* * *
Scratch scratch... Tak.
A nobleman's office where sunlight enters diagonally.
In an elegant space where bookshelves decorate countless walls, a handsome young man sitting at a desk with exquisite decorations engraved in relief put down his quill pen after continuing to sign documents.
"I heard there was a change with the 'expected collaborator'."
When he spoke while scratching his chin, the middle-aged man standing in front of him shook his head.
Both were wearing similar noble-style clothes, but tension was evident on his face.
"It's nothing serious. It looked like a revenge killing. It seems someone among his victims felt that execution alone wasn't satisfying enough."
The young man nodded. It was a plausible story.
The deceased Alexis Samigina was a skilled person with a handsome face, in a baron's position, and had abilities that reached the level of elite.
However, his name was more infamous for his history of toying with women.
The prevailing assessment was that he was a person who wouldn't be strange to die anytime, anywhere, by anyone.
Therefore, the subordinate's judgment was accurate.
"Look into it a bit more."
It's just that something more was needed.
At the firm will contained in the soft voice, a question arose on the middle-aged man's face.
"Is something the matter?"
"The Master was trying to give a baronetcy to one of his illegitimate children, and this was the guy he was going to use as a pawn."
"Ah."
"I need to answer properly when asked, so just look into it for now."
"Understood. It won't take more than a few days."
Of course, it wasn't such a big deal.
There's no reason for the one called 'Thousand Faces' or 'Owner of the Gray Eyes' to pay much attention to just one baron.
Let's just look into it since it's related to what we're doing.
That kind of thing.
'He's quite troublesome when angry.'
The young man quickly turned off his attention from that matter.
Probably soon, even recalling that he gave such an order to his subordinate would become difficult.
Getting bitten by a viper while searching through thick grass is something that can happen anytime, anywhere.
It's just that they have resistance to poison, so catching vipers is not a big deal.
* * *
Black Merchant Guild Midas.
This organization, which I came to know while visiting Sonyataf for Serica's matter, and then placing Hailey under my control, wasn't particularly some secret society or power group.
It's simply like a gathering of black merchants across the continent, but since it's not good for ordinary people to know about black merchants themselves, it's naturally veiled.
That's just saying what the essence is.
"So?"
-Well, when members gain power, even a 'mere gathering' tends to gain power.
"You're right."
As Hailey said, it's a simple matter.
If there are a few members in that gathering who have gained not only wealth but also military and political power, the gathering itself naturally becomes an entity that can't be ignored.
Such members, that is, four continental-level merchants and black merchants, are the actual pillars of this Midas, and one of them is...
-The black merchant who rules the central part of the Eastern Continent, an information merchant called 'Thousand Faces'.
Information merchant, Thousand Faces.
This was the name Hailey revealed after seeing the emblem found in Alexis's quarters.
-You can consider all black merchants in Heisen who feel a sense of belonging to Midas as belonging to him.
"I can roughly guess what kind of person he is just from the nickname."
-Yes. As you might imagine, he's someone who was originally affiliated with the information guild but branched out and set up a separate information business. That was already 50 years ago... If he's still alive, he must be an old monster.
"An old black merchant..."
'Thousand Faces', as his nickname suggests, was a person whose real name and appearance were hidden in the shadows.
He just operates secretly by planting subordinates who are as skilled in disguise as himself in the capitals of various countries.
It seems that only the four great merchants called the 'Four Fingers of Midas', including himself, and his disciples and immediate family know his true appearance.
-Actually, he was my superior too, but I've never seen his face either. ...Should I look into it in detail?
"No."
I slowly shook my head at Hailey's question.
Having her investigate this matter was no different from throwing away an important card.
"If your behavior pattern suddenly changes, someone in the guild will surely become suspicious. For now, it's better to show more of the appearance of pursuing power and wealth as you have been. Safely."
-Yes! I understand.
If the opponent was an information merchant who had endured such a long time, it was wise to move assuming that the opponent had the information advantage for now.
This was true even if I was a Dungeon Lord and a demon.
"Of course, let me know if you hear any news."
-That's only natural. You're worrying about me like this... I, Hailey, am so moved I don't know what to do with myself.
"I'm always grateful. I'm counting on you in the future too."
-Yes...!
Smiling as I bid farewell to Hailey ending the communication with a smiling face, I fell into thought for a moment.
'It wasn't a big deal for now.'
As a result of combining Alexis's memories brought by Evangeline and the questions and answers with Hailey.
It wasn't something to worry about too much.
It seems certain that Alexis and a subordinate of 'Thousand Faces' made contact, but it appears to have been just a ceremonial event.
Flutter.
The card now floating and spinning round and round above my hand.
This was one of Alexis's belongings, and on the card was drawn a golden hand with gray eyes embedded on the back of the hand.
This is said to be given as a means of contact to those contacted by the information merchant 'Gray Eyes'.
The card itself doesn't have much power, but it's a token that allows contact with an informant if presented in any underworld on the continent.
'The one Hailey had was more elaborate.'
At least it had two eyes.
I didn't think much of it in the past, but it means she's an 'important external member'.
Conversely speaking, it meant that Hailey was just an external member after all.
It also means it's dangerous to have her dig into the Black Merchant Guild.
And...
"Talhan."
-Yes, Master.
"I have one thing to instruct."
-Please give your orders.
After all, information merchants should be investigated by fellow information merchants.
* * *
"You've returned safely, Maria."
"I'm back, Master...?"
Maria, who had returned from a journey for a mission, ended her words in a questioning tone because she was unexpectedly embraced by someone.
The identity was soon revealed.
That person who patted her shoulder a couple of times soon released her and started examining various parts of her body.
It was none other than her master, Libertas.
"Yes. You don't seem to be injured anywhere."
A low and warm voice.
Maria's lips spread into a comfortable smile as she felt that relief.
What Libertas showed was only half sincere. However, what Maria saw was only that sincerity.
To her master who has been increasing physical contact lately, Maria bowed her head once again and then smiled and answered.
"You worried too much. It was a journey where nothing could have happened."
"Well, since it was the first time sending you out, I was worried. I'm glad you came back well."
Libertas gently patted Maria's shoulder to commend her, and only then turned her gaze to the side to look at the carriage.
"This woman seems to be Elias's sister."
"Elias... I heard she changed her name to Elena at her family home."
"Is that so? So it ended up like that after all. It was something I expected."
Hearing Maria's words, Libertas raised one eyebrow showing subtle interest, then soon nodded calmly.
She thought that nobles who value face and honor wouldn't let a 'young master who temporarily became a woman' keep using a man's name.
Even for the simplest reason, it would be very awkward to introduce to outsiders.
"Sonia?"
"Yes, Master."
"Detain Elena's older sister. Assign one person and one skeleton each for protection."
"I'll do as you say."
As Sonia left to carry out her assigned task, Libertas gently took Maria's hand and spoke while leading her.
"Did you enjoy your solo journey?"
"The feeling of walking was nice. But since scenery without wild monsters was rare, I soon missed 'home'."
"Home, you say..."
Libertas's eyes showed a warm color as she momentarily stopped walking at Maria's expression.
Libertas showed Maria a smile once and started walking again.
As Maria followed behind her, they soon saw the door to her private room.
"I see. I was wondering if it wasn't too lonely."
"Not at all. When you see monsters noisily clamoring and charging at you, you'll think the dungeon is better."
"I see... Come in."
When the door opened, what unfolded before Maria's eyes was the interior of a room she herself had never entered before.
She unconsciously looked around with curious eyes.
It was her first time seeing her revered master's room.
'It's neat, but not plain.'
There was almost nothing dazzlingly shiny like in common nobles' rooms, but the furniture made of dark-colored wood, finished with marble and decorated with metal had a unique sophistication.
It was also immediately apparent that the actual value of these pieces of furniture far exceeded that of furniture in ordinary noble mansions.
Because all the metal turned out to be blackened sterling silver.
"You look at it with such curiosity."
"It feels much more elegant than the guest rooms."
"Those kids' skills should be good."
At the words 'those kids', Maria smiled a bit awkwardly.
The chief administrator who is iron-blooded in training and internal affairs, and cold-blooded on the battlefield and in external affairs.
The wolf who maintains a calm feeling usually but hides hot-bloodedness and shows madness in battle or sparring.
The fox who only shows a modest appearance to the master but is merciless and cruel to other beings.
She knew it referred to those three.
'They're all scary people. But to Master, they're just "those kids".'
In the 'surrounding cleanup' before the last war, Maria had gone on external affairs once each with the two beast-people who were cleaning up near the dungeon.
The white wolf who should clearly be the 'King' in the troop, but advances alone leaving the troop behind and pierces through the battlefield like a 'Queen'.
The black fox who rarely steps forward except when troop members are in danger, maintains her elegance and whirls curses and flames from a distance.
Either way, they were equally difficult superiors.
"What kind of tea would you like?"
"Anything is fine for me."
"Is that so? Then what I drink... no, something weaker would be better."
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Libertas gestured once while smiling.
There was no separate word or signal to call, but as soon as that gesture was made, there was a sound of knocking on the door.
The maid who entered the room naturally approached with a tea set without any special order and soon brought out two black teas.
'This is...'
Maria, recognizing that it was what the man who was now gone used to drink, was momentarily lost in memories.
Briefly, but deeply.
"You know it too, don't you."
"Yes, Master."
Raising her head at her master's words, she quickly scattered those thoughts and put the tea to her lips.
A bitter taste spread in her mouth, but the unique aroma was attractive.
A pleasant smile spread on Maria's lips, and a similar smile spread on Libertas's lips seeing that appearance.
"How is it?"
"I'd like to drink it again next time."
"If it suits your taste, I should send some to your room too. Just be careful as you might not be able to sleep if you drink it in the evening."
"Thank you."
What followed was a time of peaceful conversation.
Afterwards, Maria told about what happened during her journey and rumors she heard nearby, and Libertas listened attentively, sometimes smiling or nodding.
"So that merchant..."
"I see..."
Maria was passionate about unfolding her experiences interestingly and vividly.
She knew that Libertas had been focusing on internal dungeon affairs lately and had a growing desire for external travels.
She wanted to give her vicarious satisfaction like this.
Even to set the mood before asking one question.
"Master."
After talking for a while, when there was a break while drinking tea.
Maria carefully opened her mouth.
"Could you... return Remia to me?"
For a moment, a silence as if a bomb had dropped descended on the room.
Maria watched her master's expression, but she couldn't read anything from Libertas's expression as she took a sip of tea.
Only a calm smile was on her face.
Finally, right after Maria gave up on discerning anything from her expression.
Clank.
"...Your question is wrong, Maria."
Libertas, who put down her teacup, opened her mouth.
And hearing the next words, Maria felt her head turn white.
"Shouldn't you ask, 'Doesn't she want to go back?'"
Because she realized the implications of those words.