LIGHTNOVELSTORY chapter 138
138 – It’s dark under the lantern – 4
As soon as I entered the building, another new low-class archer jumped out with socks. Still, it seems a little higher in rank than the gatekeeper. It’s like playing a classic RPG. Is it just a matter of defeating them one by one and reaching the boss? Why don’t they just jump out at once?
He frowned and shouted in a menacing tone. Still, what made her better than that doorkeeper friend earlier was that she didn’t pick up a weapon without hesitation, and that she was still vigilant.
“I told Jack to watch the door. Who are you!”
I think the gatekeeper’s name was Jack. Even the name is shorthand. When we didn’t react much, he rolled his eyes in embarrassment. Well, it’s an overly peaceful atmosphere for the humans who infiltrated our hideout on their own.
Several times, his gaze moved from our heads to our toes and landed on the needlessly fancy cloak that seemed to boast ‘I am an exalted person’. Still, rather than the gatekeeper named Jack, he had some time, at least once, as a friend capable of reasonable suspicion.
“Oh, I didn’t say there was a VIP coming today….”
“We are coming here, do we even have to report to you guys?”
“That, that’s not it!”
A low-end bully, should I call it Jack 2? It seems to be a little better than Jack who was guarding the door earlier. Jack 2 was full of military discipline. Lira’s harsh reprimand made Jack 2 jump up.
Actually, the funny thing here is that neither I nor Lee nor Jack2 said a word about who we are. What the hell does he think of us and why does he cringe like that? It’s almost like a magic cloak.
Have you ever heard of the magic of the fluorescent vest? That’s why, when you go to a place like a construction site, it’s the bright fluorescent vest worn by site managers.
Once you put on that outfit, everyone thinks you’re involved and doesn’t care what you do. For example, if you enter a popular singer’s concert wearing a fluorescent vest, everyone thinks you’re a staff member and doesn’t stop you at all, or at a theater or zoo, everyone thinks you’re a staff member and you can watch for free. .
There is another similar story. A person dressed up in plausible counterfeit luxury goods was treated like a VIP at a hotel or department store, or a rich man who was kicked out after dragging slippers to a luxury goods hall. All of them are slightly different stories, but in the end, the important point is one.
In the end, when a person judges someone else, the way they dress plays a very, very important part. Besides, if the clothes are good to cause misunderstanding, it’s perfect. Just like me and Lira now.
This cloak with the imperial crest on it was literally like magic. Who we are, even if we don’t say anything, we bow down knowingly. I don’t even doubt it because of the thought that some big guy would dare to impersonate the imperial family.
It was the same with Jack 2. He quickly complied with our words, despite the fact that his unknown outsider asked for information about their boss’s room.
“Okay, guide your boss. There are words that must be conveyed directly.”
“Yes, yes. All right.”
Easy, easy. It’s so easy that you wonder if it’s okay. With his guidance, we headed deeper into the building. Overall, it was a very messy atmosphere. People were running around without a break, and shouts of shouting could be heard from all over the place.
Lira wrinkled her eyebrows.
“Noisy. Is something going on?”
“Ah, that…. It’s nothing. The thugs around here are making a little fuss.”
She snorted and turned her head away, as if she did not want to disturb her own ears with such trifles. That’s what she meant when she said earlier that the more you fall into her confusion, the better. It’s probably because of those thugs we ordered to rescue the students. Isn’t this what this is?
The gang leader’s office was on the top floor of the building. The door to his office was needlessly ornate. All kinds of decorations were attached to it, so it seemed that even before entering, I knew a little bit what kind of person the boss was. Actually, the lower ranks here all wear old, tattered clothes.
“Here it is. Then I’m just….”
Jack 2 avoided the seat so that the tail would fall out because sparks would shoot at him somehow. He smiled at the sight of his back as he walked away. How much do you think the boss usually grinds? Isn’t it a story that he hates facing the boss in this situation more than getting caught by us.
Lyra looked at his back with a puzzled look for a moment, then she whispered to me in a small voice.
“Probably in here. Since the boss has no trust at all with his subordinates, he can’t even think of entrusting it to anyone, and he’s probably keeping it within his reach.”
Needless to say, it was Cordelia’s story. I focused all my attention on the door to the office. We came this far too easily, but we don’t know what else will happen in this.
And while I was trying to make up my mind, Lila slammed the door open without hesitation.
– Bang!
No, the expression “Opened” Was too soft, and he kicked the door. With a roar of something exploding, the door opened wide.
The first thing I noticed in the room was the man sitting right in front of me. Maybe that guy is the boss. He was a middle-aged man with a bald head and a stiff Kaiser beard.
There is a saying that at age 40 he is responsible for his face. It’s a story that when you’re that old, the life you’ve lived is revealed on your face, but he definitely seemed to need to take responsibility for his face. How could such a grumpy and greedy face remain while sitting still with an expressionless expression? It’s wrong to judge people by their faces, but wouldn’t this be within the scope of extenuating circumstances?
The next thing I saw was a cabinet with gorgeous jewels that made my eyes hurt. Inside, there were many luxurious drinks that seemed like they hadn’t drunk them a few times. Likewise, there was a desk that looked expensive even at a glance, and on the wall behind it was a portrait of himself, which could be called the end of self-consciousness.
However, even though it was plastered with expensive furniture, it did not feel luxurious or elegant at all. I just think that I spent a lot of money. To put it briefly in one line, it was a typical nerd’s room. To add a little bit, the face was also the contemplation of a young man.
The face of the owner of the room was distorted by the unexpected guest. Maybe it was just distorted, it looked like it was going to explode at any moment. He also has a quick temper. He let out a harsh curse.
“I’m busy, but some bastard doesn’t even knock… !”
“The organization management is great, John. The way they greet guests is really awesome.”
As soon as I opened the room, the first thing that flew in was harsh curse words. However, Lira did not push back at all and responded with twisted lips. Rather, is his name John? No matter how common people are, isn’t the name too insincere? It’s a bit like Marie Antoinette, but honestly, the first thing I thought of was this.
Still, as if John was proving that he was the boss, he recognized us the fastest among the people he had ever met. What the hell was that crazy b*tch talking about? His expression instantly turned into the kindest next door guy in the world.
“Oh, I don’t know precious people, so I met them…. Sorry. If you come, please tell me that you are coming.”
“Should I report you?”
“Of course not. I’m sorry I just did it. Lol. Come on, come this way. Do you like to drink? I’ve been looking for some really cool guys.”
Oh my God. A vassal, or a flatterer, a man, a man, a small man, Udyr. Anything is good. He was the embodiment of those little things. How could he change his stance so quickly? John cringed at Lyra, rubbing his palms together in a servile manner, as if he had never done that before.
Lyra turned around as if she didn’t want to hear it. Only cold screams escaped from her mouth.
“Your Highness personally congratulated me for your recent performance, and asked me to come. When I came in today, it was a mess. If you can’t even manage the surrounding organizations properly, how on earth would His Highness trust you to entrust this mission to you?”
“Sorry. I’ll get it sorted out soon, so please wait a moment.”
Though that’s not what the humans who directly stabbed the surrounding tissues would say. John seemed quite impatient, probably embarrassed by our cold attitude.
“Noisy. I will report everything that happened today to Your Highness. Well, I wonder if you have a ball big enough to cover it.”
This is bait. But that stupid fish probably won’t last without taking a bite. If this story really got to Wilhelm, his rings full of fingers, the wine in his cupboard, and his shiny fine furniture would all disappear like an overnight mirage.
In the end, he had only one thing to bring. Because that’s the only thing that can be called a big credit to him.
“Big ball…. Please wait a moment.”
He begged us for our understanding, then whimpered and dragged a large wooden box from behind his desk. The box was almost the size of a household refrigerator, and was large enough for one person to sit or lie down. I had to do my best to hide my hardened face.
“What is that?”
“Please check it yourself.”
John rubbed his palms together. His demeanor was full of confidence. Lira opened the lid of the wooden box.
“Hmm….”
“How are you?”
She smiled contentedly. John smiled contentedly. So, the two smiled in different ways.