Chapter 13
When the door opened, night wind rushed in. The woman’s braided hair whipped wildly.
Turning her head slightly, she smiled faintly and said:
“Minervina.”
* * *
After answering the Grand Duke, Baeksan rushed to the railing as if she’d been waiting for this.
Gripping the railing, a crooked smile soon appeared on her lips.
‘As expected, this was the right answer.’
The pitch-black night sky.
Every building in the capital was coloring that black canvas with their own names.
And among them, golden letters shone clearly.
[Illegal Fighting Pit]
Ulm’s largest illegal fighting pit, run by wanted criminal Magdala Magik. Lira Magnus is being held captive here.
* * *
The woman pointed out one building’s location and staggered.
“I’m… getting dizzy…”
Though he tried to support her due to her pale complexion, Minervina refused.
“Exarch. Are you strong?”
Despite panting, she looked up at him with sharp eyes.
Exarch answered while staying ready to react if she collapsed.
“It’s been a very long time since I’ve been asked that question.”
Minervina nodded.
“Then you can protect me too? Take me with you.”
“That’s a separate issue.”
Exarch answered immediately. It wasn’t even worth considering.
“You’re a civilian, and while I’m grateful for the location…”
And we’re not even sure if it’s really the right place.
At that moment, Minervina dug her nails into Exarch’s shoulder. Her eyes blazed.
“Listen. My goal is to rescue Lira as quickly as possible. I won’t wait around while you dawdle.”
“Then I should leave right now, and you should wait here for my subordinates.”
“Carry me. I’ll be useful.”
Minervina waved her arms, still pale-faced.
“Hold me with your left arm and your sword with your right… ah, is that difficult?”
“…”
Though seemingly unintentional, she was quite good at provoking people.
“You’re a civilian, Miss Minervina. My subordinates and I will safely rescue Miss Lira…”
“But you still don’t believe me, do you?”
Exarch hesitated briefly.
He’d felt it since they first met—this woman was skilled at reading people.
“Information that hasn’t been verified…”
– Your Grace.
Just then, Levi, the Grand Duke’s shadow attendant, spoke in his ear.
– It seems correct. The movements inside are suspicious.
“…”
Exarch closed his mouth and looked down at the woman.
The pink-eyed woman looked up at him calmly, as if she’d expected this, as if she knew what he’d just heard.
An unnaturally composed attitude.
Exarch asked instinctively:
“How did you know?”
“Take me with you.”
For a moment, they faced off with the night wind between them.
Exarch thought again that Minervina’s pink eyes were just like colored glass.
Very beautiful, but nothing beyond them.
“Fine.”
He said.
“But after this is over, I’ll need to investigate you, and I hope you’ll cooperate.”
“Fine. Contract established.”
* * *
After descending Mordga Tower, Exarch ran with Baeksan in his arms.
‘This speed while carrying someone…’
Baeksan marveled, feeling the wind. She could barely feel any vibration or impact despite being carried.
“But are your subordinates following?”
“They couldn’t be my knights if they couldn’t. Half are already there.”
Well, in that case.
Her braided hair fluttered in the wind, wrapping around her neck. Too bothersome to fix, so she left it as Baeksan asked:
“So who is this ‘wanted criminal Magdala’?”
Exarch, running with his gray robe spread like wings, asked back:
“You don’t know? They should be quite famous.”
“I haven’t been in the capital long.”
Exarch looked down at her briefly.
“Alright. I’ll accept that.”
“…”
Sharper than expected.
Exarch continued:
“Magdala Magik easily commits murder, arson, and worse atrocities. They have many subordinates too.”
“How is someone like that still running around?”
“…I apologize. We’re short on manpower.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
Baeksan waved her hand.
“I mean their methods. There must be some way.”
As if half-resigned, Exarch answered readily:
“Magdala is thorough about escaping. They’ll sacrifice some subordinates but never get caught themselves.”
“Hmm.”
“Most of their subordinates don’t even know each other. Magdala alone is the central point.”
Quite an unusual gang.
‘Well, once we rescue Lira, it’s none of my…’
[A Quest has appeared.]
Just as she thought that, a window appeared before Baeksan’s eyes.
<QUEST>
The largest fighting pit in Ulm is having an especially grand party today.
However, Grand Duke Zahig’s knights are nearby.
Help wanted criminal Magdala escape safely from the fighting pit.
-Success: 700 gold. War Bonus +2%
-Failure: None.
Baeksan’s eyes widened.
‘700 gold!’
Quite a sum. Though less than her salary, isn’t more money always better?
‘Plus, this seems… pretty doable?’
Baeksan carefully scanned the quest window.
‘Is this counted as another way to bring about the world’s end?’
It seemed to be a method of making the world a cesspool by strengthening underground forces.
Baeksan stroked her chin with her finger and asked Exarch, who was carrying her:
“Exarch. Since we don’t have entrance tickets, we’re raiding directly?”
“We’ll have to.”
Exarch answered while running through alleys. His snow-white hair and strong jawline occasionally showed through his fluttering robe.
Thinking ‘What a beauty…’ Baeksan spoke again:
“Won’t there be casualties?”
Suddenly Exarch stopped in place. His robe elegantly fluttered forward from momentum. Baeksan’s braid wrapped around her neck once more.
Exarch’s black eyes slowly lowered to Baeksan.
“Yes. Your friend could be in danger too. I won’t make excuses.”
“…”
“You can criticize me. I’ve chosen to sacrifice the few for the many.”
[Grand Duke Zahig Ridim Exarch Perato Schröder]
Feels regret and apology for being unable to protect everyone.
Confirming his sincerity through the system window, Baeksan was somewhat taken aback.
‘…Is that really his responsibility?’
She recalled Agnes’s words.
‘His Imperial Majesty is using manpower meant for the Security Force as his guard. That’s why there are holes in the capital’s security, making things so dangerous lately.’
Yet he would take responsibility?
‘Perfect type to be framed for treason.’
This type makes you want to cheer them on when you watch them, so better not get close.
Baeksan averted her eyes slightly.
“Well, I wasn’t planning to criticize, but I have a better idea.”
“A better idea?”
“Let’s talk about it when we get there.”
After hesitating, Exarch nodded and started moving again. He ran like flying until they reached near the building with the golden letters.
Upon reaching the alley, Exarch set Baeksan down from his arms.
“It’s over there. Don’t look too obviously.”
Baeksan observed the fighting pit building while hiding in a nearby alley.
It was a two-story wooden building. Not very large.
‘But now how do we…’
[Illegal Fighting Pit]
Ulm’s largest illegal fighting pit run by wanted criminal Magdala Magik. Two floors above ground, three floors underground.
Lira Magnus is being held on the second basement floor. Magdala Magik is in the inner room of the first floor, which is easiest to escape from.
System, you’re the best.
“The victims should be on the second basement floor, and Magdala is probably on the first floor.”
Exarch froze at Minervina’s whisper.
“How do you know that?”
“I have my ways.”
Baeksan deflected while examining the building again.
‘I don’t want to reveal being the Sage of Rethor, but it would be annoying if Lira gets hurt…’
