Chapter 46

Archbishop Conrad had long prepared various attractions within the Pioneer City—an underground gambling hall, a theater, even a commission-free auction house.

It was all part of his effort to increase the city’s floating population. Once the Rift Core was purified, wealthy individuals from inside the Barrier would begin visiting the Pioneer Cities. One could say he had laid the groundwork in advance.

Today, that effort seemed to be bearing fruit.

“…This is much bigger than I expected.”

The banquet would begin at sunset.

Upon entering the grand hall, Cindy muttered in surprise. She was dressed in an expensive gown and mask, adorned with several artifact accessories… yet compared to those around her, she seemed modest.

Woojin, on the other hand, felt little reaction. To his eyes, they all looked more or less the same.

“What’s so impressive?”

“Look at the ring on that man’s right hand.”

Woojin glanced sideways. A large silver ring rested on the man’s index finger, engraved like a seal.

“I see it. So?”

“Only nobles are allowed to wear silver signet rings. That’s the custom.”

At that, Woojin scanned the hall. Quite a few others wore similar rings.

Looking more closely…

Their clothing also bore rare colors—garments dyed with precious pigments. Since everyone wore luxury so casually, the value was difficult to notice at first glance.

“Do they have more money than you?”

“Not necessarily… but my father sold off the trading company in a hurry. Our family’s assets were cut in half. Honestly, I feel a bit outclassed.”

The authority of nobility remained formidable, past and present alike. With deep-rooted bloodlines and connections, they possessed more influence than Cindy did now.

“In that case, you don’t need to reveal your identity. It’s unnecessary.”

“…You’re right.”

Originally, the plan had been for Cindy to disclose her identity during the banquet to attract attention.

The youngest daughter of Golden Maggot Volf is here.

If the witch learned that fact, she might approach first. Woojin intended to observe carefully and eliminate her at the right moment.

‘But there’s no need to take such a risk now.’

The hall was filled with nobles of greater renown than Cindy. Bait capable of drawing the witch’s attention was scattered everywhere. There was no reason to gamble with the girl’s life.

Since he had opposed the plan from the beginning, this outcome was preferable.

Woojin surveyed the surroundings.

‘…Security is tight.’

Holy knights stood at intervals throughout the hall. Their gazes, hidden beneath helmets, observed the guests.

With so many distinguished attendees, security was paramount. Though it was impossible to screen every outsider individually, it seemed they had stationed highly skilled knights to respond to emergencies.

‘Nothing dangerous should happen.’

Even so, they had to prepare for contingencies.

“Don’t touch the food. It might be poisoned.”

Woojin said this just as Cindy had picked up a canapé.

“…It should be fine. I’m a bit hungry.”

“Give it here.”

He took the canapé and placed it back on a passing waiter’s tray. Cindy looked wistful, even licking her fingertip.

“So… how will we find the target?”

“We’ll need to observe. I won’t be able to talk much while concentrating.”

“I’ll stay quiet.”

Their conversation ceased.

Though his steps were leisurely, Woojin’s eyes moved busily, scanning the guests.

Naturally, all were unfamiliar faces. Yet among these strangers, he searched for something familiar.

‘Recall the memories in my head.’

Three men had been toyed with by the witch—Derek, Cedric, and Enoch. Woojin recalled everything they remembered about her.

Her gait. The expression she wore when smiling. The atmosphere she carried.

No matter how her appearance changed, her essence would not. Certain habits would remain.

Comparing those remembered traits to the banquet guests, he eliminated them one by one.

He circled the hall twice.

“Do you see anyone suspicious?”

Cindy asked cautiously. Woojin had been wandering silently for some time.

He scratched the back of his neck.

“…Looks like nothing.”

No one stood out. Cindy’s expression fell slightly.

“Hmm… that’s unfortunate. But expecting success at once would be greedy.”

“Let’s wait a bit longer.”

It was too early to give up. Guests were still arriving.

Since lingering aimlessly drew the attention of the holy knights, they took seats near the entrance—an excellent vantage point to observe newcomers.

Waiters naturally approached, setting dishes upon the table: white bread, stew, lightly charred sausages and meats, fresh fruits…

Cindy’s gaze followed the food unconsciously. Woojin smirked.

‘She must be starving.’

Understandable. They had been walking the hall, smelling food without eating.

Woojin sampled a small corner of bread with his knife. It seemed safe.

“Let’s eat. It would be more frustrating to come all this way and leave hungry.”

“Very reasonable.”

As they filled their stomachs and watched late arrivals—

The atmosphere shifted.

The music changed. String players had been performing a gentle melody, but trumpeters joined in, filling the hall with bright fanfare.

Naturally, attention turned forward. A man descended the staircase connected to the central hall—a priest dressed in formal attire.

A familiar face.

‘Archbishop Conrad.’

Others recognized him as well. Applause thundered to greet the host of the banquet.

Conrad smiled warmly and began his welcoming speech.

“I sincerely welcome all of you who have opened the gates of the Barrier and journeyed so far. Your esteemed presence is both an honor and a joy to us.”

He smiled meaningfully.

“…However, the one who deserves your applause is someone else. I am not the true host of this banquet.”

Conrad stepped aside.

“Please welcome the true host of this evening… Duke Edwin Leventor.”

As the introduction ended, a man descended the stairs slowly. A middle-aged figure wearing a confident smile, a deep purple cloak draped across his shoulders.

…

Purple symbolized royalty.

‘Claire once told me that.’

Woojin recalled the story he had heard.

When the Gate to the Demonic Realm opened and the northern kingdoms began to fall one by one…

Five kings sat at the negotiation table with the Order’s Alliance. They donated all the wealth of their nations, handed over their armies and knight orders, and in exchange sought land within the Barrier to shelter themselves and their refugees.

‘If we are to stop the demonic advance southward, we must unite.’

The Order’s Alliance accepted.

The land within the Barrier was divided into six parts. The largest portion went to the Order itself, while the remaining territories were divided among the five kings by mutual agreement.

However, the lands newly granted to the five rulers were too small to be called kingdoms. Thus, the five kings came to be known as dukes.

One of them—Duke Edwin Leventor—smiled broadly as he addressed the crowd.

“What a splendid night! My gratitude to Archbishop Conrad, who has offered me such generous support, and to the Order of Wisdom. The Order’s achievements deserve praise time and again. The conquest of the Demonic Realm! The Pioneer Cities! What evocative words they are.”

He swept his gaze across the audience.

“Soon, I believe I will be able to share some wonderful news with you. But tonight is not the time. The night is short, and many delights still await you. Please, enjoy the moment!”

With that, Edwin raised his wine glass high before stepping back. The guests erupted into applause once more.

Woojin tilted his head.

He seemed to have skipped over the most important part… yet why was everyone in such high spirits?

Turning his head, he noticed Cindy sitting with a serious expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nobles tend to speak in roundabout ways. It feels like Archbishop Conrad and Duke Leventor have formed an alliance.”

Indeed, there had been a subtle exchange in their words, and the two had appeared together prominently.

“But is that a problem?” Woojin asked.

Cindy nodded immediately.

“It could be an attempt to divide factions. They must have aligned interests… but I can’t tell what their objective is.”

Woojin shrugged.

“Leave the headaches for later. Right now, we focus on our task.”

“Is there anything else to do?”

“I found the witch.”

Cindy’s head snapped up.

“…You found her?”

“Yeah. So act natural.”

Woojin said it casually while lifting a spoonful of stew. Cindy, however, was visibly shaken. He had only mentioned it because it seemed necessary, but perhaps it had been premature.

Still, since he had spoken, he needed to finish.

“Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale.”

“…Done.”

“Good. Don’t turn your head. Just move your eyes. She’s standing on the staircase in the central hall.”

Cindy glanced sideways. On the staircase, Edwin was conversing with an unfamiliar woman.

Even from a distance, she was strikingly beautiful. Yet the side of her hair was slightly tousled, as if she had just risen from bed.

“I see her. When did you identify her?”

“Not long ago. After the speech, she came down from the upper floor and started speaking with Edwin.”

It seemed there were private chambers for honored guests on the second floor. Her attire looked closer to sleepwear than formal dress.

Cindy quickly grasped the implication.

“A courtesan.”

“What’s that?”

“She… attends to noblemen’s more intimate needs.”

“Alright. I understand.”

A high-class companion for nobles and magnates. The witch had likely taken on that guise to approach Edwin.

Woojin had expected her to attend as a guest—but she had apparently already ensnared the duke. Finding her had been difficult enough; approaching her now would be even harder.

‘What should I do?’

As he considered—

“…She’s moving.”

Cindy whispered.

Woojin focused on the central hall. The witch had thrown a robe over her sleepwear and was walking off alone.

An unexpected opportunity.

“What do we do?” Cindy asked.

“What else? You stay here. I’ll handle it and return.”

She would be safe in the hall. She possessed several artifacts, and high-ranking holy knights stood vigilant nearby.

Cindy murmured timidly,

“I’d like to follow…”

“You think I’d allow that?”

“…No.”

There was no time for persuasion. The witch was already moving.

“Stay put.”

With that, Woojin rose.

He followed her quietly. Concealing his presence was second nature—skills honed from stalking prey and evading dangerous enemies.

The pursuit went smoothly.

The witch led herself into a deserted back alley. It almost felt too easy. At this moment, he could likely kill her without consequence.

…But a thought struck him.

‘Where is she going?’

He wanted to know her destination. Two choices formed in his mind.

Kill her here.
Or continue following to the end.

The dilemma soon became irrelevant.

The witch stopped before a small building tucked into the alley’s corner.

Knock. Knock.

Two sharp raps. Then she muttered at the door,

“Open up. I’m back from work.”

Creak—

The door opened. She slipped inside, and moments later, the lock clicked shut.

Who had opened it?

‘Let’s find out.’

Woojin approached silently and pressed his ear to the wooden door. He could hear their conversation.

“Did you secure the information?”

“Yeah. The courtesans hate being with Edwin. The rotation’s quick.”

“Why? It’s good money.”

“That bastard… he keeps pulling their hair whenever he gets the chance. Can’t we just kill him?”

“Endure it. The duke must stay alive.”

The tone was ominous.

‘Chasing a fox led me to its den.’

He estimated four or five people inside.

How should he handle this? A larger haul meant greater risk if approached recklessly.

As he deliberated—

A chill crept down his spine.

Instinctively, Woojin scanned the surroundings. It felt as though someone was watching him.

No one was there.

Yet the sensation persisted—like formless eyes fixed upon him.

“…The discerning eye?”

At that instant, a voice spoke from inside the building.

“There’s a rat outside. Kill it.”