READ NOVEL ONLINE EP.47
Fortunately, we were able to recruit a guide quite easily.
However, there was one puzzling point. Clearly, she had been punished by the law and forced to help us, yet she was unusually enthusiastic.
“The underground sewage is quite deep, so ventilation is poor. Also, since this place is used as sewage, the stench is awful. However, using perfume would make you an easy target, so you’ll need to acquire masks that can block the odor.”
“Carrying cash around is pointless. Transactions are only conducted with gold nuggets here anyway.”
“You may find it suspicious to hear this, but wearing armor is an absolute no-no. The moment you’re caught, you become a target for everyone.”
The employee who introduced herself as Mia seriously informed us about what we needed to prepare. Of course, I was already aware of the basics, but since she had unique insights about this place, I paid attention.
Well, having such enthusiasm couldn’t be a bad thing.
Whether to trust her or not honestly wasn’t a major concern. There was no reason for me and Maria to be mistreated by people who couldn’t even earn the title of knight. At least, worry-worthy Maria had been diligently training to use defensive magic instantaneously nowadays.
Attacking might be difficult, but it’s not like defense was the problem.
“Is this enough?”
“It’s sufficient.”
Finally, after several days of preparation, the day to enter the sewage facility was upon us.
―――
“Ugh.”
“The smell is quite strong.”
As we scrutinized our surroundings, we descended further. I had expected something massive given how enormous the facility was supposed to be, but the entrance to the sewer was nothing like that.
Of course, it wasn’t small, but it didn’t carry an aura of a mysterious facility from the Ancient Empire. It was more like the type of sewer you’d see in Paris. It had the scale expected of a sewage treatment facility in a large city, but…
Something was off.
“Wait, why are we here? There’s no way down!”
This was my personal observation, but anyway, our task remained unchanged.
According to the Holy Kingdom’s prediction, we probably needed to descend a few more levels. Yet, the path Mia was guiding us along seemed far from going downward.
“This way is correct.”
She said that and truly led us to a dead-end.
Could this girl be trying to fool us?
As I pondered this and tightened my grip on my sword, Mia placed her hand against the wall.
Click.
Creak.
Though she didn’t put in much effort, the wall opened, revealing a passage behind it. Both Maria and I blinked in surprise, staring silently at the opening.
“This is the underground sewer, no, it’s a passage to a city we call Southport.”
Well, I get that.
It was understood that there would be a secret passage since the Golden Shield Knight Order had gone so far as to request help when they couldn’t find the way.
But, but…
“There was an entrance on the first floor…?”
What kind of audacity is this?
This wasn’t just any place; it was a sewage facility currently undergoing renovations. And yet, they had put a passage right there?
“There’s no point in creating an entrance way down in the depths; it would only make transportation inconvenient. We’re not just moving ourselves; we need to transport goods as well.”
Saying that, she pointed to the ceiling.
“Right above there is where it leads to the alley. If you go just a bit further, you’ll reach where our shop used to be.”
Crazy bastards.
That was all I could say.
“Were you confident you wouldn’t get caught?”
Mia shrugged her shoulders.
“Southport has been around for over a hundred years now, and the knights still haven’t had a clue, have they?”
Is this some sort of inductive reasoning?
Well, if it’s been a hundred years without a hitch, it’s only natural to think they wouldn’t get caught. I mean, I didn’t find this place on my own; I hired a guide to do it.
“But why is it near your shop? Doesn’t that mean other organizations could come by and launch attacks?”
Mia shook her head.
“Every organization uses different passages. I don’t know about those.”
What is this, some termite colony? How many organizations are infesting a single city?
As I shook my head in disbelief, Maria asked, “Is there anyone coming up from down there right now?”
“No. We strictly limit the use of this passage. If anyone violates that rule, for any reason, they will be killed on the spot. It would be problematic if the passage got exposed from reckless usage.”
Maria glanced at the passage for a moment. I peered along with her. There really weren’t any facilities for convenience like stairs. The passage itself wasn’t wide at all. It was broad from side to side, but you had to bend slightly to move up and down.
Well, I suppose a criminal organization wouldn’t think about convenience when constructing a passage.
But this was a problem. It’d be difficult to escape if anything happened. Thankfully, no one else was coming through, but the cramped environment was an issue. It meant I couldn’t even move properly for a fight.
Fortunately, Maria solved this dilemma.
Crackle, crackle.
As Maria gestured, the earth shifted. She manipulated the dirt to create a makeshift box big enough for three people and then wrapped it in ice.
“Let’s ride this.”
Truly, magic is unbeatable. Maria is a god.
―――
After what felt like an eternity on our rollercoaster ride, we finally reached the ground. Thanks to the help of magic, we were able to reach the floor with ease. Of course, Maria’s magic and my sword scraping against the wall helped slow us down before the impact, providing a stable landing.
“Ugh…”
“Gah, bleh.”
The problem was that those two were reacting just like anyone would after a rollercoaster ride.
They were face down on the floor, heaving. At least Maria managed to hold it together being in front of me, but does holding it together even work?
I deliberately kept my mouth shut, turned my head, and covered my ears.
Somehow, it felt like the gagging sounds had doubled, but in any case, I heard nothing.
How much time had passed? Finally, the sounds calmed down. Only then could I turn around.
The two looked perfectly fine and had neatly fixed their clothes as if they had never been sick. Their faces were still pale, though.
“So, if we go through that door, we’ll be right in your organization’s headquarters?”
“Not exactly. If that were the case, the passage would be exposed during an ambush. So, we’ve hidden it a bit away from the headquarters.”
Mia said that and took the lead.
Grabbing the doorknob, she urged us, “From here on is the center of Southport. I can’t know what kind of lives you’ve lived, but I assure you, the thoughts and behavior of those living here will surpass your imagination.”
And then Mia pointed to Maria and reiterated her warning.
“Please be especially careful, ma’am. While it may not matter outside, in Southport, beauty can be a curse. Even if you have the strength to defend yourself, you never know when or where you could be attacked. Always wear your hood and cover your face with a mask.”
“M-Ma’am…?”
“…Are you single by any chance?”
“Um… yes.”
“…I apologize.”
A brief awkward silence passed, and with a cough, Mia resumed.
“Anyway, please be cautious in your actions. You must never attract attention, don’t flaunt wealth, and always be vigilant.”
“Got it.”
I nudged Maria’s side with my elbow, still lost in her thoughts of “ma’am, ma’am…”. Only then did she snap back to reality and nod.
After offering her warnings, Mia turned back to face us. Gripping the doorknob, she said, “Ahead, there are always soldiers guarding the passage. I will count to three and open the door, and you, sir knight, need to take them down immediately.”
“No problem.”
Creak.
Unfortunately, my stance was too conspicuous to bring the weapon here. Instead, I tightened my grip on my sword, intended for the Golden Shield Knight Order.
Using a slicing motion wouldn’t be very advantageous in terms of speed.
Instead, I lifted my sword, preparing to thrust.
“One, two…”
I gathered strength in my legs, ready to spring forward, constantly replaying the spot where Mia indicated the soldiers were standing in my mind.
“Three!”
“Eep!”
As soon as the door opened, the two soldiers fell. One lay on the floor with a hole in his neck while the other trembled with my sword embedded in him. Both had their necks severed cleanly, silenced before they could even resist.
“Uh, uhh—”
Whoosh!
Before the others could react, I yanked my sword free from the neck and charged at them. Before they could even unsheathe their swords, I took down all five guards, not leaving behind any sounds or warnings.
“…You’re really strong.”
“Well, knights can do at least this much.”
I shrugged at Mia’s admiration.
It wasn’t an exaggeration. Of course, I might not be the fastest, but for a knight, dealing with ordinary folks who can’t even use magic is like swimming on dry land. They may not move before their opponent strikes, but silencing them before they can do anything silly is very much possible.
At least that was the case for our household’s knight order. The royal family seemed to manage just fine.
“……”
As Mia fell silent for some reason, Maria stepped out of the passage. Standing alongside her, we surveyed our surroundings.
And for a moment, we were speechless.
“…They’ve really built a city here.”
Maria nodded at my remark.
What we saw was a sprawling underground city, its multistory pillars connecting the floor and ceiling, adorned with numerous windows and entrances.
The scale appeared to be at least one-third of Osodox, one of the continent’s major cities.