Episode 294 – Golden Fountain
The exclusive distribution rights to the leaves of the World Tree.
It wasn't a physical item, but the exclusive rights to possess the leaves alone were valuable enough to be offered through Dark Sales.
The Golden Mask recognized the value as well, and began treating as a VIP.
‘The problem is that it's not the true ability of the leaf...’
But the current situation was the result of my own power—Sacred Power and Enchant—creating a scam, so there was little risk of being found out.
I had already laid the groundwork by controlling the quantity and duration of the leaves, so I only needed to quietly proceed with the enchantnt work.
“I can even hide part of my ability?”
If I concealed my power under the guise of the World Tree’s abilities, there might co a ti when I could use it to my advantage.
No one in Hell Gri had yet figured out my true power.
Especially in the case of ‘Enchant,’ even my companions didn’t know much.
Enchant was a natural power I had possessed since I was reincarnated into this body, but it had remained hidden until now due to my lack of ability.
Once I reached 5-star rank, I began using it proficiently. The more I researched it, the more I realized it could be useful beyond battle, in supportive or alternative applications.
‘I’ll need to ask Fenry for advice when I return...’
As for Sacred Power, so may grow suspicious.
In that case, I needed to coordinate with the World Tree Alliance.
Lying alone was risky, but if multiple people said the sa thing, a lie could beco truth.
Fenry, being an elf well-versed in deception, would surely give so useful advice.
“Are you already leaving?”
“As you can see, I’m a busy man.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon beyond the window, I dusted myself off and stood.
The Golden Mask offered to guide to the prepared VIP accommodations, but I declined.
“It would be nice if you could rest comfortably and wait for Lord's ssage. What a sha.”
“Waiting around for news doesn’t suit my temperant.”
“As you know, the Lord is very busy.”
“When the Lord contacts , send a carriage. If I find a place to stay, I’ll send soone.”
“Understood. Ah, one mont.”
As I was about to leave, the Golden Mask stopped for a mont.
He pulled out a small object from a desk drawer and handed it to —it was a golden bracelet with a large red gem embedded at the center, like a ruby.
“It’s like an emblem VIPs carry around. If you have this, you won’t face any inconvenience using Aintrier.”
“How do I use it?”
“It’s written here.”
He handed a booklet with usage instructions and waited quietly as I browsed it.
I nodded, then handed him one of the leaves.
It was a sort of sample, to help them determine the initial price for sale at Dark Sales.
Receiving it carefully, he placed the leaf in an ornate box and saw us off.
“Is there a back door no one knows about?”
“Of course.”
Understanding imdiately, he changed direction.
He led to the basent of the building, past an old storage room, and to a small door guarded by Eastern-Mask attendants.
At his gesture, the door slowly opened.
It was already dark outside, and I couldn’t sense any presence nearby. The alleyway between the city streets stretched before us.
“Where does this connect to?”
“The alleys may be a bit tricky. Would you like a guide?”
“No need.”
“Check the rooftops. You’ll see a water stream shooting up. Head in that direction and you’ll reach the plaza.”
I nodded and stepped outside with Lily.
“If you need anything, please feel free to visit again.”
“I’ve already received plenty.”
Aside from the backpack I brought, I tapped a larger pack twice.
Before leaving the room, I had asked for what I needed, and the Golden Mask provided everything flawlessly without hesitation.
‘Money really is great.’
“May the radiant luck of Madas always be with you.”
With the Golden Mask’s farewell, we entered the alley.
Once the door closed, we were alone in the desolate alleyway.
Before moving, I pulled out two short robes in warm, basic tones from the large bag.
Not the dark robes we were wearing now, but simpler, casual ones.
“Here.”
“Huh? Why? I like this one...”
“Trouble could find us. Then, it’d be hard to et Keros, right?”
“Ah, Keros!”
Lily clapped her hands and struggled to take off the robe that was layered over her.
As she peeled off the robe, her long hair fluttered and her pale face was revealed.
Definitely a face too dangerous to show.
It would cause all sorts of headaches.
Before that—
“You’ve got cookie crumbs all over your mouth.”
“Ot!”
“Wipe your hands first.”
Her face and both hands were covered in cookie crumbs.
Maybe they were expensive cookies—seed to suit Lily’s taste.
She dusted them off, changed into the basic robe, and checked herself in a mirror.
Then she looked at with a near-teary expression.
“My face is ruined from not seeing the sun enough.”
“Close your eyes and let your face soak in the sunlight.”
“Like this?”
“Yes. Think of it like nourishing a flower.”
“Hehehe, I like that.”
Being called a ‘flower’ must have made her feel good—Lily closed her eyes and basked in the sunlight.
anwhile, I tossed the discarded robes in a corner and checked the surroundings.
No presence. I approached Lily.
“Can you cast Cham?”
“Cham?”
“Yes.”
At my request, Lily nodded and cast the charm spell, Cham, on .
Cham was a seduction spell commonly used by witches, usually to invoke favor from others.
In my case, I used it to change the mood.
Cham softened the overall atmosphere.
Changing robes alone wasn’t enough, so I added Cham as an extra layer.
The reason was obvious:
‘There’ll be people watching us with eyes wide open.’
We had revealed the World Tree’s leaves in front of everyone.
Special items always attract flies.
If we had exited through the front, we’d be under watch and threat from many.
So for information.
So to initiate a trade.
So for robbery.
People would cling with their own purposes.
With new robes and Cham changing the mood, no one would think we were the sa people.
“...Hm, let’s see.”
Standing in the middle of the alley, I looked up at the rooftops.
As I scanned the surroundings, Lily exclaid and pointed.
Between the buildings, a stream of water shot up high.
“W-Water! It’s glowing! It’s golden!”
“Really throwing money around.”
The stream of water shot into the sky, glowing golden.
A beautiful sight beneath the crimson sky of sunset.
It was the Golden Fountain, Aintrier’s famous landmark.
The golden fountain was visible from anywhere in Aintrier, making it a perfect guidepost.
“Let’s go.”
As the Golden Mask said, heading toward the fountain would bring us to the city’s central plaza.
Fwooooosh~!
Soon after, we arrived before the Golden Fountain.
It was a captivating attraction, drawing many people.
We pushed through the crowd and settled near the fountain.
Lily munched on the cookies she brought, and I leaned back comfortably on a wide bench, watching the golden fountain show.
Peaceful.
[A strange place.]
“You’re finally awake?”
[Was it long?]
“Over ten days, I think.”
Reto spoke to for the first ti in a while.
After the war, I had stressed Reto while checking the companions’ divine power states.
It seed he finally regained consciousness after absorbing Lily’s curses.
[Where is this?]
“Aintrier. Feels a bit alien to you, doesn’t it?”
[A bit... This is a human-made city?]
“A golden city built on human greed. And because of that, ‘pleasure’ exists here.”
Children played, snack stalls lined the street, and people were enjoying food.
There wasn’t a single person with worry in their expression.
Everyone’s face was filled with joy.
That’s likely why Reto found it strange.
This sight didn’t exist in the world he knew.
The atmosphere felt like an amusent park—oddly surreal.
Just beyond a single wall was hell, yet inside the city was a peaceful heaven.
Reto stayed silent, observing the strange cityscape.
As the peaceful scene continued, drowsiness crept in.
After days of sleeplessness, it was no surprise.
As I blinked slowly, soone tugged on my robe.
“You’re here?”
“Woof!”
Looking down, Keros stared up at , tongue lolling.
I pulled so at from my bag and tossed it to Keros.
As Keros chewed noisily on the faintly glowing at—at infused with a hint of golden leaf—I asked:
“Did you find their lodgings?”
As Keros growled, Reto spoke:
[He says don’t disturb him while eating.]
“...Damn.”
I nodded awkwardly and waited until Keros finished his al.
Soon, Keros gulped down the at and tugged my robe to signal to follow.
I followed behind.
Late evening.
I carried the sleeping Lily on my back.
***
When two groups erged from Ship Gridnt and scattered in different directions within the city, I hesitated.
Demtor, or the Cleaners?
After so thought, I chose to tail the group Keros tracked: the Cleaners.
‘Because I need to find Samuel.’
Samuel’s spatial abilities were essential for the broader plan of this journey.
Elton and the ghosts were also moving with Samuel.
So, I had to find them.
‘I can’t take my eyes off the Cleaners.’
The Butcher of Gluttony—Zarakan.
A sub-captain of the Cleaners had moved personally.
Their infrastructure in Aintrier was second only to Demtor’s.
If I waited for Samuel to contact , I’d be too late.
I had to act first.
“This is the place.”
“Woof!”
The lodging Keros led to was more shabby than expected.
Not a place befitting VIP Cleaners.
Deep inside the worn-down building, I felt a subtle presence—dark and filthy aura.
Traces left behind by soone who possessed divine power.
Zarakan’s location was confird.
Lily and I booked a room on the opposite side of the building.
When I showed the VIP bracelet, I got a 50% discount and could choose the floor and room I wanted.
I put Lily to bed and leaned against the window, observing the building where the Cleaners stayed.
Under the moonlight—It had already been a full day since we entered Aintrier.
“Haaam. No matter where I go, it’s always the sa.”
I had lived sleeplessly even in Ship Gridnt, and it was no different here.
If I had soone to rotate shifts with, I’d have left them to watch and gotten half a day’s sleep.
I sighed quietly as I looked at Lily.
Who can trust who?
For now, the plan was to settle here and watch the Cleaners’ movents.
Though many ca and went, I paid no attention.
I was only watching one man—Sub-captain Zarakan.
If Samuel’s location was confird, Zarakan would move.
Until the signal ca, I would be staying here.
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