Chapter 10
Claire went to the newspaper office to meet the side-effect sufferer. However, they only replied that the information was received anonymously, so they didn’t know anything either.
How could they be so irresponsible…
Just like when they spread the rumor that Priscilla was unfaithful, simply based on the words of Duke Muton.
She was furious with both the newspaper that published the article in bold headlines without verifying the facts and the public opinion that only criticized.
However, finding the side-effect sufferer was the top priority.
She discreetly stepped into the back alley of the 6th Avenue in the capital city.
Back when she uncovered her husband’s infidelity, she had used the information guild located there.
‘Their fee and skills were decent enough.’
So, she intended to commission them again…
“They’re out of business!”
The information guild had closed down.
Claire stared blankly at the firmly shut doors of the guild’s affiliated tavern.
Now who will take my request…
Unable to easily leave the closed shop due to lingering feelings, Claire eventually dragged her heavy steps away.
As she dejectedly tried to get into her carriage, someone grabbed her sleeve.
“…?”
“Pretty lady.”
When she looked down, there was a silver-haired boy who appeared to be in his early to mid-teens.
He was about chest height to her, with doll-like, prominent facial features. His golden eyes, shimmering like jewels, were particularly striking.
“Take this.”
“What… is this?”
Claire absentmindedly accepted the piece of paper the boy handed her.
“We’ve just opened a new place. Come by sometime.”
“Oh, really?”
Unable to ignore the young boy’s request, Claire reluctantly checked the flyer.
What kind of place would use a child to advertise?
[Grand Opening of Episteme Guild]
This is unlike any guild you’ve seen before.
A luxurious underground guild now stepping into the light!
Do you have someone you’d like to bury, leaving only their head above ground?
Come to us.
Do you want to expose and punish someone by exploiting their weakness?
Come to us.
All the information you desire!
We will provide it for you.
※ Special grand opening discounts, so visit us as soon as possible.
‘Do underground guilds normally advertise like this…?’
It felt like hearing someone say, “This is a secret just for you…” but then telling the exact same thing to a hundred people.
“You’re pretty, so I’ll give you a special discount. Come to our guild.”
“…Thank you, kid. But did you get permission from your guardian to do this kind of work?”
Claire worried that the innocent child might be exploited for labor.
The boy fluttered his long eyelashes and looked up at her with an oddly mischievous expression before slowly speaking.
“Are you curious?”
“Of course—.”
“If you’re curious, come find out.”
The boy smiled, his eyes folding with innocent mischief.
“See you again, pretty lady.”
The boy waved his hand and flitted away like a butterfly before Claire could stop him.
As she stood staring blankly at the boy’s vanishing figure, she tucked the flyer into her coat.
Franz looked puzzled as he watched Claire return home with a weary expression.
She had been so enthusiastic about visiting the information guild in the morning.
“What happened? It didn’t work out?”
“Yeah, the place I was going to went out of business.”
“Really? Guilds can go out of business within a year, huh…”
As she took off her robe, Claire absentmindedly placed the flyer on the table.
Franz picked it up and read it.
“These days, it really is an era of self-promotion. Even underground guilds are distributing promotional materials like this.”
“But places that go overboard with advertising like that rarely have good skills.”
“True.”
Franz nodded and casually flipped the flyer over.
Seeing something Claire hadn’t noticed on the back, he said,
“Oh, this used to operate under the name Snapdragon Guild. They reopened under a new name.”
“What?!”
Claire, who was adjusting her outfit in front of the mirror, snapped her head around. She strode over and snatched the flyer from her brother.
Momentarily overwhelmed by her sudden energy, Franz blinked in confusion.
“Why, what’s wrong…?”
“The Snapdragon Guild I used before—it’s them. They didn’t go out of business; they reopened!”
Realizing that her hidden treasure of a guild hadn’t closed for good, Claire felt relieved.
Of course, a guild that skilled wouldn’t shut down after just a year.
Unlike earlier, she carefully held onto the flyer and visited the Episteme Guild the very next day.
The guild was disguised as a small flower shop in the back alleys of 5th Avenue.
“Welcome. What kind of flowers are you looking for?”
“I’d like ten tiger lilies to gift to someone I like.”
When she recited the password written on the back of the flyer, the friendly flower shop owner smiled and handed her a small wooden token. A tiger lily was engraved on its surface.
“Please exit through the back door.”
“Alright.”
When Claire walked out the back door hidden behind a curtain of flowers, it didn’t lead outside but to another passageway. She followed the path.
Soon, she came across a teal door guarded by a doorman.
After checking her token, the doorman opened the door for Claire. She cautiously stepped into yet another space.
A fireplace sat at the center, an ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling, and tables and chairs were scattered around the room.
As she marveled at the peculiar interior, the boy she had met yesterday descended the stairs.
“I knew you’d come, pretty lady.”
The boy grabbed Claire’s hand and shook it with a beaming smile. His familiarity was unusual, given they had only met twice.
“What’s your name?”
“Hmm, it’s Rune.”
“Alright, Rune. Are you working legally and safely?”
The Snapdragon Guild Claire knew from before had no child workers.
That made her even more concerned, seeing a young boy working in an underground guild.
Without answering, the boy kept smiling and abruptly tugged at her hand.
“Rune, what are you doing?”
“I’m taking you to our guild master.”
“Why won’t you answer my question?”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I have my guardian’s permission, and I’m safe.”
Though it wasn’t the most reassuring answer, the boy’s bright demeanor convinced Claire to let it go.
Following Rune up the stairs, she came to a stately mahogany door.
Knock, knock.
Rune knocked and gestured for her to go in before stepping back.
Claire entered the guild master’s office alone. The room was softly lit, with a metaphysical-patterned rug and velvet sofas.
A unique moon-shaped painting hung on the wall, and drawers and candles were placed throughout.
The guild master sat at a desk slightly off-center in the room.
Surrounded by stuffed animal figurines.
‘…This isn’t the person I knew.’
The Snapdragon Guild master Claire had met as Priscilla was a silver-haired woman.
Her name was Lindus. She loved sweets and always added sugar to her tea.
Claire had assumed Rune was part of Lindus’s family and expected her to still be running the guild.
However, the current guild master was a broad, muscular man.
And… disturbingly, his face was entirely concealed by a mask that covered even his eyes. Though initially startled, Claire quickly regained her composure.
Without waiting for an invitation, she sat on the sofa and spoke.
“You’re not the Snapdragon Guild master.”
“That person is no longer here.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Teddy, the guild master of Episteme.”
He rose leisurely from his desk and took a seat across from Claire.
Despite the mask lacking visible eyeholes, his movements were fluid and unimpeded.
“What business brings you here?”
“…”
Instead of answering, Claire studied him in silence, deep in thought.
She had worked with Lindus before and trusted her. But Teddy…
She wasn’t sure. She couldn’t decide if she should entrust him with her request.
Noticing her hesitation, Teddy spoke.
“I’m better than Lindus.”
“…While employing children?”
“That kid is—”
Teddy stopped abruptly. The mask quivered slightly as if he were holding something back.
“Is Rune part of Lindus’s family?”
“…He is of the same bloodline.”
Answering vaguely, Teddy tilted his chin upward.
“Regardless, I’m far superior. Go ahead, tell me your request.”
“…Fine.”
Deciding to at least explain her situation, Claire spoke honestly.
“I’m looking for someone. I want to know who and where the anonymous side-effect sufferer mentioned in this article is.”
She pulled out a newspaper article from her coat and handed it over.
After a brief glance, Teddy crossed his legs nonchalantly.
“That’s a simple matter.”
“So, will you take it?”
“Yes, I’ll do it for free, as a special favor.”
He sounded confident, as though expecting her to be immensely grateful.
But Claire calmly placed a few gold coins on the table.
“You mentioned special opening discounts, right? Just name the exact price, and I’ll pay it in full.”
A brief silence followed. Teddy uncrossed his legs and asked incredulously.
“…Did you not hear me say I’d do it for free?”
“I did. But I’d like you to handle it quickly and accurately.”
When people aren’t properly compensated for their work, they tend to do it half-heartedly.
Claire was neither naive nor desperate enough to be swayed by the allure of something free.
After a pause, Teddy finally spoke.
“To you, does it seem like I can’t work properly unless I’m paid these paltry coins?”
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