“I put everything on.”
Mikhail came out of the small room after changing his clothes.
He hooked his fingers around his neck and slightly loosened the tie around his neck as if he was frustrated.
“It’s still uncomfortable....”
Karina looked at Mikhail.
“What? It suits you well.”
Contrary to his complaints, the knight’s uniform suited him quite well.
The toned-down red shirt and sharp black trousers made his skin look even whiter. The stylish waistcoat and jacket with ornate gold embroidery accentuated his tall physique.
His silver hair, shining in the sunlight coming through the window, looked like it was sprinkled with moonlight dust.
“Why were you wearing such old and shabby clothes when you were so cool?”
“Anything I wear looks good on me.”
Mikhail said with a shrug.
He acted cheerfully as if the awkward incident from earlier had never happened.
Karina also thought it was better that he acted like that.
Karina added, laughing silently.
“From now on, all you have to do is stay by my side and protect me. Easy?”
“Even inside the Grand Duke’s mansion?”
“You don’t have to do that inside the mansion, but anyway, there’s nothing to do, right? Just stay by my side and protect me.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Mikhail’s face at her words.
“I will do that.”
Karina liked his lively answer.
“It seems like you’re ready, so shall we go now?”
Karina got up from her seat.
“Now? Where are you going?”
Karina smiled and answered his question.
“Follow me and you’ll know.”
As soon as they left the mansion, Karina gave him a warning.
“When we arrive, stay still and don’t come out until I give you the order.”
“Where on earth are you going that you have to be so careful?”
“Follow me and you’ll know.”
As Karina and Mikhail reached the main gate of the mansion, the knights who had been standing guard approached them.
They told the knights that their purpose was to inspect a nearby village. Everyone assumed that they were just sightseeing in the city.
“Please wait a moment. I will prepare the knights soon.”
“No. I don’t want to make a fuss and bring knights along for a light outing. We have an escort, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
The knights were not very pleased with the Grand Duchess’ words that she would go out with only Mikhail.
However, they knew that Mikhail had defeated Guildford and taken the position of the Grand Duchess’ escort, so they could not express their dissatisfaction even though they were dissatisfied.
'The expressions on the knights' faces as they look at Mikhail are unusual?'
Karina noticed the hostility that some of the knights showed towards Mikhail.
It was understandable that the knightly order that prided itself on being the strongest on the continent was defeated by a mere wandering wizard, so their pride was hurt.
However, Mikhail had a calm expression even in the face of their blatant hostility.
'If this continues, a fight will break out. We need to make room for each other sometime.'
With that, Karina rode in a carriage with Mikhail and headed towards the village.
“Did you find out?”
Jeremiah ordered his adjutant to report the results of the investigation.
“I asked the Magic Tower, and they said that he is a magician affiliated with the Magic Tower.”
“So what he said was true.”
“Yes. He indeed lives a wandering life under the pretext of training.”
“Was there anything else he said?”
“He was quite the troublemaker even when he was in the Magic Tower, so there might be small troubles, but his nature is not bad, so I think it would be helpful to have him around...”
"Ha.”
Jeremiah snorted in disbelief.
Mikhail came out of the small room after changing his clothes.
He hooked his fingers around his neck and slightly loosened the tie around his neck as if he was frustrated.
“It’s still uncomfortable....”
Karina looked at Mikhail.
“What? It suits you well.”
Contrary to his complaints, the knight’s uniform suited him quite well.
The toned-down red shirt and sharp black trousers made his skin look even whiter. The stylish waistcoat and jacket with ornate gold embroidery accentuated his tall physique.
His silver hair, shining in the sunlight coming through the window, looked like it was sprinkled with moonlight dust.
“Why were you wearing such old and shabby clothes when you were so cool?”
“Anything I wear looks good on me.”
Mikhail said with a shrug.
He acted cheerfully as if the awkward incident from earlier had never happened.
Karina also thought it was better that he acted like that.
Karina added, laughing silently.
“From now on, all you have to do is stay by my side and protect me. Easy?”
“Even inside the Grand Duke’s mansion?”
“You don’t have to do that inside the mansion, but anyway, there’s nothing to do, right? Just stay by my side and protect me.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Mikhail’s face at her words.
“I will do that.”
Karina liked his lively answer.
“It seems like you’re ready, so shall we go now?”
Karina got up from her seat.
“Now? Where are you going?”
Karina smiled and answered his question.
“Follow me and you’ll know.”
***
As soon as they left the mansion, Karina gave him a warning.
“When we arrive, stay still and don’t come out until I give you the order.”
“Where on earth are you going that you have to be so careful?”
“Follow me and you’ll know.”
As Karina and Mikhail reached the main gate of the mansion, the knights who had been standing guard approached them.
They told the knights that their purpose was to inspect a nearby village. Everyone assumed that they were just sightseeing in the city.
“Please wait a moment. I will prepare the knights soon.”
“No. I don’t want to make a fuss and bring knights along for a light outing. We have an escort, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
The knights were not very pleased with the Grand Duchess’ words that she would go out with only Mikhail.
However, they knew that Mikhail had defeated Guildford and taken the position of the Grand Duchess’ escort, so they could not express their dissatisfaction even though they were dissatisfied.
'The expressions on the knights' faces as they look at Mikhail are unusual?'
Karina noticed the hostility that some of the knights showed towards Mikhail.
It was understandable that the knightly order that prided itself on being the strongest on the continent was defeated by a mere wandering wizard, so their pride was hurt.
However, Mikhail had a calm expression even in the face of their blatant hostility.
'If this continues, a fight will break out. We need to make room for each other sometime.'
With that, Karina rode in a carriage with Mikhail and headed towards the village.
***
“Did you find out?”
Jeremiah ordered his adjutant to report the results of the investigation.
“I asked the Magic Tower, and they said that he is a magician affiliated with the Magic Tower.”
“So what he said was true.”
“Yes. He indeed lives a wandering life under the pretext of training.”
“Was there anything else he said?”
“He was quite the troublemaker even when he was in the Magic Tower, so there might be small troubles, but his nature is not bad, so I think it would be helpful to have him around...”
"Ha.”
Jeremiah snorted in disbelief.
“What is the Grand Duchess doing now?”
“The Grand Duchess is currently out.”
“Alone?”
“No. The gatekeeper said he saw her and her escort leaving together.”
Jeremiah’s brow furrowed at the adjutant’s answer.
“She went out alone with an escort? Where?”
“Her Highness didn’t say where she was going, she just said she was inspecting the town. I think her purpose was probably to see the sights.”
‘How long has it been since you were assigned as an escort? Going out alone.’
Jeremiah didn’t like the way Karina left without saying anything.
“When the Grand Duchess returns, report to me immediately.”
“Yes, I understand.”
After getting off the carriage in the downtown area, Karina passed the market and entered a dark back alley.
The inside of the dark alley was dirty and quiet.
Perhaps because it was a road where not many people passed by, it had an eerie atmosphere even during the day.
“You knew about a place like this too.”
Mikhail made a surprised expression.
“Well, somehow… … .”
In fact, Karina didn’t know much about the back alleys. She had only visited them before returning to find the Dark Statue. After briefly preparing herself, Karina stepped into the back alleys.
The back alleys were different from her memories. They were more chaotic and much dirtier.
Fortunately, however, the shabby bar she was looking for was still there. She had to go through that bar to get to the Dark Statue.
To be exact, the bartender at the bar was the Dark Statue’s broker.
Ding.
As the door opened, a dull bell rang. Karina, who was about to step inside without thinking, stopped.
The inside of the bar was a total mess. There were drunkards with red faces from drinking, gangsters with bloodshot eyes, thugs who looked obviously bad at first glance, and women who looked haggard for some reason.
There were all kinds of people. The one thing they all had in common was that they were all drunk in broad daylight.
When she turned her head, she saw a suspicious-looking group at one of the tables with their hoods pulled down deep to completely hide their appearance.
'Is this definitely here?'
It felt a bit messy when she had been here before, but it wasn't as chaotic as it is now.
Rather, it was more of an intentional mess to avoid outside attention, but now it was literally a total mess.
Karina was flustered and tried to remember if she had come to the right place.
Mikhail, who had been standing quietly behind her, asked.
“Are you sure this is the place you were planning to come to?”
“...”
Karina couldn’t readily answer yes to Mikhail’s question.
But no matter how much she thought about it, this was the right place.
As Karina stood hesitating and blocking the entrance, a gruff voice came from the counter.
“If you came here to drink, come in. If not, leave.”
“...!”
Karina suddenly came to her senses at the sound of being told to leave.
She thought she couldn’t go back like this after coming this far, so she went inside the bar.
Then she immediately sat down in front of the counter.
“What’s your order?”
At the question of what she would like to order, Karina recalled a memory from the past.
Since the main stage of the dark world is the underworld, there are many secret and secret corners.
That is why they distinguish customers with their own slang.
For example, in this bar, a special order played that role.
'There's definitely a password...'
Karina spoke in a low voice as if she was worried that someone might hear.
"Please give me a teardrop full of the scent of violets containing blue moonlight."
“...?”
The bartender’s face distorted at her order.
“The blue moonlight... what?”
The bartender looked at Karina as if to say, “What kind of dog is this eating grass?”
His voice was quite loud, so the other people in the bar could hear him.
“Puhaha. You’re talking about all kinds of weird menus that I’ve never heard of before.”
“Hey. Harris. It’s not like you’re ignorant or something?”
“Shut up. What kind of alcohol do I not know about?”
“I don’t know. You seem like a rich person who’s spent a lot of money. Do you even know their refined tastes?”
“No matter what, there is no such strange drink in the world as the Blue moonlight. If there were, there is no way I wouldn’t know about it.”
The bartender Harris said firmly and glared at Karina.
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, then go now. I’m not the type of person with free time to listen to nonsense.”
The bartender Harris waved his hand nervously as if swatting away a fly.
Karina was the one who was surprised by his cold reaction.
'You don't know what blue moonlight is? Is the password different now?'
The password Karina had just used was from three years ago, so that could be possible.
She had no choice but to ask her directly.
"I came here to find the Dark Statue."
"The Dark Statue?"
Harris snorted and laughed in bewilderment at her question before asking back.
“What dark statue?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
At that, laughter erupted from here and there around them.
“Who are you going to ask?”
“It seems like this guy here is still conscious. If you need this, use it!”
A man who looked like a thief grabbed the scruff of the neck of the man next to him who was sulking, speaking in a slurred voice due to his heavy drinking. Then, the few people who were still drunk and passed out snickered and laughed.
When Karina frowned, Harris, who was at the counter, spoke again.
“No such thing. Where did you hear that nonsense?”
Karina was extremely embarrassed.
‘What the heck. What is this situation?’
Karina froze in bewilderment at the unexpected situation.
Then Harris started to scold the guests.
“Hey. If you’re going to spread out, get out. Or just order some more drinks!”
“You have to have money to order more!”
Harris looked annoyed at the customer’s shout-like complaint.
“Then don’t just take up space and get out! Before I kick your heavy butt!”
He looked at Karina again and opened his mouth.
“You still haven’t gone back. What are you doing? Get out now.”
Harris waved his hand at her.
Karina, frozen in confusion, thought about it carefully.
She had heard stories about the Dark Statue several times before her marriage, ever since she was in the capital, so she was sure of its existence.
She wondered if they were pretending not to know about it to only accept guests who had been introduced to them through their own channels.
'Then.'
Karina took out a purse from her bosom and placed it in front of Harris.
"Listen carefully to what I say. I came to ask a favor. If you bring me the information I want, I'll pay you."
Since she didn't know the password or method of contacting the Dark Statue, she thought she had to try something.
But things didn’t go as Karina had expected.
“Oh, I told you to go back, there’s nothing like that!”
Harris’s outstretched hand hit the money bag, causing it to fall over.
As a result, the gold coins inside spilled out onto the counter.
The people around them turned their heads at the jingling sound and murmured at the sight of the pile of gold coins on the counter.
“...!”
“Look at that!”
“Oh, it’s a gold coin!”
“How much is that?”
“Are you a noble?”
“You idiot, how could a noble come to a place like this?”
Before the people’s whispers died down.
A skinny man with a vulgar expression who had been glancing at Karina for a while suddenly jumped out.
“Hey, Miss. You have a lot of money, don’t you?”
As the skinny man opened his mouth, the smell of alcohol hit him.
“Are you the daughter of a rich merchant?”
As he spoke, what seemed to be the man’s group of thugs followed him and began to surround her.
“We’re having a bit of a hard time financially these days. It would be great if you could help us out.”
Karina frowned.
“When the Grand Duchess returns, report to me immediately.”
“Yes, I understand.”
***
After getting off the carriage in the downtown area, Karina passed the market and entered a dark back alley.
The inside of the dark alley was dirty and quiet.
Perhaps because it was a road where not many people passed by, it had an eerie atmosphere even during the day.
“You knew about a place like this too.”
Mikhail made a surprised expression.
“Well, somehow… … .”
In fact, Karina didn’t know much about the back alleys. She had only visited them before returning to find the Dark Statue. After briefly preparing herself, Karina stepped into the back alleys.
The back alleys were different from her memories. They were more chaotic and much dirtier.
Fortunately, however, the shabby bar she was looking for was still there. She had to go through that bar to get to the Dark Statue.
To be exact, the bartender at the bar was the Dark Statue’s broker.
Ding.
As the door opened, a dull bell rang. Karina, who was about to step inside without thinking, stopped.
The inside of the bar was a total mess. There were drunkards with red faces from drinking, gangsters with bloodshot eyes, thugs who looked obviously bad at first glance, and women who looked haggard for some reason.
There were all kinds of people. The one thing they all had in common was that they were all drunk in broad daylight.
When she turned her head, she saw a suspicious-looking group at one of the tables with their hoods pulled down deep to completely hide their appearance.
'Is this definitely here?'
It felt a bit messy when she had been here before, but it wasn't as chaotic as it is now.
Rather, it was more of an intentional mess to avoid outside attention, but now it was literally a total mess.
Karina was flustered and tried to remember if she had come to the right place.
Mikhail, who had been standing quietly behind her, asked.
“Are you sure this is the place you were planning to come to?”
“...”
Karina couldn’t readily answer yes to Mikhail’s question.
But no matter how much she thought about it, this was the right place.
As Karina stood hesitating and blocking the entrance, a gruff voice came from the counter.
“If you came here to drink, come in. If not, leave.”
“...!”
Karina suddenly came to her senses at the sound of being told to leave.
She thought she couldn’t go back like this after coming this far, so she went inside the bar.
Then she immediately sat down in front of the counter.
“What’s your order?”
At the question of what she would like to order, Karina recalled a memory from the past.
Since the main stage of the dark world is the underworld, there are many secret and secret corners.
That is why they distinguish customers with their own slang.
For example, in this bar, a special order played that role.
'There's definitely a password...'
Karina spoke in a low voice as if she was worried that someone might hear.
"Please give me a teardrop full of the scent of violets containing blue moonlight."
“...?”
The bartender’s face distorted at her order.
“The blue moonlight... what?”
The bartender looked at Karina as if to say, “What kind of dog is this eating grass?”
His voice was quite loud, so the other people in the bar could hear him.
“Puhaha. You’re talking about all kinds of weird menus that I’ve never heard of before.”
“Hey. Harris. It’s not like you’re ignorant or something?”
“Shut up. What kind of alcohol do I not know about?”
“I don’t know. You seem like a rich person who’s spent a lot of money. Do you even know their refined tastes?”
“No matter what, there is no such strange drink in the world as the Blue moonlight. If there were, there is no way I wouldn’t know about it.”
The bartender Harris said firmly and glared at Karina.
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, then go now. I’m not the type of person with free time to listen to nonsense.”
The bartender Harris waved his hand nervously as if swatting away a fly.
Karina was the one who was surprised by his cold reaction.
'You don't know what blue moonlight is? Is the password different now?'
The password Karina had just used was from three years ago, so that could be possible.
She had no choice but to ask her directly.
"I came here to find the Dark Statue."
"The Dark Statue?"
Harris snorted and laughed in bewilderment at her question before asking back.
“What dark statue?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
At that, laughter erupted from here and there around them.
“Who are you going to ask?”
“It seems like this guy here is still conscious. If you need this, use it!”
A man who looked like a thief grabbed the scruff of the neck of the man next to him who was sulking, speaking in a slurred voice due to his heavy drinking. Then, the few people who were still drunk and passed out snickered and laughed.
When Karina frowned, Harris, who was at the counter, spoke again.
“No such thing. Where did you hear that nonsense?”
Karina was extremely embarrassed.
‘What the heck. What is this situation?’
Karina froze in bewilderment at the unexpected situation.
Then Harris started to scold the guests.
“Hey. If you’re going to spread out, get out. Or just order some more drinks!”
“You have to have money to order more!”
Harris looked annoyed at the customer’s shout-like complaint.
“Then don’t just take up space and get out! Before I kick your heavy butt!”
He looked at Karina again and opened his mouth.
“You still haven’t gone back. What are you doing? Get out now.”
Harris waved his hand at her.
Karina, frozen in confusion, thought about it carefully.
She had heard stories about the Dark Statue several times before her marriage, ever since she was in the capital, so she was sure of its existence.
She wondered if they were pretending not to know about it to only accept guests who had been introduced to them through their own channels.
'Then.'
Karina took out a purse from her bosom and placed it in front of Harris.
"Listen carefully to what I say. I came to ask a favor. If you bring me the information I want, I'll pay you."
Since she didn't know the password or method of contacting the Dark Statue, she thought she had to try something.
But things didn’t go as Karina had expected.
“Oh, I told you to go back, there’s nothing like that!”
Harris’s outstretched hand hit the money bag, causing it to fall over.
As a result, the gold coins inside spilled out onto the counter.
The people around them turned their heads at the jingling sound and murmured at the sight of the pile of gold coins on the counter.
“...!”
“Look at that!”
“Oh, it’s a gold coin!”
“How much is that?”
“Are you a noble?”
“You idiot, how could a noble come to a place like this?”
Before the people’s whispers died down.
A skinny man with a vulgar expression who had been glancing at Karina for a while suddenly jumped out.
“Hey, Miss. You have a lot of money, don’t you?”
As the skinny man opened his mouth, the smell of alcohol hit him.
“Are you the daughter of a rich merchant?”
As he spoke, what seemed to be the man’s group of thugs followed him and began to surround her.
“We’re having a bit of a hard time financially these days. It would be great if you could help us out.”
Karina frowned.
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