Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 88

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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 to the Dark Guild.
88
“Aren’t we going deeper?”
The path continued inward, and though distant, a massive building was visible among the trees.
No matter how I looked at it, that seemed to be the more central structure.
“That’s the Residence where the family head resides. We can’t enter there. This is where Julianus stays.”
Irene drew a clear line and disembarked from the carriage first.
I had no choice but to follow her into the building that was Julianus’s dwelling.
A Knight guarding the entrance, a Knight guarding the staircase, and servants wandering about on top of that.
‘What’s with all these people?’
Even if not all of them were there for surveillance purposes, there were so many eyes watching that it felt difficult to move about at all.
“Welcome, Miss Irene. We’ve been expecting you.”
A man who appeared to be the Butler came to greet us. It seemed Irene had contacted him in advance.
“I’ll show you to the Reception Room.”
“You informed the Minor Duke, correct?”
“Yes. He should arrive soon.”
The Reception Room was on the second floor.
As we climbed the staircase, sculptures placed here and there caught my eye.
Looking around beyond just the staircase, the entire Residence was filled with all manner of collectibles.
Sculptures, statues, artwork, vessels, and even taxidermied animals.
Antiques of various sizes and shapes were displayed everywhere the eye fell.
“Impressive, isn’t it? It’s the Minor Duke’s hobby. He loves collecting things. Ah, here we call Julianus the Minor Duke.”
As I looked around, Irene laughed softly and spoke.
“There are quite a lot of sculptures.”
“Most of them are sculptures of heroes. You know, the heroes who distinguished themselves in the Sealing War.”
I stopped involuntarily at the mention of the Sealing War, but resumed walking without showing it.
“They’re the figures who became the foundation of the Five Great Families. It makes sense that he’d be overflowing with pride as the descendant of heroes.”
I nodded as if in agreement while memorizing the layout of the second floor.
“Is this the room?”
“No. This is the Minor Duke’s Study. The Reception Room is at the far end.”
At the far end of a very long corridor, there was a door leading to the Reception Room.
Disappointed that I couldn’t enter the Study, I nonetheless stepped into the Reception Room.
The interior was as lavish as the exterior.
Three long sofas, each with enough room for five people with space to spare.
Fur rugs covering the entire floor, and the taxidermied head of a red bear mounted on the wall.
Of course, sculptures decorated this room as well, but they were made of gold and shone so brightly that I frowned.
“Come sit here.”
“Yes.”
As I sat on the sofa, the Butler placed light refreshments before us and asked.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Coffee for me.”
“The same for me as well.”
The moment the Butler left, Irene began chattering away about herself.
“As you know, the Minor Duke is someone you can only meet by arranging an appointment in advance. Today I was able to arrange this special meeting by asking a favor. From next time, be sure to contact him before you visit.”
“Thank you so much. I’ve gained a wonderful opportunity because of you, and this meeting as well. It’s been my good fortune to meet you, madam.”
Using the Social Skills that had grown during my time running the café, Irene smiled brightly and tapped my forearm playfully.
Yet as time passed, I grew increasingly anxious.
‘I want to look around, even a little.’
I wanted to explore the Residence, but Irene was clinging to me and there was no way to shake her off.
Just then the Butler returned and placed coffee before us.
I quickly feigned obliviousness and asked in a cheerful voice.
“I’d like to look around the Residence before the Minor Duke arrives. It’s my first time in a place like this. Would that be possible?”
“I’m afraid the only area open to outsiders is the Reception Room.”
A firm refusal came back.
I pretended to drink my coffee while quickly coming up with a new excuse in my mind.
“When you meet the Minor Duke, be careful with your words. Ask as few questions as possible and just listen. Whatever he says, don’t contradict him.”
“Yes. But madam.”
I set the coffee cup on the table and made an uncomfortable expression.
“I need to use the Restroom. I’m not feeling well.”
“Oh dear! Is it urgent? Go quickly. We don’t know when he’ll arrive.”
“Yes. I’ll be right back!”
Fortunately, this method worked, and Irene hurriedly sent me out of the Reception Room, attaching a Maid to accompany me.
“What is it?”
“Where is the Restroom?”
“I’ll show you the way.”
The Maid took the lead.
The Restroom was quite far, on the opposite side of the staircase in this corridor.
As we passed the staircase, the Knights glanced at me, but upon seeing that I was with the Maid, they turned their attention elsewhere.
“Here it is.”
“Thank you. I’ll make my own way back. You have work to do.”
“No, it’s our duty to attend to guests. I’ll wait here.”
“I see.”
The Maid was more persistent than expected.
At least she didn’t follow me all the way inside, which was something.
Once in the Restroom, I locked the door immediately and quickly scanned the interior.
“What kind of restroom is this big?”
The décor was so well done that if you didn’t know it was a restroom, you’d think it was a bedroom.
Because of that, there was a small window, but it was large enough for a body to fit through.
‘Perfect.’
I quickly pushed the window open and checked the outside.
Conveniently, there was a Pipe installed on the building’s exterior wall, wide enough to place my feet on.
There were no patrolling Knights at the moment, so without a second thought, I climbed out through the window.
For someone trained as intensively as I had been, this was as easy as breathing.
“This outfit is so inconvenient.”
Hiding my presence and walking along the Pipe was easy enough, but the form-fitting clothes were terribly restrictive.
I wanted to tear them off immediately, but since I had to return, I carefully made my way to the opposite side, taking care not to soil them.
Since I couldn’t go far anyway, I’d targeted the Study from the beginning.
Walking along the Pipe to the Study’s location that I’d noted earlier, a large window came into view.
“It’s locked.”
If it’s locked, I just unlock it.
I took out a Lock Pick from my Artifact. With just this one tool, I can open just about any door or window.
‘Done.’
I unlocked it and slid the window up. I jumped into the Study and carefully examined the interior.
I didn’t have time to search everything, so I hoped something would catch my eye.
And sure enough, there was a Box wrapped in Gold Cloth sitting on the table.
“Is this being sent to the Imperial Palace?”
Gold Cloth is used by convention only for items entering the Imperial Palace.
A Family like the Strophan Family would never be ignorant of this, so it had to be something important.
I immediately went over, unwrapped the cloth, and opened the Box.
Inside were several Glass Bottles filled with what appeared to be tea leaves, powder, and seasonings.
Nothing seemed special, but just in case, I opened the lids and smelled them.
As expected, they all smelled ordinary.
Without much hope, I opened the last remaining Glass Bottle.
“Hm?”
There was no scent at all.
It contained a transparent liquid, so I couldn’t guess what it was.
Ten years in the Dark Guild.
A seasoned operative’s instinct told me this wasn’t an ordinary item.
I quickly took out a small bottle from my Artifact and transferred the contents.
I moved only a tiny amount to avoid detection and reorganized the Box to look exactly as before — at that very moment.
I sensed someone approaching this room. Footsteps echoing from the corridor grew steadily closer.
‘No!’
There wasn’t enough time to escape through the window without being seen from behind.
I decided to hide behind the door and, if someone entered, knock them unconscious.
Thud, thud.
The footsteps stopped right before the door.
Biting my lip and drawing my nerves taut, a cat’s cry suddenly came from outside the door.
“Mew-ow!”
“Ow!”
The person at the door cried out — apparently bitten by the Cat. From the male voice, he seemed to be a Knight.
“What cat is this? Get away! Stop biting me!”
This was my chance. I dashed for the window and managed to escape thanks to the Cat’s distraction.
“Phew, that was close.”
I steadied my racing heart and, barely suppressing my footsteps, hurried back to the Restroom along the Pipe.
The moment I closed the window and caught my breath, the Maid knocked on the door.
“If you don’t come out, I’ll open the door!”
I glanced in the mirror to quickly check my appearance, then opened the door as if nothing had happened.
“What’s wrong?”
“You weren’t responding. The Minor Duke has arrived.”
“Let’s go.”
I returned to the Reception Room with the Maid. The moment I opened the door, Irene, who had been pacing inside, rushed over.
“Why did that take so long? I thought you’d gotten lost.”
“I apologize.”
“Never mind. Sit down.”
Just as I was about to return to the sofa, the Reception Room door opened.
I quickly lowered my head while taking in Julianus as he entered.
‘Late forties? Early fifties at most?’
Though I couldn’t determine his exact age, the middle-aged Julianus bore a strong resemblance to Cleone.
With the blonde hair and green eyes characteristic of the Strophan Family, that was only natural.
Yet his demeanor was quite different.
Where Cleone was confident and commanding, Julianus had the sinister appearance of a serpent.
His height was similar to Irene’s, small and slight of build, making his presence seem faint.
“Welcome, Minor Duke.”
Irene hurried over and stood beside Julianus.
Julianus walked briskly toward me and stopped directly in front.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Julianus. Thank you for the generous offer.”
I offered a formal greeting and straightened. Then, looking Julianus in the eye, I saw that he seemed greatly startled.
“Why do you ask?”
Irene also seemed puzzled by his reaction and tilted her head slightly while crossing her arms.
“No, it’s nothing. You simply resemble someone I knew. Someone I’d forgotten for so long — they’ve suddenly come to mind.”

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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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