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As Balkan continued his tedious speech with a stern and solemn expression, I was reminded of my past life.

From my days as a lowly member of the expedition team, I had witnessed the true nature of humanity.

Although only the genuine ones remained in the end, it wasn’t always that way.

When you’re constantly surrounded by the smell of blood, people’s true colors inevitably emerge.

“Even within the eastern continent, the Quebek region, apart from our Urgon Clan, lacks any clans worthy of recognition on the continental stage. Don’t take this the wrong way. Acknowledging reality is the first step towards progress.”

I had seen an old mage, hailed as a sage outside, throw a tantrum because he missed the scent of a woman. I had also been brutally beaten by a serious man, praised as a great knight, in secret.

Apparently, he was annoyed that my stream was longer than his when we were peeing side-by-side. It was a trivial reason, to say the least.

“I’ve pondered over this. Why is it so? The conclusion I reached was the lack of exchange between clans. While clans in other regions continuously interact, growing stronger and developing together, such exchanges have been absent in our Quebek region. It’s Urgon’s responsibility. I deeply regret this.”

The point was, you shouldn’t judge a man solely by his stern, solemn, and serious appearance.

There’s no such thing as an evil-looking person being kind.

But there are plenty of kind-looking people who are evil.

That’s how the world works.

Someone harboring ill intentions will always try to sweet-talk their way out of it. In my view, Balkan was one of those people.

“From now on, I hope there will be more exchanges between us. Urgon will take the lead. We will facilitate exchanges and sparring sessions between our Magic Divisions and share our know-how. We will also provide as much assistance as possible in other areas. I, Balkan, sincerely wish for all the clans in our Quebek region to grow stronger. And that, in turn, will make Urgon stronger.”

“…”

“Of course, it won’t be easy at first. But starting with this banquet, we will progress. In the future, I hope we can all make a name for ourselves not only in Quebek but throughout the continent.”

Cheers erupted.

“A-Are you serious, Clan Head Balkan?”

“Woooah!”

The weak believe what they want to believe.

There were several points in his speech that could raise questions, but no one seemed to notice. Everyone was too caught up in the excitement.

Balkan’s words essentially meant that the clans gathered here had been “chosen” by Urgon.

Finally, Balkan clenched his fist with a serious expression.

The crowd followed suit, raising their fists in unison.

‘Things are heating up.’

I had wondered where the External Affairs Manager learned his eloquence, but it seemed Balkan himself had taught him.

It was a persuasive speech, with the perfect blend of sternness, solemnity, and seriousness.

But I wasn’t fooled.

Beyond the rhetoric, nothing had actually changed.

The reason why Urgon attacked Samael remained unresolved.

It made no sense for them to suddenly want to exchange with Samael now. It was more likely that they had some ulterior motive.

This wasn’t a baseless assumption. They were the same people who had taken over the Hamad Merchant Group and even brought in Bayern.

Meanwhile, Balkan suddenly raised a finger and smiled.

“There’s someone I’d like to introduce to you all. We’ve invited a special guest to make this a meaningful gathering.”

I was curious to see who it was that he was building up so much anticipation for.

As Balkan politely stepped aside from the center, confused gazes gathered.

For someone of Balkan’s stature to show such deference, there must be something special about this guest.

Footsteps—

The moment I heard the faint footsteps, I couldn’t help but tense up and look towards the platform.

‘Strong.’

I naturally sensed an aura emanating from beyond the platform.

After a few more footsteps, a middle-aged man with white hair appeared on the stage.

Blue robes.

A robe that trailed to the floor.

Long white hair tied back and a monocle.

Overall, he gave the impression of a meticulous scholar.

Silence fell among the people who couldn’t recognize the middle-aged man. Walter, the most knowledgeable among them, was the first to recognize him and muttered in surprise.

“The Blue Magic Tower?”

Walter’s gaze briefly shifted from the man to his monocle.

“…Could it be, Elder Parin?”

* * *

The First Elder of the Blue Magic Tower.

Third in the hierarchy of the Blue Magic Tower.

There were many titles used to describe Elder Parin, but the most common one was this:

Blue Flame.

He was known for his meticulous nature, often called the epitome of a mage. Like the magic scholars of the White Magic Tower, he spent a lot of time studying magic.

However, the nickname “Blue Flame” came from his reputation for being fearsome when truly angered.

He was also a War Mage who had reached the 6-star level a long time ago.

If Clan Head Balkan’s prestige came from his position as the head of a clan…

Elder Parin’s fame stemmed from his personal accomplishments.

In fact, the simplified water attribute Beast Soul Transformation he developed had a significant impact on the magic world.

Parin’s reputation was known throughout the continent.

And as such, the chances of encountering him in person were extremely rare.

I sat on a plush chair outside the banquet hall, enjoying a moment of quiet tranquility.

The night sky was dim. The hall was still bustling inside, but I had no intention of going back in.

While chewing on some dried meat, I looked around and suddenly remembered the middle-aged man I had seen earlier.

“His nickname is Blue Flame?”

Blair, sitting across from me, replied,

“That’s right. I never thought I’d see Elder Parin here. I heard he rarely leaves the Blue Magic Tower.”

“That’s quite an arrogant nickname. Blue Flame, huh.”

“He’s a renowned figure. He’s also the hardest Elder to see in the Blue Magic Tower.”

“How do you know that? Are you a spy for the Blue Magic Tower?”

Blair, now used to my personality, replied casually,

“It’s common knowledge. There are countless instances where he enters seclusion for months. It’s a famous anecdote that Elder Parin didn’t step outside the Blue Magic Tower for two years when he was reaching the 6-star level.”

Judging by how he only briefly showed his face and then disappeared earlier, he didn’t seem to enjoy such gatherings.

I suddenly remembered Kant explaining the relationship between Urgon and the Blue Magic Tower.

“I guess the Blue Magic Tower has received a lot of benefits from Urgon. To think they’d even send someone to an event like this.”

Blair pondered for a moment and then said,

“Technically, it’s appropriate to send an Elder. It would be strange for the Tower Master or the Vice-Tower Master to come. Still, it’s definitely surprising that Elder Parin came. Unless there’s a reason why the other Elders couldn’t leave.”

“Oh.”

I was once again impressed by Blair’s political acumen. Individuals capable of making political judgments were rare in Samael.

“Did Libre also learn magic at the Blue Magic Tower?”

“Probably. It’s common for magic clans to send their children there for training.”

“Is he a direct disciple of the Blue Magic Tower? Did he learn all those secret techniques or whatever they’re called?”

Taylor, understanding the intent behind my questions,

“I’m not sure about that.”

“Does Elder Parin even have any disciples?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you think?”

“He’s known for being very strict, so he probably doesn’t have any direct disciples yet. I heard even people in the Blue Magic Tower are afraid of him.”

I nodded.

“It seems Clan Head Balkan has a plan. He probably wants Libre to make a good impression. Interesting.”

It looked like Balkan was trying to catch a lot of fish at this banquet.

“By the way, why didn’t Celestine come?”

“Celestine?”

Taylor, who had been lost in thought, finally responded.

“Are you talking about the woman we saw at Kris Beer?”

“Yes.”

“So you felt something strange about her too, Ruin. What’s her identity? Any guesses?”

It seemed like none of them knew who she was.

I was more interested in that woman than in some mage called Blue Flame or whatever. But since no one knew anything, I decided not to pursue it further.

I turned my head and looked in the opposite direction.

The tranquil night scenery of Western Lake filled my vision.

Drinking outdoors was the best after all.

I spotted an attendant who had been wandering around and beckoned him over.

“Hey.”

The attendant rushed over as if he had been waiting for my call.

“Why do you keep lingering around here?”

“You’re the only ones dining outside. I was waiting in case you needed anything.”

“You’re an excellent attendant. Do you have any moonshine here?”

The attendant replied with a troubled expression,

“We don’t have any moonshine prepared.”

“The attendant is great, but the food and drinks are lacking.”

The attendant suddenly spoke in a familiar tone,

“Moonshine is tasty, but the esteemed guests don’t prefer it. However, our view is the best accompaniment to any drink.”

“How so?”

“Isn’t the scenery here the perfect appetizer?”

It was a bold answer for an attendant, but I liked it, so I laughed.

“You’re right. Bring me any drink you have. Something cold.”

The attendant smiled and replied,

“I’ll bring you the most expensive one.”

A moment later, the attendant brought a few bottles of chilled liquor.

I poured some into a cup, sniffed its aroma, and then took a sip, enjoying the night view of the lake as my appetizer.

“Not bad.”

I poured drinks for Taylor and Blair, and also for Arin, who was quietly observing. We all took a sip at the same time, then refilled our cups.

“Ah…”

The liquor had a pleasant warmth to it. The cups kept getting refilled, and even Arin, after pushing her veil halfway up, joined in the drinking. After a few rounds, I asked,

“What happened with Layla?”

Taylor silently swirled his cup, and Blair, his face flushed with alcohol, answered,

“Something happened in the Demon Realm. Truthfully, even without Urgon’s help, we could have cleared the 3rd-level Demon Realm with the initial team. Urgon, observing from outside, got greedy. They forcefully reopened the Demon Realm midway.”

“Tell me more.”

“Normally, once a Demon Realm is closed, it can’t be reopened. But Urgon, from the outside, somehow managed to reopen it. It was the first time such a thing had happened. The damage inside was beyond imagination.”

“Hmm.”

“Half of the initial team was wiped out instantly. And with the forced reopening, mutated monsters appeared as well. I’ve never seen Senior Brother go berserk like that before. If it weren’t for him, we might have all been annihilated. Perhaps Urgon was aiming for that.”

I looked at Taylor. He was silently swirling his cup with his eyes closed.

I suddenly remembered how Moose involuntarily tensed up when he saw Taylor, and how the former boss, plagued by his habit of holding back, reacted.

“And Layla… she disappeared from the Demon Realm with Urgon. I had a strange feeling about her even before we entered. Whether she had planned it all along or when she made up her mind, I don’t know. That’s all there is to it.”

“You’re saying she might have played a part in the Demon Realm being forcefully reopened.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Anyway, to sum it up, she’s an ungrateful wretch.”

She must have been planning to betray us from the start.

The fact that she disappeared with Urgon as soon as they appeared meant they had already made arrangements beforehand.

I turned my head and looked at Arin, who was quietly sipping her drink.

“Arin, what’s the deal with you and Layla? There’s more to it than just her leaving, isn’t there?”

All three of them looked at me at the same time. Taylor and Blair seemed unaware.

“There’s nothing.”

“There’s definitely something.”

Arin’s eyes turned cold.

“Your veil was trembling.”

“What was…?”

“When you were looking at Layla.”

“I said there’s nothing.”

It’s human nature to become more curious when someone denies something, so I teased her, saying whatever came to mind.

“Why? Was there some kind of secret between you two that men wouldn’t understand? You trained together at the Magic Tower, right? Did you trust and rely on Layla, only to be betrayed? I wonder why she betrayed you. Usually, betrayal stemming from jealousy happens when someone realizes they’re the less attractive one in the relationship. In such cases, it’s usually one of two things. Either you confided in her about something personal, and she spread it behind your back, or she exploited your weaknesses.”

As I rambled on, Arin’s breathing became ragged, just like before.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me.

Could this reaction mean…?

“Mind your own business.”

Arin pulled down her veil and walked into the banquet hall. Taylor and Blair looked at me with puzzled expressions and asked,

“What was that? Did you investigate Arin or something?”

I said to the clueless men,

“Investigate? How would I know something you don’t?”

“What don’t we know?”

“A woman’s heart.”

Truthfully, I didn’t know what was going on either. But pretending to know was also important.

“Anyway, it seems my guess was right.”

I said, looking at Taylor and Blair, who had somewhat troubled expressions on their faces.

“Let’s just drink.”

“The duels start tomorrow. Let’s get some rest early.”

“Alright, one last drink then.”

As the last sip went down my throat, I looked up at the sky.

It was a delightful sight.

The night sky over enemy territory had its own charm.

———