Chapter 95
—
Shuga walked toward Arthur and Kassel, who were lying on the floor.
“It’s over now. Kassel, Donn.”
Arthur and Kassel rose to their feet at the same time.
“Ah! Then can we go now, Shuga?”
“Yes. You may go. A car has been prepared as well.”
Arthur let out an exclamation.
“Oh! Thanks! I was just wondering how on earth I’d walk back.”
Arthur flashed a bright smile and turned away.
Beside him, Kassel looked flustered.
“H-huh? We’re just parting like this?”
Arthur turned his head at Kassel’s hesitation.
“Then you can stay a bit longer, Kassel. I need to get back quickly, I’ve got things to do.”
“N-no! Let’s go together! I don’t want to be left alone!”
With that, Kassel hurriedly dashed to Arthur’s side.
Watching them, Shuga suddenly raised her voice.
“Donn—!”
“…?”
“Will I be able to see you again someday?! Please visit the Prime Kingdom!”
At her words, Arthur glanced back.
“If I have the time, I’ll come, Shuga.”
Hearing that, Shuga let out a faint laugh.
Meanwhile, Arthur(Donn)boarded the vehicle prepared by the Prime Kingdom.
*Vroooom—!*
As the roaring exhaust faded into the night, Shuga murmured quietly.
“…I wonder if this is really right.”
Could tonight’s events truly end like this?
*The third seat of the Seven Lords, Balans, was killed. And the vice-captain of the Pirates is dead too.*
It had been a night when two giants of Arcane’s underworld fell.
And in their place, a new powerhouse had emerged—one who defeated them both.
But after a brief moment of thought, she shook her head.
*It’s none of my business.*
Rumors would spread on their own anyway.
Arcane’s underworld was smaller than people thought, and gossip spread all the faster for it.
And in that, Shuga realized something.
*So this is… how legends are born.*
The countless myths and rumors that filled Arcane—
She felt as if she had glimpsed the secret of their birth.
—
—
Back in Arcane, Arthur parted ways with Kassel.
“We’ll meet again, rival.”
With that farewell, Kassel glanced back a few times before finally disappearing somewhere.
Arthur shrugged as he watched him go.
“Somehow I ended up with another rival. Kassel really is an odd one.”
Turning away, Arthur headed toward Willet’s tailor shop.
Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to go home and rest, but considering the gravity of things, it seemed better to report to Willet first.
When he opened the door of *Manners Make the Man*, Willet, lost in thought, jolted in surprise.
“Donn… is that you?”
“Yes, Elder Willet.”
“It’s really you?”
“Of course. It’s really me, Donn.”
At Arthur’s words, Willet’s gaze narrowed.
“I still can’t believe it… that you’re actually alive.”
“Huh? Why do you keep treating me like I’m dead?”
“Because if you’re alive here before me… it means you were the one who killed Shuga of the Seven Lords, and the Pirates’ vice-captain.”
Arthur blinked in pure surprise.
“The rumors spread that fast already?”
Willet’s expression hardened.
“…So it was truly you who killed them?”
“Well… for now, yes?”
Willet let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha… ha…”
Then, shaking his head as if in disbelief, he muttered:
“This is insane… Fine. Let’s go downstairs.”
He rose and led the way to the basement beneath the tailor shop.
Unlike usual, the pub beneath was empty, so instead of going into his office, Willet gestured toward the bar.
“Milk again?”
“Yes, milk again.”
Willet poured him a full glass and handed it over.
Arthur downed it in one gulp and let out a satisfied sigh.
“Phew\~! That hits the spot!”
“……”
Sighing, Willet pulled out a bottle of strong vodka, poured himself a glass, and downed it like Arthur had. Then he slumped into a seat.
“…If you came here straight after everything ended, you must need my help, don’t you?”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
“Oh… sharp as ever, Elder Willet.”
“Sharp or not, just explain first.”
Arthur slowly began recounting.
The train attack.
His encounter with the Pirates.
The battles against the vice-captain and Balans.
Listening to every word, Willet murmured.
“All of that happened in just one night?”
“Yes.”
“And you…”
Willet’s gaze sharpened.
“…you consumed the Dragon Heart, didn’t you?”
“Well… yes?”
Willet stroked his chin, then took out a cigar, biting it without lighting, chewing thoughtfully.
Arthur waited silently.
Then, breaking the heavy stillness, Willet spoke.
“It’s the best outcome, but in truth, it’s left us with the worst situation.”
Arthur nodded.
“You think so too, Elder?”
“Of course. Your reputation will spread far and wide. But on the other hand, you’ve made enemies of the two strongest factions in this city.”
At that, Arthur smirked.
“That’s why I came to you. To block the trouble for me.”
Willet clicked his tongue.
“Do you think that’s so easy?”
“C’mon. Isn’t that what a broker does?”
Instead of answering, Willet tapped the counter rhythmically.
*Tok, tok…*
Then he laid down his verdict.
“I’ll block what I can. But rumors can’t be stopped. Sooner or later, the Seven Lords and the Pirates will come for revenge.”
“Hmm… So I’ll have to fight them again, huh?”
“Not right away. From what I know, the Seven Lords and the Pirates are still at war. They’ll only come after you once that conflict’s settled.”
Arthur stroked his chin.
“So in other words, nothing immediate?”
“I wouldn’t count on that. Which is why I recommend the second option.”
Willet paused, then said:
“…Leave the underworld altogether.”
Arthur’s eyes widened slightly.
“Oh… You mean to wash away my identity?”
“No. I mean leave completely.”
“…?”
“There’s no reason for someone like you to remain here.”
Arthur’s gaze narrowed.
“…What do you mean, Elder Willet?”
“I tried to ignore it, but now it’s impossible.”
Willet lit the cigar.
“The House of Bayern. Heir to the Empire’s most ancient ducal line—why are you in the gutter of Arcane?”
Arthur fell silent.
Willet too said nothing.
“……”
After the silence stretched, Arthur let out a belated exclamation.
“Wow… You don’t just know a little, you know everything, huh?”
Willet finally replied.
“Only recently. Even now, it’s hard to believe.”
Arthur chuckled.
“Hm… You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”
“Why? If I had, would you try to kill me?”
“No, I’d have to kill *them*.”
“……”
“Rumors would be troublesome, you see. So I’m asking—did you tell anyone?”
Willet grimaced.
“As far as I know, only myself and one of my sources. And that source would never breathe a word.”
Arthur shrugged.
“Then I’ll let it slide. Your informants know how to keep their mouths shut.”
Willet wondered whether to sigh in relief or laugh bitterly—
and then burst into laughter.
“Kuhuhu…”
Arthur’s eyes went wide.
“Huh? What’s so funny, Elder?”
“Isn’t it funny? This situation?”
“…?”
“A back-alley broker of Arcane, and the heir of House Bayern… sitting here having this kind of conversation?”
“…And that’s strange?”
“It’s absurd. By rights, we should never have even met.”
“But here we are.”
“That’s what makes it absurd. Since everything’s out now, I’ll ask again. Donn—or rather, Arthur Bayern. How do you know about my Shop?”
Arthur smirked.
“Hm… That’s a vague question.”
“Vaguer than asking about your true identity?”
“That I can answer. This I can’t.”
Willet tilted his head.
Arthur clicked his tongue inwardly.
*How can I say I died once and went back to the past?*
That was a secret he would carry to the grave.
Meanwhile, Willet muttered after another shot of vodka.
“At first, I thought you were a spy—digging into me and approaching on purpose.”
“…A spy?”
“Wouldn’t you think the same? You appeared out of nowhere, wanting to be a mercenary, and mentioned the brokerage no one else knew about.”
Arthur smirked.
“If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have taken me in.”
“That’s true. Which leaves another question—why trust me so much?”
“……”
“Did we really meet before? If I’ve forgotten, tell me. I’m old, memory slips.”
Arthur hesitated.
*Should I tell him?*
After a moment, he decided he could.
*If he already knew my identity and only revealed it now, that means he’s beginning to trust me.*
So Arthur spoke.
“You once saved me when I was dying.”
“…What?”
“I’d been poisoned, half-crippled. You picked me up off the street. That’s why I trust you.”
Willet’s eyes went wide.
“…That’s nonsense.”
“Eh?”
“Even if my memory fails me, I wouldn’t forget something like that.”
Arthur clicked his tongue.
“But it’s true. You’re too cruel, Elder.”
“…Next time you lie, make it believable. No one’s buying that story.”
With that, Willet gave a small chuckle.
Arthur just shrugged.
The mood wasn’t bad as they drank together, until Willet suddenly rose.
“You like music?”
“Music?”
“There’s a jazz piece I’ve been enjoying lately. Want to hear it?”
Arthur nodded.
Willet pulled out an old record.
*Whirr—*
As it spun, smooth jazz filled the pub, matching the old-world charm beneath *Manners Make the Man*.
*Oh… not bad.*
Arthur swayed lightly to the rhythm, while Willet returned to his seat, cigar back between his lips.
“Don’t worry about this matter.”
“…?”
“I can’t erase what’s happened. But nothing too disastrous will come of it.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“Hmm… I’d like to believe that. But will the Pirates and the Seven Lords really sit quietly?”
“They will. Because I’ll make sure of it.”
“…?”
“So lie low for now. Or just go attend school like you’ve been doing.”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
Then Willet spoke firmly.
“No one touches my mercenary. Not even the Pirates or the Seven Lords.”
Arthur caught his breath.
*Oh… He finally said it.*
For the first time in this new life,
Willet Christol had called him *his mercenary*.
—
