Sometimes being too popular can get you caught up in trouble that you yourself have no idea, or maybe get dragged into one.

***

I am currently sitting on the balcony again. This time, I’m alone.

Since I’ve been feeling well for a week now, I’m finding myself slowly getting the sensation of being able to control the flow of mana in and around me.

As I close my eyes, I let go of the silvery cane and focused my mind into letting the mana around me flow into the ring.

Because it has been a long time since I tried to use a lot of mana, the magic ley-lines inside my body had thinned out. By forcing them to open wider, the mana flows inside the body faster and in abundance to the point that it leaks out in a form of electric-like bolts hitting everything around me.

It hurts to the point where I’m barely able to stand on both legs. But after a while, the ring responds and glints as a proof of activation.

Runes burst out in a spiral towards the sky and everything around me was pushed back a bit due to the force of the explosion.

[How was your first experience with death?]

A familiar voice enters my mind. When I open my eyes, I could see a woman looking at me inside the spiraling pillar of light. As I was looking upward towards her, she was also looking upward to me as we are looking at each other flipped.

“Honestly, I prefer not going through that again. How about you? Why are we able to see each other now? Even without the book too.”

When I said that, she chuckles as more of her body becomes visible as the light fades away. Her body was mostly buried unto a golden wall with inscriptions that seems to be what’s sealing her in.

[Normally, you wouldn’t be able to see me as I am a Divine Entity. But as you have taken most the Sacred Relics used to shave away my power, I also have begun losing my Divine Authority.]

“What does that mean?”

Before answering she looks at her body and smiles. When I look at her limbs, they seem to look like they’re becoming loose as the holes have widened slightly.

[The seals used on me were meant to be used on the Divine, but since I am losing power, they are becoming useless. But... there’s something hastening the process.]

“What do you mean?”

[You have established contact with the user of the Staff of Sands. It is the strongest of all Sacred Relics, which means it has the strongest connection to me.]

I feel like there’s something missing with her explanation.

[It is as you think, there’s something blocking me, something of equal power and authority…]

“Then, can you at least give me tips or hints on where and how to find the Staff? The one Sora knew was a different one.”

When I asked her that, she makes a troubled expression as she closes her eyes. And then, before answering, she looks at my ring and it glows orange for a bit before the metal parts glow in violet.

[The Staff is a unique Relic. There only exists one across all of time and even before its creation, it already exists.]

“That’s honestly really confusing.”

[Just like the relics you already have, it doesn’t have to be directly connected to you to usurp the seal’s power away. It only needs something like a mutual connection towards the user. In your case, it’s love.]

Hmm… that does make sense with Cherry’s case. And I think so does Jane with the Scabbard.

Then, before we could continue our talk, a sound of breaking glass reverberates around us as the pillar of light around me cracks.

[It looks like time is up.]

She looks at me as her appearance becomes distorted by the cracks in the space between us. However, she gives me an expression that I feel like I’ve seen before.

Her cheeks were flushed as her eyes become gentle as if she’s giving me a loving gaze. It was something I wasn’t expecting so I was surprised.

[Even if it takes forever, I’ll wait for you.]

After saying those last words, her image shatters away and the pillar of light disappears into thin air. When I looked around me, all I could see was the sky painted in orange as the sun was already setting.

Then with a blink, I found myself sitting on the chair and my cane was on the table. When I looked at the sky, the sun was already setting and the two moons are slowly becoming visible as the twin full-moons are almost here.

While I pick up the walking cane on the glass table, Lithius’ affectionate gaze comes up in my head. When I think about it, despite the way she looks at me, it doesn’t feel like it was directed towards me.

I don’t really understand, but I don’t think it matters all too much if I forget about it for now.

As I was about to stand, I saw something flying from afar. Looking at it, it was a hawk. Since it was heading towards my direction, I decided to wait whether it really is going to come to me or not.

And to my surprise, the hawk did indeed land on the railings of my balcony. Looking at one of its legs, there was a note tied to it.

The hawk picked it off itself and dropped it on my table and left.

“That was cool.”

I notice that the note had a black wax seal on it. From what I remember, the usage of black wax is something that shouldn’t be legal among the nobles. For someone to send it to me, a Marquis, they got some balls.

As I was about to reach it with my right hand, I noticed that the ring had disappeared. Instead, a tattoo on the back of my hand suddenly appeared. As I rolled up my sleeve, the tattoo extends further up my whole arm.

The sight surprised me, but for some reason, it felt as if it was naturally there.

When I focused my mana through it, the line glows and bursts of light explode without a sound then runes appeared everywhere around me.

Unlike before, I felt like there was a clog blocking my use of the [Rune Grabber]. Now, that lag disappeared and everything feels like they’re flowing naturally.

It’s like I have full authority now.

To test it out, I check the black sealed note if it had any magic on it.

There are traces of > magic on it, but it seems to have expired a few minutes ago.

Seeing that it’s already safe, I pick it up and remove the seal to open the note.

When I finally read it, the contents surprised me. Rather, I’m very intrigued since this wasn’t a note, it was an invitation.

***

“Why do I have to go with you?”

“I don’t know anyone else that is capable of protecting me aside from the girls.”

Currently, Sora and I are on horseback heading towards a certain direction in the outer district of the Royal Capital, and of course, in incognito.

Sora happened to be visiting today since tomorrow is his day-off from work and he just got off work today. He wanted to see Ghena, but since he doesn’t know about our little secret, he gets disappointed not seeing her and wanted to leave.

I, of course, used my position as a Marquis to have him as my escort. He reluctantly agreed which was really amusing.

As a side note, I’m thankful Sora still treats me as a friend despite our gap in the Nobility Hierarchy. I’d hate it if he suddenly starts bowing to me.

“If I wasn’t your friend, I would have ratted you out to the king for responding to an illegal invitation.”

“Oh come on, it’s not like we get invited to a black market auction all the time. Besides, aren’t you curious about what they’ll put up?”

“Not really. They mostly sell enslaved special individuals or former nobles. I’m not into those things. Sometimes rare items get sold there too.”

“Hmm… Lapis is enough human-trafficking experience for me. But I do am interested in those rare items you just said.”

“By the way, I suggest we wear masks to hide our faces. It would be difficult for me who is a Vice Captain of a Royal Knight Order to get seen participating in a Black Market Auction.”

“Yeah, I knew you’d say that.”

With a snap of my fingers, two black ceramic masks made of magic appear on my hands. After I gave him one, he makes a surprised sound as he looks around.

“Despite it covering my face, it’s like I’m wearing glass. I don’t feel any weight too.”

“Cool, ain’t it? I came up with it while you were away. The spell itself is Mid-tier so I’m thinking of selling the magic script.”

While we were chatting, we finally reached the address written down in the letter.

Since it was already dark, there are only a few people around and only the sound of hooves hitting the brick road could be heard reverbing in the night.

Looking at the building in front of us, it looked like an ordinary inn. Not something you’d think would be a dwelling place for illegal transactions since it looked like any other buildings around.

As Sora and I park the horses beside the other horses next to the inn, I noticed a guy standing on an alley behind the building. He was wearing a hat and an ordinary black suit.

“I think that’s our guy.”

Sora said while looking at this suspicious man.

Sora and I approached the guy. When we did, the guy looks around and extends his hand like he was asking for something.

As I pulled out the letter, he looks around to check if there were other people in the street.

After I hand out to him the letter, he pulls out something from his pocket and puts it under the letter. Seconds later, the letters ignites and he throws it on the side while waiting for it to become ash.

Though it was nothing special, Sora and I were surprised. Not because he suddenly burned the letter, but because there was no magic involved in burning it.

As the man was about to put the thing back into his pocket, I grabbed his hand which surprised him.

“Let me see.”

“…For a coin, I will.”

I stared at him for a while, but seeing how he wouldn’t budge. I resigned and pulled back my hand as I pull out a silver coin and handed it to him.

When he finally showed it to us, both Sora and I were slightly surprised. I mean, who would expect a modern lighter for our world to exist in this world? Thankfully, we were wearing masks. Otherwise, our dumbstruck faces would be embarrassing to see.

As we proceed into the dark alley, Sora elbows me to get my attention.

“That was a lighter, right?”

“Yeah, it was.”

Unlike earlier, Sora was excited to participate in the Auction. It seems that seeing that lighter got him interested what the black market has to offer.

Shortly after, we saw two large guys standing in between a wooden door. They couldn’t be more obvious, could they?

When they saw us, they stepped aside as one of them opens the door for us.

Seeing what’s inside, it was a set of stairs going down with barely any illumination.

“You might slip with those masks blocking your vision, sir. Please be careful.”

“Thank you for the concern.”

For a guy working in a shady job, he sure is nice. I should leave a marker on him.

As Sora and I go down the stairs, I slip out a Marker spell on the nice bouncer to keep me aware of where he is.

That aside, it is as the guy said, the path is dark.

After reaching the end of the stairs, we reached a dark oak door. With a few knocks, the door opens slightly with a guy peeking from the inside.

When he saw us, the door closes again and the sound of chains falling from the other side was heard.

Aside from the magic barrier erected to protect the door, they even had locks to prevent it from being forced open. Though it might be breakable for me, this place is heavily protected and hidden with magic.

I wonder how they slipped these things into the Royal Capital that has a lot of guards stationed around.

When we finally got in, I was surprised to see a lot of people inside. Despite the outside being quiet as darkness, the inside is quite noisy from the sound of shady people selling stuff around.

And not only those, in contrast to its small outside appearance, the inside is actually quite vast.

“I’ve heard rumors but I didn’t think it was true.”

All of a sudden, Sora says something while looking around.

“What do you mean?”

“This place, it’s the royal capital’s canals. Or at least it was formerly one until they created deeper water irrigation since the capital has grown bigger. This place was supposed to be abandoned and filled in with earth.”

When I use >, I could see the pillars supporting the stone ceilings and the ceilings were held and fortified together with magic. I guess this is how they keep this place together without it caving in. Seeing how the magic scripts are well made, this place is definitely maintained and frequently used.

But those aside, I look at Sora and elbowed him since I could feel how conflicted he is seeing things inside. He’s probably being torn by the duty he has as a Royal Knight and his curiosity and interest to what this place offers.

“Don’t think about it too deeply. We’re just sightseeing. Besides, you’re here as my friend.”

“R-right… I don’t have to think about it.”

As I turn around, I notice some people sitting behind stalls displaying random stuff. Some were selling organs inside glass jars, and there’s even a standard one which is a jar full of eyes.

“I’ve always wondered what those eyes are used for.”

“From one of my missions, I learned that those eyes are preserved to be transplanted to other people with bad eyes.”

“That’s possible?”

“Possible, but illegal. I mean to transplant a dead man’s eyes to another person means using Necromancy which is a Forbidden Magic.”

I feel like I had a thorn plucked off my head after learning that. I guess my all-time curiosity of them is finally removed.

Looking around, I notice that just like us, some people are wearing masks or overcoats to hide their faces. Though there are people who aren’t, I don’t know who they are so they probably are unpopular or unknown.

I’m not using any magic to protect myself at the moment to not raise any suspicion. This is why I brought Sora with me.

“I can feel familiar shadows here.”

“Are you going to catch them?”

“No, but I will keep their names in tabs.”

As he was looking around, I notice his shadow moving like a separate entity. Still amazes me to this day.

While continuing deeper into the crowd, I notice a guy coming towards us. Seeing as he was looking at me, I guess this is my guide.

After arriving in front of me, he lowers his head before speaking. I noticed an iron collar when he did. I guess he’s a slave.

“I am glad you could arrive. My name is Lync, I am your guide.”

“Were you the one who sent me the letter?”

“No, it was my Master. I am here to guide you to his auction room.”

This master of his must have some sort of political connection inside the Royal Capital since he was able to send me the Hawk. I mean, the Nobility District and the other Districts aside from the Royal District has a barrier and heavy security dividing the place. It’s a mystery to me how that hawk was able to get in.

While we were being guided, I notice more and more items that are sold looking like they’re from earth. From simple things like Lighters, pencils and erasers, to even the complicated ones like phones are being sold. How did these things end up in this place?

We finally reached a section of the underground canals that is specifically a space separated from the rest of the place. It had a wall for itself and even had guards guiding it. I guess the value of the auctioned items are quite high to warrant this much security.

As we reached a certain iron door, two of the guards push the heavy iron door to open it. Talk about overkill with security…

Sora on the other-hand kept his shadow-magic active. Since I know he’s been burning mana non-stop, I decided to tether my mana with him. I can’t have my only source of protection exhausted.

When we finally went to a stop, Lync opens a wooden door that was decorated with golden ornaments which was quite out of place for such a dark room.

Upon entering, I notice a large man sitting on a huge chair while facing towards the large glass wall. Noticing our arrival, he turns his chair and faces us.

He had a blonde hair, large muscles, and was handsome. He wore a while suit with golden ornaments and an earring large enough to probably rip off my ears if I was the one wearing them. However, those weren’t the most eye catching features he had, it was his height. This man was so large that I could easily tell he was twice as tall as an average man.

“Dude…”

“Yeah… I’ve seen his kind. This guy’s a Hybrid Titan.”

With an unsurprised tone, Sora replies the question I had in my head. I mean, how in the hell can a man be that tall!?

“I get that a lot. Just call me Krau.”

The Titan said while looking amused.

“My father was an adventurous human and my mother was of the Titan race. But I didn’t invite you here to listen to my life’s story.”

After saying so, he waves his hand and a few women in skimpy clothing walks into the room carrying wine and liquor and even food. I was so surprised I forgot I was his visitor.

When Sora and I took a seat, the Titan looks at me while making a dangerous smile. I guess at this point, wearing a mask is stupid since this guy obviously knows me so I took it off.

“I can see why you got the balls to send a Black Sealed Invitation now.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Also, I’m here to compliment you as well. Good job in defeating the prince. I was hoping for someone to beat some sense of mortality into that man.”

“What do you mean?”

His smile turns into a grin which exposes his fangs after I asked the question.

“The current King right now is a pacifist, which is why this kingdom is at peace. When the kingdom is at peace, it becomes lax, when it becomes lax, business starts booming for us.”

“So in a nutshell, you want the prince to become a pacifist as well?”

“That is right. However, I didn’t call you here for that.”

While saying so, he opens his shirt and shows a huge wrap of bandages round his shoulder. It looks like a huge wound was left there.

“I have a brother. He might be dumb, but he’s still family and the only one left.”

“How is that wound related?”

“This? Well, my dumb brother thought it’d be profitable to go after the Elven race that bought their brethren back.”

Ah… I can imagine what happened. That must be the reason why Philillia remained.

“Then what happened after?”

“After gravely wounding me, they took my brother as hostage. I don’t know where they are right now, but I have an idea how to find them.”

Before saying anything, he grabs a whole barrel of liquor and empties it into his mouth.

“I may just be half, but I am still a Titan. We of the Titan race can smell any race because of our racial ability to smell Origin Scent. And you, you reek of Elf.”

When he said so, I got surprised. But even more surprising, is Sora suddenly jumping to the table while pointing a dagger up Krau’s neck.

“Sora! What the hell?”

I can’t see what face he’s making right now, but I do know what bloodlust is when I feel one. Sora wants to kill the Titan.

However, despite that, Krau just smiles at him. Then to our surprise, he lowers his head and letting the dagger sink into his neck, but it doesn’t bleed.

“Oh, you don’t need to threaten me, Elemental. I know everything about you.”

When he taunted Sora, Sora immediately pushes his dagger deeper, but it didn’t penetrate through.

With a single swing of Krau’s hand, Sora got thrown across the room like a fly getting swatted. Thankfully, he was able to land safely by flipping in the air.

However, he looked like he was hurt as black miasma was oozing out of his chest.

I wanted to deploy my >, but Krau just looks at me without any bloodlust or any intention to fight.

“I have no intention of letting any information get out, Elemental. Everything has a price. Lower your weapon.”

As the Ceramic mask fades away, I could see Sora looking very hurt while bleeding from his mouth. However, he was still glaring at Krau.

It took a while, but after the miasma sinks back into his body, Sora sheathes his dagger and fixes his clothing. After that, I hand him another ceramic mask.

Seeing that, Krau sits back on his chair and grabs a whole roasted chicken with one hand and shoves it into his mouth.

“How much for your silence?”

“Give me something of equal value then we’ll talk.”

“What about the protection of this place?”

“I already have enough.”

“The secrecy?”

“Do you want your friend to pay the price as well?”

After being cornered, Sora clicks his tongue while wearing his mask. I’ve never seen Sora become like this before…

“This idiot aside, I’d like to talk about my idiot.”

“Let me guess, you want me to save your brother?”

While waiting for his reply, one of his girls pours wine into my glass.

“Yes.”

“What if I say no?”

When I said that, he lets out a sigh then tilts to the side to reach out of something. After rummaging through stuff, he pulls out a large semi-transparent ball and puts it on the table.

“Then this thing will continue to rot away without anyone being able to take it.”

Staring at this semi-transparent ball of glass, I noticed something off from it. When I touched it, I could tell it could absorb mana.

Then I realized…

“T-this, this is a dungeon core!”

-End of Part 1-