64 — Chapter 64

“And that’s why the scouting mission failed. Their ability was simply too powerful. It never even got to the point where I could invite them to join us.”

Upon returning to the Black Wall City, we went to the castle to report the results to Dorgu.

I kept the fact that I had committed assassination for personal reasons hidden. I intended to play it off as a conflict that arose during the scouting process. If I didn’t, it would turn into a major problem. Since I had gone on such a flashy rampage, there was a chance I’d be found out, but there was nothing to be done about that now. Since I hadn’t bothered with a cover-up, I just had to accept it as a possibility.

“I see…”

Dorgu sat on his throne with his arms crossed, giving a quiet nod. He had been like this since the start. He hadn’t raised his voice once, simply listening intently.

“I’m sorry. It pains me that I couldn’t meet your expectations.”

“No, you did well. Everyone makes mistakes, so do not let it trouble you. For my part, it is enough that you continue to grow. I only ask that you keep working hard as an executive from here on out.”

Dorgu spoke matter-of-factly.

Every word was unexpected. Had something good happened to him? His reaction was so lenient it was suspicious. There wasn’t even a hint of a reprimand. It was eerily quiet.

I raised an eyebrow and let out a small chuckle.

“You’re quite generous. No punishment at all?”

“I cannot be quite that soft. There will likely be backlash from the other executives, after all. I will have to issue a pay cut and the forfeiture of some of your concessions.”

As Dorgu stated the terms, my suspicion only grew. Those punishments were minor enough that they hardly hurt at all. I was already being paid more than I knew what to do with, and my coffers were overflowing. As for the various concessions, managing them was a hassle, so I had been leaving them alone anyway.

Dorgu wasn’t the type to be ignorant of that. He was imposing these penalties on me knowing full well they weren’t actually punishments.

“That is all. I will call for you when there is more work. Until then, remain on standby at your villa.”

“…Understood. I appreciate the kindness.”

Though I felt a lingering sense of unease, I gestured for Alice to follow as I headed for the exit. There was no point in prying here. It was better to leave quietly.

“Jack Aaron.”

Just as I touched the doorknob, a voice called out from behind me. I lowered my hand and turned around.

“What is it?”

“I am truly glad that I was able to make you an ally.”

Dorgu was wearing a warm smile. I simply shrugged.

“The feeling is mutual.”

I left it at that and walked out, departing from Dorgu’s castle. Ignoring the frightened glances of the people we passed, we made our way through the city on foot.

“That ended in such a peaceful way, it was almost an anticlimax.”

“I wonder if he really wasn’t angry,” Alice mused.

I shook my head at her doubt.

“He isn’t that soft of a guy. There will be some kind of sanction coming soon.”

“I agree. It would be best to stay on guard.”

Dorgu would surely make a move. There was no way things would end peacefully like this. If he were the type of person to let things slide, he never would have been able to reign at the top of the Black Wall City.

If he lacked the ruthlessness to discard unnecessary pawns, he would have fallen from power long ago.

As we discussed such things, we reached our villa within the city. We had been away for quite a few days, but the mansion remained as magnificent as ever. It had been well-maintained, likely due to the servants tending to it diligently. They were quite faithful.

The moment I opened the door, the servants immediately came out to greet us. They offered an elegant bow.

“Welcome home.”

At a glance, their movements were natural. They were almost identical to how they had been before. However, I could sense a certain awkwardness now. A faint tension hung between them. I had encountered people with this kind of atmosphere countless times. I knew exactly what they all had in common.

‘I see. So that’s how it’s going to be.’

I understood the situation instantly. That said, it wasn’t particularly surprising. Unaware of my internal observations, the servant calmly invited us inside.

“Would you like a meal? We have also prepared the alcohol you ordered, Lord Jack.”

“No, I’ll pass. I’m exhausted from the long journey.”

“—Understood. Please call for us whenever you require assistance.”

After being dismissed, they flowed back to their respective duties. They were quite the elite group. It almost made me want to leave a tip.

‘It’s a real shame I have to fire them…’

I smiled thinly, my hand brushing against the handgun at my waist.

That night, I was lying in bed in my private room. It was probably around two in the morning. The bustle outside the mansion had vanished, and everything was wrapped in silence. Beside me, Alice was curled up asleep. She breathed with a steady, rhythmic pace. The blanket covering her had shifted, revealing her sleepwear and pale skin. I pulled the edge of the blanket back up to cover her.

‘Well then…’

I dropped my head back onto the pillow and exhaled. I wasn’t particularly sleepy; my mind was sharp. I had avoided alcohol during the day and hadn’t smoked any cigars, either. That was because I couldn’t afford to rest yet.

‘Any moment now.’

As I sharpened my senses, I heard the faint sound of the room’s door opening. I didn’t move an inch, continuing to feign sleep. Multiple presences and small footsteps crept into the room. Their pace was strangely slow. They seemed to be incredibly cautious.

I felt a faint bloodlust. It was the type emitted by assassins—skillfully suppressed. I knew it well because my life had been targeted numerous times back in my original world. The intruders fanned out through the room, positioning themselves effectively. They were conscious of covering one another. The fact that they didn’t strike immediately was likely because they knew my capabilities.

Once they had closed the distance sufficiently, I sat bolt upright without warning. In the darkness, the servants froze, their faces twisted in shock. Knives and guns were gripped in their hands; it was obvious what they had intended to do.

“L-Lord J-Jack…”

One of the servants stammered, attempting an excuse. However, there was nothing worth hearing in this situation. I deepened my smile as I addressed them.

“Entering without knocking? I’m not impressed. Depending on the timing, that could get pretty awkward, you know?”

As if in response, several of them lunged at me. I moved my hand from beneath the blanket. A single gunshot thundered, and a maid holding a knife was blown backward. Another shot rang out immediately after. This time, the face of a butler wielding a rifle was torn apart.

With two casualties already on the floor, the servants halted their approach.

“Ah, look at that. It’s completely ruined.”

I kicked away the shredded blanket. I tossed aside the shotgun that had been hidden beneath it and grabbed a handgun tucked behind my pillow. Then, I slowly stood up from the bed. The surviving servants retreated with their weapons raised. However, they didn’t look like they were about to flee. They seemed to be waiting for the right moment to attack.

“They really came. Just as you said, Jack,” Alice said, looking around the room as she woke up. Despite multiple gun barrels being pointed at her, she showed no signs of distress. She had likely already deployed defensive measures using her magic tools. I had kept her sleeping next to me to prepare for an ambush, but it might not have been necessary.

I rested my finger on the handgun’s trigger.

“Suffering from insomnia? In that case, I’ll keep you company.”