novelraw Chapter 158 : Chapter 158
Chapter 158 : Chapter 158
Chapter 158: Alfenor (1)
Enna Tegen had a seventeen-year-old daughter.
However, she was young and beautiful enough that she didn't feel like a mother.
And that flower had thorns.
Enna Tegen was clearly wary.
It was very Elf-like, and un-priest-like.
Elves were like that, shy and withdrawn.
They were closed off and strongly exclusive. It was regrettable to dismiss it simply as a racial trait.
The beautiful history of Elves was quite cruel, and the perpetrators were mostly humans.
That was the reason Elves turned to the Church.
In the era dominated by the Church, it was no exaggeration to say Elves gained peace.
‘Still better than Mages.’
Harad was in no position to sympathize.
Historically, no, from any perspective, Mages had a harder life.
In terms of hierarchy, Mages were at the very bottom.
Even during the times when Elves suffered, Mages were diligently burned at the stake or had stakes driven into their hearts.
Would they dream of asylum for no reason?
The only land for Mages is the Otherworld.
“Please come in for now.”
Enna Tegen welcomed Harad and Ellen as guests as a priest, despite being wary.
While following her guidance, Harad looked at Ellen.
Ellen couldn't read Enna Tegen's presence.
It was a characteristic of Elves.
‘What about her level?’
Then, facing her like this now, could Ellen read Enna Tegen's level?
Harad was curious about that point.
In the past life, Elaine, who realized Innate Strength, could do it.
But Ellen didn't make eye contact with Harad.
She seemed to have no presence of mind to do so, nor the composure to scrutinize Enna Tegen.
“It’s a cozy place.”
Ellen spoke awkwardly towards Enna Tegen's back.
When no answer returned, she awkwardly scratched her neck.
Enna Tegen guided Harad to a small drawing room and served warm tea.
Ellen couldn't meet the eyes of Enna Tegen sitting opposite her and lowered her gaze.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
Enna Tegen answered briefly.
Wimar had only talked about his granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Meaning there was no other family.
“I heard you have a daughter.”
Enna Tegen's eyes narrowed.
To the point where her pupils were barely visible. Her presence did the same. It was already faint, but it disappeared completely. Even though she was right in front of us.
“Don't be so wary. I asked because I thought the great-granddaughter should also hear it.”
Click. A small sound was heard.
Only then did Harad realize it was the sound of sheathing a dagger he didn't even know when she drew.
Enna Tegen was quite skilled.
‘So this was why Wimar felt regretful.’
His granddaughter Enna had skills but had never hunted a devil.
Wimar felt relieved yet wasteful about that fact.
“I have already heard the news about Grandfather.”
It was a welfare of the Church, if you could call it that.
They do their best even for the bereaved families of martyrs.
“He purified himself before being encroached by the Great Devil's curse. It was a martyrdom worthy of Grandfather.”
Enna spoke as calmly as possible, but she couldn't deceive the emotions coloring her voice. For the first time, her wariness disappeared.
“……”
Ellen lowered her head a little more.
Harad opened his mouth instead of her. He had intended to do so from the start. Wimar's death was Harad's karma.
“We were there.”
Enna's eyes widened.
“We came to deliver his last wish. I heard there were a daughter and a granddaughter, but it turned out to be a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.”
Enna looked very surprised.
“……You must have been very close to Grandfather.”
“We were almost friends.”
“Must be so. Grandfather used to introduce me as his daughter to people he liked.”
Wimar tried to narrow the distance even like that. Because usually, the other party was younger than Wimar.
Inside, he was an old man who felt very lonely.
“My daughter will return tomorrow. Please rest until then.”
* * *
The church had four rooms.
Two were for Enna and her daughter, and the other two were for occasional visiting travelers.
The rooms were small and frugal. Only the minimum living seemed guaranteed, which was a characteristic of the Church.
Except for some rotten higher-ups, the Church was generally frugal.
Because they had to be ready to give at any time.
Entering the room, Harad immediately took off his clothes.
Actually, I wanted to do this from earlier. Although remnants of winter still remained, the church was hot.
It would be the Church's welfare, if anything.
Since Elves were particularly weak to the cold.
“Hmm.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Harad groaned softly.
No matter how long I waited, Ellen didn't come.
Normally, she would have come immediately.
It must be because of Wimar.
Ellen couldn't meet Enna's eyes even once.
Although she came to deliver the last wish, her position wasn't honorable. It was Harad who killed Wimar.
It was like coming to deceive Enna and her daughter. For the still innocent Ellen, it would be a guilt difficult to bear.
‘I can’t go to her.’
If I go to comfort her, words will become long.
Surely, I would be caught on something.
Enna Tegen was a secretive Elf.
Even Ellen couldn't read her presence.
Maybe it would be possible if she focused, but well. I didn't think Ellen could focus in this situation.
“Tsk.”
In the end, Ellen had to endure tonight alone.
It wasn't very pleasing.
Perhaps this matter might remain as a regret.
But I couldn't speak honestly.
Not only Harad but also Serzila would be in danger.
It was sorry for Ellen, but I had to deceive Enna for now.
‘Are there unavoidable things too.’
There is no person in the world without regrets.
I would try my best, but things like this that have to be conceded end up happening.
‘……Maybe it’s fortunate.’
Harad felt relieved while feeling uncomfortable about Ellen not coming.
I want to be honest.
If Ellen came and said that…… Harad wasn't confident he could stop her.
Then is that feeling for Elaine, or for Ellen…… Harad didn't want to think further. Instead, he took out the Moon Orb from his pocket.
40% remained.
Originally, 50% remained, but it was because I consumed a bit more due to Loisia.
‘It will save me once.’
On the way here, all the aftereffects were healed.
The Moon Orb will save Harad many times in small ways, and once in a big way in the future.
After unpacking the rest of the luggage, what caught Harad's eye among Ellen's items was a quill pen.
The communication means of the Liberation Tower.
Those quill pens consist of a pair. You can only send writing to its pair, and if within communication range, writing is left.
……That quill pen was wriggling.
For now, it was just doing that.
Like a magical item of a continent Mage, it was secretive.
If Magical Energy is injected, that quill pen will scribble the writing the pair left in the meantime.
‘Is she watching? I don’t know.’
Enna Tegen might be sleeping trusting the dead Wimar.
Or she might be monitoring Ellen, or monitoring Harad.
For Harad, it was unknowable.
So I shouldn't hold that quill pen.
……But Harad grasped the quill pen and infused Magical Energy.
If someone asked why, I didn't particularly want to answer.
The quill pen infused with Magical Energy stood upright on the desk.
Then it scribbled for a long time. Oh Great Brush. Vessel of the Great Brush. Excuse me. Lord Psina. Hey. Look here. You bastard, who are you…….
-I will definitely tear you apart and kill you.
At the last sentence, Harad burst into laughter.
‘Caught.’
Loisia of the Tower of Earthquakes recently heard of Psina's death.
Kunlutsban must have also encountered that news.
‘Was it Pitel of the Ivory Tower.’
That Mage who infiltrated the continent must have informed him.
I was caught later than expected. It was a satisfactory harvest.
Coming here, I dealt with dozens of Rebellion Faction Mages. They were guys who would become pawns of the Otherworld in the near future.
-It’s been a while.
Harad left writing with the quill pen.
Then the quill pen reacted immediately.
It seemed he had been waiting holding the quill pen every day.
-You bastard.
The handwriting was extremely fierce.
However, there was a familiar part.
It was the pair of this quill pen. The 4th Rank of the Rebellion Faction, Kunlutsban whose Origin is the Bone Awl.
-How dare you, ignorant trash of the continent.
-You bastard, who are you.
-I am Psina of the Great Brush, 5th Rank of the Ivory Tower.
-Don't bullshit me.
-How vulgar.
Then the quill pen fluttered for a long time.
All were curses. Harad waited for the quill pen to stop.
-I know who you are. Harad of Serzila.
Oh.
Harad opened his mouth slightly.
Kunlutsban had grasped this side's identity.
-How did you know?
-Shut up.
-I am writing while shut up.
-You bastard!
Kunlutsban even used an exclamation mark.
-Must have been hiding devils. I thought I beat them all up.
The quill pen stopped for a moment.
He seemed to be racking his brain.
-Thank you. Thanks to you, I learned that Serzila is targeting us.
-Oh my. Caught.
If he guessed wrong, he guessed wrong.
It was not Serzila but Harad targeting the Rebellion Faction.
-You made a mistake. Soon the whole world will know that there is a Mage in Serzila.
The quill pen was a magical item only Mages could handle.
Through it, Kunlutsban realized Harad was a Mage.
It didn't matter much.
The opponent was the opponent.
‘Getting caught is, whatever.’
It was within the expected range from the moment I used the quill pen.
There are rarely nobles who use Mages.
There was no reason Serzila couldn't.
Kunlutsban would think so.
No matter how hard he shouts, the Church and the Empire will let it in one ear and out the other.
No, it wouldn't even reach them in the first place.
Who would believe a Mage accusing a Mage?
The Church would consider it a devil's trick.
-Try informing them. Is there anyone to listen?
As expected, the quill pen didn't move.
He seemed flustered.
-Is that it?
Kunlutsban had only noticed the fact that Harad was a Mage.
‘He knows nothing.’
To Kunlutsban, Harad was Serzila using Psina's death.
It was proof that the Otherworld still hadn't connected the fire that killed Psina with Serzila.
For Harad, it was welcome news.
-You bastard.
-Not that. That's boring.
The quill pen dotted the desk several times, leaving all sorts of dots.
He is conveying emotions.
It was an idea Harad hadn't thought of.
-I know you are in Alfenor.
-Bright on information. I should beat that up too.
I can ask Arika after returning.
She would refuse but take care of it little by little behind the scenes.
Inside Serzila, Harad was already in such a position.
Isn't he Ellen's guard, no less. If it really doesn't work, I can ask Ellen.
-I will definitely tear you apart and kill you. Personally!
-Say such things after killing. Not forewarning in advance.
The quill pen dotted wildly.
It seemed Kunlutsban was serious.
It was an extension of Harad deceiving him.
Not only the Rebellion Faction but also Pitel of the Ivory Tower was played.
If until now he had to kill Harad to be recognized by Psina, now he had to kill Harad to appease Pitel.
-Harad of Serzila. You won't even leave a corpse in Alfenor.
Harad frowned.
Kunlutsban seemed to have no intention of delaying.
-Come to the North. Not here.
Now is not the time to deal with the likes of the Rebellion Faction.
Harad's nerves were focused on Ellen.
-Are you getting scared now. Nothing if not the North…….
Harad grabbed the quill pen and forcibly stopped the writing. And wrote over it.
-If you come now, I will kill you most cruelly in the world.
The quill pen moved as if waiting.
Harad tore up the quill pen without looking further.
Since I was caught, it was no longer useful.
I had to get a new quill pen.
Should I stay up all night.
That was a bad plan. I don't know Enna Tegen's inner thoughts.
She might be sleeping, or she might have discovered I'm a Mage through the quill pen.
Either way, I had to maintain honor.
Instead of thinking further, Harad put the blanket on the floor and laid his body on the bed.
He tended to fall asleep quickly and well anywhere.
It was a habit perfected at the end of his past life. Unlike the sturdy Elaine, Harad was in a position where he had to reserve stamina.
* * *
Whether I woke up early, slept just enough, or overslept, I roughly know the moment I open my eyes.
Today I woke up early.
My eyelids were heavy, but in the briefly opened vision, I saw Ellen. She was standing holding the doorknob. She seemed to have just opened the door.
“Up already?”
Harad said rubbing his eyes that wouldn't open.
My voice was locked. The surroundings were dark, it seemed the sun hadn't risen yet.
“Indeed. You have something to say.”
Last night, Ellen seemed to have made a decision.
So she must have come at this early dawn.
“Speak.”
“……”
Ellen didn't speak.
“Ellen?”
“……”
My eyes opened a little more.
Now that I see, Ellen was stiff holding the doorknob.
Her mouth was agape, a face of shock to anyone's eyes.
“Ah. Sorry. It was hot.”
Harad was naked.
So I thought that was why Ellen was surprised.
“Could you step aside for a moment? So I can put on clothes.”
It was then.
“Mmn……”
Something like a moan was heard.
Harad naturally thought it was Ellen, but something was strange.
The voice was different.
Crucially, it was heard from the side.
Looking again, the stiff Ellen's gaze was not on Harad but slightly below.
Harad lowered his gaze.
An Elf was sleeping on his bed drooling.
“Warm……”
Elves are weak to cold.
And they go crazy for warm things.
“Super warm……”
It was one of the reasons the Church of the Sun particularly liked Elves.