# Chapter 47
—
Willet turned his gaze.
There was Donn, leaning against the window.
Because of the artifact’s influence, his features looked blurred, making it impossible to read his expression.
‘No. Even without the artifact, he’d probably be just as unreadable.’
The mercenary before him was quite the peculiar one.
From their very first meeting until now, he had done nothing but act outside the bounds of common sense.
Even looking at just the requests he had taken on, they were far removed from what ordinary mercenaries would accept.
Yet, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
One way or another, he had flawlessly carried out every mission entrusted to him, and by Willet’s standards, that made him a rather excellent mercenary.
Especially when the Black Cross intruded—standing his ground until the very end had been something Willet couldn’t help but admire.
‘That doesn’t mean I can trust him though… not yet.’
In this line of work, you run into all sorts of people.
Among them were legendary black magicians, swordmasters consumed by bloodlust.
And this mercenary called Donn before his eyes belonged to that kind as well.
Recalling the report he had received a few days ago, Willet tapped his finger lightly.
‘For now… keeping watch a little longer isn’t a bad idea. At least so far, he hasn’t caused any problems.’
Murmuring thus, Willet finished his musings and raised his head.
—
—
B-32 District, the outermost edge of the civilian residential areas.
Among them was a redevelopment zone where no one came and went, and they had somehow slipped inside.
Athena Orphanage was located at the entrance of this redevelopment zone, which meant they were close to their destination.
As Willet prepared to get out of the car with that thought, Arthur, who had remained silent, spoke up.
“We’re here, Sir Willet.”
“……”
“It’s been so long that I wasn’t sure, but seeing the area, I remembered. If we turn here, isn’t it Athena Orphanage?”
Willet concealed his expression as he answered the question.
“That’s right. So you really do know the way—just as I heard, you were from Athena Orphanage.”
“Not anymore, but yes, I did have quite the deep ties here.”
At Arthur’s reply, Willet muttered inwardly.
Not anymore, but had quite the deep ties?
Did that mean he wasn’t actually from Athena Orphanage?
He didn’t bother to ask aloud, though.
In the meantime, the car stopped. Arthur and Willet opened the doors and stepped out.
Stretching, Arthur walked forward without hesitation.
Willet quietly followed behind, and before long a grand mansion with a beautiful garden came into view.
Arthur stopped, and lightly knocked on the mansion door.
A servant, sweeping the yard, approached and asked,
“What brings you he—oh! Sir Willet!”
Beaming, the servant opened the door.
Willet, standing behind Arthur, narrowed his eyes.
“Even if I’m standing behind, how could you carelessly open the door like that?”
“Ah… my apologies.”
“Apologies don’t solve the problem. Don’t ever do that again.”
At Willet’s rebuke, the servant fidgeted uneasily.
Meanwhile, Arthur, recalling old memories, stepped inside.
‘This place hasn’t changed. Just like it was back then.’
When he had been cast out of the ducal family and wandering the continent,
Arthur had naturally drifted to Arcane and nursed his dying body here.
‘To be exact, I recuperated here… the poison in my body was cured thanks to my bloodline.’
So this place carried deep meaning for him.
Without Willet, without this place, there would be no Arthur as he was now.
As he reminisced, Arthur lifted his head.
There, at a distance, stood Julie—frozen at the sight of him.
“Donn… uncle?”
“Hello, Julie.”
At his greeting, Julie rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
Arthur lifted her up and asked,
“Have you been well, Julie?”
“Yes. But why did you come so late?”
“Mm? I came quickly though. It’s only been a month.”
“That’s late. I thought you’d come back in a week.”
At her pout, Arthur let out a chuckle.
By then, the other children, spotting Arthur, widened their eyes and approached.
“Uh… uncle?”
“Hello, everyone.”
The children hesitated, shuffling toward Julie’s side.
Arthur stroked their heads and asked,
“You all seem well. The food here’s good, isn’t it?”
“Yes… it’s good.”
“They give us lots!”
“They even give us meat! We had steak recently!”
Nodding, Arthur crouched down.
The children who had been experimented on by Ares Arekis gathered around.
Arthur carefully studied their expressions.
Joy, confusion, sorrow, delight.
All manner of emotions flickered across their faces.
‘Maybe I should have come a little sooner.’
He scratched his head, about to continue the conversation, when—
About ten more children emerged from the orphanage, spotted Arthur, and shouted.
“Huh?”
“Uncle!”
Arthur raised his head, curling his lips into a smile.
“Oh… you’ve been well too?”
“Yes! It’s been forever!”
With that, more children dashed forward.
These were the children from District D who had nearly been trafficked by Hazes. Judging by their healthy complexion, they had been well.
And they were livelier than the ones from Ares Arekis’s side.
“Uncle, uncle! Why did you take so long!”
“Tch, you said you’d come soon but broke your promise!”
“Uncle! The headmaster said you’re a great mercenary!”
Bombarded by their endless questions, Arthur looked a little flustered.
The children who had arrived earlier furrowed their brows.
“Hey! Wait your turn! We were here first!”
The Hazes children turned their heads, blinking, then shouted back defiantly.
“What are you talking about! We haven’t seen him for longer!”
“So what! We got here first, so we should talk to him first!”
“Uncle’s happier to see us! Isn’t that right, uncle?”
As they bickered, they all whipped their heads toward Arthur.
Caught off guard, Arthur hurriedly raised his hands.
“Now, now, everyone. No matter how much you like me, fighting is a bit…”
Crackle—!
“…?”
Suddenly, a spark of electricity leapt forth. Both the quarreling children and Arthur, who was trying to mediate, froze.
Julie, who had invoked her bloodline ability, gave a chilling warning.
“I was here first. Everyone wait your turn.”
“……”
“What are you doing? Move along.”
The children quickly stepped back.
Arthur couldn’t hide his amazement.
“Julie? You’ve learned how to use your bloodline ability?”
“Yes. The caretaker taught me. I can only make static sparks like this for now though…”
“Even that’s incredible. At your age, I couldn’t even manage that much.”
Julie gave a shy smile.
Arthur ruffled her hair and asked,
“So, are you the leader here?”
“Leader?”
“The kids all seem to follow your lead.”
“…Not exactly the leader. But if they fight, I step in and mediate.”
Looking a little embarrassed, Julie nestled back into Arthur’s arms.
The sight, so reminiscent of Irene, made Arthur chuckle softly.
It was then that Willet approached, muttering in exasperation.
“What on earth are you teaching these kids?”
“Pardon?”
“You should be warning her not to recklessly wield her bloodline powers. Why are you praising her?”
Arthur blinked, while Julie protested, her voice sulky.
“Uncle Willet, why are you scolding Uncle Donn?”
“What’s wrong is wrong, Julie. If you use power to threaten others, it will come back upon you someday. Go apologize to your friends.”
At Willet’s cold voice, Julie flinched and glanced at Arthur.
Scratching his head, Arthur replied,
“Mm, Julie? He’s right. If you use your power carelessly, it could be dangerous. So… go apologize properly, then we’ll play again, alright?”
After hesitating, Julie stood and went to the children, bowing her head in apology.
Watching, Arthur stood and said to Willet,
“Seems like they’re all doing well.”
“So well it’s a problem. The headmaster said he’s about to collapse.”
“Well, that’s kids for you.”
“…That may be true, but coming from you, it sounds off.”
Grumbling, Willet pointed toward the dining hall.
“Since we’re here, let’s eat. How about it?”
Arthur smiled.
“Gladly. Let’s go, Sir Willet.”
—
—
Arthur and Willet left the orphanage only after sunset.
Even after dinner and chatting for a long while, the children couldn’t hide their reluctance.
Julie, in particular, looked on the verge of tears as she asked,
“…Uncle Donn, when will you come again?”
“I’m not sure. Things have been busy lately.”
“You won’t… never come back, right?”
“Why would I never come back? I’ll definitely return.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Next time, I’ll even teach you about your bloodline ability. You have talent, so with just a little practice, you’ll handle it well.”
Julie nodded earnestly, though she couldn’t hide the tears brimming in her eyes.
Arthur wiped them away, stroking her head.
“Then I’ll see you next time, Julie. Be well until then.”
With his farewell, Arthur walked over to Willet.
The children remained, standing in place, watching until Arthur’s figure disappeared from sight.
When he was gone, one of them murmured,
“I wanted to tell Uncle Donn thank you for saving me… but I was too embarrassed.”
At that, a few others nodded.
They hadn’t said it aloud, but they all knew clearly—
That Arthur had saved their lives.
That was why they had been so glad to see him, but actually voicing that feeling was something else entirely.
“It’s kind of hard, isn’t it?”
“Yeah… it is.”
“Saying thank you isn’t easy.”
At their whispers, Julie turned her gaze and told her sulking friends,
“Next time he comes, let’s make sure to say it.”
Then, curling her lips into a grin just like Arthur’s, she added,
“He’ll definitely like it. Uncle Donn… is shyer than he looks.”
—
—
On the way back in the car.
Arthur and Willet each sank into their own thoughts.
Yet neither of them felt the least bit uncomfortable.
In that quietly awkward but peaceful atmosphere, the limousine sped out of District B.
Then Willet’s jacket vibrated.
“…I’ve got a call. Mind if I take it?”
Arthur nodded.
“Go ahead. If it’s nothing I shouldn’t hear, it’s fine.”
“Don’t go repeating this anywhere. Though… seeing who it is, I suppose it doesn’t matter much.”
With that, Willet set the magic communicator to his ear.
“Got your message. So, how are things going?”
A conversation followed.
Receiving report after report, Willet muttered in a slightly excited tone.
“You’ve finally tracked the location? D-42 District… that’s an abandoned village. With a bounty this high, there might be armed conflict. If it looks impossible, pull back. But if you see the chance, strike decisively. Alright… we’ll speak again later.”
Switching off the communicator, Willet leaned back.
Arthur, watching, asked,
“Was that a request, Sir Willet?”
“That’s right. A request. The most talked-about request these days.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“The most talked-about request? A request can be talked about?”
“It was directly issued by a city official.”
“A city official?”
“Needing force isn’t just for corporations or the underworld. Ironically, the ones who make the most requests of us brokers and mercenaries are city officials.”
Arthur blinked, then let out a sound of realization.
“Is it about capturing a wanted criminal?”
“Exactly. Care to read it yourself?”
Willet drew something from his coat and handed it over.
It was a flyer. Arthur scanned the contents, then his eyes widened.
“Uh… isn’t this bounty a mistake?”
“No. It’s correct. That figure you’re looking at—1,000 gold—is right.”
Arthur whistled inwardly.
‘1,000 gold… even by mercenary request standards, that’s a reward you’d only see for pulling off the impossible. And this is for a wanted criminal’s head?’
To warrant such an amount, the target would have to be a mass murderer.
Not someone who killed dozens—someone who had killed hundreds.
As Arthur studied the flyer, his eyes fell on the sketch of a narrow-eyed man.
Marshal Dust.
He regarded it with interest, when beside him, Willet suddenly asked,
“Looks like you’re tempted.”
“…Well, to be honest, I am curious. What kind of crime earns a 1,000 gold bounty?”
“I don’t mind telling you, but if you want to hear the details, you’ll have to accept the request.”
“…But you said it was a public request, Sir Willet.”
“Public or not, my principles don’t change. If you want to hear the contents, accept the job. I dislike wasting time.”
Arthur muttered under his breath, disgruntled.
But Willet, arms crossed, didn’t budge an inch.
Realizing Willet truly had no intention of telling him otherwise, Arthur shook his head.
‘When it comes to things like this, he’s really rigid.’
He considered.
Unlike other jobs, wanted-criminal requests had no time limit.
That was because of their nature—tracking fugitives was notoriously difficult.
‘Which is why these requests are usually taken by groups, with the reward going to whoever captures them first.’
That made it worth considering.
He had some spare time, and since the target’s location was now confirmed, there was no harm in joining in.
‘No risk if I fail… but a jackpot if I succeed.’
And since he’d just handed 500 gold to Genie, his finances weren’t exactly great.
Of course, his mother could replenish that 500 gold instantly, but Arthur deliberately avoided doing that.
‘What I need is money with no traceable source. That way I can use it however I want, without being tracked.’
In that sense, the figure of 1,000 gold was undeniably enticing.
In Arcane, there was almost nothing that money couldn’t accomplish.
‘Hmm… if I succeed, it’s 1,000 gold. If I fail, nothing lost. Testing the waters might not be bad.’
Decision made, Arthur nodded.
“I’ll take it, Sir Willet. Please explain.”
“I thought you said you didn’t plan on working for a while?”
“Tomorrow’s a rest day, isn’t it? I’ll have time to spare.”
Willet gave Arthur a long look, then drew out another document.
Arthur accepted it, and Willet explained.
“Marshal Dust. He’s a spy.”
“…A spy?”
“Yes, a spy. And quite the big one.”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
“A spy who infiltrated the Imperial Court. This request… yes, it isn’t from Arcane’s city council. It comes from the Imperial Court itself. The Emperor is involved.”
—
