Light of Arad: The First to Walk - Chapter 123



Only Noblemtl

123

Although the celestial capital still bore the scars of the cartel, the imperial palace held a different kind of majesty.

“It seems like nothing much has changed, but something, something…….”

“Hehe, that’s right. I told you, he’s not an ordinary person.”

Jinseong had known for a long time what Vivi was feeling strangely.

Just the fact that the girl sitting on the throne that had been empty until recently, the princess of heaven, Hergé, is sitting there makes such a difference.

‘She wasn’t a normal little girl to begin with. Hmm… … Now that I think about it, before the story renewal- Ahem, Ahem, well, anyway, well. It wouldn’t be like that now, right?’

As Jinseong looked at Princess Hergé with a sense of pride, the princess’s gaze was also fixed on the figures below the stairs.

It was intended to be a sincere greeting filled with thoughtfulness and gratitude, rather than a dignified attitude or one that simply displayed authority.

“You came. I wanted to go see you myself, but Marlene is so stubborn that she won’t even let me take a walk. The security guard passed by, so I had no choice but to call you.”

“Yes, yes.”

Vivi quickly took up the appropriate example.

In the first place, the fact that he could stand so upright in front of the princess meant that he was acknowledging and praising the achievements of those present.

It was the same for Jinseong, who was by Vivi’s side.

Hergé said with a faint smile on his face.

“You are a true hero of the heavens, having helped the Imperial Army and saved Jim as an adventurer. Thank you. Your name will be recorded in the history of the heavens.”

A hero of the heavens, a figure worthy of being recorded in the history of the heavens.

Those crimson eyes weren’t limited to Vivi.

Jinseong also met Hergé’s eyes and nodded slightly.

Erze accepted that gaze and continued speaking.

“I would like you to stay here and continue to help me, but I cannot interfere with the adventurers’ adventures. Would you mind stopping by occasionally to tell me about yourself and continue to keep in touch as my benefactor and friend?”

The princess asked.

There was no need for Jinseong to answer.

Because he already had plans to go down to Arad anyway.

However, there was no guarantee that those around him would think the same.

“Of course, Your Highness. Above all… I may also be able to stay here for a while.”

Jinseong opened his eyes wide for a moment at Vivi’s answer, but did not show his embarrassment hastily.

It was also because the princess reacted first of all.

“Thank you. I’m so happy that I can continue my relationship with you.”

Jinseong realized that the princess’s lines that he remembered and the lines that she spoke now were subtly different.

Of course, the reason for that would be because of what Vivi said a little while ago.

‘… … After Ban and Hantakkar, Vivi’s condition changed a bit. I had a vague feeling when I defeated Langerus and finished off the cartel headquarters… … .’

Has Vivi already made up her mind?

Are you not going down to Arad with Jinseong and going through the [Gate of Time]?

It was only after I escaped from the palace that I became fully aware of her plans.

After the similar congratulatory remarks on Princess Ergé’s merits were over, the two people I met were Zeldin, the captain of the Imperial Guard, and Melvin, a member of the Seven Shards.

* * *

“Enzo Siphona’s soldiers were cases where dead bodies were converted into machines, but it seems that Rangelus was modified while alive. No, should I say it was strengthened?”

Melvin told us what he had discovered from examining Enzo Sipo’s body.

Jinseong already knew this, and Vivi had heard it from Jinseong, but it was information that would be shocking to Zeldin and his group.

“Giselle creates not only cyborgs, but also soldiers as artificial as Rangelus?”

“That’s right. It seems like Giselle’s abilities are improving. I can see her getting better. But her actions are still disgusting…”

“Giselle… where on earth did that guy learn such terrible skills? Of course, he’s a brilliant man, coming from the Seven Shards… but it wouldn’t have been easy for him to acquire such skills on his own.”

Zeldin muttered.

Even Jinseong had that question, so there was no way anyone here would know about it.

Melvin was the same.

He spoke, resting his head against his chest and his hands clasped together.

“Anyway, adventurer. If you see anyone similar while wandering around, please let me know. Giselle might find fault with you for interfering with her, so be careful.”

He was trying to warn Vivi to be careful, but Vivi just tilted her head.

It was a natural thing.

“I’m not going around?”

Because Vivi decided to stay in heaven.

‘also…….’

What he said to Princess Hergé could never have been a lie.

Above all, I’m not talking about something that will happen in the distant future.

Didn’t Vivi say what she was going to do right now, right from now on?

“Uh, yeah?”

“Yes? Adventurer?”

Even Melvin, and even the captain of the Zodiac Guard, Zeldin, could not hide his embarrassment.

But Vivi was opening her eyes wide as if she didn’t know why.

“Huh? Is that surprising? Didn’t I tell you this before? After the urgent work is over! There are things you can learn from Melvin! Maybe there’s something I can teach you! There are so many things I want to make and try!”

Although much of the conversation took place via walkie-talkie, Vivi always made her point.

All of her conversations were so heartfelt that even Melvin had to just let it slide!

“That, that… That’s the story about Geumgangrang- Ever since then? Everything you’ve said to me?”

Melvin asked again, as if to ask if she was serious.

Vivi nodded her head sharply.

“Yes! Please tell me! I also need to learn… I need to be sure about that point-.”

Then he looked at Jinseong and said.

“-Because I can keep my promise.”

Vivi smiled.

Jinseong also smiled at her.

If there had been a face, another being would have smiled at Vivi too.

[Keep kek kek… … You’re a good person. Even if I were to escape through the dimensional rift and rot all humans, I’d let that guy escape.]

Jinseong thought it was fortunate that there was a muttering from Heukgu.

You won’t have to leave this place feeling depressed.

Jinseong got up from his seat.

It seemed as if he was convinced that there was no need for Jinseong to be in Heaven anymore, and that he could not move with Vivi.

“I’m sorry, I have to go now. Melvin, Zeldin, see you next time.”

“Huh? Suddenly- Jinseong-nim, you’re not with the adventurer-”

“No, we just hung out together because the timing was right. Well, maybe we’ll get along better next time.”

Jinseong made Zeldin, who was hesitantly trying to get up, sit back down on his chair.

It was a way of showing through actions that there was no need to stand up or have a very serious farewell conversation.

Melvin looked up at Jinseong and spoke without even standing up, as if he had already understood what she meant.

“You also collected a lot of resources with the adventurers, so you used them quite well. It’s a shame.”

“Hehe, but the war with the cartel is over. Now all the resources that would have been used for war can be invested in general science, right, Mr. Melvin?”

“I wish… that were the case. But that wouldn’t be possible right now. Isn’t that right, Captain?”

Melvin looked at Zeldin.

Zeldin’s expression, which had been at a loss as to what to do between the adventurer who wanted to stay and the true spirit who wanted to leave, suddenly changed to serious.

“Yes. Anton still remains. There is much to prepare to defeat the monster that has thrown the heavens into the abyss, and with the infrastructure now destroyed, reorganization is the top priority… Still, I want to hurry up and start the subjugation as quickly as possible. And for that time-”

The 7th Apostle, Anton the Fire-Eater.

An overwhelming life form that can barely be contained even by mobilizing all of the military power of the current Imperial Empire.

Until the issue with Anton is resolved, all resources will be prioritized for that purpose.

“Me and, ahem, adventurers should be active. Well, I probably know most of it, but I’m also curious about the adventurer’s knowledge system related to mechanical engineering-.”

“Yes, just leave it to me! Oh, but I can’t go into Seven Shards, right? Just create one more seat and change the name to Eight Shards or something-.”

“Ah, I’m already sick of it, sick of it!”

Melvin shook his head with a look of disapproval.

Jinseong burst into hearty laughter as he watched Vivi, who was not backed down by that attitude and approached him closely to appeal her opinion.

“Puhahaha, then I should really go now-. Oh, right. Look at my mind. Zeldin-sama?”

Jinseong, who was about to turn his steps toward Magata who was going down to Arad, spoke hurriedly as if something had occurred to him.

The captain of the Imperial Guard, who had been smiling awkwardly while looking at Melvin and Vivi, tilted his head.

“Huh? Uh… Wh, what are you trying to say- Why are you making that expression…?”

And then I had to somehow sound worried.

Anyone who sees Jinseong’s expression, with only one corner of his mouth raised, would have no choice but to react that way.

Jinseong said.

“Yes, I told you before, right? I had a favor to ask. And you said you would grant it after I saved the princess?”

“That’s… Ahem, of course. I’ll be happy to help you within my power.”

Zeldin drew the line in advance, fearing that Jinseong might make an excessive request.

However, Jinseong had no intention of making such an unreasonable request from the beginning.

He was given the title of Hero of Heaven along with Adventurer by the princess, and he had already made his presence felt by many people, such as Zeldin, the commander of the Imperial Guard, and Brigadier General Niver of the Imperial Army.

Above all, since he already had the items he had obtained from Langerus, he knew that there was no need to immediately damage his own image by making unreasonable demands on them.

‘There’s no need to ask for it now, even if it’s just to go to the heavenly world later. I need to receive it now!’

Jinseong said.

“From the South Gate of Ghent, GT-9600, Stun Gun Jenna, Big Gun Dorian, and Black Scale Musambini from the Sea Train, Stick Van Platin from Haze, and finally Enzo Sipo from Arden. All I need is a certificate of sorts, confirming in the name of the Captain of the Imperial Guard that you have defeated these six people.”

“That… is not a problem-. In fact, it is something that Adventurer and Jinseong-sama have done. But that- is that a request? Is that all you can do?”

“Hehehe, it’s not just that. For Vivi and me-”

“Ah! [Auxiliary Equipment] and [Magic Stone]! Awesome! Did you even think of that, Jinsang?!”

Before Jinseong could finish speaking, Vivi also seemed to remember something and jumped up and shouted.

Jinseong nodded as if to say, “It’s only natural.”

“Of course. This is bound to be quite annoying. It might not be obvious to users, but it might not be applicable to people like us. So don’t you think it needs to be handled clearly and quickly?”

At present, there are a total of 12 pieces of equipment in the game Dungeon & Fighter.

Excluding the weapon slot and title slot, there are 11 parts related to armor.

In addition to the top, bottom, head & shoulders, waist, and shoes, there are 8 parts that can be worn by default: rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

But what happens after that? There are three additional pieces that can be worn to make your character even stronger, and all of them require you to clear additional quests to open slots for them.

Auxiliary equipment, magic stones, and earrings.

Jinseong had planned from the beginning to first clear the two of these three additional equipment that can be obtained through Zeldin according to the quest content.

‘At level 60, [Equip auxiliary equipment], at level 65, [Equip magic stone]. If I just open these two for sure… … Hehehe.’

So if you just leave the slot open, what’s next?

Following Vivi into the lawless western lands wasn’t just to take down the cartel organization.

And not just to check for contaminants.

Jinseong smiled happily as he recalled the three items in his [Inventory].

Melvin was bewildered, as expected, and even Zeldin didn’t understand the situation, but she nodded anyway.

“Oh, I understand. Then I will write the confirmation letter right away.”

“Don’t forget to write to Vivi too.”

Jinseong said something as he watched Zeldin start writing the official document right away.

Vivi had to shake her head at the sight of such sincerity.

“Kick, it’s not like the gentleman over there is giving it to me… but thank you. You’re really thorough in even this kind of thing- oh my, this is just like you, Jinseong.”

“Hmm? What is my thing?”

Jinseong asked.

Vivi looked at Jinseong.

The first person I saw in the raid on the first server.

A person who enjoys running an educational institute that provides guidance to newbies.

‘Even after being possessed… …you guided me-.’

special.

Adventurers for adventurers.

She sorted out her thoughts about the truth.

And then he said.

“This is the truth. Lord Zeldin, you must be busy, yet you are telling me the truth, ugh.”

With a brighter smile than ever before.

Jinseong was flustered and spoke in a hurried manner.

“Wh, what! Mr. Zeldin! Don’t just use Vivi’s! Just use mine!”

“Huh?! Fatally! Zeldin-nim, you have to use mine too! Adventurer Vivi and one other person! Or you can write it like this-.”

That was the last time we saw the two bickering.

Jinseong climbed up to Magata.

And soon we arrived in Arad.