Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Netori or Die: Pick One
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Netori or die. Choose, punk. Get going lol
Holy shit.
Fuck, I was scared shitless.
I calmed my pounding heart inside the carriage.
That treason charge came out of nowhere, sparking all sorts of wild imaginings.
Like maybe they saw me as too dangerous now that I'd caught Prostia and decided to take me out or some bullshit like that.
The whole time we were facing off with the guards, I kept flashing back to that frame job with Yulis.
Am I gonna end up with PTSD from this crap?
Something felt off midway through.
That guard was on another level—strong enough to rival Kaisir or Fred.
I figured they were dead set on capturing me.
But why the fuck would the king pull a stunt like that?
"His Highness has a real playful streak."
El spoke up, like she'd read my mind.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Annoyingly so."
El's pretty face scrunched up in a full frown.
Even if he's the king, how bad must his reputation be?
"It's not just playfulness, though. I heard they do personality checks at the gates because so many Outsiders cause trouble. Probably part of that."
"That many troublemaking Outsiders?"
"Plenty. But living in the capital fixes that soon enough."
Gold flashed a meaningful smile as he said it.
"Not you, though, brother."
What the hell?
Am I some hopeless fuckup who can't be reformed?
"Dre's strong!"
El beamed as she said it.
I didn't get it exactly, but damn, she was adorable.
...Am I losing it?
Think of Flat, you dumbass Dre.
Ever since I realized she was into me, I'd been ignoring how cute she was. Now it was hitting me full force, and it was a problem.
"This passage is pretty long, huh."
"Yeah. It's designed to trap invaders if they attack. Not much use against transcendent power, though."
"Hmm..."
Transcendent power...
Yeah, Prostia could probably smash the whole capital flat.
Fighting that dragon again? I'd lose for sure.
Body breakdown meant no more Know Thyself and Know Thy Enemy, and even if I could use it, a slight bump in its possession rate would do me in.
"The capital's real strength lies not in the gates, but the skies—including the floating islands. Get excited!"
No, I'm already plenty shocked here...
How was this passage built? How does it move to trap enemies?
If this were a game and I was storming the palace, I'd just smash through traps like these, right?
My gamer brain kicked in, and the fun hypotheticals wouldn't stop.
"You said secondary gate earlier. There more?"
Gold started to answer, but El cut in.
"Not usually. But..."
"But other places, like high-security zones, have them."
Gold cut her off this time.
Can you two quit glaring at each other?
"Brother, you'll pass at least five more. You're headed to Prynar Academy."
Prynar Academy.
A place I'd only heard about was now right around the corner. Wild.
That school was somewhere in this capital.
Heart pounding? Eh, maybe not.
I never navigated school life well.
Didn't think classmates now would change that.
Sure, experience might make it better than before.
Instructor gig? No confidence there.
Couldn't picture myself teaching anyone.
Thinking about what I'd even teach gave me a headache.
Focus on the gates for now.
"Gotta get out of the carriage at every gate?"
"No, just the secondary and the Prynar Academy checkpoint."
El jumped in quick.
"Once your ID's verified once, it's auto from there."
"Auto verify...?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Gold shot El a dirty look as she giggled like it was the best inside joke.
"Why're you here anyway? Not hanging with your boyfriend now that you've got the green light?"
"Plenty of time to talk with Flat."
"Weird. Last I saw, you two could talk forever and it'd never be enough. Doesn't seem that way now."
"Maybe your eyes are fucked?"
"Can you two not fight...?"
Ah. Slipped out.
But they both startled, looked at each other, and dropped the bickering.
Good.
Peace is nice.
Then.
Kiiiiiing.
Mana...
No, this was Ryunara.
Mana felt like air. Ryunara felt like everything.
It washed over me, covering my whole body.
Not hostile, but what the hell?
Not an attack.
But some unknown force scanning me was creepy as fuck.
Begone.
I traced its path into me and blasted it back with my own Ryunara.
Thought that was it, but it tried twice, three times more.
Fine. Let's go all the way.
I've got stamina for days.
How much time passed?
Word came: secondary gate.
Even in the tunnel, the building loomed so high I had to crane my neck.
Made the capital walls' scale sink in.
That weird signal kept probing anyway.
Annoying.
Trace it back to the source?
Stepping out, a dozen rail-thin-uniformed staff stared nervously.
Then that suspicious vibe stabbed at me again.
Real fucking persistent.
I scattered it.
Squeeze.
Felt my clothes tugged. Turned to see Lena looking up anxiously.
"What's up, Lena?"
"Teacher, don't block it."
"......"
I let it wash over me like she said.
Ryunara covered me once, then receded. Staff sighed in relief: "Whew..."
"Why's ID check taking so long?"
"S-Sorry, Lord Gold. Sensor glitched on one person—couldn't read 'em..."
"Just curious. No worries. Good work."
Gold handed over a pouch. Staff grinned ear-to-ear taking it.
"This guy's my VIP. Got it?"
"Graize's too."
"Ack, yes sir!"
El's shout rivaled Gold's. Staff scrambled inside.
Ohhh. That was an ID scan. And I kept blocking it...
.....
Whatever. Not my fault.
Anyway. Some device auto-IDing everyone entering the capital? More advanced than my world.
One thing bugged me, though.
"Lena."
"Yes, Teacher."
"How'd you know I messed up?"
She tilted her head, puzzled.
"Someone... told me, I think."
"......"
No presence I felt.
Whatever.
If Lena had some hidden talent, great for us.
I glanced up at the building's top, then boarded.
Didn't like the eyes on me, but my bad.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Irregular."
Upper level of the secondary gatehouse.
Denny Warren, gate master and royal court mage, smiled.
His smile brimmed with intrigue.
"Bounced the Ryunara somehow, and what's with that girl?"
She'd sensed Yedre blocking it—something even he missed. Fascinating.
And Yedre.
Bouncing back a completed ancient grand spell from Archmage Nerenia? No mere rumor-monger.
Beyond rumors, even.
He messaged the man curious about this.
Lifted his crystal orb to his mouth and spoke.
"It's me. Yes, definitely irregular. Yeah. Gold noticed my gaze—gave him cash to back off, but what now? El? She sided with Gold."
Brief silence.
Denny Warren chuckled.
"As you command, I'll let Gold handle it. Duke Graize."
Connection cut.
Report done, Warren contacted an old friend—a Prynar Academy instructor—for the first time in ages.
Found an intriguing gem. Time to test it.
"Warren here. That dragon corpse you got young... still on display?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Pitch-black space.
Yet oddly, ten orbs floating in the dark center shone crystal clear—no lanterns needed.
Each orb topped with a gem: pink, blue, dark green, white, gold, navy, black, jade, gray.
One orb cracked where its gem should be—no color.
Shadows hovered over four: gold, yellow, blue, navy.
"Man, been forever."
Navy shadow scanned around, chuckling.
"Just four? Stakes are high, but low turnout? Or secret from the rest?"
No reply.
"So? What's the verdict?"
Asked his own question, no context, no waiting.
Others ignored his rudeness.
"Your heirs saw 'em firsthand, right? ...One iffy?"
Still silent. Navy joked they were touchy, snickering.
"So? Real Prostia?"
"Vice principal confirmed."
Navy snickered at yellow's words.
"How do I know you didn't rig it?"
"And you?"
"Huh?"
"Had fun with that little girl, huh."
"Eh? No clue."
"Ring any bells as 'Sorla'?"
"Ah. Heard about that gutsy kid. But why her?"
"Hmph."
Yellow shut up like it was pointless.
"Truth'll out..."
Silent blue murmured low. Navy chuckled.
"Prostia confirmed?"
"Yes. My son checked."
Navy scoffed at yellow's nod.
"No way. Prostia shows, world's toast. One Outsider blocks it? Bullshit."
"Void. Your crime syndicate fun got blocked too. Impossible?"
Navy shrugged.
"Crime org as my toy? Maybe. Prostia? No. Different league. Whether it descended or some Outsider stopped it, won't believe till I see."
Navy pushed hard to witness the legendary dragon.
His voice dripped desire.
Yellow replied flatly.
"Then never believe."
No-show vow drew a sigh from navy.
"C'mon, I'm a ten great family head too."
"Can't show it. That's all."
"Hey, Gald. Not saying you can't control Prostia now? Us ten families?"
"Don't provoke... Facts don't change."
Blue spoke bitterly.
"That elder dragon listened somewhat mentioning Outsider Dre. But Yedre vanished, now ignores us. Will bolt soon."
"Where is it? Huh?"
Silence again. Navy sighed.
"Why am I always the outcast?"
"Hand on heart. Askatilop watched? Or that dumb rumor true? Hope not."
Navy chuckled long at "Gald."
His barb flew to silent gold.
"So, Graize? Your family's holy dragon trashed by Prostia—lost to one Outsider? Thoughts?"
"Stop. Euclid."
Yellow intervened, but navy ignored.
"Pure curiosity? With your temper, had to do something? Spill on the Outsider..."
"Don't know much."
Navy froze.
"Don't know? You?"
"Will contact if I learn."
"......"
Navy went quiet.
Graize—Leor—admitted ignorance.
Not gutsy enough to push.
But intrigued now.
Who was this poor bastard polite, terrifying Graize wanted to investigate himself?
"Fine. Next time, all seven."
"It'll happen."
Gold vanished with that.
Navy nodded.
Doesn't know?
That Graize?
One Outsider?
Void knew Graize's current head well.
Graize knew everything bar a handful of secrets.
Him not knowing? Rare.
He'd dodge or vague it if playing dumb.
Yedre: scarce info or hiding well.
Either way, fun. Void grinned.
"......"
"......"
Yellow and blue vanished next. Chuckling navy spoke.
"One thing clear. Dig into this Dre guy. Got a card to play... Yeah, one."
Kukukuku. Eerie laugh echoed as his low voice spread.
"Time for the Outsider Killer. Or maybe the 'Hero'."
Navy vanished.
Ten great families' meeting ended.