Chapter 54: Joint Investigation

Over the next two weeks, the kingdom officially declared the Normal District Dungeon Break an ’unfortunate natural disaster’, distributing minimal compensation to the commoners whose homes were destroyed.

I knew better.

I spent my remaining days at the Voulstridge estate gathering intelligence from the Duke’s private archives. I cross-referenced ancient black market smuggling routes, dark mana phenomena, and forbidden magic core manipulations.

Silvia had given explicit orders to grant me free access to the library for as long as I needed, so the Duke had no choice but to let me browse without interference. With the help of his underground network, which he willingly opened to me after I subtly dropped hints about the black mana threads, I began investigating the black market in secret.

I discovered a shadowy organization operating under the name The Black Circle.

They were the ones supplying corrupted magic cores across the kingdom. They were using high density subterranean monsters to test their parasitic black thread control, preparing for something much larger than a single district break.

During my final research session at the estate, Duke Voulstridge met me in the quiet library.

"You are investigating the Normal District incident on your own, aren’t you," the Duke asked, standing near the tall window.

"Just curiosity, My Lord," I replied smoothly, closing my heavy book.

The Duke tossed a small velvet pouch onto the mahogany table. Inside was an elite high noble crest bearing the Voulstridge emblem.

"If you ever find yourself in a tight spot, show that to any Royal Guard or noble house," the Duke said coldly. "My family owes you a debt that can never be fully repaid. Don’t die like an idiot in some dark alley."

I picked up the crest and smiled. "Thanks, Duke. I’ll make sure to use it when I get arrested."

"Get out of my house, Silvester."

I left the estate with a pocket full of gold, an elite noble backing, and a clear goal.

I returned to the Commercial District, stepping into the noisy Locksmiths Guild hall where Ignatius was boasting to anyone near the bar about surviving the dungeon break. He claimed he wanted to visit me earlier in the week, but I knew that was not the case. He was just looking for an audience and an excuse to drink.

I sat at my usual corner table, pulling out my spatial key secretly under the wooden ledge and inspecting its glowing blue crystals.

My journey as an eight-year-old locksmith in this world was just getting started. Whoever was orchestrating the black thread corruption was going to find out what happens when you try to lock a door in front of a master Locksmith.

After the chaos of the dungeon break subsided, I went back to doing what I actually enjoyed. I sat behind my wooden workbench at my workshop, fixing broken pieces of metal and rusted locks from noble and merchant customers.

The smell of rust, copper polish, and machine oil was infinitely better than the stench of monster blood.

"Young Lord Silvester, someone is outside for you," Patricia called out from the kitchen, her voice carrying over the clatter of pots and pans.

"Coming!" I mumbled, setting down my magnifying loupe.

I stepped out to the front counter of the guild. Standing there was an old merchant named Master Giovanni. He was holding a heavy, rusted iron cash box bound with brass bands. I had seen him several times around the area, but this was the first time he asked for my service.

"Ah, little Silvester," Giovanni said, giving me a weary smile. "Your Master Victoria said you are the one handling the guild today. My key snapped inside the tumbler this morning, and I need to pay my grain suppliers by noon." ℯℯ𝘭.

That was true. Guildmaster Victoria had gone out early this morning, saying she had an urgent meeting with other guild masters. I did not know the exact details, but it was probably regarding the recent dungeon break incident.

"Okay. Let me see it," I said, hopping onto the wooden stool so I could reach the counter properly.

I pulled out my standard brass tweezers and a small tension wrench. I didn’t even need to use my skills for something this basic.

A quiet metallic click echoed as the tweezers gripped the trapped metal.

Another click followed a second later.

"There’s the broken bit," I said, extracting the snapped iron key tip with a quick flick of my wrist.

I grabbed a blank key piece from my drawer, took a quick glance at the internal tumblers, and filed down the teeth in under two minutes.

A sharp click sounded as the new key turned easily.

The heavy lid popped open smoothly.

Master Giovanni blinked in absolute shock. "That fast? Even the old smith across the street took three hours last time."

"Nah. He’s slow. That’ll be five bronze coins," I said, holding out my small hand.

Giovanni happily paid me seven bronze coins, letting me keep the change, before scurrying off to make his payment.

I tossed the coins into my drawer, feeling a small sense of satisfaction. It was simple, quiet work.

"Silvester, come eat your breakfast before it gets cold," Patricia shouted from the back. She entered the workshop holding a steaming bowl of oat porridge and a cup of warm milk.

I cringed slightly at the glass. "Patricia, I told you I’m fine with water."

"Nonsense. An eight-year-old boy needs milk if he wants to grow taller than a dwarf, as said by Master Victoria," she said sternly. She placed the bowl in front of me and wiped my smudge-covered cheek with her apron. "And stop working so late at night. You have dark circles under your eyes. Also what Master Victoria said."

I was just reading, I muttered, taking a spoon.

Reading won’t keep you healthy if you don’t sleep, young lord, she nagged gently, though her eyes were warm.

I ate in silence, enjoying the quiet domestic rhythm. Patricia and Victoria didn’t know about the black mana threads, the spatial gates, or the fact that I had saved Duke Voulstridge’s daughter. To them, I was just a bright, slightly strange kid who was handy with locks.

And honestly, I preferred it that way.

Once she walked back to the kitchen, I reached inside my inner pocket and touched the crushed piece of the corrupted magic core I had taken from the Shadow Wolf.