Chapter 262: The Meeting (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 262: The Meeting (3)
Immediately after announcing he had gifts to give, Nangwon pulled a pouch from his robe.
It was a very small pouch.
Alon, staring blankly at it, realized its identity without much difficulty.
“That’s—”
“A subspace pocket.”
As if to demonstrate, Nangwon reached into the pouch and pulled something out, placing it on the table.
It was a sword, of a size one would hardly imagine coming out of such a small bag.
“This is…?”
“The Sword of the High Heavens.”
“Oh…”
A low exclamation escaped Alon’s lips.
It wasn't an artifact he was intimately familiar with, but its sheer presence seemed to scream, 'I cost a fortune.' As Alon stood there admiring it—
“The—the Sword of the High Heavens?”
Evan, who had been staring at Nangyeon until a moment ago, stammered in shock.
“You know of it?”
“Of course, My Lord! It’s a dwarf-crafted blade that can barely be found even in the Eastern Country of the demi-humans—no, people aren't even sure if they still exist there!”
As Evan shouted in excitement, Nangwon smiled and nodded.
“That is correct.”
“...There is no need to give me something so precious.”
“Not at all. These are all gifts I prepared specifically for you, Brother. And there’s more.”
“There’s more?”
“Yes.”
Nangwon then pulled a staff from the subspace pocket and handed it to Alon.
This time, Alon couldn't help but be genuinely surprised.
It was an item he knew very well.
“The Staff of Blueness?”
“That’s right, Brother. How did you know? Not many people are aware of this staff.”
“...I saw it in a book once.”
He quickly offered an explanation to the curious Nangwon, but of course, he hadn't seen it in a book.
Unlike the Sword of the High Heavens, the Staff of Blueness was an item that appeared in the original story of Psychedelia.
‘I’m certain it appears in the mid-to-late game as a weapon exclusive to mages...’
Moreover, as he recalled, if a player built their character as a dealer focusing on a specific type of magic, its utility was immense. It was a staff that increased the effectiveness of certain spells by 300%.
The reason Alon hadn't bothered to seek out the Staff of Blueness despite knowing this was simple: obtaining it required a massive grind. And not just any grind—the kind where you had to hunker down and invest months of effort.
He had assumed he would never see the Staff of Blueness in person, yet here it was.
Behind his expressionless mask, Alon gazed at the staff with profound wonder.
“There are other gifts as well.”
Satisfied by the reaction, Nangwon smiled and immediately pulled out the next item.
“This is…?”
“The ‘Ring of the Nameless Swordsman.’”
“Whoa, I’ve only heard rumors about this one too! Isn't this the item that allows even an ordinary person who can't handle mana to manifest sword qi just by wearing it?”
“You are well-informed.”
Nangwon looked proud at Evan’s fuss.
However, this time, Alon was also quite impressed. The Ring of the Nameless Swordsman was an item Alon had planned to take some time to find himself before heading to the Holy Kingdom.
‘I didn't expect to get it like this.’
The reason Alon, who wasn't even a swordsman, sought this item was because he needed an artifact that could only be obtained by using this ring.
While Alon was busy being impressed in his own way, Nangwon immediately pulled out the next object.
“This is—”
“The Gauntlet of Thoroughness.”
“Oh—”
Evan and Alon marveled in unison.
Nangwon pulled out the next item.
Once again, accompanied by their exclamations, a new item emerged from Nangwon’s pocket.
“This time, it’s the Gloves of the Hidden One.”
Alon and Evan marveled without rest.
But then, ten minutes passed.
“The Iron Armor of Bion.”
“Oh.”
“Oh.”
Thirty minutes passed.
“The Tears of Orim.”
“Oh.”
“Oh…”
By the time an hour had passed.
“The Left Gauntlet of the Holy King.”
“...?”
“...?”
Alon realized something was wrong.
“...”
He looked around.
The drawing room had been empty of everything except the tea served for the guests.
But now, before he knew it, the floor and the tables were packed so tightly with items that there was nowhere left to step.
What was even stranger—
“Ahem—there is another item.”
Items were still coming out of that palm-sized pouch Nangwon had brought.
“Nangwon.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“By any chance, do you still have many gifts left?”
Alon glanced at the pouch.
“Yes, there’s still a bit left!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. About five—”
Nangwon answered while spreading his fingers wide, and Alon felt a slight sense of relief.
...To be honest, he was starting to find it difficult as his repertoire of exclamations was running dry.
Just as Alon let out a faint sigh of relief—
“—more hours should do it.”
“...What?”
“—Ah, maybe six hours?”
The unexpected follow-up words hit him.
“...????”
Alon’s eyes shook imperceptibly.
* * *
...In the end, it really took six hours for Nangwon’s gift presentation to conclude.
The next day, after feeling a sense of vertigo looking at the mountain of gifts piled in the drawing room, the siblings Nangwon and Nangyeon prepared to leave the Count’s estate.
“It would have been nice if you could have stayed a bit longer.”
“I truly wish I could, but I have many matters currently in motion. I’ll settle those and visit you again.”
“I see.”
“Then, please call for me if you need anything. I will come running at any time...!”
Nangwon, his eyes sparkling with admiration, gave a deep bow and turned to leave—
“...Hmm.”
Sensing something, he approached Alon once more.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“It seems there is a disobedient wolf near you.”
He whispered quietly.
“...A disobedient wolf?”
“Yes, but you don’t need to worry. I’ll make sure to give it a proper talking-to.”
After flashing a bright smile, he added, “Well then, see you next time!”
He left with a cheerful farewell.
“...For someone with the name ‘Curse King,’ he felt remarkably refreshing.”
Evan offered his commentary as soon as Nangwon departed.
Alon agreed.
“He certainly did.”
“And he’s quite different from the rumors.”
“Rumors? Were there such things?”
“Well, yes.”
Evan shared the details.
“From what I know, the Curse King is said to have an incredibly violent and self-centered personality.”
“...Violent and self-centered?”
Alon recalled the Nangwon he had just seen.
With a striking appearance that would make anyone look twice, Nangwon had followed Alon around with a goofy grin. He seemed worlds away from words like 'self-centered' or 'violent.'
The same applied to Nangyeon.
“...Aren't they just false rumors?”
Alon questioned their validity.
“Honestly, I think so too.”
“Right?”
“Yes.”
Evan agreed weakly.
Alon tilted his head at the sudden drop in Evan's energy.
“You seem drained.”
“I’ve been heartbroken.”
“...Suddenly?”
“...She said she’s not interested in men weaker than her...”
Only then did Alon realize that Evan had made a move on Nangyeon.
“When did you even do that?”
“...Yesterday.”
“That was fast...”
“Am I not a man of passion? Confidence is key for a man.”
“So only the ashes are left?”
The words 'That's harsh' seemed to be written across Evan's face.
“...My Lord, do you realize you’re becoming more acerbic with that expressionless face of yours lately?”
After giving a suitable reply to the grumbling Evan, afternoon soon arrived.
“The Great One has arrived!!!”
Penia returned from the Blue Magic Tower.
Quite boisterously.
The corners of her mouth were turned up so high they seemed ready to touch the sky.
Hehehehe— Making strange noises, she began to boast.
“Who am I?”
“The youngest person to present a thesis at the Magic Society.”
“And who am I???”
“The youngest person to have a lead thesis registered at the Magic Society...!”
Answering her own questions, she began to flaunt her self-importance in front of Alon.
Penia bragged incessantly, as if she were intoxicated by her own success at this very moment.
“Congratulations.”
“Ahem—thank you...”
At Alon’s word, Penia couldn't hide her twitching shoulders, and her cheeks flushed.
“Ah, and My Lord. I found something to research this time.”
“Something to research?”
“Yes, we talked about it before, didn't we? Regarding your magic formulas. I think I’ve found something worth experimenting with.”
“That is welcome news.”
Penia had brought new information as well.
After giving her a light word of praise, Alon stood up and held out a pen to her.
“?”
Penia looked back and forth between the pen and Alon with a bewildered expression.
“Now then, could you help me for a bit?”
When Alon held the pen out once more, Penia, sensing the situation, cautiously parted her lips.
“Wh—who am I?”
“Someone who wrote a thesis like a madwoman until a month ago and didn't even get three hours of sleep a day...”
“And—the person who, even in the midst of that, calculated formulas for the Lord...”
In short, she was saying she was extremely tired.
Unfortunately for her, Penia’s whining(?) didn't work on Alon.
Because he had—
“Penia, do you see these?”
“...Gasp.”
The artifacts Nangwon had left behind—
To put it more simply, there were far too many items that Penia would be dying to research.
“If you help me with this work now, I’ll let you research two of these additionally.”
“R—really?”
“Yes.”
Alon nodded and held out the pen.
Penia let out a long, agonizing groan.
But soon, looking at the mountain of artifacts behind Alon with eyes shadowed by dark circles, she spoke.
“I—I’ll do it.”
She grabbed the pen as if signing a contract with a devil.
“Good choice.”
Following Alon’s lead, she sat down at the desk dejectedly.
And then.
“...Wow.”
“What is it?”
“No, I just didn't expect you to put her to work the moment she got back.”
Evan, who had entered the office, spotted Penia.
He shook his head at Alon as if even Satan wouldn't be this cruel.
“She’s doing it because she wants to.”
Alon was unrepentant.
“...I see. Ah, and My Lord. This.”
As if there was no point in arguing, Evan immediately handed a letter to Alon.
“This is?”
“A letter from the royal palace.”
“Ah.”
Alon was reminded once again that Siyan had been looking for him.
Opening the letter, he found a single short sentence written there.
[A new memory regarding you and the Cardinal has surfaced, so come visit.]
It was a very plain sentence.
However, from Alon’s perspective, it was a sentence he could never ignore.
“...It seems I won't have any time to rest.”
Alon muttered with a sigh.
* * *
That afternoon.
At a point where the Count’s territory was still visible.
A beastkin suddenly appeared before Nangwon and Nangyeon.
A beastkin with brilliant golden eyes.
“A disobedient wolf, I see.”
Even though it was a sudden appearance, Nangwon spoke calmly without a hint of surprise.
The beastkin—no, Seolrang—scowled.
“Who are you?”
“Who else? I’m the younger brother who faithfully follows Brother’s orders, unlike you. Unlike someone who ignores orders and stalks Brother from behind.”
A cold sneer touched Nangwon’s lips, as if the bright smile he had shown Alon was a lie.
“Go back, wolf. Brother never ordered you to act as a guard.”
His voice was cynical.
“...No. I’m going to protect Mentor.”
“Brother’s orders are absolute. Didn't Brother clearly tell you? To stay put.”
“I still don't want to.”
“You don't want to, huh—”
At Seolrang’s stubborn reply, Nangwon furrowed his brow deeply.
“Then, I’ll make you go back, even if I have to use force.”
He muttered softly.
At the same time, black hands began to scatter into the air.
“Try it if you can.”
As if to counter him, brilliant lightning erupted from Seolrang’s body.
And so.
A battle between two of the few powerhouses in the United Kingdoms began.
And exactly thirty minutes later.
“Let go.”
The two powerhouses, possessing enough martial might to easily blow away a mountain or two—
“...You let go.”
“I told you to let go.”
“You let go first—!”
...Were grabbing each other’s hair.
The reason was simple.
Nangwon knew how strong Seolrang’s martial power was.
Seolrang also had a rough estimate of Nangwon’s strength.
And they both knew very well that the moment they truly clashed, the commotion would be heard in the Palatio territory.
In other words, for both of them, fighting loudly was not a good option.
Seolrang was following Alon without his permission, and Nangwon knew that Alon cherished Seolrang.
Because they were both wary of Alon’s reaction, the suffocating battle where lightning and thousands of black hands had clashed suddenly turned into a silent, messy physical brawl.
...And this was the result.
Nangyeon watched the two of them.
The sight of the two of them hunched over, clutching each other’s hair—
“Don't pull. I told you not to pull?”
“You stop it first.”
“...On the count of three, let’s let go.”
“...Fine.”
And that conversation was—
To call it a battle between powerhouses—
“One, two, three.”
“...”
“...”
Grip!
“Ah, I said let go!!”
“You let go first.”
It was a bit... pathetic.
...No, a lot.
“...”
Nangyeon looked away without realizing it.
...She couldn't bear to keep watching.