LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 153
– 1 –
“Why do people always lie?”
An exploration of the inner and outer self of humans.
To begin this journey, ten-year-old Arpina delved into various psychology, magic, and witchcraft books at the library.
Magic that deals with the human mind.
Among them existed forbidden books, but such trivial taboos couldn’t stop her curiosity.
“Miss, isn’t it still too early for such difficult books?”
“I’m fine. I can understand them.”
“At least much better than you.”
As the worried voice of the handmaiden echoed, young Arpina wore an innocent smile on the surface while secretly sneering inwardly.
In truth, she perfectly understood all of it.
And within that knowledge, she stacked her future and desires layer by layer.
“Don’t you want to show your true feelings?”
After two years of self-study, by the time she turned twelve, Arpina finally realized her research.
The target was a girl who often bullied her and was the leader among her peers.
Evil!
It was the moment magic engraved the light of power into the target’s eyes.
“I’m so envious of you. Everyone whispers that you have commoner blood, but you’re free. I… I feel like I’m in hell every single day. I can’t live up to my parents’ expectations…!”
The face of the cute child, who always pretended to be noble, twisted, and from her mouth, countless hidden truths burst forth.
“I wish you were dead! Just like those beggars rotting in the back alleys!”
It was a flow of weak and clumsy malice, pouring out like mud that had been stuck in a dam.
In the moment of witnessing that scene and truly feeling those emotions.
“Ah…!”
Arpina felt a shiver rising from her toes to the tip of her head.
“This is it!”
What she had been searching for.
It was to glimpse into the painful truths of others and the depths of their souls.
What a sweet pleasure this is!
– 2 –
Currently, the two organizations dividing the continent’s information network are two.
– We are ultimately a military organization, so it’s an army with strict hierarchy and close to mercenaries. In other words, it’s a group more focused on honor and justice than practical benefits.
In the past, when communication was underdeveloped on the continent, they were the honorable “messengers” who ran around gathering all information, the Information Guild.
– This one is the complete opposite. It’s a group established centralizing around “The Many Faces” who burst forth saying, “Our honor requires just compensation,” along with those who follow his ideals.
The group of Information Merchants led by “The Many Faces,” the Gray Eye.
With such fateful rivals existing, it’s only natural for discussions among those who know them to revolve around “who is stronger.”
People’s opinions about this were as follows.
– Because of that, the level of information they possess is higher in the guild, but generally, it is said that the intertwining with power is better on the side of the merchants.
– I’ve heard similar evaluations many times as well. Master.
“Indeed.”
But I thought this evaluation might be somewhat biased.
Talhan might be a fake, but he was still an executive of the Information Guild, while Hailey was merely an external collaborator of the merchants.
‘Perhaps it’s safe to say that the actual information levels of the guild and merchants are almost equal.’
If this were true, it would be astonishing.
The Information Guild considered information gathering a “duty” for the safety of the continent, whereas the Information Merchants aimed for “trading information and seeking profit.”
“What’s the situation with Mikaela?”
– Currently, I have her hidden away at the safe house of “Mamilé.” If you give a command, she can be utilized in either direction.
Mamilé was a border stronghold adjacent to the Principality of Kiza and one of the major cities leading to the Outskirts Duke Territory in the eastern part of Kaisen.
There were many options on how to deal with Mikaela.
I could quietly induce her to “vanish” as if she went to the monastery.
Through brainwashing or suggestions, I could steer her to help her sister Elena.
Or I could “cleanse” her mind and then pass her off to the Information Merchants with difficulty.
Personally, I liked the first option the best, but I could go with either.
“After all, letting her live as she is really… makes me anxious.”
What I had seen in her mind lingered.
These feelings stemmed from the fact that I had recognized the true nature of the ‘reasonably debauched’ nobles in this world.
“Disgusting things.”
For instance, a horrific meal made from “special pork” enjoyed one or two times a year.
For instance, recruiting personal hunters to procure that meat.
For instance, a cruel game designated to select the “pork” among the family members gathered together.
That “special meal” with over 10,000 calories concentrated in just the thighs of a properly plump specimen seems to have been savored by a few nearby.
And not getting sick from it, must be due to magic.
This was one of the evidences supporting Sonia’s assertion that “nobles raised people beneath their status.”
“This is considered ‘reasonably debauched’…?”
The more disheartening fact is that there could be countless nobles who share such hobbies.
Elena, in her capacity as Elias, would have been relatively “tame” compared to those with such behavior.
– Master.
“Speak.”
I wondered if Hailey had read the murderous expression on my face, as she cautiously began to speak.
– Securing a high-ranking noble lady is a challenging endeavor. We need to avoid simple consumption.
“I know.”
But the desire to kill her wouldn’t easily dissipate.
It wasn’t because I wanted to feel morally superior to her or indulge in trivial hypocrisy.
‘Enhancing the offerings’ ultimately involves using people as nutrients, which aligns with their “special dietary habits.”
Simply put…
“I’m just irritated.”
It was unbearable to know that such things exist among the living beings who share the same air as me.
There are those who treat feasting on kin as mere entertainment and derive pleasure from the cries and suffering of their prey, as if enjoying simple hobbies or pleasures.
As if mocking the means of my survival.
I shook my head, casting the thoughts away. What mattered now was not that.
“Where is the nest of the ‘Owls’?”
– Yes. There are three locations suspected to be the headquarters of the Gray Eye under the Kaisen branch.
Talhan marked them one by one on the map.
Seyur, Oison, Marvoirs.
The three cities centered around the royal capital of Kaisen.
– Seyur is a trading city on the border with the Hillsa Principality lying between Kaisen and the Norn Empire.
– Oison is a port city located to the northwest of the capital, Hiraresh.
And finally, Marvoirs was a fortified city where the army of Count Copgerin was stationed.
“The range is wide. Which place is most likely?”
– Oison is the most probable.
“Is it because it’s close to the kingdom’s center?”
– Yes, Master.
As I listened to his words and looked at the map, I pointed out one more place and made a mark.
“Let’s add this location as a candidate.”
– Master? This place is…
– This place is…
The city name I pointed out was Orando.
A plain city located at a distance from the royal capital, nestled at the foot of a mountain.
It was recorded as a specialty area for beast or monster hides, but other than that, it had no notable points.
– Yes? … Ah.
Both of them looked puzzled by my words, but Talhan quickly changed to a look as if he had realized something.
Hailey continued to question me.
– But Master. There’s really nothing in this city.
– That “nothing” is what’s strange, Lady Baroness.
Talhan’s eyes lit up.
Indeed, his abilities were quite good. Perhaps he would have discovered it anyway, even if I hadn’t pointed it out.
– Am I correct? Master.
“Yes. That’s right.”
– Huh? Ah…!
Hailey’s eyes widened, and she let out a surprised sound.
It seemed she had just caught on to my intention.
“There are too many pieces of furniture here.”
– And it’s also connected to the other three cities centered around the royal capital.
– There’s another city, Grolluf, with a similar standing, but this one has value due to being near the riverbank like Oison.
“True. But Orando has nothing else. Except for being connected by mountain trails to Cordiman.”
Cordiman was a city close to the Earl’s territory of Solemio. It was one of the cities governed by that Earl.
And the mountain path is a form of road that is hard to maintain without consistent effort.
“In other words, it means many people crossed over the mountains.”
– Perhaps hunters or a route for sending their products to the south…
I shook my head at Hailey’s comment.
“Hunters don’t tread paths that don’t exist. And there’s no reason to bother selling pelts elsewhere when there’s a royal road available.”
– You are correct, Master.
– I will also conduct a re-investigation and report back.
“Alright. Hailey, you’ll help as well.”
– Of course, Master.
After seeing off the two who disappeared beyond the communication tunnel, I turned my attention back to the map.
My ‘instincts,’ which had been heightened after coming to this world, pointed towards Orando. However, strangely, I didn’t feel bad vibes from the other three cities Talhan pointed out either.
“What does this mean…?”
“Master.”
“Xue?”
What jolted me from my thoughts was Xue’s voice.
She approached me, looked at the map with me, then started to knead my shoulder and lazily said a word.
In a meaningful tone.
“The owls are predators. They live alone unless they are family…”
A smile crept to my lips instantly.
I quickly understood the meaning of her words.
“Even if they are family when little, they won’t live in the same forest once they grow up.”
“Yeah…”
Xue lazily nodded her head and then sat down beside my chair, resting her chin on the armrest.
As I scratched her chin, a soft growl slipped out.
If her words are to be taken literally, it means there could be ‘owl nests’ in all four of these cities.
Perhaps individuals of the ‘Gray Eye’s’ higher-ups would have bases in each.
“We must proceed with caution in the hunt.”
“Yeah… Those beasts will quickly sense any changes.”
I nodded at her words.
To hunt these sensitive raptors, we’ll need to storm their nests almost simultaneously.
Before they realize there’s a predator feasting on their forest friends.
Or, if that’s not the case, sneaking in other birds among their hatchlings could also be a good idea.
Unbeknownst to them, they could care for and raise them.
Whether they are the ‘Owls’ or ‘Raptors that learned the habits of Owls.’
As long as their habits and lifestyles land in my hands, it doesn’t matter.
“Alright. Thank you.”
“Of course…”
As I gestured to Xue, she silently knelt by my chair.
I took time to offer her various ‘rewards.’