“Hmm….”
Suddenly, I halted my speech, furrowing my brow at the multiple presences that had appeared.
Who could it be? That thought quickly disappeared since I recognized several familiar auras among them.
Ah, it’s the Cheonma Church kids.
Great, they choose this moment, with the Hero around, to pay a visit. My head hurt just thinking about how to explain this.
“… What’s going on—”
It seems Lucius sensed it too; he frowned, clearly not just a pretty face but great at reading the atmosphere.
“… Just a moment.”
Lucius showing me his palm let out a low sound.
Should I observe how this plays out?
Or should I just kick the Cheonma Church out right now…
I really couldn’t decide.
Nameless was equally flustered, glancing at me for cues.
“Do you know these people?”
As Lucius slowly placed his hand on the sword at his back, I nodded reluctantly, feeling that trouble was definitely brewing.
“I know them, so don’t worry.”
“… Understood.”
Only then did Lucius seem to relax, letting out a big sigh, and he asked me again.
“By the way, what were you about to say?”
“Oh, about the royal palace—”
– Whoooosshh
Why do these guys always manage to cause a fuss right when I’m about to speak?
I rubbed my forehead and stared at the magic circle starting to form on the ground.
It looks like Jackal is casting teleportation magic; he might be bringing all the Cheonma Church kids over.
… Should I at least introduce them?
Just as I awkwardly scratched my head, I noticed Lucius’s expression.
What should I say? Would one make a face like that if they saw the murderer of their parents?
Anyway, his expression was spoiled that much.
“That can’t be…”
Hearing Lucius growl in a low voice brought me back to reality.
Ah, Jackal and Lucius were enemies.
I had forgotten because it happened so long ago.
“Lucius, listen.”
“… My head is spinning right now, so I can’t really catch what you’re saying.”
With his sword now fully drawn, Lucius aimed it toward the magic circle.
“… You’re not acquainted with that guy, are you?”
“Listen, Lucius.”
“I trust Cheon Ha-rang.”
Ah. This guy has no intention of talking.
Honestly, I doubt that adding a few words would change the situation…
“This is maddening.”
Looking to Nameless for help, I found him equally caught off guard, too busy figuring out what was happening, ignoring my gaze.
“Hmmm….”
I honestly don’t know either.
I tossed a wooden sword to Nameless and said,
“Just handle it.”
“… Master, what do you mean by that—”
I might act all mighty, but I’ve been hiding up in this mountain because I’m scared of any changes.
I was terrified at the thought of watching Lucius face off against Jackal and the Cheonma Church.
I stepped onto thin air, heading toward the top of the cabin.
Of course, even if I sat here, Lucius would definitely be able to see me and attack me, but…
Still, my heart felt a little at ease.
I squinted, observing the situation below.
“…”
And then, at Lucius’s signal, the knights hiding in the tent came out and began to rearrange their weapons.
Gradually, shadows began to spill out from the magic circle, and a figure started to emerge from the center.
Looks like chaos is about to begin.
Or maybe? That guy should be fine.
*
“Hmm?”
Among the ghost swords, Jack tilted his head as he saw dozens of blades pointed at him.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be where Cheon Ha-rang is…?”
What on earth is going on? Jack’s brief comments were answered by Lucius.
“… Who the hell are you?”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself.”
Jack elegantly bowed, extending his arm towards Lucius.
“I am Jack, a disciple of the Cheonma Church.”
“… The Cheonma Church.”
“Exactly. May I ask where this place is?”
Jack smiled mischievously, prompting a frown from Lucius.
‘Where’s Jackal?’
I clearly sensed demonic energy, and the magic circle’s design was certainly his doing.
But why was there a suspicious-looking squinty-eyed guy appearing instead?
Something was definitely going wrong with my assumptions.
“Hmm, do you not intend to reply?”
“… This is the Demon Realm, specifically the mountain range called ‘the highest place in the world.’”
“Oh, then I should’ve arrived correctly… that’s strange.”
‘Is he looking for Cheon Ha-rang?’
Well, he introduced himself as a disciple of the Cheonma Church, representing Cheon Ha-rang after all.
Plus, Cheon Ha-rang, who’s up there in the cabin, doesn’t deny it, so it must be right.
In that case, one might say that the Cheonma Church deals with demonic energy for some reason.
Then again, the techniques used by Cheon Ha-rang didn’t feel like they involved mana at all.
The more I thought about it, the more complicated my head became.
Could it be that Jackal isn’t the one who can use teleport? Or maybe Cheon Ha-rang captured Jackal?
If so, why wouldn’t they inform him of this fact?
Did they think he’d foolishly kill Jackal out of pure hatred?
… It’s too complicated.
I remember the words that Cheon Ha-rang had spoken to me, which pushed me to move forward…
If Cheon Ha-rang has nothing to do with Jackal, that means I made a huge mistake.
‘Go back to the beginning and rethink it.’
Just moments ago, I felt intense betrayal against Cheon Ha-rang, but now all I have are questions.
Why demonic energy?
No, I only felt demonic energy from that magic circle. I felt none from the man who introduced himself as Jack.
Lucius, still tense, pointed towards the cabin.
“Cheon Ha-rang is there.”
“Oh, I see!”
Jack slightly bowed his head and turned to face Cheon Ha-rang.
“Hmmm… it’s nice to meet you.”
“Yes, it’s been a while, Master Cheonma.”
As Jack prepared to kneel, Cheon Ha-rang shook her head slightly to stop him.
‘… The master-servant relationship is quite apparent.’
Lucius noted every detail, burning it into his memory.
Because perhaps what he feared could be true. It’s possible Cheon Ha-rang has teamed up with Jackal after all.
‘It’s still speculation.’
Lucius chewed his lips.
While it’s still a guess, what if he’s right? How should he respond?
This isn’t about the comforting words Cheon Ha-rang once gave him; he needs to think rationally.
Can he defeat Cheon Ha-rang?
Impossible.
If that’s the case, can he promise for the future?
No. There might be a chance, but it would be easier to hunt down the Demon King.
‘In the end, there’s nothing I can do.’
With the sword once again sheathed at his back, Lucius swallowed hard, looking at the knights who were tense behind him.
“You don’t need to be hostile. Seems like you’re an acquaintance of Cheon Ha-rang.”
The knights looked as if they might protest, yet they merely nodded at Lucius’s words. Judging by the sweat on their hands, they probably didn’t want to fight either.
At that, Lucius felt a disheartening vibe.
When he looked at Cheon Ha-rang, they seemed ready to fight any moment.
‘Turns out it was all just bravado.’
Perhaps because Cheon Ha-rang usually concealed her presence, they underestimated her youthful appearance.
“Tsk, they call themselves knights.”
Clicking his tongue, he turned away, as Jack continued speaking to Cheon Ha-rang.
“Master Cheonma.”
“… What is it?”
“May I ask who everyone gathered here is?”
“Is it possible to ask again after already asking…?”
Sighing deeply, Cheon Ha-rang waved her hand dismissively.
“Lucius, will you introduce yourself?”
“… All right.”
Although he felt some reluctance, it was merely a guess, so it didn’t need to be exposed.
Letting them know he was doubtful would be something only amateurs would do.
… Although it felt like he had already been found out.
With a deep sigh, Lucius stepped forward, extending a hand to Jack.
“Generously, I’m Lucius, called a Hero. I became acquainted with Master Cheonma while heading to Ellen.”
“… I see.”
For a moment, Jack looked at Lucius’s offered hand before smiling and grasping it.
“Once again, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Jack, a disciple of the Cheonma Church.”
Nice to meet you?
Lucius, feeling the grip of Jack’s hand, realized he was proficient with a sword.
The hardened calluses and the solid muscles proved he didn’t neglect his training.
Does the Cheonma Church train their disciples too? It seems more substantial than just a simple religion.
Another piece of information settled into Lucius’s mind.
As they weighed each other up like this, Cheon Ha-rang leaped down, standing between Jack and Lucius, separating them.
“… Just how long are you planning to delay this conversation?”
With a deep sigh, Cheon Ha-rang continued.
“Lucius, it’s not like I’ll ever visit the royal palace, so go ahead and announce it.”
“… You could take your time deciding—”
“That’s enough. Go attend to your matters.”
Even if I could stay a bit longer.
The expression on Cheon Ha-rang’s face felt like it was telling him to hurry up and leave.
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