Chapter 211
Chapter 211
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Black Dragon High (2)
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A glint flashed in Yuri's eyes as he listened to Andres's story.
‘The Primordial Society?’
It felt like a name he'd heard somewhere before.
‘When was that?’
While Yuri searched through his past memories, Andres stepped even closer.
“Let me introduce myself properly once more. I am Andres Chase, designated as the next head of the Primordial Society. I've come to welcome Yuri Holland as a member of the Primordial Society.”
With those words, Andres extended his hand as if proposing a handshake.
At that moment, Yuri finally remembered where he'd heard of the Primordial Society.
[Bluebird, alongside the Primordial Society, is one of the organizations with considerable history and tradition in Yoram.]
It was something he'd heard from Jerry while getting information on Bluebird.
Jerry had said that the Royal Club in Yoram was called the Primordial Society.
As Yuri mulled it over carefully, a question mark seemed to float above his head.
‘But if it's the Primordial Society, then surely...’
Andres had come to recruit him into the Primordial Society.
But as far as Yuri knew, that was impossible.
And the reason for that impossibility was stated by someone other than Yuri.
“Is the Primordial Society—which only accepts heirs from families with history and tradition, turning up their noses at everyone else—up to something?”
A woman appeared, her tone brusque and laced with sarcasm.
It was none other than Yulia Sing.
Yulia, who had shown up out of nowhere, flashed Andres a grin and continued.
“Besides, as far as I know, the Primordial Society's traditional membership requirement is adults aged eighteen and up, isn't it?”
That was exactly it.
The reason Yuri had doubted Andres's claim that he'd come to invite him into the Primordial Society.
Jerry had definitely mentioned that the Primordial Society only accepted those eighteen and older.
Yulia pointed it out again.
“Yuri Holland is sixteen this year—seventeen even after the new year—which doesn't meet that requirement, does it?”
Andres withdrew the hand he'd extended toward Yuri, in response to Yulia's voice, which was smiling but sharply edged.
Instead, he flashed an identical grin at Yulia.
“As times change, we're changing with them. And what brings you here? Yulia Sing?”
“I had some business with Yuri Holland too.”
“I see. Then wait your turn. I arrived first.”
Andres and Yulia glared at each other.
Sparks flew between their gazes—pop pop pop.
That not only halted Gunter and Arin's tussle but also prompted Yuri to quietly slip away and stand beside Poppi.
He stealthily extended a hand toward Poppi.
“Hey, hand over some of those dry rations if you've got any.”
This kind of thing was way more fun to watch with something to chew on.
At Yuri's shameless request, Poppi pulled out one of his ever-present packs of dry rations and handed it over.
Of course, he didn't forget to take his own share.
Rustle.
As Yuri opened the packet, Theresia and Arin scurried over and thrust their hands into the bag of rations.
Munch munch.
Chomp chomp.
Crunch crunch.
While Yuri and his friends busily chewed away at their rations, the verbal sparring between Yulia and Andres grew even hotter.
“I can't let it go like that.”
“How rude. It's basic common sense that the first to arrive handles their business first.”
“Since when has Yoram been a place where people politely wait their turn in competitions?”
“Competition? What competition?”
“If you're here as the Primordial Society's representative to invite Yuri Holland, then I'm here as Bluebird's leader to recruit him too. That's a competition.”
“Looks like Fritz stepped down and delegated full authority to you.”
“That guy withdrew from the front lines ages ago. I've been wielding full authority all this time.”
“Was it? I didn't pay much attention, so I wouldn't know. In any case, Bluebird wants to invite Yuri Holland? Isn't Bluebird basically a private knight order for the Hyun family?”
“What's wrong with that? And let me correct you—I didn't say invite. I said recruit.”
“Same difference, isn't it?”
“No, it's not. And is the Primordial Society really okay with that?”
“With what?”
“Gunter Rider is already a member of the Primordial Society. You're saying you'll bring in Yuri with him there?”
“Any reason why not?”
“Has Gunter agreed?”
“I'm the next head. And the other members have agreed as well.”
“Ha! Predictable maneuvering.”
Andres furrowed his brows at Yulia's incredulous look.
“...That's harsh.”
“Your side is the harsh one. You're obviously planning to drag Yuri in to use as a check against Gunter—a disposable pawn?”
“......”
“To do that, you're even ignoring the principles the Primordial Society has upheld all this time, approaching someone who's not from a prestigious family and not even eighteen yet.”
For the first time, Andres was at a loss for words.
His smile had vanished as well.
He glared at Yulia with sharp eyes and asked.
“...And what's Bluebird's reason for taking Yuri Holland? A private knight order run for the Hyun family has no need for him in the first place, does it?”
“Why should I tell you that?”
“......”
“If you want to know, find out yourself.”
Andres fell silent.
Realizing that arguing further with Yulia—who shared the Hyun family's blood—would only put him at a disadvantage, he changed the subject.
“No matter how much we argue until our mouths go dry, the choice will ultimately be Yuri Holland's. So it's faster to ask the man himself.”
“Fine by me. He'll probably want to talk to me anyway.”
The two, who had reached an agreement while glaring at each other, turned their heads toward Yuri.
But.
“...Huh?”
“...Eh?”
The Yuri who was supposed to give them an answer was no longer there.
Yuri had vanished without a trace at some point.
“W-where'd he go?”
“Where... did he go?”
In response to their questions, Arin gulped down her rations and spoke.
“He left because it got boring.”
“Oh......”
“Bo... boring?”
Gunter added his words toward the two, who looked utterly dumbfounded.
“Ah, before he left, that guy asked me to pass on a message to you two.”
“What message?”
“He said he wants constructive conversations next time, not these empty ones.”
“......?”
“He said he's figured out the situation now, so next time don't come empty-handed—come with both hands full and heavy. The heavier, the better for him.”
At those words, a glint flashed in Yulia and Andres's eyes.
‘Both hands full?’
‘The heavier, the better?’
What else could that mean?
The two grasped it immediately.
‘Ha... so he's saying to offer terms if they want to recruit him.’
‘Classic Yuri move.’
Andres's brows furrowed slightly, while Yulia smirked instead.
‘Good, I like it. I can figure out what he wants better than anyone!’
Her eyes sparkled with confidence that she could win Yuri over.
“Tell Yuri I'll come back later with both hands full...”
“Understood, Senior Yulia.”
As Gunter nodded, Yulia shot Andres a mocking snort and strode away confidently.
Andres watched her go with a stiff expression.
Becoming aware of the surrounding gazes on him, he quickly relaxed his face.
“Ahem... I've shown an unsightly side.”
With his faint smile restored, he now turned to Theresia and spoke.
“My reason for coming here today isn't just Yuri Holland. You were part of my purpose too.”
“Me as well?”
Seeing Theresia blink in surprise, Andres nodded.
“Yes. I want to invite you to the Primordial Society too, Theresia.”
“I'm the same age as Yuri Holland, though?”
“If Yuri qualifies, there's no reason you wouldn't. No—in fact, setting age aside, you're even more suited for the Primordial Society than Yuri Holland. The Winchester family is a fine prestigious house too.”
“......”
“Join us. The Primordial Society.”
Andres extended his hand, but Theresia's gaze darkened as she looked at it.
A slightly cold voice leaked from her.
“It's not a particularly appealing offer. Feels like I'm just coming along as a bonus with Yuri.”
“...That was never my intention.”
“But that's how it feels. So let me make this clear.”
“What?”
“If I'm to be treated as a bonus, I'll be a thorough one.”
“What do you...?”
“If Yuri joins the Primordial Society, I'll join too. And the opposite holds as well.”
Theresia's firm decision: if Yuri didn't join the Primordial Society, neither would she.
Andres's eyebrow twitched faintly.
With a slightly displeased expression, he withdrew his hand and nodded.
“I'll accept that stance. Then pass this on to Yuri Holland: I'll come soon with a gift that will satisfy you.”
“Yes, understood.”
At Theresia's reply, Andres turned and walked away briskly.
With the troublemakers gone.
The venue fell silent in an instant.
Then, out of nowhere, a cry of shock rang out.
“Wait, Senior Tessie!”
Arin stared at Theresia with wide, shocked eyes.
Theresia read the sentiment in her blue eyes: ‘How could you?!’
She flinched, wondering if Arin had seen through her excuse of using Yuri to refuse.
But.
“Senior, you're the same age as me?!”
“......”
Apparently, that wasn't what had shocked Arin.
“Oh my god! You're the same age as me! No wonder Yuri treats you so casually—he already knew your age!”
“He did know, but... he treated me casually even before that.”
“So that's how it was!”
“...Are you listening to me?”
“Senior's the same age as me... unbelievable!”
Irked by Arin repeatedly emphasizing their shared age, Theresia narrowed her eyes and asked.
“So what age did you think I was?”
“You seemed so much more mature than me, so I figured you had to be older!”
“If being more mature than you means being older, then there aren't many people younger than you, are there? Gunter's way older than you too.”
At those words, Arin's gaze turned to Gunter.
Noticing her look, Gunter spoke in a sullen voice.
“I'm the same age as you too.”
“......?!”
Arin's eyes filled with shock.
Her gaze shifted to Poppi next.
“Hungry.”
Everyone's eyes turned to Arin at Poppi's single word, urging her to translate.
Arin spoke in an exasperated tone.
“...You shouldn't ask a man's age so casually.”
Theresia gave Poppi an equally exasperated look.
Gunter, however, nodded perfunctorily.
“I see. That makes sense. More importantly, Arin, let's finish that conversation from earlier.”
“What?”
“We need some deep reflection and discussion on calling the fruit of our blood and sweat the Demon King's Castle.”
“...Has the poison messed with your head or something?”
“I'm perfectly fine.”
“No, you're not—your eyes are a little wonky right now? They're not symmetrical.”
“You're seeing things.”
“N-no! Stay away!”
Arin and Gunter started circling Poppi again.
Watching them, Theresia muttered softly.
“...Is becoming petty with lingering grudges a side effect of the poison?”
He seemed fine at first, but why was he turning more and more stingy?
His mental age seemed to be dropping too.
Theresia looked at Gunter with pitiful eyes.
* * *
Yulia and Andres seemed ready to return at any moment, laden with gifts.
But someone else found Yuri first.
It was a reunion with an unexpected figure Yuri had never imagined.
* * *