DSFL | Chapter 72

~Chapter 72~

“Allen!”

I quickly called out his name.

“Are you okay?”

Then I heard his strained voice from below.

“Huff… I think I broke my back…”

“Hold on! I’m coming down.”

Worried the door above might close, I hurriedly climbed down the ladder.

“B-Be careful…”

I was about halfway down when—

Clunk!

A noise came from above. The door had shut.

“So the underground was real…”

I thought it was just a figure of speech.

As soon as my feet hit the ground, I rushed to Allen. He was picking up the things that had fallen from his bag.

“Are you really okay?”

He nodded awkwardly.

“You said you hurt your back.”

“It’s more embarrassing than painful, honestly…”

“That’s your concern?”

“I failed to maintain my dignity as a knight.”

Seeing him joke made me feel relieved.

Allen followed me as I turned to look around.

“Let’s keep this between us, okay?”

“But isn’t that considered neglecting your duty?”

“….”

I walked along the path where the water flowed. Vines I didn’t recognize grew along the walls, and they glowed faintly—clearly not plants from the Empire.

“This doesn’t look like an ordinary drainage system.”

Allen commented as he glanced around. He had a point—the water was surprisingly clean, even clear enough to see the bottom.

“…Over there, maybe.”

Across the stone bridge, there was a shabby little tent.

“Let’s go.”

Although Allen had seemed unsure earlier, now he looked full of curiosity.

“Excuse me, is anyone here…?”

Judging by the displayed herbs and strange items there, it seemed someone lived there.

“Who even buys something like parrot feathers?”

Allen scratched his head, clearly puzzled.

“Leave if you’re not buying anything.”

A groaning voice came from under the counter. Then a young girl stood up, stretching her back.

“Plenty of other people will buy even if you two don’t!”

Blinking, I glanced at Allen. His expression said what I was thinking, too.

‘Isn’t she way too young…?’

She was a girl—probably no older than eight—despite her old-fashioned way of speaking.

Allen asked kindly, “Where are your parents?”

“Don’t have any,” she replied bluntly.

His face went pale.

“Haha, Allen, you’re too much…”

I nudged him with my elbow.

“You’re the owner here?”

“Yep. Is that a problem?”

Not liking how much taller I was, the girl climbed on a box so we could be eye-to-eye. Then, waving her hand like we were intruding, she said,

“If you’re not buying, leave. I’m not like my aunties—I only serve real customers.”

“We are customers. We came to buy something.”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“I-I heard there’s a thing that can preserve my beauty… f-forever.”

I stumbled over my words, cringing at how ridiculous they sounded.

“So you also think about that kind of stuff often, huh?” Allen teased.

No! That’s not it!

“If you’re here for information, you should’ve just said so,” the girl said confidently.

“My relatives handle the products, but information? That’s my specialty.”

Thankfully, we’d said the magic words. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

She leaned in and whispered, “But you need to show a bit of sincerity…”

Her greedy expression was surprisingly intense for a child.

“As much as needed.”

I signaled Allen, and he handed me the bag. I took out a pouch of gold coins and placed it on the table.

“Where’s the item?”

Though she had doubted us, the moment she peeked into the pouch—

“Whoa…!”

Her eyes widened, and she instantly broke into a grin.

“Can I call you ‘sister’ from now on? I’m Penny!”

Fast talker. I like that.

“That item is very rare, so we can’t get it for you directly. But we can invite you to the auction where it will be sold. Would that be okay?”

Penny had climbed down from her box and looked up at me.

“Auction?”

“Yes. It’s a secret, but the Tower Master has awakened recently, and it’s an auction he’s hosting.”

“…Who told you that?”

“Even for you, I can’t say that. My lips are sealed when it comes to sources.”

Penny clasped my hands like she was begging for understanding — though she also seemed to be eyeing how many more gold pouches were in the bag.

“But if the Tower Master only just woke up, then… who made the item? Surely it’s not the apprentices?”

“Of course not.”

“Then who?”

“If you want more answers…”

Her eyes flicked toward the bag again. She smiled sweetly, and I returned a calm smile.

“I don’t really need the auction invite. Do I still need to pay more?”

“…You sure are stingy for someone so rich.”

Penny sighed, then finally answered,

“It belongs to someone even greater — a forgotten Grand Mage.”

“…!”

“That’s all I can say. But money does loosen my lips.”

I placed another pouch on the table.

“You’re sure it’s the Grand Mage’s?”

“Absolutely. I only sell accurate info.”

If it’s a forgotten Grand Mage, then it must be Ailins.

‘Hestia said she was looking for this item…’

That means rumors must already be spreading among noble ladies. Especially with the news of Peril awakening.

Maybe they’re using Peril’s fame to sell it, but in truth, the item belonged to Ailins.

Now that I think about it, I’ve never actually heard of Peril making magic items. The timing of the awakening rumor made people jump to conclusions.

Whoever spread the rumor didn’t lie—just twisted the truth.

‘Peril’s the bait. Ailins is the real deal.’

It’s said a mage’s power grows the more their name is remembered. With this month’s event, many people would gather.

“Did you spread the rumors?”

“I’ve got a loud voice,” Penny giggled.

“I’d prefer if you stopped talking about the auction and the Tower Master.”

“I don’t want to either, but I made a promise to him… The time limit hasn’t passed yet.”

She lowered her gaze like she was helpless.

I took out another pouch.

“…!”

“Still not enough?”

She stared at it, then hurriedly clutched it to her chest.

“Then I’ll buy the rest of your promise.”

“You’re really making it hard for me…”

She trailed off while fidgeting with the coins.

Was she asking for more?

I squinted. She quickly said,

“O-of course, I always listen to my big sis! Let’s just say it’s a deal!”

“One more thing.”

Penny looked up expectantly.

“I want to find the Tower Master’s whereabouts.”

She didn’t look happy. After a moment of thought, she placed the coins down.

Of course, she wouldn’t talk for free.

I put another pouch on the table.

She stared at the remaining pouches and gulped.

“Sister, you can ask me more if you want…”

“That’s all I need.”

I closed the bag. Penny panicked and quickly said,

“T-Then how about this?”

“What?”

“You need info, and I need money. So… hire me! Who knows? You might need me again.”

“…”

“Just leave the bag with me, and I’ll prove I’m worth the pay!”

She reached for the bag like she couldn’t bear to part with it.

“Hmm… Should I?”

At that, she pouted and walked over to Allen — and kicked him in the leg.

“W-What are you doing?!”

Allen looked shocked.

Then, with a weird expression, he turned to me.

“My lady, shall we return to the mansion now? My ears feel like they’re ringing. I think I need rest.”

His words confused me, but the bag in my hand suddenly felt heavier.

When I looked down, Penny was holding it with pleading eyes.

“I keep secrets really well. Don’t you trust me yet?”