*This is the backstory of Ward and Sophia that appears around the middle of Chapter 118: Trump Card.
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The Dark Guild 'Diamond' had received a commission from the Pope to assassinate Alan.
However, the client, the Pope, was killed by Alan himself.
The very next day, Daytona, the Master of 'Diamond', was informed of the Pope's death by a subordinate.
"What shall we do, Master? The client, the Pope, is deceased, and there's no one to return the advance payment to. We won't receive the remaining balance, and I believe it would be acceptable to end the contract as it stands."
Daytona pondered his subordinate's suggestion for a moment.
"...If it were just about money, that might be fine, but there's the matter of my daughter, Rean. Furthermore, if word gets out that we failed to kill a single brat, it will affect the organization's reputation. We continue."
"Yes, sir!"
"I thought he was just a kid adventurer, but he might be a tougher opponent than I thought. Hmm..."
Daytona was reviewing the documents on Alan again when he noticed a note about Sophia.
The woman, who worked at the Commercial Guild in the Royal Capital, was apparently close with the target, Alan.
What also caught his attention was that she possessed a Hazard Skill.
"I see, so two people with Hazard Skills have stuck together. This... could be useful."
Daytona grinned and issued orders to his subordinate.
"Surveil Sophia, the receptionist at the Royal Capital Commercial Guild. Abduct her just before the executives gather. And then... you know what comes next, right? You can do whatever you like with her."
"As expected, Master, you are a very understanding person."
"Hehehe... I look forward to seeing that brat's despairing face."
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After some time had passed, at the Raging Duke's residence.
Giess was receiving a report from head butler Ward.
"As his Excellency predicted, suspicious individuals appear to be keeping watch around Lady Sophia. They are most likely operatives from the Shadow Guild."
"So it's as I thought. Scoundrels never change their ways."
"What would you have us do, my lord? Shall we apprehend them?"
"Not yet. We cannot cause a disturbance around Lady Sophia. Until they take concrete action, we hold our position and keep watching as well."
"Understood."
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And then came the day when the executives of "Diamond" gathered.
A detachment of "Diamond" had taken up positions around the Commercial Guild on Daytona's orders, intent on kidnapping Sophia.
Before long, Alan's explosion magic engulfed the royal capital in thunderous booms and violent tremors, plunging the city into chaos.
"Wh-what the hell is this?! We weren't told about any of this—but right now, with everyone in confusion, it's the perfect chance! Let's move!"
The detachment attempted to breach the Commercial Guild, seizing on the capital's disorder.
"Not so fast!"
"Gah!" "What—" "Damn it, let go!"
The detachment was ambushed from behind and, in the blink of an eye, captured one after another.
"You... you're Ward! The duke's mongrel!"
The detachment's leader was forced to his knees and spat out a curse.
Ward, who commanded the duke household's shadow forces, looked down at the immobilized leader.
"Your movements have been transparent from the very beginning. And as of today, 'Diamond' is out of business. By Lord Alan's hand."
"Impossible..."
"Take them away!"
Ward gave the order to the shadow division, and the detachment was taken away somewhere.
Confirming that the detachment had been removed, Ward entered the Commerce Guild and requested a meeting with Sofia.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ward, a butler in service to the Raging Duke Household. Please forgive the sudden visit."
Sofia was caught off guard by the request for a meeting from a noble's emissary, but she composed herself and responded calmly.
"Not at all, please think nothing of it. My name is Sofia, a receptionist at the Commerce Guild. What business brings you here today, Lord Ward?"
"Lord Alan is currently confronting the Dark Guild 'Diamond,' but there is a possibility that he believes you have been taken hostage and has been rendered unable to move freely. Therefore, I would like you to come with me to Lord Alan's location."
"Understood."
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And so, Ward brought Sofia to the location that had served as the hideout of "Diamond."
There, "Gekien" (ranked 2nd) and "Dark Master" (ranked 3rd) had already been defeated, and the remaining Daytona was locked in a confrontation with Alan.
"I wonder how things are going by now... Fufufu. Perhaps he's been dealt wounds to heart and body that will never heal."
"............"
Alan remained expressionless and said nothing.
"But it is not too late even now—submit to me. And if you become a slave to my daughter Rinn immediately, you might just get out of this alive!"
Daytona declared this to Alan with a triumphant look on his face.
It was then that the chief butler of the duke household and the receptionist of the capital's Commerce Guild appeared.
"I'm afraid that won't be happening."
"Alan, I'm safe and sound!"
It was the moment Daytona's scheme crumbled to pieces.
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