Chapter 203: Misunderstanding

After the six of them finished discussing their plan to deal with Phield, they chatted for a while about the Empire’s corruption.

“Wait—heavy hoofbeats, and the clashing of plate armor. They’re surrounding this place!”

The sharp-eyed Brinda suddenly stiffened. “No mistake about it. There are quite a few soldiers—and all of them are elites.”

Everyone’s expressions changed drastically. They hurried to the window and looked outside. A squad of heavily armored warriors clad in black robes, along with a unit of elite cavalry dressed the same, had already surrounded the area.

“This is bad—we’ve been exposed!”

Miriam’s hand trembled as a sharp throwing knife slipped into her grasp.

“W-wait, don’t panic. Maybe they’re just tenants?” The scar-faced man scratched his head awkwardly. “Sometimes nobles come here to stay.”

“Huh?”

The two Divine Chosen were completely baffled. “Tenants? Stay?”

“Yeah, this whole building is an inn. What kind of high-end entertainment venue doesn’t have lodging next to it?” the informant said matter-of-factly.

Miriam nearly coughed up blood. “But we’re trying to overthrow the Empire! How can you put an intelligence base inside an inn?!”

They had just exchanged coded phrases and knocked with secret signals—

And yet anyone could just walk in and out?!

“We’ve got to eat, don’t we? Property prices in Maple Leaf Territory are expensive. The rent here is cheap. Besides, even under the gaze of the Holy Light Goddess, there are shadows. The more dangerous a place is, the safer it becomes,” the scar-faced man explained seriously. “Look at me—I’ve got to work as a thug to make a living.”

“So the cheap rent is the real reason, right? The ’safety’ part is just an excuse.”

Miriam looked like she was about to cry.

“Same here. I sell my body during the day and gather intelligence at night. It’s exhausting.”

“I sell services at night and collect intelligence during the day.”

The informants spoke one after another.

Miriam fell silent, both helpless and pained. “I know everyone has it hard…”

“Yeah, we often tell our customers about our struggles—and about our determination to overthrow the Empire. We hope more people will join us.”

Miriam stared at them in disbelief, her face turning lifeless. “Fuck! Don’t tell customers things like that! You’ll get yourselves killed! I can’t believe you’ve survived this long!”

Sensing the tension, Brinda quickly stepped in to ease things. “Alright, everyone has it tough. And Miriam, don’t be too harsh on them—they’re all from peasant or slave backgrounds. It’s not like they’ve had noble education like you.”

These people weren’t modern spies. It was impossible for them to have high levels of training. You couldn’t just pull three random women from a remote area and expect a perfect spy operation.

“…Fine.” Miriam forced herself to calm down. “Let’s observe their next move. If they attack, we break out.”

“Wait—that person is… Phield!”

Miriam froze instantly, cold sweat streaming down her back.

“How is that possible? We just got his intel, and now he’s already here?”

“It really is him.”

Looking at the portrait in her hand, Brinda was just as stunned.

“There’s no such thing as coincidence like this. He must have learned our movements and came to wipe us out in one go.” Miriam’s gaze turned cold as she looked at the scar-faced man and the others. “I think we have a traitor among us.”

Brinda quickly reassured her. “Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t forget—Phield has dealings with demons. He might’ve gotten the information from them.”

The informants drew their daggers, their expressions resolute. “We’ll fight to our last breath.”

“…I’m sorry.” Miriam bowed deeply. “I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

The scar-faced man laughed heartily. “Haha, don’t say that. Just carry our will to overthrow tyranny and live on.”

—

Phield traveled light and arrived at Maple Leaf Territory as quickly as possible.

This time, he brought Rosalia and Ashina, along with twenty light cavalry and all of his Corrupted Greatsword Warriors. He even brought a few slaves.

“This operation requires everything we have. This time, Adrian Ross must be dealt with completely.” A ruthless glint flashed in Phield’s eyes as he muttered, “First, I’ll create an alibi. Noble affairs are always troublesome.”

To avoid being labeled a “kinslayer” or “brother hunter” and facing sanctions from the entire Empire, Phield had to conceal his involvement—and conveniently hide his true strength.

By renting out an inn in Maple Leaf City, making a few public appearances, and ideally having witnesses, he could establish proof of absence.

“I’ll take all the rooms. Innkeeper, clear out everyone inside immediately.”

The innkeeper clutched a bag of coins, grinning from ear to ear. “Yes, yes, my lord! I guarantee not even a mouse will remain inside!”

“What kind of work do the tenants here usually do?” Phield asked, curious about the local economy.

The innkeeper answered awkwardly, “They… fulfill certain needs.”

“…Right. Forget I asked.”

With that, a squad of soldiers dismounted and marched forward to clear the way.

The moment the door opened, six people were standing there. When they saw Phield, their eyes darted nervously, and panic showed on their faces.

In Phield’s view, they were simply frightened by his sudden arrival.

After all, anyone would panic if their lodging was suddenly surrounded by soldiers. Taking a closer look, two of the women were quite beautiful—despite wearing cheap makeup, their natural features stood out.

All of them wore hooded cloaks—clearly people who worked the back alleys, selling themselves while trying not to be recognized by acquaintances. Pitiful, really.

And that blonde—her chest was absurdly large. Must be comfortable to sleep on.

He liked mature women, but… since the innkeeper said they were in that line of work, it felt like a waste. Not his type.

So, the approachable Phield gave a harmless smile. “Sorry to disturb you.”

“Hiss—”

To Brinda, that smile meant something entirely different.

Her next target had suddenly arrived with troops, surrounded her, and was now smiling at her in a way that seemed full of hidden meaning. It was terrifying no matter how you looked at it.

Especially that line—”Sorry to disturb you.” It sounded like he had already seen through everything.

As expected of a man who dealt with demons.

Preparing to kill, yet maintaining the demeanor of a polite gentleman.

Just like the rumors said—skilled at disguising himself.

“Damn, they’re stunning,” one of the soldiers whispered, blushing as he looked at Phield for approval. “We were thinking…”

“Heh, fine. Consider it your reward.”

Phield smiled knowingly and nodded. After all, if this was their profession, letting his soldiers patronize them was practically helping their business.

Brinda was so angry she laughed.

Damn it!

“What do we do?” Brinda signaled with her eyes.

Miriam nodded slightly.

Fight.

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