Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 115

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A café operated by the Heir to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 115
“Here.”
I dropped the pouch I’d brought at Arno’s feet with a curt shake of my head.
“Thank you every time.”
Arno bowed so deeply his waist folded entirely, then tucked the pouch into his bag.
“Any new instructions?”
“Well… about that.”
The brightness drained from Arno’s face all at once. He hesitated, then produced the instructions he’d brought.
“They want information on the village. Detailed information—the ages of the residents, household sizes, what work they do.”
I’d already grasped that this wasn’t simply about extracting money from the village.
But turning over why individual information was needed, I studied Arno.
“What did you do?”
“I consulted with the Village Chief, and he told me to hand it over. He asked what they’d do with it, but….”
“If he approved it, turn it over. But the moment new instructions arrive, come straight to the café.”
“Yes.”
Handing over information left me uneasy, but to discover why the village data was needed, I had no choice but to comply for now.
After our brief exchange, I gestured for Arno to leave, but he grinned and rummaged through his bag.
“Just a moment.”
“What for?”
“This.”
With a flourish, he pulled out a thick scarf from his bag.
“I knitted it myself. I’ve unraveled it a few times, so the yarn’s a bit loose, but… it’s warm.”
“You knitted it?”
I stared blankly at the fluffy white scarf in his hands.
“Didn’t you say I knit things? Looks pretty good, doesn’t it?”
When I simply kept staring, Arno pressed the scarf into my hands.
“Oh! And I got a letter from my siblings. They’re all doing well, they said…. I’m so grateful to you.”
Seeing Arno’s radiant smile, my chest grew somehow heavy.
I clutched the scarf he’d given me, speaking with regret.
“Being a double agent never lasts long. Whatever Juliano’s true purpose is, always be ready to leave. Don’t grow too attached to the village.”
I still didn’t know what Juliano was plotting in this village.
If this was only reconnaissance, a full-scale operation would come soon enough.
“That’ll be difficult. I’ve already grown to love this village too much….”
And he laughed, his voice bright.
“Next time we meet in the village. Everyone’s been wondering when you’d visit.”
I thought of the villagers who’d replaced the furniture after the café fire, and nodded.
“I will.”
After sending Arno ahead, I sighed and untied the reins of the horse I’d tethered to a tree, when Meyson’s arm settled gently across my shoulders.
“Don’t apologize. You’ve already changed that boy’s world.”
“I wasn’t thinking that.”
The heaviness that had weighed on me like stone lifted slightly.
Meyson took the scarf from my hands and wrapped it securely around my neck, then mounted the horse he’d ridden in on.
I climbed into the saddle and tilted my head.
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I’ll check on Seniel. Get back and rest.”
“…Thank you for that.”
Since Meyson had been visiting and updating me daily on how Seniel was faring in the Imperial Palace, my mind was somewhat at ease.
***
After leaving Alein Mountain, Biedler stopped first at his villa.
Since he used it as a base for Aide operations, knights could be seen moving about busily.
He left his belongings with the butler and immediately entered the study with the two men who’d accompanied him to the mine.
“Roy, unfold the map.”
“Right away, sir.”
They spread a map of the entire realm across the table and began selecting an appropriate location.
“Close to this villa and not far from the Capital. Somewhere sparsely populated.”
First came the matter of mining personnel. While knights could transport processed Mana Stones, the actual mining had to be left to miners.
“What about this area?”
“Looks promising. Go check in person whether there’s suitable housing.”
“Yes, I’ll look into it.”
“Petin, you find trustworthy miners. We need people on our side.”
“Understood.”
He also reassigned personnel who’d been investigating the Strophane Clan’s secrets.
After spending the night at the villa handling Aide business, Biedler set out for the Capital at first light.
Before entering the Imperial Palace, he stopped briefly at designer Ang’s shop.
“Your Highness!”
Ang rushed out with scissors in hand and greeted him warmly.
Biedler acknowledged her with a brief nod and entered the reception room.
“Tomorrow’s the regular council meeting, right? I’ve prepared the shirt, jacket, and trousers—just take them with you.”
Biedler’s clothes were already hanging perfectly on the rack.
Without waiting for attendants, Biedler changed into the trousers and shirt at once.
As he fastened the cuff buttons, he glanced at the wall across the reception room where many dresses hung, and Ang quickly noticed and interjected.
“The New Year Ball’s coming up, so I’ve had many orders. Will Miss Rosia be attending? She’ll need a new dress.”
Biedler ran his eyes over the dresses with a dissatisfied expression.
“I don’t want her to encounter the same design twice.”
“Of course not. Just choose the general style you like and I’ll customize it to suit her perfectly.”
Ang brought over a new catalog and handed it to Biedler.
Standing, Biedler turned through each page very carefully and personally selected Rosia’s dress.
“These two. We’ll have both. Let her choose on the day.”
“My goodness. I was already eyeing those designs for her too… Your eye for style is remarkable. Oh my! I’ll make them perfectly!”
Ang clapped her hands enthusiastically.
She then selected a handkerchief from another catalog that matched the accent color of the dress Biedler had chosen.
“How about this handkerchief for your jacket, Your Highness? Paired with this color, you’ll make a perfectly refined couple’s look.”
“A couple’s look?”
Biedler’s eyes narrowed with an expression of “Why would I wear such a thing?” and Ang quickly closed the catalog, gauging his reaction.
“I-if you dislike it, I’ll prepare something completely different. I just thought it was trendy….”
“Do it that way.”
“Pardon?”
“Use that. Prepare the handkerchief too.”
Though he’d answered without expression, the corners of Biedler’s mouth turned up considerably as he paid and left the shop.
***
Late into the night.
Juliano slipped quietly out of his residence.
The night watch knights saw him go, but since Juliano often wandered at late hours, they pretended not to notice.
He reached the workshop in the garden on foot, glanced around, then produced a key and opened the door.
The workshop interior was filled with sculptures shaped like demonic beasts.
A massive painting hung on the wall—a depiction of five heroes from a war in ancient times.
Stopping before it, Juliano pressed the heroes in sequence, and the entire wall rotated, revealing a staircase.
Juliano took the candle he’d brought and descended familiarly.
In the secret chamber below lay a great round table, and the Cult Members already gathered there rose when they saw him.
“We greet the Leader.”
“We greet the Leader.”
Each wore a mask shaped like a different demonic beast’s face.
When Juliano sat, they followed suit. Donning the mask placed at his seat, he spoke in a solemn voice.
“Today we celebrate gathering the Sacred Relics and report to Him. When you hear His voice, you must never speak. Only I may converse.”
“We cannot even understand His words.”
“Only you can, Leader. It is grace enough simply to hear His words spoken.”
In truth, only Juliano could comprehend the voice that would emerge during the ritual.
A tremendous sense of superiority washed over Juliano, and his mouth twisted into a smile.
“Let us begin.”
Immediately, all laid down their candles and dragged short blades across their palms.
They let their blood flow into the Magic Circle drawn on the round table while murmuring in an incomprehensible language.
In the eyes of those who prayed with hands clasped together was the gleam of madness.
Then the blood-stained Magic Circle shimmered, and a voice of such beauty that it seemed impossible it could belong to this world began to pour forth.
“How dutiful. I can feel my Sealed power stirring. You found another one, didn’t you?”
“Yes. We discovered a sculpture. I arranged this gathering to report it.”
“Kehehehe. The day to break my Seal draws ever near. It is all thanks to you, Juliano.”
“I merely followed your orders faithfully. If only I’d learned of the Sacred Relics sooner, we wouldn’t have failed ten years ago….”
“Don’t torment yourself. I didn’t know such objects were hidden in the Seal back then either. This time we will not fail. I am grateful for all you do for me.”
“Remember that I am your most devoted servant.”
“I know. You’re the only one who can hear my voice. You are most special.”
At the word “special,” Juliano felt overwhelming joy surge through him.
“When the remaining two Sacred Relics are found, I will appear before you all. You will gain eternal life and power to move the world as you wish—everything you desire.”
“I believe.”
Juliano pressed his forehead to the round table and spoke with fervent emotion.
Even after the light faded from the Magic Circle and the voice fell silent, the Cult Members’ prayers continued for some time.
When Juliano finally ended his prayer and opened his eyes, they burned with fervent zeal.
“Our world is near.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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