There Is No World For ■■
Chapter 139: City Of The Wretched (3)

* * *

Surprisingly, the sewer Balagu led them to was made from proper concrete.

Considering the local legend that this city was built using Soviet investment, it wasn’t particularly strange, but the problem here was the size of the sewer.

“…You want us to go in through that?”

The sewer, oozing some kind of green liquid mixed with who-knows-what, was much smaller than Yeomyeong and Seti had anticipated.

To be precise, it was narrow—just wide enough to squeeze one person at a time.

Balagu shrugged at Seti, who had a look of utter disgust.

“All crawl spaces are like this.”

While Seti was debating whether to kick this shameless orc on the leg, Yeomyeong stepped forward to settle the matter.

“Once we get into the city, we should first find a decent place to stay. Somewhere we can bathe immediately.”

Balagu nodded in agreement, and Seti, though pouting, got off the camel and started gathering their things.

The chest of gold, sacks of coins, and their weapons.

“But what about the camels? Won’t they just starve waiting for us if we leave them here?”

Asked Seti, slinging both sacks of gold and the War Hammer, but Balagu reassured her there was no need to worry.

He explained that camels, being highly intelligent creatures, would either return to the clan or find new owners on their own.

Well, considering that camels were valuable livestock, it was only natural that someone else would take care of them.

By the time Yeomyeong organized his thoughts, Balagu had already squeezed himself into the sewer.

His large orcish frame made it look like he was forcing his way in, but surprisingly, he disappeared into the sewer rather quickly.

It seemed his talk of being a guide wasn’t entirely without basis.

Anyway, Yeomyeong stepped aside to let Seti enter the sewer first.

But instead of entering, Seti gave Yeomyeong a subtle look and, as he tilted his head in confusion, she asked.

“Really? Do you actually want to stare at my butt that badly?”

“…”

“I’d rather stare at a familiar butt than an orc’s. What do you think?”

Instead of replying, Yeomyeong sighed, tied the chest around his waist, and entered the sewer ahead of Seti.

Contrary to his worries, the sewer didn’t smell as bad as he expected.

At least from the perspective of a back alley janitor.

However, Seti, who followed him in, found it hard just to hold back her gag reflex, let alone enjoy the view of his butt.

“Seti, are you alright?”

“Not… really… heub, hurry up! Crawl faster.”

And after that exchange, they crawled along the sewer for a while.

Around the time Seti began to mumble that it would have been easier to kill all the guards instead, they finally emerged from the narrow sewer and stepped into a large sewer channel.

Should they call it a series of surprises? The interior of the sewer didn’t fall short when compared to the latest academy sewers.

It was so large that even with Balagu and Yeomyeong’s combined height, they still wouldn’t touch the ceiling. The walls also had walkways for workers to use.

While Yeomyeong observed the sewer in amazement, Balagu wrung out his clothes, climbed up the walkway, and said.

“If we walk quickly, we can reach the central area where the inns are within an hour or two. Let’s go.”

The two followed him onto the walkway and hurried along, hopeful that they’d soon find a place to wash up.

However, it didn’t take long for their hopes to be dashed.

Within less than an hour, they unexpectedly ran into someone.

* * *

The old man thought back to the days of the past—Back when the order established by the Magic Tower and the Empire ruled the world and when the court of this city truly belonged to His Imperial Majesty.

However, the world changed, and the old man had adapted to the now-changed world.

More precisely, he had no choice but to adapt.

Under the threat of guns and knives of Earthians, he was forced to grant rights to those vermin who couldn’t even sense mana.

He could only stand by helplessly and watch as the once beautiful and noble court turned into a four-story heap of trash.

He had to witness those vagabonds who had never even seen the Emperor’s face call themselves the ‘Count Palatines.’

It was this kind of world, this kind of era.

However, now, even that world would come to an end.

Just as Stalin, who was once called the Demon King, fell overnight, the rightful ‘old rulers’ would now make their return—

- *Creak*.

The sound of the door creaking open interrupted the old man’s thoughts.

The old man leaned forward from his plush chair to see who had entered his office.

“What is it, Sir Dovan?”

The visitor, he addressed as Dovan, was a young greenhorn who had only just come of age.

Looking somewhat nervous, he bowed his head toward the old man and spoke.

“Um… Southern Count Palatine? We found some people entering the city through the southern gate earlier. And… it seems like they might have the gold coins you spoke about before….”

“…Sir Dovan.”

The old man’s firm voice cut off Dovan’s timid words, his fierce gaze scrutinizing the young knight clad in armor.

“Did I not warn you to not address me as ‘Southern Count Palatine’? Have you forgotten already?”

“…”

“Do not forget. I am the one and only legitimate Count Palatine in this city. Especially if you’re under my command.”

Realizing his blunder, Dovan shrank, cowering visibly.

“I—I’m sorry! I still have habits from my back-alley days…”

Seeing his pathetic display, the old man nearly threw an ashtray at his head, but he suppressed his rage with much difficulty.

For now, he had to make use of this kind of man as well.

It couldn’t be helped. Including this fool, he only had three knights left under his command.

“Alright, let’s get back to business.”

“Y-yes! The guards at the gate said they discovered coins engraved with magic.”

“When?”

“… About two or three hours ago.”

“…”

Before the Count Palatine could yell about why he was only hearing of it now, Dovan quickly continued with his report.

“It’s just… there was a human boy and girl, so they couldn’t use the tracking magic tools in time…”

“…A human boy and girl? In the Demon Domain? And they crossed the desert without any orcs or Beastfolk?”

“Well, there was also an orc in their group, but… we haven’t confirmed all the details ye—Gah!”

Having reached this point, the Count Palatine was unable to hold back any longer. He grabbed the ashtray and threw it.

Thud! The ashtray struck Dovan straight on the forehead, causing him to stumble as he clutched his forehead.

Blood trickled down from between the fingers covering his forehead, but the Count Palatine spoke without concern.

“Have you at least figured out where they went?”

“W-well, they went west… with camels….”

“West?”

“According to the guards familiar with the area, they’re probably planning to enter the city through the sewers….”

The Count Palatine looked for something else to throw but on realizing that everything on his desk was more valuable than that wretch, he slammed his desk instead.

“Then what are you waiting for? Send someone into the sewers immediately! Go and retrieve my gold that scoundrel Dagal stole from me!”

“But, Count Palatine? Those creatures… are in the sewers. Didn’t you specifically warn us previously not to send soldiers down there recklessly…?”

“…”

Those creatures… The Count Palatine scowled as he thought of the ‘rats’ that had made the sewers under his management their home.

“…It’s about time we cleaned up the sewers anyway. I’ll authorize weapons; deploy all the available security forces down there.”

Sir Dovan didn’t dare mention that there would be casualties because the Count Palatine’s hand was already moving toward a pottery.

Bowing his head, Dovan left the room with haste. The old man stared at the door long after Dovan was gone.

Then, as silence filled the office once more, he turned and walked to the window.

“The scums of the City of Scums… their time is almost up.”

There was no one to hear the old man muttering as he gazed down at the city.

* * *

Urban legends about all sorts of things hiding in the sewers at the bottom of Dreitherial were widely known.

Crocodiles and ghosts were common subjects, and there were even ridiculous rumors of monsters, Rat Beastfolk, slumbering nuclear weapons, and many more.

But, of course, all of that was merely fantasy. After all, Dreitherial wasn’t some kind of Demon Domain; it was still a place where people lived.

In reality, the most one would encounter in the sewers were a few homeless people or criminals hiding from the guards… or so Balagu explained as they made their way.

However, after walking for a few minutes, the group encountered some unexpected creatures.

- Squeak, squeak— Humans… human scent.

- I can smell it! It’s a female scent!

- A human female… d-delicious! I want… t-to eat her!

Green eyes glistened from within the darkness of the sewers—rats.

They looked just like the rats normally seen in sewers, except for the fact that they stood on their hind legs and were as big as children.

“…Aren’t Rat Beastfolks supposed to be an urban legend?”

Yeomyeong asked, staring at the Rat Beastfolks approaching from the depths of the sewers. Balagu scratched the back of his head.

“There weren’t any back when I was escaping.”

“…”

Luckily, Yeomyeong had used his Superhuman senses to spot the Rat Beastfolks first. If they’d stumbled into them without warning, who knows what might have happened.

Feeling annoyed, Seti kicked Balagu in the shin, demanding he cough up the gold coin he’d received earlier.

Thwack! Shedding a tear as he received Seti’s mana-infused kick, Balagu protested.

“I’m really innocent here! The Count Palatine would never leave the sewers neglected like this if he wasn’t out of his mind…”

“Enough with the excuses. How long will it take to get to the lodging if we take a detour from here?”

“…If we retrace our steps and head in a different direction, it’ll take about three more hours.”

“…”

Should they fight the Rat Beastfolks to save three hours, or avoid unnecessary conflict and just take the detour instead?

The answer was obvious, but Yeomyeong was hesitating because of Seti. She hadn’t had a chance to change clothes for days—could they really afford to waste a few more hours?

Sensing his dilemma, Seti nudged him in the side.

“What’s there to think about? It’s just three hours. Let’s go back.”

“…Alright. I’ll carry Balagu and use the Flying Kick technique from here.”

As soon as they made their decision, Balagu was the first to turn around, away from the Rat Beastfolk-infested sewer.

No, rather, they almost turned back.

However, just before Balagu could turn around, a chilling sound echoed from behind the group.

Click.

While it was an unfamiliar sound to Balagu, but for Yeomyeong and Seti, who were from Earth, it was all too familiar.

When Yeomyeong belatedly expanded his mana to check their surroundings, he realized that at least ten automatic rifles were pointed at their group.

Just as Seti and Yeomyeong simultaneously drew upon their mana and reached for their weapons—

“Don’t move.”

A familiar voice, one they’d heard before, warned them.

It wasn’t just familiar to Yeomyeong. Seti also knew this voice well.

The two exchanged glances, silently asking each other, ‘Is it really that person we’re thinking of?’

And in the next moment, they both nodded in unison.

With their suspicion turning to certainty, Yeomyeong turned his head slightly and called out the name of the voice’s owner.

“…Joseph? You’re Joseph from Incheon, right?”

It was the name of the top arms smuggler of Incheon’s black market.

As if surprised to hear that name from Yeomyeong’s mouth, the rifle barrels in the darkness of the sewers wavered slightly.

“What the—? Who are you, and how do you know my name?”