#051

Taken aback by the unexpected amount, Cullen asked again. Kiyen replied, sounding like he didn’t know what the problem was.

“I said 100 Luna.”

A wave of dizziness washed over him. Cullen wondered if this unbelievable situation was nothing more than a desert mirage, and asked again.

“You said that small thing was 100 Luna?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t a major disaster. Cullen was simply bewildered that 100 Luna had been spent on something that seemed so useless. Even if it was gold, it would only be gilded on the surface, so it shouldn’t cost more than 50 Luna.

But Kiyen had been confined to the palace. A place that served tea and alcohol comparable to 1 Luna a cup, so to Kiyen, this amount probably didn’t even feel like money. Besides, he was a Dragon. Human wealth probably wasn’t that important. Honestly, if Kiyen wanted something, what couldn’t he have?

Still, just in case, Cullen confirmed once more.

“Did you buy anything else?”

It was possible, wasn’t it? Kiyen might have a hidden magic pouch where he kept about 100 items he’d bought. Perhaps he collected shiny things inside it as he went around…

“No. What’s the problem?”

“It seemed very expensive, so I was checking.”

Even jewels, not gold, wouldn’t exceed 100 Luna. No, they wouldn’t even sell jewels here in the first place. Not in a city of mercenaries like this. Perhaps rare weapons, but not jewels. At that, Kiyen looked at Cullen as if he knew nothing.

“Don’t you humans sell items imbued with Magic for high prices? This item also holds the goddess’s power. I can’t guess its purpose, but it was made a very long time ago. Before I was even born.”

If there was such a story, then things were different, but. He was about to ask if it was true, when Cullen remembered that asking about the truth itself would be an insult to Kiyen.

Perhaps it would be better to find the merchant who sold it. First, confirm if he was a swindler—if he was, Cullen would have to deal with him where Kiyen wouldn’t see—and if not, he might gain some clue. About that god named Akesis, perhaps. The probability was low, but there was a high chance that some trace would remain at the place where he obtained it.

“Where did you get it?”

“Hmm, it seemed stolen. Even if not, its origin didn’t seem legitimate. When I asked, he dodged the question.”

Kiyen said dryly. The round object, no bigger than his palm, was covered by a lid, making its purpose impossible to guess from the outside. Looking down at it, he continued.

“I considered killing him, but I stopped. I got what I wanted.”

If I were the one to kill him, fine. But Kiyen wouldn’t do that. He didn’t kill humans without reason, even if he disdained them.

“You can even make jokes now.”

“Me?”

He seemed to ask back, genuinely puzzled.

“I don’t think you would kill someone for that reason, Kiyen-nim.”

At that, Kiyen returned to the expressionless state he had shown when his power was praised. Kiyen, who had been looking at the gold reflecting the sunlight, said in a lowered voice.

“I have already killed many humans. For very trivial reasons.”

“For Larkan’s trivial reasons, not yours.”

“You trust me too much.”

Kiyen said something whose meaning was unclear. Cullen flinched and met his gaze. He had already admitted that he wanted to please Kiyen and relied on him. But was it already apparent to Kiyen?

“Wandering around with your life on the line, too. What would you do if I didn’t save you?”

He continued his interrogation, seemingly displeased with what had happened last time. Cullen observed Kiyen calmly. He seemed more confused than angry. Though he had no expression like a human, that’s how it felt.

“……Are you worried about me?”

“I do not understand that emotion. By human standards of justice……”

The golden light surrounding Kiyen’s pupils deepened for a moment. More so than usual.

“I wouldn’t worry about the descendant of the bloodline I’ve been used by.”

A faint sense of disappointment, like the day he discarded his shoes, brushed past his heart. It was the same as the day he asked if Kiyen felt the same way as other humans. No, the emotion felt a little stronger than on all the days past. Kiyen spoke like that, making his previous joy of feeling closer and narrowing the distance seem meaningless.

Now, Cullen was the one who was confused. He had long wanted to clarify what his own feelings were. He wanted to please Kiyen, he didn’t want him to get hurt, and he didn’t want to be left alone. He wanted their distance to close.

This was an emotion he had never felt before. Or, to be precise… it was similar to the feelings he had for his family. But it was somehow different.

Cullen realized he had been silent for a long time. Beneath his expressionless face, he weakly clenched and unclenched his fists, then spoke.

“Our small talk has gone on too long. I apologize. If you don’t mind, could you guide me to where the merchant was?”

Kiyen looked at Cullen quietly, then turned his body.

The merchant was gone. Only an empty stall greeted them. As Kiyen had said, he had likely left early because he hadn’t obtained the goods legitimately. Or… as suspected, he had scammed them.

Cullen decided it would be best to visit the information broker he had planned to see after resting a bit.

There was one thing to do before that. On the way to the information broker, Cullen bought a dark blue, lightweight headscarf that would cover the face, and clothes that would suit Kiyen and Lasano.

Their current attire was clearly not ordinary. A quick glance showed it was expensive. So, it would be better for Lasano to change completely, and for Kiyen, a headscarf would suffice.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but please cover your face with this for a while.”

“I refuse.”

“Kiyen-nim, you are so beautiful that it becomes inconvenient to move when people’s attention is drawn to you.”

At the word “beautiful,” Kiyen squinted one eye.

“I didn’t know if a face favored by a goddess was still in vogue. It’s been a long time since I heard such a word.”

“That’s not true.”

He denied it firmly, and Kiyen took the headscarf and said.

“Between 1000 and 700 years ago, men with tanned skin and large noses were preferred. It seems there was a strange superstition that a large nose meant large genitalia.”

It was indeed a superstition. Unlike Kiyen’s small, delicate face…

Cullen quickly erased the thought. Instead, as Kiyen held the dark blue headscarf, unsure how to tie it, Cullen reached out. His long hair brushed softly against his fingers. The texture of his hair, which he hadn’t felt properly with his hands, instantly made him thirsty. It felt like compensation for the disappointment he’d felt earlier.

“Please bear with it, even if it’s uncomfortable.”

Kiyen lowered his head obediently. Secretly observing his forehead and nose, which formed a perfect curve, Cullen half-covered his beautiful face. The headscarf draped over his forehead didn’t cover his entire face, but it hid half of it, making him less conspicuous.

“Be grateful I am a Dragon. I am the only one who can see well even with my eyes covered like this.”

At that, Cullen quietly laughed inwardly.

Strange.

Even though a small wound seemed to have been inflicted somewhere in his heart, with just one word from Kiyen, Cullen felt better instantly.

With Kiyen, his face covered, Cullen went to find the information broker. If things hadn’t changed much, it should be around here.

Leaving the city center and heading towards the merchant district, there was a building with a sign depicting a red hawk. Passing by the wide-open main gate and entering an alley, then turning another corner, there was another door. Made of skillfully crafted, expensive iron, it had a small, hinged compartment in the center. It seemed just as he remembered.

Cullen opened the compartment. Then, he spoke the password.

“We serve money, not gods.”

It was an unholy password used by merchants. The Red Ghosts, an organization that sold information, gave different passwords to those who knew of their existence. The rank of information one could purchase varied depending on the type of password. Cullen’s mercenary group also had a password, but he didn’t want to use it.

The compartment clicked shut from the inside, and the iron door creaked open. Darkness greeted them. The path, devoid of any light, had to be navigated solely by memory from the first time he was guided. Kiyen, watching Cullen skillfully navigate the darkness, said.

“This place seems familiar.”

“Yes.”

Kiyen didn’t ask further. He had inwardly expected more questions, but it was strangely disappointing. After about five minutes of navigating the maze, Cullen finally arrived at a place where a faint light seeped slightly from the floor. Pushing the door open, light poured in.

“Welcome.”

Inside, illuminated by oil lamps, only a round table and chairs were placed. The man who greeted them stood next to the round table. Without pleasantries, Cullen walked straight up and stated his business.

“I am looking for a merchant.”

“The price is determined by the target. You know that, don’t you?”

“It probably won’t be a difficult target. Kiyen-nim, would you explain?”

Kiyen, standing behind Cullen as if to protect him, uttered a single word dryly.

“Ugly.”

It was a blunt and not very helpful description. Cullen coaxed him.

“You need to provide more physical characteristics.”

“To my eyes, humans are all the same.”

The information broker looked at Kiyen as if he found him strange.

“If I had to say, he had red hair, a short nose, and a mole on his lip. Brown eyes, with short, thick eyebrows. His skin was brown, and he looked about 30 years old.”

Listening to Kiyen’s peculiar way of speaking, the information broker let out an “Ah.”

“I know who it is. I will sell it for 50 siluna.”

It wasn’t a cheap price, but it was reasonable for information about a person. Cullen was certain the merchant was well-known. Taking out 50 siluna from his pocket, Cullen placed it on the table. The information broker counted the coins and nodded.

“That man belongs to the Pierre Merchant Group, his name is Kus. You must have been scammed. He’s not that malicious, but he does tend to inflate prices. He sells goods like that the day before the merchant group departs and disappears for a while. There are a few mercenaries who grit their teeth over him.”

He was indeed a swindler. But what Kiyen had obtained seemed genuine… Should he call it luck? Still, the scoundrel who scammed an innocent Dragon had to pay the price.

“Is the Pierre Merchant Group leaving soon, then?”

“Yes. They’ve gathered all their mercenaries, so they’ll likely depart tomorrow morning.”

Come to think of it, he had heard that people disappeared on the road leading to the Duke’s territory. Merchants rarely hired more than three or four mercenaries unless they were going to a place where Demonic Beasts appeared.

As far as Cullen remembered, the road to the Duke’s territory was considered a safe area.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“I heard people were disappearing. I want to know more about that. And why Gael isn’t taking action.”

The information broker smiled at Cullen, then shook his head.

“I don’t think you are of that caliber. I’m sorry, but I cannot sell it.”

If it was something not disclosed to ordinary merchant groups, it was clearly a big deal. Cullen took out 30 Luna.

“I don’t think a secret of this value would be worth that much.”

Expensive information could far exceed the value of jewels. But this didn’t seem to be the case.

“Still, I don’t think it’s possible. Many people are curious about Gael-nim.”

The information broker was firm. There was a way to extort it from him, but that would… mean dealing with more people. Cullen hesitated. There was one other method. He just didn’t want to. Didn’t he come in using a different password to avoid that situation in the first place?

Cullen didn’t have the confidence to handle situations where Gale or his companions were mentioned. It was the reason he had wandered alone for so many years, like ignoring a festering wound. Nevertheless, the easiest method was this.

He slowly lowered his head. He just had to take out the item that always weighed heavily in his pocket, as if confessing a sin. He slowly raised his hand. Despite the simple action, sharp pain struck him.

Forcing down the turmoil that clawed at his insides, Cullen took out a card that hadn’t seen the light of day for a long time. The silver card, with a wolf carved in the center, was the symbol of Cullen’s mercenary group. He placed the card on the table.

Seeing the card, the information broker’s eyes widened.