Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Who is the Strongest Being in the Empire?
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Who is the strongest being in the Empire?
It was a hot topic of endless debate on people's lips.
Some said it was the Magic Duke, master of the Sky Tower. Others claimed it was the Continental Swordmaster, the Sword Sage.
There were those who picked the Grand Duke, and not a few who named the Emperor himself.
In the end, it meant no one really knew.
There was no way to confirm without gathering them all and having them fight it out.
They just argued back and forth, each insisting on their own views.
But when it came to the most terrifying existence in the Empire, the answer came surprisingly quickly.
Shadow Duke Steroin.
It was the name for the shadow that annihilated the Empire's enemies from the darkness.
Tales circulated that the blade of a prepared Shadow Duke could pierce even a dragon's scales in a single strike, or wipe out an entire kingdom overnight.
Even a god couldn't survive if it became his target, earning him the moniker God-Slaying Blade.
"It's Steroin."
At that name, Seowoojin felt chills creeping up his spine.
"...Shadow Duke?"
He muttered softly, and the shadow rippled.
"Is questioning what you already know a habit? Or do you have some illness where you can't hear despite having ears?"
A chilling voice rebuked Seowoojin.
No aura, no killing intent leaked out at all, yet Seowoojin instinctively heightened his tension.
"Don't waste effort. Sit down."
Just then, Dariel, who had been beside him, cut in.
Seeing him again after so long was shocking as well.
A single sword, honed to razor sharpness.
It revealed his true face, which Seowoojin hadn't seen before.
'Is it because my level rose?'
The realms of the powerhouses, once vague, now came into clear view.
Of course, reaching that level was still a distant dream.
Seowoojin glanced sideways at Dariel as he sat in the chair.
"Still a reckless one. Gauging me."
Seowoojin flinched.
He thought he'd done it discreetly, but he'd been caught.
"My apologies."
Worried it might backfire, he apologized swiftly.
"Enough. That's not what's important now."
Dariel turned away with a sullen expression and looked at Chancellor Yorn.
"Seems like everyone's here who needs to be."
"Indeed."
Ignoring the tense atmosphere, Yorn grinned cheerfully as he returned to his seat.
"I assume you've all heard the details already."
Yorn said, pushing up his glasses.
"This guy's the bait?"
The only one to respond was Dariel.
Seowoojin still hadn't relaxed, and Steroin seemed utterly disinterested.
'No, honestly, I can't even tell if his eyes are open or closed.'
His entire body was shrouded in shadow-like darkness.
Seowoojin cautiously opened his mouth, watching Steroin.
"What do I need to do?"
Bait, they'd said.
That meant he had to lure out the Demon King's followers...
Yorn hadn't explained the details yet.
"How many times have you encountered followers so far, Mr. Seowoojin?"
"Hmm, let's see?"
Goblin subjugation, Demon Realm Heldein, Mernotain.
At least three times.
"What's the common thread in each case?"
Seowoojin thought he knew what Yorn was getting at.
"Whenever I left the Academy."
"Correct!"
Yorn clapped and laughed.
'Yeah, figured as much.'
Ever since entering the Academy, he'd get caught up in incidents every time he went out.
It wasn't intentional—just bad luck, nothing more to say.
So he'd planned to hole up inside for training for a while.
"You want me to go outside."
Yorn nodded with a satisfied look.
"Correct again."
He was treating Seowoojin like a student.
Well, he was receiving education at the Academy, so it wasn't far off.
"I'd like to know the detailed plan."
He couldn't just wander aimlessly.
Sure, something might bite if he kept moving, but the uncertainty was too high.
If things went wrong, it wouldn't be a day or two—it could drag on for months.
Fortunately, Seowoojin's concern was unfounded.
"There's a city called Rimartan. Have you heard of it?"
"No, first time."
Seowoojin didn't know many places.
A few famous kingdoms including the Empire.
And a handful of cities he'd visited himself.
That was it.
His knowledge and common sense were woefully lacking.
Just like the other heroes.
"It's the capital of Yanakdar Kingdom, in the south of the Empire."
The kingdom of deserts.
Sanctuary of warriors.
Scorching land of fire.
All terms pointing to Yanakdar Kingdom.
"I think I've heard of it."
He vaguely recalled hearing that one hero without special ties had received support from that kingdom.
"Rimartan is a trading city on the border between the Empire and Yanakdar. That's why it's quite large."
Seowoojin nodded roughly.
What he wanted to know now was his role, not history or geography lessons.
Seeing his expression, Yorn smiled faintly.
"You look bored, so straight to the point. Just head there, Mr. Seowoojin."
"Just go there?"
"Take in the sights, make friends with the desert warriors. If you must do something... draw some attention."
Make sure as many people as possible recognize him.
"Then the Empire and these two will handle the rest."
He glanced at Dariel and Steroin.
From start to finish, they'd sat motionless, just listening.
They already knew.
"Understood."
Seowoojin nodded.
But his eyes gleamed sharply, unlike his compliant words.
He had no intention of just standing there passively as bait.
If he got the chance...
'Time for a stab or two.'
Did it sense its master's intent?
The 'Rune Dea' at his waist trembled faintly.
"Where to now? Why do you keep going out lately? Tell me! Got a girl, right? Right?"
A girl?
Where would he even find time for that?
He let Ijia's question go in one ear and out the other as he turned to the others.
"I can't go into details, but as I said, I won't be at the Academy for a while."
Seowoojin was the center of training.
He had far more combat experience than the other heroes, and superior swordsmanship.
He could cover their weaknesses.
Without him, training efficiency would drop.
They trained hard on their own, but it couldn't fill his absence.
They looked regretful.
But they had no right to hold him back, so no one voiced complaints.
"For now, train centered on Donghwan and Suji. The two of you can look after the others well enough."
"Uhaha! Don't worry, go on!"
"Got it."
The two nodded.
After that, he took turns instructing each on what training to do while he was away.
Finally.
His gaze stopped on Kim Uram, and Seowoojin wore a strange expression.
'Handsome guy.'
Brushing back the shaggy hair revealed the cliché: 'Ta-da! He was a pretty boy all along.'
He hadn't expected the chuunibyou kid to be so strikingly good-looking.
It left Seowoojin speechless.
But handsome was handsome, and he still had to say what needed saying.
"You focus on leveling up. Use what I gave you, and you'll rise quick. Don't go showing off alone—bring Suji or Donghwan."
"Understood."
Kim Uram nodded surprisingly obediently.
He wasn't so rotten as to act out toward someone accepting him and offering help.
If he had been, Seowoojin wouldn't have included him in the first place.
No matter how pitiful he seemed.
"Then I'll be off. I'll come back as soon as possible."
Ijia's pleas to come along rang out, but he ignored them completely.
Seowoojin left the training grounds and headed out.
"Woojin."
A familiar voice called.
It was Ailin.
"Do you really have to go alone?"
In her blue armor, with her usual calm, expressionless face, she asked Seowoojin.
Actually, he'd planned to take her.
It was unfamiliar territory, crossing the border.
Too many uncertainties traveling solo.
But Yorn opposed it.
One bait was enough; bringing others could make it dangerous.
He couldn't drag Ailin into peril.
Especially since he didn't plan to just play bait.
He knew she was strong, but only against ordinary humans.
Heroes or the Demon King's inhuman followers were beyond her.
"I told you this morning."
He had to leave the Academy briefly on the Chancellor's request.
She'd asked what for, but it was classified.
Thanks to throwing Yorn under the bus?
It convinced her more easily than expected.
Seeing his apologetic look, Ailin sighed.
"My duty is to assist you at your side..."
"Just this once."
She nodded faintly.
Still wearing an unconvinced expression, but she wouldn't push when he said it like that.
"Alright. But be careful."
Just days ago, hearing about Seowoojin had shocked her.
She'd blamed herself for not going with him.
Sending him alone again worried her.
"Got it. I'll come back without a scratch."
Seowoojin smiled, and she stepped aside to clear the path.
"Then I'm off."
Seowoojin left the Academy.
Destination: Yanakdar Kingdom.
Specifically, the trading city of Rimartan.
Pssshhh-!
Mana residue hissed out as the train came to a stop.
A few rides in, and Seowoojin was used to it as he stepped off.
"...Check out this sunlight."
Eight hours on the train.
It only looped Empire territory, so he got off at the station closest to the border.
Still some distance to Yanakdar, yet the sun blazed like fire.
Seowoojin just furrowed his brow slightly, unaffected.
His body was robust enough to shrug off such temperature shifts.
'Plus this coat.'
The one from Briana truly deserved the luxury label.
Long coat under the scorching sun, yet no heat at all.
Seowoojin exited the station with a satisfied look.
"Where was it again?"
He'd studied the map on the train, but outside, directions blurred.
'...I'll find it eventually.'
Muttering the classic lost-person line, he started walking.
"Hmm? Oh, cool."
The south definitely had a different vibe from the capital.
Clothes, architecture—all distinct.
Admiring the novelty as he walked.
"Stop right there, you thieving bastard!"
Commotion erupted ahead.