Chapter 10
“It’s natural for there to be multiple guilds, but I’ve never heard of one even existing in a place like this. Are we really in the right area?”
“Yes, we’re here. Just around that corner.”
On the outskirts a short distance from Bern, old and decaying buildings stretched in rows. This place had once been farmland filled with wheat fields. But as factories began to appear one after another, people abandoned their farming tools and moved toward the capital. As a result, the area had become desolate—buildings left hollow and neglected, practically abandoned.
A place no one visited.
A faded, forgotten district.
The two of them left their carriage a little ways from their destination and walked through the lonely space. Not long had passed since the rain stopped, so with every step came a wet, sloshing sound that echoed faintly around them.
“How did you even find this place? It’s not somewhere you could’ve discovered on your own.”
“Someone from Casa Bacada connected me. They said a noble like me couldn’t enter the underworld directly, so I should use this place as a contact point.”
“So you’ve been interacting with them often enough to need a liaison.”
“Not really. Most of the time I just received messages telling me to wait. That was it.”
“So that’s why you were so pleased to see the guild’s letter.”
“Exactly. It’s the first time either the guild or Bacada told me to come directly.”
Even though she had already been here a few times, the hollow atmosphere still felt eerily cold and unsettling. Ritzhaian kept her eyes forward, refusing to look around.
But Ruben, on the other hand, seemed strangely at ease in a place like this.
Judging by his words, he should also be somewhere he had never set foot in before—but there was no trace of unease in his steps.
Even while asking questions and casually scanning their surroundings, he maintained a natural vigilance, as if caution were instinctive to him.
“Still… this is strange.”
“What is?”
“In my experience, information brokers aren’t located in places like this.”
He frowned as he looked over the abandoned buildings. The moment he stepped into this place, he had already sensed something off.
“Generally, they maintain neutrality. And even guilds connected to the underworld still trade with outsiders. Information has no borders.”
“Mm… I don’t really understand.”
“So while they may hide in inconspicuous places, there’s no benefit to setting up in a place this deserted. A busier district would be far more advantageous.”
As he explained, Ruben reached into his coat and pulled out a revolver.
But even then, Ritzhaian still couldn’t grasp what he meant. In her mind, if anything, it made more sense for an information broker to hide in a place like this rather than in the middle of a busy street.
Was that even possible?
“Maybe you just don’t know enough about this?”
“Ritzhaian, you’re underestimating me.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re competent, then.”
She had only asked casually, but it seemed she had unintentionally hurt his pride.
Though he brushed it off like a joke, his expression tightened slightly, and Ritzhaian found herself wondering.
What kind of person was he, really?
Casa Bacada? Or Familia Hagen, where Karta belonged? Or some neutral organization?
He was definitely not on Casa Bacada’s side—that much was already obvious. And given that he was helping her with revenge, he certainly wasn’t allied with Karta either…
‘But someone from an ambiguous organization wouldn’t casually mention Casa Bacada like that.’
And that wasn’t all.
‘Is he even really injured? He doesn’t even have proper medication, yet he recovered that fast… And what kind of debt does our family even owe him…?’
In the end, all her questions simply tangled together without resolution. She had missed the right moment to ask, and now it felt too late. Even if she did ask, she wasn’t sure she’d get a straight answer.
With a quiet sigh, Ritzhaian stopped overthinking and glanced at the man beside her.
A man who had been on the verge of death not long ago, now standing firmly at her side.
A man full of mysteries.
And yet—why did her gaze keep drifting toward him?
She didn’t understand it at all.
“I don’t get you.”
“…What is it?”
Had she been staring too openly? Ruben noticed her gaze.
Flustered, she scrambled for an excuse just in time to see their destination appear ahead.
Relief washed over her.
“Huh? Ah—it’s because we’ve arrived. This is the place.”
Trying to hide her awkward expression, she hurried forward.
But just before she reached the entrance, two men appeared out of nowhere and blocked her path.
“It’s been a while, Lady Werner.”
Ritzhaian was slightly startled. Unlike previous visits, they had never been stopped before. Still, she kept her composure.
“You called me here yourselves, as you know.”
“Of course. The guild master informed us of your visit, so we’ve been waiting.”
Then why are you blocking me?
Frustration flickered through her.
“Then there’s no reason to stop me, is there?”
“We were not informed that you would be accompanied. We cannot allow strangers inside.”
Only then did she realize the guild members were focused on Ruben, who had moved close behind her.
At some point, he had even put on a black mask. With only his eyes visible, it only made him look more suspicious.
She wanted to ask him why he was wearing it so blatantly, but now wasn’t the time.
This was clearly intentional.
This man is really suspicious.
“Oh, he’s my escort. Surely you didn’t expect me to come to a place like this alone?”
She kept her tone calm, though internally she sighed. It wasn’t even a lie—coming here alone had probably been the strange part.
“We understand the need for protection, but that man must wait here.”
“Even if I guarantee his identity?”
“Still not allowed.”
Their stance was firm.
Ritzhaian opened her mouth to suggest Ruben wait outside—
But before she could speak—
“That won’t be necessary.”
A large hand gently pulled her shoulder.
It wasn’t even a strong force, yet she felt an overwhelming pressure she couldn’t resist, and in an instant she was drawn completely into his arms.
“!”
Her carefully maintained expression broke apart in surprise.
His grip was firm enough to feel grounding, and his body—hidden beneath his coat—felt solid, unmovable.
And yet, instead of feeling safe, her mind went completely blank.
“I’m here as this woman’s escort. Not to stand outside and admire a building.”
Without hesitation, Ruben raised his revolver and aimed it precisely at the guild members blocking the entrance.
Click.
“Hey!”
“Do you even know where you are, pointing a gun like that…!”
Naturally, this only escalated the situation.
“Arrogant bastard. Put that gun down or you won’t leave here on your own two legs.”
“Looking at how you’re acting, you must be used to hiding behind powerful people. No matter how skilled you are, you’re nothing alone. Know your place.”
The guild members drew their weapons and surrounded them.
Not just in front—but behind them as well.
They were completely encircled.
This isn’t an escort—this is kicking a hornet’s nest!
“Ruben, calm down. There’s no need for this. We don’t need to make a scene.”
Ritzhaian tried to stop him, looking up at him desperately.
But Ruben didn’t budge.
“No compromise.”
“Ruben!”
His confidence, entirely out of place in this situation, only made her more anxious. Even alone, outnumbered, and armed with nothing but a single gun, he looked completely unshaken.
And worse—
“I’ll give you a choice. Peace is preferable, but…”
His sharp eyes, even more piercing behind the mask, locked onto them.
“But it doesn’t have to be.”
