Translator: rainbowturtle
Editor: LD & Jyazen
Hyeonu returned to Phinisâ inner room and felt troubled. He had to choose.
âWho should I go to first?â
The emperor or Lebronâit was clear that one of the two men had the ring. Based on what Hyeonu remembered of Earl Carpeâs tone when he spoke, the earl wasnât the type to entrust the ring to others or hide it elsewhere.
âIâm sure someone has it...â
He just had no idea of who was holding it. However, his troubles were only temporary and ended quickly.
âI unconditionally have to go to Lebron first.â
This was certainly the better option for Hyeonu even if the ring was with the emperor. The reason was simpleâthere was no harm in going to Lebron. Meeting Lebron wasnât hard for Hyeonu. He just needed to stop by and exchange a few words, and it would be done. It would be even better if there were rewards or quests he didnât know about.
âThe emperor...â
On the other hand, meeting the emperor was very tiring. Hyeonu had to be careful with every word, glance, and action. He didnât know what would happen there, so he absolutely didnât want to go find the emperor first. If Hyeonu went to the emperor first and found he didnât have the ring, Hyeonu would only be filled with great mental fatigue. So, he naturally decided it was better to look for Lebron first.
âThen I will go to the mansion first.â
Hyeonu checked his inventory before leaving for the capital. Gifts were always a sure-fire method to make the other person feel good.
***
âYou came?â Lebron unexpectedly welcomed Hyeonu happily. It seemed as if he had been waiting for Hyeonuâs visit.
âMaster, arenât you welcoming your disciple? Why move your hands first?âHyeonu frowned as he watched Lebron approach. Lebronâs hands were headed toward Hyeonuâs hands. It wasnât to shake hands but to take away the bottles of alcohol Hyeonu held.
âWhat am I doing? Arenât I welcoming you right now?âLebron looked at Hyeonu with an expression that asked âwhatâs wrong?â and quickly grabbed the bottles of alcohol. Lebron looked satisfied once he held a bottle of alcohol in each of his hands.
Seeing Lebron like this, Hyeonu pouted and then said, âMaster, I have something to ask you.â
Lebron ignored Hyeonuâs words and threw a bottle of alcohol behind him. The bottle flew leisurely through the air and arrived at the end of the training ground. It was only after confirming it that Lebron answered Hyeonuâs words by uttering, âWhat?â
Lebronâs speech suddenly became shorter in an instant. It wasnât just his words; his overall attitude changed.
âThat dayââ Hyeonu spoke casually as if he was familiar with such changes in Lebron.
âThat day?â
âThe day I went to see His Majesty with Master. The demon that appeared...â
âAh! That day? What about that day?â Lebron frowned when he heard Hyeonuâs words.
It was a bad memory.
Lebron continued, âYou mean that petty demon? A guy who canât stand a punch and can only move his mouth... Tsk.â
Hyeonu laughed at Lebron treating a demon earl as a small fry. However, he couldnât refute it. Lebron deserved to say this. The emperor had immediately sent Earl Carpe to the underworld with one blow.
âWhy? Whatâs the matter?â
âDid you see anything like a ring that day? The dead demon seemed to be wearing a ring.â
Lebron lowered his head and closed his eyes. He was looking back at the memories of that day. A ring...
There had clearly been a ring on the demonâs hand.
âThe ring? There was one. Why? Do you need it?â
âYes, I need it.â Hyeonu stared at Lebron with wide eyes. He was like a young bird hoping for food.
âI canât give it to you even if I wanted to. I donât have it.â
âThen...?â
âHis Majesty took it. That guy took it the moment it appeared. He probably didnât even know he took it either. The ring just disappeared from the demonâs hand. His Majesty still hasnât fixed his little habit from childhood.â
âThis is ridiculous.â Hyeonu felt speechless when he heard Lebronâs words. The emperor was a pickpocket. What exactly was going on with the emperor?
âA little habit from childhood? Are you saying heâs been like this for a long time?â
It wasnât even just once or twice. This was a habit.
âIt was from childhood. His Majesty wasnât like this from the beginning,âLebron said. Then he suddenly stopped and changed his words.
âItâs up to here for the idle talk. If this is the only thing youâre looking for today, go back. That ring is in His Majestyâs hands.âLebron waved and gave Hyeonu an order to leave.
âThank you, Master.â Hyeonu obediently listened to Lebronâs words.
In any case, his purpose for visiting Lebron had been achieved. He found the whereabouts of the ring. Now all he had to do was visit the owner. Hyeonu moved toward the emperorâs palace. It was to meet the emperor.
***
Hyeonu stood in front of a gorgeous building.
âI came all the way back around to the emperorâs palace.â
It was ironic. After all, it had been in the emperorâs palace that he thought of the demon world. The place where he got the clue for the first quest was also at the emperorâs palace. Hyeonu sighed deeply. If someone asked him what was difficult about Arena, the first thing heâd say would be meeting the emperor, the second one was going to the emperorâs palace, and the last was going to the capital.
âI have to go in.â
Hyeonu was in a daze for a long time before heading to the great hall with heavy feet. The splendid corridor seemed to shine even brighter today, contrasting Hyeonuâs dark face. A wide space spread out in front of Hyeonu as he reached the end of the passage and entered the great hall. There were dozens of stairs, and at the end of them was a gorgeously decorated throne.
A man with golden hair was sitting on that throne. This man always had a listless expression. Yet, the emperorâs eyes came alive just then. It was because Hyeonu had appeared in front of him. However, Hyeonu didnât notice such a change. He couldnât afford to worry about changes like that when confronted with the emperorâs oppression.
âYour Majesty, have you been well?â Hyeonu bowed so deeply to the emperor that it was like his forehead was going to touch the ground. Despite Hyeonuâs greeting, the emperor didnât show much of a reaction. He was just constantly rubbing his thumb and index finger together. Based on this familiar reaction, Hyeonu knew what the emperor wanted.
âI came to see Your Majesty because I have a question.âHyeonu smoothly brought up the reason why he came here. Nevertheless, the emperor still showed no reaction. He buried himself in his throne and rubbed his fingers together continuously.
âOn the day the demon appeared in the palace, did you see something like a ring?â Hyeonu asked.
âA ring?â It was the first time the emperor showed a reaction during this meeting.
âYes, a ring.â
âAre you talking about this?â The emperor extended the finger he was rubbing. Hyeonuâs gaze shifted to the emperorâs finger. Between the emperor's thumb and index finger was a ring sparkling with a brilliant black light.
âHe knows.â Hyeonu didnât know what method had been used, but the emperor clearly knew that Hyeonu was looking for this ring.
Concealing his flustered emotion, Hyeonu asked the emperor, âYou already know that Iâm looking for this ring?â
âThat is an odd response. Isnât it natural for me to know? Artifacts are more precious to adventurers than their lives. It is useless to me,â the emperor replied, moving the ring to his palm.
The ring started to rise in the air. It was clearly visible to Hyeonuâs eyes.
âCan't you give me that ring?â Hyeonu pleaded.
It was just that the emperor didnât care. âI can give it to you, but what are the benefits for me? Earl, you are getting what you want. But what about me?â
The emperor got up. He only raised his upper body, but the aura around him changed clearly. A heaviness that could only be felt hundreds of meters under the sea filled the great hall. âI can give you the ring. It is of no use to me anyway. It is good if this increases your loyalty. By the way... it is a pity to just give it.â
Yet inversely proportional to his aura, the emperorâs attitude became gentle. Still, this meant nothing. Hyeonu was just standing while trying to withstand the emperorâs pressure. The emperorâs words just entered one ear and flowed out the other.
âThen what should I do, Your Majesty?â
The emperor smiled. âIn the east, there are jackals who donât know who they are facing. Earl, you should build up the majesty of the empire.â
âJackals? The East Continent?â Hyeonu cocked his head at the emperorâs strange words. It seemed that something had happened here while he was in the demon world.
âWhat is going on?â Hyeonu wondered inwardly.
Then he said, âAre you asking me to go to the East Continent?â
The emperor frowned at Hyeonuâs answer. âEarl, have you been in the mountains all this time? Or were you in the demon world? You donât even know the news of the world. It isnât like you.â
The emperorâs piercing questions struck Hyeonu in the heart. He barely suppressed his flinch.
âDoes he know Iâve been to the demon world?â
Hyeonu shook his head. The emperor couldnât have known. How could he know when he only stayed in the palace?
âSomething happened, and I spent quite a long time in the dungeon. What happened?â
The emperor stroked his chin a few times and opened his lips: âThe merchant groups traveling between the East Continent and West Continent are being attacked. There were reports that adventurers are also involved. Earl, take care of it. For more information, ask Marquis Maizel of Derek Castle.â
[A quest has been created.]
[Information on the Attackers]
[There are a group of attackers raiding the merchant groups crossing the Balder Mountains.
They arenât just NPCs but adventurers as well.
Hear about them from Marquis Maizel, the lord of Derek.
Rating: F
Conditions: Conversation with Marquis Maizel 0/1
Rewards: Experience, progress to the next quest.]
Hyeonuâs expression didnât change much when he saw the quest that appeared. It was because there was no need to be disappointed. In any case, this was just a stepping stone for the next quest. He couldnât be disappointed after knowing this.
âYour Majesty, please take care of this ring until I come back.â Hyeonu maintained his blank expression and lowered his head. By the time Hyeonu looked up, the emperor was once again buried in the throne. So Hyeonu quietly turned to leave the great hall.
âBy the way, if you encounter something interesting, please come and talk to me. For example, the demon world or something like that.â
Hyeonuâs shoulders flinched as he exited the great hall.