Chapter 343: Comeback (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 343: Comeback (2)
Before entering the Round Table, I ran countless hypotheticals. This was because of the two-and-a-half-year gap. It was clear the other members would be curious about my absence.
It's possible some have correctly arrived at the conclusion that I'm Bjorn Yandel thanks to the fact that my disappearance was around the same time.
Of course, I wasn't too worried about that part. Only Amelia and Erwen knew that I was back. Just showing my face at the Round Table would put that suspicion to rest. The problem would come after news of my survival broke.
Well, there's ways to get around that too.
My immediate concern lay somewhere else. How was I going to explain my two and a half years of absence? It was because of this that I ran various simulations and assumed various different premises before coming to a conclusion.
"Lion..."
"...You really were alive."
Even if these people looked at me with surprise and doubt, there was no real reason for me to explain.
"Aren't you going to move?"
"Ah... yes...!" When I spoke, Clown flinched away from in front of the door and retreated toward the wall, as did Soul Queen. Of course, she was in a better state than Clown, who was completely out of it.
"...You seem the same, Lion." Even as she made way for me, she watched me with interest in her eyes. Her relaxed tone bothered me, but I didn't show it. I just ignored her, walked by, and sat down at the table indifferently.
Tap.
After that, there was a silence that could only be described as bizarre. The members stared at me intently and also glanced at each other. It was obvious what they were thinking. They probably wanted someone to bite the bullet and ask me everything on the group's behalf.
It's been a while, huh.
Was it because I'd been sadly hiding at home these days? An addictive feeling of freedom came over me. A few more seconds of silence ensued.
Boom!
The doors connecting to the Round Table shut with a bang. That meant 3:10 had passed and people could no longer enter. In other words, that also meant we could start the meeting now.
"Are you going to keep standing?" I said to Clown and Soul Queen. "Sit."
I have a lot I want to hear from you guys. A lot to say too.
"Pshehe, I've embarrassed myself." Clown, who was standing in a daze against the wall, came to his senses and sat down. He looked at me with eyes that betrayed his joy. "We sincerely welcome your return, Lion."
What is this prick saying? Did he forget what I told him last time about not acting friendly? Well, I guess that can happen in two and a half years.
When I just ignored him without responding, Clown snickered like he knew I'd do that.
The next to speak was Deer. Showing his macho side, he jumped up from his seat and confronted me head on. "You haven't shown your face for over two years. Why have you come now?" Of course, my answer was already decided. "Well? Are you saying you won't answer?" Deer's voice went up an octave when he saw me exercising my right to remain silent. I was pretty sure the palace guys sounded just like this when they interrogated someone. What a shame. Just because I'd been away for two and a half years, he'd forgotten his place.
"How rude," I said as coldly as possible, slowly raising my level of murderous intent.
Whooom!
Since it had been a long time, I decided it was necessary to discipline these guys at least once.
"...Ugh." Exposed to my murderous intent, Deer clenched his fists in pain. This should have been enough to prime a courteous listener, but I wasn't satisfied and continued to pile it on. As I did, the veins on Deer's neck began to rise. Deer was better than Clown, who once writhed on the floor from this, but he ultimately wasn't much different.
"Never look down on me again." When I unleashed the full extent of my murderous intent, Deer slowly bent over as if something heavy was pressing down on his shoulders. As he stared up at me, strained, I made sure to sound pleased. "Yes, just like that."
Before long, Deer was on his knees and looking up at me from the ground. Judging by the way his arms trembled on the table as he struggled to support his weight, he seemed to be at his limit. But I was in the same boat.
Ugh, my head.
The moment my head throbbed, the murderous intent that was weighing down the hall disappeared.
...Gasp!
Deer sucked in a deep breath as soon as his lungs were unfrozen.
At the sight, Clown sneered. "...Pshehe, foolish human. Have you forgotten what to do if you want to ask Mr. Lion something? Bring something entertaining! Entertaining!" Even as he said that, Clown glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as if to ask, Right?, clearly hoping for a compliment.
Naturally, I ignored him again.
"Lion." After a beat, Crescent, a man I believed to be an elf and who longed for the Stone of Revival more than any other, ended the silence. "I don't care what you've been doing all this time." Swallowing back the anxiety and questions that must have been brewing in his head for over two years, he said, "Thank you, for coming back."
It was just the reaction I had been hoping for, but actually hearing it, I felt a bit bad. This guy must have been super anxious while I was gone.
Should I give him a clue this time?
As I was thinking that, Soul Queen spoke up in a cheerful tone in an attempt to break the tension. "Hmm, then I guess it's all sorted now? Shall we get started? I think we're going to have a lot to say to each other in today's gathering."
That was how the gathering began. The process of deciding the order was quick.
"So Ms. Fox is first, then?"
"...I guess so."
The order was clockwise as always, but it had to end with me.
"Why did I sit here...?"
That had been our tacit agreement in the past. Listening to the information that was brought by the others first, evaluating it, and then relaying information of an equivalent value—that was how the Round Table usually went for me.
"...Since I haven't prepared anything special today, I'll say what I originally planned to mention." Fox was the first to relay her information. Right from the get-go, things were quite interesting. "The Dragon Slayer, who went inactive after kidnapping a high priest three years ago, reappeared for the first time on the Dark Continent. According to witness accounts, he looked much stronger, and it seems he has dealt with the Dragon's Curse to some extent."
It was news about the Dragon Slayer, who I had forgotten about for a while there.
So he's lifted the Dragon's Curse, huh?
Though that was unfortunate news, I decided not to get too fixated on it. Being able to use Dragon Speech didn't change anything. I was no longer the old me, either.
Since it had been a long time, I decided it was necessary to discipline these guys at least once.
"...Ugh." Exposed to my murderous intent, Deer clenched his fists in pain. This should have been enough to prime a courteous listener, but I wasn't satisfied and continued to pile it on. As I did, the veins on Deer's neck began to rise. Deer was better than Clown, who once writhed on the floor from this, but he ultimately wasn't much different.
"Never look down on me again." When I unleashed the full extent of my murderous intent, Deer slowly bent over as if something heavy was pressing down on his shoulders. As he stared up at me, strained, I made sure to sound pleased. "Yes, just like that."
Before long, Deer was on his knees and looking up at me from the ground. Judging by the way his arms trembled on the table as he struggled to support his weight, he seemed to be at his limit. But I was in the same boat.
Ugh, my head.
The moment my head throbbed, the murderous intent that was weighing down the hall disappeared.
...Gasp!
Deer sucked in a deep breath as soon as his lungs were unfrozen.
At the sight, Clown sneered. "...Pshehe, foolish human. Have you forgotten what to do if you want to ask Mr. Lion something? Bring something entertaining! Entertaining!" Even as he said that, Clown glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as if to ask, Right?, clearly hoping for a compliment.
Naturally, I ignored him again.
"Lion." After a beat, Crescent, a man I believed to be an elf and who longed for the Stone of Revival more than any other, ended the silence. "I don't care what you've been doing all this time." Swallowing back the anxiety and questions that must have been brewing in his head for over two years, he said, "Thank you, for coming back."
It was just the reaction I had been hoping for, but actually hearing it, I felt a bit bad. This guy must have been super anxious while I was gone.
Should I give him a clue this time?
As I was thinking that, Soul Queen spoke up in a cheerful tone in an attempt to break the tension. "Hmm, then I guess it's all sorted now? Shall we get started? I think we're going to have a lot to say to each other in today's gathering."
That was how the gathering began. The process of deciding the order was quick.
"So Ms. Fox is first, then?"
"...I guess so."
The order was clockwise as always, but it had to end with me.
"Why did I sit here...?"
That had been our tacit agreement in the past. Listening to the information that was brought by the others first, evaluating it, and then relaying information of an equivalent value—that was how the Round Table usually went for me.
"...Since I haven't prepared anything special today, I'll say what I originally planned to mention." Fox was the first to relay her information. Right from the get-go, things were quite interesting. "The Dragon Slayer, who went inactive after kidnapping a high priest three years ago, reappeared for the first time on the Dark Continent. According to witness accounts, he looked much stronger, and it seems he has dealt with the Dragon's Curse to some extent."
It was news about the Dragon Slayer, who I had forgotten about for a while there.
So he's lifted the Dragon's Curse, huh?
Though that was unfortunate news, I decided not to get too fixated on it. Being able to use Dragon Speech didn't change anything. I was no longer the old me, either.
Shaaaaaa!
The Round Table's jewel emitted a green light, announcing the successful end of the first turn.
"Pshehe, you are clever, Ms. Fox," Clown cackled.
"...What do you mean?"
"That can't be what you originally meant to say here since it's something we can use to infer your identity. Judging by Mr. Deer's reaction, it seems even the palace hasn't received this information yet. So that must mean you met him in person yourself."
"I won't answer any personal questions."
"Well, that's fine. I can just ask that salamander son of a bitch who he met in the labyrinth later."
Fox pursed her lips at Clown's crass behavior and the baton naturally passed to the next person.
"Then it's... my turn." It was Deer this time. Before sharing his information, he made eye contact with me, then awkwardly averted his eyes. It seemed the lingering effects of the murderous intent earlier were still going strong. Perhaps he was too proud to show it, though, as he did his best to appear unaffected. "The palace will soon issue a conscription order for titled nobles."
As he spoke, Deer turned his eyes to Clown, as if to check how Noark would react to that.
"Pshehe, do you think that's going to scare me? All I'm hearing is that you're cornered with your back to the wall." Clown just sneered as usual, and Deer did not react to his attempt at provocation, ending his turn.
When the green light turned off, Crescent opened his mouth from beside him. "It's my turn now." I was looking forward to whatever he'd say since he had been the most enthusiastic about bringing me information ever since he latched onto the Stone of Revival. Having not expected me to attend today, though, he made a disclaimer in advance. He seemed worried I might be disappointed and stop coming again. "Unfortunately, I couldn't prepare anything special. This is related to Blood Spirit." Surprisingly, a rather interesting piece of information came out of his mouth. "A few weeks ago, Blood Spirit took most of the financial support funding bestowed on the elves from the palace for herself, claiming she needed the money. She did not disclose the reason."
This incident was practically a scandal within the tribe. Soul Queen, who was listening intently, expressed her doubts. "But can she really take an amount like that without disclosing the reason? Even if it is Blood Spirit? A support fund from the palace certainly wouldn't be small."
"It's definitely unprecedented. But the elders had no choice as she threatened to sell off the Sacred Bow if they didn't give her the money."
"...Sell the Sacred Bow?"
"It's shameful, but yes. Since she said the money was vital, we have no choice but to trust she has some justification she cannot reveal."
At Crescent's explanation, the other members could not hide their discomfort either. "Pshehe, what is that wild woman planning?"
"I can only imagine one reason a woman like her would need a large sum like that."
"I don't know, but it looks like there will be more bloodshed."
I felt very uncomfortable for some reason. If these guys were reacting like this, what was Erwen's public image like?
No, before that... She told me not to worry because she had plenty of money, but it was all stolen from her tribe?
I was stunned. I had wondered how she had the capital to buy a mansion in one night, but to think this was what happened.
What'll happen if the elves find out? If it were me, I'd be devastated.
Shaaaaaa!
The Round Table's jewel emitted a green light, announcing the successful end of the first turn.
"Pshehe, you are clever, Ms. Fox," Clown cackled.
"...What do you mean?"
"That can't be what you originally meant to say here since it's something we can use to infer your identity. Judging by Mr. Deer's reaction, it seems even the palace hasn't received this information yet. So that must mean you met him in person yourself."
"I won't answer any personal questions."
"Well, that's fine. I can just ask that salamander son of a bitch who he met in the labyrinth later."
Fox pursed her lips at Clown's crass behavior and the baton naturally passed to the next person.
"Then it's... my turn." It was Deer this time. Before sharing his information, he made eye contact with me, then awkwardly averted his eyes. It seemed the lingering effects of the murderous intent earlier were still going strong. Perhaps he was too proud to show it, though, as he did his best to appear unaffected. "The palace will soon issue a conscription order for titled nobles."
As he spoke, Deer turned his eyes to Clown, as if to check how Noark would react to that.
"Pshehe, do you think that's going to scare me? All I'm hearing is that you're cornered with your back to the wall." Clown just sneered as usual, and Deer did not react to his attempt at provocation, ending his turn.
When the green light turned off, Crescent opened his mouth from beside him. "It's my turn now." I was looking forward to whatever he'd say since he had been the most enthusiastic about bringing me information ever since he latched onto the Stone of Revival. Having not expected me to attend today, though, he made a disclaimer in advance. He seemed worried I might be disappointed and stop coming again. "Unfortunately, I couldn't prepare anything special. This is related to Blood Spirit." Surprisingly, a rather interesting piece of information came out of his mouth. "A few weeks ago, Blood Spirit took most of the financial support funding bestowed on the elves from the palace for herself, claiming she needed the money. She did not disclose the reason."
This incident was practically a scandal within the tribe. Soul Queen, who was listening intently, expressed her doubts. "But can she really take an amount like that without disclosing the reason? Even if it is Blood Spirit? A support fund from the palace certainly wouldn't be small."
"It's definitely unprecedented. But the elders had no choice as she threatened to sell off the Sacred Bow if they didn't give her the money."
"...Sell the Sacred Bow?"
"It's shameful, but yes. Since she said the money was vital, we have no choice but to trust she has some justification she cannot reveal."
At Crescent's explanation, the other members could not hide their discomfort either. "Pshehe, what is that wild woman planning?"
"I can only imagine one reason a woman like her would need a large sum like that."
"I don't know, but it looks like there will be more bloodshed."
I felt very uncomfortable for some reason. If these guys were reacting like this, what was Erwen's public image like?
No, before that... She told me not to worry because she had plenty of money, but it was all stolen from her tribe?
I was stunned. I had wondered how she had the capital to buy a mansion in one night, but to think this was what happened.
What'll happen if the elves find out? If it were me, I'd be devastated.
As I was thinking this, Goblin cautiously spoke up. "Th-then... can I go now?"
Ah, it's his turn now. He was the paladin from Reatlas, right?
Since I knew his identity for sure along with Clown's, I was a little curious about what piece of information he'd reveal.
"The Church has decided to send all forces except the First Order of Paladins to the royal army."
What, war again? Even though I was disappointed, I ended up chuckling.
The Church? I guess he has no intention of hiding it anymore. Either that or his identity has been revealed within the last two years.
Even as I wondered what kinds of conversations were exchanged at the Round Table while I was away, I kept my ears open. Once a brief conversation about how the Church's actions would affect the war ended, it came time for the next person to speak.
"Pshehe." This time, it was none other than Clown's turn. "Why is everyone talking about such boring things when Mr. Lion has come after all this time?" Clown tilted his head exaggeratedly before the look in his eyes sharpened and he shared his piece of information. "Baekho Lee has the Stone of Revival."
...Huh?
The ripple effect from the information Clown casually dropped was huge, and the one who showed the most violent reaction was Crescent. Crescent, who always held hatred in his eyes whenever he looked at Clown, could not hide how off-balance he was and muttered, "Baekho Lee... the man whom the palace has secretly ordered to be killed? Has the Stone of Revival?" Crescent mostly seemed surprised to hear about the Stone of Revival, but I was different.
Why is Baekho being mentioned here...?
Not only was his a name I hadn't expected to hear here but when did he get so famous in the first place? Two years ago, only a small number of people even knew his name. And how did he get the Stone of Revival? That was something you could never obtain without luck, even if you knew the method for acquiring it. Unfortunately, I didn't get too much time to process this bombshell.
"How was it? If it's related to Baekho, I thought you might be a bit interested too." As soon as the green light came on, Clown subtly asked for my opinion.
After thinking it over for a moment, I answered. It was of higher value than the information I'd heard thus far. I was more curious about this than anything war-related, but it would be suspicious to seem too surprised. "It's certainly not bad." I expressed my feelings on the matter just enough without going overboard. After all, you needed to give reviews like this once in a while so that people would bring similar information in the future.
I should ask Erwen if she knows anything about Baekho once I get back.
I made a mental note and then stared straight ahead.
"Clown, is what you just said true?"
"Can't you tell?"
"G-Give us more details, even a little—"
"Pshehe, I don't want to."
Crescent, who had become a beggar in an instant, was being mocked by Clown. It was a pity, but there was nothing I could do about it. This was also my first time hearing that Baekho had the Stone of Revival.
Hmm, this makes it inconvenient to use the Stone of Revival as my tidbit this round... What should I bring up later?
While I quietly sat back and observed the situation to decide which information to reveal next, Soul Queen clapped and drew everyone's attention. "Now, is it my turn?" Of the numerous members at the table, she looked directly at me and spoke in an intrigued tone. "There has been no record of Lion accessing Ghost Busters for the past two years and six months. Where on earth have you been all this time?"
Haha...
On the 15th, all community members were forcefully summoned to this spiritual world. Well, you could log out as soon as you entered, of course, but...
"What do you mean no record of access?"
"It's just as I said. There is no record of him accessing it whatsoever."
The fact that my login records had disappeared altogether was strange in many ways. She probably confirmed this through the GM.
"Which was why I thought you must be dead..."
Beyond simply assuming I was dead, this woman would have been convinced I was Bjorn Yandel because I had been the only famous death during that time.
But did he pick up on some kind of contradiction in Soul Queen's statement? "D-Dead?" Goblin asked. "But I thought you were waiting for him this whole time?"
"No, the person I was waiting for was Master. The one who created this Round Table. I've been visiting regularly to check to see if he's returned."
"Ah..." Goblin, now convinced, turned to me, as did everyone else. It was clear what they wanted.
Shaaaaaa!
Since the Round Table's gem was glowing green, it was true that I had not logged into the community for two and a half years. They must have been hoping for an explanation from my own lips.
"Ah, are you going to avoid answering? True, this must not be entertaining information for you—"
I cut her off and said, "How bold."
"Oh? Is there a reason I should be nervous?"
As she met my eyes, her expression was utterly relaxed. The look in her eyes seemed to be saying that even if I hit her with the same murderous intent that paralyzed Deer, she had a way to deal with it.
"Funny."
"Oh, then will you tell us? What happened to you, that is."
I glanced at the jewel that had already lost its luster before replying. "It's my turn now."
"Are you ignoring my question?"
"Well." I was not ignoring her question. To be more exact, this was her punishment for it. "The Magic Engineer, Yurven Havellion." To maintain Lion's authority going forward, I had to properly teach her a lesson, even if the subduing wasn't done with something like murderous intent. "That is the GM's name."
Those who dare to rebel will be punished.
As I was thinking this, Goblin cautiously spoke up. "Th-then... can I go now?"
Ah, it's his turn now. He was the paladin from Reatlas, right?
Since I knew his identity for sure along with Clown's, I was a little curious about what piece of information he'd reveal.
"The Church has decided to send all forces except the First Order of Paladins to the royal army."
What, war again? Even though I was disappointed, I ended up chuckling.
The Church? I guess he has no intention of hiding it anymore. Either that or his identity has been revealed within the last two years.
Even as I wondered what kinds of conversations were exchanged at the Round Table while I was away, I kept my ears open. Once a brief conversation about how the Church's actions would affect the war ended, it came time for the next person to speak.
"Pshehe." This time, it was none other than Clown's turn. "Why is everyone talking about such boring things when Mr. Lion has come after all this time?" Clown tilted his head exaggeratedly before the look in his eyes sharpened and he shared his piece of information. "Baekho Lee has the Stone of Revival."
...Huh?
The ripple effect from the information Clown casually dropped was huge, and the one who showed the most violent reaction was Crescent. Crescent, who always held hatred in his eyes whenever he looked at Clown, could not hide how off-balance he was and muttered, "Baekho Lee... the man whom the palace has secretly ordered to be killed? Has the Stone of Revival?" Crescent mostly seemed surprised to hear about the Stone of Revival, but I was different.
Why is Baekho being mentioned here...?
Not only was his a name I hadn't expected to hear here but when did he get so famous in the first place? Two years ago, only a small number of people even knew his name. And how did he get the Stone of Revival? That was something you could never obtain without luck, even if you knew the method for acquiring it. Unfortunately, I didn't get too much time to process this bombshell.
"How was it? If it's related to Baekho, I thought you might be a bit interested too." As soon as the green light came on, Clown subtly asked for my opinion.
After thinking it over for a moment, I answered. It was of higher value than the information I'd heard thus far. I was more curious about this than anything war-related, but it would be suspicious to seem too surprised. "It's certainly not bad." I expressed my feelings on the matter just enough without going overboard. After all, you needed to give reviews like this once in a while so that people would bring similar information in the future.
I should ask Erwen if she knows anything about Baekho once I get back.
I made a mental note and then stared straight ahead.
"Clown, is what you just said true?"
"Can't you tell?"
"G-Give us more details, even a little—"
"Pshehe, I don't want to."
Crescent, who had become a beggar in an instant, was being mocked by Clown. It was a pity, but there was nothing I could do about it. This was also my first time hearing that Baekho had the Stone of Revival.
Hmm, this makes it inconvenient to use the Stone of Revival as my tidbit this round... What should I bring up later?
While I quietly sat back and observed the situation to decide which information to reveal next, Soul Queen clapped and drew everyone's attention. "Now, is it my turn?" Of the numerous members at the table, she looked directly at me and spoke in an intrigued tone. "There has been no record of Lion accessing Ghost Busters for the past two years and six months. Where on earth have you been all this time?"
Haha...
On the 15th, all community members were forcefully summoned to this spiritual world. Well, you could log out as soon as you entered, of course, but...
"What do you mean no record of access?"
"It's just as I said. There is no record of him accessing it whatsoever."
The fact that my login records had disappeared altogether was strange in many ways. She probably confirmed this through the GM.
"Which was why I thought you must be dead..."
Beyond simply assuming I was dead, this woman would have been convinced I was Bjorn Yandel because I had been the only famous death during that time.
But did he pick up on some kind of contradiction in Soul Queen's statement? "D-Dead?" Goblin asked. "But I thought you were waiting for him this whole time?"
"No, the person I was waiting for was Master. The one who created this Round Table. I've been visiting regularly to check to see if he's returned."
"Ah..." Goblin, now convinced, turned to me, as did everyone else. It was clear what they wanted.
Shaaaaaa!
Since the Round Table's gem was glowing green, it was true that I had not logged into the community for two and a half years. They must have been hoping for an explanation from my own lips.
"Ah, are you going to avoid answering? True, this must not be entertaining information for you—"
I cut her off and said, "How bold."
"Oh? Is there a reason I should be nervous?"
As she met my eyes, her expression was utterly relaxed. The look in her eyes seemed to be saying that even if I hit her with the same murderous intent that paralyzed Deer, she had a way to deal with it.
"Funny."
"Oh, then will you tell us? What happened to you, that is."
I glanced at the jewel that had already lost its luster before replying. "It's my turn now."
"Are you ignoring my question?"
"Well." I was not ignoring her question. To be more exact, this was her punishment for it. "The Magic Engineer, Yurven Havellion." To maintain Lion's authority going forward, I had to properly teach her a lesson, even if the subduing wasn't done with something like murderous intent. "That is the GM's name."
Those who dare to rebel will be punished.