81 – 36. Taking Care of Things in the Back is Familiar (1)
“Ah, you’re here.”
As usual, Kian was exhaling the bitter smoke of cigarettes in the smoking area.
Facing Ian’s face, he swiftly tossed the almost burnt cigarette and opened his mouth.
“Did you have a good vacation? It must have been uneasy anyway.”
“I think I had it fine. Thank you for your concern.”
“I heard a sudden demon king appeared, so I was worried. Fortunately, it seems like you’re not injured.”
Originally, the unexpected incidents arising from Ark were supposed to be handled by the assigned instructors.
It was uncomfortable to pass on that heavy burden to the inexperienced students.
In fact, all the incidents that had occurred so far were tasks Ian had handled alone, and it wasn’t an exaggeration.
While the role of the assigned instructors was to enhance the students’ abilities, ensuring their safety was also a duty that should be fulfilled as instructors.
That was the reason.
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“You’ve worked hard.”
The reason I couldn’t properly face Ian’s face after a long time.
Even though it wasn’t a teacher-student relationship, as Kaien, who had watched him for two years, I couldn’t hide the pride and sorry feelings.
Because of this, I cautiously started a conversation, but Ian didn’t care.
‘Why do you seem so lacking in energy?’
Rather, he only questioned Kaien’s always careful appearance.
Honestly, it’s true that I didn’t receive help while capturing the Demon King. But isn’t it nonsense to say that it’s Kaien’s fault?
Even if you leave it alone, you might scold him, but when facing Duraan, he had run for the sake of the beginners.
Furthermore, didn’t he believe in Ian, who was stamped as the Empire’s enemy, and give him a chance again?
For Ian, Kaien was a figure no different from a benefactor.
There would be no reason for dissatisfaction even if he had a thankful heart.
That was why.
“I received a message. Is there any problem?”
The reason Kaien could loosen the tense atmosphere was that, in response to Ian’s question, Kaien gathered his confused thoughts and answered.
“Yes, my brother. Ariel Volkanov has returned.”
“Ariel? Where is he right now?”
“Don’t make such a fuss. He returned a few hours ago and is currently in the dormitory.”
Ariel Volkanov had safely returned.
It would be a welcoming event that the only missing hero from the Empire’s position had returned, but it was not a purely joyous occasion.
That’s the way it is. Everyone knows what misdeeds she committed before hiding her appearance.
‘I was worried that she would receive a lot of criticism for becoming the host of Leviathan.’
Even if it’s an exaggeration to call it the cradle of the saint, the demon king has descended upon a place that is not an exaggeration.
Moreover, the problem was that the cause was a warrior, the adversary of the demon king.
No matter how much you call it a warrior, you can’t escape the consequences.
‘But if she’s in the dormitory.’
At least she avoided severe punishment, Ian thought, accepting Kyan’s words, which were somewhat similar.
“Discipline is inevitable for now. We’ve decided to postpone it. It’s too big in scale, and the investigation isn’t completely finished yet.”
“…Is that so.”
“But don’t worry too much. You’re a warrior. Even stupid guys won’t kill a warrior.”
It was undoubtedly a tremendous crime. Killing a warrior from the position of the empire is an incredibly foolish act.
Thanks to Ian, there were no casualties.
Even if a severe punishment was imposed, it wouldn’t go as far as to threaten lives.
When Ian’s tense expression relaxed, Kyan chuckled and revealed it.
“Do you worry about your sister more than the appearance?”
“I thought it was fortunate that the warrior returned safely.”
“Well, that’s a good thing too. Still, help out. It’s true that she’s back in one piece. But her condition is far from good.”
The expression on Ariel’s face, who walked into the officer’s research lab unceremoniously, is unforgettable.
Without even knocking, she opened the door and asked where Ian was.
Entering the other division’s research lab abruptly was enough reason for substantial demerits. However, the moment Kaien saw her expression, he couldn’t say anything and had to let her go.
‘It was mysterious. It seemed like she had lost her previous self. And yet, it felt somewhat refreshing.’
Smiling while crying.
Two expressions that couldn’t coexist. But there might not have been a better way to describe Ariel’s face at that moment.
The reason for seeking Ian while wearing that expression remains unknown. However, one thing was certain.
“Take care of your sister. After all, she’s your family. Her behavior might be a bit strange… but what can you do? We have to take care of the heroes to live our lives.”
The only one who could resolve the current situation was Ian.
As Kaien, that was all he could do.
“I’ll remember. Is the story you wanted to tell over?”
“Originally, I was going to tell you to leave after this. But something came up. The reason I called you is also related to that.”
“…What happened for you to say that?”
“Originally, there was a simple training scheduled to start at the beginning of the second semester. However, that got canceled.”
“If the training is gone….”
The significance of Ark’s existence lies in nurturing talents that will support the empire in the future.
Therefore, the absence of the best method to enhance their abilities, which is training, is an unthinkable occurrence.
In other words, it also meant that something significant enough to prevent the execution of the training had happened.
“We received intelligence that the main lair of demons was discovered in the southern part of the empire. However, the number is quite large, and the Imperial Knights alone cannot handle it.”
“That means….”
“Yeah. They sent word that they’re officially recruiting Ark’s novices. That’s the reason why I called you.”
Was this the cause of the quest activation.
If they say it’s the demons’ main base, it’s likely enough to be true.
That was the moment he thought so.
“Perhaps what we’re doing is just patrolling the borders of low-risk areas and conducting simple searches. The place where they are most likely hiding will be dealt with by the imperial side, so there shouldn’t be any problem. Except for one thing.”
“Is there any problem at all?”
“Well, it’s a decision that even I find hard to understand…. Your sister seems to be included in this border mission.”
“Ariel, you mean?”
The moment he realized that a real crisis had occurred.
Ian’s pupils trembled at Kyan’s words.
***
Including Ariel in the operation to search the area where the demons might be hiding.
It was indeed a decision that was not well understood.
‘Even when in good condition, I can’t be sure of safety. Especially with such a weak will right now….’
He had heard directly from Kyan that his condition was not good.
Moreover, Ariel had become distant from her colleagues, including Reyna.
In such a situation, being deployed in a real operation was a decision that was somewhat difficult to understand.
‘Of course, I understand that the imperial side may not comprehend. They probably don’t want to give up the advantages that a warrior has against demons.’
Ian knew well how powerful the Holy Sword and Holy attributes were against demons.
He had experienced and marveled at it countless times while playing the game.
‘No matter what anyone says, Ariel is undoubtedly the strongest weapon against demons. That’s an undeniable fact.’
The imperial side couldn’t be unaware of that. Even if her physical condition was not good, it was natural to use her unavoidably.
“The decisions of the royal court may seem somewhat harsh. It might appear as if we’re acting like executioners, but the truth is, our condition is not good, and we’re only sending them against the demons because it’s for a good cause.”
Naturally, the royal court had prepared countermeasures for this.
“So, I guess I assigned Ariel the role of monitoring.”
The exact order was for Ian Volkanov to move and act organically with the 3rd Battalion.
Since he couldn’t explicitly say to monitor, he just turned the words around.
It might seem like he was telling him to take care of Ariel, but Ian actually accepted that decision with gratitude.
“For me, there’s nothing better than keeping Ariel alive. Being stuck in the dormitory, who knows what might happen. It’s much better to have her within my sight.”
Perhaps Bedon’s help played a significant role in such an order.
Ian’s mouth curled up into a smirk as he imagined his face for a moment.
“If Eri is absent, his influence will be the strongest.”
If he had eyes that could read the flow, he would never go the wrong way.
In other words, it meant that Ian taking on this role was the best option.
Of course, if he had just given orders and kept his mouth shut, he would have been disappointed. But our hot-blooded prince would never disappoint.
Ian checked the letter that the royal court had sent him.
“I apologize as a prince for burdening you with another heavy task when I couldn’t do anything while you were taking care of four demons. I was wondering what would be appropriate to give you, but according to the news I received, it seems that Lebryon has been unsealed. According to the imperial law, the ownership of a demon sword is strictly prohibited. But I’ll make an exception for you. I’ll use my authority to transfer the ownership, so feel free to use it without any worries.”
– 2nd Prince Bedon Arcana –
“I’m transferring the ownership of the demon sword? Then I can openly use it from now on.”
Actually, even if he was lucky enough to obtain Lebryon, it wasn’t an item he could freely use.
Why can’t I use the loot I obtained by capturing Leviathan myself? Honestly, one could ask such a question.
“It’s somewhat true. If I can’t freely use the weapon I obtained through my hard work, it would be ridiculous.”
But unfortunately, according to imperial law, a weapon like a Demon Sword that erodes the user’s mind could not be used without permission.
Even if you obtained permission, you had to return it after a certain period of time.
“When you play the game, the Dark attribute has no disadvantages, it’s a hidden piece. But in reality, it’s not like that.”
The fact that those with the Dark attribute are unaffected by Levrian is only known by Ian, who experienced the original work.
In the position of the empire, where they don’t know that, it was inevitable to regulate Demon Swords to exclude any potential dangers.
“Even if I unseal it, if Bedon decides to take Levrian, it could have been a close call. Just releasing it could have been a risky move that could result in punishment.”
If they had demanded Levrian, they would have had to hand it over without hesitation.
But Bedon didn’t do that. Even after unsealing it, he casually moved on and even handed over ownership.
“Once I have permission, if I openly wield the Demon Sword, I can provide a guarantee that no one else can say anything.”
Isn’t it a difficult task to provide such assistance as a prince, not even in the position of emperor or crown prince?
As Bedon, he must have made a truly significant decision.
Even up to this point, it would have been a satisfactory reward. But his enthusiasm did not easily fade away.
“I heard it from Shulkin. Every time he uses the Danoto, an unidentified man wearing a golden mask loses 10 billion Valus… I think it’s Bedon.”
Isn’t he making efforts in various ways to avoid the royal family’s attention and secure compensation?
Even if he does everything he can as a prince, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
That’s why.
“If he’s helping me like this, he should be able to grant a favor.”
The reason why Ariel volunteered to take care of his back.
Of course, there will be many dangerous moments… but I wasn’t particularly worried.
[Curse ‘Blade of Hatred’ has been removed!]
“The timing is perfect.”
Now that the talent known as the next swordsman has returned, there was nothing to be afraid of.
now, edge (sword) and blunt (fist) weapon has opened, no need to care about the difficulty of handling enemies