Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Count Dermore
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(1)
4. Count Dermore
1.
Right after arriving in the imperial capital.
The two headed straight for the Dermore Count's mansion. Perhaps due to their shabby appearance, they were initially turned away at the door, but once they handed over Ajuh's letter, attitudes changed.
Not just anyone, but Count Dermore himself came out to greet them personally. From then on, they were treated as the count's honored guests.
Every day brought lavish feasts, warm baths, and soft, fluffy beds.
Noa quickly let her guard down amid this paradise-like comfort. She even started taking naps during the day, something she rarely did.
"Haaah."
With a drowsy yawn.
Noa woke up with a tousled face.
The sky was gradually turning red. She must have dozed off briefly and only opened her eyes at evening. Feeling groggy, Noa stretched lazily.
It had been three days since they started staying here.
The time spent so far felt like a dream. She could happily live here forever if possible.
But that wasn't an option.
"Sigh, even this happiness ends tomorrow."
The twelfth day of the twin moons.
Arsen Academy's entrance exam began tomorrow morning. Results would be announced in the late afternoon, and examinees couldn't leave the academy until then.
Once results were out, successful applicants moved straight to the academy dorms.
"Ugh! I want to stay longer."
Noa hugged her pillow tightly, her face gloomy, as if she never wanted to leave.
Then.
Suddenly, Noa's ears perked up.
A familiar presence outside the window.
And reflected in her eyes was a youth with a face as familiar as that presence.
'Ullan.'
Her companion from the past two months.
Ullan was hard at training in the training grounds. This wasn't just today's routine. He hadn't skipped practice once on the entire journey here.
And that was far from all.
After training, he always read books during breaks. Aside from sleep, his life was nothing but training and study. The epitome of diligent day-and-night learning.
"He's seriously hardworking."
Honestly, she'd expected him to slack off once in a while. Rain or snow, Ullan's routine never wavered.
Straight and steadfast like a tall tree.
Watching him quietly stirred up the odd sense of disconnect she'd felt over the past two months.
'He's nothing like in the game.'
In the early game of Arsen Continent Saga.
Ullan appeared as a hot-blooded warrior after passing the Hero's Trial. Impatient, solving everything with brute force—a true barbarian warrior.
'But the current Ullan...'
Is calm and utterly rational.
Cautious in all things, his every action and word carried the weight of vast experience. Like someone who'd lived decades.
Of course, he occasionally showed barbarian traits. Ruthlessly splitting the heads of bandits or monsters, for instance. Even then, Ullan remained utterly composed.
Was it because of this fresh doubt?
Noa blinked her left eye three times, fixing her gaze on Ullan. Soon, information only she could see appeared.
Since first meeting Ullan.
Two changes had occurred.
First, his age had updated. This was natural with the new year, nothing special.
Second, 'Features' information had been added. This unlocked when intimacy with the target reached a certain level.
'Honestly, most of it matches the game.'
Except one new feature.
Thirst for Knowledge. Rare for a warrior class, regardless of Ullan. Usually only scholars or mages had it.
'Why did Thirst for Knowledge suddenly appear?'
She'd pondered it since unlocking his features, but found no answer.
So she decided to let it go.
Whatever the trigger, it didn't matter now. What mattered was leveraging this variable.
'Ullan's goal is to gather diverse knowledge, plus scholarly guidance.'
So Noa planned to teach him what he craved.
Like a private tutor.
In exchange, she'd borrow his strength. Since she'd need his power for academy events.
'The academy has tons of events.'
Some required serious firepower to clear.
Arsen Academy brimmed with rewards and hidden pieces. With Ullan's help, she'd grow faster.
'And if chances arise, recruit other companions too.'
The endgame goal of Arsen Continent Saga.
To stop the Abyss Lords, she needed high-grade allies like Ullan.
'The Sword Princess and Star Witch were definitely Arsen Academy grads, right?'
Main character companions Sword Princess and Star Witch.
Having them made certain bosses a breeze. No harm in getting close.
'The problem is...'
Noa—rather, Yoo Min-ha—had never properly made friends in her life.
And as a high schooler, she'd skipped school entirely, forgetting how to even do it.
'Still, effort should pay off somehow.'
So for now, maintain ties with Ullan.
Provide what he wants, borrow his power. With firm resolve, Noa gazed at Ullan in the training grounds.
Her eyes sparkling like stars.
2.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Ullan suddenly halted.
He felt eyes on him from nearby. Soon, his gaze met a girl's from the mansion's second-floor window.
"...!"
The black-haired girl startled and hid in a fluster. Etching her face in his mind, Ullan narrowed his eyes.
'Noa Darshen.'
Companion and same-age peer from the plains to the capital.
Two months observing her led Ullan to this judgment.
'A strange one.'
About half a month ago.
Crossing the mountains to the capital.
They'd run into bandits by chance. After subduing them, Noa suddenly insisted on raiding their den.
When asked why, she said people were held captive there.
'I followed skeptically, but captives were indeed there.'
Including a major merchant caravan trader.
They got a pouch full of silver as reward, plus comfy rest at a caravan inn.
And more.
She'd plunge into foggy woods claiming lost silver, or preemptively mug disguised pickpockets for their coin.
'Like she already knows what'll happen.'
Of course it was intriguing.
Ullan’s eyes gleamed.
'But...'
One concern nagged.
Noa had many secrets.
Prime example: memories before age eight. Plus sundry other hidden bits.
He'd asked outright a few times, curiosity bubbling. But Noa always looked troubled and deflected.
So he stopped prying.
No malice in her secrets, and above all, she'd helped immensely.
'Much to learn from Noa.'
She was incredibly knowledgeable.
Ullan learned much: Ruben Empire's history, culture, etiquette. Knowledge Ajuh never taught.
'So...'
He'd avoid troubling her for now. Someday, if they grew close, she'd share—like his old comrades.
As he sorted his thoughts.
Someone approached. A elderly man in crisp black suit.
"Master Ullan."
Alond, butler of the Dermore household.
He served their meals daily. Bowing politely, he stated his business.
"His Excellency the Count invites you to dinner tonight. If it wouldn't inconvenience you, may I escort you?"
No reason to refuse.
Ullan nodded and stood. Following Alond to where Count Dermore waited.
3.
After leaving the training grounds.
Ullan ran into a familiar face.
"Ah, Ullan."
Noa, none other.
She approached waving happily. Same destination, so likely also invited to dinner.
Ullan eyed her silently, then spoke bluntly.
"Face straight out of bed."
"Gasp! H-how'd you know?"
"Hair's a mess."
Ullan pointed to her head.
Noa hurriedly smoothed it. Though messy bedhead didn't settle instantly.
Soon after.
They reached their goal.
"Your Excellency. Alond here. I've brought Warrior Ullan and Miss Noa."
Alond knocked and spoke courteously.
A deep voice replied from beyond.
"Bring them in."
"As you command."
Alond slowly opened the door.
The fully open door.
Their eyes followed the carpet to the dining room. At the end sat the man from three days ago, mid-40s and dignified.
"Come in."
Neatly trimmed golden hair.
Brown eyes like earth.
The warmly smiling man was one of the empire's great nobles, an earth mage of the Tower of Earth, and this mansion's master.
Dr. Muël Ron Dermore.
Known as Count Dermore.
4. Count Dermore