Chapter 12
"Phew."
Cedric's solitary office was filled with the smoke of the cigar he had lit.
Pale mist filled the room, making his figure barely visible.
The ashtray was piled high with a mountain of fully smoked cigars.
Knock knock.
At the sound of the knock, Cedric, who had been bowing his head, raised his face.
He rubbed out the cigar in his mouth against the ashtray, wiped his face with a dry wash once, and then opened his mouth.
"Come in."
It was a familiar set of footsteps and presence.
It was his confidant.
"How did it go?"
"It is true. They said you told a pilgrim named Callias to collect the debt you are owed on your behalf."
"Hmm, so it was true."
Of course.
He had demanded confirmation by sending his confidant at this late hour just in case.
There was no way that was a lie.
Because no one other than the herbalist Artego and himself knew that story.
"Good work at this late hour."
"Yes, sir."
As he withdrew, Cedric chewed over the words Callias had spoken.
The Oracle's Greaves. The location of the holy relic.
"Could it be true."
The Oracle's Greaves that hadn't been found for hundreds of years. The family business of the Madrichan clan.
The location of such a thing, this simply?
Cedric's father was like that, his grandfather was like that, and his great-grandfather was like that, yet what they ultimately failed to find was the Oracle's Greaves, the holy relic of the Twin Gods.
Objectively, it was hard to believe.
It was even more so because it was the word of a young man barely in his twenties, and even more so because it was the word of a human scoundrel infamous as a good-for-nothing.
Only a fool would believe it.
How could a guy who seemed like he hadn't even left the kingdom know where the holy relic was hidden? It made no sense.
'But...'
One in a thousand. One in ten thousand, what if those words were true? What if the bastard truly knew the location of the holy relic that had never been found?
If so, of course, there was no reason not to accept his conditions.
Whatever it was, he had to fulfill the conditions and find the holy relic.
Cedric had a duty to find the Oracle's holy relic even if it meant sacrificing everything he had.
'Establishing an order in Carpe.'
His demand was absurd.
He said he would tell him if he swore to the gods to become brothers and promised to establish an order of the Twin Gods in the Kingdom of Carpe.
The location of the holy relic.
"The good-for-nothing of Zervan..."
What could be his ulterior motive?
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what he was hiding inside.
Establishing an order in the Kingdom of Carpe.
A brotherly relationship with him.
The connection between these two was too far apart.
"He should know that my gauntlet is no simple object."
Even so, he didn't avoid his outstretched fist by even an inch.
He didn't even blink once.
Either he had a lot of guts or he was fearless.
'Haa... becoming brothers, I can let that slide.'
But what is this about suddenly establishing an order in Carpe?
Even if the order is revived by finding the holy relic, there was no benefit for him in establishing it in Carpe.
'"For the kingdom, it must be done," he said?'
He thought it was nonsense.
But his expression didn't seem to be telling a lie.
So he couldn't understand it even more.
He was neither in a pivotal role in the Valterus Order, nor was he the next heir to inherit the title of the Count's family.
The gathered information on Callias pointed to an extremely typical foolish noble. Even then, he was a mere pilgrim abandoned by his family.
Yet such a guy does something for the kingdom and for the order?
It was confusing. Just what was he.
"What kind of picture is he plotting?"
Surely that good-for-nothing isn't...
"Having patriotism and thinking of going against the Empire, right?"
No way. With what method would he save a dying kingdom by himself?
After suffering such treatment, he shouldn't have any affection left for the kingdom, let alone his family and the order.
Moreover, what Carpe designated as its state religion was none other than Valterus.
Would they let him establish an order of the Twin Goddesses?
Neither the state nor the order would stand for it.
It was an absurd statement.
But ironically, because of that, it was even harder to ascertain the truth.
'Am I overthinking this?'
Had the mental effort put into finding the holy relic all this time made him pessimistic?
"If it is, it is; if it isn't, it isn't."
Let's hear the location first.
If he found the holy relic at that location, the guy would become his one and only brother.
If not, he would become the most killable bastard in the world, so he could just beat him to death.
'Establishing an order in Carpe...'
If he found the holy relic, establishing an order in Carpe would be foolish.
Why bother in a country that is on the verge of being devoured by the Empire.
"No, wait."
If only he could find the holy relic.
Once he found it, what couldn't he do?
Cedric made up his mind.
It was then.
Click.
"Lord Cedric! The pilgrim Callias has moved."
"Did he? Where did he go?"
"To Trissi."
"Trissi? Must be light-footed because he's young."
Cedric rubbed his chin and nodded in agreement.
"He must want to spend the money he got."
"What should we do?"
"Tell them to report every little detail, even whether he pisses with his right hand or holds it with his left."
Wait, no.
"You said he went to the auction house. I should go see for myself."
Whether he's a guy to trust or a guy to kill.
He wanted to watch him himself.
Cedric threw on his coat.
But he couldn't step outside his office.
"Well, who do we have here. Isn't it Sir Raiven, the Inquisitor of the Valterus Order?"
Before he knew it, the Cold Iron Inquisitor, Raiven, was standing in front of him.
Behind him were other inquisitors as well.
Cedric's eyes narrowed.
A quite troublesome guy had come.
To him, who was hiding his identity, the Order's inquisitors were among the people he least wanted to get involved with.
"Sir Cedric. It's been a long time."
"What's the matter at this late hour? Coming in so recklessly without any prior notice."
A curve formed on Cedric's lips.
His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were gleaming like an enraged beast. At his displeased aura, the surrounding inquisitors furrowed their brows as if struggling.
"We are looking for an apostate. We request your cooperation."
An apostate?
"Why do you need my cooperation to find an apostate?"
"Because you are the one who exerts the most influence in Trista, excluding 'Gerald the Judge'."
Raiven's answer was short and concise.
It meant that coming to him was the best option since that man wasn't here.
Cedric found that utterly displeasing.
"Did Gerald, that old man, order it?"
"No. I could not meet Sir Gerald."
"Huh~ So he didn't even order it, yet you drag an armed group into someone else's territory and command us as if it's your rightful authority."
"...If I was rude, I apologize. We are carrying out the will of the gods and it is an urgent matter, so please understand."
"Then I ask for your understanding as well. Please don't be a nuisance and get lost."
"How impudent!"
Shing!
Unable to listen any longer, one inquisitor drew his sword. But his sword tip couldn't even point toward Cedric.
Bam! Swish, thud!
Before the sword was even fully drawn, it was snapped in two by Cedric's fist. The bisected sword turned into pale smoke and disappeared.
It was the fate of the broken sword.
"Do the inquisitors of Valterus these days carry broken swords on purpose?"
"Is that the trend these days?" Cedric chuckled, and the inquisitors bit their lips at his mockery.
Many were provoked by his sarcasm, but none stepped forward.
"Your skills are still as good as ever. It would have been perfect if you had devoted yourself to the god Valterus."
"Hmph, I hear that kind of crap from that old man every day."
Raiven smacked his lips as if disappointed, and looked at him with grave eyes.
"Sir Cedric. Our demand is one. We ask for your cooperation in searching for the apostate who may be in Trista. Callias."
"...An apostate?"
Callias, an apostate?
'Could he be...'
The one who holds the Oracle's holy relic.
'Was he a brother?'
* * *
Trissi Auction House.
There sat Callias, wearing a half-mask and dressed in neat clothes for a change, and Brans next to him.
'If it's Cedric, he would want the location of the holy relic.'
My conditions were two.
To form a bond of brotherhood with me.
This was a condition that naturally had to be formed, as his power would greatly increase along with his combat prowess once he found the holy relic.
And the other was the establishment of an order in Carpe.
It won't be easy, but by the time he finds the holy relic and reappears to establish the order, I will also become busy.
The Empire will suppress Carpe with force and try to trample and root out all religions other than their own god.
As long as I am affiliated with Valterus, I must prevent at least that.
So for the balance of power.
Establishing the order of the Twin Gods in Carpe and adding strength to the kingdom is my way of survival.
"It's nothing special."
"Is that so? To me, everything here seems precious enough to make one's eyes pop out."
Certainly, the quality was different.
Even the ordinary swords hanging here were all tempered by the hands of master craftsmen.
The other armors and helmets were all high-quality goods as well.
"Geez, Master! This mere dress is 300 gold coins!"
"Brans. You're too loud."
"Ah, yes sir!"
However, as Brans said, the items here were of good quality but expensive.
Too expensive, even.
The cost-effectiveness was poor.
'Items for showing off.'
Which meant they were not the items Callias needed.
"Where is the basement?"
The items in the exchange were equipment for ordinary people. They were not where the extraordinary items he was looking for were placed.
When Callias lost interest, Brans stepped forward and asked. He asked a few of the staff present, but seemingly without much result, he slipped them a few silver coins secretly.
Only then did Brans's expression brighten, and he came running panting.
"I found the location. Shall I guide you there?"
"Yes."
I wondered if I took in a too tasteless delinquent as my attendant, but he has more wits than I thought.
I can't trust him yet, but since he's not entirely useless, it wouldn't hurt to keep him around a bit longer.
"This way, please."
Following Brans's guide, the path gradually narrowed.
A moment later, a small auction house appeared.
People were getting heated over something, raising the price.
But the item up for bid and the people getting heated over the auction were utterly ordinary.
Callias saw at a glance that this was not the auction house he was looking for.
"Let's go to the basement."
There was no meaning here.
Walking a little further down a more secretive path, stairs leading underground soon came into view.
As expected, there were people controlling the entrance in front of it.
"Please identify yourself."
"If we're talking about this person... But what is the Master's name?"
"Step aside."
Pushing Brans aside and handing over a single card, the staff member's eyes widened.
"A Black Card... You are Lord Cedric's VIP. I didn't recognize you."
The staff member scrutinized the card with a magnifying glass, decoded a password only they knew, and nodded his head.
"You have been verified. It says 'Ash Wolf' on the card. Will you use this as your alias?"
"...I shall."
"Understood. Sir Ash Wolf's number is 770."
The auction house staff handed Callias a placard with 770 written on it.
'Ash Wolf...'
He wrote something strange.
Did Cedric write it?
"But, Master's name is..."
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir!"
Adjusting his half-mask, Callias tidied his clothes and headed underground.
"It's dark."
The stairs continued for quite a while.
Each candle guided them like a pathfinder.
And how long did they go down the stairs?
"Oh, it's the end!"
"Can't you keep your mouth shut even for a moment."
"I-I'm sorry."
After coming down the stairs, noise reached his previously quiet ears.
The buzzing noise and the cries of various beasts could be heard simultaneously.
'This is the place.'
The smell itself was gloomy.
A stale smell of poor ventilation.
The sorrowfully crying beasts and the smell of blood.
And the smell of greed.
Clank.
The guard at the entrance looked at Callias with sharp eyes.
Their gaze was different from the outside.
The gatekeepers here showed a coldness of those who had crossed the line of death multiple times.
"Looks like I came to the right place."
Satisfied, Callias showed the card and placard from his bosom.
The guard immediately bowed his head and guided him to the VIP room of the auction house.
Although the number was 770, since he held a Black Card, the seat he was guided to was the VIP section.
It was the center of the 2nd floor, where the entire auction house could be seen at a glance.
A wider and more comfortable sofa than other places indicated the status of this seat.
"The auction is already in progress?"
"It just started. Here is the catalogue. If you need anything else, just tell me."
They even attach a dedicated staff member.
Cedric's influence is strong indeed.
"Hmm."
The catalogue was densely packed with artifacts and precious materials owned by Trissi.
Of course, there was also a booklet to check the items currently being auctioned.
But my eyes went to the catalogue first. The things listed here could be purchased immediately without going through the auction.
Even for items not listed here, if one wanted, they could write them down to check if the goods were available. I checked a few items in the catalogue and wrote down the additional materials I needed.
The staff member's pupils dilated and then returned to normal after checking the materials I had written down.
"Is it possible?"
"Of course."
The staff member disappeared with a confident face, and Brans approached as if curious.
"Why is he acting like that?"
"You don't need to know."
I wrote down the sub-ingredients for holy water.
Ironically, most of the sub-ingredients for Valterus's holy water are highly toxic poisonous herbs, so he must have been surprised.
'Because originally, they are things that would be used for assassination.'
With this, I've secured most of the ingredients, so I can focus on the auction.
"Brans."
"Yes, my lord! What is it!"
"Move. You're blocking my view."
"Ah, yes..."
When Brans moved to the side, the view of the auction house became completely clear.
'Is it the second item?'
The item currently being auctioned was the one positioned second.
It's not an item I'm interested in.
No, it's not even a 'thing' in the first place.
[Any more! 140 gold coins have been offered!]
140 gold coins.
The item was a small beast trapped in an iron cage.
'No, it says it's a monster.'
It was a type that occasionally spread like a trend among nobles raising them for amusement.
Because of that, nobles even hired dedicated caretakers to raise dangerous monsters.
The monster trapped in the iron cage had the appearance of a lion cub.
But it was said that once it grew, its body would become as big as a house, and it would lead a pack and eat people.
Callias showed pity as he looked at the monster in the iron cage.
Knowing the behind story of the monster's birth, he couldn't help but sympathize.
[Two hundred!! Customer number 447 has offered two hundred gold coins! Any more!? If there are no more...]
Bang bang bang! The black lion was auctioned off to the guy using the alias 'Aroth's Tongue' sitting in the adjacent seat. Since he was wearing a half-mask, it was hard to identify him, but the posture and elegance unique to nobles oozed from him.
'And next is...'
Rattle, rattle.
[This is a guy you can't commonly see here. He has a few flaws, but there's no one better suited than this! The auction will start at 100 gold coins!]
A short slave missing one eye.
With disheveled hair and a beard, his face couldn't be seen properly.
But the hostility in his eyes and the stubbornness of his furrowed brow looked considerable.
Shorter than the solar plexus of an average adult male, his arm muscles were disproportionately bulging.
He was a heteromorphic species of the Hammer God, rarely seen in Carpe. A dwarf.
[One hundred gold coins! Any more?]
The auctioneer, looking around the audience, soon brightened his face upon seeing the VIP seat on the 2nd floor.
[Customer number 770 has bid! Two hundred gold coins!]
The audience's attention instantly focused on the 2nd floor. They were curious who called out two hundred gold coins for that useless thing.
'Dwarves are skilled at crafting.'
They are good at making artifacts, which are called failed versions of holy relics.
But they are only a stubborn bunch.
So they don't make what you want.
Therefore, they are useless as slaves.
However.
'If you gain their favor, the dwarf race is more valuable than anything else here.'
Callias's lips curved into a smile.
His ash-gray eyes discerned the three colors.
An unparalleled golden light was surging within the one-eyed dwarf.