Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 159

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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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It’s a café run by the Heir to the Dark Guild.
Episode 159
After finishing her conversation with Obelia, Raiely walked over to me and flinched when she saw my expression.
“What’s with that look?”
“…Just impressive. Let’s go.”
Once we stepped out of the room with the Magic Circle, we debated where to release Gagorma before heading into town.
“What about this forest?”
“Looks fine. Good places to hide too.”
“Let’s move.”
To avoid the townspeople’s eyes, we used a Teleportation Magic Stone despite the short distance.
Upon arriving at the forest’s edge, we released Gagorma, whom we’d sedated with medicine beforehand.
We hid at a safe distance and waited for it to wake, keeping watch so it wouldn’t notice us.
After a while,
Gagorma regained consciousness and looked around. It didn’t seem aware of our presence.
“If it shows no unusual behavior, we’ll recapture it.”
We watched carefully, worried it might harm someone, when
Gagorma sensed something and suddenly whipped its head around, then bolted forward like a mad thing.
I exchanged a glance with Raiely and started running after the beast.
Gagorma didn’t care whether there was a path or not—it just plowed straight ahead.
That led us to dead ends more than once. We found ourselves in increasingly difficult situations.
But we were seasoned trackers, and we pursued Gagorma even as far as descending a steep cliff using rope.
At first I thought it was trying to attack someone, but it never entered the town, and it ignored people even when they were nearby.
How much time had passed?
Running without rest, even Raiely and I—both well-trained—were starting to flag.
“How long has it been?”
“About nine hours, I’d guess? The sun’s gone, so it’s hard to tell time anymore.”
“If I’d known, I’d have eaten a proper breakfast before we left.”
I let out a quiet laugh watching Raiely clutch her stomach.
“Want the lunch box?”
“I’d rather not eat while running.”
“If you collapse, it won’t look good for a Master.”
“Did you forget I became a Master through ability? Collapse? That’s insulting.”
While trading quips with Raiely, I felt a strong presence ahead and stopped short, startled.
“This is…right?”
“Yeah. Demonic beasts.”
The aura felt similar to when the town was attacked. Raiely’s expression grew serious—she felt it too.
Gagorma finally stopped once it sensed that presence.
We approached slowly, watching it join the gathered herd of beasts.
We hid behind a distant tree and counted the assembled demonic beasts.
“Forty, or maybe fifty.”
“They’re definitely signaling each other.”
What’s more, they were clustered in one spot, passing over smaller villages—it looked deliberate.
“What are they doing here?”
“Maybe waiting for orders.”
I had a feeling someone was nearby, so we suppressed our presence completely and split the search area between us.
But we found no one.
“…Let’s rest for a bit.”
We didn’t know how much longer the chase would last, so we decided to rest while we could.
The moment I sat down in the shade of a tree, Raiely tossed me a water canteen.
I caught it, removed my face mask, and gulped down the water eagerly.
“Ah, that’s refreshing.”
Then I pulled out the lunch box I’d brought.
“Eating while watching beasts.”
“Where else can we eat?”
Even as I ate, I couldn’t take my eyes off the beasts in case they moved. I practically swallowed everything whole.
“Rosia, get some rest first.”
“We’ll switch in ten minutes.”
I leaned against the tree and closed my eyes briefly, but a sudden thought made me open them again. I pulled out the map and unfolded it.
“There’s the Freya Family Territory nearby. That’s where Seniel’s parents are.”
The moment I sat up, Raiely turned to look at me.
“Why?”
“I should warn them.”
“These beasts might not be targeting that place.”
“No harm in being prepared.”
Raiely gave me a reluctant look and tried to stop me.
“Why should I trust your word?”
“…I’m going anyway.”
They’ve been Seniel’s parents for the past ten years or so, after all.
I didn’t want Seniel to lose parents a second time.
“If the beasts move while I’m gone, fire the signal flare. I’ll see it from there.”
I left Raiely in the forest and set off running toward the territory.
Fortunately, I managed to catch a ride on an elderly couple’s cart partway, getting there faster.
‘This feels wrong.’
From the cart, I looked back at the densely forested woods, then turned my gaze toward the approaching Castle Wall.
I could see Guards stationed at the Castle Gate entrance, sitting in chairs and chattering idly.
One even had his sword lying on the ground, and I felt my expression harden.
Only after my cart came to a stop did one of the Guards slowly get up.
“Thank you for the ride.”
The elderly couple showed proof of residency without any hassle and passed through the entrance.
The Guard, running his hand through his hair, flashed me a greasy smile.
“My lady, please show your identification credential.”
It was standard procedure, but the moment he spoke, the other Guards behind him started whistling.
It was unpleasant, but I swallowed my feelings and got straight to the point.
“Sir, I saw demonic beasts gathered in that forest. They might attack the territory.”
“Demonic beasts, you say?”
The Guard laughed—a mocking sound.
“I’m afraid the lovely lady has made a mistake. Don’t worry. We’ll protect you.”
He dismissed what I said and pounded his own chest proudly. It was pathetic.
With no time to waste on argument, I brought up Seniel’s name directly.
“Seniel sent me.”
The Guard’s mouth fell open in shock. He seemed to come to his senses though, and his gaze toward me changed.
“Do you have proof? His seal, perhaps…?”
“It was too urgent. If you don’t believe me, send knights into the forest to check. But prepare defenses now.”
…….
I showed him my identification credential, but seeing I was a commoner, he looked at me skeptically, as if questioning whether Seniel had truly asked me to do this.
I sighed and turned away, when suddenly—a signal flare burst across the sky.
“Damn.”
My heart raced and I raised my voice.
“You see that? You need to evacuate the territory members to safe places right now!”
Startled by both the flare and my forceful tone, he called out to the other Guards behind him.
“How many demonic beasts did you see in the forest?”
“At least fifty. How many guards can you muster?”
“Right now we’re all there is…. Apart from shift changes, everyone else is doing their regular duties.”
No matter how long peace had reigned, I was frustrated to find such a large territory this complacent.
“Alert them to the emergency and evacuate quickly. There’s no time.”
“But if nothing happens after this…someone will have to take responsibility….”
The Guards exchanged uncertain glances and delayed action.
“I’ve made the warning clear. Ignoring Seniel’s word will have consequences too.”
I stared at the Guards dragging their feet, then untied the horse’s reins that had been hitched nearby.
“W—Wait!”
“I’m borrowing this for a bit.”
I mounted the horse and rode back the way I’d come.
I figured the beasts would charge straight through the forest in a direct line, so I took an alternate path to avoid them.
As expected, I ran into Raiely on the side route.
“Rosia! What happened? Where’d you get the horse?”
“From a Guard. Get on.”
I pulled Raiely up behind me and turned the horse toward town.
Thanks to the horse, we arrived just ahead of the beasts.
In the meantime, the Guards had locked the Castle Gate. I could see two figures standing on the Castle Wall.
“Will the beasts come this way?”
“Based on their direction, yes.”
Not long after, dust rose as dozens of demonic beasts appeared.
Without slowing, they charged toward the town and began hurling flames at the Castle Wall.
“It’ll give way fast.”
Within minutes, the gate had a massive hole in it.
The Guards on the wall threw explosives, and the beasts faltered momentarily, but they couldn’t hold the line.
I clenched my jaw watching the beasts pour through the broken gate.
“What do we do?”
“We go in. I need to check on Seniel’s adoptive parents.”
Knights were defending, but I needed to ensure they were evacuated safely for my own peace of mind.
Just then, a figure in a mask and robe pulled up over their head appeared suddenly.
“That’s suspicious.”
“Their hands are glowing. Could be the person controlling the beasts.”
“Let’s chase them.”
I watched them enter the town and spurred the horse forward.
The moment I dismounted at the territory entrance, I could see fires breaking out everywhere.
“They went up onto the roofs.”
“Split up.”
We followed and scaled the walls of an adjacent building to get onto the roofs as well.
The figure, who had been laughing gleefully at the burning territory, suddenly stopped when they saw us appear.
“Who are you?”
“That’s our line.”
I approached from the front while Raiely circled from behind, both moving slowly to close the distance.
“Are you controlling the beasts?”
“Hehehehe. Just enjoy the view. It’s quite fun.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Why? To rule the world, of course.”
Their voice was full of madness.
I approached cautiously, wary they might jump off the roof, when suddenly a demonic beast materialized on the rooftop.
It was much larger than the beasts attacking the town, with long, sharp claws.
“Hehehehe. Have fun playing.”
They seemed confident we wouldn’t be able to handle the beast.
I exchanged a glance with Raiely, drew my sword, and attacked swiftly.
It came at me fiercely like a wild animal, and while it was awkward to fight, it was far weaker than the beast I’d faced alone on Alein Mountain.
“Big but nothing special.”
“Right?”
Raiely and I cut the beast’s throat simultaneously and finished it off. The figure’s laughter died instantly.
“This…this can’t be….”
They stammered in shock, then suddenly started trembling as if struck by lightning.
“Could it be….”
Then they walked toward me. Suspicious of their intentions, I pointed my sword and stayed alert, but they stared directly at me.
“Yes, that’s it. Hehehehe. What a windfall! I found you! I’ll get a huge reward!!”
They burst into wild laughter, delighted, and I felt my brow furrow in displeasure.

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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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