Chapter 31 - Substitute Driver

Chapter 31 - Substitute Driver

"Working at the Anaconda… serving tables, washing dishes, cleaning, and keeping customers company."

"What…?"

"Why aren't you with the Imperial Army, boss?"

"Everyone has their reasons."

I kept quiet and shifted the conversation.

"How many did you bring with you?"

"White Hair, what do you mean, 'how many'?"

"How many of your people? Your gang."

"Thirty."

"Are you feeding all thirty of them? Do they all work at the shop across from Anaconda?"

"Not all of them, but they're all under Madame Anne."

The capital's thieves held no sway here.

Surviving by leaning on Madame Anne's influence was the best option.

"It's not about feeding them, White Hair. I'm just worried…"

"That someone might stab you in the back."

"Yes, boss…"

His right-hand man answered instead.

"The boss has already joined Madame Anne's group. How could the gang retain any power? Typical thieves, always worrying about betrayal the moment someone turns away."

"Shut up. Stop acting like you know everything… Is this amusing to you?"

"Not really. I'm just thinking about how we can negotiate."

"Negotiate? What are you talking about, boss?"

"You two, what do you know about the Anaconda?"

"Not much."

"I only know it's the biggest tavern in the entertainment district."

Even though they had come south before me, they knew nothing about the vampires.

"Playing the boss like you used to won't work anymore. You're better off being Madame Anne's loyal dog. Her favorite dog."

"What did you just say…?"

The boss looked at me in disbelief.

"Don't get riled up. I'm in the same boat. Since you're already working under Madame Anne, it's better to switch sides quickly."

"What do you mean, boss?"

"It's simple. Solidify your position under Madame Anne before others rise above you."

"I understand, but… How did you end up having this conversation with us?"

His right-hand man let out a long sigh.

"Let's get to work."

"What kind of work?"

"Something Madame Anne would appreciate."

"White Hair, where's that fiery temper I knew? I didn't think you'd be the type to serve under someone."

"What do you mean? There's no place worse than the military."

"You've got a point… Is that why you quit?"

I didn't answer.

To investigate the Anaconda thoroughly, I needed access to the third and fourth floors.

Madame Anne was the biggest obstacle.

If I could win her trust, everything else would fall into place.

Her power was so vast that targeting her alone was the most efficient approach.

"Boss, do you have any specific work in mind?"

"For now, something we can do during the day."

Vampires, including Madame Anne, couldn't operate outdoors in sunlight.

The moment sunlight touched them, they melted away.

I needed to take on tasks they couldn't handle to prove my worth.

"Why during the day?"

"Because the entertainment district doesn't operate during the day. It's about showing dedication even outside of work hours."

Of course, I didn't share the real reason with the thieves.

"Second, it should relate to Madame Anne's new shop."

"New shop?"

"I heard she's busy preparing for a new establishment. Helping with that would be ideal."

"White Hair, so what's the job?"

"I've given you the direction. The details are up to you."

"So, it's this again."

***

Eight sturdy horses.

Two carriages.

Four horses for each.

"Again? Being a driver is a valuable skill, and Madame Anne was pleased about it."

The boss spoke confidently.

"Here, White Hair, the map."

He handed me a map.

I studied it carefully.

"This is all mountain paths. Following this route will take two days round-trip. We'll also need to look after the horses."

"Two days? That long?"

"Were there no other jobs besides being a driver?"

"Nope. When Madame Anne found out I could drive a carriage, she was thrilled. I told you."

Building rapport with Madame Anne depended on this task.

No matter how long it took, I had no choice but to accept it.

The only goal was to complete it perfectly without wasting time.

"Did Madame Anne give any other instructions?"

"Oh, right. She warned us to be cautious at the Imperial Army checkpoints."

"So we're hauling something suspicious in these empty carriages, huh? The marked line on the map—does it avoid the checkpoints?"

"Yes, it does."

"I see…"

I stared intently at the marked checkpoints on the map.

Then, I patted my inner pocket.

The thick sensation reassured me.

The item Captain Shimenna had given me was safe in my pocket.

"With this, I can pass the checkpoints easily."

I decided not to avoid the Imperial Army checkpoints.

As long as I showed them what Shimenna had provided, I could breeze through.

Taking the shortest route would cut the travel time in half.

Two carriages.

I planned to separate from the thieves and act alone.

If my carriage arrived ahead of theirs, Madame Anne's reaction was predictable.

"I'm heading out first."

I climbed onto the driver's seat.

"White Hair! Wait for us!"

"Boss…!"

I flicked the reins.

The horses, startled from grazing, leaped into action.

I drove the carriage forward, leaving them behind.

***

When I finally reached Madam Anne's desired destination about ten hours later, I fell into the ground.

"Ugh..."

A ridiculous sound escaped my lips.

The floor had suddenly collapsed beneath me.

Fortunately, I didn't fall all the way through.

Clinging to the unbroken wooden planks next to the hole, I desperately held on.

My lower body dangled in the underground void.

"What in the world is this…"

As I wore an incredulous expression, the brewery owner extended his right arm toward me.

His thick forearm was densely covered with black hair.

I grabbed his wrist and managed to climb back up.

Immediately, I turned to look down at the shattered floor.

A hole, just big enough for a person, gaped open where I had been standing.

"My... my apologies... The building's quite old, you see."

"This isn't just old—it's practically falling apart. That took ten years off my life."

"Ah, but I assure you, the building will last another ten years at least."

"Well, I just lost ten years, so I guess it evens out."

"Wait, was that an insult?"

"Excuse me?"

"Pardon?"

We stared blankly at each other for a moment.

"Forget it. Just give me the goods."

"Ah, yes. Madam Anne's order, was it? The wine you requested is stored in the cellar. I've marked the barrels with an X to make it easy for you to find. Feel free to take them. Oh, and you could always enter through the new hole if you'd like! Hahaha!"

"Don't push your luck."

I looked around and found the stairs leading to the basement.

Once downstairs, the marked barrels were easy to spot.

I hauled two of the nearest barrels onto my shoulders and carried them upstairs.

"Oh my, aren't they heavy?"

"Not particularly. By the way, are you sure this is just wine?"

"Just wine? These aren't exactly cheap bottles of swill, if that's what you mean..."

"No, I mean, is it really only wine in these barrels?"

"Of course, only wine—red wine, to be precise. What else would it be?"

"Hmm…"

Then why would we need to avoid the Empire's checkpoints?

***

Two Imperial soldiers in navy uniforms stood guard.

"We'll need to conduct an inspection," one of them said.

"Of course," I replied, maintaining a cooperative demeanor the moment I locked eyes with them.

They both moved to the back of the carriage.

I heard the sound of the storage compartment being flung open.

They exchanged hushed words I couldn't quite catch.

After a short wait, they returned, their steps brisk and measured.

"Step down," one ordered.

"Is there a problem?" I asked.

"Step down."

They repeated themselves without further explanation.

Reluctantly, I climbed down from the driver's seat.

"Hands up, over your head."

One of them gestured.

"What's this about?"

"Hands. Over. Your head."

"Slowly."

Left with no choice, I slowly raised my arms.

"Interlock your fingers behind your head."

"What's next, making me do tricks?"

"Do it."

"Fine."

I placed my hands behind my head.

"Conducting a body search," one of them announced.

They patted me down thoroughly, their eyes locked on my hands the entire time.

Their vigilance never wavered.

Then, as one of them reached my lower chest, something caught their attention.

"What's this…?"

"Stay still," he instructed.

He retrieved a scroll from inside my coat.

The black parchment was bound with a red thread.

"Hmm…?"

"This is…"

Both soldiers reacted simultaneously.

Unfurling the scroll, their eyes scanned it from top to bottom, their expressions shifting the further they read.

Once they finished, they carefully rolled it back up and tied the thread.

Even returning it to my coat, they handled it with the utmost care.

The silence stretched.

"I'm with the Special Ops Division," I said.

"Ah… I see…"

"The insignia of Captain Shimenna Extine is authentic. I almost thought I was imagining things…"

At that, both soldiers offered small, respectful bows.

"Is there an issue here?" I asked.

"What brings the Special Operations Unit to this area?"

They asked their questions in unison.

"I can't disclose mission details. May I lower my arms now?"

"Ah, yes... Please forgive us. I lost my composure…"

As soon as I lowered my arms, I made a request.

"Before I go, could I ask for two favors? One for now, and one for later."

"We'll help however we can."

"First, I need a raincoat. A military-issue one with a hood, if possible."

"There should be one inside the checkpoint. I'll fetch it for you."

One of them immediately hurried off toward the building.

The remaining soldier asked, "And the second favor?"

"I might need to send a letter to Captain Shimenna Extine. Would you be able to deliver it when the time comes?"

"A letter? That's simple enough. When you return, we'll recognize you immediately."

He nodded firmly.

Soon, the other soldier returned, carrying a neatly folded navy raincoat.

"Thank you. Until next time," I said as I left the checkpoint.

***

"How did you get back so quickly? This trip should've taken two days, but you made it in one…"

Madam Anne poked her head out of the storage compartment.

"I just took the fastest route."

"The fastest route? You ignored the marked path?"

"Yes."

"What? Why?"

"I passed through an Imperial checkpoint but wasn't stopped."

"That's odd. Explain yourself."

"A relative of mine works at the checkpoint. He enlisted last year. I figured if I played my cards right, I could get through without trouble. As you can see, it worked out just fine."

"Going off-script without permission…" Madam Anne muttered in a low voice.

"…but good job."

She offered a brief compliment.

"So, this relative of yours—can we rely on him again?"

"If needed, just let me know. He's family, so it won't be a problem."

"Oh, and one more thing... Lately, I've been so scatterbrained…"

"Yes?"

"What's your name again?"