Chapter 262. Encounter (3)

Immediately after saying he would give a gift, Nangwon pulled a pouch from his chest.

It was a very small pouch.

Watching it blankly, Alon recognized the nature of that pouch without difficulty.

“That’s…”

“It is a subspace pouch.”

Nangwon pulled something out of the pouch and placed it on the table as if to show it himself.

It was a sword that was hard to imagine coming out of a pouch.

“This is…?”

“It is the Sword of Shangcheon.”

“Oh…”

Alon let out a low exclamation.

It was not an artifact he knew well.

As Alon admired its posture, which seemed to say ‘I am damn expensive’ at a glance.

“Th-the Sword of Shangcheon?”

Evan, who had been looking at Nangyeon until just now, stammered in surprise.

“Do you know of it?”

“Of course, Marquis! Isn’t this a sword made by a dwarf that can barely be found in the Eastern Country of the heterogeneous tribes… no, one whose existence even in that Eastern Country is unknown!”

As Evan shouted in excitement, Nangwon smiled and nodded his head.

“That is correct.”

“…There is no need to give me something so precious, though.”

“No, these are all gifts I prepared for you, Brother. And there is still more.”

“There is still more?”

“Yes.”

Nangwon subsequently pulled a staff from the subspace pouch and handed it to Alon.

This time, Alon also could not help but be surprised.

Because it was an item he also knew well.

“The Staff of Verdure?”

“That is correct, Brother. How did you know? It is a staff that not many people know about.”

“…I saw it in a book once.”

He hurried to explain to Nangwon, who asked curiously, but naturally, he had not seen it in a book.

Unlike the Sword of Shangcheon.

The Staff of Verdure was an item that appeared in the main story of Psychedelia.

‘It is clearly a mage-exclusive weapon that appears in the mid-to-late stages of the game…’

Furthermore, as he remembered.

If a character was raised as a dealer who used a certain magic as their main, its usefulness was considerable.

Because it was a staff that increased the effect of a specific magic by 300%.

The reason Alon did not bother to seek the Staff of Verdure even though he knew this fact was.

Because he had to grind to obtain this.

And it was not just any grind, but a grind that required sitting down and investing several months.

That was why he thought he would never actually see the Staff of Verdure…

Alon looked at the staff with a look of great curiosity behind his expressionless face.

“There are more gifts.”

Perhaps satisfied with that reaction, Nangwon smiled and immediately pulled out the next gift.

“This is…?”

“It is the ‘Nameless Swordsman’s Ring’.”

“Wow, I have only heard rumors of this, too… isn’t this an item that allows even an ordinary person who cannot handle mana to draw out sword qi just by wearing it?”

“You are well-informed.”

Nangwon felt proud of Evan’s fuss.

However, this time, Alon was also quite impressed.

The Nameless Swordsman’s Ring was an item Alon had thought of finding separately when he had time before going to the Holy Kingdom soon.

‘I did not know I would obtain it like this.’

The reason Alon, who was not even a swordsman, sought this item was.

Because an artifact that could be obtained using the ring was necessary for the current Alon.

By the time Alon was admiring it in his own way, Nangwon immediately pulled out the next item.

“This is…”

“It is the Gauntlet of Unyielding Iron.”

“Oh…”

Evan and Alon admired.

At that, Nangwon pulled out another item.

A new item appeared from Nangwon’s pouch along with their admiration once again.

“This time, it is the Gloves of the Hidden One.”

Alon and Evan admired without a break.

But ten minutes passed like that.

“It is Bion’s Iron Armor.”

“Oh.”

“Oh.”

Thirty minutes passed.

“It is Orim’s Tear.”

“Oh.”

“Oh…”

By the time an hour had passed.

“It is the Left Armor of the Holy King.”

“…?”

“…?”

Alon realized that something was strange.

“…”

He looked around.

The tea room, which clearly had nothing except tea for hospitality.

But before he knew it.

Regardless of whether it was the floor or the table.

It was filled with countless items with no room to step.

What was stranger than anything was…

“Ahem… there is also the next item.”

The fact that items were still coming out of the palm-sized pouch Nangwon had brought.

“Nangwon.”

“Yes? Why is that?”

“By any chance, are there still many gifts to give?”

Alon glanced at the pouch.

“Yes, there is still a little bit left!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Five more…”

At that, Nangwon answered while spreading his fingers wide, and Alon was slightly relieved.

…Honestly, he was at the point where it was difficult because he had run out of a repertoire of admiration.

Just as Alon was letting out a light sigh.

“…hours should be enough.”

“…What?”

“…Ah, six hours or so?”

Unexpected following words ensued.

“…????”

Alon’s two eyes shook secretly.

####

…Eventually, only after six hours had truly passed did Nangwon’s gift presentation ceremony end.

The day after he felt dizzy looking at the gifts piled like a mountain in the tea room.

The siblings Nangwon and Nangyeon left the marquisate immediately.

“It would have been good if you could stay a little longer.”

“I truly want to as well, but since there is a lot of work I have already started, I will visit again after organizing that.”

“I see.”

“Then please seek me if there is a need for work. I will come running anytime…!”

Nangwon, who finished his greeting with a bow and eyes shining with longing, turned around…

“…Hmm.”

Soon, as if he sensed something, he approached Alon again.

“Brother.”

“Why is that?”

“It seems there is a disobedient wolf around you.”

He whispered quietly.

“…A disobedient wolf?”

“Yes, but you do not have to worry. I will discipline it well on my own.”

After smiling brightly soon after,

“Then, see you next time!”

He left while leaving a cheerful farewell.

“…It felt very refreshing, unlike the name King of Curses.”

Evan left his impressions as soon as Nangwon left.

Alon also sympathized.

“It certainly was so.”

“Furthermore, he is quite different from the rumors I have heard.”

“Rumors? Were there such things?”

“Well, yes.”

Evan conveyed the contents.

“As far as I know, the King of Curses is known to have a very violent and dogmatic personality.”

“…Violent and dogmatic?”

Alon recalled the appearance of Nangwon he had just seen.

With an outstanding appearance that anyone would look back at at least once.

Nangwon, who followed Alon around while smiling brightly.

He seemed far from the words dogmatic and violent.

Since this was the same for Nangyeon.

“…Aren’t they false rumors?”

Alon questioned the truth.

“Honestly, I think so too.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

Evan also agreed weakly.

Alon tilted his head at the sudden drop in tension.

“You seem to have no energy.”

“I was rejected.”

“…Suddenly?”

“…She said she is not interested in men weaker than herself…”

Only then did Alon realize.

That Evan had made a move on Nangyeon.

“When did you do that again?”

“…Yesterday.”

“That was fast…”

“Am I not a man of passion? A man is about confidence.”

“So only ashes are left?”

The letters ‘you are too much’ appeared on Evan’s face.

“…Marquis, do you know that you are becoming a little more sharp with an expressionless face lately?”

After answering appropriately to the grumbling Evan, it eventually became afternoon.

“This body appears!!!”

Penia returned from the Blue Magic Tower.

Very noisily.

With the corners of her mouth raised as if they would ascend to the end of the sky.

After making an unknown sound, huhuhuhuhu…

“Who am I?”

“The youngest paper presenter at the Magic Society.”

“Who am I???”

“The youngest chief paper registrant at the Magic Society…!”

Questioning and answering herself.

She began to show off her narcissism diligently in front of Alon.

Penia bragged without rest as if she was intoxicated with herself at this moment.

“Congratulations.”

“Ahem… thank you…”

When Alon said a word, Penia could not hide her trembling shoulders and her cheeks turned red.

“Ah, and Marquis. I also found something to research this time.”

“Something to research?”

“Yes, didn’t we talk about it last time? Regarding your technique. I think something worth experimenting with nicely will come up.”

“That is welcome news.”

Penia also brought new news together.

After praising her lightly, Alon stood up and held out a pen to her.

“?”

Penia looked back and forth between the pen and Alon with a bewildered expression.

“Now, then, can you help me a little?”

When Alon held out the pen once more, Penia, who was watching his reaction, cautiously moved her lips.

“W-who am I?”

“A person who wrote papers like crazy until a month ago and could not even sleep three hours a day…”

“Also… the, person who did technique calculations for the Marquis even in the midst of that…”

To put it simply, it meant she was very tired.

But unfortunately, such whining of Penia’s (?) did not work on Alon.

For him.

“Penia, by any chance, do you see this?”

“…Gasp.”

Because there were too many artifacts Nangwon had given…

To put it more simply, there were too many items that Penia would eye for research.

“If you help me with work now, I will let you research two of these additionally.”

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

Alon nodded and held out the pen.

At that, Penia made a groaning sound, kkkkkk…

But soon after seeing the numerous artifacts behind Alon, with two eyes that had somewhat deep dark circles.

“I-I will do it.”

She grabbed the pen as if making a contract with the devil.

“You thought well.”

She sat down at the desk weakly according to Alon’s guidance.

And.

“…Wow.”

“Why is that?”

“No, I did not know you would make her work as soon as she returned.”

Evan, who entered the office before he knew it, discovered Penia.

He shook his head as he looked at Alon as if even Satan would not do this…

“She is doing it because she wants to, though.”

Alon was confident.

“…I see. Ah, and Marquis. This.”

As if there was no point in speaking, Evan immediately handed the letter to Alon.

“What is this?”

“It is a letter from the royal family.”

“Ah.”

Alon recalled the fact that Siyan was looking for him anew.

When he opened the letter, a single short sentence was written there.

[A new memory regarding you and the Cardinal has come to mind, so come visit.]

A very plain sentence.

However, in Alon’s position, it was a sentence he could never ignore.

“…It seems I will have to move without time to rest.”

Alon muttered while letting out a sigh.

####

That afternoon.

A point where the territory of the marquisate was still visible.

A beastfolk appeared before Nangwon and Nangyeon at some point.

A beastfolk with brilliant golden eyes.

“You are a disobedient wolf.”

Even though it was clearly a sudden appearance, when Nangwon spoke calmly without any sign of surprise,

The beastfolk… no, Seollang frowned.

“You, what are you?”

“What else? I am the younger brother who faithfully follows Brother’s orders, unlike you. Unlike someone who ignores orders and chases after Brother’s back.”

A sneer appeared on the corners of Nangwon’s mouth as if the bright smile he showed Alon was a lie.

“Go back, wolf. Because Brother never ordered you to escort him.”

A cynical voice.

“…I hate it, I will protect the Benefactor.”

“Brother’s orders are absolute. Didn’t Brother clearly say? To stay in your place.”

“I still hate it.”

“You hate it, huh…”

At Seollang’s answer that followed, Nangwon, who scrunched his brow,

“Then, I will make you go back even by force.”

He muttered lowly.

At the same time, black hands began to be scattered.

“Try it, if you can.”

Brilliant lightning burst out from Seollang’s body as if to oppose this.

Like that.

The fight of the strong, of which there were few in the Allied Kingdom, began.

And exactly 30 minutes later.

“Let go.”

The two strong ones who possessed outstanding martial power enough to lightly blow away one or two surrounding mountains…

“…You let go.”

“I told you to let go.”

“You let go first!”

…Were grabbing each other’s hair.

The reason was simple.

Nangwon knew how strong Seollang’s martial power was.

Seollang also measured Nangwon’s power, although not exactly.

And the moment they properly clashed.

The fact that the disturbance would be heard in the Palatio territory…

They also knew very well.

In other words, for both of them.

Fighting noisily was not a very good choice.

Seollang was in a situation where she followed Alon without his permission.

Because Nangwon also knew that Alon cherished such a Seollang.

Because both were watching Alon’s reaction.

The suffocating fight where lightning and thousands of black hands popped out suddenly changed into a silent muddy physical fight.

…And this was the result.

Nangyeon watched the two quietly.

The appearance of the two who grabbed each other’s hair in an awkward posture…

“Do not pull, I told you not to pull?”

“You don’t do it either.”

“…Let’s let go on the count of one, two, three.”

“…Fine.”

And, that conversation.

…To say it was truly a fight between the strong.

“One, two, three.”

“…”

“…”

Squeeze!

“Ah, let go!!”

“You let go first.”

It was a bit pathetic.

…No, a lot.

“…”

Nangyeon turned her gaze away without realizing it.

…She could not bring herself to keep watching.