Chapter 431
Chapter 431
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 431
>Chapter Title: Looks Like You've Eaten a Lot of Good Stuff?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thud, thud.
Footsteps echoed through the shadowed hallway. Two Hermits trailed behind, but they were completely overshadowed by the overwhelming presence.
It probably would have been the same no matter who stood there.
No star could shine brighter than the sun.
"Long time no see."
Aster narrowed his eyes at the low voice. Though still some distance away, the presence hit him like it was right in his face.
"Looks like you've eaten a lot of good stuff?"
"Hmm."
Instead of answering, Pahren stared intently at Aster. His gaze scanned him up and down... and when it finally settled, Pahren spoke plainly.
"Impressive."
"What?"
"Three years... no, two years? You've come so far in such a short time."
"What the..."
Aster couldn't help but burst out laughing in disbelief.
"Is that mockery?"
"Does it sound like mockery? What reason would I have to mock you?"
"Well..."
"Listen well, Tower Lord. Do you know what envy, jealousy, admiration, and ridicule have in common? They're emotions reserved for worthy opponents. So, I can't mock you."
Why not?
Because he wasn't even worth comparing to.
Thus.
"I'm saying I can sincerely congratulate your growth. Even if you're destined to become an enemy I must one day tear apart. Understand?"
"......"
Aster fell silent. Pahren filled his vision. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind.
But in the end, what he wanted to say was this.
"Wait. Envy, jealousy... what?"
"Envy, jealousy, admiration, ridicule. These are emotions you feel toward someone slightly better, worse, or equal to you."
"Like... no one envies an ant? And no ant envies a human?"
"You catch on quick."
"Then... noted for now."
Noted what?
"......?"
Kahazar, standing blankly beside him like a broom propped up in the corner, tilted his head. But that lasted only a moment.
His eyes twitched as he watched Aster pull out a notebook from his pocket and jot down Pahren's words.
It was incomprehensible.
'...Is he insane?'
Why take notes?
By the time Kahazar thought that far, Aster finished scribbling, closed the notebook, and turned back to Pahren.
"Got it, your congratulations are noted. Anything else?"
"That's it."
"Nothing else to say?"
"Should there be?"
"......"
Aster let out a short chuckle.
They were just too different.
He had no desire to continue the conversation, and even if he did, they weren't the type to mesh.
"Oh, one more thing."
"......?"
"Thanks for accepting the invitation."
Aster stayed silent.
But Pahren didn't seem to expect a reply as he walked past him.
"Please offer your congratulations as well. It's a meaningless title, but coming from you, it'd feel worthwhile."
"......"
Aster stood still, staring down the empty hallway. Then he turned to take in Pahren's retreating back.
And raised his middle finger.
Full of heartfelt congratulations.
* * *
Word of Pahren's arrival drew the scattered observers from all corners of the Sanctuary, gathering them in one place.
Pahren, arriving last, sat in the reception room like he owned the place, greeting the observers as they came.
The first to arrive were Aster and Kahazar, closest to the room.
"......"
Pahren glanced briefly at the two. They sat quietly on the sofa without a word.
Next.
Creak—
The Judge of Jamal entered the reception room.
"You're the mage challenging the Arch Mage's seat?"
"That's right."
"So you're the Decullan. Arrogance runs unmatched in your family."
With that, the Judge of Jamal walked to the seat opposite Aster. It was an insult, but Pahren showed no reaction.
And next.
Creak—
Demea, patriarch of the Dinai Family.
"......"
Demea entered, paused, and stared at Pahren. Pahren met her gaze from his seat.
How much time passed like that.
"Sit, Patriarch Demea."
"Still spouting words as thin as their origins."
"You mean baseless?"
"Exactly."
"Interesting."
The two, gazing at each other like old rivals, soon looked away. Demea took the seat to Aster's right.
"He's insulting you, and you find it interesting. Sick..."
"Quiet down, Tower Lord. Why whisper to me? Whispers are for..."
"Then say it out loud?"
"What's the difference if you shout it? I'm asking because I don't get it."
"Words thin on comprehension."
"You calling me stupid?"
"Yes."
"Hoo..."
Kahazar let out a deep sigh. But Aster seemed amused, chuckling away.
Honestly, it wasn't an incomprehensible reaction.
Tension was only natural.
'The ultimate thugs, the Decullans.'
Even the most vicious cartel bosses in the Black-White Slums bowed to them.
And not just that?
'The patriarch himself is challenging the Arch Mage's seat.'
So, being in that room meant inevitable tension. But.
'I bow to no authority.'
Decullan or Arch Mage challenger, he wouldn't yield.
And truthfully, he was curious too.
That solemn demeanor hiding a frivolous edge, that aura of dignity masking something shallow... What was the real Pahren von Decullan like beneath the mask?
He wanted to rip it off.
'Absolutely can't let him make me feel small. No way, nope.'
He'd come harboring some rival-like? Kind of? Thoughts? Not out of embarrassing overconfidence or anything.
If anything, it was his way of shaking off the nerves.
Anyway.
"Heh heh, Patriarch Pahren. Long time no see."
Parapus brazenly greeted Pahren with a smile and headed for an empty seat.
His face was as thick as they come—no room for even the 'bet' in betrayal.
But.
"Old man."
"......?"
Parapus halted and looked at Pahren, a stiff smile on his face as if questioning if he'd heard right.
Pahren didn't even spare him a glance.
He merely...
Beckoned.
"......"
Parapus stood frozen, staring at Pahren, his smile long gone.
His lips twitched upward, but it wasn't a smile.
"Patriarch, what are you..."
"Dogs."
Pahren shifted only his eyes to Parapus.
"Dogs don't starve if they wag their tails well. Come when called, go when told. Do that right, and even whining gets some leeway. Even if it's a mutt crawling to a new master. But if it can't even manage that... how should I see it?"
"......"
"Come here, won't you?"
At Pahren's words, Parapus moved as if drawn. No compulsion, but the words themselves yanked his leash.
And the spot Parapus ended up was right behind Pahren.
"Yes, old man. That's your place."
Humiliation flushed Parapus's face red. His balding scalp gleamed crimson too.
But that was none of Pahren's concern. He'd known Parapus's opportunistic nature from the start. He'd even predicted his stance after Baron Maroon's death.
And so...
Next.
"Count Taurus."
"Congratulations, Patriarch Pahren."
"Sit."
Count Taurus bowed deeply, as if to a superior, and took his seat. Parapus bit his lip at the differing treatment. Of course, Pahren paid it no mind.
Finally...
"......Congratulations."
"Thank you."
With Kijystone's arrival, all the great mages had gathered.
[Decullan, Dinai, Kutlan]
Three noble houses.
Their heads assembled...
Along with two count families, imperial mages, and Ahola, ruler of the Jamal Desert, filling the seats.
And...
The Tower Lord.
The head of a new power.
......Those seated wordlessly eyed each other. Figures who should never share a room now did, gazes locking.
Wariness, indifference, interest...
Eyes crossed in the tension.
No one knew how this gathering would end, but one fact was certain.
Pahren von Decullan
Demea de Dinai
Hazen von Kutlan? Wait, Kahazar von Kutlan? From the text: **Hazar von Kutlan** – assuming Kahazar von Kutlan.
Wait, the glossary has no exact match, but later **those seated** lists:
Pahren von Decullan
Demea de Dinaika (Demea de Dinaika? Probably de Dinai)
Hazar von Kutlan (Hazen von Kutlan? But earlier Kahazar – Kahazar)
Judge of Jamal
Parapus de Tantaro
Kijystone de Sephaid
Contra von Taurus (The text says Count Taurus, but the list says Contra von Taurus)
Tower Lord
Challenger and seven observers.
These mages would etch their names in this era's history. An indisputable fact.
In this historic moment that would thrill any mage...
Aster thought.
'If all six were on my side.'
He could have buried Pahren right here.
Truly regrettable.
* * *
With challenger and observers assembled, the Hermits proposed a banquet.
The observers, initially refusing, relented upon hearing it was an ancient tradition.
Of course, the banquet wasn't enjoyable.
Food and wine were plentiful.
But the company was the issue.
It ended as a mere formality. Originally, it was for exchanging magical knowledge.
'...Even the challenger arriving last was for that reason.'
When else would the era's seven greatest mages gather?
The Sanctuary made it happen, creating a forum for exchange.
This time it was a witch hunt, but still.
It could extend to a month, but no one wanted that.
Except one.
......Pahren.
The banquet stretched a full week.
'To recover from travel fatigue?'
Absurd.
The most vigorous one claiming fatigue.
'Definitely some scheme...'
During the banquet, Pahren holed up in his room, not emerging.
As if truly resting.
Anyway, the week passed quickly.
And at last...
Sanctuary challenge day.
"We'll guide you to the observation hall."
Aster followed the Hermit through the Sanctuary's halls, now familiar.
"......?"
"Something wrong?"
Aster paused briefly, narrowing his eyes at the Hermit's question. He peered down the hall's end, tilting his head.
"Felt a chill."
"......?"
"Hm, never mind, nothing."
"Then, we'll resume guiding you."
The Hermit continued.
Aster followed, constantly glancing back.
'...What was that?'
Not some energy. He'd never miss that.
What to call it.
A gaze? Too vague for a sense.
"Tch."
Aster shook his head, brushing off the unease.
Pahren's Sanctuary challenge was what mattered now.
......Meanwhile, at the hallway corner Aster had eyed.
A Hermit pressed flat against the wall, catching his breath. It was the Fourth Elder’s puppet.
'Beast of a man.'
The Fourth Elder marveled at Aster's animal instinct—'sense' not 'ki sense.' Instinct anyway—and hurried on.
......The week-long banquet.
Time for the Fourth Elder to scout the Sanctuary.
'A few more days would’ve been ideal.'
Regretful, but he pressed on undeterred. As if he knew the Sanctuary's every layout.