◈Episode 117 To a Faraway Land (11)
【What happened to the priest?】
Ekua, the chief of Serha, read the slightly different atmosphere in the village before and after the chat.
The chief of Bigabol didn’t seem to notice, but he, a village native, was different. Something happened.
【I will tell you now.】
He took advantage of Chief Bigabol’s conversation with his companion to ask the priest.
The woman who had existed as a priest even before he became the chief bowed slightly and whispered. I know I shouldn’t reveal it, but it was something that made me jump.
【What are you saying?】
【Calm down. You can’t show it.】
[That’s the way it is.]
Ekua barely managed to straighten up. But my heaving heart did not settle down easily.
After all, he is a warrior who wears black magic like a suit and turns the forest upside down like a gale!
When I heard that he killed Chibaneng, I thought he was a great warrior even though he was a foreigner. However, after hearing this, the stranger was no longer just a ‘great warrior’.
The warrior would have been called a ‘hero’ if he had been a resident of the Great Forest.
【I want to have a conversation… with a customer. Of course, Chief Bigabol is also curious about him, so we have to invite everyone to the place… but can you get that permission?】
Ekuada became chief at a young age due to the early death of the previous chief. Even though I was acting befitting my status, I couldn’t shake off my envy of being a hero.
For the first time in a long time, the chief showed his small greed as a boy. If Chief Bigabol had not been visiting, he would have been hanging on the priest’s belt and begging him.
In fact, it was a pity that I still had to watch it with Chief Bigabol.
【That….】
【How difficult is it?】
【…You expressed your intention to leave early.】
【That….】
The fact that Chief Bigabol expressed his opinion that he wanted to talk to the stranger was more evident. is not important.
Since Idazi had received a great favor, it was their responsibility to persuade Chief Bigabol. It would be shameless to demand more consideration from guests than this.
But but….
Ekua couldn’t help but feel sad. I wanted to talk to a great warrior! I wanted to see the majestic figure that drove out the Jatav warriors…!
【What’s the problem, Chief Serhan?】
【No. Come on, let’s go. It is said that preparations are complete even in Dalian.】
But the boy could not remain a boy. Ekua immediately put on the face of a chief and responded to Chief Bigabol.
【Please do your best to help the priest benefactor so that he does not lack anything until he leaves. I trust the priest.】
【Don’t worry.】
It was time to move to the friendly sparring hall.
* * *
“It really eats magic power….”
Archmage and I took a closer look at the captured Jahukaya.
To be more precise, it was Akmei, but after observing the snake, I stayed in my seat in silence in the back.
For reference, three of the four snakes were kept in cages made of woven wooden pieces. The remaining one was released into a room with all four sides blocked and is currently being observed on an ongoing basis.
Even though it could eat magic power, it couldn’t eat leather or dirt or wood, so there was no need to worry about escaping. I’m here to prepare for an attack on the Archmage.
─What is happening?
“Ah, did you finally check it?”
─What happened?
“Something happened, but I don’t know whether to call it good news or bad news.”
─What is it?
The Archmage began talking to White Wind with what looked like a crystal ball.
Is it because of the magic that comes from there? The snake, which was eating the magic sphere made by the Archmage like a pigeon picking up a piece of bread, approached the Archmage.
Sigh.
“Was he a suicidal person?”
No, you idiot. If you see a snake coming, move. Don’t stay still.
You were so scared that you stepped on the snake with your foot.
“I know you will save me, so why not?”
This human??
─What is that snake?
“It’s a snake that eats magic power.”
─…What?
“I don’t know if it was made in the same way as the snake that was killed. However, I saw with my own eyes that it consumes magical power. Oh, by the way, I captured 4, so I don’t have to worry about losing them this time.”
─Bring him here now! You said you confirmed that it consumes magical power?! Could you show me that one more time?
I checked the snake that had stepped on my foot while listening to the white wind coming and going, making sounds that were close to screaming.
I was in a hurry so I stepped on it so hard that my head exploded, right? Oh no. It’s alive.
I carefully caught the snake sticking out its tongue and placed it in a special container. The snake hissed and kept pulling its face outward.
It’s cute to see this too.
─They are mass producing magic-eating snakes!? Are you crazy? Are you crazy?!
“You failed with spacing.”
─What are you saying?
If I eat magical power, does it also eat mine?
I gathered magical energy on the top of my finger, feeling like it was forming a magical spear. Black magic power gathered in a circle.
If you stretch it out and shoot it, it will become a magic spear. I didn’t make it with that in mind, though.
Tup.
The snake bit my finger and my magic power at the same time. hey.
“What are you doing?”
If you get caught playing with animals, your concept will be ruined, right?
I calmly pulled my finger out of the snake’s mouth—it was bitten on the gauntlet side, so it wasn’t painful or difficult to pull out—and closed the lid.
Since my back was to the Archmage, he probably didn’t see my finger being bitten.
─I will also send someone, so please come back quickly!
“I understand.”
I felt uneasy if I just put the lid on, so I tied it with string one more time like I did with the others. The gift bundle to give to the Magic Tower has been completed.
“Okay then, I’ve already contacted you. Let’s go.”
Is it okay if I leave without saying hello? A chieftain or a priest or a bigabol chieftain? If you don’t talk, isn’t it rude to leave?
“You’ve done this much for me, so I won’t ask for more. “No matter what the alliance is, Serhan can’t blame us.”
Hmm, I feel like I know something, but I don’t.
I lifted the bundle while listening to the Archmage. Normally, I would have had my companion listen to everything, but the person accompanying me was an Archmage, so I just listened to everything.
Our magistrate shouldn’t be a pain in the ass.
“Are you leaving already?”
But there was no need for that.
When Ser Port found out that we were going, they hired someone to be a porter. He was the hunter I saved from Chibineng.
【I have to repay the favor in this way. Oh, please leave the route to the border with us too! We will take you safely over the shortest distance!】
【In terms of guiding ability, these are the best hunters in the tribe. Please don’t refuse.】
Strangely, I feel burdened by the eyes looking at me, but I soon got used to it because it was like that wherever I played.
I enjoyed the silence as I watched the two hunters carry the load.
Since no one approached me and I didn’t have to answer because I couldn’t speak, it was perfect to enjoy the silence.
It was a quiet place where all kinds of distracting thoughts could escape. There was nothing to focus on, no one to disturb me, and the tasks ahead were simple.
This means that there is no need to worry about the atmosphere by looking at the surroundings.
So I enjoyed it to the fullest.
I was confused as to whether this was really the end of the quest here. I have a feeling that if this area also has a main quest, their power struggle will definitely be connected. Jatav raised a magic-eating snake, and I raised suspicions that it was related to the devil.
‘It would have been nice if there was a quest window.’
Then, for a moment, my thoughts shifted to one side. Quest window. Worries that had been postponed somehow managed to sneak in through the cracks in my thoughts.
At that moment, all of the son-in-law’s voices became muted. Bleep. The tinnitus heard through the silence is clearer than ever.
My hand came up uncontrollably and pressed my palm against my ear and temple. I couldn’t press both sides, so I could only press the right side.
“Are you okay?”
Like that for 2 seconds and 3 seconds.
The Archmage looked at me. Even though he pressed his head with his palm, he didn’t act like a pain in the ass, so I don’t know why he said that to me.
Did I show something in my expression?
“What.”
That’s not right. I quickly shut my thoughts.
At least until I’m alone. We had to lock ourselves in a place where we didn’t have to worry about our lives no matter what emotions we let out.
“No, the expression….”
Oh my god. I guess I really couldn’t manage my facial expressions.
Write it. It’s not like you’re being stabbed in the back because you’re a kaebung… right? It’s not really right??
Instead of doing a desperate courtship dance, I was trembling at the joke of pretending to be a demon knight.
Archmage, whatever you notice, just take a look. Just take a look. I will continue to work hard on the Demon Knight concept.
“you.”
I lowered my hand and focused on the Archmage. I couldn’t miss a single word she said.
“If there is any problem, please tell me.”
If you miss even one thing… Is this what you’re saying?
I scrunched up my face, wondering if the rush of asking ‘Are you okay?’ and ‘Boning-gu blabbering’ was starting again. It was an action filled with more sincerity than acting.
“It’s none of your business.”
“Demon knight.”
Yeah yeah. I don’t know what you’re worried about. Of course I know.
I’m at an age where I can take other people’s nagging out of concern, but I still get angry when I hear it this much.
As for the concept, as long as I contain the devil, it will allow me to restrain myself to a certain extent—that’s why I’ve endured it so far—but even that has its limits, right? Your temperament should be normal.
“I am—.”
“I guess I’m starting to look ridiculous.”
Ah Mr. Come to think of it, I forgot to mention the sealing sphere again. ah. disillusionment.
But what I’m saying here is a bit different, isn’t it? okay. Let’s postpone it a little longer. In any case, you could just take extra money from White Wind without telling the Archmage.
“I have allowed you many things. “So many things.”
Instead, I took a step closer to her.
Bleep. The tinnitus hasn’t gone away yet. That was a little annoying. Not angry, just a little annoyed. The subtle irritation caused by that.
“Don’t fall any further.”
…So this isn’t an expression of anger. Probably not.
It shouldn’t have been.
It’s so disgusting to be someone who can’t control their own emotions and takes out their anger on others.
So this is just a concept. It’s time for the concept to become a bit annoying.
You are the one who is most wary of the devil, but you are also the one who experiences the most stress over him. How angry would you be if someone else made fun of you?
“…I am.”
The Archmage stuttered, as if he didn’t know I would come out like this.
“…I’m sorry.”
Still, he eventually apologized. I didn’t want to hear it. It wasn’t her fault.
“It’s a bit awkward to talk since everything is ready, but why don’t we take a little rest?”
“Not required.”
The devil won’t explode. really. You can just go, but why are you doing this? It seems like Archmages are becoming more and more obsessed with safety. I think so too, but still.
“It’s because I’m having a hard time.”
Oh, it seems like I’m the one who developed OCD, not the Archmage. Shy.
I thought you postponed it because of me.
“…weak.”
I covered up the visible truth. Anyway, I also needed time. Time to separate my emotions and concepts.
…Because if you mix it up, it’s no longer fun.
【…Is there any problem?】
【No, no. Could we please delay our departure a little bit? He’s so proud that he doesn’t show it off, but it looks like he’s still having the aftereffects of the poison.】
【Of course. We will arrange a seat again. If you do that, the therapist will…】
【The therapist is fine. I’m sure he’ll get angry and reject it. instead… This is the medicine tea that the priest gave. Could you
please give me a little more?】 【Of course I will give it to you.】
【Thank you.】
Oh, but how long will it take to rest? If you want to rest for a while, can I close my eyes? The fatigue level is a bit ambiguous.
bang!
【…?!】
【Afterwards, the training ground!】
Oh, right. I said no.
【That’s where the chief is…!】
【Send someone right away! Run!】
I squeezed my eyes shut as I looked at the side of the village where I heard the heavy drinking.
I don’t know why the quests feel so clear unless there is a quest window.
I’m slowly getting tired of it.