Infernal Blade – Part 02
“As much as I’d prefer to avoid a battle with a demon inside the city, it’s a very real possibility. We’ll go over countermeasures thoroughly, but I need everyone to be ready. If a demon attacks, there will be casualties.”
Hannibal had lived through the Valbanill War. If someone like him was warning them, the threat was real—even to guards who had never experienced battle.
“The auction items were brought into the city just this morning. We’re assigning guards to each one, and you’ll receive your assignments shortly. That would be all. Dismissed.”
The tense silence broke, and the hall filled with noise.
Cecily gave herself a quick slap on the cheeks. They were up against demons. She needed to focus.
Her assignment was solo guard duty for one of the auction items, but she hadn’t been told what exactly it was yet.
“Cecily.”
She turned to see a towering figure standing behind her. The man with the cross-shaped scar twisted his face into what he probably thought was a smile, though it looked more like a snarl.
“Captain Quasar. Thank you for the report.”
“No problem. You’re guarding this item. I’ll take you there.”
“Uh, y-yes, sir. Thank you.”
The captain himself? She found it odd but had no reason to object. She quickened her pace to match Hannibal’s long strides.
As they walked down the corridor, Hannibal asked, “You’ve been with us for almost two months now. How’re you settling in?”
“I’m doing better now. I learn something new every day.”
“You’re just like your old man, serious to a fault. You’re way too formal. Loosen up a bit.”
Hannibal turned around with a boisterous laugh, clapping Cecily’s shoulder. It hurt so much, but she forced a smile and pushed through the pain.
“S-So, what exactly is my assignment? I heard it was guarding an auction item.”
“Ah, yes.” Hannibal nodded. “What you’re guarding is not exactly an auction item. Well, it will be put up for auction, but the buyer has already been decided.”
“Already decided?”
“Yes. The winner and the price are already set. It’s not really for sale—it’s more of a publicity stunt.”
Cecily had heard rumors of such things. Certain items were used purely for advertising, a way to stir up excitement for the fair. While the item would be put up for auction, the seller would have already arranged with a specific bidder beforehand, and on the day of the auction, they would drive the price up so high that no one else could compete. In reality, no transaction would occur at that price, and instead, the winning bidder would receive a reward. The whole process was just a publicity stunt to generate buzz around the fair.
Cecily didn’t believe such a scam was real, but apparently she was wrong. And she was assigned to guard one such item.
“We’ve coordinated with the other district captains to make a list of the items most likely to be targeted. One of those is yours. It’s something that can’t really be sold at an auction, which makes it a prime target.”
“Are you sure I’m the right choice for this?” Cecily was genuinely surprised.
“What’s this? Are you lacking confidence?”
“Not exactly, but…”
“This is based on your performance in the previous expedition.”
Cecily almost mentioned Luke but caught herself. Luke had asked not to be mentioned in the report. Instead, his involvement was noted as “with the assistance of the accompanying mercenary,” avoiding specific details. While she didn’t like it, the official credit went to Cecily.
Cecily bit her lip. The discrepancy between her evaluation and reality troubled her. It was Luke who killed the demon. She was vastly underpowered and didn’t even manage to land a single blow. Yet she received praise. It was frustrating.
Noticing her silence, Hannibal said, “Even if that weren’t the case, I still value your contributions. Hold your head high.”
“Yes, sir.”
She clenched her fists. If she was lacking, she would make up for it. She wouldn’t stop or falter. She would make the most of this opportunity.
She needed to close the gap between her current abilities and her evaluation. That was her goal.
A question popped into Cecily’s mind, and she asked, “Why am I the only one guarding it?”
The auction item was of high importance. Even with a shortage of personnel, wouldn’t one person alone be insufficient?
“Your assignment requires a lower profile. I mentioned your past performance, but there’s another reason. It’s because you’re a woman.”
“What do you mean? What does gender have to do with it?”
“You’ll understand when you meet them. Here we are.”
They stopped in front of a particular room. Cecily’s eyes widened when she read the nameplate on the door.
“The mayor’s office?!”
Government offices were present in each of the districts from one to six—except for the Seventh District, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Sixth District’s office. The mayor’s office was located in the Third District, likely because the Third District was situated at the very center of the Independent Trade City.
“Your assigned protection detail was brought in by a distant relative of Mr. Housman.”
“I see.”
Hannibal knocked on the door with his rock-like fist, and a voice from inside told them to come in.
“Hannibal Quasar reporting. I’ve brought Cecily Campbell.”
“Thank you. Please come in.”
They were greeted by a man. Though Cecily remembered him as being in his late thirties, he looked considerably younger. He was dressed formally, but his unruly hair and unrefined smile gave him a youthful air.
This was Hugo Housman, the mayor of the Independent Trade City. The mayor was elected every three years by popular vote, but the selected individual, regardless of their lineage, was required to adopt the Housman name. This was a tradition to honor the Housman family, who had laid the foundations of the city from its early days.
“I’m Cecily Campbell, of the Third District’s Knight Guard.”
“Nice to meet you, Cecily. I’m Hugo Housman. I look forward to your work on this mission.”
As Cecily shook hands with Housman, she found him quite approachable. Although she knew of him, this was her first time meeting him in person. His relaxed demeanor helped ease her tension.
Then Cecily noticed someone else.
“Who might this be?”
A young woman stood beside Housman. She seemed to be around Cecily’s age, but noticeably younger. When Hugo gave her a nod, she smiled and extended her hand.
“I’m Aria. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Cecily Campbell.”
Cecily shook Aria’s hand, surprised by its slender feel. Aria had a delicate, slim physique, but there was no hint of frailty. Her well-shaped figure and wide smile conveyed a sense of reliability.
The woman wore what looked like a very revealing, dancer’s attire—her navel, thighs, and upper arms exposed—without a hint of shame. Her well-shaped nose, milky skin, bright eyes, and perfectly balanced features marked her as undeniably beautiful. Her parted bangs revealed her forehead, and her long, glossy hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.
Could she be the distant relative of Mr. Housman? Judging by the conversation, it seemed likely—though her profession was impossible to guess from her attire.
“So, where’s this item I’m supposed to protect?”
Cecily looked around the mayor’s office. There were only standard office furnishings, nothing that stood out. The other three exchanged glances.
“Hannibal, you haven’t briefed her yet?” the mayor asked.
“I thought it’d be more amusing this way.”
“You’re such a jerk, old man,” Aria said.
Cecily, out of the loop, tilted her head in confusion.
“The thing you’re protecting,” Aria said with a friendly smile, “is me.”
“What?”
Housman shot a disapproving look at Hannibal before placing a hand on Aria’s shoulder. “Cecily, your mission is to protect her.”
“But my assignment—”
“Aria isn’t human.”
His words left Cecily stunned. Not human?
Aria gave her a thumbs-up. “I’m an Infernal Blade.”
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