A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The owner of the voice was a man.

“Hmm.”

A suit made from luxurious fabric. A deep brown staff embedded with a red jewel. Flawless brown skin and golden eyes. Lastly, a silk hat that one would expect on a gentleman.

It was as if a quintessential image of a British gentleman had been brought to life.

But upon seeing his golden eyes, brown skin, and pointed ears, it became clear that he was not human, but an elf.

“…Dark Elf.”

At the sound of Pereyti’s voice from beside me, the Dark Elf’s golden eyes shone brightly as he snorted.

“…What is the meaning of this?”

“……”

“Is there anyone who can explain?”

As his gaze fell on them, the goblins, who had been on edge as if ready to spring, were taken aback. Confused looks exchanged among them.

As silence lingered, a soft click of the tongue was heard. The gentleman, looking at the goblins as if they were pathetic, beckoned a nearby goblin with a wave.

“Deputy Guild Master.”

“Yes, Guild Master,”

Though there were no specific orders given, the Deputy bowed his head in submission. The goblin, now referred to as the Deputy, quickly descended the stairs and gathered the papers from the desk, bringing them before the gentleman. These were the very papers that the goblin responsible for emotions had been scribbling on moments ago.

As the gentleman received the papers, his golden eyes scanned left and right. He read the text calmly, despite the intense atmosphere that suggested a fight could break out at any moment.

After observing the papers in silence for a while, the gentleman suddenly let out a deep sigh.

“…Deputy.”

“Yes, sir.”

The goblin, who had been tasked with the guidance, bowed deeply. The gentleman handed the paper back to the goblin and bluntly stated a single sentence.

“The amount is incorrect.”

The goblin’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. The previously polite demeanor he had shown was now replaced with a monstrous expression as he glared up at the gentleman.

As the ghastly look spread over the goblin’s face, those holding weapons began to tremble like leaves in the wind. However, disregarding his subordinates, the Deputy roughly lifted a goblin that had collapsed on the ground.

That goblin, forcibly standing up, was thrown before the gentleman in the blink of an eye.

“…Hii, hiiik…!”

The goblin, who had been thrown to the floor, clutched his broken nose with trembling hands and knelt before the gentleman, unaware of the mess he was making.

The gentleman looked down at the goblin, who bowed his head like a great criminal.

“You deceived the appraiser. Additionally, you’ve set the fees without my permission.”

“……”

The gentleman regarded the goblin with the gaze of one looking at a pitiful being. Pressing his hand to his chest as if to express his hurt feelings, he continued.

“I don’t care what schemes you set up. Raise the fees or take bribes. This applies to all employees of the guild, not just you.”

“……”

“But deception in the appraised value is something I cannot tolerate. What do you plan to do about this?”

In that instant, the gentleman’s expression changed.

His chilled golden eyes fixated on the collapsed goblin.

“A merchant who cannot recognize the value of goods has no right to live as a merchant.”

“Y-Your Excellency.”

The sentence trailed off.

-BANG!

The goblin’s head exploded.

Red fragments flew in all directions, and the remnants of the body collapsed as if crumbling away. The flesh that made up the brain oozed onto the floor.

As everyone held their breath.

The gentleman wiped the blood that had splattered on his face with his fingers, leaving a streak on his brown skin.

“My apologies for causing trouble to our esteemed guests. Please forgive my inability to manage my staff.”

“……”

With a bright smile, the gentleman, holding his silk hat, bowed deeply. It was a remarkably courteous gesture.

“I am Hormoz, Guild Master of the Palm Tree Trade Guild.”