Chapter 165
When swords clash against swords.
In a fleeting moment, the swordsmen concentrate their minds and grip their blades tightly. A pure battle of unembellished steel.
Kaang⎯!
With that clear sound ringing out once, the two step back and size each other up.
“You’re fast, I must admit. It seems like you’re getting faster by the day.”
Kaiman says this with a hint of jealousy, but his rugged mouth is stretched into a broad grin. Liam, his opponent, smiles lightly in response and narrows the distance once more.
Liam and Kaiman have been training in the Training Room.
Ever since Vargan paired them up, they’ve been raising each other’s skills through duels whenever they had the chance.
Just as a tingling sensation of pain begins to creep into Liam’s hand gripping the sword, he sheaths it and prepares to leave.
“Are you leaving already?”
Kaiman asks with a tone that suggests they haven’t fought enough. His eyes are brimming with dissatisfaction.
Liam understands his feelings but knows he can’t help it.
“I have to substitute for Vargan in the Diphelia election…”
“Oh dear, how did it come to that?”
“I know, right…”
Liam chuckles awkwardly.
On the day after the second round of elections, Vargan unexpectedly called Liam and gave him a sudden ‘task’ to do.
Helping with the elections in Diphelia in Vargan’s stead.
Upon hearing that, Liam blinked in confusion, asking what on earth that meant, but it didn’t seem like Vargan was joking.
⎯Liam, you must have an idea of what Cardinal Jephar is up to.
Having read the novels, Liam knew that Salecius, Alicia’s sister, was in the clutches of the so-called mad scientist Jephar.
Moreover, he had fought against Charlotte’s team, who had briefly been his mentor, and had caused catastrophic damage.
⎯I’m trying to preempt whatever opportunity that guy is about to seize.
The opportunity that Cardinal Jephar might gain… that is, events or figures that would benefit Jephar…
What has been happening around this time…?
Vargan didn’t give Liam much time to ponder and insisted that it was all for a better ending.
A better ending… As Liam chewed over those words, he recalled the moment during the festival when Vargan had personally killed Francesca.
Clearly, Vargan had saved many lives till now, and he thought that he had misunderstood him.
But… watching him murder Francesca caused him to waver again in his true feelings.
To put it another way, he had come to a new realization: even if Vargan grew up in a similar environment, his way of thinking and methods of resolving issues were entirely different.
Using Francesca’s death to deceive others.
Even if he’s a criminal, he can commit murder with an audacious demeanor.
Appearance.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a ‘better’ way to go about this, but since Vargan solved a problem I couldn’t find, I kept my mouth shut.
— There’s no need to overthink it. Isn’t it better for Clemens to become a Saint rather than the Student Council President?
Even if I hesitated about the festival, one of the reasons I didn’t reject Vargan’s proposal was this.
Excluding the other complicated factors, Diphelia’s Academia, led by her, aligned more with my ideals than Clemens’ Academia.
— While I weaken Jephar’s power in the future, you should make the Saint the Student Council President to benefit the Academia. I’ll provide you with a guidebook, so it shouldn’t be difficult even for you, my simple-minded friend.
During the election period, Vargan gave me a little booklet detailing how I should utilize my strategies for movements, the general course of discussions, and the likely topics that Clemens and Arterion would bring up.
Upon seeing this, I was astonished.
It seemed like he had memorized everything that occurred during the election period in the original story.
He even laid out three basic plans as contingencies for different variables. Perfectionism seemed to have crossed a line.
At the same time, it wasn’t hard to figure out why Vargan entrusted this to me and not someone else.
To plan so meticulously, one must at least glance into the future.
Also, I had already been through an election once, so I believed I could manage it cleverly, even with some differences in the development.
‘At this rate, I have no choice….’
Having finished preparations for the election committee meeting, I sighed heavily.
He kindly prepared tea and navigation for me, but what choice did I have but to drive? Even though I felt a bit uneasy, I still agreed to help Jo…
“Hey, big brother. I don’t know if this is comforting, but at least Captain Vargan got through the second election smoothly, so there’s a silver lining, right?”
“That’s not wrong…”
The task I had this time was to tie up the loose ends of Vargan’s work.
My opponents were the two colossal walls, Clemens and Arterion.
There was no turning back now.
“Alright, let’s give it a shot.”
I decided to think positively and moved forward. The responsibility I carried was evident in my steps.
*
In the Hunter Guild Maderelo’s main branch located in the capital of the Troa Empire, Bruteumberk.
Sitting in the plush chair of the guest room, I spoke.
“… This is enough about Maderelo’s current situation. The guild appears to be growing steadily without any unexpected issues.”
As I praised their efforts, Carlos and Bram bowed deeply.
Especially in Carlos’s case, his posture was like a pretzel after I had just shown my displeasure a moment ago.
I waved my hand lightly to raise their heads.
I hadn’t come here to check on their growth; that was just a side note. The main topic was something else.
“Bram, how is the situation in Seiman Gorge?”
“As you mentioned, there is a very slight mana resonance phenomenon occurring.”
“Have you not yet discovered the exact location?”
“Not yet, but since we have some leads, I believe it won’t take long to find the epicenter.”
“Got it.”
“……”
While I was conversing with Bram, Carlos adjusted his glasses, glancing at the situation. Naturally, he wouldn’t know since I had given separate instructions only to Bram.
Since Carlos needed to know this information anyway, there was no need to hide it anymore.
“In about two weeks… or as early as ten days from now, a dungeon will emerge.”
“In two weeks… or at best, ten days, a dungeon is set to appear.”
“A dungeon, you say?”
Carlos asked with his eyes wide open, furrowing his brow.
A mysterious place where all sorts of monsters run wild, and treasures or relics emerge.
The dungeon, hidden underground, suddenly reveals itself to the world.
As if it has ‘naturally’ been there from the very start. Even the most convoluted and complex terrains can experience this sudden emergence of mystery.
Countless hunters, nations, and even churches strive to seize dungeons for themselves, but the signs of their appearance are so faint that noticing them is incredibly difficult.
Especially in the case of hidden dungeons like Naias’s secret one, where there are no signs at all, making discovery even harder.
“Yes. The location is the Seiman Gorge, situated to the southeast of Brutemberg. The exact exterior and position aren’t clear yet, but it’s highly likely it will appear in the form of a cave.”
Dungeons usually form in accordance with the terrain they occupy.
Moreover, while I sounded as if I expected it, I remembered from the original work that a cave-type dungeon was discovered in the Seiman Gorge at this period.
It’s not like the protagonists or main characters have actually gone there, so I don’t know the exact spot.
Hearing my words, Carlos seemed to think carefully while cautiously sipping tea.
Though they refer to it as signs, it’s nearly impossible to perceive a dungeon’s emergence unless you accidentally stumble upon it or possess special abilities.
Carlos is a man who calculates things, whether he likes it or not. He’s probably chewing over my words and considering various scenarios even now.
I smiled slightly and said, “Are you doubting my words?”
“Doubting, you say…! Not a chance. I’ve confirmed the signs, so why would I doubt Lord Vargan?”
“Then why are you ruminating so much?”
“…I was merely admiring Lord Vargan’s abilities. The speedy growth of our Maderello is largely thanks to your foresight in predicting the upcoming dungeons, isn’t it?”
“Abilities, huh… I suppose you could call them that.”
As I nodded, Carlos put down his teacup and continued.
“I’ve heard rumors for ages that someone with a special ability to sense the signs of dungeons could be born by an extremely slim chance… but I never thought they would actually exist until I came here.”
Rumors are often exaggerated. The reality usually falls short of what is known or might not even exist.
Carlos looked at me with a kind of faith in his eyes. He likely felt the weight of my worth as someone who controls money.
In truth, it’s not that I can sense the signs; I’ve read the original story, but I can’t disclose that fact, so this is enough.
I laid out my future plans.
“I intend to request a joint operation with Maderello for this dungeon.”
“A joint operation, you say…?”
The third son of Schugenharz collaborates with Maderello to tackle the new dungeon.
To be precise, it’s a front to mislead the world and divert attention away from me.
“We’ll share the numerous treasures, monsters, and the dungeon’s authority that emerge from within.”
…However.
What I’m ultimately aiming for isn’t the dungeon’s relics or authority.
The dungeon is merely bait.
What I’m really after is the character who comes to visit.
One of the top bishops who didn’t make an appearance during the festival episode.
“Han.”
I must capture him inside the dungeon before he enters Cardinal Jephar’s forces.
Clatter clatter.
With the sound of hooves, the wagon rolls along.
In one corner of the wagon, a man with a scraggly sword cradles a pile of apples, dressed in rags almost indistinguishable from one another.
The coachman, leading the wagon, glances back and starts chattering away.
“I’ve been paid, so I can’t complain, but are you sure you want to be dropped off here? It’s just a barren wasteland.”
“It’s fine.”
“What, are you planning to head to Seiman Gorge or something? You’ll have quite the trek ahead, and it won’t be easy.”
“…….”
Not hearing a response, the talkative coachman muttered to himself as he looked ahead on the road.
“A wandering swordsman, huh… So, you’re someone searching for romance in this harsh world.”
“…Romance?”
“Well, you know how it is for men. Wandering the world with nothing but a sword in hand! Ah…! Back in my youth, I harbored such romance in my heart too.”
The swordsman kept silent until the wheels of the wagon turned seven times.
“And what became of that?”
“As you see? I became a traveling merchant!”
The coachman laughed heartily, as if it was the funniest thing ever.
Compromising with reality, he had given up on his dreams of being a swordsman and started trading.
“But still, wandering the world with a wagon instead of a sword, perhaps I too can’t forget the romance, like you.”
Hearing the coachman’s words, the swordsman gently caressed the wagon and smiled faintly.
“Nice wagon.”
“Right? Only someone who understands romance would notice! This wagon is a very historical piece….”
With his spirits lifted from the wagon compliments, the coachman continued talking without a break. The wandering swordsman occasionally nodded or replied, but that was more than enough for the coachman.
The wagon’s wheels kept rolling.
And so, the two continued their conversation, stretching like the road ahead.
“Here is good.”
“Oh, we’ve arrived already. A long journey feels like nothing when you’re talking. It’s been a pleasure, romantic swordsman.”
The coachman stretched his arm back for a handshake.
The swordsman stared at the hand for a moment before accepting it.
The coachman grinned widely, his mustache nearly curling up from delight.
“Now that I think of it, I haven’t heard our romantic swordsman’s name. What is it?”
The swordsman, still looking at their clasped hands, answered.
“Han.”
“Han?”
“My name is ‘Han’.”
“What a peculiar name! I could understand if it were Khan or Ken.”
The two released their hands, and Han remained quietly standing.
The coachman raised his eyebrows, looking at Han.
“What’s with the stasis? Have you developed an attachment or something?”
A playful tone dripping from his words.
With a surprisingly serious voice, Han asked back.
“How do I look?”
“How do you look? Didn’t I just say? A wandering swordsman searching for romance. Surely, you’re not saying otherwise after all that talk?”
“…….”
Hearing the answer, Han nodded as if confirming something and stepped down from the wagon.
“Thank you for the ride. Please take care on your way back, avoid any wolf packs.”
“Hahaha. I’ve been traveling this road for over 20 years and never heard of a wolf pack around here. But thanks for worrying. I’ll be careful, you too, swordsman.”
With that, Han walked away.
The coachman watched him for a while before rolling the wheels again.
“Han… Not just his name, but he himself was a mysterious character.”
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