Chapter 51 – Lupin’s Right Hand (1)

“Where are we going?”

“The black market.”

“……The black market?”

“Yes, the black market.”

At Henry’s calm answer, Austin just blinked his eyes blankly.

Then he suddenly burst into laughter.

“The black market! As expected of you, Henry… you are a really unique fellow. To look for the black market as soon as you rise to Class A?”

“You’re going, right?”

“Of course! I’m only grateful that you asked me to go with you. What is my role? Should I go as a conversation partner so Henry won’t be bored?”

“As my escort. You don’t need to hide your skills there, do you?”

“Hmm, an escort. I don’t think that’s a very good idea? It’s true that I’m somewhat outstanding, but whether that will pass in the black market…”

“So, you won’t do it?”

“Of course I’ll do it. I’m just worried I might not meet your expectations.”

“Then that’s enough. Let’s start.”

Whether he met them or not did not matter.

Because Henry’s purpose was not just one anyway.

***

The black market.

A place that was in every region, yet in no region, was precisely the black market.

Officially, it did not exist.

Since it was a space filled with all kinds of illegal things, the state put effort into subjugating it.

Yet strangely, goods that could not be obtained unless through the black market were being circulated openly all over the world.

In the first place, since it was a place secretly favored even by high-ranking state officials, it could not disappear even if it wanted to.

The places known to have been officially subjugated were merely shells.

Naturally, not even the shadow of a guard reached their base, and occasionally, even the guards who were supposed to capture them were frequently customers of the black market.

“As such, the black market is a place where anything can happen. The reason nobles hesitate to visit in person is due to their own honor, but also because they cannot guarantee their own safety.”

Of course they would bring along strong escorts, but the black market was a place where something of a method they could not imagine occurred.

They had to think that the moment even a slight problem arose, a noble’s life was as good as gone.

In the first place, the black market did not have a fixed location.

It was a place that arose naturally as people entangled in all kinds of interests gathered, and in that place, even royalty could not be sure of their own safety.

“Rather, it would be even more dangerous if they were royalty. Many would show interest, and even if an unpleasant incident occurred targeting them, the culprits would only need to leave this place and hide.”

[Our Sir Knight is appealing strongly today haha]

[You are going to such a dangerous place in person?? Such a place??]

“To honest, it is true that I am also afraid. Hiding the fact that I am an academy trainee would be in that context. Since it is a Royal institution, there will be many fellows taking interest in us.”

[But can it be covered with only Austin? Isn’t he at a similar level to you, Sir Knight?]

[It looks like both are destined for a brutal death together haha]

[At most isn’t he a 2-star… is he at the level of an instructor…]

“Actually, there is something else I must show you magicians. Although I didn’t tell you in advance, it is indeed the biggest reason I could decide to go to the black market.”

Henry gradually began to lay down the bait.

Laying bait was nothing special.

The task of making the viewers feel curiosity about the broadcast to be held today.

Not revealing all information, but by revealing only a part, he intended to amplify the curiosity.

“Do you see this?”

[Austin Roderick: 4-star Knight]

Henry abruptly brought up Austin’s information.

First, he showed only that single line of details to the viewers.

Because he expected the expression “4-star knight” would be enough.

As expected.

[Why is he 4-star?????]

[?????????]

[What is this again haha]

The expected reactions began to return.

“I spent a considerable amount of sponsorship funds to verify this information. Since it is information found thanks to the magicians, naturally, I shouldn’t be the only one knowing it.”

Saying so, Henry gradually revealed the next details.

Austin’s alignment written as Chaotic was revealed, and even details that his main weapon was a dagger and he preferred an assassin-like combat style.

What Henry knew also stopped here, and that content was enough to fluster the viewers.

[What is this??? Is he really of the Roderick family??]

[In truth, is Austin already dead?? And this one is pretending to be Austin??]

[What is this guy’s identity?]

“There is only one part that can be certain right now. The fact that Austin is a member of the Roderick family. Because if he weren’t, the surname Roderick wouldn’t have been attached to this information.”

What about the rest?

It was an unknown matter.

Actually, thinking about it, it might not be a big deal.

Like, he preferred daggers but used a sword thinking it didn’t suit a knight, or similarly, he preferred surprise attacks but it was behavior hard to show as a knight.

But.

‘Bringing up such words for nothing would only lower the interest. In fact, the probability of that is low anyway.’

Henry was not a model knight who was only honest from the very start.

“We are looking for the black market to find that out. If a pressing situation arises, Austin will do something. Especially, doesn’t that characteristic look like it will shine in a place like the black market at a glance?”

Stealth. Surprise attack.

The skill of a 4-star knight.

A weapon called a dagger that can be handled easily even in a narrow space.

Henry was certain that a moment when Austin demonstrated such abilities would surely come.

‘In fact, it doesn’t matter even if it doesn’t come. Because they will watch excitedly until the ending moment anyway.’

Also.

The bundle of curiosity Henry prepared for the viewers did not end with Austin.

“I have the trait obtained when I achieved 1-star knight, don’t I? Seeing mana was a much more useful ability than I thought.”

Seeing the flow of mana visually.

Even those who reached the realm can only know through “sense,” and even in special cases like Austin, they cannot find out everything.

However, there were no restrictions on Henry’s ability.

“It is an ability that allows me to accomplish anything once I get used to it. In fact, until before, I only felt it was simply outstanding, but thinking about it again lately, it was not merely an outstanding level.”

Borrowing the viewers’ expression, it was an ability close to a cheat key.

Anyway, to utilize it, getting proficient was the truth, and there was no place where one could expect “diverse” situations as much as the black market.

“Also, as I told you some time ago, I must find a plan to secure 10,000 gold, and I should also find a group expected to… have relations with the academy side. From my perspective, the black market is like a treasure chest.”

[Haha, suddenly treated as a treasure chest]

[Instead of doing the missions he’s supposed to haha]

[As soon as he got promoted, heading straight to the black market~]

[If you go there and get caught, isn’t it expulsion??]

All kinds of reactions rose.

At a glance it felt as if they were blaming him, but now Henry also knew that those chats stemmed from amusement.

“The rule is expulsion. Also, the academy is not a place that runs strictly by the rules. In that place, what stands above rules is none other than the trainee’s skill.”

If it were Henry Camilton who lived in the barn, he would be expelled without further ado, but if it was Henry Camilton of Class A, it was clear it would at most end in a light warning.

He had already seen such things, and had the dean not said with his own mouth not long ago?

That regulations could just be made by himself.

“Also, who knows, situations like meeting the academy’s instructors there are also entirely possible. Since the black market is a place open to anyone.”

At this rate, he had laid down all the information that needed to be laid down.

In fact, what could be unleashed remained, but that had to be unleashed at the appropriate time to expect its proper effect.

Also.

Decisively, the name “WoopWoop” was not seen in the chat window right now.

‘If he were here, he would have popped up right away when Austin’s information was revealed. Because he is that kind of person.’

Overwhelming financial power.

Also liking situations where he received attention, and especially enjoying exerting influence on Henry above all else, was none other than WoopWoop.

The really fortunate thing was the fact that the direction was a positive one.

‘I’ll mention him once more when WoopWoop appears… he will probably come today too. Since I let it be known early on that I would visit the black market.’

If WoopWoop did not appear, he planned to postpone all prepared moments to the next time.

That was, scenes where donations would burst.

Because today was not the last day to look for the black market anyway.

“How much longer will it take?”

At that time, Henry asked Austin.

It was already the time when the sun began to set.

It was because they had to walk for a long time under the darkened sky.

“I think we are almost there…”

Austin, who unfolded the map, pouted his lips. Then he pointed out a part of the map to Henry.

“They said it was around here. You see here? The place written as Lupin’s Right Hand.”

“I see it.”

“It is definitely around here. But there is nothing visible right away… they said it would be impossible not to see it once near?”

“Then we have no choice but to search more. The information is accurate, right?”

“If Marshall was wrong, that means a wrong question was asked from the start.”

Austin spoke with eyes full of affection, unlike his usual self.

Marshall was Austin’s butler.

Borrowing his words, he said he was one of the few people in the family he could trust and rely on.

He also added that although he held the duty of a butler, his role was more than that.

“Indeed, a Duke’s family is a Duke’s family. I feel it anew every time I face such situations.”

A few hours ago.

As soon as Henry requested, Austin contacted the family to check the black market’s location.

Austin’s butler in charge, Marshall, arrived only thirty minutes later.

Despite traveling a long path, Marshall handed over the map and brief information with a loyal attitude and returned.

It was also thanks to that that Henry could head straight to the black market.

“Do you feel a distance, by any chance…”

“Not at all. I was thinking it’s comfortable. You don’t mean your butler attached himself as an escort without us knowing, do you?”

“You know I have exactly two people in the family whom I trust completely?”

“Then I should trust it. By the way, Lupin’s Right Hand…”

“Oops.”

At that moment, Austin paused.

To Henry who looked at him in puzzle, he brought up a fact he had clean forgotten.

“What time is it now?”

“It’s almost nine o’clock.”

“Ah, that’s why.”

Nod, nod.

As if understanding well, Austin added.

“The time hadn’t come yet.”

“Time?”

“Marshall said so. That Lupin’s Right Hand would be hard to find before nine in the evening. I clean forgot those words?”

“…….”

Finding it absurd, Henry narrowed his eyes.

There were other things to forget, does it make sense to forget information related to the black market of all things?

“……Think carefully. If there is anything else you forgot besides that.”

“No, there isn’t. Just that. Seriously. Why look with those eyes…”

At the moment Austin was hastily making excuses.

*Flash!*

An intense light covered the two.

No, the expression that it covered the surrounding area was more accurate.

“What…”

Henry scanned the situation in confusion.

But that was also only for a moment.

Soon, he was able to grasp what the situation was.

“Did that mean this?”

“Correct. There were also these words: everything in Lupin’s Right Hand is closely related to alcohol.”

“I thought you said you didn’t forget anything?”

“Rather than forgot, how about the expression that it was too trivial? You know, like those knowledges that are good to know but not of much use.”

Henry shook his head.

Because in any case, he was able to find this place thanks to Austin.

Lupin’s Right Hand.

Although it was a street located on the outskirts of the Vallaran capital, it was not a place like a slum.

Because it was a place where all the drunkards of the capital gathered without exception, where the expression “street of alcohol” suited perfectly.

“All the taverns lighting up at the same time. What a unique neighborhood.”

The identity of the light that hit the two just now was the lights simultaneously lit by the taverns filling the street.

Magic lamps, which must have numbered in the hundreds at a glance, were floating over the street.

“They said that from the moment the sun sets, it is a livelier place than anywhere else in the capital. Look over there. People are crowding in, aren’t they?”

Austin pointed at the entrance of the street.

There were those who had already entered the street like the two, but most seemed to have been waiting until the lights were lit.

“Then we have to find the guide now… Ah, there he is. It’s that person.”

Austin, who looked around, grinned and gestured toward someone with his chin.

“Friendly Mr. Cromwell. We can enter through that person.”

BJ Swordmaster