Light of Arad: The First to Walk - Chapter 87



Only Noblemtl

087

Jinseong wasn’t that nervous.

It wasn’t just because of Luther’s eyes.

The corners of his lips rising up without him realizing it were the reason why Jinseong wasn’t nervous.

“I see… I see. I was suspicious of the Principality’s Magic Guild moving so quickly in response to every incident.”

For the Resistance and Captain Luther, who had already figured out what had happened to the Cold Dragon Skasa, there was no reason why they would not have heard of the rumors about the Magic Guild of the Principality of Bel Myre.

“Was it your power? I feel like I’ve been hit.”

Luther said,

Jinseong shrugged his shoulders and answered.

“It’s not necessarily my power… but as you know, Lady Sharan is so outstanding.”

Should we call it humility?

Or should I say confidence?

Luther burst into laughter as he heard Jinseong’s ambiguous answer.

“Hahahaha, how funny! Now that I look at you, I really like you! As expected, the leader of the Magician’s Guild has an eye for detail!”

The frenzied attitude that had seemed like he was ready to fight for his life just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen.

What now radiates from Luther, who is slowly approaching Jinseong, are feelings of curiosity, goodwill, and favor.

Jinseong bowed his head slightly towards Luther and said.

“I would appreciate it if you would look upon it favorably. Oh, by the way, I am currently moving with the adventurer due to circumstances… but please keep my story a secret from the adventurer. I will not tell the story of Master Luther either.”

“Huh, that’s also really good. Good.”

There was no need for even a genuine explanation.

The meaning of being single-minded and hot-tempered was that, if it suited his fancy, he would become a perfect helper.

“Oh, and when the time comes, I’d like you to take me to Saint Horn. There will be many things we can and will have to do together in the future.”

Above all, doesn’t the statement that you already like Jinseong mean that you acknowledge Jinseong’s power and ability?

It was also based on such thinking that Jinseong could make a somewhat shameless suggestion.

“Hahaha, I promise. As long as I’m in the Resistance. And as long as I’m the captain of the Saint Horn, you’re always welcome.”

It was also a set procedure for Luther to approach Jinseong without any resistance to such an offer and to be the first to extend his hand.

Jinseong grabbed her hand.

“thank you.”

That it was recognized by Luther.

Additionally, he obtained the right to board the airship ‘Saint Horn’, which was created using the technology of the celestial world.

‘… … I don’t know when it will be, but with this… … ‘

In other words, it also meant that he had obtained the means to advance to the immortal world.

Jinseong smiled.

At that moment, Vivi’s voice was heard.

“Ugh, this is hard.”

“You’re here, how is it? Am I right?”

Luther let go of Jinseong’s hand and reacted naturally.

Vivi glanced at Luther for a moment, but that was it.

Not only were the wounds sustained from fighting the real thing visible, but even the clothes were scorched, burned, and torn… … .

“It’s not just a mistake, it’s a cartel hit! Two people were screaming? What the hell happened?”

Rather than suspecting that there had been a fight, Vivi asked, “What happened that made you make a noise?”

Jinseong was slightly impressed when he saw Vivi like that.

How can we possibly guess that two people made noise and not figure out why?

‘Don’t you have any doubts? Can’t you even imagine that they might have fought?’

At least, if it were Jinseong himself, that wouldn’t be the case.

Even if Jinseong himself didn’t actually suffer any damage, wouldn’t there be some traces left on his clothes?

There are dirt and dust splattered all over the clothes, small bloodstains from Luther, etc.

And the truth was soon revealed.

Why doesn’t Vivi imagine the battle between Jinseong and Luther?

“Anyway, since Jinsang is here, there’s no way anything strange could have happened… But it’s not like he made noise on purpose to make me uncomfortable either-.”

Could you call it faith or trust?

‘About me… … No, maybe not just me… … .’

Since you trust Jinseong himself, you think that there is no way he could have done something to make a sound here!

Vivi quickly headed towards the imperial palace, even as she complained.

“-Ugh, anyway, I’m not in my right mind at all. I have to go back and report first.”

“Oh, my. I know you’re busy, but listen to me for a moment.”

Luther caught her and said:

Vivi’s ‘my pace’ continued for a while, which even embarrassed Luther, but he had to achieve the goal he came here for anyway.

“Let me get straight to the point. Are you on the side of the Empire?”

“Empire? Which empire?”

“Of course, I mean the Empire of Deros in Arad. The homeland of your friend Van Walstedt.”

“Uh… I’m not really friends with Van Balshteit or anything. We’ve never played together before.”

“I, I guess so? Okay. I believe you.”

What an innocent remark.

Luther, who was looking at Vivi who was tilting her head as she spoke, was momentarily taken aback.

“Actually, we’re doing anti-empire activities. We’re the resistance. We’re fighting the empire. We heard that the imperial army was going up to heaven, so we came here.”

“Oh… I see. That’s right. I think that’s what happened. Oh, oh, so? Why are you telling me that?”

Vivi nodded and asked Luther again, who was looking at her strangely.

Luther cleared his throat and continued speaking.

“Why am I telling you this? I was curious. Your actions have been a bit murky. You seem to be helping the Duchy, but you also seem to be connected to the Empire… That’s why I wanted to meet you in person.”

“Ahem, I see. But I’m not particularly friendly with the Empire or anything. I don’t really care what happens. Maybe if it’s the Celestial side.”

Does this mean that you have no interest in countries that have nothing to do with mechanical engineering?

Jinseong understood Vivi’s true intentions, and through this conversation, he was able to confirm something.

‘It’s similar to the user’s quest script, but different. In any case, it seems to mean that the direction and result should be the same. If so, this is… … .’

This means that although it does not 100% match Jinseong’s own memories, it is not contaminated.

If this conversation is happening because Vivi is an adventurer but not a user of the game, then this flow will also apply to all other adventurer candidates other than Vivi.

While Jinseong was taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Luther found himself smiling with satisfaction.

“If you are an enemy of the Empire, I would like to establish friendly relations. To bring down the Empire, I need to know a lot, and to do that, I need the power of adventurers.”

Because I explored the possibility of having Vivi on one side.

Besides, there was a reason he called them ‘adventurers’.

“Especially for an outstanding adventurer like you.”

Luther’s eyes were wide, turned towards Jinseong.

Who is he talking to and what is he talking about now?

Vivi didn’t notice, but she probably didn’t need to notice.

“Don’t worry. It’s better to deal with bad guys together.”

If it is natural for people to help people.

Because it’s natural for good people to take down bad people.

Jinseong chuckled and laughed at her simple ethics, perhaps even childish morals.

“I’ll trust you today. I’ll go find out if I find out any information that would be of interest to adventurers.”

Luther also nodded as if he understood the meaning.

Vivi then started chattering again as if she had just remembered something.

“Actually, I don’t like the Empire, or Van specifically. Come to think of it, it was just that place that caused the chaos-.”

“Then we will go our separate ways. I look forward to your activities in heaven.”

Luther was not the type to listen to all of that.

Luther cut Vivi off mercilessly and looked at Jinseong again.

Only after seeing Jinseong nod did he leave with Rebecca.

“-Oh, I still have something to say. Anyway, Ban is a bad guy in the ‘Castle of the Dead’-…… He left. Without even listening.”

“Phew, Vivi, would you listen to me say something like that? Anyway… Oh, and you said you didn’t know anything about the DnF story, but you do know that? What did Ban do there?”

Jinseong tapped Vivi on the shoulder and asked.

Vivi answered with her arms crossed, seeming more and more annoyed the more she thought about it.

“Of course! Luke is a great mechanical engineer. And an architect. But half of those guys… Ugh, he’s a bad guy.”

Jinseong was now at a loss for words.

As expected, is that the only thing you’re interested in?

“But I’m looking forward to it again. What else can I get from the ‘Castle of the Dead’? Hehe. Let’s go, Jinsang.”

Vivi ran back to Ghent, jumping up and down.

Vivi’s mission is to identify a cartel organization hiding outside the north gate of Ghent.

For someone who was on a secret mission to determine whether or not there was a surprise attack that could possibly cause the capital to collapse, his steps were far too light and cheerful.

“……Let’s do that.”

* * *

Zeldin jumped when he heard Vivi’s report.

“Huh? Then the news that they were coming through the North Gate was a false report… no, a trap!”

“I guess that’s how it is?”

“Somehow it felt too quiet for a surprise attack. I think they were planning to come straight into Ghent as soon as we opened the door to launch a counterattack. That won’t do. Mr. Ban, it looks like it’s going to be an all-out war. Please prepare the Imperial Army as well!”

In reality, it was known that the enemy’s trap was to launch a surprise attack through the North Gate by the Cartel.

The psychological warfare of strategy and tactics, in which each side leaks false plans and strategies to the other and attempts to take advantage of them, has finally reached its final stage.

“Captain, hmm. If you need any help, just let me know. I’ll take the lead.”

Hearing Zeldin’s story, even the De Los Empire’s Vice-Captain of the Iron Wolf Knights, Hartz, stepped forward, grabbing his spear.

But half of them did not give him any instructions.

In the brief silence, Zeldin spoke to Vivi.

“Adventurer, may I ask you to do a dangerous mission?”

“What is it?”

“The Cartel doesn’t know that we know about their plan, so we want to take advantage of that gap. However, if we move our soldiers from Ghent to there, their movements will definitely be detected. So, please disrupt the enemy lines until the Imperial and Imperial forces get there.”

“……Hmm, it seems too dangerous. And if they find out about me wandering around alone, it’ll be a bit-.”

“There’s nothing we can do. Even if they find out we’re coming, it’ll just make the display look messy, so it’s better than not doing it at all, right?”

“It depends on how much you stir things up, Adventurer.”

Although Jinseong was feeling uneasy at Vivi’s behavior as she tried to refuse, Zeldin was even more resolute.

In addition, Vice-Chief Harts also added a word.

Vivi thought for a moment and then opened her mouth slightly.

“I understand, but it’s too difficult… Oh, but I’m not going alone, right? Can I go with Jinsang-nim? If we only need a small number of people anyway, it doesn’t make a difference whether we go with one or two people-. Right, Jinsang-nim?!”

At her mention, everyone’s eyes turned to Jinseong.

“Truth……”

Harts’s eyebrows flinched for a moment.

Zeldin and Ban’s expressions were subtle.

At least it was certain that Vivi had heard Jinseong’s words.

He knew that the term ‘adventurer’ only referred to Vivi herself, and he didn’t ask questions like ‘Why aren’t you calling Jinseong an adventurer?’

The situation was different from before, as she had purely designated Jinseong as a colleague to be with her.

Of course, Jinseong knew that.

“That’s right. It doesn’t matter. Going with Vivi won’t be a problem at all…but.”

“but?”

So he must already be smiling faintly.

Jinseong said while looking at the bewildered Zeldin.

“I must make sure to receive a reward after I return. The commander of the Imperial Guard, ‘Lord Zeldin’ himself, said it was a ‘dangerous mission’.”

There is nothing special to receive from heaven at this point.

‘But if you think about the quests related to this… … Hehe.’

However, knowing the infinite possibilities that the heavens held, he was now going to begin the ‘recruitment’ of NPCs, including the captain of the zodiac defense.