Chapter 118 : Chapter 118
118 Taparel (1)
“Is this kid Degrate? Cute. How old?”
“Says twenty years old.”
“Really? But heard Degrate way of counting age different.”
“Says so, but I don’t know well.”
“Simyun used informal speech.”
“Simurtr Mectera can do so.”
“Oh? Spoke. Why Simyun? Because VIP?”
“VIP? Ah. I see. Said secret to that side.”
“What?”
“There is such thing. Main mountain’s matter.”
“Then can I use informal speech too?”
“Cannot.”
When knew existence of memoir first.
Simurtr thought there would be some mistake.
If really own memoir, cannot flow into merely Poruo’s mayor.
Embarrassing but…… Empire Hero’s memoir.
Mere city Poruo cannot handle Empire. But Kuore Hakeman succeeded.
‘Mectera too. Said already passed censorship of Imperial Family and other Hero Families.’
Guess was half correct.
Traitors must have checked own shame not written and withdrew interest. Imperial Family too.
Mectera must have been disappointed. Because memoir with not single letter about sword, just list of names. Passed without lingering attachment.
‘If other noble family would have schemed raising name value with that first.’
Mectera is Mectera still.
Just turned off nerve and swung sword.
‘Surely.’
Then suddenly mind becomes anxious.
Names in memoir. Just how many survived among them.
…Did traitors checking memoir touch those names perhaps.
“Bad thing happened?”
Suddenly Deban asked.
“…Slept badly.”
“Young master?”
“I am human too.”
“Why slept badly?”
“Dream keeps getting long.”
“Pardon?”
“There is such thing.”
“But what content was it?”
“What do knowing other’s diary.”
Returned memoir already at dawn.
Wanted to burn, or at least modify here and there but…… didn’t want to receive useless suspicion.
Memoir already passed traitors’ hands. Even if hiding now nothing can change.
“What did young master know doing?”
“…You doing this noticing right?”
“Pardon?”
“No. Drew all?”
Simurtr spat out remaining annoyance with breath.
“No. Yet. Just received.”
“Ah. Did? Sorry.”
“Draw soon.”
Sharen was holding pen.
“Wow. Pretended not seeing us.”
Ael protruded lips openly.
Keeping mouth shut tight all along, answers Simurtr’s words well.
“Strange assassin having good affinity too.”
“Not that degree. Doesn't answer if not related to you?”
“I am knowing person.”
“Said met first yesterday.”
“You see maybe become like this tomorrow.”
“Simyun. That kid is kind only to you.”
“Must be because VIP.”
Siblings visited Simurtr’s room as soon as woke up.
Although in same space all along Sharen didn’t pretend to see siblings.
When Ael asked something, Deban stuck in middle answered instead. Sharen opens mouth only when mentioning Simurtr.
“Simurtr Mectera worth receiving such treatment.”
Simurtr looked at drawing paper placed in front of Sharen instead of replying.
Pen too, drawing paper too. All Deban brought.
Helpless guy. Ran away from home, yet took nothing of family.
Said doesn't want to damage Degrate’s property.
“Why Simyun. Not because VIP right?”
“Mectera doesn't need to know.”
With such subject skill is good.
Eyes and ears good, industry needing good memory. Meaning polished talent to express that too.
‘Person?’
Shape equipped every time pen advances.
First eyes made. Followed nose and mouth. Slowly outline of face shape made.
“Wow.”
Complaining Ael let out small exclamation.
Sharen created one portrait not passing few minutes. Believable even if said painter’s work.
“This guy.”
Sharen held portrait and showed to Simurtr.
Hair and pupil painted green. Resembling Degrate’s bloodline, boy’s shape.
Rather than Semenu…… features resembling Jiaren and Sharen.
“Target?”
Simurtr met eyes with Deban momentarily.
Phantasm user dead in Simurtr’s hand at Huit.
Boy in portrait resembled that human exactly.
“Yeah. Came here from Black Land 4th District. Missed few times, but disappeared without trace like this…… yesterday was first.”
Sharen’s face became slightly red.
Fact missed target left scar on name of Phantasm user’s daughter.
“Purpose. Said seem to know. Memoir?”
Phantasm user’s purpose.
About that, Simurtr possessed half conviction.
Black Tower’s Pegna. Hella’s auction house’s Elder.
Remeter and Doom Species. Guys are targeting items related to Exa.
“Simurtr Mectera. Guy’s purpose is you.”
“Me?”
But knowing that fact here, is only Simurtr.
“Where was guy in auction house? Was looking at me?”
“Right. Opposite of our seat. Guy came as customer. Didn’t give gaze to you. As if not knowing.”
“Really didn’t know maybe.”
Sharen regarded there must be some connection between Simurtr and target.
Plausible guess. Since external Phantasm user revealed was also because of Simurtr in first place.
“Impossible. Attacked you at Huit, kidnapped Mectera’s second mistress and third child.”
“Who heard from. Didn’t know.”
“Earlier that formal swordsman said.”
“Did?”
“Attacked you, guy became Mectera’s public enemy. Such guy had business in auction house came, just coincidentally you are in that auction house?”
Hearing like this fits perfectly back and forth.
Oh. Jahar and Ael, Deban were nodding gathering lips.
“Could be. What number customer?”
“No. 101. But didn’t bid once. Proof auction item not purpose.”
“Could be today’s auction item purpose.”
“Then why came yesterday.”
“Came to watch.”
“Knowing fact I chase yet that relaxed?”
“Said didn’t look at me. You weren't much threat maybe. Opponent is skilled person enough to kill main family’s elder.”
“…I don’t understand that too. Impossible with outsider’s Phantasmal Ability. If you maybe.”
“That is true.”
Phantasm without Asha.
Similar to guy killed at Huit. When killed Kelken, guy’s Phantasm wouldn't have played big role.
“What. See directly know.”
“Must obtain information.”
“Know.”
“Capturing alive?”
“Why me?”
Killed Kelken.
Guy directly related to author called father who disposed Barote saying failure.
***
Phantasm user.
Simurtr remembers work at Huit.
Tying Juyce, when trying to judge Deban. Phantasm user appeared then.
‘That guy was weak.’
Two caught in Sword Net, but stepped up one.
Other one escaped from Sword Net’s distance and hid appearance.
‘Leaving weak guy, strong guy retreated. Is that right?’
Phantasm user escaped must be guy killed Kelken.
Kua’s experiment impossible to mass produce.
If not so, Great Magician like Barote and precious Phantasm user would have appeared everywhere in continent.
‘Because strong guy more precious?’
Plausible.
Precious item cherished more.
Author called father naturally prioritize stronger Phantasm user.
‘But skilled person enough to kill Kelken.’
Huit.
Simurtr at time too weak compared to now. 4-star merely, possessed frail body unable to handle fully even that.
‘If could kill Kelken killing me at time would have been easy.’
Never faced guy directly.
Although caught in Sword Net briefly, only information too small to infer touched.
‘Meet know.’
Past 1 year.
Current Sword Heads difficult but, became able to break Great Swordsman without difficulty.
Decent Sword Master too, Great Magician too became not difficult. If meet Gerehk Adre now won’t suffer like that time.
‘If current body condition Kelken possible too. Unlike Aran senile Kelken.’
Simurtr touched own forearm.
Right. Part Pagna engraved. 5 lines. Sufficient amount.
‘If really impossible…… run away.’
Asha exists in heart.
If desperate extracting own body one how much possible.
“Got it? You guys don’t follow.”
“Won’t be help?”
“Help later. You guys not yet. Ael. You too.”
“I know too.”
Chasing target, will be Simurtr and Sharen’s work alone.
Possessing Phantasm able to take care of own body in emergency.
“Me?”
“You be near. Keeping distance.”
Simurtr turned head.
On left Sharen became old man walking side by side.
“Took number tag well?”
“Yeah.”
“Go don’t get excited. Must endure until auction ends.”
“I know too.”
Unlike morning Sharen looked quite calm.
Assassin’s instinct ahead of own karma. Closer target, closer target snake becomes slower.
“Seems double yesterday?”
At Deban’s words Simurtr nodded.
Last day of auction. Day 10 best items including memoir rise to auction.
Much more precious and valuable things than 40 items bid so far, because of that customers’ attire changed a lot too.
Empire noble’s pattern seen often, and one and all quality excellent or splendid.
“That. Harkinwagen isn’t it?”
“Ignore.”
Mercenaries including Lachlan said deprived of number tag saying seats insufficient.
Said Simurtr too if not Mectera’s rising star likewise number tag confiscated.
“Unfortunately not Margrave. Said he is fervent follower of Hero Exa Mectera. Did you know?”
“Shut up.”
“Yes.”
Simurtr left siblings and Deban and headed to seat.
Right seat. Number different from past two days, Kuore Hakeman exchanged number tag willingly.
‘Right behind No. 101.’
Simurtr 120. Sharen 121.
‘Sword Net not omnipotent.’
Unlike past life now more so. Limit in range and depth.
Reason chose behind not side. Simurtr wanted to examine No. 101 in detail. Memoir shimmering in head still but erased with effort.
“Not came yet.”
Seats filling one after another.
No. 101 empty yet. Instead back of heads of 100 and 102 seen.
‘Not these.’
Magic felt but no relation with 101. That much terrible. Somewhere frontier noble maybe.
“Know?”
“Know.”
Attack on 101 starts after auction ends.
‘After auction ends. While tailing.’
Hit 101.
“Won’t kill immediately right?”
“Probably.”
“What is that. Tell certainly.”
“Don’t worry. Will make open mouth.”
“Yeah. I wait in surrounding, Simurtr Mectera. If you request help add force. But fighting together from start more comfortable isn’t it?”
“That can’t. Only you dangerous.”
“If not Simurtr Mectera. Only you dangerous.”
“I can.”
“…….”
Said so, but simply didn’t want to be deprived.
If mind want to withdraw Sharen too with siblings and Deban completely.
That side more comfortable to interrogate guy too.
“Simurtr Mectera.”
“Too long.”
Title better shorter.
Reason Baperr used informal speech to each other.
‘Except Melia.’
Became Sage’s Castle affiliation she had habit of formal speech.
“Simurtr.”
“Simyun.”
“…Simyun. There.”
Sharen was pointing somewhere.
Faintly implemented magic thread points only direction so surrounding people cannot perceive.
Don’t know Sharen, but Simurtr free. Doesn't matter if 101 recognizes.
‘Guy knows me but I don’t know guy. That situation.’
Guy will know so.
Connected a lot, but Simurtr never faced guy. Just that side watching this side saying White Sword Master.
Just lay iron plate on face well. And such acting…… confident unless opponent Ael or Semenu, Master.
“That guy. No. 101.”
Simurtr turned head to direction Sharen pointing.
Finding really easy work. Simurtr discovered guy as soon as turned head.
Body shape reminiscent of Degrate. Face. Green hair. Sharen’s drawing skill was excellent.
‘Twin?’
No. 101, had face exactly same as Phantasm man killed at Huit.
“You. Must be more careful.”
“Yeah. Damned bastard.”
Sharen clenched fist.
At least change color. Green is really rare color.
Guy not even Degrate, going around like Degrate openly. Already Basor’s human in this auction house.
If wrong mistake caught Degrate’s nape uselessly because of that guy.
“Calm down.”
Simurtr checking guy’s face said small.
“Doing so.”
“If doing so put in magic first. Else Phantasmal Color comes out.”
Because Basor came to mind.
Because possibility to be swept unfairly occurred.
“…Sorry.”
Sharen scattered magic pulled out in air.
But didn’t understand Simurtr’s word to put in.
Already sent out once, used magic cannot call back. That is feat even mother impossible.
“Say again, killing immediately can’t.”
“Don’t worry.”
Thud.
Moment footstep heard from right left. No. 101. He just passed side.
Passes 100 sitting in front and sits in designated seat. Simurtr stared at guy’s back of head intently.
…Sword Net of radius 10 meters scale, brings numerous information even at this moment.
Customers’ busty movement trying to find seats, knights felt here and there, magicians, magic tools more than such practitioners, Ruo’s Divine Power even.
‘…Not caught.’
Simurtr reduced Sword Net’s range.
Increased magic concentration. Instead narrowed, dug deeper.
100 customer’s, 102’s, 103’s magic. 101 is…… not felt. Simurtr looked at guy’s back of head with surprised eyes.
Different from Huit too different. In Sword Net at time guy’s existence caught intact.
‘ hid skill at Huit? Didn’t even meet?’
Right in front of nose yet magic not felt at all.
Don’t know if that base is Phantasmal Ability, or Remeter’s hidden magic but…….
‘Either way annoying.’
Both method not caught easily in Sword Net.
‘Try?’
Break of Phantasm.
If operating Star-Breaking Style, if raising output possible.
Authority of Phantasm pierced by higher quality magic. Previous Phantasm user Nurmakan’s Phantasm also couldn't deceive Star-Breaking Style of past life.
‘No. Endure. Not now.’
Simurtr shook head.
If dealing later maybe, cannot do now.
‘Wait.’
Moment Simurtr decided so.
That……! That! That guy……!
Suddenly head rang.
Others cannot hear, auditory hallucination Sharen implemented to be heard only by Simurtr.
Ah, why.
Simurtr frowned.
Excessive. Sharen invested magic enough to ring head in implementation.
Front, look front! That guy……!
At incomprehensible voice Simurtr raised lowered gaze.
Originally No. 101’s back of head should be seen…….
“Heo.”
Moment hollow laugh popped out.
“Looking what.”
No. 101.
Turned neck looking at Simurtr.
With eyes widened as if surprised, yet mouth opened tearing.
“…No. Saw wrong person.”
Met eyes 101 put denial in mouth but.
Still laughing like that.