Chapter 53

The owner of Merde, known for her extraordinary magic appraisal skills in the Labyrinth City, and already serving as Rine’s secretary for over a year and a half, was her—Serenea. She constantly felt exhausted. Objectively speaking, her duties were limited to receiving guests and managing reservations, so there wasn’t any real reason for her to feel so worn out. However, it wasn’t physical fatigue; rather, it was severe mental exhaustion.

To be more precise, it was due to the numerous troublesome clients. Of course, because Merde’s status was quite high, there weren’t many people who caused real trouble. Yet, this didn’t mean there weren’t those who gnawed away at her mental peace. In fact, there were times when she thought dealing with the absolute worst troublemakers might have been better in some ways.

Today had been a relatively peaceful day for Serenea, and she was feeling rather good, at least until a man who looked like a noble entered with a knight. In truth, this man wasn’t particularly troublesome. Like many others, he boasted about how he knew Rine, but that was nothing she hadn’t heard hundreds of times before, so it didn’t even qualify as annoying anymore.

The reason her mood suddenly plummeted was because of the person who entered right after him. Or rather, ‘what’ entered. The man, no, noble, who followed him was the real reason for her mood swing.

Even Serenea, with her solid capitalistic smile, couldn’t help but feel her expression falter when facing him.

‘He’s back again.’

Lavalde Greystone, the son of Lucimore Greystone, the current lord of Labyrinth City Lartania, and a well-known piece of human garbage throughout the city. Despite the fact that all of his power came from his father, he wielded it as if it were his own and acted as though no one ranked higher than him except his father—a spoiled brat ignorant of the ways of the world.

He threw money arrogantly, showing no regard for the noble who had entered before him, insulting him without hesitation. Serenea almost frowned but barely managed to hold it in.

After all, she had no right to frown. No matter how troublesome the person was, he was still the lord’s only son in the Labyrinth City. Even the master of Merde, whom Serenea served, had to bow down to Lavalde, so Serenea quietly opened the door. But what happened next left her in stunned silence.

Rine, who had always maintained a smiling face despite the annoying provocations of the trashy lord’s son, suddenly said, “Get lost.”

It wasn’t just the fact that Rine had lightly tapped Lavalde’s shoulder, as if her previous attitude toward him had been a lie, that shocked her. What shocked her even more was what followed.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Godfather.”

Rine bowed her head respectfully to the man Serenea had thought was just another ordinary guest.

‘W-What’s going on?’

Serenea, confused, wondered if she was dreaming. After all, Serenea had observed Rine for nearly two years and knew this: even when the lord of the Labyrinth City came, even when high-ranking nobles from other countries arrived, even when the prince of the Ashtalon Kingdom visited, Rine had never bowed her head to anyone.

That’s why Serenea, unconsciously lowering her smile and leaving her mouth agape, soon saw the mercenaries and Lavalde doing the same. Their jaws dropped in disbelief.

“What… did you just say to me?” Lavalde, who had been frozen as if his brain had short-circuited, finally processed Rine’s words. His once dazed expression now contorted into clear displeasure.

However, Rine responded without hesitation, “I believe I told you to get lost.”

Rine spoke so naturally that Serenea’s expression now turned to one of utter shock.

The reason for this remark was clear to anyone watching: it was an outright declaration of hostility towards Lavalde. Lavalde let out a disbelieving scoff before his face twisted into a demonic expression.

“I don’t know what’s so important about that penniless noble, but I’ll make sure you regret turning your back on me.”

With those words, he turned and stormed out of Merde.

***

Shortly after Lavalde Greystone, the son of the lord of Labyrinth City, left with a demonic look on his face—one that hinted he could do anything—Alon finally had the chance to speak properly with Rine.

“I received your letter. It must have been a hard trip, Godfather. And you too, Uncle,” Rine said, speaking in a calm voice, in contrast to Deus, who remained silent as if silence were golden, and Seolrang, who talked too much.

Alon, who had been watching her, nodded slightly and asked, “…But is this really okay?”

“What exactly are you referring to?” she replied.

“Lavalde,” Alon answered, bringing up the name of the son of the lord of Labyrinth City, which had only just come back to him.

Alon was aware of the immense power the lord of this Labyrinth City, Lartania, held. He also knew that the lord often shielded his son, so he was concerned that Lavalde might cause trouble for Rine, who had settled here in Lartania.

“Oh, if that’s what you’re worried about, you don’t need to be concerned,” Rine responded.

“Really? But he’s the lord’s son. It seems like he might cause trouble for you.”

“He probably won’t show up again. Besides, I didn’t expect you to know that rascal.”

Alon paused for a moment at Rine’s words but replied naturally, “He’s well-known in Lartania, for his looks and his attitude.”

“Is that so? In any case, as I said before, there’s no need to worry.”

Although her voice was flat and emotionless, unlike the others he had met, there was a distinct sense of confidence in her words.

“Well, if you’re sure about that,” Alon nodded briefly before engaging in a casual conversation with Rine.

Naturally, there wasn’t much substance to their conversation. They exchanged pleasantries about how her work in Lartania had been going, whether she still kept in touch with the kids from the orphanage, and other simple matters.

However, as they continued with this light talk, Alon couldn’t help but feel unusually good. It might have seemed a bit amusing, but he felt that Rine had grown up well. Not that Deus or Seolrang hadn’t matured, but there was something about Rine that gave him the impression of a diligent daughter, even though he hadn’t paid much attention to her before.

Because of this, Alon found himself feeling oddly proud of her, enjoying their conversation in good spirits. After some time passed and their small talk came to a close, Alon brought up the main reason for his visit.

“The truth is, I came to see you today because I have a favor to ask.”

“Feel free to ask.”

“Is there by any chance a subjugation force being formed against the Outer God?”

At Alon’s question, Rine thought for a moment before responding, “Hmm—yes, I believe a subjugation force is being formed right now.”

“Would you be able to help me join that subjugation force?”

The reason Alon had sought out Rine, who held significant influence in Labyrinth City, as soon as he arrived, was so that he could join the subjugation force against the Outer God. It was difficult to join without being somewhat famous within Lartania.

Of course, given his reputation from outside the city, he might have been able to join on his own, but he wanted to be absolutely sure, which is why he sought her out.

‘After what happened earlier, it might be a bit difficult now.’

“Of course, it might be a little difficult…,” Alon started, recalling Lavalde’s behavior and realizing that relying on Rine’s help might indeed be challenging. But then Rine spoke up.

“That should be doable.”

“…Hmm? Really?” Alon asked, a bit surprised.

“Yes.”

“…But didn’t things get a little tense between you and the lord’s son earlier?” Alon hesitated to say that the situation seemed more than just tense, but he looked at her, waiting for her response.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not something I can’t handle. Besides, is he really that much of a concern to you?” she asked.

“Are you talking about Lavalde?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he is the lord’s precious son, so I thought he might cause you some trouble,” Alon replied.

Rine nodded slightly before responding, “In any case, you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Hmm… Alright, I’ll leave it to you then.”

Despite her blunt manner of speaking, her words carried a strong sense of reassurance, which made Alon feel oddly proud again. After a bit more conversation, Alon suddenly thought of something and asked.

“By the way, why do you call me Godfather?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, Deus and Seolrang refer to me as their benefactor or Master, but why do you call me Godfather? I was just curious.”

Rine paused for a moment, thinking, before replying, “Because Godfather seemed like the most fitting word.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

After a brief silence, Rine added, “For now, you should rest. You must be tired from the long journey.”

With that, Rine assigned rooms for Alon and Evan within Merde and then disappeared somewhere.

As soon as she left, Evan, who had been waiting, spoke up, “Wow, she’s really matured, hasn’t she?”

“Has she?” Alon asked.

“Yes, she’s still a bit blunt, but she’s always been like that. But aside from that… out of all the kids we’ve met, I think she’s grown up the most.”

Alon nodded in agreement. “Indeed, she feels like she grew up in the most textbook manner.”

Rine had mentioned she would inform them of further plans, and since not much time had passed since they had gone north, Alon decided it would be best to rest and review their plans. With that in mind, he headed to the room Rine had provided. By the time he entered, it was already late in the evening.

***

The next day.

Having barely rested after rushing to Lartania by carriage, Alon awoke feeling groggy, even though he had slept for quite a while. Noticing that the sun had risen, he slowly got out of bed, dressed, and left his room. He soon met Rine, who was having lunch, with Serenea, her secretary, guiding him there.

And then.

“I’ve taken care of the matter you mentioned yesterday,” Rine said.

“…So quickly?”

“Yes. There’s a regular meeting today, so you can attend it.”

Alon was briefly taken aback by how efficiently Rine had handled things. But before he could dwell on it, she continued.

“Oh, and about Lavalde Greystone, the matter has been taken care of as well. I killed him cleanly, so you won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

She said it so casually, as if commenting on the weather, all while taking a bite of her sausage. Her tone sounded like she was saying, “The sun is shining brightly today,” despite delivering such shocking news.

Alon, who had almost responded nonchalantly, suddenly stopped. “Uh… what?”

Staring at her, his mind filled with countless question marks.