00734 A Flower Blooming in a Pool of Blood
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Everything was happening in a whirlwind. I had to prepare on my own, conduct a thorough check, read through related records, and familiarize myself with the route at least once. But there was so much to do and not nearly enough time. It wasn’t the kind of situation where I could ask someone for help. The records I needed weren’t in the city’s general library but in a secret archive, and even if they were, every single person was moving like a relentless wild boar—no one was free. Besides, we were all busy preparing for the departure at dawn tomorrow.

But as the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” Despite the chaos, things kept going wrong. Most painfully, the news of my brother’s absence hit me like a blow I hadn’t expected. When I contacted him through the communication orb, he was standing against a backdrop surrounded by dense forest.

“Ah, I’m in the Steel Mountain Range right now. Why? What’s going on?”

When I asked why he was there, he smiled brightly and said he was in the Steel Mountain Range. It seemed he had some business there, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask for help. Because if I did, I was sure he’d drop everything and rush over. Besides, the timing was off, and I didn’t want to burden him. So I just said I was checking in and ended the call. Still, his absence was a serious blow. A mage of his caliber was rare to find, and the plan I had with Jeong Ha-yeon was now completely shattered. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“*Sigh.*”

I exhaled deeply and lowered my gaze. On the desk lay a roughly sketched record—so crude it was embarrassing to call it a map—on an A4 sheet. At the top, a red circle marked a single point: the destination we had to reach as quickly as possible, known as the “Paris Hell” or the “Tomb of the Savage King.” As I stared at the record—no, the map—I couldn’t help but sigh again and again.

Honestly, when I first heard the news early this morning, I thought, “What the hell? Why now, in the dead of night?” After hearing the full story and seeing the boy who had fainted after saying his piece, a murderous rage welled up inside me. To be honest, I wanted to beat someone to death. Because the place we were heading to was anything but easy.

No, it was more than just difficult—it was a region that had been deemed impossible to conquer for a long time. Although it was eventually taken, it couldn’t be called a complete victory. It was a tough area, different in nature from the “Dragon’s Sleeping Mountain Range,” and we had no intention of touching it anytime soon. …And yet, some caravan foolishly ventured in and got completely wiped out. Idiots. They didn’t even realize they’d stirred up a hornet’s nest.

“But how did they even get in? It’s hard enough to find, let alone enter.”

Just then, as I muttered to myself in frustration, the orb resting on the corner of my desk suddenly glowed. I poured in some magic, and an image flickered to life, revealing a woman with sultry eyes and healthy, light brown skin. The woman, radiating the peak of her beauty, was Seon-yul, the Lord of the Magic Tower.

“Hi~ Mercenary Lord. Long time no see. Heard some news and thought I’d reach out.”

“Oh, it’s been a while.”

“So, I hear you’re looking for the best mage? Well, that’s me, isn’t it?”

“Yes, yes. I actually need the Magic Tower Lord’s help this time.”

Though I wanted to protest, I quickly played along. For some reason, Seon-yul wasn’t spouting nonsense for once. In fact, she was steering the conversation forward herself. Considering how she usually went off on tangents, this was a golden opportunity.

“I’ve heard the gist of the situation. Well, no problem. The city’s development is picking up, and I could use a little fresh air. But you do know I’m quite valuable, right?”

Seon-yul smiled slyly, making a circle with her thumb and forefinger. I nodded readily. I preferred her being so upfront. From her perspective, it was only natural to expect compensation. Especially someone like Seon-yul.

“Of course. If you have any specific demands, I’ll do my best to meet them. I’m willing to offer a share of the discovery rewards, gold coins, even equipment.”

“Hmm~ The discovery rewards are a given. I don’t really need gold—I’m quite rich, you know. As for equipment… well, I’ve never felt lacking.”

I laid out the maximum rewards I could offer, but Seon-yul’s response was lukewarm. It was a bit surprising, but I understood. As the head of the Magic Tower, she wouldn’t budge for just any offer. That realization left me feeling a bit awkward.

“Then, is there anything you want?”

“Yes. Actually, there’s one thing I really want. If you give it to me, I’m willing to serve you for free.”

Her words made my ears perk up.

I brightened and asked, “What is it?”

“The Mercenary Lord’s… you know.”

Seon-yul said it so casually, so out of the blue, that I was momentarily speechless.

…Well, today is certainly unusual.

“My body desires what the Mercenary Lord has.”

“…Hello?”

“I hear it’s thick and sturdy? Is that true?”

“Let’s keep it reasonable.”

“Why not~? I’m quite tasty, you know. Just close your eyes and try me once.”

“I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.”

“I’m serious.”

“……”

But Seon-yul just laughed playfully, twirling her hair. Ah, if only I could slap that smiling face once, I’d be satisfied.

I grabbed the orb projecting her image and brought it close to my face.

“Even if I can’t get your help, I will never sleep with you.”

Seon-yul narrowed her eyes, her expression shifting to a glare. But in that instant, I caught a flicker of surprise as she glanced sideways—not avoiding my gaze, but seemingly shooting a warning look at someone.

“…You really hurt my pride. Hey, what makes you think I’m any less than Istantel Low Lord?”

“Why bring him up all of a sudden?”

“Him? Ha. If he said that, he’d drop everything and come running, just like me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He’d never say that…”

I trailed off, shaking my head. I didn’t want to waste energy on pointless talk.

“So, what will you do?”

“Wow, now you’re treating me like some subordinate clan member.”

“Magic Tower Lord.”

“Enough. Come see me in person.”

Seon-yul cut me off with an annoyed tone, crossing her arms and legs, biting her lip.

“I’m the head of the Magic Tower. I admit the Mercenary Lord is an impressive user, but I won’t tolerate this kind of disrespect. If you want help, come explain your situation in person and follow the proper procedures. If not, I’ll end this here.”

Her voice was sharp and decisive, very different from before. Asking to follow proper procedures wasn’t wrong. It was rude to just ask for help through a communication orb. I should have expected this.

“If you felt I was rude, I apologize. I overreacted because of your strange words.”

“…Damn. Listen to yourself. I really want it.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Anyway, if you’re coming, come quickly. It’s before the meal, so let’s eat together in my office.”

Seon-yul said this with a half-hearted laugh. I thought what an unpredictable woman she was, but I got up anyway. I had to visit the library anyway.

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

*

Since we were in the same city, it didn’t take long to arrive. As I was guided inside the building, a meal was being served. The user carrying the dishes glanced at me cautiously and opened the door.

“Here you are! You’re really early.”

Seon-yul greeted me with a bright smile as she sat behind a large, wide desk. But the moment I instinctively looked away, I suddenly swallowed hard and felt my body stiffen.

Was it because I wasn’t expecting it? It was as if a binding spell had frozen me solid. Sitting in front of Seon-yul’s desk was a woman I knew well, legs crossed, staring at me with jet-black, crystal-like eyes.

“…Istantel Low Lord?”

“Long time no see, Mercenary Lord.”

Her calm, clear voice echoed in my ears. Moments later, the user who had come with me politely set down the table and dishes. I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding.

“Th-this is…”

“She’s a guest. Not often, but she visits occasionally. How do you feel? No regrets coming here, right?”

Seon-yul winked and gestured toward the sofa in front. I walked over in a daze, and Han So-young waited quietly until I sat down before speaking.

“Did Hamil Lord say he’d help?”

“Y-yes?”

“I heard you contacted him. If you reached out to me and the Magic Tower Lord, surely you contacted Hamil Lord as well.”

“Ah… no. He said he’s currently in the Steel Mountain Range.”

Han So-young pulled a blue marble from within her clothes. As she fumbled with it, she nodded slightly and glanced at the bowl on the table. …So she knew, too.

“Well then~ shall we talk over dinner?”

Seon-yul clapped her hands cheerfully, her voice bright and lively. As Han So-young lifted her spoon, I found myself awkwardly doing the same. It was truly an unexpected meal. …But why was I so captivated by the way Han So-young moved her hand holding the spoon? Every motion was graceful, exuding an elegant poise.

Then it happened.

“Oh my, look at that missionary road. It’s like it’s going to pierce right through. It really is.”

The moment Seon-yul’s mocking voice rang out, Han So-young’s hand faltered. But only for a moment. Soon, the spoonful of stew rose and slowly moved toward me, stopping precisely in front of my mouth. The rich aroma of the stew mingled with the mature scent radiating from her hand, both invading my senses. Only then did I manage to steady myself and meet Han So-young’s expressionless gaze. Her sensuous lips parted slightly.

“Ah.”

…Huh? Ah? Is she telling me to open my mouth? Is she going to feed me? Am I dreaming right now?

Han So-young opened her mouth again.

“Say, ah.”

“Oh my, oh my! Oh my, oh my!”

“It’s a reward. So, ah.”

“A, a reward? …Ah!”

The moment I heard the word “reward,” everything finally clicked. But before I could even exclaim, Han So-young, as if she’d been waiting for this, gently pushed the spoon into my mouth. Instinctively, I closed my lips, and the spoon, having achieved its purpose, slipped out smoothly. My mind went blank. Seon-yul had said Han So-young was a “senior guest.” So she’d been watching and listening to our communications all along. Meaning, if I’d said the wrong thing even once…

Han So-young slowly set down the spoon and spoke.

“You seem very anxious.”

“Eh, eh?”

“I see a tremor in you I didn’t notice before.”

“…….”

“Even if the situation is urgent, you can’t let yourself waver. Keep your mind cool and clear. If the clan lord panics, naturally the clan members below will become uneasy, too.”

“…I’ll remember that. Thank you.”

I bowed politely. She must have sensed my mental state through some kind of extrasensory perception. As I calmed my breathing, Han So-young gave a faint Mona Lisa smile, as if she knew something I didn’t, and began eating leisurely. Meanwhile, Seon-yul was still squealing excitedly.

“Well then, enjoy your meal. And please tell me what’s going on.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Suddenly, I felt at ease.

*

After finishing the meal and taking care of business, I returned to the castle to find the sun already dipping low in the sky. I’d been irritable just that morning, but now I felt much calmer. Preparations were complete, inspections done, relevant records gathered, and the route memorized. And most importantly…

‘…I see.’

Maybe it was because it had been so long since we last met. I still couldn’t forget the image of Han So-young elegantly wiping her lips with a white cloth after the meal. It wasn’t just her appearance.

‘Alright. I’ll help you.’

Just two simple words. But since hearing them, I’d regained enough composure to notice the change in myself. Instead of thinking, ‘Why is this happening now?’ I’d shifted to, ‘Well, it had to happen eventually.’ Of course, the lack of preparation time hadn’t changed, and not all problems were solved. The most important issue remained. Glancing down, two records from the Northern City’s “Secret Library” caught my eye.

‘…Thus, the prince appointed himself and fourteen comrades who had shared hardships as his personal guard…’

The key point here was “himself” and “fourteen comrades.” That made fifteen in total. Our current expedition team numbered fourteen, including me—still one short.

Based on my experience from the first expedition, I’d set two ironclad rules for this one. One: bring as many mages skilled in elemental magic as possible. Two: the expedition team must have exactly fifteen members.

Fifteen, no more, no less. If even one person was missing or extra, we wouldn’t reach our destination. That’s why I’d originally planned to include my older brother, but unfortunately, that fell through. At this point, if we were just adding someone to fill the numbers, fine. But hoping someone could fully replace my brother’s role was wishful thinking. No matter how much I searched, no one matched his caliber.

So who should I add? Would Sasha be better? If only Helena were here, I wouldn’t have to worry about this.

Just as I was deep in thought,

*click.*

Suddenly, the door creaked open slightly.

—————————= Author’s Note =—————————

Ah, I’m sleepy. I should get some rest. Wishing all my readers a fresh and energetic morning! 😀