[Trantor - Pr?ks]


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    Chapter 142: 127th Day of the Expedition


    "Records of the predecessors, you say?"


    The n head muttered a single word.


    "Expedition."


    "Pardon?"


    I never expected to hear this word from the n head first.


    I couldn''t manage my expression and stared at him.


    Expedition.


    It was all too clear what kind of expedition he meant.


    "My son, I remember the words you spoke when you fought Hector."


    Suddenly, the words I had uttered in excitement during the fight with Hector shed through my mind.


    Only then did I understand why the n head had asked me if I was hiding anything.


    He must have been curious about how I knew about the expedition.


    But the n head didn''t ask for the reason anymore. He just continued speaking as if to himself.


    “At first, I didn''t think much of it. But as time passed, I grew more and more suspicious. So I decided to visit the White Mage Tower.”


    I quietly waited for the n head''s next words.


    “As you know, Ruin, the library of the White Mage Tower is where the most books on the continent are kept. Unfortunately, however, I couldn''t find any direct records about our n. Perhaps they might be on the upper floors, but only up to the third floor was open to the public, so it couldn''t be helped.”


    “…….”


    “If it weren''t for what you said, that would probably have been the end of it. But I then focused on finding books about the expedition. Of course, most of them were popr tales. In the midst of it all, I was able to find one peculiar record. Aren''t you curious?”


    “…….”


    The n head looked straight at me.


    “''127th day of the expedition, the first of those creatures we encountered spoke humannguage. They were clearly different from monsters. The 1stpany was annihted. If we hadn''t arrived in time, the damage wouldn''t have ended there.''"


    “What did you just say?”


    “It seemed like a record written as a journal entry.”


    At this moment, I couldn''t even think of calming my wildly pounding heart.


    That''s how much what Kazen was saying waspletely beyond my expectations.


    I knew. That content wasn''t false.


    The superior species of monsters. The situation at the time when demons were first discovered on the expedition.


    “……What was the next part?”


    The n head shook his head.


    “That was it. It was a short record, just one page tucked between the pages of a book.”


    “Ha.”


    I asked the n head again,


    “Which book was it tucked into?”


    “I knew you would ask that. It was a general book rted to the history of the Divine ns. Just in case, I looked through all the books of a simr kind, but there was nothing more.”


    I suddenly realized that there was a missing link in the n head''s words.


    “Do you… believe that record is true?”


    “There was a picture.”


    “A picture?”


    “There was a drawing of various ns'' gs beneath the record. I couldn''t believe my eyes.”


    After a brief pause, the n head said,


    “Because among them was the ck Ring.”


    I felt dizzy. I couldn''t concentrate.


    I shook my head vigorously for a moment.


    Memories of the past kepting back to me.


    I lowered my head and tried to continue thinking, but I couldn''t deduce anything.


    "My son."


    At the sudden voice, I raised my head and looked at the n head.


    He was observing me with a subtle look.


    The n head said,


    "I know you have a lot on your mind. You must have a reason for wanting to go to the demon realm. But don''t get caught up in too many thoughts."


    The n head''s voice didn''t reach my ears.


    It was then.


    I suddenly felt a sensation of my hand being grasped.


    Holding my hand, the n head looked at me and said,


    "We are the Samael n. Don''t be swayed, move forward."


    —Move forward.


    Suddenly, as if the fog was clearing, I came to my senses.


    It was a chaotic situation where I couldn''t understand the cause, effect, or reason for the appearance of that record, but that''s precisely why it was clear.


    The first clue was discovered.


    There was no need to think about too many things now.


    It was a matter of facing it and moving forward.


    I nodded.


    "Don''t worry."


    Only then did the n head let go of my hand and nod.


    "That''s right."


    As if changing the subject, the n head said,


    "Gifts havee from many ns in Quebek. What do you think?"


    "With the Urgons gone, they''ll need a new ce to pledge their allegiance."


    "Do you think we should ept them?"


    "It''s not a bad thing. They''re giving them to us for a reason. But don''t be too kind to them. They are people who could stab us in the back at any time."


    The n head gave an enigmatic smile.


    "Just because they are weak doesn''t always mean they are like that. Don''t view them too negatively."


    "Well, I don''t see them negatively. It''s all a way to survive."


    The n head said,


    "You''ve gotten a title."


    "A title?"


    "Ruin the Heaven-Defying Freak, Ruin the Crazy Mage. Personally, I don''t like it very much."


    "Ah, you just learned about that now?"


    The n head suddenly said,


    "Do you know how a father feels when he hears that his son has gone mad?"


    "I''m satisfied with it, though."


    "You seem to be. The Crazy Mage..."


    The n head''s lips curled up.


    "It has a double meaning."


    My lips curled up as well.


    It was at that moment that both the n head and I simultaneously looked up at the ceiling.


    The moment I felt something strange, the sunlight shining through the window was blocked, and the shadow of something huge fell upon us.


    What is that?


    Crash—


    Bursting through the door of the n head''s quarters without knocking, Wright announced,


    "n Head!"


    "What is it, Wright?"


    "An envoy has arrived from the Ardehain n."


    * * *


    The Three Musketeers and the Crazy Mage Squad members, who were already nearby, hade down to the manor, and the elders, sensing something strange, were alsoing down one by one.


    Everyone''s eyes were fixed on the same spot.


    "Wow."


    The n head and I also looked at the same spot.


    Just a moment ago, it had been a clear day without a single cloud.


    The sun was bright and the sky was blue.


    But right above the main gate...


    As if a circle had been cut out of the sky, a hole was gaping open—and the space within swirled in darkness.


    I said with a smile,


    "I see."


    It was a phenomenon I had seen in Urgon as well.


    The meaning was clear.


    The Ardehain n.


    They had arrived.


    The Ardehain g fluttered, and the bow of a ship suddenly emerged from the darkness.


    Following that, the deck and the rear came into view. It was an airship, thin and elongated like a ck de. It slowly descended towards the ground, its size shrinking.


    "The Flower Sword Ship."


    The symbolic means of transportation of the Ardehain n.


    The n head and I walked straight towards the main gate.


    A sturdy woman with thick iron armor on her hands and feet stood at the forefront, holding the Ardehain g high.


    The Ardehain servants who disembarked from the airship began to move various magic tools.


    Following them, fifteen female swordsmen and a lotus flower swordsmanmanding them appeared, exuding a tremendous aura.


    Finally, a familiar man slowly walked out.


    Arriving at the main gate, Fichte cleared his throat and shouted,


    "Wee from Ardehain!"


    "Wait!"


    The captain of the guard interrupted with an imposing look.


    "Get in line!"


    "..."


    "Get in line!"


    "...Excuse me?"


    For a moment, the aura of the female swordsmen exploded, but the captain of the guard only took a step back and didn''t seem to want to back down.


    Suddenly looking around, Fichte smiled and nodded.


    "I''ve made a mistake. You''re absolutely right."


    While Fichte moved to join the line, the captain of the guard looked back.


    His face was covered in sweat.


    When our eyes met, he mouthed the words,


    "I took the first shot."


    "Well done."


    To think he took my words to heart.


    It''s important to stick to principles no matter who you''re dealing with.


    Meanwhile, Fichte reached the main gate again.


    The captain of the guard, now brimming with confidence, raised his voice.


    "Ahem. I said get in line. Why have youe back? Do you think the Samael n is a joke?"


    "Of course not."


    The captain of the guard looked around; the other ns had already spotted the Ardehain g and moved far away.


    "As you can see, the line is empty now. May we enter?"


    "Hmm."


    The captain of the guard nodded.


    "I suppose it can''t be helped. Although there are quite a few of you. Please wait a moment!"


    The captain of the guard turned his head and looked towards us.


    When the n head nodded, the captain turned back to Fichte and shouted loudly,


    "Permission granted. Enter!"


    As soon as Fichte entered, he looked around at the scenery of the manor and then his eyes met mine.


    Walking towards us, Fichte first approached the n head and bowed his head. Seeing how he had figured out who the n head was in that short time, he was indeed no ordinarymander.


    "Greetings, n Head Kazen. I am Fichte, the Third Military Commander, visiting on behalf of the Ardehain n. It is an honor to meet you."


    The n head replied,


    "We received your correspondence. It is an honor to have you, amander busy with the duties of a noble n,e in person. I am Kazen Samael, n Head of the Samael n."


    He didn''t overdo the politeness just because they were a noble n, nor was he rude.


    Hearing the impable greeting, Fichte''s eyes lit up slightly.


    The n head extended his hand to Fichte.


    "I believe we''ve already spoken, haven''t we?"


    A small gasp escaped Fichte''s lips.


    "I wondered how the mages of Samael were so insightful, and now I see why. You''re right. I am the one who wrote the letter you received."


    "You tter me. They are stillcking. I heard that Ruin, especially, gave you a hard time."


    Fichte sped the n head''s hand and replied,


    "Not at all. If it weren''t for Ruin, it would have taken a long time to set things right. He is also a personal lifesaver."


    Fichte looked at me, smiled, and bowed his head.


    "You look well."


    "You look much better too,mander."


    I looked beyond the main gate and couldn''t help butugh.


    "By the way, it seems you''ve brought quite a lot with you?"


    The servants were carrying boxes filled with gold bars and magic weapons inside. Outside, there was also the Blue Spirit carriage that the Urgons used.


    When things were somewhat organized, Fichte looked at the n head and said,


    "We hope to maintain a good friendship with the Samael n in the future."


    "Thank you for your kind words. However, excessive gifts are unnecessary for a friendship. I already felt a lot through your letter,mander. The Samael n already holds your n in high regard. We will ept your gifts in spirit only."


    Fichte eximed once again,


    "These are not gifts, n Head."


    "Then what are they?"


    "Most of these are from the Urgon n''s treasury. They were distributed ording to merit, so you should consider them the Samael n''s share. Of course, there are also things sent from our Ardehain n, but it is reasonable to consider this as your rightful share as well. As you know from the letter, if it weren''t for your sons, the damage would have been quite significant."


    At that moment, the lotus flower swordsman who wasmanding the swordsmen approached Fichte and handed him something, which Fichte received with both hands and offered to the n head.


    The n head''s eyes widened.


    "Surely not?"


    A de gleaming like jet ck, with mana concentrated within.


    The tip of the de was rounded like the bow of a ship.


    It was an exact match for the airship that had appeared in the sky just moments ago.


    The elder nsmen all gasped at once.


    "Could it be the Flower Sword Ship?"


    The n head''s eyes narrowed again.


    "What is the meaning of this?"


    Suddenly, Fichte knelt on one knee and cleared his throat.


    "On behalf of the ck Lotus, I convey this. It is a sentiment from the head of the Ardehain n to your esteemed n."


    This time, I was quite surprised as well. I never expected the Ardehain n to send even the Flower Sword Ship.


    Considering the value of flying vehicles on the continent, it was an extraordinary gift, to say the least.


    It seemed likely that Loren had a significant influence on this decision.


    The n head firmly shook his head.


    "I am well aware that the Flower Sword Ship is like a symbol of the Ardehain n. I don''t know about other weapons, but I cannot ept the Flower Sword Ship."


    Fichte rose from his position and sped his hands together.


    "Please ept it, n Head. It is a direct message from our n head. I would be grateful if you would consider it as repayment for the debt I owe you for my life."


    "Exaggeration is a form of lying, so why do you do this?"


    "It signifies how seriously our Ardehain n takes this matter."


    Fichte looked at the n head.


    "The lotus flower emblem has already been removed from the Flower Sword Ship. If you do not ept it, I will have no face to return to my n and meet our head."


    "Well, this is..."


    I looked at the n head and said,


    "ept it, n Head. If we don''t take it, they''ll just dispose of it."


    The n head shook his head for a long time and then said,


    "It seems you,mander, have already calcted how I would respond."


    "That''s not the case at all. I only wished to convey our sincerity."


    When the n head epted the Flower Sword Ship, Fichte bowed his head.


    "Thank you, n Head. Please forgive my rudeness."


    "How about a cup of tea?"


    "It would be an honor."


    As soon as the n head and the elders left for the n head''s quarters with Fichte, the Crazy Mage Squad members, as if they had been waiting, crept towards the weapons like hyenas stalking prey.


    Zion asked the lotus flower swordsman lined up at the front,


    "Would it be alright if we take a look?"


    "They already belong to the Samael n."


    "Yahoo!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the Crazy Mage Squad members began rummaging through the weapons.


    I was amazed at where they learned such barbaric behavior.


    The servants and soldiers watching coughed awkwardly, embarrassed, but I, on the other hand, pped.


    p p p—


    There''s no need for such formalities when ites to getting stronger.


    I suddenly turned my head and saw that ir and Arin were also looking at the weapons, and Taylor started to nce over as well.


    "Well then..."


    Just as I was about to approach with the intention of taking a look myself...


    Thud—


    Before I could, the lotus flower swordsman approached me and said,


    "Crazy Mage Squad Commander. I have something to give you personally."


    "To me?"


    The lotus flower swordsman carefully took something out from within her clothes.


    "This is a gift from the Swordmaster herself."


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