Chapter 138 – Trust Me (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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There were not many agenda items discussed.

However, the aftermath of the Round Table conference was by no means inferior even when compared to the first session.

After the Chief and Senior Mages exited the Crystal Hall one by one.

Those left behind began to converse in earnest.

“Where on earth does that confidence come from, I wonder?”

Skilled Mage, Jibril.

As one could tell from her flamboyant hairstyle, Jibril overflowed with confidence in every matter.

However, that of Chief Lee Ho-yeol was ‘something’ that surpassed confidence.

“He’s entering the Arcana continent alone?”

There would be no need to explain the danger at length.

Why, just looking at the rifts was enough.

As if taking over the Arcana continent wasn’t enough.

They were demons stretching out their evil hands to swallow up the world of adventurers as well.

Shake shake

“I honestly don’t know what he’s thinking.”

The shoulders of the show-off-loving Skilled Mage, Rinne, heaved.

“That the Chief is amazing is known to everyone in the Mage Tower, but hasn’t this crossed the line, don’t you think? To say the Arcana continent, isn’t it dangerous to an extent that can’t even be compared to a rift?”

“Although Rinne is good at saying unlucky things. I can’t refute it.”

“Right! What I said is cor……. Yes? Unlucky things, you say?!”

Squabble squabble.

Amidst the argument, Jibril rubbed her chin.

‘There’s no way he doesn’t know it’s dangerous, though.’

On the contrary, Chief Lee Ho-yeol was someone who would know the situation of the Arcana continent better than themselves.

And unlike themselves who had half-baked skills, he would also have accurately grasped his own abilities and limitations.

“!”

If so, as expected?

Jibril’s eyes sparkled.

“If there’s a reason enough to take on an immense risk?”

Saying country bumpkin nobles are no good because of this.

Saying where did you sell your refinement to.

Rinne, who was in the middle of a childish argument, turned her head.

Even so, she couldn’t miss Miss Jibril’s words.

“Yes? What did you just say, Miss Jibril?”

“It’s nothing. Keep doing what you were fighting over. Rinne.”

“Pardon? Miss Jibril, there seems to be some misunderstanding. This isn’t a fight, but rather something like a duel to protect the family’s honor……!”

Excuses like Rinne’s.

There was no way they could reach the ears of Jibril, who had caught onto an interest.

Jibril was at the entrance of the Crystal Hall before she knew it.

She discovered Klee, who was being jostled by the crowd.

Abruptly.

“You startled me! Jibril?”

Jibril linked arms with Klee and asked subtly.

“Miss Klee. So did you have some gains from the conversation?”

Senior Mages Velliere and Matisse, who belatedly sought out the Crystal Hall at Chief Lee Ho-yeol’s declaration.

Naturally, wouldn’t it be because they had some guess?

However, unlike Jibril, Klee didn’t rack her brain that far.

“Gains? Really, I don’t know anything!”

What is Jibril suddenly talking about?

Poking her in the ribs while at it too.

Klee sobbed with an aggrieved voice.

“Ah, it tickles! Really, what are you even talking about, really!”

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‘I don’t know. Suddenly, why?’

Velliere hurried her steps.

What was in such a rush.

Chief Lee Ho-yeol, who left his seat as soon as the Round Table conference ended.

It was in order to catch up to him.

Formality and etiquette.

She knew he never had unpromised meetings normally, but…….

Right now, Velliere didn’t have the mind to nitpick procedures.

‘Surely, there’s a reason.’

Is that reason the reason I think it is?

……If it is.

Velliere bit her lower lip.

‘At the very least, I can’t just stand by and watch.’

Leaving aside the Chief’s abilities, it was too dangerous a matter.

Velliere knew.

The existence of a High Demon that made even the Elder Mages called demigods, such as Karimzeba, tuck their tails.

Although they said the resurrection of a High Demon requires an overwhelming sacrifice, wasn’t the Arcana continent already in a state no different from a living hell? Sacrifices must have been overflowing.

A High Demon.

Or there was ample probability that an existence comparable to it had appeared on the Arcana continent. No, because that must have been the case, the continent would have fallen into the demonic grasp.

‘……I don’t think I’ll be of help.’

If it was such a formidable enemy, there would be no difference even if Velliere herself joined. However, this was a matter of the heart. Even if she knew it with her head, her heart couldn’t stay still.

Knock knock.

Velliere knocked on the Chief’s office door.

“It is Velliere Yusia.”

A resolute gaze.

Soon, after causing no small commotion in the Round Table conference.

A tranquil voice, as if feigning ignorance, could be heard.

“You may enter. Senior Mage Velliere.”

Click

When Velliere opened the door and entered, what came into her eyes was a scene no different from usual. A restrained office. Ho-yeol sitting at the desk with an excessively upright posture.

As expected, facing Chief Lee Ho-yeol was not easy.

However, Velliere resolved herself.

Because it was a matter related to Marcelo out of all things.

“I will apologize for seeking the Chief out without an appointment.”

“I shall accept that apology.”

“I will also seek forgiveness in advance for coming to commit a discourtesy. Chief Lee Ho-yeol, I have a question I wish to ask the Chief.”

Ho-yeol raising his head.

Velliere faced Ho-yeol.

Alternating joy and sorrow.

A face that does not reveal even a single emotion.

Facing that face directly, the doubt grew even bigger.

‘Is it really because of my application to leave the tower…….’

Is he entering the Arcana continent?

Had she known nothing, she would have dismissed it as an absurd thought.

However, Velliere had clearly confirmed it with her own two eyes.

-“Elder Mage Senios…….”

Ho-yeol mourning Senios more sincerely than anyone else.

Even if for a fleeting moment, she had caught a glimpse of his inner self.

Velliere was able to finish her business.

“I wish to know the reason why the Chief intends to enter the Arcana continent.”

It was Ho-yeol who put her application to leave the tower on hold.

He would know the intention of the question better than anyone else.

Velliere’s prediction hit the mark.

Clatter

“……?”

She thought she followed right behind him, though.

In what fleeting gap did he grasp a teacup in his hand.

Setting down the teacup, Ho-yeol answered.

The answer was endlessly clear.

“Because the Simuard family is there.”

“……!”

Simply climbing a mountain because the mountain is there.

Just like someone’s words.

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There is a need to tell the reason to Velliere, even if not to anyone else.

If it weren’t for Velliere’s application to leave the tower, the fact that Marcelo was suffering from the curse of numbered days too.

I wouldn’t have been able to perform the quest related to it either.

“Because the Simuard family is there.”

……However, my crooked mouth is always the problem, really.

The muzzle that speaks crookedly even when fine ended up causing trouble after all.

I resolve anew.

Even they say there is no book in this world that one should be picky about reading.

‘……Let’s never flip open a book of famous quotes.’

Anyway, thanks to her visiting me, it saved me the trouble.

Because I have things to ask Velliere about in various ways.

Not to mention Marcelo’s current condition, I also needed information regarding the [Request of the Simuard Family] quest. But somehow Velliere’s reaction was unusual.

“……Haha.”

A quietly let-out laugh.

Don’t tell me, did she notice my shallow quote citation?

My guilty conscience lasted only a moment.

“……I must apologize once again.”

“?”

“I ended up deciding on my own.”

I didn’t even have time to interrogate what it was about.

Velliere continued her words in a resolute voice.

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol. I, too, shall enter the Arcana continent together with you.”

Marcelo and Velliere.

Whether I know about the relationship between the two, or have the desire to know, I do not. However, I could at least tell that Velliere was sincerely worried about Marcelo.

I could see that just by looking at her submitting an application to leave the tower.

‘Right. There’s nothing bad about going together.’

Wouldn’t it be great if neither I nor Velliere had any lingering feelings left?

However, as I said, this wasn’t a situation where that was possible.

Even so, I couldn’t possibly explain the item’s effects and the title to Velliere.

“It is regrettable, but I shall refuse the request.”

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol, I……!”

“I can fathom your feelings, Senior Velliere.”

So I had no choice but to spout words in my usual fashion once more.

“Nevertheless, trust me.”

Of course, even if she doesn’t accompany me, Velliere’s help is needed.

“And I too have something I wish to ask you.”

“……I will answer.”

“I need information on the Simuard family. Including their exact location and the general members of the family. More specifically, I wish to hear the story regarding the Countess Simuard.”

“……!”

When I asked, Velliere finally lifted her despondently lowered head. Then, she laid out the information she knew concerning the Simuard family and the curse of numbered days.

Only after the story ended did Velliere seem to realize.

“Though it’s said we were close since childhood, there might be things I’m mistaken about or know incorrectly. Therefore, I believe asking the person concerned is the most accurate.”

Regarding that, my pride reacted before me.

Marcelo Simuard.

Information concerning his family.

Is obtaining it through a third party truly the right thing to do?

Normally, it would be an action pride could never tolerate.

However, since demons are involved.

Even this could be a demon’s scheme.

Because demons were that kind of kin.

‘If it’s true that the curse of numbered days is related to demons.’

What will happen when Marcelo learns that fact? At that time, Marcelo’s quiet anger towards demons could become an uncontrollable wrath.

‘Because I’m not confident I can stop that either.’

Should Marcelo step up declaring he’d exterminate demons holding a magic tool, who would be there to stop him? Moreover, such negative emotions ultimately become the power of demons.

I compressed such complex reasons and spoke in a single sentence.

“No.”

“……?”

“Drastic emotional changes are not good for him.”

At that moment, Velliere’s pupils twitched.

Matisse as well.

As expected, when one’s at the level of a Senior Mage, communication flows well.

Ah, except for Senior William Benshi.

Because his applications to leave the tower are more annoying than spam messages.

Flowing silence

After a short silence, Velliere opened her mouth.

“I have understood your reasoning and the intent behind your thoughts. However…….”

Her concern was directed at me this time.

“Even so, bearing such a burden alone is……!”

“There is nothing to worry about.”

No, I’m saying there’s nothing to worry about!

I have the [The Last Adventurer] title effect.

However, once again, I had no choice but to speak in my usual manner.

“Living itself is originally swimming amidst solitude.”

……Please don’t package your dark history plausibly, Granfel.

Don’t you feel sorry for me who has to swim in that dark history to survive?

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.

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I wish to have a conversation with the Evil Dragon Hunter, Lee Ho-yeol.

The bombshell announcement of Skal, who revealed himself after a long time.

Naturally, it was enough to attract public attention.

Unofficial Rank 1, Lee Ho-yeol.

Official Rank 1, will the meeting with Skal come to fruition?

Those whose senses were most sharply tuned were the rankers.

“Doesn’t it seem like something is tangled up in this?”

“Evil Dragon Hunter. In the first place, Skal, how did that bastard know it was an evil dragon? He was buried in the labyrinth, so no one could even tell if it was a lizard or a dragon, right?”

“Considering Skal’s class. It’s highly probable that it’s related to the Dragon Knight [Class Quest].”

Shining.

Locks, Camilla, and Dmitri had a constructive conversation for the first time in a while.

The meeting between Lee Ho-yeol and Skal. Because they knew the weight it carried.

Dmitri shivered.

“Skal’s Class Quest. That sounds terrifying just hearing about it.”

Class, Dragon Knight.

Moreover, thanks to Skal who insisted on mysticism, the class’s abilities were veiled. However, anyone could tell. That the potential of a Dragon Knight was limitless.

“Let’s see. It reminds me of the old days~”

Back when Arcana was merely a game.

Camilla had once aimed her bowstring at Skal.

It wasn’t like she had any particular grudge.

It was an unavoidable situation tangled up in a quest.

At the time, what Skal was riding wasn’t a dragon, but an ordinary steed.

“But not a single one hit, you know? I literally thought I die of anger.”

Skal, commanding the battlefield while evading countless raining arrows and magic.

Shining, who watched that scene, had reached a conclusion.

Skal, if he were to be reborn as a true [Dragon Knight] who controls dragons, there would be no player in Arcana who could stand against him. No, there wouldn’t be a guild.

Dmitri opened his mouth with an aggrieved voice.

“Right, since he’s an ever so precious class! Insane potential? I can understand. Besides, he’s just called a Dragon Knight. How on earth could he ride a dragon living at the peak of the Zero Mountains? Honestly, I’ve sneered at him from behind. But……!”

Lee Ho-yeol.

The moment that name came out of Skal’s mouth.

Dmitri ended up freezing completely.

“If it’s Lee Ho-yeol, we don’t know again! It’s impossible for Skal or us to hunt a dragon, but look at the active role Lee Ho-yeol played in the Labyrinth of Tepheran this time! What did it say? A ray of light amidst an endlessly deep darkness?!”

Camilla, who would normally have tackled Dmitri.

However, Camilla also nodded seriously this time.

Because this wasn’t a matter to just laugh off.

“I mean, if by some chance. What if Mr. Ho-yeol cooperates with Skal?”

“Hey, such a horrifying thing, seriously……!”

“So what if Skal breaks out of being a half-baked Dragon Knight?”

“Wow. It’s tiring just hearing it.”

“Never mind you, Dmitri. Locks, what do you think?”

Locks, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“Dragon Knight. The potential would be on par with an [Archmage].”

“……!”

“Locks, is that a lingering grudge?”

Archmage.

That was Jessie’s class.

Jessie Highness, who has now left the nest called Shining.

“Rather than a grudge, call it a cold self-assessment.”

If Jessie had remained, they wouldn’t have been particularly worried.

However, the stances are different now.

Locks continued quietly.

“We have no choice but to keep an eye on the situation.”

Even more than what the public is focusing on.

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However, being rankers didn’t mean they all had the same stance.

Nam Tae-min.

Leonie.

Hisagi.

The three guild masters of the Giant Coalition.

The three of them thought the moment they heard Skal’s declaration.

First of all, Leonie couldn’t suppress her astonishment.

“Look at that, that crazy bastard?!”

The thing Lee Ho-yeol hates the most?

Being impolite.

Yet he mentioned Ho-yeol’s name in front of the mass media.

Skal, it seems that guy’s senses have dulled perhaps from living in seclusion. Evil Dragon Hunter? He wants to meet Ho-yeol? I don’t know what he wants to achieve by doing that, but.

“That bastard. He’s doomed in this life.”

I’m telling you.

I’m suffering like a dog just to get a cup of tea.

Is that the right attitude for someone requesting cooperation greater than that?

“Tsk tsk.”

Leonie clicking her tongue.

Beside her, Hisagi nodded fiercely.

“Leonie-ssi is correct. Skal clearly thought wrong.”

LHisagi and the guild members of Inazuma.

They had an experience.

The experience of almost being turned away at the door by Ho-yeol in the Yusra Kingdom.

So as seniors in etiquette education, they had something to say.

“As a rule, bowing one’s head politely before having a conversation is the proper procedure.”

“……You speak well.”

To think a day would come in my entire life where I agree with Hisagi’s words.

Nam Tae-min’s thoughts were also not much different from the two.

I don’t know what business he has that made him seek out Ho-yeol-ssi.

“It seems that side has made a huge mistake, no?”

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It was so.

The predictions of the three were accurate.

Soon, Ho-yeol showing himself at the Mage Tower portal.

The countless crowds swarming towards Ho-yeol.

Gulp

The reporters who looked anxious to thrust their cameras and microphones right away. However, it was none other than the front of Ho-yeol.

Swallowing dry saliva, the reporters carefully handed over questions while keeping their turns according to formality.

“What do you think about player Skal’s declaration?”

“Mr. Skal called you by the title of Evil Dragon Hunter…….”

“By any chance, did you know that the existence that must not be awakened was a dragon…….”

Ho-yeol listened to the questions silently.

However, there was no kindness beyond that.

After countless questions.

Ho-yeol opened his mouth.

“From now on, I will regard this as interference.”

“……!!!”

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Even without this, there are so many things to care about.

But, what?

Evil Dragon Hunter? Did he spread that rumor all over town?!

It seems our relationship is over before it even began, Skal.

I continued with a voice colder than usual.

“Will you not step aside? I have no time to squander.”