He suddenly spoke.
“Aidan.”
“Yeah?”
“Have you noticed? Along the way today, there have been a lot of City Guards.”
Aidan looked around and nodded. “There really are quite a few. But this is the Royal Capital. It’s normal for there to be more people, right?”
Matthew shook his head slightly. “It’s not the number. It’s the location.”
Aidan was stunned for a moment. “The location?”
Matthew’s gaze slowly swept across the street. “There’s a squad at the entrance to the Commercial District. One on the outskirts of the Class Holder Plaza. Two near the Auction House. And there were patrols when we passed the Materials Market earlier. Furthermore, their patrol routes don’t circle the crowds. It’s more like they are surrounding specific areas.”
Aidan was completely confused. He tried to recall, and it seemed that was indeed the case. Those City Guards rarely entered the bustling crowds. Instead, they kept patrolling along several fixed routes as if they were guarding something.
Matthew didn’t continue his analysis because there was still too little information. However, a thought had quietly surfaced. What the City Guard was protecting might not just be public order; they might be isolating something.
Just then, a cry of alarm came from the side of the street. A freight wagon filled with wooden barrels tilted sharply when a wheel got caught in a gap between the flagstones. The top few barrels rolled off, crashing toward the crowd. Many people nearby scrambled to get out of the way.
Just as a barrel was about to hit an old woman, a dark figure suddenly rushed out. The speed was startlingly fast.
Bang!
The barrel was kicked away. It spun several times in mid-air before slamming heavily onto the ground. Ale spilled everywhere. Cries of surprise immediately erupted from the surroundings.
Matthew looked over as well. The one who had acted was a man in his thirties. He was tall, wearing ordinary leather armor, and had a longsword hanging at his waist. There were no flashy decorations, yet the explosive power of that kick far exceeded that of an ordinary person.
The wagon owner hurried over, thanking him repeatedly. “Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!”
The man simply waved his hand. “Tie your cargo tighter in the future.” After saying that, he turned and left.
The crowd of onlookers quickly dispersed. No one made a fuss, and no one gathered to gossip. It was as if a Class holder stepping in to save someone was the most normal thing in the world.
Aidan watched the man’s receding back and couldn’t help but say, “He’s at least high Black Iron Rank.”
Matthew nodded slightly. “He should be close to breaking through to the Bronze Rank. His strength control is excellent.”
Aidan suddenly smiled. “Back in the County Seat, such Class holders weren’t very common.”
Matthew smiled as well. “This is the Royal Capital. The Black Iron Rank is just the starting point.”
With one sentence, he pointed out the biggest difference between the two cities. In the County Seat, becoming a Class holder was enough to earn a fair amount of respect. But in the Royal Capital, a Class holder only had the qualification to stand on the stage. What truly determined one’s status was still strength.
The two continued forward. After walking for about half a quarter of an hour, the street gradually became quieter. It wasn’t as noisy as the Commercial District. The buildings on both sides were significantly taller. Behind many courtyard walls, neatly trimmed gardens could be seen. Occasionally, the sound of a fountain could be heard.
Aidan looked around and whispered, “Brother Matthew, further ahead is the outskirts of the Noble District. Although ordinary people can walk here, they aren’t allowed to approach many places.”
Matthew nodded. He didn’t continue further inside. There was no need for now. Just as he was about to turn and leave, his peripheral vision caught a notice board on the street corner. A fair number of people were gathered there. Some were frowning, some were shaking their heads, and others were discussing something in low voices.
Matthew’s eyes flickered. “Let’s go take a look.” He had a faint feeling that there might be new information there.
The old man’s pace as he left wasn’t fast, and his back was even somewhat hunched. Yet for some reason, Matthew felt that his figure was out of place with the people around him. He seemed like someone who had experienced too much, someone accustomed to life and death, and accustomed to secrets.
Aidan also watched the direction the old man left in and said softly, “Brother Matthew, that old guy talks in riddles. Could he just be trying to trick people on purpose?”
Matthew didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly. “Not necessarily. One person might lie, and many people might lie. But if everyone is avoiding the same thing, that thing most likely exists.”
Aidan nodded thoughtfully. Matthew glanced at the notice board again.
Throughout their walk today, the Theater District, nighttime, disappearances, lockdowns, and patrols—these words had appeared countless times. Most importantly, they came from different people: mercenaries, merchants, residents, the elderly, and even family members of the City Guard. They had no connection to each other, yet all the clues pointed vaguely to the same place.
Thinking of this, Matthew had already reached a conclusion. At the very least, something must have happened in the Theater District. It was just that ordinary people didn’t know the truth, or rather, someone didn't want them to know.
Just as the two were preparing to leave, a young clerk responsible for recording information suddenly walked out from beside the notice board, carrying a stack of new parchment. He moved skillfully, removing the old notices and posting new content.
One bounty caught many people’s attention.
【Recruiting Night Patrol Personnel.】
【Time: 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM.】
【Location: West District outskirts.】
【Payment: Two gold coins per day.】
A sentence was specifically added at the bottom:
【Danger Level: Moderate.】
People nearby immediately began to discuss it.
“Two gold coins? Two coins just for patrolling one night?”
“Is it really that high?”
A young mercenary’s eyes lit up. “I’m going to sign up!”
But before he could take a step, a companion beside him grabbed him. “Are you crazy? The West District. And a night patrol.”
The young mercenary was unconvinced. “It’s two gold coins!”
The companion lowered his voice. “Is the money more important or your life? A few days ago, the Iron Wolf Mercenary Group took a similar job. When they came back, they were missing two people.”
The young mercenary was stunned. “For real?”
“Of course it’s real. My cousin is in the Iron Wolf. He said those two didn’t die in battle. They went missing. No person found alive, no body found dead.”
Someone nearby couldn’t help but chime in. “And then?”
The mercenary shook his head. “And then? Then the City Guard took over. After that, no one dared to ask.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the young mercenary who had been eager just moments ago suddenly shrunk his neck. He didn't mention signing up again.
Matthew silently observed this scene. He suddenly realized that ordinary people’s judgment of danger was far more sensitive than he had imagined. They didn't know what had happened, but they knew what things to avoid. This was experience bought with the lives of countless predecessors.
Aidan took a light breath. “Two gold coins a day... and no one is willing to go.”
Matthew said calmly, “It means someone has done the math and decided their life is worth more than two gold coins.”
Just then, a flurry of hoofbeats came from the other end of the street. Everyone instinctively looked back to see a squad of horses galloping toward them from the distance. Leading them was a knight clad in silver armor. His expression was grim, and the sword at his waist was not yet sheathed. There were even a few spots of dark red that hadn't fully dried on the horse’s back.
The knight didn't stop, charging straight toward the West District. Over a dozen cavalrymen followed closely behind. The people on the street made way. Even after the cavalry had vanished into the distance, a sense of grimness still lingered in the air.
The area in front of the notice board fell silent for a few seconds. Then, everyone acted as if nothing had happened, continuing their chats, their trades, and their travels. No one discussed that squad of cavalry, and no one asked what had happened.
When Matthew saw this, his pupils constricted imperceptibly. For the first time, he truly realized the difference in the residents of the Royal Capital. It wasn't that they didn't know, it was just that... they were used to it.
They were used to suppressing their curiosity. Used to not asking questions. Used to acting as if things beyond their capability had never happened.
Matthew slowly withdrew his gaze, but a sentence suddenly surfaced in his mind. The most terrifying thing about a city isn't secrets, but the fact that everyone has grown used to the secrets.
He didn't stay any longer, turning to lead Aidan away from the notice board. However, the moment he turned, he had already committed three names to memory: the Theater District, the West District night patrol, and... the Iron Wolf Mercenary Group.
Compared to those urban legends that were hard to distinguish as true or false, it might be easier to find a breakthrough from people who had truly experienced those things.
Matthew didn't immediately go looking for the Iron Wolf Mercenary Group. Instead, he stopped by the side of the street, his gaze slowly scanning the surroundings.
Aidan was somewhat confused. “Brother Matthew? Aren't we going to find that Iron Wolf Mercenary Group?”
Matthew shook his head slightly. “If we go now, we won't get any information.”
Aidan was taken aback. “Why?”
Matthew smiled. “Because something just happened. Everyone knows about it, and everyone will refuse to speak. If we go asking around now, people will only see us as someone with ulterior motives.”
Aidan understood. Matthew continued, “There are only two kinds of people who will talk. Those who are drunk, and those who feel you are worth trusting. Right now, we have neither.”
Aidan nodded earnestly, having learned another lesson.
...
The two continued to walk slowly along the street. The afternoon sunlight gradually softened. The flow of people in the Commercial District was even greater than in the morning. Street performers had even begun to appear along the roadside. Some played the lute, some performed acrobatics, and a bard stood by a fountain, loudly chanting the epic of an ancient knight. A crowd of listeners surrounded them, occasionally breaking into bursts of applause.
The entire Royal Capital seemed to have returned to being that prosperous and stable city. Yet the more it was like this, the deeper the doubt in Matthew’s heart grew.
Along the way, he had noticed a very strange phenomenon. The common folk were truly happy—at least on the surface. The markets were prosperous, order was well-maintained, and public security was excellent. Yet at the same time, the talk of disappearances, the night, the Theater District, the lockdowns, and the urban legends were also very real. It was as if this city had been artificially divided into two worlds.
Daylight belonged to ordinary people. Night belonged to something else.
Just then, a commotion caught Matthew’s attention. Not far ahead, several young mercenaries were gathered around a fruit stall. One of them, a youth with brown hair, was patting his chest and bragging loudly.
“You guys have no idea. My brother went out on another mission last night.”
Several people nearby immediately gathered around. “For real? Isn't your brother in the Grey Wolf Mercenary Group?”
The youth nodded proudly. “Yeah. He only came back in the middle of the night. After he got back, he didn't say a word. He just threw his sword into the furnace to burn it. When I asked him why, he said there was something filthy on the blade.”
Someone couldn't help but laugh. “What kind of filthy thing? Magical beast blood?”
The youth shook his head. “I don't know. Anyway, he said that in the future, even if someone offers ten times the money to escort them near the Theater District at night, I must never go.”
Someone immediately pressed for more. “But why exactly?”
The youth threw up his hands. “I asked too. He said that the less you know, the longer you live. He also told me I must be home before dark from now on.”
At this point, the youth suddenly lowered his voice. “Also, he said their mercenary group is missing two people lately. They didn't die in battle; they just can't be found. Their equipment is still there, but the people are gone.”
Several young mercenaries gasped. “For real?”
“Of course it’s real,” the youth snorted. “Why would I lie to you? But the captain has already issued a gag order. No one is allowed to talk about it. I only overheard it from my brother after he got drunk.”
As soon as he finished speaking, an angry shout came from across the street. “You brat! What nonsense are you spouting!”
Everyone turned to see a burly man in his thirties striding toward them. He was wearing grey leather armor with a wolf-head badge embroidered on his chest. When the youth saw the man, his expression changed instantly. “Brother...”
The burly man walked up and slapped the youth on the head. “You drink a bit of ale and dare to say anything? Go home!”
The youth shrunk his neck, not daring to talk back, and slunk away. Before leaving, the burly man suddenly raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the onlookers. His eyes were very sharp.
The crowd immediately dispersed, and no one continued to gossip. Matthew stood outside the crowd, briefly locking eyes with the burly man. For just an instant, the man withdrew his gaze and left with his brother.
Aidan said softly, “That person... he’s not weak.”
Matthew nodded. “Bronze Rank. And he’s seen blood.”
What truly concerned Matthew, however, wasn't the man’s strength, but the look in his eyes just now. It wasn't anger; it was... tension. A kind of tension born of the fear that certain things would continue to spread.
Thinking of this, the corners of Matthew’s mouth slowly curled up. Today had been enough. Although he still hadn't found any wizards, he was now certain of one thing. There truly was a deeply hidden circle in the Royal Capital. Ordinary people knew nothing, ordinary Class holders knew a little, and the higher up one went, the more they knew—yet the less they were willing to say.
This meant his direction was correct. Wizards hadn't vanished; they were simply hidden from everyone’s sight. And those anomalies occurring at night were the traces they left behind.
Rate on N.U.
