The Mad Dog of the Dukes House - Chapter 30



Only Krnovel

Episode 30 9. Deep Night (2)

4.

『It would have been better to go and have a drink with you in person. Please forgive me for not being able to move easily due to the unfavorable situation, brother-in-law. The reason I am sending you this letter is none other than because of Charon. I know that you cherish Charon, but… … .』

“Haha, my in-laws have very different thoughts than I do.”

Gail smiled faintly as he read the letter from Halo that Jeras had given him.

“Whose letter is it?”

In front of Gail sat the mayor of Thebes, Grein, drinking wine with him.

“As I said, you are my in-laws.”

“… … Grand Duke Halo?”

“Don’t worry about what Charon does tonight. A wolf has his own way, he says.”

“It seems like you’re raising your grandson very strongly. It feels like the Duke of Reston’s way.”

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Yes, brother.”

The two lightly clinked their glasses and then drank the alcohol in their glasses.

Guile downed the entire glass of alcohol in one gulp, let out a deep breath, and put the letter down.

I wanted to somehow keep my grandson safe, but things didn’t go as planned.

He is only thirteen years old.

He’s still at an age where he needs parental care, so should we just watch him walk into danger?

Worries keep lingering in my head.

“Since the Grand Duke has personally stepped forward, I guess there is nothing for me to do.”

“What does that mean?”

“Your brother’s grandson asked me a favor earlier. He said that I should catch him even if it meant drinking with him at night.”

“He knows me well. He must have anticipated how I would move.”

“I’m going to have a drink with my older brother after a long time, and also score points with the youngest grandson of the Duke’s family. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”

Grein smiled and filled Guile’s empty glass with alcohol.

“I fully understand your concern for your grandson. However, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“Caron is still thirteen years old.”

“Age is just a number, whether to an old man or a young genius. Karon has already beheaded a six-star knight. And the leader of the Knights of Haerang has also entered the city, so there shouldn’t be any trouble.”

“This is Thebes. It’s a city where anything can happen. Even you, the mayor, must have a hard time figuring out what’s going on in the darkness of the city.”

Grein nodded with a bitter expression at Gail’s pointed question.

A city where desires are openly stirring.

In the shadows of this city, all sorts of illegal activities take place. With the connivance of those in power, those who are only after money cause numerous incidents.

A typical example is the black market.

A place that sells contraband, stolen goods, and even slaves.

It was also rumored that it sold anything that existed in the world.

“Some guys are increasing their influence by even providing political bribes. You know that, don’t you?”

“The black market is also frequented by magicians belonging to the Imperial Tower.”

“That’s right. Some crazy magicians covet forbidden ingredients.”

“The same goes for noblemen. There are quite a few who have the noble hobby of collecting slaves.”

A city where all kinds of interests are intertwined.

That is why Thebes enjoyed a truly unique status as an ‘autonomous territory’ within the empire.

Thebes’ vigilantes only guard the sunny side of the city.

What happens in the shadows belongs to the people in the shadows.

“By tomorrow morning the city will be turned upside down.”

This time, Grein drank the alcohol in one gulp.

“I’m going to be bombed with things I have to do as mayor.”

“The imperial family is planning to use this incident as an excuse to intervene in Thebes. It seems that His Majesty the Emperor is slowly making moves.”

“I came here to make money in my later years, but I guess I’ll have to endure all kinds of hardships.”

“There must be a reason for offering a large sum of money. The greedy Theban council would never waste money, right?”

“Is it wrong to dream of a comfortable old age, brother?”

Grein sighed.

My hopeful retirement plans have long since been dashed. What matters now is surviving in this city.

“Oh, brother. I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me.”

“Sir Mason is currently in Thebes. He came to the city hall three days ago.”

Gail frowned at Grein’s words.

Sir Mason.

Full name Mason Paul.

An 8-star knight from the Imperial Guard. Nickname: Unbreakable Shield.

He is currently out of the Imperial Guard on a mission given directly by the Emperor.

Gail remembered the mission given to Mason. His mission was to escort the 6th Prince.

then.

“… … Is he here?”

“First of all, you’re a wizard, right?”

“Does the Duke of Reston also know this information?”

“I’m not sure about that.”

“Oh, this is true.”

Gail felt his insides burning more and more.

The timing is bad.

Why at this time of all times?

“The emperor’s illegitimate child.”

Who would have thought that the bloodline of the abandoned royal family would be in Thebes?

I just hope we don’t clash with Charon as much as possible.

“You’re helpless.”

Gail shook his head, his fists clenched.

Grein spoke cautiously to such a person.

“What could be wrong?”

“That’s because you don’t know our Caron.”

The most adorable grandson I’ve ever seen.

The grandson.

“He’s the kind of guy who makes things on purpose when nothing good comes up.”

5.

“It would have been okay for my brother to just rest in the mansion.”

“I can’t send you alone. But, Caron. Can I really ask you one thing?”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

“You wore that, why am I wearing this?”

The streets of Thebes are bright even at night due to the lights.

On the street, Leo looked over Charon’s body and expressed his displeasure.

Caron was wearing a tailored shirt by a famous designer in the capital, as well as jewelry made of gold and jewels.

His sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing a wrist holding an expensive watch.

Blonde hair with curls and the top two buttons of her shirt undone.

Anyone who saw it would know that he was the style of a bad young master from a noble family.

What about yourself on the other hand?

A dull brown jacket with pants and a top that emphasize only activity.

Anyone who saw it could tell that it was the attire of a servant who served the master from close range.

Of course, there were bound to be complaints.

But Caron looked at Leo with a cold expression.

“You said you would help me, brother.”

“You said you would help me.”

“Dressing like that helps me.”

“I understand that the concept is a nobleman and his attendant, but why am I the attendant?”

Can’t you at least discuss it with me?

At Leo’s complaint, Caron smiled faintly and said.

“older brother.”

“why?”

“Either you don’t know the real reason, or you’re just pretending not to know.”

Leo couldn’t help but keep his mouth shut at those words.

“ha.”

It’s not that I didn’t know the reason.

I did it because I was upset, just upset.

He also knew that Caron was better suited to the role of the spoiled brat.

He sometimes acts coy in front of adults, but there’s a devil living inside him.

And above all.

‘He’s handsome.’

The guilt is running down my face.

What about yourself on the other hand?

It’s neat, but it doesn’t flow to the point of guilt. It’s all because that unlucky guy is also handsome.

So the two of them started walking diligently towards the eastern part of the city.

The lighting dimmed slightly and the color became a little more red.

Even the people we see have changed.

Until just a while ago, most of the crowds were families, but now.

“If you come here because you are lonely at night, would you like to come to our store?”

“Suin? Elf? Pretty boy? I can cater to all your tastes. Just ask.”

The number of people who give off a somewhat dangerous vibe, including women who actively solicit customers, is gradually increasing.

It was evidence of entry into the eastern region of Thebes.

A place where the damp desires of the city come alive and writhing.

The eastern region was the open shadow of Thebes.

Caron immediately took out a white mask from his bosom and put it on.

A mask with a blue teardrop engraved on the right cheek.

Leo also wore a mask, following Charon.

It was something of an unwritten rule for members of the aristocracy to wear masks here.

“Wouldn’t it be more eye-catching to wear a mask?”

Leo muttered quietly. Then Charon nodded slowly.

“It’s a sign of noble status. It attracts attention, but it doesn’t involve you in troublesome matters.”

“It would be easy to impersonate.”

“If you get caught impersonating someone, you’ll end up in a situation worse than death.”

Actually, the mask worked well.

Even madams who actively solicited customers had a hard time approaching them.

Although the men in the alleyways were glaring at Caron and Leo, no one approached them openly.

‘If I had just come here, I would have been at a loss.’

To enter the black market, you need a broker.

Especially when accessing places that handle high-risk products.

‘Past the first tavern, the third alley on the right.’

Charon took steps based on the information that Jeras had given him in advance.

A dark alley where street lights cannot reach.

In the alley where Leo arrived, a man wearing a hood was waiting.

“What’s your business?”

The man asked Charon in a gruff voice, and Charon quietly pulled the guillotine halfway out of its scabbard.

The guillotine’s signature dark blue blade.

The guillotine emitted a faint blue light even in the darkness.

“Do you need any further proof?”

To those words, the man immediately bowed his head and answered.

“… … I received this message from Lord Jeras. It is an honor to serve you, young masters. Please call me Julio.”

The man’s identity was that of an informant for the Duke of Reston.

Thebes was the city where all kinds of information gathered after the capital, so it was natural that the Duke of Reston’s hand reached out to him.

“What’s the plan?”

“I’ll tell you later. This way.”

Julio took the two to a small house located inside an alley.

It was a bit cramped for three people, but the defenses seemed thorough.

“An artifact with built-in soundproofing magic has been installed. I will report to Cheonghaesung through the communication port on the table.”

“You must be having a hard time in a foreign land.”

“… … I am not a foreigner. I was born in Thebes.”

He took off the hood he was wearing, revealing a face with a burn scar on the right cheek.

The face was younger than I thought.

He was in his mid to late twenties. If it weren’t for the burn scars, he would have often been called handsome.

“I was indebted to Lord Jeras when I was young.”

“Jeras, you are really blessed.”

Julio smiled faintly at Caron’s joke. Then he took a book out of the bookshelf and placed it on the table.

“There is not one black market here, but several. Each black market deals with different items, and the level of danger of those items is also different. Of those, there are only two that deal with extremely dangerous items, such as explosives.”

After turning the page, he handed it to Caron.

“There are two places: the black market operated by the upper Kerr, and the black market operated by a violent organization called Caligo.”

Kerr Top was a top that was famous for its rapid rise in power recently. In fact, one of the representatives of the council that I met during the day was a representative of Kerr Top.

I knew that much, but this was the first time Charon had heard of the organization Caligo.

“Caligo?”

“It’s an organization formed by former slaves joining forces. It’s the most powerful of the Theban gangs. They do anything that makes money.”

Caron frowned slightly after hearing Julio’s explanation.

It’s good that the dragon group has been narrowed down to two.

So where should we start? If we stir up one place, the other will surely react immediately.

After examining the book carefully, Caron put it back on the table. Then he looked at Julio.

“What do you think?”

“Ker’s upper class is now completely established in Thebes. Recently, they have even shown signs of withdrawing from the black market. On the other hand, Caligo will do anything for money.”

“Is Caligo more likely?”

“My judgment is yes. There is information that Caligo’s organization members went out of the city this afternoon. The probability is quite high.”

There was nothing particularly wrong with Julio’s logic.

Between those who have something to protect and those who have nothing to protect, it’s always the latter who causes trouble.

If you’re not careful, you might end up shoving your neck into the tiger’s jaws.

As Jeras had advised, evidence related to the incident may be disappearing even at this very moment.

Ultimately, the decision is yours.

In times like these, it is better to bet boldly.

Caron exhaled slowly.

“Let’s stop by Caligo.”

The night was too short to ponder for long.

Julio bowed his head politely at Caron’s words.

“Then, I will take you to the black market in Caligo.”

Woohoo.

The guillotine, sheathed in its scabbard, rang softly.

There’s a mad dog living in the duke’s house