Chapter 99

‘Shit.’

I cursed as I saw two groups of people making their way toward the sewers and the forests, respectively, one going east and the other north. My suspicion that something was in the woods was confirmed once more. No one would visit the location solely for the sake of a single knight, and while the baron was a different matter, they were unaware that he was missing at the time.

The reason they were also heading to the sewers, however, was a mystery. I knew I had to follow at least one of them, but I couldn't decide which one.

Sometimes I wished there were two of me. There might be two of me, but that wouldn't happen until I was at least a magician in the seventh circle. Until then, I could only remain one.

I took a deep breath and chose to follow only one of them. I decided to follow the sewer party because of the necessity, the distance, and the possibility of spying on them again.

Even though I was sure there was something in the forest, it could have been something I already knew. However, I had to find out who and what those hooded figures were because whatever was in the sewer was undoubtedly related to them.

I entered the sewers, and the stench was tolerable due to the absence of mutant rats. Three individuals, two of whom were knights, followed, and the third was a close confidant of Redford, who was in the lead.

After the squire's persistent rants about the filthy condition of the location and his intention to never return, we arrived at the same location where I had killed the baron's soldiers and taken the blue lily.

I was correct in my suspicion that upon our arrival, there were already two individuals awaiting the party on the other side of the steel bars. A person could not pass through these bars unless they were exceedingly thin.

[Night Demon]

Having acquired the necessary skills this time, I was able to approach them more closely, remaining concealed in the shadows until I was able to listen in on their conversation.

“The item was delivered.” A smooth and serene voice fell in my ears. In fact, listening to that voice would help people relax and get a good night's sleep. It was clear the voice belonged to a woman.

On the other hand…

“The queen never received the item.” The voice that answered was rough and almost scary, making it clear that it belonged to a man.

“It was delivered. Men received it. What happened to it afterwards is not of our concern.” The woman replied from under the hood.

Neither her face nor the face of her companion was visible to me, and I lacked the necessary skills at the time to make out who they were. But I had a hunch about who they were. It wasn’t just confirmed yet.

Then, as if they had practiced the whole thing beforehand, the knights with the squire drew their swords and prepared to cut down the steel bars.

But before they could move, the woman's companion lifted their hand from under the robe. A warm green light filled them, and it also filled the knights who were about to move, stopping them in their tracks.

“We just want the item.” When the squire realized he had made a mistake, he said. Still, he wasn't scared; it was as if he was sure the people in hoods weren't going to kill them.

There was nothing said by the woman in front. She just gently waved her hand at her companion, who lowered her or his hand, freeing the knights from her or his magical control.

"There can be more where that came from," the woman who was leading the conversation finally said. "As long as you can pay the appropriate price.”

“…” For a brief period, the squire maintained his silence before he exhaled and nodded. He then retrieved a small pouch from his pocket and presented it to the woman, stating, "Some now. The rest would be delivered once the item delivery is complete.”

“Very well.” The woman responded with a sweet voice and then turned to depart with her companion. “Next time, move faster,” the man said, taking a deep breath before turning to face the knights.

The knights remained silent. It was obvious from the disdain in their eyes what they thought of the man. Those were the eyes looking at an ass-kisser.

Anyway, blue lilies were delivered here the last time. Since it was no longer possible to create the dragon heart, they were of no use to me. I mean, I could make it, but it wouldn't help me because I had already eaten it once.

That being the case, there was no reason to be concerned about being at a loss. However, I was interested in what was going on. Although I thought about capturing the man and questioning him in a friendly way, I guess that would have to wait until the item mentioned above arrived. I was also interested in who the people in the hoods were.

But that was easy to figure out.

On the following day, I stood outside a building that was familiar to me, gazing at a familiar face with an unfamiliar smile that had not been present during my previous visit.

“Welcome, my lord. How may I help you?” With a polite bow and the nicest smile she could muster, the library worker asked.

Oh, how a person's status could drastically alter the treatment they received.

But I wasn’t there for that. I immediately checked the maps. I didn't pass over anything now that I knew what I wanted, and I paid close attention to what I wanted to learn.

This kingdom shared a river and forest with another country. A nation of species that wasn’t human.

The sole method of accessing this location was via the forest or, if one was sufficiently courageous, the river. It wasn’t a small river, after all. If this map was correct, that river would be very scary when it rained, so that was a much riskier way to get here.

I checked the rest, but I found nothing else. I had to find out how they were getting the blue lilies, but I couldn't figure out how they would get them.

The next few days passed quite busily. Zara required my assistance on numerous occasions as she guided Redford through the research facilities he had established. Well, I say research facilities. It turned out to be an animal farm where the magical plants were fed to different kinds of animals to monitor their effects.

But it was all bullshit. Because they had already been eaten, their safety was assured. After all, it was Zara and her kids who checked them.

But, as I said. It was all bullshit. A way to buy time. Whatever they were doing had something to do with what was going on in the sewers, but I didn't know when the flowers would arrive. I therefore watched at night to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Finally, four days after my last trip to the sewers, I saw another group going in that direction. As soon as the time was right, I took a deep breath and followed them. I was quiet and stealthy enough to ensure that they could not detect me, and I was certain that no one would ever be able to.

When the people I was following reached their destination, the hooded figures were already waiting in their customary location. Upon the arrival of the Redford party, the hooded figures proceeded to push one box from the other side of the steel bars, which was grabbed by the squire, without uttering a word.

It was the same kind of box that I got last time with blue lilies in it. Despite my interest, I kept quiet and watched what happened next. The squire then handed out another pouch, this one much larger than the previous one, and three more boxes were pushed in.

“It was a pleasure doing business with you.” Without waiting for the squire to respond, the hooded figure with the smooth voice spoke and departed. The squire exhaled deeply and reopened the boxes, as he had done during the hooded figures' examination of the pouch's contents.

The squire withdrew a sigh and remarked, "You are aware of the consequences if the queen fails to retrieve them this time, correct? So make sure to be carefu—”

Shing!

In the middle of his sentence, he stopped because he didn't feel that something was right. As he turned around, he saw me looking at him with a curious look on my face while the knights floated in the dirty sewer water.

“Y-you…” He said with a horrified face. I just smiled and said, "Pleased to meet you, my lord. I’m Jack.”

And that was the last thing he heard when his vision went blank.

~~

Let me know if there are any mistakes.