The Great Wish - Chapter 4.2

Vol.1 Chapter 4 Part 2 

Kuhn felt restless as he walked through the stone arch that served as a symbol of the capital as well as its entrance. He decided to leave the capital for a while to clear his head. The masquerade had taken place yesterday. 

He had originally planned to go abroad for two months. Dian had tried to hold him back, but Kuhn lied and told him that something urgent had come up that needed his attention. 

He wanted to avoid the Princess's coming-of-age banquet. On that day, the main topic of discussion was definitely going to be the Princess's betrothal. He didn't have the confidence to calmly watch as the Princess was betrothed to another man. He hoped that everything would finish in his absence. When her betrothal was settled, Kuhn believed that they would no longer have a chance to meet. 

However, before he could leave the Empire, an unforeseen incident had caused him to return. He felt as if an unknown force was keeping him from escaping. 

"This way, sir." 

Russ showed him the way. Russ was also tall like Kuhn. However, as they stood side-by-side, Kuhn looked much skinnier than usual. That was because Russ was incredibly muscular and large. 

The two turned into a deserted alleyway. As they walked further, the path narrowed and became messier. 

"I believe this is the place." 

Russ took out the folded sheet of paper from his breast pocket and checked the hand-drawn map. 

The rundown buildings were clustered together, forming a tall wall along the alleyway. The two of them could barely walk through this maze-like path. 

The two men just stood there blankly as they waited. Some time passed. 

Russ tapped the sheath of his sword hanging off his waist. This was Russ's warning to those that knew him to stay one hundred paces away from them. Right when Russ’s patience had hit rock bottom, a tiny man suddenly appeared. 

“Follow me… Gasp!” 

Like a falcon that was snatching a mouse, Russ’s hand grabbed the man’s neck. The man was known in these parts for being quick and agile. However, he hadn’t been aware of Russ’s approaching hand and therefore couldn’t run away. The man’s feet dangled in the air. 

“What do you think you’re doing? Do you know how long we’ve been here? How dare you keep us waiting!” 

Russ growled as he shook the man by the neck, his grip tightening. 

“He’ll die if you keep this up.” 

Despite his words, Kuhn looked indifferent. It didn’t seem like he cared whether this man died or not. 

With his throat caught in Russ’s grasp, the man couldn’t scream. His eyes bulged. The only reason he was still alive was because Russ was taking it easy on him. Russ didn’t particularly enjoy strangling people. He rather preferred snapping their necks. 

“Please, enough!” 

A man dressed in a robe jumped out and yelled. Russ began to seethe. The tiny man’s mouth began to foam as Russ held on to his neck. 

“I apologize. Please calm your anger.” 

Another person appeared. The man took off his hood and showed them his elderly appearance. He then kneeled on the ground. 

Russ snorted and placed the man in his hand back onto the ground. The small man collapsed. The robed man ran over to him to check on his condition. Making sure that he still had a pulse, the old man sighed in relief. 

The man bowed his head once again. 

“Thank you for understanding.” 

“If you brought us here for something trifling, I’ll rip all your throats. What, you think I won’t do it? Huh?” 

The old man began to tremble. It didn’t seem like an empty threat. This was the first time they met, but he felt as if he knew who this raging man was. 

Russ of Kaligo was known for holding grudges. People said that you were better off going into the desert and becoming food for the desert mantis than getting on Russ’s bad side. The old man didn’t plan on finding out whether this rumor was true or not. 

“Th-this way, please.” 

The old man took the lead. After walking a few blocks, they passed through a shabby house and entered another street. It was so complicated that the old man seemed to be guiding them by his memory alone. 

After walking for a long time, the old man finally turned around. Despite standing in a gloomy alleyway, the two men seemed relaxed, almost as if they were visiting a friend’s house. While their carefree attitudes weren’t unpleasant, it did seem terrifying. Like the threat of ripping out his throat if this trip wasn’t to their liking. 

The man brought them to a common-looking, shabby house and then disappeared. 

Russ opened the door. Across the empty room, they could see another door. As they went inside, Kuhn raised his hand and stopped Russ. Kuhn opened the door himself. Inside the room, there was a hooded person sitting behind a wide table. 

Kuhn entered the room and pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. Russ stood guard behind Kuhn. 

“I apologize for the long wait.” 

There was no doubt that the voice behind the hood was a woman’s. As soon as she finished speaking, she lowered her hood. A woman, a very young beauty at that. She smiled sensuously. Kuhn’s eyes went cold. 

“My name is Evita. Before you misunderstand, I’d like to tell you that I am the master of ‘Olga’.”