Chapter 142 (1/2)

Chapter 142. Choice of Destiny (2)

“It's a place I should never go?”

Seol Jihu raised his voice subconsciously.

[After the previous emperor was executed, the emperor that succeeded him declared it a forbidden place.]

'Forbidden….'

It wasn't a strange concept. No matter the era, it wasn't uncommon for the ruling party to designate some places as forbidden grounds.

It was just that this Sacrificium place had been designated as a place one couldn't visit easily by an emperor of the Empire, a nation which was said to have reached the apex of magic engineering. The weight of the ban was far heavier than normal.

“Why did he designate it as a forbidden place?”

[Uuuuun~]

Flone groaned, seemingly having trouble recalling something that happened such a long time ago.

[I think it's because people kept dying even after the death of the previous emperor.]

'After the death of the previous emperor?'

Seol Jihu tilted his head.

“Was he raising a monster in his villa or something?”

[I don't know.]

The smoke shook side to side.

[Many people wondered what the exact reason was, but no one could figure it out. The only thing everyone knew was that the only person to survive after going into that villa was that greedy emperor himself. Both during his lifetime and after.]

“Do you think you could explain this in greater detail?”

At that moment, a small cough rang out, causing Seol Jihu to jump in surprise. Jang Maldong was staring at him with narrowed eyes.

“Are you calling someone?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

“You can talk normally. You don't have to whisper.”

“Thank you.”

Jang Maldong closed his eyes again after giving Seol Jihu a fixed stare.

Seol Jihu had many questions he wanted to ask Flone…

But because it felt like Jang Maldong noticed something, he couldn't open his mouth easily.

When Seol Jihu returned to Haramark, he saw that Kim Hannah was calling him. He immediately placed his hand on the round crystal, and they were connected in less than 10 seconds.

The reason she had called was to notify him that she had found the Heaven-Slaughtering Star and the white headband girl.

The brother and sister duo were last seen in Eva. But seeing as how they disappeared after going into the temple, she said they had likely gone back to Earth and that she would notify him when they returned. It was at this moment that she realized Seol Jihu wasn't really listening and furrowed her brows.

—What's up with that att.i.tude? You're the one who asked me for help.

“Oh yeah, thanks.”

—Do I have to fish for compliments? What's wrong? Is something worrying you?

'Should I say it?' Seol Jihu hesitated. Although he wanted to confide in someone, Bok Jungsik had asked not to let the Yi siblings know about the transfer, and had even asked for a non-disclosure request.

But because Seol Jihu wanted to obtain information, he asked in a roundabout way so as to keep the secret.

However, Kim Hannah wasn't someone to be looked down on.

—Archer? You mean, Yi Seol-Ah?

She instantly realized what he was worried about when he said, 'Master visited White Rose because they had a talented Archer.'

“No?”

—Don't lie. Ordinary Archers won't catch Master Jang's eye. Since you said White Rose… it either has to be their top Archer or a rising star.

“Well, he actually went to see their top Archer.”

—Oh yeah? What was that Archer's name?

“Uh, what was it again?”

—Funny. You're saying that without even batting an eye? Hey, don't lie to me. That top Archer I just mentioned? He recently ended his contract with White Rose and left.

When Seol Jihu fell silent, Kim Hannah laughed as if his attempt to trick her was cute.

—Who are you trying to fool? Wet your mouth a little before you try.

Seol Jihu looked dumbstruck. Kim Hannah cackled, then rested her chin on her interlocked fingers.

—Anyways, I'll keep it a secret, so just say it.

—Or don't, if you don't want to. You think I won't find out just because you stay silent?

In the end, Seol Jihu revealed everything that happened until now.

By the time the explanation came to an end, Kim Hannah's eyes had narrowed to a slit.

—He~eh. A collaboration for an expedition in exchange for a transfer….

Her eyes rolled.

—That's intriguing, for sure. The conditions are too good.

“You think so too, right? Maybe they're targeting me.”

Kim Hannah looked at Seol Jihu strangely before going 'Ah.'

—Right, Master Jang is there.

“…You really don't think I might have figured this out?”

—As if.

Seol Jihu smiled bitterly.

—Anyways, expedition… expedition…

Kim Hannah tapped on her desk. It wasn't as if she knew everything there was to know about Paradise, and it certainly wasn't a strange thing for Earthlings to go on an expedition.

But Kim Hannah showed suspicious movements like tilting her head or twisting up the corners of her mouth.

—It smells…

“Smell?”

—It smells fishy.

Kim Hannah revealed a furtive smile.

—I can practically smell the rotting odor of s.h.i.+t.

Seol Jihu couldn't help but think about how Kim Hannah compared things to p.o.o.p whenever something happened.

—Given what I know about that old man Bok Jungsik, there's no way he would proceed with something so reckless…. Aha!

Tak. She smacked the desk before staring at Seol Jihu.

—Hey.

—You haven't gone ahead and accepted the offer, have you?

“Why would I? I refused, obviously.”

—Good. I'll be clear just in case. Don't interfere in this matter. Don't get yourself involved and don't be related to it in any way. Got it?

“I told you, I refused.”

—We'll see about that.

Kim Hannah snorted.

It wasn't until a few days later that Seol Jihu found out what she meant.

“Welcome. It's pretty hot today, isn't it?”

“It's been a while, Princess.”

“Yes, come in.”

Teresa came out to greet Seol Jihu and personally led him to the reception room.

Teresa wasn't in her usual military uniform and was wearing an ap.r.o.n instead. Because of it, she exuded a cozy and graceful atmosphere rather than a lively and energetic one.

“I heard that you became Carpe Diem's new leader.”

“Ah, yes.”

“You must not have been taught all the duties and responsibilities that come with that position. It's hard, isn't it?”

“It is a bit unsettling, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.”

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Would you like to wash up and rest? Or maybe you'd like to eat something first?”

Saying this, Teresa suddenly blocked her mouth with her hand and dropped her head. Seeing how her withdrawn shoulders were trembling slightly, she seemed to be making considerable effort to rein in her laughter.

'What's wrong with her?'

“No, I already took a shower this morning. I also—”

“I see, then why don't you eat first?”

Teresa spoke gently as she personally took Seol Jihu's jacket off.

“Ah, I'll hold onto it.”