Episode 89
Invitations to the Black Market had been scattered across the continent, and one by one, the ‘representatives’ of the most powerful and wealthy nobles were arriving in Guild City.
Among them was the ‘Black Duke’ of the Saxon Duchy, and it was no surprise that the Holy Knight and the Blood Duke were also sending their envoys.
Though these nobles could not attend the Black Market themselves, they sent representatives who understood their masters’ intentions better than anyone.
The Empire’s greatest genius, the ‘Black Prince,’ son of the Black Duke, was one such representative.
When Dale expressed his desire not just to participate in the Black Market but to engage with the upper echelons of the great guilds, the 《Calimala Guild》 was more than willing to arrange a meeting for the ‘Black Prince.’
‘Arte di Calimala.’
One of the seven great guilds ruling over Guild City, responsible for the textile and clothing industries.
In the past, the Black Magic Tower had no qualms about procuring ‘experimental subjects’ from the guild. In a way, they were one of the guild’s most powerful clients.
Thus, when the Black Magic Tower under the Black Duke’s regime severed ties with them, the impact on the ‘great guild’ was significant.
Dale headed to the ‘City of Calimala,’ which they controlled, accompanied by a human trafficker from the great guild who had greeted him in Greenwood.
“A textile industry and human trafficking. Quite the mismatched pair,” Dale mused. But he knew their criminal enterprises didn’t stop at trafficking. Their rule was simple: sell anything that could be sold.
However, Dale wasn’t there to seek justice.
In one of the seven cities of Guild City, the City of Calimala, within the opulent chambers of the Arte di Calimala’s city hall, a symbol of their wealth and power, Dale was received.
“To think the representative of the Black Magic Tower would grace us with a visit.”
The Calimala Guild showed the Saxon Duchy the respect it deserved, with their ‘Guild Master’ personally welcoming Dale.
The ruler of this city and one of the seven pinnacles of the great guilds.
It was a position not earned by sword or magic. The velvet coat, stretched to its limits by the Guild Master’s massive frame, was proof enough.
“You’ve come personally for the Black Market, I presume?”
“Indeed,” Dale replied calmly, bowing his head.
“I’ve heard much of your reputation, my lord!”
The Guild Master began to extol the ‘Black Prince’s’ exploits.
The Empire’s greatest genius. The hero who led the black-and-white war to victory, thwarted the demon migration, and became a war hero on the island of Britannia. Tales so oft-repeated they were tiresome.
Yet stories wield power.
The infamy Dale carried as the ‘Black Prince.’ The weight of that name. As the Black Duke once said, fear is an asset like no other.
“I hear there’s something intriguing enough to catch the Duke’s interest,” Dale remarked.
The Guild Master smiled knowingly.
“I assure you, it will meet the Duke’s expectations.”
“And if it doesn’t meet the Black Duke’s expectations…,” Dale’s voice took on a threatening edge.
“Guild City will have to answer for it.”
”…”
Dale spoke, using the Saxon Duchy and the Black Magic Tower’s fearsome reputation as a shield.
“Our Guild City values trust above all else.”
The Guild Master remained unfazed. He wasn’t wrong.
Despite their criminal dealings and miserly nature, their financial network, rooted across the continent, relied on unwavering trust.
The trust of gold was absolute, and in that regard, Guild City was indeed ‘trustworthy.’
“Your words raise my expectations.”
“The Black Market is still some time away.”
Dale smiled nonchalantly, and the Guild Master continued.
“Perhaps you might enjoy a leisurely tour of the city.”
In this golden empire where everything was justified by coin, as the Guild Master suggested, there were indeed many ‘sights’ to behold.
A Fight Club, where participants risked their lives in underground arenas, for instance.
“Sounds like something to look forward to,” Dale smiled.
“But my reason for seeking the ‘great guild’ master is different.”
With that, Dale shifted the conversation. Not as a mere participant in the Black Market, but to pursue his own agenda.
“The Saxon Duke is quite interested in Guild City’s ventures.”
”…”
Dale’s words were clear in their implication.
“Are you suggesting an investment?”
The Guild Master asked with a smile.
“Investing in our Guild City is always a wise decision.”
“Oh, it’s not your usual investment.”
Dale smiled, then spoke.
“After the Black Market concludes… there will be a decision on the next ‘City Master.’”
City Master.
The position that oversees all of Guild City, reigning above the seven guild masters.
At those words, the Calimala Guild Master’s expression turned icy. The decision of the City Master was a closely guarded secret within Guild City, and its connection to the ‘Black Market’ was no exception.
‘How did the Saxon Duchy come by this information…?’
But the Guild Master showed no outward reaction, and Dale continued.
“Guild City’s trust is unparalleled and beyond doubt.”
“You are correct, my lord.”
“But is the trust between the seven great guilds the same?”
”…!”
Dale spoke of the ongoing power struggles among the seven great guilds vying for control of Guild City.
“As I mentioned, the Saxon Duchy is willing to make a significant investment.”
The weight of the Saxon Duchy’s substantial investment was not lost on the Guild Master, who swallowed hard.
“To one of the seven guild masters who will become the next ‘City Master.’”
“Surely not…!”
“And it seems the Calimala Guild Master is quite interested.”
On the surface, ‘Guild City’ is a symbol of unbreakable trust.
“Ambition is a good thing.”
But in reality, it’s a jungle of fierce competition among seven organizations fighting over their share.
“There’s give and take.”
Dale spoke with the confidence of someone who could place the man before him on the ‘City Master’ throne.
“So please, take your time and consider carefully.”
Leaving those words hanging, Dale rose to leave.
“W-what is it?”
At that moment.
“What do you seek in return?”
The Guild Master cautiously asked.
If Dale, backed by the Saxon Duchy, were to hand him the ‘City Master’ position, what would Dale and the Saxon Duchy want in return?
“The ledger.”
”…!”
“The ledger that the ‘City Master’ of Guild City will possess.”
The City Master’s ledger.
A record of all financial transactions, the flow of wealth within Guild City and the seven great guilds. It might sound trivial, but to those who understood, its significance was immense.
For Guild City, trust is life itself, and the ledger is the heart of that trust. Handing it over would be akin to giving away Guild City’s very heart.
At least the Guild Master understood its significance. His mind was a flurry of calculations.
“If we join forces, the Saxon Duchy will invest even more confidently.”
Dale said.
“Along with the ‘Black Armor Company’ I lead, the Saxon forces will stand with Guild City.”
The Black Bear of the North. The power of the Saxon Duchy, the continent’s greatest vassal, was beyond imagination. Dale was leveraging that backing without reservation.
“I officially propose that the Saxon Duchy and Guild City sail on the same ship.”
”…”
“While the Guild Master makes his decision.”
Dale continued.
“I suppose I should take a tour of the city.”
A solid alliance with Guild City. The reason for making this proposal to a mere guild master rather than the current ‘City Master’ was simple.
Unless he tied the strings himself and placed them on the throne, it was meaningless.
At that time.
“Did you say the next City Master?”
‘Arte della Lana.’
One of the seven great guilds of Guild City, specializing in wool trade. In the ‘City of Lana Guild,’ the Guild Master swallowed hard.
Before him stood a blond boy. The representative of the Blood Duke, ‘Marquis Yuris,’ who had received an invitation to the Black Market.
Ray Yuris.
His goal was not merely to participate in the Black Market.
“Our Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and my father…”
Ray Yuris spoke.
“In deciding the next ‘City Master.’”
With the Empire and the Red Magic Tower as his backing.
“We have no doubt that the Lana Guild Master is the most suitable candidate.”
Even in the grand Guild City, there were things that couldn’t be easily overcome. Human nature, after all, tends to bow before those stronger than oneself.
Power. The ideology pursued by the Crimson Lord and the Red Tower.
Those who wield power can seize the world. Gold, wisdom, knowledge, and even the myriad secrets amassed by the other tower’s wizards are mere byproducts that can be taken by force.
“This is neither a request nor a plea.”
Thus spoke Ray Eurys.
“It is a decision.”
His voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
Guild City was a place teeming with entertainment. At least, when it came to indulgence, it certainly was.
Beyond the ‘Great Guild Street,’ the city was a playground of red-light districts and gambling dens. Yet none of these held any interest for Dale.
Despite this, Dale moved through the city with a clear destination in mind.
Considering the fierce battles that were about to unfold in this city, there were countless matters he needed to address.
Dale was heading to the very bottom of that mountain of tasks. To the back alleys of the city of Calimara.
‘This should be the place.’
He glanced around and spotted a distinctive ‘code’ etched into the corner of a stone wall in the alley.
‘Found it.’
Seeing the code, Dale didn’t hesitate.
How many years had it been? ──Since the day the thief guild ‘Kaleidoscope’ ambushed Dale and Charlotte.
No truly competent criminal guild would be foolish enough to attack the empire’s foremost grand duke. Especially not if it was the Saxon Duchy.
Just as ripe grain bows its head, so too do the strong. That’s why even if a holy knight offered a fortune, they would have refused the commission.
But ‘Kaleidoscope’ was different. That’s why, in the end, the holy knight’s request had come to them.
A small-time guild with a few skilled members. They failed to grasp the gravity of the situation and were blinded by the gold he offered.
And now, it was time for them to pay the price for their folly.