NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 165.1
* * *
Bar ‘Traveler’s Afternoon.’
Everyone who knows, knows.
That the place is a secret entrance leading to the Information Guild. Today, there were two opposing groups glaring at each other.
“Hey, are these guys blind?”
“No, it’s audacious of them to block in front of someone else’s shop. Just because they’re officials, can they oppress people like this?”
“Oppress? These guys wave their citizen rights like a magic wand. The world has become too lenient. Petty criminals walking around in broad daylight. Do you think you’d come up clean if we searched you? You don’t know that this kind of business with the Information Guild is illegal?”
“Oh my, if anyone’s hiding something, it’s you guys. Our Information Guild knows everything about this world. Do you really think these heretical inquisitors haven’t committed any illegal acts under the guise of duty? Shall we all strip down and check? Why not start the second act of your life with this opportunity?”
“Get them!”
“These people are crazy! City folks! Listen up. These people are not from the Knight’s Order but heretical inquisitors. They should be catching magicians, not tormenting innocent citizens!”
“Hey! Can’t you all be quiet?”
In the narrow alleyway, the unidentified men were aggressively confronting each other.
“They’ve started again. Those people must be day-drinking.”
Nearby residents passed by, shaking their heads in exasperation. The bad relationship between the heretical inquisitors and the Information Guild wasn’t a new development.
The Information Guild, which secretly controlled the back alleys, and the inquisitors who, despite being state-affiliated knights, carried out secret missions underground.
Both groups had a lot in common.
Operating in the gray area between light and darkness, conducting clandestine deals regardless of profession. A secret organization known only to a few.
And both were led by young, handsome, and competent leaders.
…And both Cedric and Kien, the leaders, happened to like the same woman.
“It’s no fun if you keep using underhanded tactics!”
“You should face reality. Dare you target our country’s precious princess and our hope?”
“We’ve already called dibs on her!”
“How dare you, claiming to have called dibs on her? Should we steam you up and eat you?”
Even most of the organization members knew that both leaders were infatuated with princess Leticia. This had led to a longstanding battle of pride between the two groups over ‘bringing the sister-in-law.’
That was the argument of both sides.
Rumors had it that Leticia was the one who made Kien, once a thief, the master of the Information Guild.
Everyone knew about the relationship between Cedric and Leticia, so there was no need for rumors. Amidst all this, rumors circulated that Kien was just waiting for Leticia’s coming-of-age ceremony.
Apparently, he claimed he’d steal the princess using his thieving skills. Hence, the inquisitors were on high alert. All part of the operation to ‘protect the future sister-in-law.’
“But why are we here today?”
The youngest of the inquisitors nudged his senior.
“I don’t know, our prince told us to gather here.”
“Isn’t he under house arrest?”
“I don’t know.”
They whispered among themselves.
Collen had forbidden Cedric from approaching Leticia.
Leticia and Cedric had a unique relationship, as the nation’s most admired unofficial couple.
But that was an exception.
Usually, unmarried men and women like Leticia and Cedric shouldn’t be seen together. In such cases, it’s common to warn the other family to keep their child in check.
But Collen wouldn’t let it pass.
[Don’t let your son approach my daughter until I give permission.]
He had indeed sent this warning letter. The king, upon receiving it, wore a peculiar expression, his pride possibly wounded.
However, the king managed to skillfully navigate the situation.
The king had imposed house arrest on Cedric, advising him to avoid frivolous outings unless for official duties.
There it was again, the king’s theory on the youth.
Strangely, King Pudding enjoyed speeches starting with ‘These young people these days…’
‘Here he goes again.’
Even the king’s knights would tune out when the youth theory was mentioned.
Usually, the king’s youth discussions would lead to stories from his past, starting with ‘In my time.’ Whenever this happened, even the attending knights would desperately try to distract themselves. It was just too boring.
For a while, Cedric genuinely followed this order.
But one day, while dining alone with the king, Cedric received a note.
[Lady Leticia is scheduled to visit the Information Guild this afternoon. There is a high possibility that she will meet one-on-one with the guild leader, Kien.]
Cedric’s expression hardened immediately.
Despite saying that, the king seemed to be rather flustered whenever it came to Leticia, as if looking at a future daughter-in-law.
Cedric passed a note. The inquisitor hastily took the note.
Oh, the prince again…
The king’s escort knights widened their eyes. They recognized the political prowess of the second prince, which seemed to have grown beyond that of the king, who was as naive as pudding.