Chapter 117 : Chapter 117
117 Memoir (4)
“Not Basor.”
“Not all Basor are spellcasters. Surely not asking sincerely?”
“Yeah. I know too. But why crawl gently to you?”
“Because I scolded.”
“Why?”
“Because acted up like someone.”
“…….”
Sharen touched own face quietly.
Sagging skin. Deeply dug wrinkles. Scanty beard. Even touching, Sharen harbored doubt if this really is Phantasm.
‘……Outsider’s Phantasmal Ability this much.’
Phantasm Simurtr painted over.
Old man born like that, is more realistic than what Sharen implemented.
‘That person…… No, don’t talk back to Simyun-nim. If don’t want to die.’
‘Die to whom.’
‘Means die twice?’
‘…….’
‘Daughter. Simyun-nim’s Phantasm is superior to main bloodline’s. He will teach principle. Only way to save Degrate. Must learn and come.’
Sharen stepped back unwittingly.
Simurtr walking ahead quietly, was exuding intimidation just by existence.
‘Mother’s word was right.’
Phantasm doesn't work on Simurtr.
Probably because of his magic property mother emphasized.
Reason his Phantasm is more concrete than main bloodline’s.
Mother…… wants self to master that.
‘I have duty to learn.’
Next Phantasm user is Semenu Degrate’s seat.
Sharen.
Doesn't oppose that. Natural procedure.
Genealogy called Phantasm user, is not something inherited simply by blood. Only best Phantasm user of time can discuss Phantasm user.
‘Next is me.’
Next Phantasm user after Semenu.
That seat, Sharen dares to be certain is own.
And to preserve crumbling Degrate…… need to learn Simurtr’s property.
Even if cannot resemble property, the principle.
‘Deserving work.’
Learn main bloodline’s Phantasm from outsider?
Such polishing, Sharen is not ashamed of.
If can save clan, naturally path must walk. If Phantasm user’s daughter deserve to bear.
‘…But not now.’
Before that.
Sharen has work to do.
“Who is that person?”
“Degrate.”
“Pardon?”
“Let nobody enter. Especially Peres Art.”
“Shall say acquaintance?”
“No. Just chase away. Without saying a word. Looking suspicious is better.”
“If so wouldn't it be better to say young master took him as if serving superior? Considering when it goes well later.”
“Ah, me look below?”
“Yes. Wouldn't that create justification for young master to refuse confidently later?”
“That’s good. Please.”
“To siblings?”
“If Jahar comes alone send back. If comes with Ael tell.”
“Yes.”
Place arrived is upper floor of auction house.
Single room assigned to Simurtr. Guard personnel all stay and eat on top of auction house. Was for rapid response.
“Didn’t come to meet me right?”
Simurtr locking door demanded definite answer.
“Came to meet.”
“Don’t lie.”
“…Yeah. No.”
Who says not Degrate.
Lie quite natural. But truth coming out after asking back once is quite good phenomenon.
Sharen recognizes this side as above. Situation just before is situation too, but probably because Jiaren gave hint before running away.
“Came to do what.”
“Cannot tell.”
“If dislike call Degrate.”
“That can’t.”
“Then tell.”
“No.”
“Call your mom?”
When mentioned Jiaren, Sharen shrunk noticeably.
“…Intended to go meet you soon. That is real.”
“But why ran away from home? Not because dislike seeing me?”
“No. I have duty to visit you. Because said only way to revive main mountain.”
“Then why ran away.”
“…Wanted to ask learning in equal position.”
“Equal?”
Simurtr tilted head.
“Main mountain committed blunder. I have responsibility to solve that, and stand in front of you.”
Phantasm.
That, without Phantasm user’s permission shouldn't be leaked to outside.
If leaked and committed something, taking responsibility for that must be Degrate.
So Phantasm’s Degrate.
“Phantasm user who attacked you bastard at Huit. Until catching guy, I cannot see me and you as equal. Name called Degrate becomes laughable.”
Current Phantasm user’s only child.
Sharen full of belief and talent that will become Phantasm user someday.
Than any bloodlines, name called Degrate cannot help but touch heavier.
“…Found that bastard?”
Admiration for such responsibility brief.
Murderous intent filled Simurtr’s eyes.
Phantasm user who attacked Mectera and kidnapped Beden and Janya…… figure directly related to Barote’s death.
“Where.”
Degrate’s snakes and crows too.
Empire Melken’s Information Bureau agents too Phantasm user couldn't find single trace.
That Sharen who ran away…… No, Sharen who ran away to find guy found.
“Remeter. And today, guy came here.”
Black Land’s 4th District.
Sharen Degrate infiltrated into that closed place.
***
“Same as main mountain knew. City fine too, returning fine. Still many, selling humans exchanging corpses.”
Empire’s cities changed a lot, but foundation didn’t change.
Experiencing Jabad or Huit, Mectera and Bahab Simurtr felt strange nostalgia and familiarity often.
Useless nostalgia occurred because died and revived. Simurtr recalled 4th District went in past life.
Terrible trash can. Although buildings changed structure must be same, and still stench will reek.
“But strange.”
“What?”
“Too quiet. Residents same, but Remeter not seen.”
“Not you couldn't find?”
“You don’t know, but Remeter tends to like showing off. Reigns like king in own district.”
Know.
If walking 4th District, can see them easier than thought. Remeter. That Undying King sowed seeds quite many.
‘Black Land is quiet.’
Simurtr recalled Homer Harkinwagen’s words.
“So Black Land is quiet?”
“Probably. Seems minding 4th District.”
“Why Remeter hid.”
“That I don’t know either. Couldn't dig further.”
Bahel Batra.
When dispatched, said half destroyed Black Land 1st District and came out.
‘Bahel is strong. But not that degree.’
Just as Bahel does, Black Land is strong too.
Settling at entrance of Black Sea for long time, because power befitting exists.
‘Most ignorant 1st District in Black Land.’
No pushover in Black Land. 1st District is neighborhood famous for roughness even in such Black Land.
Don’t know Bahel, but other Great Swordsmen must have had bleeding. Should have knocked Harkinwagen’s gate demanding price properly.
But didn’t. 1st District…… didn’t resist. Chose preservation of power.
“Not land eating game.”
Singularity.
“Will know naturally if catch target.”
“Asking help?”
“No. I will catch. Catch, and hand over to you. Just allow moving freely in auction house.”
Meaning help so Basor doesn't recognize.
Simurtr looked out window suddenly. Red. Sun was setting. Had thing to decide certainly before time passes more.
“Whatever. Can catch?”
“Can I said.”
“Ey. Coming this far? Let’s be honest. You. Never tried even once yet right.”
“…….”
“Even in restroom earlier would have missed if not for me.”
“…….”
“Said want to become equal with me. Learning my operation is after that.”
“Yeah.”
“Then hand over that bastard to me.”
“Huh?”
“Then become equal. From Huit, that bastard neck was mine.”
“…….”
“Just accept. Helping.”
Sharen is kind.
Simurtr doesn't believe Semenu’s that word intact.
Had to know ‘relationship’ Sharen said, and fix speech habit about Semenu but.
That, at least wasn't work to do now.
“And you help me a bit too.”
***
“Simyun-nim.”
“Yeah. Going out.”
Deban’s voice heard from outside door.
Simurtr changed into black martial arts suit and went out.
“Guest?”
“Told to stay roughly in any empty room. Since won’t be caught.”
“Why said came?”
“Will know soon.”
“Ah. Earlier siblings came and went.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Just know Degrate came.”
Opened hallway window, came out to railing and climbed to roof of auction house.
“Came?”
“Yeah. Nothing special happened?”
“Yeah. Quiet?”
Ael and Peres feeling presence were looking up roof near main gate.
Peres looked at Simurtr and bowed head with stiff face.
‘Sword Master.’
Fainting in auction house is fainting but.
Matching harmony with several mercenary groups including Baramant, Peres realized Simurtr’s true skill.
‘Rumor must be true.’
Information recorded in Information Bureau is false.
Akarr Bahab’s eye was correct. One destroyed Black Tower must be Simurtr.
‘Power shown in auction house…… don’t know.’
Won’t be greatly important.
Must be about hidden trump card one.
Even excluding that, things to report overflow.
“Suffered.”
“Simyun.”
“Why.”
“No. If you do must have thought.”
Ael swallowed words.
‘He isn’t child.’
Simurtr is young but inside is not young. Covering face, just seeing acts…… similar to mother.
‘…Probably.’
Looking like immature child crazy for toy when fighting, usually inside is much deeper than siblings.
At least Ael thought so. Actually all things he committed had plausible reasons.
‘Bringing Degrate must be because reason exists too.’
Suspicious bringing Degrate skilled in theft during guarding mission but…… Ael believed Simurtr.
“Surely.”
“What.”
“No. Just tell later because of what.”
“Suddenly?”
“Don’t pretend not to know.”
Simurtr showed absurd expression, but that pretense seen clearly in Ael’s eyes.
“Okay.”
Simurtr nodded soon.
‘Should have shared that tact half with Jahar.’
Feeling not very pleasant.
Read all by mere 18-year-old kid. Somehow inside mouth became bitter.
“Yeah. We will go in.”
“Okay.”
Simurtr looked at crown of Ael entering inside auction house.
“Am I bad at acting?”
“Suddenly?”
“Yeah.”
“Well. I fell for it completely then.”
“When.”
“When vomited blood at Huit.”
“Then she was deceived too.”
“If playing with human life naturally easily deceived.”
“Ah. Right.”
“Ael-nim is particularly quick-witted. More so to close people.”
“Right? She is strange right?”
“Not strange. Good thing.”
“Indeed. Tact is talent too. She was born very well.”
“…….”
Deban stared at Simurtr with strange eyes.
“What.”
“No. Because Simyun-nim saying so is a bit annoying.”
“Became comfortable a bit?”
“Doing so because all good.”
Sound of chatting heard briefly so Simurtr looked down below.
Main gate guard personnel were shifting.
All unknown faces, seemed time zone doesn't overlap with Lachlan today.
“Heard Lachlan 3rd Unit Captain slept today. Without attending auction.”
“What. Knowing Degrate does so.”
“Why said so?”
“That too will know soon.”
Sharen’s Phantasm was excellent beyond thought.
Although not Sword Master but degree working on Lachlan.
‘But didn’t think of ambushing Huit’s Phantasm user. Even though young Degrate is Degrate.’
Although never experienced actual combat, Degrate.
Head family of assassination. Bloodline capable of seeing boundary of life and death more clearly than anyone.
Must have noticed instinctively cannot catch Phantasm user.
‘Don’t know if Sharen who ran away knows that work.’
Resultingly Sharen’s judgment was correct.
At Sacred Mountain. Trace Barote left is only Warp.
‘Phantasm user killed 1st Head of the Sword alone. Opponent Sharen cannot deal with.’
Excellent material.
If not Semenu, Simurtr would have viewed Sharen more positively.
“Seems no terror.”
“Indeed.”
Continuing yesterday today too.
Dawn of Poruo Auction House is quiet beyond measure. Occasionally only guard workers’ chatting sound heard.
“I will win bet?”
“Indeed. Think of wish.”
“Period?”
“Tell when you need.”
“Very cool.”
“Must be so to do next bet too.”
Simurtr checked time.
1:30 AM.
Decided to meet Sharen at 3.
***
“Suffered.”
“Good work.”
Simurtr and Deban received greeting of Jahar and Heide and came down roof.
Landed on railing, opened window, and entered inside.
“Deban.”
Simurtr greeted and grabbed Deban trying to enter his room.
“Yes?”
“Earlier, kid. Phantasm user’s daughter.”
“Daughter explored men’s restroom?”
“Did you insult Degrate now?”
“Do I die? Not yet.”
“Won’t kill. Since I am VIP.”
“Fortunate.”
“Now we became accomplice.”
“Thank you.”
“Didn’t say to receive greeting.”
“Then?”
“Let’s go.”
Simurtr walked hallway leisurely.
Deban couldn't help but follow behind tilting head.
Among upper floors of Poruo Auction House, here 3rd floor is floor given to Mectera and Information Bureau. Meaning empty rooms scattered everywhere.
But Simurtr opened door of his room. Sharen told to stay in empty room was inside.
“Why here? Said stay in empty room.”
“What if caught by Basor.”
As soon as door opened Sharen approached quickly. Anxiety seen in shown face.
“I win I said.”
“If kill new Basor comes. With stronger human.”
“Have confidence not to be caught.”
“Cannot evaporate to Basor.”
Evaporation.
Word referring to most perfect assassination.
Most difficult assassination. Kill target, and hide that corpse and trace perfectly covering up.
Making that target missing. So life and death cannot be guessed easily. So thought of assassination cannot even occur.
“If Basor’s magician disappears, said Basor suspects Degrate.”
“Because place to be hostile to Basor becomes only Degrate?”
“Yeah.”
Flow of era changed after Doom War.
Basor becoming Hero Family, became able to count hostile forces with one hand.
“Already crazy things started going crazier. Said go crazier there.”
Basor going crazy just seeing Degrate anyway.
But said touched their magician.
“Dared touch Basor?”
“No. Finally Degrate appeared.”
“…Ah.”
Simurtr recalled Black Tower’s Great Magician, Gerehk Adre.
Forgot momentarily what kind of bunch magicians are. Things blind to result of own magic and research rather than colleague’s life.
“Not sleepy?”
“Yeah.”
Sharen’s eyes with anxiety disappeared were shining brightly.
Fault of time. Dawn. Assassins’ time.
‘Semenu said so too.’
Said cannot sleep at dawn due to habit formed by Nurmakan. Forgot how to sleep at night.
When busy didn’t sleep, slept lightly only when Exa was by side. Habit remaining even though grew apart from Nurmakan.
“Okay if go now?”
Simurtr nodded.
Sharen will be less than him.
Because young Degrate not put into actual combat yet.
“Perhaps changed information?”
“None.”
“Will be back soon. Cannot sleep first.”
Like that Sharen disappeared.
“Where did go?”
“Wait and know.”
***
Guard of Poruo Auction House is quite tight.
Baramant and three S-class mercenary groups participated, and each took charge of main gate and back gate, patrol.
Also, organically connected. Meaning overlapping area with other guard workers.
Simurtr on roof touches main gate worker. Back gate with patrol. That patrol with another patrol.
And last patrol overlaps with main gate worker.
If someone invades inevitably passes guard person. Guard personnel set as even number, and dense.
Kuore Hakeman was not satisfied there.
If other auction item maybe, Exa’s Memoir is insufficient even repeating thoroughness of thoroughness.
Last day’s auction items including memoir are in giant magic safe.
Separately selected gatekeeper takes charge of front of warehouse where that safe is built-in.
And inside warehouse warehouse keeper guards that safe.
‘Saying stay and eat there too.’
In front of safe.
And in front of warehouse where safe exists.
Never leave that location.
‘Impossible for me.’
Simurtr impossible of stealth cannot even approach.
Same even if disguise as Poruo mayor.
Different from Black Tower’s minions. Warehouse keeper and gatekeeper are skilled persons similar to Lachlan.
‘Cannot knock out either.’
Knocking out itself is easy.
But woken up gatekeeper will notice blank of memory.
‘Then Degrate?’
Simurtr became curious about that.
Naturally most curious thing is memoir.
“Brought.”
Simurtr laughed grinning seeing result Sharen held out.
Exa’s Memoir. Nothing written on cover, and didn’t check content yet but.
‘Because said only book type in tomorrow’s auction items is memoir.’
Sharen couldn't have made mistake.
Showing dependent tendency because still young, but talent is certain.
“How did bring? Guard must be strict.”
“Don’t look down on me. Could have killed those two.”
“Didn’t touch right?”
“Of course. Didn’t say such word. Two know nothing. Must be guarding front even now.”
“When return?”
“6 o’clock. Said warehouse opening is then. Just bring before then.”
Return generously 30 minutes before.
Two hours left ahead. That degree time overflows.
“Okay. Thanks, Sharen.”
Simurtr picked up book thrown on bed.
Not that thick so fit in one hand.
“Don’t forget promise. Must help me.”
“Know. That bas…… let’s kill guy together.”
“Since time not much, tell detail tomorrow morning. After returning that.”
“Okay, okay. But what if don’t come tomorrow?”
“Impossible.”
“Really?”
“Think know guy’s purpose. Tomorrow, guy surely comes again.”
Intended to tease, but Sharen was confident.
Conviction seen in unwavering pupil.
“Then see later morning.”
“Going out?”
“Said not sleepy.”
“But have to sleep. No time to sleep from morning.”
“Sleep in empty room roughly.”
“What if caught by Basor.”
“Then I kill.”
“Okay.”
Sharen agreed and left door.
Squeak. Sound of door opening heard from next room.
“My room though.”
Deban hearing that sound said.
Left. Deban’s room.
“Go and argue?”
“Many empty rooms. Cannot fall out of favor.”
Deban’s nerve concentrated on other place.
From earlier, watching only thin book in Simurtr’s hand.
“That, that book. Not that I know right?”
“Why so. Among accomplice.”
“Accomplice meant that accomplice?”
“What exists other than this.”
“…….”
“But count this as terror too?”
“…….”
“If not whatever.”
Simurtr laughed slightly seeing Deban speechless and sent out.
Hu-uk. Locked door and took deep breath. Body worked on dirty roof wanted bath but Simurtr saw book first.
‘Too thin.’
Thinner than thought.
If memoir containing battlefield cannot be thin like this. Only about traitors can make one dictionary.
‘Cover.’
None.
To be precise, nothing written.
Just seeing outside don’t know at all if really Exa’s Memoir, or other’s diary.
Magic? Such treatment not felt. Just book bound with common paper.
Meaning anyone can check content. Readers including Kuore Hakeman admitted this book as Exa’s.
‘Next.’
Simurtr turned cover quietly.
No discolored part on surface either. Well maintained book. First page turned smoother than thought.
First page. Start now. Content not that long.
“3 years participating. Titular Great General……”
But couldn't turn easily.
Don’t know what dark history written. Needed time for preparation of mind.
“…Check handwriting first.”
Past life. And now.
Handwriting different? Never conscious or compared separately. Simurtr took out pen and paper from drawer.
Without turning, copied what written on first page intact.
[…West. Slash-and-burn village. In that place where rift opened, not few children were living.]
First sentence.
Simurtr, stopped pen unable to write that completely.
Faint but not hazy…… somewhat clear memory started to wave in head.
[…In shabby stable. Under that. Digging ground, hiding. Like buried alive, praying to live with breath hole drilled clumsily.]
Pages turn fast.
Just scanning, memory replays.
[…7. Children…… had no nails. Cold winter. Stone-like dirt floor. Stable without tool. Hands dug dirt with bare hands to live, frostbitten hands became covered with blood.]
[…Kanan, Leot, Mei, Meram, Lois, Zait. Hope they survive cursing me who dared not take in and gave petty hope only…….]
Hwik. Hwik. Hwik. Simurtr turned pages crazily. From some moment, story doesn't exist in page.
“…….”
List of countless names.
No need to read…… remembering all.
But abandoned because didn’t want to count directly.
“F***.”
Simurtr laid body on chair. Neck bent on edge because no headrest. Closed eyes instead of looking at ceiling.
This memoir…… No, this countless names.
Correct written by self of past life.
“Makes feel f***ing bad.”
Journal recording children and comrades and…… corpses.