Chapter 135. Wait, What Did You Say?
A ruined field. Under the dim moonlight that faintly illuminated the surroundings, a cold silence settled in.
With the sudden appearance of the man, the battle came to a lull.
I furrowed my brow and took the man in.
“So… who are you supposed to be?”
“Did you not hear? The Third Sword. I am Zeke.”
“…Damn.”
A sigh slipped out at his calm answer.
To be honest, I had already suspected that the rat hiding and watching us wasn’t just some ordinary weakling.
But the Third Sword? Really?
‘Is this for real?’
I was at a loss for words at the unbelievable reality.
I mean, what kind of Third Sword pops out of nowhere like a stray dog with a noble title?
In my previous life, even when I roamed the Eastern Continent far and wide, I couldn’t catch a glimpse of his face!
Is this some kind of cosmic joke?
I was about to look up at the sky when the Third Sword’s voice rang out.
“And yet, I have not heard your answer.”
“…What did you ask again?”
“I asked why you are causing a disturbance in the domain of Lorutel.”
“Well…”
I was at a loss for words. Honestly, the reason we came to Mount Frik wasn’t exactly the most upright one.
But wait…
Suddenly, a thought struck me.
‘To be honest, is there really anything we need to be ashamed of?’
Think about it.
Sure, the reason we came to Mount Frik wasn’t exactly clean, but did we actually go through with anything?
No. We didn’t even set foot inside Lorutel Castle.
So basically, right now, we’re just innocent bystanders!
‘But wait, hold on.’
I stared at the Third Sword with half-lidded eyes.
Yes, we’re innocent bystanders. Granted, the masks make us look mighty suspicious, but at most we’re just “suspiciously suspicious but technically innocent bystanders.”
With that thought, the current situation didn’t seem all that bad.
First of all…
‘The Third Sword is right in front of us, right?’
He didn’t seem all that angry. His tightly shut lips and stern gaze suggested he was stubborn as hell, but there was no killing intent in the aura he exuded.
Meaning, he wasn’t treating us as enemies, at least not yet!
‘This might actually go down pretty easy?’
“Why no answer? There won’t be a third question.”
“Ah, it’s just that I’m so overwhelmed, sir. Hehe.”
“…?”
Was my shift in attitude too sudden? A faint furrow appeared on the Third Sword’s brow.
Still, I pressed on, unfazed, slapping a metaphorical sheet of iron onto my face.
Rubbing my palms together, this is the First Form of the “Rayleigh-style Flattery Technique”!
“When you say Lorutel, it’s the ideal of all knights! A paragon for all warriors! The greatest swordsmanship family, hands down!”
“…And?”
“Though I’ve trained in magic, yes? I’ve long admired the spirit of Lorutel. And now, to meet one of the Ten Swords of Lorutel! The Third, no less… well, this is just…”
[What the hell are you doing, you shameless bastard.]
Don’t look at me like that. I’m miserable too.
But man, doing this for real is no joke.
I used to think I was pretty good at spewing lies I didn’t believe in, but flattery? That’s a whole different realm.
‘Rayleigh, you were something else.’
Even though his flattery was obvious, Rayleigh had a way of shaking your soul with it. But the flattery coming out of my mouth just feels empty. Soulless.
Still, I stuck to it. Stubbornly. Relentlessly. But then…
“You know? I’ve always—”
“…Enough.”
The Third Sword cut me off with a firm voice.
“I still haven’t heard your answer. Who are you people, and why are you causing a disturbance in Lorutel’s territory?”
“…”
He’s a tough one.
Is it because my words lack soul? I smacked my lips while staring at the Third Sword’s unwavering face.
Tsk.
At this point, I ditched the half-baked Rayleigh impression.
“Even if I told you who we are, you wouldn’t know.”
“Try me.”
“Would you even believe it?”
I let out a dry chuckle. The Third Sword narrowed his eyes and responded.
“I’ll decide after I hear it.”
“Well, fine. Then I guess I have no choice but to tell you.”
I realized I needed to invent a believable fake organization on the spot.
To be honest, I’d already painfully realized the necessity of such lies when I met Principal Sunbae and Professor Felina—but I was a bit late to act on it.
So, what should this organization be called?
[Going to make up a phantom organization. Accepting name suggestions.]
In response to my message, Shine and Parun each replied.
[What the hell are you even talking about? Quit with the nonsense…]
Alright, skipping Shine.
[Name it whatever you want.]
Not the most helpful responses.
Honestly, I didn’t expect much from Shine.
What would some brute sword-wielder know about the importance of subtle detail? All she knows is how to slash, stab, and punch.
But Parun? That was disappointing.
‘You’re supposed to be the most educated one here.’
I thought all that brainpower might lead to a clever name.
Guess he traded brains for lack of taste.
“Do you need more time to think?”
“No, we were just… discussing things. It’s a secret organization, after all.”
I felt a deep sense of regret at the Third Sword’s impatient temperament that didn’t allow for brainstorming time.
If I’d had even a bit more time, I could’ve come up with a banger of a name.
But well. This is the situation.
“We are…”
Even as I rolled my tongue to start speaking, I was pushing my brain to its limit, trying to come up with a name that sounded cool.
A secret organization should have a name like “Salvatium”, something that sounds impressive but no one actually knows the meaning of.
But maybe I’ve hit the limit of my imagination.
“…The Tower.”
“…The Tower?”
“Yeah, we’re from the Tower.”
I glanced sideways toward empty air as I said it, then added, “It’s, uh… a group called the Magic Tower. A scholarly organization formed by mages.”
Don’t ask why a scholarly organization is secretive. I’m sure there’s a good reason.
After I spat out that half-baked explanation, the Third Sword opened his eyes halfway and stared at someone.
It was Shine.
His look said something like, “Isn’t that one a knight?”
I let out a sigh at the hole in my cover story. But my silver tongue is faster than my brain.
“…She’s a swordswoman from a partnered group called the Sword Garden. Sword Garden is… a training organization formed by warriors.”
The Third Sword twitched around the eye.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I already told you, you probably wouldn’t.”
At this point, I slapped on an even thicker layer of iron to my face.
The water’s already spilled. Might as well ride the wave. And to be honest, it wasn’t even a lie.
‘…I’m really going to build the Tower.’
Sure, the “Magic Tower” thing was made up on the fly. But I am a mage, and I’m going to build a tower. So “Magic Tower” isn’t totally wrong.
From this moment on, the name of our tower is the Magic Tower.
“……”
At this point, the Third Sword was looking at me like I was either a scammer or a lunatic, but I didn’t avoid his gaze.
I met his stare with a look as sincere and impressive as I could manage.
Maybe that heartfelt lie got through?
The Third Sword spoke.
“Then, what business does that secret organization have at Mount Frik?”
“There’s not much to say about the disturbance. It was just… a little internal scuffle. And as for coming to Mount Frik, well, we were just passing through, actually, no, not exactly.”
Tsk.
I scratched my head and opened my mouth.
Now that we were “members” of a secret organization, I had to at least provide a reason the Third Sword could believe. Because if mysterious secret agents showed up at Mount Frik and started a brawl “just passing through,” there’s no way he’d buy it.
So for the first time, I told the truth.
“The Magic Tower and Sword Garden may be about study and training, but we also pursue peace and justice.”
“…And?”
“Our current enemy is Dekulan. But we received intel that Lorutel is trading with Dekulan through Infinite Chain.”
“…”
The Third Sword’s eyes darkened.
Well, of course they did.
The deal with Dekulan might not be top-secret, but the fact that word of a family internal affair had leaked out…I met that gaze and declared our purpose.
“Dekulan is evil. And Lord Paheren is one of the greatest villains alive. We couldn’t just stand by and let Infinite Chain fall into their hands.”
“So what you’re saying is…”
I looked him in the eye, filled with righteous purpose, and said,
“We came to Lorutel to propose a deal.”
The dice was cast. All that was left was whether the Third Sword would believe me.
Honestly, even if he didn’t, it didn’t really matter.
But I hoped, that he would understand the spirit of the Tower standing tall in my heart.
Our will to reject evil and uphold good. Our self-serving but totally righteous desire to stand against monstrous Dekulan and vile Paheren.
I hoped he would see that.
But then, why did the one to break the silence have to be that guy?
“Quite… an interesting tale.”
“…?”
I frowned and turned my head.
Standing there, acting all solemn and pompous despite being beat to hell, was that bastard.
I gave him a glance and waved my hand behind my back.
‘Damn it, seriously.’
Can’t he read the room?
The adults are talking here, what the hell are you…But nope, he must’ve eaten all his awareness with soup. That bastard didn’t shut his mouth.
“The Magic Tower and Sword Garden… Hard to believe, sure. But your view on Dekulan does align with mine.”
“Damn…”
Like it matters what you agree with.
I shot a glance at Shine, who was responsible for this bastard. Telling her to shut him up. But Shine just smirked and shook her head.
[Do it yourself.]
What, are they bonded now after a few punches?
Shine feigned ignorance and stepped back.
“Tch…”
Parun once said: Even dogs know when to bark.
So what should be done with a bastard like this, who doesn’t even know when to keep quiet?
I clenched and unclenched my fist, weighing my options. That was when the bastard started walking toward me.
‘Fine, coming to get hit of your own accord, huh?’
I suck at straight-up fights. So let’s go for a surprise attack, 45-degree uppercut from the lower left to the jaw.
Then two solid shots to the solar plexus, spin around and kick the back of the knee, then finish with a knifehand to the neck.
Three, two, one… I braced my knee to carry out my perfect victory scenario.
But then…The bastard’s voice echoed in my ear.
“Sir Zeke, how long do you intend to pretend not to know?”
“…?”
I tilted my head.
The Third Sword, who had stayed silent, finally spoke.
“My apologies, Young Lord. I failed to identify them and was concerned they might recognize your identity and pose a threat…”
“Tch. Your worries are as big as mountains. Do I really look so fragile? Besides, you yourself are here.”
“I was simply being cautious…”
I watched the two of them talk back and forth in a daze.
“…?”
What the hell?
It was so casual. As if they’d known each other forever.
As my brain reeled from the shock, a certain phrase the Third Sword had spoken flashed through my mind.
‘…Wait, what did he say?’
That’s right.
The Third Sword clearly said:
— “My apologies, Young Lord.”
So he was talking about that bastard…
‘Young Lord.’
Which means, the Third Sword of Lorutel just called him “Young Lord.”
Then, that guy is…?
My pupils trembled. The muscles under my eyes twitched.
And that bastard, no, that Young Lord, stepped forward with the Third Sword standing behind him and spoke.
“So, you came to propose a deal, did you? Ah, I suppose I should introduce myself first.”
The Young Lord regarded us with bored eyes and lazily continued.
“I am Sion von Lorutel. The rightful heir to House Lorutel, and the man who shall stand at the pinnacle of all knights. What do you think?”
With a smile on his lips, the Young Lord Sion asked, “Surely that’s more than sufficient to discuss a deal with you lot. Or is it not enough?”
