Chapter 20
—
“Bayern’s little angel?”
“If you trace that bloodline far enough back, you’ll find an angel. You didn’t know?”
Arthur thought for a moment before replying.
“No, I do know. But… isn’t that just a legend?”
“Sometimes legends turn out to be true. Still, I can’t say for certain myself. It’s such an old tale, and angels, by nature, can’t marry humans in the first place.”
At that explanation, Arthur let out a quiet exclamation.
*This white-bearded man… does he actually know about angels?*
If this old man really was from Sky Island, then perhaps he did.
After all, Sky Island was an organization as secretive as it was mysterious.
Then the white-beard spoke again.
“Well then, let’s get to the point. Do you think I’m here to kill you?”
Arthur, regaining his focus, answered,
“Hmm… Normally, wouldn’t that be the case?”
“Why?”
Arthur answered honestly.
“Because I killed your disciple.”
White-beard burst out laughing.
“Frakil was not my disciple.”
“What?”
“He was just one of the strays I picked up because he had unusually unique blood. Mm… yes. Just a thing. Like a rare collectible.”
Arthur tilted his head.
He’d heard of people collecting rare antiques, but a person who collected humans with rare blood—that was new.
Still, without dwelling on it, he asked his next question.
“Then you’re not going to kill me?”
White-beard took a sip of tea.
“Well… I’m still deciding. Should I kill you here, or let you live? If I kill you, the aftermath will be troublesome. But if I let you live, it’ll leave a bad taste in my mouth… I’ve never forgiven anyone who’s tampered with my possessions.”
With that answer, silence settled between them.
White-beard studied Arthur while sipping his tea, and Arthur fiddled with his Woonchul Sword.
*If he says he’ll kill me, I’ll have to strike first. But how?*
Would there be a chance if he went straight for the carotid artery?
Or should he cut off both arms first to prevent him from using magic?
Arthur shook his head at the repeated scenarios.
None of them gave him the certainty that he could kill the man in front of him.
*That just means he’s that strong… troublesome. Of all times, why meet him now?*
Arthur was still searching for the best move when—
“I’ve decided,” White-beard broke the silence. “I’ll let you live.”
“…Oh. Really?”
“I didn’t come here to kill you in the first place. Even for me, killing a child of the Bayern family carries too much risk.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“Then why come to see me?”
“Curiosity. Wouldn’t you be curious to see the face of the one who managed to find and kill Frakil, when even I had trouble tracking him down?”
Arthur let out a small “ah” of realization.
“Well, that does make sense. If you’re curious, you have to satisfy it.”
“Oh… so you understand the aesthetics of curiosity. Then may I ask you one question?”
“What is it?”
“Why did you kill Frakil? From what I can tell, you had no real reason to.”
Arthur grinned.
“Because he tried to kill me first. So I got in the first move.”
White-beard blinked.
“Frakil? No matter how unhinged he was, he wasn’t stupid enough to mess with someone from the Bayern family.”
Arthur shrugged.
“Not right now, but he would have killed me later.”
“…So you’re saying you killed him because he was *going* to kill you? That’s what you mean?”
“Yes.”
“That’s… peculiar. And how did you know that?”
“That’s a secret.”
White-beard let out a hearty laugh.
“A secret? Hah… that’s a word I haven’t heard in a long time.”
Silence returned as White-beard stroked the beard that reached his chest.
After a while, he suddenly picked up the fedora he had set aside.
Seeing this, Arthur asked cautiously,
“Are you leaving?”
“Of course. Even I can only keep a 5th-circle knight unconscious for so long, and the next stop is my destination.”
“Well… I guess this is goodbye. It was nice meeting you, White-beard.”
“You don’t look like you mean it.”
“No, really. I thought I’d never be able to hold a proper conversation with a dark mage, but you proved me wrong.”
“Now, now—don’t hold too many prejudices against dark mages. I enjoyed this as well. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with a noble like this.”
White-beard tapped his staff.
The closed door swung open, revealing Anna, still unconscious but with her eyes open.
“She’s just asleep. No need to worry. By the way… are you heading to Arcane?”
Arthur turned his gaze and answered,
“Yes.”
“If a noble heir is heading to Arcane, I suppose you’re planning to enroll at the university?”
“That’s right.”
White-beard suddenly held out a black card.
“If you ever want to see me again, go to the Black Spire and show them this card. A guide will come for you.”
Arthur blinked as he took the card.
“Uh… is this a gift?”
“A gift. Payment for an enjoyable conversation I haven’t had in ages.”
White-beard turned away.
“Then this really is goodbye. Welcome to Arcane, this mad city, young lord.”
—
—
**White-beard, the dark mage.**
Thanks to that unexpected encounter, Arthur could feel it clearly—
*I really am back in Arcane. Meeting people like that proves it.*
Criminals, heroes, knights, mages…
Arcane was a city where people of all professions and all kinds of stories gathered.
Here, anything could happen, and anything could be accomplished.
Proof of that was meeting a member of the Sky Island organization—something out of legend.
Meeting White-beard was the kind of event that could only happen in Arcane.
*Coming back here was the right choice. My first meeting is with a legendary dark mage, after all…*
While he was lost in thought, the train came to a stop.
After the long journey, they had finally arrived in Arcane.
Anna, who stepped off the train after Arthur, gazed at the cityscape in awe.
“Wow… How can buildings be so tall? This is amazing…”
Just then, a group of people carrying a banner approached.
Arthur turned his gaze and let out a small “oh.”
It was a group of Arcane’s high-ranking officials.
“Welcome, young lord of the Bayern family. Would it be acceptable if we escorted you from here?”
The officials, speaking with courtesy, waited for his answer.
The thirty attendants who had come with him also looked toward Arthur.
Arthur nodded slowly.
“Yes, my mother told me you’d be coming. Please, lead the way.”
“This way, then.”
The officials bowed again and began to move.
At the same time, the crowd parted into two lanes, clearing a path.
“Who is that, for the city officials themselves to greet him?”
“They wouldn’t even greet a royal descendant, but for him…?”
Hearing the murmurs, Anna whispered excitedly,
“They must be really important people, young lord!”
Arthur nodded.
“They are. These are Arcane’s powerholders.”
“*Them*?”
“Yes. In the Empire, obstructing an Arcane official is like defying the Imperial Guard.”
Anna gasped at the explanation.
They were still looking at the well-dressed officials when a luxurious limousine pulled up in front of them.
Following the officials’ guidance, Arthur boarded the limousine and entered the heart of the city in comfort.
—
—
“We received a letter from Duke Yonel Bayern, and have prepared several residences and hotels for your stay. After internal review, we selected the one that best ensures your commute and safety. This is the chosen estate.”
The limousine stopped, and a grand mansion greeted Arthur and his party.
“Ten minutes from the university. Private facilities including a swimming pool. It may not be the largest, but considering the surrounding infrastructure, this is the best property currently available.”
At the mention of its size, Arthur tilted his head.
It was nothing compared to the Bayern estate, but still enormous.
*In Arcane… how many gold coins would this place cost?*
A common farmer could work his entire life—no, for centuries—and never afford it.
Arthur realized something then.
*I’m starting from a completely different place now. Not on the streets, but in a home. Not as the fool Arthur Bayern, but as the duke’s son.*
It gave him a deep, private sense of satisfaction.
While he was savoring the feeling, one of the senior officials asked cautiously,
“If you don’t like it, we can show you another residence.”
“No, I’ll take this one.”
A faint smile appeared on the official’s face.
“It may not be the best, but I can assure you it’s the most suitable choice, young lord.”
“It looks that way. By the way, what’s your name?”
“…My name?”
“Yes. We’ve been talking, but I don’t think I’ve heard it yet.”
For the first time, the official fell silent, but soon composed himself and answered politely,
“Third-class official Evan Chrischer. Please, just call me Evan.”
“Nice to meet you, Evan. Is there anything else I should know?”
“Since you’ve come from far away, your schedule for today ends here. I’ll return tomorrow to discuss the major matters. But there’s one thing you should know.”
In a softer tone, Evan handed him a business card.
Arthur tilted his head.
“What’s this?”
“The mayor of Arcane,” Evan replied with pride.
“Mayor Angelina’s card. She asked me to convey her invitation for tea once you’re settled.”
—
—
With both the card and the earlier black card from White-beard, Arthur tilted his head.
*I’ve never thought about building connections with such big names… Should I just call it luck?*
Not to mention the mayor of Arcane, even meeting White-beard was extraordinary.
Both were people who could shake not just the city, but perhaps the whole continent.
A meeting with them was impossible even for a fortune beyond measure.
And yet he had done it within two days of arriving in Arcane.
*Of course, we’ll have to see if these meetings become real connections… but it’s not bad.*
Time passed again.
The Bayern retainers busied themselves establishing the new home, with Anna at the center of it all.
Even without proper rest, she dedicated herself to furnishing the estate for Arthur.
“The young lord likes neutral colors. The tiles should be marble. And I’ll order the furniture from Takua, the most famous shop in Arcane!”
Anna, already adapting to Arcane, poured her energy into creating a residence solely for Arthur.
She was so enthusiastic that the other attendants could only click their tongues in disbelief.
Arthur’s daily life was not much different from the Bayern estate.
Aside from occasional walks to take in the Arcane scenery, he did little.
*But I should start preparing soon. In two weeks I’ll meet the mayor… and the university term will begin. Not much time left.*
It was best to finish what he could beforehand.
With that, Arthur ended his brief rest and went out.
“Oh, young lord? Heading out?”
“Yes, Anna.”
“I’ll get ready to come with you.”
Arthur shook his head.
“No. Today I’m going alone. I want to look around the city and get to know the place I’ll be living in.”
Anna hesitated, but then nodded.
“Alright. But please be back before dinner.”
Arthur smiled faintly.
*One good thing about leaving the Bayern estate—no need to explain my every move or ask permission.*
With that thought, he headed into the city.
—
—
**Vrrrm—!**
Arcane’s A-1 district—the city’s very heart.
Here were the world’s most expensive luxury goods, the priciest restaurants, and streets built entirely for opulence and pleasure.
Only Arcane’s upper class walked these streets.
Strolling leisurely among them, Arthur stopped in front of a tailor shop.
**\[Manners Make the Man]**
The unusual shop name made him chuckle.
“Wonder if he’s still doing well—old man Willet.”
Muttering to himself, Arthur pushed open the door.
A chime rang, and the distinctive scent of a tailor’s shop filled his nose.
Then a familiar voice called out,
“Who’s there?”
The tone was a bit rough for a greeting, and Arthur’s eyes gleamed.
*Still looking spry. Even more so than when I knew him.*
Ending his thought, Arthur politely addressed the owner of *Manners Make the Man*—
And one of the underworld’s great brokers.
“Hello. I’m here for a job, Master Willet.”
