Episode 59 — The Underground Corridor

—The Capital, Underground Waterways.

In stark contrast to the bustle of the glamorous main thoroughfare overhead, the air here was thick with damp chill and a stench like old, accumulated sediment from years of neglect.

We followed Volg’s lead, doing our best to avoid the splashes of stagnant sewage. He didn't hesitate for a second; he navigated this massive labyrinth sprawling beneath the Capital as if it were his own backyard.

"...Volg. Tell me more about this 'dark organization' you mentioned."

At my question, Volg didn't stop walking. With his exposed eye peering out from behind his bangs toward the deep darkness ahead, he began to speak.

"...The Black Lodge. They are the shadow of the Kingdom of Valmeria itself. Their headquarters is here in the Capital, with roots stretching into every major city. Gambling, brothels, black markets... you could say every flow of gold moving through the underbelly of this country passes through their fingers."

Volg’s voice echoed coldly.

"To them, the 'reforms' in Felsen were the worst kind of poison, disrupting their peaceful business. The new systems implemented there—transparency in transactions, rational zoning, and a thorough self-defense structure—completely burned away the 'darkness' they had been leaching off of for so long."

Kyle, the shield-bearer, shrugged his shoulders in the narrow passage as he followed up on Volg’s words.

"So the Felsen branch went under because of the new city construction, huh? Talk about a misplaced grudge."

"It would’ve been fine if it were just a grudge. But they’re greedy. Since Felsen stole their interests, they’re now trying to seize the entire city from the shadows. ...They want to get their hands on that 'new system' in the city and rewrite it to suit their own convenience. That is the goal of the headquarters."

(I see. That man worked so hard to assemble a 'world where he doesn't have to work,' and they want to steal it out from under him? ...They really are garbage worth cleaning up.)

I placed my hand on the hilt of my jet-black sword. If what Volg said was true, this wasn't just a petty squabble. This was the final stage of the "Great Cleaning" to protect his peaceful sleep.

"Volg! If that information is true, then their actions are utterly irrational! Disturbing order and damaging the convenience of the people is a clear act of malfeasance from a logical standpoint!"

With a clatter of metal, Bartos cut in. He was clutching *Introduction to Logic* as if it were a precious treasure, his eyes gleaming in the dim light.

"To defile the supreme discipline laid down by the Master of Felsen with such petty greed is absolutely unforgivable. Everyone, logically speaking, striking at their core here is the most efficient and correct solution. ...Meina, what is your assessment of my analysis?"

I stopped at a bend in the waterway and looked up at Bartos coldly.

"...Just shut up and use that sturdy armor of yours to soak up all the enemy’s attacks. That is the most 'correct' role you can perform right now."

"Yes, Ma'am!! Understood! I shall become an unshakable wall and carve a path for the sharp blade that is Meina!"

Bartos nodded with satisfaction. Seeing us like this, Volg’s mouth twitched into a faint smirk.

"Well, we’re here. Go up through here and we’ll reach the destination."

We headed toward the hidden door Volg pointed to—a heavy stone mechanism built to blend into the waterway wall.

Beyond this lay the heart of the Black Lodge, the organization that ruled the Capital’s darkness.

(Wait for me. I’m going to make you pay the bill for trying to defile Felsen’s peace—all in one lump sum.)

Shrouded in shadows, I slipped soundlessly into the dark staircase Volg had opened.

In the damp stone labyrinth, only the quiet sound of footsteps announcing the final battle echoed eerily.

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