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An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a fool for a fool, nonsense for nonsense.

If someone treats you like a fool and spouts nonsense, you have to respond appropriately. If you stay silent, you’ll really become a fool.

There are many ways to respond, but saying something like, “How dare you talk nonsense to me?” is the way of an amateur.

A true professional responds to nonsense with the same nonsense.

“Did you say a secret alliance between Samael and Urgon?”

“That’s right. Don’t be surprised. To further explain…”

“That’s a really good idea. Just thinking about a secret alliance makes my heart race. What’s the purpose of this alliance?”

Balkan looked at me with surprise, then nodded to himself, recalling my actions in the arena.

“Khaoto is a good city to expand into the south. We will support you, so Samael can open the southern trade routes. We want to expand Urgon’s influence to the south. I’m confident that we can trust Samael. In return, we promise a lot of support.”

It was an answer he seemed to have prepared in advance, so I spoke as if I had also prepared in advance.

“That’s a great idea. I also have something I want to ask.”

“Feel free to speak.”

“Have you forgotten about Bayern?”

“Of course. Bayern is nothing.”

“That’s hard to believe. You even took over the Hamad Merchant Group?”

Balkan glanced at Elder Parin and then replied.

“From your perspective, you might think so. But from our perspective, it was just a passing event. Originally, we planned to establish a base in the south through Bayern. The acquisition of the Hamad Merchant Group was also intended to strengthen Bayern. I didn’t expect Samael to defeat Bayern. If I had known this would happen, I would have contacted Samael from the beginning.”

“Your foresight was lacking.”

I could feel the Urgon subordinates on the outskirts collectively bristling, but Balkan’s expression remained unchanged.

“Haha, you are wise young men, so you will understand what I mean. This offer is not bad for Samael at all. You can’t move forward if you’re stuck in the past.”

Taylor, who had been listening silently, sharply interjected.

“Lord Balkan. I don’t think this is something we should be answering. It would have been nice if you had invited our Lord together.”

Balkan’s eyes twitched for a moment, as if he hadn’t expected this remark.

“Actually, I also intended to test you. I didn’t expect you to show such outstanding abilities. I will formally invite Lord Kazen next time, so please convey my intentions.”

As soon as Balkan showed a weakness, I seized the opportunity.

“Lord. Bayern and all that is fine, but there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“Speak freely.”

“Urgon attacked Samael in the past.”

“…”

“About 20 years ago. You wouldn’t say you don’t remember.”

I looked Balkan straight in the eye and hit the core issue.

“What was the reason?”

I focused all my attention on every single change in Balkan’s expression, gestures, and gaze. A brief silence followed, and then Balkan burst into a hearty laugh.

“Hahahaha.”

After laughing for a while, Balkan shook his head and said.

“How bold. Now I see that Samael has accumulated a lot over the years. I had forgotten about it because it was so long ago. The reason… that’s a difficult question.”

Balkan continued, as if reminiscing.

“There wasn’t any particular reason. I just needed a pretext. It was a time when we were expanding our influence. It wasn’t unusual for us to wage war with neighboring clans. It wasn’t just Samael.”

Balkan looked around.

“It was just a natural thing. I don’t think you want to hear an apology now. If you think we have any ill feelings towards Samael, I want to tell you that you are mistaken. We are Urgon.”

At first glance, it seemed like he was looking at the world from the perspective of a powerful person, but I noticed something unnatural.

‘Is Balkan watching Parin’s expression?’

Even while Balkan was speaking, he was constantly paying attention to Elder Parin.

It felt like he was checking Elder Parin’s reaction with every word he uttered.

Why?

“Think carefully. This could be an opportunity for Samael to soar.”

As soon as Balkan closed his mouth, Elder Parin stepped forward as if he had been waiting.

“If the Lord’s business is over, would it be alright if I spoke with Ruin for a moment?”

“Of course, Elder.”

“Ahem.”

Suddenly, the man from Ardehain showed discomfort for the first time.

Until now, he hadn’t shown any interest and hadn’t even pretended to listen, but suddenly he had this unexpected reaction.

Elder Parin said to the man,

“Please wait a moment. It won’t take long.”

“…Alright.”

They had a private conversation last time as well, so it seems like there’s something going on between them.

It didn’t seem to be related to Urgon, so I wasn’t very interested.

Elder Parin said,

“I’ve been dying to ask you this. I’m really curious about you, Ruin.”

“I have a feeling you’re going to ask me something difficult.”

Without even listening to me, Elder Parin abruptly asked,

“How is it possible for someone to have a duel of your level with chanting?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere felt strange.

“It was far beyond my expectations.”

“As expected, you’re asking a difficult question. It’s just, that’s a difficult thing to explain in words.”

The blue eyes behind the monocle twinkled with unconcealed curiosity.

“This is a very important matter, Ruin. I’ve never seen a mage like you before. It was considered difficult both in theory and in practice.”

I suddenly looked around and let out a chuckle.

“Elder. Shouldn’t you buy me a drink or something?”

“…”

Elder Parin suddenly felt awkward and coughed slightly.

“I guess I was too preoccupied with my own thoughts. But just know that it’s that important. If you’re okay with it, why don’t you come back to the Magic Tower with me? There might be something I can help you with.”

Libre, who had been sending burning gazes since earlier, finally couldn’t stand it and intervened.

“Elder, would it be possible for me too?”

“You?”

“Yes. I want to go to the Magic Tower with you, Elder.”

Elder Parin glanced at Balkan and then said,

“We’ll talk about you later.”

Elder Parin, adjusting his monocle, met my eyes and asked,

“How about we go together?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Is it because you’re already receiving instruction from the Red Magic Tower?”

“No.”

“Then why? This is a good opportunity for you.”

“I haven’t given it any thought.”

Elder Parin sighed at my firm tone.

“It’s always open, so tell me if you change your mind. Or could you perhaps tell me your origin? No matter how talented you are, you couldn’t have learned it alone at your age. If not the Red Magic Tower… perhaps Samael?”

“Well, I can’t really say I have an origin…”

I was about to vaguely gloss over it when I felt a strange sense of discomfort and looked at Elder Parin.

‘Did he ask if my origin is Samael?’

It’s a bit strange for him to say that casually. Someone who doesn’t know the Samael of the past couldn’t say that. Moreover, the fact that it was Elder Parin who brought it up made it hard to ignore. Does he know something?

I said to Elder Parin,

“I’ll visit you sometime soon.”

“That’s a good idea.”

The uneasy feeling wouldn’t go away. If you were to ask me if it was a good or bad feeling, it was a bad one. This is something close to instinct, and I felt like I was missing something.

I looked at Balkan, then at Parin, then turned my head to look at the Urgon subordinates standing on the outskirts.

‘Gloomy.’

It didn’t seem like this meeting would end like this.

At that moment, the door burst open and the chief steward entered, followed by Celestine and a mysterious woman.

The man from Ardehain jumped to his feet and bowed respectfully.

Balkan, Parin, and Libre all rose from their seats at once. Her mere appearance completely changed the atmosphere of the room.

“Hoho, am I too late?”

Balkan replied,

“That’s impossible.”

“That’s a relief. I intentionally came late because I was worried it might be inconvenient.”

“It would have been nice if you had told us earlier. We didn’t prepare a separate banquet because it was originally intended to be a simple conversation.”

The woman shook her head.

“Don’t worry about it at all. So, have you finished what you were going to say?”

“Of course. Feel free to speak.”

“That’s good.”

The woman turned her head and looked at me.

“Hoho, you’re Ruin, right?”

I was speechless as soon as I met the woman’s eyes.

* * *

I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve felt this way.

‘A mid-ranking Commander of an external organization or a low-ranking Commander of an internal organization.’

No.

That’s not right.

At first glance, I couldn’t feel any energy, but I couldn’t help but know. I didn’t understand why I hadn’t realized it sooner.

The final part of that bloody expedition.

There, where many had fallen and only a few remained who were called knights.

The swordsman of Ardehain also remained.

‘…She looks exactly the same.’

She looked remarkably like the woman who led the Ardehain clan, standing at its peak. It was a memory and a mark that anyone who had experienced that time together could not forget.

As I stared, mesmerized, the woman smiled.

“Oh my, is there something on my face? It’s embarrassing if you stare at me like that.”

‘…Her way of speaking is similar too.’

Only then did I slightly lower my head. The woman must be much older than she appears.

“I am Ruin.”

“Nice to meet you.”

For some reason, I wanted to offer a greeting to a former colleague.

Before the woman could say anything else, I placed my left hand on my heart and said,

“Like a noble lotus.”

Celestine’s eyes widened, and the woman looked around. Seeing everyone’s bewildered expressions… the woman suddenly burst into laughter and pointed at me.

“You already noticed?”

I looked at Celestine and said,

“It’s not common to handle a Lotus Sword.”

“Just from that? How did you know the etiquette?”

“I read a lot of books in preparation for a time like this.”

“Interesting.”

The woman’s lips curled up. She realized I was blatantly lying, but her expression wasn’t unpleasant. Rather, she seemed satisfied.

The woman looked at Balkan and said,

“I’d like to speak with Ruin privately.”

Balkan had his subordinates bring in a few more tables and chairs. In an instant, the atmosphere shifted to one of separate conversations.

I don’t know why this is happening all of a sudden when I came to figure out Balkan’s intentions, but the situation itself isn’t bad for me at all.

I faced Celestine and the woman at a table in the corner.

“You said you wanted to talk to me.”

“You told Celine an interesting story.”

I had an idea of what the woman was about to say.

“Before that. Now that we’ve even exchanged greetings, it’s only right that we introduce ourselves. You’re acquainted with Celine. Have you greeted the Third Military Commander?”

“The Third Military Commander?”

As if she had expected this, the woman gestured.

“Third Military Commander?”

The man from Ardehain, who had been talking with Elder Parin, hurriedly rushed over and stood in front of the woman.

“You called?”

“I think it would be good to make an introduction.”

“Pardon?”

“No matter how busy you are with official duties, you should say hello. Now that you’ve revealed the name of your clan, you should act accordingly.”

“Ah, I was preoccupied…”

Flustered, the man politely extended his hand to me.

“I am Fichte.”

“I am Ruin.”

As we shook hands, I suddenly noticed that the man’s hand was cold.

It wasn’t just cold, but rather had a chilling feeling.

‘Huh?’

Only then did I raise my head and look closely at the man’s face.

There was nothing particularly unusual, but…

His complexion was somewhat dark.

———-