Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: The Chancellor's Proposal
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#108
As expected, first class was comfortable.
Reclining on a plush sofa, I enjoyed top-tier service all the way to the capital.
‘Third time riding, but the first time it’s been this satisfying.’
The first time, I had no leisure to enjoy it thanks to Ailin’s spartan training, and the second was while kidnapped by Reina...
So, this was practically my first real ride. No one would think otherwise.
“Worth every coin.”
I nearly fainted when Megas told me the price of the first-class ticket.
500 gold.
In Korean won, that was close to 50 million.
An outrageous sum.
To afford a single train ride, you’d have to uproot the family pillar.
Yet Briana and Martes paid it without batting an eye.
Truly the Empire’s guardians.
Feeling a surge of respect for them anew, Seo Woo-jin stepped off the train.
‘It’s gotten dark.’
Night had already fallen outside.
The distance from Talan to the capital was considerable, so it was bound to take time.
‘Too bad the Grand Duke couldn’t teleport me here.’
I’d asked, but regrettably, it was impossible.
She said only I could manage such movement.
In the battle with Gerald, it had been possible because that monster also wielded spatial abilities. The explanation left Seo Woo-jin a bit disappointed.
“Still, glad I’m not too late.”
It was night, but I’d arrived on time, at least.
Seo Woo-jin left the station and headed toward the academy.
No money for a carriage, and it wasn’t far, so he quickened his pace.
The capital’s night was dazzling.
It held its own against Seoul’s nightscape.
No, in some ways, this was better.
Vibrant magic lanterns in every color, firebirds patrolling the skies, geometric patterns of the city-wide defensive magic enveloping everything.
It reeked of a fantasy world.
Gawking at it all, he soon reached the academy’s main gate.
Still as grand and beautiful as ever.
Clack—
As Seo Woo-jin tried to enter, the gate knights blocked his path.
“Halt. State your identity.”
Because it was late?
Their vigilance was higher than during the day.
The knights eyed Seo Woo-jin suspiciously, noting he wasn’t in academy uniform.
“Ah, um...”
‘I’m a hero attending the academy here’ didn’t come easily.
Pondering how to phrase it, one knight’s eyes widened.
“Isn’t that Seo Woo-jin?”
He’d been recognized.
“Yes. Seo Woo-jin here. Just returning from leave.”
“We’ve been expecting you.”
“Me?”
Why?
The answer came quickly.
“The Chancellor is waiting for you.”
“Uh...”
Who was the academy Chancellor again?
He racked his brain.
No face came to mind.
He’d never met them, so it was natural.
“Please follow me.”
The knight led the blankly standing Seo Woo-jin along.
‘Word about Reina must’ve spread.’
Otherwise, why would the Chancellor seek him out?
If even Briana in Mernotain had heard, then surely the academy knew about Seo Woo-jin too.
Nodding, Seo Woo-jin followed the knight.
After a long walk, they reached a building still brightly lit.
It was the smallest, coziest single-story structure inside the academy.
“Here we are.”
The knight stopped and knocked politely.
Knock knock—
“Come in.”
A surprisingly young man’s voice came from inside.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
The knight bowed to Seo Woo-jin and departed.
Left alone, Seo Woo-jin hesitated before opening the door.
Inside, a bespectacled young man holding a book stared at Seo Woo-jin.
“Welcome. I thought you’d arrive tomorrow, but you’re earlier than expected.”
Glossy long golden hair, a delicate appearance.
And pointed ears.
“An elf?”
Seo Woo-jin muttered unwittingly.
He’d seen dark elves, but a regular elf was a first.
“Why not come in? The night breeze is chilly.”
At the Chancellor’s words, Seo Woo-jin hurriedly entered and shut the door.
Unlike dark elves, who looked human save for black skin and pointed ears, this man exuded nobility and mystique.
‘A real elf.’
Like one from novels or comics come to life.
“First time seeing an elf?”
“Ah, yes.”
Had he stared too openly?
The Chancellor scratched his cheek awkwardly and spoke.
“Sorry.”
Realizing his rudeness, Seo Woo-jin apologized quickly.
“No harm done. My kind is rare in this world, after all.”
Unlike dark elves.
‘Ran into those guys constantly.’
“Have a seat. It’s cramped, but comfortable enough.”
Seo Woo-jin carefully sat in the small chair the Chancellor indicated.
‘Oh!’
Far more comfortable than expected.
Despite the size.
“Tea? I’ve got some fine new ones lately.”
“Thank you.”
Seo Woo-jin didn’t refuse.
Curious about elven tea, and his throat was dry anyway.
“One moment.”
The Chancellor rose and trotted to a side cabinet.
“Green Tail tea, alright?”
“Sure!”
No idea what it was.
But elven-brewed tea had to be good for you, he figured, nodding.
“Excellent choice.”
Humming a tune while pouring, he seemed more housewife than Chancellor.
“Here, try it.”
Transparent green tea in an exquisite cup.
“I’ll gratefully partake.”
Slurp—
He sipped carefully.
Seo Woo-jin’s eyes widened.
A refreshing energy spread through his body the moment it touched his tongue.
It gently soothed his fatigued flesh.
“This is...”
Practically a ‘potion of recovery.’
Even alchemist Park Min-sung couldn’t make it yet.
He’d said it’d cost dozens of gold at least.
“Not bad, right?”
The Chancellor smiled, reading his expression.
“It’s great.”
An understatement.
He wanted to snag some leaves if possible.
“Any trouble on the way?”
“None at all.”
First class solo.
How could it be?
“I heard about the awful incident in Mernotain. Involved with the Ruler of the Jet-Black?”
Reina.
Seo Woo-jin quietly set down his cup.
The near-blood-draining ordeal was traumatic.
“Glad you’re safe. That bloodline is truly dangerous. The Grand Duke and Sword Sage were quite worried.”
Not just Briana—Martes had heard too.
“Lucky.”
If Reina had bound his mana too, not just body, escape wouldn’t have been easy.
Arrogant or overconfident, she’d been too lax.
Letting him use ‘Soul Release’ to break free.
Cold sweat even thinking back.
“Is that so?”
At ‘luck’, the Chancellor gave him an odd look.
Then, ah! He smacked his forehead.
“I forgot to introduce myself.”
Chuckling, he smiled and began.
“I’m Yorn Silas, of the Phantasmal Beast lineage. I humbly serve as this academy’s Chancellor.”
Phantasmal Beast lineage sounded prestigious, whatever it meant.
Seo Woo-jin committed it to memory and bowed.
“Seo Woo-jin.”
With formal greetings done, Yorn spoke.
“The reason I called you here today is...”
He sipped Green Tail.
“One proposal.”
‘Proposal?’
What could the Chancellor want with him?
“What is it?”
Seo Woo-jin asked.
Yorn hesitated, sighed, then answered.
“Could you be our bait?”
What’s this elf on about?
* * *
“Will he accept?”
Dariel propped his feet on the desk, asking casually.
“Offered rewards he can’t refuse. He will.”
“Rewards he can’t refuse?”
“Empire support on par with Baek Si-woo. Floods of funds, nothing like the scraps for Sion.”
Agna said confidently.
But Dariel wasn’t pleased.
“You think that’ll snag him?”
“He’s still green. Thirsty for backing, and to grow stronger, he has no choice.”
“You don’t know swordsmen at all.”
Dariel was convinced it wouldn’t go Agna’s way.
“We’ll see. Preparations?”
“Assuming he takes the bait role. Mostly done, though not perfect.”
“They need Seo Woo-jin now. They’ll bite for sure.”
“Agreed there.”
Kidnapped in broad daylight from the Grand Duke’s domain.
Failed, but next chance, they wouldn’t miss.
“Need at least one more.”
Gerald dead, 12 Apostles left from 13.
Excluding untouchables whose locations were unknown, they had to lure and reduce numbers.
“What if something happens to him?”
Dariel narrowed his eyes.
Agna shrugged indifferently.
“Pity, but irrelevant. We’ve got Baek Si-woo, the prodigy.”
The Empire-bred true hero.
Frankly, others were mere meat shields to her.
One sword to slay the Demon King.
That sufficed.
Agna’s words drew a tongue-click from Dariel.
“You’re a real lunatic.”
She smiled at the curse.
“I know.”
But for the Empire.
She could become a devil worse than the Demon King.
Knock knock—
A knock interrupted.
“Come in.”
Likely news on Seo Woo-jin.
A subordinate bowed to Agna and Dariel, entering cautiously.
“Well?”
“He accepted.”
Agna glanced at Dariel.
‘See?’
“Smug bastard.”
Dariel scowled.
“Got it. Out.”
He said to the subordinate, who seemed victorious, but the man hesitated.
“Something else?”
No other reason for that demeanor.
“Well...”
The subordinate faltered, then spoke.
“But he said Empire support is fine, no need.”
Agna’s face crumpled; Dariel laughed.