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[Translator - Night]
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Chapter 25
The expedition team was instantly thrown into a state of emergency.
The disappearance of Louise Heretia, the third prince of the Brillant Kingdom.
A boss of a massive scale, vastly different from the usual desert bosses, had appeared far earlier than expected.
Even if the team hadn’t been fully prepared to face the boss, there was still the high-ranking knight, Scarlett Arzen, among them.
And yet, they had let it slip away too easily.
‘Tsk.’
Scarlett was fuming—not out of concern for the prince, but because she had lost the chance to fight a worthy opponent for the first time in ages.
Louise’s disappearance didn’t worry her all that much.
‘Ren Arzen…’
The one who had vanished along with Louise kept nagging at the back of her mind.
He had sensed the boss before anyone else and rushed to protect Louise.
From the way he wielded his sword, he seemed no more than a regular knight at best.
And yet, strange phenomena happened around him—things she couldn’t explain.
‘Interesting.’
Scarlett joined the expedition team in the search for Louise and his group.
Mounted on battle camels, the mobile unit began quickly combing through the desert region.
A full day passed, and as dawn broke and the pale blue sky appeared…
They spotted a violent sandstorm.
“I’ll go ahead. Keep up if you can!”
Leaving the other knights and even her camel behind, Scarlett ran.
A sandstorm visible on the horizon of the desert—something that wouldn’t occur naturally without someone’s intervention.
Whummm—
Each time her foot hit the ground, she could feel a reverberation through the earth.
The closer she got, the more her suspicions turned into certainty.
‘That…!
A faint violet mist drifting through the air.
There was no mistaking it—it was the magic of black mages.
Scarlett immediately drew her sword, sensing that this incident was more tangled than she had initially thought.
Breaking through the swirling dust, she saw—
Ren Arzen, collapsed and bleeding, and a mage cloaked in black robes.
From the tip of the mage’s staff, violet magic surged toward Ren.
Arzen Sword Technique
-Third Secret Technique
-Moon Wave
Scarlett gathered red energy at her sword’s tip and launched it in a crescent shape toward the black mage.
A surprise strike, using her third secret technique, meant to neutralize the enemy in a single blow.
“Huh?”
The black mage hastily threw up a shield.
Though the Moon Wave sent him tumbling to the ground, he didn’t seem to take any significant damage.
‘He withstood my Moon Wave? And Ren Arzen held his own against someone like that?’
Behind the mage lay the corpse of a dark gray sandworm.
Its head was torn clean in half.
Judging by that, it was likely Ren who had slain it…
“You… what are you?”
Had he really been hiding his strength all this time?
Ren Arzen’s faint eyes slowly looked upward.
“Y-You…”
Whooosh!!
Just as Ren struggled to speak, a violent surge of magic was felt from behind.
Before even turning her head, Scarlett swung her sword to intercept the attack.
The tentacle that came flying was cleanly sliced off, flopping on the ground before vanishing into dust.
A faint smile spread across her lips.
“You’re kinda strong, huh?”
“You damn pests! Why do more of you keep showing up? That’s it—I’ll kill you all!”
The black mage, now clearly enraged, rolled across the ground before his energy surged even higher.
“Now this is getting fun.”
With that brief comment, Scarlett dashed in, charging at full speed.
* * *
My mind was hazy.
My body ached as if it had taken a beating from a horde of monsters—I couldn’t move a muscle.
My heavy eyelids kept urging me to close my eyes.
Tsk.
The moment I caught a glimpse of Scarlett Arzen, my whole body relaxed.
I hated to admit it, but I felt relieved.
The black mage’s power had far exceeded his expectations, but even so, I never once thought Scarlett would lose.
I hadn’t realized how reassuring her presence could be until I saw her back from behind.
“I… I’ll repay this debt.”
I muttered the words as I lost consciousness, though she was likely too busy fighting to hear.
When I opened my eyes, the familiar ceiling of a field tent came into view.
[「Main Quest – Foil the Black Mage’s Plot」 has been completed.]
[You have obtained 「Curse of Frailty.」]
“Oh, right…”
Reading the message, I realized that Scarlett had successfully taken care of Nigermann while I was out.
[Curse of Frailty]
Uses spirit energy to attach a malevolent spirit to the target.
#Nearby spirits bind the target.
#Afflicted targets suffer reduced physical abilities.
Attach a malevolent spirit?
Even with the description, it was hard to grasp how the skill actually worked.
And if there were no spirits nearby, I couldn’t even use it.
Not exactly the most rewarding ability, considering the hardship of the quest.
“Ren? You’re awake?”
I quickly sat up at the sound of a voice.
Louise sat on a chair nearby, watching me.
“Your Highness?”
I was flustered.
‘Don’t tell me… he waited here until I woke up?’
Even as the thought crossed my mind, I couldn’t ignore the blue-haired prince’s tired eyes and unkempt appearance.
“Did you… wait here until I woke up?”
“Yes. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry to have worried you…”
“Don’t be. You saved me and my knights, didn’t you?”
With those words, Louise stood and gave a slight bow.
I jumped up in surprise.
“Please don’t!”
“I’m sorry. My lack of ability put you in this condition.”
“No, Your Highness.”
“And… thank you. If not for you, I would have died back there.”
Honestly, even that was debatable.
It was I who had suggested they search for the tomb of the Red Moon Tribe—and it was because we found the tomb that the black mages appeared.
Would Louise have been in danger if I hadn’t been there?
Or was it my presence that brought the danger?
“….”
I couldn’t respond to the prince’s gratitude.
“Is there anything you want? I’ll make sure to reward you, whatever it is.”
A reward…
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[Translator - Night]
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Nothing came to mind right away.
If I had to say something—maybe a decent sword?
But what was troubling me now was Decaine.
Ever since I accepted this mission, I had been thinking about increasing support for Decaine.
However, after meeting the black mages, I wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do anymore.
Even if the Brillant Kingdom decided to strengthen Decaine’s security, the most they could do would be to send more soldiers or maybe a junior knight or two.
If they were feeling generous, they might send an additional knight.
But the black mages I met today were both on the level of high-ranking knights.
In other words, unless a high-ranking knight is sent, the support would be meaningless.
On the contrary, I was more worried that national support might draw even more attention from the black mages.
“……Even if I say it’s okay, I doubt you’ll accept it.”
“You’ve gotten to know me quite well.”
Not just "gotten to know"—I’ve been watching you for over ten years.
Of course I know.
A faint smile appeared on Louise’s face.
Was he pleased that I understood him well?
“Please give me a little more time. May I tell you if I come up with something?”
“Fine. I understand. But if it takes too long, I’ll make the decision myself and give you your reward. The royal family will also provide a public reward.”
“Understood.”
I had helped save the prince, so of course there needed to be some visible reward.
Even without me saying it, the king would surely take that into account.
“Now that I see you’ve woken up well, I’ll be going.”
“Ah, I have something to give you, Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
I took out a small egg from my robe and handed it to him.
Louise’s eyes turned to me when he saw the egg.
He was asking what it was.
“I found this while dealing with the black mages and briefly escaping to the tomb of the Red Moon Tribe’s chieftain.”
“……You found this in the chieftain’s tomb?”
Louise’s eyes widened.
He seemed genuinely shocked.
Well, it’s only natural to be surprised to receive an elixir that was believed lost.
“It’s the Red Moon Tribe’s secret elixir. There were two eggs, but I had to consume one to recover from my injuries. I brought the other. My wounds were too severe, so I had no choice—”
“That’s enough.”
Louise grabbed my hand and placed the elixir back into my palm.
“You found it. I have no right to take this.”
I knew it.
Knowing Louise’s personality, he wasn’t the type to accept a gift so easily.
At times like this, I had to make it clear that I wasn’t just being generous.
“With all due respect, as you know, I am far stronger than you, Your Highness.”
“I know.”
If I had said that to any other prince, they’d have drawn their sword on the spot.
But since it was Louise, I could say such things.
“This elixir means little to me. After taking one, I understand even better. It greatly enhances physical strength and energy. But what I need now is enlightenment of the heart. Taking it now would do little more than accelerate the healing of an already healthy body.”
Even to myself, that sounded pretty convincing.
Right now, Louise considered me a high-ranking knight, so he likely couldn’t find any flaw in what I said.
And what could someone who isn’t even a full-fledged knight say to someone claiming such things?
“……Is that so.”
As expected.
Louise nodded, touching his chin in contemplation.
Now it was time to seal the deal.
“I’m not just giving this to you. I see great potential in you, Your Highness.”
“My… potential?”
“Yes. Your swordsmanship is on a different level from other knights. You possess the talent not just of a high-ranking knight… but of a master swordsman.”
Louise’s pupils trembled violently at my words.
The mention of a "master" level talent seemed to shake even his normally composed heart.
Moments like this remind me that Louise is still young, after all.
‘Yeah, even Louise still has a good ten years to go.’
With a serious expression, I once again placed the elixir in his hand.
“This is an investment in your future, Your Highness. Please accept it.”
“……Thank… you.”
Louise’s normally expressionless eyes glistened slightly.
He seemed deeply moved.
Good.
That worked very well.
“Please don’t take it right away. You must consume it in Decaine, when I’m present.”
“Why specifically there?”
Because that’s where our ancestors can watch over you.
To maximize its effect, there was no other choice.
Honestly, I’d prefer we go to the tomb of the Red Moon Tribe, where Zalatan is, but I had to keep that location secret.
“The place has good energy. The elixir will be more effective there. I know because I’ve been there.”
“……It has good energy?”
“Yes. Don’t you believe me? I am a high-ranking knight.”
“……Fine.”
Though Louise looked skeptical and furrowed his brow, he didn’t argue and simply nodded.
“And please keep my skills a secret.”
“I understand. You must have had your reasons for hiding your abilities until now.”
“And the Red Moon Tribe’s tomb as well.”
“Of course. If its location gets out, the black mages might come looking for it again. I’ll inform the knights accordingly.”
“Thank you.”
After our conversation ended, Louise left.
Then, there was a commotion outside, and suddenly the tent’s door burst open as a bunch of knights rushed in.
They were Louise’s knights.
“Ren! Are you okay?”
“How’s your body? The doctors said you had fractured and broken bones all over!”
“What about your side? Huh, that part actually looks okay?”
“Waaaahhh... Ren! I was so scared you were going to die!”
Why the hell are they making such a fuss?
They know I’m injured—can’t they keep some distance?
“Ughhhh!”
To push away the knights hugging me, I feigned pain.
“Oh! Are you okay?”
“Hey, you jerk! You’re hurting Ren!”
The mustached knight, Khalid, smacked the knight who was hugging me on the back of the head and pulled him away.
That knight, now looking guilty, started checking me carefully with teary eyes.
“I-I’m… fine…”
“Your scream sounded awful though. Are you sure you're okay?”
“Yes. I can manage.”
Truthfully, I wasn’t hurt at all.
The church’s clergy must’ve healed me completely while I was asleep—my body felt great.
“You lot! They said Ren was fully healed! Was that a lie?”
Wait…?
They said that?
“He still looks like he’s in pain! I’m going to have a word with them!”
“Me too. Even if they’re from the Church, they still need to answer for this!”
“W-Wait… now that I think about it, I might be okay…”
“Ren! You saved us, so now we’ll help you. Just rest easy.”
Saying that, one of the knights dashed out of the tent.
“W-Wait!”
They moved so fast I didn’t have time to stop them.
“Jeez! I said I’m fine!”
“No way! I heard that scream! No one fakes a scream like that unless they’re in real pain!”
“I said I’m fine!”
“Tut! Just lie down, you patient! Let us repay the favor!”
“You bast—!”
Finally, Khalid clamped my mouth shut.
He was so strong I couldn’t shake him off with my own strength.
“See? If you were fully healed, you’d be able to push us off!”
“Right? Hahaha!”
‘…Don’t tell me these bastards know I’m fine and are just messing with me?’
That day, I had to endure another half-day of treatment from the clergy before I was finally allowed to leave.
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[Translator - Night]
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