Episode 8 - Straightforward Declaration of War 5

A short while later.
Kaftin was walking through the underground waterway.
If he went back up the way he came down, it was certain the City Guard Officers would storm in.


Since there was no guarantee Kaftin wouldn't kill an Information Guild agent or an innocent customer in the process of fighting back, Whispermere sent him through the secret passage used by the guild's personnel.


Whispermeer watched his retreating figure, the metallic clatter of his footsteps echoing through the underground waterway, and swallowed hard.


Just moments ago, he had mentioned that he already knew her guild was one of the Four Gang Lord's subordinate information guilds.


Meaning everything Whispermere and he discussed today would reach the Four Gang Lords' ears.
When she asked why he'd willingly shared that information despite knowing it, he chuckled and pointed at her.


“Because I liked you. That's all. It's something I'd have told them myself anyway... So while I'm at it, I'd like you to pass this along too.”
“……?”


After catching his breath, he revealed the face of the murderous demon once more and spoke.


“In the name of Vesren, I come to Athunga... to repay the debt I failed to settle that day. If you have the confidence to slay a specter... if you still possess the courage to hunt a beast, prepare to receive me and wait.”
“A declaration of war...!”
“Yes. Have your guild deliver it. That'll be more effective than me saying it to your face.”
“But...”
"No. If I said it to your face, you'd definitely be on guard. That would be no fun. It's more entertaining for you to say it and plant the seeds of doubt... Carrying that unprecedented unease on your back, forcing yourself to act calm and go about your daily life.... But if that ominous premonition proves true… I wonder how they’ll react…."


He waved his hands dismissively, chuckling with delight.
This man… perhaps he treats people… human lives as some sort of experimental tools.


Finally, she asked the truly crucial question: weren’t they, the Information Guild under the Four Gang Lords, also targets for revenge?


The answer that came back was, perhaps, typical of him.


“...I like you, so I'll watch you for now. Mind your behavior. I won't kill or tear you apart, but that doesn't mean I'm just some gentleman either.”
“I-I suppose so...”
“For now, I'll tolerate you informing them about me. What happens after that is your problem.”


He waved his hand dismissively, answering as if annoyed, and was about to ascend back to where he came from.
She suddenly realized the outside was surrounded by Guard Officers and stopped him.


"Why are you worrying about that? I can just go up and turn them all into mincemeat, right?“
”...That would include any witnesses created in the process, of course?“
”Naturally. That's my way.“
”That is unacceptable.“
”Who gets to decide what is acceptable or not...."


Seeing his expression harden immediately, she shook her head and discreetly indicated with her finger that there was a secret passageway in the guild.


“Please. We'll handle the City Guards. Use this passage to escape.”
“Ugh, why would you want to take on such a troublesome burden?”
“If I send you up, our agents working at the tavern above, and even innocent customers, will all end up as minced meat.”
“…….”


He licked his lips, glancing back and forth between the path upward and the secret passageway.
After a moment, he let out a small sigh and shrugged his shoulders.


“Alright. I'll do as you say.”
“...Thank you.”
“Unfortunately, bathing in blood in front of a lady wouldn't exactly be gentlemanly, would it?”
“…….”
“Then, shall we confirm the location of the Four Gang Lords one last time?”


Whispermere's heart grew heavy.
Handing over the whereabouts of the current Four Gang Lords, the leaders of their superior organization...


This was, in essence, an act of betrayal.
If word got out that she had revealed it, the entire guild could face annihilation.


But if she lied to deceive him, once he discovered the truth, the monstrous man before her would undoubtedly annihilate her entire organization.


He wasn't merely after the Four Gang Lords' heads; he intended to shatter everything they had built, completely.


He had only let it slide because, as he said, it was purely a whim—a simple change of heart over Whispermere.
Otherwise, a massacre would have unfolded here too.


Each of the Four Gang Lords was a formidable powerhouse capable of founding their own family in the underworld.
Yet compared to this man before her... Kaftin, they were mere children.


A physique seemingly impervious to spears, swords, magic, even poison.
Could the current, middle-aged Four Gang Lords truly pierce this body and bring down this vengeful specter?


Whispermeer calmed her pounding heart and decided to ask him one more question.
A question that might determine the future course of her guild.


“Once you've eliminated all the Four Gang Lords and their organizations... what do you intend to do?”
“......”


His body, just about to step into the secret passage, faltered and stopped.
Slowly turning his head, his expression was slightly twisted, as if truly annoyed.


"You're quite greedy, aren't you? Well, I do like that about you... but you might get hurt if you go too deep?“
”......!“
”If you're curious enough to risk it... I'd appreciate it if you answered my question first.“
”...What question?"


She swallowed dryly, bracing for his question.
His eyes flashed for a moment as he opened his mouth, then suddenly raised his hand.


“Hold on, now that I think about it, I should probably ask about three.”
“Huh?”
“Questions, I mean. One just won't cut it. A few things just popped into my head.”
“Eh?”
“Is that okay?”
“Ah... I suppose?”


Agreeing in a daze, he immediately fired off the first question.


“I'm curious why you're asking that.”
“...As you know, our guild is currently under the Four Gang Lords who rule this street.”
“Right.”
“If you were to bring down the Four Gang Lords, this street would be plunged into great chaos.”


Watching him nod silently, she voiced her thoughts.


“If that happens, it would also endanger the safety of our guild's agents, who are simply information gatherers.”
“Huh. So you're saying business would get tough without your backers?”
“Yes.”
“But I don't see why you're connecting that to me.”


Pointing a finger at him as he shook his head, she made a bold statement.


“I was just wondering... if someone as powerful as you were to set their mind to it... couldn't you take the place of one of the Four Gang Lords?”
“......”
“Not four and one, but the sole absolute ruler dominating this district...”


This was also a test for him.
It was a process to see if he had ambition, if he had a desire for domination.


But he only shook his head silently.


“I've no interest in such troublesome affairs.”
“Troublesome affairs? This is an opportunity to seize immense wealth, honor, and power!”
“The only things I care about are situations where blood and flesh fly and screams echo, money, women, and art. The rest is none of my concern.”
“……!”


She had expected him to reveal a powerful desire for domination, but the completely different answer left her mind blank for a moment.


Only when he raised another finger to begin the second question did she barely regain her senses.


“Second question. Do you have someone you're seeing?”
“Huh?!”


Caught completely off guard by this sudden, deeply personal question, she froze and shook her head.


“I-I can't answer that kind of question!”
“Huh. What's that about? You were acting like you'd tell me anything just now.”
“You can't ask such personal questions!”
“Tsk. How petty. Guess the third question's out then.”
“What exactly were you trying to ask?”


He licked his lips, paused briefly, then calmly uttered the third question like a madman charging into a minefield.


“Your three sizes...”
“......?!”


I nearly forgot who he was and slapped him across the face.
He was utterly unpredictable.
Gone was the uncontrollable murderer, the vengeful specter; in its place was a sly, shameless scoundrel.


“Of course it's out! What on earth were you thinking?!”
“I just said it a moment ago. It's not exactly a lie that I like you. I just took the chance to ask since I finally got the opportunity.”


His tone was light, almost playful, as he shrugged his shoulders with a smug look. It was infuriating.


Was it his fault? She blurted out words she should never have spoken.


“If you become the ruler of this street, maybe then... but I absolutely cannot answer that question!”
“......!”
“Ah, what I just said...”


She hurriedly covered her mouth, waving her hands to try and salvage the situation, but his gaze had already changed.


“That's an interesting story...? Are you serious?”
“Eh, ah, no! It was a slip of the tongue! Please forget it!”
“Hmm... I see... Come to think of it, I did mention something about backing.”


She genuinely got goosebumps.
Usually, those called beasts or monsters lived up to their nicknames, often lacking high intellectual capacity.


But this man was different.
With chilling insight and analytical skill, he was piecing together the conversation like a puzzle based on everything said so far.


“So that's how it is...”
“Th-that's why I said it was a slip of the tongue! Forget it!”
“Alright. I'll forget.”


His unexpectedly quick surrender sent an inexplicable chill down my spine.
And that gut feeling proved spot on.


“You said it yourself just now. That if you take the Four Gang Lord positions, you can get anything you want...”
“……!”
“That story... is starting to sound tempting. Honestly... I was considering just killing myself after finishing my revenge, but thanks to you, I've got something more to do.”
“Wh-what? Suicide?”


She was horrified by his nonchalant admission that he would choose suicide once his revenge was complete.


And no wonder—he’d said he’d killed dozens just to obtain that body.
And now, with his revenge complete, he’d consider suicide? Wasn’t that a waste?


“Why on earth would you commit suicide…?”
“Heh… For me, life itself, this world itself, is nothing but violence. If living only brings pain, then death is far preferable.”
“…So you intend to depart for the afterlife like that.”


His expression changed again at her careless remark.
This time, he even approached with terrifying momentum, coming right up to her face and snapping his fingers threateningly.


“Don't make me laugh! I don't believe in that crap, so listen up...! One of my simple dreams is this: if a god or goddess actually exists, and if one ever appears before me...! I'll tie the bastard up and beat him until he spits out his guts...! And then I'll shove those guts right up his asshole!”
“……!!!”
“Ah, of course, there’s a special way to deal with goddesses, so I’d use that… but either way, that’s how it is. Demons aren’t much different.”


Seeing him growl and grind his teeth like that did pique her curiosity, but she knew asking more would surely put Whispermere’s own life in danger, so she shut her mouth.


“Anyway, that's how it is. If we meet again later, please show me a smiling face.”
“…….”


As he changed his expression again in an instant and flashed a sly, insincere smile, she froze completely.
Because she couldn't possibly grasp which side of this man's true nature was genuine.


-To be continued-