Novel Full Chapter 606 The One in the Shadow - I
In the bar on the second floor of the Executioners’ headquarters, a group of idling adventurers were engrossed in the live broadcast of the second round of the selection tournament.
“Why are there three fourth-stage participants this time?” a drunken adventurer grumbled, “Is Whistling Legion really that great?”
“Bryce Palmer is one of the top warriors in the Western. Is it really surprising that people want to follow him… Still, fourth-stages don’t need to enter the Whistling Legion through such means.”
“After so many years of selection tournaments, haven’t you figured out the trick yet? It’s obvious that Milo or the Duke of Azuregold arranged for them to stir up the odds!”
“Well said. So, who did you bet on?”
“Haha! I bet on all three fourth-stages!”
“Betting on all three isn’t gambling! To gamble, you have to go big! Look at these odds: Merle Clark, a third-stage extraordinary being. His odds of winning are six thousand nine hundred to one! Trust me! Win this bet, and you’ll be set for life!”
“You damn out of your mind!”
The bar was a cacophony of noise, filled with nearly everyone discussing the heated selection tournament. In the most secluded corner of the bar, the Vice President of the Executioners stationed at Dispute Fortress swirled his drink, observing his key members.
“So…”
He stroked his chin, “Our esteemed Lord Faust not only dispatched his mortal retainer to that wicked wolf Fenrir but has also thoughtfully initiated some… air purification project for the Lower District?”
“He did lease the largest alchemy workshop in Dispute Fortress.”
Someone shrugged, “So Faust is proficient in alchemy too? I didn’t know that.”
“Who knew before this that Faust was such a kind-hearted person?”
“A kind-hearted person wouldn’t keep his eye open while dismembering someone.”
Many among the group had witnessed that flickering black blade firsthand and still shuddered at the memory.
If he could dismember you in an instant, he could shred you into pieces just as quickly. It all depended on whether that demon felt like it.
“So… what do we do next?” someone asked.
“You’re asking me? Isn’t that why vice President called us here—to discuss this?”
Bryce Palmer Leo’s woman was dispatched without hesitation, and the Duke of Azuregold was scolded without a second thought. Though there was no indication that this Faust was a capricious, bloodthirsty lunatic, everyone worried about becoming the next blood-soaked victim—especially given how frequently the Executioners interacted with Faust.
After a brief silence, the Vice President slowly began to speak: “First, let’s make one thing clear.”
He extended two fingers, speaking with great composure: “At present, we have two choices.”
“First, do not provoke Faust—in any sense. This isn’t just about not angering him. For instance, since he frequently takes commissions from us, people will come to us seeking information. We must ignore such inquiries entirely. Do you understand?”
“Ah, this…”
Someone wore a troubled expression. “Can’t we sell harmless little bits of information? Someone contacted me the other day, offering quite a bit. Selling a little—he wouldn’t find out, would he?”
The Vice President, unperturbed, nodded slightly and said, “I know most of you might not be able to resist and would gamble on not getting caught, so I have a second plan.”
Upon hearing they could still sell information, the core adventurers’ eyes lit up, clearly eager for the lucrative offers from the mysterious individuals seeking Faust’s secrets.
“We flee.”
The man placed his hands on the table piled with large beer mugs and said earnestly.
“…”
Under the guild members’ stupefied gazes, the Vice President calmly continued: “Bryce Palmer Leo might abandon this place entirely. So why should we hold onto this branch? Let’s take this opportunity to make one last big score and then run. Squeeze those people seeking information about Faust for everything they’re worth… Pretend you’re too afraid to provoke him, then jack up the prices.
Once we sell the information, we flee immediately.”
Confidently crossing his arms, the Vice President, well-versed in the adventurers’ code, asserted: “The information we sell is essentially worthless. Besides knowing that Faust has a mortal attendant and likes to take commissions involving commoners, there’s nothing significant to divulge. He probably doesn’t even care about such trivialities.”
“And if he does care, then fleeing will be our safeguard — A legendary figure like him wouldn’t chase us across great distances over something so trivial, right?”
The group fell silent for a long moment, then rose to their feet, applauding enthusiastically.
“Great! This is a brilliant idea! Vice President, you’re a genius!”
Given Faust’s tendency to disregard whether his identity is exposed and openly announce his name wherever he goes, it’s highly unlikely he would care about people selling information about him. If they sold it and fled immediately, a fifth-stage extraordinary being, a mysterious legendary figure, would have no reason to irrationally pursue them. Faust probably wouldn’t even remember who they were.
Seeing the enthusiastic response from his core members, Vice President Swordfish nodded in satisfaction. After all, someone had approached him a few days earlier to buy information on Faust, and the reward offered was indeed… quite substantial.
However, as a competent Vice President, he couldn’t surreptitiously pocket this money; he had to lead everyone to prosperity together.
But seeing the expressions of surprise and enthusiasm on his companions’ faces, mixed with a hint of… relief, the Vice President’s expression gradually turned grim.
“You all…”
Swordfish slowly stood up, his voice rife with suspicion: “You haven’t already sold information about Faust, have you?”
“…”
All flattery vanished instantly. The adventurers exchanged glances, eyes filled with the mutual question, “You did it too?”
Swordfish’s anger surged to its peak. But as his fury over everyone secretly profiteering without including him reached its zenith, another thought dawned upon him.
How could so many people… simultaneously seek information about Faust from the Executioners?
Fools abound, wealthy individuals abound, but wealthy fools ripe for fleecing are not so common. Where did so many factions come from, scrutinizing the Executioners up and down?
As the Vice President’s anger gradually transformed into bewildered suspicion, amidst the clamorous noise, soft footsteps approached.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Swordfish.”
That gentle voice should have been drowned out by the cacophony of cheers, curses, and various strange howls, yet Swordfish caught it effortlessly, causing him to shiver suddenly.
That voice, that voice!
He quickly turned and saw the mortal girl who had left a profound impression on him despite their long absence.
Margarete Gretchen Müller… The scene of her, as Faust’s attendant, daring to display a stern and cold demeanor towards him was still vivid in his mind.
The ominous feeling in Swordfish’s heart climbed to its pinnacle.
“Isn’t this… Miss Gretchen.”
He laughed heartily first, lowering his extraordinary being’s stature to greet Marlina, “How has Mr. Faust been lately—”
“Please remain seated, Mr. Swordfish.”
Miss Margarete, holding a bag, smiled softly, “I’m just here to discuss something with you.”
Swordfish rested his hands on his knees and slowly sat back down, his gaze falling on the bag in Marlina’s hand.
Suspecting what it might be, he exhaled, “Please, go ahead.”
“I am particularly sensitive about Mr. Faust’s safety and privacy,” the frail and delicate adventurer’s attendant said softly, “Therefore, I am wary of those who seek to pry into Mr. Faust’s affairs, and equally wary of…”
She gently shook the bag in her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly, “Wary of those who might betray Mr. Faust.”
“Oh, oh, oh—” Swordfish raised his hands, feigning a frightened expression, “We can’t bear such a reputation, Miss Margarete.”
“Is that so?”
Marlina tilted her head slightly and emptied the contents of the thick bag onto the table. Out spilled numerous… parchment scrolls?
“Executioners Guild, Dispute Fortress branch, a total of forty-five members.”
The girl clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, saying in a ghostly tone, “Thirty-nine of them have made agreements with the information brokers who bought Mr. Faust’s information.”
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