Black Market invitations were scattered across the entire continent, and one by one, their ‘representatives’ were arriving at Guild City.
The nobles possessing the continent’s greatest power and wealth.
Among them, the ‘Black Duke’ of the Saxon House was no exception, nor would the Holy Knight or the Crimson Duke be.
Though they themselves could not personally attend the Black Market, they sent representatives who understood their lords’ intentions better than anyone.
The Black Prince, son of the Black Duke and the empire’s foremost genius, was one such representative.
And when Dale expressed his desire not merely to participate in the black market, but to establish contact with the upper echelons of the great guilds, the Kali Mala Guild willingly arranged a position for the ‘Black Prince’.
‘Arte di Calimala’.
One of the Great Guilds ruling over the seven cities of Guild City, responsible for the textile industry and related clothing trades.
In the past, the Black Tower of Magic did not hesitate to procure ‘test subjects’ for truth-seeking experiments from the guild. In a sense, it was no exaggeration to call them one of their most powerful clients.
Therefore, when the Black Tower of the Black Empire refused to engage with them, the blow to their ‘Great Guild’ was no trivial matter either.
And Dale headed straight for the ‘City of Kalimala’ they controlled. Alongside the human trafficker from the Great Guild who had welcomed him in Greenwood.
‘The textile industry and the human trafficking business.’
What an incongruous pairing. Moreover, the criminal enterprises they’ve extended their reach into surely don’t stop at human trafficking alone. After all, their rule is to sell everything that can be sold.
But right now, Dale wasn’t seeking them out for justice.
One of the seven cities of the Guild City, the city of the Calimala Guild. The seat of one of the Seven Great Guilds—the City Hall of Arte di Calimala. A room within the opulent mansion symbolizing their wealth and power.
“We never imagined the representative of the Dark Mage Tower Lord would come to us first.”
The Calimala Guild showed respect befitting the name of the Saxon ducal house. Their ‘Guild Master’ personally greeted Dale.
The ruler of this city, one of the seven apexes of the great guilds.
It was never a position obtained by sword or magic. The oversized, bulging velvet coat that couldn’t contain his bulk was proof enough.
“For the sake of participating in the Black Market, it seems the Prince has personally made the journey?”
“That is correct.”
Dale bowed his head impassively.
“I have long heard of the Master’s fame!”
After that, the Guild Master began to praise the exploits of the ‘Black Prince’.
The empire’s foremost genius. The tales of his exploits—leading the Black and White Rotation to victory, halting the demon race’s great migration, becoming a war hero on the island of Britannia—were so tediously repeated they were practically drilled into our ears until they bled.
But stories possess power.
The infamy Dale carried as the ‘Black Prince’. The weight of that name. As the Black Prince himself said, fear is an asset beyond compare.
“I hear there’s a rather intriguing item, one that even His Grace the Duke would covet.”
At Dale’s words, the Guild Master smiled meaningfully.
“I can assure Your Highness that I shall meet the expectations of His Highness the Duke of Saxony.”
“Should I ever betray His Excellency the Black Count’s expectations…”
Dale retorted with feigned menace.
“Guild City will also have to take responsibility for its words.”
“……”
Dale declared, shielding himself with the Saxon House and the Black Tower’s notoriety.
“Our Guild City values trust above all else.”
But the Guild Master paid no heed. It wasn’t an untrue statement.
Regardless of their criminal enterprises or miserly nature… their financial network, including promissory notes, which has taken root across the entire continent, cannot function without absolute trust.
The trust in gold is absolute, and at least in that regard, Guild City was among the ‘trustworthy ones’.
“Hearing you put it that way, I’m truly looking forward to it.”
“There’s still quite some time before the black market opens.”
Dale smiled impassively, and the Guild Master continued.
“Taking your time to explore the city wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”
The golden empire where everything is justified before the gold coin. As the guild master said, there were indeed many ‘sights’ to see here.
Fight Club. An underground arena where participants risked their lives.
“Needless to say, it’s something to look forward to.”
Dale smiled.
“But my reason for seeking out the master of the ‘Great Guild’ is different.”
Having said that much, Dale finally shifted the topic of conversation. Not as a mere participant in the black market, but to thoroughly fulfill his own purpose.
“His Highness the Duke of Saxony has shown considerable interest in Guild City’s business.”
“……”
Dale said. It wasn’t hard to grasp the meaning of his words.
“Are you referring to investment?”
The Guild Master asked back with a smile.
“Investing in our guild city at any time is truly an excellent decision.”
“Ah, this is no ordinary investment.”
Dale smiled. After smiling, Dale opened his mouth.
“After the Black Market opens soon… the position to decide the next ‘City Master’ will be up for grabs.”
City Master.
The pinnacle position, reigning above the seven Guild Masters and overseeing the entire Guild City.
At those words, the expression on the face of the Kalimala Guild Master froze coldly for a moment. Determining the City Master is an absolute secret within the Guild City itself, and the fact that it is closely intertwined with the ‘Black Market’ is no exception.
‘How did the Saxon Duke’s household obtain that information…’
But the Guild Master gave no sign of it, and Dale continued.
“The trust within the Guild City is unquestionably profound and truly beyond doubt.”
“Your Highness is correct.”
“But is the trust between the Seven Great Guilds equally so?”
“……!”
Dale said. About the seven great guilds still vying for control of Guild City, their power struggles.
“As I mentioned, the House of Saxony is willing to make a considerable investment.”
The Saxon House’s considerable investment. The guild master, weighing the weight of those words, swallowed hard.
“This is directed solely at one of the seven guild masters who will become the next ‘City Master’.”
“Surely not…!”
“And from what I can see, the Master of the Kalimala Guild seems quite interested.”
On the surface, ‘Guild City’ is an unshakable symbol of trust.
“Having ambition is a good thing, isn’t it?”
But in reality, it’s nothing more than a jungle where seven organizations fiercely compete for each other’s livelihoods.
“There must be a give and take.”
Dale said, with the conviction that the man before him could be seated in the position of ‘City Master’.
“Then I hope you’ll take your time and think carefully.”
Leaving those meaningful words behind, Dale rose to his feet.
“Wh-what—”
It was right then.
“What do you expect in return?”
The Guild Master cautiously opened his mouth.
If Dale were to leverage the power of the Saxon ducal house and hand over the position of ‘City Master’ to him. What Dale and the Saxon ducal house would desire in return.
“We want the ledgers.”
“……!”
“The ledgers that the ‘City Master’ of the Guild City would obtain.”
The City Master’s ledgers.
Recording the inflow and outflow of money and goods. The flow of wealth held by Guild City, and indeed the entire Seven Great Guilds. Though it might sound trivial at first glance, its meaning was far from trivial to ‘those who understood’.
For Guild City, trust was life itself, and the ledger was nothing less than the heart of that trust. In other words, handing it over would be like handing over the very heart of Guild City itself.
At the very least, the Guild Master understood its significance. His mental scales moved busily within his mind.
“If we join forces, Saxony will feel more secure and make even larger investments.”
Dale said.
“Alongside my ‘Black Armor Company,’ Saxony’s forces will stand with Guild City.”
The black bear crouching in the north. The power held by the name of the Saxon ducal house, the continent’s foremost great feudal lord, was beyond imagination. Dale was sparing no effort in leveraging that backing.
“I formally request that the House of Saxony and Guild City board the same ship.”
“……”
“Then, while the Guild Master makes his decision.”
Dale continues.
“I suppose I should take a moment to see the city.”
A firm alliance with Guild City. The reason this proposal was made not to the current ‘City Master’ but to a mere Guild Master was singular.
Unless he tied the threads himself to ascend the throne, it meant nothing.
At that moment.
“You said the next City Master?”
‘Arte della Lana’.
One of the seven great guilds of Guild City, a guild that champions wool merchants. In that very ‘City of the Lana Guild’, the guild master held his breath.
Before him stood a blond-haired boy. The representative of the blood-red duke, ‘Marquis Yuris,’ who had received an invitation to the Black Market.
Ray Yuris.
His purpose was never merely to participate in the Black Market.
“Our Empire, His Majesty the Emperor, and furthermore, my father…”
Ray Yuris said.
“…in determining the next ‘City Master’.”
With the Empire and the Crimson Tower as his backing.
“I have no doubt that the Master of the Lana Guild is the most suitable candidate.”
It was something that even the world’s guild cities could not easily overcome. For human nature is such that we are creatures who always prefer to bow down before beings stronger than ourselves.
Power. The Crimson Orb, and the ideology pursued by the Scarlet Mage Tower.
Those with power seize the world. Gold, wisdom, knowledge, even all the secrets accumulated by the other mages of the Tower—all are mere byproducts that can be seized by force.
“This is not a request or a plea.”
That is why Ray Yuris said.
“It is, after all, a decision.”
His voice was cold, devoid of even a trace of emotion.
Guild City was truly a city brimming with entertainment. At least, that was the case when it came to nightlife.
A city of debauchery, with red-light districts and gambling dens lining the streets throughout the entire city, excluding the ‘Great Guild District’. Yet none of it held Dale’s interest.
Nevertheless, Dale crossed the city with a definite destination in mind.
Considering the fierce battles that would unfold in this city, the tasks he needed to handle now were piled up like mountains.
Dale was now heading straight for the very bottom layer of that mountain. The back alleys of the city of Kalimala.
‘This must be the spot.’
A quick glance revealed the distinctive ‘code’ carved into the corner of the stone wall in the back alley.
‘I’ve come to the right place.’
Seeing that code, Dale didn’t hesitate.
How many years had passed? ──That day, the Thief Guild ‘Cyclops’ had ambushed Dale and Charlotte.
At the very least, truly skilled criminal guilds aren’t foolish enough to attack the empire’s foremost Grand Duke. Especially not when it’s the House of Saxony.
As rice bends its head when ripe, so too do the strong. That is why, even if the Holy Knight offered treasures worth a fortune, he would have refused the request.
The ‘Collider Scope’ was different. That’s why, after all that circling around, the Holy Sword Master’s request ended up here.
A mere fledgling guild with a handful of skilled members. Blinded by the gold he offered, unable to grasp the gravity of the situation.
And now, it was time to make them pay the price for that foolishness.
