Chapter 26
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Justification
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Lightning struck the Black Forest Fortress.
A hidden stage of the Black Forest raid—one that had remained undiscovered for hundreds of years—had finally been revealed.
It didn't take long for high-ranking officials from the Imperial Family to be dispatched, launching a thorough investigation into the matter.
The inquiry proceeded smoothly.
Unusually, there were numerous survivors from the failed raid.
And among them was a priest who couldn't possibly utter a single lie, which led to the unveiling of various secrets long hidden within the Black Forest raid.
But the most peculiar detail?
One name kept coming up from the mouths of most of the adventurers and mercenaries, as well as a few high-ranking officials.
"Heard that mage played a big role in this mess?"
"They say he uncovered secrets even Azure Cloud couldn't crack."
"Word is, he's just a junior mage?"
"A junior mage? Not only did a junior mage survive the raid, but he even took command?"
"Ha! Whichever Mage Tower kicked out a talent like that must be regretting it big time."
"Rumors are already flying that several Mage Towers are starting to make moves."
"Really? So where the hell is this mage anyway?"
And so.
By the time the mage at the center of all the rumors finally opened his eyes, a full week had passed since the hidden stage's existence had been made public.
The first thing Jun saw upon waking was investigators from the Imperial Family.
After healers confirmed there were no anomalies in his body, they immediately began questioning him about the events of the raid.
The interrogation was fairly intense.
But under imperial law, Jun was neither a criminal nor a suspect—he was a law-abiding citizen. And when Cloi showed up with her team of lawyers, the whole thing wrapped up in the blink of an eye.
"Do you have any idea how shocked I was?"
Right now,
Jun was staying temporarily in Cloi's office.
The official reason was that he still needed time to recover.
"If you were shocked, imagine how I felt."
"Fair point."
Cloi clutched her forehead at Jun's nonchalant retort.
"Haa... Sorry. Things have gotten a bit messy because of this."
"What happened?"
"If you want to pin it down, it's that your name suddenly started getting around."
"My name?"
According to Cloi, uncovering a hidden stage in the Black Forest raid after hundreds of years was a chance to gain tremendous prestige.
The problem was that the imperial heirs vying for the throne next year saw this as a golden opportunity.
"That's not all. The nobles are starting to move too. Some backing the imperial heirs, others looking to boost their own power."
And they were all gunning for Jun.
"So that's why they're looking for me..."
"They need justification."
"I think I get it."
As Cloi explained, next year's Black Forest raid would spark fierce competition over raid party slots.
Naturally, every faction would bring their top talent, making the battle for justification the key fight.
"And they think I'm the perfect justification."
Bringing Jun into their fold would give them a solid pretext for safely leading the raid.
That was why Cloi was clutching her forehead.
"If Captain Benjamin had survived, things might've been different, but he ended up dying."
The vice-captain wouldn't cut a good figure, and besides, they were all criminals anyway.
"And somehow, word's already gotten out that I'm sponsoring you."
"What about your family?"
"Grandpa's staying neutral for now."
"Watching to see how you play your cards."
"Probably."
Cloi's grandfather, Gilenoi Jake, had elevated the Gilenoi Merchant Guild to its current position through staunch political neutrality.
Of course, everyone expected him to declare neutrality this time too.
"You seem more worried about your grandpa's reaction than the situation itself."
"Obviously. What do I care if those other groups tear into each other? What matters is how Grandpa views me dealing with them."
"Hmm..."
"So, what do you think? I'm not actually your real sponsor, after all."
"True."
The public thought Cloi was sponsoring Jun, but in truth, they were just business partners.
So Cloi had no authority to give him orders as a sponsor.
Jun pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Well, honestly, I don't mind all the love calls coming my way."
Jun was a mercenary, after all. He needed attention, and building a name in the industry was paramount.
Having his name tossed around everywhere was a hugely positive development.
"Still, it's not urgent. I'll watch and see which side to back."
"...Want me to dig up some info on them?"
"You? What's with the sudden enthusiasm?"
Cloi flashed a merchant's sly smile at Jun's suspicious look, as if she had an agenda.
"Me? That's hurtful. Is our friendship worth so little?"
"I'd accept the favor if you were a normal person."
"Ahem..."
Cloi shrugged at Jun's demand to get to the point.
"That ancient tome you have. There's been a lot of interest in it."
"Figures."
It was a raid guide for a stage undiscovered for centuries, after all.
It would play a huge role in securing the 'justification' everyone craved right now.
'In the game, it was just a [non-tradable] item taking up inventory space—a total dead weight.'
So he'd tossed it in some corner of a warehouse and forgotten it.
But in reality, it had this kind of value.
"You want to auction it?"
"Exactly!"
Cloi nodded eagerly, her face beaming.
Seeing that, Jun had a mischievous thought.
"Hiding your true intentions was a bit cheeky..."
"H-Hiding? I was just putting it off a little. You get what you want, I get what I want."
"You weren't trying to rack up favors with me first and wait for my reaction?"
"No need to overthink it..."
"Watch yourself."
"...Got it, got it. Sorry."
Once again, Cloi was the one who caved.
"So, what'll you do?"
"If nothing comes up, it's yours."
"For real?!"
Jun chuckled at Cloi's sparkling eyes full of anticipation.
Just selling the tome would let her build all sorts of connections.
"Anything else?"
"An official notice came from the Imperial Family. Rewards and punishments for this incident are being decided."
"No punishment for me, obviously. Wonder what the reward will be."
Uncovering a hidden stage after centuries surely meant the Imperial Family would offer something generous.
"Sunbae!"
As Jun opened his briefly closed eyes, Aiden's voice rang out.
Aiden appeared in his usual disheveled state, looking at Jun with worried eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"Feels like every time you see me, that's the first thing you say."
Maybe because he'd been badly hurt this time.
Definitely, there had been way too many near-death experiences.
Fights with level 3 twin adventurers, undead ambushes, even drawing the Fairy Queen's attention.
"Eh, as you can see, I'm fine."
"Phew, that's a relief."
"What about you? You were stuck with investigators for a week."
"It... wasn't a big deal."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Aiden looked deflated as he said it, so Jun straightened up and asked again.
"For real?"
"Um..."
Staring into those blue eyes, Aiden hung his head and confessed.
"Actually, the Imperial Family approached me."
"The Imperial Family... What'd they say?"
"They told me not to stand out anymore."
His identity must've come up during the investigation.
Recalling how Aiden had been exiled from the palace, it made sense.
"That's all?"
"Yes."
Aiden's expression was incredibly heavy.
An order from the Imperial Family to a discarded imperial scion wasn't something he could ignore.
The command was simple: stay out of sight, live quietly in some remote village, like he was dead.
In other words, continuing as an adventurer could bring all sorts of pressure.
'With Aiden's personality...'
Sure enough.
Aiden spoke gravely.
"Maybe I can no longer..."
But Jun cut him off first.
"Hold on. Just wait a sec. Let me think."
"Pardon...?"
What good would thinking do here?
Was there any way to defy the Imperial Family's will?
Aiden eyed Jun anxiously for a moment.
'But Sunbae might be different.'
They hadn't known each other long, but they'd been through a lot in that short time.
Maybe he'd come up with something this time too.
A faint hope flickered in Aiden's eyes.
But was it too soon for such hope?
Aiden bowed his head at Jun's next words.
"I can't give you an easy answer on this. Can't solve it with my power alone, obviously."
"I see..."
"But don't give up hope yet."
"Huh?"
"I'm not planning to abandon you just like that."
It was obvious. Jun had invested too much in Aiden already.
From the gear he wore to the skills he'd gained in the raid.
And the ore-light sword was irreplaceable now.
Above all,
Finding a reliable frontline fighter like Aiden wasn't easy.
"I can't do it alone, but with a little help from others, it's not impossible."
"I'm not sure I follow..."
"Hmm, hard to explain in words. You'd have to experience it yourself."
What was he beating around the bush for?
As Aiden wondered,
"Perfect timing, actually."
Jun handed him a letter.
The envelope was luxurious, edged in gold—not something ordinary by any means.
"The Imperial Family summoned us directly. About this raid."
Jun smiled, saying he'd show him there.