Chapter 123 (1/2)

Unken's Secret

「Wait, Pond? The town in Ponsonia? Guildmaster?」

Alice's gaze went back and forth between Unken and Hikaru. Hikaru couldn't be mistaken as he checked the man's Soul Board. There couldn't be anyone else with the same name who had the exact same stats.

「So you're from Ponsonia.」Unken asked Hikaru, feeling tension all over his body.

Hikaru himself deepened his voice a bit so he wouldn't get exposed.

「Who knows? It doesn't matter where I'm from, does it?」

「How much do you know?」

「All I know is that the blockhead right there snuck into Margrave Grugschilt's mansion, got busted, and ran all the way here.」

Unken scowled at Alice. She turned pale, looking at Hikaru as if to say “This isn't what we planned!”

「I just want to know why you, a Ponsonian guildmaster, are working for the Empire.」

「Why do you want to know that?」

Various theories were probably being formed in Unken's head right now as to who this boy was. But there should be plenty of people who knew he worked as a guildmaster in Pond. When it came to information, Hikaru had the overwhelming advantage.

「I'm just curious.」

「You're taking a risk just to satisfy your curiosity? Good one.」

「I don't think there's any risks involved at all. You two don't stand a chance against me.」

「I like your confidence, but are you sure there's only two of us here?」

Hikaru knew right away that Unken was bluffing. His Mana Detection told him there was no one else around. Although he wouldn't be able to detect those with three or more points on Mana Obfuscation or those who had special magic items that blocked detection Skills. But even Unken only had two points on his.

「I am.」

「How ridiculous.」

「I'll know if reinforcements arrive too.」

Unken clicked his tongue.「He has Detection, huh?」he muttered. Most people knew about Detection Skills.

「You shouldn't rely on your job cla.s.ses. This isn't a place for kids. Go home.」

「I'm not leaving until you answer my question. I'm sure anyone would be curious why the man who killed the Tyrant is working for the Empire.」

Various emotions showed on Unken's face. Hikaru simply baited him, but it seemed to be true. Jill guessed right. Fifty years ago, Emperor Balzard—who was known as a tyrant—planned to invade other nations, Ponsonia included. But he was a.s.sa.s.sinated. And by whom, n.o.body knew.

「What?! Master Keikai killed the Emperor?! What do you me—」

Unken swung his dagger towards his disciple standing beside him, Alice. The attack was spontaneous, but his movements were clean and sharp. But right before his blade could slit Alice's neck, sparks flew. A stone that Hikaru hurled hit the dagger's grip, and the weapon dropped to Unken's feet.

「Wha…?」Alice stood there, dumbfounded. Her mind couldn't keep up with the sudden turn of events.

「What are you just standing there for?! Get away from him! He almost killed you!」

「Wh-What…? Master… why?」

「Because you learned a top-secret information!」

Unken quietly reached for his dagger. He was serious. He really wanted to kill Alice.

Was it really that bad if someone found out? Of course, it's not something you can talk about openly. But did he really have to kill his student for it? Without even hesitating a bit? Hikaru couldn't tell.

「Don't move, Unken.」Hikaru aimed his revolver loaded with a bullet containing dark magic.「If you pick that up, you're dead.」

「I haven't seen that weapon before. But it seems you're serious.」

Unken most likely realized from Hikaru's aura that it wasn't just a threat. The old man had four points on Instinct as well. He pulled his fingers away from the dagger and showed his empty hands to Hikaru.

「Get away from him, stupid spy.」

「B-But…!」