~Chapter 03~
“…So this actually works.”
I let out a small exclamation as I stepped into the training grounds where the entrance exam was being held.
Honestly, I had been worried since the official route was to become a trainee first and then a full knight—but it seemed there was no major issue.
Technically, there was no rule against it, but I had been concerned something might get flagged. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
Looking toward the center of the arena where sparring tests were underway, I fiddled with the weapon I brought.
“…This should go well, right?”
It has to. I worked way too hard preparing for this.
* * *
Before getting into the actual fight, it’s worth looking back on just how hard I worked over the past month to survive in this world.
“M-my lady… a genius in magic?”
“A genius in both swordsmanship and magic. Don’t leave anything out, Butler.”
The butler fainted about seven times before finally acknowledging my “genius.”
The only unfortunate part was that his vision for my future and mine were completely different.
“To think you can use magic like this without any training…! My lady, you must have the talent of a grand archmage!”
“What are you talking about, Butler? I’m going to be a knight.”
“…Pardon? That wasn’t a dream I heard earlier?”
“Nope.”
After waking up, the butler clearly wanted to erase my declaration from his memory—but couldn’t.
My will was firm.
For some reason, he ended up bedridden with a severe headache afterward.
The doctor said it was stress-induced.
He must’ve worked hard managing the household while I was gone.
I told him to rest well.
“Big sis, where are you going?”
“I have someone to meet.”
“Someone to meet?”
“Yeah. They’re shy and don’t like showing themselves to others. So keep it a secret, okay, Mabel?”
“Okay!”
Our Mabel was still adorable.
Yep, definitely an angel.
Why is romance even part of the happy ending conditions?
There’s no man worthy of my daughter.
After tightly hugging my little puppy—my energy source—I stepped outside.
It was around sunset.
Pulling my hood down, I arrived at my destination.
People were passing by, and brightly lit taverns tried to lure in workers finishing their day.
But my destination was deeper.
So I slipped into an alley between the bars.
“…It’s getting dark.”
With fewer people around, I walked past small inns, shops, and taverns until I found a sign.
Maybe because I possessed this body, I had no problem reading the language.
[Golden Shadow]
The words were engraved on a wooden sign, along with an image of barley and a beer mug.
The moment I saw it, I smiled and stepped inside.
“Heard the duke’s recruiting knights soon. Should I try too?”
“Don’t bother—you’ve never even held a sword properly!”
Even in this quiet alley, the bar was packed with regulars.
The bartender noticed me and spoke carefully.
“Um, miss… as you can see, we don’t have any seats left. Unless you’re ordering takeout, perhaps you should try another bar—”
“Yeah! This place can’t even cook properly! If you want a drink, go next door!”
A man chimed in, and the whole bar burst into laughter.
Seeing the bartender awkwardly laugh along, it really felt like a place run entirely on regulars.
A normal neighborhood bar—on the surface.
“I heard there’s a special menu you can only find here.”
“…Is there? Could you tell me the exact name?”
But I already knew what this place really was.
I looked at the bartender as he rolled his eyes nervously.
“The Shadow of the Golden Lion.”
At that moment—
The noise stopped.
An eerie silence filled the bar.
Every gaze turned toward me.
The people who had been laughing just moments ago now stared expressionlessly—like emotionless dolls frozen in place.
“Since I’m here, I’d like the richest ‘head.’ I brought good ingredients.”
“…Hmm.”
The bartender’s friendly expression disappeared.
His eyes turned cold as he examined me.
“For first-time customers, there’s an entrance fee.”
“…Hmm.”
Tilting my head, I pretended to think, then leaned in and whispered in his ear.
He flinched.
“Don’t be petty, Mr. Head.”
“…!”
“I think not exposing your identity is already enough payment, don’t you?”
Pulling back, I smiled.
“How about that? Is it enough?”
“…Please come inside.”
His tone turned polite.
From that moment, I was officially a customer.
The bar returned to its noisy state as if nothing had happened.
I followed him inside.
Behind the door, it still looked like a normal bar.
But when he touched a few bottles and tools, part of the floor opened, revealing stairs.
“Feels like a secret base.”
Seeing something I’d only read about made my heart flutter slightly.
“This way.”
He descended calmly, and I followed.
The dim hallway was lit by scattered lights, with multiple rooms lining the sides.
He passed them all and stopped at the very end.
A magic circle appeared beneath us, and light wrapped around our bodies.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Hm? A guest? It’s been a while since someone came looking for the ‘Head.’”
Inside a room as luxurious as a noble’s reception hall, a man sat behind a desk.
He looked exactly like a crime boss.
“Welcome. I am the master of Golden Shadow. What brings you here?”
“That’s interesting. You’re deceiving people twice?”
“…Yeah. Something like that. Move.”
“What? You—”
“She already knows who I am, idiot.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
At a gesture from the bartender, the man quickly vacated the seat.
The bartender sat down instead—the real boss.
The true leader of Golden Shadow.
“What brings you here?”
“I have something I’m curious about. Will you tell me?”
“That depends on the price.”
I smiled brightly.
My first move was a light question.
“You’ve been watching me since I entered the alley, haven’t you?”
“All information requires upfront payment.”
“Strict, aren’t you?”
I met the gaze of the man with gray hair and eyes.
The leader of the information guild “Golden Shadow,”
and the ruler of the underworld organization “Black Sun.”
One of the male leads of the game—
Mephisto.
“That being the case, if I give you valuable information… will you give change?”
“Try paying, and you’ll find out.”
Despite his young age, he controlled massive organizations by hiding behind figureheads.
Even so, he was incredibly capable.
“…Hmm, what should I offer…”
His information network was so fast, he probably already knew about my magic and swordsmanship from earlier today.
That’s how powerful he was.
Ordinary information wouldn’t be enough.
After a moment of thought, I spoke lightly:
“The Saint’s heart currently in the Grand Temple is fake.”
“…As I said, if you want verification—”
“Verification? I’m giving you information right now.”
I chuckled.
“And the real heart… is with the true master of ‘Black Sun.’ Not the fake one—the real one.”
“……”
“If you don’t believe me, go check. I’ll wait. It’s nearby, isn’t it?”
I pointed at his chest.
After a moment of silence, he spoke:
“That information is already known within Golden Shadow.”
“Then let me ask you—if I know that much, do you think I wouldn’t know what you don’t know?”
It didn’t matter.
That was just bait.
“And you know it too. The information I just chose to hide is far more valuable than that.”
“……”
The fact that he was the true master of Black Sun—
That was a secret no one should know.
And I had just proven I knew it.
“…Haa…”
He sighed and dismissed the fake boss.
Left alone, he loosened his tie.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Mephisto, master of Golden Shadow and Black Sun.”
“I’m Sonnet Eduke, eldest daughter of the Count Eduke family.”
“Yes, Lady Eduke. I have many questions for you. I’d appreciate your cooperation.”
I smiled sweetly at his colder gaze.
“Payment first.”
“…What?”
He looked confused at my outstretched hand.
So I kindly explained:
“Didn’t you say everything here is paid upfront?”
Trying to get something for free, huh? Not happening.
