NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19
The Beggar King Braid of Shadowhold was currently feeling the fear of death.
Of course, being called the Beggar King, Braid was quite a notorious outlaw in the city. Having experienced everything in Shadowhold, he was confident that he wouldn’t flinch at just about anything.
But this time, it was different.
“Now, confess. What did you see?”
The handsome man stood before him.
However, Braid swallowed hard at the sight of the solid muscles visible beneath his holy garment and the blue blade concealed in his wrist.
An assassin. A very skilled one.
That was the only thought that crossed his mind.
“I, I don’t know anything…!”
It was truly unfair.
After finishing a street performance as usual, Braid had gone out for cheap drinks with his subordinates, planning to visit a brothel for some company. However, he had been kidnapped by this man on his way there.
He hadn’t sensed a thing.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a dark solitary cell.
Considering the dampness, it must be a sewer.
“Make it quick. It stinks like hell here.”
Behind the man’s shoulder sat a woman with her arms crossed, looking displeased.
She was probably the man’s employer. Just as Braid was gauging the situation, the man’s strong hand grabbed his face.
“Look at me. Don’t get distracted. I can hear your eyes rolling.”
“Y-yes…”
“Do you truly not know?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“Claiming ignorance is a poor excuse. Even in this darkness, God’s eyes are always upon you.”
“God?”
Slap!
Braid’s face was turned sideways.
He had been slapped.
“Do you dare utter the word ‘God’ with that filthy, blasphemous mouth?”
“…”
What was he supposed to say?
He was so wronged it was driving him mad, but Braid kept his mouth shut. After all, the man was leading the conversation now. In order to preserve his life, he had no choice but to comply with his words.
“What is it that you want to know?”
“I’m looking for a Dark Mage. Wasn’t he here?”
“H-here, you say?”
Magic Tower City Shadowhold.
There were indeed Dark Mages within. Even if the Magic Tower tried to control it, there were workshops for Dark Mages. Just as Braid was about to speak, the man’s fist connected with his lips.
“No. I’m not looking for some worthless Dark Magic apprentice. We are looking for an apostate who can topple an entire village.”
“A village? There’s no mage of that caliber.”
A Grand Mage was required for that level of magic. Even a beggar like Braid knew that.
Despite Shadowhold being nicknamed the Magic Tower City, it was essentially just a lawless city with a severe wealth gap.
As Braid slowly shook his head, the man let out a small groan.
“Not a lie then. That’s a relief. If that were also deception, I would have been unable to forgive your sins.”
“…uh.”
As Braid searched for a response, the man continued.
“Here, you should be grateful.”
“Th-thank you.”
“This is also a grace from God.”
With a calm smile, the man made the sign of the cross.
What kind of childish play is this? He wanted to argue, but he couldn’t.
The man leaned in closer, staring fiercely into Braid’s face.
“Now, let me ask about something else. How many sins have you committed in your lifetime?”
“W-what?”
“I’ve heard stories about you from your subordinates. The Beggar King. That means you’ve undoubtedly engaged in one or two sins among the many evils of this city. That is what I am asking about.”
Braid swallowed hard.
The man’s eyes gleamed with a golden light, ruling out any chance of lying.
Magic? It must be. So Braid answered in the most submissive voice he could muster.
“I, I have never killed anyone. I merely took a little money from rich folks… I borrowed it.”
“Hmm.”
The man nodded, as if determining it wasn’t a lie.
Before Braid could catch his breath, a silver flash zipped past his vision.
Swish.
“GAAAAAH!”
His lower wrist had been completely severed.
“This is divine punishment for your theft. Normally, both wrists would be taken, but I’ve been merciful since you cooperated with the investigation. Starting now, wash your hands of your sinful ways and repent.”
“Ugh.”
“Hey, you crazy bastard! Why’d you cut off his wrist?!”
At that moment, the woman behind them sprang up, startled.
The man wiped the blood off the blade casually.
“Is there a problem? This man committed theft. That’s an act against the will of God.”
“W-well, yeah, but it’s just too sudden!”
“I am a blade forged to eradicate heresy. I must be ready to be drawn at any moment.”
“You madman.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m quite insane for my faith, you see.”
…
As Braid listened to their conversation, he screamed and thrashed.
Finally, the woman emitted a golden magic to staunch his bleeding wrist.
“Y-you guys…”
But Braid was overwhelmed by more than just the pain—he was full of questions.
Overcoming his fear, he spoke up.
“Could it be that you’re with that crazy swordsman?!”
“What?”
The one who reacted was not the man, but the woman.
She pulled back her hood. Silver hair and aquamarine eyes. A delicate face. Braid couldn’t help but be astonished by her beauty, but right now, that was hardly important.
“Who is that swordsman? Tell me everything you know.”
“Um, it was just the other day.”
Braid rummaged through his memory to continue.
“A week ago, a madman came and cut off all the beggars’ wrists…”
The memory was still vivid.
A man had randomly come to the beggars’ den, creating chaos, cutting off the hands of a dozen beggars who rushed to stop him, and then walked away as if nothing had happened.
At the time, he hadn’t understood what was happening, but after losing his own wrist, it finally clicked.
“What did he look like?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure… but he had blonde hair.”
“…”
The woman’s expression hardened as she stepped back.
The man shrugged.
“Looks like we’re on the right track.”
Braid felt a thrill of fear at the woman’s expression.
Her once beautiful face now chilled like ice.
She looked like a demon he saw in his dreams.
“Where did that bastard go?!”
“Ah.”
“Unless you want your other wrists cut off, you better spill everything you know.”
Braid could sense it.
They were hunting that man.
*
“Cough.”
A sudden chill made me shiver as I sneezed.
“Am I getting a cold?”
“No. Someone must be talking about me.”
“Probably those beggars with their wrists cut off.”
“Well, maybe.”
I chuckled and stretched.
After being crammed into a small cargo wagon for several days, my whole body was stiff.
“The air is nice.”
“Well, we’re right in front of the Great Forest.”
Coming outside after a long while felt refreshing.
The sky was clear, and the towering trees presented a grand sight, fitting the entrance to the Great Forest below my feet.
Due to the considerable elevation change along the border of the Great Forest, the Empire operated a separate lift. In fact, many crowds were gathered in front of the lift.
“From here, it’s the Great Forest. Since it’s not under the Empire, you’ll need a separate identification.”
“Will my Empire ID work?”
“The Ear Demons are particularly picky about their standards.”
Owen handed me a bundle with that remark.
Receiving it, I saw there was money and a substitute ID for travel inside.
I hadn’t expected him to prepare this much; surprised, I looked at Owen, who scratched the back of his neck.
“I received a request, so it’s only fitting to make these preparations.”
“I don’t remember giving you much of a payment.”
From the arrangements for the wagon to the connection with the Archmage and even supplies for the Great Forest, Owen had helped with everything.
Though I hadn’t given him any fee and had even treated him roughly when making the request, seeing him act so devotedly made me wonder.
“You’re not interested in those kinds of things, are you?”
Just checking, in case.
Owen frowned, grasping the intent behind my question, shot me a glare.
“If you weren’t a Knight of the Saint, I would’ve drawn my sword right now.”
“Just a joke.”
“I only helped you out because I think you’ll be useful as the Saintess’s escort. I plan to keep a running tally of the debt.”
“Well, I’m not exactly a big deal.”
“You may think that, but the Empire’s administration doesn’t seem to think so. Neither do I.”
Owen’s expression was extremely serious.
It felt a bit pressured, so I turned my body.
From here on, I would enter the Great Forest. Owen wouldn’t be able to follow. That meant I had to face it alone.
The anxiety was indeed real.
But, it wouldn’t be more dangerous than during my mercenary days.
“Let’s go.”
Just as I was about to step forward with determination.
“Lastly.”
Owen called me back.
Turning around, I saw his fist raised.
“I hope you succeed in your revenge.”
“…”
“That’s sincere.”
“…Well, thanks.”
What on earth is he talking about?
Sometimes Owen would spout nonsense like this.
I just responded vaguely and crossed the border.