Hearing Chris's pleas, Lucian's smile didn't change. His tone remained mild as he said, "If your information has value, I'll consider it. The power to judge rests in my hands. You can choose to speak or stay silent."
Though Chris was trembling with fear and drenched in cold sweat, his tears and snot were largely a performance of beggarly supplication. Not daring to hesitate or protest, he blurted out in a rush, "Sir Knight, a few days ago I stole an invitation letter that might interest you."
As a gifted thief, Chris had never stopped looking for a chance to escape from the moment Lucian's sword was pressed against his throat. But the thought that his opponent was a true knight who had awakened the power of the Bloodline made him too afraid to act rashly. His prized agility and speed were laughably insufficient against a knight—unless all hope of mercy was gone, and he had no choice but to risk a final desperate gambit.
"An invitation letter?" Lucian was slightly puzzled. "Why would you think I'd be interested?"
Seeing that Lucian hadn't made a move, Chris gradually reined in his fear and explained with some clarity, "Because it looks like an invitation to a gathering of low-level dark mages. It could be a fine opportunity for you, Sir Knight, to leave behind a heroic legend!" He had heard many rumors and assumed Lucian was one of those knights who, after advancing in rank, roamed the continent in accordance with ancient custom.
"Low-level dark mages? What does the invitation say? Why didn't you report it directly to the Church? That would surely have earned you a handsome reward." Hearing that it involved mages, Lucian's interest and curiosity sharpened considerably.
Under Lucian's penetrating gaze, Chris pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from the seam of his belt and handed it over. "Honored Sir Knight, this is the invitation."
"A few days ago, a mysterious traveler arrived in Dragon Tooth Town. Because he spent lavishly, I quietly followed him when he left, hoping to steal something. But he didn't take the main road—he cut through the surrounding forest. I happened to witness him use evil, terrifying dark magic to kill several wild beasts that tried to attack him."
Lucian unfolded the paper with his left hand, and his eyes swept across it, committing every word to his Soul Library:
"On the second Friday of the seventh month, when the silver moon rises, a feast of death shall be held at the Kalerndia Ancient Castle to welcome a gentleman from the headquarters of the Continental Magic Parliament. Mages and magic apprentices of the former Wilfried territory, this shall be the beginning of your bright future."
No address, no signature—it was a strange dinner invitation. But Lucian remained deeply interested, because it seemed he could make contact with a mage dispatched by the Continental Magic Parliament's headquarters. That way, once he reached the sea-jew city of Stuerke, he wouldn't have to scramble to find a contact.
Chris saw no change in Lucian's expression and continued his account: "At the time, another adventurer's party was also tracking that mysterious traveler. After witnessing the evil dark magic, they believed they could kill him, so they kept driving wild beasts at him to drain his magic, then launched a surprise assault. Unfortunately, they underestimated the horrifying dark magic that could raise the dead, and the traveler gained the upper hand. But when both sides were battered and near death, nearby robbers noticed the commotion, rushed in, and finished them all off. I seized the opportunity and stole the valuable items from the traveler's corpse—including this letter."
"How lucky for those robbers…" Lucian murmured, sympathizing with the unfortunate magic apprentice's fate. Then he asked Chris again, "Why didn't you report it to the Church? Do you know where the Kalerndia Ancient Castle is?"
The Wilfried territory wasn't unfamiliar to Lucian. Ancient texts and historical records made it clear that Wilfried had been one of the legendary necromancers who ruled the central and southern parts of the continent during the era of the ancient magical empire. He had fallen, however, during a Church Cardinal's crusade—even his demiplane magic tower had been destroyed.
"I'm a thief who walks in darkness and shadow. If the Church found out about me, I'd end up on the gallows. So…" Chris was rather proud of his identity as a thief. "Forgive me, Sir Knight, I don't actually know where the Kalerndia Ancient Castle is. In truth, I've asked around at the Adventurer's Guild and the Thieves' Guild in Kose City, and no one has heard of this castle—some of them hadn't even heard the name. I suspect it's probably an internal codename used among dark mages."
Since thieves also commonly used codenames, Chris had made the association without difficulty.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Lucian's mind. No one knew where the Kalerndia Ancient Castle was—it looked like he might miss this opportunity. And here in the Duchy of Gipti, he was a complete stranger; finding any leads would be difficult. Still, on the surface, Lucian maintained his gentle, tranquil smile. "I'm satisfied with this information. Oh, Chris—you haven't told anyone else about this, have you?"
"Your satisfaction is my honor, Sir Knight." Chris quietly exhaled in relief. It seemed he could keep both hands after all. Then he ingratiatingly smiled, "This information—I haven't found a buyer yet. If you command it, Sir Knight, I'll bury it deep in my heart forever, so that you yourself can complete this heroic epic."
Lucian nodded. "Well done." Then his longsword thrust forward, coldly plunging into Chris's throat.
Chris stared at Lucian in disbelief, his throat gurgling. In his mind he seemed to be screaming: "How did things turn out like this? Why kill me?! Aren't you a knight who abides by his code?!"
Lucian withdrew his sword and said in a flat tone, "You know too much."
Though the chances of his finding the Kalerndia Ancient Castle were slim, if he ever did get the opportunity to go, then Chris—who knew about this invitation—would be a dangerous loose end. There was no telling when he might sell the information and attract the Church's attention.
As long as the person in question wasn't a friend or an innocent, Lucian felt less and less guilt about killing.
The light gradually faded from Chris's eyes, and he collapsed onto the carriage's wooden floor, dead with his eyes wide open. If he had known it would come to this, he would have been better off choosing to keep his left hand from the start.
Sometimes begging for mercy and bargaining isn't necessarily a better choice than simply enduring punishment.
A finger-flame sparked to life, burning the invitation to ash. Lucian pushed open the carriage window and called out softly, "