Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Variables Are Familiar (2)
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“Thanks. Regin.”
“Not at all.”
Nuada was gazing at him with a warm smile, one he hadn’t shown in quite some time.
“Is it because I’m getting on in years? Now even I need a little help from someone.”
“……Haha.”
“Especially with my memory. Retaining knowledge is the mark of a true mage, but…… it’s becoming harder and harder these days.”
“Even so, compared to others, you possess an overwhelming amount of knowledge.”
Nuada let out a chuckle. It was the kind of laugh that said, *What a obvious thing to say*.
“I’ve devoted my entire life to magic, so it’s only natural. Still, I’m getting up there in age now. Time is something you just can’t beat.”
Despite his appearance, Nuada was already nearing 180 years old.
Mages could live far longer than ordinary folk, but 200 was practically the racial limit.
*Ordinary people live maybe half as long, but when you think about dwarves, elves, and other races…… the limits are clear.*
Regin recalled the lifespans he’d learned from playing DAT multiple times.
Even someone renowned as an exceptional mage like Nuada wasn’t white-haired for nothing.
On top of that, he had inherited magic three times.
Passing on a portion of one’s spell formulas required tremendous energy and mana.
*So, as his disciple who received that inheritance, helping him with this is only right.*
It wasn’t as if Nuada had anything to apologize for.
By the story’s design, it was perfectly natural for Regin to handle the grunt work for him.
*And the fact that I can explore without interference from other nobles is largely thanks to him.*
In a game, maybe not, but now that they were face-to-face, he could offer this much help.
And it wasn’t as if Nuada was only helping him in return.
“It’ll help me too. They’re all nobles or highly respected figures, after all.”
He said while looking at the list. In truth, Regin needed this badly.
*The timeline for fully conquering the 15th Floor has been moved up…… and the participants no longer match what I know.*
It was a quest he’d skipped during his game playthroughs.
Back then, they were just fleeting NPCs in a single run.
After a few clears, he’d memorized nearly all the names and faces anyway, so it hadn’t mattered much.
The conquest of the 15th Floor happened in three major phases, so the participants didn’t change drastically.
*……It really is different.*
Rustle—
In contrast, this list had many names Regin hadn’t memorized.
He read through it slowly, committing each face and name to memory one by one.
*I suspected as much when I heard Freton was in the capital, and sure enough, his name isn’t here. He used to always attend.*
The shifted timing meant everyone was focused on different things.
Freton was in the capital for some reason.
Thanks to that, he’d been excluded from the list.
Regin also memorized the new names and noted who was missing.
*Luckily, this one hasn’t changed.*
His gaze stopped on one page of the list he’d been flipping through.
There was a name with far less description than the others.
In this list, having less detail paradoxically meant the person was quite important.
*The key figures are ones I don’t need to memorize—Nuada will remember them anyway.*
The list existed precisely because he had too many people to meet.
He wasn’t senile yet; there was no way he’d forget the important ones.
*Especially someone like this…… Nuada would know their personality and thoughts inside out.*
In a calm voice, he recited the name.
“Is Marquis Dylan coming tomorrow too?”
“Of course. He’s the one hosting tomorrow’s festival, after all.”
“Hm.”
Marquis Dylan.
One of the kingdom’s true powerhouses, overseeing both the east and west regions.
He was among those wielding immense authority, deeply involved in countless affairs.
“Master.”
Regin hesitated for a moment before continuing.
Now that he knew Marquis Dylan would be there tomorrow, it was better to bring it up than hesitate.
“If you meet Marquis Dylan tomorrow, could you arrange a private word with him for me?”
“You have something to discuss with him?”
Regin looked at Nuada with a serious expression.
Nuada studied Regin’s face slowly, trying to gauge the context behind his words.
“I think I’ve crossed paths with a Back Alley User.”
At those words that suddenly popped from Regin’s mouth, Nuada’s eyes went wide.
“……A Back Alley User. Really?”
“Yes.”
Regin nodded as he replied.
“I need to see what Marquis Dylan thinks—whether we should report it to the kingdom or not.”
In truth, Marquis Dylan was worth talking to regardless.
Normally, meeting him through official channels would take a great deal of time.
But as Nuada’s disciple, Regin didn’t need to wait on formalities.
*Connections are meant to be used.*
And Nuada was his strongest one right now.
“Understood.”
After a moment’s thought, Nuada slowly nodded.
“Tomorrow, when I meet Marquis Dylan, stay quietly by my side. I’ll steer the conversation naturally.”
* * *
The next morning.
*Three days until the First Wave.*
Regin woke up, habitually reciting the time left.
He’d been aware of it to some extent, but the shrinking days carried more weight than he’d expected.
*In a way, this is a turning point. And this time, it’s been accelerated by my own variables.*
A situation that could grow endlessly complicated if he let it.
*For now, focus on today’s tasks.*
Regin showered with cold water, calmly organizing his thoughts.
He needed to concentrate on what was happening today.
It was the day of the western region’s festival, after all.
“You’re both right on time.”
He headed first to Nuada’s house. Nuada and Manannan were waiting.
After a light lunch, the outside world began to buzz with activity.
“It’s already getting lively.”
“They’ve all heard the rumors. It’s news they’ve been waiting for, so of course they’re excited.”
People gathering toward the western plaza.
Regin and Manannan followed Nuada, arriving at the plaza without delay.
By the festival start time of 4 p.m., the plaza was packed with western residents.
*Looks like Nuada was right—they already knew the good news.*
It reminded him of something like *when Korea advanced to the World Cup semifinals*.
He could see countless people chattering excitedly.
Even amid the bumps and jostles, their faces were full of smiles.
“Hello, Sage Nuada.”
From then on, Regin and Manannan had to spend their time busily as well.
They were seated at one of the tables set up around the plaza.
Many people approached upon spotting Nuada.
“Pleased to see you, Felix. How’s the potion production going?”
“Very well, thanks to the eased regulations. We’re even doing mass production now.”
Before they arrived, Regin and Manannan had briefed Nuada on their backgrounds.
From ordinary merchants to travelers from other regions.
There were too many to count just two or three, so Nuada exchanged greetings while listening to their explanations.
*……No wonder Nuada asked for our help.*
Watching the influx of people, Regin couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
This wasn’t just about age or memory.
Nearly half the western residents were coming up to greet Nuada.
*Well, thanks to it, I’m gaining a lot too.*
He could grasp who was doing what where, and what their goals were.
It felt like the entire web of relationships in the west was imprinting itself in his mind.
The game hadn’t depicted it in this much detail, so it hit harder now.
“Ah.”
The next person approaching was a familiar face.
“That’s Tolimba, head of the Peresian Family.”
Tolimba, whom he’d met just two days ago, stepped forward.
“Pleased to meet you, Nuada.”
“Tolimba, it’s been a while. We met at the knighthood ceremony last time, yes?”
“That’s right.”
Like the others before, Tolimba chatted with a smile.
But his gaze subtly drifted toward Regin.
“I hear your disciples are making a name for themselves. Standing out as explorers.”
“Haha. They’ve achieved results beyond their experience.”
“A great teacher produces great disciples, after all.”
Tolimba soon adopted a more serious tone and continued.
“In truth, I received some help from your disciple Regin here two days ago.”
“Oh? Is that so.”
“Yes.”
“I was in a tough spot, but thanks to Regin, I’ve caught a bit of a break.”
“Care to tell me what happened?”
“It concerned the mines owned by our Peresian Family.”
Nuada nodded gravely as well.
Confirming that, Tolimba spoke up.
“With so many eyeing them, I got a little help from Regin and plan to sell the mine’s output officially.”
“I see.”
It might sound casual, tossed out lightly, but Regin paused in quiet admiration at the intent hidden within.
*By letting Nuada know about our dealings, it’ll be easier to handle when Freton gets involved later.*
Nuada, Regin’s master, was someone who could exert influence over the Delbach Family led by Freton.
He couldn’t block them outright, but he could drop hints.
In other words, informing Nuada was a way to indirectly check Freton.
*And as a bonus, it reminds me not to forget our deal.*
No wonder he’d made a name as a merchant for so long.
Once Tolimba moved on, Nuada turned to Regin.
“That must give you quite the headache. Maintaining trade ties with both sides?”
“That’s right.”
“You’ve got guts…… but are you sure? If it goes wrong, you could lose them both.”
Nuada knew Regin was conducting some sort of deal with Freton too.
At his worried look, Regin chuckled and nodded.
“I plan to make sure none of the three—both families and me—comes out worse.”
He had confidence, but more than that, it was something he had to do.
He intended to maintain balance while preparing for the future with as many as possible.
“If you run into trouble, tell me anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Above all, Nuada’s continued presence was a major reassurance.
He nodded lightly.
Even in the game, he’d been one of the most reliable NPCs, but here, it felt even more so.
“Looks like the announcement is about to start.”
Nuada’s gaze shifted to the stage in front of the fountain.
A man stepped up onto it.
With a dignified face and dressed in a suit of fine fabric, Regin recognized him immediately.
*Marquis Dylan.*
He belonged to the royal family and oversaw the Tower below them.
In this world, managing a Tower meant that level of power and status.
As all eyes turned to Dylan in that moment.
“Ahem, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules.”
Thanks to the amplification spell ‘Shout,’ his voice carried to the western residents.
“A few days ago, the west’s long-held wish finally came true.”
“……!!”
“We’ve fully conquered the 15th Floor and successfully located the portal to the 16th Floor. Our western assault team……”
Dylan paused, and the crowd held its breath along with him.
Adults and children alike waited in silence for his next words, the plaza falling quiet.
“In our long journey to conquer the 15th Floor, we found the answer, and today we celebrate that achievement.”
“……Woooaaah!!!”
“In the name of the kingdom, let the 15th Floor Conquest Festival begin now!”
The plaza erupted in cheers that shook the ground.
Soldiers who’d been waiting nearby sprang into action, setting up food around the area.
A massive pig, likely a Great Hog, was prepared as barbecue and brought into the plaza.
“Today is for the people of the west.”
The west had repeatedly stalled at the 15th Floor, falling behind other regions.
Now, on the faces of those whose pride had been wounded, victorious smiles spread.
*It’s like the roar when Park Ji-sung scored that goal.*
Who could have known?
Who could have dared predict?
How the Waves to come would upend their lives.
“Regin, Manannan.”
Regin moved ceaselessly to avoid getting swept up.
And to prepare even for the future beyond.
“Follow me. We need to greet Marquis Dylan.”
His conversation with Dylan would be another stepping stone.