Chapter 183
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Unease Amid Peace
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"Then... that means... there's ample possibility..."
Indeed, the suspect Dermaan's face wasn't so covered in burns that his former appearance was completely unrecognizable.
"The Yi brothers... it must have been a disgrace to the family..."
"But he possessed talents that Viscount Bolletic lacked."
"...Exceptional combat sense. And innate magical power affinity."
"Yes. On top of that, most of the previous Viscount Bolletic family's power resided with the Viscountess."
"Her maternal family's influence was strong. But there were rumors back then about the lady's affair. Almost taken as fact."
"Yes. And if those rumors were true..."
"The Viscountess's power would have waned considerably."
In reality, the Bolletic family's influence had been declining sharply at the time.
Given how they were deeply invested in the tourism business through their connections, this scandal would have been the ultimate humiliation among the nobility.
Fortunately, with the central figure Dermaan reported dead, the incident fizzled out.
"There weren't many knights they could trust and rely on back then either."
"So... that's why he took in his own brother?"
"Yes. Dermaan had no other options at the time. He'd lost his face and had nowhere to go."
It felt like listening to a perfectly crafted deduction, drawing ever closer to the truth as he concentrated.
"Someone in Dermaan's position..."
"...would easily fall to the temptations of the Heavenly Ascension Church."
"Exactly..."
If this held true, it would explain why the corrupted spirit—a boss monster from the game—possessed Dermaan's portrait.
The spirit's host was likely Dermaan himself.
'Of course, this isn't certain. It could all be my wild guess. But if it turns out to be right...?'
Jun's hypothesis was so plausible that even Dexter fell into contemplation.
If that assumption was correct...
"From his perspective, the world wouldn't look all that beautiful."
They needed to verify this quickly.
With that judgment, Dexter shot to his feet.
"I'll look into that information right away myself. However..."
What if the situation Jun described erupted soon?
Dexter's concern was, in a way, natural.
Even Jun, who knew the game's story, couldn't confidently affirm that part.
'The story's already twisted beyond recognition. Hard to say anything lightly.'
After all, the imperial royals had already confirmed the Heavenly Ascension Church's existence.
No one knew how the desperate foes would respond.
"Whew. Worrying won't help right now. I'll get moving first."
"Understood."
"And if... this incident resolves smoothly too..."
"..."
"I'll show you the imperial family's generosity."
"I only did what needed doing."
Even as he voiced it, his delivery lacked soul—like an actor phoning it in. But what could be done?
He couldn't exactly blurt out his expectations.
"..."
Still, he couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth twitching upward.
Dexter's actions, once decided, were swift.
"Since we're here anyway, I'd like to meet those who protect this beautiful scenery year after year."
"No... are you serious?"
Viscount Bolletic's lips nearly reached the ceiling at Dexter's words.
With Count Mordenaine's attention lately fixed on the White Whale Mercenary Corps or whatever they were, for the First Prince to show such interest...
"If you and the Heavenly Dragon Knights welcome them, the assault team's morale will soar! It's the family's honor!"
"No need to overdo it. Isn't it people like you who gather to form the empire's pillars? It's an honor for me as well."
"Ahh!"
In the process, he naturally positioned full forces forward in anticipation of any potential incidents.
With time still left before the assault concluded...
In the meantime, Jun explained the situation to his comrades.
"Wait, an incident in a place that looks this peaceful?"
At this point, wasn't Jun just a walking disaster?
Eleanor thought something Jun would vehemently deny if he heard, though her expression was equally grave.
She, of all people, had nearly fallen victim to the Heavenly Ascension Church's schemes multiple times.
"Then... how should we move?"
"We can't be too conspicuous right now. Ideally, you should stick with the princes."
"What about you, sunbae?"
"I've slipped away plenty for 'magic research,' haven't I?"
Unless it was a crucial moment, Jun had often taken leaves like that.
"Will you be okay?"
"Don't worry. I'll leave my protection to the Blackguard, so it should be fine."
"Hm."
Aiden, always at the forefront in battles, felt uneasy about Jun moving separately while needing protection, but there was no choice.
Given the gravity of the matter, Jun's role was pivotal.
"Got... it."
"Hopefully nothing happens, but... use this chance to observe how the Heavenly Dragon Knights operate."
They were the knights who directly guarded the royals, after all.
Aiden would have much to learn up close.
"By the way, can you handle this alone, Captain? This place is ridiculously huge."
"It's not like there are no ways."
In truth, he had several methods prepared.
'Sure, the island's about half Jeju Island's size... not easy.'
For a typical mage, yes.
But Jun was a mage who'd prepared meticulously—almost obsessively—for future threats.
'Originally meant for hunting the怨毒師, but I hadn't perfected it back then.'
Only recently had it started showing results.
"Anyway, don't worry about me. Protecting the royals makes your duty far weightier—don't forget that."
"Got it."
With Maya's reply, Jun and the others prepared to move.
Dermaan, captain of Viscount Bolletic's direct assault team.
Having just ended a battle, they rested in a prepared underwater cave.
Moving as comfortably as if it were home despite being underwater, they truly showed their veteran prowess.
"Current progress?"
"Proceeding without variables, same as previous years."
"Collecting all byproducts?"
"Yes."
"Good. Take a break then. Finish reports once contact from other teams arrives."
"Yes."
Rising naturally, he exited the underwater cave.
"Whew..."
Because of the recent battle?
The bandages covering his face fluttered in the current.
"..."
The bandages slowly unraveling.
Gazing at them drifting leisurely into the darkness with the flow, he touched his face.
-To survive, this is your only way.
The scene of hydrochloric acid splashing his face never faded, no matter the time.
It still burst into his dreams.
No pain felt now, in this cold sea—why did his face feel like it was melting?
"...?"
Then.
The bandage swimming far away crept back toward him.
As if swimming upstream.
When it finally reached him.
Words were etched on it—absent before.
"I knew a day like this would come someday."
It was a life for survival.
Not even the Viscount's bastard—but the Viscountess's.
His very existence had dumped filth on the family.
He'd thrashed to survive in the cracks, but the only future he envisioned was one.
Death.
Thus, he'd forced his brother—the Viscount—to focus solely on him, preventing other distractions.
But the accident in his youth crippled his talents before they bloomed fully.
He'd veered onto a forbidden path.
"Didn't expect it so suddenly, though."
He extracted something wrapped at the bandage's end.
Pocketing it, Dermaan let the bandage drift with the current again.
Floating back per natural order.
Within it.
-Prepare.
The command from 'that one'—impossible to defy.
"The scenery is so peaceful."
The island resembled a tropical resort perfectly.
Clear skies, calm seas.
Pondering disasters alone amid such views felt out of place.
'Even focusing, my mind wanders to flower fields...'
Objectively, it would take time before the Heavenly Ascension Church bared its fangs fully.
What he was doing now bordered on paranoia.
'But with the First Prince mobilizing, it feels like something will happen.'
He hadn't informed the Heavenly Dragon Knights yet.
Yet Dexter's stern movements had them on high alert.
Perhaps infected by the heavy mood, Jun could now focus intently on the church's next moves.
'Truth is, those few years are game-time. The Heavenly Ascension Church struck hard and vanished once they moved.'
With the unexpected怨毒師 rampage altering the script, they wouldn't miss two royals gathered now.
'So they'll probably hit big around now.'
The game's Heavenly Ascension Church were relentlessly vicious.
'Even the怨毒師 felt like a test run.'
They'd expended a decade's investment so casually.
More effort might've yielded sure gains.
'Their internal 'rules' held them back, but plenty ignore them...'
Like the hag from Yeoseong or the Butcher Monk.
The Butcher Monk was level 7 now, but later reached 8.
'Meeting him pre-growth in-game was pure disaster.'
What if the church deployed such a piece now?
'Don't want to think about it.'
Why did the once-resort island now feel eerie?
Then.
"Hey, Jun. What're you pondering so gravely?"
Blackguard Captain Terdin spoke from behind.
"Ah, Sir Terdin. When did you arrive?"
"Just patrolled."
"Haha, I see... It's nothing."
"Hmm..."
Terdin knew the First Prince's mood was grave.
Even the apolitical Blackguard's captain sensed it.
'Something I don't know?'
It stung that Jun hadn't shared, but unavoidable.
'Can't rest easy with the Blackguard either.'
A former Blackguard had collaborated with the church.
Reality had to be faced.
"Anyway, it should start soon."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Look over there."
Jun activated Bright Eyes toward Terdin's pointed direction.
"The Sea God's Wrath..."
"Is gathering, right?"
"Yes."
Unlike before, the underwater storm sucked like a black hole, raging ferociously.
"Signal that the assault team's encountered the Sea Serpent."
In other words, the operation was nearly complete.