‘Not that I ever wanted to know the color of the Emperor’s underwear…’
Still, that probably just meant their intel was that good. It was probably a bit exaggerated, sure—but I hoped it wasn’t too inflated.
The Ruin Guild was tucked into the very end of Scarlet Street.
As with most information guilds, it was disguised as a run-down bar or café.
[Red Potion]
It sounded more like a potion shop than a café.
I glanced up at the sign, the name written in red cursive, then scanned the place.
It was shabby, but the worn wood added a certain charm.
‘Well, it is a Crete Island establishment.’
Judging by the look of it, the café didn’t cater to tourists or the wealthy.
More likely, it served locals or fellow merchants.
I carefully opened the door, and a wave of old wood and coffee aroma hit me.
Inside, lively jazz music filled the air.
“No, but seriously—he came back five days later and said the product was defective and wanted a refund! Who does that?!”
“And now he says he’s gonna have a kid? Unbelievable! That guy’s hobby is literally blowing all his money at the casino! And you’re telling me she bought into that just because he’s from Florence? Good grief… So naïve. You really believed that?”
“Well… I did get that ‘blessing’ thing or whatever for free, and ever since, I have felt kind of lighter, I guess?”
There weren’t many customers, but the café was buzzing with conversation.
I perked up my ears and picked up interesting bits of gossip from all over.
‘This kind of off-the-main-street spot is probably better for catching rumors anyway.’
I slowly weaved through the tables and headed toward the counter.
Behind it stood a man with a neatly groomed beard.
What caught my attention most was how straight his posture was.
“Welcome to Café Red Potion,” he greeted with a smile, clearly having been watching me since I walked in.
“You look like a first-timer. Is this your first visit here?”
“Yes. I came on someone’s recommendation.”
At my answer, his smile deepened knowingly.
“Ah, I see. Well then… the menu is over here.”
He pointed up to a sign hanging above the counter.
I glanced up out of courtesy, but then—I froze without meaning to.
‘Americano…?’
Listed at the bottom of the menu, sure enough, was Americano.
The Sinoa Empire doesn’t drink espresso diluted with water.
I still vividly remember being disappointed that every café I visited only served straight espresso.
In truth, in this world, coffee feels like a special drink to accompany desserts at academies or cafés.
Tea was still more widely enjoyed in the culture here.
But this wasn’t the Sinoa Empire—it was the island of Crete.
A place where people from all corners of the world, not just the Empire, came to live.
So, it wasn’t exactly strange to see Americano on the menu.
Still… judging by how it was tucked away at the very bottom of the menu, it didn’t seem to be a popular item.
‘Wouldn’t it be more profitable to just take it off the menu entirely?’
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Oh, yes. I’d like… one iced Americano, please. If that’s possible?”
The man raised one eyebrow at my words.
He looked surprised, but the expression vanished almost instantly.
Back to being the courteous staff member, he nodded politely.
“And… a strawberry tart, please.”
That wasn’t on the menu.
At my request, the man simply raised the corner of his mouth in a smile.
“Understood. If you’ll wait just a moment, I’ll guide you shortly.”
‘Good. That’s all I need.’
I sat down at an empty table near the counter.
Before long, someone emerged from the staff-only area behind it.
He looked younger than the man who took my order, his face bright with a wide smile.
“This way, please.”
He addressed me politely.
I stood and followed him, then suddenly glanced back.
It was a situation that would normally attract attention, and yet not a single person was looking our way.
As if they couldn’t see anything at all.
The man led me to the back of the café.
When he placed his hand against the wall, a door appeared where there had previously only been solid stone. He opened it smoothly and stepped aside.
“Up these stairs, please~”
“Thanks.”
I could feel his eyes lingering on me, but I didn’t show any reaction.
I simply walked up the stairs at an even pace.
Clack, clack.
Each step echoed with a dull sound beneath my feet.
From the outside, the stairs had appeared wooden, but at some point, they had turned into solid stone.
At the top, a short, narrow hallway led to a single room.
Standing before the door, I grasped the knob.
For some reason, I felt like laughing, so I pressed my lips together to suppress it.
Then, slowly, I opened the door.
The room was simple.
A bookshelf, desk, table, and sofa—all the basic furniture were in place, but there were no decorative touches.
The only thing out of the ordinary was the man sitting on the sofa, facing me.
Suddenly, I remembered something the merchant who’d given me information about the Ruin Guild had said:
“No one knows who the Ruin Guild’s master really is. There are only rumors. Some say he’s from a fallen noble house. Others say he’s a bastard from a noble family. But one thing’s certain—he’s extremely skilled in magic.”
Sure enough, I couldn’t make out the man’s face clearly.
It was as if a blur filter had been applied—indistinct and hazy.
This much visibility was likely due to the strength of my own divine power.
To most people, his face would appear completely ordinary.
And once they turned away, they probably wouldn’t remember it at all.
‘A face-obscuring spell.’
The same one I’d used when I attended Raizen’s manifestation ceremony.
I took a seat across from the Guild Master.
For a while, we said nothing, just stared at each other in silence.
He didn’t speak either.
‘Waiting to see which side gives in first, huh?’
I had no intention of wasting my energy on a meaningless power struggle.
“I’m here to make a request.”
At my words, the Guild Master’s shoulders twitched slightly—as if waking from a dream.
“Ah… my apologies. That was rude of me.”
Even his voice was completely unfamiliar.
Which was… well, only to be expected.
“What kind of request?”
I could see now why people speculated that he was of noble blood.
Most people instinctively humble themselves in interpersonal dealings—but not him.
And it wasn’t something he was faking. It came from a natural, deeply ingrained habit.
‘I came here for information. No need to beat around the bush.’
But I still needed to confirm one thing first.
“Before that… I need to know how solid your confidentiality is.”
“You needn’t worry about that. If it would ease your mind, we can even make a ‘Mage’s Oath’ when drafting the contract.”
“Ah…”
I nodded slowly.
“All right, then. I have two main requests. First: the recent movements of the central nobles of the Sinoa Empire. Second: the movements of the priests who’ve entered the island of Crete.”
“That’s… rather broad.”
“Haha, is it? For now, I’d just appreciate a quick overview. I’ve heard you’re highly capable, but I want to see for myself just how capable that is.”
I was basically saying I wanted to test their skills, yet the Guild Master didn’t show any reaction.
Maybe I was imagining it, but I almost got the sense he was pleased.
‘Either that means he’s confident… or—’
No. Better not follow that train of thought. I cut it off, sharply.
“Very well. Then let’s meet again at this time tomorrow.”
“…Sorry?”
Tomorrow?
He wanted to meet again tomorrow?
That was… more than a little confident.
