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Chapter 13
Diego’s retirement went surprisingly quietly.
After finishing his last tasks in the morning, he exchanged a final greeting with Isabelle. Then, he simply packed up his office and left the mansion—nothing more.
“I didn’t want to see you every morning, but now that it’s over, I think I’ll miss you a little, sir.”
“I’m perfectly glad I won’t have to see you, you rascal.”
In fact, the only person who came to see him off was Lian.
For someone who had devoted thirty years to the Lazurite Guild, the farewell seemed stingy. Lian even worried whether Diego had received a proper retirement bonus.
“I honestly thought you’d stick around for another ten years.”
“I would have, if you hadn’t been here.”
“Oh my! So that means I’m the one driving you out?”
Lian teased, but Diego just looked at him solemnly.
“You’re superior to me in every way. Staying here any longer would be nothing but my own stubborn pride.”
“Wow… I never thought I’d hear that from you, sir. Are you leaving soon?”
“What? You little—!”
Diego’s scolding came with a slight smile. His perpetually tired and irritable face finally showed some ease.
“Lian. One piece of advice before I go.”
“Yes?”
“Always be careful not to cross the line. Isabelle may act like she’s not watching, but she always is.”
Advice befitting the person who had lasted longest under Isabelle.
“I know that much.”
“Is that so? Good, then.”
With those words, Diego turned and left without a trace of regret.
Did Diego’s retirement have much of an impact?
The guild office in the annex, which Lian visited after a long time, felt somewhat tense.
“You’ve all probably heard the news about Sir Diego. Yes… that’s how it happened.”
Murmurs spread.
The suddenness of his departure left everyone speculating wildly. But would any explanation matter? Those who wanted to believe Lian had taken Diego’s place would believe it regardless.
As always, Lian just needed to maintain a confident, unflinching presence.
“From now on, besides Diego’s duties, I’ll also take on most of the guild’s operations on behalf of Lady Isabelle. I look forward to working with you.”
Lian bowed deeply to the guild members, his sword—a gift from Isabelle—strapped across his chest, showing them he was ready.
“Looking forward to working with you, Lian! No, Master Lian!”
“Likewise!”
Those who liked Lian, like Miguel, cheered him on.
Others, however, scowled, unable to say anything.
If they were upset that a former slave had become their effective superior, that was their problem. All they could do was leave—no one else had a choice.
A slave in name only. That seemed an appropriate way to describe Lian these days.
“Lady Isabelle, may I go check the workshops on Ash Lane?”
“Yes. While you’re there, could you also check on the necklace I ordered last time?”
“The Costa workshop? I’ll go right away.”
Lian lightly kissed Isabelle’s cheek before leaving her room.
No permission slip was needed. No patrol soldiers were inspecting him.
“Pablo, no guard duty now, right?”
“Yes, it’s clear until evening.”
“And Ruko?”
“He’s off too. Should I call him?”
“Yes. We’ll meet at the main gate later.”
Lian took the two guards he was familiar with and headed into the street. It still felt slightly awkward for people who had been like brothers to treat him as their superior.
“Master Isabelle’s young master! Look at this! The fabric is exquisite!”
“And how about this pottery? Imported all the way from the Dorin Empire!”
Merchants who recognized Lian eagerly tried to attract his attention. To them, he probably looked like Isabelle’s wallet walking around on its own.
Even the patrolling guards looked at him frequently, but merely glanced and moved on, never questioning whether he had an outing pass.
Of course, some people still resented Lian’s special treatment. Some shot him dirty looks, clicked their tongues, or spat on the street. If he looked their way, they quickly averted their eyes.
‘Seems I’ve become a figurehead of sorts.’
Better than getting into needless trouble on the street, though.
Lian carefully examined the unfinished, intricately crafted necklace. Behind him, the tense craftsman wiped sweat from his brow.
“It’s good. Just finish it like this.”
“Phew, thank goodness!”
Costa, the jeweler, was overjoyed.
“I’ll make sure it’s ready by the deadline. Please tell Lady Isabelle.”
“Yes, I’ll look forward to its completion. By the way, there are some dangerous rumors in the streets lately. Be careful.”
“Oh? What happened?”
“A murder! Five families wiped out!”
No wonder he’d been running into guards so often today.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Costa. Lady Isabelle and Lian are protected by us, right?”
“Who protects whom? Pablo is weaker than me.”
“What? No way! We haven’t even sparred yet—how would you know?”
Pablo puffed up, but Ruko laughed at him.
“Go ahead and try. You couldn’t beat Pedro; how would you beat Lian?”
“Even you, Ruko?”
The private guards of Isabelle were far stronger than ordinary soldiers, though not as skilled as human weapon knights. Ruben, the current captain, was formerly an elite soldier of the kingdom. No ordinary murderer could match that.
“Anyway, be careful. It would be bad if you lost the payment after all that work.”
“Of course. And be careful yourself, Mr. Costa. We’d be in trouble if the deposit disappeared.”
After the somewhat tense exchange, Lian left the workshop. His errands were done, and it was time to return to the mansion—unless something unexpected happened.
‘Hm?’
A sound made him pause—an unfamiliar type of whisper. Not a warning, but a shy, almost playful murmur.
“Lian? Why are you going there? Do you still have business?”
Without realizing it, he turned toward the voice.
“A dog taking a walk alone without its owner… it hasn’t gone feral, has it?”
And soon he regretted it.
“…Have you been well, Leon?”
Lian glanced at the second-floor house where Leon stood. Red-caped officers patrolled nearby—clearly the scene of the murder Costa had mentioned.
Yet the whisper that drew him here continued from inside that house.
“The chief of the guards is also on-site? So the guard is understaffed, huh?”
“Not exactly. This is an exceptional case.”
“Understood. Then I’ll be on my way…”
Curiosity about the whisper forgotten, Lian tried to leave.
But Leon casually draped an arm over his shoulder.
“Wait. Why is a slave wandering alone without an outing pass?”
“You’re not the type to check that…”
“Rank doesn’t matter when enforcing the law.”
Leon smiled, extending his hand as if to demand papers. This man clearly knew he didn’t have any and was doing it on purpose.
“I have the right to exercise Lady Isabelle’s property rights on her behalf.”
“Hmm. That can be justified, I suppose.”
“Glad you think so…”
“But your case is unprecedented, so I can’t say for certain.”
Leon blocked him like a street thug, refusing to let him pass.
“Shall we discuss this matter thoroughly?”
Lian stared at his guards, Pablo and Ruko, who subtly avoided his gaze. They were supposed to protect him!
Of course, they couldn’t do anything against the city’s chief of guards, who would become a lord someday.
“Ha… fine. I’ll humor you for a moment.”
“Now you speak sense.”
At this point, Lian wondered if the lord’s son might always be the bane of his life.
Lian had recently realized the outside world was dangerous.
After helping Leon in a previous investigation, the man had begun approaching him on the streets whenever possible. So Lian had decided to stay in the office and focus on internal work. Eventually, Leon’s curiosity would fade.
Bang!
“You’re a genius, Lian!”
“Ah! S-someone…! You scared me!”
While organizing ledgers, the sudden appearance of an unexpected visitor nearly made his heart leap out.
“L-Leon? What brings you here…?”
He almost asked if Leon had a warrant.
“No, how did you get in?”
“Through the door, of course.”
The mansion guards looked helplessly on.
“So what is it?”
“Surprisingly, your guess was almost right!”
“…Huh?”
Excited, Leon approached and leaned close.
“A weapon was found inside the belly of a dead slave. They were really vicious.”
“Really…?”
The murder scene showed no signs of outside intrusion, and all five families had slaves of similar age. Lian had suspected organized crime involving slaves, but… could it be real?
While he was dumbfounded, a chill ran down his spine.
Knock—
At the open door, Isabelle stood, radiating displeasure.
“Leon. How dare you enter without the owner’s permission and not even greet me?”
“Oh, Isabelle. I made a mistake unconsciously.”
“Leave immediately.”
Isabelle, unhesitatingly giving orders to the lord’s eldest son, was terrifying.
“Understood. Next time, I’ll visit properly.”
“Lian.”
“Yes, Lady Isabelle.”
“When did I ask you to run the guild? Not to play politics.”
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t intend that.”
“Be careful.”
For the first time, Isabelle gave Lian a cold, cutting gaze. He felt as if his heart could freeze on the spot.
