Chapter 45

　　Simon and Pier arrived in Arnish.

　　The city was a spiderweb of winding residential streets sprawling out from a towering lord’s castle. Situated in rugged terrain near the Holy Federation’s border, the fief was small, and its buildings were old.

　　Still, Simon felt a strange sense of affection for the place.

　　I knew it. I prefer towns like this over big cities.

　　Of all the cities he had seen, this one most resembled his hometown, Leshill.

　　[I’m! So! Claustrophobic! Damn it!] Pier’s voice boomed from within the armor, punctuated by the clanking and rattling of metal with every movement.

　　"Just bear with it a little longer, Pier."

　　[Bring me a bigger one next time! This size is simply unacceptable!]

　　"Yes, I will," Simon replied, laughing off what he considered an exaggeration. For someone without flesh, Pier was awfully particular about size.

　　The two wandered the streets, making small talk. The recent unsettling incidents had cast a pall over the city, draining it of life. Doors were shut tight, curtains were drawn, and an air of fear hung heavy over the quiet streets. It felt like the entire town was holding its breath.

　　"Hmm, this feels hopeless," Simon murmured. "How are we supposed to find an undead here?"

　　[Hehehe! I’ve done plenty of missions like this back when I was with Richard,] Pier declared. [There are three main ways to go about it.]

　　The gauntlet creaked as Pier attempted to raise three fingers.

　　[First, we meet the client. Since you said it’s the lord, reveal that you’re from Kizen and demand all the information he has. You’ll probably secure funding and manpower as well.]

　　"Oh, that’s a good idea."

　　[However,] Pier added grimly, [if the client hasn’t solved this problem by now, there’s always a reason for it lurking nearby.]

　　Simon understood the implication: contacting the client would introduce unpredictable variables.

　　[The second method is investigation by inquiry. Like Richard says, it’s like banging your head against a brick wall.]

　　"Ugh, I’m not so sure about that…" Simon muttered.

　　[But in my experience, such methods have often been the fastest shortcut to the truth,] Pier’s voice echoed in his mind. The skeletal knight raised a third finger. [And finally, we buy information from the Thieves’ Guild.]

　　"The Thieves’ Guild?"

　　[Do they call it something else these days? Think of it as an information guild. Any city of a decent size is bound to have brokers who buy and sell secrets. No one is more sensitive to the latest buzz than those bastards.]

　　"Hmm." After considering Pier’s advice, Simon closed his eyes for a moment. "Alright. Let’s find a place to stay first, then look for the Thieves’ Guild."

　　[Welcome news indeed! I wish to be free of this damned armor as soon as possible!]

　　Simon and Pier wandered through the bustling streets surrounding the square. Perhaps because it was such a rugged region, there were few inns for a city of its size. Still, by asking around, they managed to find one.

　　"Welcome!" the innkeeper called out as they opened the door. He was a man in his mid-forties who looked like a local through and through—tough and seasoned.

　　"One large, clean room, please," Simon requested.

　　"Yes, sir!" the man confirmed. "That’ll be three hundred Silver for one night. Will you be needing meals as well? Wheat bread and soup is an extra fifty Silver, and a meat dish is an extra one hundred fifty."

　　The rates are steep, likely because there aren’t many inns, Simon mused. He rummaged through his pocket, pulled out a gold coin, and flicked it onto the counter. "Breakfast for tomorrow. Wheat bread will be fine."

　　The innkeeper’s eyes widened as he caught the coin. A single piece of gold was worth a thousand Silver. "Shall I get you your change?"

　　"There’s no need," Simon replied coolly. "Instead, I’d like to know the location of the Thieves’ Guild."

　　The innkeeper’s expression shifted. "Oh, haha! Looking to buy information, are you? You seem to be an outsider. May I ask how you came to…"

　　Simon slowly opened his palm, revealing it to be empty.

　　"You’re awfully quick to ask for a customer’s identity," Simon said, his voice level. "I should charge you one gold for that information."

　　[Hehehehe!] Standing beside him, Pier doubled over, cackling. [This wet-behind-the-ears brat is toying with a grown man!]

　　The innkeeper’s face froze. Realization dawned on him instantly. The issue wasn’t the gold coin; it was the chilling premonition that if he tried to return it and press for their identities, his head would leave his shoulders. Who on earth are these outsiders? With that thought, the innkeeper discreetly tucked the coin into his tunic.

　　"You… you wish to know the location of the Thieves’ Guild, is that right?"

　　Simon flicked his finger again. Another gold coin flew into the innkeeper’s hand. "And everything you know about the ‘disappearances’."

　　Simon’s eyes gleamed. "You seem to know something, don’t you?"

　　The innkeeper, his face visibly tense, swallowed hard. Simon could almost hear the gears grinding frantically in the man’s head.

　　"…I’ll return the one Gold." The moment the innkeeper took a step toward Simon, a pure white greatsword was suddenly at his throat.

　　All color drained from the man’s face. From within the helmet of the armored figure holding the sword, a sinister laugh echoed out—a horrifying sound that could haunt one’s dreams. [Hehehehe!]

　　"Is something wrong?" Simon asked, his palm still outstretched and a gentle smile on his face. "Weren’t you coming to give it back?"

　　After a violent shudder, the innkeeper dropped to the floor and prostrated himself. "I don’t know who you are, but I will do as you command. But please… you must keep it a secret that I was the one who provided the information."

　　Simon nodded at Pier, who retracted the greatsword and slung it over his shoulder.

　　"Get up," Simon said. "Your secret is safe." They only had five days to solve the case; there was no time to weigh their options. He and Pier had already decided to take a more forceful approach for this mission.

　　Simon listened as the innkeeper told him everything, confirming all the details about the disappearances that had occurred so far.

　　"So, after people from the fief disappear, they’re found a few months later as dried-up mummies," Simon summarized.

　　"…Yes."

　　"Most of the missing are young men, but most of the mummified corpses found are women."

　　"Th-That’s right."

　　Simon’s expression was troubled. There wasn’t enough clear evidence to get a solid grasp on the situation.

　　"Were there any signs that the female victims… had been violated?"

　　"The Count also suspected the local gangs," the innkeeper admitted, "but he said there were no such signs."

　　The more he heard, the bigger Simon’s headache grew. Pier, however, who had been listening with his arms crossed, was chuckling incessantly, as if he found the whole thing deeply amusing.

　　…Pier?

　　[Hehehehe! It is certain! I am certain!] The corners of Pier’s mouth curled into a grin. [Erzebet, that wench is definitely somewhere in this city! I am one hundred percent sure. To find her this easily! Hehehe!]

　　Pier seemed to have a firm grasp on the situation. If so, there was no reason to stay here any longer. Simon stood. "We’ll be back this evening."

　　"Oh, okay! The fief is in turmoil these days, so please be careful."

　　Simon and Pier stepped outside with the Thieves’ Guild, which the innkeeper had told them about, as their destination.

　　"Pier, how are you so sure this is the work of that Ancient Undead?" Simon asked as they walked.

　　[Is it not obvious?!] Pier grinned. [She toys with the young men for amusement! As for the women, she has no interest in them, so she just sucks them dry and kills them! It is exactly the kind of thing that old hag would do!]

　　"…An undead really does that? Not a human?"

　　[Have I not told you? The undead are beings that are incomprehensible to human common sense! And Ancient Undead who have lived for ages are even more eccentric!]

　　"Hmm." Simon stroked his chin, lost in thought.

　　[What are you thinking so hard about?]

　　"Well, I’m a young man, too," Simon mused. "What if we use me as bait to lure out that old hag?"

　　From behind his helmet, Pier burst out laughing. [Pfft!]

　　[What is a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you talking about! Hehehe!] Pier ruffled Simon’s hair messily with his gauntlet.

　　Simon pouted. "Is there something wrong with me?"

　　[It means you are overwhelmingly far from her type! Even if you stuck a beard on, it would be questionable.]

　　"Ugh."

　　Chatting back and forth, the two finally arrived in front of the Thieves’ Guild. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary tavern. They opened the door and went inside.

　　It was a bar-style tavern. A handsome, middle-aged bartender was wiping a glass while bearded men occupying the tables drank heavily. Unlike the empty streets, this place was bustling.

　　But it doesn’t have the vibe of a place that sells information, Simon observed. It’s just a local pub.

　　Simon and Pier found seats at the bar.

　　"What can I get for you?" the bartender asked.

　　In response, Simon extended a finger, drew a ‘T’ in the air, then slid a silver coin across the counter.

　　"Right this way, please."

　　Oh, it really does work! It was easy, just as the innkeeper had described. Simon and Pier followed the bartender’s lead. After exiting through the establishment’s back door, they saw a door and stairs leading down into a basement. The bartender bowed politely and returned to the bar.

　　Simon inhaled sharply and descended the stairs. The sound of their footsteps on the stone floor echoed unusually loudly, and the musty smell of the basement stung his nose.

　　At the bottom of the stairs, two men wearing masks and holding crossbows stood guard. They stepped aside without a word and opened the door.

　　The old hinges creaked as the door swung open. The atmosphere here was a world away from the tavern upstairs. People with hoods pulled low or wearing masks sat quietly at tables. Three middle-aged men were playing poker, two young men were deep in conversation, and an elderly man and a young woman were sipping beer by themselves. Several doors were visible behind the bar—presumably where one could purchase information.

　　For now, Simon and Pier sat at a quiet corner table against the wall.

　　[Welcome.] A young woman approached them. She wore a form-fitting, wine-colored dress, and her voluminous blonde hair was curled like seafoam.

　　On her white leg, visible through the slit of her dress, she wore a black garter. Next to it, a blade glinted. Simon gulped.

　　[Now then.] Sitting in the chair opposite them, she offered a practiced smile. [What brings you to our guild, outsiders?]

　　"The reason we’re here is obvious," Simon stated, refusing to be intimidated. "We’ve come to purchase information."

　　[What kind of information are you looking for?]

　　"The people disappearing in the fief, and the mummified corpses," Simon said flatly. "Everything you know about this case."

　　The woman’s smile widened. [Everything? The cost won’t be cheap. Can a first-year student from Kizen afford it all?]

　　Simon was startled, but he kept his expression neutral. "What do you mean by that?"

　　[A simple deduction,] she continued in a relaxed tone. [It’s a well-known fact that the Count is desperate to solve this case. He’s commissioned many people, and it’s impossible that Kizen wasn’t among them. Still, a small fief like this wouldn’t have the resources to summon a necromancer from Kizen headquarters, so they would have opted to send a request to the students.]

　　Her body leaned toward Simon. She brought one knee up onto her chair, and the rich scent of roses wafted from her. Her slender curves were visible behind her smiling face.

　　[And at this time of year, Kizen only has first-year freshmen. The students who received the request would be first-year students whose protection period has just ended. And appearing in our fief at just the right time…] With a subtle touch, she pulled back Simon’s hood. [An outsider with a youthful face.]

　　Lifting Simon’s chin with her fingertips, she smiled brightly. [Am I wrong?]

　　How rude. But he couldn’t show it. That would be the same as handing over his identity to the information guild on a silver platter.

　　[Of course, if you’re short on money, there’s always the option of revealing your identity,] she purred. [You could make us all kneel right here and take the information by force. The name Kizen is that powerful, isn’t it?]

　　Simon remained unfazed. Instead, he reached out and caught the slender hand that was holding his chin. "An interesting deduction. Shall I have a go this time?"

　　[…Pardon?]

　　Simon slowly pulled her hand, leaning forward. "A major incident has occurred that’s shaking the entire fief. The Count is in a crisis, and as you said, he has requested help from numerous organizations." His grip on her hand tightened, and her smile faltered slightly. "And there is only one information guild in this fief. Whether it was the Count’s side or the people he commissioned, everyone must have stopped by here for information. The conclusion? No one has solved it."

　　Simon moved closer, and this time, she was the one who subtly pulled back.

　　"The same incident has been happening for years, yet far from being solved, the culprit isn’t even known. Don’t you think there’s an unusually small amount of information?" he continued, his voice low. "At this point, it’s not that the information is being controlled, but that everyone has been led astray by subtle lies mixed in with the truth."

　　He didn’t know what kind of reputation or influence this Thieves’ Guild had in the fief, but to an outsider like him, it made no sense. Staring at her hardened face, Simon spoke coldly, "Am I wrong? A Thieves’ Guild located right in the middle of the crime scene couldn’t possibly have been unaware of the key information until now. Incompetence? No, looking at you, you don’t seem incompetent."

　　Revealing his true colors, Simon’s palm cupped the back of her head. He slowly pulled her toward his face and whispered, "Give me the truth. Before I turn this whole place upside down."

* * *