My Demons

After a moment’s hesitation, I sighed and bowed my head.

“I’m sorry, but I have something to attend to right now.”

“…Something to do?”

“Yes.”

I pointed towards the second floor of the inn, ash swirling in the air.

“I have to take revenge for this incident.”

“Revenge? Most of the robbers are already dead. And the few who escaped will soon be caught.”

“They’re just beggars hired for a few coins. We have to deal with the person who was behind hiring them.”

“Behind? Who are you talking about?”

I hesitated for a moment and looked at the security guard captains.

He might not look like it, but the captain seemed to be a military man with a somewhat serious demeanor. He was an NPC in the game who was loyal to his lord until death, so it didn’t seem likely that he had conspired with the thugs.

“It’s Ubar.”

To be honest, attacking Ubar was a daunting task.

I hardly read any text while playing Dark World, so I only had a vague understanding of the overall storyline.

What if I attacked Ubar and it messed up the progression of events?

My cloudy premonition would then be utterly useless.

But…

“Ubar? Are you talking about the thug?”

“Yes. I need to deal with him first.”

I can’t ignore Ubar’s threat and head down into the sewer. I can’t make such an irresponsible choice.

Fifteen innocent people, including a young boy, died because of me. Their revenge was necessary, but I also had to prevent more victims from emerging.

What if Daria and Ellen were the next target? Rather than shivering in anxiety and guilt, it would be a wiser choice to strike Ubar first on my end.

“Ubar? I know him well. Why would he attack an innocent tavern?”

“To be precise, Ubar was targeting me.”

“You?”

When I explained how I had dealt with Ubar’s subordinates a few days ago, the captain gave a dry laugh.

“He did all this just because of that? He attacked the inn to get to you? That’s ridiculous. Ubar might be scum, but he’s not reckless or stupid.”

“Isn’t it common for thugs to hold grudges?”

“But even so, causing trouble within the city, isn’t that like cutting off your own flesh?”

…That’s quite a persuasive point.

Come to think of it, I didn’t kill Ubar’s subordinates, did I? Why is he so desperate for revenge?

“This is merely a robbery by a group of starving thieves. It’s nonsensical to assume a thug’s backing.”

“…Let’s say that’s true for those beggars. Didn’t you see the corpses in front of the inn? Among them should be Ubar’s active members and his close associate, Poison.”

“Poison? The ‘Cloaked Poison’?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The captain looked surprised for a moment, then frowned.

“He’s Ubar’s hidden blade. We in the guard barely managed to get his name. How did you, a foreigner, recognize him? Did he politely introduce himself or something?”

…That’s an unexpected response.

After all, this isn’t South Korea in the 21st century where they openly bounty gangsters with their photos on the organization chart.

You’d think a security captain would at least recognize the faces of the alleyway thugs, but I guess Poison was more discreet since he was an assassin.

“I overheard their conversation briefly. And I guessed it was Poison after seeing him use poison.”

“Hmm.”

It was a hastily made-up excuse. He didn’t seem too convinced.

“Well, that could be possible. I heard your guess.”

The security captain stroked his beard for a moment, then gave a faint, bitter smile.

“But you seem to be misunderstanding something.”

“A… misunderstanding?”

“Yes, a misunderstanding. I thought I explained it clearly enough. Let me make it clearer.”

The security captain let out a deep sigh and resumed his speech.

“Firstly, you don’t have a choice.”

“What do you mean,”

“Do you think you can refuse the Count’s request? You are aware of the city’s situation, right?”

“……”

“The Count, out of consideration, asked you and mercenaries he knows to accompany him. If you succeed, you’ll be rewarded. Isn’t that a reasonable proposal?”

Despite that, I’m given a dangerous and critical task by force, a stranger in this place?

In the game, the castle’s lord seemed dumb, but he seemed to be a thoughtful noble.

He doesn’t need to consider a wandering mercenary, is that it?

I asked back, feeling twisted and sarcastic.

“So, it’s a request I can’t refuse. That’s why you called it an order?”

“Given the situation, please understand.”

“What happens if I don’t accept?”

“Do you feel offended? As I’ve said, this isn’t a simple request. It concerns the fate of the whole city…”

The fate of the whole city, huh? If it’s that important, why don’t the nobles do it themselves, why do they shift the responsibility to others?

I clenched my jaw in irritation.

“What will you do if I can’t do it?”

Silence.

Facing my unblinking gaze, the security guard captain swallowed hard.

Then, he wet his dry lips and answered in a small but firm voice.

“… I guarantee, you’ll be killed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. All the forces, even the personal guards protecting the Salt Castle, will charge at you to kill you. If they tolerate one person’s disobedience, the whole city could fall. Plus, they need to keep the secret about the existence of the secret passage.”

Another silence.

Could I survive a fight against the lord’s army?

Obviously not.

The foot soldiers might not be a big threat, but there must be many skillful people like the security guard captain under the lord. The commander of the guards, the training master, and the weapons master would be fairly strong, and there would be some wizards, a lot of crossbowmen and archers.

…The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Even though he has many subordinates, why is he making me do this?

“Think carefully. Whether you want to die miserably, chased by the army, or earn merit by following orders. There are only two options.”

To that clear declaration, Ellen, who had been silent until now, spat out in a cold voice.

“I don’t think so.”

“…Huh?”

The security guard captain looked at Ellen in surprise.

Despite Ellen’s cute appearance, his eyes were shining with deep suspicion. He seemed to know that Ellen was a wizard.

Ellen, making eye contact with me, let her blue eyes flash for a moment, then sneered at the security captain.

“Only two options?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s your perspective. We have a third option.”

“A third option?”

“Yes. We kill you and all of your subordinates, burn down the inn, and then escape through the sewer.”

…Can’t this kid talk nicer?

Whenever Ellen spat out harsh words through her pink lips, I felt a sense of obligation welling up inside me saying ‘I can’t just watch as an adult!’

Is this how everyone becomes a grump?

Even though I had such thoughts, I didn’t discourage Ellen. I didn’t want to be dragged along involuntarily under coercion either.

I placed my hand on Falchion, rechecking the estimates just in case.

The security guard captain, two soldiers, Grania and Arnal… with Ellen’s support, it seems worth trying.

As I emitted an aura that I might draw my sword at any moment, the security guard captain hardened his face with tension. He looked back at Ellen and asked in a calm tone.

“…Calm down. If you have no intention of facing off against His Majesty’s army…”

“There’s no need to confront the entire army. Are there about thirty soldiers nearby? Just sweep them away and run away.”

“……”

“Do you know what’s Phoenix’s nickname? It’s Blood-soaked swordsman. Want to try and see why?”

“Uh……”

—— TU •

While the security guard captain was silent, Grania subtly retreated and showed me her open palms.

“Hold on. All we were ordered to do was deliver the request details to you and move together. If you want to reject the request, we’ll quietly retreat.”

“Stop fussing and stand there. If you don’t want your head broken.”

Ellen coldly moved her step naturally. The person who had moved to my right rear was already gathering air on her palm.

Grania and Arnal stood still with stiff expressions, and the security guard captain urgently tried to dissuade Ellen.

“Hold on, wizard. Why use magic when we can easily solve this through conversation?”

“Easily solved through conversation? Do they call intimidation as conversation here?”

“The intimidation is being done by you right now, isn’t it? I’m just stating facts-“

“Ah, yes. I’m also just stating facts. Just giving notice that I might choose the third option if needed.”

Ellen, as she said this, created a sphere of transparent mana on her fingers, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of launching it.

Looking at her just intimidating, she doesn’t seem to have any intention of attacking. Not yet, at least.

Hmm. For now, let’s just go along with Ellen’s pace.

“Do you really think you can survive by running away? If you don’t know where the secret passage is, you’ll just die wandering in the sewer. Or get caught by the pursuit squad!”

In response to the captain’s threat, Ellen chuckled and answered.

“Do you think we’re going to move without a plan? We’ve roughly figured out where the secret passage is.”

“…Such bluffing won’t work. If people who have been in the city for less than a month can find it, it wouldn’t be called a secret passage.” 

At the captain’s confident words, Ellen shut her mouth.

She looks troubled. It’s my turn to step in.

“Well, it’s hard to imagine that there would be such a huge tunnel beneath the ancient empire’s sewers.”

Of course, I don’t know exactly where the secret passage is. But recalling the information I got in the game, I can make a rough guess.

In Dark World, the sewer is a mini-dungeon ranging from a minimum of 5 floors to a maximum of 8 floors, divided into the surface and deep layers.

People of South Harbor think the surface layer, the ancient empire’s sewers, is all there is.

But in fact, beneath that is the deep layer, where tunnels are located.

From the talkative guards guarding the sewer, I’ve confirmed that the ancient empire’s sewer system extends to the 4th underground floor.

Then the tunnel should start from the 5th or 6th floor underground.

And the secret passages to the outside are always located on the first floor of the tunnel.

“I’m not sure exactly how many floors it is because the terrain suddenly changed. Should I say it’s the 5th underground floor?”

Seeing the captain’s shocked eyes shake greatly, it seems I was correct.

After a moment of conflict, he sighed as if he had lost, dropping his shoulders.

“Huh, yes. I knew that you and your party… could make an extreme choice. Now, tell me what you want. I’ll grant it as much as I can within my authority.” 

That worked. I was worried our attitude might have been a bit too aggressive, but fortunately, we managed to get some concession. The city’s situation seems to be more urgent than I thought.

Hmm, but… how far does the captain’s authority extend?

“…I’ll take down Ubar, you support me. After taking care of those guys, I’ll go down to the sewer.”

“The count wants you to get started on this right away. There’s no time to waste wandering the back alleys.”

“So while I’m doing this, can the guards subjugate the Ubar gang?”

“I can’t put my men at risk without clear evidence. Besides, didn’t I tell you we asked for your help because our forces aren’t ample?”

Damn it, then what exactly are you going to help with?

Just as I was about to throw a fit, the security guard captain went first.

“How about this? I’ll make sure to protect you guys while you’re on the surface.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you worried that Ubar might attack again? I’ll make sure they don’t threaten you while you’re up here. Yes, if you successfully complete the mission and the situation improves, I’ll thoroughly investigate this attack and even take revenge on Ubar on your behalf.”

That sounds good on the surface….

Wait.

“You’re going to keep the thugs in check and investigate the attack properly? Those are the things the guards should be doing in the first place, aren’t they?”

“…That’s true.”

This guy. Where is he trying to fob me off with his words?

“Enough with the word games- yes. Here, protect the Bells & Whistles Inn.”

“The Inn?”

“Yes. It’s where I’ll be staying, and there was an attack today, wasn’t there? We can’t let innocent people get hurt.”

At my words, the security guard captain nodded coldly.

“Hmm, got it. Then I’ll increase the patrol in the area twofold.”

“No, that’s not enough. Have soldiers stationed there. Hmm, about twenty should be appropriate.”

“Twenty? That’s too much.”

After a haggling-like process, we agreed to use the Bells & Whistles Inn as a temporary patrol outpost.

As long as the threat of Ubar does not completely disappear, twelve soldiers will be stationed at the Bells & Whistles Inn.

In addition, the plan was to send six replacement soldiers from the guard headquarters every two hours to patrol around the inn.

Hmm. I don’t have to worry about being attacked while I’m asleep. Unless those thugs are crazy, they won’t attack a guard post.

“Now, write a contract.”

“…A contract?”

What’s with this reaction?

Don’t tell me he was planning not to write a contract for such an important request? He’s asking for trouble.

Ignoring the captain’s reaction, I began to write things down on the parchment that Ellen handed me.

I don’t know much about contracts in this world… but shouldn’t it be written like a mercenary request form?

“I’ll just put in the most important items.”

“You know how to write?”

“Yes, well. What should go in- Hmm, advance and remuneration, safety after the fact, confidentiality, support from the guards….”

Although I wanted to fill the parchment, I decided to just stick with this, as it might offend the Lord. The captain’s face was a bit weird.

“That should be enough.”

“Uh ’’

The captain, who skimmed the completed contract, frowned as if he had a headache, then expressed his doubt.

“But why are there three contracts? You and I should have one each, right?”

“Hold on. I thought the count was the employer, not the captain.”

“Ah, that’s right. You’re right. The count is the employer.”

“Right? The count and I will split one, and the other one will be entrusted to the church as a public certification.”

“Certification?”

The captain muttered in surprise, opening his mouth.

“Yes. Certification. Oh, doesn’t the church provide certification for things like mercenary contracts?”

“…Well, as long as the donation is adequate, there’s no reason it couldn’t.”

“Then there’s no problem. Come on. Check it quickly and bring the count’s seal.”

“Oh, okay.”

The bewildered captain took the stack of parchment. Then he turned to leave, suddenly throwing a question at me.

“By the way, are you really a mercenary?”

I smiled slightly and shrugged my shoulders.