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chapter 65
“First, this concerns the investigation results. It has been revealed that it was a plot by Vares, the Holy Nation, and Brook. The assassins appear to be a separate case from the past incident.”
Even though the case included a failure on the part of the Royal Guard, the investigation was carried out thoroughly.
With Leon’s involvement, no mistakes would have been tolerated.
“Did those assassins talk? They looked like the kind who would rather accept death….”
Cowen recalled the fanatical assassins.
They looked like the type who would laugh even under torture.
However, this was an era where various techniques existed.
“The Royal Guard has a variety of magical tools and drugs used for interrogation. No matter how well-trained an assassin is, it would have been difficult to endure completely.”
A king’s orders had to be executed swiftly.
Even spending a long time on torture was considered irreverent.
Still, since the methods were safe and verified, even Leon did not entirely refrain from using them.
“If it’s a separate case, will they continue investigating that side as well?”
“Since they mentioned titles like archbishop and bishop, they’ll proceed with what investigation they can. Even if they can’t formally raise an objection to the Holy Nation, they’ll likely keep it as a card to use someday.”
The king hoped to gain political advantage from this incident.
However, the Holy Nation did not place much value on captured assassins.
After all, there was no nation in this world stronger than them.
“For Edlen, that’s fortunate.”
“Fortunate?”
“What do you mean by that?”
When Hanbit casually spoke up, everyone looked puzzled.
He explained while recalling the inner workings of the Holy Nation.
“There are probably still spies planted by the Holy Nation throughout Edlen. The kingdom’s internal affairs would be leaking to them constantly.”
“There are more spies…?”
“They’re a nation skilled in information warfare. In any case, now that such a major upheaval has occurred in Edlen, there’s no reason for them to try to use it again. Since the traces of the Spirit King have also been concluded to be destroyed, they’ll turn their eyes elsewhere.”
“…I see. Indeed, there’s nothing left here for them to be interested in.”
Escaping the Holy Nation’s list of targets was extremely important.
He hoped Ria would not have to live her entire life in fear.
However, the person concerned was curious about something else.
“What happened to my uncle?”
“Brook was executed, just as expected. Even though he confessed everything about the incident, the crimes he committed were far too severe.”
It was said that Brook, terrified as he was being transported, desperately sought the Holy Nation and the bishop.
He must have then cooperated diligently with the investigation to find a way to live, but the outcome was obvious.
“…What about my father’s charges? He was known as a Holy Nation spy in other cities too, right?”
“His Majesty is said to be issuing an official proclamation himself. He has declared that he will work to restore William and the Northton family’s honor. He may even… come to Edlen personally to offer an apology.”
“Huh?”
“His Majesty is coming here?”
-The king is moving;
-Was he that kind of character?
-No, he’s just someone who only cares about himself.
-He’s self-righteous, but he’s good at putting on a show.
At the mention of the king’s movement, Ria and Cowen’s eyes widened.
‘He was that kind of man.’
The king of Raven was by no means a benevolent ruler.
He pursued a kingdom of himself, by himself, and for himself, to an extreme degree.
At least he cared about public sentiment—that much was fortunate.
Put simply, he just liked being worshiped.
“It’s only a possibility. There’s no need to worry too much right now. I’ve organized the detailed contents of the case in writing and will deliver them separately. And.”
As Henry continued explaining, he turned his gaze to Hanbit.
Then, suddenly placing his right hand over his left chest, he bowed his head.
It was the posture a noble took when showing proper respect.
“Adventurer Black Dragon, you are a savior. Thank you for pulling me, Riventia, Edlen… and William out of the darkness. Whatever I can do, I will repay this debt with my life.”
“I feel the same. Black Dragon, if it weren’t for you, I would still be struggling in despair, unable to see the future. Thank you for giving us the chance we longed for and allowing us to bring the young lady back here.”
Following Henry, Cowen also expressed his gratitude.
Then Ria stood up from her seat and approached as well.
“If it weren’t for you, Oppa… I wouldn’t have been able to do anything, not even begin. At some point, I started thinking it was impossible to restore my father’s honor. Thank you. Truly.”
Their first meeting had been a game of hide-and-seek, with the Swiftness skill as the reward.
The time spent together through Artsvel, Plona, and Ruby.
Who could have imagined it would lead all the way here?
Receiving thanks from everyone, Hanbit shook his head and said,
“I was just a little lucky. I only happened to find what your father left behind at the right time.”
-Just lucky. (While personally modifying the scroll.)
-He read the original novel, so yeah, lucky.
-If I’d read it too, I’d be a pioneer as well.
-That still takes talent, though…….
The viewers latched onto the original work, but Hanbit sincerely did not think it was his own strength.
Even if it was the result of using past knowledge and experience, it had only been possible because of the preparations William had built up.
If even one cog among Cowen, Kamon, and the retainers had been missing, nothing would have turned.
“…….”
Ria quietly stroked the ring on her finger.
A revenge that had accumulated resentment over a long time.
She knew well that it was different from her father’s wish.
He had dreamed of his daughter’s happiness more than his own honor.
Still, in Edlen, before the eyes of its citizens, restoring her father’s honor carried immense meaning for Ria.
“Still, thank you. Cowen, Uncle Henry, unnie, Plona, and everyone else who helped. I don’t know if I can ever repay all of this… but I’ll never forget it.”
Though she was weak to embarrassing words, it was clear she had pressed her sincerity firmly into them.
That was how dreamlike this situation felt.
“A thank-you is enough. Like I said before, I also had something I wanted in return.”
“Right.”
Listening to Hanbit, Henry reached into his coat.
He handed over two envelopes and said,
“I heard about it from Cowen and told Vice-Captain Leon. She asked me to pass these on to you. She said to open the blue one.”
“Thank you.”
Realizing the meaning, Hanbit opened the blue envelope.
-Oh.
-Leon’s connecting it to the next episode too;
-I only got something from Cowen…….
-I want a letter from noona too.
It felt as though Leon’s voice echoed from the contents of the letter.
The fact that she had sent this personally meant her evaluation of Hanbit was quite high.
As always, the next destination would be Ifrit—but this time, the situation was different.
It was the first time he would be entering it in such a strong state.
“I’ll also inform the Adventurers’ Guild in Ifrit. It’ll be good for building records in many ways.”
“Thank you. That’ll save me a lot of time. Thank you as well, Sir Henry.”
After offering his thanks, Hanbit looked around at everyone present.
Despite having faced similar situations many times, the feeling was different.
Even if these were experiences he’d been forcibly dragged into by a goddess, this world was still precious to him.
That fact would never change.
“So you’re leaving now?”
Seeing him gather the letters, Ria asked with a hint of regret in her voice.
She had been affectionate by nature and was weak to farewells.
“I’ll stop by again once I’m done in Ifrit.”
“…Well, then that’s fine. You’re going to see unnie before you go, right?”
“I’ll stop by the shop. There’s something I want to ask.”
“I want to come too, but… I’ve got a lot to do now.”
As the new head of the Northton family, Ria had become busy in many ways.
With many people around to help her, and Henry handling most matters, there was little to worry about.
Eventually, she would even take on the role of Edlen’s mayor—but that was a story for later.
“Then this is really goodbye. It’d be awkward, so I won’t run out to see you off.”
“Stay healthy. And don’t run away again.”
“Hey!”
At his teasing words, Ria playfully furrowed her brows.
Leaving that sight behind, Hanbit exited the reception room.
“Really… thank you.”
A small voice drifted faintly from behind.
At the same time, an alert rang in his ears.
Ding—
[You have completed Main Quest #16.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Progress has reached 100 percent.]
[Episode 1 has been completed.]
[Achievement: Walker of the Path of Truth has been unlocked.]
[As the first player to achieve this, rewards have been maximized.]
[You have received 1,000,000 gold.]
[40 stat points have been awarded.]
[Experience has increased by 400,000.]
[You have leveled up by 7.]
[7 stat points have been awarded.]
-What?
-Holy shit. LOL
-40 stat points and 400,000 EXP?
-Sorry my character is useless, it’s my fault.
-What kind of achievement is “Path of Truth”?
-Adventurer A crying +1 stack.
-He cleared it insanely fast;
-If you’re a pioneer just now realizing you’re screwed, upvote.
[User 소과금 donated 50,000 won.]
[That speed is insane. LOL]
[User ㅇㅇ donated 77,777 won.]
[Marvelous.]
[User 정령사협?회 donated 100,000 won.]
[Go spirits, fighting.]
[User Avantgarde donated 1,000,000 won.]
[This was truly an unimaginable route!]
‘This is crazy.’
Messages scrolling endlessly along with the alerts.
The chat and donations showed no sign of stopping.
Then something strange happened.
Bzzz—
The screen shook lightly with a vibration.
Wondering what it was, Hanbit saw golden letters suddenly appear at the top of the screen.
[Player Black Dragon’s party has succeeded in the Judgment of Vares.]
[Special privileges are granted to the player who first reached the truth of Episode 1. After a 24-hour preparation period, contribution-based privileges will be delivered to the inventory.]
[Players who have already cleared Episode 1 are granted the opportunity to reset and replay.]
[Some restricted areas have been unlocked.]
