Chapter 13
The underground passage was narrow and long. The man who had carried only a small bundle had spent a long time down here—now Ethan understood why. A light floated above their heads, illuminating their path as Del led the way. The deeper they went, the more an unfamiliar smell stung Ethan’s nose.
“Wait.”
The space was so narrow that if Del stopped, Ethan had to as well. Del rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, muttering something. The handkerchief glowed faintly before returning to normal.
“Wrap this around your nose and mouth. Ah…”
Ethan stared blankly at the handkerchief. It was a pretty, pink-laced handkerchief—something a girl like Del would carry. But if he wore it, he’d look ridiculous. Del seemed to realize this only now, pausing as he looked at the handkerchief. Ethan had been given one that morning, but Del hadn’t asked for it. Clearly, he hadn’t cared. Throwing in a mental vote for Del’s indifference, Ethan took the handkerchief and wrapped it around his nose. It was just the two of them down here, anyway. Strangely, the smell vanished as soon as he covered his face.
They descended further until they reached a door. The thick iron door had no handle or keyhole, just like the entrance. Del smirked.
“Pathetic.”
As Del moved his fingers, a magic circle formed in the air. It was slightly larger than the last one. The moment Ethan thought this, a magic circle appeared above the door. A red glow hummed, and when Del touched it, the magic circle dissolved. The entire process was so quiet Ethan wondered if he was dreaming. Everything felt surreal.
Creak. Del opened the door, gripping a handle that hadn’t been there before. Beyond it was a tunnel like a cave. It wasn’t deep, and a faint light was visible not far ahead.
“Why hide something so carefully?”
Ethan muttered without thinking. What could be so precious—or so dangerous—that it needed to be locked away like this? Normally, something was hidden because it was either too valuable or—
“Something that must never be seen.”
Del answered. Ethan nodded.
“Or both.”
“That’s more likely. This place must have cost a fortune.”
Indeed. From the entrance to the door, everything was warded with magic. Not just magic—the hidden location itself was ingenious. How much effort had gone into creating a space this size underground? Of course, Del had undone it all with a few flicks of his wrist. Curious, Ethan asked:
“Can all magicians get in this easily?”
“No. That’s why I can.”
Del said it so casually, as if stating a fact. He was exceptional—no one casually bragged about their own abilities like that. Ethan stared at him, and Del smirked.
“If you mess up opening the door, the traps inside activate. The magic circle’s destruction or damage is linked to a physical trap. To open it properly, you need the designated activation phrase and key. Miss either, and the trap triggers.”
“……So it’s complicated.”
“Hmm. So, this door’s lock is magical, but if you break it, poisoned arrows fly out. I found the right key and spell to get in.”
Ethan didn’t understand the details, but it sounded impressive. He almost wanted to clap. Magic had never felt real in his life—Del made it look effortless.
“It’s not always easy. I told you, I have limitations.”
“Ah…”
The briar wrapped around his heart. But Ethan still didn’t understand. Del had said using magic made the briar constrict his heart, yet he used magic so freely. Del glanced at Ethan.
“That’s why I need you.”
He answered Ethan’s unspoken question. Because with you, I can use magic freely. Ethan blinked slowly. He followed Del, thinking, but he still didn’t get it. Just existing was supposed to mean something, but he felt nothing. By the time they reached the end of the tunnel, Ethan still hadn’t figured it out.
“……What is this?”
“Probably drugs.”
“Just this?”
“There might be more hidden.”
At the end of the tunnel was a vast cavern. It looked more natural than man-made, sturdy and solid. Along one wall were shelves lined with boxes and bags. Del strode forward, and Ethan followed. Opening a box, Del found it packed with white powder. Is that why he gave me the handkerchief? The quantity was unimaginable. Del dipped a finger into the powder, tasted it, and spat. “Ptooey!”
“It’s the real deal.”
Ethan wondered if they were planning to hibernate. Why stockpile so much? As he watched Del inspect the area and open more boxes, he realized Del wasn’t covering his nose at all. He’d enchanted a handkerchief for him, yet here he was, casually tasting the powder.
“Aren’t you worried?”
“About what?”
“Tasting drugs like that.”
“Oh, right.”
Del scratched his cheek. After a moment’s thought, he said:
“Drugs mess with your mind… but magicians are already half-mad.”
“……Are you joking?”
“Half and half.”
Ethan couldn’t tell if he was serious. Del counted the boxes, jotting down notes. “Such a waste…” he muttered, though Ethan had no idea what he meant. While Del tallied, Ethan stared blankly at the powder. Just before entering, Del had said, “You’ll see what this city’s wealth is built on.” And now he knew.
“This city deals drugs on the side.”
“Drugs…”
“The side business out-earns the main one.”
“I had no idea…”
“The miser didn’t even want the residents to get a whiff. Drugged workers can’t work, right?”
It was unimaginable. The extortionate taxes weren’t enough—they needed this? Drugs were imperial contraband!
“They paid their taxes on time, so the Emperor looked the other way.”
“……What?”
So Del had known? Had the Emperor been the only one in the dark? Ethan remembered Del’s family was called the Emperor’s Hound—everyone must have known. And the reason they turned a blind eye was money. Taxes.
“Lately, the taxes have been shrinking.”
So this was the “errand.” Ethan was speechless. Del walked to the opposite wall and formed another magic circle. It was the fourth or fifth time, but it no longer amazed him. The white powder behind him weighed heavily on his mind. Then—
“Game over.”
A mountain of weapons lay before them. Swords, spears, maces. Bows and arrows filled an even larger space, all meticulously arranged. The blades were razor-sharp.
“……What the hell is this?”
Ethan asked, stunned. Drugs and weapons? It felt like witnessing the end of the world. Horrifying. The slums were harsh, but they were still a place where people lived. But not here. Something else lurked.
“Happens all the time.”
Del inspected the weapons, picking up a few. They bore the lord’s crest.
“They live like kings here, don’t they? Stepping on you, exploiting you, controlling you.”
“……*”
“Sometimes, people who live like kings start wanting to be real kings.”
Del shrugged.
“Unfortunately, this place seems to be one of those ‘sometimes.’”
Ethan couldn’t speak. He clenched his fists, his hands trembling. The lord had thrown them into a cycle of exploitation from birth. They’d scraped by, but this—this was rebellion. Rebellion meant execution. Not just for the lord, but for the entire city.
“I don’t get it. What did they hope to gain by making themselves kings in this isolated place?”
Ethan had no answer. But he knew one thing: even if the lord became king, the residents wouldn’t live any better.
“Does it make you miserable?”
“……I don’t know. I just… if they’re this rich, why did they have to squeeze every last coin out of us? It’s pocket change to them.”
“They can’t explain their wealth without exploiting you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re just tools.”
Ethan bit his lip. They’d all been used as tools. He couldn’t find the words. Del asked:
“Are you angry?”
“I don’t even know what to say. I never imagined this.”
No thoughts came. He just wanted to live, even if it was miserable. But the lord had taken even that away. Rebellion meant death. Not just for the lord, but for everyone. A wealthy city couldn’t stand against the Emperor’s army. And yet, the lord had risked their lives. No—people like them were nothing but grains of sand, not even worth counting.
He didn’t know what to say. What could he even call this storm of emotions? Then, a hand gently covered his clenched fist. Del. Their eyes met. His usual playful expression was gone. Del said:
“Be angry, Ethan. Born in this land, living in the shadow of the stars—you have every right to be.”
Just words. Just a touch. But Ethan crumpled, overwhelmed.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
