Chapter 163
Chapter 163
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 163
>Chapter Title: A Sudden Message
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 163
>A sudden message popped up.
Instinctively scanning the surroundings, he soon spotted it.
A necklace inside a small glass case in the corner, hung up as decoration.
Red light was leaking from it.
A necklace glowing red through the darkness in the corner of the throne room?
'A hundred percent something's up.'
It looked suspicious at a glance.
And his hunch was right.
As he walked toward it, entranced, a message appeared.
Do-hyun's eyes widened as he checked it.
[You have discovered the fourth Fragment of Fate, 'Shattered Necklace of Truth.']
>[You have obtained a clue regarding the Fragment of Fate.]
>[Main Quest 'Fourth Fragment of Fate (1)' cleared.]
>[Linked Main Quest 'Fourth Fragment of Fate (2)' has occurred.]
'Fragment of Fate!'
The most important piece had appeared.
He'd thought it likely to be in the royal castle, but he never imagined finding it this quickly.
Compared to the ordeal it took to finally find it in Sargis, this was like jumping from LTE straight to 5G.
Do-hyun swallowed hard in excitement and hurriedly spoke up.
"Could I possibly take a closer look at that necklace?"
"What...?"
Gilberun's eyes widened.
It was the first change in expression Do-hyun had seen from him.
And it wasn't just the king.
"...What did you just say?"
"Yes?"
-Ugh...!?
The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.
A savage aura pressed in sharply from all sides, as if they'd cut him down if he didn't answer.
-...My lord.
Charlie's face hardened as he sensed the pressure.
His hand was poised, ready to draw his sword at any moment.
He was holding back because drawing it would be a grave offense, putting his lord in a tough spot.
-Eek? What's this!?
-Liz, Liza!
Jihad and Eliza were startled too but quickly assumed defensive stances.
Do-hyun was just as baffled.
'What the hell is going on?'
Just moments ago, the man had seemed utterly unflappable, untouched by worldly concerns. What was with that reaction?
And why were the knights so on edge?
In this sudden powder-keg situation, he racked his brain but couldn't make sense of it.
The only difference from before was mentioning the necklace...
'...No way?'
Was he not supposed to bring up the necklace?
That seemed the only explanation, but even that didn't add up.
With so many players obsessed with hidden pieces, it was impossible no one had found the necklace.
They couldn't have gone berserk like this every time.
But that thought missed the mark entirely.
"...How do you know?"
"Know what, Your Majesty?"
"Are you playing dumb?"
The king narrowed his eyes in displeasure and jutted his chin, as if calling out the evasion.
"How do you know the necklace is hidden there?"
"..."
"The king asks you. Answer now! Your response could lead to the death penalty. Choose your words carefully!"
-How dare you...
Loyal Charlie wouldn't tolerate such threats.
He'd gone beyond testing the waters—his hand was now on his sword hilt, his resolve clear: he'd draw if needed.
A knight of unparalleled loyalty, but for Do-hyun, it was driving him mad.
'...Damn it. Shit hits the fan without even a blinker.'
His head throbbed amid the chaos.
As the stern-faced knight commander—presumably—and Charlie growled silently in a battle of who was more loyal, Do-hyun clutched his aching head.
"We had the White Tower Master cast not only invisibility magic but also a barrier that distorts mana detection. Even the empire's top assassins couldn't spot it in this short time! How do you know about the necklace!?"
-...Huh?
"Huh?"
The knight commander bellowed.
Charlie and Do-hyun froze simultaneously.
They realized things were unfolding differently than expected.
And by the time they did, it was too late.
"I don't understand. How does an Apostle know about something stored as the utmost secret? Speak now."
Gilberun's low, calm voice, gritted through clenched teeth, carried a hint of wetness.
"How do you recognize Angela's... my wife's keepsake?"
"..."
Stunned by the utterly unexpected answer, Do-hyun quickly grasped the situation and nodded silently.
...He'd stepped in it big time.
* * *
Do-hyun's group practically fled the royal castle and let out sighs of relief.
-Whew, that was close. Thought we were done for.
-Lizariza.
-...I had no idea it had such a backstory, my lord.
Was this a blessing?
In the end, they hadn't been completely crushed.
Perhaps the moniker of history's greatest ruler wasn't empty praise—he'd accepted their explanations after some back-and-forth.
-...Hard to believe, but it doesn't seem like you have ulterior motives, so I'll let it slide.
They couldn't avoid a bit of suspicion.
'Stopping here is a win.'
He'd brought up the king's utmost secret—a keepsake of his late wife—and still avoided prison. That was something.
If Gilberun had harbored even a shred of malice, Do-hyun would've been locked up for sure.
With all those knights gathered there, and more throughout the castle.
Even Do-hyun couldn't take them all.
He could've escaped, but that would've been temporary.
NPCs sensitive to Apostles' crimes wouldn't let it go; a wanted order was inevitable.
'If a wanted order goes out, the empire steps in.'
And that would've been the end.
No criminal escaped the empire once it mobilized.
The empire's emperor was the continent's sole sun for a reason—that arrogance wasn't unfounded.
Even using the Lebed chance he'd received before couldn't handle the full might of the empire.
In short, he'd narrowly escaped doom thanks to Gilberun's mercy.
-I'll remember your name, Kaiser.
-As for the necklace... I trust you'll handle it wisely. I dislike loose tongues.
But avoiding the worst didn't mean the situation was ideal.
[Pratel's king, 'Gilberun's' favorability is low.]
>[Opposing his will may form a hostile relationship.]
He'd thoroughly burned bridges with Gilberun and the knights.
'Hostile with a city's king... Horrifying just to think about.'
Leak info on the necklace or get caught committing a crime, and he'd probably have to delete his character?
On the flip side, as long as he didn't leak info or commit crimes, no big issues—but it still left a bitter taste for Do-hyun.
[Fourth Fragment of Fate (2)]
>-Rank: Main Quest, Class Quest
>-Description: Pratel's royal castle, where the king resides.
>You discovered the fourth Fragment of Fate there. Find a way to obtain the Fragment of Fate.
>-Quest Success: Obtain fourth Fragment of Fate.
>-Quest Failure: Fail to obtain fourth Fragment of Fate.
>-Time Limit: None.
'How am I supposed to get it now...?'
It was as good as gone.
Should he have approached more cautiously?
In hindsight, yes, he'd been hasty—but that was judging by results.
Do-hyun felt wronged.
Who could've guessed a Fragment of Fate was the late queen's keepsake?
'Now it's not just inheriting from the lord—fetch the king's wife's relic?'
Talk about stacked odds. This was ridiculous.
Was this quest even meant to be cleared?
Curses slipped out, exasperation mounting, but what could he do?
'Haa... Whatever, when has it ever been easy?'
No giving up now—he'd figure it out.
Of all the Fragments, only the first from Raven had come easy.
He'd cleared those tough conditions before; no reason he couldn't this time.
'Angela, was it?'
The late queen's name, unknown to other players.
He'd start there and hunt for clues.
Why the king hid his late wife's keepsake.
Why it was such a guarded secret, and why he reacted so intensely. What story lay behind the king's soulless demeanor?
'Whatever it is, just give me something.'
Burning with resolve, Do-hyun plunged into the crowds of NPCs.
* * *
Hours later?
After combing every inch of vast Pratel—or so it felt—Do-hyun finally stopped.
Less willingly than forced to.
"Come on, why won't anyone talk?"
-Right? It's not like they'll die for saying it, but they freak out and run.
-Lizariza.
-...It is strange, my lord.
No resident gave a straight answer, no matter how he asked.
"...You, what did you just say? How does an Apostle know that name?"
"Sorry... I have no stories to share about Her with someone like you who doesn't know her."
"Good lord, pretend I didn't hear that."
"I don't know how an Apostle knows, but... It's been ages since I heard that name. Such a beautiful, kind soul... Her wisdom shone brightly."
"Her sacrifice is unforgettable."
Most recoiled as if he'd uttered a forbidden name, and even those who didn't clearly hesitated.
Elderly folk were more forthcoming, but offered little substance.
'Beautiful, kind, wise... Ugh.'
Anyone could say that.
The "unforgettable sacrifice" might be a clue, barely.
'Not Voldemort or anything.'
...Or was it? Maybe literally.
Better not dismiss it as a joke—keep that possibility open.
All that effort yielded a speck more.
"Lady Angela? Of course. She's our collective benefactor. A remarkable woman."
"People call Gilberun history's greatest ruler, but some revere Lady Angela even more. She's why he became who he is."
"That's all I can say. I don't know more... and it's hard to speak of."
"Her life was holiness incarnate."
Finishing with the last NPC, Do-hyun sighed.
'One secretive lady.'
He'd questioned every possible NPC.
This scant info was useless.
Clear the knight escort quest to see the king again? Nah.
Reapproach the knights, eyes wary?
Scratching his head amid mounting worries—
"What's with grilling everyone about someone long gone? Creepy."
A clear voice rang out from somewhere.
Casual tone in stark contrast.
Do-hyun whipped around instinctively, eyes widening.
'...That kid?'
Shockingly, it was a child he recognized.