episode_0027

Fate City, Zone 2.

In a place known as the stronghold of outlaws, the name Kael carried immense weight.

Five years ago, Kael emerged abruptly in Zone 2, disrupting the balance and defeating the reputed strongmen among the outlaws, thus making a name for himself.

Of course, if that were the extent of it, Kael’s reputation wouldn’t be so lofty.

There was one reason behind Kael’s soaring reputation.

Originally divided into five zones, the outlaws’ stronghold saw all the rulers of each zone, known for their strength, fall to a single individual, causing a significant imbalance. Naturally, news of this victory spread far and wide within the outlaw community, elevating Kael’s status.

Kael had demonstrated a resolute will by not bothering to claim dominion over the zones after toppling the rulers according to the rules of the outlaw stronghold.

Many admired Kael for his lack of greed or thirst for power, dubbing him a hermit.

This sparked widespread interest in him.

Despite many searching for information about Kael, all they could uncover was the fact that he had a mentor and that the mentor was a renowned knight.

As tales of Kael circulated, stirring up the outlaws’ stronghold for a time, both Kael and his mentor suddenly vanished.

Now, five years later, with Kael reemerging, the outlaw stronghold was more active than ever before.

And in one corner of that bustling outlaw stronghold,

Word spread that Kael had returned.

“Back, are you?”

In the dark shadows, a figure smirked upon hearing news of Kael’s return.

“Just like five years ago. This should be quite entertaining.”

***

After Kael’s identity was revealed,

The gazes directed towards me changed significantly.

People reacted to every action of mine, and many came forward almost as if honoring a guest, offering their assistance.

“What’s going on?”

While I was aware that I had gained some renown, I never expected it to be to this extent.

All I had done was defeat a few tough guys.

Yet, my reputation soared.

It was truly bizarre.

“But it’s not all bad.”

In fact, it wasn’t bad at all.

The way they revered me in this gathering of outlaws was so exaggerated that it seemed comical. Thanks to this, I could easily reach the place I intended to go.

“Um… Lord Kael? How may I assist you?”

Just a while ago, these same individuals were brashly challenging newcomers, but now they all acted as if they would readily yield everything to me.

Their names were Ilcheon and Icheon, if I recall correctly.

“I remember someone here engaging in slave trade.”

“Slaves? Ah… Come to think of it, I heard about someone trading earlier.”

“Weren’t there some bandit-like fellows around?”

“Oh, right, there was a guy who looked like a bandit and brought human women along.”

Ilcheon nodded as if recollecting.

Turning to Ilcheon, I asked, “Who was the person that dealt with that guy?”

Ilcheon scratched his cheek awkwardly in response to my question.

“Well, I don’t… There are so many traders here that unless they’re famous, I don’t pay much attention.”

“Fair enough.”

Remembering every trader is no easy task.

Buying and selling slaves is common here.

“If you wish to find them, we’ll locate them for you!”

“Can you really find them?”

“Of course! Leave it to us; we’ll definitely find them!”

The two proclaimed confidently.

They hadn’t known each other for long, but they were two whom one could trust and rely on.

“Then I’ll ask you a favor. I’ll be in the city of Petra for a while, so contact me if anything comes up. Use this for communication.”

I handed them a communication crystal.

They saluted me like disciplined soldiers and said their greetings.

“We’ll check it out!”

“If we find anything, we’ll contact you immediately!”

“Alright.”

I waved my hand casually in response to their greetings.

After escaping the jurisdiction of the outlaws and removing my disguise, I headed towards Zone 1 of Fate City.

“It looks the same here as it did before.”

Walking down memory lane amidst the familiar scenery, I found myself stopping in front of a tavern.

As I stepped inside the tavern, I saw people drinking and chatting merrily.

Passing by them and sitting at an empty table, the owner approached me.

“Can I take your order… Wait, is that you, Kael?”

Glancing at my face, the owner whispered softly to me.

Seeing his familiar face, I chuckled and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Long time no see, Mule.”

“When did you arrive?”

“I just stopped by Zone 2.”

“I guess rumors have spread there too?”

“Well, it seems so.”

“…Let’s talk in detail later. We’re closing soon anyway.”

With a sense of having much to say, he left.

“You haven’t changed a bit.”

Mule.

He used to run this tavern with Arina and our master.

Although I hadn’t visited since our master passed away five years ago, Mule seemed unchanged.

I waited at the table until Mule finished his business.

Finally, after closing up and seeing all the customers leave, Mule locked the door and came to sit at my table.

“Long time no see.”

“Indeed. By the way, aren’t you going to offer me a drink?”

“Oh, right.”

Mule got up again, filled two glasses with alcohol, placed one in front of me, and the other in front of himself.

“We’re open tomorrow. Can I offer you a drink?”

“It’s up to me, isn’t it?”

Saying so, Mule gulped down his drink.

He must be in his fifties already, and I worried that he might harm his health, but I also drank my glass in one go.

The refreshing sensation filled my mouth, quenching my thirst.

The drink tasted particularly good after such a long time.

Relaxing the accumulated fatigue and tension.

“How have you been all this time?”

Having emptied his glass, Mule asked.

“I’ve been busy with this and that.”

“Still, you could have visited at least once.”

“I suppose I could have.”

Initially, it was due to the lingering guilt over our master’s death, but as time passed, there were simply too many things to do, preventing me from coming. Yet, as Mule suggested, there must have been times when I could have visited.

“Kael.”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad to see you’ve been doing well all this time.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? It’s as if some people aren’t doing well.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

Mule’s expression remained somber, as if something was bothering him.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“Arina has been struggling.”

I recalled the image of Arina that I had met before.

She still wore a sad smile, but seemed to have overcome it to some extent.

“Really? She seemed to be doing well now though.”

“Have you met Arina?”

“At the grave where our master rests. I didn’t go there because of our master, but I happened to meet her there. She seemed to be doing well now.”

Mul let out a deep sigh upon hearing my words.

“Just a year ago, Arina hardly ever went out. But suddenly, she started going out, looking like she had overcome something. I can’t help but feel anxious for some reason.”

“Even before I met the master, the master came here with Arina. Mul has known Arina since she was young, so it’s natural to worry about her as if she were his own daughter.”

I’ve only known Mul for about a year.

The master and Arina are not related.

Mul has known her since she was a little girl.

In fact, he had become a presence that could be considered almost like a daughter, so it was natural for him to worry.

Especially since Arina lost her father, Mul probably wanted to fill that void.

“Even so, I feel like Arina has changed from before.”

“It’s been five years, hasn’t it? It may not be short, but it’s not long either. Especially since Arina must resemble the master, there’s no reason for her to do anything strange.”

“That’s true, but…”

Despite that, Mul kept sighing, unable to alleviate his worries.

“If you’re worried, should I meet her again?”

“You?”

Mul looked at me as if asking if it was possible.

I smiled and replied, “We didn’t really get to talk properly last time. I’ll meet her and have a proper conversation.”

“Well, that’s good. I don’t even know where Arina is, which is the problem.”

“I think I know where she might be.”

I had a rough idea of where Irina might be.

However, since the chances were high that she wouldn’t be there now, I had to go on this moonlit night.

“For now, don’t worry too much since I’ll meet Arina. Let’s drink a bit more while we’re at it.”

“Huh. Want to try drinking with me?”

Mul asked incredulously.

I gave him a smile tinged with provocation.

“Are you scared, by any chance?”

“Ha. Who’s scared? Come on. Let’s really get drunk tonight.”

Mul brought the drinks bravely.

After drinking like crazy,

In the end, it was Mul who collapsed.