Chapter 116 : Chapter 116
116 Memoir (3)
“I can’t easily reveal information that could sway victory or defeat.”
“Right. You’re amazing.”
“He is known as the Rising Black Sword among Empire nobles. Didn’t you know? They say there isn’t a noble who doesn’t know.”
I had expected it.
The fact that Basor started doubting the Information Bureau’s records is because of Bahab in the first place.
“What a f***ing nickname.”
“Isn’t it cool? They say Rising Star.”
“Cool my ass. Sounds like he belongs to a religious order.”
“Oh.”
“Oh my ass. Who made that up.”
“They say Hero Akarr said it directly?”
“Damn it.”
Simurtr scrunched his expression severely.
If they were going to make one, they should have made it better.
“If you curse a Hero Family outside…….”
“Shut up. This isn’t the Empire.”
“A hero’s fame is the same wherever you go on the continent.”
When Simurtr glared, Deban turned his head and feigned innocence.
“So. My rumor has spread all over Poruo too?”
“Not all, but those who should know, know.”
“And Kuore spread it directly?”
“For the purpose of prevention. Ultimately, the best thing is for there to be no terror at all.”
“Does that work? When only one seventeen-year-old brat is involved?”
“I told you, a hero’s fame is the same wherever you go on the continent?”
Simurtr won against the successor of the Hero Family Bahab.
If it ended there, maybe, but he even received high praise from Hero Akarr.
There is nothing to verify authenticity. The year spent as a guest in Bahab proved it instead.
“Ah. Because he is a guy Akarr acknowledged? That if they touch him, they might get on the wrong side of a Hero Family?”
“That’s right. Or maybe he must be tremendous since he was acknowledged by a hero?”
I don’t know if there really was a group planning terror.
‘Assuming there is.’
It means those hypothetical terrorists will eventually give up because they are afraid of the hero.
Even though he is young, they say that hero praises him.
“Actually, you are the strongest even among the personnel mobilized this time.”
“Conjecture became fact.”
“Correct.”
Simurtr smacked his lips.
Personally, I hope there is terror.
‘I can’t steal.’
If told to use stealth, I could, but I can’t deceive anyone.
Let alone infiltrate, I’ll be caught as soon as I start. There is no way the alert personnel including Lachlan wouldn’t notice the presence Peres noticed.
‘Sorry but can’t help it.’
If there is no terror…… finding the successful bidder would also be a method. No, maybe the most certain one.
‘I can just ask Degrate.’
Assassination and theft are a fine line apart.
Although it’s insulting words to Degrate, at least Simurtr thought so.
Actually, stealing things is easier than killing people too.
“He looked just like a warrior.”
“If not, he can’t be a mayor.”
Seeing the Information Bureau approaching, Kuore Hakeman must have welcomed it with open arms.
Since it’s like borrowing Hero Akarr’s fame for free.
“Is your dream to be a mayor too?”
“Shall I withdraw the bet?”
“No. Since we already did it, we can’t withdraw.”
Simurtr shook his head.
As Deban said, equalization of information is an act halving the fun of betting.
Today’s bet was designed by Deban since yesterday. While refusing the first day’s bet.
‘Acting all innocent.’
Although the auction hasn’t started yet, empty seats weren't seen.
No. 87. Simurtr found the seat from the previous day.
“Hm?”
Originally, Lachlan should have been sitting in seat No. 88.
But in that seat, an old man seen for the first time sat instead of Lachlan.
“Hm?”
The old man also felt the presence. He met eyes with Simurtr trying to sit next to him.
“Who might you be?”
Suddenly Medeoban comes to mind.
A little further than middle-aged. Close to an old man. Age where wrinkles start to form on the face soon.
‘Really?’
But Simurtr asked back inadvertently.
Feeling some sense of incongruity. Where?
“I’m No. 88. Are you No. 87?”
“I am, but.”
Tone? Natural.
Gesture. The old man waved the number tag insincerely. Quite natural. Looks like a grumpy old man.
…No. 88. Lachlan’s number was correct. The heterogeneity already felt does not disappear.
‘Why?’
I didn’t hear that the seat was changed.
But this old man is sitting in Lachlan’s seat.
‘Where is Lachlan?’
Simurtr shifted his gaze.
Deban in the left corridor shook his head.
It means he doesn't know either.
There are no other guards around.
Ael and Heide are at the place where today’s auction items are stored.
Jahar and Peres are deployed near the warehouse where top-grade auction items including Exa’s Memoir are stored.
Although Baramant members are deployed here and there, Lachlan was the only one in the left seats.
Since even Deban doesn't know, there is no way to confirm.
Beyond this, I must judge on my own.
“Is there something behind?”
The old man looks back.
He followed exactly where Simurtr’s gaze headed.
‘Look at this?’
…Sword Net.
Simurtr felt like he knew the identity of the incongruity now.
“Please show me your ID?”
Simurtr asked the guy looking at him again.
“I left it at home.”
“How did you enter? Without ID.”
“I entered with an invitation.”
“Then please show the invitation at least.”
“I lost it.”
“Where?”
“Hm. Home?”
Simurtr’s eyebrows twitched.
***
Old man.
No, Simurtr watched the guy.
No. 88. He is not looking at the stage even though he came to the auction house.
“Already today’s last item!”
Even when the auctioneer introduces the end of the auction, he doesn't look at the auctioneer or the auction item.
Just scanning all seats of the auction house.
‘Why?’
Simurtr wanted to find out the guy’s purpose.
Certain thing is, first it’s not terror.
‘Not me?’
He didn’t come to meet me.
That fact arouses curiosity. Just as the guy is not watching the auction, Simurtr was staring at the guy intently.
‘Doesn't look like he will ruin the auction either.’
It would have been good if the purpose was theft.
The guy looked uninterested in memoir or auction items.
The guy’s gaze doesn't stay somewhere.
Scanning seats like water flowing. Investing same time on all seats and watching.
Purpose to deceive someone.
‘Who?’
The guy’s purpose is among the customers.
If he wanted to tease him, it would be right to watch the auctioneer and auction items, not seats.
‘Not me.’
Definitely the guy doesn't know this side.
No, might know the name but doesn't know the face. So he is sitting next boldly.
‘Certainly. Has skill. Worthy of Jiaren’s bloodline.’
From the start of the auction until now.
Simurtr followed the guy’s gaze all along, but couldn't find the purpose.
Because the guy’s gaze processing is too skillful.
Never stays long in one place.
No empty seat. Customers exceed two hundred easily. The guy was investing gaze evenly on all such customers.
“No. 231! Sold!”
Already the last auction item’s bidding ended.
Customers started to exit slowly, and Simurtr couldn't find that target until then.
“Ing. Nothing I like.”
The old man tapped his shoulder with the number tag and stood up.
It was the point when half of the customers exited.
“Are you not going out?”
“Go first.”
“Huh? Rude.”
For a moment Simurtr extended his hand slightly.
Fingers passed through the old man’s sleeve.
‘Phantasmal Ability.’
He probably thought I wouldn't notice but…… Simurtr obtained certainty.
‘This bastard.’
Simurtr stood up laughing.
Followed the path keeping the guy in view.
Although maintained constant distance, no special meaning.
‘Can’t not know.’
Customers passing by turn their heads back once.
Some of them nod in admiration.
Those who trained magic felt the weight of magic Simurtr possesses.
5-star Star-Breaking Style.
The tailing that was already difficult becomes completely impossible now.
The guy must have noticed this side followed.
‘But pretending not to know.’
But the guy doesn't even look back, let alone restrain.
‘Meaning not in position to cause disturbance.’
The guy is enduring this side’s tailing willingly.
Meaning no intention to touch target’s mood by reacting uselessly. Meaning definitely will catch.
‘Just who is it.’
Majority of customers use the passage and climb stairs to exit to the ground.
‘The guy.’
Didn’t go up.
Ran backward through the passage, and arrived at the restroom in the corner.
‘Restroom?’
Must not be urgent need for toilet.
‘What are you doing.’
Simurtr.
Watched what the guy does openly inside the same space.
Enter and scan whole…… soon open stalls in order. Squeak. Squeak. Most doors were open, but the last stall was locked.
‘What will you do?’
The old man held top of the door and climbed lightly as if doing pull-up, then squeezed face through gap.
‘As expected.’
The guy is excellent in stealth.
Even though squeezed head entirely, no reaction. Person inside the stall didn’t perceive the guy.
“…….”
Met eyes.
Suddenly approached, and passed Simurtr as is.
Not even tailing now. Even though watching openly, doesn't care at all.
‘Or urgent enough not to afford to care.’
The guy’s face met is unusual.
Quite stiff. The guy is nervous.
‘Why?’
Simurtr followed behind the guy.
Checking men’s restroom finished. Then?
“You. Not pervert right?”
No answer.
The guy entered women’s restroom.
Fortunately no separate presence felt inside. Simurtr followed inside.
“…….”
Squeak, squeak.
Likewise the guy checks stalls.
From first to last stall. Confirmed all and sighed heavily.
“Hey! Missed because of you bastard!”
Soon the guy started glaring at Simurtr.
“What?”
At absurd rage Simurtr let out hollow laugh.
“If not for you bastard I would have come here faster!”
“Blaming this on me?”
“Not blaming but fact!”
“What are you talking about. You. You knew I was chasing.”
“So what!”
From some moment, Simurtr called the old man you.
But the excited old man couldn't point that out.
“You came just knowing. Went slowly afraid of being caught by opponent if followed quickly. No?”
“No! Do I look like human to be caught and miss target? This is your fault!”
Closer to tantrum than rage.
Blaming others. Simurtr frowned. Doesn't like that very much.
“What will you do! Take responsibility! Take responsibility quickly I say!”
The guy’s tone was becoming younger in real time.
If tone in auction house was that of excellent old man, now became closer to child’s tantrum.
“Do you want to be caught as pervert bastard now?”
Simurtr put hand on pommel.
Magic of heart rotates. White light started to enter women’s restroom.
“Uh…… uh……? What is that……?”
Moment the guy’s pupil trembled.
“You. Don’t know me?”
“That…… Phantasmal Color……?”
“You know? Picked fight knowing?”
Simurtr approached laughing.
Until hand touched crown of head, the guy only mouthed.
Phantasmal Color. That meaning touches bigger to Degrate’s bloodline.
“Degrate. Right?”
Simurtr’s hand blade pressed crown turned white.
The guy’s shape becomes bizarre enough not to be called human. As if crushing clay, the guy’s crown pressed down to solar plexus creating long curve.
“…Simurtr Mectera……?”
“Yes, you pervert bastard.”
Answer was fast.
Around Sharen green Phantasmal Color rose, suddenly shape distorts.
Turned hazy like fog and tried to scatter soon.
“Where trying to go.”
But Simurtr’s hand caught that accurately.
Fog grabbed returned to shape of arm.
“Jiaren. Didn’t your mom warn? Phantasmal Ability doesn't work on me.”
4-star.
White Strong Energy lumps green fog forcibly.
When pulled the hand grabbing arm, fog turned into person.
Green hair and eyes. Proving elf mixed blood, Degrate’s peculiar young shape.
“What is runaway guy doing here?”
Sharen Degrate.
Promised to send by Jiaren someday.
Daughter of Phantasm user who ran away from home.
***
Jiaren.
Was openly bewitched by Simurtr’s illusion. That reality. Said send one to resemble that property.
Semenu said once she is Jiaren’s daughter.
‘There is word Master gave. Said time will be delayed due to setback.’
Bahab’s Hella.
Simurtr recalled crow of butcher shop there.
James. He said setback occurred to Jiaren’s daughter Sharen, but Simurtr guessed it was running away from home.
‘Probably word VIP worked on snakes, but not on bloodlines.’
Asha is Degrate’s treasure.
Simurtr irrelevant to Degrate’s blood took such treasure. Must have touched as threat using Mectera’s authority.
‘Even simple bloodlines would do so, how much more Phantasm user’s daughter.’
Degrate whose elf blood is thinning, is like sinking ship.
Asha is treasure floating that ship barely above water.
Phantasm user is captain of such ship. Bloodline’s unity inheriting something was proved through past history.
‘Furthermore authority.’
Even comparing with any unique bloodline in world Degrate’s Phantasmal Ability is unrivaled.
Captain cannot help but harbor malice, and Sharen grew up watching such Jiaren’s back.
‘Seems still very young.’
Simurtr looked at Sharen.
Even considering Degrate bloodline characteristic, Sharen looked particularly young.
‘Similar to Semenu.’
Semenu’s growth being particularly slow is because she was born from first Degrate’s powder.
Because elf blood is exceptionally thick.
Sharen doesn't look young, but means really young.
“…How did you know?”
“Degrate cannot touch me. Unless guy ran away from home in middle.”
Absolute obedience is one of Degrate’s principles.
As long as Phantasm user’s order descended, bloodlines dare not touch Simurtr’s mood.
‘Degrate who can disobey Jiaren’s order.’
If excluding Semenu, only one remains.
“Not that. How did you know my name.”
Green light lumped on restroom tile floor. Sharen falling into it showed only face above floor.
Sight touching cliché when dealing with Degrate. Preparing to run away even right now.
“Asked how you knew!”
“Heard from Semenu.”
Sharen is kind.
Simurtr recalled Semenu’s words.
But judging by Jiaren’s words and deeds experienced someday or person concerned in front of eyes, that must be strictly Semenu’s opinion.
“Semenu Degrate? Seems relationship mother said is real.”
“What relationship.”
“Hmph. Don’t pretend not to know. Since came knowing all.”
“Really don’t know. But you didn’t come here knowing all.”
“…If so Semenu Degrate wouldn't have told my name either.”
That rudeness.
Green hair and eyes symbolizing Degrate.
Certainly face seeing first time since born but…… that rudeness. Simurtr felt strange déjà vu.
“You. Do you know Beden?”
“What?”
“No. Just said it. Forget.”
Originally if raised pampering do all kids become like that?
Simurtr thought then shook head.
‘If Beden maybe but she isn’t young.’
Degrate’s lifespan is comparable to long-lived species.
Previous Phantasm user Nurmakan also couldn't escape status of boy.
Degrate becomes similar to adult human only when nearing natural lifespan.
“You. How old are you?”
“…Twenty.”
“Bastard ate age that much calls aunt by name?”
“What does it matter to you.”
“Matters so doing this.”
“…Indeed really such relationship.”
“So what relationship.”
There is Dragon’s Contract signed with Jiaren.
Cannot tell Simurtr’s identity.
But relationship? Reason to catch Sharen increased one more.
“What does age matter. And I am Degrate. Way of counting age is different from you bastards.”
“Does time flow slowly for you guys? Pet dog? No. Am I pet dog? Called me son of a bitch right now.”
“When did I say such word…….”
Sharen stopped talking and dived under floor.
Simurtr looked back. Presences caught in Sword Net increase one by one. Peeping in front of restroom.
“First disguise again.”
Simurtr put hand into floor.
Sharen trying to dive into shadow and run away was dragged out. Green Phantasmal Color blinked repeatedly, but couldn't escape Simurtr’s hand.
“What?”
“Disguise quickly. Before people come more.”
“Why……?”
Sharen became obedient.
Weak to strong, strong to weak. Indeed like that Degrate. Realized cannot run away, and started bowing.
‘Young too.’
Simurtr smirked.
Twenty, age passing as toddler in Degrate still.
Means thinking based on education accumulated in Degrate because no experience yet.
“Current appearance. Nobody knows.”
“Can just run away.”
“People saw me following old man. Your target. Want to miss like this?”
“……Tomorrow come with different appearance.”
“Like that will catch well. Tailing person changed but magic same? Not boasting good at disguise.”
“Never caught tailing.”
“Boasting.”
“…….”
“Means only followed around. Because no confidence to catch. No?”
“…….”
“Will only follow around all life? If want will help.”
“…No. I can catch alone.”
“Okay. Got it so implement Phantasm again.”
“Am I dangerous?”
Presences get closer.
At very front, exists Peres Art.
Since Simurtr’s affiliation registered as Information Bureau in this operation, someone must have called person in charge.
“Surely came here knowing nothing?”
“Know guard personnel many.”
“Here is Basor bastard. If don’t want to be caught and heart pulled out shut…… implement Phantasm quickly quietly.”
Moment Sharen’s face became pale.
“I saved you?”
“Yeah.”
Old man changed before knew nodded repeatedly.
“Owe debt.”
“Yeah.”