DLRV 19

As I ran my hand over the nape of my neck, I felt the scar’s texture.

Along with it, I recalled Samuel’s gaze as he stared intently at my neck. Didn’t he say he could track me because I was a resurrected one?

“Do you have more of that cloth you gave Nadav? Do you think it could hide divine power too?”

“Divine power is different from magic. It’s also entirely different from that eerie energy I sense from that horse. So, magical tools won’t have any effect on divine power.”

Hearing Xenon’s explanation, I unconsciously clicked my tongue in annoyance. It seemed I was doomed to be pursued by Samuel.

“Why do you ask?”

“I think there’s a trace of divine power left on my neck.”

“…Are you saying the holy knights tracked that trace to find you this time?”

“Probably.”

I responded flatly and pulled my cloak tightly around me, but Xenon asked in a shocked voice.

“Wait, then—did you not escape safely?”

“I’m here safely, aren’t I?”

“What I mean is, did you get away without being caught or tracked? Completely safe?”

His question made me pause as I carefully covered my neck. Turning away slightly, I replied as nonchalantly as possible.

“…We just have to move quickly. If we finish our business in the city and leave soon, we’ll be fine.”

“So you’re saying we’re already being tracked—!”

“Xenon.”

I called his name in a meaningful tone, making his shoulders tense up. He must have sensed something ominous instinctively.

Facing his stiffened expression, I continued in the gentlest voice I could muster.

“I believe most people in the world are swindlers and bad guys, but as you said, not everyone is like that. You waited for me, trusting me.”

“And… so what?”

“Because of you, I think my faith in humanity has slightly awakened.”

“Why on earth….”

His lips moved wordlessly like a fish before he furrowed his brows and muttered,

“Why, even though you’re wearing the magical tool, why…?”

For some reason, his eyes looked as if he was about to cry. I had no idea what he was talking about, but it seemed I had successfully struck a nerve.

Stepping closer to him, I asked as sweetly as I could,

“You’ll help me out for a while, right?”

Xenon, who had been looking at me with drooping eyebrows, let out a deep sigh.

“Well… since there’s still the remaining payment.”

He mumbled something about money, though it was clear he didn’t mean it.

The righteous and steadfast Nesi naturally encouraged the cowardly male for his brave decision, saying it was only right to help the weak.

Disguised as a black horse, Nadav was delighted, calling Xenon the servant of our commander.

It was truly fortunate that Xenon couldn’t understand what Nesi and Nadav were saying.

Honestly, for someone so soft-hearted, he was incredibly easy to manipulate.

Gelburn was chosen as a research and investment hub for magical technology. This meant that both residents and visitors of the city typically owned at least one magical tool.

It was common to possess a magical tool, so my appearance-altering artifact wouldn’t draw much attention here.

Of course, if it had been an illegal artifact, the city guards would have caught it, but fortunately, the one Xenon gave me was legally sold on the market.

Passing through the city’s gates without issue, I took a brief moment to appreciate the open view of the city.

Despite my fugitive status, I had to admit—I was more suited to cities than the countryside.

Just looking at the large buildings and the well-maintained streets gave me a sense of peace.

I first entered the nearest shop to purchase a basic communication magic tool and handed it to Xenon.

“You find us a place to stay. Walk one block from here, and you’ll see a five-story building. Make sure to get a room on the fifth floor.”

Xenon, who had taken the communication tool without thinking, gave me a puzzled look.

“Weren’t you just going to buy magical tools?”

“I’m getting a magical tool and also looking for some information.”

I also needed a travel bag—not an ordinary one, but an extremely expensive, magically enchanted bag connected to subspace.

Once I packed all my travel essentials into it, I could move around lightly.

The only downside was that offensive magical tools weren’t easy to buy legally.

“Regular people can’t buy offensive magical tools, right? Not even with your connections? You’re from the Magic Tower, after all.”

“Impossible. Buying an offensive magical tool legally requires a lot of paperwork, and getting approval takes a long time. Even a Magic Tower member isn’t exempt from that.”

So not only was teleportation magic restricted from being used through magical tools, but now I couldn’t even freely obtain an offensive one?

“Then there’s no choice. I’ll just have to buy one illegally.”

“…Excuse me?”

Roam was determined to capture me alive, so I needed at least some means of self-defense.

Xenon looked at me in utter disbelief, but I quickly started walking ahead. There was too much to do, and I was in a hurry. Staying here for more than a day would be dangerous.

Samuel would catch up in no time. Since I had firmly rejected his absurd proposal to follow him, he might even hold a grudge.

If he found me this time, he might drag me straight to the temple.

That was the last place I wanted to go.

Just imagining the temple people demanding that I vanquish evil or fulfill divine blessings made me sick.

“We’re leaving tomorrow, so if you have anything to take care of, do it today. I’ll see you in the evening.”

“You’re moving around alone?”

“Then?”

“Even though you’ve changed your appearance, it must still be dangerous…”

“I know the way.”

“Wait, have you ever been to this city?”

I nodded as if it were obvious, noticing Xenon’s confusion.

“Of course. I grew up in Roam.”

There was no way someone from the Roam family wouldn’t have visited this city, which was entangled with factionalism and capital.

I could see Xenon staring at me blankly with a dazed expression.

The ownership of this city had changed several times for various reasons. The main reason was that all the local lords around here were powerful individuals.

Eventually, when the city’s ownership had more or less stabilized, the Volpent family, a long-established imperial family, took over the city after surpassing the Coppen family, known for producing numerous wizards from the Magic Tower.

Despite its long history, the Volpent family had produced very few wizards—only court wizards, in fact.

However, they became the rulers of the city because the Roam family supported them.

I had visited this city at the invitation of the head of the Volpent family, and it was during that visit that I learned how to efficiently make use of the city. I suspected the “method” hadn’t changed.

First, I headed to the street where magic shops were clustered to buy some magical tools.

Shops on the main street might look like regular, respectable stores catering to tourists, but those openly running businesses were often the ones engaging in all sorts of illegal activities behind the scenes.

It was a reverse strategy using vague prejudice. In fact, legitimate businesses were usually hidden away in alleys, poorly located and hard to spot, so they couldn’t make much money.

I stopped in front of the largest, most dazzling, and cleanest “Heytin Magic Tool Shop” on the main street. It was a place so well-staffed that there was a doorman at the entrance.

“Welcome! Welcome to Heytin Magic Tool Shop, where we offer safe magic tools at reasonable prices!”

As soon as I crossed the threshold, a sociable employee greeted me. One of the staff quickly approached and began guiding me through the store.

I nodded casually and walked forward. Without even looking around, I walked straight toward my goal, and the employee signaled to another staff member, having realized I wasn’t just browsing.

This store really does have well-trained staff.

“You’ve chosen a magic contract paper.”

“What about the pen?”

“I’ll guide you. Please follow me.”

Magic contract paper is typically used for writing up contracts. However, official documents require a royal seal from the palace, and this paper had no such markings.

This meant the paper was mainly used in the underworld.

The employee quickly led me further inside. As I entered, the lighting grew dimmer, and the lights in blue and red gave an eerie vibe.

“This is it.”

The room I was led to was completely sealed with no windows. There seemed to be another door concealed by thick curtains, and I could sense movement from behind them. Shortly after, a grim man appeared, opening the curtains.

“You were looking for a pen, sir?”

Despite his grim appearance, his voice was as polite as the staff outside. Just as expected from the largest shop in the area, their staff training was thorough.

“I need a signing pen.”

“Did you have a specific item in mind, or are you looking for our recommendations?”

“Something I can get immediately.”

“If you tell me the purpose, I can check for you…”

“All of them.”

“Excuse me?”

“All the stock you have.”

The man’s smile froze in place. His face, which had been armed with a customary smile, now turned into a suspicious gaze.

He was probably trying to assess if I was a genuine customer. If I suddenly showed up and asked for all the items they had in stock, I would have been suspicious too.

I took out the seal from the ring I had removed earlier. It was a brooch with the distinct symbol of the Roam family, usually given only to direct descendants.

Each family member’s brooch had slight variations, but those were small enough that no one could notice them.

The brooch served as proof of one’s identity as a member of the Roam family, and other than the direct relatives, only the central emblem was of any interest. Anyone involved in such dealings should recognize it.

The brooch I possessed was given to me as the youngest daughter of Roam. Though my name had been erased from the list at my death, the brooch was never taken. I was sent straight to the execution block without them seizing my belongings.

Thanks to that, the ring, which contained all my wealth, was still with me. Perhaps I should be thankful for that desperate decapitation after all?