Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Baek Siwoo's Location
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‘…Is it possible?’
It had been less than an hour since he'd received Karaniel from the emperor and been tasked with bringing back Baek Siwoo's head in exchange.
And yet, they'd already located Baek Siwoo?
Even if they'd been searching before the emperor's orders, it was still unbelievable.
Baek Siwoo had vanished just yesterday.
In a single day.
That's all it took to track down Baek Siwoo's whereabouts.
Seo Woojin unconsciously glanced at Ailin beside him.
His eyes asked what the hell was going on.
"Crusiel is like that."
Ailin caught his unspoken question and smiled as she replied.
"I don't know the details myself. But you can assume there's almost nothing in the world Crusiel can't find if they want to."
"That's correct, milady."
The man affirmed her words as if it were the most obvious thing.
Seo Woojin let out a hollow laugh and nodded for now.
He was curious about how they'd done it, but...
‘I'll figure that out later. For now, Baek Siwoo first.’
Seo Woojin turned to the man.
"Where is he?"
"Please take a look at this."
The man pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket.
‘A map?’
It was a neatly folded map.
He unfolded it and showed it to Seo Woojin.
"Hmm..."
No clue.
Seo Woojin had no way of making sense of a map from this world.
"It's a map of the imperial south."
"Oh, really?"
Seo Woojin nodded and examined it closely.
He'd recently visited a city in the imperial south, so maybe something would look familiar.
"Huh?"
And sure enough, a familiar landscape unfolded before him.
"This is..."
"The place where you subjugated the winged dragon not long ago."
"No, I didn't subjugate it."
Was that a probe?
Seo Woojin flinched inwardly but kept a straight face and chuckled awkwardly.
"Come to think of it, I heard it was some mysterious 'black entity' that took down the winged dragon."
The man brushed it off casually, but Seo Woojin couldn't shake the feeling he'd been tested.
"Anyway, Baek Siwoo is currently in this city."
Mohiaddin's territory.
Rinar's hometown.
"Jinahan. The southernmost city in the empire."
"So you're telling me to wait longer?"
"Yeah."
"And no firm timeline?"
"Right."
"...You're just abandoning this, aren't you?"
Rinar gave Seo Woojin a sullen look.
He'd thought he'd be able to join Seo Woojin at the academy in just a week for training.
No friends, no family—it was a bit lonely, but he could endure it waiting for that day.
But more waiting?
His jaw dropped, and he couldn't hide his disappointment.
"Abandoning? Something came up."
"I know that. I heard something big went down at the academy yesterday. I even saw that monster floating in the sky."
Rinar's tone was curt.
He seemed genuinely pissed.
"I'm handling that, so hang in there a bit longer. Sightsee the capital. You've got plenty of pocket money, right?"
Seo Woojin felt bad about leaving Rinar alone after bringing him along, so he coaxed as best he could.
Did it work?
"Sigh, fine. No choice."
Fortunately, Rinar came around.
"But where are you going?"
"Back to Jinahan."
"Huh? Why there?"
His eyes widened at the mention of his hometown.
"Can't tell you that. But I'll look into your sister's news instead."
"Nah, forget it. She's probably doing fine anyway."
Even as he said it, his expression plainly showed he missed her.
Seo Woojin chuckled, ruffled Rinar's hair, and stood up.
"Don't cause trouble and take care. Not sure how long it'll take, but I'll wrap it up quick and come back."
"Got it."
With that, Seo Woojin left the inn.
Ailin was waiting outside.
"All done?"
"Yeah. We can head out now."
Seo Woojin planned to go alone again this time.
Not just Baek Siwoo—he might have to fight Reina too.
Dragging others into that was too dangerous.
Especially Ailin, who wouldn't help in a fight at all.
But this time, she wouldn't back down.
She'd even gone to Dean Yorn herself and gotten permission to accompany him.
Seo Woojin had no choice.
Even if he left her behind, she'd follow somehow.
And she wasn't the only companion.
The empire's First Knight Order, the White Silver Knights—all elite knights—and their captain, Ronain, were coming along.
No real excuse to leave Ailin out now.
Instead, Seo Woojin got a promise that they'd stay out of the fighting if it broke out.
Whether they'd keep it was another story...
In any case, Seo Woojin headed to the train station with Ailin.
"But what if that vampire Reina is with him? What then?"
The White Silver Knights were impressive, but nowhere near enough for Reina.
Honestly, they wouldn't help much.
Which meant he'd have to face her alone.
"They say guardian support is off the table this time. Something else came up."
"Can you handle her solo, Woojin?"
She knew his power better than anyone.
She was clueless about Demon King Transformation or his hidden strengths, but no one knew his revealed abilities better than her.
"Who knows... I'd have to clash with her to find out, but I don't think it'll be an easy loss."
Seo Woojin had Karaniel, Celestial Wing, and Aegis.
Used right, he wouldn't collapse helpless like before.
But that didn't guarantee victory.
Reina was that strong.
Seo Woojin gave a wry smile, realizing anew how much he still lacked.
"Someone else is backing me up, though."
"Someone else?"
She tilted her head, puzzled.
Anyone short of guardian level wouldn't make a dent...
"I don't know who either."
He'd only been told support was coming.
No high hopes, but hey—help was help.
"They'll meet us separately, so in Jinahan."
"...I hope you come back safe after it's all done."
Ailin spoke with evident worry.
The vampire she'd seen at the academy that day was pure terror.
Gerald was horrific, but Reina was just as frightening.
Facing a monster like that? Of course she was anxious.
"Don't worry too much. I'll make it work somehow."
Seo Woojin smiled and patted Karaniel at his waist.
Ailin giggled at the sight.
At some point, he'd become quite reliable.
Nothing like the fumbling guy from the north.
She decided to trust him this once and matched his stride.
"They've rebuilt a lot."
Seo Woojin marveled at the bustling streets.
The collapsed eastern wall was still under repair, but most reconstruction seemed done.
"Is this Jinahan?"
The cityscape—so different from Sion or the capital—had Ailin wide-eyed, taking it all in.
"A bit hot, right? Step out a little, and it's all desert."
To someone who'd lived her life amid snow and ice, a sandy city was utterly alien.
Seo Woojin humored her, strolling around the station area.
"Hey! Hero!"
Someone called out to Seo Woojin then.
Turning, he saw a familiar face.
"Amir."
Rinar's sister.
She was returning from shopping for her shop, arms loaded with goods.
"What brings you here? Did Rinar cause trouble?"
A basket leaks inside, shows outside.
She seemed worried he'd stirred something up even in the capital.
"Nah, nothing like that. Business here. Oh, Rinar's doing fine."
Splurging pocket money at a fancy inn—fine didn't cover it; he was thriving.
"That kid'll land on his feet anywhere. Hey, instead of standing here, come to my shop..."
"No, no. Gotta head to the lord's castle right now. I'll stop by once I'm done."
"If you're busy, can't be helped. But you have to visit."
Amir bowed politely to Seo Woojin and vanished into the crowd in a flash.
"Who was that?"
Ailin, who'd watched quietly, asked.
"Oh, the kid I brought along before? That's his sister."
"The one you planned to use as a squire?"
"Yeah. Not really planning to, though."
Seo Woojin had told Ailin about Rinar.
Not his talents, but he'd promised to teach him the sword.
So he'd have her handle sword lessons when he was busy.
With her curiosity sated, Ailin rejoined him for more sightseeing, heading to the lord's castle only after quite some time.
"Halt."
Two spear-wielding guards stood at the main gate.
They clearly didn't recognize Seo Woojin—probably not present for the winged dragon fight.
"State your business."
"Here to see Viscount Mohiaddin. Tell him Seo Woojin from the capital."
The guard's expression shifted instantly.
"You're the hero."
He knew the name, if not the face.
"We'll confirm immediately and grant entry."
"Take your time."
Seo Woojin matched the guard's utmost courtesy.
Moments later, the guard returned with someone running behind.
‘A knight.’
The armored knight reached Seo Woojin in seconds.
"We welcome your return, hero. Inside, the White Silver Knights and Lady Ronain await."
They'd left a day ahead and were staying here.
Seo Woojin and Ailin followed the knight into the castle.
As they walked the inner paths, someone blocked their way.
Unlike the townsfolk, this young man had strikingly pale skin and an arrogant sneer.
"...Lord Rashid."
The knight murmured his name.
Ignoring the knight, Rashid glared at Seo Woojin.
Seo Woojin smirked back.
"All better?"