blueteamnovel Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Caron returned about three hours later, having been busy sifting through, collecting, and organizing the information before making his way back here.
During that time, I wasn't merely idling away.
Sitting in the chair, I nodded off as I waited for Caron, whose arrival time was uncertain.
I could say that I performed a task just as arduous as Caron's.
'I hope I wasn’t caught.'
I'm an owner of slit eyes, often mistaken for being lost in thought as I sit cross-legged with my arms folded, a misconception many would pass by.
I've even used this during class, and explaining its effectiveness would be painfully tiresome.
"Keke, you took your time. I almost fell asleep waiting."
"...Wipe the drool from your mouth before you speak."
Ah, I hadn’t considered that.
Typical of the Empire's rat, Caron. There was no room for complacency.
"Anyway, it did take a long time. Weren’t you already aware of this?"
"I knew the numbers of the dead and missing. But there were quite a few families who hadn’t reported missing members among those who had been inactive recently. It took some time to contact them and confirm."
If what Caron said was true, then his speed was incredibly fast, not slow.
"What were the results?"
"...Seven more added. The previous missing were eight, and those who died suddenly were five."
That made a total of twenty.
I don’t think 'Red King' Broken killed all those people.
'There might be others tangled in different incidents or who actually disappeared.'
But the fact that twenty victims had emerged from the Empire was significant.
The Holy Kingdom, the other Kingdoms, the Duchies, etc. If it's assumed that a similar number of victims appeared in other countries...
'At least a hundred must have suffered.'
The number in the hundreds.
The weight of it was far from light, especially if those involved were higher than six stars.
"As much as I hate to admit it, we’ve been thoroughly outplayed."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Four months ago, Gardener, a hero from the Selvis Kingdom, died under mysterious circumstances. At the time, it was thought to be a natural death..."
He was of an age, but he was too hearty to just fall over dead.
His always carried weapon had gone missing.
And parts of his flesh had turned black and rotted.
"Upon closer examination, there were more than a few suspicious points."
"Why was it assumed to be a natural death at the time?"
"Because there were no signs of battle. Realistically, it's impossible to fight a nine-star knight, who is a titled hero, and leave no trace of combat."
That makes sense. A nine-star knight transcends human limitations.
If a fight had occurred, some trace would have been left.
Unless the opponent was 'Broken.'
"It's highly likely to be the work of the Last of the Four Heavenly Kings."
"It's safe to say that. No one can just kill a hero. The existence of a black mage capable of killing a hero... Hard to believe, but we must accept it."
Caron's face grew grave.
A black mage capable of instantly killing a hero?
It was almost as if everyone in the Empire could fall prey to his magic.
"Was he the only hero who died?"
"That's correct. Although other nations might be hiding their heroes' deaths... It's unlikely."
"Keke, this is the worst."
"What do you mean?"
"A person capable of killing even heroes in one strike. And yet, there’s only one dead hero. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?"Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com
"Could it be..."
Regrettably, that 'could it be' was correct. Nodding, I continued.
"He’s been killing those who wouldn’t be noticed first. So that no one catches on that something’s amiss."
Yes, the Four Heavenly Kings have been moving stealthily yet effectively.
In the game, the existence of 'Red King' Broken is only realized in Chapter 4. By that time, the number of people he had killed had already exceeded 500.
These were all individuals of six-star capability or higher, all of whom had lost their lives to Broken.
From Chapter 4, once his identity was revealed, he began to assassinate heroes and others of similar skill.
As a result, the strength of the human alliance army, gathered to fight against the Legion Commander, was significantly diminished.
Thus, the continent was set on a path to ruin by the Legion Commander and the Four Heavenly Kings.
"So that's it. If heroes continue to die one after the other, anyone would start to sense something off and begin to take measures. It's not just about ability... He's quite intelligent. Or is it confidence?"
Heroes and nine-star knights who are beyond the scope of ordinary humans.
The confidence that he could kill them at will, whenever he wanted.
This also highlighted the strategic brilliance of Broken.
"And if this assumption is correct... he'll start to act more aggressively now that the existence of the Four Heavenly Kings has been made known to the continent."
I don't know. I've always known him, but now I can't fathom his intentions at all.
Why does the phrase 'when people change, they die' come to mind at times like this?
Of course, it's Caron who has changed, but it would be me who ends up dead.
Caron is a maker of bad endings.
He approached slowly. Maybe he was planning to twist my neck.
It was time to use Luna’s Friend Shield, a secret technique reserved for Caron.
"This deal ends here. It’s time to give you your reward. Is there something specific you want?"
"A reward?"
"We're business partners, aren't we? The discovery of Volkan and the new Four Heavenly Kings was thanks to your information, so it's only right I compensate you adequately."
Only then did I snap back to reality.
As Caron said, we are in a business relationship. As long as I'm of use to him, he won’t harm me casually.
Of course, being dragged away and tortured is a separate issue.
'A reward...'
I had something in mind already, but with the sixth quest, 'Adonis's Suspicion', having just begun.
Proving to Adonis that I'm an ally had become the most urgent matter.
'It's a complex issue, but... using Caron can simplify it.'
Zero is just a strange kid, not a suspicious one.
Just saying that much should keep Adonis from trying to kill me.
Mentioning a 'reward' would force Caron to agree, a very simple solution.
However, there was one problem.
If I say, 'Please clear up the misunderstanding that made Adonis go after my life!', Caron would first ask, 'Why?'
On the surface, Adonis is just a fifteen-year-old child sent from the Holy Kingdom.
Me, afraid of him?
Caron would find that strange and quickly deduce the truth.
'Does Zero know that Adonis is actually Lord Douglas? A state secret known by fewer than ten people in the Empire?'
He’d drag me to the torture chamber immediately.
'So, what I need to do now is...'
Make Caron realize through deduction that 'Douglas = Adonis'.
That must be established first.
'I’ll somehow tie even the smallest piece of information back to this.'
My life was on the line, so I had to do my best.
Clearing my throat, I began to speak.
"I want information about Lord Douglas as a reward."
"I reject that."
"Keke, considering the value of the information I've provided so far, I believe that should be possible."
"You underestimate the value of classified information. Most of what you've given had to be verified in person, meaning my efforts were greater. Let's see... yes, your share is about 2%."
Such a scoundrel. Not even willing to share a tiny bit of information, such an ungrateful attitude.
There goes my liver, spleen, and love(?)—I've given everything!
This is why it doesn't pay to be nice in this world.
'I'll become twisted.'
I'll start by pulling Rezé's bangs, kicking trash cans to earn demerits from Rodelin, and tormenting Luna...
"Ugh!"
I had to clutch my stomach. Imaginary Luna had kicked me there.
Hmm, on second thought, tormenting Luna seems impossible. That's on hold.
Anyway, I'm going to become a delinquent student. I won’t give Caron any more information.
"Are you sulking? What a cheeky attitude."
"What am I supposed to do? I've been milked for information without getting anything I want in return."
"Well, if you really want to know, there is a way."
Caron perched on the windowsill. At the same time, a system window popped up in front of me.
[Job Change Quest]
Change to the special job, ‘Caron’s Rat’.
Benefits: Acquire rat-exclusive skills.
Learn Caron’s secrets whenever specific conditions are met.
Receive desired information depending on Caron’s favorability rating.
Rejection Penalty: Favorability decreases by two levels, ???
[Will you change to ‘Caron’s Rat’?]
"Zero, become a rat."
The Empire’s rat, Caron, extended his hand to me.
--TL Notes--
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