Chapter Twenty-Six: Friendship

At this moment, Lando moved through the vast courtyard as though he were strolling through his own backyard, skillfully avoiding the not-so-relaxed guards. If he did encounter someone unavoidable, it was no matter—he simply knocked them out. There was no need to kill; after all, blood was troublesome to clean up.

As he wandered leisurely, Lando’s eyes suddenly lit up. He glanced toward a nearby building—the very direction indicated by the system. He approached the main entrance. There were no lights inside, nor did it resemble a bedroom. He gave the door a gentle push; it was locked.

But that posed no challenge for Lando. This primitive lock was swiftly dealt with, and he slipped inside.

“A study?” He closed the door behind him. Though the room was shrouded in darkness and almost impossible to navigate by sight, this was no obstacle for Lando. He took out a pair of glasses and put them on; instantly, the dark study became clear as day.

He surveyed the room before following the system’s guidance directly to a bookcase. On it sat a stand holding a longsword.

The sword was ancient and battered, bearing the marks of many years and countless battles. Though it had been carefully maintained and polished, Lando could still sense a faint metallic scent of blood emanating from it.

After admiring the blade for a moment, Lando silently recited, “Extract.”

He hadn’t yet checked the soul he had extracted when a familiar, heart-stirring sensation overwhelmed him—something he had already experienced several times that day. It was no longer as difficult to control as the first time.

“Brother Locke, instead of sleeping in the inn at this late hour, you’ve followed me—tell me, why?” Lando demanded aloud.

There was a brief silence before the study door swung open. Locke entered, his expression puzzled. “How did you know I was here?”

He was shrouded in a greenish glow, his steps silent, his presence barely discernible—his very figure was half-hidden in shadow. If Lando hadn’t seen him with his own eyes, it would have been impossible to detect him.

“Hmph! I have my ways. Now, answer me—why are you tailing me?” Lando’s face darkened as he repeated the question coldly.

“…Why am I following you? Then why don’t you ask yourself: why aren’t you in the inn sleeping at this hour, but instead sneaking into the lord’s manor? Sightseeing?” Locke retorted coolly.

“…?!” Lando was momentarily speechless. He’d been so focused on finding fault with Locke—so he’d have a good reason to get rid of him—that he’d neglected to realize his own actions were equally suspicious. He didn’t particularly care, but being called out so directly bruised his pride.

His gaze flickered. “You’re right, in fact—I came here to sightsee.”

Locke stared at him as if he were an idiot.

“I have three great passions in life: eating, playing, and collecting antiques. That’s why I decided to travel the world, to savor its delicacies and admire its relics everywhere I go.”

Lando was not lying; this was genuinely his intent.

Locke’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Then why sneak in here in the middle of the night?”

“Why else? For sightseeing, of course,” Lando replied as if it were obvious.

“?!”

“Yes, I like antiques, but I don’t necessarily have to buy them. Even if I wanted to, these great personages wouldn’t sell to me anyway. So, wherever I go, I visit the treasuries of the local noble families, just to broaden my horizons. I don’t kill, I don’t steal, I don’t rob—just indulge my interests a little. Is that so unreasonable?!”

“…And how do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“I’ve done this everywhere I’ve traveled—it’s hardly my first stop. You’re free to investigate whether anyone’s missing anything, or if there have been any murders.”

Locke looked even more bewildered, torn between skepticism and a strange sense that it all made sense.

“You’re powerful enough that you could just ask to see these collections openly if you wanted,” Locke said, still puzzled.

“I understand what you mean, but that route takes too much time. Worse, it might arouse suspicion or make enemies, and then it’d be even harder to achieve my goal. If I ran into some eccentric power who’d rather destroy their treasures than let me see them, I’d have nowhere to cry.”

“…,” Locke said nothing, feeling something was off, yet unable to refute him.

“Your ability is fascinating. Why don’t you help me? Otherwise, every time I visit a place, I have to knock out a bunch of guards to avoid discovery. If you were with me, they wouldn’t have to suffer.”

“…??!!”

When they returned to the inn, Lando greeted him cheerfully and went off to sleep, leaving Locke alone, lost in existential confusion.

Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I supposed to do?!

……

The next morning, the two of them packed their belongings and set out.

Locke decided to travel with Lando for a while, just to observe him—after all, their routes coincided.

As for Lando, his thoughts were simple: Locke’s ability was so useful, he might as well keep him close for a while. Besides, it was under his watchful eye.

……

He had also examined the soul he extracted from the study last night. It was another remnant, but this time blue in color. Yet this blue felt different to Lando, reminiscent of the blue he saw when viewing his own soul’s 100% integrity through the system.

Restoration would require 11,000 soul essence—an unexpectedly large amount. Lando decided not to break it down, since it wasn’t a purple soul and thus wouldn’t yield a purple soul crystal.

……

In the lord’s manor, inside the study.

The lord and his eldest son were present.

“Father, I’ve checked—nothing is missing.”

The lord ignored his son’s report, gazing silently at the greatsword displayed in the study like an ornament.

“Do you remember what I told you about the sword’s origin?”

“Yes, Father. This sword was passed down from the Water King—one of the Four Kings—to his youngest son, our ancestor. It may not have any extraordinary powers, but it is proof of our royal bloodline.”

“That’s right. Last night, someone touched this sword.”

“What?! Then—”

“Don’t worry. The sword is fine.”

……

“Wow! What a vast city—there must be so many treasures hidden here!” Lando’s excitement rose. The older the city, the greater the potential bounty.

“These days traveling with you have been enjoyable, but all good things must come to an end. It’s time we part ways,” Lando said his goodbyes to Locke upon reaching the royal capital. He feared that if he waited any longer, he might not have the heart—or resolve—to kill Locke.

They had traveled together for seven or eight days, going from mutual suspicion to a relaxed camaraderie that could almost be called friendship. Now, as they parted, Lando felt a trace of reluctance. But as he’d said—all feasts must end, and besides, he was not of this world. Too many attachments would only be a burden.

…