Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 93

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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.
Chapter 93
While patrolling his assigned post, Seniel spotted a silver cat perched atop a garden wall.
‘What? That cat…?’
It was the same cat that had been trailing after him for some time now.
He’d seen it every day back when he was taking the entrance exam at the Imperial Palace, but recently it hadn’t appeared, and he’d begun to worry.
He was about to pass by with relief that the creature was well, when the cat leapt down lightly and called out to him with a meow.
“Might I be excused to use the washroom for a moment?”
“How long have we been out?”
“My apologies.”
“From now on, tend to such matters before we depart.”
“Yes. I’ll return quickly.”
Seniel obtained permission from the patrol captain and slipped away from the group.
He turned as if heading for the washroom, then cautiously approached the cat.
The cat, confirming it had truly called him, took the lead as if to say “follow me.”
“Meow.”
‘What’s this?’
The cat seemed suspicious, yet he found himself following as though enchanted.
‘Its fur is so fluffed up.’
Watching the rotund creature labor forward was healing in itself.
He followed wherever it led, wondering when he’d next fall for such a trick.
The cat stopped at the garden wall, located a short distance from the Empress’s Palace.
There was a small hole in the wall—a passage into the garden.
“You want me to go in there? I can’t.”
To enter the garden without the Empress’s permission would be a grave crime—one that couldn’t be forgiven even with dismissal from the Knights Order.
He was about to turn back when, glancing around, he spotted guards stationed at the main entrance to the garden in the distance.
‘Is the Crown Prince near? If they’re guarding the entrance… could he be in the garden?’
Having quickly assessed the situation, Seniel swallowed hard and returned to the cat-hole.
The Crown Prince typically moved about the Imperial Palace with only one bodyguard at his side. If that bodyguard was away…
This was his chance. His skills honed through war allowed him to slip past undetected—unless someone was right on him.
Seniel crept through the hole and concealed himself among the trees, scanning the interior.
A small cottage stood at the center. As he approached it quietly, the voices of a young man and woman leaked through.
“Your Highness, really, you’re impossible. If you do this here…”
“Besides, no one enters this garden but me. The entrance is guarded, so don’t worry.”
“Still… I’m embarrassed.”
Seniel’s mouth fell open as he immediately recognized the owner of that coquettish voice.
The Crown Prince and Princess Melissa!
He’d finally caught them.
‘So they really were that close.’
Until now, he’d never seen them together, and he’d thought Bidler’s instructions were a misunderstanding. But he was wrong.
Even ignoring what they were doing, the faint moans escaping their lips made him frown.
Seniel withdrew an artifact he kept for moments like this—one that recorded voices.
In just a brief moment, their intimate conversation and passionate kisses were clearly captured in the artifact.
‘Perfect.’
This alone wouldn’t be enough, but it was proof nonetheless.
Having secured the artifact, Seniel slipped back through the hole and rejoined his patrol.
‘Oh! The cat!’
Now that he thought of it, caught up in watching the Crown Prince, he’d forgotten all about the cat that brought him there.
He belatedly wondered what its true nature was, but it had certainly helped him.
‘Did the Prince send it?’
He’d have to catch the cat next time and find out. With that thought, he left to meet with Orbis.
The two of them had taken to walking together during their brief free time before bed each day.
“How was today?”
“Incredible. I caught them meeting in secret. I even got a recording.”
“Really? Well done! I haven’t found anything yet.”
Orbis had been assigned different menial work—checking on visitors arriving at the Imperial Palace.
He’d been keeping a close eye on the gifts Sloafan was sending, but so far had nothing concrete to report.
“I want to get out of here soon.”
“So do I. If I’d still been outside, I’d have gone to that alliance meeting too. That Blue-Eyed Prince would’ve been there, right?”
“So what if he was?”
“Obviously I’d have challenged him. After what he did to us, I’d like to settle things by force and show him where he stands.”
“You really do hate him.”
“His name alone makes my skin crawl. Blue-Eyed Prince—what kind of nonsense is that?”
Seniel shook his head in disgust, and Orbis nodded in agreement.
“I miss your sister. I hope she’s doing well.”
“I miss Rosia too.”
When Orbis chimed in, Seniel swatted the back of his head.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“She’s my sister.”
“Childish. I’m off. See you tomorrow.”
Orbis looked at Seniel with exasperation and turned to leave.
***
The next morning, a healer visited the mountain early.
To be precise, not a healer but a dark mage named Ben who possessed the ability to detect physical abnormalities through magical force.
Not a formally trained mage, so she’d been of little help during the master’s instruction, but for this matter alone, Ben was the right choice.
“Do you know how expensive it is to call me out of the Swamplands?”
She’d hastily sent Ben payment, and his quick arrival was unexpected.
Even at headquarters, the number of times Ben had personally visited the Raven could be counted on one hand.
“What’s gotten into you? You just came right away without any fuss.”
“Just curious how you’re managing on your own.”
Ben brushed past me and stepped inside the café, scrutinizing the interior at length. Only after checking the menu board did he nod.
“So you really are running a café.”
“You didn’t believe me?”
“No. Last time you showed up in strange clothes, and I thought maybe you were fleeing after Queen died.”
His tone was brusque, but the fact remained that he’d come all this way out of concern. After so many transactions together, perhaps we’d developed some sense of camaraderie. I chuckled softly.
“Why the hat, anyway? You’ve tucked your entire head into it.”
“I burned my hair doing an experiment yesterday.”
“…Your hair burned off?”
“Yes.”
I removed the hat to show him. My scalp gleamed, perfectly smooth and round.
I was momentarily taken aback, at a loss for words.
“Say something.”
“…It looks like an egg. My chickens laid chicks the other day. Want to see?”
“Are you insulting me?”
“Let’s go see Cayden.”
I replaced the hat on Ben’s head and we walked toward the Temple.
But from the moment we entered the Temple’s courtyard, Ben’s expression darkened.
“There’s something… off here.”
“What is it?”
“It’s uncomfortable. I’d say it’s… a reluctance to draw near. I don’t want to get close.”
“What’s there?”
“I’m not skilled enough to tell.”
If even a dark mage like Ben felt that way, something was definitely present.
I had a suspicion it was a seal, and I nodded, pushing open the Temple door.
Cayden was sitting before the statue of a deity, engaged in prayer.
“Let’s wait.”
I sat down behind him and waited briefly. Once Cayden finished his prayer and stood, he noticed us.
“Rosia? Is this a guest?”
“No. A dark mage.”
At my words, the smile vanished from Cayden’s face.
“They can detect abnormalities in the body. They’d be better than any regular physician.”
“I told you I was fine.”
His voice was cold—a tone I’d never heard before. His expression turned sharp, edged with irritation.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask permission first. I was worried.”
“…”
“Or is something really wrong? Is there something you don’t want me to know?”
As I gripped his arm and pressed the question, Cayden finally met my eyes.
He hesitated for a moment, biting his lip, his expression complicated. Then he nodded.
“Fine. But I’ll have the examination alone with this person.”
“Without me?”
“Yes. Please wait outside.”
Cayden placed his hands on my shoulders, turned me around, and gave me a gentle push toward the door.
“…”
I really didn’t want to leave. But since he was agreeing to the examination, I relented and stepped outside.
I paced anxiously in front of the Temple, waiting for the examination to finish.
Shortly after, Ben emerged from the Temple. His expression was ambiguous, which only made my heart race faster.
“Well? How is it?”
“Overexertion. Eat well, rest well, and sleep properly.”
Ben had no reason to lie to me, but the fact that he and Cayden had apparently coordinated privately made me suspicious. I pressed further.
“Would someone cough up blood just from overexertion?”
“If someone’s pushed hard enough, it can happen. Keep a close watch on him from your side.”
“There’s something you’re hiding from me, isn’t there? Did Cayden tell you not to tell me?”
“…”
“Be honest with me. Please.”
As I gripped his arm and looked at him pleadingly, Ben’s gaze grew calm and settled.
“Is he someone precious to you?”
“…It seems like he is.”
“Then what’s the difference? Either he is or he isn’t.”
With that, Ben sighed.
“The overexertion part is true. But there’s a large mass of power coiled up inside his body. It’ll continue to eat away at him.”
A coiled mass of power? Could it be Dark Magic Energy?
“Is there a way to remove it?”
“I don’t know. But he’s already fully aware of his own condition. He says he’ll handle it, so just watch over him.”
“He already knows…”
So he’s been hiding this from me all along. I couldn’t help but let my frustration show on my face.
Ben suddenly burst into laughter. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d heard him laugh aloud, so I startled.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Are you happy?”
“What?”
“Every time I saw you, your eyes looked like you’d already lived a lifetime. Now you seem a bit more human. I like that.”
“What are you saying?”
“Don’t worry too much. He seems stronger than you think. I’m busy, so I’m leaving.”
Without even settling payment, Ben used a Teleportation Magic Stone and vanished.
I mulled over his words, my brow furrowing.
“Have I changed?”
To my own perception, I didn’t feel much different. But coming from someone who’d known me for a long time, it nagged at me.
In any case, after seeing Ben off, I turned back and re-entered the Temple.
Cayden, who’d been sitting near the altar, rose when he saw me.
“Rosia, I’m sorry for snapping earlier. Were you surprised?”
“No. I was the one who acted without permission. I’m the one who should apologize.”
“I never knew you’d worry about me so much. All this care over some blood I coughed up once… well, that’s actually quite nice.”
With that, Cayden returned to his usual demeanor, closing his eyes with a gentle smile.

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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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