Chapter 165
Chapter 165
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Conflicting Reports
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Seo Woo-jin’s first order of business was to take Van Slane to the academy’s medical facilities with Ailin.
It wasn’t a fatal wound, but it was still a serious injury that required urgent treatment.
“This way!”
The priests of Aier swarmed in, hoisted Van Slane onto their shoulders, and quickly laid him on a bed.
“We’ll take it from here.”
Seo Woo-jin wanted to stay, but the priests insisted he’d only be in the way, so he had no choice but to turn away.
“Will he be okay?”
Worry filled Ailin’s face.
Van Slane was not only her lord but also, on a personal level, like a teacher and father to her.
It was no wonder she was restless seeing someone so dear to her badly hurt.
“Don’t worry too much. The priests of Aier are looking after him, so he’ll recover in no time.”
No one knew the extent of Van Slane’s injuries better than Seo Woo-jin, the one who had fought him directly.
They were severe, but not life-threatening.
This place housed the empire’s finest priests with divine power, second only to the imperial ones, so he’d be back on his feet soon enough.
But even with Seo Woo-jin’s reassurance, Ailin’s expression didn’t soften.
“That’s a relief, then.”
Ailin suddenly looked at Seo Woo-jin.
“Are you okay?”
At her question, Seo Woo-jin gave an awkward smile.
It felt like a continuation of the countless conversations they’d had on the train ride to the capital.
“You know leveling up fully restores me. Of course I’m fine.”
“But your face looks too badly hurt for that.”
“Ah, this is...”
He’d brushed it off earlier as a wound from dodging a sudden ambush right after leveling up.
But it seemed like too flimsy an excuse after all.
Then again, it didn’t make sense for someone at the transcendent realm to get injured by a mere demonic beast.
“This’ll heal up quick too. It’s just a scratch.”
But it was too deep to call it just a scratch.
Without another level-up, it would scar badly even after healing.
“Why don’t you get treated here too, Woo-jin?”
The priests of Aier could use divine magic to heal it without a scar.
But Seo Woo-jin shook his head.
“I’ll do it later. I have something I need to take care of first.”
Reporting came first.
There were two people he needed to report everything that had happened to: the emperor and Yorn.
Of course, he couldn’t just meet the emperor on demand, so Yorn came first.
“Then I’ll...”
“No. You must be exhausted. Go rest at your quarters.”
Seo Woo-jin shook his head with a smile.
He didn’t know what kind of conversation would unfold with Yorn.
The man had definitely said before that he was pursuing the ‘black presence.’
And he’d made some progress too.
Fortunately, Baek Si-woo’s rampage and Reina’s appearance had muddied the waters...
‘But he’s not the type to let it slide.’
On top of that, the ‘black presence’ had reappeared in the Forest of Death.
Yorn and the empire were sure to find that highly suspicious.
‘I can’t bring Ailin to a meeting like that.’
“Got it.”
Ailin let out a sigh, accepting it reluctantly.
“I’ll be back soon, so rest easy. You’ve been through a lot.”
Ailin had barely escaped death herself.
Even the White Silver Knights and Crusiel had suffered heavy casualties.
For a mid-rank knight like her to return alive from that hell was nothing short of a miracle.
Ailin nodded faintly.
She didn’t show it, but her stamina was at its limit.
“See you tomorrow.”
After Ailin said goodbye and headed to her quarters, Seo Woo-jin let out a sigh of relief and turned.
His face, which had been smiling moments ago, hardened instantly.
He slowly made his way toward the chancellor’s office where Yorn was.
It wasn’t far, so it only took a few minutes.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Mr. Seo Woo-jin.”
Yorn was waiting right outside the chancellor’s office, just as he’d said.
“Long time no see.”
“Has it been that long?”
He tilted his head with a bright smile.
“Oh, now that I think about it, not really.”
It had only felt long subjectively.
In reality, just a few days had passed.
And since Yorn was an elf, it probably felt even shorter to him.
Seo Woo-jin scratched his head sheepishly.
“Come in for now. I’ve prepared a new tea today.”
Yorn opened the door and welcomed him.
“That sounds intriguing.”
With heavy eyes betraying no excitement, Seo Woo-jin followed him into the office.
The warm, cozy office greeted him as always.
“Sit anywhere comfortable. I’ll brew the tea right away.”
Yorn hummed a tune as he headed to the cabinet.
‘Is this the same guy?’
When Reina had appeared at the academy.
Yorn had wielded a green sword, unleashing a barrage of ferocious attacks.
He’d even severed her spine in the end.
It was hard to believe the Yorn wielding that sword and the one brewing tea now were the same person.
‘That’s what makes him scarier.’
Seo Woo-jin stared steadily at Yorn’s back.
The transcendent realm.
Yorn had reached the same level as the guardians.
He seemed a bit inferior to them, but he was still one of the strongest in the world.
But it wasn’t his power that scared Seo Woo-jin.
Seo Woo-jin himself had reached the transcendent realm and gained strength he was confident matched or exceeded it.
What made Yorn frightening was his impenetrable mind, never revealing his true thoughts.
‘What’s he thinking behind that smile...’
Seo Woo-jin stayed alert, watching Yorn’s every move.
“There we go.”
Unaware or perhaps fully aware of Seo Woo-jin’s tension, Yorn returned with steaming teacups.
“It’s called Elaine. Made from the leaves of the fantasy tree.”
“Fantasy tree?”
Seo Woo-jin tilted his head.
He’d heard from their first meeting that Yorn was from the fantasy tree clan.
He’d assumed it was just a tribal name back then, but apparently there was actually a tree by that name.
“It’s our clan’s guardian tree. Give it a try. It’s quite good.”
Yorn took a sip with a smile.
Slurp.
“Then, cheers.”
Seo Woo-jin hesitated slightly before bringing the cup to his lips.
A tangy aroma tickled his nose.
But it wasn’t unpleasant.
If anything, it cleared his mind.
‘Not bad.’
He didn’t know much about tea, but this aroma and taste screamed top quality.
“You like it?”
Yorn asked with a smile.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Seo Woo-jin felt his tension ease a bit as he expressed his gratitude.
“No problem. We’re all in this together.”
Yorn took another sip as he spoke and set his cup down.
“I’ve heard the rough report of what happened.”
As he’d sensed before, Yorn seemed connected to Crusiel somehow.
How else could his intel be this quick?
‘I just arrived at the academy myself, and he’s already up to speed.’
Seo Woo-jin nodded and lowered his cup.
“A lot happened this time, didn’t it?”
Reina and Luonbali were dead, and Brutal had been captured.
Too big for “a lot.”
“I didn’t really do anything worth mentioning.”
Reina was killed by Van Slane.
Luonbali by the ‘black presence.’
Brutal was their combined work.
Seo Woo-jin had no real achievements to claim.
‘If anything, evacuating the White Silver Knights and Crusiel.’
In the end, he’d failed his mission to execute Baek Si-woo.
“It’s not something to downplay. Word is you were quite active.”
Whatever report he’d heard, Yorn’s eyes curved softly.
Anyone would see it as filled with goodwill.
But Seo Woo-jin didn’t buy it.
He slowly ramped up his eased tension again.
“The two reports I got about you were rather conflicting.”
“…Conflicting?”
Conflicting evaluations?
Two reports about him to begin with?
As Seo Woo-jin tilted his head, Yorn spoke with an odd expression.
“One said you’re a trustworthy hero. One willing to sacrifice yourself for others.”
He could guess who.
Probably Crusiel members who’d been with him, or the White Silver Knights.
“I don’t think I’ve done anything to earn that.”
Seo Woo-jin scratched his head, feigning innocence.
The picture of a bashful, honest young man.
“It wasn’t just one or two. You can take pride in it.”
A hero who sacrifices for others.
His actions could be seen that way.
Not intentional, but fortunate.
“But.”
Yorn’s expression shifted slightly.
Still smiling, but somehow chilling.
“The other one’s a bit strange.”
“…Strange how?”
Seo Woo-jin hardened his face in turn.
“Hmm, how to put it.”
Yorn caressed his cup briefly before speaking.
“A hero with many suspicious points.”
Seo Woo-jin nearly scowled.
‘Probably that guy.’
No. 6, who’d led the Crusiel team.
He’d eyed Seo Woo-jin suspiciously from start to finish.
If anyone filed a suspicious report, it was him.
“Suspicious?”
But outwardly, Seo Woo-jin looked utterly confused, tilting his head.
“The black presence.”
The word came abruptly.
But Seo Woo-jin showed no reaction.
He’d prepared mentally, and his bodily control far exceeded human limits.
Yorn narrowed his eyes at him.
“The ‘black presence’ has appeared twice so far. First, killing the earth dragon in Jinhan. This time, Luonbali in the Forest of Death.”
Seo Woo-jin said nothing, waiting.
“But the strange thing is... every time...”
Yorn’s finger pointed at Seo Woo-jin.
“You were there. Is this a coincidence?”