Trust Me (1)

Who would've thought the day would come when I'd actually use that effect? Not some random reward from a world quest, but it felt like a total dud when I first checked it out...

Of course, only while Map That Communes with All Things is still active.

I had some confidence it could work, at least to a degree. It was an epic-grade item, a trophy from a demon king, after all. Above all, the scene I'd witnessed in the [Cracked Dimensional Gap] was my proof. Even that nameless demon had slipped through a rift bare-handed. Offering a demon king's trophy as sacrifice? That had to be enough to break even.

"Time waits for no one."

Yeah. Well said for once, Hoyeol.

Time was limited.

Marcelo's reached his limit.

Stepping foot on Arcana Continent soil... It felt a bit sooner than I'd expected, but there was no putting it off.

What I needed was a short time to make full preparations. In other words, return to my roots and struggle like hell.

My preparations were simple.

"Your tower exit application is on hold."

First, wrap up the chief mage duties properly, per procedure. This damn formality and procedure...! As if I had time for this. But if I didn't do it, Marcelo would end up stuck with it. I'd learned from countless office experiences—nothing stresses you out more than handling someone else's dumped work. It might even shave years off Marcelo's life.

"A pity. Bellie Yusia, senior."

Why put Bellie's application on hold? Simple. I had to go to Arcana Continent alone.

It'll be a living hell.

Even with the superweapon Quirnburk Mechanical Tower activated, a new World Tree seed hatched, and demon activity quieted under King Paimon's suppression, Arcana Continent was practically a demon den.

Dangerous even for Mage Tower seniors.

If the whole tower was relocating, maybe, but...

"The domain of inferior scum. I yearn to trample it this instant."

Always. My usual bluster. Without the [Last Adventurer] title effect, it would've been utterly reckless, not even worth dreaming of. Even if the senior mages' skills exceeded my imagination and demons were no threat to Bellie...

No way back.

The item's stated effect didn't mention multiple teleports or return methods. Plus, once the teleport activates, Map That Communes with All Things loses all effects. No backup—no insurance—this time.

Anyway, time for full preparations.

Forget integrity or whatever...

I had to squeeze every drop of value! Grandfell might be beyond possessions, but I hadn't enlightened to that yet. I'd die feeling robbed if I didn't max out the Map That Communes with All Things.

Of course, top priority is...

[Quest: The Simuard Family's Request]. Succeed and lift Marcelo's death curse.

Was it possible? No doubts. I understood this personality, Grandfell's profound and complex pride, better than anyone.

The heir of a great family, ruined by demons. Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo, sole survivor, walked the demon hunter path for revenge.

Mage Tower's sacrifices ended with Senior. I felt Grandfell's pride surging. So my job was the same as always.

"A simple warm-up aids the mind's rotation."

Right. Time to struggle.

*

Floating Garden.

Black and green. An ill-matched pair sat across a table.

The green-haired one, Bellie, spoke first.

"My tower exit application was put on hold."

She bit her lip unconsciously. She knew her purpose wasn't fitting. But she thought Chief Lee Hoyeol would understand the gravity.

"...How could I know a cure? No way to state a specific goal."

The Simuard death curse. Cure was the aim, but unknown what it even was. No room for self-blame. Hadn't the Simuards tried? Yet inescapable.

"Not your responsibility, Bellie senior."

Matis Din Karl, founder of black magicology. Pre-formalization, called curses in some regions. He'd heard of the Simuard curse. Even met bloodkin pre-tower entry.

"It wasn't magic or black magic."

Magic tool responsive to mana. Matis touched his ring. It hadn't changed color then. Proof not black magic.

"You can tell by his face. Not much time left."

"With your healing magic..."

"My healing?"

Bellie shook her head.

"Might keep him breathing. But without curing the root death curse? No different from necromancy."

Matis eyed his teacup. Long cold. The still surface mocked him.

"?"

Sudden scoff.

Matis looked up; Bellie smiled bitterly.

"Foolish, him. Nothing new. Marcelo's been consistent since childhood. Watching, he'd annoy you with his stubbornness."

"Marcelo chief so stubbornly persistent...?"

"Know the Simuard annual event, Matis senior?"

"Well, annual event..."

Yearly family affair... Matis pondered; Bellie added.

"Memorial service."

"...!"

"Simuards lose bloodkin yearly."

"Ah."

Overlooked. Clan-wide curse, no exceptions. Yearly victims natural.

Matis asked curiously.

"But how's that tied to stubbornness?"

"Never seen him grieve."

"...!"

"Memories of him from youth crystal clear. Father's death, close ones' passing. Never shed a tear."

Bellie hated taciturn Marcelo. Like a good child awaiting his turn.

She scoffed again.

"See? Same now. What meeting in that state?"

Crystal Hall. Marcelo led roundtable.

Why skip? Couldn't bear seeing weakened Marcelo.

Worrisome.

Matis's mouth dried. Truly no way?

As he reached for the cup in gloom...

"...?"

Ripples in the still tea. Cup trembled faintly. Vibration grew. Source neared.

"Bellie ma'am!"

Cley Odia, healing adept. She flinched, rushing.

With Matis senior...

"Sorry to interrupt...!"

"No need."

"Talk's done. Fine, Cley. What is it?"

"Ah, that!"

Healing faction ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emergency? Eavesdropping rude. As Matis rose...

"Seems I must report on Crystal Hall roundtable!"

Roundtable? Ongoing.

Bellie asked curiously.

"Continue, Cley."

Panting, Cley spoke.

"...What?"

Unimaginable words.

"...Chief Lee Hoyeol's entering Arcana Continent...?"

Bellie and Matis exchanged glances instantly.

How enter Arcana Continent? Method unknown. Reason guessable.

"No wonder chief held it... related to Marcelo?"

No time for guesses. Three rushed to Crystal Hall.

......

Roundtable.

I declared before Crystal Hall mages.

"I intend to enter the Arcana Continent."

Quite boldly.

Chief mage must guard tower. Personal leave? Proper procedure: seek all members' understanding.

Yes. All due to Grandfell's pride in formality and procedure.

But did it need roundtable announcement?

Like bragging vacation to employees. This.

Paper memos sufficed. Plus, unconfirmed if Map That Communes with All Things works.

If teleport fails?

Aftermath unimaginable.

But no inner thoughts showed.

"Absence brief. Refrain from exit requests etc. related to me for days. I seek your understanding."

......Seeking understanding. Grandfell, you say that too? Growing up.

Admiration brief amid silence. I realized.

...Forgot my position.

Past memory: Manager seeking understanding? Always shitty reason. But damned hierarchy. Had to suck it up.

This? Verbal request, but unilateral declaration.

Yeah, not like me. Pride incarnate, tsundere elder—how spit "understanding"...

"No need, Chief Lee."

Silence broken by Marcelo.

Same rank? Marcelo continued, puzzled.

"During absence, I'll handle duties..."

No, then no reason for my Arcana trip.

"Declined."

"...Pardon? Declined?"

"Repeat: None replace my seat."

Always think: mouth crooked? This crooked. Just say handle on return. So grandiose, prickly.

But intent clear.

"Understood."

Marcelo's reply, silence again—but short. Tower knew demons, Arcana status post-new roundtable.

Murmurs.

"...How ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enter Arcana Continent?"

"New method?"

"Too dangerous even if possible!"

World Tree scared, sowed new seed. Arcana in extinction crisis. Me entering hell? Worry natural.

"Even Chief Lee Hoyeol..."

Amid uproar, hand raised. Familiar: Pure Mana senior Banggrit Tom.

Formal even now. Strict learning works.

I nodded satisfied; Banggrit spoke.

"Not doubting ability, but alone? You know Arcana now..."

Gazes on me. Late arrivals Matis, Bellie too.

Really ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠solo? Guts out?

Their thoughts.

"As said, solo into Arcana Continent."

No need pity. Grandfell calls it "arrangement." I got backups in Arcana.

High El. Darkness spirit. Dwarf airships overhead. Finally, Akkshan superweapon Quirnburk Mechanical Tower.

Forgot Quirnburk's accumulated EXP, fame? On entry, solo—but not alone after.

But my speech habit. Not detailing kindly.

"No need your worry."

I added firmly. That's all.

"Trust me."