Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“It looks like you want to spend some private time with me.”

“Haha, you sound coy, Leader.”

“I have no talent for noble speech.”

The look in his eyes as he looked at Cadel, who answered in a grumpy manner, was mysterious. Lumen closed his mouth for a moment and stared ahead, and said with a relaxed smile as usual.

“Lytos is a famous family of the Empire. Didn't they teach you how to talk?”

“......I don't remember telling you my full name.”

“I've been following in Leader's footsteps for two days while thinking about the answer. I came across it by accidence.”

Was it unpleasant? Lumen asked, but Cadel shook his head without much response.

It wasn't particularly unpleasant. Cadel could even look at the past circumstances according to the knight's ability level and favorability. He couldn't be angry because Lumen found out who he really was.

However, he was a little worried.

Lumen was a person full of aristocratic pride. If he knew that Cadel was the illegitimate son of a fallen magic family, there was a possibility that he would ignore him implicitly. That would make it even more difficult to recruit or control Lumen.

He was walking silently, thinking about that, but Lumen cautiously continued.

“Now that I know who you are, I understand.”

“......Understand what?”

“The magic that Leader showed that day. The judgment that saved my life. And ambition....... If it's the Lytos bloodline, it's understandable.”

“That's a high evaluation. I’m only half-blooded.”

Cadel deliberately checked the Lumen. It would only be a matter of time before it became known that he was an illegitimate child. Now, the priority was to see his reaction.

However, Lumen accepted Cadel's words more easily than expected.

“Pureblood or not, it doesn't matter. It wasn't half as good as the ability I saw.”

There was no hint of ridicule in his reply. What would the reaction be if Lumen found out that the magic that defeated the witch was actually a puffed-up trick? Cadel thought it was silly, but he was glad anyway. It was definitely a positive part that Lumen was acknowledging him even a little bit.

Cadel was secretly relieved and put on a calm expression. If he continued the story of his family any further, the bottom line would be revealed. Let's cut it off in moderation.

“I'm sorry, but that's an overestimate. I'm not strong enough to bear the family name yet. In that sense, tell me some places in Drakium that magicians would like.”

“I can't get the context of the question.”

“You're loud, and if you want to stick around, just answer me.”

Perhaps finding something interesting in the harsh answer, Lumen, who laughed out loud, moved gently to block Cadel's front. Then, he grabbed Cadel's shoulder, who looked up at him, and turned his body around.

“What are you doing?”

“I don't know places that magicians like, but I do know places that attract a lot of people. It's this way.”

Cadel, unable to withstand the power of pushing from behind, began to follow Lumen's will in a daze. A ticklish laugh came along as he walked helplessly.

The place where Lumen took him was in front of the ‘Jewel Fountain’ in the center of Drakium Square. As the name suggests, the Jewel Fountain, which was over the size of a ship in comparison with a regular fountain, was studded with colorful jewels, and the stream of water soaring along the calm light also shimmered beautifully.

There were a lot of people near the fountain. It was to the point where he felt as if everyone in the square had rushed in. It was suffocating. Cadel tried his best not to be swept away by the crowd, and Lumen blocked them from behind.

That bored look, the dry expression that seemed like even if a little kid with candy in his mouth was acting cute at him, he would only ignore, those hazy eyes that captured all the indifference of the world!

He must have been Mamil Kifa. He was the ‘item exchanger’ that Cadel was looking for.

Excited by the unexpected fortune, Cadel twisted. He was anxious to establish a relationship with Mamil in any way before the day was over. Wouldn't it be possible to guess the place of his future appearances if at least a statement was made with him?

Meanwhile, Lumen, completely unaware of his plans, was taken aback by Cadel's reaction. The temporary leader was twisting in his own arms.

“What is it?”

“I'm going to that magician.”

“Was he really a magician? No, the concert isn't over yet. It's better to stay calm until you're out―”

“Lumen.”

Cadel, who cut off his words like a knife, glowed calmly in his eyes. Then, he stretched out his index finger and gently pressed Lumen's hard chest.

“I don't tell you to protect me. But if you have the status of a temporary member, shouldn't you show your sincerity to help me?”

“......Anyone who hears it will know it's going to be a great fight.”

“The situation is more urgent than in battle.”

Lumen couldn't hold him back when he said this. Eventually, Lumen helped Cadel advance toward the target.

Mamil Kifa.

The significance of his existence felt by the players was only as an item exchanger to help users grow, but in fact, Mamil's position in the game was closer to ‘the protagonist’s teacher’. By meeting him, you can improve your magic achievement and learn various theories. Except for the early troubles caused by Mamil's eccentric personality, the protagonist looked up to him quite a bit.

“Leader, can you feel these gazes?”

Lumen said with his arm on Cadel's shoulder.

In order to reach Marmil's side, the two ignorantly advanced through the wall of crowds. Those who were pushed back by Lumen's strong grip were busy staring at them, leaving behind the peaceful performance. There were even nobles who came with knights, so a real sword fight almost happened. If it weren't for Lumen's flexible response ー and the definite result of beauty trap ー there would have been a big commotion.

Regardless, Cadel was busy thinking, shaking off Lumen's arm on his shoulder.

‘Mamil is a thoroughly introverted person. He can't stand having people around him, and he’s greedy for his own growth. I have to aim for that.’

Playing a game is different from living in the world of a game. It was a fact that he had been terribly aware of. He had to mobilize all the knowledge he had, and only then could he barely gain the upper hand as a possessor.

‘If I miss him now, I don't know when and where we can meet again. One opportunity. As always, you only get one chance.’

Cadel, who was determined, stood next to Mamil, who was expressionless enough to shudder. But the moment he rubbed his damp palms on his pants, choosing the right words, Mamil, who had been looking only at the band as if he couldn't see anything around him, suddenly opened his mouth.

“You know what? I almost tripped on my untied shoelace this morning.”

......Was he talking to himself?

However, it was something that no one knew about, and if not, there were no people around him who could listen to him. When Cadel hesitated, feeling puzzled, Mamil spoke again.

“The stew I had for lunch was hotter than usual and burned my tongue. I cut my finger while turning over the papers, and while trying to treat the wound, I overturned a glass on the table and soaked my pants. On my way back to the inn to change my clothes, I was teased as a bedwetter by a rude kid, and when I tried to scold him, I got into a fight with a guy who claimed to be his brother. But he turned out to be an ordinary pickpocket. All the money I was going to spend on food was taken away.”

“.......”

“Yeah, it was a terrible day. Young man, can you guess what the highlight of this damn day is?”

Mamil's head, which had been looking at the front like a wooden stone, slowly turned. He was staring straight at Cadel, who was standing next to him. And the moment he faced the silent whirlpool in Mamil’s eyes, Cadel could predict what Marmil would say.

“That's you, young magician friend.”