-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: A Fresh Supply
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘Ugh. They may have been assassins, but is it right to think this way about the deceased?’
For a moment, I was conflicted. But that didn't last long.
‘The dead are dead, and the living must go on living!’
If you can even count zombies as ‘living,’ that is.
In any case, it wasn't something one should say about the dead, but it felt like such a waste to let them be buried in the ground.
To think they'd just bury those fresh, newly deceased corpses. If I were to leave and come back to dig them up, would they still count as ‘freshly dead’? As long as it's been less than twenty-four hours, it should be fine, right?
No matter how I looked at it, there were no corpses with cleaner, more untraceable origins than these assassins.
‘If my brothers absorb them, there won't be any bodies left, and since they're assassins, no one will come looking for them. Isn't this a total win-win?’
It was a perfectly rational thought. For corpses to appear at such a perfect time.
“My lady?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I just felt… a little dizzy.”
As I staggered, Werner helped steady me.
“Let me help you inside. This way, please…”
“Wait.”
Tristan stopped me just as I was about to get into the carriage.
“Can you feel it? The remnants of dark magic.”
“……”
“It’s been more than sixty seconds, I believe.”
“Your Highness. Must you really ask that of someone so shaken by the sight of these bodies? Perhaps give her a moment to compose herself…”
Werner rebuked him, but Tristan didn't look away. It was a silent demand for an answer.
‘Did he notice something?’
If he had been curious, he would have asked when we were alone in the carriage. Asking now meant he’d noticed something about this scene and wanted me to confirm it.
‘Is he saying he’s found a clue as to whether this is the work of a warlock or the Holy See? What on earth did he see?’
Those corpses… are they warlocks? But I didn't sense any dark magic being used.
‘Which is it? What did he see that made him so sure?’
My head was spinning. One wrong answer, and he might doubt the truth of my abilities.
I kept the frightened look on my face and tilted my head slightly. The angle would reveal my pale cheeks, making me appear all the more fragile.
“I’ve hesitated to speak several times. I feared my answer would change too many things.”
“……”
“Since Your Highness seems to have guessed, I can hide it no longer. Yes, that’s right. In this forest…”
*Swoosh.*
A cool wind blew from deep within the forest.
“I don’t feel anything at all.”
That was my answer.
Was it the right one? If not, I'd have to find some way to salvage the situation.
I looked up at Tristan, who was staring at me intently. He was expressionless as always, but I noticed a subtle difference.
Reading people's expressions had been my specialty since I was young.
“Just as I thought.”
It was the right answer.
Upon confirming his suspicion, Tristan revealed a strange sadness.
“It was all orchestrated by the Holy See. This whole accident scene was a trap to lure me here.”
“How can you be so certain?”
He immediately lifted a corpse lying at his feet. At the same time, its contents tumbled out from the wound in its abdomen.
“This one has a Stigma carved on the nape of his neck.”
“A Stigma…”
“Yes. It’s the most certain proof of their allegiance to the Holy See. A brand they put on the servants of God.”
Even after discovering who was behind this incident, he didn't look particularly pleased.
“Clever of them. The Stigma’s pattern gradually fades after death. Even if we took the body to court right now, by the time the coroner examines it, it would be nothing more than an unidentifiable stain.”
“They destroy the evidence, but leave a warning.”
It was practically a declaration of war. Tristan seemed to know this, a corner of his mouth lifting in a wry smirk.
The Holy See was likely the only thing that could provoke such anger in a man who was indifferent to most things.
“There’s nothing left for us here. Let’s go back.”
Tristan immediately boarded the carriage.
Not long after, Werner also returned. It was too short a time for him to have buried the bodies, so I asked cautiously.
“Um, what about the bodies?”
“For now, we’ve buried them roughly. A cleanup crew will be called to finish the job. Please get in.”
Werner answered gently. Since this sort of thing had happened more than once, it seemed they had people who specifically handled body disposal.
I wanted to ask what that ‘body disposal’ entailed, but I figured it would seem suspicious, so I held my tongue.
I did my best to act like a ‘noble lady who has seen a corpse for the first time in her life and is deeply disturbed,’ keeping my mouth shut.
Right, I should just give up on those corpses. Since they’re connected to the Crown Prince, nothing good would come from touching them.
They were tempting, it was true, but there was no need to take such a risk.
As we left the Lauden Mountains, only silence filled the carriage, but my mind was occupied by a single thought.
‘Then where on earth am I supposed to get corpses?’
***
“You just left them there?”
Yulia clicked her tongue in disappointment. I felt the same.
“No. It’s better not to touch them. If we’re not careful, His Highness the Crown Prince might catch on to us.”
“That’s right. What would they think if they came to dispose of the bodies and found them gone? It would be super weird.”
Edmond and Isaac had a point.
“But it’s still a waste!”
Yulia grumbled, her tone suggesting she wanted to go and get them right now.
“If we need corpses to become stronger, do they have to be human corpses?”
“If Isaac wants to have cat ears instead of human ears…”
“Okay. I’m convinced.”
He quickly agreed. Come to think of it, that wouldn't have been so bad. What a shame.
“How many do we need?”
“I don’t know the specific amount. But we’re too weak right now, so the more the better, wouldn’t you say?”
“Is that so…”
Edmond stroked his chin as if weighing something. Then he stated flatly.
“We should prepare to go out.”
“Huh?”
“Only Emily and I will go. Yulia, Isaac. You two wait at home.”
“What? Where are you two suddenly going?”
Yulia asked, not hiding her bewilderment. I was just as clueless as she was.
Edmond continued calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“We’re going to get some corpses.”
***
Where there is light, there is shadow.
The Velond Empire was enjoying an unprecedented era of peace after the Holy War, but this was also true for those who thrived in the underbelly of society.
Nobles bored with peace craved more stimulating pursuits. This provided the perfect opportunity for the merchants of the underworld, who were always looking for their next venture.
Thanks to this, the largest black market on the continent had formed in Velond's underground.
Because their illicit funds were tied up with various noble factions, even the Imperial Family couldn't properly root it out and was merely watching for an opportunity.
‘…So they say, but in reality, they’ve given up!’
The big shot of that black market, Donald, swept up gold coins and grinned. He never told anyone, but his life's pleasure was to fill a bathtub with gold coins every night and sleep in it.
*Knock, knock.*
“Master. A guest has arrived.”
At the sound from outside the door, Donald was startled and straightened his posture.
“What? There were no appointments scheduled for today.”
“Y-yes. That’s true. But they came directly to the guild without an appointment… What should I do?”
Donald felt his good mood plummet. What did these idiots think of the Master’s dignity, to handle things in such a manner?
“What do you mean, what should you do?! Don't you know I can't spare even a minute of my time without an appointment?!”
“I-I know that. But, the guest outside, well, they're not just any guest…”
“Guest or not, this is my personal time! Do you know how much a minute of my time is worth? Without an appointment, they can't take a single step into this room, so tell them to get lost…!”
He was about to throw the documents he was holding.
*Creak!*
The closed door opened, and two guests in suspicious robes barged inside.
“Is this how you treat your guests here?”
An elegant voice rang in Donald’s ears. The words he was about to shout to kick them out got stuck in his throat.
Donald quickly sized him up with the experience he’d accumulated over his long life as a merchant. The robe was plain, but the material was high-quality, and the shoes peeking out were clearly from a high-end designer who catered exclusively to nobles.
The person standing behind him also wore a robe of similar material, and the hand that was slightly visible was smooth, without a single callus.
‘Nobles!’
The judgment was swift. Donald rubbed his hands together and put on a bright smile.
“My, my! Had I known such esteemed guests were arriving, I would have come out to greet you myself. Hahaha. What brings you to such a humble establishment…?”
The man took out a small token from his coat.
“You’ll remember this.”
“Th-that’s…!”
Donald’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between the man and the token. How could he forget? It was something his father had left behind like a last will before he passed away.
—If someone comes with a token like this… ask no questions, and give them whatever they want…
The object he had completely forgotten about had now appeared, a full ten years after his father's death.
“…Everyone, get out!”
“What? But Master, that’s too dangerous…”
“Nonsense! If I say get out, you get out! Why so much chatter! Empty the room quickly, and don’t you dare eavesdrop on the conversation in here. Got it!”
“Y-yes, sir.”
The man closed the door, his face clearly saying, *There he goes again.* Donald invited the guests to sit on the sofa and then personally brought them tea.
“It seems you haven’t forgotten the promise.”
“…I-I’m seeing it for the first time myself, sir.”
Donald touched the token with a trembling hand.
“I heard about it when I was young. That this merchant guild laid its foundation long ago after meeting a benefactor.”
“My ancestor’s help was significant.”
The man in the robe, Edmond, took the token from Donald’s hand.
The Divine Grace his grandfather was born with was none other than a talent for business.
Every business he touched was a great success, to the point that the Imperial Family eventually had to regulate the commercial activities of nobles.
House Walker had never been poor, but it was said their assets tripled during his grandfather's generation. One could only imagine how incredible his talent was.
“They said that once the guild was established, he left abruptly, leaving this token behind.”
If it had ended there, it would have been a heartwarming tale, like some folktale, but promises among merchants are not so simple.
“The benefactor, before leaving… stole the guild’s double-entry ledgers…”
Leverage is how the world works, after all.
“They say there are many records from that chaotic era that would be troublesome if revealed.”
This was one of the reasons the Imperial Family couldn't touch this place carelessly.
The slush funds laundered clean in this black market were often used as political funds.
Now, the Crown Prince was the only one in the imperial bloodline, but when there were disputes over the right of succession, everyone was scrambling behind the scenes to secure connections.
“Like providing funds to the deposed empress.”
“What is it you want.”
“Good, you get straight to the point.”
Edmond touched the teacup once, then put it back down without bringing it to his lips.
It was strangely insulting, and Donald's face flushed.
Until then, Donald had thought to himself, how much could he possibly ask for anyway?
‘At most, it'll be something like information on imperial corruption or profitable real estate. A pity, but as long as I can protect the guild’s secrets…!’
But the demand that rang in his ears completely overturned his expectations.
“I need corpses.”
