Chapter 61. Blood Demon Order
After hearing that the repairs on the Moonstone Sword were completed, I headed straight to 'Twilight Flame'.
The blacksmiths bustled about busily.
The previously scorching atmosphere of the forge cooled with my arrival.
"... Yulian?"
"Are you here to investigate that 'Black Knight'?"
"Could be. Even though he helped Lupina, it was ultimately vigilante-like behavior."
Would I really come here to investigate the 'Black Knight'?
Given that I am the person in question.
In any case, it seemed the staff at 'Twilight Flame' knew quite a bit about the 'Black Knight'.
I thought there would be no rumors since it was only on the third page of the newspaper.
"This guy, he doesn't hold back his words! He saved Lupina and you're calling him a vigilante!"
"Right! He should be called a hero instead."
Helping others without any reward is not something easy to do—you know this. To call such an incredible person a mere vigilante... A vigilante!"
"Ahem."
I inadvertently cleared my throat at the flattering remarks from the staff.
Thanks to 'Yulian's' ego that had a tendency to seek attention, I didn't feel bad, but that didn't mean it wasn't embarrassing.
"... Looks like Sir Yulian doesn't quite like this story."
"Well, it was unauthorized action from the Imperial Family, after all."
Not quite the case, but my cough must have sounded threatening.
The gathered blacksmiths bowed their heads and began to move away from me.
"Hello."
Meanwhile, Lupina approached, holding the scabbard of the 'Moonstone Sword'.
'Hmm.'
I inwardly sighed momentarily. Although Lupina couldn't have known that I was the 'Black Knight', I couldn't help but flinch for some reason.
Noticing the strange atmosphere, Lupina asked, "W-why is that?"
"It's nothing. Elder Luger seems to be absent."
"Grandpa Luger had some matters to attend to, so I came instead."
"Is that so?"
Last time and this time as well, Luger seemed quite busy. Well, he was said to be the best renowned craftsman in the capital, so it made sense.
Either way, it was none of my concern. I just needed to retrieve the repaired 'Moonstone Sword' and be on my way.
'When did I start calling Luger 'Elder' instead of 'Sir'?'
As time went on, I felt like the personalities of mine and 'Yulian's' were mixing chaotically.
"The repairs were done neatly. Grandpa introduced a new technique, so there shouldn't be any easy cracking like before."
Apparently, Lupina didn't notice my startled expression as she continued with an awkward smile.
"Even though it's a sword made from jewels, it might not be as sturdy as steel. You're aware of that, right?"
Of course.
To begin with, the 'Moonstone Sword' was not used for its toughness, but because it harmonized well with my mana.
Ultimately, as long as I channel my aura properly, I could make it harder than steel.
"Please hand it over; I will confirm it."
As I reached out, Lupina flinched. Above her head, the 'Color of Negativity' flickered. Even though she didn't show it, she seemed to fear me.
Having seen 'Yulian' cause a commotion here before, that was understandable.
"H-here you go."
Taking the Moonstone Sword, I drew it from the scabbard to examine its blade. The Moonstone Sword's vivid azure glow seemed slightly different from before.
'Perhaps he accumulated knowledge from experience.'
He wasn't called a master for nothing.
I began to channel aura into the Moonstone Sword.
The sword's gentle radiance was always reminiscent of moonlight.
"Ah."
Lupina, who observed nearby, let out a short sigh of awe.
For some reason, the 'Color of Negativity' that hovered above her seemed to fade as well.
... Why? I could not quite figure it out.
"What is it?"
"Uh? Oh, nothing... I-it's nothing!"
When I asked out of curiosity, Lupina was startled and waved her hands as if dismissing the thought.
However, her gaze was fixed on the sword in my hand.
'... Intriguing.'
Even as I strapped the Moonstone Sword to my waist and exited 'Twilight Flame', the curious tension did not dissipate.
***
Once the Moonstone Sword was at my waist, the void I'd been feeling was gone.
I guess one really must use what is accustomed to them.
"I-I got word Sir Yulian would be coming, so I was waiting."
Returning to the Imperial Palace, instead of heading to the building for 'Blind Eyes', I went to the prison located underground at the First Gate, the Gate of Heavenly Reverence.
Upon entering, I was greeted by a reeking scent and a grim ambiance, fittingly met by an administrator with bleary eyes.
"H-haha... But actually, Sir Yulian, we've prepared the prisoner for community service as you requested, but, um..., you know... a small bit of... haha."
The administrator made a rubbing motion with both hands, his lips twitching.
Watching him, I wondered if this fellow was out of his mind.
Trying to get a handout from 'Yulian', I didn't know whether to admire his audacity or question his foolishness. I smiled at the administrator and said,
"Well, I seem to be lacking in perception. Would you like to see something I do well?"
As I spoke, my hand approached my waist where a money pouch would normally hang.
At that, the administrator's smile deepened, but soon my hand reached for the sword's scabbard instead of my pocket.
Startled, the administrator ducked his head deeply and handed over the keys with an apology before leaving.
I continued smiling softly as I headed further into the prison.
Interestingly, the dreary atmosphere and heavy air seemed familiar rather than alien.
"It's been a while."
Reaching my destination, I placed a hand on the bars and looked at the prisoner confined inside.
"S-sir Yulian?"
Inside, Byron, a low-level member from one of the dark organizations dividing the slums, 'Six Fingers', was incarcerated.
Byron's face was marked with bewilderment as he absent-mindedly stared at me.
"What brings you to such a place, Sir?"
"Didn't the administrator prepare you for service outside? Have you not heard?"
Institutions affiliated with the Imperial Palace could utilize prisoners for public labor if procedures were correctly followed.
Therefore, the 'Blind Eyes', directly under the Imperial Palace, was no exception.
After reading about the appearance of the 'Black Knight' in the newspapers, I had applied for Byron's service outside the next day.
"I heard, but I couldn't imagine it was you who requested it, Sir..."
Byron seemed to fear me for some reason.
When Rinne and I visited the slums previously, he was so scared by a hint of threat that he turned himself in.
If all that was due to fear of 'Yulian', then his current response was understandable.
"B-but what exactly would I be doing outside?"
"Are you curious?"
Upon my inquiry, Byron nodded vehemently sideways. Well, I didn't mean to frighten him.
"I can't go into detail. It's closely related to orders from the Imperial Palace. It's classified, you could say."
Though I mentioned it being classified, it was not actually related to the Imperial Palace at all but purely for my personal gain.
By invoking the name of the 'Imperial Palace' when detailed explanations were difficult, no one could argue against it.
"Classified with the Imperial Palace..."
But how would Byron know that truth?
He gazed at me with an almost awestruck expression.
Clack.
I inserted the key into the cell door and twisted it. The iron gates swung open, revealing Byron's ragged appearance.
"Come on out for now."
Nodding at my words, Byron meekly stepped out of the cell.
***
Leading the way, I could sense Byron stealing glances at me.
It was understandable since the one who'd captured him in the slums was now taking him out of prison to have him do something, prompting a feeling of anomaly.
"You seem too tense. Considering what you'll be doing, relaxing a bit more might be better."
"Oh, yes! I understand, Sir Yulian..."
Byron responded emphatically but soon let his voice trail off. Puzzlement clouded his face, unable to guess why he was pulled from prison.
"Sir Yulian, what exactly is it that I'm supposed to do?"
Eventually, Byron posed the question laden with curiosity once more. Instead of answering, I turned to look at him.
"If I recall correctly, you were part of the underground organization in the slums, 'Six Fingers', right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Then it's likely not only 'Six Fingers', but other organizations also recognize your face, right?"
"Well..., the likelihood is high. I'm quite the socialite, you see."
Byron displayed confidence when mentioning how social he was.
Seeing his smile, a chuckle escaped me too.
"Perfect."
Continuing our pace without stopping, Byron and I began heading toward the outskirts of the center.
The direction seemed familiar to him, as bewilderment surfaced on Byron's face.
"This direction goes to the slums, doesn't it?"
"Yes, that's right."
As the landscape of the slums came into view alongside the signage, the dreariness was no different from before.
I deliberately pulled up my rough, scruffy hood. The shimmering grayish blond hair and the ornate coat were too conspicuous in the slums.
'Also, it's better to keep my identity hidden.'
Delving deeper into the slums.
After passing the sign labeled 032A, soon, 040A signage appeared.
"... Uh, Sir Yulian."
At that, Byron's complexion darkened.
"What is it?"
"This area isn't controlled by 'Six Fingers'. It's 'Blood Demon Order's area."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"What?"
Byron was visibly startled by my acknowledgment.
Blood Demon Order.
One of the three dark organizations that divided the slums.
While the 'Six Fingers' he belonged to dealt with slave trade, smuggling, security, and gambling—anything profitable—the 'Blood Demon Order' dedicated itself to one thing.
Running brothels.
Naturally, their establishment wasn't located within the slums. Wouldn't the 'distinguished individuals' sneer at the degradation if they came to such a wretched area?
"The place we're going is the domain of the Blood Demon Order, who run brothels."
Of course, the brothel itself wasn't located within this slum area. High-profile individuals wouldn't lower themselves to visit such shabby places.
"I have a feeling... Sir Yulian, are you here to see the 'Vampire'!?"
Byron made no effort to conceal his alarm, trembling as he uttered the name 'Vampire'.
'Blood Demon Order's leader was widely known by that moniker.
During a power struggle over territory in the slums among gang members, the leader, a towering figure close to 9 feet, reportedly drenched himself in an ocean of blood.
The residents feared that sight, likening him to a blood-drinking monster, which eventually solidified into the nickname 'Vampire'.
"You catch on quickly."
"Th-thank you for the compliment."
Though there wasn't much to be thankful for.
"Then could you please create a disturbance here?"
With my hood pulled tightly, I spoke to Byron as if it were self-evident.
"What? What do you mean..."
"I plan to summon the 'Vampire'."