Chapter 23

The light leaking from the windows of the buildings and the streetlights. The nights in the Imperial Capital are always bright. The darkness deepens in the back alleys, but it's not complete darkness; you can still recognize the face of the person standing in front of you.

The person in front of me is Loki. I had just received the investigation report on Hugo, which I had requested through the owl post.

Just as I was about to leave after the transaction, Loki suddenly said,

"You seem to be targeted by the Gambino family."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

This was like a bolt from the blue. I tilted my head at the completely unfamiliar story.

"Why would I be targeted by the Gambino family?"

"I don't know the details, but it's because of the incident in Mints Village."

"Mints Village?"

"The village chief there apparently made false accusations to the boss, Albert. That's why he's after you."

"Ridiculous."

What a ridiculous story. Indeed, the village chief of Mints Village had mentioned the Gambino family, but it was just a lending relationship.

Most likely, he couldn't repay his debt and used my name as an excuse. Or perhaps it was out of revenge.

Either way, it was the ramblings of a fool. I have no connection with the Gambino family. To be targeted with my life is too unjust.

"Did the Gambino family believe the crazy talk of the village chief? What's wrong with them, especially with the drug case?"

"Thinking about the motive is pointless. The boss of the Gambino family, Albert, is a genuine madman."

"A madman, huh. What a troublesome story."

"The previous boss was normal, though."

"Really?"

"He died before Noel came to the Imperial Capital, so you wouldn't know, but he was well-regarded as a person of character. He was even known as a righteous thief who fought evil and helped the weak."

"Such a person of character's son is a madman? Ha, it seems he lacked the talent for raising children."

As I spat out these words, Loki shook his head.

"No, the previous boss didn't raise Albert. Albert is the illegitimate child of the previous boss, and he was already an adult when he was brought in to be the successor."

"Such circumstances. ...Huh? That means—"

I swallowed the words I was about to say.

Footsteps. The sound of one person's footsteps in a back alley where no one should be at this late hour. Moreover, there was the sound of metal rubbing against metal. An armed person was approaching. They were still some distance away, but not too far.

When I focused on the footsteps and looked at Loki, the distance between us had already widened. The situation was clear.

"Loki, you... betrayed me, didn't you?"

The timing was too perfect. It must have been to detain me here and hand me over to the assassins. There was no other explanation.

"Sorry, Noel. I couldn't go against Albert either."

"Setting up a client is unprofessional for an information broker. Do you understand that?"

"I do. But nothing is more important than my life. Besides, I'm being paid a large sum by Albert. I plan to use this money to move to another country and start over."

"An interesting plan. But there's one thing you're missing. There's no reason for me not to kill you."

I drew Silver and aimed it at Loki.

"Too bad, I didn't dislike you."

"That's a coincidence. I didn't dislike you either. You're pretty. ...But well, it can't be helped. It's a fitting end, and I can accept being killed by you."

I thought he would resist, but Loki just relaxed and closed his eyes, as if saying, "Please kill me."

"Don't you value your life?"

"I do. ...But I realized something for the first time when I betrayed you. I lost my pride, and I have no value left."

"I see... I understand that feeling..."

I put my finger on the trigger of Silver. I was about to pull it, but I stopped.

"Go. I'll forget about today."

Loki opened his eyes and widened them in surprise.

"You... forgive me?"

"I don't forgive you. But it's not worth killing you."

"Boss..."

"Also, you don't need to leave the Imperial Capital. I'll take down the Gambino family. You can regain your lost pride here."

As I said this, Loki's eyes widened and he remained still. Then he burst out laughing, holding his stomach. When the laughter subsided, tears were visible at the corners of his eyes.

"...Haha, I thought I was going to die from laughing. ...Boss, are you serious? The opponent is the direct subordinate of the Luciano family, the Gambino family?"

"So what?"

"What do you mean, 'so what'?"

"I just needed them. If I take them down and get the money, that problem will be solved. In that sense, it's a bit of a bonus."

"...Boss, you're really crazy."

"Shut up, idiot."

The conversation was getting lighter. The assassin's footsteps were already quite close. I pointed to the exit of the back alley in the opposite direction of the footsteps.

"Get lost. You'll be in the way of the fight."

There was no option to run and avoid the fight. The odds of winning were much higher by facing the enemy head-on than by running and being caught from behind.

"...Boss, is there anything I can do?"

"Not here. But I'll need your help later. When the time comes, lend me your strength. Of course, for free. That will settle our debts."

"Heh, understood. ...Good luck."

Loki left like the wind.

I took out a combat stimulant from my waist pouch and drank it. It was a drug that activates brain activity, enhancing concentration and muscle strength. The effect lasts for ten minutes. The backlash is significant, but combat power doubles.

The effect of the drug appeared instantly. I felt my mind calm down and the world expand. I could see every corner of the dark back alley clearly. It was quiet. There was no background noise. Instead, I could accurately pick up all sounds, including their types and properties.

The footsteps were from a man. He was about 175 cm tall, lean but muscular. He was probably in his late teens. The rhythm of his steps suggested he was a front-line fighter. He was carrying two swords, possibly a dual-wielder. He was also wearing armor.

That was enough information. The back alley was narrow. Even if he was a swordmaster, it would be difficult to fully utilize his skills.

Soon, a figure appeared.

The assassin's appearance, revealed by the dim light, matched my expectations. A young, lean man about 175 cm tall, wearing Far Eastern-style armor and two swords.

But his face was completely unexpected.

He was East Asian. His features were shallow but well-defined, and he could be described as handsome. Especially, his cool eyes were distinctive.

I recognized this face. Of course, it was covered in mud and dirt at the time. If my memory serves me right, this man is—

"Who, who are you, Noel Stollen?"

The East Asian man, recognizing me, asked in a surprised voice.

"Right, I'm Noel Stollen. It's been a while, Kouga."

†

†

Kouga, standing opposite me, was different from the last time. His equipment was perfect, and his physical condition was flawless. Although he wasn't in combat mode yet, the pressure he exuded was incomparable to the last time.

"I never thought you'd be an assassin for the Gambino family. From a sword slave to a gang's cannon fodder. Quite a promotion, congratulations."

As I clapped to provoke him, Kouga frowned.

"It's none of your business."

"What about the half-elf? Did Albert kill him?"

"...I don't know. He disappeared somewhere right after transferring ownership of me."

"Hmm, I see. So now you're Albert's dog, huh?"

"...Say what you want."

"What, no fun to tease. Well, never mind. You're here to assassinate me, right? Then draw your sword. Let's continue where we left off."

I pointed Silver at Kouga, but he didn't move.

"Huh? Why aren't you getting ready?"

"...This is a meaningless fight."

"What are you talking about?"

"To be honest, I don't want to fight you. You're a jerk, but you owe me a silver coin."

I couldn't help but laugh at his out-of-place words.

"What do you mean by 'owe'? You just picked up the money I dropped."

"I'm not smart, so I don't understand such roundabout words. But thinking about it, it's strange for you to drop money in front of me."

"So? Are you saying you'll let me go just because of a single silver coin? As a slave, do you think you have that kind of freedom?"

"You're right. I don't have that kind of freedom. If I'm told to kill, I have to kill, no matter who it is. But I have my pride."

Kouga took a deep breath and raised his voice.

"My name is Kouga Tsukishima!! My profession is a swordsman! My rank is C! My ability is to manipulate slashes! Remember this, my ability!!"

A spoiler of his abilities? So you want a fair fight. What a fool. A slave bought by a gang, putting up such a trivial front.

But—

"Hmph, it's only polite to introduce myself if you introduce yourself. Let me introduce myself again. I am the talker, Noel Stollen. My ability is to use skills without consuming magic power. I am also the inheritor of the blood, will, and skills of the great hero, the immortal demon."

"Talker Noel Stollen, I will never forget that name."

"Good. But even if you remember it, it won't matter if you die."

"Hah, draw your weapon! I will win!"

"Enough chitchat. Let's start."

"Agreed! —Let's go!"

Sometimes, a fight like this isn't bad.