Chapter 360: Compromise
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 360: Compromise
"Name."
"Ellag."
"Age."
"Twenty-two."
"Gender."
"You seriously have to ask that?"
Ellag flared up in a rage. "Can't you tell just by looking?"
"I have to confirm. You illusionists are a devious bunch; who knows if your current appearance is even real."
Muen crossed his arms and spared him a glance. "Mind your current situation. Prisoners don't get to talk back."
"..."
Ellag’s face turned a deep shade of crimson. As a genius dedicated to bringing glory to the Illusion School, he had never suffered such humiliation.
But...
He glanced at Liya, who stood to the side with a serious expression, her Holy Light blade pointed directly at him as if she would run him through at the slightest provocation. He silently smothered any thought of resistance.
When under another's roof, one must bow their head.
Even if he was only slightly inferior to his enemies, he would remember this grudge!
Ellag shifted his body, which had grown numb from the ropes, and muttered with a look of utter resentment, "Male..."
"Very good."
Muen patted his shoulder with satisfaction. "Now, tell me everything you know."
"Intelligence? What intelligence? I only just—"
"Everything you know, obviously."
"..."
Ellag gritted his teeth.
This was too much. Way too much. To gain the upper hand in a trial like this, information was of the utmost importance. He had gone to great lengths to acquire his intel, and now he was expected to just hand it over for free...
It was truly...
"Unwilling?"
Muen’s hand suddenly tightened on Ellag’s shoulder. He smiled. "We’re all friends here. You wouldn't want things to end on a sour note, would you?"
"..."
Ellag closed his eyes in humiliation.
Fine.
Information was important, but it was only the first day of the trial. Most of what people knew was roughly the same—things that could be gathered from the right sources. It wouldn't be the end of the world if he shared it.
Regardless, he would remember this grudge!
"Fine... the only information I have so far is..."
Under Muen’s interrogation, Ellag soon spilled everything he knew.
He covered the rivals to watch out for, the signature moves of famous figures, and even some gossip he’d picked up from who-knows-where.
It was far more detailed than what Muen had gathered from the newspapers, though the information regarding Muen himself was filed strictly under the "gossip" category.
Hearing this, Muen couldn't help but feel the urge to go out and kick that dead bear’s ass.
He had worked so hard to build a shred of a positive reputation at the Academy, and before he could even capitalize on it, that guy had sold him out to the gossip tabloids for pennies.
It was infuriating.
However, now that they were inside the ruins, none of that mattered for the moment.
What mattered was...
"The only passage?" Muen asked.
"Yes. Someone has already circled that wall and found only one entrance. The 'Door' the Church mentioned should be inside."
Ellag nodded. "However, no one has entered the passage to investigate yet."
"Why?" Muen asked curiously.
"Because no one wants to be the vanguard or the stepping stone for others."
Ellag tilted his head, looking toward the depths of the town with a cold sneer. "The danger is unknown, and there’s only one path. Everyone wants to be the first to open the door, but until then, no one wants to be the footstool for someone else's progress. They’re all waiting for someone else to go in first."
"I see. I understand now."
Muen sighed softly. "I thought we were among the first to arrive. I didn't expect the others to be so fast."
"First to arrive?"
Ellag’s expression shifted, turning strange. "With the way you two were strolling along like you were on a date, how could you possibly—"
Thwack.
Ellag’s voice cut off abruptly.
A dagger made of Holy Light had slammed into the dirt right next to his vitals. The girl in the nun's habit had a faint blush on her pretty face as she glared at him.
"Nonsense! This... this isn't a date!"
"..."
Ellag’s legs trembled in fear. He wailed with a long face, "Fine, fine! I’m talking nonsense... I’m talking nonsense..."
You're the one talking nonsense. You look perfectly happy.
"Anyway, I only came out for a stroll because I couldn't stand those hypocrites. Setting the trap was just incidental; it wasn't specifically targeted at you. It was all a misunderstanding."
Ellag looked away from Liya and forced a smile, his previous arrogance completely vanished. He said tentatively, "How about we part as friends? Why don't you let me go?"
"How could I do that?"
Muen raised an eyebrow. "As long as we're in this ceremony, we're competitors. I'm not stupid enough to release a tiger back to its mountain."
"Then..."
Ellag thought for a moment and gritted his teeth. "How about I help you?"
"Help?"
"That's right. I can temporarily leave the Illusion School group and stay by your side to help you out."
Ellag continued, "You two are stronger than anyone expects. With the help of a genius from the Illusion School like me, perhaps..."
Ellag didn't finish his sentence, but Muen already knew what he meant.
"An extra helper? Sounds like a good deal. However..."
Muen pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Liya. "What do you think, Liya?"
"Hmm... Huh?"
Liya seemed to have been daydreaming. She snapped back to reality at the sound of Muen’s voice, looking adorably dazed.
"He says he wants to join us." Muen pointed at Ellag and repeated what had been said.
"Why... why are you asking me?" Liya blinked.
"Because you are the future Saintess, of course."
Muen smiled. "As a knight, isn't it only right to follow the Saintess's arrangements?"
"I... am I? Hehe..."
Liya lowered her head shyly, looking a bit embarrassed.
She turned to scrutinize Ellag, then stole a glance at Muen. Her grip on the Holy Light blade tightened and loosened as she struggled with the decision.
"Having help is a good thing, but... but..."
Gulp.
Ellag swallowed hard. Watching that sharp Holy Light blade hovering over his vitals, tightening and loosening, his heart felt like it was bungee jumping. He was so stressed he wanted to cry.
Dammit, she just doesn't want a third wheel! And she says it's not a date!
"Forget it, since Liya is unwilling."
Muen seemed to sense Liya’s thoughts. "Actually, thinking about it, having him with us might not be all benefits. This guy is quite famous and represents the Illusion School. If he’s seen with us, it might actually make people more wary."
"So..."
"So?"
"Lord Ellag, would you be interested in... taking your help underground?"
Muen’s eyes, deep as a lake, shone with utter sincerity as he made the suggestion.
"Underground?"
"Exactly." Muen nodded. "You remain the genius of the Illusion School, and we remain the insignificant easy targets and little lambs. I only ask that you lend us a hand at critical moments. That’s all."
"Lend a hand..."
Ellag froze, then felt a surge of joy. "I can do that! Of course I can!"
Why wouldn't he? This was far easier than the compromise he had envisioned.
And most importantly, once he was free, who cared about conditions? Integrity was practically non-existent in the Illusion School anyway!
"Very good. However, I’m worried that Lord Ellag might not be as honest as I hope. It would be bad if you bit the hand that fed you."
"I won't! Absolutely not!"
Ellag put on a serious face. "If you're worried, we can sign a contract, or I can swear a divine oath! From now on, we're brothers from different mothers! Your business is my business, and I'll definitely help when I should!"
"I'm so happy to hear you say that!"
Muen put his arm around Ellag’s shoulders as if they were long-lost brothers. Ellag couldn't help but break into a genuine smile.
But then, Muen’s tone shifted.
"However, I didn't prepare a contract in advance. And as for a divine oath... for someone like you who isn't a believer, it might not be as effective as one would hope."
Ellag’s smile froze. "What... what do you want?"
"Nothing much."
Muen exchanged a look with Liya.
Liya shook her head, indicating that while she had read many books, she had no experience in the art of blackmail.
Fortunately, Muen felt he was quite an expert.
"It seems we can only use the most primitive and reliable method to solidify our brotherly bond."
Muen turned back with a kind, gentle smile. "Earlier... Brother Ellag, you said your gender was male, right?"
"So... so what?" Ellag’s unease grew.
"That’s perfect."
Muen looked at Liya and asked, "Do you have any old dresses you don't need?"
"Huh?"
Both Ellag and Liya were stunned. Liya was the first to react, nodding. "I... I do. The Head Nun gave me a few earlier."
With a flick of her hand, a simple, plain, yet elegant nun's outfit appeared in her palm.
Muen took the outfit. He was very satisfied with the garment; because it was loose-fitting, the sizing didn't need to be exact, making it wearable even with a slight difference in physique.
He held the nun's outfit out to Ellag and said seriously, "Here, put it on."
"What—No! No way!"
Ellag finally realized what Muen was planning. He shook his head violently. "No, absolutely not! You want me to cross-dress? I'm telling you, not a chance!"
He was a genius of the Tower of Origins, the hope for the revival of the Illusion School, the famous Illusionist Ellag!
He planned to use his fame to find at least three gentle and considerate girlfriends in the future. How could he possibly put on something like that?
He’d rather die!
"I see. Since you're so against it, as your brother, I won't force you. I'll give you another option."
Muen’s expression remained gentle. He reached into Ellag’s chest pocket and pulled out a magic scroll.
It pulsed with spatial energy and bore the mark of the Church.
"So, choose."
Muen placed both items in front of Ellag. "Either put on this nun's outfit and let us take a few photos so you can become my dear brother, or... exit the trial right now."
Muen gave a peaceful, gentle, and entirely non-coercive smile. "I won't make it hard for you. Choose for yourself."
This is called not making it hard? You've backed me into a corner!
Ellag nearly ground his teeth to dust. He hadn't expected this blond man, who was handsome enough to charm both men and women, to have such a wicked personality!
He looked to Liya for help. You're a Saintess candidate, control your knight!
But Liya was looking at Muen with a face full of shock.
"You... you can even do it like that? Why didn't I think of that?"
This woman is hopeless.
Ellag closed his eyes. "Forget it. I will never—"
"I suggest you think it over carefully," Muen coaxed like a devil. "This is just a measure to prevent you from betraying us. As long as you remain my dear brother, nothing will happen. But..."
Muen continued his temptation. "Cantville, the Lost Homeland, the Golden Kingdom... an opportunity like this only comes once."
Ellag’s eyelids twitched.
True, the demand this despicable guy was making was unacceptable for a one-hundred-percent straight man like him.
But...
This was Cantville!
An ancient ruin that countless people dreamed of, an opportunity they would break their necks to get into!
It was also the hope for him to revitalize the entire Illusion School!
To leave now without having accomplished anything...
"You don't need to be so conflicted. Think about it, there are only the three of us here, right?"
Muen continued, "I promise no fourth person will ever know. Furthermore, once this is over, I will erase all traces. It will be as if it never happened."
"Swear it!" Ellag snapped his eyes open.
"I swear by the Goddess." Muen held up four fingers toward the sky.
"Then..."
Ellag’s expression was contorted. After a long hesitation, he finally squeezed the words through his teeth.
"Fine... I... I'll wear it."
This wasn't a surrender.
It was a necessary compromise.
Everything was for the revival of the Illusion School!
For his three future girlfriends whose names he didn't even know yet!
He would remember this grudge!
The humiliation he suffered before these two, he would pay it back a hundredfold in the future!
*
A few minutes later, after Ellag had left.
Liya flipped through the photos they had just taken, then puffed out her cheeks and looked at Muen with a playful pout.
"You're so mean! You actually used a method like that to threaten someone!"
"I'm just learning how to solve problems using Senior Sister's methods..."
"Senior Sister?"
"Ahem, nothing. It's just..."
Muen looked at Liya, his lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "Didn't you already know I was a bad guy, Liya? You were just saying how amazing I was a moment ago."
"Pah! I just hadn't processed it yet. I didn't know you were this bad."
Liya said with some concern, "But aren't you afraid of completely offending him? Even if the Illusion School has been declining lately in the Tower of Origins, they're still a force to be reckoned with."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Losing face in front of just the two of us shouldn't make him completely cut ties. He wouldn't actually report this to the Illusion School anyway; he wants to keep the secret even more than we do. Regardless of whether he helps us later, I'll delete what needs to be deleted. Besides..."
"Besides?"
"Besides, Liya is the future Saintess."
Muen winked and laughed. "When the time comes, won't you save your knight who did a few bad things?"
"I won't save you at all!" Liya giggled.
Then, she suddenly turned her face away, twirling a lock of hair by her temple, and said shyly, "By the way."
"Hmm?"
"That look just now... Muen, do you... do you prefer nun outfits? If... if you like them, I..."
"Ah..."
A breeze blew past. Against the girl's exquisite silhouette, the air suddenly felt a bit stifling, as if they weren't in a dangerous ancient ruin but on a street bathed in the glow of a sunset.
It felt as if something was rising.
Muen felt a momentary daze, yet he seemed to hear the girl's firm voice ringing in his ear.
"I suppose so."
His gaze cleared again. "But now isn't the time to talk about that. Let's keep moving forward."
"...Mhm."
*
PS: Sorry, I was gone for a few days. I'm back now, and I'll return to the normal daily updates.