Ch.50The Disciple to the Master, the Master to the Disciple (4)

[Clue #2]

[Memory of Imperial Year 990]

[Time Remaining: 17 minutes 53 seconds]

“The current political situation…”

“The movements of the Eastern Alliance…”

Olivia, who had received permission from Melina to go out, walked through the marketplace and thought. Imperial Year 990 was when the Empire and the Eastern Alliance officially began their power struggle.

Although it hadn’t escalated to war yet, small-scale skirmishes between squad-sized units continued unabated in the border regions.

Most imperial citizens were unaware of this fact. Only merchants who traveled across the continent and a few intellectuals knew about it.

This wasn’t because the nobles were controlling information, but because there were no media outlets like newspapers through which people could learn about distant news.

To begin with, only the neutral nation of Machina possessed technology at a modern level.

Most newbies get stuck at this point, because there’s nothing an individual can do about conflicts between nations.

‘At this point, I’d normally be a cadet at the Academy.’

All they could do was helplessly watch the war between the Empire and the Eastern Alliance.

Although the Empire was a superpower occupying more than half the continent, the Eastern Alliance’s military power was nothing to scoff at.

This was because the Eastern Alliance had two Returnees among their ranks.

The King of Martial Arts from the free city of Micabel and the Wavemaster of Icail from the Kingdom of Canis.

Most newbies give up at this point.

The Empire does win. But with most of its infrastructure destroyed and military power shattered, the Empire doesn’t survive until the mid-to-late game when demons appear.

The Empire collapses before the Demon Lord even appears, so there’s nothing that can be done.

But who is Olivia? The first pioneer.

She had prevented the Eastern War more than a thousand times.

Olivia’s steps halted in a dim back alley. Two muscular men covered in tattoos stood guard at the entrance.

Though they looked like ordinary thugs, they were legitimate guards appointed by the black market.

Olivia pulled her robe down and descended the stairs. The guards paid her no attention, busy talking among themselves.

After descending for some time, a massive iron door blocked Olivia’s path. She knocked on the door five times in a specific rhythm.

With a click, a small peephole at eye level opened. A man who appeared to be the doorkeeper spoke.

“Pass.”

He was asking to see her entry pass. Olivia took out a gold pass she had prepared in advance.

[Imperial Black Market Entry Pass – Gold] * 3

It was an item she had obtained during a genocide playthrough.

Since the orthodox method was to acquire it while attending the Academy, she naturally thought she would have it.

The doorkeeper’s eyes gleamed at the brilliant gold. In a black market with thousands of daily visitors, those with gold passes numbered no more than three.

A gold pass wasn’t something you could receive simply for having good purchase records. Only those recognized as “clients” by the black market’s owner could receive a gold pass.

“…A distinguished guest has arrived. Have a pleasant time.”

The moment she handed the gold pass to the doorkeeper, the space instantly flipped, transporting Olivia somewhere else.

The place was filled with people wearing robes or masks.

“There will be an artifact auction in the main hall at 10 PM tonight!”

“Strength enhancement potions for sale!”

Merchants shouting from all directions filled the area. The smell of monsters being slaughtered in real-time and the stuffy air characteristic of underground spaces permeated the place.

This was the Imperial Black Market.

The reason “Imperial” was specifically added was because the Emperor was the actual person in charge. Of course, only the black market’s owner and a few high-ranking nobles knew this fact.

Because of this, the Imperial Black Market did not trade in slaves, drugs, or items related to demons.

However, they did not interfere with anything else. That’s why it was a black market, and why they put up a figurehead.

Anyway, Olivia’s reason for coming to the black market was simple.

There was something she needed to confirm.

[Time Remaining: 17 minutes 53 seconds]

Time was plentiful. As a reward for obtaining the second clue, time no longer decreased when she wasn’t meeting a Returnee.

So there was no need to rush. She just needed to return before midnight.

Olivia moved to the main hall. It was crowded with people, perhaps because the auction was about to begin.

She had no intention of participating in the auction. But the person she was looking for was in the auction house.

“Hey, this area is off-limits.”

Instead of answering the guard, Olivia waved her gold pass. The fierce guard transformed into a gentle lamb in an instant.

Gold pass.

With this, she could have a private audience with the black market’s owner.

“This way.”

Guards wearing masks led Olivia somewhere. When the door opened, a middle-aged man was standing there. He had been looking down at the auction scene through a window, but he shrugged and sat at the table.

“I’m asking just in case, but you know the price for a private audience, right?”

“I know.”

“…Well, well.”

The middle-aged man unconsciously let out a gasp.

“My, what an incredibly pleasant voice from a young lady. I’m even more curious about who’s behind that robe… But since you don’t seem inclined to reveal yourself, I’ll let it go.”

The middle-aged man took a sip of wine.

“So, what brings you here? In exchange for the gold pass, I’ll give you one thing you desire.”

“What you desire” referred to all items circulating in the black market. Military secrets from various countries, Eldritch artifacts, grimoires discovered in ruins, and so on. Whatever it was, it could be exchanged for a gold pass.

This was possible because truly valuable items were filtered out before they circulated in the black market.

In simple terms, everything circulating in the black market was second-rate.

“I want information.”

At Olivia’s words, the middle-aged man’s face changed. Information was relatively inexpensive.

“What kind of information do you want?”

“All rumors and gossip related to the Eastern Alliance from 987 to three years after.”

The middle-aged man frowned.

What use could there be in knowing rumors that had spread in the past?

Of course, if the client wanted it, he should provide it, but it wasn’t an easy task.

“The scope is too broad. It would take at least four years just to organize it.”

“What if I limit it to military secrets and scandals involving high-ranking officials?”

The middle-aged man calculated in his head.

It was still a lot, but not impossible to organize.

“That’s possible. But I can’t do it right now. It will take ten days.”

Olivia nodded.

“I’ll give you two more days to be safe, so make sure to find out everything. I’ll come back then.”

The middle-aged man had no reason to refuse.

*****

It was already dark when she left the black market. Olivia hurried toward the Golden Tower.

In 12 days, after using the clue once, she would be able to get the information she wanted.

She had visited the black market for this purpose.

What would she use this for?

Simple. Because she could prevent the war with it.

How could mere rumors suppress a war?

They weren’t just rumors.

They were all “truths” that Olivia had spread.

Scandals of high-ranking officials, secrets related to military deployment.

Imagine these things being leaked at regular intervals.

The high-ranking officials of the Eastern Alliance would know they weren’t just rumors. They couldn’t help but know.

Naturally, they would misunderstand that the Empire’s intelligence capabilities were beyond imagination, and they would back down.

Of course, simply spreading rumors wasn’t enough. They had to be spread in the exact order to prevent the war.

What if they weren’t done in order? War would break out at the end of 990, the Eastern Alliance would be destroyed, and the Empire would be half-ruined.

Since Olivia’s “present” was 987, there were a little more than three years left until the war.

‘This is why Lactea is such a terrible game. This is information you can only know after at least 100 playthroughs.’

Anyway, that’s why she went to the black market. Having quit Lactea for four months after the genocide ending, she couldn’t remember the exact order in which to spread the rumors.

‘Now I’ve solved one problem.’

With this, she could save the lives of the King of Martial Arts and the Wave Sorceress Esthie.

-Pop!

Olivia’s body moved quickly. The place where she appeared was the main gate of the Golden Tower.

And there stood someone she hadn’t expected at all.

“…You’re very late.”

It was Melina.

There was a hint of anger in her golden eyes.

Only then did Olivia realize that she was indeed very late.

“Didn’t you say with your own mouth that you would practice even at night?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Olivia bowed her head first. After watching her for a long time, Melina let out a soft sigh.

“Come in for now. It’s cold outside.”

“…Yes.”

As they climbed the stairs, Melina spoke.

“Was it a very important matter?”

“Yes.”

“More important than practice?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Olivia’s blue eyes shone proudly.

Melina couldn’t bring herself to blame Olivia.

“…Go to sleep for now. We’ll continue tomorrow what we couldn’t do today.”

“Ah, Master!”

Olivia handed a piece of paper to Melina, who was heading to her office.

“This. What I promised to give you.”

It was the third fragment.

“…”

Melina quietly closed her eyes.

It was something she had longed for so much.

But.

For some reason, her heart was quieter than she had expected.

It was strange.

“…Thank you.”

Melina didn’t immediately unfold the fragment.

“Now go to bed.”

Only after confirming that Olivia had lain down in bed.

“You did well today, my disciple.”

Only then did she check it.