52 – Faces of Old Acquaintances (5)
Faces of Old Acquaintances (5)
“May I ask why you need a montage?”
James slightly twisted the corner of his mouth in response to Joanna’s guarded gaze.
“A reason. Just a reason. It’s perplexing. Adventurers with uncertain identities voluntarily offered their help in dangerous matters. Without any special conditions. Don’t you find that strange?”
“They were the ones who risked their lives to protect the village until the very end. Despite their severe injuries, they never complained. I can only feel sorry and grateful for not being able to do more for them.”
“Does that mean you can’t provide any assistance?”
“If it’s something that could have a negative impact on them, I cannot help. I cannot repay kindness with enmity.”
“Hmm…”
Even with James’s discomfort, Joanna’s attitude remained firm. Knights Trent and Leonard nodded silently in support of her.
“Kindness. It’s a beautiful word. It has a lovely ring to it.”
Observing their movements, James slowly leaned back against the backrest of his chair. The wooden chair creaked and slightly shifted.
“Frank Goldon.”
The name of Goldon’s former lord and Joanna’s grandfather. Before Joanna’s bewildered mouth could open, James quickly spoke.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s because I’ve met him in person.”
“You’ve met my grandfather? He passed away a long time ago.”
“It was 25 years ago. We met only once.”
“Is it something important?”
“You really have no patience. Just listen to me once.”
James’s eyes turned towards the ceiling.
“Of course, back then I wasn’t a special inspector. I was nothing.”
A locked voice that seemed to be reminiscing.
“I was alone, having lost my comrades. I was being pursued by wolves. Ruthless assassins without blood or tears. I headed to the frontier, determined to survive somehow. I thought I could forget everything by burying myself there for a few years. It was a foolish thought. I was caught before I even left.”
James rummaged through his embrace and pulled out a pipe. As he was about to blow mana into it to light it, Joanna intervened.
“This castle is a non-smoking area. We are currently running a campaign throughout the territory called ‘Let’s See Extinguished Fires Again’ to prevent fires.”
“Wouldn’t it be okay to make an exception?”
“No, it wouldn’t. If we make an exception even just once, the rules will become lax, and even the creators won’t abide by them.”
“Hmph. I see. You’re very rigid. Just like the former lord.”
James coldly put his pipe back in his pocket.
“Anyway, it was a very bad situation. My limbs were bruised, and my back was bent. It looked like a monster. If the former lord hadn’t extended a helping hand, I would have surely died.”
“Did he help you?”
“Yes, he did. I explained the situation, and he helped me without hesitation. He even hid me for six months. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here.”
James stood up from his chair and slowly straightened his body. Tran and Leonard, who had been watching him, trembled at his smooth yet swift movements.
“Gratitude and grudges. They’re one of the most important things to me. They turn a boring world into an interesting one. The former lord is truly a lucky person.”
“…What do you mean?”
“It means I won’t ask any further. Just having a name and some characteristics is enough to find someone. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Joanna’s face stiffened at James’ words, but as a special inspector of the kingdom, she couldn’t retort. She swallowed the words that rose to her throat and nodded.
Observing her face changing rapidly, James turned around and pointed to the door.
“I want to see that prisoner who’s supposedly been caught.”
“Is it the assassin sent by Delbanas?”
“Yes. The one that adventurer named Robin caught.”
“I will personally guide you along with Tran. Leonard, please guard the office.”
“Understood.”
Joanna and Tran led the way, and James followed behind. The three of them attracted the attention of the guards as they entered the completed underground prison.
“I want to talk to the prisoner alone. Without any guards. Is that possible?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll wait outside.”
“Here’s the key. Take it.”
The only guard handed James the key and followed behind Joanna and Trent. When they had distanced themselves enough that their footsteps couldn’t be heard, James opened the prison door and entered.
“Who’s there…”
Inside the cell, a one-eyed prisoner wearing tattered clothes weakly lifted his head. James silently approached and roughly grabbed his face.
“Ugh… You, you bastard…!”
“Someone talked about you, 078.”
James snickered as he confirmed the man’s appearance. The prisoner known as 078 looked astonished.
“Zero, zero seven. How did you end up here?”
“I wanted to personally kill all of you without leaving anyone behind, but a young guy stole the spotlight. It’s unfair, I could die from the injustice.”
“Ah…!”
James tightened his grip on 078’s face. His face turned crimson as if it would burst in an instant.
“Twenty-five years ago, you were in that position too, weren’t you?”
“Uh… Uh…”
“I have a good memory. Be honest. There’s no need to hide anymore.”
078 nodded urgently. Satisfied, James lowered his hand.
“You betrayed the boss and us. You instigated and divided the members.”
A drop of sweat trickled down 078’s lips. Regardless, he continued speaking firmly.
“I should’ve killed you that day too. You damn traitor.”
“A traitor? Does betrayal still count even when there was no trust to begin with?”
“Uh-“
“Enough. The old story is over now. It’s just the end of the dead guys’ business. Can you tell me the characteristics of the guy who caught you?”
“Why should I tell you that?”
“Because I’m the only one who can save you.”
James took out a yellow bean from his pocket. No, it was something resembling a bean.
“You’ll recognize it. It’s the ‘Quiet Rest’. If you eat it and fall asleep, your breath will quietly cease. It’s comfortable and safe. Think of it as consideration for you, who used to be my colleague.”
078’s eyes trembled.
His broken right arm had been severed for a long time, and his whole body was scarred from brutal torture. His remaining left hand was bound, leaving him unable to even commit suicide. The pills James offered looked as sweet as candy.
“Well? Isn’t it a good deal?”
“…Fine. Tell me.”
“Tell me the color of your eyes and hair.”
“I’m not sure about the hair. I was wearing a hood. The eyes… were black.”
“What about your attire? Was it similar to this?”
James handed him a piece of paper. It depicted a black uniform identical to the one worn by the person who subdued 078.
“Judging by your gaze, it seems to be correct.”
James chuckled, shaking his shoulders.
“This is ridiculous! So this is what fate is. I’ve been living all this time for just this!”
As 078, who didn’t understand English, looked confused and glanced at him, James stopped laughing and shook the pills in front of him.
“The eyes of the man who caught you were also black, right?”
“Well, yes… but it must have been someone else. The atmosphere was-“
“Stop. I’m not interested in your opinion.”
James forced a pill into 078’s mouth, surprising him as he swallowed it.
“It’s tonight. There’s not much time left, so calm down and organize your thoughts.”
With those words, James left the underground prison.
“What do you think?”
“All I heard was that he wants to die. Seems like a nobody with nothing to see. The sun is setting gradually. This is my last request. Can I see the square where a fierce battle took place? Is that okay?”
Nonchalantly accepting Joanna’s words, James requested guidance once again.
“Come this way.”
From Noble mtl dot com
When they arrived at the square, the first thing that caught James’ eye was a well covered with wooden planks. Before James could ask, Joanna began to explain.
“It’s a well where the water doesn’t collect. It’s a failed creation from an era with limited technology. It doesn’t take up much space, so it’s been left abandoned.”
“The wooden planks look new.”
“After the war, someone broke them. There’s nothing particularly special about it.”
James carefully examined the well, then shifted his gaze to another place. After investigating the broken pillars and the sunken ground for a while, James lost interest.
“The sun has set. Let’s go.”
“Let’s take a look.”
After a brief farewell, James left without hesitation. Trent, who had been on edge just in case, sighed with relief.
“I’m glad it went smoothly.”
“It’s not over yet. It won’t be finished until he reports back.”
Joanna was still staring at the spot where James had left. Her eyes filled with worry, revealing her complex emotions.
“Indeed.”
As Trent looked around, he took Joanna’s hand. Rough hands overlapping with soft ones.
“Miss, that’s something we can’t do. Just think that we did our best.”
“That’s right.”
Joanna chuckled and gently withdrew her hand. Trent sighed, disappointed.
“Miss Joanna, let’s go in now. The night air is getting cold.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Joanna and Trent entered the mansion, the sky darkened.
The young servants began entering their homes one by one, while the guards, John and Eunice, prepared for their patrol and chatted.
A peaceful, empty square in the quiet town of Goldon.
Swoosh-
The scenery in front of the well moved.
Creak-
The wooden planks covering the well sounded as if they were being lifted by a strong force.
Thud-
Something slipped through the gap.
Thrum-
The largest stone that made up the well shifted.
“Ha.”
James, who had released the illusionary shadow, entered the secret passage. In an instant, he arrived in front of a massive door.
Thud!
He continued moving after destroying the doorknob with a kick.
In the space he arrived at after wandering for dozens of minutes, there were completely destroyed mechanical weapons.
“Tone-Granten!”
James wiped away the sweat and said the name of the machine. The surveillance war weapon, Tone-Granthen. It was a very dangerous item that would explode if anyone other than the surveillance or their minions boarded it.
“You knew all along…”
To think that his lifelong nemesis knew the truth of this world. James’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Robin… Robin…”
He called out that name as if savoring it.
“Robin.”