Chapter 22
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Chapter 22 The Underworld came into being suddenly, ages ago, on a single fateful day. According to the records passed down, it was originally a small territory belonging to the Palen Empire. The domain, blessed with dense forests, sprawling meadows, and a beautiful stream, had known peace. The loudest disturbance was merely shepherds shouting as they tended their flocks. The curse descended in a single moment. One day, black flowers and thorny brambles erupted from the earth, consuming everything in their path within moments. The people trembled with terror. Mercifully, the black flowers and thorny brambles vanished within a day. Yet nothing remained in their wake. No verdant trees, no emerald meadows, no glimmering stream. Only sand and stone persisted. Life could not flourish there. In that barren wasteland where no plant could take root, only the parched winds of sand swept endlessly. All fled in fear, convinced they were cursed. Thus it became abandoned land. It was perhaps inevitable that refuse and outcasts would gravitate toward an uninhabited desolation. Those who could not blend into ordinary society began settling here, one by one. They built homes upon the sand and forged their own society. As more refuse accumulated, the place swelled into a throng too significant to ignore. The nations of the continent left the abandoned land untouched. They wished no entanglement in the endless crime and corruption that festered there. A neutral ground belonging to no nation—a lawless territory. People began calling this place the "Underworld."
"So this is what it's like."
At Daren's remark, Hailon shifted his gaze without emotion. The Underworld blazed with light even at night, never surrendering to darkness. The streets, transformed into a city of perpetual illumination, teemed with people, yet fell eerily quiet during the bright day. As the sun began to set, establishments would gradually spring to life once more. It was a place that lived up to its name. The streets were lined with shops peddling all manner of grotesque and bizarre wares. Every building was constructed of stone, lending the atmosphere an unsettling uniqueness, and the passersby were equally unconventional. Bearing massive scars across face or body was merely the standard. Some adorned themselves with bizarre ornaments, others wore grotesque masks, and many carried weapons of unfamiliar design—each person a study in eclectic appearance. Hailon and his subordinates, draped in black robes, presented the most unremarkable appearance.
"I have heard countless tales, yet this is my first time witnessing it in person—truly remarkable."
Daren spoke with considerable loquacity, offering his impressions of the Underworld. Unlike Daren, who marveled at the unfamiliar sights, Hailon walked the streets with practiced familiarity. The Holy Empire maintains no involvement with the Underworld. Where light exists, shadow must inevitably follow. It was an unspoken principle that removing evil only scattered it into other forms, so there was no need to soil one's hands in the mire. But today, Hailon was about to commit the first exception. He came to a halt before a modest shop. His blue eyes traced the faded yet orderly lettering on the sign. 【Hata's Hat Shop】 The sandwich board outside displayed hats, a dog, and floral patterns. Hailon knew precisely what the floral pattern signified. It was the same mark that adorned his own collarbone. Before I could even think, a hollow laugh escaped between my lips. She seemed eager to advertise that I was the witch's dog. A small potted flower sat beside the sandwich board. Since life did not flourish in this barren land, verdant plants were symbols of wealth. In that sense, the flowerpot was a luxury item. My gaze shifted to the display case beyond the broad window. The hats visible through the glass window were quite exquisitely crafted. They were of a caliber that would not seem out of place in an upscale boutique in the Palen Capital's bustling district. Daren murmured beside me without thinking.
"Glass, no less—the witch's reputation truly is formidable."
A faint note of admiration colored his voice. And rightly so; in the treacherous Underworld, installing transparent glass windows without iron bars was an expression of absolute confidence. The reason no thieves dared strike such a shop was simple. It belonged to the witch Lichesia. The Underworld's denizens would never wish to become her prey. Those too foolish to distinguish courage from recklessness had already been made examples of by Lichesia's axe.
"Wait here."
"Yes."
After ordering my adjutant to stand by, Hailon entered the shop alone. A bell chimed cheerfully above the glass door. A delicate floral fragrance assailed the senses first.
"One moment!"
A voice called from within. Hailon lowered the hood of his robe and surveyed the interior. Among the displayed wares, I had seen several pieces that Lichesia wore regularly. The hats and accessories she cherished and wore often. All of them were crafted by a dog-kin known as Hata. I had known of her existence long ago, but this was my first time visiting her shop. Until now, there had been no need, but now.... Hailon recalled someone of whom I still knew not a single detail.
"Welcome!"
The shop owner finally emerged. The man, who appeared at most seventeen years old—neither boy nor young adult—possessed an adorably delicate face. His bright tan-brown hair billowed like clouds, soft and voluminous. His violet eyes gleamed with crystalline purity, like glass marbles, yet their large size and downturned corners gave him a perpetually sorrowful expression. Of course, such features stirred nothing within Hailon. The dog-kin who had bounded out excitedly froze before the counter. The round, adorable face twisted into something savage.
"...White hair?"
It was Hata, the dog belonging to the sorceress Lichesia. Hata lunged forward, baring sharp fangs without hesitation. In that instant, wind erupted, sending the displayed hats throughout the shop into chaotic disarray. A black robe billowed dramatically, and beneath the fabric, the uniform of a Heresy Inquisitor was revealed. Within the cramped shop, pristine white chains unfurled like a spider's web. The chains bound Hata fast.
"Grrk—!"
Hata thrashed desperately, yet could never escape the chains of condemnation. He glared at Hailon.
"Why have you come to the Underworld...!"
Observing the plump cheeks, unmarred by any sign of hardship, Hailon twisted his lips. Had something befallen Lichesia, this contemptible dog-kin would have long since withered into a pitiful husk, shuttering his shop and cowering. Yet Hata remained unharmed. Hailon regarded him intently, then spoke.
"I hear you've been traveling between the Palen Capital and the Underworld of late."
"I have to sell hats!"
He protested with wide eyes.
"Hata's hats are incredibly popular! Many people want them. I have a branch shop in the Capital, so that's why I go there."
It was a plausible explanation. The Palen Capital and the Underworld were not so distant. Even by carriage, half a day was ample time for a round trip. Most would have accepted such words without question. Yet to a Heresy Inquisitor who had interrogated countless souls, it was nothing but an unconvincing excuse.
"Why not entrust delivery as before, but go yourself?"
"...."
Hata's confident demeanor crumbled into an expression of being caught off guard. Apparently, he had not prepared an excuse for this line of questioning.
"The sorceress Lichesia has inscribed a spell upon the bracelet adorning her wrist, allowing her servants to move freely near her. And conversely, the reverse is equally possible."
Soft luminescence shimmered across the white bracelet. With certain conditions attached, it was a spell designed to allow them to locate one another at any time. The chains binding Hata tightened further. That fact had always irritated me. In the past, it was merely a rose thorn pricking my finger, but now it gnawed at me like thorny brambles wound tightly around my entire being—unbearable. Even more so now, when I couldn't discern the slightest trace of Lichesia's whereabouts.
"How dare you do this to me!"
The dog-human who had stubbornly insisted he knew nothing thrashed his chains wildly, barking incessantly.
"Lichesia will come to save Hata! You white-haired bastard, I won't let you get away with this!"
"Perhaps so."
Unfortunately, that was precisely what Hailon desired. A twisted smile curved across Hailon's lips.
"I wonder when your master will come to rescue you."
Hata's eyes widened in shock—words he had never anticipated. Those blue eyes gazing upon the startled canine gleamed darkly with obsessive hunger.
"Let us wait together, you wretched creature."
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