Chapter 10

Episode 10

“Yes. I believe it’s the fastest and most effective method.”

To cut to the chase, Selendis proposed going undercover in the slums, disguised as a beggar, to lure out the perpetrators.

“If the rumors are true, they’ll definitely take notice of me.”

She had a point.

Golden hair and golden eyes were a rare combination. I had learned since arriving in this world that it was considered a symbol of nobility in some cultures.

A woman with such striking features wandering the slums in rags?

Even if it wasn’t Baron Roman’s men, someone would surely take notice.

“I can’t allow it. It’s too dangerous.”

I didn’t say it out loud, but I couldn’t help but wonder if her suggestion stemmed from past trauma. Perhaps this was how she had ended up in Lady Lucia’s service.

But Selendis’ response was firm and unwavering.

“My life is already forfeit, Master. If it serves the Lady’s will, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Her conviction was undeniable. I didn’t even need to use ‘Mind’s Eye’.

Her noble spirit and refined demeanor…

Her background intrigued me even more. But convincing her to abandon this plan was my priority.

“You’re a knight of House Kalisto. You mustn’t tarnish your honor. And we haven’t even met Baron Roman yet. There are other ways.”

“Then I’ll reassess the situation after gathering more information. If we can’t find any leads, we can proceed with my plan.”

“…”

If it was simply a matter of physical danger, I would have agreed without hesitation. But this was different. There was no telling what kind of horrors she might encounter in the slums, unarmed and alone.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Yes, Master.”

If I had intended to use Selendis as bait, I would have utilized Lilith instead. She was eager for revenge and would have gladly assisted us.

But that wasn’t my style.

It was messy and unpredictable.

“Go and get some rest. You’ve earned it.”

“Yes, Master.”

A day passed.

As expected, there was no word from Baron Gerard’s castle. I decided to take a more proactive approach and summoned Selendis.

Jericho, who had been out running errands, joined us.

“Still no word from those thugs?”

He was carrying a large bag.

I nodded, and he proceeded to empty the contents of the leather bag onto the table. An assortment of tools and materials spilled out.

“Well, they’re not coming, are they? It’s time to make our move.”

“I agree. What’s all this?”

“I’m going to make something that might be useful. I was planning to do it at the safe house, but I didn’t have all the materials. I just picked them up.”

“What is it?”

“Disguises. And a few signaling devices.”

The word ‘disguises’ piqued my interest.

Baron Roman’s men already knew what Selendis and I looked like. Entering the slums without a disguise would be pointless.

Jericho grinned, holding up a thin sheet of leather.

“If you apply this solution and infuse it with mana, it will take on the appearance of human skin. It’s essentially a mask. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for concealment.”

“Can’t you make it undetectable?”

“I can, but there are two problems. The materials are rare, and my crafting skills aren’t quite there yet.”

“Find the materials, and work on improving your skills.”

“As you command. And the Lady has sent reinforcements. Thirty investigators are stationed nearby.”

“What’s their skill level?”

“Better than soldiers, but not as strong as knights. They’ll follow your orders, Master. I’ll give you a signal flare later. Use it wisely.”

Jericho finished crafting the masks quickly. As the sun began to set, he handed us each a transparent sheet of leather.

“Apply this to your face, and it will mold itself to your features, altering your appearance. And Selendis, use this dye.”

*Slap!*

I pressed the leather against my face. It felt cool and elastic. I looked in the mirror and saw a stranger staring back at me.

“It’s surprisingly realistic.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, Master. Is it uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. Can I reuse it?”

“You can reapply it a few times, but the adhesive will weaken. I wouldn’t recommend using it more than three times.”

We began our transformations.

The dye worked wonders. It couldn’t conceal her golden eyes, but Selendis’ hair was now a deep shade of black.

I also gave her a hooded robe for extra concealment.

And I, well, I rolled around in the stables, covering myself in dirt and grime.

*Thud!*

The stench was overwhelming.

Even Selendis, with her perpetually stoic expression, seemed surprised. Jericho wrinkled his nose.

“Ugh, do you really have to go this far? Wouldn’t it be easier to just visit his businesses and examine his ledgers?”

“I don’t trust anything I haven’t seen with my own eyes.”

“Suit yourself. Good luck. I’ll be staying here, out of the way.”

The sun had finally set, casting long shadows across the town.

We were ready.

Selendis and I made our way towards the slums.

***

Baron Gerard’s castle was brightly lit, even though night had fallen.

It stood tall and proud, a beacon of authority and power, a stark contrast to the darkness and despair that permeated the slums.

And that authority extended to its inhabitants.

*Creak*

The massive doors swung open, and Baron Roman entered the dining hall.

“Welcome, my lord.”

“I trust you’ve prepared a special meal for this special occasion.”

“Of course, my lord.”

A lavish feast commenced.

Baron Roman was known for his refined palate. He was also known for his insatiable appetite for women, but he appreciated fine dining.

And ‘fine dining’ had a different meaning for him.

As befitting a lecherous lord, the women serving him were completely naked.

It was a glimpse into his twisted mind.

The dishes arrived one after another, and Baron Roman began his meal with a practiced elegance.

“Hmm, the food is excellent tonight. The meat is cooked to perfection. Reward the chef.”

He gnawed on a bone, his eyes scanning the room, searching for a suitable dessert.

The tension in the room was palpable.

The women prayed they wouldn’t be chosen. Rumors circulated about the women who spent the night with the Baron, rumors about their lifeless bodies being discovered the next morning.

The Baron surveyed the women, a frown creasing his brow.

The food was satisfactory, but he couldn’t find a dessert that appealed to him.

He recalled a particular maid who had caught his eye.

“Would you like more wine, my lord?”

“No. Summon Satyr.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Satyr arrived moments later, his face flushed. Being summoned during a meal was unusual.

“You called, Master?”

“Forgive the interruption. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet, Master.”

But Roman simply chuckled, not offering Satyr a seat. Humiliating those weaker than him was one of his favorite pastimes.

“The food is excellent tonight, but the dessert is disappointing.”

Both Satyr and the butler froze. The Baron was clearly displeased.

“By dessert, you mean…”

“Satyr, when are you going to bring me that girl from the Duke’s castle? You’re slipping, my friend.”

Satyr hesitated. There were things he hadn’t reported yet.

Things like the failed assassination attempt on Aubrey and Selendis, an operation that had involved twenty assassins, an operation that Baron Roman knew nothing about.

The Baron’s lips curled into a cruel smile.

“Something went wrong, didn’t it? An unprofessional mistake.”

“I-I apologize, Master. The truth is…”

Satyr had no choice but to confess. If he didn’t, he might not leave this room alive.

Baron Roman dabbed his lips with a napkin, his expression unreadable.

“So you’re telling me that you sent twenty elite assassins, and they failed to eliminate a single Inspector?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Elite? They couldn’t even handle two people.”

His mockery was blatant. The selection and training of the assassins were Satyr’s responsibility.

“And now they’re in my town. They’ll be paying me a visit soon. How inconvenient. Satyr, do you have any idea how much I’ve invested in your organization? Perhaps it’s time I found a new supplier.”

“N-no, Master. I was just about to tell you. I have a plan. Please, hear me out.”

“Speak.”

Satyr produced a piece of paper from his pocket. It was a portrait of a beautiful woman.

“Who is this?”

“I stumbled upon a potential dessert that might interest you, Master. Her name is Selendis Meyer. She’s a knight with the Lucius Inspection Unit.”

“Interesting.”

The portrait captured Selendis’ beauty perfectly. And Satyr added a tempting detail.

“The portrait doesn’t do her justice, Master. She has golden hair and golden eyes. And I suspect she comes from a noble lineage.”

Baron Roman was a connoisseur of beauty.

He sensed the poison hidden within this tempting fruit.

“Why would a woman like that be working for the Inspection Unit?”

“There are no records of her prior to her knighthood. She served as Lady Lucia’s bodyguard until recently. It seems she was transferred.”

“Lady Lucia’s bodyguard?”

Another mention of Lady Lucia.

The Lucius Inspection Unit, the failed assassination attempt…his troubles were mounting.

“I believe I warned you about getting involved with the Inspection Unit. You disposed of the assassins cleanly, I trust?”

“Yes, Master. There were a few survivors, but I took care of them.”

“Good.”

“With all due respect, Master, aren’t you overreacting? It’s just a child’s game. And I’ve ensured that the ledgers for both the castle and our businesses are impeccable. They won’t find anything.”

“Hahaha, Satyr, do you think I’m afraid of being caught?”

His tone was laced with a chilling threat. Satyr swallowed nervously.

“Of course not, It’s just…annoying. I don’t want that damned honorary knight interfering with my affairs. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly clear, Master.”

“And we’ll deal with this woman after the Inspection Unit is disbanded.”

“As you command.”

“I don’t understand. What is that quiet little Lady planning?”

The Baron fell into a contemplative silence.

He had initially dismissed the Lucius Inspection Unit as a harmless endeavor. But recent events had made him uneasy.

He had spoken to Lady Lucia on several occasions. He thought he knew her.

“She seemed so uninterested in power…”

“It’s just a facade, Master. A way to appease the public. I heard there are talks of a marriage proposal from the capital. She’ll be leaving the territory soon.”

“We’ll see. Even the Imperial Family wouldn’t rush into such a union. There are too many variables. An alliance with House Kalisto could shift the balance of power. It could even determine the next ruler of the empire.”

“I’ll keep a close eye on the situation, Master.”

Baron Roman dismissed him with a wave of his hand. Satyr bowed and left the dining hall.

He returned to his headquarters and summoned his most trusted lieutenants.

Seven men, each radiating a palpable aura of menace, gathered before him. It was the first time he had assembled them all in one place.

“…I have a task for you.”

“All of us, boss?”

“Yes. This is not something to be taken lightly.”

Satyr couldn’t afford any mistakes. His life depended on it.