Deck Building
“Heh, a new ability, huh? Not bad at all. I’d been a little empty inside lately, what with only helping everyone else develop their skills.”
Ho-yeong immediately tried out the power he’d just learned.
In his status window, a UI reminiscent of a card-battle game flickered into view.
Marquis-sama’s skill is mana detection. Garza’s is mana absorption. If I combine those two and then layer my own abilities on top, the utility could be insane.
Meeting the Cliad Sect Leader
📍 Location: [Place]
🎁 Reward: [Reward]
When he placed the Marquis’s father and son, along with his own card, onto the key quest Meeting the Cliad Sect Leader, the borders of all three cards turned purple.
Compatibility rating: SS.
- Help -
Your idea matches the optimal strategy for this key quest by 150%!
Isn’t saying it matches by 150% a contradiction? Still, I guess that means it’s an especially brilliant idea. Either way, this plan definitely sounds workable!
Reassured, Ho-yeong explained the operation to the Marquis and his son.
“This is, more or less, the plan. What do you think? Is it possible?”
“That is a line of thought opposite to what one would use against Elite Roll. It should be entirely feasible. A splendid plan.”
“I agree with my father.”
With the master craftsmen’s assurance in hand, he felt much better.
“Count Tamer, wait here a moment. I’ll be back shortly. Garza, you will come with me as well.”
The Marquis rose as though some idea had just struck him.
“Eh? You’re going somewhere?”
“I must make a brief stop in the library and the laboratory. I intend to gather a few items that may be useful in carrying out your plan.”
Left alone for the moment, Ho-yeong sat down on a bench.
Important quest alert! You must proceed with Meeting the Cliad Sect Leader. Time remaining: 5 hours 30 minutes.
While the Marquis and his son were gone, he kept trying to think of more ways to clear the quest.
“Master. Masteeer~? Are you listening?”
“Huh? Sorry. I was thinking.”
He’d been so absorbed that he hadn’t even noticed Peach come right up to his face to call him.
“You were worrying about the plan ahead, weren’t you? It’s written all over your face.”
“Haha, well, yeah.”
“You really don’t stop for even a moment, do you, Master? You’ll wear yourself out like that. There’s still time before Marquis-sama or Sir Demis get here, isn’t there?”
“Yeah. I figured I might as well do something instead of wasting the time.”
“No, no, that’s the wrong way to think about it! You need to rest when you get a little break. Otherwise you’ll collapse, you know?”
Peach grabbed his arm and tugged.
“W-what?”
Ho-yeong rose in a daze, led along by her.
“This garden isn’t somewhere just anyone can enter. Since you’ve come all the way to such a lovely place, why not take a stroll? Rather than sitting gloomily among all these bright flowers, I think a little change of pace will clear your head and help you think more clearly.”
“Well... you do have a point.”
The world that had just been reduced to the space in front of his feet widened again when he looked around. The beautiful autumn scenery finally came into view.
“It’s pretty.”
He took a breath, letting his gaze settle on the nameless autumn flowers, and the crisp scent of the wind filled his nose.
“Heehee. I guess I am pretty, aren’t I?”
“Sure. Both you and the flowers are beautiful.”
Looking at Peach’s bright, shameless smile as she gazed up at him, Ho-yeong couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Still, could you let go of my arm? Your grip is stronger than I expected, Peach.”
Peach was making excellent use of the standing armbar he’d taught her.
“You’ve never been to this place before, Master. You might get lost in such a wide garden, so this little maid will guide you.”
“A garden isn’t a labyrinth.”
“And yet, let’s walk anyway.”
Ho-yeong set off for a stroll with Peach hooked onto his arm.
“Still, it does feel a little less well-kept than when I was here.”
“This garden? But it’s so beautifully arranged. Ah, though now that we’ve gone deeper inside, I suppose the grass has started growing a bit wild.”
“Right? Lady Rosta used to tend this garden herself, but I guess she hasn’t had the heart to touch it much these past few years. She loved walking here, and with the mistress gone, well....”
“I suppose that makes sense. Still, maybe things can return to normal now. This house has found its peace again, so perhaps the flowers will bloom even more richly.”
Smiling contentedly, Peach suddenly dropped an unexpected line.
“Since we’re talking about Lady Rosta, I think Marquis-sama wants to make you his son-in-law, Master.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Why would a great house like the Iolid Marquisate want a guy like me...?”
“What are you saying? Where else would you find such an outstanding man as you, Master? You’ve earned great achievements in rapid succession and risen to the rank of count, and today His Majesty even bestowed praise upon you and gave you a royal heirloom. You’re also the one who’s going to defeat the fanatical elves and become the savior of the continent!”
“Thanks for the praise, but mage families usually marry within their own circles, don’t they? I don’t exactly have a lineage that would make this some political match. Unless... they’re doing it out of gratitude for helping their house?”
“I don’t know the exact reason myself. But I can feel it from Marquis-sama’s eyes, you know? The situation was too busy for him to bring it up today, but later he’ll probably host a banquet and make the offer then.”
Peach has offered valuable advice. She possesses keen powers of observation and has a particularly sharp instinct when it comes to matters of love, so it would be wise to take her words seriously.
Peach really does notice everything. Come to think of it, the Marquis’s old-man stare did feel a little suspicious.
The unexpected turn of events left Ho-yeong a bit dazed.
“Even if the Marquis is thinking that way... shouldn’t the lady’s own wishes matter? She looks meek enough, but her personality is anything but ordinary. You saw it yourself. She went ballistic and beat Garza half to death.”
He shivered at the memory of Rosta in full rage mode.
“Hmm, I wonder? Lady Rosta seems to like you quite a bit too. What about you, Master? Don’t you like her?”
Peach smiled brightly up at him.
“Huh? I mean, more than that, marriage is something you should think about carefully....”
“I asked whether you like her or not.”
Ho-yeong flinched as he met those clear eyes filled with obsessive madness.
Peach is extremely anxious that Guardian-nim might end up marrying Rosta Iolid.
Just meeting her gaze made his heart pound and a chill crawl down his spine.
“Uh... well... she’s fairly attractive, and from the way she acts normally, she seems like a decent person.”
“Then you do like her, do you?!”
“She’s not my type. And besides....”
The jewel that had been blazing hot went cold in an instant.
Both Ho-yeong and Peach let out breaths of relief.
“I have no intention of getting married here.”
Ho-yeong had meant here as in this world inside the game, but Peach took it to mean the Iolid Marquisate and broke into a radiant smile.
“Oh. That Shrakhim’s mother seemed to be targeting me too...”
“W-what?! Is that really true? So what happened?”
“I already said it. I don’t intend to get married. At least, not for the time being.”
“For the time being? Then how long am I supposed to wait?”
“Wait for what?”
While they were bickering, a throat-clearing sound interrupted them.
“Ahem. I could have sworn I just heard talk of marriage...”
“You must have heard wrong. Peach, what are you doing? Let go already.”
Right in front of the Marquis, Peach deliberately dragged his arm against her chest as if to make a point.
“Ow! That’s too much....”
Only after Ho-yeong flicked her on the forehead did Peach finally let go, and the Marquis made a grimacing face while Garza, who had genuinely been fond of Peach, looked equally downcast.
“The bond between employer and employee is quite touching indeed. Still, be careful not to stir up rumors about taking a concubine for no reason.”
“My, Marquis-sama, for you to say something like that. Didn’t some youngest son of a marquis house once go on about taking a maid as a concubine too?”
Peach’s indignant fact-bomb made both father and son bow their heads.
“We owe you apologies again. Still, this old man only spoke out of concern for the future of a young man he cherishes.”
“Of course. I should take your advice seriously since you’re worried about my future. But don’t worry, Marquis-sama. Peach and I are practically family. She’s like a little sister to me, isn’t she, Peach?”
Ho-yeong deliberately overdid it, ruffling Peach’s hair as though she were some shaggy dog. Her beautiful hair got wrecked, and she pouted, but at least the mediation had gone well enough.
“Still, Marquis-sama, didn’t you say you were going to fetch something? You came back empty-handed, didn’t you...?”
“Why, they’re right over there.”
When he turned back toward the entrance to the garden, servants were busily unloading things.
“No, what in the world is all that?”
Ho-yeong stared, flustered, at the pile of magical items.
“Weren’t those the things to use against those pointy-eared bastards?”
“All of that? Will we even be able to use it all?”
Not only were there all sorts of scrolls and potions, but there were also plenty of items whose purpose he couldn’t even guess.
“Naturally, I’m not saying you should carry everything away. Pick out whatever you think will be useful for this operation. We’ll send the rest to Tamer Territory later. Most potions and spell scrolls can be used as military supplies anyway, so I’m sure you know that well enough—”
“Wait, what did you say? Send the leftovers where?”
Ho-yeong jumped in surprise at the Marquis’s words.
A positive event has occurred. The advanced buff Treasure Hunter’s Chance has activated.
Duration: 7 days remaining
“Where else? I mean to send them to your territory. You’ll need a great many potions and scrolls if you’re going to keep fighting monsters, won’t you?”
“Thank you! I’d actually been needing a number of high-quality scrolls and potions, so if you’re supplying them...!”
“Supplying them? My boy, what are you talking about? Even if I stacked gold coins on top of it, it still wouldn’t be enough—how could I possibly take money for this?”
“So you’re just giving them to me?! Thank you!”
Ho-yeong was overjoyed, but the buff still hadn’t ended.
“In any case, I don’t need to explain ordinary consumables, and as for the heirlooms, I’ll tell you about those now. Ah, would it be all right if we kept the items that need special care at our house for the time being?”
“Huh? Why would I need to give permission for leaving the Marquisate’s heirlooms in the Marquis’s own house? Though of course, if we’re talking about things to be used in battle, then as the commander I’ll need to manage them temporarily...”
“What my father means is that he’s giving all of these heirlooms to Count Tamer.”
At Garza’s words, Ho-yeong’s eyes went wide.
“Really?! I mean, there are tons of items here that look unbelievably valuable, and you’re giving them all to me?”
Even the rarest potion could be bought with enough money at the Magic Tower. But artifacts were different. Staring at treasures money alone couldn’t buy, Ho-yeong was so moved that he lunged forward and hugged the Marquis.
“Thank you, Father—no, Marquis-sama!”
He almost called the man Father-in-law.
This isn’t a dream, right? It’s not like there’s some hidden negative event waiting to jump out, the way I got chewed out after getting greedy in front of Her Majesty the Princess, right?
But the Marquis only smiled warmly and patted Ho-yeong’s back.
“It’s hardly enough compared to the kindness you’ve shown us... though naturally, these are supplies prepared for military matters, so please allow me to repay you properly in due time.”
“There’s still more repayment coming? Good grief.... In any case, thank you so much. Then let’s sort out the items I can use right away—no, the items I can put to use.”
Even amid his joy, Ho-yeong busied himself sorting the items needed for the quest.
“Hrrrmmm! Lord Tamer! We’ve been waiting a long while for you to arrive, hrrrmmm.”
“Ah, sorry. My mind’s been all over the place.”
By the time he finished sorting, Duonoraong and Demis Ezef had joined them.
“As expected, Her Majesty graciously approved the Marquisate’s third son joining the operation. And, Count of the Border Region, Her Majesty has sent a message.”
“A message?!”
Ho-yeong worried he might hear something frightening, but it proved to be an unnecessary concern.
“Her Majesty said that if, in the Count of the Border Region’s judgment, it is necessary for the eradication of the fanatical elf horde, then you may freely use whatever material or human resources you deem fit.”
“Ohhh...”
In other words, he didn’t need to ask permission for every little thing and could just decide for himself.
“Her Majesty truly does trust you,”
“I’m deeply grateful. Then let’s be off. Marquis-sama, if you please, the spatial transfer.”
The Marquis took the ring of magic stone and staff, while Ho-yeong drew an item from a leather pouch.
◈ Price: 100 RP
◈ Type: Active / Single-use consumable
— If poured onto one piece of equipment with a cooldown, it resets that cooldown.
— Side effect: the item’s cooldown will increase by at least threefold for this use.
He used it right before spatial transfer, in order to minimize the cooldown lengthened by the drawback as much as possible.
The ring, whose dark green sheen had nearly vanished, regained its original jade-like luster as the deep blue liquid was poured over it.
“Ohh... I’ve never seen a potion like this before. This must be a sacred object too, yes? I’d love to uncover exactly how it works.”
Feeling the Marquis’s gaze on him, Ho-yeong smiled faintly.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know how it works either. If a highly esteemed mage like you doesn’t know, how could I?”
“Indeed.”
“Pardon?”
“Which is why I said I hope I can discover it. If you would graciously donate just one bottle of this sacred item to the Magic Tower, I would certainly repay you...”
Ho-yeong’s expression soured at the man’s obvious assumption that such a thing was only natural.
“...Isn’t graciously donate the sort of thing the giver says, not the receiver? In any case, let’s discuss that later. We’re already running low on supplies for the operation as it is.”
He’d bought the supercooling water from the player shop, and now there were only two bottles left.
“Then come all of you here.”
The ring floated up over the group’s heads.
“Бж∀ЪД!”
Ho-yeong noticed something different in the Marquis’s spell.
Huh? The chant seems shorter somehow. And the ring’s preparation process too.
Unlike the old method, in which the ring had expanded widely before shrinking again, this time it stretched only as much as needed and then immediately stopped expanding.
“йЯψξλĦøŁŒ⊙ÆЦ!”
Hero level increased! Ashk Iolid’s level has risen from 1 to 2. His skill Magic Scan has improved in proficiency.
Ashk Iolid used his ability to enhance the spatial-transfer spell on the heirlooms, increasing both efficiency and precision.
Oh. I don’t know exactly what he did, but I’m glad he leveled up and improved the performance on his own. Right, with this many cards in hand, let’s play a proper duel.
Within the falling cascade of jade light, Ho-yeong steeled himself for battle.