“How did you get that invitation by the way?”
“Carter gave it to me.”
Deron answered without hesitation as if he had no intention of hiding anything.
As expected, there’s something going on between those two.
Ed had sensed it before, but there always seemed to be a strange undercurrent between them.
Unlike the sharp and professional demeanor Carter showed Ed, she was always snappy toward Deron. Meanwhile, Deron who was normally rigid and principled would turn into a fool whenever he was around Carter. It felt like there was a bond between them that Ed didn’t know about.
While Ed was lost in thought about Deron and Carter’s relationship, the carriage came to a stop in front of an elegant building. Of course, compared to the venues where noble banquets were held, it was rather modest.
Ed and Deron stepped out of the carriage and approached the entrance. Two adventurers were stationed there as guards.
Deron showed them the invitation.
After checking it, one of the adventurers glanced at Ed.
“He’s with me.”
The adventurer gave a small nod in response.
With that, Ed and Deron stepped into the banquet hall.
“Oh, a chandelier.”
Deron glanced around. He seemed to be comparing the hall to noble gatherings he had attended before.
“You’ve been to noble banquets before?”
“A few times when I was younger. Haha, I suppose that makes me sound like I’m bragging. How embarrassing.”
“It’s fine. I was just curious, that’s all.”
The interior of the banquet hall clearly showed signs of an attempt to mimic the atmosphere of a noble gathering.
A grand chandelier illuminated the hall, while carefully prepared dishes were neatly arranged on a long dining table.
Elegant candelabras with flickering candlelight added a touch of refinement to the ambiance.
All around the hall, women in dresses and men in formal attire gathered in small groups, sipping their drinks and engaging in conversation.
However, there was a clear difference. Most of the dresses were simpler than the evening dresses worn by noble ladies, and the men’s attire prioritized practicality over extravagance.
Compared to the banquet Ed had attended after Count Montrant’s wedding, the contrast was stark. Even so, it seemed they had done their best to create an appropriate setting.
Alright, that’s enough.
Realizing that he had been looking around too much, Ed stopped himself.
Even as it was, he could feel several eyes on him.
I was being a bit rude by looking around too much… but why does it feel like people are staring at me more than usual?
Most of the gazes didn’t seem particularly friendly.
They weren’t openly hostile, but with his heightened senses sharpened through the Heavenly Swirl Star, Ed could pick up on every single one of them.
Just as he was thinking that, someone approached him and Deron.
It was Carter.
She was dressed more formally than usual, though her outfit seemed to prioritize ease of movement over elegance.
The design accentuated her waistline, with adjustable laces allowing for easy fit.
As a skilled adventurer, she carried herself well in an outfit that highlighted her athletic figure.
Ed smiled and offered her a light compliment.
“You look beautiful.”
She returned his smile.
“Thanks, handsome young man.”
Then, Carter’s gaze shifted toward Deron.
Deron merely confirmed Carter’s arrival before turning away and picking up food to eat. The smile on Carter’s lips disappeared.
Feeling awkward, Ed hesitantly spoke up. After all, there had to be a reason why Carter had personally given Deron the invitation.
“How about the two of you share a dance?”
“With him? Do you think someone as rigid as he is has ever even considered dancing?”
Even though Carter’s tone was sharper than usual, Deron simply chuckled.
“As expected. You know me well.”
“Hmph. I’d much rather dance with a handsome young man than a bearded old man.”
Carter glanced at Ed as she spoke.
Ed felt stuck.
I don’t even know how to dance.
But refusing outright felt cruel, especially since she had already been hurt by Deron’s indifference. He hesitated.
Just then—
A soft voice interrupted their conversation.
“You must be the new orphanage director?”
It was a woman with neatly tied golden hair.
Her gaze was fixed solely on Ed, and her face was covered with a warm smile.
“Yes, that’s me. And you are…?”
“I’m Sylvia, the eldest daughter of the Delcan Merchant Guild’s head.”
“I see. My name is Ed.”
Delcan Merchant Guild. It was a name he had heard a few times in passing.
It was the most famous merchant guild in Avgenil, and there were discreet rumors that it had ties to the Dark Guild. Ed had come across its name a few times while investigating the Black Hand Guild.
As soon as they finished exchanging names, Sylvia wasted no time getting to the point.
“If it’s nothing too important, would you like to dance with me?”
It was perfect timing.
Ed had felt bad about turning Carter down, but now, an easy excuse had appeared.
Thanks to Sylvia, he had a natural way to slip out of the situation.
“I’m not a very good dancer. My apologies.”
“……”
Sylvia’s expression briefly went blank. She was caught off guard by the unexpected rejection.
She didn’t seem accustomed to being turned down so directly.
With a slight nod, Ed stepped away from the group and made his way elsewhere.
Now alone, he subtly scanned the crowd while taking a bite of roasted lamb.
The meat was rich and juicy, carrying a deep, savory flavor.
Hmm, I don’t see any nobles. Did they decide not to attend today?
There had to be a noble hosting this banquet, but it seemed tonight wasn’t their night to appear.
Fragments of conversations from the attendees reached Ed’s ears.
Talks of new social circles forming soon, of hiring knight scribes to create a daily newspaper for exchanging information.
It was a clear attempt to inch into the noble sphere.
It’s really not long now.
He had been pondering the chaos that would follow once the emperor was assassinated and who would benefit the most from the disorder when he suddenly sensed someone stopping right in front of him.
Ed looked up.
“I’m Majer of the Gobren Merchant Guild.”
“…I see.”
Ed’s response was indifferent.
He had been one of the people who had cast an unwelcoming glance when Ed first entered the banquet hall.
“What is your purpose?”
“Hmm, it seems I’m not particularly welcome, am I?”
There was a certain arrogance in Majer’s tone as if warning Ed not to underestimate the sharp eyes of a merchant.
Ed shrugged and replied indifferently.
“Is there any reason you wouldn’t be welcome?”
“Because you know that I don’t welcome you.”
Ed found that statement rather puzzling.
Why is he showing such hostility?
Majer glanced around before falling silent for a moment. Then, in a low voice, he continued.
“People say you have some hidden power, that you’re involved with a den of demons. There’s been a lot of talk, but I don’t believe in such nonsense.”
“You’re quite wise.”
“But the truth is, I still find you unsettling. Ever since you arrived, strange things have been happening one after another, haven’t they?”
“I suppose I can’t deny that, though it’s unfair.”
When Ed acknowledged it so readily, Majer hesitated for a moment.
It seemed he hadn’t expected Ed to accept it so easily.
Ed had now solved the mystery behind Majer’s hostility. He hadn’t known why the man viewed him so unfavorably, but now he understood…..and he had to admit, Majer’s reasoning wasn’t entirely unfounded.
He didn’t appreciate the hostility, but at least he could understand it.
“What I’m saying is, if you have any sinister intentions for our home, abandon them and leave the city quietly.”
Majer’s words were more of a warning than a request.
Ed fell into thought for a moment. For a merchant, this was a rather bold stance.
Does he have someone backing him?
Otherwise, there was no way a mere merchant would dare to take such an attitude.
There was a high possibility that someone was firmly backing him from behind.
If I refuse to leave, will he start causing trouble again?
Ed pondered the thought for a moment before letting out a small sigh and shaking his head.
“I have no ulterior motives, so there’s no reason for me to leave.”
Majer pressed his lips together tightly. He was clearly displeased with Ed’s calm response.
“…We’ll see soon enough.”
Leaving behind those cryptic words, he turned around and returned to his seat.
Waiting for him were three men. Each of them had cast disapproving looks at Ed from the moment he entered the banquet hall.
One of them was even the man who had been standing beside Sylvia, the woman who had approached Ed earlier. That meant he was part of the Delkan Merchant Guild.
They welcomed Majer as if he were a hero returning from slaying a demon king.
The men who had been glaring at Ed awkwardly avoided his gaze when their eyes met.
Settling down in a rural town isn’t easy.
Ignoring their glances, Ed simply thought to himself.
***
After the long banquet, Majer returned home, dragging his weary body inside.
He was mainly a merchant engaged in trade, but Avgenil had no particular specialties to export. Because of this, he mainly traveled between other regions to amass his wealth.
There was no real reason for him to remain in Avgenil, but his deep attachment to his hometown had led him to make significant contributions to the local merchant guild, expanding his influence.
Since his main trade routes were outside the city, he had little direct conflict of interest with the merchants here, making him well-liked by all.
Naturally, he often took on the role of mediating disputes between different merchant groups.
Such was the extent of Majer’s investment in the Avgenil community.
That was why Ed had spoken so firmly to the orphanage director.
Ever since the orphanage was established in Avgenil, a series of disappearances and murders had followed.
In a small rural town like this, it was easy to trace the pattern of events.
The disappearances coincided with visits from the Black Hand organization, which came to collect protection fees from the orphanage, and the murder victims were all people who had been close to Ed.
The ignorant gossiped endlessly about the orphanage and continued spreading countless rumors.
But Majer knew the truth. Another Dark Guild was disguising itself and plotting to take control of Avgenil.
Of course, he had only learned this from the Dark Guild he himself was affiliated with.
A demon, they say…
The Black Hand guild had vanished, but two other major Dark Guilds still remained in Avgenil.
Anyone who had underestimated this rural town had made a grave mistake.
Well, I gave the warning as instructed. The rest is up to them.
Feeling as if things were finally falling into place, Majer drifted into a deep sleep beside his wife.
Then, at some point, an eerie sensation roused him.
It was a particularly dark night, with only a faint glow of moonlight.
Through his drowsy vision, Majer caught sight of something….it was a red light.
A red light…?
Thinking it was just a trick of his sleepy mind, he furrowed his brow and focused. Then, he realized. The red light was a pair of eyes.
His heart plummeted.
Startled, he shot upright. His body reacted on instinct. His hand frantically reached for his wife, who lay beside him.
Fortunately, he could feel the faint rise and fall of her chest. She was still breathing. She was alive.
But the relief was short-lived.
With his throat dry and tight, Majer barely managed to ask,
“Wh-Who’s there?”
A voice answered.
“I am the one who has come to condemn your ignorance.”
The voice was young. Majer immediately realized it belonged to a boy.
But that didn’t mean he could afford to dismiss him. His sharp instincts as a merchant sent a clear warning.
“Wh-What ignorance are you talking about…?”
“That’s for you to figure out.”
Instead of getting angry at the vague response, Majer desperately wracked his brain to find an answer.
From today’s events to everything that had happened recently, he retraced his actions.
What exactly had he done wrong?
“Could it be… the Dark Guild…?”
The only thing that came to mind was the Dark Guild he had been colluding with.
Had he somehow offended them?
But before he could get a reply, something else answered him instead.
“Kraaaagh!”
A sudden, searing pain shot through his left index finger.
It felt as if each joint were being crushed, one by one.
The pain was indescribable. Overwhelmed, Majer thrashed and screamed, forgetting entirely that his wife was asleep beside him.
Then, just as abruptly as it had begun, the pain stopped at his index finger, as if it had been severed clean.
“Hah… Hah…”
When the pain faded, he gasped for breath, trying to steady himself. But then, a chilling realization struck him. His wife had not moved at all.
He had screamed at the top of his lungs, yet she showed no reaction.
Turning his head, he saw that she was still breathing. She was definitely asleep.
Did she not hear my screams?
At that moment, a chilling shiver ran down his spine.
“You seem to have the luxury of thinking about other things.”
“Ah, n-no! I-I’m just so foolish… I can barely remember what happened yesterday… S-So, um… uh…”
Majer had no idea what he was even saying.
He had to find an answer.
That single thought consumed his mind.
The only possibility that came to him was the work of the Dark Guild. But that wasn’t the answer.
Then what was it? He hadn’t done anything wrong.
Just then, a thought flickered through his mind.
Why had that come to him? Was it because it had been on his mind before he went to sleep?
“No way… The orphanage director…?”
At that moment, a pair of crimson eyes faintly glowed.
“Congratulations. You’ll be able to save your right index finger.”
A shudder ran through Majer.
Instinctively, he clenched his left index finger.
No—he tried to, but there was nothing to grasp.
The firm joint that should have been at his fingertip was gone.
Instead, his fingers closed around something shriveled, like withered skin.
It was only then that Majer realized. His left index finger had rotted away.
Magic… No, a curse!
Majer hurriedly rolled off the bed and onto the floor.
Without a moment to hesitate, he dropped to his knees.
“P-Please spare me! I’ll do whatever you ask!”
“You’ve found the first answer, so you must know the next one too. If you don’t… I’ll come back for you. But there won’t be a next chance. It won’t just be your left index finger that rots away. This entire house will decay and sink into the ground.”
“Y-Yes! I understand! Thank you for your mercy. I swear… I won’t make a mistake again!”
Majer desperately bowed his head and pleaded with all his might. But when he finally lifted his gaze, the boy with crimson eyes was gone.
Left alone, Majer remained on his knees. He was drenched in sweat and unable to stand.
A demon… Th-The demon thing wasn’t just a rumor.
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