Chapter 379
Chapter 379
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 379
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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Zone 3,008, Platinum Lake lives up to its name—it's a lake with platinum at the bottom. If you peer beneath the crystal-clear waters that let you see straight to the depths, you'll spot the shimmering platinum lining the lakebed.
The platinum stirs human greed, but no one dares mine it recklessly. Doing so without permission from Duchess Elena Valderte, the ruler of this zone, invites a curse.
It's not just that—it's making an enemy of the duchess herself. Anyone with a sound mind values their life too much to try harvesting platinum from Platinum Lake.
That said, the lake is stunningly beautiful on the surface, which is why Zone 3,008 has recently gained fame as a resort destination.
I arrived at the village right by Platinum Lake alongside Ok Jeong, whom I'd run into on the road.
"Is this your first solo trip?"
"Yes. I've always traveled with my Legion mates before... but this time, somehow I ended up coming alone."
"Somehow?"
"Oh, well..."
Ok Jeong trailed off awkwardly, fumbling for words.
"Sorry. That was rude of me. Everyone wants to travel solo at least once, right?"
"No, it's fine. I did set out alone, but things didn't go smoothly in the end... Sigh. How did it turn out like this..."
"I think you're amazing, Ok Jeong. Traveling alone isn't easy. It takes courage."
"Hearing you say that eases my mind a bit. You've helped me so much—I feel like I should repay the favor..."
She was still speaking in that hesitant, fidgety manner. She must be a sensitive soul.
I forced a straight face to keep my lips from curling into a smirk and said,
"No need to worry about it that much... But if it bothers you, could you spare me a little time?"
"Time?"
"I'd like to have dinner with you. Would that be okay?"
"S-sure. No, I mean, you've helped me, so let me treat you."
"Haha. Then it's settled for tonight... Have you found a place to stay?"
"Not yet."
"Perfect timing. I was looking for lodging myself. Want to stick together?"
"If you help me that much, I'll feel too guilty..."
"Haha, come on. Helping a lady is a knight's duty. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you so much."
I toured the village with Ok Jeong and secured the best inn. It had a room with a window overlooking Platinum Lake. It was pricey, but neither of us minded. Her Uwangseong Legion must be pretty well-off.
While she rested from her journey, I wandered the village, starting to dig into the rumors.
First, I asked the innkeeper.
"Gasp! That insignia...! Greetings to the knight of Duchess Valderte!"
"Hmm. So you recognize it."
"As if we wouldn't! W-what brings you here, sir?"
The innkeeper eyed me nervously. Probably worried about the room fee, but I had no intention of haggling like some cheapskate.
"I've heard disturbing rumors connected to Platinum Lake. The duchess tasked me with investigating them. Tell me everything you know."
"Well..."
"What is it? Not planning to talk?"
I scowled, and the innkeeper waved his hands in a panic.
"No! It's just so absurd... I thought it might only confuse you, sir."
"I'll be the judge of that. Speak."
"...They say that at night, a woman appears from the lake, kidnaps children, and drowns men."
It matched the rumors I'd heard. But I wasn't impressed.
"A water ghost, huh."
In this world, that's barely ghost story level. Actual ghosts exist, after all. Just a few days ago, I personally exorcised the Banshee Queen that possessed my body.
"Y-yes, but a priest from the Pure White Celestial Scales Order inspected the lake and declared there were no ghosts."
"And you're sure that priest wasn't a fraud?"
"Good heavens! Don't say such ominous things!"
The innkeeper jumped in shock. With gods present in Atlantis, people tread carefully around priests. They believe disrespecting one might curse you through the divine.
"He was a genuine priest of the Pure White Celestial Scales Order! Not just me—the whole village saw him purge the lake's monster with holy power."
"Hmm. Fine. For rumors of child kidnappings and drowned men... Are there actual victims?"
"Yes! Colt the blacksmith's son went missing, and fisherman Burdle drowned in the lake three days ago."
So there were real victims.
But my expression remained skeptical.
A missing kid? Could've been eaten by a beast from the woods or snatched by slavers. Far more plausible than a lake ghost.
The fisherman? Probably just fell in and drowned.
"Anything unusual?"
"Lately, thick fog rolls in over the lake at night. So now everyone bolts their doors and windows after dark."
"Fog at night on a lake sounds natural."
"No! Platinum Lake never used to fog up. But now it's every night. Must be the lake ghost."
The innkeeper spoke with fear etched on his face. I asked a few more questions before heading to the blacksmith.
Blacksmith Colt, father of the boy who vanished by the lakeside, sat in the corner of his forge looking like death warmed over. Empty bottles littered the table.
"...I'm not taking commissions for a while. Get out."
"Who do you think you're telling to leave? Want to die?"
"......"
Colt glared irreverently, then spotted my insignia and leaped up, dropping to his knees and bowing his head. He reeked of booze, but his face hardened like stone.
"S-sorry! I didn't realize you were a knight, sir!"
"The duchess ordered me to uncover the truth behind the Platinum Lake rumors. Your son went missing? Tell me the details."
"......"
"I said speak."
I drew my sword. As a knight of Valderte, I had authority to execute disobedient commoners.
"I'll talk!"
Colt yelped in fright. He said his son had vanished while playing by the lakeside at dusk, as evening shadows lengthened.
"Anyone in the village holding a grudge against you?"
Colt shook his head vigorously.
"No! The villagers wouldn't do that!"
"I'll decide that. Answer."
"None! I've lived among them since birth! They're all like family!"
"Really? Then why raise your voice at me?"
I lifted my sword slightly, and Colt slammed his forehead to the floor.
"It's the booze... Huh?"
The forge door opened, and a woman entered—early thirties, a dark blonde beauty. Her loose clothes couldn't hide her curves. Breasts bigger than my hands, some flab on her belly and waist, but her huge hips screamed voluptuous.
She paled at the sword in my hand and prostrated herself, begging for mercy.
"K-knight, sir! My husband's drunk and rude! Please forgive him!"
I eyed her sprawled form—curvy back, massive ass. My resolve wavered. I licked my lips.
"On second thought, I was too hasty. Unknightly of me. Rise. I have fine liquor to share."
I flashed a friendly smile. But they remained wary.
"This liquor..."
"Like it? It's soju from my homeland."
"It's strong. That's why I love it."
Colt downed shot after shot at the table. I refilled his glass each time.
"Dear... Aren't you drinking too much? With the knight right here...!"
"Don't mind me. Losing a child makes you want to drown your sorrows. Hard to stay sober."
"Still..."
"More importantly, I want details on the lake ghost. I'm here on the duchess's orders to investigate. Might even find your child—tell me everything."
"Knight, sir! The lake ghost! That bitch took my boy, Bolt! I'll rip her apart! She's raising him to eat later, no doubt!"
"Dear! Sorry, sir! He's too drunk...!"
"It's fine. I understand. Your glass is empty. Have more."
I listened to Colt's rant while pouring. Already grieving his son's loss, he didn't refuse a drop.
In under thirty minutes, Colt was slurring and swaying, then face-planted on the table, snoring loudly.
"Dear! How rude with the knight here! Wake up!"
His wife smacked his back, but he was out cold.
Time.
"How rude."
I dropped my voice low.
Colt's wife flinched.
"S-sorry, sir. Forgive my husband's rudeness."
"I'd planned to. But snoring in my face? Isn't that excessive? Could even be seen as insulting Duchess Valderte, who granted my title."
She slid from her chair and groveled on the floor. She knew their lives were mine.
"No! It was just a drunken mistake! Mercy, please! We lost our son—we can't lose him too!"
"...Hmm. Your name?"
"Juka... sir."
"Juka. Your husband's rudeness—apologize for it yourself. Now."
"I'll apologize... Like this. I'm sorry, sir."
She prostrated again. I tsked loudly on purpose.
"Tch! Words mean nothing. They're cheap, and does your bowed head equal even a fraction of my honor?"
"S-sir, we don't have much money. Just 700,000 ner for emergencies..."
"Think I'm after pocket change? Show sincerity with your body."
"My body...?"
"You know what I mean."
"......"
Tap tap.
I flicked the sword at my side. Direct threat, and it landed. Juka trembled as she rose, eyes fixed on the floor.
"...Couldn't we at least go to the back room?"
"Right here. Your husband's dead to the world. He'll sleep through it."
"......Understood."
Juka began undressing.
Off came the loose clothes, revealing bare breasts—no bra. Her panties were plain homemade cotton. Brown nipples atop lush mounds, slightly sagging in a sexy way.
As expected, her lower belly had some soft flab. Not ugly—endearing, even.
She hesitated at her panties, then slid them down. A wild bush of dark golden curls sprang free, untamed and curly.
"Such a lewd body."
"It's ordinary."
"No. Lewd. If you were a whore, dozens of men would line up for it."
"......"
My compliment fell flat—she took it as an insult and clamped her mouth shut.
I stood, dropped my pants, and sat back down. My thick cock dangled over the chair.
"Suck it once."