Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke-Chapter 121 - A Thief’s Allegiance

121 A Thief’s Allegiance

The hunchback froze in place, his jaw tightening.

"These buildings are poorly built. I was considering using the terrain to my advantage, but honestly, it’s easier to just cut them down."

William smirked. "Try not to kill them. Maiming is fine, but bodies are a hassle to explain to the guards."

"Would you like to offer them a chance to surrender first?"

"Probably pointless, but let’s give it a try."

William turned to the hunchback, his tone eerily calm.

"I’ll give you two choices. First—you drop to your knees and answer my questions."

His voice darkened.

"Second—you resist, some of your men die, and then you answer my questions anyway."

The hunchback’s hand slowly drifted to his waist, pulling out a curved blade.

His eyes gleamed with defiance.

"You… who the hell are you?"

William reached into his pocket and tossed something to the ground.

A metal badge clattered against the stone.

Clang.

"…The Black Scale Knights?"

"Gifted to me. Apparently, flashing this will let me pass through most checkpoints unchallenged."

The thugs, who had until now been weighing their odds, suddenly paled.

They might not have known the full extent of the Black Scale Knights’ power, but they knew one thing—

They were the personal guards of the First Imperial Prince.

A group handpicked by the Emperor himself.

And this boy… had their emblem in his possession?

The hunchback’s expression twisted into something unreadable.

"…I see. So you weren’t just some clueless noble playing around."

William couldn’t help but admire the sheer determination reflected in the hunchback’s eyes.

’So he’d rather die than kneel before his subordinates?’

If that was the case, William supposed he should at least offer the courtesy of making his death a painless one.

Just as he was about to give Raymond the order, the hunchback suddenly dropped to his knees, his body folding in on itself in a desperate bow.

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Thud.

"I’ll tell you everything! Just spare my life, my lord!"

William stared at him, silent.

"So, you’re saying you’re the head of the local branch of the Thieves’ Guild? The one in charge of Tibron’s district?"

"Yes! My friends call me ’John of the Crooked Blade’!"

"Crooked Blade, my ass. More like Crooked Back."

"Ahaha, my lord’s wit is truly remarkable! If you wish, I shall adopt that name instead!"

Introducing himself as ’John,’ the hunchback practically burned his palms raw with how fervently he rubbed them together in a display of obsequiousness.

William clicked his tongue. The sheer shamelessness of the display was almost painful to watch.

"What kind of self-respecting guild leader folds this easily? All I did was flash a badge, and you’re already on your knees."

"You wouldn’t understand, my lord. Do you know how difficult it is to survive as a thief in a city as well-policed as Tibron? The moment we attract the wrong kind of attention, it’s all over."

To emphasize his point, John dragged a finger across his throat and stuck out his tongue in a grotesque imitation of being executed.

"People who don’t know any better think highly of the capital, but the truth is, if His Majesty so much as gave the word, all of us could be wiped out by tomorrow. That’s why, despite overseeing the capital’s district, I’m merely a branch head—not a guild master."

William nodded. So that was the reason.

Despite being the heart of the empire—where the wealth was most abundant—the imperial capital was the least desirable place for thieves to operate. The iron grip of imperial law ensured that no criminal organization could grow too large without being swiftly eradicated.

"But that means you must have extensive knowledge of the city. If you couldn’t read the flow of power here, you would have lost your head a long time ago."

John’s eyes widened in exaggerated admiration.

"Truly, my lord’s insight is unparalleled! You managed to grasp the entire situation from just a few words!"

"Enough flattery. Just answer one question."

"Of course! Ask me anything!"

"Has anyone been purchasing large quantities of Moonlight Grass recently? Not an organization—a single individual."

John blinked in surprise at the unexpected question but quickly lowered his gaze under William’s sharp stare.

"I’ll look into it immediately, my lord. But it may take a few days."

"As long as the information is accurate, I don’t mind."

"And… well, it might require a small advance payment to get things moving…"

John discreetly made a circle with his fingers, watching William’s reaction closely.

Despite standing on the knife’s edge between life and death, he still had the nerve to ask for payment.

William smirked.

"Will this be enough?"

Clink.

John stiffened as a heavy pouch hit the ground with a dull thud.

Gold. More than enough for a simple information request.

William wasn’t the type to flaunt his wealth needlessly, which meant there was only one possible meaning behind such a generous payment.

’I’ll give you whatever you need. But if you fail to deliver… you know what happens.’

John swallowed hard and lowered his forehead to the ground.

"I will have your answer within two days."

Two days later, a member of the Thieves’ Guild arrived at William’s inn, carrying a sealed document.

The document contained a detailed list of individuals who had recently purchased Moonlight Grass.

William skimmed through the contents and chuckled.

"They kept their word."

"I’m more impressed that they managed to find this information in such a massive city."

"I did give them a hefty advance. Money and violence are the two best tools for loosening lips."

Even so, the speed of their findings was impressive.

As his eyes moved down the list, William’s smile deepened.

"There it is."

The first name on the list: Heide.

His purchases of Moonlight Grass dwarfed the rest, the quantity far exceeding that of a typical alchemist.

Given that Heide had previously shown no interest in the herb, this was more than suspicious.

And there was something even stranger.

"He made a purchase on the same day we spoke with him. And the day before that. And the day before that."

"Didn’t he say he was out of town until recently?"

"He did. And I don’t think he was lying."

Which meant there was only one explanation.

Someone had been buying Moonlight Grass under Heide’s name while he was away.

William tossed the document into the candle’s flame, watching it burn to ashes. Then, he rose from his seat.

"Let’s go. I think I know where we need to be."

"Where to?"

"Heide’s estate."

"…Are we really going to see that pathetic excuse of a man again?"

"Just because it’s called an alchemist’s house doesn’t mean only alchemists live there."

William flashed a grin at Raymond before stepping out of the inn.