Chapter 50

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Clang-!

Whoosh-!

The battle between Asla and the assassin proceeded incredibly fast and concisely.

Sharpened gales and an unknown white radiance.

Both powers were surprising, but the spirit techniques built up over a long period of time were on an entirely different level.

Whir-!

The white-haired old man showcased movements unbefitting his age.

Although it was partially owed to the wind, its fundamental tier was different.

“Keuk!”

The leisurely appearance of the assassin was nowhere to be seen anymore.

Because he came to the realization that he couldn’t surpass the opponent before his eyes in any single aspect, be it power, speed, or experience.

Swoosh-!

Clang-!

Asla continuously drove his attacks as if not allowing even a single opening.

Looking at the assassin taking on the attacks with all his might, he said.

“Are you not going to beg your god?”

“Shut up!”

Clang-!

The assassin pushing away the sword retreated backward.

The white radiance glowing from his body had decreased quite a bit at some point.

“You are using a power that does not fit your station. It is as ominous and bizarre as your god.”

“How dare you… insult God!”

At Asla’s provocation, the assassin ground his teeth and raged.

However, in this situation, there was no method to surpass the old man in front of his eyes.

“I will kill you without fail.”

Bang-!

Light spewed out explosively along with the assassin’s voice.

The flash that covered their vision blinded everyone’s eyes.

Swoosh-!

That time, the sound of the wind tore through the light and rang out sharply.

“Keuk!”

The assassin’s short scream that was heard once again.

It was right after that when the blinding light disappeared.

“… Huh?”

Ria, whose vision returned, stared ahead and froze.

Because the figure of the assassin who was there until a moment ago could not be seen.

The only thing left behind was blood splattered on the floor.

– He runs away from this. Lol.

– ???: How dare you insult God!

– ???: I will kill you without fail!

– And he even took a hit before leaving. Lol.

“Hmm.”

Asla, who had sent the wind blade flying, only relaxed his stance after a bit more time passed.

Turning his back while sheathing his sword, he completely froze up.

“…”

His gaze meeting the four people who were focusing their attention on him.

Asla, who flinched, ended up turning his head away.

“… There are too many people here. My stomach feels sick.”

“It’s only two new people. Please stay a while longer.”

Han-bit grabbed his master who was trying to break away.

Although his anthropophobia couldn’t be helped, they needed to sort the situation out.

“A technique that borrows the power of spirits?”

“By any chance… Are you saying this person is a Spirit Summoner?”

He delivered an introduction for him to Cowen and Ria.

The story regarding the power of spirits seemed to be far more surprising than the fact that he was Black Dragon’s master.

Asla, the person involved, had his back turned pretending to be on guard towards the alleyway entrance.

The two people approached the place where he was.

“Thank you for helping us.”

“I did not know a powerful expert like you, senior, resided in Edlen. It is an honor to meet you.”

“…”

Despite their greetings of gratitude, Asla did not give any answer.

Han-bit, who moved following behind, added an explanation on his behalf.

“Please understand. He’s a bit uncomfortable around people. It might be a different story if there’s alcohol though.”

“Alcohol?”

Cowen reacted to that word.

“He denies it himself, but he loves drinking.”

“… Did I not tell you I quit drinking.”

“You drank 20 bottles in one sitting though.”

“…”

– Truth bomb. Lol.

– Speaking facts is Ryongtube.

– Him avoiding their gazes is freaking funny. Lol.

Asla let out a fake cough and turned his eyes toward the alleyway.

Cowen, who was watching that conversation, carefully opened his mouth.

“I have some precious alcohol. If it isn’t an impudence, would it be alright to offer it to you as a gift?”

“Precious alcohol?”

“Yes. It is alcohol crafted with ingredients gathered from the Night Garden. I am certain you will be pleased with it.”

“Hmm.”

At his offer, Asla hesitated, pretending to contemplate.

Then slightly turning his head, he asked.

“… How many bottles do you have?”

***

“Keu.”

The secret space in the basement of the old building.

Asla, taking his lips off the bottle, was letting out a satisfied gasp.

Around him, 5 empty bottles were already piled up.

“It is fortunate that it seems to be to your liking.”

Cowen, who brought the alcohol from his room, was still keeping watch around his surroundings as if guarding Ria.

Even if it was a safe location, they couldn’t afford to let their guard down anymore.

“If you stay like that continuously, your nerves will wear out. While I am here, rest at ease.”

“… Thank you.”

– Don’t say cool things while holding an alcohol bottle;

– Its taste is stable.

– But isn’t this place impossible to enter?

– Probably not 100 percent though?

– Still, it should be safer than outside.

The entrance to this place is only opened by Northon’s ring.

However, the assault from earlier made them unable to show even a slight lapse in attention.

Chirp-!

A bird’s chirping ringing within the tense atmosphere.

Ria, sitting next to Han-bit, was stroking Sylph.

After learning the fact that it was a wind spirit, a sense of intimacy seemed to have formed.

“By the way, how did you come there earlier? It was exactly at a desperate moment.”

Han-bit asked while recalling the assault situation.

Although he knew Asla would appear sooner or later, there had never been such a dramatic timing.

“Even after warning you, I continued to search around Edlen continuously. Then I detected bizarre reactions on two occasions.”

“Two occasions?”

“One is the ring of that child that was felt towards the waterway, and the other is the power the Holy State’s assassin used. I caught onto those reactions and was able to reach the place where you were.”

Asla, taking a few sips of alcohol along with his explanation.

Although very few people would notice, he is prepared to grip his sword at any given moment.

It is a sharp vigilance ready to send a head flying immediately should the assassin attack again by any chance.

“We were able to preserve our lives thanks to you, senior. I express my gratitude once again.”

“I was merely trying to save my disciple. However… Can I ignore the traces left behind by the Spirit King either.”

Asla’s gaze headed towards Ria, who had become slightly gloomy.

Although she sprang out saying she wouldn’t go outside Edlen, she ended up facing reality far too quickly.

It would be difficult for her to easily remain stubborn thinking that such assaults would continue.

“Ria, you can stay in Edlen.”

“… Huh?”

“Black Dragon?”

At his abruptly spoken words, Ria and Cowen turned their gazes simultaneously.

Since complicated doubts were felt, Han-bit asked Asla.

“You’ll stay together with us until everything is resolved, right?”

“My objective is solely to protect you, and to eliminate the ominous factors bringing harm to the spirits. The conflicts between humans are not something for me to care for.”

“The figure named Vares who’s at the center of that conflict is targeting the traces of the Spirit King. If it falls into his hands, things will definitely get noisy.”

“Hmm.”

Listening to the situation, Asla stroked his chin.

Because it was a far too simple problem to him.

“Then shouldn’t we just kill the bastard named Vares?”

“If we were going to end it by killing him, we would’ve done it first. Also, that ring is a treasure the Spirit King Salion personally imbued power into. That means he has the will to protect the Northon family.”

“…”

When bringing up the name of the Spirit King, Asla seriously contemplated.

Remaining silent for a moment, he approached Ria.

“May I take a look for a moment?”

“Uh… Yes.”

Ria, who glanced left at Han-bit, nodded her head and held out the ring.

And the moment Asla carefully received it.

Whoosh-!

A wind mixed with heat blasted out explosively.

“Ugh!”

The surprised Ria and Cowen hurriedly moved to take a defensive stance.

However, Asla lightly raised his hand and restrained them.

“Do not make a fuss. It is a nuisance to the spirit.”

At his scolding-like words, the two people ceased their actions.

The wind felt amidst the silence that descended once again.

Asla, closing and opening his eyes, exhaled his breath as if sighing.

His gaze reached Han-bit.

“Fine. I will protect that child until this task is over. However, if your life is in danger, I will prioritize that.”

– His love for his disciple is insane;

– Even if it were me, my eyes would roll back if I got a disciple after tens of years.

– This is totally exactly like a professor.

– ???: You there, do you not have any thoughts of studying a bit more?

– We lost one more good-natured college student today.

Asla’s strong will shut down any room for negotiation early on.

In any case, with him becoming an assistant, it was safe to say one massive mountain had been crossed.

Because not only could he provide security for Ria, but he could even disrupt the tracking on the ring using the power of the spirit.

“Thank you. If you help us, senior, there is nothing more reassuring.”

“Protect your own body yourself. Bring some more alcohol later too.”

“Yes, of course.”

Cowen nodding his head with a faint smile.

In any case, now that the most important thing, Ria’s safety, had been secured, it was time to make a move.

“We cannot just sit fully and continue taking hits like this.”

Cowen put on a solemn expression.

Regardless of the relationship between the Holy State’s assassin and Vares, the important thing was that the enemy’s assault had begun.

Now they had to prepare a counterattack as quickly as possible.

“You know, right? If the influential figures in Edlen are all on Vares’s side, the only thing remaining is the Royal Capital.”

“Yeah.”

At the question Han-bit threw, Cowen nodded his head.

Because it was the only method he had been agonizing over for early on, he continued speaking without hesitation.

“We will request help from the Sword of the King, the Royal Guard Knights. To eliminate the forces plotting to subvert the nation, their judgment should be sufficient.”

– Omg;

– *shiver*

– To think the Royal Guard Knights would come out here;

– Thumbs up if you want to see Leon Nuna.

– Already getting verbally abused right in front of her. Great gain.

– I ruined the story so I couldn’t properly see it;

– You lost half your life. Lol.

The Royal Guard Knights, called the Sword of the King.

When that organization was mentioned, the viewers began crying out someone’s name.

‘She’s quite popular as expected.’

Leon, the Vice Commander of the Royal Guard Knights.

Considering her beautiful appearance and personality, it was understandable why the viewers would like her.

These were the same people who died of happiness even while receiving Atsbel’s criticisms, after all.

Since the knight who would come to Edlen is also Leon, the response should be considerably enthusiastic.

“The Royal Guard Knights are coming here? Aren’t they people who only move under royal commands?”

“Crimes that shake the nation are reported up to the King as well. The contents contained in this projection magic tool are more than enough to summon a member of the Royal Guard Knights to Edlen.”

At Ria’s question, Cowen nodded and added an explanation.

Although it would be nice to have a little more time to prepare, right now every second was urgent.

Bringing the Royal Guard Knights here no matter what was the important task.

“First, I will gather the signatures of various public figures and nobles for the petition.”

“Nobles? Weren’t they all taken over by Vares?”

“Outwardly yes, but there are still those like myself who exist. His Excellency William was someone who had a good influence on that many people.”

Lowering his gaze, Cowen quietly recalled memories.

Then, looking at Ria, he continued speaking.

“Let us go meet father… His Excellency William’s former retainers.”