A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 69

Dudududu!

Sieg, accompanied by Felix, was traveling in a carriage, leaving Atlas for another city.

Felix, sitting across from him, spoke in a slightly excited voice.

"Master, this is my first time going to Mycenae!"

However, Sieg could not share Felix's tourist-like excitement.

'Agamemnon of Mycenae, huh.'

Mycenae was one of the cities in Central Continent sponsored by Draker.

It was not one of the five major cities in Central Continent, but it was said to have been larger than Atlas fifty years ago.

Like Thebea, the oldest kingdom, it was a traditional city with remnants of the Golden Age and the Holy Empire scattered throughout.

The Agamemnon family was a venerable noble family that had long ruled Mycenae and its surrounding territories.

Rumor had it that they were descendants of an ancient kingdom from the same era as the Chronos Kingdom.

The Agamemnon family, holders of the land, deep-rooted traditions, and accumulated wealth over the years, wielded significant power centered in Mycenae, even within Draker.

However, fifty years ago, a curse befell the family, causing the children to die one after another.

As the cursed family rumor spread, no one wanted to associate with the Agamemnon family.

With the family's downfall, Mycenae's reputation faded, making the name scarce even within the Draker family.

Bearing these thoughts, Sieg arrived in Mycenae.

"Wow. Master! Look over there! It feels like we've returned to the era of the Holy Empire."

Unlike the modern city of Atlas, Mycenae was imbued with the atmosphere of the Holy Empire from 500 years ago.

Buildings constructed in the Gothic style frequently used during the Holy Empire constituted the city.

Sieg was fascinated by the unfamiliar and alien appearance of Mycenae.

'Come to think of it, I've never visited Mycenae in my previous life.'

Back then, he only visited strategically important cities and had no particular reason to visit cities like Mycenae.

Sieg addressed Felix.

"Felix, let's find a place to stay first."

"Understood, master."

Although Sieg, as an official knight of Draker, could use facilities owned by the family throughout Central Continent, he deliberately chose to secure a room in an inn within the city.

He wanted to directly experience the atmosphere of Mycenae.

Felix quickly found a decent-looking inn in the city center.

Sieg entered the inn Felix recommended.

It was a scene one might only see in storybooks.

Since it was almost evening, people crowded the dining area, drinking beer, while the owner served large roasted meat pieces to the patrons.

Sieg and Felix decided to have a simple meal after renting a room.

The large owner approached Sieg.

"What would you like for your meal?"

Having concealed their identities, Sieg and Felix appeared to be first-time visiting tourists in Mycenae.

Felix, with his trademark friendly smile, asked the owner.

"What's the most popular dish here?"

The owner replied confidently.

"If you don't need side dishes, the special soup is the best choice. It'll fill you up."

Sieg and Felix ordered the recommended soup, bread, and some beer.

The food arrived faster than expected, and it tasted quite good.

While eating, Sieg listened to the conversations around him.

Most of the chatter was about ordinary people's typical lives.

'The city itself seems fine.'

The fact that people were leisurely drinking and chatting in a pub while it was still daylight implied that the city's economic situation and public order were good.

Contrary to the gloomy and somber atmosphere Sieg imagined due to the cursed Agamemnon family's rule, he was surprised by the unexpected vibrancy.

At that moment, a man from a group next to them, drinking, placed a plate containing a chunk of roasted meat next to Sieg and Felix.

"You look like tourists. It'd be a shame if you left without trying Mycenae's famous grilled ribs."

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, expressing their approval.

Sieg responded in a friendly voice.

"Thank you for your kind gesture. The citizens of Mycenae are indeed very hospitable."

The man nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Of course, I've been a Mycenae native all my life. There's no place like it."

Another fellow joined in.

"That's right! I went to Atlas once, and it was so crowded and hectic. The buildings all looked bland and crammed with no charm to them."

Others also nodded in agreement.

Sieg requested Felix to get more beer.

"Oh, you shouldn't have."

Enjoying the beer that Sieg treated them to, the men became even more enthusiastic, boasting about Mycenae.

The more Sieg listened to them, the more confused he became.

'The public order is fine, the welfare policies are good, the city is impeccably managed.'

While there were many cities on the continent, very few were managed well enough to satisfy their citizens truly.

In the southern continent, for instance, crime syndicates like the drug cartel had seized cities to such an extent that the existence of the kingdom itself had become meaningless.

Compared to that, Mycenae was practically a paradise.

When the men became a bit tipsy, Sieg slowly initiated a conversation.

"From what you've said, I can tell Mycenae is an excellent place. But who is currently the mayor of Mycenae? I couldn't see a city hall building when I looked around earlier."

Suddenly, the men who had been chattering happily fell silent.

Sieg, who had initiated the conversation, felt awkward due to the abrupt quietness.

The man who first approached Sieg's table downed his beer and stood up.

"I must have taken up too much of your time. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

The man returned to his table, and the others resumed chatting among themselves without glancing at Sieg's group.

Sieg realized from their sudden reaction that these men were reluctant to mention the Agamemnon family.

'Do they think mentioning the cursed family brings bad luck?'

Sieg decided he needed to investigate this further.

After finishing the meal, Sieg spoke to Felix.

"I'm going to look around a bit more. You go ahead and rest."

With his insightful nature, Felix understood the meaning behind Sieg's words.

"Understood, master. Take care."

Sieg left the inn alone and wandered around the city, eventually making his way toward the Syndicate's branch.

Every city had its underbelly, and the Syndicate held its base there.

Just like in Atlas, Sieg located a Syndicate-run establishment and entered.

The atmosphere was markedly different from the inn's tavern.

A rough-looking man abruptly stood in Sieg's path and spoke.

"This isn't a place for kids."

Silently, Sieg pulled out a card given to him by Kay.

This magically processed card was provided only to VIP clients within the Syndicate.

Recognizing the card, the man looked startled and bowed.

"I apologize for not recognizing someone of your stature."

"I wish to meet the Branch Manager."

The man promptly guided Sieg inside, leading him through a passage to the basement.

'It sure resembles the thieves guild.'

The thieves guild typically prepared such secure passages for storing stolen goods.

Given the Syndicate's emphasis on security, there was little difference between them and a thieves guild.

Sieg was led through several forked paths to the Branch Manager's location.

When he entered the room at a high-end cocktail bar, someone was waiting for him—a young man in a sharp suit.

Though he seemed quite young for a Branch Manager, Sieg understood, recalling last year's extensive reorganization within the Syndicate.

As soon as Sieg entered the room, the Branch Manager knelt.

"I apologize deeply for not realizing your esteemed presence."

His reaction was not typical for an ordinary client.

Sieg asked the Branch Manager.

"Do you know who I am?"

"I'm not fully aware. But I've been instructed never to offend someone of your standing."

It seemed Kay's card bore some emblematic markings.

Sieg nodded and gestured for the Branch Manager to sit.

The Branch Manager sat and offered tea to Sieg.

"I heard you enjoy tea."

"......"

Sieg took a sip of the tea before speaking.

"How long have you been in Mycenae?"

"I've been here for about 20 years now."

"You've been here quite a while."

"I'm a local and started in the organization from a young age."

"Good. Then you must know the ins and outs of Mycenae well."

"Yes. Mycenae, contrary to appearances, has a thriving black market. Goods smuggled through unofficial routes are primarily dealt with here..."

"Regrettably, my curiosity doesn't extend to stolen goods."

The Branch Manager looked slightly disappointed at Sieg's words.

"What is the atmosphere in Mycenae like?"

"It's a nice place to live. The public order is decent, and supplies are abundant. If there's a flaw, it would be the inconvenience caused by the lack of operational railways for traveling to other cities."

It was strange hearing a crime syndicate member praise the public order.

Nodding, Sieg asked about something else.

"Do you know anything about Mycenae's ruler?"

At that moment, the Branch Manager's face turned pale.

Seeing the reaction, Sieg recalled the inn's men's response.

To ensure the message hit home, he mentioned a specific name to the Branch Manager.

"Agamemnon family."

Upon hearing the family name, the Branch Manager visibly trembled.

'What rumors of their curse are so terrifying?'

The Branch Manager mustered the courage to respond to Sieg.

"W-where did you hear that name?"

"You don't need to know that. It seems mentioning that family's name in Mycenae is taboo. Is there a reason?"

The Branch Manager suddenly crossed himself and began reciting a prayer.

The city, as expected, bore strong traces of the Holy Empire's influence.

Slowly, he opened his mouth.

"Sir. That family is cursed."

"I am aware. They say the curse causes the children to die."

The Branch Manager vehemently shook his head.

"N-no."

"Not that? Is there another curse?"

The Branch Manager reluctantly began to explain.

"W-whoever goes to the c-castle dies."

"What?"

This wasn't something Decker had mentioned.

Sieg asked the Branch Manager again.

"So, you're saying that anyone who visits the Agamemnon family's castle dies?"

"Y-yes. A-and mentioning that name too much could also r-result in death."

Seeing the Branch Manager's trembling lips, Sieg believed he wasn't lying.

'It seems there's something going on.'

Superstitions, when combined with the power of belief could manifest actual curses or strange occurrences.

"Were there people who died because they actually visited the castle?"

The Branch Manager crossed himself again and responded.

"Y-yes. I heard that during my grandfather's time, those who visited the castle were cursed and died. My grandfather's brother was among those who died that way, apparently."

"Has it happened recently?"

The Branch Manager shook his head.

"Mycenae citizens avoid going near the castle. Paths leading there are blocked to prevent even tourists from wandering that way."

"Hmm."

After listening to the Branch Manager's words, Sieg came to a conclusion.

'It seems the Agamemnon family isn't so much cursed as they've created the curse rumors themselves.'

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

'No doubt they spread the rumors of a curse purposefully.'