Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: The Prime Minister's Inquiry
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“Any conversations exchanged?”
Drunak asked, looking at the Crusiel agent.
“There were no special discussions. It was just the usual talk about maintaining close ties in preparation for the Descent War.”
“Hmm…”
Drunak stroked his chin at the agent’s report.
‘What are they hiding?’
Even for Crusiel, it seemed impossible to uncover more information in such a short time.
“What’s the bishop’s schedule like?”
“There’s a welcome banquet scheduled for today.”
“And tomorrow?”
“He’s expressed his intent to visit the academy to meet the ‘Saintess.’”
Drunak’s eyes narrowed at the agent’s words.
“The academy?”
The suspicion of the Hero recruitment resurfaced, but Drunak soon shook his head.
He’d thought it before, but considering the scale, the bishop was too much.
“Tell Agnus to find out as quickly as possible. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The agent bowed his head and vanished.
“A bishop and a cardinal…”
It was far too excessive for a mere delegation.
“What on earth are they thinking?”
Drunak grew curious about the Holy King’s intentions in sending Philoyan and Lupera to the Empire.
Tap, tap.
Drunak, who had been drumming his fingers on the armrest, stood up from his chair.
“This won’t do.”
Just sitting and thinking only amplified his unease.
“Rene.”
“You called?”
At Drunak’s summons, the door opened, and a maid entered with a polite demeanor.
“I’m heading to the academy. Prepare accordingly.”
“I’ll see to it.”
The maid called Rene bowed and exited.
“I can’t leave it solely to Crusiel.”
Drunak decided to take matters into his own hands.
“Who would be good…”
He recalled Heroes he was acquainted with one by one.
Then, suddenly, Seo Woojin’s name came to mind.
“Hmm.”
A red-rated risk factor under scrutiny by both Crusiel and the imperial family for suspected ties to the ‘Black Presence.’
As a result, the Hero who had received the cursed magic armor ‘Luden Gardo’ from the Emperor.
“We have a small connection.”
It was a fleeting encounter, but Drunak had taken a liking to Seo Woojin.
Despite the suspicions, meeting him once to hear his side wouldn’t hurt.
“Seo Woojin.”
Murmuring the name again, Drunak left the room.
“I’ve been waiting.”
Outside, Rene had already completed all preparations for departure in that short time.
“I’ll escort you.”
Under her guidance, Drunak headed to the academy.
It was quite a large procession.
* * *
Thud—!
A massive monster corpse collapsed.
With Seo Woojin’s barriers combined with Kim Dahye’s firepower, the hunts had been effortlessly smooth.
“Shall we call it here for today?”
Ten summons had concluded.
He hadn’t leveled up with the last one, but he wasn’t disappointed.
“Up four levels, after all.”
It was one more than Seo Woojin had anticipated.
A thoroughly satisfying outcome.
Kim Dahye stood blankly watching him, then bowed deeply at the waist.
“Thank you so much.”
She’d greeted him similarly before, but this time it brimmed with genuine sincerity.
Seo Woojin scratched his nose at the sight.
“No need to go that far.”
Her growth benefited him too.
In an emergency, she could become a reliable ally.
Moreover, considering her care for the soldiers, he regretted not helping more.
“If you’re that grateful, keep working hard from now on. I’ll do my utmost to support you.”
“Got it.”
Kim Dahye nodded readily at his words.
“Then that’s it for today. Rest is important too—go wash up and relax.”
As Seo Woojin activated ‘Geo Manifestation’ to tidy the indoor training hall, he spoke.
Kim Dahye’s eyes sparkled at the display.
It was still too subtle for others to notice, but she was clearly showing interest in ‘Geo Manifestation.’
Catching on, Seo Woojin chuckled inwardly.
‘Wonder what she’s scheming now.’
Hoping for a flamethrower or something?
Anticipating what new feat Kim Dahye might show tomorrow, Seo Woojin exited the training hall.
“Hm?”
Seo Woojin paused.
He’d expected the usual caretaker greeting him with thanks for his efforts.
But the scene outside was vastly different.
‘Why are so many people gathered?’
At least thirty figures stood outside the indoor training hall.
Mostly knights.
All of advanced caliber.
This force could stand toe-to-toe with the White Knights.
‘Why is such power here?’
He wasn’t afraid, just curious.
That’s when it happened.
“Mr. Seo Woojin.”
A woman in maid attire stepped forward and called to him.
“…Who are you?”
Tilting his head, he asked, and the maid bowed politely before speaking.
“The one I serve awaits you.”
She really should lead with the key info.
Identifying her master first would make the conversation so much smoother.
“So, who is it?”
Seo Woojin sighed inwardly and asked again.
“It’s me.”
The reply came not from her, but from behind.
Whoosh—!
The knights moved in perfect unison, clearing a path.
‘The Prime Minister?’
An unexpected figure appeared.
“Sorry for the sudden visit.”
Drunak apologized, though his expression showed no regret whatsoever.
“No, it’s fine.”
Seo Woojin didn’t mind.
On the day the Emperor bestowed ‘Luden Gardo,’
Drunak, knowing its nature, had earnestly petitioned the Emperor to reconsider.
At least, he didn’t seem intent on harming Seo Woojin.
‘He even helped at the inn before.’
In many ways, Drunak was someone Seo Woojin regarded favorably.
Though he hadn’t interacted much, so it was hard to judge fully.
“What brings you here?”
Seo Woojin asked.
Drunak was the Empire’s Prime Minister.
A man swamped with endless duties.
He wouldn’t visit without reason.
“I have urgent matters to discuss, but…”
His gaze shifted to Kim Dahye behind Seo Woojin.
A signal to clear the area.
“Want to head in first? I need to talk a bit.”
“Sure.”
Kim Dahye replied indifferently, as if it didn’t matter, then trotted away.
Unfazed by Drunak or the knights.
Seo Woojin let out a wry laugh at her demeanor.
He envied how she ignored others’ gazes or circumstances, moving solely by her own will.
“Shall we relocate?”
Ears were everywhere nearby.
Not ideal for confidential talk.
“To the chancellor’s office.”
“…There?”
Seo Woojin’s brow furrowed slightly.
Meeting Yorn felt awkward.
Yorn always upheld decorum toward him, but Seo Woojin knew he harbored the deepest suspicions.
“That’s the best spot.”
With Drunak insisting, refusal wasn’t an option.
“Then let’s go there.”
Shrugging, Seo Woojin replied, and Drunak turned.
“Let’s move.”
The disciplined knights led the way, the maid escorting at his side.
‘What’s this about?’
Following, Seo Woojin pondered.
‘Could it be about ‘Luden Gardo’?’
Nothing else came to mind.
But he soon shook his head.
Some time had passed since receiving it.
If it were a warning, he’d have said it before departing for Heldein with Briana.
Seo Woojin judged Drunak wasn’t here to discuss ‘Luden Gardo.’
‘I’ll find out by hearing it directly.’
Ceasing his thoughts, Seo Woojin reflected on Kim Dahye’s feats today.
‘Versatility is top-tier, as expected.’
It went beyond mere weapon creation.
Like summoning a house during the Heldein subjugation before, a bit more refinement could yield cars and such.
With higher mana, she could realize her envisioned ideas fully.
‘Such a shame she’s only C-rank.’
At A-rank—no, even B-rank—she’d achieve incomparable feats.
‘Should I ask Van Slane?’
Seo Woojin recalled his prior words.
A Hero who’d grown to slay the Demon King despite D-rank.
And he’d promised to look into the method.
What if applied to Kim Dahye?
‘She could even make a nuke?’
He snickered.
A nuke in a fantasy world.
A few drops might end the Descent War in an instant.
The cost would be devastating, though.
‘No, wait. The Demon King might withstand a nuke.’
Recalling the omnipotence of ‘Demon King Transformation,’ it didn’t seem impossible.
Seo Woojin began pondering if even he could survive a nuke.
Feeling a gaze, he looked up.
“What are you thinking so intently about?”
Drunak stared straight at him.
‘Oops…’
Lost in idle thoughts, they’d arrived at Chancellor Yorn’s office.
“Just wondering what it might be about.”
Scratching his head with a vague excuse, Drunak smiled.
“It’s not that serious, so don’t worry.”
His affable smile rang false to Seo Woojin.
“Come in.”
Drunak opened the door casually, as if entering his own home.
“No, Your Excellency, what brings you here?”
Yorn, sipping tea inside, shot up in surprise.
His face plainly showed bewilderment.
‘Not pre-arranged, huh.’
Seo Woojin gave a hollow chuckle and followed Drunak in.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Yorn finally noticed Seo Woojin, eyes widening.
“I have important matters. Mind lending the room?”
“O-Of course.”
Even Yorn tensed before Prime Minister Drunak.
“Thank you.”
“No trouble. Call me when you’re done.”
Waving it off, Yorn promptly exited.
Now, only two remained in the chancellor’s office.
“Tea?”
Familiarly brewing from Yorn’s leaves, he offered.
“I’m good.”
At Seo Woojin’s refusal, Drunak nodded, took his cup, and sat on the sofa.
“Sit.”
As Seo Woojin complied, Drunak sipped then spoke.
“What’s your relationship with the ‘Saintess’?”
The utterly unforeseen question hit like a bolt.