TPGV Ch# 13

 

The alleys of Queize bustled once again today with all sorts of dark, unpleasant noises.

 

This was the only place in the Empire where the slave market was legally permitted. It was also the place where the most underground transactions occurred.

 

All sorts of vagrants roamed the streets, and those trading in smuggled goods moved with caution.

 

Near the end of the alley stood shabby shops frequented by the poor and street vendors selling cheap food. A pungent smell unique to this area lingered uncomfortably in the air.

 

Eliche walked slowly through the gloomy, narrow alley with Cecil. Along the way, she cast glances at each slave shackled behind iron bars.

 

She was looking to see if there might be someone with silver hair and violet eyes like Hadin.

 

Silver hair and violet eyes were a distinct trait of the people from Tulean. According to her mother, all the people from there had that appearance.

 

The slave market was loud again today, filled with the chilling sounds of whips and curses.

 

Although slavery had long been abolished in the Empire, it was tacitly permitted when it came to captives brought from foreign lands.

 

Whenever there was a war with neighboring countries, prisoners of war would flood the slave market. Officially, slavery had ended, but the continued operation of the market was due to this loophole.

 

Once again, there was no one with silver hair and violet eyes. Part of her felt relieved, yet another part was disappointed.

 

If she had found someone, it could’ve been a clue to finding Tulean.

 

“Beautiful lady, please buy a flower. My siblings are starving…”

 

A little girl in ragged clothes with a dirty face clung to Eliche’s skirt, offering a single rose.

 

She looked to be around seven years old—clearly a child from the slums, visibly in dire circumstances.

 

But Eliche ignored the girl and kept walking. The sorrowful face and big eyes tugged at her heart, but she forced herself to look away.

 

It was a lesson she’d learned when she ran away with Hadin. Helping even one person who looked pitiful would attract all the other vagrants like a swarm.

 

She didn’t want to cause a scene again. Nor did she want to draw attention.

 

Eliche stopped at the end of the slave market. This was where the shop she had in mind was located.

 

It was a store without a sign, appearing to sell random odds and ends on the surface. In truth, it dealt mainly in smuggled goods.

 

But Eliche wasn’t here for contraband. She’d heard that this shop was the link to an information guild.

 

She had learned about it from the mage she hired while on the run with Hadin.

 

The most powerful and secretive information guild in the Empire was said to be called Gloom.

 

Its exact structure remained unknown, but it was said to be so vast and influential that its reach was immeasurable.

 

The mage had also told her how to contact them. It wasn’t difficult. It just required a lot of money.

 

Eliche stepped into the store and looked over the cluttered shelves. But the item she sought was not visible.

 

“Do you have any books?”

 

When she asked the shopkeeper, a bearded man replied gruffly.

 

“No way noblefolk like you would find books in a place like this.”

 

“But I heard there is one here.”

 

“I said we don’t have any.”

 

Had the mage been wrong? He had told her there would definitely be a book here, but the owner was flatly denying it.

 

“Then is there anywhere in this alley where I can find a book?”

 

“1,000 shtel.”

 

The man named a ridiculous price out of nowhere.

 

“What’s 1,000 shtel for?”

 

“For telling you where you can find a book.”

 

Eliche glanced at Cecil and nodded. Cecil immediately understood and placed a heavy pouch of gold coins on the counter.

 

“Count it.”

 

Eliche spoke while looking around the shop again. Meanwhile, another customer had entered and was closely inspecting a shelf.

 

He was a tall man with brown hair and green eyes. He didn’t look like a noble, but his neat clothing suggested he was a commoner from a wealthy family.

 

“If you’re looking for a book, try the building with the green roof across the street,” the owner said suddenly.

 

“Where exactly in the building?” Eliche asked, turning her gaze from the man.

 

“There should be a shop on the second floor,” the owner replied gruffly, having just finished counting the gold and stuffing it back into his pouch.

 

Eliche stepped out and crossed to the green-roofed building. As the man said, there was a shop on the second floor.

 

It looked far too tidy for this neighborhood. But it didn’t seem like the kind of place to find books either—it sold all kinds of fabric. Rough and coarse fabrics were neatly arranged by color.

 

The shop owner was a strong, matronly woman.

 

“What are you looking for?”

 

Eliche answered honestly.

 

“I’m looking for a book.”

 

“As you can see, we sell fabric here. We don’t carry books.”

 

“Then is there any place in this alley where I can get one?”

 

“1,000 shtel.”

 

The same answer as before. Fortunately, Eliche had brought plenty of money.

 

“Here.”

 

She took the coin pouch from Cecil and placed it on the counter.

 

The owner emptied the pouch and began counting the coins. After a while, she gestured for Eliche to follow her.

 

The woman led her to the back of the shop, opened a door, and guided her into another room.

 

Inside was a large cabinet filled with all kinds of junk. Amid the clutter, Eliche spotted something that looked like a book.

 

She pulled it out immediately. It was an old, worn tome.

 

“Techniques to Excise a Dragon’s Heart”

 

That was the title, written in an ancient language. It was such an obscure book that few in this slum would even understand the title.

 

She flipped through the pages, but there was nothing written inside. From beginning to end, all the pages were blank.

 

She turned the book over and examined the back cover. There, written in ancient script, was the word “Gloom,” meaning darkness.

 

“There’s a place to read the book just upstairs,” the shop owner suggested, indicating she should take the book there.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Eliche nodded and left the shop with Cecil.

 

As they reached the third floor, they were suddenly surrounded by rough-looking men.

 

They blocked the hallway, showing no signs of letting them pass.

 

“Well, well, a noble lady. What brings you here?”

 

“This doesn’t seem like a place for you. You should turn back unless you want trouble.”

 

The men leered at them threateningly, their words full of menace.

 

“I came to read a book,” Eliche said firmly, holding up the book.

 

But the men laughed dismissively.

 

“There’s nowhere to read a book here.”

 

“I was told it’s here.”

 

“Then pay 1,000 shtel if you’re so eager.”

 

Eliche understood immediately. Cecil handed over another pouch.

 

One man counted the coins and sneered.

 

“You may pass, but only you. Just one person.”

 

“I understand.”

 

She told Cecil to wait and stepped through the small gap they opened.

 

Down a dim hallway, she saw several doors, but none opened.

 

Then, a gentle male voice called out from behind her.

 

“Here to read a book?”

 

She turned around startled. It was the same man with green eyes and brown hair from the earlier shop.

 

Now that she saw him clearly, his features were surprisingly alluring. In his mid-twenties, perhaps. His green eyes sparkled with mischief, and his reddish lips held a subtle smile.

 

“Yes. Where should I go?”

 

“Follow me.”

 

He opened a door—one she had tried earlier, but it hadn’t opened then.

 

Without using a key, he swung it open effortlessly.

 

“Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?”

 

He motioned to the sofa in the center of the room. The room was surprisingly bright and tidy, with a vase full of roses on the table.

 

“No, I’d rather read the book quickly.”

 

As Eliche sat, the man smiled again.

 

“So, what book did you come to read?”

 

“It’s about breaking someone out of the underground prison in the royal palace. I heard I could find it here.”

 

“A daring story indeed. I don’t know if I can find such a book.”

 

“Price doesn’t matter.”

 

He leaned back in his seat, arching an eyebrow.

 

“It starts at 100,000 shtel. Another 100,000 each week if it takes longer. Can you afford that?”

 

Eliche nodded calmly.

 

“Yes, if it’s successful.”

 

“I can’t guarantee it. We’ve never tried something like this before.”

 

“If it succeeds, I’ll pay double.”

 

“Must be important to you.”

 

“Yes. I’ll bring the down payment tomorrow. Here, right?”

 

“Carrying that much gold might be hard for someone like you.”

 

“I can manage. Do you doubt I can pay?”

 

“Not at all. I meant we might want a different form of payment, Duchess Ernherhart. Or should I say, Fifth Princess?”

 

The color drained from Eliche’s face. She hadn’t imagined that even her identity was known.

 

“You knew?”

 

“We know every noble face in the capital.”

 

“What other form of payment do you want?”

 

“Ten vials of the Chorpeng antidote to start. The job will take three months.”

 

Eliche hesitated. Making the antidote took time, and the crucial ingredient—the Hollenella flower—had not yet bloomed.

 

“I only have eight vials. I can give you ten more in a month.”

 

“Then give us the eight now. Ten more in a month. And another ten if the job succeeds. Agreed?”

 

“That’s fair. But why does your guild want so much antidote?”

 

“There’s no medicine in the capital we don’t possess—except for Chorpeng’s antidote. It’s a matter of pride.”

 

Eliche laughed in disbelief.

 

“You must collect everything.”

 

“We strive for perfection.”

 

“Yet how can you trust its effectiveness?”

 

“Didn’t Count Berg prove it last night?”

 

Eliche’s heart dropped. He had been cured just last night. Yet they already knew.

 

She studied the man more closely. Despite his commoner clothes, he had the air of someone well-educated. Almost noble.

 

“What’s your position in the guild? You can’t be the Guildmaster.”

 

“Think of me as the public face. I handle most major decisions.”

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Günther.”

 

“Real name?”

 

“Let’s say it is.”

 

He clearly didn’t intend to share more. Then he asked,

 

“When can we expect the eight vials?”

 

“Tomorrow.”

 

Günther nodded and reached into his pocket, handing her a small wooden token engraved with a rose.

 

“Bring this. Show it tomorrow and you’ll be allowed through.”

 

Eliche nodded and accepted it.

 

Günther escorted her to where the thugs had been. They were now gone, and Cecil rushed toward her with a worried face.