Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The World Conference Has Romance (4)
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The city before us.
The traces of Shyrn finally coming into view were magnificent. The walls stretching endlessly ahead blanketed the empire's borders, and the city itself was shrouded entirely by towering walls, hiding its form from sight.
That massive fortress enclosed by enormous walls welcomed us. Its solidly packed, unyielding structure looked so imposing from the outside that it stirred an unnecessary tension.
It felt so cut off from the outside world that it was questionable whether they'd welcome outsiders like us.
"Even after all this time, the walls look sturdy. It's not anything that impressive, but it's still a bit of a wondrous city."
Lisrum expressed his amazement at the sight.
""Oppa, what's so wondrous about it?""
The twins, who hadn't been out in the world for long, questioned Lisrum's words. But Lisrum seemed uncomfortable, as if starting the conversation had been a mistake.
"Uh... kids. I don't know anything either...?"
""Eek, Oppa doesn't know anything.""
No, in Pretoria, I've lived a little longer than you two.
"A place untouched by the empire's reach. That's what they call Shyrn."
As we bantered, Lisrum continued his explanation.
"It's a city that's been receiving less and less support from the empire for a long time now. For them to build walls like these and fend off threats on their own, only for the empire to cut off aid—it's pretty ridiculous. They're not even rewarding their hard work with more support."
"It looked exactly the same as it did when I was a kid. The walls still standing strong after fending off demon invasions and foreign forces all this time—that's what's amazing. By my calculations, they should've crumbled long ago."
"Well... we'll find out why once we get inside. We've reached the gates."
As he said that, the carriage came to a stop, and the guards' voices rang out.
"If you wish to enter Shyrn, please disembark from the carriage and prove your identity."
In response, I stepped out of the carriage and handed over the edict. The guard who received the document proving I was the Hero and these were my companions looked bewildered, but soon permitted entry.
"You may enter. Follow the road straight ahead, and you'll reach the count's estate. Ah, I recommend staying in the carriage rather than walking."
I climbed back into the carriage, and the guard opened the barred gates. The massive gates creaked open slowly with a friction sound befitting their size.
The interior, viewed from inside the carriage, was simply wretched.
The only things standing sturdy were the walls and gates.
But Shyrn's interior was little more than ruins.
Collapsing private homes.
Citizens slumped in the streets.
There wasn't a single wall without cracks, and the townsfolk looked more like beggars than anything.
The grandeur and ironclad fortress we'd seen from outside masked a city rotting from within.
That made me think again: the capital, that marketplace—it was truly a place of peace and luxury.
A land untouched by the empire's hand, called the frontier.
This must be why Sio wore that bitter expression, and Lisrum that enigmatic one.
Solo life, day 4.
Even going out for a walk had become too bothersome to bother with. I just started the day slumped over and ended it the same way.
Even Jaehyun and the other friends I had left were tied up with their own lives and couldn't answer my sudden calls. Life really is a harsh word.
Outside the window, the sun dipped toward evening. Because it was winter, it got dark just past 5 PM, and seeing the streetlights flicker on early, I finally dragged myself out of bed.
Too lazy to wash, I traced a circuit and sprinkled a cleansing spell. My bird's nest hair smoothed down neatly, and my slightly sticky body dried out fresh and fluffy.
"Ah, from now on, screw washing—I'll just use magic."
How had I not done this convenient thing until now?
I headed to the kitchen, grabbed leftover pizza or whatever, and went to the living room. With no nagging flying my way as I brought food there, I was like a horse let loose from its reins.
I turned on the TV and shoved snacks into my mouth, and time slipped by.
Like yesterday, I zoned out until the conference started and switched channels.
The scene wasn't the banquet hall from before but something like a university auditorium. I'd spaced out so long that someone was already up front explaining something.
"In conclusion, when using magic, if you take this drug developed by our guild..."
"This is the magic nullification formula we built based on the idea you mentioned at the last conference. In terms of efficiency compared to existing ones..."
"This time, we've added special effects to earrings for skill use. Tap the earrings twice, and the acceleration skill activates automatically..."
The ongoing academic session was dreadfully boring. True to the name, they showcased their achievements.
All that appeared were demos of their research, results, newly invented spells, weapons, and armor.
Yuna and Sihyun apparently had nothing prepared either, so the broadcast just showed them staring blankly ahead with bored expressions, just like me.
Tomorrow was scheduled for hunter duels, which might be interesting, but the academic part clearly wasn't my thing.
Still, with Sihyun and Yuna keep showing up on screen, I couldn't bring myself to turn it off and just kept watching. Midway through this two-hour-plus brag fest on research...
The incident happened just like that.
A corner of the still-busy lecture hall warped. Even on screen, it shook violently as the wall bent, and a darkly spreading gate materialized there.
"Whoa, what? Gates spawning in a lecture hall?"
"Yeah. Came for the conference and now we've got to raid a gate."
"Well, mostly S-rank hunters, so any grade should be fine."
The hunter presenting up front stopped too. Soon, conference staff rushed in to check the gate's rank.
"S-rank gate. The conference will be paused for now."
No middle ground. I was whining about boredom, and an S-rank gate pops up.
"Even ignoring rank, S-rank means a week to clear."
"All together, we could wrap it in two days?"
"Still a waste of time..."
"Ugh, whatever. Everyone, let's raid quick and get back!"
The conference hunters sighed at the sudden situation, standing to organize themselves. They checked their gear and gathered to form ranks.
But there was no need to enter the gate.
Before they could even form up properly, the gate shattered.
ABNORMAL BREAKTHROUGH
Immediate fracture post-generation
"What...? A gate breaking right after spawning?!"
"We're screwed..."
This wasn't normal.
Without even a moment's delay, the gate cracked open further. Ignoring its S-rank status, fissures deepened, and soon it split wide.
The screen filled with darkness from the gate's explosion, plunging everything into momentary black.
I tilted my head wondering if they should even air this, but kept watching for any sign of Sihyun or Yuna's safety.
From the gate emerged just two figures.
Too slender for monsters, two shadows revealed themselves as the screen brightened.
And the words they spoke were in a language familiar to me.
"Is Arsius perhaps not here?"
That unique accent—the first I'd heard upon arriving in Pretoria—echoed through the speakers.
The hazy screen sharpened, and the familiar figure filled my eyes.
That longed-for silver hair, the black priestess robes from our journey clutched in her hand with her rosary, all reflected in my vision.
The silent lecture hall became her stage.
"Humanoid monster...?"
"Do S-rank gates spawn humanoid ones too...?"
The breaking silence filled with doubt and hostility.
Weapons already drawn aimed forward, and I held my breath.
Me crossing via gate was classified intel in Korea. With no precedents, the hunters were deeming them monsters.
"Is this not where Arsius lives...? It's troubling that they don't understand our words..."
A familiar voice. One I couldn't forget after ten years together—my heart pounded relentlessly.
Seren.
To me, it registered; to the hunters, it was just a monster's cry. Suddenly, one hunter thrust his spear. At Seren, who showed no hostility, he attacked without hesitation.
The spear whistled piercingly—
"「Rho Aias」"
⟨ Divine Shield ⟩
—blocked by divinity.
"Ah... this is troublesome. I used up a lot of strength crossing the gate. Karin, hide behind me?"
I called Sihyun. To stop that situation, that they were people I knew, not to attack.
But the call didn't connect, and on screen, Sihyun looked full of suspicion. Someone like me suddenly appearing left her at a loss.
Yuna seemed the same. With no language in common, any action felt risky.
But that hesitation was just theirs; the other hunters were already advancing with weapons raised.
"Cut off limbs and bind them. Humanoid monsters are rare specimens we've never seen—preserve for research."
My heart thundered.
Ignoring my trembling hands, I scattered mana into the air. The circuit formed faster than ever, massive like when I opened the door, and...
The image of the conference lecture hall etched into my mind.
Seeing Seren's troubled, bittersweet smile, I poured my body into the circuit.
"「Teleport」"
⟨ Spatial Transference ⟩
The building shook as the magic deployed.
"Long time no see, Seren."
I instantly drew Beatrice and aimed her straight ahead.
I didn't care about my image broadcasting live.
Nor the shocked faces of the other hunters.
I was simply the Hero protecting his own.