Chapter 80

Visсоunt Аldrik, thе lord of Еrindеl, hаd sеnt аll the knights of Erindеl tо Asmar оver the раst fеw dауs tо find the onе who killed Каlsen.

Ноwеvеr.

“Sо… yоu still havеn’t found them?”

“S-sоrrу! Wе triеd to find them using аll our infоrmation netwоrks, but еven the mayоr оf Asmar said he had nо idеa…”

“Tsk, useless foоls.”

Тhere hаd beеn nо lеаds.

‘In this situation, I must somehоw find a merсеnаry strongеr thаn Кalsen… Аt the verу least, I need tо find аn adventurеr.’

Сould hе quickly find а mercenаry оr аdventurer stronger than Кalsеn?

Imроssible.

Оriginally, Аldrik’s рlаn was to mеet thе оnе whо killеd Kаlsеn аnd temрt thеm with a larger sum of money to join him.

Mercenaries who move for money are usually swayed by it.

But since the identity of Kalsen’s killer is unknown, this plan is impossible.

As he sank into thought for a moment, ominous thoughts began to creep into his mind.

And for good reason, as Aldrik currently craved a rise in status and greater power.

Just two or three years ago, he was a low-ranking Viscount who owned only two cities.

Currently, in the Kingdom of Sinsiniel, nobles who own more than two cities are granted the Title of Peerage of Viscount, and those who own six or more cities are granted the Title of Peerage of Count.

Of course, even among Counts, there were vast differences, but for Aldrik, the Title of Peerage of Count was no different from his dream.

‘Only one more left… and I’m getting held back here.’

If he didn’t find a skilled mercenary soon, his own head could fly.

The reason Aldrik’s Title of Peerage had risen so sharply in recent years was because he had expanded his territory through continuous wars.

Meaning, there were many who held grudges against him.

After dwelling on these ominous thoughts, Aldrik made a decision.

‘There’s no other way.’

Two methods came to mind.

First, the first method.

“Ryuk, immediately summon all the mayors to Erindel. It’s an emergency assembly.”

“Yes! Understood!”

“Ah, and be sure to relay this message. Tell them to bring the most skilled mercenary or adventurer from their city when they come to Erindel.”

“Yessir!”

His personal knight, Ryuk, bowed his head and swiftly left the room.

Among the cities Aldrik owned, all except Erindel were led by mayors he had personally appointed.

Since all the cities he owned were near Erindel, they could all gather as early as tonight.

‘Even so, it’s unlikely someone stronger than Kalsen will come… but anything will do.’

And there was one more second method.

The Underground Arena in Erindel, which was not far off, would soon be held.

The Underground Arena was held annually, and there were about two weeks left until it commenced.

‘If I can’t find a usable person, I’ll have to move the Underground Arena schedule up a bit.’

Erindel’s Underground Arena.

Every year, numerous mercenaries, adventurers, and even knights participated.

The reason was the enormous reward given to the winner of the Underground Arena.

‘This time… I’ll have to put up the item I’ve been saving as the prize.’

Last year’s Underground Arena prize was a sword of Unique Rank.

And last year’s Underground Arena winner was Kalsen, who was now dead.

The winner of the Underground Arena received an enormous reward, but there was one condition attached.

The condition of serving under Viscount Aldrik for at least two years.

Of course, the treatment was the best in the industry, so many even liked this condition.

Kalsen had also been happy, receiving extra allowances every time he helped Aldrik with his tasks.

“I’ll have to put the Magic Tome I’ve been saving… as the prize for this year’s Underground Arena.”

Magic Tome.

The value of a Magic Tome was truly immense in the Kingdom of Sinsiniel.

Even the Magic Towers that trained talented Mages did not have Magic Tomes.

Rumors circulated that there were less than ten Magic Tomes in the entire kingdom.

‘It’s a shame… but if I use it, I might die by accident, so I should use it at a time like this.’

Selling the Magic Tome could have brought astronomical wealth, but money wasn’t what was important to him.

Money didn’t grant power, and buying power with money was impossible.

And as for money, he already had more than enough to last him beyond his lifetime.

Thud.

Aldrik rose from his seat and immediately approached the bookshelf, grabbing the shelf and pushing it to both sides.

Rumble…

Then, a large door hidden between the bookshelves appeared.

This was his secret warehouse, known only to Aldrik himself.

Opening the door and entering, the treasures he had collected over time were scattered everywhere.

At the far end lay a book covered in dust.

Hmm…

Though covered in dust, a subtle energy emanated from the book.

Tap. Tap.

Thud.

Aldrik brushed off the dust and picked up the Magic Tome.

“It was truly a stroke of luck to find this Magic Tome…”

About a year ago, a Gate suddenly appeared near Erindel.

Aldrik had personally entered the Gate with Kalsen and his knights.

Rumors said that newly appearing Gates often hid treasures inside, so Aldrik couldn’t just pass it by.

“I was really lucky.”

Now, if he offered this Magic Tome as the prize, masters from all over the kingdom would gather for the Underground Arena.

A Magic Tome was an item of such immense value.

Thud. Thud.

Aldrik walked out of the warehouse holding the Magic Tome.

Rumble.

After closing the door and then the bookshelf, the warehouse was perfectly hidden.

“Phew… I should rest a bit. For now, I have no choice but to wait for usable people to enter the city.”

He had already given instructions to send any skilled individuals who visited Erindel in recent days to the castle.

Of course, it wasn’t mandatory, so there weren’t many, but just yesterday, a mediocre knight had come to the castle and taken a simple skill test.

“More mediocrities will probably come today. Tsk…”

Except during the Underground Arena season, most visitors to the city were merchants or ordinary people, so he didn’t have high expectations.

Viscount Aldrik decided to force himself to relax and wait for the mayors to gather in Erindel by night.

* * *

A man wearing a deep green Robe, with the hood pulled up, looked around as soon as he passed through the entrance of Erindel.

“Is the Underground Arena not yet this time?”

The green Robe the man wore had an elegant pattern embroidered on it—a star pattern symbolizing a Mage of the Green Magic Tower.

‘Last year, I unfortunately lost to that bastard Kalsen in the finals, but this time is different…!’

The man was Kairos, a Mage of the Green Magic Tower.

Kairos was considered a highly skilled Mage even within the Green Magic Tower.

“This time, I will definitely win…!”

Moreover, rumors said the prize for this year’s Underground Arena was even more incredible than last year’s.

As Kairos was burning with such determination, the checkpoint employee he had seen earlier approached and spoke.

“Um… Sir Kairos? I know you’re busy, but… before touring Erindel, could you please visit the castle first? For knights, mages, and skilled adventurers, a small test and a modest gift have been prepared.”

“Huh? What do you mean? There was no such talk last year when I came.”

“Ah, Viscount Aldrik has invited skilled visitors to Erindel to offer a modest gift and a proposal. If you’re not inclined, you may refuse.”

“Hmm, a proposal. Well, since the Viscount said so, I’ll at least pay a visit.”

Rumors that Viscount Aldrik of Erindel was continuously expanding his territory had even reached the Green Magic Tower.

There were even talks that his Title of Peerage would soon be elevated to Count, so making a good impression on such a high-ranking noble would surely be helpful in the future.

“Thank you. Then I’ll guide you.”

Kairos nodded and followed the employee, heading towards Viscount Aldrik’s castle.

* * *

[Quest cleared.]

[Acquired a small amount of Experience Points as a reward.]

As he entered Erindel, a Quest clear message appeared before Khan’s eyes.

‘I wonder what the next Quest will be.’

Khan recalled the Quest he received upon first arriving in Erindel while playing the game.

The best one was the Quest to participate in the Underground Arena, but that probably wasn’t it.

He had subtly asked the checkpoint employee earlier and was told there were still about two weeks until the Underground Arena started.

‘What’s this?’

A moment later, Khan checked the Quest message.

It was a Quest he had truly never seen in his life.

• [Viscount Aldrik’s Test]

• Take Viscount Aldrik’s test and surprise him.

• Accept the Main Quest?

• Refusing will make future Main Quest progression impossible.

• Reward: Large amount of Experience Points, next Main Quest

‘Viscount Aldrik’s Test…’

Originally, in the game, directly meeting Viscount Aldrik only happened after winning the Underground Arena.

After winning the Underground Arena, you had to serve under Viscount Aldrik for two years, and during that process, you would meet him.

‘Well, I’ll think about that later. The Quest comes first.’

As Khan accepted the Quest, a message immediately appeared.

[Main Quest accepted.]

After checking the message, Khan looked around.

While waiting in line at the checkpoint entrance, he saw the man in the green Robe standing three lines ahead.

“Um… Sir Kairos? I know you’re busy……”

Listening roughly, it seemed Viscount Aldrik had prepared a gift and a proposal, so he was being asked to visit the castle.

What kind of proposal could it be?

If such a proposal only came to mages, then perhaps one would soon come for Khan and Sharin as well.

‘A Mage of the Green Magic Tower… Seeing the pattern embroidered on his Robe, he must be quite skilled.’

Since Khan could see the other’s name and Level, he knew the man’s identity.

Indeed, the Level displayed above that man named Kairos was quite high.

Kairos soon followed the employee and gradually disappeared from view.

Sharin and Byutek were also looking at Kairos, so they spoke up.

“Listening to the conversation, that person seems to be a Mage too? But why would the Viscount suddenly make a proposal… What could it be?”

“Ahem, why hasn’t any proposal come for Sir Khan, who is far more outstanding than that rookie Mage?! Should I go and ask subtly, Sir Khan?”

“Don’t bother.”

If no proposal came, he could just go to the castle himself to clear the Quest.

And the Quest Khan received was ‘Viscount Aldrik’s Test,’ not a ‘Proposal.’

‘Of course, the proposal might be something decided after taking the test…’

And as Khan was thinking that.

“Sir Khan, Lady Sharin, and Sir Byutek. I’m Liam, the one who handled your checkpoint inspection earlier. If it’s not too much trouble, could you please visit Viscount Aldrik’s castle?”

The familiar-faced employee who had handled Khan’s checkpoint inspection approached and spoke.