In the bar on the second floor of the Executioners' headquarters, a group of idling adventurers were engrossed in the live broadcast of the second round of the selection tournant.
"Why are there three fourth-stage participants this ti?" a drunken adventurer grumbled, "Is Whistling Legion really that great?"
"Bryce Palr is one of the top warriors in the Western. Is it really surprising that people want to follow him… Still, fourth-stages don't need to enter the Whistling Legion through such ans."
"After so many years of selection tournants, haven't you figured out the trick yet? It's obvious that Milo or the Duke of Azuregold arranged for them to stir up the odds!"
"Well said. So, who did you bet on?"
"Haha! I bet on all three fourth-stages!"
"Betting on all three isn't gambling! To gamble, you have to go big! Look at these odds: rle Clark, a third-stage extraordinary being. His odds of winning are six thousand nine hundred to one! Trust ! Win this bet, and you'll be set for life!"
"You damn out of your mind!"
The bar was a cacophony of noise, filled with nearly everyone discussing the heated selection tournant. In the most secluded corner of the bar, the Vice President of the Executioners stationed at Dispute Fortress swirled his drink, observing his key mbers.
"So..."
He stroked his chin, "Our esteed Lord Faust not only dispatched his mortal retainer to that wicked wolf Fenrir but has also thoughtfully initiated so... air purification project for the Lower District?"
"He did lease the largest alchemy workshop in Dispute Fortress."
Soone shrugged, "So Faust is proficient in alchemy too? I didn't know that."
"Who knew before this that Faust was such a kind-hearted person?"
"A kind-hearted person wouldn't keep his eye open while dismbering soone."
Many among the group had witnessed that flickering black blade firsthand and still shuddered at the mory.
If he could dismber you in an instant, he could shred you into pieces just as quickly. It all depended on whether that demon felt like it.
"So... what do we do next?" soone asked.
"You're asking ? Isn't that why vice President called us here—to discuss this?"
Bryce Palr Leo's woman was dispatched without hesitation, and the Duke of Azuregold was scolded without a second thought. Though there was no indication that this Faust was a capricious, bloodthirsty lunatic, everyone worried about becoming the next blood-soaked victim—especially given how frequently the Executioners interacted with Faust.
After a brief silence, the Vice President slowly began to speak: "First, let's make one thing clear."
He extended two fingers, speaking with great composure: "At present, we have two choices."
"First, do not provoke Faust—in any sense. This isn't just about not angering him. For instance, since he frequently takes commissions from us, people will co to us seeking information. We must ignore such inquiries entirely. Do you understand?"
"Ah, this..."
Soone wore a troubled expression. "Can't we sell harmless little bits of information? Soone contacted the other day, offering quite a bit. Selling a little—he wouldn't find out, would he?"
The Vice President, unperturbed, nodded slightly and said, "I know most of you might not be able to resist and would gamble on not getting caught, so I have a second plan."
Upon hearing they could still sell information, the core adventurers' eyes lit up, clearly eager for the lucrative offers from the mysterious individuals seeking Faust's secrets.
"We flee."
The man placed his hands on the table piled with large beer mugs and said earnestly.
"..."
Under the guild mbers' stupefied gazes, the Vice President calmly continued: "Bryce Palr Leo might abandon this place entirely. So why should we hold onto this branch? Let's take this opportunity to make one last big score and then run. Squeeze those people seeking information about Faust for everything they're worth… Pretend you're too afraid to provoke him, then jack up the prices.
Once we sell the information, we flee imdiately."
Confidently crossing his arms, the Vice President, well-versed in the adventurers' code, asserted: "The information we sell is essentially worthless. Besides knowing that Faust has a mortal attendant and likes to take commissions involving commoners, there's nothing significant to divulge. He probably doesn't even care about such trivialities."
"And if he does care, then fleeing will be our safeguard — A legendary figure like him wouldn't chase us across great distances over sothing so trivial, right?"
The group fell silent for a long mont, then rose to their feet, applauding enthusiastically.
"Great! This is a brilliant idea! Vice President, you're a genius!"
Given Faust's tendency to disregard whether his identity is exposed and openly announce his na wherever he goes, it's highly unlikely he would care about people selling information about him. If they sold it and fled imdiately, a fifth-stage extraordinary being, a mysterious legendary figure, would have no reason to irrationally pursue them. Faust probably wouldn't even rember who they were.
Seeing the enthusiastic response from his core mbers, Vice President Swordfish nodded in satisfaction. After all, soone had approached him a few days earlier to buy information on Faust, and the reward offered was indeed... quite substantial.
However, as a competent Vice President, he couldn't surreptitiously pocket this money; he had to lead everyone to prosperity together.
But seeing the expressions of surprise and enthusiasm on his companions' faces, mixed with a hint of... relief, the Vice President's expression gradually turned grim.
"You all..."
Swordfish slowly stood up, his voice rife with suspicion: "You haven't already sold information about Faust, have you?"
"..."
All flattery vanished instantly. The adventurers exchanged glances, eyes filled with the mutual question, "You did it too?"
Swordfish's anger surged to its peak. But as his fury over everyone secretly profiteering without including him reached its zenith, another thought dawned upon him.
How could so many people... simultaneously seek information about Faust from the Executioners?
Fools abound, wealthy individuals abound, but wealthy fools ripe for fleecing are not so common. Where did so many factions co from, scrutinizing the Executioners up and down?
As the Vice President's anger gradually transford into bewildered suspicion, amidst the clamorous noise, soft footsteps approached.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Swordfish."
That gentle voice should have been drowned out by the cacophony of cheers, curses, and various strange howls, yet Swordfish caught it effortlessly, causing him to shiver suddenly.
That voice, that voice!
He quickly turned and saw the mortal girl who had left a profound impression on him despite their long absence.
Margarete Gretchen Müller... The scene of her, as Faust's attendant, daring to display a stern and cold deanor towards him was still vivid in his mind.
The ominous feeling in Swordfish's heart climbed to its pinnacle.
"Isn't this... Miss Gretchen."
He laughed heartily first, lowering his extraordinary being's stature to greet Marlina, "How has Mr. Faust been lately—"
"Please remain seated, Mr. Swordfish."
Miss Margarete, holding a bag, smiled softly, "I'm just here to discuss sothing with you."
Swordfish rested his hands on his knees and slowly sat back down, his gaze falling on the bag in Marlina's hand.
Suspecting what it might be, he exhaled, "Please, go ahead."
"I am particularly sensitive about Mr. Faust's safety and privacy," the frail and delicate adventurer's attendant said softly, "Therefore, I am wary of those who seek to pry into Mr. Faust's affairs, and equally wary of..."
She gently shook the bag in her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Wary of those who might betray Mr. Faust."
"Oh, oh, oh—" Swordfish raised his hands, feigning a frightened expression, "We can't bear such a reputation, Miss Margarete."
"Is that so?"
Marlina tilted her head slightly and emptied the contents of the thick bag onto the table. Out spilled nurous... parchnt scrolls?
"Executioners Guild, Dispute Fortress branch, a total of forty-five mbers."
The girl clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, saying in a ghostly tone, "Thirty-nine of them have made agreents with the information brokers who bought Mr. Faust's information."
-->
Reviews
All reviews (0)