Chapter 41

I stared blankly up at the sign.

[Information Guild]

—All the World’s Information is Here—

“Zenia, is this the right place?”

“Yes, it’s the largest information guild in the capital. They even call it ‘Semoi’ for short. They sometimes publish periodicals with compiled gossip, and they’re quite popular.”

“…”

Aren’t information guilds usually supposed to be discreet?

This was the first time I’d seen one so openly declare its identity.

Feeling uneasy, I dragged my heavy feet inside.

“…Zenia, are you sure this is it?”

“W-well, it’s my first time here, too… But I’m sure it’s the right place.”

Inside, countless papers were stacked like towers. The entire space was so full of paper that I couldn’t even see ahead.

Moreover, the paper towers were stacked so precariously that they looked like they would collapse at the slightest touch, making even walking a cautious affair.

In the end, Zenia gave up after taking just a few steps inside.

“Oh, my lady. May I wait here? I’m too scared to go on, I’m afraid I’ll knock something over.”

“Yes.”

Leaving Zenia to wait, I squeezed through the numerous paper towers and found a single, worn-out desk.

A man sitting in front of it, reviewing documents, looked up at me over his glasses.

Disheveled hair, a face worn with fatigue, and a scraggly beard.

He looked even worse than an office worker who pulls all-nighters for a living.

“How can I help you?”

“I’m here to trade information.”

“What kind of information are you looking for? I can direct you to the right person depending on the subject.”

I had originally planned to buy information related to real estate, but I changed my mind.

After a moment of thought, I spoke.

“Hunters.”

The man let out a sigh so heavy it felt like the ground might give way.

It seemed I wasn’t the first person to ask for information about Hunters.

“I really should just post a sign on the door… I’m sorry, but we are currently unable to provide services related to Hunters.”

“Why?”

“His Majesty has issued a gag order.”

“Oh, I’m not here to buy.”

“Then…”

“I’m here to sell. Is that not allowed either?”

The man’s eyes, half-closed with drowsiness, instantly sharpened.

He adjusted his crooked glasses, which had slid down to the bridge of his nose.

“We only purchase information from credible sources. This is to hold them accountable should the information later prove false. Excuse me, but would you be willing to confirm your identity?”

I threw back my hood.

At the sight of my brilliant silver hair and vivid green eyes, the man shot to his feet.

“The, the Mad Princess…?”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I’m that Mad Princess.”

“…I-I misspoke! My apologies. Please forgive my rudeness!”

I pulled my hood back up and asked.

“Apology accepted. Is this enough for a background check? Or do you need something else?”

I figured an information guild would have already obtained the Hunter ranking list. If so, they would surely know who the number one ranked Hunter was.

That’s why I revealed my face—to use my status as a Hunter, not as a princess.

Just as I expected, the man bowed his head respectfully.

“Identity confirmed. Thank you for your cooperation, Princess Astell Ruthius.”

“So, who do I sell the information to?”

“All information related to Hunters must go through the Master. I will guide you to him.”

The man led me to a staircase in the back.

“It’s a bit dark. Please follow me carefully.”

As we descended into the basement, a single, thick wooden door came into view.

I stopped walking as I followed the man down.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Who is in there?”

At the sudden question, the man, who had been about to knock, turned back to me.

“It’s the Master’s office, so of course the Master is inside, but…?”

“Alone? Any visitors?”

“The Master had no guests today. May I ask why you’re…?”

“Does the Master know how to use a sword?”

“A sword? He’s never even held a kitchen knife.”

“…Step back.”

I pulled the man back and summoned Arondight from my inventory.

The man flinched in shock and cowered.

“W-wait a moment, my lady! W-why are you drawing your sword so frighteningly!”

“I smell blood.”

“…Blood? *Sniff.* I don’t smell anything.”

“Is being dull-sensed something to be proud of? I don’t lie about things like this.”

“Perhaps you’re mistaken? Unless the Master committed suicide, there’s no reason for the smell of blood here. But our Master’s lifelong wish is to live to be 200. He’s not the type to kill himself.”

“Then that must mean there’s someone else in there besides the Master.”

“…!”

The one with the Master. They must be the source of the bloody stench filling the basement.

I waited until the man had retreated up the stairs before opening the door.

*Creeak.* With the sound of a rusty hinge, the door slowly swung open, revealing the office inside.

A mysterious figure cloaked in a black robe from head to toe, and a middle-aged man who appeared to be the guild’s Master.

Both of them turned to look at me at the same time.

“Hngh…”

The Master, gasping in pain, forced open his hazy eyes.

It was just as I’d expected. The Master was being tortured by the figure.

“…H-help me. Please…”

The Master was pinned to his chair, a longsword piercing his shoulder.

Blood flowing from the wound had stained the Master’s entire upper body red.

‘So that’s why the reek of blood was so strong.’

I stood at a slight angle, leaning on Arondight as if it were a cane.

“Don’t you think you’re overdoing it? The smell of blood is making me sick.”

The robed figure, who had been casually perched on the desk, slowly stood up.

My eye level shot up. He seemed even taller than Kaiel.

His face was hidden by the robe, so I couldn’t see his expression, but he certainly didn’t seem tense.

‘To be so composed even after being caught torturing someone.’

The figure stared at me for a moment before tilting his head. The hood shifted, briefly revealing a pale chin before hiding it again.

Presently, a languid, resonant low voice drifted out from under the hood.

“How rude.”

I gripped Arondight tighter without realizing it. For a moment, the hair on my arms stood on end.

This was the first time I’d been so tense since my transmigration.

The figure asked again.

“Do you have business with this man?”

“That’s why I came all this way. Now, could you please move? This is a private matter.”

As I replied nonchalantly, the figure gently patted the top of the Master’s head. The touch wasn’t particularly threatening.

But the terrified Master trembled as if having a seizure.

“Master, didn’t you say you had no appointments?”

“I-I didn’t, hngh… I-I really didn’t!”

“You lie every time you open your mouth. Perhaps I should have just cut out your tongue.”

“Th-this time I’m not lying! I don’t know her! Please, believe me!”

“Believe you? That’s laughable.”

Not a hint of anger could be heard in the figure’s voice. It was as leisurely as a normal conversation.

And yet, the Master was as terrified as if he’d just received a death sentence.

“Th-this time, I truly couldn’t help it! It’s not something I did willingly!”

“Then tell me who instigated it. Who ordered you to do such a thing?”

“If I tell you, *he* will kill me! Please, just let it go this once!”

“If you don’t, you’ll die by my hand right now.”

“…P-please, just pretend you don’t know about this one incident. Then never, never again will something like this happen! Even if it kills me!”

The Master’s desperate excuses echoed through the basement.

The figure leaned down, bringing his face close to the Master’s ear.

“Fine, hide it to the end. To be honest, I’m not that curious anyway.”

The figure lowered the hand that rested on the Master’s head.

The hand came down gently, as if stroking him, and stopped near the Master’s shoulder.

Then, with a long finger, he playfully tapped the hilt of the sword. The blade embedded in the shoulder shifted, tearing the wound open and letting loose a gush of blood.

Tears streamed down the Master’s face as he screamed.

“Ah, ah, stop, stop! I-I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything, so please, stop! Aaargh! St-stop! Guhaaaaack!”

My brow furrowed on its own.

I didn’t know the exact circumstances, but it seemed the Master had done something to wrong the robed figure.

And so, the figure had come for revenge.

Of course, I had no intention of getting involved in their affairs.

Whether they sought revenge or deceived one another was none of my business.

But inflicting such unnecessary pain wasn’t revenge; it was torture.

‘He said he’d talk, so why is he still doing that? What a sadist.’