The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

Chapter 30

"I wish I could visit and share a drink with you, but the situation won't allow me to move freely. Please forgive me, my dear brother-in-law. I'm writing to you now because of Caron. I know you cherish him deeply, but..."

"Hah, it seems my brother-in-law and I don't see eye to eye on this," Gyle said with a wry smile as he read the letter from Duke Halo that Zerath had handed him.

"Whose letter is that?" asked Mayor Grine, who was sitting across from Gyle and sharing a drink.

"As I mentioned earlier, it's from my brother-in-law," Gyle replied.

"It's from Duke Halo?" Mayor Grine asked.

"Yes. He's telling me not to interfere, no matter what Caron does tonight. He says a wolf handles matters in a wolf's way," Gyle said.

"It seems he's raising his grandson to be quite strong. That's very much in line with how the Leston Duchy operates," Mayor Grine said.

"Let's have a drink," Gyle suggested.

"Yes, sir," Mayor Grine agreed.

The two clinked their glasses lightly, then downed their liquor. Gyle exhaled deeply as he set the letter down. He desperately wanted to keep his grandson safe, but things weren't going as planned.

Caron was only thirteen years old. He was still at an age where he needed his parents' protection. How could Gyle just sit back and watch as his grandson walked into danger? Worry gnawed at his mind.

"With the Duke directly involved, it seems there's not much I can do," Mayor Grine admitted.

"What do you mean by that?" Gyle asked.

"Earlier, your grandson made a special request to me. He asked me to keep you occupied tonight, even if it meant drinking until dawn," Mayor Grine explained.

"He knows you well. He must have predicted how you'd react," Gyle noted with a chuckle.

"Well, for me, it's a chance to catch up with you and earn some favor with the young master of the Leston family. It's a win-win, wouldn't you say?" Mayor Grine laughed as he refilled Gyle's empty glass. He remarked, "I completely understand your concern for your grandson, but I don't think you need to worry too much."

"But Caron is still only thirteen years old," Gyle replied, the weight of worry evident in his voice.

"Age is just a number, whether you're an old veteran or a young prodigy. Caron has already taken down a 6-Star knight. And with the commander of the Oceanwolf Knight Order in the city, I doubt anything will go wrong," Mayor Grine reassured him.

"But this is Thebe. It's a city where anything can happen, no matter how unlikely. Even you, as the mayor, have trouble keeping track of everything that happens in its shadows, don't you?" Gyle countered.

Mayor Grine's expression turned bitter as he nodded. Gyle had hit the mark. Thebe was a city where both ambition and desire were unashamedly on display. In its underworld, illegal activities thrived. Those in power often turned a blind eye, allowing those driven by greed to stir up trouble.

The black market was one example. It was a place where smuggled goods, stolen items, and even slaves were traded. It was rumored to sell anything that existed in the world.

"Some of those scoundrels are even funneling money into the political scene to expand their influence. You know that well enough," Gyle said.

"Yes, even mages from the Imperial Tower frequent the black market," Mayor Grine admitted.

"Of course they do. Some of those crazy mages want forbidden materials," Gyle said with a sigh.

"And let's not forget about the noble lords, with their sophisticated hobby of collecting slaves," Mayor Grine added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

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Thebe was a city entangled in a web of complex interests. It had a unique status within the empire as an autonomous territory. The city's self-governing militia only maintained order in the visible, lawful parts of the city. Whatever happened in the shadows was left to those who lived there.

"By morning, the city will be turned upside down," Mayor Grine said as he downed his drink in one gulp. He added, "I'm sure I'll have a mountain of work waiting for me as the mayor."

"The imperial family plans to use this incident as an excuse to intervene in Thebe. It seems the emperor is finally preparing to make his move," Gyle said seriously.

"I became a mayor hoping to make some money in my later years, but it looks like I'm in for a lot of trouble instead," Mayor Grine said with a sigh.

"There's always a reason when large sums of money are involved. The greedy fools on the Thebe council wouldn't waste money for no reason, would they?" Gyle responded.

"Is it a crime to dream of a comfortable retirement...?" Mayor Grine sighed again. His plans for the future had crumbled long ago. Now, the only thing that mattered was surviving in this treacherous city.

"Oh right, there's something I need to tell you," he added.

"Go ahead," Gyle said.

"Sir Mason is currently in Thebe. He showed up at the City Hall three days ago."

At the mention of the name, Gyle's expression darkened. Mason Poll was an 8-Star knight who had once served in the Imperial Guard; he was also known as the Unyielding Shield. He was currently on a special mission assigned directly by the emperor, which had required him to temporarily leave the Imperial Guard.

Gyle quickly recalled Sir Mason's mission: To protect the sixth prince.

"Does that mean... he's here?" Gyle asked.

"Well, technically, he is a mage," Mayor Grine replied.

"And does the Leston family know about this?" Gyle asked as his concern grew.

"I'm not sure about that," Mayor Grine admitted.

"Ugh, this is..." Gyle muttered as he felt the anxiety gnawing at him. The timing couldn't be worse. Why did it have to be now of all times?

"The sixth prince is the emperor's illegitimate son," he murmured as he realized that one of the emperor's discarded children was now in Thebe. He could only hope that Caron wouldn't cross paths with him. He clenched his fist and shook his head in resignation, grumbling, "This is frustrating."

Trying to be cautious, Mayor Grine said softly, "It will be fine. There won't be any trouble."

"You're saying that because you don't know my Caron," Gyle replied, thinking of his beloved grandson... the same grandson who, up until now, had always been full of surprises.

"If there's no trouble, he's the type to go out of his way to create some," he concluded.

***

"You know, you could have just stayed back at the mansion, right, Leo?" Caron asked.

"Well, I couldn't just let you go alone. But Caron, can I ask you something?" Leo replied.

"Yes, go ahead."

"Why are you dressed like that while I'm stuck in this outfit?" Leo asked, looking displeased at Caron's appearance.

The streets of Thebe were bright despite the late hour, illuminated by streetlights that cast a glow over the city.

Leo couldn't help but feel envious as he looked at Caron, who was dressed in a finely tailored dress shirt made by one of the capital's top designers. He was adorned with accessories made of gold and jewels, and a luxury watch was visible beneath his rolled-up sleeve. His blond hair, styled in soft curls, and the two top buttons of his shirt that were left undone gave him the look of an aristocratic young master with a hint of mischief.

And then there was Leo himself, dressed in simple, functional pants and a plain brown jacket. He was clearly dressed like a servant accompanying a nobleman. It was natural for him to complain.

But Caron just looked at him with a nonchalant expression and said, "You said you'd help me out."

"I did say that," Leo admitted.

"Well, dressing like that is helping me out," Caron explained.

"I get that we're going for the 'troublemaker noble and his attendant' look, but why do I have to be the attendant?" Leo asked, still frustrated. At the very least, they could have discussed the plan before throwing him into this outfit.

Caron caught Leo's dissatisfaction, giving him a slight smile before saying, "Leo."

"What?" Leo replied.

"Do you really not know the reason, or are you just pretending not to?" Caron asked.

That question left Leo speechless. He let out a sigh because he knew very well why things were the way they were. It wasn't ignorance; it was just that the situation rubbed him the wrong way. He sighed again.

"I know, I know," he admitted. It wasn't that he didn't understand. He was just feeling a bit bitter about it all.

Of course, Leo also knew that Caron fit the role of the troublemaker noble perfectly. Despite the facade he sometimes put on in front of adults, there was a demon inside Caron. And more than anything else, Leo thought Caron really was handsome. He had a face that practically radiated nobility.

As for Leo himself? He was neat, but he didn't exactly exude aristocratic elegance. And that, in the end, was what bothered him most. It was all because this damned kid was just too handsome.

The two of them began walking briskly toward the eastern district of the city. The lighting grew dimmer, its color shifting to a deeper, more ominous shade of red. The crowd around them changed as well. While there had been ordinary families just moments before, now there were figures who belonged to a different side of the city.

"Are you feeling lonely tonight? Come visit our shop," a woman called out.

"Beastfolk? Elves? Pretty boys? We've got everything to suit your tastes. Just let us know," another chimed in.

The number of people with more dangerous auras began to increase. It was evidence that they had fully entered the eastern district of Thebe, a place where the city's darker desires came to life. This was Thebe's notorious underbelly, known for its open secrets and seedy activities.

Caron pulled out a white mask and put it on. The mask bore a blue teardrop painted on the right cheek. Leo, following Caron's lead, put on his own mask. In Thebe, it was an unspoken rule for members of noble families to wear masks when visiting this part of the city.

"Don't you think wearing masks might draw more attention?" Leo muttered quietly.

Caron nodded slowly and said, "It does attract attention, but it also keeps us out of trouble. It's like a badge of nobility."

"This sounds easy to imitate," Leo remarked.

"Try impersonating a noble and getting caught. You'd wish you were dead," Caron said.

The masks were effective, though. Even the most assertive madams kept their distance, hesitant to approach them directly. Men lurking in the shadows of the alleys eyed Caron and Leo warily, but none dared to confront them openly.

If we'd just wandered in here without a plan, we'd have been lost, Caron thought to himself.

To enter the black market, they needed a broker; especially if they wanted to access the more dangerous merchandise.

We have to pass the first tavern, then take the third alley on the right, Caron reminded himself as he recalled the information Zerath had given him in advance.

They moved swiftly, slipping into a dark alley that the streetlights didn't reach. A hooded man was waiting for them.

"What do you need?" the man asked in a gruff voice, his eyes fixed on Caron.

In response, Caron silently half-drew his sword, Guillotine, from its scabbard. The blade, with its distinctive dark blue sheen, glinted even in the dim light of the alley. He asked, "Do you need more proof?"

The man immediately bowed his head and said, "I've received word from Sir Zerath. It's an honor to serve you, Young Masters. You can call me Julio."

Julio was an informant working for the Leston family. Given that Thebe was a city second only to the capital in terms of information flow, it was no surprise that the Leston family had eyes and ears here as well.

"So, what's the plan?" Caron asked.

"I'll explain at the safe house. Please follow me this way," Julio replied, leading them deeper into the alley to a small house tucked away from prying eyes.

The safe house was cramped, barely big enough for the three of them, but it was well-protected.

"There's a soundproofing artifact installed here. I report to Azureocean Castle through the communicator on the table," Julio explained.

"Must be tough working away from home," Caron remarked casually.

"I wouldn't say that. Thebe is my home; I was born here," Julio replied as he removed his hood, revealing a young face marred by a burn scar on his right cheek. Despite the scar, he looked to be in his mid-to-late twenties. Without it, he could have been considered quite handsome.

"When I was young, Sir Zerath saved my life," he explained.

Caron smirked and said, "Zerath does have a knack for meeting loyal people."

Julio returned a faint smile, then reached for a book on the shelf and placed it on the table.

"The black market here isn't just one place. There are several. Each market deals in different goods, and the level of danger varies. There are only two that handle highly dangerous items like explosives," he explained. He turned a few pages before handing the book to Caron.

"One is run by the Kerr Merchant Guild, and the other by a violent organization called Caligo," Julio continued.

Caron was familiar with the Kerr Merchant Guild. It had recently gained significant influence in Thebe. In fact, one of the city council members he had met earlier that day was a representative of the guild. However, the name Caligo was new to him.

"Caligo?" he asked.

"Caligo is an organization formed by former slaves who banded together. Among Thebe's criminal organizations, they're the most powerful. They'll do anything if there's money in it," Julio explained.

Caron frowned slightly after listening to Julio's explanation. Narrowing down their targets to two groups was helpful, but it also posed a dilemma. Whichever one they hit first would likely cause the other to react immediately.

After thoroughly examining the book, he placed it back on the table and looked at Julio before asking, "Which one do you think is more likely?"

"The Kerr Merchant Guild is firmly established in Thebe. Recently, they've even shown signs of trying to withdraw from the black market. In contrast, Caligo will do anything for profit," Julio said.

"So, you think Caligo is more likely?" Caron asked.

"That's my assessment. We've also received information that some of Caligo's members left the city earlier today. The odds are high," Julio said.

Caron found no fault in Julio's logic. Those with nothing to lose were always the ones causing trouble, not those who had something to protect. But taking on Caligo could also mean walking straight into the lion's den.

"Maybe the evidence is already being destroyed," Caron recalled Zerath's advice.

In the end, the decision was his to make. However, in situations like this, boldness was often the best approach. Caron exhaled slowly, then made his decision and said, "Let's start with Caligo."

The night was too short to waste on overthinking things.

Julio bowed respectfully and said, "Then, I'll lead you to Caligo's black market."

Whoosh.

Guillotine hummed softly within its scabbard, as if eager for what was to come.