Chapter 144 – I Shall Personally Humor You

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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I noticed it from the question.

‘You haven’t realized it yet.’

The demon who self-proclaimed to be the godmother of the Simuard family had been hunted.

The curse of numbered days, the status abnormality, should have disappeared but.

Velliere seemed to be unaware of it.

Reality and the Arcana continent.

Is it because they are two worlds that cannot be connected except through a rift? Well, if not that, it must mean the rebound from the status abnormality being lifted is also small, inversely proportional to how faint its effects were.

Whatever the reason may be, it doesn’t matter.

Yulla Simuard, the moment her name is mentioned.

She will learn the whole story just like the servants of the Simuard family did.

However, is there a need to do that?

Of course, Marcelo is included as well. Even if they learn the truth now, nothing will change. Wondering why they couldn’t realize it. Their guilt will only deepen.

Because I’m a Demon Hunter, I know.

That demons are a kin that abuses even a human’s regret.

So it was the best policy to just quietly keep my mouth shut but.

However, this damn pride wouldn’t let it pass just like that.

“I did not suffer. I have returned after hunting millions of demons.”

“……!”

At my shameless bragging, Velliere flinched.

Because her purpose for entering the Arcana continent all along was to find a clue to undo the curse of numbered days.

Velliere’s rolling green pupils widened.

“Millions……! My! I temporarily overlooked it worrying over Chief Marcelo. The Arcana continent is definitely not safe. In that case, the blood on those clothes indeed belongs to Chief Lee Ho-yeol……!”

Velliere immediately raised her magic power.

“As expected, injuries must remain, right? Thanks to the holy relic of the Goddess Church the Chief handed over, I was able to look after Marcelo until now. Would you please give me the opportunity to repay that favor?”

A holy relic of the Goddess Church?

Ah, she’s talking about the [Ceremonial Robe Tainted by Evil].

Its true name and effects were revealed after purifying it through the exorcism ritual.

[Goddess Church High Priest’s Silk Clothes].

An item that not only had a whopping level 700 restriction, but also an additional restriction that only those possessing a [Healing] related skill could equip it.

Since it’s something I can’t even use anyway.

I handed it over wondering if it might be of help to Velliere, but.

Still, it’s a relief that it was helpful.

However.

“I shall only accept your heart.”

“Hurry, treatment before the injuries spread……!”

“No, there are no such things as injuries.”

Literally, there has to be an injury to treat.

For someone who died once, I returned to reality severely perfectly fine.

Velliere still seemed unable to understand.

Well, it must be full of questions.

‘Even thinking with common sense, it’s a bit.’

Returning from the Arcana continent in two hours.

The first thing he did was change out of his blood-soaked, tattered clothes.

But questionably, he says there are no injuries.

What did he do about the Simuard family, and what does it mean he returned after hunting millions of demons? His actions couldn’t help but be questionable……. Also because Marcelo had woken up perfectly fine.

“……Haha.”

Is she laughing because it’s so absurd.

If that’s the case, you may laugh as much as you want, Senior Velliere.

Making such a fuss at the Round Table conference and returning in two hours.

No matter what I did there, it’s understandable that laughter would come out.

I specially permit bursting into laughter.

However, soon after, Velliere’s hand headed toward her eyes.

She wiped the tears welling up in her eyes.

“……No. Whatever it is, it is fine, Chief Lee Ho-yeol. Thank you for returning safely. And more importantly, Chief Marcelo. No, thank you for saving Marcelo.”

Srrk

Velliere bowed her head respectfully.

……I guess I didn’t need to come up with an excuse.

Indeed, why does the reason matter? It’s important that Marcelo, the true Chief of our Mage Tower, is safe.

Velliere, who had collected her emotions, opened her mouth.

“Chief Marcelo is still resting in the separate room.”

Somehow it felt right to at least pay a sick visit, even if belatedly.

I had such a thought morally, but.

I spoke heartlessly.

“Let us confirm Marcelo’s well-being at the conference.”

“……A conference? Are you perhaps speaking of the Round Table conference?”

“That is correct.”

It was so.

Because I ended up witnessing it.

The wretched sight of the Arcana continent with my two eyes.

Now, let’s assume.

There was no need to go as far as a High Demon King.

Right now, if [Overlord of the Western Demon Realm, Raxioros], a demon of a similar level to him updated in a rift?

Just as it had been so far.

The world would inevitably be paralyzed with shock once again.

‘The activities of demons didn’t slow down because of the suppression of the Demon Kings.’

What needs to be corrected must be corrected.

The suppression of the Demon Kings was merely an ‘opportunity’.

Thanks to me hunting four Demon Kings, including Decarabia, a vacancy was created in the seats of Demon Kings.

Because it seemed a [Demon King Struggle] to take the vacant thrones was opening among the demons.

-“If you do, I shall grant you the honor to participate in the Demon King struggle on equal footing with me, Raxioros!”

Right, the reason the demons were quiet was to claim the seat of a Demon King.

They were merely gauging each other.

I, for one, can’t know the exact method in which the struggle is conducted.

However, I can guarantee one thing.

‘Millions, after that will be tens of millions, hundreds of millions.’

The calm before the storm.

Whether the struggle begins or ends.

The moment some incident occurs.

The offensive of the demons will become incomparably fiercer than before!

Yes, it was a Round Table conference to prepare for that.

However, this complicated situation.

I couldn’t quietly explain it to Velliere.

So I had no choice but to summarize it into one sentence.

“Since the time has finally come for the Mage Tower to make a move.”

“……!”

Of course, I must also move swiftly.

As I said, this was not a matter that not only me, but the Mage Tower could handle at their level. So it means the time has come to use my authority……. No, my ‘jurisdiction’ after a long while.

*

Though his mind was clear.

Marcelo was lying in bed with his blanket neatly covered.

Absolute rest.

It was because of Velliere’s earnest request.

From beyond the door, a conversation he couldn’t ignore could be heard.

“Really, it’s truly a relief, sob.”

“……Senior Vangrit, isn’t crying taking it a bit too far?”

“Benshi William, is that something you should say?”

“Excuse me? What did I do?”

“Pressing your ear flat against the separate room’s door, making such a fuss anyway……!”

……Were we, the Chief and Seniors, in a relationship where we worried about each other?

‘It is still unfamiliar.’

Marcelo chuckled softly.

Still, it wasn’t that he couldn’t understand the change.

Falling into the world of adventurers, the Mage Tower had experienced truly many incidents.

“I suppose it made even us, bound by competition, unite.”

“The Chief’s words are correct.”

“……My, Senior Matisse? I did not know you were here.”

Indeed, he wasn’t the Senior of Black Magicology for nothing.

The corner of the separate room.

Matisse, who had been sitting in the shadow, answered Marcelo’s muttering.

Marcelo cautiously raised his body.

“Wouldn’t it be better not to overexert yourself, Chief Marcelo?”

“It is not overexerting.”

Marcelo smiled awkwardly.

“I am fine to the point where lying still is embarrassing, you see.”

“If so, that is a relief.”

“Anyway, where is Senior Velliere?”

“She stepped out for a moment saying she had somewhere to drop by.”

“Ah, is that so?”

That the curse of numbered days had disappeared.

Marcelo couldn’t even imagine it.

In the first place, he had collapsed, fainting as if a film had snapped.

“It seems she went through a lot of trouble because of me…….”

Guessing that Velliere put effort into his treatment was the most he could do.

Matisse closed his mouth.

And then right before Marcelo woke up.

He recalled the conversation he shared with Velliere.

-“……It seems he has already grasped some clue!”

-“The curse’s mark is disappearing.”

-“……I cannot believe it.”

Everything was a matter that happened before the sun even set.

Matisse’s head was filled with question marks.

What clue did Chief Lee Ho-yeol grasp in the Arcana continent?

How much did he know when he decided to enter the continent?

However, Matisse maintained silence.

Whatever it was.

It wasn’t news meant to be delivered from his own mouth.

“Ah, come to think of it, did Chief Lee Ho-yeol enter the Arcana continent as planned? No, before that, Senior Matisse. How many days have I been collapsed?”

……A truly innocent expression knowing absolutely nothing.

How should he answer this?

That not even half a day has passed.

Should he answer honestly?

“Considering there is not the slightest bit of fatigue left in your body……. You seem to have lost consciousness and slept for at least five days. Ah, this is not the time to be lying down like this……!”

I must process the delayed work…….

Watching Marcelo mutter to himself, Matisse pressed his forehead.

Not even a day has passed, there’s no way there could be delayed work.

“Excuse me, Chief Marcelo. That work is…….”

Of course, Matisse’s worry didn’t last long.

Click

Because Velliere returned to the separate room once again.

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol has returned.”

Along with unexpected news.

“……H-He has returned?!”

A fuss heard from the slightly open crack of the door.

Benshi’s bobbing lips could be seen.

Soon, voices full of questions followed.

“No, Chief Lee has returned already?!”

“Because he told us to trust him. I did not doubt it but……. No matter what, this soon?”

“Then, is Chief Lee in the Mage Tower right now?”

Even Matisse, who would normally be disgusted by Benshi’s fuss, remained silent.

Because news regarding Chief Lee Ho-yeol was the priority over everything else.

There was only one person who showed a different reaction.

“……He returned already, you say?”

There was only Marcelo, whose sense of time had become blurred.

Velliere let out a breath, hoo.

Whatever happened in the Arcana continent, Chief Lee Ho-yeol, the person involved, will surely reveal it at the Round Table conference on his own accord…….

“Chief Lee Ho-yeol said this.”

There was only one sentence Velliere could answer with.

“I have returned after hunting millions of demons.”

“……W-Wait a minute! W-What did you say?”

“M, millions?! There is something wrong with my earholes, right? Excuse me? Senior Velliere!”

Bang

Now the Senior Mages were straight-up opening the door and barging in.

Velliere clearly declared once again in front of everyone.

“No. You heard correctly. Chief Lee Ho-yeol safely returned to the Mage Tower after hunting demons amounting to millions in the Arcana continent in merely a time of a little over two hours.”

“!!!”

Does that make sense logically, or magically?

The greatest armed group of the Arcana continent.

Astonishment settled on the faces of the Mage Tower’s Chief and Senior Mages.

*

Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Holy Land Muon.

There was no need to classify the regions.

Now that the activities of demon monsters had quieted down.

Because no matter what place one sought out, it was filled with players.

“Didn’t I tell you. Even without the demons, those bastards, it’s doable?”

“Seriously, before I sleep I fall asleep muttering, Homen, Homen.”

“Ah, anyway, what happened to Skal?”

Even if they rolled around in a Recommended Level rift and returned.

These are players who still have the energy left to chat like this.

Given the topic is what it is, the chatter didn’t end easily.

“Well, since the parties involved aren’t saying anything, it’s just a guess. Do you think he’d even move an inch? This is Lee Ho-yeol. A situation where speaking respectfully politely wouldn’t even be enough.”

“Right? He didn’t even call him by name, but called him Evil Dragon Hunter!”

“But Skal is incredibly stubborn too. If it were me, I’d step back a few paces saying I made a slip of the tongue last time, I’m sorry, I want to formally talk with you again.”

It wasn’t a trivial battle of nerves, but because Ho-yeol was related to his own class, [Dragon Knight].

It was obvious Skal would have revealed himself at a public setting.

So it was even harder to understand.

“Is this the time to keep your pride when you should be begging? I don’t get it.”

“But isn’t it strange?”

“What is?”

“Skal, just looking at him you can tell he’s an attention seeker. How on earth did he live quietly until now?”

“Whew, now you’re even reading faces? Use the time you’re reading Skal’s face to look properly at the mobs’ faces instead. Even earlier you drew aggro and to me…….”

Of course, what was important to the players were the experience points and items in front of them rather than worldly news but. Because of that, the players couldn’t help but concentrate all at once.

Clang

The sound of a bell announcing the exact hour.

Bwoo

Simultaneously, the sound of a horn rang out.

And that was in the Yusra Kingdom, Frost, and Holy Land Muon all at once.

Players looking at each other.

Leaving aside the bell sound, the sound of a horn ringing……?

An uncommon occurrence.

No, it was something that hadn’t happened a single time since the Cataclysm.

It’s natural to realize it instinctively.

“……Hey, a big one is coming.”

“Hyung-nims. It seems something is going to pop up, doesn’t it?”

“Ah man. What is it, what is it.”

Gulp.

Bwooo

The expectation growing bigger as the sound of the horn continued long.

Hasn’t someone said it time and time again?

That if expectations are big, the disappointment is bound to be big too.

“……!!!”

However, it wasn’t the case this time around.

As much as the expectations grew.

No, a development that far surpassed those expectations unfolded.

In a more intuitive method than anything else.

A message popped up in front of the players’ eyes.

[Quest: Unfinished Holy War]

“……Crazy, what kind of quest is this?!”

A quest that looks extraordinary at a glance.

.

.

.

Yusra Kingdom.

The Golden Round Table.

I looked at those sitting at the designated seats.

King of Yusra, Hakuna.

Acting Lord of Frost, Harkon.

Holy Knight Commander of Muon, Tallim Eber.

“Finally, it begins.”

“A holy war, I have been waiting for this day alone.”

“May the Goddess’s protection be with us.”

Their gazes imbued with tragic resolve headed towards me all at once.

Did I say hundreds of millions of demons…….

Shouldn’t this side also at least match the numbers to start?