The Republic’s Capital, Heines

An oval portal floating in the air.

Blue cracks flickered between the torn spaces.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes, Ethan-nim.”

“…Pardon?”

Albert reacted 3 seconds late with a serious expression.

“Ah, no, boss. You need to explain what this is…”

“It’s a portal leading to the place this friend imagined. The exit should have appeared near Heines.”

“…A portal?”

“It’s faster to see for yourself than hear it a hundred times. Come on, don’t be scared.”

Albert was resisting like a cow being dragged to slaughter.

Levi quietly approached and poked his side and thigh.

“Ugh?!”

His body went limp and he was pulled by Ethan straight into the portal.

“You too.”

“Y-Yes, boss.”

Ethan locked the leader’s office door and

Passed through the portal with Levi.

“It’s a forest.”

The exit was in a quiet forest with a lake right next to it.

“This way.”

Following Tablek’s guidance along the path,

Soon a large city slightly smaller than Serdin appeared.

“This must be Heines.”

Heines, the capital of the republic.

They came on a whim, but there wasn’t anything particular to do right away.

“Shall we do some preliminary scouting?”

“Sounds good.”

Ethan walking nonchalantly and Levi following closely like a yes-girl.

Seeing them like that, Albert and Tablek laughed helplessly.

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“All of this. Moving one step from the office and being transported to the eastern continent, and our boss and lady smiling as if nothing’s wrong in this situation.”

“You think I wasn’t surprised?”

“I thought you were fine since your expression didn’t change at all.”

Tablek was also struggling to calm his pounding heart.

It just didn’t show because his facial expressions were minimal.

Long-distance teleportation is something normal people never experience even once in their lifetime unless they have a close archmage friend.

It uses a lot of mana, and if the coordinates are set wrong, it could lead to the deep sea or underground.

“The gate wasn’t temporary, the portal remains open.”

“It’s probably because of the magic tool the boss brought.”

“Who on earth is he? You know well, don’t you, leader?”

“…I don’t know well either.”

He was sincere, but Tablek didn’t believe him.

‘There must be something.’

Thinking that there was a fact being hidden from him,

And guessing that it was a more incredible secret than expected,

‘Can I get promoted if I make a good impression?’

With that quite presumptuous thought,

“Boss! Miss! Please wait a moment!”

He volunteered enthusiastically to be a Heines day guide, thinking of scoring points.

Of course, Ethan welcomed it.

[The citizens of the republic must be suffering from Senate Speaker Burgo’s tyranny.]

Unlike what he heard from Julius,

The streets of Heines were peaceful.

At least on the surface.

Two strong men approached a newspaper delivery boy who kept adjusting his hat.

“Hey, stop for a moment.”

“W-Why are you doing this?”

“We’re from the Security Department. Come with us quietly.”

“Huh? But what wrong have I done…”

But the delivery boy’s excuses didn’t work.

The man dragged into a dark alley didn’t come out again even after a long wait.

‘It’s brutal.’

Ethan didn’t show it outwardly, but he scanned the street.

The citizens looked lively, but weariness leaked through their smiles.

A life monitored and controlled by plainclothes Security Department agents scattered throughout the streets.

It was a moment reminiscent of a certain closed country in the north before his reincarnation.

Fortunately, Ethan’s group wasn’t subjected to a sudden inspection.

“This way.”

Tablek, a Heines native, had ways to deal with everything.

Following his guidance through alleys and alleys, sometimes passing under tunnels, they finally reached the bustling area.

“Such things are rare in the busy area. After all, it’s a place where foreigners come and go.”

The central avenue where countless crowds busily move towards their respective destinations.

At its end stands a wide square and a majestic palace.

“That’s the old royal palace, now the parliament building and Senate Speaker’s residence.”

“It’s impressive.”

It looked twice as big as the royal palace in Etre.

He had seen it so many times on the monitor that he even knew where the cracks were, but

Just as the feeling of seeing the same building on TV is clearly different from seeing it in person with your own eyes,

Standing directly in the center of Heines gave him a somewhat new feeling.

“Except for this place, the rest are all underdeveloped areas. Many areas that burned during the revolution haven’t even been restored yet.”

Ethan nodded and asked,

“Then are there fewer crowds and cheaper rents in the underdeveloped areas?”

“That’s right. But why are you asking about rent…”

“Why? Because I’m thinking of setting up a Heines branch.”

Tablek’s eyes sparkled.

“Are you interested?”

“Of course!”

Tablek guided them even more sincerely than before.

Which crepe shop on which street is delicious,

This alley has poor security,

The area in front of the cathedral is full of beggars so the commercial district is dead.

All his words and actions seemed to strongly appeal ‘Please entrust me with the branch manager position!’

“I’d like a place with fewer people but stable security for the temporary branch. If we set up here, it’d be perfect for getting robbed.”

“Then look at this!”

Ethan, Levi, and Albert followed while eating crepes.

He found a property that perfectly matched Ethan’s description.

Ethan made a deal with the building owner on the spot.

“The 3rd floor is vacant now, are you looking to rent?”

“No, I’ll just buy the whole thing.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s a 4-story building, how much did you say?”

“Hey now. From what I hear, you’re being a bit too boastful. If you really want to make a deal, show me the money first before saying such-“

Chink chink chink!

When he turned over his spatial pocket and poured out gold coins,

“…The 4th floor is our family home, but we’ll move out today.”

The building owner obediently bowed down and scooped up the gold coins with his hands.

“Tablek, take charge of the temporary branch for 4 days.”

“Why 4 days?”

“Because it takes 4 days to use that magic tool again.”

Since he had visited the 1st floor warehouse of the building and grasped the location,

He planned to create a portal here next time.

After all, if he leaves it outside like now, outsiders might pass through.

“Understood! I’ll stay put and guard the place until then!”

Ethan handed over two pouches of gold coins,

Saying to use them comfortably for expenses.

As he left the store, Ethan stretched his neck.

“Phew, well that’s the main task done. Shall we stop by that dessert shop we saw earlier?”

“Sounds good.”

Ethan felt relieved that Levi was pleased.

‘I should take her out like this more often.’

Peniola is a demon worshipper.

She’s not a famous apostle like Berda, but

A mid-level demon worshipper with quite impressive horns, tail, and wings.

Due to her noticeable appearance, she didn’t go out much during the day.

‘But I can’t resist this.’

However, today was the day the dessert shop on Lloyd Street was selling a limited edition rainbow set.

She left the lab after covering her horns with a hood, folding her wings neatly, and coiling her tail to stick to her back.

The disguise was perfect.

She successfully purchased the desired limited edition set,

And sat down on a bench in the square with a fountain to catch her breath.

“Hah, it’s tiring to come out after so long.”

A flock of silver pigeons were cooing and wandering in front, looking for food.

Occasionally there were children toddling to try to catch the pigeons,

Whenever that happened, the pigeons would flutter in surprise, causing feathers to fly everywhere.

Normally, she would have leaked a bit of evil energy to chase away the annoying pigeons,

But since she was in a good mood today,

She tore off pieces of bread she bought at the dessert shop and scattered them.

“There, eat well.”

Before she knew it, pigeons had gathered in front of her.

Watching them peck peck peck reminded her of the ingredients locked up in the basement.

She even got inspiration for a new invention from those trivial movements.

If it had ended there, today would have been remembered as a perfect day for Peniola.

“…It’ll just be a moment.”

“Alright, Levi. Be careful.”

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

The sweet conversation of a handsome couple was heard from afar, then

‘Huh?’

Suddenly, something gripped Peniola’s heart tightly.

Her head turned naturally even though she didn’t move.

“Oh my, judging by your shabby appearance, you must be one of those beggars that are said to be plentiful in Heines. Right?”

If she said no, it seemed like her neck would be cut off.

No, before that, it seemed like her heart would be burst.

Peniola barely managed to nod.

Cold sweat ran down her back.

“W-What do you want?”

“Nothing much.”

The girl rolled her red eyes ominously and handed over a silver coin.

As she did so, she stretched her neck towards Peniola’s ear.

“I’m telling you just in case, but if you act up and make Him uncomfortable, we won’t leave you alone. Apostle of Pride.”

“!”

Her expression distorted instantly at the fact that her identity had been discovered.

‘How… no, this doesn’t make sense.’

Unless it was a sensitive master who had reached the level of an upper-class magician or high-ranking clergy, or a sword master,

There’s no way a mere human could see through her identity.

The opponent was a girl who didn’t even look 20 years old.

Peniola gritted her teeth and denied it.

“I-I have no idea what you mean…”

“Sigh, are you telling me to believe that? Work on your acting skills before saying such things.”

The girl smiled brightly and forcibly placed the silver coin on Peniola’s palm.

“Then I’ll speak plainly. If you try anything funny, you’ll die here. Both you and your collaborator.”

‘She even knows about the Senate Speaker?’

Only then did Peniola tremble.

Levi smirked and said,

“I’ll take that as an answer that you understood. Well then.”

As Levi turned to leave, Peniola just silently watched, then

She saw the man who took Levi’s hand.

‘This energy, could it be…!’

Until just now, Peniola had almost been bounced several times trying to forcibly control the root of ‘Creation’.

It was an energy she couldn’t help but recognize.

‘It’s the World Tree’s roots. And three of them at once!’

There’s only one such being.

The hero of Etrion.

Peniola jumped up from her seat and ran.

Her posture was so ridiculous that

Children laughed out loud.

“Mom! That mister is weird!”

“Don’t look at such things.”

The limited edition dessert set she had forgotten and left behind was deliciously eaten up by real beggars who had been watching carefully.

Peniola, who returned to the lab and ran straight through the secret passage leading to the Senate Speaker’s residence.

Burgo, who was leisurely drinking tea after finishing his bath, frowned, but

“It’s urgent! The hero!”

Those words gave him patience.

By the time the teacup was emptied,

Peniola’s long and trembling explanation ended.

“…Is that true?”

Burgo had received a report two days ago that the hero was safe at home.

‘But how did he get to the republic?’

It’s a distance that would take at least a week to reach from here to Serdin, even if riding horses day and night and changing them along the shortest route.

“I just experienced it myself!”

But when Peniola placed her hand on the crystal ball that reflects memories,

He confirmed that the man inside was identical to the composite sketch in the report.

Then this is an opportunity.

“Why didn’t you catch him?”

She stared at Burgo with an expression that said ‘What nonsense are you talking about?’

‘It’s like you didn’t hear about being threatened.’

“Tsk, the monster from last time was also ‘presumed’ dead. Anyway, your handling of things lately is really clumsy. Agnes!”

There was no answer from the personal guard to the Senate Speaker’s call.

Soon, a maid came in and reported.

“Lady Rogi said she was going out, so Sir Agnes volunteered to escort her.”

“Of all times!”

Bang!

When he slammed the thick wooden desk, the teacup bounced off.

Crash!

Burgo’s fuming face was reflected on the broken white teacup.

“Call both of them back immediately!”

“Yes.”

Ethan, Levi, and Albert returned to the forest.

Without the guide Tablek, they were able to safely find the portal thanks to the route guidance received through the World Tree’s roots.

“Shall we head back now?”

“Yes, Ethan-nim.”

He, Levi, and Albert were holding quite heavy luggage in their hands.

It was a kind of souvenir.

Since it was a travel destination they couldn’t easily visit.

“Borka will especially like this.”

Because it was full of delicious desserts.

After sending Albert first,

As Ethan and Levi were about to return,

“Huff, huff, huff!”

They heard hurried breathing from behind.

“My lady!”

“N-No, don’t come! Damn it! Don’t come!”

“You must return.”

“No, I said no! Damn it!”

“Come quickly. And put down the dagger.”

A woman with long reddish-brown hair running desperately and a female knight with a blonde ponytail chasing her.

The woman in the lead, judging that she would soon be caught,

Was threatening with a dagger aimed at her own neck.

“Don’t come closer! I’ll stab if you do!”

It was like watching a common makjang drama.

Ethan felt like having popcorn.