Chapter 333

Chapter 333

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Chapter 333

The underground passage, where they had brought in the valuables, was located in the exact opposite direction from where they had entered. As Yuder descended along stairs that resembled an emergency exit, he realized that he couldn’t see the workers from the first floor from this angle.

'They've strategically placed it to avoid any human gaze. I bet they're also controlling access.'

As expected, a few men were loitering near the dark entrance of the basement, guarding the way. They had been idly stretched out, but at the sudden appearance of Graham and the strangers, they swiftly adjusted their postures. Yuder discreetly observed them. Most who worked in such places were mercenaries hired on a temporary basis. However, judging from the weapons they held and their saluting stance, they didn't seem like your average mercenaries.

“You've arrived.”

“Is anyone inside right now?”

“No one.”

Graham, glancing disdainfully at the men, turned his head. His gaze passed over Kishiar and landed on Yuder's face with evident distaste.

“You can enter right away...but do you plan to keep...him with you throughout?”

“What if I do?”

“The inside isn’t dangerous, so it might be better if the others wait here. It will be more comfortable for you to look around.”

It was a gentle way of saying he didn't want to let in not just the duke, but even his male lover. Kishiar, however, wasn't about to take that at face value. Crossing his arms, he expertly shielded Yuder from Graham’s view and playfully asked, “Hmm. What do you think is best, Yuder? Should I go alone?”

“I’m fine either way.”

“No, no. In a situation like this, you should be jealous and tell me not to leave you alone. Aren't you worried about me being alone with another man?”

The expressions of both Graham and the guards changed dramatically. Yuder hesitated for a moment before saying, "...Of course, I'm worried."

For a moment, Kishiar looked genuinely surprised, as if he hadn't expected Yuder to say that. Graham, unable to object to Yuder anymore, hastily gestured for the door to be opened.

“Open the door, now!”

He was trying to let the duke enter without the lover, but it nearly dragged him into a scandal. As he quickly stepped inside, an eerie chill followed him.

Without any hindrance, Yuder entered the interior alongside Kishiar. At first glance, the basement seemed dim and old. However, upon closer inspection, it was evident that it was thoroughly prepared to protect valuable items. The floor was designed to amplify even the softest sound, and the walls, when lightly grazed by Yuder's fingers, were incomparably solid to the floors above. There were surely hidden security spells, making this space undeniably the true heart of the building.

“All the items brought in yesterday are in one place. We'll go there directly.”

“There seem to be many rooms. Aren't we going to check the others?”

When Kishiar, looking around at the closed doors lining the corridor, asked, Graham shook his head.

“The other rooms are just backup storage. Given the limited number of valuables to store here, most remain empty.”

Graham's voice was calm, but after speaking, the subtle throat-clearing and his swallowing, coupled with his dry lips compressing, emitted a hint of suspicion.

"Well, nothing particularly caught my fancy, but there were quite a few decent things. It was good to come."

Graham couldn't guess the profound implications hidden within this casual conversation. He tried to conceal his astonishment as he saw the three off. Yuder suspected what kind of message he would convey to his brother, Baron Willhem.

"There was a spell in the basement that distorts perception. It made the vast space appear much smaller than it actually is. I'm rather curious about what else might be behind those closed doors."

As soon as Kishiar got into the carriage, he voiced suspicions similar to what Yuder had felt underground. Yuder cautiously added his assumption, mentioning that those guarding the basement didn't seem like ordinary mercenaries.

"Their posture and the fact that all of them used identical weapons lead me to believe they might be regular guards trained in Tainu."

"With Baron Willhem in charge, that's highly probable."

Kishiar nodded in agreement, a sardonic smile on his lips.

"Externally, they claim it's all part of a well-intentioned policy, acting as if they are a fair and just group. But every sign shows their utter pettiness. It seems the Tain Duke has monopolized the verification process of trade goods in Tainu for a long time and made a good profit."

Given that everyone knew the Duke of Tain was now even delving into more dangerous trades, the words of Graham Willhem, claiming that the Duke only had Tainu's best interests in mind when making policies, seemed utterly laughable.

"Nathan, what did you see?"

"I examined the structure of the first and second floors. There weren't any hidden spaces, but in the innermost room, which I assume is the master's, there was a safe."

"Did you check what's inside?"

"There was a spell on it that seemed hard to break in such a short time. I tried, but failed when someone working approached the room."

"That's a pity."

Kishiar clicked his tongue briefly.

"Also... I observed the workers on the first floor, and there was something peculiar."

"Peculiar in what way?"

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