Episode 60 — Unauthorized Access to Core System

Beyond the hidden door lay a stone chamber that was eerily dry, a stark contrast to the humidity of the sewers.

Magical lamps were placed at regular intervals along the walls, indicating that this wasn't just a hideout, but a "base" under organized operation.

(...My nose is going to curl up. The smell of ink, mold, and pitch-black desires.)

"...This is their heart. The 'Great Archive' of the Capital Branch."

Volg spoke in a low whisper.

The "Great Archive" was a name only; in reality, it was a room where a massive amount of ledgers and parchment communication records were organized neatly on shelves.

The Black Lodge, the group supposed to rule the Capital’s darkness, appeared to be an extremely analog and obsessive organization that turned information into power.

(...The height of inefficiency. I wouldn't even want to use a mountain of paper like this to sharpen my claws.)

"Halt. Two presences ahead, around the corner of the hallway. The patrol cycle is constant. Logically speaking, I estimate this to be a 'Scheduled Patrol' route."

Bartos reported in a whisper.

"Master Bartos, what’s the move? They’re pros. If we make too much noise..."

Kyle gripped the hilt of his sword, asking with a look of unease.

Bartos clattered his heavy armor and opened his mouth to present his "Logic" or whatever, but I didn't wait for him. I stepped forward.

"...Just shut up and watch. I’m going."

(If I wait for every single calculation, the sun will go down. I want to go home.)

Cutting off my presence entirely, I slid forward like a damp shadow.

Beyond the corner stood two sentries clad in black. There wasn't a one-in-a-million chance they would notice my approach.

A flash in the blink of an eye.

I used the hilt of my jet-black sword to strike one accurately at the base of the neck, while simultaneously compressing the other’s throat with my bare hand to seal his voice.

"Guh..."

"............"

I laid their collapsing bodies onto the floor without making a sound.

The shortest, fastest neutralization possible—I didn't even allow the sound of air leaking from their lungs.

"...Area cleared. Let's move."

I returned to the three standing behind me and gestured forward with my chin.

Only Bartos let out a strange sigh of admiration influenced by that man: "As expected of Meina, a magnificent processing speed that doesn't involve any unnecessary variables."

(...Between the weird knowledge he's been fed, this knight is really starting to break.)

Deep beneath the Capital, slipping through mountains of piled information, we delved even further into the depths.

Eventually, we arrived at a heavy, decorated door that stood apart from the stone corridors we had traversed.

Bartos stepped forward.

He gripped the book in his pouch tightly once, put it away, and then swung his right leg with absolute zero hesitation.

"Pardon the intrusion! I am Bartos of the Felsen Knights! I have come to rectify your irrational monopoly of interests!"

With a roar that shook my eardrums, the door burst inward.

The men in black robes inside the room turned all at once.

At the center of the room, surrounded by piles of documents on a large desk, a man looked up as he set down a quill.

He radiated the cold aura of a meticulous clerk wearing a monocle. He was Belfered, the Capital Supervisor of the Black Lodge—the administrator of this massive dark system.

"...Felsen’s hounds? And here I thought Volg had merely failed in the Old Town, but to invite such graceless guests... You’re getting filth on my ledgers."

At the man’s cold words, Volg gave a snort and stepped forward.

"Now, now. I didn't exactly fail, Belfered. If anything, I came to suggest a 'Stop-Loss' for your outdated methods."

"...A stop-loss? A discarded tool certainly has a wagging tongue."

"Discarded? You’re joking. I simply found a new 'Investment Target' in Felsen. ...This dusty Capital system of yours is already obsolete. Right, Meina?"

Volg threw a glance at me.

I dropped soundlessly from the ceiling rafters and summoned my jet-black sword.

Belfered turned toward me, a fearless, defiant smirk playing on his lips.

"What a beautiful lady. Welcome to the Capital’s darkness. It’s an honor to meet you... but this is your dead end."

I pointed the cold, gleaming tip of my sword at the man’s throat.

"...No. This is a trash heap. ...And it’s time to clean it up."

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