◈ Episode 250. Something Happened (3)
The sunlight streaming through the window is blindingly bright.……
So much so that I can hardly raise my head.
I force myself to look around.
At times like this, the unrealistic structure of the Magic Tower is cruelly helpful.
The Crystal Hall that expanded on its own to match the dragons' sizes.
Even those casting sidelong glances at such dragons.
There is enough room that even with everyone seated together, it wouldn't be lacking.‘……
I suppose I can't just let it slide.’ While saying nothing happened.
My plan to play dumb was perfectly ruined by the dragons' fuss……! At this very moment, Earth was in the thick of the aftereffects of the dragons' storm of tears.‘It's a relief there was no hostility.’ Even calling it Dragon Fear that the dragons released, it was merely Heugamryong's.
What more could it do besides crying out my alias?
Thanks to that, everyone probably just ended up staggering about.
Because I knew well what sort of power Dragon Fear containing murderous intent could possess, caught while disciplining Peurojeunakseu.‘Imagining that I unleashed something like that is horrifying, really.’ Players are one thing.
But ordinary people might have had their lives threatened.
Because had things gone even slightly wrong, it could have led to a dangerous situation.
"The reason I have gathered you is simple."
This damn pride of mine that wouldn't feel an ounce of shame no matter where it was displayed.
How could it stay silent?
And so, we have gathered in the Crystal Hall like this.
"I thought you would need an explanation."
Even as I speak, my mouth tastes bitter.
I keep worrying.
There is good reason for that.
Of all times…….
Why, out of dozens of dragons, did it have to be 'him'?
Why did it have to be the earth dragon with a criminal record, Kudeuhanakseu……!
"As you know, I entered the Arcana continent through a portal."
Truthfully, explaining the whole sequence of events is not difficult.
Set aside the minor details and explain the big points, right?
Why, just as Geurangpel does so well on a regular basis.
"The principle: mimicking the connector."
It's simply a matter of listing the facts.
"The purpose was to rescue the Elder Dragon, Yunakseoseu. Furthermore, it was to keep my prior promise with him."
The sound of dry swallowing reaches even here.
A prior promise with a dragon.
It may sound grandiose, but it was a promise I made alone.
Anyway, everyone already looks surprised.
The real story is only just starting.
I continued speaking with utmost composure.
"And in that process, I provided guidance and education to the dragons."
Truly, a summary befitting the Geurangpel of all under heaven.
Guidance and education.
Truthfully, there was no clearer one-line summary.
Resolving the misunderstanding between the mother World Tree and her dragon children, reconciling Yunakseoseu and the dragons, making them realize pride……. It certainly does qualify as guidance and education.
If only the process hadn't been excessively omitted! Fighting desperately, trading blows with the ice dragon, discovering a Hidden Piece called the Dragon Temple, even dying there after breaking a teacup.
You really omitted it splendidly, Geurangpel.
It's exactly the same as your usual explanations.
By the way…….‘Should I still be grateful?’ If there was anything different from usual.
Perhaps it was that there was an audience member who knew of my struggles.
That's right; I'm talking about Kudeuhanakseu.
Kudeuhanakseu, who had witnessed everything, was nodding deeply.
And I was casting sidelong glances at that Kudeuhanakseu.‘Please, just keep your mouth shut like that.’I Hoyeol Keullaudi.
Or lest he bring up the title of Heugamryong.
I am truly afraid.
Had it been the quick-witted Yunakseoseu, he would have grasped my underlying meaning from my implicit words……. Unfortunately, Yunakseoseu was in the Arcana continent.‘Because it wasn't the entire dragonkind appearing in reality.’ Apparently, the twenty-one dragons had split into two groups, soaring through reality and the Arcana continent as they searched for me.
Thinking so made me even more dizzy.‘Not just reality, but even the Arcana continent……!’ That damned alias of mine called Heugamryong.
Must have echoed far and wide.
But steel your heart, Hoyeol.‘As long as I don't get found out.’ I just need to keep Kudeuhanakseu from talking nonsense.
In that sense,
this small commotion was something I couldn't be more grateful for.
"……
Did I hear that wrong?"
"You definitely said you provided guidance and education to the dragons."
"So there was a reason you were away for a fortnight, after all."
"……
Hey, do you really believe that?"
"You lack pride, Reoni. Just believe it."
Namtaemin, Reoni, Hisagi, Syureigeu.
Yes, whisper among yourselves like that.
I shift my gaze to the Arcana side of the audience.
"Once again, you've truly pulled off something absurd, Gyeong!"
"Today marks the moment we must rewrite the history of the Dragon-Demon Great War anew, does it not, Tower Lord?"
"Beyond imagination. Our esteemed chief is always like this."
Hareukon, Yugeuwidueu, Mareusello, Tower Lord…….
You all continue whispering like that as well.
Just for today, I will allow as much idle chatter as you like.
Because preventing Kudeuhanakseu from even getting a chance to open his mouth was more important than petty chitchat.
Thankfully.
Kudeuhanakseu listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
I had wondered if there was some reason for that…….
Only after everyone had withdrawn did Kudeuhanakseu speak to me.
"Hehe. I believe you, as Claudi, would know well. That even 'legends' hold power. And the power contained within that legend depends on how much it is spoken of in the world."
Kudeuhanakseu.
Had they not said he was an old dragon who lived in the same era as Yunakseoseu.
Thanks to that, he truly knew much.
That was true even when it came to stories of legends.
'Legends truly hold power.'
Seeing him speak so definitively, it couldn't be an abstract tale.
Just as items of the [Legend] rank like Gwicheol exist.
[Legend]
There might be a system called [Legend] that I do not know of.
'New loopholes are always welcome.'
Though I couldn't know what kind of effect it held.
It's not like I'm in a position to be picky, right?
While I was thinking,
Kudeuhanakseu continued speaking with a satisfied smile.
"That is why I observed. To see whether the legends of Claudi and Heugamryong were echoing loudly enough even in this world, so completely different from the Arcana continent."
Those words sent a chill down my spine.……
So what that means now is,
You were watching and waiting for an opportunity all this time?!
In other words, in crude terms,
If the fuss directed at me had been lacking, Kudeuhanakseu meant that he would have stepped up himself and run his mouth about the fame and standing of Claudi and Heugamryong……!
'No wonder!'
I thought he was nodding his head excessively.
Realizing that if things had gone slightly wrong, not only Heugamryong but even stories about Claudi might have been blurted out.
A sigh of relief flows from deep within my chest.
"It was a needless worry."
"Hehe. It is merely the meddling concern of an old dragon."
Of course, I couldn't actually say that.
"Then, I shall return according to your command."……
By the way, speaking of command, Kudeuhanakseu, it makes it sound like I issued some order to a dragon without knowing my place.
I did say something, but it wasn't anything like a command; it was words born of pure concern.
The fruit of the World Tree containing only pure malice. Evil Fruit
They were dragons who had consumed.
Can't you feel an aura that seems unhealthy just by hearing about it?
So I had advised them that it would be best to spit out that fruit as quickly as possible.
"I hope you find a way."
But as you can see,
They seemed unable to easily spit out the Evil Fruit they had swallowed.
Whether that was the limit of a dragon's digestive system,
Or because of the Evil Fruit's effect, I couldn't know.
Well, I will try my best on this side as well.
Do not worry, Kudeuhanakseu.
"I too shall find a way."
I had shamelessly answered with "I."
'In truth, I should probably ask the experts.'
In reality, the mages of the Healing Magic department, including senior Bellie and Keulle, would be the ones to suffer. The only thing I can do is scribble approval on the tower departure application so their research isn't hindered.
"Kudeuhanakseu, I do not know how to contain my gratitude."
With that burdensome greeting,
Kudeuhanakseu tore through space and returned to the Dragon Temple.
With that, the commotion has finally come to a temporary close.
'Why is the day so long?'
One would think I could catch my breath for a moment.
This damn work addiction.
Without tiring, I think of the next task.
I muttered meaningfully.
"Is it finally time to bring the hidden darkness to light?"
Hidden darkness.
Translated from Geurangpel-style speech, it meant the Claudi family mansion that Diendeu had discovered.
It was I who had resolved to make use of even the shameful prestige of the Claudi family.
'Positive thinking.'
Yes.
Rather than struggling to look away,
Perhaps it's better to just get used to it.
'That damned Romeo…….'
Of course, I don't even know if I'll get used to it no matter how hard I try……!
But it can't be helped, Hoyeol.
Right now,
Is the time to show the pride of an adult who takes responsibility for his own past.
"However, even that must follow procedure."
They say it's better to be scolded early.
Truthfully, I wanted to witness the so-called Claudi family with my own eyes right away.
Because thanks to the dragons shedding tears so grandly, in the Arcana continent as well, word of Heugamryong.
The legend must be spreading.
'Before I become unable to show my face on the continent……!'
I wanted to quickly see the mansion for myself and check which settings I could make use of.
But the [Last Adventurer] penalty held me back.
[Cooldown: 21 hours 42 minutes.]
Back when Arcana was merely a game.
The [Last Adventurer] penalty effect identical to the death penalty. Because of it, whether opening a portal or using the connector, re-entry into the Arcana continent was impossible for the next day.
On top of that, I have so many burdens to bear.
'To think a fortnight has passed.'
I was away for a fortnight.
As chief, as general overseer, as an authority.
It was only natural that accumulated work would be no joke.
Let's see, drawing on my experience as a working adult.
'A fortnight of unauthorized absence……. Even if I roughly handle it, it'll take a week?'
But who am I?
The possessor of the [First World Tree's Blessing].
Thanks to life force that regenerates endlessly.
Was I not the type to perform grinding class quests pushing my limits every single day, yet still sit at my desk handling work as if nothing happened?
A declaration brimming with confidence.
"A single day is enough."
It wouldn't be right without Geurangpel-style speech on top of that.
"To me, even the passage of time is nothing but numbers."
Yes, yes, you're amazing, Lord Geurangpel.
'Anyway, you never miss a chance to show off.'
You ought to face cold reality to wise up…….
But after seeing dragons wailing because of me.
Such thoughts vanish cleanly.
Beyond that, I become afraid.
'This is why adolescence is important.'
If I keep pampering them like this, won't they grow increasingly arrogant? And how long can I endure the ever-growing shame……!
But. 'Let's worry about that later.'
As I said.
Because against the opponents I will face in the future, even pulling out everything might not be enough. Yes, this means I must advance using even this arrogance as a driving force.
The usual attitude.
Thanks to that, perhaps.
I immediately thought of what I had to do.
[Class Quest: Fruit of Good and Evil]
In the crisis of extinction, the World Tree bore fruit to sow its seeds. However, contrary to the World Tree's will, the fruit did not bear good and evil coexisting, but split apart. Last Demon Hunter. Only you can find the sinner who separated good and evil.
─Train your weakened body. (Repeat)
─Enter the land of the elves, Siseulli. (In Progress)
The quest objective and another destination, Siseulli.
I mustn't forget to gather information on that as well.
I recalled what Mareusello had said.
-"Until now, the Tower Lord has filled the void left by Gyeong."
A lazy cat doing work properly.
I don't know if it was done to a degree that meets Geurangpel's standards.
There must be more work piled up in Yuseura than in the Magic Tower.
Following that priority, I manifested a portal.
The target coordinates were, of course.
The Yuseura Kingdom, the Golden Palace....
Golden Palace. 'Garden of Dignity.' Should its master find out.
It was Elsideo who attached such a startling name to the medicinal herb patch.
"You all are finally worth looking at now."
The reason was simple.
Was he seeing the medicinal herbs touched by his own hands being treated as mere flowers?
It was something an elf's pride could not tolerate.
Of course.
"What would a mere lizard know?"
Even in the moment the dragon roared.
Elsideo tended the medicinal herbs without a stir.
But, wait……?
What is this?
Those excessively oversized petals?
Those bumpy fruits?
Elsideo's hands trembled.
'……
Could it be because they weren't harvested?'
The guess was accurate.
Hoyeol hadn't visited the medicinal herb patch…….
No, because he hadn't visited the Garden of Dignity.
They were medicinal herbs that had overgrown after receiving overflowing blessings.
Elsideo recalled.
'That human values aesthetics more than anyone.'
Dare I say,
That human, Hoyeol, his aesthetic sense was in no way inferior even compared to an elf.
If he were to see not only such flowers blooming in the garden but even grotesque fruits hanging, what would he say?
-"It seems you were comfortable while I was away."
Imagining the next words sent a chill down his spine.
-"Was it my mistake to feel pride in you?"
I still don't know what the hell that pride thing is……!
What was certain was that without pride.
He could not receive back the mother's blessing.
Elsideo made a decision.
"……
I shall uproot it."
Would he notice if one flower disappeared among so many?
It was the moment the determined Elsideo boldly reached out his hand.
A sound that froze his entire body was heard.
Click─
A voice was heard.
"Garden of Dignity."
"……?"
"What deed are you doing, Elsideo."
"!!!"
...……
Elsideo, just what did you do while I was gone?
[You have entered the Hidden Piece, 'Garden of Dignity'.]
Such a splendid title was attached to the medicinal herb patch……?
I'm already unable to show my face with just Heugamryong alone!
Now of all things, gilding a mere patch?
Can brothers together torment the youngest like this?
Why do I begin to sense the scent of my family's nemeses from a dragon and an elf?
'Being the youngest is miserable…….'
But there is no time for lamentation.
I approached the fidgeting Elsideo.
So what is it.
What you're hiding behind your back.
He seems desperate to hide it, but it's no use.
"Step back."
[The 'Hierarchy of Blessing' manifests upon the Elf, Elsideo.]
No matter how much you pick on me, Mom is on the youngest's side.