A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 51.2
Startled, I instantly bowed my head low.
‘No way. I covered myself completely this time. He won’t recognize me again, right?’
After all, last time, that guy had recognized me right away even with my face hidden.
The closer the distance between Dylan and me grew, the harder my heart pounded, as if it would leap out of my chest.
“…We’re still searching, but so far, no abnormalities have been found.”
“Where was the first discovery site?”
“Not in this district. They say it was near the east-side’s slums, where the gangsters are gathered.”
With a grave expression, Dylan spoke with his adjutant as he slowly passed me by.
That short moment felt like an eternity.
Unable even to breathe, I stared straight ahead and walked quickly until I finally reached the restaurant where steam was billowing out.
“Phew…!”
At last, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding back.
‘Damn it, I thought he was going to recognize me!’
The thought of that man recognizing me on the spot had made my skin crawl.
Even now, a chill ran down my spine.
Of course, if I were caught, I could always brazenly claim I was just out for a stroll.
But the problem was, he was the type that wouldn’t buy it.
‘That bastard would definitely raise hell and contact the Duke’s household right away.’
Having already experienced it once before, I shuddered and stole a glance back.
Through the haze spilling from the restaurant, Dylan’s back was growing more distant.
Just as I was about to sigh in relief.
“…Wait.”
He suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Then, without warning, he snapped his head around.
“……!”
The moment our eyes were about to meet, I darted into the alley beside the restaurant.
“Ughhh…!”
A strangled squeak slipped from between clenched teeth.
‘Please, let the smoke have blocked his view!’
Silently praying to someone, anyone, who would listen, I sprinted down the alley in a panic.
Thankfully, the alley lined with taverns was much more crowded than the main street.
Fitting for a city of drifters, there were plenty of people day-drinking in broad daylight.
‘The fifth one! Quickly, the fifth building!’
Dodging the groups of loiterers here and there, I soon stopped in front of the fifth building on the left.
After confirming the tacky name ‘S-Class Beer’, I shoved the door open in a rush.
Clatter!
“Welcome!”
“Hah, hahh…”
The old man who seemed to be the owner greeted me loudly.
I hastily shut the door and stepped inside.
The tavern was nearly empty, save for a table or two.
Still panting heavily, I staggered across the interior.
“Customer, would you like to order…?”
“……”
I ignored him completely and headed straight for the back door.
It was what the female lead had done in the novel, so I was copying her.
Truthfully, I was half out of my mind, terrified Dylan might come chasing after me.
The owner’s puzzled gaze followed me for a moment.
But when I reached for the back door, he turned away with a disinterested shrug.
Reaching the rear of the tavern, I pressed myself flat against the wall beside the door and quietly watched for movement inside.
Thankfully, even after some time passed, I sensed no one pursuing me.
“Huuu… damn it.”
Bracing my hands on my knees, I caught my breath.
‘These damn male leads are going to be the death of me!’
Of all people, I had to run into Male Lead #3 here.
“Golden armor. Of course, it’s the Imperial Guard’s uniform, you idiot…”
At last, I recalled where I’d seen that familiar armor.
Dylan wasn’t just a Count, he was also the commander of the Security Bureau’s First Knight Order.
In modern terms, he was like a brigadier general leading a special unit made up of Awakeners.
‘So then Dylan didn’t come here on his own. The Security Bureau dispatched knights. But why…?’
It couldn’t be because of the female lead. Male Lead #4 himself had recently confirmed she wasn’t in Volner.
And since the palace was actively hiding her whereabouts, they wouldn’t possibly send Awakeners to look for her.
I briefly tried to guess Dylan’s reason for being here, but soon shook my head.
“Why should I care? I just need to do what I came for…”
Either way, the important thing was that he hadn’t chased me.
Relieved at last, I began scanning my surroundings.
The back alley behind the tavern was narrower and filthier than the front street.
I started up the sloping path.
Before long, I spotted a boy polishing shoes beside a pile of wooden crates.
‘An eyepatch over the right eye.’
It was exactly as described in the novel. The sight gave me a strange feeling.
If I’d come this far, it meant I was nearly there.
I walked straight up to the boy and asked,
“Are you One-Eye?”
“Yes. Want your shoes shined?”
“No. I want to go to the Blue Moon Inn.”
At that, I held out a gold coin.
The boy looked up at me in surprise.
“Did you come from outside?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Ah…”
He hesitated, as if weighing something, unable to answer right away.
It made me a little suspicious.
‘This scene wasn’t in the novel.’
I frowned and tried to take back the coin.
“If you don’t want to, forget it.”
“N-No! It’s not that I don’t want to.”
Just then, the boy snatched the gold coin with quick hands.
Then, lightly skipping ahead, he gestured for me to follow.
“Come with me.”
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