CHAPTER 69

It had been a long time since I’d seen Rapiel. She looked much thinner.
That fact made a corner of my heart ache.
In this damn other world, she had shown me sincere kindness and a master’s love for her disciple.
The only reason I could be a Holy Mage now was largely thanks to her.
And now, she was leaving the human nation of Gladion.
Moreover, she was going to Wolun, the nation of the Oegak Tribe, a place quite far from Gladion.
With Soun’s help, Rapiel would be able to live in Wolun without any problems, even if she had nothing to her name.
Above all, Rapiel had her own skills.
A Holy Mage of her caliber could survive anywhere.
Therefore, going to Wolun was the best option for her.
If she remained in the capital, Valterion, the only thing awaiting her was punishment by association.
“It’s been a while, Master.”
That’s why I could smile.
I was an excommunicated disciple, but my master’s safety was the most important thing to me.
“It has. You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you.”
“It’s only been a few months.”
“Human children grow every day.”
“Unfortunately, I’m an adult.”
I exchanged some lighthearted banter with Rapiel like this.
In truth, there was so much I wanted to say.
A lot had happened since I was excommunicated by her.
Many things would have surprised her if she heard them.
But I couldn’t unload all those stories here and now.
Knowing Rapiel’s personality, it would only make her worry more.
“I happened to learn Divine Power.”
A faint light floated around me.
It wasn’t much to brag about yet, but it was progress.
“I also learned the Paladin’s martial arts and can use quite a few buff-type Holy Magics.”
Rapiel listened to my story calmly.
Her eyes were filled with pride, as if she was proud of her grown disciple.
“I’ve also built some connections. Recently, I’ve become friendly with Inferno, a Lieutenant General in the Regular Army.”
“Harua.”
“And also...”
“I’m sorry, but it’s time for me to leave.”
Wolun was far.
The 1st World, Astrape, was much larger than Earth.
The distance between Wolun and Gladion was like the distance between the United States and Korea.
Without space magic, it wasn’t a distance one could easily travel.
“On the surface, it’s exile, but I’m still a criminal. Those involved with my father want to capture me, pin the blame on me, and reclaim the demolished Tower of Grace.”
The sooner Rapiel left the Empire, the sooner peace would return to the Holy Mage community.
Knowing this, Rapiel had willingly agreed to leave.
“...Are you okay, Master?”
Rapiel was innocent.
In fact, it was Rapiel herself who had uncovered the Tower Lord’s crimes.
I couldn’t accept the fact that she had to leave the Empire due to guilt by association.
“There’s much I’ll miss. For instance, the disciple I have to leave behind.”
I couldn’t follow Rapiel.
I had put down deep roots in Valterion, and I had made quite a few connections here.
Bulldog’s business.
Horizon and Babiyen.
Even my training with Aigis, the Commander of the Paladins.
There was still much for me to do here.
More importantly, Rapiel would have a hard time establishing herself in Wolun.
I couldn’t let her go while saddled with the burden of a Transferee disciple.
“But it seems my disciple doesn’t need me anymore. Look how wonderfully you’ve grown.”
Rapiel smiled.
It was the smile of a master, delighted by her disciple’s growth.
“Harua, you said it yourself. That one day, you would make your name known to the whole world.”
Ririran stood beside Rapiel.
Spatial transfer.
“I’ll be waiting in Wolun to hear news of you. My most beloved disciple.”
Leaving me with her final words, Rapiel disappeared.
Before I knew it, only silence remained.
Aranseol came and put an arm around my shoulders.
It was a warmth that enveloped the emptiness left by my master's departure.
“Lord Soun.”
After sending Rapiel off, I turned to Soun.
“I have something to report.”
The Red Flame Whore.
I told him about her.

After learning about the Red Flame Lord from me, Soun’s reaction was just as I had expected.
“I’m going to Nox.”
Aranseol let out a sigh.
As expected, Soun was planning to head to Nox immediately.
“Master, isn’t that dangerous? The Empire is surely keeping a close eye on you because of the commotion you just caused.”
Sohan stepped in to mediate.

As Sohan said, Soun had already caused a commotion regarding Rapiel.
Nox was, technically, still part of the Empire.
If another disturbance occurred at this point, the Empire wouldn't sit still any longer.
Leniency only happens once.
The Empire would likely try to take action.

"It doesn't matter."

But Soun was a stubborn man.
His power was so lofty that he feared nothing.

"If we leave the Red Flame Lord be, more damage will occur. Knowing that woman, she is surely plotting something suspicious again."

Still, the direction he moved in was for a greater cause.
The Red Flame Lord was someone who had previously tried to sell all her disciples to the Black Dawn.
We couldn't just leave such a vile woman alone.

"But we don't know where in Nox the Red Flame Lord is, do we?"

When I pointed this out, Soun turned toward me.

"I have an acquaintance in Nox. If I ask them to look into matters related to the Red Flame Lord, we might be able to figure out her location."

The Red Flame Lord wouldn't be hiding in Nox without a plan.
She surely had an objective of her own.
It wouldn't be too late to move after figuring that out.
Especially since I wanted to avoid Soun clashing with the Ruler of Nox.
Just in case, I couldn't let a connection like Soun go wrong in Nox.

"One week."

Soun set a deadline.

"If there is no news by then, I will go out to find the Red Flame Lord myself."

One week.
Neither long nor short.
But the fact that he gave us time was important.

"Yes, understood."

Originally, I had called Soun to talk about the No-Named Killer.
But since things turned out this way, I would help eliminate the Red Flame Lord.
I had a history of being burned by that woman, too.
I intended to take proper revenge this time.

As I took a step, Aranseol immediately followed.

"Harua, you're thinking of going to Horizon, right?"

"That's right. I have a favor I asked in advance, so she'll take us straight to Nox."

"What about Babiyen?"

Babiyen, the disciple of the Red Flame Lord.
When asked what I would do about her, I pondered for a moment.

"I have to take her."

Babiyen also had bad blood with the Red Flame Lord.
Because she became her disciple, she was even kicked out of her Baronet family.
She would want to resolve that grudge.

"Aranseol, Harua."

At that moment, Sohan tagged along.

"Let me go with you."

"Sohan, you too?"

When Aranseol made a surprised face, Sohan pointed at Soun with his thumb.

"Nothing good comes from being with Master when he's in that state. I'll just catch stray sparks."

True enough, contrary to his words about waiting, Soun had a murderous look on his face. A face full of killing intent, ready to go cut down the Red Flame Lord at any moment.
He wouldn't want to stick around Soun right now.

"Fine, do that."

Sohan possessed skill that even Aranseol acknowledged.
If he came along, it would be reassuring, not detrimental.

Since Babiyen's inn happened to be the closest, we went to find her first.
Still staying in a high-end inn, she sighed as soon as she heard our story.

"So you decided to do it in the end. Anyway, both of you are walking into danger on your own two feet."

"I can't miss the chance to screw over the Red Flame Lord."

Babiyen made a dumbfounded expression.
But soon, she packed her bags and stepped out.

"Let's go. This girl also needs to pay back what she suffered to feel satisfied."
(Note: Babiyen refers to herself as "Sonyeo/Girl" in a noble/haughty manner.)*

That’s Babiyen for you.
I trusted she would come right away.

"Sohan is here too."

Babiyen glanced at Sohan and muttered.
When Sohan smiled brightly, she averted her eyes and stood next to me.

"That person has bad rumors, you know."

"If you exclude the rumors about women, he's a decent guy."

When Babiyen whispered, I corrected her slightly regarding Sohan.

"I can hear everything, you know."

Sohan made a sad face, but there was no helping it.
Think about what you've done.

Next, we went to find Horizon.
Horizon, who was sleeping soundly in her room, came out startled by our call.

"Ah, Mr. Harua. What about your master?"

"She is safe. She has gone to Wolun for now."

"That—that is really a relief."

Horizon smiled with bright relief.
Just seeing that made me feel rewarded.

"Horizon, I want to go to Nox regarding the Red Flame Lord matter. I'm sorry to wake you, but can you guide us?"

"Ah, yes. I'll get ready immediately and come out."

Although there were some clattering sounds from inside, Horizon finished getting ready quickly and came out.
The way she wore a tightly packed bag looked like she was going on a picnic; it was kind of cute.
Excluding her violent cleavage, that is.

"Harua, you've formed an incredible team while I wasn't looking."

Sohan sent a look of admiration, saying it was impressive.
Don't look at me like that.
It’s absolutely not a team gathered with the same intentions as yours.

"Sohan, Harua is different from you."

Then, Aranseol drew the line for me.

"Well, it's true this man won't be distracted by women."

Babiyen agreed and nodded her head.

"Hrmmm?"

At their reaction, Sohan slowly opened his eyes wide, then turned to look at me with serious eyes.
"I was just speaking as a joke, though."

He gave a suspicious smile.
He smiled slyly with that handsome, masculine face of his.

"Anyway, you probably aren't just walking into Nox blindly. Where exactly are you trying to go?"

Come to think of it, Sohan didn't know exactly where we were going.
Since Nox boasted a considerable size, there were many locations.
However, our destination was already decided.
The place where information from all over the world, including Nox, gathered.

"Monghwagol."
(Note: Monghwagol implies "Dream Flower Valley" or similar, a Red Light District.)

"Uh."

Sohan's eyes began to grow wide.
And soon, he grabbed my shoulder tight.

"Harua."

He spoke with desperation.

"Let's go right now."

This bastard is in heat.