Chapter 13
Chapter 13
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Sweet Home
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The flash of lightning was so intense it felt like it could blind anyone. Before the startled Yuri could even close his eyes, Ha-ryeong's hand moved first.
Her open palm covered Yuri's eyes. Ha-ryeong closed her own eyes and turned her back. Namgung Jin, who had been near the striking bolt, squeezed his eyes shut, covered his face with both arms, and leaped away.
—Crackle!
The delayed thunderclap shook the air.
The lightning vanished without crossing the estate grounds. No currents spread across the ground.
Instead, purple electricity crackled in the air. Confirming the lightning had dissipated, Ha-ryeong cautiously opened her eyes.
"The situation was sudden, so I apologize for the rudeness."
Ha-ryeong withdrew her hand from Yuri's eyes as she spoke. Yuri opened his eyes and looked ahead.
"Ugh... urgh..."
Namgung Jin, who had leaped before the bolt struck, now flopped on the ground like a fish on a line. Yuri swallowed hard at the sight and shifted his gaze.
At the spot where the lightning had fallen stood two people—no, one person.
Black hair tied back. A tall woman in a crisp white shirt and black vest, black pants, and shoes.
"I wondered who the bold intruder was at my cute prospective disciple's home."
Heavenly Thunder Orca Derusia. She looked down at Namgung Jin with eyes like she was staring at a bug.
"To think it was really the fourth son of the great Namgung Clan. Has your burning affection driven you mad?"
Affection? Yuri, who had been listening silently, flinched and glanced at Namgung Jin. So that's why the madman had rung the doorbell so frantically and lost his mind the moment he saw Yuri's wet hair.
"Ugh... grr..."
"The education of Namgung Ju-won's son seems even worse than I imagined. A tiger like Namgung Ju-won sires a pup who can't even qualify as a dog."
Golden light flashed in her eyes as she stared at Namgung Jin. The thunder qi that had silenced him vanished completely.
"T-Tower Lord."
Elena, slung over Orca's side like luggage, spoke up.
"Now that we're here, please put me down."
"How was the ride?"
Her gaze, icy toward Namgung Jin, softened for Elena. Orca grinned playfully, ruffling Elena's golden hair.
"Consider it an honor. You're the first prospective disciple to experience my Thunder God Illusion, even indirectly."
"Th-thank you."
"No need to thank me. It wasn't because you're special, cutie—it was urgent. It wouldn't be fair to let only you experience it, so next time, I'll let Arrist and Leisi try the Thunder God Illusion too."
It was a teasing whisper. Normally, Elena would have deflated at those words, shoulders slumping. But not now. She gnashed her bitten lips and glared at Namgung Jin.
"You're furious, aren't you? What do you want to do?"
Orca chuckled and set Elena down. Standing on her own, Elena smoothed her tousled hair and took a short breath.
"What do you mean?"
"That worthless mutt."
Orca's finger pointed at Namgung Jin. He paled instantly, though only a finger had been aimed at him as he struggled to rise.
"I've zapped him once, but that's not enough, is it? Elena, want to zap him yourself?"
"M-Misunderstanding, I swear."
Even against Heavenly Thunder Orca, Namgung Jin couldn't snap back. Kneeling with trembling body, he pleaded.
"Orca, please hear me out. I..."
"Namgung mutt, why should I hear your excuses?"
Orca squinted.
"This isn't my estate you've invaded. It's my cute prospective disciple Elena Haiderga's home. Shouldn't you speak to her instead?"
"Th-that's..."
"I've never been disappointed in your father Namgung Ju-won before, but seeing you disappoints me in him too. Namgung mutt, you're babbling to me because I'm the strongest here, right?"
Namgung Jin trembled, unable to respond. Orca stared at him with genuine contempt, then shook her head with a short laugh.
"At least it's fortunate for Namgung Ju-won that you're not the eldest."
Orca said no more and stepped back, leaving Elena in front. She fixed a cold gaze on the kneeling Namgung Jin.
"E-Elena."
"Namgung Jin. You don't need to explain why you invaded my home, what you did here, or what conversation took place."
Elena spoke.
"I've already seen everything through magic. So no need for excuses, Namgung Jin."
"M-Misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? Please, no more excuses."
"It's not an excuse..."
"Enough!"
Elena's voice rose. Golden electricity crackled with her surging emotions.
"The person you tried to harm is a guest I personally invited into my home. My childhood friend who traveled far and arrived today. Yet you invaded my house and attacked my friend, who knows neither martial arts nor magic."
"..."
"You're not expecting gratitude for going easy on him, are you? Namgung Jin, I'm deeply disappointed in you today. For a prestigious clan like the Namgung Clan, a righteous faction, to use violence against an ordinary person with no intent to fight, all because of some 'misunderstanding'...?!"
"I... apologize."
Namgung Jin staggered to his feet awkwardly.
"I understand your disappointment, Elena. No more excuses. So..."
"Isn't the order of apologies wrong?"
Elena's shoulders trembled. She whipped her head toward Yuri.
"I apologize."
This wasn't the time for pride. Namgung Jin just wanted this over. He bowed to Yuri.
"I made a grave mistake. So..."
"Understood."
Yuri wanted it over too. He'd thought Ha-ryeong would come, then Elena, and it'd blow over. Not that Orca Derusia would show up.
"Verbal apologies aren't enough, are they?"
Orca smirked from where she watched.
"Whatever the reason, that Namgung mutt invaded this place. How lightly does the Namgung Clan view the Derusia Magic Tower to allow this?"
"N-not lightly, never. This was my personal action, unrelated to the clan..."
"Did you really act without relying on your clan's prestige? Can you swear no part of you thought it was fine because the mighty Namgung Clan had your back, even if you crossed a line?"
Golden light gleamed in Orca's eyes. It was blatant leading—the answer was obvious. Whatever Namgung Jin said, Orca would counter.
"No..."
He knew it too. He had no choice but to give Orca what she wanted.
"Then you relied on the Namgung Clan's power and mocked a Derusia Magic Tower mage. Let's see—under Lutran's city law, unauthorized entry merits a fine first. Stealing means ankles cut so you never climb walls again; injuring means wrists severed so you never swing a fist again."
That's what set Oldor and Lutran apart as cities. Laws weren't always enforced, but this central district was firmly under their protection.
"No theft, so no ankles. But you injured, so wrist it is. You're right-handed, it seems—relearning sword arts left-handed would be hell, so we'll take the left instead. The Derusia Tower Lord is this merciful."
Namgung Jin gaped silently. To him, it sounded no joke. Heavenly Thunder Orca was the type to do it.
"Fine and wrist. Tragic for you, but it won't end there. As Derusia Tower Lord, I'll formally confront the Namgung Clan. 'Namgung Ju-won, how lightly do you and your clan view me and the Derusia Magic Tower, letting your son invade my prospective disciple's home?'"
"P-please..."
"But I alone might not suffice. After all, if they mocked me and the tower, they'd ignore my plea. Your father might tear my letter or slam the door on me."
"O-Orca..."
Namgung Jin's face drained from white to purple. Orca pressed on.
"So I'll ask my old friend for help. Alfreon Ascard told me to call anytime. I've asked twice before; thanks to you, it'll be three. Just so you know, I have ample cause. You know the Ascard Family has long patronized the Derusia Magic Tower, Namgung mutt?"
"..."
"You know who Alfreon Ascard is?"
"The... Ascard Family head."
"Right, Alfreon heads the Ascard Family. Like your Namgung Clan values face, so do they. The tower isn't their business, but we eat thanks to their steady patronage... Exaggerating a bit, we're family sharing the pot, no?"
"Please...!"
Namgung Jin couldn't stand. He slammed his knees down again.
"Namgung mutt, I'm not done. As I said, I'll meet your father with Alfreon Ascard and detail today: not just invading my prospective disciple's home, but assaulting an ordinary person ignorant of martial arts or magic. What happens then? No idea."
"Hah... huff..."
Namgung Jin clutched his chest, breathless.
"I don't know Namgung Clan rules well, so can't say. But I know what I'll demand there: seal the gates for ten years or so. Alfreon will grin at that too."
Thud!
Namgung Jin smashed his head on the ground.
"Please... please, no. Cut both my wrists. Or I'll end it myself."
"If you die here, Namgung Ju-won stays quiet?"
"I'll write a will absolving the Derusia Magic Tower. End it in my room."
Yuri, listening silently, marveled at Orca's ruthlessness.
For hopping a fence and swinging a palm once, fists twice—the price snowballed. If Orca followed through, Namgung Jin's left wrist was gone, and the clan sealed ten years.
"Poor fool or not, killing a young punk with more life ahead than behind sits wrong with me."
Orca smiled and shook her head.
"So for all your crimes, I'll take a fine and three Azure Heaven Pills. How's that?"
"Y-yes...?"
"Deaf? Fine, three Azure Heaven Pills. Unsatisfied...?"
"I-I accept."
Thud! Namgung Jin headbutted the ground again.
Azure Heaven Pills were the Namgung Clan's secret elixir, with abysmal drop rates even in the game.
"Your wrist—maybe life—fine, clan sealed ten years. All for a fine and three pills. Lucky day, Namgung mutt."
"Y-yes, truly..."
"Ah, set the fine yourself—whatever seems fair."
"Y-yes... soon as ready, to the Derusia Magic Tower..."
Namgung Jin hastily corrected.
"Send it here."
"Got it. Now scram. Oh, obviously—stay away from Elena henceforth."
Orca turned away without another glance. Namgung Jin staggered up, too dazed to brush off the dirt on his clothes and face. He backed away awkwardly and left the estate.
"Elena, satisfied?"
Elena, gaping blankly, startled at being called.
"Y-yes?"
"I said one apology wasn't enough. This gets you far more. Good lesson, right?"
"..."
"Of course, only possible because I'm Derusia Tower Lord. Don't forget today's lesson, Elena—strive to be next lord."
"Yes..."
Elena nodded, expression lukewarm.
"But Tower Lord, did you really plan to confront the Namgung Clan?"
"Would the words flow so smoothly without intent?"
Orca giggled mischievously.
"Talking so much dried my throat. Since I'm here, tea at your place before I go."
"You said my tea is awful."
"Sometimes that awful brew cleanses the palate. Lets me appreciate my usual tea anew."
"If you miss it that much, I'll brew for your room tomorrow. Today..."
Elena glanced worriedly at Yuri.
"Guest is here. Much to do..."
"Tch, send away the tower lord who brought you home? You used to stammer without meeting eyes— all grown up now."
"Wh-when did I? Fine, fine, come in! Just no old stories...!"
"Never mind. Hell tea tomorrow—today, last supper. Let's eat."
Orca patted Elena's shoulder.
"But introductions first before we go."
Her golden gaze turned to Yuri.
"Belated greetings. Name's Yuri."
Yuri bowed.
"Yeah. Heard your name first, actually. Thought you'd ditched proper reports for half a month."
Orca's eyes curved slyly.
"Never expected you'd bring a man."
"It's not like that!"
Elena shrieked at the teasing mutter.