233. Black Man (1)
#233
“oh my god.”
Examiner Vanardier sighed. A hell was unfolding inside the hangar. The bloody smell that assaulted his nose made him dizzy. Eleven corpses torn apart beyond recognition were rolling around in a sea of blood.
“Who would do something like this….”
He entered the hangar about three hours after Ronan and the others passed the screening process. The sentries I had sent to work did not return so I stopped by just in case and this division was there.
He walked along the blood trail. It was not normal for guards with activated engravings to be killed in one blow. Most of the bodies were lying around near the sloop Ronan and his party were on.
‘Was there something hidden inside the deputy’s ship?’
The Red Whirlwind which had been clean for a while was once again like a ghost ship covered in blood and intestines. The examiner entered the ship’s cabin as if possessed by something.
He looked into the bedroom dining room and captain’s cabin one by one but didn’t see any clues. Lastly I was in the middle of looking into the warehouse on the lowest floor.
“This is…!”
His eyes widened. In a corner of the warehouse there was a trace of mana that looked like a black stain. It was such a minor sign that if you weren’t paying close attention it would simply look like mold.
But the examiner who had been using his eyes for a long time was able to notice. These were traces of someone hiding their body.
The very slightest trace of evil and insidious energy was something I could never forget. No matter how much time has passed. He muttered in a trembling voice.
“…is he back too?”
Kwadangtang! The examiner hurried out of the cabin. He almost hit the wall or tripped on the stairs but that didn’t matter right now. He ran out of the hangar and shouted at the waiting guards.
“It’s an emergency! Immediately report to His Majesty and summon the troops!”
****
The sun has set. The dying dusk was casting a dim light between the buildings. But even under the dark night sky Adren’s brilliance did not fade.
Adren’s plaza whose entire floor was covered with crystals was shining with beautiful colors even under the night sky. The lights coming on one by one on the street hinted at the night that was about to unfold.
People who had finished their day’s work were roaming freely around the square. Most of them were human but elves and beastmen were also seen occasionally.
I thought it would feel like this if we created a village with only the richest people on the continent. Ronan who was looking around opened her mouth.
“I honestly think I could live here. “It’s so fucking delicious.”
In his hands was a huge turkey leg. It was excellent crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The seasoning was amazing and there was no sweet rain on my thirsty stomach.
“So…how can it taste like this…”
Asher who was next to him nodded. He was nibbling at a waffle the size of his head. The cream that stuck to my mouth was a guarantee of great taste.
“It’s a luxurious city. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Schlieffen also muttered as if he was astounded. Unlike the other two he had nothing in his hands. Because he had finished three bowls of meat stew before he moved from his seat. Ronan said.
“okay. You didn’t feel anything particularly suspicious either right? “There is no information.”
“Ugh. nothing….”
“Me too.”
“Is that so?”
Ronan hearing Schlieffen’s words scratched his head. He also couldn’t find out much information. He was alert as he walked through the city but there was no sign of Nebula Clazier.
‘I haven’t been around much yet. The city is bigger than I thought.’
Several hours have already passed since we entered Adren. The group was having dinner when they belatedly realized that they hadn’t eaten a single meal all day.
Adren was literally a city made of greed. The servants who made up most of the citizens were fed by the scraps of wealth amassed by their dragon master.
The dragons only satisfied their own greed and invested the remaining money into Adren’s welfare. However with that alone Adren enjoyed an abundance that no country on earth could surpass.
As evidence Adren did not accept money for any items including food or clothing. Although there were merchants in reality they were no different from inflatable dolls used to solicit customers.
If you wanted to eat food or needed something you just had to identify yourself and take the item. Although it didn’t have as many different items as the system it wasn’t particularly lacking. Ronan continued.
“That’s a good thing. “I think it will take some time.”
“Ugh. that’s right.”
“I guess I should say I’m glad that people are generally kind and different from what I imagined.”
Unexpectedly the humanity of the citizens was also excellent. I thought they would be caught up in some strange sense of being the chosen people living in Adren but most of them were just ordinary good people. Of course just as there are bad students in Phileon there are bad guys in the Dragon City but I haven’t encountered them yet.
Even though I didn’t know what would happen if I revealed the information related to Navardose. Ronan who had torn off the last piece of flesh stood up.
“Then this time let’s split up and search. “We’ll meet again here at midnight.”
As the matter was serious we had to work quickly. In the meantime the church’s evil plans will continue and the savior will be dying.
“Ashe look in the library. “Because it’s a place where a lot of people gather.”
“Uh yeah. okay.”
“Schlippen near the tower where the Dragon King lives.”
“I will do that.”
Asher and Schlieffen nodded. Since they were all talented people who could keep their bodies healthy there wouldn’t be any problems.
They had designated a meeting place and dispersed in different directions. After leaving the plaza Ronan entered a dark back alley that was not yet illuminated. Inns and taverns scattered throughout the city were his area of responsibility.
‘Go to a place where there are no dragons as much as possible.’
It was quite a strategic decision. Judging from the reactions of the guards and examiners it seemed that only dragons not servants could recognize the primordial spark.
If I got caught things could become a hassle so I had to be cautious until I could gather enough information. The precious dragons won’t come to this shabby tavern.
Of course in order to ask questions naturally I had to have a drink or two so there was that. Ronan who had been wandering the streets for about two hours cursed.
“Who the fuck has so many bars?”
Since it was enough to make a living it seemed like all he did was drink alcohol at night. Well the drinks and snacks would be free so there wouldn’t be any entertainment like this. Ronan somehow reached the western outskirts of the city and stopped.
“…Is it a historical site?”
He muttered looking up at the building in front of him. The crumbling cabin did not go well with the gorgeous night view of Adren.
The sign which seemed like it could be donated to a museum had only one word written on it: ‘Alcohol’. Judging by the lights flickering and voices coming from beyond the window it seemed like business was still going on.
‘I have to do it meticulously.’
Surprisingly I was able to get some valuable information from a place like this. The moment Ronan opened the door an interior as stately as the exterior appeared before his eyes. The bar’s characteristic bustle poured out.
“Haha that’s why. “Yesterday I…”
“I heard from a friend who works at the tower that the Dragon King will soon make an important announcement.”
“Wow…there’s no place like this.”
Ronan raised his eyebrows. It was surprisingly spacious and there were quite a few customers. There were twenty seats including the seats in front of the bar table. The sweet smell of alcohol was tickling the tip of his nose.
“hello.”
“Nice to meet you. It’s a face I haven’t seen around here. “Come and sit down.”
An old man who appeared to be the owner greeted me softly. He was in the middle of cleaning a glass behind the bar table. Ronan who sat in front of the table ordered a drink.
“I came from out of town. “Please give me the best one.”
“As expected he was a foreigner. Then you should definitely try our brandy. “It’s a specialty product that can only be tasted in the Dragon City.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Ronan laughed. I really liked this comfortable atmosphere where no one except the owner paid attention to me. As I slowly emptied my glass I could naturally ask about the church and Alibrihe.
“…hmm?”
Ronan was slowly looking around the store. Suddenly his eyes fell on the owner’s left arm. The movement of the arm covered by the shirt was slightly unnatural compared to the right arm.
“Sir do you have a left arm?”
“Hmm? Ah you have a good sense of vision. “The prosthetic arm is exactly as you think.”
“Prosthetic hand.”
The owner answered calmly and placed a glass down in front of Ronan. Inside amber brandy was flowing. Ronan repeated the word prosthetic hand.
Alibrihe the executive he was looking for was also a master at making prosthetic hands and limbs. It occurred to me that maybe he had something to do with that guy. Ronan asked.
“Do you know who made that prosthetic hand? “Is this a bit of a strange question?”
“You could ask but what? But it was so long ago that I don’t remember much. “Well I clearly remember the pain when it was cut.”
“I’m sorry. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
“It was absolutely terrible. If it’s okay I can talk to you. therefore…”
It was a car whose owner was trying to say something. Squeak…I heard the sound of the door opening from behind. The owner looked towards the entrance for a moment and smiled kindly.
“Welcome. “I guess he’s a foreigner because his behavior is unusual.”
No answer came back. There are some guys who aren’t particularly cheap. Ronan thought about this and took a sip of the brandy in front of him. His eyes widened.
“This is killing me…!”
Including his past life and present life he could be counted among his five fingers. I never thought it would taste so rich. It was definitely something to be proud of as the sweet scent spread throughout my mouth.
At that time the sound of approaching footsteps stopped next to Ronan. The customer who had remained silent opened his mouth.
“With the strongest one…don’t mix it with ice.”
“Sure.”
The owner nodded his head. Ronan’s hand which was about to take another sip stopped in midair. It was a familiar voice. That too quite a bit. Before he could turn his head his guest sat down next to him.
“Hey who is this? I saved you the trouble of finding it.”
“you.”
Ronan turned his head. A man wearing a black coat was looking at him. Judging by the way her pale face was flushed it seemed like she had already had a drink somewhere.
It was Aurora Skaarl’s man. He didn’t feel alive but he still felt intimidated. Ronan slowly brought his hand to the hilt of his sword. The man said brushing his long hair once and resting his chin on the bar table.
“Okay… where is Navardose?”
