Volume 3 Chapter 143-3 Merchant City Ramsey I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I told you before, didn’t I? About how my ancestors defeated an advanced-rank Bloodsucking Kyonshi from the East. But the truth is—they used a special sealing talisman, ordered directly from our homeland.”
”There’s really such a thing?”
”Yes. It targets the unique cells of the Bloodsucking kind and forces them into dormancy. I’m not sure if it’ll work on that thorned creature, but it’s worth trying.”
”I want it. Take me to your hideout.”
”Let’s also pick up what Ms. Sarah asked for—the materials for the nutritional infusion, right?”
”And the IV equipment.”
Linca gave a nod. “Understood.”
They crossed the stone bridge, arriving at a fork where three narrow paths branched out, each sloping gently in different directions. Brick buildings, shorter than the city wall but still imposing, loomed over the alleys. People passed by quietly, keeping their eyes low.
Even with sunlight overhead, a strange gloom clung to the street.
Perhaps it was the shadows cast by the tall buildings. Or maybe it was the clotheslines strung between them, stealing away the light.
Most people hurried along without meeting anyone’s gaze, disappearing into the twists and turns of the alley.
The tangled web of streets reminded Kian of Azrael, though the mood here was entirely different. Foreign. Maybe it was the thick ivy curling around the stone walls and doorframes.
”This way.”
Linca pointed to the narrow path on the left. It sloped gently downward before curving into a steep staircase.
Kian followed her, glancing up at the darkened windows looming above. The street was quiet—no pigs, no chickens, no kids playing. But once they reached the bottom of the stairs and walked a while, the path broadened into a wider lane. It opened onto a stone bridge spanning a canal, where carts rolled past and livestock clopped along.
”I wonder how they get grain into this part of town.”
Kian leaned against the pale red railing, looking down into the canal’s turquoise water. Yellow leaves floated on the surface like bits of trash.
”It’s not through the city gates,” Linca said. “Big wagons wouldn’t fit through these alleys.”
She pointed to a spot past the East Gate they’d entered through. “There’s a waterway entrance up north. It connects to the Nordende River and flows straight into town. Boats carry supplies in with the current. Look—over there.”
”Ah, I see.”
It made sense. The waterway wasn’t for drinking, clearly—it was a transport route.
”After docking, the cargo goes down that road to the marketplace.”
Kian followed her gaze to the warehouses lined up in the distance. “Those buildings are huge. And… is that sausage I’m smelling?”
”Grilled Sage sausage. Ramsey’s beer and sausage are pretty famous.”
”Guess we’ve got dinner plans, then.”
Linca smiled. “Sounds good!” But then, her expression changed. She turned sharply to the west.
There, beyond the rooftops, stood the red-roofed castle—Ramsey’s stronghold.
”What’s wrong?”
”Someone just opened a teleportation gate. They’re headed this way. Should we run?”
Kian narrowed his eyes and stepped to the side of the bridge, staying out of the way of the crowd.
”No. Let’s wait. It’s probably Mr. Owl.”
”Then the secret audit won’t be so secret anymore. He might try to capture us.”
”I figured this would happen.”
Kian leaned back against the railing, folding his arms.
If Owl had found him in the end, all his efforts would have been for nothing, but it was the fault of his client (Maribel), who had left it all to Kian without offering any terms of exchange to the Hairkin Races.
”If it comes to that, I’ll count on you to keep me safe. If he tries anything, I’ll shut him down.”
”Ha! Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone lay a finger on you, Sir Kian.”
Linca, once an enemy, now stood beside him like a trusted ally—if only temporarily, thanks to the magic scroll binding them.
Kian closed his eyes, wondering how to bring up the skeletons he’d seen in the cemetery earlier.
* * *
A presence approached—familiar, unmistakable.
Even with his eyes closed, Kian could feel the man’s aura. It was suffocating. And from beside him, he sensed the sudden tension in Linca’s posture.
He drew in a breath and straightened from the railing, turning to face the newcomer.
A tall, slender man stood there. Owl. His clothes were adorned with worn, black feathers that stirred slightly in the wind blowing off the canal.
With his unnerving pitch-black eyes, devoid of any whites, Owl stared at them without a word. Kian greeted him calmly.
”Mr. Owl. It’s been a while.”
”…Kian.”
Only then did Owl blink behind his glasses.
”What brings you here?”
”A secret audit. Her Excellency Maribel sent me to assess whether you’ve fulfilled your duties as Ramsey’s guardian.”
”……”
”She’s not pleased. She wants to know why the Hairkin coalition still hasn’t been dealt with. As a loyal knight, surely you understand her frustration.”
The accusation was unfair, but Kian had to say it this way. Owl sighed, scratching his shoulder where his feathered armor sat.
”I have no excuse. The princess is right to be angry. But… Kian, you’re not a reinforcement, are you?”
”Only on paper.”
”Only on paper? Then… can we work together again?”
A glimmer of life returned to Owl’s face. His usual flat expression shifted ever so slightly.
Two armored guards arrived behind him, their gear clinking as they caught up. They looked curiously at Kian, Linca, and Owl standing motionless.
Owl raised a hand to silence them and continued.
”If you don’t mind, shall we talk at the snack shop over there? It’s a bit awkward standing around.”
”With pleasure.”
Kian nodded and winked at Linca.
Notes:
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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