Chapter 23

Еldridа, а сity of соnsidеrаblе size even аmоng Viscount tеrritories.

In thе саsе оf Еldrida, Mаna Crуstаls werе аbundаntlу lоcаted dеep within thе сitу.

Sо, what arе Mаna Crystаls?

Мana Crystаls аre an absolutelу indisрensable resourсе in the world оf <Geо Аrс>.

Аfter all, items crаfted using Mаnа Сrystals bесоme Artifаcts.

Thеrefore, Eldridа itsеlf possеssеd immensе wealth аnd resourcеs.

‘Mаgiс Apprenticе of Еldridа.’

Кhan wаs staring at thе Маgic Aрprеntiсе, Вist, whо had just еntеrеd the Ваnquet Hall.

Swoosh.

Khan and Bist looked at each other from a distance, but soon Bist was the first to avert his gaze.

“Greetings, Viscount Buttner! Thank you sincerely for attending the Banquet!”

“I’ve often heard tales, but this is my first time meeting you in person. A pleasure, Baron Jurente.”

The last person to enter the Banquet Hall was Buttner, the master of Eldrida.

Jurente was bowing his head even more deeply to Buttner.

To others, it looked less like two Nobles and more like a Noble and his servant.

“Hoho… I had no idea Viscount Buttner would also grace us with his presence.”

“Isn’t this your first time attending a Banquet in Grodek?”

“My word, for Viscount Buttner to come!”

The other Nobles who had arrived earlier were also expressing surprise upon seeing Buttner.

“That person wearing the Robe… seems to be a Mage.”

“Indeed. For some reason, I feel an overwhelming aura.”

“That person is probably the famous Mage Bist from around these parts. I heard Viscount Buttner recently hired him with a substantial sum.”

“Ooh, the famous Bist…!”

“They say there’s no one around here more skilled in Magic than Bist. I wonder if that’s really true…”

The Nobles who had attended the Banquet earlier continued to chatter softly.

And their gazes were also drawn to the Knight who had arrived with Buttner.

“The Knight standing next to the Mage… must be Sir Knight Brente, the Guardian Knight of Eldrida.”

Since high-ranking Knights are treated similarly to Nobles, they too did not speak down to Knights recklessly.

Especially because the more skilled a Knight is, the greater their honor and power.

Meanwhile, Khan was also standing at a distance, watching Brente.

[LV.23 Guardian Knight of Eldrida, Brente]

Seeing him in person after entering the game world, he truly felt an overwhelming aura.

‘Unbelievably strong.’

As a Mage, Khan could sense Mana, and he also felt overwhelming Mana emanating from Brente.

Since skilled Knights also use Mana, it seemed Brente possessed more Mana than your average Mage.

Indeed, everyone in the Banquet Hall was now directing their gaze towards those who had just entered.

“Hoho, I never thought I’d get to see Sir Knight Brente in person like this. For such an esteemed person to come all the way to Grodek…!”

Deilis also opened his mouth with a surprised expression upon seeing Brente enter the Banquet Hall.

“Brente… I’ve never heard that name before.”

Byutek, standing beside him, was also looking at Brente, but seemed not to know who he was.

“Ah, Sir Byutek, being a Knight from Kilpheon, you probably wouldn’t know. Sir Brente is an incredibly famous Knight in these parts. He’s a person of exceptional skill.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Since Kilpheon and Eldrida were quite far apart, it seemed Byutek didn’t really know who Brente was.

Eldrida was a Viscount’s Territory, while Kilpheon was a Count’s Territory, so the disparity between the two cities was immense.

‘Even so, not knowing Brente?’

Guardian Knight of Eldrida, Brente.

The reason he was called the Guardian Knight was simple.

About five years ago from now, a massive Monster invasion occurred in Eldrida.

The setting was that the city could be defended thanks to Brente’s efforts at that time.

Therefore, there were hardly any Knights who didn’t know of Brente.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that, Sir Khan? Is there something on my face?”

“Just looking.”

“Haha…”

Originally, according to the <Geo Arc> game story, Byutek, who should have died very early on, was keeping his life thanks to Khan.

Having met through such circumstances, Khan had been journeying with Byutek until now, but Khan was gradually starting to feel Byutek was a burden.

‘He’s a guy who’s no help at all.’

Khan swept his gaze over Byutek, who was smiling awkwardly.

‘He has solid muscles well-developed all over his body… How on earth is his Level only 3?’

Thinking about it now, this part was also a bit strange.

Byutek was a Knight who looked strong to anyone who saw him.

He was much taller than the average adult male, had a large build, and on top of that, plenty of muscles.

Anyone would think he was a well-trained Knight.

‘But his Level is only 3, and he’s pathetically weak.’

Khan, who had been looking at Byutek, made a decision internally.

‘Once this Banquet is over, I need to part ways with Byutek.’

From the beginning, Byutek said he was following Khan because he had business in Grodek.

Once this Banquet ended, Byutek would also go to attend to his own business.

‘I can tell him then.’

Just as Khan had made that decision.

Jurente was still conversing with Buttner at the entrance of the Banquet Hall.

When Nobles met, they were busy respecting and complimenting each other, so Jurente exclaimed with genuine admiration.

“It’s truly an honor to see the famous Guardian Knight of Eldrida, Sir Brente, in person like this.”

“You flatter me.”

Brente answered in a reticent tone, slightly bowing his head.

Next, Jurente also addressed Bist, who was standing beside him.

“And the person next to you… must be the famous Mage of Eldrida. I heard the news recently. That your skill is exceptionally outstanding…”

However, Bist opened his mouth with an unpleasant expression, frowning.

“…It’s Bist. I’m several times more skilled than you think. So don’t you dare judge my skill as outstanding or whatever.”

“Ah… Haha! It seems I made a mistake. My apologies.”

Mages, being often arrogant, included many who acted rudely even towards Nobles.

Especially, there were quite a few Mages who looked down on Barons, the lowest rank among Nobles.

Mages tended to think of themselves as chosen, considering themselves special people.

‘That guy also seems like a terribly unpleasant fellow.’

Of course, Khan’s personality had changed a bit after entering this game world and obtaining the Sage’s Heart, but not to that extent.

“Baron Jurente. I apologize on behalf of Bist’s rudeness. Please understand with your generous magnanimity.”

“Haha. Not at all.”

Jurente was angry inside, but he couldn’t show anger as Bist was the Viscount’s direct Mage.

Moreover, skilled Mages were famously eccentric, and making a mistake could lead to serious trouble.

“By the way, I heard the news. That a group of Orcs suddenly appeared in the western forest of Grodek, killing many people… Are you alright?”

“Ah…! Could it be you attended my Banquet after hearing that news?”

“Yes, I thought if left alone, the number of Orcs would only increase, so I planned to attend Baron Jurente’s Banquet and also resolve the issue. That’s why Brente and Bist came along as well.”

“Haha, your consideration alone is truly appreciated!”

Jurente exclaimed with a laugh that suggested he was happier than anyone, but in truth, his inner feelings were completely different.

‘Viscount Buttner has an excellent character, but I heard he’s quite fond of money… It seems he planned to demand money under the pretext of exterminating the Orcs this time.’

Just as Jurente was about to continue speaking, Buttner cut him off.

“I’ve been so busy lately that I have no time. I will exterminate all the Orcs in the western forest that Baron Jurente is struggling with, so won’t you… no, won’t you make a Trade with Eldrida?”

As if Jurente’s prediction had hit the mark exactly, Buttner was immediately asking for money.

He was saying to make a Trade while offering help, but in reality, he was just asking for money.

“Haha. As I mentioned earlier… I will gratefully accept your kind consideration, Viscount Buttner. Actually, the Orcs in Grodek’s western forest were all exterminated just yesterday.”

“…Is that true?”

Upon hearing Jurente’s words, Buttner asked back with an expression of disbelief.

The other Nobles watching from a distance had similar reactions.

“He says they defeated all the Orcs in the western forest that they’ve been struggling with for months?”

“I heard the number of Knights and Mercenaries who died so far was considerable… I wonder how on earth they managed to exterminate all the Orcs.”

“Hoho… This is truly surprising. So that’s why Baron Jurente’s face was lit up with such a smile.”

The sudden appearance of the Orc horde in Grodek was news known to all the surrounding cities.

It was a problem that had remained unresolved for quite some time, to the point where some Nobles thought Grodek might even fall because of the Orcs.

To Buttner, who had asked back with an expression of disbelief, Jurente declared confidently.

“Haha! It seems the gods have not abandoned our Grodek. Coincidentally, a skilled Knight and Mage visited our Grodek. Those two defeated all the Orcs.”

“I heard the scale of the Orcs in the western forest was considerable… Are you saying just two people defeated that many Orcs?”

“I couldn’t believe it at first either, but hearing the accounts of the Knights who went along, it seems to be true.”

As Jurente said that, he naturally directed his gaze towards where Khan and Byutek were.

“That Knight and Mage seem to be people of tremendous skill. Did they perhaps also attend the Banquet?”

“Of course. How could I not invite the heroes who saved our Grodek to the Banquet?”

“I’d like to meet them in person… Do you happen to know where they are?”

Buttner had long wanted to bring skilled Mages and Knights into his Territory.

To protect Eldrida, which had nearly fallen to Monsters in the past, he needed skilled individuals capable of Subjugating Monsters.

“They’re standing over there. I’ll call them over.”

Khan and Byutek made eye contact with Jurente.

Having been listening to the conversation, they approached Jurente’s location without a word.

‘The important Quest will begin soon now.’

Thud.

Standing beside Jurente, Khan and Byutek faced Viscount Buttner and, flanking him, Brente and Bist.