Illusion Sword Master

＜ The Tool Does Not Blame the Craftsman (2) ﹥

After leaving the blacksmith’s, we headed towards the criminal organization’s hideout, which Roland had already located.

“I don’t care about the criminal organization; let’s just get this over with quickly and quietly.”

But as we got caught up in another unexpected situation, I couldn’t help but think that way.

“Ah? Are you not Viscount Ethan? If you’re not busy, perhaps…?”

“I’ve always wanted to meet the hero of the western front. Would you like to have a drink, or maybe dinner?”

As a famous person, I was easily recognizable to those interested in current events.

And with Roland, who looked like a high-ranking knight, by my side, we had to push away people who wanted to get close to us every ten steps.

Is this what it means to be a superstar?

In the end, I had to buy a robe and pull up the hood to cover my face just to avoid people’s attention and make it to the outskirts of the capital.

“Maybe there’s a dark sorcerer following us again?”

As we walked down the deserted street, I pointed out my concerns, and Roland chuckled.

“I can’t be certain, but the probability is very high. After the Marquis of Mercel, the imperial family has been thorough in their investigation, searching every nook and cranny of the capital.”

“That’s good, then. At least the capital should be clean.”

“That’s true. But after we took care of the dark sorcerers, other criminal organizations started to emerge. We have more work to do.”

You, not us.

I suppressed my urge to retort and asked another question.

“By the way, who else serves the Third Prince besides Roland?”

Although they didn’t reveal their ambition for power and didn’t have a strong background, as a member of the royal family, it wouldn’t be just Roland who served him.

However, since the Third Prince’s activities were rarely made public, even I, who was officially recognized as his subordinate, didn’t know who else served under him.

“Five imperial inspectors, including myself, are moving like the Emperor’s hounds. No, I should say six, including you? Although we haven’t received the Golden Lion Badge yet, it will happen soon.”

As expected, the three imperial princes’ faction had a small but elite team, with a limited number of people handling massive workloads, making it a black company.

“It seems like I’m saying this out of old-fashioned sentiment, but… wouldn’t the third prince have any unpleasant feelings towards you? I understand. His Highness wanted to meet you directly, but due to his busy schedule, he couldn’t find the time.”

I replied with utmost sincerity.

“Not at all. If the third prince’s time, which should be spent for the empire, was spent on me, I would have been overwhelmed with gratitude.”

“You… are quite deep. A subject’s joy lies in being recognized by their lord, and yet, you show no signs of discontent.”

That’s because I wanted the third prince and Roland to lose interest in me forever.

“Anyway, this is something to be grateful for. The award given to you this time was strongly recommended by the third prince himself. I didn’t expect the first prince to take it so seriously.”

Ah, there’s a sad backstory to this, but I kept my mouth shut.

I didn’t want to give the impression that I was scouted by the first prince, which would only make them more obsessed.

“Over there.”

Roland pointed to a large, out-of-place building in the surroundings. A heavily armed guard was standing at the entrance.

Before entering our destination, Roland briefly explained the current situation and our next actions.

The detailed information about the criminal organization was shrouded in mystery, but those who knew them called them the “Black Hand.”

This building was one of their branches, serving as a trading post for selling kidnapped slaves of other species.

Although the imperial law prohibited slave trade, the laws regarding non-human species were ambiguous, allowing them to cleverly evade the law.

Our task was simple.

STEP1. We would infiltrate the place by disguising ourselves as customers without arousing their suspicion.

STEP2. We would quickly subdue the related personnel and obtain information about their upper hierarchy.

STEP3. During the process, we would confirm the whereabouts of the dwarf blacksmith’s granddaughter.

STEP4. Once confirmed, I would make a suitable excuse and withdraw.

That was the plan…

“I heard they sell slaves of other species.”

“What?”

Roland’s words sparked the guard’s suspicion from the start.

“There are beautiful women of other species, I heard.”

This guy can’t even lie properly. His tone is flat, and his words are too fast, revealing his nervousness.

No, honesty is a knight’s virtue, but there’s a limit to it.

The guard’s suspicious gaze fell on Roland, and he touched the hilt of his sword.

“Be honest. Who are you?”

“I didn’t tell you? About the beautiful women of other species…”

“Do you think I’m a fool? A guy who’s never even touched a woman’s hand is coming here, saying…”

The guard’s words made Roland’s face flush with shame, and his reaction seemed genuine.

“It’s not like he’s never even held hands.”

Anyway, if we continued like this, it would only lead to a fight, so I had to intervene.

“Sorry about this. Our older brother is quite shy, you see. He’s like that, but he has a thing for beautiful women. People who are more reserved during the day become more energetic at night, don’t they?”

My words made the guard laugh, and he cracked a crude joke.

“Heh heh, that’s right. It’s like those guys who become tyrants in bed.”

“That’s right. Anyway, our lord said that human ladies are no longer sufficient. So, he’s searching for ladies of other species. Maybe even a dwarf lady?”

“There are, but why would you want an elf or a dwarf? Those kinds of creatures are so…unrefined.”

“Tsk, tsk, you don’t know anything. Once you reach our lord’s level, your concept of beauty broadens.”

I said that while gesturing to Rolland, handing him a pouch of money. He took out a few silver coins and handed them to the man, who revealed his yellow teeth and smiled brightly.

“Heh heh, it seems you’re a learned person. Well, I’m just a simpleton who can’t understand the tastes of gentlemen like yourselves. Please, lead us underground.”

We entered the building.

“Tsk, why do you have to touch on a man’s sore spot?”

As Rolland passed by the gatekeeper, his cold gaze seemed to pierce through him, and I thought the gatekeeper wouldn’t be able to smile for much longer.

#

We headed down to the underground level of the building.

Rolland seemed bothered by the gatekeeper’s words, and he let out an awkward phrase.

“I was too busy with training and missions to find a partner, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t even hold hands. It’s not like I was unpopular. I’d stake my knight’s honor on it… Hum, there’s no need to stake my honor on something as trivial as this.”

I was convinced that the gatekeeper’s words were true, but I didn’t show it.

Men sometimes want to boast about their dignity, after all.

“So, if Rolland, a man of your stature, is unpopular, then who would be popular? If your stage was the social circle instead of the battlefield, the ladies would have cried themselves dry.”

“Khmm, don’t you think so?”

“Is there any doubt?”

“… Thank you.”

Soon, a man greeted us.

He was a scrawny human with a goat-like beard and almost nonexistent eyebrows, making him look quite unsavory.

“Welcome, gentlemen. Please take a look around and let us know if you find anything you like. Keep in mind that this is a viewing-only session, and haggling is not allowed.”

As we followed the goat-bearded man, five armed thugs intervened between us and him.

Their gazes seemed to say they could easily take someone’s life without hesitation.

The interior of the building was much better than the dark, damp underground prison of the black magician we had seen before.

The elves and dwarves were locked in cages, but they didn’t seem to be harmed, and they were being fed on time.

However, that didn’t mean the people who had been brought here were happy.

It seemed that these foreigners, each with their own stories, had yet to adapt to the reality of being sold as slaves in the human empire.

The cages indeed held elves and dwarves.

It was a rare sight in the human-centric empire.

“■■■. ■■■.”

“■■. ■■■.”

The elves, with anxious faces, conversed in their language. As a race with strong tribal bonds, they were comforting and supporting each other.

“You damn humans! You’re like a bunch of donkeys! Stop acting like you’re superior and let me, Murma, daughter of Brolta and wife of Gerolt, duel with you to settle this!”

On the other hand, a female dwarf, who looked almost indistinguishable from a man, was venting her anger in fluent common language.

As someone who knew the pain of having one’s fate decided by others and being exploited, it was a difficult sight to watch, no matter which side I was on.

Rolland, the knight of justice who couldn’t stand injustice, seemed ready to explode in anger at any moment.

As we saw the six elves and one dwarf, the goat-bearded man spoke up.

“The goods on display are up to this point. Do you find anything you like? If you need male slaves, I can inform you of other locations.”

I roughly understood the structure of the building.

Instead of Roland, I immediately took the lead, as if I was about to shout ‘Let’s go!’

“Are you the person in charge here?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

If I could get information out of this guy, it would be settled.

I locked eyes with Roland. He seemed to be thinking the same thing.

“Brother, it seems like you have business with those people outside. Why don’t you go take care of it and come back? I’ll handle things here.”

Since the underlings of Goat Beard could be handled within my scope, I was considerate of Roland.

“I’ll be right back.”

“What do you mean you’re leaving? The deal isn’t over yet!”

One of Goat Beard’s underlings tried to grab Roland at his words.

I tripped the guy, and Roland quickly took advantage of the opportunity to leave.

As I blocked the underlings who were chasing after him, they all drew their swords at once.

“What are you?”

“What do you mean what? You’re an intruder!”

It’s been a stressful year from the start, and I’ve been feeling overwhelmed.

I barely escaped the war zone, and now I’m being dragged back in.

I’m surrounded by orcs, fighting for my life, and getting axed by the clan leader.

The Seraco Coin I invested in for years has plummeted, and my return ticket is stuck on the other side of the river.

I need a chance to release some stress for the sake of my mental health.

What a great opportunity to take out some frustration on these annoying guys without worrying about danger or consequences.

The situation where I’m being threatened by these incompetent thugs is actually kind of welcome.

I activated my magic before they could even attack me. My target was the swords surrounding me.

“What the…?”

The guys were stunned, watching as their swords flew out of their hands.

As I got more comfortable with manipulating mana, this kind of thing became possible.

If I were facing strong opponents who could wield mana, it would be tough, but taking swords away from these thugs was easier than taking candy from a kid. And it didn’t even prick my conscience.

“Aaah! He’s a wizard!”

One of them let out a scream and started running, followed by the others.

I threw five swords back at their respective owners.

“Aaagh!”

“Kkkk!”

They screamed every time their sword stabbed them in the butt.

“Hahaha.”

You guys messed with the wrong person.

Why don’t you try living a life where death is always lurking around the corner, like me?

I kept the swords at a safe distance before they could get too far away and subdued them.

Goat Beard, on the other hand, was running in the opposite direction. He didn’t even know I was letting him go, and he was really putting in an effort.

‘I’ll follow that guy and see what happens.’

Criminals have an instinct to flee, and if you let them go, they’ll always head towards the most dangerous place.

“Ugh! Don’t come!”

I kept a safe distance from him, not letting him give up, and chased after him.

He turned towards one wall, and with a clang, he struck the steel wall. Then, the wall shot up, revealing a hidden space.

The interior of the room was cluttered with all sorts of documents and valuables.

“Bingo.”

I tried to follow him in.

Clang!

The wall came back down, blocking my path and separating me from the goat-bearded man.

“Hahahahaha!”

I could hear the man’s mocking laughter from the other side of the wall. He had a sly face.

I drew my sword and tested out a new technique.

It was inspired by the Black Thunder, where shattered sword fragments flew like arrows.

Using the same principle as the Wave Slasher, I gathered mana on my sword and then focused all my strength on one point, swinging it with all my might.

I call it the High-Explosive Slasher.

Zzang! Zzang! Zzang!

The sword shattered, and the mana-infused fragments struck the steel wall, creating a loud clanging noise and punching holes in the wall like a sponge.

I peered through the holes, looking inside.

“Heehee!”

The goat-bearded man was stuck to the wall, trembling with fear.

“Open the door.”

I stretched out my hand to the side, recalling my sword with my magical powers.

Clack. The man’s face turned pale as he saw the sword in my hand.

“I’ll only ask three times.”

He opened the door when I counted to two.

＜ Tools Don’t Blame the Craftsman (2) ﹥ End