't bother others with it when everyone's so busy."

"But you're so worried about your sister!"

Is it because of the child?

From their conversation, I could guess. Rena's only sister was growing up at an orphanage near Yublam. She had said she planned to bring her to live together once she settled into her role as branch manager.

That child was under the protection of Lime. Considering Rena's position in Naneow's faction, it was natural for her to worry. She needed to bring the girl here. Knowing about her sister, I had still been too careless. It hadn't even crossed my mind. Rena hadn't said a word about it, but how much had she been hurting inside?

Guilt surged in me.

After a bit more discussion about her subordinates and sister, Rena gave a short reply. "Leave me alone for a bit."

"Yes, ma'am."

The staff member bowed lightly and stepped out.

Thud.

The door closed.

"

Haa...

"

Rena let out a deep sigh and sank into the chair. The flickering torchlight seemed to mirror her troubled heart.

I appeared before her and asked, "About that... can I do it instead?"

"...!"

Clatter!

Rena shot to her feet, her expression like her heart had just leaped out of her chest.

"Master...?"