15. realize (1)
Before Beatrice was among the corpses.
The case begins at the entrance of the A-class dungeon.
“Oh, isn’t that Beatrice?”
“What is the great first warrior party doing here?”
The first party of warriors raised by Ian is surely the hope of mankind.
However, that does not mean that everyone respects and envy them.
In particular, warriors of S rank or higher even recognize them as competitors.
A mountain that must be overcome someday.
A wall to break down.
The party of SS-class warriors who entered the same dungeon as Beatrice was one of those people.
“There are a lot of ugly rumors going around these days, are you okay? Can I just stay here?”
“Even if it is different, it is different. Is it okay to come alone to a place like this?”
Beatrice knew the faces of the four, but did not know their names.
I wasn’t curious, and I didn’t even want to know.
However, they were the ones Ian had warned several times to stay away from.
They say they are very dirty and half-assed guys.
We had never run into each other, but Ian spoke as if he knew them well.
“Noisy.”
Beatrice was consistent with light contempt.
In the dungeon, one of the first hero party and four members of the SS rank hero party.
Only two forces entered.
The dungeon was a high-floor jungle terrain, with tall trees and vines growing thickly.
There was only one straight road, so Beatrice and they couldn’t help but be close.
Disregarding the war of nerves they shared at the entrance, they silently performed their duties.
The first to sense the change were the four members of the SS-class warrior party.
It was confirmed that Beatrice was weaker than before.
In the jungle, the eyes of the four crossed secretly.
All four of them were convinced of the betrayal with a wink.
Unaware of the inside story, Beatrice went ahead.
A strange sense of balance, a rough sense of heterogeneity in the mana that was collected and released in the bow.
I’ve been ignoring those things.
Also, he was concerned that Henry Somerset hadn’t heard back yet.
Although the party was barely maintained through Aria’s force, Beatrice knew that the first party was over.
So within two weeks, I had to find a group or force to stay somehow, and as one of the targets, I chose the mercenary business that Henry Somerset and his colleagues were planning.
When I was first offered, it was just a simple guest instructor, or just putting my name on the founding management.
At the time, I wasn’t very interested.
But now that she has to leave the first party, she decides to invest in the group and teach what she has learned.
Not just a name using fame, but a full-fledged member.
‘It seems like Ian told me about business investment in the past… . No, let’s not think about him.’
Beatrice shook off the name that came to her mind whenever she could forget it.
While I was moving forward with my thoughts.
– Knocked out.
Beatrice slipped on the wrong branch.
‘damn… .’
Although it was embarrassing and annoying to Beatrice.
It wasn’t for the other four, the SS-class warrior party.
-thud!
The sound of her crashing to the floor as a cue.
“Wood Binder.”
The magician recited an incantation, and the wooden beam split, each of which bound Beatrice.
Right after that, all the other warriors who were waiting rushed in.
To kill the weakened first party archer, Beatrice.
-Suddenly!
Beatrice twisted her body and used the flying sword to cut the stem.
Immediately after being freed, she stepped back from a distance and looked around them.
“… I knew I wasn’t crazy. Do you have the confidence to take care of yourself?”
“Do I need to pay?”
“Either I run away across the sea, or if I go far to the east, I won’t be able to chase you.”
“Right. As long as you can kill me, that’s enough.”
Beatrice suddenly realized.
Among the talented and famous high-ranking warriors, those with a normal mindset are rather rare.
“… Yeah, I was in a bad mood, but let’s try it.”
*
“Ascendants… .”
Beatrice freaked out when she saw the four dead SS-class warriors.
It was dangerous at first, but when he felt a sense of danger that he might die, his old skills were temporarily restored.
Thanks to that, I was able to kill them all safely.
However, I just couldn’t like it.
Beatrice scratched her head as she looked at the completely devastated surroundings.
“damn… .”
No clues left.
It was a natural result since four SS-class warriors and one of the 1st warriors’ party fought.
Only the corpses that they died of something were left.
There was not a single grain of evidence to confirm what had happened prior to the quarrel.
Even in this dungeon, only they and themselves entered, and the manager did not accompany them.
There are no eyewitnesses.
“What do we do… ?”
Even if he is lower than himself, he is still SS rank.
SS-class warriors are recognized throughout the continent.
When they disappear, there will be quite a few characters to find.
‘Ian… . Oh, no.’
When faced with a problem, she reflexively recalled Ian.
Considering it a troublesome habit, Beatrice decided to think about it by herself.
‘… I do not know. What should I do?’
Beatrice changed her way of thinking due to unanswered concerns.
After going through the crisis of dying, my skills returned to the way they were before.
‘It’s better. Because I knew I didn’t have to be like Ian.’
The clean-up is a later task, so we decided to tackle the dungeon first.
Solving the dungeon alone, the illusion I just had was broken.
Scary to escape from the danger of death, he went back to his rusted skills.
“… … .”
Beatrice took the magic stone and came out, but stopped in front of four corpses.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a way to handle it.
The only ones who came to this dungeon were the four of us and ourselves.
The only one who can kill those four in this dungeon like that is himself.
There was not a single clue left to find out what happened in this dungeon.
Beatrice eventually gave up on thinking.
‘… They attacked first, so it’ll be fine.’
Although it was put on the verge of disbanding, she is still the 1st warrior party.
No matter how precious an SS rank warrior is, he is not as good as himself.
It was self-defense and even accidental, it was an ‘accident’ to the last.
‘I didn’t do anything more wrong… . It will be fine. it’s okay… . If I don’t tell you, nobody will know.’
Beatrice brainwashed herself and left the dungeon.
For now, I decided not to tell anyone, and to keep it to myself.
*
prince, prosperity.
Gendarmerie Captain, Lazri Leader.
The former manager of the 1st party.
I glanced at the door, feeling the suffocation of those five gazes.
“Henry. Wouldn’t you like to tell His Majesty Seonghwang what you just said?”
“What kind of important story are you talking about?”
“The four members of the 1st Hero Party are supporting the cause of the Henry Somerset family.”
Of course, no one believed that.
Because it makes no sense.
What are you missing from the 1st warrior party?
If they want to do that, they are more comfortable and quick to go out on their own.
Therefore, Henry’s words are false.
But how far is the lie?
If you dare to sell the name of the first warrior party in front of the prince, it wouldn’t be a complete lie.
This means that there is minimal evidence to support such a claim.
‘So I guess you just want to check it out in case you don’t know. How close is the basis? Or, if it’s not false, is there any evidence to prove it?’
Ian recognized his role right away.
‘To psychologically pressure Henry with the position of ex-manager of the first party. And at the same time, being the former manager, it would be easier to provoke Henry. My job is to bring out Henry’s evidence.’
After organizing his thoughts, Ian opened his mouth.
“Hmm. I have a question for you. Contrary to what they are known for, they are not so sincere. But how did you get into something so big?”
“Heh, what does an expelled manager know… .”
Lorenzo snorted from the side.
He never liked Ian that much.
Ian did not react.
I had someone to answer for me.
“Lorenzo.”
The prince said softly.
Lorenzo realized his rudeness and kept his mouth shut.
“Be careful with your mouth.”
“… Yes.”
“okay. Should I use it for the benefactor who saved Kylie from almost dying?”
Ian, carrying the protection of the crown prince on his back, made a sarcastic remark.
Lorenzo, who had nothing to refute and had no qualifications to say, blushed.
His gaze returned to Henry.
With his shoulders hunched over, he looked at the door, then felt their gaze and turned his head again.
“What are you so hesitant about? It was a matter of persuading the 1st warrior party. Wouldn’t it be not enough to go around in all directions and show off?”
Ian asked again.
“If you didn’t do it yourself, it would be nice if you could tell me who did it for you. Well, it’s me, I don’t know what your family’s plans are. If the prince is so curious about it, isn’t it important enough to be known? Or maybe… .”
Ian glanced at Henry and Lorenzo alternately.
“Did you lie in front of the prince? Ah, since the Holy Emperor is also there, it seems like he lied in front of the low prince and the Holy Emperor.”
“I can’t hear any more!”
Lorenzo rudely jumped up.
“What are we going to do now! I can’t stand it any longer when you insult my best friend!”
The leader of Wolfgang and Lazuli also stood up and watched the situation.
While Prince and Seonghwang calmly watch.
Ian shrugged.
“What do you think I did? It’s unfair to be treated as a bad person.”
“Didn’t my best friend treat me as if he were a criminal? If there’s anything you want to ask, just ask! And Henry!”
Lorenzo looked at Henry this time.
“Why are you keeping your mouth shut? That’s hard to say… !”
Henry shrugged and was still silent.
From Henry and Lorenzo’s reaction, Ian, the prince, and Seonghwang obtained various information.
one. Lorenzo really didn’t know about the Anti-Imperial Alliance.
two. Henry’s evidence is not very direct.
three. Henry now has what could be called that ‘evidence’ in his arms.
and four.
Henry is waiting for someone.
The fact that he kept his mouth shut and glanced at the door from earlier was clear evidence.
Ian had no intention of letting Henry go according to his plans.
“Did you even hide a love letter in your arms?”
“… ?”
“It’s not that cold here, so why are you cowering so much? Why do your hands keep groping for your arms? Or, do you have a treasure map or something?”
“That, that… .”
Henry looked around.
Seeing him agitated, Lorenzo felt more and more uncomfortable.
“Hmm. And I see that there are guests who will come here. How important of a guest are you waiting for such anguish? You keep glancing at the door.”
“no… .”
“It wouldn’t be polite to stay still. I’ll have to go out to meet you.”
Even when Ian rudely got up from his seat, Prince and Seonghwang did not point out.
However, Lorenzo, the lord of the castle, was different.
“What are you doing? This is my land, this is my castle. A guy like you… .”
“Hmm. Should I have let Kylie die then?”
Lorenzo’s face flushed red.
It was the prince who broke the conflict.
“stop.”
After emptying his teacup, he stood up.
He had a determined face, as if he had made up his mind.
“I tried to be gentle, but it didn’t work. no more time Henry Somerset. Lorenzo di Fiorene.”
Everyone focused on the prince’s remarks.
“You two are arrested for treason to overthrow the Empire.”
“… Yes?”
“… … .”
“Redeem.”
No matter how ignorant he was, Lorenzo was not without responsibility.
“And inspect both of their belongings.”
“Yes.”
“Woe, poor prince… ! What are you talking about!”
Lorenzo complained of injustice.
“Henry! What the hell is this! Whatever you say… !”
However, Henry, whose complexion was already blue, could not say anything.
Seeing that complexion, Lorenzo finally realized the meaning of this position.
The reason why Prince and Seonghwang brought the military police and Lazuli, everything.
“Oh, no… . Gee, this happened… . Now, hold on… !”
Lorenzo drew his sword and aimed it around him.
It was a reflex action.
“Sir, fuck… ! Back off everyone! Henry! You are… ! Keugh… !”
While organizing his thoughts, Lorenzo, overloaded with thoughts, shut his mouth.
No matter how strong he is, there are too many strong men in this position.
Wolfgang, the captain of the military police, and the leader of Lazuli.
The military police, who had been waiting outside, heard the commotion and rushed in.
“Oh shit!”
Lorenzo was quickly subdued, and the helpless Henry was arrested earlier.
Wolfgang found a letter in his arms and handed it to the prince.
The prince read it quickly and handed it to Ian with a sigh.
“… Hmm.”
Sender, Beatrice.
It was about expressing investment and support for the establishment of Henry’s mercenary group.
The two realized that this was no mere mercenary business.
‘Is it to gather the forces of the anti-Imperial Alliance…? .’
Whether Beatrice knew it or not.
A problem of this magnitude could not be easily overlooked.
“The 1st warrior party will stand in court.”
The prince who returned the letter said.
“Are you okay?”
“There is no reason I shouldn’t be okay.”
“… i get it.”
While the prince was talking to Seonghwang, Ian burst into laughter.
‘It’s different.’
*
After arriving in Fiorene City, Kylie headed straight for the Fiorene Castle where the duel competition was taking place.
In the meantime.
She sensed a familiar energy in the distant crowd.
The first thing I saw was the Wolf Gang dragging the fainting Lorenzo.
Behind him Henry Somerset, an aristocratic youth he had seen before, followed with a dead complexion.
Gustav, who was accompanying Kylie, gasped in horror when he saw it, but Kylie couldn’t afford to pay attention to it.
Her gaze was fixed on one spot.
Ian, walking alone at the back of the procession.
‘… You were here.’
The heart beats violently.
I finally carry out the duty I have been hesitating and hesitating for today.
Thinking of Ian, who was about to die, Kylie raised all her mana.
‘You must die. I need you to die… .’
Of course, what came to mind at this moment was the technique Ian taught me.
Without even thinking about it, Kylie decided to use the technique she had taught her not to die on Ian.
Everyone looked back at her because of the strong mana energy.
The energy was so wild and huge that even Ian, who was far away, looked this way.
The moment Kylie swung her sword, her eyes met.
‘… ah.’
Only then did Kylie realize.
That he would never, ever kill Ian.
‘What am I doing now… .’
People realize only after they lose.
Kylie had never felt that Ian was lost.
I just kept it out of sight and thought I could deal with it whenever I wanted to.
Ian dies soon after.
His power could never handle this power and skill.
So, Ian is already dead.
In other words, it also means that Kylie has now lost Ian.
As she thought about it, Kylie realized her feelings for Ian.
‘I want you… .’
When he realized that, Kylie’s mana had already been released as a sword skill.
‘no… !’
*
Sylvia, who had rushed to see Ian, had to see it.
“Kylie… ?”
The moment Kylie shoots a sword at Ian.