Chapter 146 - Pangaea (12)
“Unit Leader, what happened?”
“Sir, do we just have to go back?”
Yoon Joo-hee and Ral asked with anxious expressions.
I got on the carriage and gave a slight smile.
“Just wait and see.”
At my relaxed deanor, Yoon Joo-hee’s expression showed that she understood imdiately.
She had also t the 3rd Princess in the dungeon with , so she knew that things would have to work out well.
On the other hand, Ral was trying to hide his disappointnt.
He was a thoughtful kid for his young age.
Though he had completely misjudged the situation.
“Ral. Who do you want to et the most in the Jero Knights?”
But the boy hesitated and couldn’t answer readily.
And then he said.
“Sir, it doesn't have to be the Jero Knights.”
It was obvious what he was thinking when he gave such an answer.
“You don't trust .”
“Th-that’s not it, but.”
“Then tell . If you have the chance, who would you like to have a al with, or sothing like that.”
Ral thought for a mont, then opened his mouth.
“If I have to make a wish, I’ll choose the commander of the Jero Knights.”
“The commander of the Jero Knights, you an the 3rd Princess?”
“Yes. Regardless of her status, she’s the strongest person. She’s even a Sword Master.”
“A Sword Master….”
Clera had introduced herself as such in the dungeon.
She had cleared the monsters of that huge dungeon by herself, so she was definitely not at an ordinary level.
But since I hadn't seen her swordsmanship for myself, I still had so doubts.
“When you hear the anecdotes about the princess, you can't help but admire her. Don’t you think so too, sir?”
“Do I?”
I was a bit vague about that part and continued.
“Then I’ll promise you at least one al with the princess.”
Of course, Ral also gave an awkward smile and mumbled his reply.
anwhile, the guards seed to have finished their discussion.
Since they couldn’t just ignore the order of soone from a count’s family, they had no choice but to go to the training site and report.
One of the group eventually left and started riding his horse in a hurry.
Now that the situation had progressed this far, the conclusion was as good as reached.
***
The purpose of my visit to Pangaea was to find clues about the Red Dragon, which might be here.
Unexpectedly, I t a mage nad Deli and obtained useful information, but the content was not good news.
Because I learned that finding a dragon would be difficult.
Now, the person I had to et was Jenolf, whom the 3rd Princess had ntioned.
According to the princess, Jenolf was a dragon researcher, so I had so hope that I might find out sothing more.
For now, the priority was to et the 3rd Princess, who could put in touch with him.
“We apologize for the rudeness!”
The guards ca to the carriage and bowed their heads in unison.
It was an expected outco, so I wasn’t too surprised.
“So, does this an we can pass through this road?”
“Yes. And I have been ordered to guide you, so please follow .”
With that, one of the guards turned his horse’s head, gesturing that he would lead the way.
In that mont, Ral’s expression turned dumbfounded.
“Sir, what’s going on right now?”
“I told you. I’d get you at least one al with the princess.”
Ral finally replied as if it was sinking in.
“……Yes. Sir.”
He was a lucky fellow to have t by chance and been hired as a guide, learned swordsmanship, and even gotten to et the 3rd Princess he had so admired.
And that luck might not be over yet.
Depending on what he did after eting the Jero Knights, sothing even bigger might be waiting for him.
Finally, our carriage arrived at the place where the Jero Knights were gathered.
The entrance of a rugged-looking mountainous area. There, a group of about 50 people were taking a rest.
The Jero Knights, said to be the empire’s finest elites. I scanned their figures from a distance with my Mana Eyes.
And I had to admit it.
‘Did they scrape up all the talent in the empire?’
I didn't know what the overall level of Pangaea was, but the aura they were emitting was overwhelming compared to any group I had t before.
Neither the Red Scorpion rcenary Company nor the Dukerein Pirates could compare to them.
It was even rude to compare.
And among them, one person with the largest mana, Clera Erendina, began to walk towards .
On both sides of the 3rd Princess were a man and a woman who seed to be her closest aides. At that sight, a smirk escaped my lips.
Because the appearance of the two n and won was exquisitely reminiscent of Choi Ho-joong and Shin Ah-yeon.
As Clera got closer, her surprised mouth opened wider and wider. And finally.
“It really is you! How could this be!”
I answered with a smile.
“Long ti no see, Clera.”
But what flew at along with the first greeting was the deadly killing intent emitted by the 3rd Princess’s two aides.
“How dare you!!”
“How dare you speak the commander’s na so carelessly!”
They looked ready to aim for my neck if the order was given.
Clera imdiately cald the two down.
“Yaren! And Rildia! This person is my guest. Be polite.”
“But Commander!”
“Do I have to say it twice?”
“N-no, ma’am!”
“Hey Clera. I'm fine, so don't scold your subordinates too much.”
“No. If you were offended, I apologize on their behalf. And you two, bow your heads imdiately!”
At Clera’s stern voice, the two imdiately bowed their heads 90 degrees to .
Of course, their expressions were a different story.
Their wary eyes towards remained unchanged.
‘They’re displeased that I'm speaking informally to the princess.’
But there was no reason to be intimidated by them.
From the beginning, my eting with Clera had started on equal terms.
Ral was rubbing his eyes as if he couldn’t believe the current situation.
“Welco, Seo Ji-han! I don’t know how this happened, but shouldn’t we talk separately?”
At Clera’s words, I nodded.
***
After moving to a quiet place, Clera welcod warmly once again.
“How did you get here!”
I briefly explained the circumstances to her.
From the story of obtaining a map to Pangaea after clearing the dungeon to the things I had experienced in Pangaea.
To Clera, this seed very strange.
Encountering a being from another world would still be an unfamiliar event in Pangaea.
‘Well, they might get used to it soon.’
After all, an entrance to the Abyss had been discovered in the seas of Pangaea.
“Earth is a truly strange place. Are there that many dungeons there?”
“Compared to Pangaea, yes.”
“Truly unfair! Why wasn't I given a map to Earth!”
“Why? Are you curious about other worlds?”
“Isn't it obvious! Humans are beings who always pioneer the unknown!”
I considered telling Clera about the Abyss, but then I dismissed the thought.
No matter how much she was a mber of the royal family, it was still sothing that had not been revealed to the world.
I didn't want to needlessly interfere in Pangaea’s affairs.
The important thing was my business. After hearing out, she nodded.
“Right! You asked about dragons back then too.”
“Clera, can you arrange for to et the Jenolf you ntioned?”
“Considering the debt I owe you, that’s nothing.”
“That’s great.”
“However, I can’t guarantee that Lord Jenolf will tell you what you want to hear. I can’t force him that far.”
“If you arrange the eting, that’s enough.”
After all, the rest was up to .
Even if I couldn't get anything, I could accept it.
I had already reaped so harvest in Pangaea.
“But as you can see, our knight order is currently in training. Can you wait?”
“Of course.”
“And I’d like to make you a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Soon, our knight order plans to enter a dungeon that has ford on the mountainside. Would you like to go with us?”
I accepted the proposal imdiately.
Because I was curious about what Pangaea’s dungeons were like.
A mont later, I revealed this to Yoon Joo-hee and Ral.
In fact, Yoon Joo-hee wasn’t much of a concern, but Ral was the problem.
He was still just a swordsmanship novice with overflowing talent.
“Alright, sir! I’ll go too!”
Of course, it was an expected reaction.
“Yoon Joo-hee. You can escort him well, right?”
“Of course, Unit Leader.”
“But I’m not just telling you to protect him. Ral has started to properly wield a sword, so he should have a chance to play a proper role.”
At my words, Ral’s face lit up.
He could have been scared at his young age, but he was indeed not an ordinary boy.
At that mont, Yaren appeared before us again.
He was Clera’s right-hand man.
He was a guy whose atmosphere was so similar to Choi Ho-joong that I wondered if they were doppelgängers.
His position in the organization too.
“The commander sent to give you a basic briefing on the dungeon.”
His tone was much more polite than before.
“Speak.”
On the other hand, he seed offended by my continued informal speech.
But I was on informal terms with Clera. So I couldn’t use formal speech to her subordinate.
Above all, his face reminded of Ho-joong.
Yaren looked at and shook his head.
“Before that, Seo Ji-han, I’ll ask you one thing. Have you ever received a title of nobility?”
“No. I haven’t.”
At my answer, Yaren let out a deep sigh.
At the sa ti, I could feel a deep frustration.
He suppressed his emotions and continued to speak.
“For your information, I received the title of knight last year.”
“Are you implying that I should grovel?”
“I was just saying you should be a little more polite. I don’t know what your relationship with the commander is.”
“That’s enough with the side comnts, how about we start the dungeon briefing now?”
“Haah!”
Yaren took a deep breath again.
It was clear that he had been instructed by Clera.
“I'll only explain once, so listen carefully!”
“I will.”
“The dungeon difficulty is high. And the three of you have been assigned to my squad.”
“Then what role should we play?”
“You don't have to do anything, just follow behind and observe.”
“Is that Clera’s will?”
At my words, Yaren took a step closer to .
Then he whispered in my ear.
“It is my will.”
An unexpectedly bold attitude.
He continued to speak.
“And if you call the commander by her na one more ti, I won’t let it slide.”
Frankly, I was a bit flustered.
I hadn't expected Yaren to co out like this.
I looked at him and smiled.
It didn't particularly feel bad.
Because the right-hand man of a knight commander should naturally show this much loyalty.
‘It’s just that he resembles Choi Ho-joong too much.’
So I just wanted to ss with him a little.
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