Chapter 16. Geumseong Branch (1)
Episode 16. The Golden Star Tournament (1)
Like darkness lifting to reveal a new dawn, fresh news spread across the North in the form of newspapers.
The Daily in particular poured forth articles related to Sion, their printed words racing across the northern territories and making people rub their eyes in disbelief.
『The North's Nightmare, "Red Awl," Annihilated.
The Inspection Bureau has announced the eradication of the Red Awl, an organization responsible for stealing countless lives across the northern territories.
The pivotal role in dismantling this criminal syndicate belonged to the third son of House Karsen—Sion Karsen.
......(omitted)......
The astonishing fact is that the individual who provided the critical breakthrough in the operation and personally subdued boss Jefren was none other than Sion Karsen, third son of House Karsen.
Agents present at the scene testified that he completely dominated the flow of battle and forced Jefren—modified with magical engineering—into submission.
—Daily, Charles』
Copies of this newspaper even reached the Inspection Bureau's knight offices, where Louis Dykken read the articles about Sion Karsen.
Just a few days ago, seeing such reports would have made his teeth grind in frustration. He would have dismissed it as the half-wit Sion Karsen manipulating public opinion.
But now?
He remained perfectly calm.
Because this wasn't some fabricated propaganda meant to sway minds. He had seen it with his own eyes—how could he not believe it? Besides, those testimonies came from Bwindol and Bill.
"I really misjudged him."
Louis Dykken swept his fingers across the densely packed text, taking a moment of quiet reflection.
Then.
Rustle, rustle.
He turned to the next article.
『Failure or Hidden Dragon? The Sion Karsen We Knew Is Gone.
Until now, we mocked him as "Karsen's Half-wit." But his recent actions suggest this was all a grand deception played upon the world.
His true emergence began with the Hashiman brothers.
......
......
—Daily, Charles』
Nod, nod.
His head bobbed up and down.
Rustle, rustle. Next article.
『Noblesse Oblige Revealed.
Sion Karsen personally visited an orphanage on the outskirts of Siren and generously donated a staggering sum of 300 million Jeni.
Contrary to rumors of him squandering his wealth on debauchery, he expressed genuine concern, saying, "Please use this for the children's futures."
......
......
—Daily, Charles』
"That sounds like him. Of course he'd do that."
Louis muttered under his breath as he moved to the next article.
『The Approaching Golden Star Tournament.
Will Sion Karsen Prove Himself Once Again?
......(omitted)......
The genius knight Louis Dykken. The formidable contender Sylvia Meyer. The rising star Sion Karsen. Who will emerge victorious in this year's Golden Star Tournament?
—Daily, Charles』
Thump.
He folded the newspaper.
Placed it on the desk.
Louis Dykken thought about the upcoming Golden Star Tournament. Sion Karsen—of course he would advance through the preliminaries. What if they faced each other in the main event? Could he defeat him?
He wasn't confident.
Quietly rising from his seat, he picked up his sword.
"I should go train."
To become a knight worthy of facing the so-called half-wit he had once dismissed—Sion Karsen.
After completing the operation, I returned to my room to assess my physical condition.
There was some fatigue, but compared to the life-and-death struggles on the first floor of the dungeon, it barely qualified as tiredness.
In contrast, the gains from this mission were undeniable. I had successfully redefined the name "Sion Karsen" in the eyes of renowned knights.
In ancient times, before humanity was called the rulers of the continent, knights were the saviors who protected mankind from demons and monsters.
And that wasn't all.
When wars broke out between territories, they acted as the sword of humanity—living strategic weapons.
"A ripple has begun."
The first was the Special Investigation Headquarters, composed of knights—a blade to purify the corruption within humanity.
"I will create waves of change."
The second was the true sword of humanity, ready to face the demons hiding their claws.
I must claim them.
By any means necessary.
After briefly composing myself,
I glanced at the pile of Sunstones in the corner.
567 in total, gathered bit by bit.
Each one rivaled the highest-grade magic stones, valued at around 300 million Jeni apiece.
But that was for pieces the size of a finger joint. Mine were different.
Sunstones varied in price based on color, size, and mana content—specifically, the area they could warm and how long they lasted.
The ones I retrieved from the dungeon were fist-sized, their mana incredibly dense.
They could easily warm a 20-meter radius and last anywhere from five to ten years.
Honestly, I can't even estimate their worth.
Which meant I needed someone who could sell them at their true value while properly balancing supply and demand.
"...There's only one person for that."
Sid Karsen—the second son of House Karsen, who had chosen the path of business.
I opened the box meant for him. Inside lay a letter and a Sunstone.
The letter contained ideas for a restaurant—not my own, but ones I remembered from the future, when Sid would run such an establishment.
Brother. Start early. And prove the value of these Sunstones.
After that, I sat cross-legged on the floor and regulated my breathing.
Inhale—
Exhale—
I reactivated [Mana Detection], which I had tested during the operation. Channeling pure mana into my brain, I recalled the sensation I had used at the Red Awl's hideout.
Thump—thump—
My heart began beating again. The chaotic memories scrambling through my mind organized themselves neatly, and the Red Awl's hideout returned vividly.
The abandoned factory's layout. The entrance leading underground. The width and height of the stairs. The appearance of the lab. The journal Jefren left behind.
Thump, thump—
It felt so real, as if I were still there. Even with pure mana enhancing Mana Detection, could it really be this vivid?
At that moment, something both foreign and familiar pulsed from my heart. What was this? A paradoxical sensation—unfamiliar, yet somehow known.
Thump—thump—
"...Ah."
It struck me suddenly. A mana I had experienced only once before.
What I felt in my heart was the divinity of 『Lumen Chronos』. Somehow, it had coiled itself around my heart.
But thanks to this divinity, I could perfectly reconstruct everything I had seen through Mana Detection.
When I focused on Jefren's journal—
Rustle—
The pages turned, revealing their contents—Jefren's thirst for vengeance, his feigned cooperation with the massive thief guild [Black Eagle], and their eventual betrayal.
Next, I focused on Jefren's body. The mana engine implanted in him became visible. I dissected it piece by piece. I couldn't comprehend its workings, but I could visualize its structure.
In other words, I could recall any scene I had perceived through Mana Detection whenever I wished.
"...This is beyond imagination."
I would need to practice maintaining Mana Detection continuously from now on.
My list of tasks had grown. But I would accomplish them all. That was why I had returned.
As I surveyed the scene through Mana Detection, I noticed the captured hostages.
Most of the men had died, but the women survived. Their remaining years and the suffering of their bereaved families flashed before my eyes.
Hiss—
I deactivated Mana Detection and called for Roman. Despite the late hour, he approached with a bright expression—lately, he always seemed to be in high spirits.
"Roman, let's donate Sunstones to the hospitals where the Red Awl's victims are being treated. And see what else we can do for them and their families."
Roman looked genuinely shocked.
Then, he beamed.
"Yes, young master!"
"Ah, and deliver this box to Sid."
"Yes, young master!"
My ears might fall off at this rate.
A week later.
Sid Karsen invested the capital he had accumulated through various ventures to open an unprecedented restaurant in downtown Siren.
Its name: <Shabu Every Day>.
From the outset, it stood apart from typical taverns reeking of stale alcohol and dim lighting.
The interior was finished with bright illumination and warm wood tones, balancing cleanliness and sophistication. The contrast between the harsh blizzard outside and the restaurant's cozy temperature made patrons feel as if they had vacationed in the South.
Each table featured a magical engineering burner that could boil broth without a hint of smoke, allowing guests to select vegetables and meats from a self-service bar to cook in their pots.
Sid Karsen surveyed the packed dining room filled with the North's wealthy elite.
Since opening, not a single day had failed to reach full capacity—a resounding success.
The reason all of this was possible in the North's brutal cold was...
Sion Karsen.
His younger brother.
The Sunstones' effects are undeniable.
Sid recalled the day he had received the box from Sion.
No—more precisely, the moment he opened it.
The magical sight of the frigid surroundings gradually growing warmer.
Just as Sion had intended, Sid's mind began mapping out sales routes to northern nobles for the Sunstones.
"And the ideas are brilliant too."
When Sion had visited the tavern <Igwen Runa> to discuss business, Sid had thought him insane.
But that same day, Sion captured Yan Hashiman—as if the frail Sion Karsen of the past no longer existed.
And then? He eradicated the entire Red Awl. Not just that—nowadays, he appeared in the papers almost daily.
Sid picked up a newspaper lying in the kitchen.
『A Hand Warmer Than His Blade—Sion Karsen Wipes Away Victims' Tears.
Another miracle came to those miraculously rescued from the criminal organization's den.
Sion Karsen announced he would personally cover all medical and psychological treatment costs for every rescued hostage.
......(omitted)......
Sion Karsen donated Sunstones to the hospitals and treatment centers where the victims were recovering.
His consideration ensured they could heal in a warm environment.
One medical staff member expressed awe: "Without his decision, even the survivors might have given up on life in despair."』
Of course, not all the coverage was positive.
Some criticized the Inspection Bureau for excessive force without holding trials.
Others questioned what they had been doing while the victims suffered.
And many articles claimed Sion Karsen had merely spectated, with the Bureau fabricating testimonies to glorify him.
Sid frowned at these reports but nodded in understanding.
"Of course they wouldn't believe it."
Naturally. What had Sion Karsen done in the past twenty years? If he suddenly transformed overnight, who would accept it?
However.
Eyewitness accounts from <Igwen Runa> that day poured forth. Inspection Bureau knights stepped forward to testify. Victims and their families came forward to clarify.
Public opinion was shifting—bit by tiny bit.
Then, one day amid this gradual change,
the Golden Star Tournament schedule appeared in the territory's newsletter.
『Golden Star Tournament Main Event.
*Location:
Siren, capital of the North.
Kaisus Arena.
*Time:
August 21st, 2 PM.』
People had one question: What would Sion Karsen show at this tournament?
The Golden Star Tournament was already akin to a festival in Siren, drawing intense public interest.
Sion Karsen's recent actions had only fanned those flames.
Thump.
Sid closed the newspaper and muttered,
"VIP seats... There must be some left, right?"