15 – It Wasn’t Exactly a Problematic Move

Even if a group has a certain scale, even if there is a common denominator, its nature cannot be defined as one.

‘Even if like attracts like, everyone has different jobs, personalities, and places of residence.’

Among those who share the common denominator of belonging to the Order, there were the virtuous, the wicked, and even those who fell into the neutral category, neither one nor the other.

It was difficult to evaluate the Order as simply being trash or a good place.

…Therefore, it was difficult to evaluate the Order itself.

But when the world is threatened, and people come to believe in a surreal existence called God, the only thing they can rely on in reality…

The wicked use this faith as a weapon, committing cruel and evil deeds.

I let out a hollow laugh as I thought about the Order.

It was the genesis of such a notion that sparked a hypothesis within my mind.

‘Let us suppose. If the Order were to have forged some pact with the dark sorcerers…’

As a hero necessitates the existence of a Demon King,

As light requires darkness, it is highly probable they enacted a clandestine scheme of mutual cooperation.

The precise details of which remain unknown, of course.

Yet, like a rigged game of cards, it likely involved a quid pro quo, a plan where each extracted maximum benefit.

The moment the Order and the Karsaril family clashed over interests, I surmised that the Order sought to exploit this, to drag the Karsaril family down.

‘And… if this assumption holds true.’

It appeared exceedingly likely that the Order attempted to smear the Karsaril family with dark magic, to sow chaos.

As this thought settled within the recesses of my mind,

I narrowed my eyes, deciding to gather further evidence, to delve deeper.

*

Even if the Order was the culprit, they were not to be trifled with lightly.

The Order, with its strong solidarity and emphasis on its public image, would tear apart any who attacked it, regardless of the truth, to safeguard that image, even if there was a definite reason for them to pay for their transgressions.

Had the Order been weak, I would have ignored it and proceeded.

But the Order was the state religion, a foundational pillar and spiritual bedrock of the nation; tampering with it risked a severe backlash.

If possible, they had to be ‘eliminated’ discreetly.

With that determination, I decided to start with reconnaissance, and with my spirit companion, I began to meticulously survey the city.

Despite spending the entire day scouring the city,

I found not a single trace of what might be the dark sorcerers’ main body (primary base), not even a hint of their tails.

Most likely, they had all gone into hiding after a tail had been crushed yesterday.

And this declaration was equivalent to concluding that the solar spirit alone could not solve everything,

I had to discover a means to resolve this predicament.

‘I need someone to help.’

Shiren still needed time to mature, to grow,

And Lorraine, while adept in other areas, was considerably lacking in information gathering, meaning I required someone to fetch intel.

‘Liana is my only option, it seems?’

The novel’s foremost expert in this field, a character who provides the protagonist’s party with all the necessary information and direction.

Recruiting her would be exceptionally beneficial, without a doubt.

The problem was, I didn’t know where Liana was.

‘The original work said to find Liana, you look for her near the most intriguing rumors. Find the rumor, find her.’

The issue being, what *I* found intriguing was different from what *Liana* did.

She wouldn’t show up for a rumor about a plan to end the world, something truly vital.

But she *might* appear for a rumor about a statue that moved at midnight.

So, keeping that in mind, I decided to find a separate way to recruit her for now.

*

My head was starting to spin, when…

Damian’s brother, Aiden Karsaril, approached me.

He walked up, beaming, and showered me with praise.

“Damian! I heard you took down the black magician? How on earth did you manage that?”

Aiden-hyung seemed genuinely thrilled that his younger brother had achieved something so great, shaking my hand and smiling broadly.

Then, with a gentler smile, he said,

“Before you went north, you were hanging out with such… odd people, I worried so much. Seeing you grow up so well makes me think I was worried for nothing.”

Just as I was about to thank him, I caught something strange in what Aiden-hyung said.

‘Odd people?’

Realizing this might be connected to the black magicians, I spoke immediately.

“Hyung, do you happen to know where those odd people I was with before going north are now?”

“…Huh? Why?”

Aiden-hyung shot me a worried look, as if concerned I might start associating with those people again.

But he quickly shook it off, deciding to trust me, and said hesitantly,

“I’m not sure. Maybe… the butler knows? He was the one who introduced you to them, your personal butler.”

“Do you know where that butler is?”

“Not really. The head butler might, though.”

He still looked unsure if giving me this information was the right thing to do.

I reassured him, “I’m not planning to hang out with them,” before turning away.

‘Personal butler, huh? This plan likely goes back further than I imagined.’

Perhaps Damian’s departure for the north was connected to this as well, I thought, and started to walk.

*

The person in charge of all servants within the Karsaril household…

Overseeing finances, managing personnel, and even the manor’s operations, Head Butler Bern was indispensable to the Carsaril family.

Unlike most of the staff who seemed intimidated by me,

he addressed me with a familiarity akin to a grandfather, rather than showing any fear.

“Young Master, what brings you to this old man?”

“I need assistance.”

“Heh heh, the Young Master using polite speech? You’ve changed much.”

Funnily enough, despite acting and speaking in complete contrast to Damian’s own personality, he didn’t seem to find it particularly odd.

Perhaps he was factoring in my year of hardship in the North and the annulled engagement, and accepting me accordingly.

Just as I was thinking that all of this wasn’t entirely meaningless, Bern posed a question to me.

“So, how can this old man be of service?”

“I need to know where my personal butler is.”

Without bothering to beat around the bush, I stated it directly.

He seemed to contemplate for a moment, before divulging information about my personal butler.

“Ruston quit as soon as you departed for the North, Master. Said he wished to return to his hometown.”

The immediate resignation, as if he’d been waiting for it, only deepened my suspicions.

“Hometown?”

“Said it was a small village at the very edge of the Carsaril territory… but rumors amongst the servants say he’s been spotted at a gambling den on the outskirts of the city. So, it’s more likely he went to the gambling den instead of his hometown.”

Hearing this, Lorraine, who was standing behind me, added in a flustered voice.

“Ruston gambling? Wasn’t he incredibly diligent?”

“Indeed. I don’t know what the reason is, but it’s truly unfortunate.”

A gambling den… Hearing that, I felt like I might be able to obtain some crucial information this time, and decided to head for the den.

*

A dilapidated slum in the outer districts.

Whether they chose this place to avoid crackdowns or so they could abandon it at any moment if a crackdown occurred, I wasn’t sure.

It was far from luxurious and hedonistic, so at first glance, it didn’t even feel like a gambling den.

Seeing this, I told Lorraine to prepare for any potential situation before trying to enter the den.

But a large man silently blocked my path, preventing me from entering.

It seemed he was the gatekeeper here, so

I briefly waved my hand and spoke.

“Step aside.”

“……”

Though I said, “Get back,” there was no particular reaction.

At his blatant disregard, I let out a hollow laugh, reaching for my hammer just as—

*KWA-aaaNG!*

Even before I could, Loreine kicked the gatekeeper, sending him flying backwards, and announced,

“Let’s go in.”

It wasn’t really *my* place to say, considering I was about to cave the guy’s head in with a hammer, but I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is this really okay?’ as I glanced at Loreine.

Loreine offered an awkward smile, saying to me,

“I just… really dislike gambling. Plus, an unlicensed gambling den is a crime, so I figured I’d clean it up a little…?”

Nodding, signifying that she didn’t need to explain, I entered through the now-open doorway.

“Who the hell are you?”

A multitude of people, each brandishing their own weapon, glared at me.

‘Weapons in a gambling den…?’

It was common sense that weapons were strictly prohibited in gambling dens, if only to attract customers.

The fact that everyone was wielding them so casually implied this wasn’t your average establishment.

Realizing I had finally found a lead, the corners of my mouth tilted upwards, but then Loreine lightly tapped my shoulder, informing me,

“Young Master, Ruston’s over there.”

At those words, brimming with anticipation, I drew a small hammer from within my coat and faced the crowd.

Around ten or so of them.

Not a number that posed any real problem.