Chapter 283: At The End Of A Dream, Reality Takes The Stage (6)

A little earlier, at the moment when the Saintess was about to leap toward Yeomyeong.

Standing at the sky lounge overlooking the Chicago Dimensional Portal, the Maggot Princess shouted.

“The barrier is gone!”

As she put down her telescope, just as she said, the black mana from the corruption stone that had covered the entire island surrounding the Chicago Dimensional Portal had disappeared.

“Thank goodness… my sponsorship funds…”

While she repeated her gratitude without taking her eyes off the view, Neti, who was sipping coffee across from her, seemed indifferent.

“Why are you so excited? With the Saintess and all, this was expected.”

It was as if she was saying, “I knew this would happen.”

However, remembering how Neti had been trembling while holding on her coffee cup just moments ago, the Maggot Princess looked at her in disbelief.

This girl, for real?

Neti avoided her gaze, pulled out her phone, and sent a message.

When everyone in the sky lounge, including the staff and guests, was distracted by the Dimensional Portal, Neti received a reply and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“Go? Where?”

“They’ll take care of their own business. We need to focus on ours.”

Before Rashik could respond with, “What business do we have to do?” Neti had already paid for the coffee and quickly went downstairs.

“Hey! Where are you going?!”

She asked several times, but Neti didn’t say anything until she stepped into the elevator and exited the building.

Only when they reached a back alley, where even the surveillance cameras were absent, did Neti suddenly shove her phone at the Maggot Princess.

The phone was connected to someone with the strange name [Eight Fairies].

“Who is this?”

As Rashik asked, a soft, nightingale-like voice answered from the phone.

[Hello. Pink… no, the Master of the Cochineal insects.]

“…”

[I have something important related to Yeomyeong. Can you help?]

What is this all of a sudden? Rashik subtly looked at Neti, but she merely shrugged.

…Sisters are just acting like each other, and neither of them is helping at all.

However, recalling how powerful everyone connected to Yeomyeong was, from the Saintess to the Dwarf conglomerate, Rashik lowered her posture and responded.

“Well, could you first tell me what the important task is?”

[Oh, it’s not a difficult task. You just need to erase any traces Yeomyeong and Seti left in the city.]

“Traces? What traces?”

[Things like CCTV footage from prominent places like airports, accommodation records, travel logs, and black market records.]

Just hearing it sounded like an incredibly difficult task. Rashik swallowed her surprise and responded.

“Um, sorry, but… I’m just an alchemist, so that kind of thing…”

[Don’t worry about that. Most of it will be handled by the Information Guild. You, Master of the Cochineal insects, only needs to destroy the black market’s CCTV storage server, which is hidden underground.]

The words “hidden underground bug” made Rashik flinch and shudder. That was her trump card, the one she had kept hidden away.

Where in the world did the information leak from? Was this person connected to the Information Guild?

Rashik, with a complicated expression, alternated between looking at Neti and the phone, then cautiously asked.

“If it’s that simple, I can help, but… who exactly is the person on the other side of the phone?”

[Me? Well… What does the phone have saved under my name?]

“It’s saved as Eight Fairies…”

Pfft. A chuckle came from the phone. Immediately after, Neti glared at Rashik with a look that seemed to say, “What did you expect by saying that?” Well, what should I do then?

Anyway, after a brief laugh, the voice on the phone cleared her throat and spoke.

[Eight Fairies… Hmm, that’s a decent name for an organization.]

“…”

[I’m the large-eared Fairy in charge of cleaning up at Eight Fairies. Does that answer your question?]

Large-eared Fairy? It was clearly a newly coined nickname. Just as Rashik was about to say that she couldn’t help with such a thing, the voice on the phone cut her off.

[If you help, I’ll give you the World Tree’s crystal, as large as a thumbtack. How does that sound?]

“…?”

[If you don’t like this condition, then there’s nothing I can do.]

The tone was as if to say, “you can’t refuse”. It was incredibly arrogant, but… Rashik bowed deeply to the phone.

After all, the World Tree’s crystal was worth that much.

“I’ll follow your order, Large-eared Fairy.”

The word Fairy seemed to amuse the voice on the other end, or perhaps there was something else that made her happy, as laughter came from the phone.

The laughter made Neti’s face turn red, but to the Maggot Princess, it didn’t matter.

Fortunately, the Holy Sword didn’t immediately come to where Yeomyeong was. She ran toward the Dimensional Portal and the mercenaries around it without even glancing this way.

Yeomyeong covered his face with the Blood Tears Illusion. He also tried to cover the Saintess’ face as well, but the girl shook her head.

“I don’t need it. Too many people have already seen my face.”

Yeomyeong could guess what she had been doing outside the dream, so he silently patted the Saintess on the shoulder. He then approached the sleeping Seti and covered her face with illusion.

He was about to use mana to wake up the group before the Holy Sword approaching them, planning to at least splash some water on their faces…

“Don’t do that. This sleep is caused by magic, and forcing them to wake up would be useless.”

With a grunt, Browning sat up and stretched his back like a lion waking up from sleep. When he saw Yeomyeong, he rubbed his eyes.

“Did you changed your face? Which one is the real you?”

“…The face you saw in the dream is the real me.”

“I can’t believe you were just a young student, even younger than our eldest daughter… Oh, my.”

Browning said this while twisting his beard, then suddenly turned his gaze toward the Dimensional Portal. There was no sign of corruption stone’s influence.

He sighed in relief and spoke.

“So, what will you do next?”

“….”

“If I report today’s events to the higher-ups, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble. Dzhugashvili, and that commie illusions— I’m sure at least twenty specialized agents will be on you.”

Yeomyeong smiled bitterly instead of responding. He had guessed why Browning suddenly said this.

“If you let me take credit for everything today, I’ll gladly…”

“I’ll do as you wish. Thank you for your consideration, Browning.”

When Yeomyeong cut him off, Browning’s beard drooped.

“When an adult is being hypocritical, you should just play along. You young ones these days are so oblivious…”

Browning muttered this and grumbled as he stood up. As he dusted off his clothes covered in dirt, a strange light flashed from the direction of the Dimensional Portal.

“What’s that…? Ugh, looks like we have another latecomer, huh?”

“…Yes, the Holy Sword has arrived.”

“The one-eyed from Australia? She’s here before the State National Guard—guess the governor’s going to have a tough time explaining that. Anyway… let’s get our stories straight.”

Browning looked between the Holy Relics Keeper and Yeomyeong as he continued.

“Officially, this incident was resolved by me and the Holy Relics Keeper using Holy Relics. We’ll report to the government that Mara and the Red Star helped. And also…”

Browning’s gaze searched for Mara, who wasn’t present, then settled on the girl with blindfold standing closely behind Yeomyeong.

“Is she with your group as well?”

Yeomyeong nodded.

“Yes, she is… and since so many people have seen her, it’ll be hard to keep her identity hidden.”

“True. Saintesses always draw attention.”

At that, the Saintess peeked her head out.

“Saintesses? There’s another one besides me?”

Browning didn’t answer, only curling the corner of his lips in a faint smile. As the Saintess looked confused, Yeomyeong quickly organized his thoughts.

“Let’s go with this: while the Saintess was buying time outside, you and the Holy Relics Keeper resolved the incident. Seti and I… will act as her escorts.”

It was a bit rough, but not a bad cover story. Browning took a cigarette from his coat and added.

“Then we’ll say the enemy wasn’t Ayatollah, but an unknown priest from the Church of the Apocalypse. Not perfect, but it’ll buy us time.”

The Saintess grabbed Yeomyeong’s back in surprise at the word “Ayatollah,” but Browning went on.

“As for the minor stuff, that’s your job. Call in the Information Guild, lay low for a while… Just try not to get involved with the CIA.”

Yeomyeong nodded.

“Then what about the Holy Sword? With her powers, she might see right through my illusions…”

“The Holy Sword? Don’t worry about her. Maybe the State National Guard, but not her.”

“…Excuse me?”

Browning, with a cigarette in his mouth, nodded toward Horua with a flick of his chin.

“You’ve got the Holy Relics Keeper right here, don’t you?”

“…?”

Yeomyeong and the Saintess tilted their heads in confusion at the same time, and it was Browning’s turn to look surprised.

“Wait… you don’t know the relationship between the Holy Sword and the Holy Relics Keeper?”

Was there some secret between them? Just as Yeomyeong was about to nod—

Thud—

A familiar woman landed lightly in front of Browning.

With a neatly tied tawny ponytail and a beautiful face that defied guessing her age.

And above all, the signature eyepatch over her left eye.

“G’day.”

The Holy Sword, Freya Cahn, raised her hand in greeting to Yeomyeong and Browning.

The Holy Sword, Melbourne’s Savior, Guardian of Whitefire, and Australia’s pride…

Freya Cahn’s greeting was refreshingly simple for someone with all those titles.

Of course, Browning’s response was equally blunt.

“Not a good day, latecomer.”

“…What? Latecomer?”

“You show up after everything’s done and say ‘G’day’? Don’t crash a party you weren’t invited to, and just scram.”

Freya Cahn laughed, opening her mouth at Browning’s sharp words. Her brown eye, the remaining one, curved gently in amusement.

“We’re growin’ old together, and this is how ya bloody treat me?”

“You’re not even my family, what do you mean ‘getting old together’… Why did you fly all the way here from Australia?”

“Well, your government gave me a call, so I showed up.”

“Ha, there are so many people they could call instead of me. Why would they choose to call y—”

Browning shut his mouth there. Yeomyeong could easily guess what would come next.

They probably didn’t want to send one of their top-tier superhumans to a place that might require using a nuke if anything went wrong.

Browning cleared his throat, changing the subject.

“Anyway, it’s all over. There’s nothing for you to do here.”

“You’re wound up tight, aren’t ya? You reckon I should walk outta here empty-handed? I came all this way on a work trip—least I can do is take somethin’ back with me.”

It was a materialistic remark, but Browning didn’t point it out. She was a superhuman who carried the name of Australia on her shoulders, after all.

Of course, that was a different matter, and this was a different situation. Browning pointed lazily at Yeomyeong and the Saintess.

“Then just take a picture with the Saintess before you go.”

“…The Saintess?”

The Holy Sword finally turned her gaze to the Saintess and Yeomyeong, whose face was hidden. The look in her eyes was oddly meaningful, almost laden with intent.

A brief silence, an exchange of glances.

Was she truly unable to see through the Blood Tears Illusions, or had she already seen through them?

Just as Yeomyeong was about to swallow his nervousness, Freya Cahn’s eyebrow arched. And then…

“Ya ditched the Academy, and now you’ve shown up here?”

The Holy Sword smiled faintly at the Saintess, who turned her head slightly at the mention of “running away.”

“I… I didn’t run away.”

“Isn’t ‘running away’ a bit nicer than gettin’ called an ‘unauthorised absence’?”

“…”

“Miss more than 70 days, and you’re stuck in first year. Everyone else has moved on, but you’re still chillin’ with the freshers, eh?”

The Holy Sword said that as she vigorously ruffled the Saintess’ hair—like someone doting on a cute niece, both in tone and manner.

The Saintess flinched and shouted.

“Ah, it hasn’t been 70 days yet! It’s close, but not quite! And I didn’t run away—this isn’t an unauthorized absence! I came here to save people from dangerous individuals!”

“Oh, is that so? You’re so admirable, not like your old man.”

The Saintess looked to Yeomyeong for help, but he deliberately stepped back—because the voice of the Comet Sword was echoing in his head, piercing through the inventory.

[Hey, you bastard! You promised to give it back after you were done using it for the last time!!]

[Freya!! I’m here!! Please save me!!]

[You don’t need me anymore! You’ve devoured your True Intention! Hurry up and release me!!]

A voice filled with desperation and pleading. Yeomyeong answered in his heart.

I can’t do it yet due to the situation. I’m sorry but please wait just a little longer.

[I don’t want!!]

I have unleashed such a magnificent Holy Sword, you still hate me that much… I’m a bit upset.

[That wasn’t even my True Intention! Do you remember my True Intention?!]

Of course I remember. As the light overflows, it does not discriminate between left and right….

[….]

The Comet Sword fell silent, and Yeomyeong quickly wrapped up the conversation.

The Comet Sword is a significant martial art to me too… Please just wait a little longer. I’ll return you back as soon as we get back to the Academy.

With that final thought, Yeomyeong severed the Comet Sword’s voice, just as he had done with the unicorn.

Realizing this too late, the Comet Sword tried to shout something, but…

[Hey, you little bastard—!]

…Having regained his peace of mind, Yeomyeong approached the Holy Sword, who was still teasing the Saintess.

“Excuse me, Holy Sword? Could you stop there?”

“Hm? Who are ya?”

As Yeomyeong pulled the Saintess behind him and spoke, Freya Cahn furrowed her brow. Judging by her reaction, it seemed she really hadn’t seen through the illusion.

Why? Despite his curiosity, the Saintess clung to Yeomyeong and shouted.

“Th-this person is my bodyguard!”

“…A male bodyguard for the Saintess? There’s no way the Saintess’ fa—the Holy Relics Keeper would allow that.”

It hit the mark. The Saintess bristled and pointed behind her.

“T-there’s also a female bodyguard!”

Freya Cahn followed her finger and turned her head. A group of dwarves had just awakened, and…

“…Horua?”

The eyes of the Holy Relics Keeper and Freya Cahn met. An awkward silence passed between the two, and for a moment, the dwarves who had just regained consciousness coughed.

“Damn it.”

As the Holy Relics Keeper muttered to himself, light suddenly burst from behind Freya Cahn.

Flash!

Emerging from the light was a long white sword.

The blade, made of an unknown material, gleamed white, with five divine symbols engraved along its edge. The hilt was simple but radiated a faint golden glow.

At the very bottom of the sword, the pommel was studded with five glowing jewels, which, according to legend, were the purified heartstones of the Demon King.

“The Holy Sword…”

Yeomyeong had never seen the actual Holy Sword up close during his time at the Academy, but now he was seeing its magnificent form right before his eyes.

As Yeomyeong became captivated by its beauty, the Holy Sword floated gracefully into the air.

To be more precise, it was aimed directly at Horua.

“Tch… No wonder, I thought why the blessing was faint. So, it wasn’t because of the corruption stone, huh?”

Freya Cahn muttered as the Holy Sword once again erupted with light and shot toward Horua.

The Holy Relics Keeper, having just regained his senses, adeptly rolled on the ground to dodge the Holy Sword, skillfully evading it.

Shhiiik- shwik! The Holy Sword danced through the air, chasing after Horua as if it had anticipated this very moment.

It was like the swordplay of an angry housewife wildly swinging her weapon.

Yeomyeong and the Saintess watched, stunned, as Horua fled, and Browning whispered to them.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

“What on earth is going on here?”

Browning stroked his mustache and responded.

“Let’s put it this way. What would you do if your ex-wife, who cheated on you, was right next to you?”

“…”

“There’s no way you’d notice anything else. Of course, Freya Cahn can’t see through your illusion.”

“What’s that supposed to mean…?”

Just as Yeomyeong was left dumbfounded, the Holy Sword struck the Holy Relics Keeper’s shoulder. Blood splattered, and from the looks of the wound, it was only a split second away from severing his neck.

“Is he really going to die like this?”

The answer came from Freya Cahn, who sighed.

“It’s a Holy Sword, mate. Won’t kill him, but it’ll definitely leave a mark.”

That was a problem in itself. Yeomyeong’s frown deepened as he watched the Holy Relics Keeper’s desperate evasion. His treasured Holy Relics had either been disarmed or refused to aid him as soon as the Holy Sword neared.

Freya Cahn shook her head as if she couldn’t bear to watch.

“He was bloody impressive when he was young… What the heck happened to him?”

Browning snapped at that.

“You’ve got no filter in front of his daughter, huh?”

“Am I wrong, though?”

Freya Cahn glanced at the Saintess as if seeking her approval. The Saintess, instead of being embarrassed, boldly retorted.

“Freya Cahn, do you like my dad?”

“…What?”

“I mean, the way you look at him… I was just wondering.”

“…”

Freya Cahn’s remaining eye narrowed at the absurd question, and Browning burst into laughter.

His loud laughter echoed, drawing the attention of the groaning dwarves.

Freya Cahn looked back and forth between the Saintess and the Holy Relics Keeper, seemingly searching for something to say. Finally, she scratched her chin and replied.

“You actually sound more like the previous Saintess than your real mother.”

It seemed like a compliment, but both Yeomyeong and Browning couldn’t help but smile wryly.

In any case, Freya Cahn sighed and looked at Browning.

“Browning, sorry mate, but can ya cut me some slack?”

“…What’s there to cut slack for? You haven’t done anything.”

“I’ve done stuff! I treated the people suffering from the corruption near the Dimensional Portal, and I even killed a weird guy! And I was planning to treat these dwarves too!”

Should she call it the bitterness of a civil servant? Freya Cahn muttered words she didn’t truly mean.

Browning was about to shoot back another retort, but when he saw Seti standing behind Yeomyeong and the Saintess, he nodded.

“Well… I’ll admit that much.”

“If I go back empty-handed, the Prime Minister will throw a fit… What?”

“The treatment. The Saintess has exhausted a lot of her strength, so you should help with the corruption cure.”

“…”

Freya Cahn gave Browning a look as if to ask, Why the sudden change? but then, noticing the Saintess half-clinging to Yeomyeong, she understood the situation. With the Saintess in that state, the Holy Sword might actually be useful.

“…And when the journos rock up, we’ll grab a few photos together too. Sound good?”

“Do as you please.”

Browning waved his hand dismissively and turned toward Yeomyeong, who felt a slight drop in his respect for Freya Cahn. He lowered his head and began to carry the still-exhausted Saintess, heading toward the dwarves who had fainted.

“So, what now?”

Seti, who had joined them unnoticed, rubbed her eyes and asked. Yeomyeong glanced at Freya Cahn, who was running off to retrieve the Holy Sword, then found the groaning Darulma.

“There’s still unfinished business.”

“Unfinished business?”

Yeomyeong didn’t answer. Instead, he called out to the half-conscious Darulma.

“Darulma. It’s me. Are you awake?”

“Uh, ugh… Yeomyeong… I-I’m fine…”

“Darulma, I don’t have time. Just one question. Is there a secret vault in the headquarters building?”

“Secret vault… Behind the president’s office wall…”

Darulma’s voice was weak, but his confirmation was enough.

Yeomyeong got up and turned toward the headquarters building, while Seti carefully laid Darulma back down, reassuring him that they’d be back soon.

“Let’s go. Time to catch Mara.”

As soon as Mara’s name was mentioned, the Saintess, who was still on Yeomyeong’s back, pulled out her revolver.

“I knew it! That bastard was missing…”

Thankfully, Seti didn’t understand the Saintess’ fury.