TLWRO 32

Chapter 32

The Lady Only Deals with the Real Thing

It was already out of my hands.

There was no way I could stop these huge people.

I just hoped they wouldn’t break the display case. That’s when their eyes met.

And then something strange happened.

“…Huh?”

The taut string of tension snapped.

“Do they know each other?”

The thug narrowed his eyes at Alter, and Alter raised an eyebrow at him.

As I watched this bizarre turn of events, Alter spoke faster than the thug could open his mouth.

“No matter what you were doing, it doesn’t matter. Your business seems finished anyway. Leave quickly—before this woman gathers everyone.”

Alter said coldly.

The thug looked at him quietly and returned to his usual expressionless face.

Then, turning his gaze to me, he spoke in an oddly refined tone.

“Very well. I shall return.”

“Return? What do you mean by that?”

The thug ignored Alter’s harsh sarcasm and continued.

“But your business is not entirely done. Do not try to hide it. Whatever methods you use, even if you disappear, be warned that I can and will track you down to the very end.”

“Are you saying, ‘Don’t do anything foolish’? Seems like you’re the one doing the foolish things right now.”

“Yes, message received loud and clear.”

“Why are you answering him?”

“Your voice is just too convincing, I couldn’t help it.”

“Prudent behavior. I expect the same cooperative attitude next time. Farewell.”

The man left as suddenly as he had arrived.

I slumped to the floor after watching him disappear.

Alter approached, frowning.

“Hey. Are you alright? Did he hurt you or something?”

“No, no… It’s just—now that he’s gone, I realize how impressive he is. Phew.”

I had just lost strength in my legs, so I got back up briskly.

I thought I saw Alter’s hand reach out and pull back, but my curiosity was stronger.

“Excuse me… do you know that person?”

“…A little.”

“I see. I couldn’t tell if he was a knight or just dressed like one. He really is a knight?”

“Yes.”

“Then… does he normally speak in that… gentle thug-like manner?”

“…What?”

Alter looked baffled.

“Is that what you’re curious about?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m most curious about. Are all knights like that?”

‘If I ask too much, they’ll charge me. And what if they try to bribe me? I just barely got a reprieve.’

Still, Alter seemed to know that knight thug somehow.

No wonder that person also seemed to know Alter. Just how formidable is this guy…?

But this curiosity wouldn’t be satisfied.

I couldn’t very well ask, “Are you famous in the underworld or something?”

“Not sure if all knights speak like thugs… but not all of them are like that.”

“Thank you.”

“Why, is that strange curiosity satisfied?”

“No, I’m thanking you for helping me.”

Alter paused.

He looked completely unprepared for that, which made me laugh a little.

‘Well, from Alter’s point of view, he must have been annoyed that someone wanted to peek at the second floor he’s keeping an eye on.’

In any case, help is help.

I could have managed it myself, but who would have guessed that the gentle thug could even fake self-harm?

Thanks to Alter, it ended quickly. And the display case didn’t break!

I bowed slightly in thanks and then asked.

“By the way, what was the purpose of your visit?”

Alter’s gaze fell to my feet.

My feet? I looked down and saw something blue.

“Ah! I didn’t realize I was stepping on it. I’m sorry.”

I had been standing on his business card.

Earlier, when I rummaged through his card case, I had picked it up using my magical tool, and apparently it fell.

‘How rude is that in the business world!’

Of course, he wasn’t exactly known for manners either!

I didn’t want to be like him!

I quickly picked it up and wiped it off, and Alter chuckled faintly.

“You can always give a new one.”

“Still… this is really impolite.”

“Did you ever really mind manners before? I don’t know. Just take it.”

Some people only see what they want—he ignored all my efforts so far…

Still, since I felt guilty, I accepted the new card politely.

To show that I would keep it carefully, I even placed it in the most visible spot in the card case.

“So, why did you come?”

“What was that knight looking for?”

“I don’t know. He just told me to open the second floor right away, so I don’t know his real business.”

“He was looking for a relic.”

He heard it from the start?

Wow, sharp ears.

“Did you hear exactly what relic he was looking for?”

‘Why is he curious about that?’

Wasn’t his field of interest supposed to be swords?

Considering Alter’s official job, this wasn’t simple curiosity.

‘Maybe Lina’s uncle also asked the information guild. He must have spent a lot. Even low-ranking, he must have power to command knights at will.’

I finished my thought and said sullenly. I couldn’t give any information.

“No, I didn’t hear.”

Not a lie.

The man didn’t say what exactly he was searching for.

‘Wait… that means…’

I just thought of a way to chase the thug away if he came again.

But for now, I had to deal with Alter in front of me.

“At first, I expected him to look like a sparkling prince.”

“Expected what exactly? And prince?”

“Because… princes seem like they would buy a lot. I thought today’s sales would be great, so I was happy, but then this happened.”

“…I don’t understand a single thing you just said.”

I dragged down my mouth and mumbled, and Alter shook his head.

I must have succeeded in appearing like a flower bed. My outward image was gradually getting weirder, but whatever.

The only way to stop this question-killer was this.

Then—

Ding! The intercom rang.

Who could it be? William? Hanna?

I approached happily, sprayed the area, and froze at the revealed writing.

“So… the knight didn’t state his specific business?”

“….”

“Hey? Are you listening?”

“Excuse me, but can we talk about that later?”

“Why?”

“I just have an urgent matter.”

I sent the bewildered Alter away, locked the door, and ran to the Merchant Guild Hall.

…It’s Hanna. There’s only one thing different from the usual form.

A guarantor.

To get permission, it must be a blood relative or a noble whose existence is provable.

By chance, Tesarh looked toward the direction Elisha had dashed off. The Guild Hall.

Was the general assembly today such an urgent matter?

‘No. There’s something more important.’

Tesarh recognized the knight he had just seen.

‘Ailun Hugo Ladeon. Commander of the Imperial Holy Knights. Why is he here?’

Why would someone of his rank focus on a pawnshop?

And he was looking for a relic. A relic, huh.

‘Could it be Rugenot?’

Not an impossible guess.

Both the Moro Duchy and the Preslife Empire followed the same World Tree faith. Their views on relics were similar.

Rugenot, a priceless relic of the Duchy.

The Empire could easily covet it.

Tesarh even suspected that the magician Aibor, who stole the sacred sword, might have been commissioned by the Empire.

‘But if Aibor handed over the sword, would the Holy Knight Commander really step in to find it? …Did Aibor betray the Empire too?’

Tesarh’s expression, which had been serious, momentarily relaxed.

He remembered Elisha’s words.

‘Gentle thug… Ha, she must be the only one to call the Imperial Holy Knight Commander that.’

In any case, that gentle thug probably didn’t recognize him.

The magical tool used for disguise was weakened by the holy energy, so the Empire’s greatest mages poured maximum magic into it.

Even the Commander would struggle against the magic of dozens of mages.

‘Still, the sharpness in the way he looked at me shows his eyes are keen. He’s the Commander, indeed.’

But one thing nagged at him.

The words the Commander said to the woman.

“Did you use some kind of magical tool if I couldn’t notice?”

‘Why did it hurt when that woman touched it?’