Chapter 11

Episode 11

We successfully blended into the slums.

My efforts in the stables had paid off. No one recognized me as an honorary knight. They didn’t even offer a hand in greeting.

It seemed they judged people by their scent, not their appearance.

We smelled like them, so they accepted us as one of their own.

We ignored them completely.

A few tried to touch us, but a swift twist of their wrists quickly discouraged them.

We navigated the maze of dilapidated buildings, searching for a suitable location.

It was as if all the misery and despair in the world had been concentrated in this one place.

Unexplained screams and pitiful moans filled the air, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. It was the kind of place where you could bury a body and no one would notice.

Perhaps this was what the demon realm, a place spoken of only in legends, looked like.

“This will do.”

Selendis pointed towards a two-story building.

The roof had completely caved in, and half the structure had crumbled, exposing the interior to the elements.

It looked as if it could collapse at any moment.

We entered cautiously, scanning the interior and the surrounding area. We couldn’t afford to be caught off guard.

“The stench is unbearable.”

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

But even that couldn’t mask the putrid odor that permeated the air. It wasn’t just the smell of filth it was the smell of rotting flesh.

I had heard stories about places like this, but this was my first time experiencing it firsthand.

Selendis sat beside me.

The air was chilly. I could have used my aura to start a fire, but that would be suicide. We would be swarmed by desperate people seeking warmth.

“I apologize for subjecting you to this on your first mission.”

“I’m fine, Master. But I was surprised.”

“Surprised by what?”

“By your actions in the stables.”

I longed for a hot bath. But my actions weren’t solely for the purpose of disguise.

“I sensed that you weren’t particularly enthusiastic about becoming an Inspector.”

She was more perceptive than I had given her credit for.

But I wasn’t going to admit it.

“Nonsense. I’m simply a servant of the Lady. It’s my duty to carry out her orders. And the same goes for you.”

I had another motive.

I was counting on Jericho to report my actions to the Lady.

With his flair for the dramatic, he would surely paint a vivid picture of my dedication, my willingness to embrace the filth and grime of the stables.

I wondered what kind of praise she would bestow upon me.

“And I believe in doing things properly. Especially when our lives are on the line.”

“I see.”

“Any signs of surveillance?”

“None, Master. We haven’t been followed since entering the slums.”

I agreed. We were safe, for now. But there was no telling how long it would last.

“I’m a little concerned about leaving Jericho alone.”

I stood up and walked towards a pile of wooden planks leaning against the wall. They were stained with blood, but I found two that were still usable.

“You’re worried about him being attacked?”

“They’ll come for us again, Master. It might not be safe for him to stay at the inn.”

“Don’t worry about him.”

I handed her one of the planks.

They wouldn’t be much use in the hands of an ordinary person, but an aura user could imbue them with enough power to make them stronger than steel.

“If he’s stationed at the safe house, he must be capable of defending himself.”

“I can’t imagine Jericho wielding a sword.”

“Who said anything about swords? He could be a mage.”

Selendis looked surprised.

I was indeed considering the possibility that Jericho was a mage.

He was a healer, proficient in healing magic. Which meant he could manipulate mana. And if he could manipulate mana, perhaps he could also cast offensive spells.

Mages might be rare, but it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for someone chosen by the mastermind.

“Use this if you’re attacked.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Now, let’s get to work.”

We positioned ourselves behind a crumbling wall, falling silent.

Before entering the slums, we had come up with a simple backstory.

We were siblings.

Our village had been raided by bandits, our homes burned to the ground. We had barely escaped with our lives and fled to the city.

It might have been safer to pose as strangers, but for now, it was better to stick together.

It was a matter of safety.

Our goal was to locate Baron Roman’s secret base of operations, the place where Satyr conducted his business. And the best way to do that was to be captured together.

We didn’t know how they would approach us, but we had been followed since entering the slums. It was only a matter of time before they made their move.

Time passed.

A commotion erupted outside.

“You bastard! Let her go!”

“Hahaha! Sharing is caring! And I’m starving!”

“No!”

I peeked outside. It wasn’t a fight over food it was a woman being dragged away by several men.

“Stubborn bastard! Teach him a lesson!”

“Ugh! Gah!”

The man trying to protect her was punched in the stomach and collapsed. The woman, unconscious, offered no resistance.

He reached out for her, but the distance between them grew wider.

…It was sickening.

I had never considered myself a good person. I was just an ordinary citizen, content with a modest life, going with the flow.

But this scene…it felt like a violation of something fundamental.

As an ordinary citizen, I understood the powerlessness of those who were oppressed.

The world I came from was full of injustices, but it wasn’t this bad.

Could I really just dismiss this as a fictional event in a game called ‘Queen Maker’?

Selendis gripped her wooden plank, her knuckles turning white. She was a knight, bound by a code of honor. I sensed her intent and stopped her.

“Wait.”

She didn’t release her grip, so I spoke softly.

“I’m not asking you to ignore injustice. There will be an opportunity to save her. Be patient.”

She finally relaxed her grip.

If we could pinpoint the location of their operation, we could expose Baron Roman’s crimes to the world.

It was a more effective method than simply raiding his businesses and examining his ledgers.

I had considered following the men who had taken the woman, but it was too risky. We could be led on a wild goose chase. We needed to become the bait.

‘There’s a system in place. They’re watching for newcomers. If we can catch their attention…’

The commotion subsided, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. It was as if the previous scene had been a dream.

We resumed our vigil.

“…”

“…”

I sensed a faint presence. Selendis noticed it too, her eyes meeting mine. Someone was approaching, their footsteps barely audible.

There was no malice in their intent. It was a weak presence, suggesting an elderly individual.

“Hm? There’s someone here.”

An old man stood before us, his eyes peering at us from beneath a tattered hood. His attire suggested he was a resident of the slums.

But there was something about him that didn’t quite fit.

Could a frail old man truly navigate the dangerous streets of the slums at this late hour? Not without protection.

“Where are you from? I haven’t seen you before.”

“We arrived today. Our village was attacked by bandits. We barely escaped with our lives.”

“May the gods be with you. You’re lucky to be alive. Bandits and monsters are running rampant these days. Be careful. And who is this?”

“My sister.”

He stared at Selendis, her form concealed beneath the hooded robe. He seemed to be trying to determine her gender.

I nudged her discreetly, and she coughed, her voice soft and feminine.

The old man’s eyes lit up.

“Oh dear, your poor sister seems to have caught a cold. Have you eaten anything? You look famished.”

“…We haven’t eaten in two days.”

I made my voice sound as pitiful as possible. The old man clicked his tongue sympathetically and stepped closer.

I protectively placed my arm around Selendis’ shoulders, eyeing the old man with suspicion.

He hesitated, sensing my distrust.

“Don’t worry, I just want to help.”

“Help us with what?”

“Our benevolent Baron has been providing food for the less fortunate. I’m here to distribute it and ensure that newcomers are settled in.”

“Baron Roman is truly a kind soul.”

The old man chuckled at my eagerness.

He retrieved two loaves of bread from his basket.

“You must be starving. It’s a bit stale, but if you soften it with your saliva, it should fill your stomachs. Be careful not to break your teeth.”

I hesitated for a moment, then accepted the bread.

But I didn’t eat it.

“I seem to be making you uncomfortable. I’ll be on my way. Eat up and take care of your sister. I’ll be back in the morning. Stay here, alright?”

He left the building.

His presence faded, and there were no signs of surveillance.

I retrieved the vial Jericho had given me and applied a drop of the liquid to the bread. The transparent liquid turned blue.

“As I suspected. It’s laced with a sleeping potion.”

“You anticipated this, Master?”

“It’s not rocket science. Food is more valuable than gold in this place. I would have done the same.”

The old man’s parting words had confirmed my suspicions.

Stay here.

He had even offered a glimmer of hope, promising to return in the morning.

He was planning to transport us to his secret base while we were unconscious.

The idea of the Baron providing food for the poor was absurd.

If he was truly benevolent, he wouldn’t be our first target.

I crumbled the bread, scattering the crumbs on the ground.

Then I tossed the rest into a pile of rubble.

“When I lie down, pretend to fall asleep. They won’t harm you. You’ll be safe, even if I’m not.”

“Yes, Master. When should I make my move?”

“As soon as you hear fighting outside. But don’t try to help me. Focus on rescuing the others. Including the woman they took earlier.”

“Yes, Master.”

I yawned and lay down. Selendis followed suit.

Hours later…

“Are they asleep?”

“They devoured the old man’s bread. They won’t be waking up anytime soon.”

“Hahaha, excellent! Take them away! And be careful with the girl. I don’t want her damaged.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rough hands shoved me into a sack.