[AFYC] Chapter 46

“The translation of the identification document is expected to take a week, right?” 

“Yes, Your Excellency.” 

“Bring it to me as soon as it’s ready.” 

Oscar extended his hand to Simon, who promptly handed over a thick dossier. There was always an overwhelming amount of work to be done. 

To the King of Felphe, Oscar had been an unwelcome and uncomfortable visitor. Yet by noon, he had become a charming business partner, and by the time the sun set, he was expanding his ventures as a friendly acquaintance.  

In between all of this, reports on Seo Ah’s activities continued. 

It was late at night by the time Oscar finished his last appointment. After boarding the carriage, he extended his hand to Simon, who handed him a slip of paper without hesitation. 

No movement after dinner.

Tossing the meaningless report aside, Oscar was about to ignore it when Simon added, 

“She asked if Your Excellency would be returning to the hotel.” 

Oscar’s eyes narrowed slightly. 

“When will you return?” 

The question, insignificant as it had seemed then, now lingered in his mind. It was an odd question, out of place, yet somehow it had managed to catch his attention. 

“She asked if I would return to the hotel?” 

“Yes, Your Excellency. It didn’t seem worth reporting, but since it was her first time initiating conversation, they thought it should be noted.” 

That strange, misplaced question kept Seo Ah’s image lingering in his thoughts a little longer. The odd memory finally faded when the carriage stopped in front of an abandoned building. 

Oscar, who is usually found wearing stifling gloves, puts them on before stepping out of the carriage. Hands in his pockets, he casually strolled through the dimly lit area, taking the crumbling steps two at a time. 

“Your Excellency.” 

As Oscar passed, the Wolves stationed sporadically in the underground hallway bowed their heads. He barely acknowledged them as he continued forward. 

“Ugh, ah, ah…” 

The hair-raising groans that filled the already eerie air barely registered with him as he walked, the Wolves bowing in his wake. The person at the end of the hall opened the door for him, and the harsh grating of metal scraped against his eardrums. The thick stench of blood and decay wafted out into the air. 

Oscar took a deep drag from his cigarette as he stepped through the doorway. 

The man, reduced to a state that made it unclear whether he was alive or dead, was strapped naked to a chair. Yet the man who had ordered his torture stood there, utterly indifferent. 

The man across from Oscar was barely conscious, his body a bloody mess. Oscar looked down at him, his expensive shoes sinking into the pool of blood without a care. 

Oscar inhaled deeply, the smoke swirling around him as he observed the assassin. Then, he reached out with his left hand, gripping the man’s limp jaw and yanking it upward. The once-fierce assassin’s eyes had lost all their fight. 

“S-spare… me…” 

Oscar removed the cigarette from his lips and spoke bluntly. 

“The covert aide of the Luxen royal family.” 

The assassin’s swollen eyes widened in shock. 

“Wh-what…?” 

Oscar nodded, the grip on the man’s jaw tightening. The assassin realised that he had just lost his last chance at survival. 

“One who sees the world with his eyes closed.” 

The assassin tried to say something, but nothing coherent came out. Oscar released his grip on the man’s jaw, causing him to fall limp. 

The assassin knew he had lost his final card at that moment. His body twitched in a desperate, instinctive panic. 

“I-I was just following orders from the Beta Mercenaries! Please, spare me—!” 

Before he could finish his plea, the Wolves stuffed a rag into his mouth. Meanwhile, Oscar casually removed his gloves and tossed them aside. 

“Yes, I already knew that.” 

Without another glance, he exited the interrogation room. 

“Dispose of him.” 

“Yes, Your Excellency.” 

Leaving behind the pungent scent of iron and the assassin’s muffled cries, Oscar exited the decrepit building and climbed back into the carriage. After relaying more specific instructions to the Wolves, Simon joined him, and the carriage quietly rolled away. 

Despite the stench of smoke and blood that clung to them, the two men acted as if nothing had happened as they picked up documents and resumed their work.