Episode 509 Reunion with Soonbok (6)
Three more days had passed before Hafman arrived in the Holy Land.
Not only was there a distance from the Kingdom of Silia to the Holy Kingdom, but they had to disguise themselves as members of the information guild, so they said they were in a hurry, but time was delayed.
Of course, Seongguk luckily had no doubts.
Could it be because I liked Harpman’s handling of the negotiations?
For some reason, it was evident that he was treated with extreme care.
The branch manager felt a bit pricked by his conscience trying to deceive these people, but this was all for the sake of seeing his grandson Jae-rong.
The remorse soon dissipated.
Upon arriving at the Holy Kingdom and finishing organizing the cargo in the wagon, a priest in white clothes approached the city.
He is a neat looking young man.
He greeted me with a gentle smile.
“Nice to meet you, Chief. This is Hess, who will serve as our guide today.”
“Nice to meet you, Priest Hess.”
“Can I check the number of magic stones?”
“Of course. Please do so.”
After Priest Hess lowered his head for a moment and stepped back, the branch manager quickly winked at him.
Then, several information guild members disguised as members of the upper ranks naturally left their seats.
Even the guild recognized them for their stealth skills.
There won’t be a single thing to be caught.
The branch manager, who had safely sent the members of the information guild, moved to the side to divert the attention of Priest Hess.
“As promised, these are the finest magic stones. I’d like to sell it at the original price, but the Danju has ordered us to take care of the Seongguk’s convenience if possible, so I think we’ll have to negotiate the price.”
In other words, it means to call someone higher up.
“All right. I will ask the priest and come back.”
Priest Hess disappeared after checking the amount of magic stones.
The branch manager looked around.
“They say that the capital of the Holy Kingdom is beautiful, but you are not wrong.”
capital Selonia.
Although some buildings were completely destroyed due to the disappearance of mana, only the splendor of Selonia Castle remained intact.
If it had been another kingdom, black smoke would have risen from the outside due to the civil war.
After waiting for some time, a priest approached.
“Sorry for making you wait. Since you must have been exhausted from the long journey, I will guide you to the VIP room.”
Hearing that, the branch manager thought.
‘Negotiations will take place tomorrow or so. It would be nice if the information guild members could settle down there.’
Anyway, they can’t go into the introspection.
Even if they were half-man guild members, they were just members, so they had to stay in the outer castle and leave after the negotiations were over.
It doesn’t have to be a secret from the Holy Land.
Even if it was possible to find out the reason for buying magic stones, this stealth could be said to be successful.
‘Until then, I’ll have to draw attention.’
If you go into the VIP room like this, there’s no way you’ll be able to draw attention or anything.
The branch head shook his head at the priest’s recommendation.
“Now that I have come to the Holy Land, I would like to offer my prayers to Goddess Gaia…”
‘Isn’t it okay?’ Looking at it, the priest made a happy expression for a moment.
“It is good faith to lead a tired body and offer prayers. Goddess Gaia will surely be delighted.”
The eyes of the surrounding priests looking at the branch manager also changed from before.
Praying with a tired body is something that cannot be done without a fair amount of faith.
“May the grace of Gaia be with you…”
“May the grace of Gaia be with you…”
The priests gave a light blessing.
Although it was a blessing without divine power, somehow the head of the branch felt heavier than before.
* * *
As the branch manager drew attention with all his might, the information guild members began to act.
Each of them followed the priests and priests and gathered information by hiding everywhere.
Even though it is a huge information guild, it is the first time to sneak into the Holy Land and dig up information, so it is clear that they are nervous.
When we ran into each other, we exchanged opinions lightly with hand gestures or glances, and moved step by step from the outside.
They skillfully approached the workers of the Holy Kingdom.
He speaks with a friendly smile.
“This is the first time I have sold so many magic stones. It is not easy to move.”
“ha ha ha. If a young friend does this much and cries, will it be used? Well, it’s my first time moving a large amount of magic stones.”
It was an instant to become friendly with the workers.
When they made up their mind and melted into their surroundings, they became friends with each other in less than half a day.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he sits down and speaks indirectly.
“What the hell are you buying magic stones for? In the yard where mana disappeared anyway.”
The workers shrugged their shoulders.
“That’s something I don’t know. We just do it when we have work to do.”
“How can we know what our superiors are doing? ha ha ha.”
Seeing him laughing, I really don’t know.
‘There is no harvest in the outer city.’
‘It would be better to move the place.’
I don’t have much time.
Since the outer castle was wrong, I had to find out even if it meant infiltrating the inner surface.
After exchanging autographs, they naturally stood up from their seats.
* * *
“Is this the only high-end magic crystal?”
Inyoung, wearing a golden robe that is said to be worn by no one, sighed while holding a magic crystal.
A priest next to him lowered his head.
“Since the mana disappeared, there is nothing we can do about it.”
“There are rumors that demonic cult bastards got demons.”
“…”
“Isn’t it unfortunate that such rumors started to circulate now that villages are disappearing one after another?”
The priest didn’t give any answer.
“It is a world without mana. In the meantime, only the Demonic Cultists are using demonic energy as if they knew in advance.”
“If you do, that means…”
In-young put her hand on the priest’s shoulder.
“…If coincidences repeat themselves, they say it’s inevitable. At this point, wouldn’t it be nice to say that the Demonic Cult has eliminated the world’s mana? It’s not an ordeal that Gaia doesn’t tell us, maybe…”
At those words, the priest hesitated and lowered his body.
“It is difficult to dare to bear. Please withdraw your words.”
“…I misunderstood.”
In-young rolled up the sleeves of her robe.
Then, the shape of the magic stone was clearly visible.
“Magic cults are probably using the energy of the demon world by offering sacrifices.”
The entrance of the Magician.
Let’s sneak a magic stone over there.
Whoaaah-!
A white light burst out and began to pour mana into the magic stone.
The priest looked at the scene with trembling eyes.
“Isn’t this… Mana…?”
“okay. It can only contain the highest quality magic stones, but the mana is clear.”
One day, a soldier crossed the Devil’s Edge.
He was wearing a high-quality magic crystal as a talisman, but it seems that the chain of the necklace was cut due to the impact of crossing the demonic realm.
But for some reason, the magic stone contained a small amount of mana.
A while ago, the priest who discovered it brought a magic crystal containing mana.
‘Even if it’s not the best, the mana will flow back into the atmosphere…’
So to speak, it’s like a battery.
Magic stones that use up all their mana are destroyed and cannot be used again.
That’s why Seongguk needed to buy a large amount of magic stones.
In-Young grabbed a magic crystal full of mana and wrapped it in luxurious leather.
“With this, I don’t know if I can gain the upper hand in the crusade against the Demonic Church. Perhaps even the Lessian Empire can be subjugated under our authority.”
The priest shook his head.
“That’s not to say. Even though the Seongguk has gained power, they are trying to subjugate other countries with it.”
“I was just giving an example. Do you know why I brought you here?”
At Inyoung’s question, the priest shook his head again.
“In a little while, you too will rise to the position of high priest. Gaia is well aware of your sincere faith.”
“……”
“So, shouldn’t you also live up to Goddess Gaia’s expectations?”
“That means…”
Inyoung handed over the leather wrapped in magic stones to the priest.
“The Crusade against the Demonic Cult, I want you to lead. I heard you used to be a paladin. If you are knowledgeable in battle, you will surely become a better commander than me.”
“That… it can’t be! How can I do the work the Holy Father entrusted to me…”
“Please accept it. I’m going to head for the Devil’s Realm.”
“…remove your thoughts.”
Inyoung forcibly placed the magic crystal in the priest’s hand.
“I have been praying only for the comfort of my friend who is trapped in the Demonic Realm. At first, I wondered why I had been doing so well, not knowing when. I wonder if praying here is really helpful for a close friend. It’s an old nogu, but it’s still a body that can be useful. How can you call him a friend unless you grab a sword and go to help?”
As he said that, the priest could not stop him.
I’m going to move for my friend, but who can stop me?
The priest, who was about to say something, shut his mouth.
“…”
“This may be the last request. It may be burdensome for you young man, but I hope you will listen.”
At his words, the priest lowered his head.
It is a gift that I have been indebted to since childhood.
Parting like this is not what I want, but if I can repay the favor, any form would be good.
The clergyman, who was determined, answered with difficulty.
“…I don’t know if I can do it well, but… I’ll try.”
Only then did a smile form on Inyoung’s lips.
He said with a bright smile.
“I will tell the Holy Father. I believe he will recognize that you are the right person rather than me.”
“What are you going to do now, Master?”
“I must prepare. I’m leaving alone, but I don’t want to die in vain.”
“Are you planning to use magic stones?”
“I guess I will be indebted to the Holy Kingdom until the end. I don’t know if I’ll be able to use mana, but Celia and Lessian’s soldiers will be in it, so if I can pass it on, there won’t be any problem.”
“I’m a little resentful that you leave your work alone.”
“If you want to be resentful, be resentful. It’s not bad to be remembered as a mean old man until the end.”
In-young laughed, “Heh-heh,” and soon turned his back on the demon scene with the priest.
It was less than a month left until Celia’s Demonic World disappeared.
