Unknown: “――Well, this is quite a late visit.”

An entry from the balcony into the room, a somewhat discourteous visit.

However, the master of the room doesn’t reproach, and silently concentrates on his work.

Unknown: “I’m sure the measures against intruders were supposed to be foolproof?”

Arata: “I had to break things that were unavoidable.”

Unknown:  “Don’t put it so simply.”

There were several traps set up around the balcony, the surrounding walls, and the roof.

However, compared to the game era when it was designated as a systemically unbreakable area, the layout of the traps is just a minor obstacle.

If you know they exist, it’s easy to deactivate them.

Arata: “I brought a souvenir.”

The souvenir ― I threw the would-be assassin of Princess Glen onto the floor and sat on the sofa.

Arata: “Which affiliation does this assassin belong to, Vergil-san?”

Unknown => Vergil: “……”

Vergil-san, who was grappling with documents, finally lifted his gaze from his desk.

Arata: “You must know. Despite the time since the royal castle attack, you must have investigated, haven’t you?”

Vergil: “……”

Arata: “A noble, a merchant, or maybe――a dark guild.”

Vergil: “……sigh”

Vergil-san, who had been silent, sighed and stood up.

Then, he tore off a black leather glove from the unconscious assassin.

There was a tattoo of a blue wolf, connected to something like a chain.

Vergil: “So, it is indeed 『Fenrir』.”

Arata: “What kind of organization is it?”

Vergil: “I will bring out the documents now.”

With those words, Vergil-san took out a neatly filed stack of papers from the cabinet.

I took the documents and skimmed through the contents written on them.

Arata: “A dark guild based in the slums, is it?”

Vergil: “Yes. Its members have a tattoo of a wolf.”

From what I’ve heard; it seems like a large-scale criminal organization.

They’re involved in a wide range of crimes, from petty thuggery such as theft and extortion to major crimes like kidnapping and assassination.

Vergil: “Of course, some of the slum dwellers also participate, so it’s impossible to accurately grasp the scale.”

Arata: “So, it’s not good to crush them?”

Vergil: “No, it doesn’t matter. The organization’s recent actions have been too much.”

Next, Vergil-san brought the documents he had been working on earlier.

Written there was a request about the subjugation of 『Dark Guild: Fenrir』.

Vergil: “In order to prevent crime, we sometimes turn a blind eye to some evil. However, there is no reason to show mercy to those who misinterpret that as being overlooked and become arrogant.”

Indeed, 『Fenrir』 controlling the slums probably had the effect of suppressing crimes that would otherwise occur.

However, they went too far.

Even though they were merely being overlooked, they interpreted it as being “allowed”, a convenient interpretation for them.

It’s simply time for them to face the consequences.

I took the request form and went out to the balcony.

Before leaving the guild, I said a word to Vergil-san.

Arata: “Next time, please explain in advance.”

Vergil: “Understood.”

＊＊＊

Identifying the hideout of 『Fenrir』 is difficult even for me, who visited the slums many times during the game era.

The area of the slums covers about 30% of the royal capital.

There are several places that could be considered, but the hideout may not be there, and it will take time to check them all.

However, fortunately, this is the royal capital.

There’s a very reliable information dealer here.

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “――So, you came to me?”

The gruff words are from the owner of 『The Cannibal’s Den』.

Maybe because I visited in the middle of the night, the owner’s mood is slightly bad.

Arata: “Do you have any information about the dark guild Fenrir, which is based in this area?”

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “Ahh, that one……”

The owner mutters with a resigned look and takes out a piece of paper from his pocket.

What was written there was a simple map.

Presumably, it marked the location of Fenrir’s hideout.

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “I don’t need any money, just take it. Those guys, running around like sewer rats, they’re an eyesore.”

Arata: “Thank you.”

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “You can be relieved if you exterminate the pests,” the owner adds with a laugh.

Pests, it’s a fitting word.

Fenrir (wolves) are pests that attack livestock.

In this case, the livestock in the owner’s sarcastic words would be the citizens, who enrich the dairy farmers (royal family).

I reflect the location of the hideout marked on the map onto my status map, one of my skills, and stash the piece of paper into my inventory.

Arata: “Can I also do some shopping while I’m here?”

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “Yeah, what do you need?”

Arata: “Two of the best recovery potions you have here, please.”

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “Wait here. I’ll bring them right over.”

With that, he disappears behind the counter.

A few minutes later, the owner comes back holding two exquisite glass bottles.

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “Unfortunately, I didn’t have many of the best ones. These are the second-best ones.”

I appraise the potions on the counter and the result is 『Degraded Elixir』.

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “It was a prototype, but I made a slight mistake. Well, there’s no problem, if you drink it, even a lost arm will reattach.”

Arata: “How much is it?”

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “One bottle, 10 million.”

That seems like a fair price.

Indeed, the fairy flowers and sacred trees that become the materials for elixir potions are, in terms of item ranks, just below the top.

However, in this low-level world, they are quite literally items of legend or fantasy.

Now, I only have about 10 million R from my previous adventurer activities and the swordsmanship guidance fee I borrowed in advance from Rose-san and a few million R.

I can afford one bottle of Degraded Elixir, but I want some stock for when something happens.

The one below this is not very reassuring in terms of its efficacy… but there’s no choice.

Just as I was about to ask to see another potion, the owner spoke first.

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “Well, consider it a reward for pest control. One bottle for 5 million will do.”

Arata: “Are you sure?”

The Cannibal’s Den Shopkeeper: “Yeah. It seems like you’re a bit short on cash right now. Instead, bring me some good liquor next time we meet, okay?”