Chapter 147

Chapter 147 – Mask [1]

‘Brazen newcomer. No, Nox von Reinhaver.’

How on earth did he master the Moonlight Sword?

This is Jagan’s base

The ruins of the gambling and auction house.

Avilat, once a place of fierce battles, has long lost its initial grandeur.

A mountain of dazzling gold coins and chips. The green flag that once symbolized neutrality is now stained a deep red.

This is the result of the water prison Jagan unleashed.

Desolate.

There’s no other word that comes to mind for this bleak battlefield.

A pale mist rises where the bodies of the dead have been abandoned.

Luna clicked her tongue as she witnessed this.

Moonlit night.

A lonely silence and clear moonlight washed away the grim battle that had just taken place, pouring out pure white light.

But her expression remained unpleasant.

Thud.

“....!”

Luna, catching the falling Nox, couldn’t smooth out the frown on her delicate brow.

Why?

While looking at Nox, still weak in her arms, Luna made a self-deprecating face.

‘I almost fail to protect again.’

For her, who cherished her comrades, such things were something she could never get used to.

A sense of helplessness wrapped around her once more.

Why did such painful things keep happening to her? Even if she had long since thrown the idea of whining like a child . .

No matter how much she thought about it, this was too much.

Sure, some people are born under unlucky stars, but this was excessive.

Should she worry about a companion’s death all the time?

Something like this, she wanted to quit it right away.

Even though she leads, and takes charge as the leader of Lunatic, which is a fancy title. Her true goal was entirely personal.

Her birth. Revenge.

And, fulfilling the wish her master couldn’t achieve.

But if it meant losing so many lives . .

Is the path she walks on truly the right one?

It was her who assigned the mission to Nox this time.

She hadn’t anticipated such a big shot would be hiding in Avilat’s gambling house and only learned about it through communication devices when Nox was about to arrive.

[There is one of 72 demons nearby. I need your help, Captain.]

[What?]

It was an absurd story, but the newcomer’s words had a strange persuasiveness.

Hadn’t he shown his capacities in the past battle with Paimon?

She judged it was worth listening to his story.

In fact, his words hit the mark, leaving her speechless.

‘Newcomer even saved Marin... He knew he might die, yet he did it. That’s no easy feat.’

“Cough! Cap...tain...”

“Newcomer!”

Nox, who briefly regained consciousness while coughing up blood, took a deep breath. His sorrowful violet eyes looked at her, shining transparently and radiating a calm light.

She wanted to say something but couldn’t, there was a brief silence. It felt like a long moment.

There was a brief moment of silence where she wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Unexpectedly, it was Nox who broke the silence.

Staring straight at Luna, he spoke.

“... I want... to get stronger. Please take me as your discip...”“

His figure is somewhat awkward

Watching this, Luna couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

[This punk.. trying to fool me]

Nox is in pain right now, but it wasn’t as serious as he’s making it seem. So why was he stubbornly pretending to be so hurt and giving this pitiful look?

The reason was clear.

Her swordsmanship is something handed down only to one disciple.

He was probably trying to take initiative before she could refuse to teach him.

‘Honestly, he’s not lovely at all, same as Marin’

Nox probably was putting on an act while knew everything

Just from seeing how he thought to learn Moonlight sword in a flash of moment, and acquired preliminary requirements like stances, etc in advance too.

Besides, the most surprising thing is . .

‘He’s been hiding his strength.’

The [Moonlight Sword] can only be mastered by warriors who have reached at least advanced level of swordsmanship.

Moreover, it’s only possible after you have unmatched skill in horizontal slashes and the ability to infuse each strike with energy

But all these conditions were already prepared from the start?

‘There is no way’

“You’re already scheming, huh? Truly cheeky.”

Now she understood.

Luna realized that the boy in front of her was merely wearing the mask of a ruffian.

But she didn’t show any displeasure, calmly brushing his blood-matted white hair.

“You wouldn’t, would you?”

“Umm. Hey, Nox...? Zitri seems really angry. She’s smiling but... she’s not smiling..”

Even Talia couldn’t fall for such a lousy act.

That’s right.

At this exact moment, with one eye slightly open, Nox saw a notification about his [Genius of Acting] trait wavering.

Should I get up now?

But if he did, he’d die for sure...

For now, Nox lay on the ground, unbefitting of a noble, facing his comrades for a while.

He finally got up only when Zitri tried to perform CPR by pressing on his chest, but without actually breathing into him.

—————————-

‘Honestly, you really know how to cause trouble, don’t you?’

Eleanor thought that and frowned.

Her arms crossed, glaring at Nox.

For reference, Nox, who had now woken up, was receiving Zitri’s kind treatment (?)

“That’s enough. aren’t other people watching us ?”

Nox said sternly, but Zitri adamantly refused, thoroughly inspecting his body for any injuries.

Although a cloth was draped over him to cover his upper body, Nox was still bewildered.

“You’re really lucky, don’t you, sir? By the way, you’re going to have to explain everything properly, including what you meant by what you said before the demon attacked us.”

“You lowly thing. Is this how you treat a patient?”

Nox snapped back, but Paracelsus ignored him.

Leon chuckled softly and replied.

“Still, Mr. Paracelsus did shout at the top of his lungs trying to find you, Mr. Nox. He really did his best. I was surprised. Mr. Paracelsus who seemed like someone who only cares about himself, to save someone ...”

“Shut up! If you’re going to compliment me, just do it, why add all that extra stuff ?!”

“Hmm? Ah, sorry if I made a mistake.”

When Paracelsus growled, Leon scratched his head and closed his mouth.

Anyway, the situation is more or less settled.

Eleanor decided to review a few issues.

“As you requested, all the slaves have been sent to the carriages heading to the academy. Once their identities are confirmed, they’ll either be reunited with their families in their home regions or, as you mentioned, they’ll move and start new lives in Chaders”

Nox had already informed Eleanor regarding slaves.

‘As expected, she’s quick with her work. Even if her personality is awful, I have to keep her on my side.’

Nox rudely thought, standing up.

Now that Zitri’s thorough care was finished.

“Sigh... Young Master, can’t you be a little less reckless with your body?”

Zitri asked with a concerned look, but Nox didn’t reply.

As silence filled the air, even Talia sighed as she looked at Nox.

“Zitri, Cheer up! I know it’s tough”

“Thank you...”

Since the two of them experienced the same problems, they have enough room to share this.

After letting out a deep sigh, Nox glanced around.

Soon, this place would be swarmed with professors from Eldain.

Since the incident happened here, Nox planned to sync stories with his comrades and report that a mysterious woman, in other words, Luna, had handled the situation.

Of course, he had an intention to not say his own involvement.

‘If things get too complicated, Dean Noah will start getting more suspicious. I might actually get killed...’

But before thinking about that.

And before explaining things to his comrades, there was something else Nox had to do first.

Thud

Nox got up, and when he was staggering he walked, Talia and Zitri asked with suspicious gazes

“Nox? Where are you going?”

“Young Master? You should rest a bit more before you start moving...”

“No, I have to do this now.”

But, Nox said firmly.

Paracelsus and Leon exchanged glances, gulping.

“Hey, sir, what’s the matter? If it’s serious, I can help...”

“I’ll help too.”

The only one who still didn’t look pleased was Eleanor, It was because she already knew why Nox was moving.

“You all should move quickly too. If not now, there is no other chance.”

“What chance... oh”

Leon hummed as if he realized. Nox quickly added.

“I will have 80% of what’s here. Since I took down the demon, there shouldn’t be any objections, right?”

That’s right.

Nox was after the gold coins scattered around the wrecked casino!

Eleanor sighed.

“I had a feeling. He did say he’d repay the 200 million in a day...”

Nox had a plan.

A perfect plan to multiply his assets several times over,

while also extending his lifespan.

‘Huu... How much is this all worth?’

Jackpot.

With that thought, Nox opened his spatial inventory.

His comrades behind him could only watch in disbelief.