[The Capital Fresia has been registered in the system.]
[The Crisis of the Imperial City of Fresia! is still ongoing.]
Main Quest – [The Crisis of the Imperial City of Fresia!]
Grade: A
Description: The Fresia Empire is facing a significant crisis.
The Emperor of Fresia has fallen ill with an unknown disease and is gradually losing strength.
The Crown Prince, Princes, and Princesses are plotting against each other to seize the throne.
Some of them are conspiring with external forces to usurp the throne…
Reward for success: Increased favor with the Fresia Empire, the Emperor's wish
Penalty for failure: Expulsion from Fresia for the Rehinar Family.
As they entered the capital, the system window once again reminded them of the main story.
"It's been a while."
In the center of Fresia stood the Imperial Palace, surrounded by buildings.
Like the trade city of Philaec, Imperial City was filled with light.
Mana-powered lanterns brightly illuminated the streets at night.
"Wow."
Blata gaped.
She was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the capital.
Camilla had the same expression as Blata.
"It's even more splendid than Philaec."
Kane chuckled at her admiration.
They looked like they had just arrived from the countryside.
"Don't drool."
"Tsk. Aren't you amazed, Lord? The development here is far beyond Rehinar."
"I've seen even grander sights."
During the time he was Ray.
The Hatzfeld royal family had destroyed the Fresia Empire.
Hatzfeld, having conquered this vast land, achieved tremendous development.
Such grandeur did not impress Kane.
"I wonder if they are well-hidden."
Kane had hidden the Blood Tigers they rode outside the capital.
Bringing mutated monsters into the capital was still impossible.
So, they had left them outside and walked in.
"Don't worry about them. They'll be happily roaming around, enjoying their freedom."
Blata was connected to them through mana.
No matter how far they were, he could always know what they were doing.
"Tell them not to be seen by people."
"Got it."
Blata replied nonchalantly.
His eyes were very busy right now.
He was eagerly moving them to take in everything around him.
Camilla, too, seemed to have forgotten her usual composure.
Like Blata, she was completely engrossed.
Because of this, Kane had to find accommodations.
Kane headed to the busiest district in the capital.
[Black Crow Inn, Branch 1]
A boldly displayed name.
It was an inn run by the Black Crow Exchange.
As Kane entered, everyone drinking on the first floor turned to look at him.
Gulp.
The innkeeper flinched for a moment.
Perhaps he recognized Kane's face.
He hurried over.
"Welcome!"
"Seems like Gillip has marked me as Black."
Information level Black.
Strictly no picking fights.
No information browsing.
Avoid at all costs, etc.
A grade filled with rules of what not to do.
The fact that a Black-grade individual visited the Black Crow Inn meant only one thing.
They had come because they wanted something.
"I'd like to stay here for a few days."
"Of course. It's possible. The guild master has instructed all branches to comply with any request from the Young Master of Rehinar."
"I haven't contacted Gillip yet."
Kane had promised Gillip to kill Aren for him.
But after telling him to send Aren to Rehinar, he hadn't contacted Gillip since.
"Did your second-in-command at Rehinar report to Gillip?"
"The guild master said he owes you a great favor."
"As he should. I eliminated a significant threat for him."
Aren Stickler.
A Beginner-tier 5th-class assassin.
Known as the Black Viper, he was the ruthless Lieutenant of the Dark Sentinels.
If Aren wasn't dead, the Black Crow Exchange would have fallen into Dirk's hands.
"I will do my best to serve you during your stay here." Said the Innkeeper humbly.
Blata answered on Kane's behalf.
"Alright, you've greeted me well."
The innkeeper's eyes widened.
He was startled to hear the fat creature in Kane's arms speak.
"Don't mind him."
"May I ask what he is…?"
"He's my pet 'Piggy.'"
Blata protested at Kane's words.
"I'm not a 'Piggy,' I'm a Guardian Spirit!"
Blata bit Kane's arm.
But his tiny fangs posed no threat to him.
Kane spoke to the innkeeper, who was staring blankly at Blata.
"When will you show us our room?"
"Oh, please follow me. I'll prepare the VIP room on the 5th floor for you. The view is fantastic."
"I can agree with that."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind."
Kane often frequented the Black Crow, Branch 1.
This place was a top-notch inn and tavern.
Not a place for mercenaries or travelers.
It was a venue where nobles held parties and enjoyed entertainment.
Especially the 5th floor, which featured an outdoor terrace.
One of the reasons this place was famous was the view from there.
'The place where the most incidents occur. I chose this spot because of what's about to happen.'
Kane's eyes curved into crescent moons.
A look he wore just before seeing blood.
To others, it appeared as a pure smile.
But Camilla saw it differently.
"The Young Master is going to cause trouble again…"
The innkeeper, who hadn't heard her muttering, carried on with his duties.
"Um, Duke Kane."
"Curious about why I'm here?"
"Ha, haha. It's my job to know…"
"It's fine. Since a mess will be made, I'll compensate with this. I'm here because I was invited to the Ball of the Stars."
"The invitation was sent to Rehinar from the capital?"
"The First Princess sent it to me."
"Oh my!"
"Does that answer your question?"
"Sufficiently."
The innkeeper had just received crucial information from Kane.
Those who had been hiding on the roof quickly vanished.
They moved to report to their superiors.
Kane had already noticed that the ones in hiding were informants.
Since the information would soon become known anyway.
It wasn't bad to share it early to build trust.
The innkeeper finished guiding them and was about to leave.
Jingle!
The inn's door opened with a loud noise.
"Seems like there's a guest."
"I'll send some food up. Have a pleasant stay."
The innkeeper quickly descended the stairs.
"Time for some entertaining spectacle."
A cold smile appeared on Kane's lips.
* * *
A group of about ten people entered the Black Crow Inn, Branch 1.
All of them were dressed in white uniforms.
They had youthful faces.
However, every move they made was full of elegance.
An attendant who had been sitting approached the leader of the group.
"Young Master Matteo, you've arrived."
"Is the terrace on the 5th floor available? Guide us. We're planning a celebration party and need a splendid location."
The attendant's face quickly hardened.
The 5th floor.
There were already guests there.
And not just any guests, but special, Black-ranked ones.
'Of all times…' his face seemed to say, as he locked eyes with someone else in the group.
'Oh crap! Why is that kid…no, why is Young Master here with this crowd?'
The boy the attendant noticed was Sasha.
One of the youngest twins from Rehinar.
A pure-hearted child who usually had nothing to do with entertainment.
He did not fit in at all with this rowdy group.
In truth, none of the families in this group could stand shoulder to shoulder with Rehinar.
But with Rehinar's declining reputation, the gentle-natured young master had become easy prey for them.
'Just from the situation, I can tell. Matteo is about to start another nasty game… but he's picked the wrong target this time.'
However, Rehinar had recently undergone significant changes.
According to the Black Crow's information.
Rivan Dyer and the Holy Sword Knights had all disappeared.
It was said they did not survive entering the Demon Forest, but….
The guild master concluded only one thing.
'Kane Rehinar lured them into the Demon Forest and killed them. If such a person finds out his sibling is being bullied, will he sit idly by? This place will become a bloodbath.'
The so-called 'Dullard Young Master?'
He never existed in the first place.
Everyone had been completely deceived by Rehinar.
The Dullard Young Master was a farce.
Kane Rehinar had the power to crush the heirs of the Twelve Great Families of the continent.
Most importantly!
He was a psychopath.
He had thrown thousands of his domain's residents to monsters without batting an eye.
'What should I do?'
The attendant turned his head.
Everyone here was a member of the Black Crow.
They had already grasped the situation.
At his glance, everyone turned their heads away.
'Bastards. Leaving me to handle this mess alone?'
He was cursing inwardly when Matteo's voice rang out.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"It's not that…"
"Send the food up. Let's go. Sasha, thanks to you, we'll feast today."
"Hehe. Let's get along well from now on."
"I'll treat you very nicely."
Sasha clenched his fists tightly.
Holding back his anger.
He gritted his teeth and spoke.
"Just…keep your promise not to bother Rose again."
"I swear on the Dyer name."
Matteo draped his arm around Sasha's shoulders and started to head upstairs.
"Young Master Matteo! What brings you here without notice?"
At that moment, the innkeeper, who had been rushing down from upstairs, blocked Matteo's group.
"Why do you keep blocking the way?"
"The terrace on the 5th floor is already occupied, so I will guide you to the 4th floor," said the innkeeper.
Matteo's expression darkened.
The Dyer family was a rising power.
Few families in the empire, aside from the royal family, ranked higher.
"Guests? Guests more important than me?"
Although Matteo was arrogant, he was well aware of the Black Crow's reputation.
His relationship with the Black Crow was also quite favorable.
Therefore, he didn't act rashly.
"A guest specifically mentioned by the guild master, OH!? Isn't this Young Master Sasha?"
The innkeeper clasped Sasha's hand, who was standing beside Matteo.
"Do you know me?"
"Of course. Your brother is on the 5th floor."
The innkeeper intentionally acted friendly towards Sasha.
The secret voice of the attendant reached his ears.
[Elder Brother, what are you planning?]
[You've already grasped the situation. It's better to let them go upstairs.]
[Knowing the Young Duke's temperament?]
[Since the guild master shifted allegiance from Dyer to Rehinar, we must follow suit.]
[Matteo's reaction is predictable.]
Indeed, Matteo's eyes were blazing with anger.
"I wanted to see the so-called Dullard Young Master, but I didn't expect to see him here. If your eldest sister marries my second brother, we'll become blood relatives. It wouldn't hurt to meet him in advance."
Matteo began striding upstairs.
"Wait, hold on!"
Sasha tried to stop him, but Matteo had already gone ahead.
* * *
Thud.
Thud, thud.
A person came upstairs with heavy steps.
He bore a strong resemblance to Rivan.
The only difference was his size.
While Rivan was slender, Matteo, despite being only 16 years old, stood at about 178 cm.
His muscles were also well-developed.
He was younger than Rivan but had achieved a balanced growth.
As soon as Kane saw Matteo, he muttered softly.
"He's walking right into becoming an idiot."
Blata also whispered very softly.
"Wow, you're not going to kill him? Kane, you've changed."
"How well do you even know me?"
"I can feel Camilla's feelings. She's surprised you're not killing him."
Kane turned his head to look at Camilla.
"Ah, no! I would never think such a thing."
Camilla was flustered that her thoughts had been read.
"So you were seeing me as a murderer."
Blata seemed uninterested in Camilla's feelings and asked Kane again.
"Really, you're not going to kill him?"
"Not yet."
"So you mean you'll kill him eventually."
Blata looked satisfied.
Meanwhile, Matteo looked at Kane and was surprised.
"So, you really are using this place alone. I heard Rivan took a lot of money to Rehinar, and you rented this place with that money?"
He couldn't believe Kane was occupying the entire 5th floor by himself.
"Shouldn't you start with a greeting? You're just as rude as your brother."
When Kane muttered, Blata whined beside him.
"Just kill him."
"Not now, I said."
"You're no fun."
Blata pouted.
At that moment, Sasha, who had followed Matteo upstairs, called out to Kane.
"Brother!"
"Long time no see, Twin Blade Sasha."
Sasha Rehinar.
He was a man who succeeded Duke Carl.
He became known as the Twin Blade.
In the future, he would be one of the fiercest resistors against Hatzfeld.