Chapter 7: With Weapon in Hand, Killing Intent Emerges
Oswald did not invite Haina to come with him.
Apparently, despite his skepticism regarding Haina's sense of time or intelligence, he believed in her fighting ability.
This agreed with Aiwass's assessment.
He could not see Haina's stat screen, but it was clear.
She was one of the top students at the country's top transcendent academy.
Although she had no resources or initial training, she held her own with the best and even surpassed them.
Her ability had been tested.
Haina could boast being a capital inspector before graduation, but it was no big thing.
The Inspectorate, despite being an armored vocation, was modestly prestigious.
They dealt with civilian cases—patrolling the streets, keeping the peace, checking stores for compliance with safety regulations, dealing with minor transcendent cases, processing civilian complaints, breaking up illegal assemblies, and arresting lower-level transcendents.
For more formidable adversaries such as overseas spies, high-ranking transcendents, or cult members, the Supervisory Court intervened.
For grave crimes against knight families, the Arbitration Hall, the supreme authority, intervened.
"Arbitrators" were high-level professions from level 30, all middle-aged or young knight senators who were qualified to enter the Round Table Hall.
Well-armed, well-off, and experienced, they were Avalon's cream.
There were few top-level powerhouses above them.
Haina came from no illustrious background and had no connections.
Her inexperience and untraining were making her look clumsy and naive.
But to Aiwass, outstanding talent combined with unassuming origins and uncomplicated nature might be an asset.
Posted in a district Inspectorate as an executive inspector on the front lines, she was learning fast while being socialized to bring down her expectations of herself.
Having no idea of her own worth, if she became accustomed to this position below her schooling and capability, the superior who "promoted" her would be a hallowed patron.
Within a couple of years, after social interaction, work experience, and an increasing transcendent level, she could easily become a district director by the age of 30.
Provided that everything went well, she could join the Supervisory Court by 30 and, at 40, be awarded armor from the Queen and join the Round Table.
Aiwass estimated her at level 20 or so.
That was second- or third-tier transcendent power—ten levels above him.
A level 20 escorting him in a level 10 instance was no difficulty.
Just in case, Oswald provided Aiwass with a handgun as an emergency weapon.
It was an elegant lady's pistol.
Designed similar to Haina's short sword, it contained hollowed-out silver thorn designs.
Small enough to hold in the palm of one's hand, it was not a standard revolver but a pneumatic magazine pistol.
[Lady's Grip +2]
[Refined Weapon (Deep Blue)]
[Firearm, Automatic Pistol, 5-round capacity]
[8mm Bullets (5/5)]
[Feature: 60% of the weight and size of equivalent-power pistols]
[Elven Style: Dramatically lowered malfunction rate, higher maintenance cost]
[Module - Elegant Aim: Tremendously improved accuracy]
[Module - Light Shot: Tremendously alleviated recoil]
—Fine by me.
Lady's pistol or not, Aiwass happily accepted after verifying its stats.
Refined weapons were the pinnacle of mortal ingenuity.
One step short of purple transcendent weapons, which needed supernatural power to forge.
What else could he possibly want?
In the game, blue equipment consistently dropped in instances above level 30.
Purple transcendent weapons required ritual spells, alchemy, or murdering high-level transcendents.
The modules of the pistol were great.
Blue gear had set features and styles, and one to three random attributes, some good, some bad.
One positive attribute—recoil and accuracy together—made it a utility weapon viable even in mid-to-late game.
Available for shooting special-effect or ritual bullets.
Even higher-level pistols may not have its level of accuracy, with greater damage.
But as Aiwass prepared to leave, Oswald stopped him.
“The master said to wear this. And the cloak.”
He handed Aiwass a black neck brace and a hooded black coat.
Aiwass felt the brace, recognizing its material.
“Asbestos?”
“The Strangler Gang’s been active. If you’re leaving the White Queen District, wear the anti-strangle collar.”
Oswald, gaunt as a specter, spoke gravely.
“They strike fast; Haina might not always protect you.
The. hood conceals your identity from ill-intentioned. people.
Aiwass reluctantly. put them on.
He was aware of the Strangler Gang.
A. sophisticated. crop of robbers.
To. minimize witnesses and maximize. efficiency,. they. ambushed in. hidden. places or alleys,. strangling victims with. thin ropes and. dragging. them. into. cover.
. They. killed,. stripping. everything of value—or not.
Victims. couldn't report. right away, and bodies. were. difficult. to locate.
Killing outright kept low-level transcendents from being able to fight back.
Asbestos may be carcinogenic, but survival took precedence.
He wouldn't be exposed in the long run.
If only his level weren't so low.
At level 20 or 30, would he have any fear of petty thieves?
After Aiwass put on the collar and cloak, Oswald gave him a fat pile of bills.
"Master's investigation expenses. It's your first outing; you won't need much."
Aiwass heard Haina's soft gasp beside him.
He counted quickly: twenty shiny silver-white bills, big, imprinted with crossed scepter and sword in front of a white crown—the Silver-Crowned Dragon, god of rule.
And twenty red, mid-sized bills: ten with five red candles and "5," ten with a single candle and "1."
These were the Candlekeeper, god of Devotion Path, served by the Church.
Avalon's special money, receivable overseas.
One White Crown was equivalent to about 1,000 yuan, traded for twenty Red Candle bills worth 1.
One Red Candle was equivalent to ten smaller, brownish Copper Hourglass bills that represented the god of the Balance Path.
The three paths' transcendent professions were legal only in Avalon.
A Copper Hourglass was worth approximately 5 yuan, a Red Candle approximately 50.
Roasted beef at a restaurant cost six Copper Hourglasses; smoked pork two.
A durable new outfit, excluding shoes, cost around seven Red Candles.
“Keep White and Red bills separate. Use three pockets.”
Oswald advised.
“If low-value Red Candles suffice, don’t flash White Crowns.
You’re mobility-impaired, with no male servant.
More eyes might target you.
White Crowns are for bribing high-value targets—use sparingly.
“If Red Candles run low, exchange White Crowns at a bank.
If you’re worried about mixing them up, Haina can hold them.”
“I’m not a ‘lady’…”
Haina muttered but didn’t refuse.
Aiwass handed her the stack of White Crowns without hesitation.
“You hold them.”
Though just holding them, Haina was excited.
Twenty White Crowns weren’t much.
A semester at the Royal Law University cost sixteen.
She’d handled that much before—her family scraped together her first two semesters’ tuition.
From her second year, scholarships paid for it.
In everyday life, White Crowns were hardly ever used.
Copper and Red Candles were ubiquitous, so the weight of White Crowns felt foreign.
Her true fear was to lose the money.
She'd done so before.
As a kid, she lost her tuition money while running around thoughtlessly.
Her mother cried that day—silently, wiping away tears in a corner.
That memory was ingrained in Haina's heart.
She never ran freely once again.
Running was like anchors bound to her legs.
She patted her pockets, discovering one she could trust with the money.
She had her elbow close, checking every now and then, while her other hand lay by her beloved sword.
Standing in this watchful attitude, she rolled Aiwass's wheelchair out of Moriarty Manor.
"Where to?"
She inquired Aiwass instinctively.
"The warehouse yesterday? Or Stone Arch Park?"
"—No."
Noticing her demeanor, Aiwass exhaled softly.
“Those places have been searched thoroughly.
You’ve already gathered any intel there.
“We head east, to the Pelican Bar.”
Aiwass said.
“…Where’s that?” Haina clearly didn’t know the place.
Beyond the two streets near her university in the Red Queen District and the route from the White Queen District Inspectorate to Moriarty Manor, she knew little of the capital.
Her 50 Red Candle monthly stipend equivalent to a laborer's wage did not provide for venturing.
"Lloyd District."
"Lloyd District? Near the port?"
Haina's face lighted up with the recall of the name.
She'd heard of the Pelican Bar!
When she got into the capital, a reliable friend cautioned her against Lloyd District.
Despite roommates' encouragement to go there for its bars, she absolutely refused.
Partly because she couldn't afford it—and she was too timid to let friends cover.
Determined to steer clear of it, her mind excluded those conversations for fear of temptation.
She remembered "Old Captain's Bar" being the most discussed.
Leave sailors visited there, and her roommates enjoyed flirting with young, muscular, good-looking navy men who did not often encounter women while at sea.
Easy pickings.
One roommate went out with a navy sergeant, always boasting about his "secret missions."
Real or not, Haina did not believe it.
Could a genuine secret be confided to college girls?
In her hometown, the blacksmith boasted of his "worldly" experience in the capital.
Later, she found out he'd gone there as a teenage apprentice, staying for a few years.
His bluster was identical to that sailor's.
Her roommate spoke of "Pelican Bar" only once.
Haina recalled because, unlike her typical sly smile, the roommate was grimly serious.
She'd said. purchasing materials.
Pelican Bar… a venue for materials?
Haina experienced a pang of uncertainty but remained quiet.
She had an instinctual feeling it was something unsavory, not to be spoken of in Moriarty Manor—particularly under the elf butler's watchful eye.
For one moment, Haina was intrigued.
She'd never been brave enough to go into such establishments, fearing expense and risk.
Now, however, she was resilient.
Tall and imposing in armor representing justice, paid for by Aiwass's investigation funds, she was now able to investigate an area she had been interested in but had never gotten the opportunity to visit.
It was her first solo investigation.
Haina didn't really have a plan; she'd only said warehouse and Stone Arch Park because they came to mind.
Even Director Kent hadn't required large amounts of intel from this investigation—only to keep Aiwass safe and be prudent.
—Of course she'd defend him! No need to mention it!
"Lloyd District it is, let's go!"
Haina agreed with alacrity.
"I'll guard you safe—if any stupid thief attempts anything, I'll demonstrate the law's justice!"
On this subject, her tone was distinct and luminous… almost exasperated.
With the possession of a weapon comes killing intent.
This was all in line with Aiwass's expectations.
Trained so long, at this level, but never having had to fight an enemy before… exhilaration was only to be expected.
"So, ready to kill, Senior?"
Aiwass scrunched up his eyes like a fox, smiling ambiguously—kind or sarcastic?
Haina stood stock-still.
Then, she spoke sternly, "Actually, I've killed before."
Oh?
Aiwass cocked an eyebrow.
An odd response.
"Let's go, then."
He did not question further, only murmuring, "My legs aren't much use, so I'll trouble you to push me."
"No problem."
Haina breathed out, responding promptly.
(End of Chapter)