Chapter 111: Who Built This Place?

Elias turned his head toward Benjamin, who was still examining the concealed staircase with a troubled expression, and asked, "Do you know anything about this?"

The old butler shook his head, his brows furrowing in confusion. "I do not, my lord. There was no mention of this hideout on the city map."

"Did they build it recently?" Elias wondered aloud as he stared into the darkness below.

"That should not be possible, at least not without someone discovering it," Benjamin replied.

"Construction of this scale would have required workers, materials, and time. Even if they had been discreet, rumors would eventually have spread."

"Right," Elias mumbled, narrowing his eyes. ’Then how?’

He continued staring at the staircase, but no answer came to him. The wooden house above had been so ordinary that it seemed deliberately chosen to avoid attention.

Several minutes passed as Elias waited for the driver to return with the merchant, and with every passing second, his suspicion grew stronger. His fingers remained folded in the shape of holding a sword, ready to summon the sword at any moment.

Then a familiar voice echoed from the staircase.

"It is good to see you again."

Olide appeared as he climbed the steps, and Elias inwardly exhaled in relief when he recognized the merchant’s face. However, he did not allow that relief to reach his expression.

"You certainly enjoy meeting people in ways that make them suspicious of you," Elias said flatly.

Olide laughed as he reached the final step. "I did not mean to. Things have simply become too hectic for me to remain on the surface."

"Then how did you learn that I was searching for you?" Elias asked, his eyes narrowing.

An amused smile appeared on Olide’s face. "Just because I am underground does not mean my eyes and ears are underground as well."

"So you have spies," Elias muttered.

"Informants," Olide corrected with a light cough, and then he looked at Elias with renewed curiosity. "So, why were you looking for me, Lord Elias?"

Elias glanced toward the empty room and then back at the merchant. "You want to discuss it here?"

Olide chuckled before turning around. "Of course not. Let us continue somewhere safe and pleasant."

He began descending the staircase again, and Elias exchanged a glance with Benjamin before following behind him.

The old butler remained close, his footsteps measured and quiet, while Elias kept his attention on the passage surrounding them.

As they descended, he examined the walls more carefully. The stone was worn and discolored, and the edges of several bricks had been softened by age. Nothing about the passage suggested recent construction. In fact, the walls appeared to be at least a few decades old.

That only raised more questions.

’When was this built? And who built this?’

Olide glanced over his shoulder and noticed Elias studying the walls.

"Are you curious about this hidden passage?" he asked.

"I am," Elias admitted.

"That is to be expected." Olide nodded, then continued in a more serious tone. "First of all, neither I, the citizens, nor any of the city lords built this place."

"Then who did?" Elias asked.

"It was built by a person of great stature. Many people still speak of her, even after all these years."

Elias’s eyes shifted toward the wall on his left, although his feet continued carrying him down the stairs.

"You do not mean..." he mumbled.

Olide smiled faintly. "I believe you already know the answer."

"The Purple Lily," Elias whispered.

Olide nodded. "Yes. The Purple Lily had this place built."

Elias’s gaze remained fixed on the old stone. To think he was now seeing the work of the person he had only heard of in the stories.

"How do you know about this place?" Elias pressed.

At the same time, they reached the bottom of the staircase, and the narrow passage opened into a vast cave system. Several tunnels extended to the left and right, their entrances partially concealed by shadows, while torches fixed along the walls cast flickering light across the uneven stone.

"Do you know about the Royal Academy?" Olide asked as he continued walking.

"I do," Elias answered.

The Royal Academy was an institute supported by the Dracarian Royal Family that trained and educated the kingdom’s teenagers, helping them understand and walk one of the three great paths.

Although it did not possess the overwhelming influence of the Mage Tower, the Sun Church, or the Crimson Ducal Clan, royal support had granted it considerable authority and resources.

Elias had once hoped to enter the academy himself. He had believed that its instructors might be able to help him get better with the sword. Unfortunately, the clan had never approved his admission.

"My father is one of the rare commoners who received the Mark of Excellency from the Royal Academy," Olide explained.

They turned left and entered one of the caves. The tunnel opened into a spacious room furnished with a long table, several chairs, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Its warm light illuminated the room, revealing four guards standing along the walls.

Each guard wore light armor that covered both their faces and bodies, leaving no part of their identities visible. They remained perfectly still as the three men entered, their silence making the room feel more like a guarded chamber than a merchant’s meeting place.

"Take a seat," Olide said, gesturing toward one of the chairs.

Elias studied the room for a moment before moving toward it and sitting down. Benjamin stayed standing behind his chair.

Olide sat across from him, then leaned back slightly.

"Hmm... what was I saying?"

"You said your father received the Mark of Excellency from the Royal Academy," Elias reminded him.

"Ah, yes."

Olide glanced toward the left side of the room, where a dark corner remained untouched by the chandelier’s light. "Prepare tea for our guests."

The darkness shifted.

A slender figure dressed entirely in pitch-black attire stepped out from the corner, moving so quietly that Elias had not noticed its presence until it emerged. The figure inclined its head toward Olide without speaking.

Elias watched the figure and remarked inwardly, ’A woman?’

Olide settled more comfortably into his chair and continued speaking. ℴ

"In the academy, my father was a follower of the Purple Lily."

Elias turned his head to Olide, a dumbfounded look on his face.

"What?"