Branch Point (1)
A total of 12 knights were dispatched as my bodyguards.
Eight of them stood guard outside the house, while three entered to prepare for any unexpected situations.
The remaining one followed me closely wherever I went, even inside the house.
“You said your name was Raymond Keplo?”
“Yes.”
The knight answered politely, no matter what I said.
It was unfamiliar, but I could understand.
After all, I was about to receive a title.
‘There are knights with titles in the Royal Knight Order, but the fact that they sent all these guys… it must be out of consideration.’It seemed like Antler was a meticulous person.
Well, I would have to find out more later.
“You said it was an order from your superiors, but who exactly gave the order?”
Keplo answered my question,
“That… I actually don’t know.”
I carefully observed his expression as he answered.
It didn’t seem like he was making an excuse. I asked him a few more questions, and he said he was just dispatched after receiving orders from his direct superior.
‘Right, they would try to hide their identity if they had a reason.’
It was a bit disappointing.
If I had more connections with the royal family, I might have been able to find out Antler’s identity…
‘…Wait a minute.’
A possibility suddenly crossed my mind.
[They’re trying to make you a hero, right? It would be fun if you died as soon as you received a noble title. The royal family’s prestige would plummet!]
I thought it was just something he said out of anger back then since he sounded so frustrated.
[To kindly warn the enemy because you can’t control your emotions, you’re truly a child.]
Antler also thought the same about the Clown’s actions.
But…
‘Don’t tell me, that bastard was aiming for this from the beginning?’
Maybe the Clown’s goal from the start was to find out Antler’s identity.
Of course, there would definitely be an ‘assassin’ since the jewel emitted a green light…
‘He probably judged that it wouldn’t be a loss if he could use this as bait to find clues about Antler.’
This made more sense.
Although the Clown was just being beaten up at the Round Table…
…he was also one of the big shots in this world.
There was a high chance that even his ‘mistakes’ were intentional.
‘And Antler must have considered that possibility, so he sent people as discreetly as possible.’
Ha, there’s no one easy in this world.
I sighed, but it also motivated me to stay alert.
For example, today…
…if I had slept in because I was tired, Antler might have found it strange after receiving the report.
“Sir, come here and have some tea.”
“I can’t receive personal favors from a civilian—”
“Hey, this isn’t a favor. You’re working hard to protect Bjorn.”
Misha served tea to the knights as if she were the mistress of the house.
Did she think this close protection was some kind of service that came with the title?
Hmm, that’s possible.
She didn’t know about the assassin.
“You said your name was Raymond Keplo, right? I don’t know how long you’ll be staying with us, but make yourself at home.”
Misha even made Keplo sit down at the table and drink tea.
“…I’ll call you Lady Kaltstein.”
“Huh? Just Misha is fine, but… well, I can’t stop you if you want to call me that.”
Misha naturally made Keplo use honorifics, using my authority as someone who was about to receive a title.
Of course, I didn’t think she did it intentionally.
‘It just happened.’
Anyway, Misha briefly introduced Keplo to Erwen and Ainar, who wasn’t here today.
“Should I call you Lady Tersia?”
“Uh, uh… that’s…”
Erwen trailed off, as if she was uncomfortable being addressed formally by a knight. Misha helped her, as if she knew.
“What Lady Tersia? Can’t you see she’s uncomfortable? Just call her Erwen.”
“Ye, yes! I think that would be better…”
“Then I’ll tell my subordinates to call you that.”
The nickname situation was quickly resolved.
That’s when…
Knock, knock.
…we heard another knock on the front door.
“A companion of Bjorn Yandel is here.”
The knight informed us of the visitor as if he were a servant.
This is why everyone is so obsessed with power.
“Who is it?”
“It’s a mage named Arrua Raven.”
Keplo then looked at me as if asking for my permission, and I nodded.
That was enough.
Creak.
The door opened as Keplo went to greet her.
I raised one arm and greeted her elegantly while sitting on the sofa.
“Ah, you’re here.”
It’s the Noble Barbarian Mode.
Raven let out a sigh as if she couldn’t believe it at my formal greeting.
“What do you mean ‘you’re here’?”
“Would you like some tea?”
“Black tea, please.”
Raven glanced at Keplo, who was standing behind me like a bodyguard, and then sat down on the sofa across from me.
“So what’s going on?”
“It’s as you see.”
“…Are you angry?”
Geez, what’s she going to do if she’s angry?
I answered quickly.
“The royal family sent knights to protect me, saying nothing should happen before the title bestowal ceremony.”
“Hmm, that’s understandable. You have a lot of enemies, Mr. Yandel.”
Raven readily agreed.
Well, it was a well-known story in the city that the Corpse Collector wouldn’t leave me alone.
And the large clans also seemed to dislike me.
But…
“Raven, my enemies are also your enemies.”
“…What are you talking about?”
Raven seemed to be in a bad mood, perhaps because it was morning, which wasn’t her usual active time.
“Here’s your tea. You know where the sugar is, right?”
Misha served her tea, and Raven took a sip and then looked at Erwen.
“Ah, hello, Miss Raven…”
“Ah, ye, yes… Hello…”
The two of them exchanged awkward greetings.
I involuntarily tilted my head.
“Didn’t you guys use each other’s names before? I’m pretty sure you did.”
“Mr. Yandel, just stay quiet.”
“…….”
Raven then led the conversation as if she was the older one.
“How are you doing these days?”
“…I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”
“If that’s what you want. But are you planning to stay here from now on?”
“Yes… Fortunately, my sister allowed me to…”
“Hmm, really? Interesting.”
Their conversation continued for a few more sentences, and then it ended as Erwen said she was tired and went back to her room.
“…Is Mr. Keplo just going to keep standing there?”
“I’m used to this kind of mission, so please don’t mind me and continue your conversation.”
“If that’s the case…”
Although she said that, Raven’s expression was filled with discomfort.
She didn’t seem like she wanted to speak first.
Therefore, I decided to just ask what I was curious about.
“But what was that about just now?”
“Please use a subject.”
“Erwen. You wouldn’t be acting awkward around her now.”
I could clearly sense it from their conversation.
Raven was very uncomfortable around Erwen. And it didn’t seem like it was just because Erwen had recently lost her family.
Then what was the reason?
“Is there something I don’t know about?”
“Ah, you’re only perceptive in strange situations.”
“So, what’s the answer?”
Raven hesitated for a moment and then sighed and spoke.
“It’s just… I feel bad… I think it’s my fault.”
“Your fault?”
“That spell that mage Dwarkey used. I can actually use it too.”
Raven’s explanation could be summarized simply.
When the Ruin Scholar appeared, Raven had a hunch.
The difference in their skill as mages was overwhelming.
She wouldn’t be able to overcome this crisis unless she used the ‘Awakening’ spell.
But…
“I couldn’t chant it, even though the formula and mana were fine.”
I understand.
It’s a spell that any mage should be able to use, but it’s not a spell that anyone can use.
“I was hesitating…”
The Ruin Scholar’s spell was cast, and the stone walls Raven erected with her mana were shattered effortlessly.
And the result…
“Sometimes I think about it alone in my empty lab. If I had just used that spell back then, maybe her sister would still be alive…”
I smiled bitterly.
I never even imagined she was thinking about this.
“It’s the same for you and our other companions. We could have all died. But I…”
What is she talking about?
I cut her off before she could fall into the common self-loathing pattern.
“Enough. Erwen is unfortunate, but no one on our team died, right?”
It was a slightly harsh statement.
“That’s true.”
Raven nodded in agreement.
Well, she hadn’t spent much time with Erwen and Daria, so they couldn’t be her priority over her companions.
“But that’s because you did what I couldn’t.”
“Haha, well, I’m the leader.”
I chuckled and said it jokingly.
But Raven just sighed again.
“Right, that’s why…”
“Huh?”
“…I was just saying it’s not like me to be so sentimental.”
I couldn’t help but nod at her words.
Well, her image was completely different when we first met.
Anyway, Raven changed the subject, as if she didn’t want to talk about this anymore.
“Mr. Yandel, what are you going to do about Erwen? There’s no room on our team.”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Then what about the labyrinth? Are we going in?”
“I’m planning to wait and see. It’s difficult to enter in the current situation.”
“…That’s true.”
“So is that all you came here for?”
“No, I have something else to tell you.”
I was the type who believed that no news is good news, so Raven’s words were enough to trigger my anxiety sensor.
“I’m going to take lessons from Mr. Pebrosk.”
“What? You’re not leaving the team to take lessons, are you?”
“Yes? There’s no way. Why would you think that?”
Well, it had happened a few times.
“But what are you going to learn? You already belong to a school.”
“I can’t learn royal magic at the Artemion school.”
Ah, right, she received the qualification to learn royal magic as a reward this time.
“I was hoping to find someone to teach me the basics, and fortunately, Mr. Pebrosk agreed.”
Raven then said she would be staying near the royal palace, not at the Magic Tower, and that I could contact her there if I needed anything.
“That’s all. I’ll be going now. See you later.”
As if she really just came here to say that, Raven left as soon as she finished her tea.
___________________
May 18th.
Team Apple Nark, excluding Raven, visited the royal palace again.
Although there were still two days left until the title bestowal ceremony, they said I should come and choose my reward beforehand.
‘Well, it’s better to give it to me in front of everyone.’
There wasn’t a banquet, so we didn’t have to dress up like last time.
Well, I still had to wear neat casual clothes since I couldn’t wear my equipment.
“Oh, Yandel! You’re here today too?”
Familiar explorers greeted me as soon as we entered the royal palace. They were also here to receive their rewards.
‘They’ve been calling people sequentially for the past few days.’
Although the monetary reward had already been given, those who had the opportunity to choose an essence or equipment had to draw a number and wait.
“Bjorn! We’ll be going then!”
I parted ways with my companions after arriving at the royal palace.
Because their rewards were different from mine.
“It’s… just the two of us now…”
Only the guard knight, the royal guide, and Erwen were left in the waiting room.
“Mister… is it really okay for me to receive this?”
“Who else would receive it if you don’t? They’re not kind enough to reward someone who didn’t contribute.”
“But…”
She was being like this even after coming all the way here.
“We have to become stronger. Both of us. So that we don’t lose anything.”
“…Right.”
Erwen nodded as if reaffirming her resolve.
Another guide arrived and took Erwen away while we were chatting.
The Silver Treasury, where 4th-grade essences or items of similar value were stored.
‘If she had access to the Golden Treasury, I would have given her the graduation essence right away…’
I felt a bit regretful.
Although there were core essences for bow-wielding fairies among the 4th-grade essences, I could have given her a better one if her rank was just one level higher.
‘She’ll get it someday. It’s about time for us to go to the 6th floor.’
I dismissed my regret.
Our strength would increase significantly after receiving the rewards this time. Therefore, there was no need to grind on the 5th floor and build up our strength.
The problem was those Noark bastards.
But judging by what the royal family was doing, it seemed like they had a plan.
“Bjorn Yandel, please come this way.”
My guide arrived and led me to the Golden Treasury while I was organizing my thoughts.
It was in the basement, without a single window.
But it wasn’t dark at all since there were bright lights everywhere.
No, it was so luxurious that it didn’t even feel like a basement.
‘We must have come down at least five floors… the architecture in this world is surprisingly advanced.’
A knight with an intimidating aura greeted me as soon as we arrived. There was also a mage next to him, and he gave me a brief explanation.
The time limit was 3 hours.
I could choose one essence or item, and I would be severely punished if I tried to steal anything or damage the items.
‘Geez, how strict.’
A giant metal door opened smoothly, as if it were floating in zero gravity, after the explanation ended.
And…
“Wow…”
…thousands of essences, stored in test tubes and displayed in glass cases, greeted me.
They were all essences on par with the ‘Ogre’.
Although I could only take one…
…I couldn’t help but smile.
‘This is like using a cheat code.’
It was time to get stronger.
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