Taken (6)

A sharp gaze flashed toward Ian from beneath a violet robe.

"How did you come to know our location and password? Young Master Ian?"

Though the speech was polite, there was a distinct undertone of vigilance in the voice.

'I expected this kind of reaction.'

Naturally.

Nightingale was an organization that prioritized intelligence and security above all.

Ian, who had no prior connection with them, not only knew the branch's location but also personally deciphered the password to enter, so their caution was only natural.

Of course, since he had anticipated this reaction from the start, he had already prepared an answer.

"......"

Ian quietly stared at the violet robe, then opened his mouth with a gentle smile.

He spoke in the unique language only members of Nightingale could use.

"Kuru-tan be-mi-o saer-nak dor-nuu. (There's no need to be so cautious.) Kar-ne. (Brother.)"

"Gasp...!"

The moment Ian uttered Nightingale's language—"Voice of the Night"—the air in the room instantly froze with silence.

"......?"

Javier and the Heavenly Sword knights standing behind Ian cocked their heads in confusion, question marks forming above them.

"......!!"

The violet robe was so shocked that their jaw dropped as far as it could go, unable to hide their astonishment.

"Men-ra nokta-mion saer-bak tar-ku-mon sa-riev. Ne-jumon kar-nuu. (I am an Apostle of the Night, and a member of the Crescent. I am the New Moon.)"

The terms "Apostle of the Night" and "Crescent" meant the highest-rank executives of Nightingale, and "New Moon" was a unique codename for one such executive.

"N-noktamion saerbak nejumon tarne-bu! (A-Apostle of the Night, New Moon, it is an honor to meet you!)"

The violet robe hurriedly knelt on one knee before Ian, offering respect in Nightingale's "Voice of the Night."

"Jenta Kurion tarnebak berin judakuu! Ma, marnev Kurion saertak bor-nuu! (To think I would meet you so unexpectedly...! It is an honor to make your acquaintance!)"

However, despite speaking the same language, Ian's intonation and the violet robe's intonation were distinctly different.

Naturally.

The intonation of Nightingale's Voice of the Night changed according to rank.

Ian was using the intonation reserved for the highest-rank executives of Nightingale, while the violet robe was using that of the middle-management level.

'That perfect pronunciation...! The accent!'

Thus, the violet robe had no choice but to fully believe Ian, who claimed to be the Apostle of the Night.

'T-there is no doubt! This is truly the Apostle of the Night, the New Moon! If not, such perfect pronunciation and intonation would be impossible!'

Ian's pronunciation was even more fluent and clear than the violet robe, who had over ten years of experience with the Voice of the Night, and his intonation matched perfectly with that of the highest-ranking executives—the Full Moon—whom the violet robe had heard at major Nightingale events.

'To think I've met the dream and idol of all Nightingale members so suddenly...!'

Each member of the Crescent—the highest rank of Nightingale's executives—was shrouded in mystery and secrecy.

Even other Nightingale members rarely knew their faces, let alone their names or genders.

'Who would have thought that Young Master Ian, recently famous as a guest of House Hisperion, would actually be one of Nightingale's top executives...'

The violet robe's lips trembled with excitement.

'Someone that young... No, perhaps that appearance is only a disguise...! I can't judge real age by their looks.'

Swallowing dryly, the violet robe pondered.

'Did the reason why the supposedly hopeless Young Master Ian suddenly became the Heavenly Sword Lord's chosen guest have something to do with his Nightingale rank? I see...'

'So, it works.'

Watching the violet robe bite their lip in deep thought, Ian smiled inwardly with relief.

'Looks like I can handle this.'

Ian's ability to use the Voice of the Night and to perfectly mimic the highest-rank executive's intonation was thanks to a certain event from his previous life.

'Thank you, Serana. It's all because of you.'

In Ian's previous life—during a time when he had escorted Serana, the Guildmaster of Nightingale, and gathered relics scattered among the branches.

Serana had once given Ian a runestone as a gift in the holy land of Nightingale.

- What's this?

- Can't you see? It's a runestone. You can use it for magic enchanting, and you can also absorb stored skills...

- No, I mean, what exactly does this runestone do? Why are you giving it to me?

- Hmph. I never imagined I'd end up giving this to you.

What Serana had placed inside the runestone was "proficiency in the Voice of the Night".

If you broke the runestone and absorbed the magic power stored within, "the ability to speak the Voice of the Night" would be etched onto your soul instantly.

- I was saving this for a special direct hire, to recruit a Nightingale executive... But there's no more need for it now. I'll give it to you.

At that time, Nightingale was as ruined as the fallen Hisperion.

It was the age when more than half of humanity's territory had been destroyed by the demons.

- Hmm. Serana. Isn't it a waste to use up a runestone like this? You might need it later on.

- Oho~ Are you worried about us now, Ian Greysel?

- No. I'm just stating the facts.

- ... You're always so blunt. Then, how about this?

Serana had flashed a sly smile and made a proposal that remained vivid in Ian's memories even now.

- You become our new Nightingale executive.

- What?

- Then everything's solved, right? Anyway, that runestone was meant to be used to hire an executive. If you become one of us, it's a perfect use.

- No, Serana, that's impossible. I'm the retainer of the lord. I can't belong to another group. You know that.

- Ayy~ Usually Nightingale members hold multiple identities at once. Back in the day, I had at least ten—merchant leader, knight, mage tower master, adventurer, assassin, even lord. I was always so busy~

In the end, Ian accepted Serana's proposal.

- If you promise even more support for Lady Yuria's treatment than now, I accept your offer.

- Wow... You really do revolve around that woman, huh? You must adore her. I'm so jealous.

- Serana. She is not "that woman"—she is Lady Yuria, Heavenly Sword Lord.

- Ah, got it, got it! Well, direct hires are just conditional deals anyway. All right. We'll take full responsibility and make sure Lady Yuria returns to her original healthy state! We'll search the whole world to find any medicine or healer to cure her! You can trust us! You won't be disappointed!

- If you keep that promise, I'll also protect Nightingale—no matter what.

- Oho... Kyah~ So reliable! Okay, it's decided! From now on, Ian Greysel, you're the new New Moon of Nightingale! That seat's been vacant for so long, it's truly ironic for it to be filled now. Puhaha!

A nostalgic memory, perhaps.

In any case, the "Voice of the Night" skill he had branded onto his soul with that runestone continued to work perfectly, even after traveling fifteen years back in the past.

'Wh-what is going on?'

Meanwhile, Javier and the Heavenly Sword knights standing behind Ian were racking their brains to understand the situation.

A violet robe who was obviously part of Nightingale suddenly knelt before Ian and bowed, while Ian smiled benevolently as if he were her superior.

'It definitely felt tense at first.'

When they entered alongside Ian by decoding the Nightingale password, the violet robe who greeted them was clearly wary of Ian and Javier's party.

'But after a few words in some bizarre language, suddenly their hierarchy was made clear...'

Javier's mind raced.

'I don't get it. Just what is going on here?'

But he couldn't make heads or tails of the present circumstances.

Not even a sliver of conjecture was possible.

'But one thing is certain. Just one thing.'

Ian definitely had some tremendous background that warranted this level of deference from Nightingale.

'Just who are you, Young Master Ian...'

Javier gazed at Ian with new, bewildered eyes.

The four Heavenly Sword knights standing behind Javier all wore nearly identical expressions as they looked upon Ian.

"......"

Ian, feeling the prickling stares from behind, stepped toward the violet robe.

"I'd like to know your name."

"Yes, Young Master Ian. I am Vivian. This is my fourth year managing this branch."

"You're the branch manager. It's a pleasure, Vivian."

As Ian held out his hand, Vivian took it in both her hands and bowed her head.

"It's an honor, Young Master Ian."

"The honor's mine, Vivian. I'm here because I need information. Would you help me right away?"

"Of course. I'll prepare everything so you can view all the information stored here."

All the information here?

Ian quickly shook his head.

"No, there's just one piece of information I need. I'm looking for someone. His name is Rudeus Delmora—a dark mage specializing in puppetry, using humans as materials. I'm searching for his workshop."

"Rudeus Delmora. I'll check right away. I'll gather the relevant information within five minutes. Please make yourself comfortable while you wait."

—Nod.

When Ian nodded, Vivian hurried off backward in a small bow.

"Young Master Ian, what was that just now?"

As soon as Vivian left, Javier's big eyes blinked as he bombarded Ian with questions.

"She seemed so guarded when we first arrived, but how did she suddenly become so docile? And what was that language you used? What is your relationship with Nightingale? Does the Heavenly Sword Lord know about this part of your background, too?"

Ian answered that barrage of questions awkwardly.

"That's too many questions, Javier."

And unsurprisingly, he couldn't explain his past life.

"I'm afraid it's also difficult to explain everything here and now."

Ian swept his gaze over Javier and the knights.

"Sir Javier. I would like to ask all of you to keep what you saw of me here today secret. I'm showing you this on the assumption that I can trust you. I assume that won't be a problem?"

At this, Javier and all the Heavenly Sword knights swallowed nervously in sync.

"Of course. I promise on my honor. I'll keep this matter absolutely confidential."

"Truthfully, as someone favored by the Heavenly Sword Lord, I never intended to disobey you, but now I feel even more compelled not to cross you."

"Same for me... Not only are you favored by the Heavenly Sword Lord, but you deal with Nightingale as with subordinates—I'd never dream of making you an enemy. I will keep this secret."

At their reliable responses, Ian nodded and continued.

"Also, you must not share the branch's location with anyone else. I brought you here, but this is a secret hideout. If too many people find out, Nightingale will relocate the branch."

"Understood."

"We'll remember that."

"But..."

Ian paused for a breath, then spoke.

"It's fine for all of you to use this branch yourselves. It should help bolster Hisperion's investigative powers."

Javier was a follower of Heavenly Sword Lord Darkan, making him trustworthy, and the four other knights were his close subordinates, so they were relatively reliable as well.

If he increased their investigative capabilities, it would become far easier to detect and counter the machinations of Hisperion's other bloodlines before they could hatch any schemes.

"To establish a connection with Nightingale... This is an inexpressible help, Young Master Ian."

Javier bowed his head in thanks.

"Thank you. I will never forget this favor and will surely repay you."

"Don't mention it. For now, let's focus on finding Lady Yuria."

"Yes, of course."

Though he said that, Ian certainly hadn't intended this favor to be one-sided.

He'd just secured a debt from Javier.

And could now make use of the Heavenly Sword knights' investigative powers to counter other branches of House Hisperion.

"Noktamion saerbak dor-nuae beri-suu. (Apostle of the Night, sir.)"

At that moment, Vivian returned with the information.

"I've gathered the current activity region and location information for Rudeus Delmora, as you requested."

"Finally..."

Ian's eyes lit with determination as he looked at Vivian.

It was finally time to go after Rudeus Delmora, who had kidnapped Yuria.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Having connection to an Intelligence Guild in his previous life is quite convenient but isn't too far-fetched...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】