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Chapter 203: Merit Ceremony (6)

“Were you hurt?”

“I’m okay, see? Should you be saying that when you were in a coma though?”

When Scarlet asked back as soon as she sat besides Cordelia on the sofa, Cordelia shook her head and answered.

“No, it isn’t to the point of a coma since I only slept for two days.”

“Hey, sleeping for two days is definitely not normal, okay?”

Scarlet sharply spoke and squinted her eyes, looking at Cordelia all over.

She seemed to be looking for any injuries.

And at Scarlet’s appearance, Cordelia began to laugh.

“Why?”

“No, it’s just… you seemed to be seriously worried of me.”

Cordelia giggled again and lightly slapped Scarlet’s shoulder as she smiled with her eyes, and Scarlet frowned.

“No, I’m not. I wasn’t that worried of you, okay? I really didn’t care about you, okay?”

“Wow, your classic reaction is so good, so good. You’re so cute.”

“What ‘so cute’?”

Whether Scarlet hated it or not, Cordelia hugged her arm and laughed, and Scarlet eventually frowned and looked back at Jude.

“Hey, Black Cloak. Why is Pink Bomb acting like this? Did she injure her head or something?”

[She’s not hurt. She’s just pretty, cute, and adorable like usual.]

Scarlet shuddered when he replied via magic instead of his voice, and she eventually gave up.

Because the more she spoke, the more she would only be embarrassed.

“Anyway, I’m fine.”

“Yes, yes. If Scarlet is okay, then I’m okay too.”

As Cordelia rubbed her cheeks against Scarlet’s shoulder, Scarlet flinched for a moment but soon smiled.

Because she found the expression of Jude looking at them to be very funny.

‘Should I tease him a bit?’

But before Scarlet could even try something, Jude moved first. He took a seat across Scarlet and immediately brought up a topic she couldn’t ignore.

“The match.”

“Eh?”

“The match for the Rogue Master position. Isn’t it time to discuss it?”

As Jude grinned and spoke, Scarlet slightly frowned.

She welcomed the fact that they were finally talking about the match for the Rogue Master position, but she didn’t like it a bit on how Jude led the flow of their discussion into that.

But she couldn’t help it.

She was the one who had lost in their fight, so she eventually gave up.

“Okay, let’s talk about it.”

“I’ll cut to the chase and get straight to the point… don’t you agree that it’s impossible to do it now?”

“I agree. Because the royal capital is in an absolute mess.”

Jude smiled again when her response was what he expected.

‘As expected of Scarlet.’

In the game, Scarlet was the ideal companion who was friendly and rational, even before she was deceived by the magic sword.

He thought that if the royal capital had suffered serious damage, she would postpone the match, and now, she responded as he had expected.

‘Because it concerns the Rogue Master’s pride.’

More than a hundred years had passed since the first Rogue Master had appeared on earth.

Numerous thieves had appeared between the past and present, and some had even done bigger thefts than the Rogue Master.

But none of them were as legendary as the Rogue Master.

What was the reason for that?

Why was the Rogue Master the only one who became a legend?

‘Because it had romance.’

The Rogue Master would send a notice herself in order to increase the difficulty of her theft.

The Rogue Master only targeted the wicked rich.

The Rogue Master only stole and did not kill people.

The money earned from the rich was used to help those who were in need.

The so-called Robin Hood figure.

A righteous thief.

That was all a fantasy though.

After all, a thief was still a thief in the end, and most of what the Rogue Master stole from the rich went into the pockets of the Rogue Master and not the poor.

But the most important thing was the image.

‘A romantic thief.’

It was impossible for such a Rogue Master to use the royal capital, where a lot of people had been killed or injured, as the stage for their theft.

“But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to hold the match, right? So let’s change the place.”

“You mean we’ll be having the match in a place other than the royal capital?”

“Yes, let’s have it in the south and not the center.”

At Jude’s words, Cordelia’s eyes widened, and she looked at him in admiration.

Because she realized what Jude was planning.

‘Are you trying to take Scarlet with us to the south?’

‘Because the more powerful allies we have, the better.’

Black Dragon Malekith was a powerful enemy in a different sense than the Lord Protector. In order to deal with a literally gigantic monster, they need to have at least one more useable trump card.

“Where in the south? The 7 southern families?”

“Wouldn’t they be worth stealing from?”

Scarlet narrowed her eyes as Jude smirked and answered.

Because she became wary when she saw Jude’s sly smile.

‘He’s up to something, right?’

Although the royal capital suffered serious damage, the entire central region was not harmed.

But he was saying that they should leave the center and hold the match in the south.

His words felt suspicious even if he didn’t have a sly smile.

‘Rather, should we hold the match in the empire?’

Scarlet’s own home ground.

But Scarlet soon stopped her thoughts.

Because she was the one who had lost in their fight in the first meeting.

‘This was a match originally proposed by Pink Bomb out of her consideration of me in the first place.’

So she wasn’t in a position to say this and that.

‘Of course, if it’s Cordelia, she wouldn’t think much about it, and…’

Maybe she’ll even accept having the match in the empire.

But that Black Cloak – that Jude who is a sly person incarnate, will not agree to it.

Perhaps whatever I say, he’ll insist to have the match be held in the south.

‘There’s no point fighting about it.’

It’s not like we won’t be seeing each other anymore after this match.

“Okay, let’s have the match in the south then. When will it be?”

“Please give us a bit of time.”

“How long?”

“At least two months, I think? The two of us will not be able to go to the south until the mess in the royal capital has been organized.”

“Hmmm.”

Scarlet looked troubled as she crossed her arms, but she soon nodded again.

As Jude had said, it would take quite some time before they could leave the royal capital.

‘Though two months is a bit long.’

But it wasn’t like she couldn’t wait at all.

Moreover, Scarlet herself needed some time to investigate the southern region.

“Okay, let’s do that. It doesn’t matter if we discuss the details of the match later.”

“As expected of Scarlet. You’re nice and generous.”

“I’m not exactly nice though?”

“If you insist.”

“Ufufu.”

The one who laughed last was Cordelia.

She seemed to be really excited that she kept on laughing.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? You’re creeping me out.”

“Nothing. It’s just that I like Scarlet?”

When Cordelia giggled again, Scarlet couldn’t help but smile in the end.

Because Cordelia was just too cute for her to reject.

“Okay, let’s have the match in the south two months after, but…”

“But?”

“Pink Bomb, let’s go out and talk for a minute.”

“Eh?”

“I was just thinking of talking to you while getting some fresh air. I’d also like to hear about what happened that night in the royal palace. Is that fine with you?”

“Well… I don’t mind.”

Having said that, Cordelia turned to Jude, and instead of seeing Cordelia, Jude saw Scarlet grinning at him.

‘I can see your thoughts very clearly.’

Scarlet’s intention.

In fact, it wasn’t that serious.

It was just a really simple idea of hers to take Cordelia outside and not let Cordelia spend some time with Jude.

‘You’re annoyed, right? Right?’

Jude answered Scarlet’s gaze with a bitter smile before he turned to Cordelia.

‘Jude?’

‘It’s fine if you go along with Scarlet. You’re going to chat with a friend in the first place, so it’s not something for me to decide, right?’

‘Well… that’s true. Okay, I’ll be back later.’

Cordelia widely smiled, and just like the saying ‘strike while the iron is hot,’ she immediately stood up and pulled Scarlet’s hand, while Scarlet sneered at Jude before she went out with Cordelia.

And a few seconds later.

After the door was closed, Jude stretched his arms and let out a long breath.

‘Anyway, it seems like Scarlet is completely on our side.’

Whatever the outcome of the match would be, it seemed like she would still be working with them in the future.

‘Though it’s a bit annoying when she always interrupts us…’

Well, I don’t exactly hate it though.

It’s at a level where I could just laugh it off.

Plus, Scarlet intruding on us is quite helpful at the moment.

‘Because it’s hard to concentrate when Cordelia is around.’

At least, for now.

‘Let’s sort it out while Cordelia is gone.’

He couldn’t do that last night because his mental state then didn’t let him think properly.

Jude closed his eyes and slowly breathed.

He slowly immersed himself in the deepest parts of his consciousness in order to examine the state of his body and soul.

And he soon realized it.

‘As I thought, it was too much.’

He had failed to open the sixth door properly.

He had created a sixth door, but only the form was created.

If he had to describe it, it was like a plate that had been widened, but the plate’s contents barely filled it.

‘I need time.’

Time to properly maintain the sixth door.

Time to let my own skills grow and match the plate that had suddenly become bigger.

‘But I shouldn’t hurry that much.’

As he had already told Cordelia, the demon followers wouldn’t dare to attack them for the time being.

They also didn’t need to immediately become very strong because Black Dragon Malekith’s attack on the south would only happen a few months from now if it went by the game’s timeline.

‘So let’s take our time.’

I’ll recover my health and build up my strength.

I can’t rely too much on Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors, so I have to develop my other skills too.

‘Ultimate Seven.’

Seven ultimate swords that were created by the ancient dwarves, and could only be obtained through the Key Sword.

It was not surprising that Jude knew all seven of it since he had used them at least once in Legend of Heroes 2.

And that was why he was convinced.

‘I need the Ultimate One.’

It was the most different from among the seven ultimate swords.

But that was also the reason why that sword suited the current Jude the best.

Fortunately, what Jude himself wanted – ‘Ultimate One,’ and what Cordelia wanted – ‘Ultimate Four, Explosive Blade – Magic Blaster,’ were located in the S?len Kingdom.

‘And if we can secure Ultimate Three, Dragon Sword Ascalon, before our fight against Malekith, it will be like the icing on the cake.’

Jude drew up a plan on his head for a while, and then smiled and stretched his arms.

Because when he was thinking of how to get the items, he suddenly remembered Legend of Heroes 2.

‘It’s not a game now but reality.’

After he lightly smiled, Jude closed his eyes again and delved into his consciousness.

He began to operate the Black Sun, which was born from the union of the Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors and the Supreme Sun Divine Art.

***

At a small garden near a different palace.

Scarlet sat in a sunny spot and enjoyed the wind, and then asked with her eyes wide open.

“The Lord Protector? Did you just say that you defeated him?”

“Yes. But it’s still a secret so don’t say it out loud.”

Cordelia looked around and spoke quietly, but Scarlet shouted, grabbing Cordelia’s shoulders rather than being quiet.

“How?!”

Scarlet was already aware of the fact that the Lord Protector was a traitor.

As Cordelia had said, everyone kept it a secret, but it had already been three days after the battle on the royal capital, so everyone who could know already knew that the Lord Protector was a traitor.

But she thought that it was impossible for Jude and Cordelia to have defeated the Lord Protector.

“Well… it’s because we did our very best? The crown princess and the prince also helped.”

When Cordelia hesitated, Scarlet shook her shoulder again, as if she wanted to ask on what the hell did Cordelia mean.

Because the Lord Protector wasn’t someone that could just be defeated by a few children.

“Anyway, we defeated him. I can’t say how we defeated him because it’s related to a secret of the kingdom.”

The existence of the divine sword, Claíomh Solais, that maintained the barrier and was located in the basement of the royal palace, was in fact, a national secret.

Count Bayer and Count Chase already knew of the existence of the divine sword so they could openly talk about it, but it was impossible to let Scarlet know about it since she was a citizen of the empire.

“How mean.”

“I’m sorry…”

Scarlet soon sighed when Cordelia’s face became sad as if she was truly sorry.

“Well… it can’t be helped. Anyway, you didn’t win with just your skills, right?”

“Yeah. Something more was added… and more than anything, we were just lucky.”

“Just lucky…”

Scarlet frowned and then shook her head.

Even if the Lord Protector was old and had become weak, he was still one of the Ten Great Swordmasters.

He wasn’t someone that could be defeated just by being lucky.

But Jude and Cordelia defeated such a Lord Protector.

‘It’s something unexpected but… these two are also monsters.’

They’re only 17 years old now.

But what the hell is up with their strength?

‘God’s mistake…’

A term that refers to Maximilian de Avis.

But, perhaps, Jude and Cordelia are also god’s mistakes?

“Scarlet?”

“Eh? Yeah, well… I get it. Anyway, it’s fine since you came out safe.”

Scarlet evasively spoke before she stood up from her seat.

Because of that, Cordelia stood up too and asked.

“Are you going now?”

“Yes, I have to get going now.”

She had accomplished most of her purpose in infiltrating the palace.

She would have perfectly accomplished it if she would be able to see Lucas’ condition on her way back.

“Then, see you at the merit ceremony.”

“Eh? You’re attending the merit ceremony?”

“It’s for a special purpose. I have to give you a clap, after all.”

Scarlet shrugged and spoke coyly, grinning wide as she said goodbye to Cordelia and headed back.

“See you next time.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

After Cordelia waved her hand, Scarlet haughtily turned around and began to walk a few steps, but she soon blended into the surrounding landscape and became invisible.

“Wow.”

As expected of the Rogue Master.

Cordelia admired her for a bit and clapped her hands, and then she brushed off the dirt from her skirt and looked back at the palace.

She had to go back by herself.

But before she took a step, Cordelia once again viewed the garden and gazed at the main palace that she could see from here.

It wasn’t perfect.

There were signs of destruction and ruin here and there.

She hadn’t seen it with her eyes, but she knew that a lot of people were also killed or injured.

But, even if that happened…

‘We weren’t wrong.’

What Jude and Cordelia did.

They had done their best to protect the royal family and the royal capital.

“Let’s go.”

Cordelia spoke to herself and headed back to the palace.

She walked and began to imagine the face of Jude that had naturally come into her mind.

And five days later in the afternoon.

The merit ceremony finally began.