Chapter 19: The Road to Empire (3)

The sun began to rise.

I stood before a building.

“Is this the right place?”

A large building stood out among the surrounding shabby houses. A sign read “Mark’s Trading Company.”

The lights on the second floor were off, but the first floor was still lit.

Knock, knock

I opened the door and stepped inside.

A variety of furniture filled the space, and an old man sat at the reception desk.

“Chuckle, chuckle. What brings a young lady like yourself here at this late hour?”

“I’d like to see the owner.”

“Could you tell me your business?”

“I’d like to buy some black blood.”

“…And how much do you require?”

“As little as possible.”

I used the prearranged code, and the old man’s eyes changed.

He nodded, rising from his seat and walking towards a nearby shelf.

“You must be the one the owner mentioned.”

“Can I see him now?”

“Of course. And you don’t have to be so formal with a lowly old man like me.”

He pulled on one of the books on the shelf.

As the book slid back into place, a mechanism whirred, and…

Rumble, rumble…

…the wall behind the shelf transformed into a staircase leading down.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

I descended the stairs into a long corridor.

Luminous magical tools provided dim light, but the corridor felt eerie. I reached a door at the end.

I opened the ornate wooden door and was greeted by a woman, presumably a secretary, and a man.

“Welcome, Zeroth Legion Commander. We’ve been expecting you.”

“And you are?”

“Ah, my apologies. Allow me to introduce myself.”

The man rose, placing a hand on his chest, and bowed.

“I am Mark, one of the Demon King’s loyal servants. As you can see, I manage this trading company.”

“I see.”

“I’ve prepared everything you’ll need.”

He handed me an envelope.

Inside, I found identification papers, a house address, and a bank book.

“As requested, your identity is that of a commoner. The funds in the account have been laundered, so you won’t be suspected.”

“This is sufficient.”

“Finally, the house we’ve provided is also owned by our trading company, so you shouldn’t have any problems.”

Mark finished his explanation and took a sip of tea.

I spoke.

“When can I depart?”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

“Then please prepare everything for my departure after I finish some business.”

“Business?”

Mark looked at me questioningly.

I told him about the incident with the s*ave traders.

“…You had a conflict with the black market?”

“I needed to send a warning before things got out of hand.”

They had ignored the invitation (assassins), so it was only polite to follow up.

They probably wouldn’t appreciate it, but I preferred to avoid future complications.

“Should we prepare some of our men?”

“No, I prefer to work alone. Just tell me the location.”

“Understood.”

Mark watched as I turned to leave. His secretary spoke.

“I pity the black market for provoking the Reaper of the Demon Realm.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that nickname.”

The nickname was given to Aria shortly after she became the Zeroth Legion Commander.

The demons hadn’t welcomed her ascension, especially since she appeared to be a young human girl. Several demons challenged her, only to be met with the Zeroth Legion’s massacre. All but one of the challengers, who was spared to become her secretary, were slaughtered.

That was how she earned the nickname “Reaper of the Demon Realm.”

She didn’t seem to like it, but most demons now addressed her by her nickname, fearing her power.

“Well, since you said it was a warning, I assume she won’t kill them.”

“I’ll prepare the carriage.”

“Yes.”

The secretary left the room, leaving Mark alone in silence.

I followed Mark’s contact through the underground passages, finally arriving at the black market.

The security was tight, but I passed through without any problems.

As I walked, taking in the sights, a commotion drew my attention. A group of men approached.

The man in the suit at the front spoke.

“I’m Owen, Mr. Havel’s secretary.”

“What do you want?”

“Mr. Havel is quite displeased with your recent actions. He requests your presence.”

“Oh…”

Their response was faster than I expected.

“And if I refuse?”

“…I wouldn’t recommend it. We’ll have to take you by force.”

Figures emerged from the shadows, their killing intent directed at me.

Compared to the true “monsters” I had faced, this was laughable.

I released my own killing intent, pushing back against theirs. The secretary spoke, flustered.

“W-Wait a moment. He doesn’t want to make a scene.”

His voice wavered, betraying his anxiety.

His eyes darted around, and his hands trembled.

I was considering killing them all… but he’s perceptive.

He had realized that refusing would mean their deaths.

“Fine, I’ll go with you.”

“…Thank you.”

I hadn’t intended to kill them anyway. I had promised Mark it was just a warning.

“This way, please.”

The secretary, now more respectful, led me to Havel’s mansion.

A muscular man sat on a sofa, smoking.

He stood at least two meters tall, and the scars peeking through his clothes spoke of a violent life.

His name was Havel.

The owner of this black market, he was in a foul mood.

His s*ave traders had been attacked, and the assassins he sent were found dead in an alley.

According to his subordinates, all of this was the work of a single girl.

“Haa…”

The acrid smoke and his killing intent made his subordinates uneasy, but he didn’t care.

After a while…

Knock, knock

The secretary entered.

“Sir, I’ve brought her.”

“Let her in.”

Havel’s mood seemed to improve slightly, but it quickly soured as he saw the woman enter, her demeanor relaxed.

“You’re the b*tch who interfered with my business and killed my men?”

“Judging by your kind invitation, you already know.”

“Hah, you’ve got some nerve.”

“I prefer to call it composure.”

The woman’s nonchalant response to his threats was infuriating.

“Normally, you’d offer a guest some tea.”

“…Just kill her.”

“Sigh…”

Havel’s patience wore thin as she continued to provoke him. He gave the order, and his men lunged at her, weapons drawn.

Or rather, they tried to lunge.

“What…?”

A flash of steel.

Bodies fell to the ground, severed in half.

Gurgled cries were their last words.

“And here I am, being polite.”

Her cold voice echoed in the room.

Her bloodstained sword and emotionless tone spoke of the carnage she had just wrought.

“What the…”

Despite the shock, Havel, a veteran of countless battles, reacted instantly, reaching for his sword. But a chilling killing intent, like a serpent sinking its fangs into his neck, froze him in place.

His survival instincts, honed by years of experience, understood.

If I draw my sword, I die.

His body screamed for action, but his instincts screamed for survival.

“…What do you want?”

In this life-or-death situation, he chose to trust the instincts that had kept him alive. Better to cut your losses than lose your life. That was the rule of the underworld.

He, the owner of this black market, hadn’t even seen her attack.

Could he even block a single blow if she fought seriously?

He could only imagine his own head rolling on the floor.

He could only hope she didn’t want his life.

“What I want…”

She stepped closer, pressing the blade against his neck.

Blood trickled down his skin, but he couldn’t move.

“Don’t bother me again.”

“Is that… all?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

She sheathed her sword, and the oppressive killing intent vanished. Havel could finally move.

“If you send anyone after me again, I won’t just send a warning. I’ll bury this entire black market.”

He could only watch as she left, unable to do anything.

“So…”

I entered an alley after leaving the mansion.

I seemed to be frequenting alleys lately, but they were the perfect place to ambush pursuers.

Whoosh

“W-What? Where…!”

“I wouldn’t recommend moving. You might lose your head.”

The woman, startled by my sudden disappearance, looked around frantically.

She froze as she felt my blade against her neck.

“Why have you been following me?”

“W-Wait!”

Her blue eyes widened in panic.

Her hood fell back, revealing pointed ears and familiar golden hair.

“You better explain yourself.”

…Lena?