Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 50

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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 run by the heir of the Dark Guild.
50
More precisely, it was not only Demonic Beasts, but also souls infested with Demonic Energy.
Kayden slashed at the Demonic Beasts rushing toward him with his Light-wrapped Sword.
The Demonic Beasts and spirits that touched the blade lost their forms as their power was absorbed.
Having completed all his preparations, Kayden gathered the cores scattered around him and pressed deeper into the Sealed Boundary.
Massive thickets filled his vision now. These were the same thickets that Rosia had encountered before.
Raised as a Guardian, Kayden was extremely skilled at purifying Demonic Energy and collecting spirits.
Yet even so, facing endless numbers drained his stamina.
Moreover, the Demonic Energy here was strong, and the longer he lingered, the more his body became tainted and his mind grew hazy.
“This is getting too much.”
This passage was the only way to reach the sealed door, a barrier-shrouded region leading toward the Seal.
Demonic Energy accumulated over centuries since the war’s end, and Demonic Beasts occasionally leaked through.
And the spirits of those who had died in that ancient war still wandered here, unPurified.
A sharp cry escaped him.
One of the Evil Spirits tore at Kayden’s ribs as he fought the Demonic Beasts.
The agony of having one’s very soul clawed never became familiar.
He used Holy Power to heal immediately, but recovery was slow in this place, and the wounds festered.
Blood streamed from eyes where capillaries had burst from the inflammation.
After disposing of the last Demonic Beast in sight, Kayden staggered forward and drove his sword into the ground.
With a wisp of smoke, a few spirits he hadn’t managed to collect were pulled into the blade.
Kayden scattered the Holy Water he’d brought across the area to complete the Purification, then wiped the blood flowing from his eyes.
“It’s done.”
Kayden stumbled back out of the passage. He locked the door again with the Key and wound the Iron Chain around it carefully.
His feet dragged as he returned to the Hot Spring. He was on the verge of collapse, but his face was calm with the relief of having survived another day.
Once he arrived, he washed his blood-soaked face and body in the Hot Spring water.
Yet no matter how much he scrubbed, a foul stench seemed to cling to every part of him.
The sensation of the Evil Spirits and Demonic Beasts that had stuck to his body never truly faded.
He grimaced at the pain radiating from his wounds and worked to recover. It was only after a long time that he finally left the Hot Spring.
Changing back into the clothes he’d arrived in, Kayden stepped out of the Temple with empty eyes.
“I’m exhausted.”
He mumbled weakly, standing in a daze. Then he began walking aimlessly, driven only by the instinctive need for rest and comfort.
His weary body eventually led him to Rosia’s Shop.
But unlike usual, all the lights inside were off.
“Right. Rosia isn’t here today.”
The thought of Rosia having left for the Capital disappointed him, but he opened the shop door anyway.
There was no warmth of human presence inside. Though she’d only been gone a few days, the place felt cold as if abandoned for far longer.
Kayden took out the blanket from under the sofa with practiced ease and lay down. Today felt colder than usual, and far lonelier.
“I hope she comes back soon.”
Ever since Rosia arrived, even after being tainted by Demonic Energy during Purification, he’d always been able to sleep well.
But here without her, sleep simply would not come.
“I miss you. Rosia.”
Kayden murmured to himself and spent the night with eyes open, sitting on the sofa.
***
The carriage headed toward a street lined with workshops of various trades.
Bidler happened to know a famous craftsman who supplied tombstones exclusively to the Imperial Palace, and he introduced us.
“He only takes imperial commissions, but he’ll welcome anyone I refer.”
“Thank you.”
I glanced at Bidler sitting across from me. I’d lost count of how many times I’d seen him by now, and despite being a prince, his face had become familiar.
As Seniel’s superior and the person Seniel chose, I’d likely see him often from now on. It was an odd connection.
‘As for his face.’
Does he have the bearing of an emperor? If someone asked that, I’d confess I have no talent for reading faces.
But he was certainly handsome. His chiseled profile gleamed with sharp definition.
As I stared at him intently, Bidler turned his head, and our eyes met.
I had no intention of averting my gaze, so I simply stayed still—and our eyes remained locked for a long moment. His gaze was utterly serious.
“We’re here.”
Just then, the carriage stopped.
Seniel moved to get out first, reaching for the door, but I quickly stopped him and helped him back into the Cloak he’d tossed aside.
“Being handsome is a pain, I’m telling you.”
Unlike Seniel, Bidler donned a Hat and Glasses without being asked.
The round disguise Glasses softened his sharp aura.
As we stepped down, I felt the gazes of passersby turning toward the two striking men.
“See? If you hadn’t covered up, what would’ve happened?”
“But I did cover up.”
Seniel had no shortage of comebacks. I pushed him toward the shop entrance and found a Master Craftsman inside, intently carving a tombstone.
“May I help you? I don’t have any appointments scheduled.”
“It’s me.”
The Master Craftsman, who had been regarding us with an impassive gaze, started at the sound of Bidler’s voice. He studied Bidler for a moment, then gasped in shock and covered his mouth.
“Y-Your Highness!?”
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes. More than ten years, hasn’t it? We haven’t met since then. You’ve grown so much. I hardly recognize you now.”
“Thanks to you, my mother was well cared for.”
“I only did what was necessary.”
As I listened to their exchange, I suddenly realized: Bidler had also lost his mother, just as we had.
“What brings you here today?”
The Master Craftsman glanced briefly at us standing behind him.
“I’d like to commission tombstones for these two’s parents.”
“Of course. If you select something you like, I’ll do my best to craft it.”
I bowed to the Master Craftsman, then moved through the shop examining the sample pieces displayed around.
After looking at and touching several with Seniel, I carefully selected a tombstone.
“I’ll go with this one.”
“That’s the same stone we chose for His Highness’s mother. What a curious connection.”
The Master Craftsman gasped in surprise at the tombstone we’d selected.
‘What connection.’
It was strange that we’d been drawn to the same stone out of countless options, but that was all.
“Please provide the names and inscriptions you’d like engraved on the tombstone.”
Seniel and I put our heads together, deliberating on what inscription to place on our parents’ tomb.
“How about ‘Lived well, departed well’?”
“Father would like that. Mother, I’m not sure.”
“‘Come visit often’?”
Watching Seniel ramble with nothing substantial to contribute, I sighed and turned to Bidler, who stood quietly nearby.
“Your Highness, what did you choose for yours?”
“My mother’s tombstone was left with nothing inscribed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
My attempt to seek advice only weighed my heart down.
It was confusing—having become unable to understand anything about Mother.
Since I didn’t know what kind of life she’d lived, I wanted to learn more about my parents before deciding what to inscribe.
“Can we add more later if we want?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s just put their names for now. Lily and Demihard.”
“Do neither of them have a family name?”
“No.”
Mother might have had a surname we didn’t know, but the names we knew were these.
And so, after ten years, I finally commissioned our parents’ tombstone. Leaving the shop with the relief of resolving a long-postponed wish, I felt a bittersweet satisfaction.
“Thank you, sister. I’m glad we’re finally getting them a proper tomb.”
“Me too. Looking at their grave every day, I always wanted to give them something beautiful.”
We climbed back into the carriage with quiet pride. This time, Bidler sat beside me.
“Are we heading home now?”
“Yes.”
The journey back.
I decided to bring up Mother’s story to Seniel. Since Bidler was present, I didn’t mind him hearing it too.
“Seniel, would you read these Documents for me?”
“What are they?”
“I found them in our parents’ room.”
As Seniel read through the Documents, his eyes widened, and I told him everything I’d learned so far.
As I recounted it, Bidler, listening beside me, picked up a Document that Seniel had dropped, and his pupils trembled as he examined it.
“I can’t believe it. Mother had the Slopryan Family name.”
“It’s not uncommon. The Five Great Houses frequently adopt and then abandon children in secret.”
Following Seniel, Bidler offered his opinion in a serious tone.
“Your Highness, have you ever heard of the Kimbelhock Orphanage? It’s the orphanage where Mother grew up.”
“I haven’t. I’ve heard that the Slopryan Family sponsors multiple orphanages, though. It could have been one of them.”
I looked between the two of them and spoke calmly.
“I want to learn about Mother. Is there any way to investigate the Slopryan Family’s records?”
“Not at this point. Imperial authority doesn’t work on them. Touching them as an individual would be suicide.”
He went on to mention Hencia and the dead servants as well, but since it was all in the past and there was no evidence, it couldn’t serve as legitimate grounds for an official investigation.
At that moment, Seniel leaned his body toward me, his eyes openly showing confusion.
“How did you manage to uncover such detailed information all on your own?”

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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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