Chapter 52

The butler assassin was silent for a moment.

His eyes, which had been filled with suspicion at first, gradually took on a deeper sense of bewilderment.

"An explanation is needed. How exactly does such a process lead to such a result?"

After briefly explaining the duel, the butler assassin rarely expressed admiration.

"Amazing. You beat Jean Berkeley Grayton? Did you win fairly?"

"Or what?"

"I was going to praise you."

"Unfortunately, I won't get any praise."

"To accept such an extreme price. You're still young, and your opponent must have been quite magnanimous... I understand. If you can arrange a one-on-one conversation with Jean Berkeley Grayton, I'll take care of the rest."

"Don't kill him. He's a maid now."

"I'm a butler too. I have no intention of tormenting a colleague in the same profession."

It's good that the butler assassin is human.

After smiling contentedly, he leaned in slightly and whispered to him.

"I also need to get what I'm owed. That's our cooperative relationship, right?"

Information on Lu and Dian Ket.

The information that was originally supposed to be exchanged for the deprivation of Jean Berkeley Grayton's succession rights.

The butler assassin, nodding briefly, took out a small notebook from his pocket.

"The information on Dian Ket is organized in this notebook."

Organized? Is there quite a bit of it? I took the notebook and felt satisfied.

A cooperative relationship is good. The butler assassin, who had been watching my smiling face intently, spoke calmly.

"Ten days ago, a stranger visited the mansion. It was the first time an outsider had visited since the master became the owner of the mansion."

Now it's information about Lu? I perked up my ears.

"The visitor's imperial language was somewhat awkward. Upon closer listening, it had a northern continent accent. He stayed in the mansion for only about 10 minutes, half of which was spent greeting the master with a reverent attitude."

"..."

"He knelt and bowed, and recited a long praise. He probably thought I wouldn't recognize it, but it was a familiar greeting. This greeting is given to high-ranking leaders in Logue. The master is from the Northern Continent Union and is affiliated with Logue. This is confirmed information."

It is confirmed.

"I already know that."

"What?"

"I know. That Lu is from Logue."

After working hard at the noble council, are you trying to sell information I already know? I glared at him coldly, and the butler assassin shut his mouth.

Ha.

"Since the topic came up, let me ask you. Do you know what a Caliph is?"

"A Caliph of Logue?"

"Yes, that one."

The butler assassin answered with a look that suggested it wasn't a particularly profound piece of knowledge.

"A Caliph usually has two meanings. First, the religious leader of Logue. Just as the Catholic Church has a Pope, Logue has a Caliph. However, Logue has a separation of powers, so there are always three Caliphs: the Secretary, the Commander, and the Guide."

"Three? Hmm. Do they feel like a general manager, an action leader, and a salesperson, respectively?"

The butler assassin ignored my comment.

"The center of the Holy Land where the main temple of Logue is located is also called a Caliph. The reason the leaders of Logue are called Caliphs is because they are allowed to enter the Holy Land of Caliph."

The religious leader of Logue, the Caliph, in contrast to the Pope of the Catholic Church.

'Is Lu that Caliph?'

Lu... one of the three most devout believers in the Northern Continent?

Lu, who lives in self-importance?

Lu, who is shameless and unlucky, with no fear of the world?

'It doesn't fit. After all, one shouldn't judge a person by their appearance.'

Even I, who only have a superficial understanding of Northern Continent culture, know that Logue is a powerful religion that almost dominates that region.

Realizing this, the image of Lu that I had seen so far began to fit together like a puzzle.

'The overflowing wealth, the familiarity with being revered, and the claim of having no connection to the nobility—all because he is a Caliph of Logue.'

Then, which of the three Caliphs is Lu?

Secretary, Commander, Guide... Hmm. Probably the action leader? But he doesn't seem like someone who takes the lead in troublesome matters. Then, the salesperson? He does have good communication skills.

Most importantly,

'Why is a figure like a Caliph just working as a cook?'

I thought knowing Lu's true identity would clear up some of my questions, but the reality was the opposite. The questions only became more profound.

"The dangerous people looking for Dian Ket's relics. Who are they?"

"The Northern Continent Union... Logue."

According to Yeger's testimony, Logue, like me, is looking for Dian Ket's relics. It's good that they are looking.

'But is the Caliph moving personally?'

In the Catholic Church, it would be like the Pope taking action personally.

I am certain that Lu has another purpose besides Dian Ket's relics. The way he handled Dian Ket's eyeball was strangely indifferent, which supports this hypothesis.

"However, our friend knows a lot about Logue."

"Most assassins who survived the Magic War are well-versed in Logue."

"Why are the surviving assassins well-versed in Logue?"

The butler assassin looked at me with a darker expression.

"The reason is."

"The reason is?"

"I will reveal it 60 seconds later."

Why bother? I counted 60 seconds. But even after 70 seconds, the butler assassin didn't speak.

"You said you would reveal it 60 seconds later?"

He replied with a rare look of annoyance.

"You're clueless. It means I don't want to say it."

What is that? Is it a way of speaking among assassins? I should remember it for future use.

I slowly got up from my seat.

"Unfortunately, the information about Lu is partially invalid. This deal doesn't balance out for me. I need additional information."

"It's a reasonable objection. I accept it. I also have something to say."

"Go ahead."

"Berid Let will soon notice the state of this branch. So far, I have controlled this pub without any problems, but if Berid Let moves, there could be a big problem. Have you prepared for that?"

No.

"I haven't."

"Ha."

A sigh escaped me. After working hard at the noble council, all I have waiting for me is new work. Work. Only work.

The life of a maid is so arduous.

"I'll think about it. Regardless, this place is almost like a battlefield for us."

As I turned to leave the warehouse, the butler assassin suddenly stood up and grabbed my ankle again.

"One more thing. I have one last question for you."

I looked at him irritably.

"What is it? If you're going to ask, do it all at once. Don't keep asking."

This time, the butler assassin's gaze was not ordinary. I swallowed hard.

I am certain that this issue, which he is about to raise, is the one he has thought about the most deeply and for the longest time.

He asked me with an incredibly heavy voice.

"How do you manage the bathroom grime? It accumulates every day, even if you clean it every day. Do you have any maid tips?"

Bathroom grime. I see.

You, my friend, are fighting a terrifying enemy.

"There are no tips."

"Really?"

"No. The bathroom grime. That thing... only diligence is the answer."

The butler assassin's eyes glinted coldly.

"Diligence. I will remember that."

* * *

The five relics of Dian Ket.

These relics are commonly known as the following five items:

<Dian Ket's eyeball, Dian Ket's diary, Dian Ket's hand mirror, Dian Ket's seal, Dian Ket's open birdcage.>

The composition, which sounds obscure and miscellaneous, is literally the relics left by Dian Ket.

The diary is said to be written in Dian Ket's own handwriting, and the hand mirror and seal bear traces of use. They were both magical tools and daily items.

According to the notebook the butler assassin gave me, three of these have been publicly displayed.

The most famous of these relics is <Dian Ket's diary>.

'Currently on display at the Westwintree Yansen Exhibition Hall...'

The Yansen Exhibition Hall, established by the famous treasure collector Polo Yansen, was set up to show off treasures.

The highlight, heart, and deepest exhibit of this place, <Dian Ket's diary>, is my second target.

'But why hasn't the Sword Saint touched this item?'

One of the relics is on public display. Is it left alone because it's easy to steal?

I decided to put this question aside until I arrived in Westwintree.

A more urgent matter had arrived sooner than expected.