Chapter 88 : Chapter 88
Chapter 88: Hella (2)
“…This isn’t my ability.”
Haryun said, looking at Simurtr’s back.
“No. Bahab told me to accompany you. Right now, using me is also your ability.”
“You are correct.”
A smile never left Jeremiah’s face. Haryun didn’t like that at all.
“What’s so great, Sir Jeremiah?”
“It’s nothing.”
Just a few days ago, he had been worried if the two would get along, and just a day ago, he had resented Simurtr’s indifference.
‘The empty-headed Sword Fiend is a thing of the past.’
While the inner workings of Bahab, which had grown into a Hero Family, remained the same, Mectera, whose status had fallen, had grown.
At least, the Mectera seen through Simurtr was like that.
‘Thinking about it, Mectera has been flexible since long ago.’
Wasn't the Simurtr before him proof of that?
A tradition where one could challenge for the position of Sword Master as long as they had the talent.
He had endured and overcome a similar environment on his own, and his ideology, which seemed to be in opposition to Bahab, was already complete.
It was superior to that of Jeremiah, who merely followed his young lady. And yet, he was younger than Haryun.
‘There are things that can only be learned from a close friend.’
Empathy and understanding come from proximity.
The words of a close person sometimes resonate more than those of a distant one.
In that sense, Simurtr was a perfect teacher and forerunner for Haryun.
‘Is the name Bahab really necessary?’
That question was a concern that Jeremiah had often thought of for some time.
What he, who had protected Haryun’s side for all her life, desired was his young lady’s happiness and safety.
Happiness was a value that was ultimately realized within the fence of safety. At least, that was what Jeremiah, a veteran of the Doom War, was bound to think.
She had already been pushed out of the succession competition, but the reason he protected the struggling Haryun’s side and hoped for her rebound was this.
‘The moment the heir is confirmed, the young lady dies.’
Or she would be married off.
If that was the case, wouldn’t it be better to leave Bahab before then…
“Sir Jeremiah?”
As always. Such worries were washed away by Haryun’s call.
Those clear eyes were, as always, looking at the surroundings. She was different from Hejel, who only looked forward.
She desired the position of Bahab, but her steps forward were slow because she was always concerned about her surroundings.
She felt sorry for the participants of the Pakun underground banquet and couldn’t trample on those who served her as subordinates.
“It’s nothing. The young master’s steps are just so fast.”
“Did you hear that? Please go a little slower.”
“Are you worrying about a Sword Master because you have nothing else to worry about?”
“He might not be in good condition today.”
“He’ll still be sturdier than you.”
“You!”
Jeremiah smiled as he watched the two walking ahead, bickering.
Haryun, who was slowing her steps, and Simurtr, who, while being prickly, was matching his steps to hers.
‘Isn’t this a truly pleasant scene.’
Having watched over her for 17 years, Jeremiah could say with certainty. The happiness Haryun desired was not in Bahab.
However, he wanted Haryun to realize that herself. Something fed to you by others can never be happiness.
‘If only she realizes it someday.’
Jeremiah was already prepared to follow Haryun’s orders with his life.
***
“Why did we come to a butcher shop?”
Haryun asked, looking at where Simurtr’s footsteps had arrived.
“Shouldn’t you be more surprised by the fact that there’s a butcher shop in a place like this?”
“Is that something to be surprised about? People live here too.”
“But there’s no need to do business here. They wouldn’t have been given permission either.
There must be a ton of people who want to occupy a spot with illegal things.”
Tinkle. Just then, the door opened.
A butcher. Simurtr’s eyes met with a middle-aged man who had just come out. A large apron. The faint traces of blood that had been consistently painted over were visible.
“Do you need some meat?”
As he got closer, the butcher opened his mouth.
Simurtr lightly nodded his head.
“What kind of meat do you need?”
Crows. Degrate’s information brokers.
Mectera knew the locations of the crows spread throughout the Empire.
It was information Semenu had shared with Orde, and naturally, the method of contact was also included, but.
“You know me, right?”
Simurtr had only memorized the location, he hadn't memorized the method separately.
The method of contact was different for each region, and for each snake den the crows belonged to. It was too much and annoying.
Crucially, other Mectera might need it, but Simurtr did not.
“Do I have to take off my mask for you to know?”
“Ah, no, sir! There is no need to take it off.”
The butcher recognized the identity of Simurtr, who was wearing a white mask, just by hearing his voice.
“It is an honor to meet a noble person!”
The butcher bowed his head down to his waist.
Simurtr Mectera. The youngest adopted son of Mectera, currently living in Bahab.
If one were a crow belonging to Degrate, they had to recognize him just by his hair, the lover of Semenu.
‘But… publicly, a noble person of Degrate.’
The butcher recalled the official document that had been sent down from the main mountain, telling him to memorize it thoroughly.
From head to toe. It was a document that recorded everything about Simurtr and all sorts of precautions.
“Noble person?”
Simurtr tilted his head.
“Yes! It is a directive that has been given to the entire butcher shop.”
Noble person.
That matter was a new precaution that had been added after the Vice-Leader of the Black Snake, who had been deployed to the Mectera main castle, had reported Simurtr’s movements to the Phantasm.
‘The lover wishes to hide his relationship with the hidden Phantasm from the world.’
The butcher recalled the official document directly issued by the Phantasm. This too was because the lover’s family was Mectera.
He had decided to transfer his allegiance to Degrate later, but because he was still young, he had no choice but to be mindful of his family.
‘I have to be careful.’
The Vice-Leader of the Black Snake had been flogged for not knowing this. The butcher smiled brightly and said.
“The owner of our butcher shop told us to treat you so.”
“Ah, so.”
Simurtr recalled the Vice-Leader of the Black Snake he had met at the main castle.
‘No wonder he was so polite.’
Thinking about it, the term noble person wasn’t that wrong.
He had saved Semenu from Nurmakan, and Jiaren had seen new possibilities in Simurtr’s Phantasmal Ability.
“By the way, they said they would send one person. There’s been no news? Do you know?”
“Ah, that too is a message from the owner. He said that there has been a hitch, and the timing will be delayed.”
“A hitch?”
“Yes. His daughter has temporarily left the butcher shop. They are looking for her, but there is no news, so he is contemplating stepping forward himself.”
Sharen Degrate.
Semenu had said she was nice, but Simurtr felt that that one did not like Semenu. Rather, she was closer to disliking her.
‘There’s no way I would look good to her.’
In Sharen’s eyes, Simurtr would be a traitor.
She would think that he had extorted Asha by bringing up his connection with Semenu and the alliance between Degrate and Mectera.
‘And he ran off because he was told to follow such a person.’
Just as that side was, Simurtr also had no intention of treating her well.
When they met someday, he would fix that temper of hers that disliked Semenu.
“Simurtr?”
It was difficult to grasp the context of the conversation.
Haryun knew that their conversation contained code words and wanted an explanation.
“Ah, is it okay to say?”
“Of course! If they are the companions of a noble person, they are also precious guests to us.”
As Simurtr asked, the butcher nodded his head roughly.
“Crows. Information brokers belonging to Degrate.”
“Pardon? Degrate? That?”
“Yeah. That.”
Haryun’s face turned even whiter.
“The King of Assassins…”
The Phantasmal Degrate.
That name, to the nobles of the Empire, held the same meaning as fear.
Moreover, this place was Bahab, but it was Hella, where intrigue was rampant. Jeremiah, whose facial muscles had been relaxed, placed his hand on his sword.
“Put your hand down. Don’t worry. They’re on my side. Ah, um. What should I call you?”
“I would be grateful if you would call me James, at your convenience.”
“Right, James. We have a certain relationship, don’t we? Right?”
“Of course!”
If the lover of the hidden Phantasm requested it, anything except the blood of Degrate.
It was an order issued by the Phantasm, and it was a rule that not only the blood relatives of Degrate, but also the leaders of the snake dens could not escape.
“By the way, is Semenu busy these days?”
“Kuh!”
The hidden Phantasm was appointed as the next Phantasm.
The Degrate who was respected by the assassin snakes and the information broker crows next to the Phantasm.
To call the name of such a hidden Phantasm so familiarly! The butcher was amazed even though he knew that Simurtr was her lover.
“Ah, no, sir. It was because I was momentarily intoxicated. My apologies!”
“Were you drinking? Well… no, I understand. It can happen when you’re working. By any chance, did Semenu also leave a message for me?”
As befitting of her lover, his heart was also broad.
“Yes! She said that her duties are arduous, and that she will visit you when she has some leisure later!”
“Is that so? Tell her to come as soon as possible, if possible. That I’m waiting.”
“Kuh!”
Looking back, he hadn't met Semenu since he had learned the Phantasmal Ability.
‘She was ready to be by my side all day, anytime.’
If I had known she would be this busy, I would have just ignored everything and forcibly brought her back then.
***
“What is your relationship with Degrate?”
“It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.”
“Is that okay? Does Mectera know too?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
It was an alliance.
It seemed that the relationship between Mectera and Degrate was not known.
‘Did the Information Bureau block it?’
Considering Mectera’s nature, they wouldn't have hidden it even from the Imperial Family.
They were the sword of the Empire, after all.
‘The Imperial Family doesn’t want the alliance between Mectera and Degrate to be known?’
Why? For now, he couldn’t know.
However, one thing was certain: it was not something that would be good for Bahab to know.
“It’s just me, just me. I know someone there.”
“How can you live in a way that you know someone in Degrate?”
Haryun’s eyes widened.
This was the perception of Degrate among the nobles.
The King of Assassins. Even for a Hero Family, that name induced fear.
“Isn’t it more important that we got information thanks to that Degrate?”
Simurtr recalled the information he had received from James.
The Black Tiger was the Black Fox’s guard.
The crows had no information on the Black Tiger, and they had reached that conclusion.
“But no matter how I think about it, this difficulty level is not right for you.”
The problem was the Black Fox.
Simurtr couldn't understand why this bellows-work had been permitted.
“Because it was originally Hejel’s.”
“Exactly. This isn't right for that bastard either.”
It wasn't something to be entrusted to kids who were just competing for succession in their household.
“Black Fox, Herein Remeter. Is this right?”
“Is there a problem?”
“You don’t know Remeter? Sir Jeremiah?”
“…I do not know either.”
“Really?”
Simurtr looked at the two with an incredulous expression.
“He might not know, but Sir Jeremiah, you should know. The 4th district of the Black Land.
Do you know whose land the 4th district is now?”
The Black Snake’s 4th district. That place was land ruled by a certain necromancer.
“Yes, it is the district of the Undying King.”
“It’s that guy’s district? Still?”
“Yes, he is said to be still active.”
“Well. It would be funny if a man who has lived for over two centuries were to die now. He didn’t die during the war.”
The Black Land was a powerful ally of the Doom Species.
Not all districts were like that, but the majority were things that deserved to die.
‘The really funny thing is the expression, an era of peace.’
That Black Land was still in good health.
Those who had declared themselves allies of the Doom Species still ruled, having divided the entrance to the Black Sea in the south into four districts.
The Emperor of Melken boasted of the heroes and claimed peace, but in the end, he had not been able to completely root them out.
“You know that and you don’t know Remeter?”
“Don’t tell me… the Undying King’s?”
“That’s right. That bastard’s surname is Remeter.”
It was something even a war veteran wouldn't know well.
How did Simurtr know such a thing?
Haryun didn’t even have time for such a question.
She was greatly shocked by the fact that her target was the kinsman of that big shot, and before she could compose herself, Simurtr continued to speak.
“You can’t catch him. No, you shouldn’t catch him. Akarr might be different, but you will surely die. All the districts of the Black Land will be after you.”
The 4th district for revenge.
The other districts for negotiations with the 4th district.
Somehow, she would become the target of all the districts of the Black Land.
“I recommend just finding out his purpose and getting out. It’s not time for you to get involved in this kind of thing yet.”
The purpose for which Remeter had come to Bahab’s underworld, Hella.
Degrate would bring it to him even if he just stood still.
Because the crows had started to pay attention to the Black Fox and the Black Tiger due to Simurtr.
“…Why would Mother have given such a bellows-work?”
“She might have just told you to find out the purpose.”
“Do you think so too?”
“No.”
It wasn't Haryun.
“This is aimed at me.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m not your companion, you’re my companion. Your bellows-work is a pretext to draw me in.”
He realized the reason she had suddenly forced him to accompany her.
‘The Black Tower and the 4th district’s Remeter.’
Only then did the pieces fit together.
They held a grudge against Simurtr, and he against them.
‘Of course, they don't know that I brought down the Black Tower, but at least Akarr would have thought so. Anyway, I am also their target.’
Therefore, she had put the two together.
By doing so, she intended to test him.
Rather than hearing the full story of the Black Land collapse incident, she intended to judge the value of the talent named Simurtr herself.
“Favored by the 6th Head of the Sword Aran Lubeil, a skilled person to the extent of single-handedly collapsing the Black Tower. However, considering the treatment he has received from his family, the possibility of a flaw that would render that talent colorless cannot be ruled out.”
Remember?
Simurtr asked.
“It’s the report about you. The last part. The conclusion.”
“That’s right. That’s probably why she’s doing this.”
“…Before embracing you, a verification of you is necessary?”
“That’s right.”
And she was doing it while gently waving the Swelling Flame in front of his eyes.
Therefore, Simurtr could not refuse. If he was going to give up, he wouldn’t have come to Bahab…
“Ha.”
Haryun suddenly let out a hollow laugh.
Its pitch and temperature were quite familiar to Simurtr.
“It’s really off-putting.”
It was similar to the breath of Akarr he had seen and heard in his past life. It was that cold.
“The thing about seducing you. And the thing about using me to evaluate you. In the end, I was nothing.”
“Seducing you? Me? To you?”
“Yes, Mother told me to accept you into Bahab. To seduce you, and make you a son-in-law by marriage.”
The moment Jeremiah had wished for Haryun came much faster than he had expected.
“Shall I just go and get myself killed?”
“What?”
At the somehow familiar tone, Simurtr and Jeremiah were thrown into a state of confusion.
“No. Shall we just go back?”
“What?”
“You said you wanted to learn the Swelling Flame. I’ll just teach you.”
“Oh.”
“Y-young lady!”
As Simurtr was tempted, Jeremiah hastily stopped her.
“Why, Sir Jeremiah. Don’t tell me you want to die with me too?”
Haryun’s rebellious phase had just begun.