Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Star Shadow (2)

#61

Ten minutes after leaving the king’s room.

Bran was still following Rahir’s guidance.

Facing a three-way fork guidance sound flowed from Rahir’s mouth.

“Mm. Here go straight. The golden paving stones are traps so do not step on them.”

“Golden like this.”

Bran nodded.

Because of the buff the head was blinking so it really felt like navigation.

Now there was no need to ask back if it was certain.

Unlike the unconfident tone Rahir was remembering the internal structure of the tent almost perfectly.

‘Flustering. Is it okay to suck honey like this.’

It was a trip dozens of times more comfortable than Bran’s expectation.

If Rahir said a fork would come a fork came, if he said a trap would come a trap came.

The only thing that could not be predicted was the ghosts residing in the tent.

Hwaak!

A translucent man’s face popped out piercing the ceiling.

“Kyaaaaak!”

Meeting eyes with the ghost Kale hugged Arazan.

The ghost of the man twisted like a mummy was wearing the armor of old Kargai.

“Retreat. It is the royal order.”

But even this Rahir could resolve.

“Kiek···?”

The ghost man flinched.

Sreuk.

The ghost that was alternately looking at Rahir and Bran’s group disappeared beyond the tent again.

Even if the flesh rots loyalty to the king seemed still remaining.

Arazan put the dagger back in.

“···Amazing.”

“Haa···haaa··· really surprised.”

Kale swept his chest.

Still fortunate that it ended without activating something like Sanctuary.

Because now was the time to steadily recover the Divine Power and mana consumed by the speedrun.

Watching the place the ghost disappeared Rahir held a bitter smile.

“Continue going. Not far.”

By Bran’s sense it also seemed he had come a lot.

Carefully avoiding the golden paving stones and advancing a wide room came out.

One wooden round table was placed alone in the middle of the empty space.

“Conference room. Here I held a meeting with the emperor of the empire.”

Rahir muttered.

At the voice that strangely carried nostalgia Bran raised an eyebrow.

“Then the peace treaty also here?”

“Yes. It was a meeting that lasted a full five hours. Because it became too long we even ate a meal together. If only Namoon’s betrayal had not been there Kargai would still have been intact.”

“Would the emperor really have kept the promise?”

“Of course. Because he was a warrior before a ruler. Although an enemy he was an excellent man.”

Hearing past matters from the party himself the feeling was strange.

Doing a docent role following navigation.

If Benden was together he might have fainted from being too happy.

“Ah, but that perfect guy also had just one disadvantage.”

“What?”

“He couldn’t eat spicy things to the point of being extreme. When he asked where the toilet was I deliberately informed the path that goes around far. Surely he wouldn’t have soiled his pants, but still he would have suffered quite a bit. Euhaha!”

Rahir giggled.

This was a night story Bran also did not know.

Thinking that even at the time the empire was a superpower it was literally a crazy joke.

Hearing the echoing laughter Arazan tilted her head.

“Unexpected.”

“Mm? What?”

“I was surprised that you are more cheerful than thought. I thought you would suffer from the guilt of not being able to protect the country and the people. Are you not distressed?”

Frost-like silence descended.

“Hiiik.”

Kale covered his mouth with both hands.

Smack. Bran pressed his forehead with his palm.

Arazan’s characteristic direct way of speaking finally caused trouble.

The most terrifying part was that she asked not to mock but because she was really curious!

“Hehe, why wouldn’t I be distressed.”

Rahir smiled.

“Of course it is sad and regrettable. The despair of the moment the ritual was completed with my and the children’s blood as the last I will never be able to forget. Even when becoming a puppet without ego and harvesting lives the pain of that time endlessly tormented me.”

“Then how can you smile like that?”

“To not waste the opportunity that came like a miracle.”

Even in the middle of the conversation the steps did not stop.

Rahir continued.

“Putting on a poor appearance does not help at all in eliminating Namoon. Rather it only confuses judgment. Ruining the matter due to emotional turmoil is precisely the sin against the people who unjustly fell.”

“Rational.”

“Of course it is not that I am forcing a smile. I am truly glad now. Insufficient that a second opportunity I could not even imagine was given I met my descendant, how can I not be grateful and enjoy?”

Indeed thinking from his position it was a matter no different from a miracle.

An opportunity to correct everything fell from the sky.

Rahir smiled.

“Therefore I will enjoy the present. I will smile. Until the moment of killing Namoon and liberating the people’s spirits I will temporarily bury this guilt. Was it a satisfactory answer?”

“Yes. Satisfactory.”

Arazan nodded.

Complex emotions were fluctuating in her pupils.

As Bran who knew the reason she asked that kind of question he only hoped it helped.

“Haha, glad to have a descendant who is sharp.”

“No. Thank you for answering.”

“Thank you what. Although I did not deliberately say a cut head sniffling or frowning is not desirable. Since it is already a hideous existence. Doesn’t an ugly guy look uglier if he cries?”

Rahir giggled again.

The more he saw the more he liked the personality of the gentleman.

Having done a counselor role following the docent he returned to his main job of navigation.

“Good. Here turn left. Not going to stop by the treasure warehouse?”

“Yes. Because it seems nothing special.”

“How such nonsense! Even the emperor admired that brilliance!”

Rahir was astonished.

Actually the treasure warehouse is a space that is always mentioned in books about Kargai.

The garden of treasure known to have gold silver treasures never seen in life piled up to the ceiling!

But Bran’s attitude was firm.

“Because the feeling is really not good. Would Namoon have left the treasure? It seems he would have used it all doing some nonsense over the long years.”

“Hmm··· that is a reasonable word.”

Rahir nodded.

It was not reasonable it was actually empty.

A representative trap element existing in the cursed king’s tent.

What awaited the users who arrived at the warehouse while twisting their whole bodies was unbearable emptiness and a few gold coins scattered like rat droppings in various places.

‘Originally farming opportunities are separate.’

So there was absolutely no reason to visit the treasure warehouse.

Rather arriving at Namoon quickly was better.

Rahir clicked his tongue.

“If that is your will then I understand. Tsk, if I knew it would be like this I would have made them bring at least my bow.”

“I didn’t see a bow in the king’s room though.”

“What? Even that disappeared?”

The king’s bow one of the final rewards of the tent was also diverted by Namoon after.

In the end the choice was only advance.

Just as the group was about to move their steps again.

Huuuuung···!

A cool wind blew from the other side of the long corridor.

『The presence of the otherworld presses you!』

At the same time a notification window rose.

A message he had seen enough to be tired of in the meantime.

Kale shivered his body.

“Uu, chilly. What suddenly?”

“I didn’t feel anything though.”

“Me too.”

However the degree was not severe.

At most chills, a level that only feels like a chilly wind to people with high Mental Power.

Bran’s eyes narrowed thinly.

‘Well there.’

It was not Namoon.

It was a wind that came from a very far and deep place.

Turning to the direction the wind blew endless darkness was seen.

‘Wait a little. I’ll go soon.’

It was the target he had to encounter as soon as eliminating Namoon.

The biggest secret the cursed king’s tent harbors, that even Rahir does not know.

Turning in the opposite direction of the wind Bran moved his steps together with the group.

“Curious about outside stories since opening eyes after a long time. Is the empire still the strongest country?”

“Yes.”

“Truly lasts long. Hundreds of years would have flowed.”

“Because it seized the position well originally. The imperial family’s bloodline is also bloodline.”

“Tsk, if only that damn dragon had not been there we could have developed much more. Not being able to occupy the southern plains where farming is possible is the regret of a thousand autumns. Why on earth did Ezekiel set up a lair there···.”

While chatting with Rahir.

As Bran who scrapes the settings of Return Road to the bottom it was an incomparably enjoyable time.

“Ezekiel? A dragon I’ve never heard of is it still there?”

“No. It died. It was exactly two days before the plateau was ruined.”

“Eh? How?”

“It was hit by a stronger dragon. If my memory is not wrong it was hit by a guy named Alto.”

“...Who?”

“Alto. Surely it was the legitimate son of Zarheim or something. It was much younger than Ezekiel, truly a scary bloodline.”

And more so when a known name came out.

What on earth was this crazy bastard Alto doing going around?

Only Ilark who confronts fiercely every time felt amazing.

Would they have walked about ten more minutes like that.

“Mm? Arrived.”

Finally the group could arrive at Namoon’s room.

On the silk that distinguishes the door and the tent a magic circle made of blood was drawn.

It was the unmistakable real entrance.

“Absurd.”

Bran let out a hollow laugh.

The time taken from the king’s room was about 15 minutes.

Thinking of the usual time required it was a record that would not exist even in the future.

Just amazing! The emperor’s navigation!

“Good. Let’s enter.”

“S-suddenly? Still have to prepare a bit···!”

“It’s okay.”

Bran lifted the tent without hesitation.

Flutter!

A room wider than the lobby of a decent hotel revealed itself.

Kale’s eyes widened round.

“Eh, ehra?”

“······This is the place the shaman stays?”

Arazan’s brows narrowed.

Cognitive dissonance is great.

A space completely different from the entrance that seemed to say ‘this is the evil shaman’s room’ was unfolding.

Like a royal magician’s laboratory.

Expensive experimental tools hard to see even in the capital were displayed in various places.

In a bookshelf giant like a dinosaur hardcover books that looked expensive at a glance were densely packed.

‘A Mongolian ger turned into Oxford University.’

It was one of the causes the treasure warehouse became empty.

He would have collected little by little in the capital.

While proceeding forbidden research little by little. Little by little.

Witnessing a scenery completely unexpected Rahir let out a low lament.

“Namoon. You on earth···.”

It would be flustering.

Especially more from Rahir’s position.

Because the Namoon he remembered while alive was a simple person distant from civilization.

Anyway, the room was empty.

“As expected.”

Bran smiled.

As expected Namoon was absent.

It was a situation he had guessed from the time there was no reaction even though he tore and entered the tent.

Looking around like a meerkat Kale let out perplexity.

“Wh-where did the shaman go?”

“He’ll return soon. At least it will take ten minutes though.”

It was the result of 70% luck and 30% experience matching.

Namoon occasionally leaves the tent for about an hour and returns and that timing exactly overlapped.

Still time would not remain this much.

It was largely thanks to Rahir playing the navigation role.

“We just need to leisurely prepare to greet that human. With a slightly different feeling from usual.”

“What kind of preparation?”

“Let’s see···.”

Bran looked around.

There seemed to be a more appropriate tool than the sword.

Just in time one wooden chair Namoon seemed to use often entered his eyes.

Crunch!

Suddenly smashing the chair Bran picked up one chair leg.

“B-Bran?!”

“Hmm. Good.”

Bran nodded satisfactorily.

A club that the thickness and length were exquisite and stuck to the hand.

Even before Arazan could ask what he was doing now.

Kwajangchang!!!

Gripping the club with both hands Bran struck the crystal ball placed on the desk with force.

“What.”

Glass fragments scattered.

The spark that was wavering inside the crystal ball went out making a sizzle sound.

Although it seemed an extremely important research Bran did not stop.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

The club swung in succession smashed even the desk under the crystal ball.

“Hyaaaaak! Bran?!”

“Bran. What kind of act is this suddenly!”

Kale and Arazan were startled.

Every time Bran swung the club an explosion sound was ringing out.

The wolf Baihir also could not hide his perplexity and was watching him with the fur of the whole body standing upright.

Hu, refreshing.

Wiping the sweat on his forehead Bran gestured toward the remaining chair legs.

“You guys do it too.”

“What?”

“This is the clear method. Preferably smash the ones that look expensive. I’ll go smash that warehouse over there so you guys take care of here.”

Saying that Bran walked toward the warehouse attached to the room.

In fact that could be said to be the main.

Thanks to Rahir’s buff the club stuck to the hand tightly.

Arazan who was standing blankly burst out a hollow laugh.

“·····Ha.”

It was an absurd action.

She could not even guess what relationship this has with catching the shaman.

However she did not particularly refute.

Because Bran was not a guy who would act without reason.

Jumping down from the wolf Arazan picked up a club.

“If you say so then it must be so.”

“I-I’ll cast a blessing.”

Kale was already holding a club.

Although he did not know if he could do well he was thinking of smashing as much as possible.

In the warehouse Bran entered roar was bursting out in succession.

Kwajangchang!!

When Arazan swung the club the distiller was smashed.

Although it was a price that could draw one decent carriage that kind of thing was not his business.

Parts that flew making a refreshing sound were scattered on the floor.

“D-doing this kind of thing···!”

Rahir muttered.

He was dumbfounded together with the wolf.

Truly a barbaric act of destruction.

Even if an enemy it is not so. Smashing a space that would have been prepared over hundreds of years in an instant like this.

This is.

This is really···!

“······Too excellent.”

****

It was exactly 7 minutes later that the owner of the room returned.

Pajijijik!

As the space in front of the shaman’s door tore a woman walked out.

The traditional clothes of Kargai and the long arms and legs were impressive.

Although the deer’s skull she put on was covering the eyes just looking at the lower face her beauty could be guessed.

From the lips resembling Arazan a elevated voice flowed out.

“······Soon now.”

She was in a considerably good mood.

Because the research she had been devoted to over the past hundreds of years finally began to produce results.

Hearing praise from the teacher after almost ten years also played a part.

"Have to rest.”

Anyway since she spent a hard day she had to take a rest.

Coming and going to the otherworld with a human body was by no means an easy matter.

Fortunate that the room was well equipped.

The only resting place on the plateau where all kinds of curses boil.

It was the moment she lifted the entrance imagining herself flopping on the soft bed.

“What.”

The woman’s time stopped.

A mess she had never seen even in dreams was unfolding.

No longer could the appearance she remembered be found.

"Th-this what...!"

The only resting place was literally smashed.

The furniture was all broken and there was nothing maintaining its original form.

The experimental tools she had painstakingly transported from the capital were broken to a level worse than the stage before assembly.

Not a bit of realism.

Not even 30 minutes had passed since leaving the room.

Judging this to be a nightmare the woman closed her eyes tightly and opened them but.

"Ah."

...Everything was as is.

The woman staggered.

Barely enduring fainting she took a step the moment.

“Haha. That guy, swinging refreshingly!”

"Keung! Keung!"

From somewhere a familiar voice was heard.

Turning her head the woman froze in place.

One wolf the size of a house was peeing on her treasure the research data collection.

The water stream pouring under the raised leg was ravaging the materials she had accumulated over hundreds of years.

“Regrettable that there is no body! If there was I would have smashed together too!”

“Auuuu!”

On the nape of the wolf one head emitting flashing light was placed.

The handsome face and the hearty laughter were extremely familiar.

He was faithfully carrying out the previous public commitment of ‘I will enjoy’ more than anyone.

The mouth of the shaman Namoon slowly parted.

“······Rahir?”

“Ah, you came madam!”