Ch.4141. Eat

To put it simply, Rex ultimately decided to become Berger’s disciple.

It was a decision made after they cleared up their misunderstandings and had an honest conversation.

Well, perhaps “conversation” needs some clarification. Rex maintained complete silence throughout, while an impatient Berger just poured out words one-sidedly.

To summarize what was said:

“I’ll provide everything, just bring yourself. How can you still refuse? I’ve offered you everything!”

For Rex, this was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss from the beginning, and with all the conveniences being offered, he had no reason to refuse anymore.

Moreover, the reactions of others also played a part in his decision.

People kept fidgeting nervously beside him, occasionally poking his side, and saying things like:

“Oh my. Please don’t mind us and take him with you. Rex, how long are you going to make the knight uncomfortable? Answer him quickly.”

“Haha, Harald, was it? Now that I see, you’re quite reasonable. You have good companions.”

“You flatter us. Please speak comfortably. Sir Berger, I entrust our Rex to your care from now on.”

It was somewhat irritating to see them exchanging pleasantries so cheerfully while excluding him, but he didn’t bother to interject.

Anyway, only after getting a definite answer from Rex did Berger turn his head with a satisfied expression.

“Pick up the corpses.”

The smile vanished immediately. His voice was completely different from how he spoke to Rex—cold and indifferent. The servants who had been watching the situation with bewildered faces flinched. They seemed to have no idea what was happening.

“Did you not hear me?”

Berger’s eyebrows furrowed as if their appearance displeased him. The servants quickly gathered the bodies of Conrad and his men, sweating profusely.

Berger clicked his tongue and looked at Rex. His cold gaze instantly softened.

“You are my disciple from today.”

“Yes.”

When Rex readily agreed, Berger’s cheek twitched. The way his mouth quivered almost looked like he was trying to suppress laughter.

Berger cleared his throat and spoke.

“Both you and I must have many questions for each other.”

“Call me Rex. You’re my master now, aren’t you?”

Rex replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Ahem… Yes, I should.”

Berger barely suppressed another burst of laughter. The casually thrown words pierced his heart, almost disrupting his composure.

Rex didn’t seem to know, but “servant” and “disciple” were used with clearly different meanings. While servants spent all day running errands for knights and occasionally received insignificant teachings, disciples inherited all of their master’s knowledge.

Naturally, Berger had never once allowed his servants to call him “master.” He hadn’t found anyone worthy. If anyone dared to aspire to the position of disciple, he would immediately rebuke them and drive them away.

But not anymore. Hearing the word “master” from Rex’s lips gave him a truly pleasant feeling. He couldn’t help but be delighted to have found someone worthy of inheriting the essence of his lifelong achievements as a Sacred Knight.

Any old man in Berger’s position would think the same. It was human nature to want to leave one’s legacy to someone when death approached.

Berger organized his thoughts and said:

“First, we need to leave the dungeon. I’ll explain our future schedule as we go.”

Though excited, he knew he shouldn’t rush. To formally accept Rex as his disciple, there were complicated procedures to handle.

He needed to find an excuse to convince the baron, and resolving other miscellaneous matters would take at least three or four days. That fact was somewhat disappointing.

“Understood.”

Rex nodded.

***

The return journey took less time than expected.

It had taken 10 hours to reach the 9th floor, but it only took about five or six hours to get back to the 1st floor. Partly because they were following a path they had already traveled, but the main reason was Berger himself.

Berger led the group from the front, moving his legs at a pace close to running, as if in a great hurry. Even for a Sacred Knight, physical limits existed, and it was killing those trying to keep up.

Yet no one dared to suggest taking a break.

The servants were busy watching Berger’s mood after being scolded earlier, and the party members didn’t even think of addressing the knight.

Rex wasn’t particularly tired, so he didn’t think much of it. Even Ellin the mage was walking fine, so it seemed manageable enough.

When they finally exited the dungeon, it was late dawn. Soft moonlight was filtering through the massive stained glass windows of the temple.

Considering they had entered the dungeon early in the morning, they had spent an entire day inside without sleep.

“I’m tired…”

Chloe looked around with exhausted eyes. Despite the late hour, quite a few adventurers were still moving about the temple.

Rex gave a wry smile and shifted his gaze. Harald stopped a passing priest, presumably to report their return.

As Rex naturally started to move in that direction, Berger suddenly approached and spoke to him.

“Rex.”

“Yes.”

“Once all the tedious procedures are settled, I’ll send someone to your inn. It will take about three or four days. Until then, rest well. Don’t enter the dungeon.”

“Understood.”

While answering, Rex glanced over Berger’s shoulder. The servants were glaring at him with disapproving eyes; they had been sending such resentful looks ever since learning about the situation in the dungeon.

Jealousy, envy, contempt… such emotions were palpable.

It was exactly the reaction Rex had expected, so he remained unfazed. Berger chuckled and said:

“Don’t mind those ignorant ones.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Well, I simply can’t win against you with words. Alright, see you later.”

“Yes.”

Berger gathered his servants and soon departed. Rex silently watched him leave.

The corpses of Conrad and his men were dangling over the servants’ shoulders; Berger had taken them to investigate the true circumstances of the incident. Though what he could learn from corpses that couldn’t speak was questionable.

‘He’ll figure it out.’

Anyway, Rex finally felt more at ease. Being harassed by Berger had caused more mental than physical fatigue.

Harald stroked his beard and spoke:

“I’ll handle Yakoff’s matter. I’ll contact each of you later, so let’s disband for today.”

They decided to take the looted equipment to the merchant district to sell when they met again.

“I’m going first. I’m dying of exhaustion.”

“Me too. Rex, thanks for today.”

As Connor left the temple with a yawn, Patrick followed. With nothing more to discuss, the others also departed one by one.

“Shall we go?”

Just as Rex was about to return to the inn with Ellin, whose path was the same for part of the way, Chloe suddenly called out to him.

“Rex.”

Turning around with a puzzled face, he saw Chloe fidgeting with her fingers while glancing at Ellin.

“…Are you free tomorrow? I mean, after you wake up.”

Ellin’s robe rustled slightly at those words.

Rex nodded without much thought. He was planning to spend the next few days just resting at the inn, so he had plenty of time.

“I am, why?”

“I have a favor to ask. You know, I received a blessing before. I’m not sure how to practice using it. I was wondering if you could help me.”

Chloe blushed and added as if making an excuse:

“You’re the only person I know who has a blessing.”

“Sure. Come to the inn.”

Chloe, apparently not expecting such a quick agreement, blinked in surprise before breaking into a radiant smile and clenching her fist.

“Okay!”

Once again, Ellin’s robe rustled.

‘What’s the matter?’

Rex tilted his head at the stare fixed on him. He sensed some dissatisfaction. Was he imagining it?

“See you tomorrow.”

Shortly after, Chloe disappeared, humming a tune.

Rex left the temple with Ellin.

By the time they returned to the inn, dawn was breaking. Seeing the sun rising and pushing away the darkness made him realize that they had indeed spent an entire day in the dungeon.

Rex said goodbye to Ellin in front of the inn.

“See you.”

“……”

Ellin just stared at Rex without saying anything. Then, in the blink of an eye, she closed the distance between them, forcibly opened Rex’s palm, and placed something in it.

It was the small pouch of dried fruit pieces that Ellin always carried.

“Eat.”

Ellin left with quick steps without waiting for a response.

Rex stared blankly at Ellin’s rapidly retreating back before letting out a small laugh. Ellin’s eccentric behavior wasn’t new, but this time it really surprised him. She had approached so fiercely.

‘Whatever. Let’s just sleep.’

Entering his room, Rex carelessly threw off his equipment and collapsed onto the bed.

Having gone without sleep or food for over twenty hours, he felt like he could fall asleep at any moment. His stomach growled, begging for food.

Rex opened the pouch Ellin had given him. It contained well-dried raisins, which he immediately grabbed a handful of and tossed into his mouth. The sweet yet slightly tart flavor stimulated his tongue.

‘Delicious.’

After eating all the fruit pieces, Rex just rinsed his mouth with water and closed his eyes. Now that he had satisfied his hunger, it was time to sleep.

Sunlight was already streaming through the window. It felt strange trying to sleep in the morning rather than at night. Still, he would have to get used to it. He would be visiting the dungeon often in the future, and wouldn’t always return at night.

As sleep gradually overtook him, Rex vaguely thought:

A lot had happened today.

Conrad and his men who followed the God of Chaos, the terrifying one-eyed creature, and even the Minotaur.

It was nothing short of a trial.

And those who overcome trials are rewarded.

[You did very well. My warrior.]

From beyond his hazy consciousness, Rex heard Chaordix’s voice.

It was the first time he had heard such a jubilant tone.