Editors: Ana_Banana, Sei
After a while, Nekdu, who seemed to have finally awoken from her thoughts, turned to Lukas and asked.
“Do you intend to go to Dragon God Island?”
When he nodded his head without denying, she then turned to look at Min Ha-rin who was quietly standing to the side before speaking in a soft tone.
“There’s something I want to tell you. Is that alright?”
She wanted to talk to him alone.
Lukas glanced at Min Ha-rin, who was standing beside him. Realising what he meant, Min Ha-rin nodded without any complaints.
“I’ll wait outside.”
Even after Min Ha-rin left the room, Nekdu hesitated.
She appeared a bit conflicted. It was only after twirling her hair around her finger for a while that she finally opened her mouth.
“What exactly are you going there for?”
Now that he thought about it, Lukas realised he’d never told Nekdu just what his goal was.
The same was true even when he’d asked her about the Dragon God Statue. He’d only said that it might be something he was looking for.
“The four most special statues in this world.”
Although he said it, Lukas didn’t have any expectations.
Of all the people that he’d met so far, none of them had any reaction when he mentioned the term.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard that term…”
Nekdu responded as he expected.
But the words that she spoke next were surprising.
“It’s the number four that bothers me the most.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“…”
Nekdu seemed to think seriously about something, but in the end, she could only shake her head.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can tell you more than that.”
“Because it’s related to Dragon God Island?”
“No. It’s much larger and more complicated than that.”
“…”
“…I know it’s a bit sudden and inappropriate to say it now, but can I ask you a favor?”
The timing was definitely not appropriate.
After all, Nekdu had just avoided answering Lukas’ question.
“Of course, it’s up to you whether you agree to it or not.”
Although she added that, there was a hint of desperation in Nekdu’s voice.
Lukas simply nodded without changing his expression.
When she saw this, Nekdu spoke with a much brighter expression.
“The most peculiar statue on Dragon God Island. Perhaps it is the statue that you’re looking for, but even if it isn’t, I’d like you to check if it’s safe.”
“…the most peculiar statue?”
Lukas couldn’t help but frown at her puzzling words.
“What is the name of the statue?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Then what does it look like?”
“I can’t tell you that either.”
“…”
When Lukas turned to look at her, Nekdu grimaced and said.
“I know I’m saying a lot of nonsense. That’s why I’ll leave it up to you whether you do me the favor or not…”
* * *
After that part of their conversation, Nekdu finally promised to make the best weapons and armor she could. She seemed guilty for not being able to answer so many of Lukas’ questions.
Seeing that she even swore on her pride as a craftsman, he couldn’t help but wonder how amazing those items would be.
Nevertheless, Lukas wouldn’t be able to see the finished products for a while. Because he intended to head to Death Island as soon as possible.
Lukas walked up to Min Ha-rin, who had been waiting outside, and spoke.
“The armor will be sent to Herui as soon as it’s completed, so I don’t think there’s a need for you to come back here.”
“Ah. Yeah. Thank you for your concern.”
The sky was still bright, but it was already past 4 in the afternoon. Min Ha-rin was scheduled to head directly to Herui by Sky Carriage that very evening. In other words, it meant that she had to prepare to leave in about 2 to 3 hours.
Lukas had wanted to use the Warp spell, but he couldn’t. The Heavenly Realm was an ultra-large continent that floated about the ocean, but it wasn’t just floating. Instead, it was constantly moving at a slow speed.
And in order to properly use the Warp spell, he would have to know the exact coordinates of the destination. This made it difficult because the coordinates of the floating islands were changing constantly.
Of course, given enough time, it was possible to derive the answer by calculating the exact value of the change between coordinates, but in order to do that, it would be necessary to first calculate the rotation of the planet.
Even for Lukas, it was a task that would take too much time.
This wouldn’t be a problem if he were to use Space-Time Movement, but unfortunately, that wasn’t a power that could be used by a mortal.
And even if he could use it, Min Ha-rin’s fragile body would never be able to withstand it.
“It’s fine. I’m just sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you, Master.”
“Don’t think like that.”
Lukas looked around before pointing towards a nearby restaurant and saying.
“Since we have a little more time left, would you like to have a meal together?”
“Yeah.”
Min Ha-rin smiled and nodded.
Now that she thought about it, she didn’t think there had ever been a time when she’d been able to leisurely sit and enjoy a meal alone with Lukas.
It wasn’t evening yet, so there weren’t many customers in the restaurant.
Thankfully, this also meant that the food was served quickly.
Their meal consisted of crispy bacon, grilled sausages, and salad with dressing along with mugs of stout(1).
Min Ha-rin’s palate seemed to have changed after living in the Heavenly Realm for a long time, so without hesitation, she comfortably ate the meat and drank the cold stout without caring about the calories.
She pretended to take polite bites and sips since she was in front of her Master, but Lukas couldn’t help but feel that she might have become a heavy drinker.
Lukas almost only sipped the beer and touched the salad from time to time.
After their meal, they ordered a plate of beef jerky and two more mugs of beer before having a nice conversation about relatively trivial things.
Soon enough, Min Ha-rin’s expression became exuberant.
She was probably drunk, as there was a subtle flush on her face, and she spoke in an excited voice.
“Then, in this Championship, I might be able to fight Master.”
“It’s possible. Perhaps we’ll meet each other in the finals.”
“I won’t lose so easily this time.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. It’s possible that both of us will get knocked out in the first round.”
Although he said this in a mischievous voice, Lukas didn’t actually rule out the possibility of that happening.
At the present time, Kran was probably stronger than him, and the Champions of the other arenas were no slouches either.
It was always good to prepare for any unexpected situation.
Nevertheless, Min Ha-rin tilted her head to the side as if she couldn’t imagine Lukas losing to anyone.
“Ha-rin.”
“Yes.”
Lukas’ voice became a bit serious.
“I always think of the worst outcome.”
“…yes.”
Min Ha-rin’s expression also became a bit serious and she slowly nodded her head to show that she understood.
“There is an Absolute on Death Island. Since Arid said it himself, then the odds are at least 9 out of 10. It won’t be easy to protect Sedi from that Absolute.”
Now that Min Ha-rin also had an idea of how ridiculous an existence Absolutes were, she listened to Lukas with a solemn expression.
“There is little more than a month before the Championship begins. In all honesty, time is a bit tight. That means that we have to consider the possibility that I wouldn’t be able to make it back in time for the Championship.”
“…”
“If that happens, then I’ll leave it to you to become the Grand Champion.”
“…Rather than me, doesn’t Lee Jong-hak… have a better chance?”
She didn’t doubt her Master’s words, but she couldn’t help but ask.
Min Ha-rin had also heard a lot about Lee Jong-hak, no.
Li Hao.
Unlike her, who reigned as the Champion in a small town, Li Hao was a major sensation in the Babylon Arena, and many people had high expectations of him.
“That’s only the case for right now.”
“…”
This was something he’d told her before, but he didn’t want her to think that he was simply affirming that. After all, he wasn’t trying to comfort her.
Lukas added.
“If you look at pure potential, you are far superior. Of course, luck will also be a factor. After all, if you happen to meet Kran as your first opponent, you would be eliminated before you’re even given the chance to grow.”
“A, ahaha.”
In simpler terms, she would be crushed.
…No.
Was it possible for her to defeat Kran even if she had the time to grow? She couldn’t even imagine defeating Lee Jong-hak, who was much weaker than him.
After thinking that, Min Ha-rin couldn’t help but speak in a low voice.
“…that might be difficult for the current me.”
“Hmm, I think you were better when we first met. You were filled with so much confidence back then.”
“…”
Of course, it was none other than Lukas who had trampled that rising confidence until it became impossible to find.
Lukas laughed and poured some of the stouts into his mouth.
“As I said, that’s only the worst-case scenario. I will do my best to return to Lirua no matter what.”
“Yes. I’ll wait for you.”
“Right… The sun is beginning to set.”
He turned to look at the sky. Min Ha-rin also turned her head to follow his gaze.
The sky was slowly being painted with the colors of sunset.
It was time to part ways
(Note:
1. Also known as black beer or dark beer, depending on your region. Personally, Guinness is the only stout I can stomach. Milk stouts are a special blend of evil for those with special taste buds.)