Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Each One's Time (2)
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It wasn't exactly sudden.
A few days later, Aiden left Slayer Shore Island with Geom-hon.
Even though it was just one person missing, Jun felt an odd emptiness in the seat next to him.
Of course, Jun and the others had to leave Slayer Shore Island soon too.
The relentless downpour had pushed the seawater right up to the [Checkpoint].
It was while they were packing to head out.
"Ah, Captain."
"Eleanor?"
The priestess with her eyes covered in black bandages came to the room.
What was it? Her usual lively expression was gone, replaced by a heavy look.
"What's up?"
"Well... I've been thinking about it for a while now."
"Yeah."
"I'm thinking of visiting the Church. Came to ask for permission too."
"The Church?"
"Yeah. Kinda sudden, right?"
Lately, while studying magic, Eleanor had suggested trying to apply it to other divine spells.
Jun had naturally responded positively, and it seemed like she'd sent letters to the Church each time...
"Ah, that old man. He says advanced divine magic has to be learned in person at the Church."
"Hmm. Makes sense, really."
Mage Towers treat their grimoires like sacred relics; no way the Church would ship out advanced divine magic books like parcels.
Security wouldn't allow it.
"Since Aiden's out for a bit anyway, I figured I'd go too."
"Hm. Is that why you looked so serious?"
"Ah... yeah. I was worried if it was okay without me."
"If that's the issue, it's fine. Go ahead."
She was the party's one and only healer, after all.
No reason for Jun to refuse when she wanted to grow on her own dime.
With Aiden gone, they couldn't head to the upper layers anyway, and Jun's schedule was flexible too.
"Ooh... you're so cool. Alright, I'll contact the Church then."
"Do that. But don't go alone. I'll tell Cloi to arrange transport."
"You think of everything."
Another sudden departure from a party member.
Now Jun worried about Maya, left all alone.
'She won't want to fall behind either.'
Maya had mellowed out a lot lately, but still.
Back when they first met, she'd seemed different but was desperately impatient deep down.
Obsessed with revenge for her destroyed tribe, she could barely control her killing intent.
With Aiden and Eleanor now off for their own growth, her heart must be racing.
But then.
"Hey there."
They were outside the Slayer Shore Island [Checkpoint], passing time in the carriage.
"Charles?"
"Yes, it's me."
"Oh, what's brought you here?"
"Pardon? I've been around the whole time."
"What?"
Charles—no, Chails—glared at Jun as if deeply hurt by his reaction.
He'd gone through hell during this mess too.
"What do you mean? I was on-site when it all broke out..."
"Huh? Weren't you gone?"
"Didn't you tell me to leave without a trace?"
"Oh..."
Right?
No, yes. His [Exceptional Memory] confirmed it.
But with crises piling up nonstop, he'd forgotten about Chails.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry. Totally slipped my mind. Didn't think cleanup would drag on like this."
Jun had his side too.
"But why hide till now?"
"With the Celestial Dragon Knights right there, how could I approach?"
"Ah, got it."
Ahem.
Now Jun felt awkwardly guilty and averted his gaze.
"That's too much... I slayed so many monsters heading for the [Checkpoint]..."
To avoid any slip-ups, he'd ditched his underlings and come alone, hacking through hordes of monsters that hit the shore when it happened.
And he'd moved extra carefully to dodge the Celestial Dragon Knights.
Even skilled as he was now, solo assassinations against packs of 4th-layer monsters weren't easy.
"Anyway, sorry. So, what's the business?"
"Sigh... A letter arrived, so I came. Didn't you hear?"
What now?
As Jun blinked in confusion, Maya cut in.
"It's my sword command, Leader."
"Huh? Yours?"
"Yes'm. I'm Charles's sword captain."
"Ah. Right."
Of course, it was nominal.
Handing down Basai secrets to an outsider like Maya would've looked weird.
So they'd given her the title of nominal intel chief.
Jun or Cloi handled the real work.
"But what for?"
"Somethin' to look into."
"Hm."
Jun didn't ask why not tell him.
He didn't want to control his comrades.
Do what you want; if secret, Chails wouldn't show.
"So, what's up?"
"About the Atlas Adventurer Party."
"Eh."
Atlas Adventurer Party.
Before this season, at the Barvern praise banquet, the Emperor personally invited them.
Back then, Maya got a clue on her tribe's revenge from their leader, Ron Kyler.
'More like the ancestors' spirits tipped her off...'
Anyway, she hadn't forgotten and gathered info on them.
"Here, sword command."
"Ah, yes."
Maya, reading the letter from Chails, looked satisfied at Jun.
"Leader."
"Yeah?"
"Can this sword move solo too?"
"If you want. No reason not. Just tell me where."
Atlas's leader and members were 7th-layer level, active in 6th and 7th.
Lately, they headed to 6th layer after finding something death-god related at Daidas's grand temple.
"Asked their leader. If I could work there."
"Huh."
Out of nowhere.
But he listened quietly.
"Said come on over."
"...???"
Death-god stuff was a long-term project for Atlas.
Yet they okayed Maya joining easy?
"That okay?"
"They approved."
"Hm..."
Good, but weird.
Normally, they'd contact Jun too.
'Like manage your member, or why's she doing this.'
As he puzzled, perceptive Chails spoke.
"They're stuck lately. Seem to want Maya's abilities for it."
"Ah."
Short explanation, and Jun nodded understanding.
'Figured she sees spirits.'
Not weird.
Mentras adventurers from Sandwind Hills were Atlas affiliates.
Maya and Eleanor foresaw desert wraiths multiple times; Mentras asked about it.
'No contact to me 'cause they think she cleared it.'
Normal leaders would bristle at being bypassed.
But Jun knew Maya's type and didn't cling to authority.
"Alright. Where to?"
"Dungeon with info. 4th layer."
"Hm. Not far. Good. Next stop there. I'll handle transport."
"Thanks'm."
Somehow, Aiden, Eleanor, Maya—all went their ways.
The group reached Boleska, 3rd-layer waypoint.
The big [Checkpoint] they'd hit before going to 4th.
"Alright, Captain. See you topside. Letters often."
Eleanor winked—or tried, hard to tell with the bandages.
"Don't cry without this sword. Got it?"
Maya spouted nonsense and hopped in her carriage.
With the last two gone.
"Whew~."
Feeling oddly alone, Jun let out a whine then chuckled.
"Me too. Got attached, huh."
Once, solo time was comfy routine.
Now comrades scattered, felt hollow.
"Let's see. Time to visit Gilenoi Merchant Guild."
Cloi's reaction was fanatical hot already.
Worried at first about Imperial mission, but Jun's merits blew her away.
"Coming to 3rd herself? Case closed."
But one last meet before leaving.
Dexter and Javier.
Mercenary captains couldn't just bail like others.
Sure enough, Dexter with Javier welcomed Jun big.
"Come in, Jun!"
"Welcome."
Both in high spirits.
Dexter gained tons this tour.
Javier shed heavy burdens too.
"Your welcome embarrasses me."
"Hahaha! No false words between us."
Prince life ain't easy.
But shared unique tour experiences.
Dexter was easygoing despite First Prince title; Javier treasured his own fiercely. Both glad for Jun.
"Time to part ways soon."
"Truly regrettable."
"Ha! You suck at flattery."
"No such thing."
"Don't make me sad. I know you keep distance from court politics."
"Ahem..."
Too tangled already, but Jun still wanted no deep politics.
"Thanks again. Lived through once-in-lifetime thanks to you."
"Glad."
"Siren I awaited? Not as dreamed. Shame. Hahaha!"
During island crisis, sirens among shore monsters.
Dexter, hyped for artistic inspiration from their beauty, shocked.
"Anyway... What you did ain't small. On my honor as Adrian von Daniel Dexter, as long as you live for Empire, I'm your staunchest ally."
No lie in Dexter's eyes.
용사 파티의 마법사로 산다는 것 199화