Chapter 378
Chapter 378
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 378
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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"Moon Flower has requested a 1:1 chat."
"Accepting the chat."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: ?"
"Moon Flower: I have a proposal."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: You?"
"Moon Flower: Will you hear me out?"
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: You haven't even told me what the proposal is. I'll listen for now."
"Moon Flower: I want to kill a human."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Is that human by any chance the contractor of the Ruler of Olympus?"
"Moon Flower: You know about it?"
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: It's all over the Heavenly Realm. They say you suffered a massive humiliation from a human man but couldn't even properly retaliate. Some Divine Seats are mocking you."
"Moon Flower: …..."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Anyway, what's the proposal? I'll pass on cursing that human. With the Ruler of Olympus behind him, some curse from me wouldn't work anyway. I don't want to do something stupid like making an enemy of the Ruler of Olympus."
"Moon Flower: I'm not asking you to move yourself."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Then what?"
"Moon Flower: Your contractor. And your Divine Avatar."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: The contractor is one thing, but you know I can't just move my Divine Avatar recklessly."
"Moon Flower: Do you think I don't know that when your Divine Avatar's zone was cleared, you bent the rules to give it freedom? The system may have allowed it, but if a Divine Seat raises an objection, it'll go straight to review."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Is this proposal actually a threat? I haven't done much with my Divine Avatar, so I'm not afraid of the system's penalties."
"Moon Flower: You know I was just testing you. I haven't even made the proposal yet. Are you interested?"
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: I'm interested. This kind of thing is the spice that keeps my boring life going."
"Moon Flower: If you hear my proposal and succeed, I'll lend you the Moon Mirror during the next Atlantis and the one after that."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: And that proposal is to kill that human man?"
"Moon Flower: Exactly."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: You came to the wrong place. My contractor isn't a combat specialist. And there's a limit to the power exerted through the Divine Avatar."
"Moon Flower: I'm not asking you to kill him in combat. That human is weak to women's temptations. If you tempt him just a little, he'll fall right away. Kill him when he's off guard."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Hmm……."
"Moon Flower: You know what the Moon Mirror is, right? If you're not doing it, I'll propose it to another Divine Seat."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Who said I wouldn't? I was just calculating the pros and cons. For you to offer the Moon Mirror, you must really hate that human."
"Moon Flower: If he were in front of me, I'd rip him apart right then and there. Then revive him and kill him again. I still want to kill him now."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: What kind of humiliation did he put you through?"
"Moon Flower: You don't know? You said it's all over the Heavenly Realm."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: The details aren't out."
"Moon Flower: …I don't want to talk about it. Are you accepting the proposal?"
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: With the Moon Mirror on the line—which lets you see anywhere bathed in moonlight—of course I am. They say it can even see other worlds?"
"Moon Flower: Yes. Though there are restrictions."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: I'm looking forward to it. I'll have to handle this personally."
"Moon Flower: Personally? You mean possessing your Divine Avatar?"
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: The Moon Mirror is worth that much. And while the Divine Avatar is our extension, it's imperfect. Since the opponent is the Ruler of Olympus's contractor, I'll go all out."
"Moon Flower: Enough excuses. Be honest."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: I'm bored. So bored. I thought you'd understand, but maybe not?"
"Moon Flower: I do. I totally do."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Taking a little stroll outside now and then is good. It freshens up life. Well… I'll probably get penalized later."
"Moon Flower: I have no doubt you'll succeed."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Me too. Just keep your promise afterward."
"Moon Flower: You know how important promises are to us."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Joking, right? No Divine Seat who knows you would trust you easily."
"Moon Flower: …..."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Anyway, I've saved this chat. If you think of backing out after it's done, don't."
"Moon Flower: No such plans."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds: Good. See you later."
"Blue Bird Calling Dark Clouds has left the 1:1 chat."
???
"You've arrived."
Elena, seated at the desk in her office, looked up from her documents and spoke to me. She gave a slight smile that seemed to look down on me with mockery. The problem was how perfectly it suited her beautiful face, making it not just inoffensive but actually drawing me in to keep looking.
"Yeah. I'm here."
I treated her casually. It had already been over three months since we'd known each other. Our relationship had progressed to the point where we spoke freely without hesitation. The issue was that it hadn't advanced beyond that.
Forcing myself on Elena was impossible. She was stronger than me. And after coming this far, I didn't want to resort to rape anyway.
"How are the Ironroot Dwarves?"
"Great craftsmanship. And they're doing well."
I sat in the chair by the table she used for tea time, naturally reaching for the teapot. But only black tea leaves remained inside.
"If you want black tea, just order some."
"Nah. What's next on my to-do list?"
"Lay low for a while. Sticking your neck out too much isn't good. How about focusing on the legion you're in… A-Plan Legion, was it?"
"A-Plan Legion is reinforcing its forces, so I'll have plenty of free time for at least a month."
Not long ago, the Azure Dragon hatched from the egg owned by Kang Myeongjin, the master of A-Plan Legion and the original story's protagonist. Kang Myeongjin was busy tending to the newborn hatchling.
Mafengdan, the force I created as the Heavenly Demon, hadn't surpassed the level of a bandit group yet. According to Mafengdan Leader Amad, it was growing steadily, so I planned to leave it alone for now.
I looked at Elena. She had gone back to reviewing her documents.
"Elena."
"Yeah?"
"Want to go to the beach? I know a nice place to stay."
"I'd love to, but no time. Can't you see all these piled up?"
"Why not dump them on your subordinates? You have plenty of reliable ones."
In the 'Hundred Ghosts World,' I hand off anything short of a matter of life and death to Yuria. She delegates to another capable maid, and so on. That's how I handle work leisurely.
"I have plenty of reliable subordinates. But none I can truly trust with everything."
"Do you have one you'd stake your life on?"
"I do."
I answered without hesitation. Surprised by my response, she frowned at me.
"You do? Not a joke or a lie?"
"Of course."
"……."
Yuria was that person. The other maids were trustworthy too, but only Yuria could I entrust my life to.
"Could you entrust your family to that subordinate?"
"Sure. I already am. Without Yuria, it probably would've collapsed by now."
"Yuria? A woman's name. Could you share your biggest secrets and weaknesses with her?"
"She already knows."
"Do you think she'd die for you? That she wouldn't take everything from you?"
"Probably… if I ordered her to die, she would?"
I hadn't actually given such an order, so I couldn't be certain.
Elena crossed her arms.
"To think you have a subordinate you trust that much… I'd like to meet them sometime."
"Sadly, can't right now."
"……You have someone you can bet everything on, and I simply don't."
Elena buried her head back in the documents, signaling the conversation was over.
I tossed a question her way.
"Elena. How much do you trust me?"
"I believe you could stab me in the back anytime. Or try to rape me."
Elena knew about my behavior. In quite some detail.
"No. No plans to rape you."
"That's unexpected. Then could you stop staring at me with those lecherous eyes?"
"I'm looking at you like always."
"You think I don't know you want to pounce on me even normally?"
"……."
Elena let out a small sigh.
"If you're that bored, I'll give you some work."
"Work… Compensation?"
"My trust."
"Huge reward. I'll do it right now. What do I need to do?"
"Joking. You think I'd pay for work with that? I'll give you a knighthood."
"What's the job?"
"Strange rumors are circulating around Platinum Lake in Zone 3,008. Go investigate and report back."
It was trivial. But I decided to help Elena. Not just to gain her trust. The knighthood from her would let me move freely through Justia Empire zones. Plus other perks within the empire.
"Here."
I caught what she tossed me.
"White Shield Figurine? There's a butterfly drawn on the shield?"
"It's a platinum medal. Also called the Balderdt Medal. Holding it means you've received a knighthood from me."
"…I haven't even started the job yet?"
"It's simple, isn't it? Advance payment. And it'll make the investigation smoother."
"Thanks. I'll put it to good use."
"No oath of loyalty?"
"I pledge my loyalty."
When I said it playfully, Elena chuckled.
???
On the way to Zone 3,008, I ran into a woman.
She had long white hair. Short at about 150cm, but well-proportioned. D-cup breasts and prominent hips exuding feminine charm. She wore pure white fabric, like something from a Chinese wuxia drama.
She stood before a dead brown horse, fidgeting awkwardly as if in trouble.
How could a sparrow pass a mill unbitten? I approached her in one stride and spoke.
"What seems to be the problem?"
She turned to me. White hair, red eyes, and pale skin. She gave off a somewhat dazed vibe.
"…Th-the horse suddenly died."
Her voice and eyes trembled anxiously. I could tell she was tense.
'A stranger approaching would do that.'
I pulled out my knight's medal from my pocket. This was Justia Empire territory, and most people here recognized it.
"…Wh-what's that?"
"Balderdt Knight Medal. Awarded by Duchess Balderdt herself. Just showing it to prove my identity, but you don't know it?"
"Ah… Yes. I'm an exile… Sorry."
"Haha, no need to apologize. I'm an exile too. Name's Seong Yujin, with A-Plan Legion. And you?"
"Ok Jeong from Wuwangseong Legion."
Ok Jeong eyed me cautiously.
Wuwangseong Legion. First time hearing of it.
"You looked troubled. What's wrong?"
"Well… the horse died."
I looked at the horse. I'd been too focused on Ok Jeong to check it properly.
"……Huh? There's no wound on the horse's body…."
"Yes. It just suddenly died. Heart attack maybe?"
"People can die of sudden heart attacks too, so horses can. You've been staring at it… Is this horse that important?"
"No, it's… What to do with the corpse? Can't just leave it…."
"Haha. Leave it; beasts will handle it. Heading to Platinum Lake by chance?"
"Then come with me. I have business there too. As a knight, I'll protect you, Miss Ok Jeong."
"Really? May I?"
"I'm a knight. Knights. Helping a damsel in distress is a given."
I subtly placed my hand on Ok Jeong's shoulder. She looked awkward and reluctant but didn't shake off my arm.
"Th-thank you."
Easy mark.
"Just leave it to me. I'll ensure your safety, Miss Ok Jeong."