Matthew's pupils contracted slightly.
The southwest.
It was...
The Theater District.
Aidan saw his expression and immediately grew tense.
“What happened?”
Matthew stared at his panel and didn't answer immediately.
In his mind, several images flashed by in rapid succession:
The Blood-Veined Rapier.
The Theater District.
Ten years ago.
The disappearances.
The old street.
Could it be... this sword was more than just a piece of equipment?
Did it still retain some kind of sensory connection?
But in the next second, Matthew suppressed the urge and didn't act immediately.
He closed the sword case again.
“It's nothing.”
Aidan clearly didn't believe him.
“Really?”
Matthew glanced at him and smiled.
“Now is not the time.”
Aidan opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't ask further.
He knew that if Matthew wanted to speak, he would naturally do so.
If he didn't, it meant the time hadn't come yet.
The night grew deeper, and the inn gradually fell quiet.
Matthew lay in bed, but he didn't fall asleep immediately.
In his mind, he constantly replayed everything that had happened today.
After arriving in the Royal Capital, everything was more complicated than he had imagined.
This place wasn't just a simple resource center, nor was it merely a gathering place for experts.
It was like a massive lake—calm on the surface, but hiding countless undercurrents beneath.
As for himself, he had only just approached the shore.
However, he wasn't in a hurry.
He had time, strength, his panel, and... far more caution than the people of this world.
Tomorrow, he would continue to explore the Royal Capital and gather information.
At the same time, he would also start paying attention to one thing: what exactly were those existences hidden behind the ordinary world?
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Royal Capital, inside a dim basement, a person draped in a black cloak slowly opened their eyes.
On the tabletop, a damaged dark red emblem was glowing faintly.
Nearby, someone whispered, “My Lord.”
“That sword has appeared.”
The black-robed figure remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly.
“Are you certain?”
“Certain.”
“It has the exact same aura as ten years ago.”
The black-robed figure looked down at the emblem.
His voice was low.
“It seems...”
“...someone has opened the door left behind from the old days.”
The next morning, when Matthew woke up, the familiar sounds of the Royal Capital were already drifting in from outside the window.
Carriage wheels rolled over the flagstone road, vendors began setting up their stalls, and the distant clock tower slowly chimed.
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
Everything was no different from the previous few days.
But Matthew's state of mind had already changed.
When he had first arrived in the Royal Capital, what he saw was prosperity, scale, resources, and opportunity.
But now, he saw an additional layer.
Concealment.
The more prosperous a city was, the less likely it was to only be what it seemed on the surface.
Especially the Royal Capital.
This place gathered the most powerful forces in the entire kingdom.
Nobles, chambers of commerce, Class holders, and scholars—even existences that ordinary people had absolutely no way of contacting.
Together, they made up this city, and together, they hid countless secrets.
Matthew sat by the table, took a sip of hot tea, and looked at the several documents before him.
One of them was the information obtained yesterday from the Theater District tavern.
The other was the notes he had compiled himself.
He was in no hurry to investigate; instead, he was waiting.
Waiting for more information.
Because the most important question right now wasn't: “What is there?”
But rather: “Why does it exist there?”
“Brother Matthew.”
Aidan pushed open the door and entered, a hint of excitement on his face.
“There's new information.”
Matthew looked up.
“Speak.”
Aidan sat down.
“Regarding the matter of the Theater District yesterday, I asked a few more people.”
“And I discovered a problem.”
“What?”
Aidan said, “After the disappearance events ten years ago, some parts of the Theater District were indeed rebuilt.”
“But it wasn't completely rebuilt.”
Matthew's brow twitched slightly.
“What do you mean?”
“Some old buildings were preserved.”
“Especially around the back street.”
“Many people say things happened there in the past, so no one has ever been willing to take them over.”
Matthew tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
“Does anyone know exactly which buildings they are?”
Aidan shook his head.
“No.”
“No one could say for sure.”
“But...”
He paused.
“One person mentioned a name.”
“Who?”
“The old theater.”
The room fell silent.
Matthew looked at the map.
Theater District.
Old street.
Old theater.
Several terms connected once more.
“What did he say?”
Aidan recalled, “He said that the Royal Capital Grand Theater didn't use to look like this.”
“More than ten years ago, there was an old theater there.”
“It was later closed due to an accident, and only then was it rebuilt into the current Grand Theater.”
“But the old underground area was preserved all along.”
Underground.
This word caused Matthew's expression to shift slightly.
Because many hidden things liked to hide underground.
Not because the underground was special, but because it wasn't easily discovered.
“Do you know where the entrance is?” Matthew asked.
Aidan shook his head.
“No.”
“I heard it was sealed off later.”
“Ordinary people can't get in at all.”
Matthew didn't ask further.
This result was not unexpected.
If there really was a problem, the entrance wouldn't be so easy to find.
In the morning, the two of them didn't continue investigating the Theater District.
Instead, as planned, they headed to the Class Holder Plaza.
This was a place Matthew had wanted to visit ever since arriving in the Royal Capital.
The Class Holder Plaza was located in the central area of the Royal Capital.
This place was completely different from the Commercial District.
If the Commercial District showcased wealth, then what was displayed here was strength.
As they drew close to the plaza, Matthew felt a distinct change.
In the crowd, the number of Class holders had noticeably increased.
People carrying weapons, adventurers clad in leather armor, mercenaries carrying massive packs, and even some members of professional groups wearing specialized uniforms came and went in an endless stream.
In the center of the plaza, a massive stone tablet stood erect.
It recorded information about the major professional organizations in the Royal Capital: the Mercenary Association, knight orders, the Adventurer Guild, the Alchemist Association, the Potioneer Alliance, and so on.
Aidan looked around and couldn't help but say, “This place is so much larger than the county seat.”
Matthew nodded.
“That's normal.”
“The county seat functions more as an administrative center.”
“As for the Royal Capital, it's where resources converge.”
The two of them walked slowly through the crowd.
Matthew observed constantly.
Black Iron Rank—there were many.
Bronze Rank—there were quite a few as well.
He could even occasionally spot Silver Rank Class holders.
The aura on them was distinctly different.
Even if they didn't release their power, they would cause the surrounding people to actively steer clear.
But what caught Matthew's attention was that while there were many Class holders, there were no obvious traces of wizards.
No staffs, no specialized wizard robes, no magic fluctuations, and not even anyone suspected of being an apprentice.
Aidan noticed his gaze and asked, “Are you still looking for them?”
Matthew knew he was referring to wizards and didn't deny it.
“Yes.”
“But looking at it now, our direction is correct.”
Aidan was puzzled.
“Why?”
Matthew looked at the crowd in the plaza.
“If wizards were really as common as ordinary Class holders, that would be abnormal instead.”
“A group that commands extraordinary power, yet leaves no obvious traces, shows that they have their own system, their own circle, and even their own rules.”
Aidan nodded.
“So we can't find them, not because they don't exist, but because the position we stand in isn't high enough.”
Matthew glanced at him and smiled.
“You're starting to sound more and more like a thinker now.”
Aidan felt a bit embarrassed.
Just as the two of them passed the edge of the Class Holder Plaza, suddenly, a commotion arose ahead.
A few mercenaries gathered together, discussing something.
One of them said, “Have you guys heard? A strange item recently appeared at the Auction House.”
Someone nearby asked, “What item?”
The mercenary lowered his voice.
“An item from some old noble ruins.”
“Some say it's related to the Theater District from ten years ago.”
Matthew paused in his tracks.
Aidan froze as well.
The two of them exchanged a glance but didn't draw closer, choosing to listen quietly.
The mercenary continued, “But whether it's true or false, nobody knows.”
“At a place like the Auction House, true and false information are always mixed together.”
“To drive up the price, some people dare to make up any story.”
Another mercenary laughed.
“Then why are you still talking about it?”
The first mercenary shrugged.
“Because it's interesting.”
“And I heard that the item has blood-colored patterns on it.”
At this moment, Matthew's gaze changed completely.
Blood-colored patterns.
He didn't move, nor did he show any anomaly, but a wave of shock had already surged in his heart.
Because in this world, of the things that possessed blood-colored patterns, he could only think of one right now: the Blood-Veined Rapier.
And right at this moment, in the distance, on the other side of the Class Holder Plaza, a hooded figure stopped in their tracks and cast a glance toward Matthew's location.
Then, they slowly left the crowd.
No one noticed, except Matthew.
Because at that exact moment, his panel showed another prompt.
【Detected anomalous energy fluctuation】
【Source: Unknown】
【Slight association with the Blood-Veined Rapier detected】
Matthew watched the direction in which the figure disappeared.
He didn't give chase, but merely stood in place, confirming in his heart for the first time: this matter was no longer a simple investigation.
Someone else was also paying attention to that sword.
Matthew didn't chase after him.
The speed at which the hooded figure left wasn't fast; it could even be described as ordinary.
Under normal circumstances, a Class holder could easily have kept up.
But Matthew didn't do so.
He knew very well that true secrets were rarely resolved just by chasing after them.
On the contrary, exposing one's interest too early was the most dangerous thing of all.
He withdrew his gaze and looked back at the mercenaries who were chatting, his facial expression showing no change at all, as if nothing had happened just now.
Aidan, however, couldn't help but ask in a low voice, “Brother Matthew.”
“That person just now...”
Matthew shook his head slightly, signaling him not to continue.
Aidan immediately shut his mouth.
The two of them continued forward through the crowd.
Only after they had left the Class Holder Plaza behind for some distance and entered a nearby alley did Aidan speak again.
“Do you know him?”
“No.”
“Then why didn't we pursue?”
Matthew looked ahead and said calmly, “Because we don't know who he is, nor do we know why he looked at us.”
“Chasing after him rashly would only tell the other party one thing.”
Aidan thought about it.
“Tell him... that we noticed him?”
“Exactly.”
Matthew stopped walking and looked at the crowd passing by on the street.
“The best state to be in right now is for them not to know that we know.”
Aidan nodded.
Though it was a bit complicated, he understood the logic.
For those hiding in the shadows, what they feared most wasn't a strong enemy, but an unpredictable one.
The two of them continued walking toward the Commercial District.
But Matthew's thoughts were no longer entirely on the street before them.
In his mind, he constantly replayed the words he had just heard.
Blood-colored patterns.
Old noble ruins.
The Auction House.
The Theater District ten years ago.
These clues were finally beginning to intersect.
In the afternoon, they arrived at the Royal Capital Central Auction House.
This was an extremely massive building.
Unlike ordinary shops, it didn't have numerous signs, nor any shouting of wares, and even its entrance was unusually quiet.
But among those standing here, there were almost no ordinary people.
Most of the people coming and going were neatly dressed and possessed extraordinary temperaments.
There were chamber of commerce representatives, noble butlers, high-level Class holders, and some masked individuals.
Aidan looked at the building in front of them and said in a low voice, “This place feels different from other areas.”
Matthew nodded.
“That's normal.”
“The things traded here are not mere goods, but resources.”
Entering the Auction House hall, the two of them didn't buy anything immediately, choosing only to observe.
In the center of the hall, a massive crystal bulletin board hung.
It displayed the upcoming auction items: magical beast materials, high-level weapons, rare potions, ancient relics, special equipment,
...
Matthew browsed through them quickly.
Suddenly, his gaze locked.
【No. 217】
【Item: Unknown blood-veined fragment】
【Source: Ancient ruin】
【Description: Suspected residual material of some special equipment】
【Starting Bid: 300 gold coins】
Matthew's expression shifted slightly.
Blood-veined.
It was blood-veined again.
A staff member noticed his gaze and walked over, asking politely, “Sir, are you interested in this auction item?”
Matthew didn't answer directly, but asked instead, “Where can I find detailed information on this item?”
The staff member smiled.
“Detailed information requires checking the auction manual, or becoming an official client.”
Matthew nodded and didn't press further.
After leaving the bulletin board, Aidan couldn't help but say, “Is it really related to that sword?”
Matthew was silent for a moment.
“I don't know.”
“But it might be.”
“The Blood-Veined Rapier appeared, a blood-veined fragment has appeared, and there are the events of ten years ago.”
“All of these things appearing in the same period of time... it's hard to say it's just a coincidence.”
Aidan frowned.
“Then should we buy it?”
Matthew shook his head.
“No rush for now.”
“Right now, the most important thing is information, not the item itself.”
To this saying, Aidan had already grown accustomed.
In everything Matthew did, he seemed to always consider value, risk, and consequences first, rather than acting purely out of interest.
Just as the two of them were preparing to leave, from the other side of the Auction House hall, a voice suddenly called out.
“Lord, please wait a moment.”
Matthew stopped and turned around.
A middle-aged man wearing a black formal suit stood there, a professional smile on his face.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
The man bowed.
“I just felt that you seemed to be interested in that blood-veined fragment.”
Matthew's expression remained calm.
“I was just looking.”
The man smiled.
“Many people say the same thing.”
“But those who actually stop there for more than three seconds are not very many.”
Aidan subconsciously gripped his sword hilt.
But Matthew made no move.
Rate on N.U.
