Chapter 16

Chapter 16

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[Translator Jjescus]

[Proofreader Zain]

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With a business smile that never seemed to get familiar no matter how many times you saw it, Belbir greeted the next customer, disappearing. Judging by the impression of the next customer, it was probably a fairly influential noble. Besides the Heavenly carriage Devourer rode, there were two more Heavenly carriages circling the skies of Reage, indicating that it was a popular means of tourism for wealthy nobles.

The landing spot for the Heavenly carriage was Survey Rose.

Another name for it was the Street of Gold and Pleasure. Externally, it seemed well-known, but in reality, it served as a hub for fulfilling the peculiar hobbies of nobles after sunset, involving numerous deformed slaves and large sums of money.

Its called the Night Street.'

Devourer had no knowledge about it, but according to Belbir, at least that was the case.

Beyond one fortress wall was the Imperial Palace of the Empire, and since the street was considered a habitat for the so-called humans, even in the overflowing crowd, there was a restrained and organized atmosphere. Even with a sufficient number of people to fill a market, no one raised their voices. No one disrupted the street with noise, even with the performance of a street musician. However, not everyone in Survey Rose was naturally refined.

In short, the modest atmosphere kept the mouths of those who would disturb the peace sealed shut.

Devourer and Melje were no exception to having their voices stifled. Caught up in the atmosphere, they repeated their questions without raising their voices.

So is it true that the Teleportation Hub cannot be used?

Yes, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Of course, there was no expression of apology to be found. After using the expression of apology hundreds of times a day, the feeling of remorse might have disappeared. The gatekeeper bowed his head while uttering the scripted lines.

A black robe extending down to the knees. The alchemical symbols on the necklace and the outer eye pattern, along with four intersecting lines, indicated that he was a member of the Alchemist Association.

Behind him, something that looked like the teleportation hub, as Melje described ita large bio-experimentation tube.

Whether it was the metal alloy plate beneath it or the unprocessed mana solution contained in the giant crystal connected to the hub, anyone could guess that it was a teleportation hub.

However, at the moment, no light emanated from the crystal. Typically, mana circulating for use emits its own light. The fact that mana wasnt glowing meant that it wasnt even ready for use.

In that situation, the hub was in a powered-down state. The gatekeepers statement that it was unusable was not a lie.

I didnt expect this Sir Devde, its embarrassing.

Melje, who was at a loss, tightly gripped Devourers sleeve with a disheartened voice. It must have been confusing for Melje, even from the perspective of someone who confidently claimed that everything would be solved just by going to the hub.

Ha

Sorry as Melje might be, Devourer couldnt bring himself to say its okay.

Because it wasnt okay.

Everything went dark. Initially, the thought was to kill the gatekeeper and take the hub. However, upon further consideration, it wasnt a great solution. Without knowing how to restart the hub and, more importantly, with no guarantee that the gatekeeper in front of them was the only one managing the hub, killing the gatekeeper could lead to another administrator who witnessed the act rendering the hub unusable.

Then, should I ask Melje for a mind control spell?

As Devourer entertained that thought, the gatekeeper cautiously spoke. Perhaps confused by Meljes use of the honorific Sir Devde in addressing Devourer, the gatekeeper, who had been struggling to grasp the situation, ultimately directed his question to Devourer.

It seems like you urgently need to use the Teleportation Hub. Are you in a hurry?

I need to get to Hastin so, yes.

If its not a situation where youre in a dispute, how about coming back around 8 p.m. tonight?

At 8 p.m.? Will the hub be operational again at 8 p.m.?

The auction is scheduled to end at 6 p.m., and the dinner after the auction is expected to finish before 8 p.m. VIPs skipping the post-auction reception will use the hub temporarily, so permission for hub use will likely be granted by the higher-ups at that time.

I havent received any instructions yet, the gatekeeper added cautiously, scratching his side. The Uroboros-shaped ring on his index finger reflected the sunlight, shining yellow.

I wonder if the instructions he mentioned are transmitted through that ring.

Auction?

Didnt I mention it? The reason the hub usage was suspended today is because of the upcoming auction. Some quite rare items are being auctioned this time.

If its an auction, why block the hub? How significant can these important items be?

The item coming up this time is one of the legendary 36 Masterpieces. The long-lost Brachycephalic Tooth suddenly came up for auction a few days ago. Blocking the hub is, of course, to prevent accidents in advance.

36 Masterpieces.

Ah, this. Its famous among humans. Boss, youve probably heard of it, but the 36 Masterpieces Theyre quite famous weapons.

No, no, no. Am I playing around right now?

[This item up for auction this time is the legendary 34th Masterpiece. The Brachycephalic Tooth, which has been elusive for a long time, suddenly came up for auction a few days ago.]

[36 Masterpieces.]

[For a long time, its whereabouts were mysterious]

[Suddenly a few days ago]

There might be a possibility.

Too many thoughts were swirling in his mind, and it felt like his thoughts were about to explode. Melje noticed first that Devourers expression was crumpled, and she observed him cautiously.

Maybe he was too complacent.

As Patrick said, if you grovel and kiss someones shoes, things will somehow work out, right?

The words he uttered in the early morning came to mind. Yes, in truth, he had been treating it somewhat lightly. Despite saying that every minute and second mattered, his actions were leisurely. To act like that, he had his own corners of belief. He had confidence.

Because Renee was strong.

Renee was really strong. So, Renee could rule, but she would never submit.

Moreover, he had never even thought about what it would be like for Renee, who had left the core, to die. He hadnt considered it in the slightest. It was audacious even to imagine such a thing.

Renee is dead?

Renee, who couldnt be easily touched even by the bosses of the Great Evil Dungeons. It was ridiculous to sit there and say, Its not for nothing shes known as The Blade Maid.

In the first place, this story had only two possible endings: Apologize to Renee and return to a peaceful daily life and Unavoidably let go of Renee, whose heart already has been broken. He firmly believed in such a story.

But now.

Why was Renees weapon in the hands of humans?

He recalled Renees figure when she last left.

The pockets on her baggy clothes were very small. Moreover, she threw a dagger at me, mistaking me for an enemy, and yes, she didnt have a waistband either. Then, how many weapons did Renee have when she ran out?

Has Renee ever fought humans with fewer than five weapons?

What remains when the Blade is removed from Blade Maid?

Patrick was strong even without a sword. With a sword, hed be even stronger. But Renee was different. Renee had to have a blade to be strong. Renee without a Blade.

Renee.

Renee

To humans.

To humans?

To the likes of humans?

He couldnt breathe.

Sir Devde? Sir Devde! Snap out of it! Sir Devde!

In reality, it was as if the cry of Melje reached him from a very close yet far distance. Devourer, with a blank expression, looked at Melje. He took a few steps forward. With a worried expression, Melje followed his steps.

It was only when the distance was so far that the gatekeeper couldnt hear that Devourer slowly opened his mouth.

Melje.

What happened, Sir Devde! Do you realize how suddenly your behavior changed? Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?

Me.

There was no need to ponder any longer.

Im going to retrieve the Brachycephalic Tooth.

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[Translator Jjescus]

[Proofreader Zain]

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