Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Duke's Challenge
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Even after the meeting with Prince Lucian, the Empire's investigation team continued to make various requests for cooperation and inquiries for quite some time.
And over a month passed like that.
Only after diligently completing all those investigations could they finally set off for Langley.
"Whoa! We finally made it!"
Today, at long last.
They arrived safely in Langley.
How grueling the past month had been.
Lena let out a cheer of relief the moment she stepped off the ship, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.
"Yeah, Lena. You've been through a lot."
"This is the first time I've ever been put through the wringer like this. They made us repeat the same stories over and over and over..."
Having been dragged around here and there for a full month, Lena and Risar—the main subjects of the investigation—looked noticeably more gaunt than before.
On the other hand, Jeon had mostly just done translation work, aside from the incident with Prince Lucian.
"...Jeon, your face looks a lot healthier these days."
"Does it?"
"Yeah, and come to think of it, you've gotten pretty tall too."
Lena sidled up next to Jeon and compared their heights.
Sure enough.
When they first met, Jeon had seemed just a tad shorter, but now he was a full finger's width taller.
"Hmm, must be all the good food."
During his slave days, he'd been so malnourished he was skin and bones.
In Brea Village, his belly had filled out, but the nutrition was lacking.
But ever since working as an interpreter, with all the hearty meals, not only had he put on some healthy weight, but he was starting to shoot up in height too.
'At this rate, he might end up pretty tall.'
He hadn't even hit proper puberty yet.
The growth spurt was quite satisfying.
In his previous life, he'd been around average height for his region, but this time, there was real potential for him to become tall and imposing.
"By the way, how long does it take from here to Silvermont territory?"
"About a week? It's in the center of the island, so it's quite a distance."
After over a week on the ship to reach Langley.
Now another week of travel ahead.
"But from here on, we'll take the family carriage, so it shouldn't be too uncomfortable."
"Oh, really?"
Just as Risar said.
A carriage prepared by the Silvermont Family to welcome Lena back was waiting for them as they disembarked.
And the most fortunate part was how incredibly comfortable the ride was—likely due to some magical engineering.
'More comfortable than any car from my past life.'
In any case.
Thanks to these prior arrangements, the journey from Langley's port to Silvermont territory went remarkably smoothly.
"By the way, Jeon, aren't you curious about anything about Langley or our Silvermont Family?"
"Curious?"
"Yeah! Ask away, I'll tell you everything!"
Perhaps because the trip was so smooth, the slightly bored Lena suddenly struck up a conversation, urging Jeon to ask whatever he wanted.
"Something I'm curious about..."
At Lena's words, Jeon glanced out at the passing scenery.
The views of Langley beyond the window were certainly novel.
Far from the Empire and being an island nation, anyone could tell it was a different country just by looking.
That said, it wasn't anything he felt compelled to grab someone and ask about.
Instead, Jeon decided to inquire about something that had been on his mind for a while.
"Lena, remember that bracelet you gave me?"
"Huh? Of course I do. I'm still wearing mine."
"Right. So, that ruin where the engraving on the bracelet was discovered—is it in Silvermont territory?"
What Jeon was curious about was information on the ruin where the Guardian rune had been found.
"That ruin? Yeah, it's within our Silvermont territory."
"Oh, really?"
He'd worried it might be in some other territory, making it hard to visit.
'Maybe I can swing a visit while we're here.'
If it was in Silvermont territory, he might be able to make time during their stay.
As those hopeful thoughts ran through his mind.
"But visiting that ruin will be tough."
"Hm? Why?"
"They failed to conquer it, so they sealed off access afterward."
Failed to conquer it.
It was unexpected information.
With the Guardian rune discovered, he'd assumed they'd succeeded.
"That thing engraved on the bracelet? They said it was copied straight from the door at the end of the ruin that was blocking the way."
"A door?"
"Yeah. There was this door in the ruin that no method could open. And it wasn't just the door—traps and all sorts of obstacles kept popping up, so they eventually gave up."
Jeon stroked his chin, lost in thought as he listened to Lena's explanation.
'A door engraved with the Guardian rune.'
It might be similar to the ruin where he'd obtained the Compression rune—a door sealed by runes.
No ordinary method would open it, then.
'Maybe I could open it?'
Jeon might just pull it off.
Of course, it could be entirely different, but it seemed worth trying.
"What? That's all you're curious about?"
"Yeah, if something else comes to mind."
"No way! Ask more! I'm bored!"
And so, with Jeon deep in thought and Lena grumbling about boredom, a week passed.
Finally, they arrived in Silvermont territory.
The time they arrived in Silvermont territory was just as morning turned to afternoon.
"Phew, now I can finally rest...?"
He'd thought he'd have time to unwind upon arrival.
Unfortunately, Jeon wasn't given any chance to tour the territory or catch a breather.
"Jeon, sir, we'll come in for a moment."
"Pardon?"
The moment they arrived, preparations began to meet Alexar Silvermont, the territory's lord.
After being shown to his room and unpacking, maids flooded in like a tidal wave.
"Lady Lena, Sir Risar, and Jeon, sir—that makes exactly three to meet with the Duke."
"The Duke is generally magnanimous as long as you're not too rude, but it's best to mind your manners."
"You've got quite a bit of travel dirt on your clothes. We'll prepare fresh ones."
They rattled off advice disguised as scoldings.
And they even fitted Jeon head to toe with brand-new clothes.
'This is chaos. Total chaos.'
Jeon was tossed about like a leaf in a storm.
After that whirlwind passed.
"Then, shall we head out?"
"Huh? Oh, yes."
Before he knew it, preparations to meet Alexar Silvermont were complete, and Jeon was led straight to his study.
'What is this the moment we arrive...'
No time to rest, straight to the meeting.
'He must be incredibly impatient.'
Even before meeting him, Jeon could tell Alexar Silvermont was the hasty type.
But Jeon wasn't the only one dragged through preparations.
"Oh... you all look worn out."
"I'm... somewhat used to it."
"...He's my dad, but I really hate this."
Risar and Lena, whom he ran into at the study door, looked equally drained from the maids' onslaught.
In any event, with everyone gathered.
"My lord Duke, Lady Lena, Sir Risar, and Interpreter Jeon have arrived."
"Send them in."
Entry into Alexar Silvermont's study proceeded without delay.
'Whoa... it's just like the rumors.'
Upon seeing the interior.
Jeon could definitely sense that this was a man obsessed with swords, just as Lena had described.
Anyone would mistake it for an armory.
Every decoration in the study was gleaming silver swords, armor, and knightly gear.
"You've all had a long journey. Well done."
After scanning the study.
Jeon finally faced its owner, Alexar Silvermont.
He was a burly middle-aged man who unmistakably looked like Lena's father, sharing her silver eyes.
Unlike Lena's white hair, however, Alexar's shone silver.
'The complete opposite of Lucian.'
At a glance, he seemed the antithesis of the golden royals—dripping in silver.
But more striking were other details.
'...Is a body like that even possible?'
Taller than the already tall Risar by a full head—easily over two meters—with shoulders so broad they made his height seem compact.
And that massive frame was packed entirely with honed muscle.
In his past life, Jeon would've assumed steroids.
It was a body trained to the absolute limit.
"Lena, Risar. Your first visit to the Empire turned into quite the ordeal."
"No, sir. I was fine. In fact, I consider it a valuable experience."
"...It wasn't all bad for me either."
After brief greetings with Lena and Risar, Alexar turned his gaze to Jeon.
"So, you're the Jeon I've heard so much about."
"Yes, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Jeon, currently serving as Lady Lena's interpreter and translator."
Jeon bowed slightly while shaking the hand Alexar extended.
Despite being a duke of the Langley Kingdom, a high position.
Having already had a private audience with Prince Lucian, Jeon wasn't overly intimidated.
"I've heard the stories. You played a decisive role in saving my daughter?"
True to his reputation for haste.
"And you wish to learn our family's mana cultivation method?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Very well. I've spoken to the family mages about it. You can learn as much as you want during your stay."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Now, remember I mentioned a separate gift from me?"
Alexar neatly addressed each point before diving into the main topic.
"Yes, I remember."
Jeon tensed inwardly at Alexar's words.
Hoping the gift wouldn't be something mismatched for him.
Especially not anything tying him unduly to Lena.
"Tell me anything you desire, and if it's within my power, I'll grant it."
Fortunately.
The gift Alexar offered was more like a 'Silvermont Family One-Wish Voucher.'
"Really...?"
"Of course. But depending on the scale of your wish, you might have to do me a small favor in return."
Given Alexar's personality, if it wasn't impossible even with the family's full resources.
He would surely grant Jeon's wish.
'Perfect timing—I was just agonizing over this.'
The moment he heard that, Jeon knew exactly what to wish for.
He had no idea what the 'small favor' might be.
But from his perspective, it was something he absolutely couldn't pass up.
So Jeon decided to ask right then and there, without delay.
"In that case, may I make my request now?"
"Hm? Right away? Fine, go ahead."
"I've heard there's a ruin in Silvermont territory that failed to conquer. I'd like to attempt it again."
"You?"
"Yes. And I'd like the full support of the Silvermont Family for the conquest."
Retry the failed ruin conquest.
Something impossible for Jeon alone.
That's why he'd wanted Silvermont support by any means.
Alexar's agreement prompted him to shoot his shot.
"Ho, bold one."
Alexar looked at Jeon with genuine surprise.
But the positivity outweighed the shock; his eyes sparkled with approval.
"Do you know how many resources a ruin conquest takes?"
"I do."
"Then, do you have confidence you'll succeed where we failed?"
"...Yes."
After a couple more questions.
"Very well. You'll have my support."
'A decision this quick?'
Great for Jeon, but was this decisiveness bold or reckless?
As Jeon inwardly reeled at the unpredictable Alexar.
"Since you asked right away, I'll state my small favor now too."
"...Pardon?"
"It's simple. I want to make a little bet with you."
With that, Alexar strode to one side of the study.
"If you win, everything you bring out of the ruin is yours to dispose of. Even if I win, I won't demand anything extra."
"...Really?"
He had no idea what the bet was.
But the terms alone were staggeringly generous.
And no loss even if he lost.
Wondering what kind of bet it could be, Jeon's eyes followed Alexar.
Shing.
He approached a sword hanging on the wall and drew it.
Before Jeon could even process the sudden action.
Alexar, sword in hand, turned to face him.
"That silver fox magic you used to protect my daughter—show me it at full power."
Alexar's eyes burned with an inexplicable competitive fire as he spoke.