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I'm the Crazy One in the Family-Chapter 129: For True Love (3)
Chapter 129: For True Love (3)
After sending Henya and Wid off on their date, Keter quickly started looking through the alleyways of the outskirts. This was three hours before the explosion at the Feathers Hotel,
“I’ve never been lucky with guessing.”
On the fourth alley, Keter finally found the sign he was looking for—a small golden maple leaf painted on it.
He pushed open the shabby door and stepped inside. A middle-aged man in ragged clothes greeted him.
“Welcome,” he said, mechanically polishing a glass without even glancing at Keter.
It looked like breathing itself was a chore to him.
But I came here knowing exactly what this place is.
Clink!
Keter threw a platinum coin at his face. It was crucial to hit him in the face precisely.
“Ack!”
The man grabbed his face in pain and yelped.
Pretty good acting, huh?
“Who the hell are you?! Throwing coins at someone’s face?!”
“Archacic code number 666, 13, 22, 40.”
“What in the world are you saying?! I have no idea what...”
“Gold shall shine like the sun in the darkness. Ugh, I swear, I’m sick of reciting these passcodes.”
The flustered and indignant man suddenly transformed. Even his hunched back straightened.
“Welcome, Mr. Keter, premium client of Infinite Bank. Welcome to Golden Fragrance. What may we assist you with today?”
Golden Fragrance was a secret guild under Infinite Bank, running elite auctions for only the wealthiest clients. Of course, Keter came here to complete his job as a Solver. To give Wid and Henya a perfect date, he was going to cause chaos in both this city and Eslow’s household.
Let’s start light, shall we?
“I’m here to sell an item as a vendor.”
“Please proceed to the second floor.”
“Sure.”
He went up to the second floor. It was definitely no more than ten steps at the bottom, but as soon as he started walking, the staircase stretched like taffy. It wasn’t an illusion; it was spatial transference magic. It was smooth enough that the transferred subject wouldn’t even notice.
Probably eight-circle level or so?
The transfer didn’t take long. There was a door already waiting for him, but it opened on its own before he could touch it.
“Welcome, Mr. Keter. I am the manager of this Golden Fragrance branch in Eslow’s fief. Please feel free to call me simply ‘Manager.’”
A man in a black tuxedo, round hat, and white mask greeted him. That was how all the Golden Fragrance staff looked; it was some sort of uniform.
The interior was plain, aside from the absence of windows. There was one oak table in the middle with two chairs.
Keter took a seat and got right to the point, as he was a busy guy.
“I want to auction off some information. Two conditions: the auction must be held tomorrow night, and it must take place right here in Eslow’s fief.”
“That’s a rather unique request. May I first know the nature of the information? We only open auctions for items valued at over one hundred thousand gold.”
“It’s the location of the ruins where Sword Saint Magenta’s legacy lies.”
“...”
Keter could practically see the face under that mask.
He’s probably thinking I’m just talking nonsense.
Sword Saint Magenta was the first person in history to reach Prime, equivalent to seven-star, as a commoner. But about two hundred years ago, he vanished without leaving behind his sword techniques or aura cultivation methods behind. And since Keter was claiming to know the location of his legacy now... It obviously sounded nuts.
But what can I say—I’m a regressor.
In the future, some idiot leaked this info to the world. The rumors spread so fast and wide that even someone like Keter ended up learning about the place. Most people thought it was fake, but some went to check it out, and sure enough, it was real.
Then why was Keter not claiming it for himself and selling it instead?
Because it’s a total dud.
Besides the fact that it was in an area controlled by elves and beastfolk and it was extremely difficult to get to, the ruins didn’t contain any sword techniques or aura cultivation methods. It was his legacy—books and paintings. Keter didn’t know exactly what kind, but apparently, they were intimately tied to Magenta’s sexual tastes. In short, it was a blank.
But the only person who knows that is me, and maybe Eslow will show some interest.
It didn’t matter if it didn’t work, as he would still waste the time and money of all the rich pigs in town.
After a long pause, the manager finally spoke.
“The map to Sword Saint Magenta’s legacy... If true, that’s a monumental item. But we cannot auction based solely on your word, even as a premium client. May we see the map first? Confidentiality will be guaranteed.”
“Don’t have it.”
“Ah, I see. You left it behind since it’s so valuable. Then I’ll have an aide accompany you...”
“No, I don’t have a map.”
“...”
“If someone buys it, I’ll draw it right here on the spot.”
“...”
“And then you guys can add a backstory, encrypt it in an ancient language, and spice it up. Sounds fun, right?”
“...Mr. Keter, Golden Fragrance only deals in verified items. No matter how esteemed you are, we cannot sell forgeries.”
Of course. Golden Fragrance is so meticulous. But at the end of the day, they’re just merchants. They only care about profit.
“Where the map came from doesn’t matter. What matters is that I really do know where the legacy is. Your job is to sell that.” frёewebηovel.cѳm
“If the information is false, we at Golden Fragrance owe our clients ten times the amount in penalties.”
“What would I have to gain by lying?”
“...!”
“Magenta’s legacy is valuable. But once it’s in an auction, everyone knows about it. Even if the buyer stays anonymous. And no one’s going to blow their entire fortune on it. But they will still want it. So, it will probably sell for about three million gold. After fees, I would get about 1.8 million.”
Golden Fragrance, like Infinite Bank, never meddled in world affairs. Their only goal was the circulation and collection of wealth. Infinite Bank existed even in Liqueur, a place cut off from the rest of the world, and even used the same currency.
That means they knew about Liqueur and about the Godfather. As such, the manager had to know that Keter was from Liqueur.
“I have five million gold deposited with Infinite Bank. I am from Liqueur, and I am part of Sefira...”
Keter leaned back. The chair teetered on the edge of tipping over.
“Why the hell would I pull this kind of stunt for just 1.8 million gold?”
“...Your logic is impeccable, but one question remains. If the info is true, why not keep it for yourself?”
“Because I know there’s nothing worthwhile there.”
“...!”
“And if the noble factions fight among themselves and weaken each other, that benefits Sefira.”
“...”
Even with a mask, I can see your face. I know you’re dying to ask where I get these juicy scoops.
But Golden Fragrance never asked personal questions to sellers or buyers. They avoided it so much that Keter thought that maybe they would die if they did.
I kind of want to test that.
The manager stood silently.
“Well? You buying or not? Time is money, pal.”
Keter wasn’t kidding. He stood up. If they stalled, he was just going to take it to a different auction house.
“We’ll purchase it.”
“Good.”
Keter pulled out a pen from his coat and sketched the map right on the table. He added a helpful note beneath the drawing just in case.
—Near the entrance, nine totems distort the space. If you find yourself going in circles, that’s the entrance to the ruins!
Keter left out the part about needing elves to destroy the totems.
Let them suffer trying to convince those uptight elves, kek.
“Understood. Let’s draw up the contract.”
Normally, they would verify authenticity, but the manager trusted his name and credit.
He brought out the contract. It was the same kind he used: a magically binding one that was backed by Infinite Bank. There were no hidden clauses, just an outrageously high fee. One of the few upsides of dealing with Golden Fragrance was that they didn’t need to wrestle with the contract terms.
“Oh, and put my name as the seller.”
“Are you sure? If it's discovered that the ruins are worthless, their wrath may fall upon you.”
“That’s the point. It’s more infuriating when you know exactly who conned you. Heh heh heh.”
“...You’re a dangerous man, Mr. Keter.”
“So is Infinite Bank. Who knows what agenda they have behind just maintaining the world’s currency?”
Even in his past life, Keter was never able to figure that mystery out.
“The contract is complete. As per your request, the auction will be held tomorrow night here in Eslow’s fief.”
“I’ve got a personal favor to ask.”
Keter placed a platinum coin on the table. He didn’t think an auction was enough to make Eslow move—he needed an extra push.
“Got any paper lying around?”
* * *
In Liqueur, there was a saying: “Revenge is best served quickly—and it's never too late to get it.”
Feathers Hotel was the very hotel that Myle’s group had tried to visit and got rejected by.
“If I can’t have it, I’ll just destroy it,” Keter muttered as he stood in front of the hotel.
People passing by heard him, but not a single person imagined those words were aimed at the building itself.
“Hmm...”
Looking around the area, Keter crossed his arms. What he was looking for wasn’t in sight.
“There’s a water system, but no drainage access?”
In major cities like Eslow’s fief, both the water supply and sewage systems were usually well-maintained. That means underground drainage tunnels should definitely exist. But for some reason, there was no entrance or passage leading into the underground.
“They can’t have neglected maintenance... So they’ve hidden it real good, huh.”
It made sense. Infiltrating a city through its sewers was the kind of tactic anyone with half a brain could think of.
Wanting to spite Feathers Hotel for looking down on Sefira and to provoke Eslow himself, Keter had planned to bring down the hotel. But now he paused, deep in thought. It wasn’t to give up but to deduce where the entrance to the underground sewer might be hidden.
If I go by the textbook, there should be an outlet down by the river. But that’s a long way... and not exactly stylish.
He started walking. He needed more intel.
“Oh?”
Keter arrived at a plaza with a fountain and spotted a city map on an information board. Eslow’s palace and military areas were left blank, but it was enough to grasp the general structure of the city.
The sewers in a city like this must be really deep. I would expect a straight vertical shaft with a lid at the bottom.
But after walking all over the city, Keter hadn’t seen a single manhole-like structure.
They didn’t place it by the roadside. Then where? If I were the city’s designer, where would I put it for maintenance access...
Putting himself in the architect’s shoes, Keter studied the map and mentally placed seven markers.
Places with no traffic. Landscaped spots. Dirt ground instead of stone pavement. I’ll check those.
He headed to the first location and struck out. Then, on his way to the second...
“Master?”
Only one person in this world would call him that.
“Oh, Katherine. Perfect timing.”
“Lord Myle says to tell you they’re all fine.”
“I’ve got a few spots to check. Give me your hand.”
Each spoke only what they needed to say.
Still, Katherine reached out her hand.
“Were you sightseeing, Master?”
“Sort of. Solved a romance issue too, while I was at it.”
“I saw this super tall, pretty lady walking with someone who looked like her son? The atmosphere was sweet like they were dating.”
“That’s nice. Here, take a look at this.”
“Okay.”
In Katherine’s palm was a miniature map of the city, with three places circled.
“We’re here. If you go to one of these circled areas, you’ll find somewhere with no people, lots of bushes, and a dirt floor. Look carefully at the ground. There might be a hidden door. That’s what I’m looking for.”
“Got it! I’ll start searching right away.”
“Wait.”
Twang.
Keter plucked a strand of his hair and handed it to her.
“If you find what I’m looking for, pour mana into this hair and keep saying my name in your head. I’ll come to you.”
“Is this also the embodiment system of magic as well? This sounds more like an incantation than magic.”
Katherine had picked up some knowledge of incantations from Myle and was curious.
“Embodiment magic and incantation are pretty similar. Both rely heavily on intent.”
“I see! Thank you for teaching me.”
She bowed and headed toward one of the locations Keter marked. Keter smiled in satisfaction as he watched her go.
“Smart girl. She even knows not to draw attention by running.”
Thanks to their encounter, his list was down to three sites instead of six. But unluckily, the second one was another dead end.
Just as he was heading to the last one, one strand of his bangs suddenly rose.
Master, Master, Master, Master, Master.
It was Katherine’s thought transmission.
“Found it already?”
Keter could pinpoint exactly where she was based on the direction of the thought. Coincidentally, it was the very location he had planned to visit last.
Katherine waved to him, signaling where it was silently.
“Is this what you were looking for?”
Between some bushes, she had dug through the dirt to reveal a metal handle—the one Keter had been searching for. It was a chain, as thick as a person’s forearm. It seemed too heavy for one person to lift alone.
“Good job finding this. Why did you pick this spot first?”
“No reason.”
“You must be the lucky type. You earned two points.”
Now, she had ninety-six points left until she was no longer a slave. It was still a long way to go, but Katherine beamed.
“At this rate, I’ll be free in no time!”
“That’s it for now. Go back to what you were doing.”
“Will you be returning tonight?”
“Don’t know.”
“Okay. Take care!”
As Katherine brushed the dirt off her hands and started walking away, Keter called out, “Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Go buy yourself something tasty.”
He held out a single bill—it was for one thousand gold. Her eyes widened. She had heard of paper money before, but this was the first time she had ever touched one.
She bowed deeply and left.
“Tidy work. She handles things perfectly.”
Keter grabbed the handle buried in the ground.
“That’s heavy.”
It wasn’t made to be opened by brute force. It needed a pulley system.
However...
Grrr!!!
With a harsh sound, the earth trembled. Then, the round lid, as thick as a grown man’s thigh, swung open. A vertical shaft descending underground, with glowing stones embedded along the ladder. Just as Keter had predicted: it was the entrance to the city’s underground sewer.
A heavy stench rose from below, reminding him that this was indeed a sewer. Most would have recoiled at the smell, but to someone from Liqueur, this was like a whiff of flowers.
Without the slightest expression, Keter descended the ladder. The deeper he went, the worse the smell got, but Keter only quickened his pace.
“God, this thing is deep.”
Big city sewer systems were massive and complex. While the ladder was lit with glowstones, the sewer itself was pitch dark. But with the night vision unique to the Sefira bloodline, Keter could see as if it were broad daylight.
“Feathers Hotel should be that way.”
Just as he moved to get beneath the hotel as planned, Keter, trained to scan every environment, caught something strange. Attached to the arched ceiling was a round object, distinctly different in color from the brown wall. It could have been mistaken for decoration, but who decorates a sewer?
The ceiling was five meters high, and there were no walls to climb, but Keter’s curiosity knew no limits. He launched himself using platforms made of aura and grabbed the object off the ceiling. Landing smoothly on the ground, he checked what was in his hand and blinked in confusion.
It was an object that shouldn’t exist here. It was like finding a cactus in the middle of a snowy mountain.
“Why the hell is this here?”
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