Chapter 176: My Goal is the Pioneering of the Great Forest (1)
Chapter 176: My Goal is the Pioneering of the Great Forest (1)
“Hey, you crazy bastard.”
“What? You ugly bastard.”
At the Radiant Dragon Hero’s blunt response, the Dragon-Chasing Scholar, Zhuge Hyeon, clutched the back of his neck, took a deep breath to steady himself, and spoke.
“What the hell got into you to make you pick a fight with the Sura Sect? Huh?”
The Sura Sect.
It was a massive Unorthodox Faction led by Nam Yeong, the Black Evil Blood Hand, one of the Ten Great Evils.
Even the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families hesitated to clash with them head-on…
And yet, this once-in-a-generation troublemaker had charged straight into them.
As a result, five hundred elite members of the Sura Sect were defeated, and to top it off, the sect leader, the Black Evil Blood Hand himself, was forced to retreat with severe injuries.
However, the Radiant Dragon Hero hadn’t come out unscathed either.
Zhuge Hyeon looked at his friend, who was currently tied down to a bed.
“Your wife is absolutely livid.”
The Radiant Dragon Hero was wrapped tightly in bandages from head to toe, with acupuncture needles bristling across his body, effectively pinning him to the bed. And on that bed…
[DO NOT FEED. I WILL KILL ANYONE WHO GIVES HIM ALCOHOL.]
…was a warning sign.
There were very few people in the world capable of reducing the great Radiant Dragon Hero, Jincheon, to such a state.
Who else could it be but the Saintess, Tang Su-yeon, famous for a temper that even the fierce Sichuan Tang Clan couldn’t handle?
Zhuge Hyeon pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed.
“Let me just ask. Why did you do it?”
“I couldn’t help it. I didn’t do it for no reason. I had a perfectly valid justification.”
“And what exactly was this ‘valid justification’?”
“Those bastards…”
“Those bastards what?”
“They were glaring at me.”
“…….”
Why am I friends with this guy? Why? What kind of karma did I accumulate in my past life to deserve this…
Zhuge Hyeon stared at the ceiling with a look of profound sorrow.
“Haaa… Friend.”
“Yeah? My ugly friend?”
“Could you please try to think and act with a bit of common sense?”
“If an Unorthodox bastard glares at you, you beat them up. What could be more common sense than that?”
“…….”
This guy is hopeless.
How did such a loose cannon ever end up being called a ‘Great Hero’?
What is this world coming to…
In truth, Zhuge Hyeon knew the real reason.
The Radiant Dragon Hero had happened upon the Sura Sect extorting and tormenting innocent commoners, and that had been the spark.
After taking their heads and returning the stolen goods to the commoners, the Radiant Dragon Hero—fearing retaliation against the villagers—had proactively sought out the Sura Sect’s branch office and turned the whole place upside down.
Naturally, the Sura Sect wasn’t the type to take that lying down and immediately mobilized their members to strike back.
As a result, like a small spark turning into a forest fire, the conflict escalated into a full-scale war: the Sura Sect versus the Radiant Dragon Hero.
There wasn't even time for the Murim Alliance or the Unorthodox Alliance to intervene.
The Sura Sect couldn't back down for the sake of their reputation, and the Radiant Dragon Hero… was the Radiant Dragon Hero.
What else could one expect?
“You look at these Unorthodox bastards these days, and they’re just rotten to the core. Rotten.”
“…….”
“They dare to bully commoners right in front of this venerable elder? Then, by the laws of the Jianghu, they deserve a beating, right? Right or wrong?”
“…….”
“And then they have the nerve to say what? Revenge? Reveeenge? Since when did mere Unorthodox trash dare to let the word ‘revenge’ cross their lips? I should hang them upside down and skin them alive.”
Zhuge Hyeon sighed.
True, it made his blood boil, but the words themselves weren't wrong.
A chivalrous hero of the Jianghu should naturally step forward when witnessing injustice. Yes, that was correct, but…
“So, you went into Sura Sect territory all by yourself, caused a scene, dealt with everyone who came at you, and beat the Black Evil Blood Hand, Nam Yeong, to a pulp?”
“Ahem!”
“You lunatic!”
Indeed. Even if it was the right thing to do, there was such a thing as moderation.
In the first place, the incident occurred deep within Sura Sect territory.
Even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects wouldn't recklessly charge in there without a plan.
Regardless of justice, how could one handle the aftermath of making an enemy of a giant like the Sura Sect just to save a few commoners? And yet…
“Why does your Twin Dragon Sect have no sense of moderation?”
“Ahem!”
“That wasn’t a compliment, you madman!”
“Eh, sounded like one to me.”
Zhuge Hyeon let out a deep sigh.
Seriously, this lunatic…
He had almost died.
No joke, he really had almost died.
It was a miracle he was alive; if Zhuge Hyeon had arrived even a little later, he might truly have perished.
It wasn't like he had spare lives, so why did he keep doing this?
He constantly complained about his ‘Pushover Master,’ but looking at it objectively, he was just as bad.
But what could be done?
This lunatic might not know moderation, but he certainly followed the Righteous Path.
So, as a friend and a fellow member of the Orthodox Faction, Zhuge Hyeon had to help deal with the consequences.
“The Sura Sect… They have over ten thousand official members. How are we going to handle them?”
“Hehehehe…”
“Don’t laugh, you bastard!”
* * *
“Ayy, I know you like it too…”
“…….”
“Hehe. I know you’re enjoying this.”
“…….”
“Don’t play hard to get when you’re loving it…”
“…….”
Isabella, watching Patrick mutter with a sleazy smile, spoke up.
“April.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“What kind of dream do you think he’s having?”
“…….”
Even April couldn't bring herself to defend him this time.
Patrick Schneider.
This was three days after he had collapsed.
* * *
Nom, nom, munch, gulp.
Every sound associated with a person eating in a hurry was echoing through the room.
Beside him, April was bringing more food, while Matthew and Isabella watched the mounting pile of empty dishes with looks of pure wonder.
“Isn’t he eating more than his own body weight right now?”
“Probably…”
“Is that even possible?”
“Is this the first time you’ve seen him do the impossible?”
“Ah… Good point.”
Having finished his meal under the astonished gazes of Matthew and Isabella, Patrick gulped down some water and spoke.
“Phew… A bottle of booze would be perfect right about now.”
“Absolutely not.”
“April, how could you do this to me…”
He looked at her as if she were a traitor of the highest order.
However, April didn't budge.
“Alcohol is forbidden, even for the sake of your recovery.”
April said firmly as she poured Patrick some tea.
While April followed almost any order Patrick gave, things were different when his health was on the line.
Just then…
“It’s been a while, Patrick Schneider.”
“Uh… and you are?”
Someone opened the door and entered.
Red hair and brown eyes.
A man with an intellectual, scholar-like impression, wearing a sword that seemed out of place with his look…
“Who… might you be?”
Patrick felt like he’d seen him somewhere, but he couldn't quite remember.
The man’s brow furrowed deeply as he adjusted his glasses. Isabella nudged Patrick with her elbow.
“He’s the one we met at Arcana.”
“The Prince of the Yuzef Kingdom?”
“No, not him…”
“The Sword Saint’s grandson?”
“…….”
Isabella looked despairing, her face saying, What did I even expect from this guy?
The man adjusted his glasses again and spoke with forced calm.
“I am Riman Sierra, a Magic Swordsman from the Tower of Truth. Do you remember now?”
“Ah, that guy from back then…”
“Yes. It is I who—”
“…That logical bastard.”
Is that how you remembered me?
He might not have known the name, but the memory itself seemed to remain.
Then again, it was a meeting that was hard to forget.
“You’re the one who blew yourself up while doing something weird, right?”
“It was not self-destruction. It was merely a process of trial and error on the path to success.”
“That’s exactly what blowing yourself up is.”
“It is not.”
“Ayy, don’t deny it. It’s the truth.”
“I said it’s not.”
“Oh? Really? Then, have you made any progress with what you were doing back then?”
“…Not yet.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. See? You haven’t done it yet, have you? It didn’t work, right? You haven’t even found a lead, have you?”
“…….”
“And yet you call it ‘triiiial and erroooor for succeeeess’…”
Twitch.
It was a face that would make any human being lose their temper. But do you know what was even more infuriating?
“Tsk, tsk. People who actually get results are the ones who get to say things like that. Not people who just waste time without any achievements.”
“…….”
“Anyone can say fancy words, right?”
“…….”
The truly infuriating part was that everything he said was correct.
Patrick slung an arm around the shoulders of the speechless Riman Sierra and spoke familiarly.
“Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m only saying this because I want you to succeed.”
“You are younger than me.”
“It’s fine. Whoever’s better at fighting is the older brother.”
“That is illogical.”
“Shh, shh, just listen. Your big brother is giving you good advice, isn’t he?”
“…….”
“Life is so damn hard that you’ll barely succeed even if you only do what you’re good at. So stop doing things that don’t work and do what you’re actually good at. Why waste time with useless stubbornness?”
“What I’m good at?”
“Yeah. I saw back then, you’re pretty decent with a blade.”
This was a fact.
Because Magic Swordsmen spent so much time training to handle Soul Weapons, their level of swordsmanship usually wasn't that high.
However, despite his young age, Riman Sierra had shown a pure 5-Star Realm.
If it had been a normal Arcana level, he could have aimed for victory based on his swordsmanship alone.
Patrick patted Riman Sierra’s shoulder.
“Focus on the sword. With your talent, if you pour your life into the blade, you’ll definitely become something.”
At Patrick’s words, Riman Sierra brushed the hand off his shoulder, adjusted his glasses, and spoke.
“I refuse.”
“Ho? Why?”
“Because before I am a swordsman, I am a researcher who explores the unknown.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Riman Sierra adjusted his glasses once more.
“Logically, I can admit that you are a more remarkable individual than I am. Your words are likely correct.”
“…….”
“However, that does not mean you get to decide the direction of my life.”
“……."
“I decide my own life.”
Patrick stared at Riman Sierra with a flat expression.
Unwavering eyes and a firm voice.
This wasn't a man who could be swayed by persuasion.
“Well, suit yourself then.”
Patrick gave up easily.
His attitude suggested, It’s your loss if you don’t listen, but internally…
Eveeeeery now and then, guys like this actually pull something off. Though it’s as rare as a bean sprouting in a drought.
…he thought.
Above all, as that logical four-eyes said, everyone has to look after their own life.
“So, why are you here?”
As Patrick got to the point, Riman Sierra spoke.
“Patrick Schneider.”
“Yeah?”
“The Seven Sages are looking for you.”
“…….”
In an instant, Patrick’s expression stiffened. Riman Sierra nodded as if he understood.
“Don’t be too nervous and follow me. They simply wish to have a conversation.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“What is it?”
“Can I ask just one thing?”
“What?”
Patrick spoke with an incredibly serious expression.
“Is there booze there?”
“…….”
In that moment, everyone in the room let out a deep sigh.
* * *
The Tower of Truth.
It was not a nation, but a transnational organization with power equivalent to one.
The astronomical wealth earned from the magical tools produced by the Tower and the mages they dispatched…
And the might of the Magic Swordsmen trained within its walls.
Possessing both wealth and military power, it was, above all, the leader in the indispensable technology of magic.
The status of this organization was effectively third on the continent, following the Benator Empire and the Saint Louis Holy Church State.
And the highest-ranking decision-makers who led the Tower of Truth were known as the Seven Sages.
The affairs of the Tower of Truth were governed by them through meetings.
Just like right now.
“What is the reaction of the Caesar Kingdom?”
“They are demanding the custody of the Double Dragon and are waiting outside the Tower’s territory with an army.”
“Arrogant fools.”
“They’ve completely lost their sense of reality.”
“Hohoho… Why don’t we just burn them all down?”
Despite being under pressure from a nation mobilizing its military, the Seven Sages were not the least bit disturbed.
And for good reason—pressure through force is only effective when the strong apply it to the weak.
No matter what the Caesar Kingdom did, the Tower of Truth had no reason to flinch.
“Let’s leave them be for now. Our policy regarding the Double Dragon hasn't been fully decided yet.”
“I’m inclined to hand him over if necessary.”
“If necessary, that is.”
“Hmm, that arrogant brat will surely break his stubbornness this time.”
For the past three years…
The Tower of Truth had periodically sent people to Patrick, offering various conditions.
It was a request to share information regarding Patrick’s swordsmanship and related techniques.
The swordsmanship Patrick displayed at Arcana had been reported to the Tower of Truth via the mages’ Image Vision magic.
Swordsmanship that was completely different from existing styles.
Furthermore, the secret of how he could activate a Soul Weapon without even being a Magic Swordsman.
To the mages, who possessed an insatiable intellectual curiosity, Patrick was like an oasis in the middle of a desert.
Thus, they had sent him a polite invitation along with a request to reveal the secrets of his techniques.
And Patrick’s response to that request was…
[Give me a Soul Weapon, and I’ll think about it.]
That was all.
He didn't even say he would definitely teach them; he said he would think about it.
They had even promised immense rewards in a letter bearing the signatures of the Seven Sages, but Patrick’s desire was clear.
A Soul Weapon.
He boldly demanded one of the highest-level secrets held by the Tower of Truth.
This was impossible.
No matter how much they craved Patrick’s techniques, a Soul Weapon was a line they could not cross.
In the end, the Tower of Truth and Patrick had exchanged countless letters over the past three years, clashing without either side yielding an inch.
And not long ago…
April, having received a letter from Patrick, arrived at the Tower of Truth.
[If you help me, I’ll help you.]
It was a short message, but it was enough.
The Seven Sages immediately dispatched a Magic Swordsman and a 6th-floor mage to rescue Patrick.
While it would cause friction with the Caesar Kingdom, for mages thirsty for the unknown, it was a price well worth paying.
And now…
“Sages, the Double Dragon has arrived.”
“Mm, tell him to enter.”
Finally, the person they had been waiting for appeared before their eyes.
The door opened, and Patrick, guided by Riman Sierra, entered and offered a polite greeting to the Seven Sages according to formal etiquette.
“Patrick Schneider of the Atronia Kingdom greets the Sages.”
It was an extremely polite and perfect greeting.
So much so that anyone watching would think he was a true noble.
…Ah, right, he is a noble.