episode_0231

As soon as the summit ended, Crown Prince Ricardo immediately prepared to leave in a carriage.

Bendrick called the Royal Knights to escort the carriage.

“Just make sure he doesn’t get hurt. If you drop him off near the border, he can take care of himself.”

It wasn’t that the Crown Prince was happy to have the Royal Knights with him.

If something were to happen to the Crown Prince in the Eastern Allied Territories, it would cause a diplomatic problem. There was a possibility that someone who wanted war might harm the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince seemed well aware of that fact.

“Thank you. Then, I will send the person I promised later.”

“But who exactly is the person the Empire is sending?”

“···Let’s just say he’s a bit of a difficult friend to us? He is a friend with a strong sense of justice, so you don’t have to worry too much. He will tell you the details.”

Bendrick asked, but the Crown Prince slurred his answer.

Hundreds of Royal Guards watched the carriage disappear into the darkness.

Luke chuckled, patting his waist.

“Hehehe. Ska, my heart skipped a beat for the first time in a while. I was really surprised.”

The other leaders nodded.

“Ska, your debut is quite spectacular.”

Bendrick said with a smile.

Ellasein smirked.

“Bendrick, why are you talking about others? I can still vividly see you fidgeting because you had to pee when you first came to the summit with the late King.”

Bendrick frowned.

“Let’s stop. It’s all part of the growing process.”

The leaders gathered together, chatting and trying to enter the inn.

Yoo-shin Jung scratched his head.

“The summit is over, aren’t you leaving?”

“It’s been a while since we’ve gathered, so we should have a drink before we go.”

Astaroth shrugged and replied.

Yoo-shin Jung scratched his head. Is it going to be tough until tomorrow?

Suddenly, he felt a gaze.

He turned around and saw hundreds of Royal Guards staring at him.

Eyes that seemed to have a lot to say.

“Do you have anything to say?”

At Yoo-shin Jung’s question, a man with a dignified impression shook his head.

“No, Sir Ska.”

“Yes. Then.”

Yoo-shin Jung finally entered the inn.

Thump.

As the inn door closed, the Royal Guards looked at each other. The race, age, and gender were different, but their hearts were similar.

The shouts echoing from beyond the inn were still in their ears.

The threat to kill the Crown Prince and put him in a coffin, along with the cry to annihilate the Empire, echoed outside the inn.

Then suddenly, it became quiet.

The Royal Guards glanced at the inn with dumbfounded expressions.

Unlike their worries.

The Crown Prince came out unharmed.

It was just that his face was pale white.

The Crown Prince’s courage to come alone without any escort was great, but it was nothing compared to the next chief of the Barbaroi, who poured out curses and talked about war.

It was truly a crazy move.

One of the Elven Queen’s Royal Guards standing in front of the inn sighed deeply.

“Hoo. I’ve never met someone like that in my life.”

A human Royal Knight stood next to the elf with a blank expression.

“I know, right? I thought there would be a war this time.”

A dog beastman standing next to the human knight nodded as if agreeing.

“The scent was different from the first time I saw him. I think I know why Ingrid values him so highly.”

Hundreds of Royal Guards surrounding the inn quietly exchanged opinions and guarded their positions.

* * *

Clatter. Clatter.

The Crown Prince sat in the carriage and looked at the maze city that was getting farther away.

Even though it was a dark night, the maze city shone beautifully with brilliant lights.

‘Indeed.’

The Crown Prince swallowed a groan.

He had deployed troops on the border of the Eastern Allied Territories and participated, aiming for the summit period.

What kind of stories were exchanged was a secondary issue.

His biggest concern was one thing.

Confirming the solidarity of the Eastern Alliance.

How closely connected are they?

He thought it was worth risking his life for.

Because the Eastern Alliance was the Empire’s greatest adversary.

The Crown Prince scratched his head.

The solidarity of the Eastern Alliance was more than just strong, it was tight-knit.

How could the leaders of a country gather in an inn in comfortable clothes?

He thought they would dress up to show their dignity.

It was a big mistake.

In addition to that.

He got goosebumps seeing them reading each other’s minds with just a look.

The way they linked together smoothly, like one body.

Because their solidarity is so strong.

Even if they invade, it will be almost impossible to defeat them individually.

Besides, that Barbaroi man.

Even though he was about the same age as himself, his atmosphere and eyes were unusual.

He had heard that he was a fairly fearless person.

That guy is on a different level.

It was the first time he had ever seen a guy say he was going to kill someone to their face at the summit.

He casually spat out the story that he would annihilate all the Imperial bastards, leaving not a single one behind.

It doesn’t end here.

He exuded a ferocious atmosphere, then completely changed his face and uttered the words eternal companion.

Looking back, he was no ordinary madman.

‘The most warlike man has become the leader. Was his name Ska?’

The other leaders were at least trying to solve it rationally.

The Crown Prince branded the Barbaroi named Ska as the most dangerous person.

Anyway.

It was worth risking his life to examine.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Because that Barbaroi’s words and atmosphere kept lingering in his head.

Crown Prince Ricardo shook his head and closed the carriage window.

* * *

After the summit.

A simple banquet was held.

Skilled chefs and servants used ingredients purchased from the maze city to create delicious food to fill the table.

The drinking party continued until late at night.

The leaders sat comfortably, ate food, drank alcohol, and chatted.

The Dwarf Chief was the first to leave the inn.

The leaders escorted the Dwarf Chief.

“Go carefully. I’ll send a messenger separately later.”

“Tell me if you need support.”

The Dwarf Chief barely changed his gloomy expression and forced out a smile.

“Thank you. The King will be pleased.”

After a short night.

The next morning.

The leaders left the inn one by one.

“It was good food and comfortable accommodation. Thank you, Ska.”

The Elf Queen said, standing at the door.

“It is an honor. But there is one thing I would like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“How do I de-summon that golden coffin?”

“You can do it by strongly wishing for it in your heart.”

“Ah. I see.”

It was a simpler method than he thought.

“Then, let’s see each other again later. If you have time, come to the Great Forest in the east. I won’t treat you badly.”

“I understand.”

Ellasein left the maze city with the Elven Royal Guards wearing silver armor.

“Ska, it was an impressive meeting. Come visit the Lionel Kingdom in the south with your son later.”

Bendrick patted Ska on the shoulder and got into the carriage.

Royal Knights wearing gold armor with the image of a lion engraved on it surrounded the carriage tightly as it left the street.

Finally, Ingrid stood in front of Yoo-shin Jung.

“Lady Ingrid, are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

Ska’s face looked somehow lonely.

Ingrid’s heart pounded.

She had seen many embarrassing things while staying under one roof, but she had no regrets.

“Ska, please take care of Lin and Karin.”

“I understand.”

“And… and if you ever want to rest, follow Karin to where the Red Wolf Tribe stays.”

“Thank you. I will definitely make time to visit.”

Ingrid looked at Karin standing next to her.

“Karin.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“That… you must be healthy. Take care of yourself. You, don’t need to whip yourself too harshly.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ingrid left the inn with the beastmen.

Only Yoo-shin Jung and Karin were left at the inn.

Karin looked at Yoo-shin Jung, who looked lonely, and smiled slightly.

“Ska, are you sad that everyone has left?”

“It’s a bit empty now that it was so crowded and suddenly everyone’s gone.”

“Ska was a lonely man riding in the fall?”

Yoo-shin Jung smiled and looked at Karin.

Lately, she had been following Ingrid and doing work for the Beastman Alliance, so she looked as proud as before.

Yoo-shin Jung whispered in Karin’s ear.

“Karin, do you want to get your butt spanked?”

“…”

Astaroth, who had been watching the leaders leave with his arms crossed, suddenly blushed and walked away.

“G, goodbye! Ska, see you later!”

Astaroth hurriedly ran toward the central district.

Yoo-shin Jung watched Astaroth’s back and turned around.

“Let’s go inside. We need to clean up the inn and get ready to go to the 20th floor of the maze.”

“Y…yes.”

Karin twitched her red tail and quietly followed Yoo-shin Jung into the inn.

* * *

Three days passed.

The city regained its peace.

Except for one rumor circulating.

Whenever people gathered, they whispered to each other.

“Have you heard that rumor?”

“What rumor?”

“Well, the half-breed Barbaroi Ska threatened to kill the Crown Prince by pushing a coffin in front of him?”

“···That’s a little different from what I heard.”

“Different?”

“I heard he grabbed the Crown Prince by the collar, spat on him, and slapped him on the cheek. He also threatened to annihilate the Empire bastards, leaving not a single seed behind?”

“Re, really? Oh my! That’s terrible.”

* * *

Yoo-shin Jung sat at the counter, stroking and comforting Beatrice.

Beatrice was quite disappointed that she couldn’t be at the summit because she was quietly in Yoo-shin Jung’s room.

At that time.

Squeak.

The inn door opened and two people wearing robes came in.

Yoo-shin Jung raised his head.

Familiar faces.

Matthias, the Elder of the Magic Tower.

And.

A boy with a cute face.

“What is it?”

At Yoo-shin Jung’s question, Matthias bowed deeply.

“Sir Ska, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I rashly doubted Sir Ska’s origins and regarded him as a member of an outer god.”

“So?”

Yoo-shin Jung replied with an indifferent expression.

“…”

Cold sweat flowed down Matthias’ forehead. He had to say something, but when he stood in front of this man, his mind went blank for a moment.

A few days ago.

He heard all sorts of harsh words from his fellow Elders.

Because he slandered the next chief of the Barbaroi without knowing his place.

The recent rumors circulating in the city also amplified the anxiety of the Magic Tower Elders.

“Matthias, what do you want to say?”

“I, I’m sorry.”

“Only words?”

“I heard you are going to attack the 20th floor of the maze. The Magic Tower will support you.”

“How?”

“Armin.”

Matthias said, looking down at the boy standing next to him.

A small and frail pretty boy staggered forward.

“H, hello?! I am Armin, a magician from the Magic Tower! I will wholeheartedly support Sir Ska in this exploration!”

Yoo-shin Jung looked at the boy’s trembling legs and raised his head.

‘He looks like a friend who doesn’t even have hair on his balls.’

Honestly, he didn’t even know if he was a man.

“Matthias, did you come here to play tricks on me?”

“It’s not a joke. Armin is a lower intermediate explorer and an excellent summoner.”

“Summoner?”

“Yes.”

When it came to summoning magic.

He could only think of Luna, the fox beastman who summoned soft slimes.

“Do it.”

“Ye…yes!”

At Yoo-shin Jung’s request, Armin closed his eyes and moved his lips.

After a while.

[Living Armor]

With Armin’s chanting, a light flashed and an empty plate armor appeared.

The plate armor moved smoothly according to Armin’s will.

“There are various other summons besides this. I think it will be of great help in the exploration.”

Yoo-shin Jung got up from his seat and stood in front of the Living Armor.

He looked around here and there, but there was nothing to find fault with.

‘Good?’

As Matthias said, it seemed like it could be used in many ways.

Yoo-shin Jung approached Matthias.

Matthias flinched.

“Look at my eyes.”

Matthias barely met Yoo-shin Jung’s eyes.

He was so scared that his heart felt constricted.

Because he had no idea what he would do.

The rumors that made the maze city noisy kept circling in his head.

He felt like the man in front of him was about to grab him by the collar and slap him on the cheek.

Yoo-shin Jung observed Matthias’ eyes, put his hand on his shoulder, and smiled.

“The Magic Tower is finally recognizing my sincerity. Let’s shake off any hard feelings we’ve had and work together well. Don’t be too nervous.”

“Hoo-ee.”

Armin seemed to have lost strength in his legs and slumped to the floor.

Yoo-shin Jung put his hand on Armin’s head.

“Armin? I look forward to working with you too. I’m a good person. You don’t have to be afraid at all. Feel free to call me brother.”

“Gack.”

Armin rolled his eyes and collapsed after seeing Yoo-shin Jung’s smile.

Yoo-shin Jung had a dumbfounded expression.

“Matthias, what’s wrong with this friend?”

Suddenly, Matthias bowed deeply.

“I, I’m sorry! I will correct it!”

Yoo-shin Jung scratched his head in disbelief.

No.

These people.

Are too scared of me?

‘Did I eat something wrong?’