Chapter 77
Why Are You Here?
“No one had bet that the lady wouldn’t scream. And all ten daggers missed—making it an astronomically low probability.”
“R-Really? Then who took the remaining 1%?”
“His Highness did. He said to give you the rest and only keep 1% as a souvenir.”
How petty. He said he’d give me the whole pot, and he still took 1%.
And then he acts like he’s doing me a favor?
I felt sour—bitter, even. Extremely so.
“Wow, His Highness really is a gambler. Or maybe… he already knew about your brave nature?”
Nah. He probably just wanted to see if I’d croak like a frog getting stabbed.
His bet was probably just for fun. He’s got so much money it overflows.
“So, when can I collect it?”
“Right now.”
“What?”
The emcee pulled out a piece of paper that looked like a check from inside his jacket.
“All wagers for our shows are handled in cash. This is an official receipt from the Royal Bank. You can withdraw it any time.”
According to Jeff, the money came from their sacrifices.
I didn’t want to touch it—but thinking about how nobles splurged here like water, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to claw back every coin.
After all, it would become slush funds for House Withrow anyway.
“Oh, right. Since you didn’t scream, His Highness’s winnings go to you too. That’s the full pot. Congratulations, milady. You’re rich.”
“Okay, I get it. You can stop talking now. Still, thanks—I’ll take this.”
Pretending to accept it reluctantly, I carefully folded the receipt away.
“Also, pass on a message to His Highness.”
“What shall I tell him?”
“Honestly, I was so tense and startled that my heart still hurts. Tell him I need to rest a bit before heading back.”
“Of course, absolutely understandable. I’ll relay that. Would you like to be escorted somewhere more comfortable?”
“No need. I’ll be back soon.”
“Understood. Ah, the next show’s about to begin, so I’ll take my leave.”
With a dramatic bow like an actor, the emcee tipped his top hat and disappeared into the tent.
Soon after, cheers and applause erupted from inside.
And then, a pop-up appeared in front of me:
[UNEXPECTED EVENT]
Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed a surprise event!
As a reward, you’ve received a “Toothpick That Can Poke Anywhere.”
Check your inventory.
We’ll see you again with more thrilling and fun events next time!
A toothpick?! I almost died crossing the River Styx and they give me a toothpick…
I didn’t even have the energy to check my inventory out of sheer disappointment.
“Sigh. Guess I’ll go finish the mission.”
Groaning, I steadied my wobbly legs and stood up.
Now it was time to dig through hell in earnest.
Thankfully, the exotic outfit Withrow gave me turned out to be a blessing.
I wrapped the long draping fabric from shoulder to waist around my neck, covering half my face. Compared to the circus performers’ flamboyant outfits, I blended right in.
Plus, I was wandering the rear area freely, so no one seemed to recognize me as a noble guest.
The performance tent towering in the center was three stories tall, wide and high.
Near the back exit I had escaped through were three small tents and two larger ones.
I peeked into the first and second small tents.
They looked like waiting areas for performers—familiar props and tools were scattered around, but nothing suspicious.
I need to find the people who were taken as sacrifices.
After going through a few missions, I was starting to get a decent sense for things.
Before entering the third tent, I checked my surroundings.
Aside from the tented area, the original slums and buildings remained.
As expected from a slum, they were run-down and shabby. Some were barely standing.
I’ll start here.
Just as I lifted the curtain of the last tent—open on both sides—someone approached closely from behind.
A tall, broad shadow loomed over me, and I flinched.
“Walk in naturally, Sienna.”
It was Leon’s voice. At his command, I stepped into the tent as if nothing was wrong.
As soon as I entered, Leon dropped the curtain and tied it shut.
While he did that, I looked around the tent.
No locked boxes or anything interesting—just a few chairs and a large table piled with props.
“Nothing here either.”
Disappointed, I turned toward him—then froze when I saw the scowl on his face.
He looked furious.
Without meaning to, I blurted out a clumsy excuse.
“I didn’t want to do it.”
“……”
“They said they’d release the captives if I held out.”
“……”
“Those people were kidnapped. They said most of the performers were like that too. If they don’t die, they can’t leave…”
Wow, he was really mad.
He didn’t say a word, and his ice-blue eyes wavered with silent intensity. My voice grew smaller and smaller.
“Um, Leon?”
“……”
“I know you’re angry, but… I couldn’t ignore them. It felt wrong. It was just basic decency… morality, or something.”
“And that’s worth risking your life for?”
“Jeff—he said the guy was skilled, and as long as I didn’t move, I’d be fine…”
“The last dagger flew straight at your heart.”
His voice rose.
The pressure from how he loomed in front of me made my shoulders curl inward.
Then Leon sighed and softened his tone.
“If I hadn’t stepped in, you could’ve died.”
“…I’m sorry. Wait—that was you?”
“……”
“Thank you so much. But right now, we have something more important to focus on. Did you find the slush fund?”
“……”
“That’s what we’re here for, right? Inferna doesn’t perform every day—you have to grab the chance when it comes.”
When I pushed back, Leon clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Crossing his arms, he delivered his next words even more sternly.
“Go back.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Sienna.”
“What, you’re going to send me back to Withrow? To the man who used me as a human shield?”
“……”
“Who knows what he’ll force me to do next. I’m not going back. Please don’t make me.”
I gently held Leon’s arm with both hands.
Looking up at him like a pleading kitten, I saw him cover his face with one hand and abruptly turn away.
“Then be prepared and follow me.”
“Yes!”
Before we exited, Leon turned back to me.
He carefully rewrapped the black cloth over my face.
“Let me make one thing clear, Sienna.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“There’s something even more important than the slush fund.”
“What is it?”
“People.”
I blinked, confused—until his explanation left me utterly horrified.
I already knew they’d cleared out the slums to make space for the tents.
But that wasn’t all.
They had forcibly detained the residents and used them as sacrificial victims for the show.
“And not just that—they sell them off as slaves. To places like mines that need cheap labor. Women are sent to brothels.”
“They’re insane. These people are insane.”
“Agreed.”
Leon had begun investigating as soon as he learned Inferna wasn’t an ordinary circus troupe—thanks to the “Red Rose of the Valley.”
Even scraps of info—if it was related—he collected them all.
Inferna was a roaming troupe.
They moved wherever they pleased and held sudden performances.
They packed up fast too—often disappearing without a trace once a show ended.
Which made it nearly impossible to learn where they were headed or when.
But this time, they got lucky.
Because Withrow was attending, they extended preparations and took a full day to set up. That delay gave Leon a chance to track them down.
“We have to rescue them quickly.”
“Shh.”
Hearing a rustle, Leon grabbed me and pulled us into hiding.
