Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Entering the Palace
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“Were you playing Go against Lord Sandalphon?”
“Indeed. Proficiency in both civil and martial arts is the basic quality of an excellent general.”
Sandalphon grinned at Luther’s question and clapped him firmly on the shoulder.
“Anyway, it’s good to see you again like this. You’ve come to see our princess, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I wanted to pay my respects.”
Sandalphon’s face broke into a smile again at Luther’s straightforward reply.
“Heh heh heh, splendid. The ninth—no, truly the seventh candidate, as expected.”
He clapped Luther’s shoulder again, and it was clear he was pleased that Luther held up well even under his forceful blows.
In any case, with Sandalphon satisfied, the nuns of the Go club, led by Ash, all stared at Luther in surprise.
“Lord Luther, do you know Lord Sandalphon?”
Ash asked calmly, though with a hint of bewilderment, and Sandalphon immediately raised his voice.
“Of course we know each other! This man right here is the seventh candidate for our Peliaru Princess’s hand in marriage.”
“Peliaru Princess’s?”
“The Archangel of Go?”
It wasn’t just Ash and the nuns who were shocked by Sandalphon’s declaration.
Everyone gathered around the table to watch turned to Luther with astonished expressions.
[No, he’s not.]
[That guy’s just calling him that on his own.]
Integra grumbled sourly, but since she was only visible to Luther, her voice didn’t reach anyone else.
As a result, unsure if it was a misunderstanding that Luther was truly a candidate for Peliaru Princess’s hand, Ash spoke with a bit more formality than usual.
“You have ties to the Malkuth royal family.”
“Well... calling him a marriage candidate is a bit of an exaggeration... I just happened to become acquainted with Peliaru Princess.”
Feeling like the misunderstanding was piling up—especially since Integra seemed on the verge of exploding—Luther awkwardly smiled and tried to clarify the facts, but it was futile.
Not with Sandalphon there.
“Keh heh heh, so modest. Do you think receiving a kiss from the princess is something that happens every day?”
“A k-kiss?”
“From the princess?”
“The Archangel of Go?”
That damn Archangel.
But now wasn’t the time to quibble over that.
Another layer of misunderstanding was stacking up from all the stares directed their way.
[It was a kiss on the cheek.]
[Not just any kiss.]
[He’s been deliberately using misleading words since earlier. It’s quite unpleasant.]
And Integra.
Luther swallowed dryly without thinking and decided to change the subject entirely.
“In any case, Lord Sandalphon, were you in the middle of a wager Go match?”
“Indeed. Just playing normally would be boring, wouldn’t it? A contest needs stakes.”
Sandalphon spoke with an unusually solemn expression that didn’t match the topic, then turned to Ash and the Go club members with a grin.
‘What on earth did they wager to make him act like this?’
[Something naughty.]
[Wait, Master.]
[Don’t tell me you’ve been ignoring me this whole time?]
Correct.
Luther answered inwardly, glanced at the Go club members who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, then stood beside the relatively composed Ash and continued.
“Lord Sandalphon, would it be alright if I stepped in as the third player?”
“No, that won’t do.”
“Yes, I underst—What?”
“I said no. A wager is sacred; I can’t allow interlopers.”
Sandalphon spoke sternly again, sat back down, picked up a Go stone, and said.
“Now, let’s finish this game first.”
At Sandalphon’s words, the nun seated across from him flinched, then began gazing at Luther with desperate eyes.
‘Hmm.’
Luther first turned to look at the Go board.
Until he met Ash, Luther had been practically a novice at Go, but after playing so many games with her, he could now roughly gauge the overall position and situation.
‘The game itself is still in the midgame.’
But in terms of momentum, Sandalphon had already secured a complete victory.
If they continued like this, the nun’s side would surrender after just a few more moves.
‘The position is extremely disadvantageous... but there’s still a chance to win.’
Honestly, he wasn’t sure, but since there were still plenty of empty spaces on the board, there had to be some opportunity for a reversal.
[Excuse me?]
[Did you just say something completely ridiculous?]
But Luther ignored Integra once more and said to Sandalphon.
“Lord Sandalphon, I have a proposal.”
“Hmph, let’s hear it.”
His response sounded curt, but Sandalphon’s eyes were smiling.
He seemed to have already guessed what proposal Luther would make.
That was why Luther faced him directly without wasting time and declared.
“Instead of intruding, I’ll take over this game right where it is. What do you say?”
Everyone except Ash erupted in surprise and murmurs at Luther’s words.
Sandalphon looked at the composed—no, faintly smiling—Ash amid the commotion, then turned back to Luther and said.
“Are you underestimating us, or are you that confident in your skills? Either way, it’s utter arrogance.”
Though the words were negative, Luther didn’t mind.
Sandalphon’s eyes were still smiling, after all.
And as expected, Sandalphon burst into hearty laughter and said.
“But that’s fine spirit. Very well, if we double the wager stakes, I’ll accept.”
“Eek.”
Ash, who had maintained her composure until now, instinctively furrowed her brow at Sandalphon’s words.
The nuns turned pale.
‘No, what the hell is the wager even about?’
[Something naughty, I said!]
‘Ah, enough!’
In any case, something important was clearly at stake.
Ash swallowed dryly with uncharacteristic tension, let out a long breath, and said.
“Very well. I trust you, Lord Luther.”
Sandalphon laughed heartily again at Ash’s resolute reply, and the nuns nodded with determined expressions.
‘So what is the wager, exactly?’
But the atmosphere wasn’t right for asking aloud.
Sandalphon, now with a sharply composed expression, pointed to the seat opposite him, and the nun quickly stood to yield it to Luther.
The stones she held were white.
The situation was unfavorable.
But he wouldn’t give up.
[Master, do you realize you look like a total freeloader right now?]
[You’re the one who’ll actually be playing, after all?]
Integra rolled her eyes in disbelief, but Luther smiled and said.
‘I’m counting on you, Integra.’
[Hmph, way too handsome for your own good...]
Integra muttered very softly, gathered her long ponytail, tied it up, stood beside Luther, and steadied her breathing.
[Opponent: Human.]
[I’ll show you the difference in class.]
And with one move.
The game began.
* * *
The room fell into a chaotic silence.
Shock, awe, wonder.
It was so quiet that only breathing could be heard, yet the inn brimmed with excitement like a bomb about to explode.
And at the center of that silence stood Luther.
Sandalphon, staring intently at the Go board, covered his mouth with his hand and let out an involuntary foolish laugh.
They say people laugh in utterly absurd situations, and it seemed true.
The sequence of events on the Go board.
To Sandalphon, it was a shock beyond shocks.
It wasn’t merely losing a game he had completely won—it went far beyond that.
Incomprehensible moves.
New moves that fundamentally shattered the established joseki refined over time by countless players.
‘Is this Go? Then what have I been playing all this time...?’
Sandalphon let out another foolish laugh, took a long breath, bowed his head slightly, and said.
“I lose.”
“Kyaaak!”
“Wooo!”
Sandalphon’s declaration of defeat was the signal.
The onlookers raised their voices in loud admiration, while the Go club nuns jumped in place or shrieked with joy, causing utter pandemonium.
“Archangel of Go!”
“The true Archangel of Go!”
“Prince of Go Star!”
‘Damn it.’
Please stop.
And what the hell is Prince of Go Star?
If Integra heard that—
[Goㅋㅋ Starㅋ Princeㅋㅋ님ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Master’s face is turning redㅋㅋㅋㅋ What to doㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Wicked girl.
The wickedest one.
But Luther’s ordeal didn’t end there.
“As expected... the Archangel of Go.”
Ash, the source(?) of all this, gazed at the board in ecstasy, breathing excitedly, and Sandalphon nodded solemnly and said.
“Indeed, the Archangel of Go. I have no choice but to acknowledge it. Luther, I recognize you as the Archangel of Go.”
Don’t.
Don’t do it.
Just call me the princess’s marriage candidate instead.
But regardless of Luther’s wishes, even the onlookers joyfully chanted “Archangel of Go.”
[Well, technically, Master is an angel, so Archangel of Go isn’t wrong, right?]
[Just accept it.]
[It’s easier if you give up?]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Wicked girl.
Truly wicked.
Come to think of it, Integra was the one who actually played, so shouldn’t she be called the Archangel of Go?
‘Go Star Princess—no, never mind.’
Luther wounded himself with the nickname he came up with and cut off the thought.
‘I’ll save it for later, when it’s just me and Integra.’
She’d definitely be mortified.
‘Yeah, let’s use it then.’
Integra squirming in embarrassment was the cutest thing in the world.
[Master, why are you smiling so dangerously?]
[Are you thinking something really risky and lewd right now?]
‘No, nothing.’
That was when Luther feigned innocence.
“No need for a third game. I concede.”
“Then, Lord Sandalphon, the wager...”
“Yes, I’ll pay double as promised.”
The nuns cheered and jumped again at Sandalphon’s hearty reply.
Even the usually composed Ash wore a full smile.
[Now I’m curious too.]
[What was the wager?]
Luther was curious as well.
But before he could ask, Sandalphon moved first.
“That was truly enjoyable. It was quite enlightening.”
Smiling, he stood from his seat, looked down at Luther, and continued.
“I’ll inform Princess Aru that you’ve arrived. See you tomorrow, friend.”
“Yes, Lord Sandalphon. Please give my regards to Peliaru Princess.”
“I will.”
Sandalphon laughed heartily once more, gave the Go board a final glance, then turned and left the inn.
[I felt it last time too, but he’s like a typhoon.]
‘Yeah.’
Like something that sweeps everything in its path.
In any case, once Sandalphon left, the nuns gathered around Luther again, raising their voices.
“You’re amazing.”
“I’ve never seen Go like this.”
“It was so, so ecstatic...”
It wasn’t just Ash.
Was there something wrong with the Holy Knight Order itself?
Or maybe Integra’s Go was just weird.
[Master, you’re having some rude thoughts.]
[Anyway, it’s about time to get up and talk with Ash.]
She was right.
He’d gotten caught up in the wager Go match by accident, but the original reason for coming to the inn was to meet Ash.
“Ash, shall we talk for a bit?”
“Yes, Lord Luther.”
Ash nodded eagerly, still somewhat excited, at Luther’s suggestion.
* * *
The conversation with Ash went smoothly.
How Luther had survived, why he came to Malkuth Kingdom, what he planned to do next.
Of course, like when he met Aru, he couldn’t reveal everything.
So, to summarize Luther’s story:
He had obtained medicine to aid the recovery of Malkuth’s king, who had been recuperating for a long time.
He planned to present it to the king through Peliaru Princess, so he would head to the palace tomorrow.
Since they had met again like this, he wanted a way to contact Ash.
Of course, he didn’t forget to casually probe about Ash’s schedule or the ritual ceremony.
After hearing Luther out, Ash readily nodded and handed him a small silver coin.
“If you visit the Holy Knight Order, show them this and mention my name. They’ll contact me.”
Luther nodded immediately at Ash’s words.
It sounded inconvenient, but he didn’t mind.
Because he knew the coin’s true purpose.
‘That coin itself is a communication device. Inject the right amount of mana and recite the activation phrase, and you can talk to Ash directly.’
In other words, the coin was a powerful magic tool.
‘If you show that coin to the Holy Knight Order, they’ll use it to reach Ash too.’
[So with that coin, we can summon Ash during the ritual ceremony?]
‘Exactly.’
From his subtle probing during the talk, Ash planned to stay in the capital until the ritual ceremony day, just like in the original story.
So he could definitely count on her help if something happened then.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
As Luther spoke and placed his hand with the coin over his heart, Ash blushed slightly and nodded.
[Not a fan of this atmosphere.]
‘Why now.’
[Anyway, Master, let’s call it a night. It’s late, so tell Ash to rest too.]
It felt like she was rushing to wrap things up, but it was indeed late, so Luther nodded.
“Ash, let’s rest now.”
“Yes, Lord Luther. Good night.”
Ash bowed gracefully and returned to where the nuns were gathered.
And the next morning.
As expected, Luther headed to the palace with Sandalphon leading a grand procession, where he encountered a beautiful woman waiting at the entrance from the start.
Malkuth Kingdom’s Second Princess.
Peliaru de Arets.
Seeing Luther arrive with Sandalphon, she smiled brightly as always and said.
“Welcome, Archangel of Go. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Damn it.
Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, Luther flushed red, while Integra bit her lip to stifle her laughter.