A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 201
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
“Our manager would like to hear more details about your situation. Would you follow me?”
The woman nodded lightly and followed the Shop Clerk into the office.
“Welcome.”
Inside the office, a man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties offered her a seat with a smile not unlike the clerk’s.
“Please, sit here.”
The Shop Clerk who had guided her this far bowed respectfully and stepped aside, positioning herself as if to block the entrance.
“You’re looking for something with two black serpents engraved on it?”
“Yes.”
“Could you describe what you’re looking for more precisely?”
“Information engraved with black serpents.”
….
The Store Manager’s smile deepened.
“We don’t hand over such items unless we can verify the person’s identity.”
Without objection, the woman slowly removed the robe she had been wearing pulled low over her head.
Both the Store Manager and the Shop Clerk bowed respectfully upon seeing the woman’s revealed face.
“Welcome, Camilla.”
The figure beneath the robe was none other than Camilla.
“You recognized me immediately, as expected.”
“Though our primary business is assassination, we pride ourselves on having superior intelligence capabilities than any other organization.”
Assassination Guild Kan. The reason she had come here directly was singular.
“Where is your master right now?”
Jainer had disappeared.
I had expected him to return as usual, late at night or in the early morning hours, but now three days had passed without any contact.
‘What on earth is happening?’
By this point, Duke Sorpel and the other household members were equally puzzled. It was only natural to find it strange when a guest suddenly vanished.
‘I had made excuses, saying I heard he had urgent business and would be away for a few days.’
I couldn’t help but worry. The position of Khan’s leader was hardly a safe one.
If something had occurred that required him to be absent for so long, he would have at least given me advance notice.
The fact that there had been no contact for days was decidedly strange.
I couldn’t help but let my thoughts drift toward darker possibilities.
I had considered whether I should inform Duke Escra, but….
‘There are simply too many complications with that approach.’
What if Jainer had no particular trouble at all and I was simply overreacting? The situation would only escalate, and his identity would be exposed.
If his secret, which he had kept hidden from his family for so long, were revealed because of me, how could I bear his resentment?
‘Yet I couldn’t simply do nothing either.’
In the end, I had no choice but to seek out Khan’s branch directly.
Finding the branch proved less difficult than I had anticipated.
‘I had been here before.’
When the Tower of Guardians collapsed and I didn’t know whether Ravi was alive or dead, I had visited Khan’s branch with Jainer’s help.
Though my mind had been in turmoil then, I remembered the location precisely.
I also learned from Jainer how to utilize Khan. He explained that I simply needed to find their shops—disguised as ordinary trading companies throughout the Empire—and locate two black snakes.
The method was deceptively simple, yet it concealed the countless eyes of Khan operating within.
Dozens of covert gazes monitored and surveyed every customer who crossed the threshold.
Even upon discovering the black snakes—a sort of cipher—one wouldn’t immediately receive a commission.
Though a representative would meet with you at that point, it was far from the end of the process.
The system required Khan to thoroughly verify the client’s identity, select an appropriate date, visit the requester themselves, and only then formalize the contract.
“I can’t reach your leader right now.”
At Camilla’s words, the Store Manager’s face darkened noticeably. Unable to answer readily, a long sigh finally escaped his lips.
“There’s been a problem.”
“…Is he injured?”
When he said “problem,” only one possibility came to mind. Had he been severely wounded while carrying out a commission?
If he’d sustained serious injuries, returning to the Sorpel Household would be difficult.
‘I told him to keep a low profile!’
What commission had he taken on this time?
“That appears to be the case.”
“Appears to be? What does that mean?”
At the Store Manager’s uncertain response, Camilla’s brow furrowed deeper.
Another long sigh escaped the Store Manager’s lips.
“We’ve lost contact with him as well. We traced his last known location and found only signs of battle. Since then, there’s been no word from him.”
“You have no idea where he is?”
“We’re searching diligently, but…”
Camilla’s expression hardened abruptly.
This wasn’t merely a matter of injury. The fact that he couldn’t contact his subordinates suggested something far more serious had befallen him.
‘Could he be…dead?’
No, wait. Don’t think such useless thoughts.
‘Even if he dies, he should at least receive compensation first!’
If you die like this, your life will be truly tragic! Dorman promised compensation! Hold onto your life with all your strength!
‘What should I do about this?’
Should I inform Duke Escra?
Or perhaps my older brothers? Wouldn’t it be better to search with the family’s resources?
“Please don’t worry too much.”
The Store Manager spoke quietly, observing Camilla lost in serious contemplation.
“He is not someone who would easily fall to another. We’re searching earnestly, so we should learn of his whereabouts soon.”
His faith in Jainer appeared absolutely unwavering.
Seeing this, Camilla released a short sigh as well.
Honestly, if even Khan didn’t know his whereabouts, there was nothing more she could do. Worrying wouldn’t solve anything.
Still…
“You’re telling me all this? You’re sure that’s alright?”
A sudden doubt arose.
She had come here in haste, but she hadn’t expected to receive answers about Jainer’s current situation so readily.
I thought I’d have to extract answers through money or something else. Are you people really this easy?
“Khan instructed us.”
“Jainer? What did he say?”
There’s no way that man said anything sensible. What nonsense did he spout this time?
“He told us to treat Camilla as we would treat him.”
“If that were true, the commission fees you’ve collected from me all this time wouldn’t be so substantial.”
It seemed like you never gave me a single discount.
“Haha.”
Laughing it off?
Camilla clicked her tongue lightly and rose from her seat. I had come all this way, but ultimately gained nothing.
‘Where on earth is that man?’
Is he at least safe?
According to that subordinate’s words, he’s not someone who dies easily, but he must be fully aware that this life is truly his last, right?
Another long sigh escaped from Camilla’s lips.
“Damn it!”
Why do I have to worry about this too!
When Camilla suddenly cursed, the Store Manager and Shop Clerk flinched.
‘What? Why?’
I’m naturally good at cursing! During my entertainment career, all I did was curse!
“Sigh.”
I suppose I’ll have to visit that place after all.
‘That place….’
The Sefra Family.
Camilla decided to visit the one place that might reveal Jainer’s whereabouts right now.
* * *
“Camilla?”
As Camilla was leaving the Trading Company, she paused at the sound of her name. It was a familiar voice.
Turning her head, High Priest Daniel stood there with a gentle smile.
“What brings you here?”
“I was looking for something.”
“Ah, I see. But it appears you’re empty-handed.”
“I couldn’t find what I was looking for.”
“I’m not sure what you’re searching for, but would you like me to help? The Temple purchases items from various places, so I know quite a few Trading Companies.”
“No, thank you. I’ve already placed an order and was just leaving.”
“Is that so? I wish I could have helped.”
Camilla intended to leave right after that conversation.
Since there were those connected to the Eba Cult at the Temple as well, I wanted to avoid contact with anyone affiliated with that place as much as possible.
‘Especially High Priest Daniel.’
He was the most suspicious—the one who had given me the sacred relic.
Of course, there was a very high possibility that he too was unaware and was simply gifting or selling the sacred relic to others, but there was no harm in being cautious.
‘Besides, there’s somewhere I need to go right now.’
The Sefra Family. Recently, I’d caught sight of a certain someone lurking around Jainer.
‘Luna.’
She seemed to think she was following Jainer discreetly, but to my eyes, she was far too conspicuous.
‘Our eyes even met.’
The image of Luna wagging her tail frantically the moment our gazes locked was still vivid in my mind.
‘I don’t know why Jainer has Luna attached to him.’
I figured it wasn’t my place to interfere. So I hadn’t mentioned Luna to Jainer at all.
‘I was planning to keep pretending I didn’t know.’
But if I wanted to find out where Jainer had gone, I’d need to visit the Sefra Family. If Luna had been following him all this time, she might know something.
“Camilla, do you perhaps have a moment?”
But just as I was about to leave, High Priest Daniel urgently grabbed my arm.
A long sigh escaped my lips before I could help it.
“I’m rather busy at the moment.”
“Is that so? I have something urgent to tell you regarding Jainer.”
“…Jainer?”
I wanted to ignore him and leave, but his next words made that impossible.
Jainer? Why was he mentioning that name?
“A few days ago, I found him collapsed.”
“What?”
“He was injured quite severely… It appears he’s been caught up in something grave. I haven’t been able to inform others, and I’ve been treating him with my limited holy power.”
What? Was he saying he’s currently harboring Jainer?
“But his condition has been deteriorating…”
Daniel sighed repeatedly, his expression full of regret.
“I had no choice but to come seek your help, Camilla. With your holy power, you would surely be able to save him. And you’re acquainted with Jainer, after all.”
Seeing Camilla’s expression harden, Daniel’s voice grew even more desperate.
“Please help. A life hangs in the balance.”
“Where is Jainer right now?”
At her affirmative response, Daniel bowed deeply in relief and gratitude.
But a faint smile had already appeared at the corners of his mouth.
His gaze drifted toward one place. The Trading Company from which Camilla had just emerged.
His smile deepened as he observed the shop clerks standing by the window, watching them.
“Just follow me.”
“Let’s hurry.”
Following Daniel as he walked ahead, my gaze naturally turned toward the Trading Company as well.
There, I could see the Store Manager staring at me with a rigid expression, looking as though he might rush out and grab me at any moment.
‘That won’t do.’
I shook my head gently toward him and offered a faint smile to reassure him.
‘Isn’t this situation oddly familiar?’
Wasn’t this scene all too reminiscent of something?
‘It was the same with Lania.’
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————