Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Sacred Relic (3)
“Mother? Weren’t you an orphan?”
The Duke flared up at Erik.
“Not only did you suddenly commit rudeness, but now you’re going on about a mother who doesn’t even exist…”
He spoke as if he were looking at a complete madman.
‘He must be feeling guilty.‘
At that statement, veins bulged on Erik’s forehead.
It reminded him of his first meeting with the Duke’s daughter, Erica.
“What do you mean by pairing some ignorant commoner orphan beggar as my education partner!!! Squeal!”
‘The daughter called me an ignorant commoner orphan, and now the father is babbling about a motherless orphan.’
Erik’s mouth felt bitter.
Born a noble, raised a noble, and responsible as a noble.
That’s the Empire.
‘I know it well, but…‘
Getting angry was still getting angry.
But to charge in now would be lacking in many ways.
‘Someday I’ll have to give the Duke etiquette education too.‘
For now, it was impossible.
Erik decided to treat the Duke a bit more gently.
A position below one person and above ten thousand.
The man before his eyes was the iron-blooded Prime Minister.
“I’ve been raised in Priest Ruelle’s care since I was five years old.”
Erik gathered his emotions and spoke calmly.
“Though we’re not blood-related, I consider her my mother in my heart.”
His earnest voice settled in the reception room.
With Erik’s massive frame speaking with such a resolute expression, the Duke found it difficult to continue speaking.
‘I thought he was getting carried away just because I gave him a bit of power support…‘
So even an orphan could have something like a mother.
The Duke inwardly tried to understand Erik’s position, stroking his chin in contemplation.
That’s when it happened.
“You approached such a mother-like figure with a ring and tried to court her, so I momentarily couldn’t control my emotions.”
“Huh…”
The Duke swallowed a gasp.
Because of his massive frame and adult-like worldliness, he had forgotten.
‘He’s fifteen after all.‘
From his attachment to a non-blood relationship, a youthful feeling wafted over.
The Duke slowly nodded while stroking his chin.
“I see, I’ll be careful.”
This was Erik, disciple of Riferoze, who had inherited the status of Pilgrim.
‘There’s nothing good about earning his displeasure.‘
Having placed great expectations on Erik for a long time, the Duke thought to postpone his courtship of Ruelle a bit.
‘Such a waste of beauty and character.‘
Ruelle was truly an amazing person to be rotting away in an orphanage.
“I should go apologize properly and get the ring back.”
It was truly a ring given at first sight.
A pink dragon heart that would be hard to obtain even after killing a hundred dragons.
Moreover, it was a ring crafted by the finest artisans after melting it down.
Even if his dignity suffered a bit, it was a precious item he had to retrieve.
‘It’s an item with the alias Blood Diamond.‘
The Duke had invested an enormous number of dragon hunters to obtain the pink dragon heart.
With the cooperation of the Imperial Army, he had controlled dragon habitats and even confronted enemy nations.
‘As if dignity matters. I should use that excuse to see her face once more.‘
However, Erik gave no response for quite some time.
Was there some problem?
“Hmm.”
The Duke’s head gradually tilted.
Erik carefully opened his mouth.
“Ahem, hmm. Priest Ruelle said she didn’t know it was an expensive item and threw it away.”
“Th-threw it away?”
The Duke’s eyes trembled violently.
Erik continued in a serious tone.
“She said it wasn’t her taste.”
“The ring was?”
The Duke was someone who suited the term distinguished middle-aged man.
With a well-trained body and elegantly dressed attire.
The Duke naturally thought the ring would be unsatisfactory.
But Erik’s gaze was mysterious.
“It felt like both were the case.”
“Now, even if you and I have a friendship, Erik, your joke is too much.”
Erik bowed his head toward the Duke.
“Please think of it lightly.”
The Duke really did think of it lightly.
‘Being Riferoze’s disciple, he has a knack for subtly poking at people.‘
Watching Erik gently scratch at his nerves, the Duke smiled magnanimously.
“Yes, the ring was indeed the problem.”
His face was strangely mischievous.
The Duke patted Erik’s shoulder with a serious expression.
‘Such a youngster.‘
Still so very young.
At Erik’s presumptuous statement, the Duke spoke lightly.
He intended to give him a lesson.
“Next time I should get a better ring and visit her. Even if she’s like a mother to you, if she permits it, who knows?”
The Duke finished speaking while imagining Erik getting flustered, but there was no expected reaction.
Rather, Erik was smiling brightly.
‘Being a cleric, he’s good at controlling his emotions…‘
“If it comes to that, I could even play matchmaker for you.”
“What!”
Silence fell over the reception room.
The Duke’s mind worked complexly.
‘So his purpose wasn’t to protest to me?‘
The Duke, reaching his own conclusion, elegantly lifted his teacup.
Then asked:
“What do you want?”
***
A broad smile spread across Erik’s lips as he left the mansion.
‘I benefited greatly from Ruelle.‘
Though it felt a bit like I sold her out.
She would surely understand.
‘There’s no way anything I do could make it happen anyway.‘
In Erik’s opinion, the probability of Ruelle liking the Duke was 0%.
Even under the premise that the world would help the Duke.
Her tastes were firm.
‘I’m starting to feel sorry for the Duke.‘
No matter what amazing person you brought, Ruelle would never be satisfied.
‘I should hurry and ask for the priest’s understanding.‘
As Erik strode toward the wall he had broken.
“Erik, you look like your mood has improved!”
Erica called out from the outdoor terrace next to the training ground.
“Are you resting today?”
“Yes.”
Erik strode toward Erica, who was sprawled lazily in a hammock on the terrace.
‘I should greet her.‘
His massive frame cast a shadow over Erica.
Even darkened by the backlight, Erik’s face shone brightly.
Especially today.
“You look happy?”
Erica lifted her slender legs.
Her thin training clothes slipped down.
‘Here she goes again.‘
Erik’s brow furrowed.
Etiquette education had ended when Erica came of age.
Since then, she often tried to use feminine wiles on Erik.
‘Does she think this will work?‘
Erik naturally withdrew his gaze from her and walked toward the collapsed wall.
He intended to leave the ducal residence as is.
“Is there something you wanted to say?”
Erica, who had risen from the hammock, blocked Erik’s path.
“What exactly did you discuss with Father?”
Erica was the Duke’s second child.
Since the eldest son was fulfilling his noble duties in the Labyrinth, the position of acting head currently belonged to her.
‘She’ll find out anyway.‘
Until the eldest son returned alive, Erica was the official heir.
“We discussed the 3 billion Gold that His Imperial Majesty promised.”
As Erik casually tossed out the words.
“Oh, you received the advance payment.”
Erica nodded as if it were natural.
Erik took a step back.
“Really…”
He felt a bit creeped out.
Erica looked at Erik with interest and handed him a Subspace Pouch from the terrace table.
“Take this too.”
“What is it?”
“Confiscated items from the wanted criminals. I forgot to give it to you then.”
“Ah.”
Erik, who had seemed somewhat surprised, regained his composure as he accepted the pouch.
‘Well, she does know me well.‘
Though their first meeting was for etiquette education, lately Erica had frequently met face-to-face with him over wanted criminals and bounty issues.
She would have figured out what made him happy.
‘We’ve known each other for a long time, but…‘
Even after getting beaten up like that, Erica still subtly crossed the line.
She was a beauty with attractive red hair and feline features, but she fell far short of Erik’s standards.
‘I don’t want to give false hope and torture her with it.‘
Though he was just a bit large, Erik knew well that he was quite handsome.
‘If I’m going to use my looks, I should use them well.‘
That was his thinking.
As Erik was about to bid farewell with a sign of the cross.
“May Astia’s blessing be with-“
“Erik, is someone like Priestess Ruelle really your type?”
Erica cut him off and suddenly threw a fastball.
Erik stared intently at Erica.
‘There’s no comparison possible with Ruelle…‘
Erik pondered for a moment.
To compare her appearance with Ruelle’s felt a bit cruel to Erica.
But to lie?
That didn’t appeal to him either.
‘Hmm… this should work.‘
Having finished his calm consideration, Erik said:
“Lady Erica, aren’t you ten years older than me?”
“Huh?”
Leaving behind Erica, who had frozen like a broken machine, Erik left the mansion.
‘If I count from before my possession, I’m actually older…‘
Erik, having left the ducal residence, headed toward the shopping district along Royal Road in District 2.
His destination was [Jean’s Magical Tool Shop].
“Boss, you came?”
Having apparently finished organizing the inside of the shop, Jang Du-sik was remodeling the entrance.
At the sight of the welcome bulk, Erik’s head, confused by Erica, cleared completely.
“Du-sik.”
Erik entered the magical tool shop with a bright smile.
“Boss. What good thing happened that you’re grinning like a crazy person?”
Jang Du-sik’s harsh words reached him.
“W-words!”
Jang Du-sik grabbed his mouth, which had unconsciously spouted nonsense, and crouched down.
But then.
‘Why is there no…‘
Normally, Erik should have given him a flick on the forehead, but Erik did nothing.
Rather, he was looking at Jang Du-sik with a bright face.
“What on earth happened?”
“3 billion. I received the advance payment.”
“Huh… What was it again? Didn’t His Imperial Majesty say he’d give it through a messenger?”
“I met the Prime Minister, and we communicated better than expected.”
It felt different from when he met with Master Riferoze.
If then the Duke seemed intimidated by his master, now it felt like he was making a deal with Erik himself.
As Erik briefly voiced his assessment of the Prime Minister.
“This is crazy. How did you become such a big shot?”
Jang Du-sik asked, blinking his eyes.
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Erik laughed lightly and raised his hand toward the air.
He planned to move the 3 billion Gold from his [Inventory] to his [Status Window] and begin serious work.
Before executing, Erik asked for Jang Du-sik’s opinion.
“Boss, didn’t you say 4th Tier opening costs 10 billion?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, wouldn’t it be better to gradually extort a bit more and save up to spend 10 billion? What do you think?”
If given a choice between personal growth and equipment, the former should naturally take priority.
However, Erik thought differently.
“If I open 4th Tier now, I might explode and die.”
Erik, who was born as a newborn and raised by his master after being picked up.
In his ignorant childhood, he had opened 1st Tier Divine Power.
Not content with that, he opened up to 2nd Tier, and because of that, unable to endure the Divine Power, his body nearly exploded and killed him.
‘Without Ruelle and Master’s help, I really would have died.‘
Recalling that time made his expression naturally frown.
‘Every day was excruciating pain.‘
It took 10 years to build his body from 2nd Tier to 3rd Tier.
Since he still couldn’t perfectly handle 3rd Tier Divine Power, coveting 4th Tier would be no different from suicide.
‘From now on, even Priest Ruelle can’t help me.‘
It was a fact he realized while using his power in the Labyrinth – most people wouldn’t be able to handle his Divine Power.
“If it’s not 4th Tier opening, it would be good to proceed as you said, boss.”
While Erik was lost in thought, Jang Du-sik finished his calculations.
“Buy Almanism Church sacred relics, hand them over to the Pope of the Astia Religious Order, and receive mediation from His Imperial Majesty… Honestly, it sounds strange even as I say it.”
He had merely recited Erik’s original plan, but unbelievable big shots were mentioned.
“Du-sik, I’m at this level. I’ll soon arrange for you to receive private tutoring from the Magic Tower Master.”
Saying so, Erik was enveloped in golden waves and disappeared.
***
“Boss, what brings you in your Erik appearance instead of Marco…”
Erik had moved to the hideout located in District 5.
Seeing Erik appear in the middle of the room through the Miracle of Teleportation, Janson trailed off.
“Boss, did something good happen?”
Janson asked while scratching the scar on his face, but his tone felt somewhat awkward.
Erik with such a brilliant smile.
‘What on earth happened…‘
Since Janson was accustomed to Marco’s appearance, it was even more so.
Instead of answering, Erik whooshed and threw a Subspace Pouch.
“Janson, sell this in the black market. If possible, spread some rumors to noble houses too. Especially focusing on ducal houses.”
Then.
“Gather information about the 2nd Empress.”
He added brief instructions.
“Then what about orphanage protection? If we switch to information gathering, we might be short on manpower.”
“The orphanage doesn’t need security while I’m around. Just take good care of it when I go to the Labyrinth.”
“How long should this… Huh.”
Janson, who was checking the items to sell according to Erik’s instructions, froze solid.
After a long while, he asked:
“Th-this. Isn’t this the Blood Diamond?”
“Janson, you’re well-informed.”
“There are only two of these in the entire Empire…”
“I was lucky.”
Janson felt his scar burning hot.
‘Lucky?‘
It’s not an item that could be explained by mere luck…
That Marco, no Erik.
If it’s the boss.
“As expected of the boss.”
Befitting the owner of brilliant divinity, it might be possible.
Janson compromised as if giving up.
“This should be disposed of through auction.”
“Right. Just make sure to get the proper price.”
When he came in Erik’s appearance, the boss usually left immediately after finishing business.
“Boss, is there more business?”
However, Erik remained unmoved.
As Janson looked at Erik with a puzzled face, Erik stood up and recited instructions.
“Janson, raise security to maximum level and block even an ant from entering until I call.”
Magical interference devices, recognition inhibition, and so on.
Boss Marco’s hideout had security comparable to the Magic Tower.
‘It would be good to live here.‘
Since the items he planned to purchase were [Sacred Relics], thorough security was necessary.
“Boss, excluding the twins who left on missions, everyone has assembled. The old man says he can fool even the Imperial Magic Tower’s eyes in 2 hours.”
As Janson finished his report, Erik waved his hand.
“Boss, then have a comfortable time.”
Janson bowed his head and left the room.
Erik was alone in the spacious room, but his massive frame and distinct presence made the room seem small.
That’s how excited Erik was.
‘Finally, I’ve come this far.‘
Erik placed his hand on the status window with a fluttering heart.
He pressed [Shop] to examine the list of numerous sacred relics.
‘Money is going to multiply.‘
The Pope of the Astia Religious Order.
The Emperor of the Empire.
The Archbishop of the Almanism Church.
The thought of shaking three groups with one sacred relic naturally improved his mood.
“Hahahaha!!!”
Erik burst into wild laughter and placed his hand on the purchase button.
[Sacred Armor Alman’s Barvanil: 150,000,000 Gold]
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