The Emperor Has Returned

Chapter 40 – The Lawless City (1)

Juan tilted his head as he looked around the city.

He hadn’t seen many cities before, but Hiveden, the first city he came across in the Laus Mountain, was definitely strange.

Firstly, there were lots of demi-humans, including goat arles from the Scouts, elves, dwarves, and even black-haired humans that seemed to come from outside the border.

Not a single individual was casting a curious glance at Juan. Things would be different if he had exposed his gray cloak, but he made sure to keep it invisible.

The city’s scenery reminded Juan of Tantil at first glance, but not all arles seemed to be slaves. They had light expressions and getting along well with others seemed to be natural for them.

Furthermore, there were hardly any religious symbols in this city. Juan felt that it was quite peculiar. By comparison, in Tantil he could see the symbol of the emperor at every turn.

‘But this city is definitely a part of the empire’s territory.’

However, this city didn’t look like one where everyone lived in harmony and at peace. Frivolous swindlers clattered their coins and threatening-looking men walked around the street while bearing their weapons. Juan even saw drunkards lying in the alley even though it was still daytime, and children picking pockets.

Nonetheless, Juan realized that everyone had one thing in common—they were all armed.

This allowed Juan to understand the reason for the light atmosphere; it would be hard for anyone to make a commotion since they would have to risk getting stabbed if they didn't watch what they said.

Juan was quite curious as to why the city lacked security, considering that the Order of the White Crow was located nearby. He soon found the answer to his question.

“Kid, watch where you’re going.”

A huge man almost bumped into Juan as he was walking by. Juan didn’t need to worry about bumping into people even with his eyes closed, but the man looked offended by just brushing against Juan.

Juan tried to ignore him, but then someone grabbed him by the shoulder.

“You got lucky, kid.”

Juan lifted his head to look up. A cheerful young woman who didn’t seem like she didn’t belong in the city was looking at him. Behind her stood one young and one old man who seemed either to be her guards or colleagues.

“Lucky?”

“Yes. That man is dangerous. Do you see that red ax brooch on his cloak? It represents the Bloody Ax clan. They are the most dangerous people in the city, so you better watch out for them wherever you go. There are rumors saying that the Order of Huginn is supporting them as well. You know who they are, right? Those scary…”

Juan surveyed the woman from head to toe. She was flustered by his gaze, but soon smiled and held out her hand.

“You must have come from a long way outside the border. What’s your name? Ah, my name is…”

“Juan.”

The woman was yet again flustered upon hearing his name. Juan stopped paying attention to her and immediately approached the huge man that bumped into him a moment ago. The man stumbled and fell to the ground as he was unexpectedly struck.

“Keugh! W-what are you doing, you bastard!”

“Are you acquainted with the Order of Huginn?”

“What? What are you saying in the middle of the street…have you got an early death wish?”

“Let’s talk for a second,” Juan smiled coldly.

***

Hiveden was a city that was built without a proper plan at the time of its construction. There were numerous places just around the alley, where the light never reached and where even dead bodies wouldn’t be found for a long time.

Juan put his short sword into the sheath. Talter’s short sword was faintly glowing red as if it was excited from drinking blood. Talter’s short sword had the ability to drink blood without the owner having to clean it after use, which was an extremely satisfying function for Juan.

‘The Order of Huginn, huh?’

Juan was well aware of them since they were run under Ras Raud, Juan’s youngest stepson. He didn’t know the details, but he had heard that Ras was one of the Six Apostates who betrayed the emperor, and he had been cut off by Barth Baltic on his way to the empire from the south. That was all Juan knew. The problem was that this man was similar to Juan in that he didn’t know much either. At the same time, this man had no relation to the Order of Huginn. Although he deserved to die for all the crimes he had committed and which he confessed to Juan, Juan spared his life; however, he wouldn’t be able to hold a spoon ever again for the rest of his life.

Juan looked at the woman standing outside the alley and thought he had been deceived by a troublesome lie. Meanwhile, the woman looked at Juan with a pale face from the entrance of the bloody alley. Without showing any expression, Juan walked past her.

“Wait!”

The young man who stood beside the woman tried to grab Juan’s shoulder, but Juan brushed his hand off. At the same time, Juan pulled his wrist to make him lose balance. By the time he was on his knees, Juan’s short sword was already touching his throat.

“Don’t bother me if you don’t want to lose your fingers like him.”

The only reason Juan didn’t directly cut him was to avoid another irksome quarrel. In such a city where bloodshed is rather normal, small arguments ought to turn into a big fuss. The man’s face turned pale.

“Well, it looks like we’ve bothered you.”

The old man stepped in front of the young man and raised the man’s body with one hand. Juan put his short sword back into the sheath as he didn’t intend to go out of his way and cut the young man.

“You should be smart enough to realize that this boy is not ordinary; he came all the way here from beyond the border at such a young age. Remember to be respectful to whoever it is you are speaking to,” the old man scolded the young man.

“...I’m sorry, master.”

“You said your name was Juan, right? You have good insight suited for a good name. I’m sorry, but would you mind listening to my lady’s story?” The old man asked as he politely bowed his head.

“Why should I?”

“It’s important to my lady. It might be dangerous, but I don’t feel the need to worry after seeing your skills. I assure you won’t get into trouble and promise a good amount of reward. You should know how important money is if you want to reside within the empire, right? It’s especially important in Hiveden.”

“Whatever it is, I don’t care. Piss off.”

“Why don’t you hear us out?” the woman said coldly, unlike the friendly tone she had earlier. It was obvious that this was her natural way of speaking.

“I don’t wish to get involved with the nobles from the capital,” Juan answered as he shook his head.

The woman’s eyes sharpened.

Juan had recognized her identity as soon as he met her.

The clothes she was wearing had stains showing wear and tear, as if they belonged to an adventurer, but in fact, were made with an expensive material bought from all over the empire. They were even finished in a style unique to the capital. At the same time, the expensive-looking dagger at her waist had no sign of use, which was likely due to her guards protecting her. Furthermore, among the old man and young man behind her, the young man was holding a huge double-handed sword, but didn’t seem to be much of a threat. On the other hand, the old man seemed more threatening.

His leather armor was full of scratches and broken in. It wasn’t hard to tell that he was a former knight who learned proper swordsmanship based on his well-developed muscles. Looking at his scars, a lot of them were from protecting someone in danger rather than scars caused by battle. Thus it could be inferred that he had worked for the nobles for a long time. Nevertheless, the old man appeared to be skilled, given the fact that he was still alive—though he seemed to lack stamina.

The main reason why Juan thought they were on a journey with a purpose rather than a noble’s immature picnic, was because of the woman’s eyes—they were cold and calculating, and could find their way even in the darkest moments. Juan had known a person who had the same eyes as hers, and such a person didn’t talk to strangers on the street for no reason. Having realized all of this at first glance, Juan had refused to be involved with her any longer.

But he couldn’t explain his reasons for rejecting their offer to the woman.

“Does everyone from outside the border act like a scared cat with their tail caught, just like you? If so, I should rethink my plans,” the woman said.

Juan snickered as he was reminded of someone from her eyes and the way she talked. The woman frowned at Juan’s smile.

“How about this, if you’re not interested in money? You were wondering about the Order of Huginn, weren’t you?”

“Why? Do you know about them?” Juan asked.

“How would I not know about the Order of Huginn when I came to Hiveden? I need to know everything I can about where I go and what I come into contact with. I was just trying to scare you with that huge guy before, but I wouldn’t have said anything if I knew you were looking for the Order of Huginn.”

Juan crossed his arms together. Although he was annoyed by the woman, there was no reason for him to reject their offer if she could provide information about the Order of Huginn.

“Is the Order of Huginn in this city?”

“Are they here? Hah, this city has practically been their area ever since His Majesty died. I bet there are tons of nobles that don’t mind mingling with the terrible heretics to avoid the nagging of the fanatics. This insane city was created by the noble’s demands and all different kinds of interest groups. This city can’t be reformed even if the Church tried because the nobles from the capital would be against it, not to mention the pigs from the Church taking bribes as well.”

The old man and the young man turned pale at the words the woman spat out.

Juan was amused; he had never seen anyone openly curse at the Church. Even Huxle and his party regretted it after cursing the emperor, and they were adventurers.

“Fearless, aren't you?”

“I think I should be more afraid of getting stabbed rather than words, kid.”

“And you aren’t afraid of getting stabbed? The Church will hang you.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m quite well known in the capital for being a kind lady. I wonder which one of us the Church would hang; a noble of the capital or the young, lying murderer from outside the border?” the woman derided.

Juan snickered. The way she talked was far from being polite, but she didn't have a bad nature.

“Alright. I’ll hear you out,” Juan said.

“Now that I see, you’re a good boy. But there is something you need to answer first. Why are you looking for the Order of Huginn?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I want to avoid messing with the Order of Huginn as much as possible, so making a deal with you is risky for me as well. If you plan to go against the Order of Huginn, it’s hard for me to tell you anything,” the woman said as she ran her eyes through Juan with a wary expression.

“I’m not planning to fight them,” Juan said as he swallowed the words ‘for now.’ He planned to listen to the reason why they betrayed him before he decided on his stance about them. But such a thing would only be possible if Ras was still alive.

“Obviously. No one expects you to fight the Order of Huginn; they can even take on the Templars, you know. I’m just concerned that this city might get involved in case there is some organization behind you. I don’t want the empire’s only free city to be ruined,” the woman scoffed.

“I thought you didn’t like this city.”

“I don’t. But its uniqueness makes it important. Plus, I need to visit here from time to time.”

“There is no one behind my back. I’m looking for the Order of Huginn to visit someone I know.”

“I’ll believe you, Juan. My name is Heretia. Now, I’ll get to the point,” Heretia cleared her throat and approached Juan.

Juan wondered what this noble from the capital could possibly be planning in this lawless city with her guards, and what role she wanted him to play for her. Until now, Juan had been asked to be a champion of the colosseum, the empire's genius knight, and a talent to overturn the empire. And this time…

“I need a good-looking black-haired boy for my plan.”