Chapter 188

In the back alleys of Camilton, the name Muedron carried an immense weight. Though the moniker "The Rat" might seem derogatory at first glance, the ones who knew the truth behind the name would give the name its due respect.

Small in stature and fierce in temperament, Muedron had ironically chosen the nickname The Rat for herself, seeing herself as a parasite living off the citizens of the Empire. Into the heart of such a being's territory, Raul, the vegetable wholesaler, walked in undisturbed.

"Hard at work, I see," Raul greeted the grim-looking guards, as they respectfully made way for him.

The Rat's territory was notorious; any ordinary person daring to enter would not leave unscathed. Yet, Raul walked right into the heart of it, uninhibited.

After passing through a moderately lavish corridor, he stood before an equally lavish door, which was opened by one of Muedron's closest aides. Inside, there was a woman with a serpentine demeanor.

"Ah, Raul."

"Hey, long time no see."

"It hasn't been that long. Welcome."

Her chilling smile, narrow eyes, and attire, glittering like snake scales, were disconcerting.

"Always a displeasure. Am I your prey now?"

"I don't consume humans, you know."

"Neither do I. Anyways, spare me some time. I have something to discuss with you."

"I'm afraid already."

"Afraid my ass. If you're going to cower even in your own territory, you might as well discard the name The Rat."

"Everyone knows, talking to you is akin to willingly putting a noose around one's neck."

"That's why I came straight into the lion's – or should I say, rat's – den. Hey, you there."

Thump.

Raul, comfortably seated on a couch, randomly pointed at one of Muedron's men.

"Bring me something to drink. I've come a long way and am parched. Fetch something for your boss too."

"…Yes."

His bold and brash manner was unquestioned by anyone present, including Muedron. They all knew Raul was a man who could afford such behavior.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Every time I see you, I think you suit a snake more than a rat. Maybe you should ask the emperor for a name change."

"I also think my name is a bit of a pity."

"…I've stumbled upon a fine adventurer. A real one, not shackled by the emperor. Met him a while back, and he's proven himself. Even managed to snatch a few of your items and got a stamp from Alio."

"Without your help?"

"Without my help. This adventurer managed to obtain something from everyone, not just our allies."

"What's the name?"

"Seojin."

"Haven't heard of him."

"That's what makes him valuable. A pearl in the mud."

"Such jewels are often lost by someone."

"Finders keepers, that doesn't change."

"Hmm…"

Muedron stroked her chin. It was hard for her to believe such a story. Had anyone but Raul said it, she would have cut them down on the spot.

"I don't fancy uncertain investments."

"I'm not here to sell hope. Soon, you'll see results that will convince you."

"Like what?"

"One more will join our side. He's off to meet Aikora."

"I hadn't heard that the tower's caretaker had left."

"Not left. Trespassed."

This piqued Muedron's interest. She knew what the 80th floor of the Pantheon meant.

"A worshipper of gods?"

"Religious? He's an adventurer. You must have a few under you."

"I don't concern myself with puppets."

Puppets, as Muedron had taken a liking to call them, were those who lost their free will, conforming and surviving on what was handed to them.

"But you use them well."

"I can't just feed them and have them do nothing."

"Right. About the item you gave me last time. He seemed to know something about it."

"Well-packaged greed, I presume."

Muedron's face was a mix of cynicism and rational skepticism as she spoke. It was a perfectly reasonable reaction being of this land, that adventurers could not be trusted. But Raul, already feeling irritated, changed the subject.

"I realize how much time has passed."

"Unless you're a god…"

"That's not what I mean."

"I mean our relationship has changed a lot. It makes me think we need to redefine it. I thought I had a good eye for people. Didn't I earn that trust?"

Muedron's face stiffened, as did others in the room, though the difference was stark. Her men showed hostility, but Muedron herself wore clear dismay.

"…My mistake."

"It's fine. Anyway, I'm not here to ask a favor. If you still share the same goal, help me. It might be our last chance."

"I'll—"

"Don't decide now. Take your time. You've probably grown rigid, having nothing to protect."

"…I heed your advice."

"I'm off to see Alio. Just a heads-up, don't approach the Pantheon. They'll handle it."

"I thought there was only one."

"One true one, the rest are his lackeys. I'm off. Take care."

Tap, tap. Patting the shoulder of the man who had glared at him earlier, Raul left the room.

Muedron watched his retreating figure. How many people could turn their back on her like that? Not many, but Raul was among them.

'But.'

Muedron reconsidered. Raul had told her to, after all. She had buried these thoughts deep in her memory. It hadn't even been that long, she just consciously buried it.

'Why should showing one's back matter so much?'

At some point, such behavior became an affront to Muedron, another trap laid by Grand Emperor Kalus. The bait wasn't as distasteful as she thought. Like Raul, Muedron had resigned herself at some point, as probably did Golden King Alio, hence the earlier squabble over a trifle.

Her thoughts deepened. Raul was right; she needed practice thinking again.

* * *

Golden King Alio prepared a lavish party, delighted by the unexpected visit of his old friend. His wealth was vast, beyond the simple definition of rich. Extravagant dishes, unseen by the common folk, filled the tables. And wines, each bottle worth a fortress, were readied.

Raul shook his head at the spectacle.

"So, this is why you're getting so chubby."

"My dear friend, you could do with a bit of meat on your bones yourself. Such a slender frame for a legend!"

"I'm telling you as a real friend, getting fat like that, you won't live long."

"I have excellent friends to take care of me."

"Magic and divine power can't solve everything, you know?"

Golden King Alio was indeed corpulent, but he remained jovial, unfazed by Raul's jibes.

"What dreadful disease could scare me? I've never heard of such."

"Since when did the Alio I know become a golden king and all?"

Alio remained calm even at the sudden change of topic.

"I had such a phase."

"You speak as if you're satisfied?"

"My friend, in this land, there's nothing gold can't do."

"Send the kids away."

Raul's command was heeded. Unlike Muedron, who controlled her followers with something other than money, the golden king's men were bound by purely financial contracts. With only a few exceptions, the banquet hall emptied until only a few trusted individuals remained.

"Everything can be solved with gold, you say?"

"Isn't that the case?"

"Get me two ships. Large and sturdy ones."

"I can do that."

"They must be filled with people of my choosing."

"Easy enough."

"Our destination is across the sea."

"To an island then?"

"Not an island. A vast, unexplored territory. The New Continent."

Alio's smile faded slightly. "Sadly, that's a difficult request."

"Not enough money?"

"The emperor won't allow it. You know the imperial laws…"

"So, there are things money can't do."

"…It seems to lead to that conclusion."

His response was somewhat sheepish but still jovial. Raul stared at him for a moment, then laughed bitterly, shaking his head.

"Maybe Alio is already dead."

"I'm still quite alive."

"You're the Golden King, punk. My friend Alio died long ago. We haven't even had his funeral."

"Was there some trouble? It seems… a bit embarrassing to discuss this in front of my men."

Swish.

With a wave of his hand, Alio sent his closest aides away. When the door shut, Raul noticed the complete shift in Alio's demeanor.

"You found something. Have you deciphered Muedron's book completely? Or found a way to overthrow the emperor? You wouldn't make such a fuss otherwise."

"…Weren't they your trusted advisors?"

"To me, the quality of a relationship is proportional to the money involved."

"And what about me?"

"I'm grateful you consider me an equal. So, what's going on? We can't keep them out for long. They might already be weighing our words."

"So, my friend isn't dead yet!"

"Fortunately, our dream still burns bright in my heart, my old friend."

Alio picked up a bottle. The wine was extravagantly expensive, enough to build several villas. Raul didn't refuse the glass.

"Typical waste of money, buying this."

"It's my duty as the golden king."

"Making money without a second thought?"

"If I did't enjoy such things, what would the emperor think of me?"

It was a valid point. Raul, feeling a surge of old camaraderie, almost reached for another glass but then restrained himself. They didn't have the luxury of time.

Raul looked seriously at the golden king.

"An adventurer came to me. His name is Seojin."

* * *

As Raul was busy checking his existing connections, the adventurer Seojin, mentioned by him, was also engaged in fulfilling his own role, meeting someone.

"I'm not a wizard who can fly," Seojin stated.

"Even wizards can't fly here. Unless they are gods."

"Then how do we get up there?"

"Like this."

In an instant, a brilliant light filled their surroundings. When their vision cleared, Montblanc gasped at the sudden appearance of a staircase made of light.

"We create a path."

"I didn't think that something like this could exist…"

"You wouldn't have known. Nor what lies above. The full story…"

As he stepped onto the staircase, Seojin continued.

"I'll tell you as we go. It'll take some time to reach the 80th floor."