52 – Dragon (1)
“…Didn’t I say I forgive you…?”
From Noble mtl dot com
Those words came out from Lynn’s mouth, as she looked at Kim Hyunwoo with a devastated expression.
“But why… is it impossible?”
Kim Hyunwoo thought with a strange expression, as he heard her mournful muttering.
In truth, he had many things he was curious about.
But even if there were a few unanswered questions, Kim Hyunwoo could clearly deduce the truth from her actions.
That is, the absolute leader of darkness before his eyes wants to return to Lartania.
From Kim Hyunwoo’s perspective, it was undoubtedly a fortunate turn of events.
After all, being able to obtain a 5-star hero right now is a highly advantageous opportunity.
However, despite this advantage, there is a reason why he can’t accept Lynn.
“To be honest, it’s because your notoriety is too high to make it possible.”
It was precisely because of her reputation – her notoriety.
“Not…oriety?”
Kim Hyunwoo nodded in response to the absolute leader’s bewildered expression.
In truth, Kim Hyunwoo had no intention of explaining the relationship she had.
After all, it seemed difficult for him to explain this relationship, which only he can see, to a hero.
However, now that I see her, it seems like some kind of serious misunderstanding is happening, so it seems like I need to explain.
In Kim Hyun-woo’s eyes, her expression right now, what should I call it?
It looked a bit dangerous.
Honestly, to the point where it wouldn’t be strange even if something “terrible” happened.
Kim Hyun-woo’s gaze suddenly caught on the longsword hanging from Lyn’s waist. Somehow, it seems exceptionally sharp today.
“…Hm.”
Kim Hyun-woo pondered for a moment, thinking about how to talk about their relationship. He opened his mouth first.
“First of all, I think you’ve been through a lot. I may not know the details, but I’m sure you had your own things to deal with. At least from what I know, you wouldn’t casually take someone’s life.”
“!”
Kim Hyun-woo glanced at her danger-tinged eyes and subtly complimented her, cautiously watching her reaction. But it seemed like Lyn’s face showed a slight blush.
“However, even though I can understand, I can’t accept it.”
“Ugh…!”
Her expression turned gloomy again at his following words.
“Your notoriety is no different than extreme cruelty in the eyes of Larthania Territory.”
Kim Hyun-woo continued his words.
“You said you were watching over me, right?”
“…”
“No?”
“…! Y-Yes! You, you were definitely being watched…!!”
“Well, then you should know. Larthania Territory has just begun to grow, and it is now about to function as a territory with a proper structure. But your notoriety can ruin everything I’ve built up again.”
“Ah, if it is because you fear retaliation from those who hold a grudge against me-“
“If that’s the only reason, then I would have considered hiring you.”
…”
Kim Hyun-woo hesitated, rubbing his head as if deep in thought, and then spoke.
“The disadvantage of hiring you is not the only concern, Lynn. The labyrinthine city I have built relies on the inflow of territory residents and diplomacy. But if I were to hire someone with a notorious reputation like yours?”
“Eugh…”
Lynn’s breath seemed to stop, visibly taken aback.
Unless he was a fool, Kim Hyun-woo would not say something he didn’t understand, and Lynn wasn’t a fool.
“At first, the footsteps of mercenaries would cease. Naturally, the revenue of the territory residents would decrease. The upper echelons and territory residents won’t be attracted because of your presence. The stagnating territory will see residents leaving. Understand? Eventually, it will all go back to square one. And-“
Kim Hyun-woo interrupted.
“-Even if I were to disregard all those disadvantages and hire you, could you alone prevent all those who oppose Lartania? No, it would be impossible.”
Kim Hyun-woo roughly estimated the strength of the ruler of darkness.
Even though Lynn was a 5.5-star idol like her, he had witnessed the strength of Merilda, who was also a 5.5-star idol, even if it was only for a moment.
However, no matter how powerful she was and how overwhelmingly she could win in battles between heroes, when a country declared full-fledged war and other countries began to unite, there would be no hope.
From the beginning, it was impossible for an individual to hold off tens of thousands of troops and numerous 5-star heroes, even if they were a 5.5-star idol.
That’s why.
“That’s why I cannot accept you.”
As soon as he finished speaking.
A dreadful silence fell.
Lynn, who heard those words, had his head lowered, so it was impossible to discern his expression. But Kim Hyun-woo himself felt a heavy atmosphere, making him self-consciously look around.
‘…Is he angry?’
Even if he didn’t know, it’s a fact that Kim Hyun-woo could guess that just hearing what this guy did would have caused him a lot of trouble. However, being so stubbornly refused at this point was something even he hadn’t expected.
But, it’s absurd to accept Lin in this state-
“-I understand.”
Before finishing that thought, Lin’s hoarse voice dropped.
Carved into the face that lifted up was the pain of the sixth abdominal muscle being severed. It was to the extent that blood was oozing from the gums, showing how fiercely he had bitten down.
Understanding in his mind that he couldn’t accept her right now, and suppressing the urge to scream and cry out right now, it was a face that seemed to have barely blocked off those emotions.
But somehow.
Even with that expression,
What was carved in his pupils was not just pain, but a resolute ‘will’.
As if.
“I will be back after a while.”
As if he had realized what the ‘thing to do’ was right now.
“Let’s meet again later.”
With those words, she turned her back on him with a staggering gait, as if promising a future.
“…?”
As Kim Hyun-woo, it was a statement that somehow only amplified his anxiety.
####
“As promised this time, there will be absolutely no commission fee.”
The lord of the Lapengen territory. Berta laughed as she said that to the top-tier top-tier Tienus auctioneer, Adria, who had put the ‘Executioner’s Sword’ up for auction.
“I don’t know how to repay your kindness.”
“It’s not just a matter of kindness. It’s a matter of propriety when it comes to serving the Head of Teynus.”
As Berta had said, in reality, attending to the needs of Teynus’s Head in the realm of Rapheng was advantageous in many ways.
The immediate sound of coinage fees brought material gains, but the alliance with Teynus’s Head, one of the major powers on the continent, was a far greater advantage than the immediate material gains.
Even if Berta and Adria’s relationship wasn’t that bad, fostering an alliance was more beneficial, so Berta willingly waived the fees.
At least in Berta’s mind, it was worth it for Teynus’s Head and Adria.
“By the way, I heard there was a bit of trouble during the auction process. Is everything alright with that?”
Adria asked.
At that, Berta gave a slight smile.
Even if a merchant might feel regret over a problem they were involved in, asking such a question was evidence that, despite being calculated, a certain degree of rapport had been built with the other party.
“There was indeed a bit of a disturbance at the auction house.”
In fact, just as Berta had said, there was a significant disturbance at the auction house.
It was good that four great heroes had come, but one woman had driven them away.
Just one woman, against four great heroes.
Whatever the actual circumstances were, the one simple fact that remained, spread like wildfire, and Rapheng suffered some damage as a result.
Of course, it was the woman who had flown into a rage, but ultimately, it was Berta who had the authority to enter the grand auction house.
However, the damage suffered by Rapheng was minimal.
The reason being, the woman was powerful enough to take down other great heroes.
Of course, one should not believe only what meets the eye.
Unless they were as crazy as the so-called “crazy dog” Ralbache, most great heroes, for the most part, remained neutral and avoided getting involved in the fights of nations.
From the country’s perspective, they try to avoid fights as much as possible because if any of the idols, who are immensely powerful forces, get injured, it would result in a significant loss of the country’s power.
Even the idols who are not affiliated with the country have a lot at stake, so they don’t want to engage in battles and suffer losses unnecessarily.
Especially since the disappearance of the blue merchant who used to wander this world a few years ago, the idols have become even more cautious.
“…Of course, even considering all of that, it’s worth thinking about why four idols were insulted by just one woman and yet no battle occurred.”
Ultimately, thanks to the woman who was able to enter the grand auction with the recommendation of the “Five Swords of Kallan,” Lapengane was able to minimize the damage and move forward.
Everyone knows that it is impossible to prevent the catastrophe of four idols crushing a commercial territory.
“-However, there’s no need for Adria to worry. After all, our original objective has been achieved.”
Furthermore, it was true that the execution sword was sold in the Lapengane territory, and fortunately, due to the woman spending a tremendous amount of money to purchase the execution sword, Lapengane territory didn’t suffer significant losses when compared to what they gained.
No, they actually gained more than they lost, if viewed from a different perspective.
In the end, because of the woman’s participation in the grand auction recommended by the “Five Swords of Kallan,” they were able to learn her true identity.
“She is the hidden power of the Kallan Kingdom.”
Berta easily realized that she was the monster who had raised a kingdom that was practically being devoured by the Norba Kingdom just ten years ago.
…Of course, it would be impossible to spread this information around, but just having this knowledge proved to be very helpful, so she was satisfied.
“Well then, that’s fortunate.”
As they continued their conversation, Adriah interjected.
“Well, it seems like it’s about time for us to leave.”
“Oh, are you leaving already?”
“Yes. We have a destination that we should visit soon.”
“If it’s a destination…”
“I have to return to the Guardian, you see.”
“Ah, I see.”
Soon, the brief conversation came to an end.
“Well, there were some issues, but it’s not too bad.”
After confirming the carriage filled with gold coins once, Adriana thought,
‘Now, by conveying this… shall I suggest meeting the Guardian together?’
With that thought, Adriana, who had been working in the office along with leaving the Lapenghan territory, soon sent out her secretary as the territory became somewhat distant. She then took out a small crystal ball.
Today is the day she reports in advance to her Guardian.
Therefore, holding the red-colored crystal ball, Adriana put a bit of magic into it, and as she lowered her head,
*Woong-!*
The crystal ball glowed white, and a holographic window-like thing appeared in front of Adriana.
From Noble mtl dot com
“I greet the esteemed one.”
As soon as the hologram appeared, Adriana immediately bowed her head.
However, the woman with red hair similar to Adriana’s, who appeared in the hologram, remained silent.
“I will report.”
As if familiar with her reaction, Adriana began the report alone.
However, even though the report had begun, the woman with various scars on her neck just stared at her with empty eyes.
After a while.
“The report on the upper ranks concludes here…”
After finishing the report on the upper ranks, Adriana soon spoke.
“May I inquire if it is permissible to introduce a human to the esteemed one?”
A woman gazing down at Adriana with emotionless eyes.
However.
“It’s just that, perhaps that person may possess something that the great one desires, so I dared to ask.”
[…Something I desire?]
She responded to Adriana’s subsequent words.
“Yes. So if the great guardian is willing, I would like for you to use your power to see that person with my own eyes and make a decision.”
In response to Adriana’s words.
[…Very well.]
The dragon replied.