Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 57
“Miss?”
I tried to pick up my fallen mask to put it back on, but it was already broken in two.
“You want to fight me, big guy? I have a sword, you know. Do you really want me to slice you into pieces?”
As the man revealed his sword, something shimmering under the moonlight caught my eye.
‘What is that?’
It looked like some kind of charm or talisman, something I couldn’t quite see from my vantage point on the ground. But whatever it was, the thug’s expression immediately changed the moment he caught sight of it.
“Ugh, damn.”
The man, who seemed ready to fight, suddenly spat on the ground and ran away.
I wanted to see what the sigil was, but the man casually hid it in his scabbard, then walked over to me, puzzled, and held out his hand.
“Let’s get you up, lady.”
I ignored the outstretched hand and pushed myself up. The man awkwardly withdrew his hand into the air.
“You’re a bit of a prickly lady.”
“…What makes you think I’m a noble?”
“Well, you can tell just by looking. Isn’t that right?”
“I’m not a noble.”
Since my face was exposed, I felt the need to clarify. I had to be careful about what I said to prevent any potential problems. I couldn’t afford to be caught as Leyesha, but I also couldn’t reveal myself as a Winter.
The man looked at me incredulously. “Miss, are you pretending to be a commoner? Has anyone ever believed you when you tell them you aren’t a noble?”
…They did.
I can’t believe I’m that bad at acting.
“Well, I suppose I’ll play along then. Oh…Perhaps you’re the type who wants to escape a life of nobility? I’m not too fond of being a noble either…Uh oh, where are you going!”
As I tried to enter through the entrance, the man blocked my way with the sheath of his sword. I glared at him to put it away, and he smiled brightly.
“Let me help you. It’s more dangerous in there than it is here. What did you come to buy?”
“You speak too casually.”
“I thought you said you weren’t a noble.”
“…”
“Are you pretending to be a commoner or not? Oh, I see… I get it. I’ll play along.”
The man playfully saluted me. Considering that the thugs backed off when he showed them the emblem earlier, it seemed safe to be by his side within the dark alley. I need to keep a low profile and get the ingredients I need quickly. It wouldn’t hurt to get some help, but it was a little awkward.
I didn’t even know him.
“Who are you, and why are you offering to help me?”
“I, uh, have a bit of authority here.”
He seemed quite proud. Was he some kind of leader in an organization, maybe a commander?
“Are you from the underworld?”
“Huh…?”
Scratching the back of his head, the disoriented man responded, “Well, I didn’t mean it in that illegal way…”
“…Yes, I suppose.”
As I entered the passage, the atmosphere instantly changed. What had just been a deserted alleyway turned into a bustling market as soon as I crossed the threshold. It was an underground market operated by the underworld. Here, you could find everything, from legal goods to prohibited materials that should never be touched.
Since it was an illegitimate space, there were naturally people engaging in gambling, and in one corner, a human racetrack was in operation. Every person walking around had a menacing appearance.
It was too dangerous for me to walk around with my face bare for everyone to see.The gazes of the men were now firmly fixed on me.
However, the suspicious glances gradually dispersed when that iron-masked man lingered by my side.
‘…This is dangerous.’
I muttered under my breath and started walking. The man followed closely behind me. He’s not a well-behaved dog who would just guard me without asking for anything in return, and I didn’t have the luxury to return favors right now. I didn’t intend for this encounter to lead to a long-term relationship—this had to be a one-time transaction.
If I were a bit stronger, I wouldn’t have needed help from anyone. However, the darkness of the underworld, combined with its unsettling odor, evoked an instinctive fear in me. In this situation, there was no reason to outright refuse help.
“Why did you come here, miss? I know all the routes around here. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll find it for you.”
“….”
Given the circumstances, there was no reason to decline his offer. I wondered if I could trust him. After all, I wouldn’t see this person again.
Time was running out. The longer I was away from the palace, the likelier that chances of me being discovered. I handed him a slip of paper with a list of the ingredients I sought to procure.
Confidently scanning the paper, the man suddenly froze and looked back at me.
“Why would a lady like you be looking for such dangerous ingredients? Are you going to destroy a country or something? What the hell do you need these for?”
“Will you help me if I answer?”
“…Well, I did offer to help, so I’ll assist you, but…”
He tilted his head, but I could tell that he had a curious glint in his eyes. He shrugged and gestured for me to follow.
“This way.”
The path was rugged, twisting like a maze. In the past, when I came to the underworld, I disguised myself as a sturdy knight. I didn’t have much time, so I came as myself, and maybe that was a mistake. The man kept me covered, but that didn’t stop people from staring.
“Coming alone to such a dangerous place without an escort.”
“…They all died not long ago, my guards.”
“…Ah. A moment of silence.”
I had just wanted him to stay quiet, so I deliberately evoked the emotions of mourning. However, despite offering a brief moment of silence, he started talking again.
“Are you a mage? Or perhaps…a dark sorceress?”
“Are you always so talkative?”
“Well, yes. Is that not okay?”
He was so audacious that it left me speechless.
“You’re noisy.”
“Oh, come on. You sound like my favorite older brother, the big boss.”
Big boss?
‘He’s definitely a person from the underworld.’
I decided not to dwell on the man’s identity. If he was from the underworld, he wouldn’t run into me again, since I usually stayed in the palace. It was a relief not to have to consider whether I should kill him to keep him silent.
I relaxed and kept an eye on my surroundings. The ingredients I was looking for were the ones I needed for my research on ‘time reversal.’
‘Time reversal.’
In other words, regression.
