Episode 588. Sounds Like a Promise (1)

First, we must find Ulrich.

‘We’ll talk later, Grandfell.’

I quickly tracked down Ulrich and the orcs. I figured it would be quicker to just find Ulrich and ask him questions than to argue with Grandfell, who was shouting things I didn’t understand.

Gooooooh.

The vastness of the Claudi territory didn’t matter.

C’mon Grandfell, do you think your past is the only one getting clearer?

Your past is no different from my dark history.

“No matter where you are, you can’t escape my eyes.”

The structure of the Claudi territory appeared in my mind.

Then, something puzzled me.

I asked Hiel.

“I heard they never left Claudi Territory, Hiel.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Claudi was a [Hidden Piece].

That means no one can easily enter or leave without my permission.

Unless you use the portal inside the mansion that connects to the Magic Tower.

‘The only option is the portal to the Arcana continent.’

But the area was guarded by the statues of the Four Families, and if Ulrich and the orcs had traveled to that portal, they would surely have left traces in their wake.

But

‘I don’t feel it.’

I don’t mean magic marks. I had become somewhat proficient in healing magic. I could track a target’s life force.

I didn’t feel the life response itself.

Seuseuseu.

As I stared at the Lycoris Flower wafting in the breeze, I wondered if the orcs had been lured to Hell by the scent of the blood-grown Lycoris Flower.

‘No.’

But if they had, if they had disappeared like that.

It must have attracted the attention of those around it in some way.

There’s no way to escape the eyes of so many players.

“Make sure everyone listens.”

Even without me saying anything, Hiel spoke first.

Lower-ranking spirits rallying to Hiel’s words.

Indeed, if the rumors were true, the spirits might have witnessed something.

“Uh, no. Nothing special…”

“I saw them planting these flowers in the ground!”

“After that, we headed to another field…..”

Is it because I, too, have unlocked my {Nature} abilities?
Even with the stammering words of the lesser spirits who were still immature, I could clearly picture the image.

That’s why I couldn’t understand it.

‘……Isn’t that all there is?’

They didn’t appear near the portal, they didn’t use magic, they just vanished in an instant. From the player’s perspective, there was only one thing to think.

‘Hidden Piece.’

Whether it fulfilled a certain condition or just got caught up in it, the only explanation for the situation was the sudden appearance of a Hidden Piece. But was there such a thing as a Hidden Piece in the Claudi territory?

Just a few days ago, no, just now.

I know my dark history best.

I would have been confident that there was nothing I didn’t know about the Claudi territory.

But not anymore.

I looked at Lycoris Flower.

You see.

Because there was 30% of Grandfell that I didn’t understand was regurgitating. and Grandfell, for better or worse, remained silent.

I said to Grandfell.

‘Did you forget your promise? Are you sorry again? I don’t know, something like that.’

Grandfell, it doesn’t matter what promise you made to Ulrich.

As long as you keep your mouth shut.

I’m just doing what I think is right.

Yes, I, Lee Hoyeol, am going in the direction I think is right.

As if it was falling before my eyes.

A rising afterimage.

The image of a young Grandfell rising above a field of Lycoris Flowers.

“Good.”

From now on, it’s me, Lee Hoyeol’s way.

“You’ve done a good job watching on my behalf.”

“……Yes?”

Honestly, it wasn’t much help.

First, I must thank you for summoning me.

The lesser spirits looked at Hiel, stunned by my words.

But what did you see in that moment, Hiel……?

“No, how could the Spirit Emperor……!”

Who?

I’m the Spirit Emperor.

There’s no need to teach this ridiculous tinnitus?!!

“It’s a perfect picture for the spirits in the flower garden, then.”

“It’s not for nothing that the Spirit Kings bowed their heads.”

“Hey, if I put that scene in the thumbnail, wouldn’t the number of views be a joke?!”

Players chattering away.

With so many eyes on me, there’s no point in arguing with Hiel.

I spoke up.

“You can leave now.”

Now someone will ask.

No trace of magic, no life reaction. Grandfell, who might be bluffing as usual, but who might actually know something, kept his mouth shut. What can Lee Hoyeol who is just a player do?

Then I want to ask you a question.

“What can I do?”

There is nothing to do but struggle.

Don’t overlook anything.

It’s time for me, Lee Hoyeol, to struggle again.

I opened the quest window I had passed by.

[Hidden Quest: If You Want to Know the True Value].
The door to the Oak Auction, the Big Shot of the Underworld, has opened. The Arcana continent is in shambles. If you wish to know the true value of loot that no one else can properly value, visit the Oak Auction. You may find yourself facing an unexpected truth.

-Get the Six Sight Brooch appraised. (Ongoing)

Since ancient times, quest goals have become a compass for the player.

I was going to follow the blink of a quest objective.

‘It’s an absurdly trivial method, though.’

So, isn’t this a struggle?

As it turns out, I was right.

Being able to appraise an item the size of a [Six Star Brooch].

only the leader of the Oak Auction, Ulrich.

Shiny.

That’s it.

I take a moment to look around Claudi territory.

A quest objective was flashing in a certain direction.

“I’m going to greet our guest, Hiel.”

I said to Hiel.

Suddenly, I remembered the players who were fussing over the Lycoris Flower, and I added to Hiel.

“Don’t let anyone get close to this flower.”

Hiel added cautiously.

“Dare I ask why, my lord?”

Why?

As a spirit of the forest, don’t you know how dangerous the Blood Grown Lycoris Flower is? You’ve been so busy lately, Hiel, you might have forgotten.

The Iron Castle, the dwarven sky castle.

Since her stay aboard the Iron Castle, Hiel has traveled the length and breadth of the Arcana continent in an effort to restore nature to its rightful place. In fact, the purpose was to track down the evil dragons that had disappeared…….

‘Thanks to Hiel’s growth, it was a mixed fortune.’

It was Hiel, who had consistently attended the meetings of the Holy War Alliance on behalf of the Spirit Kings. I’m impressed, Hiel, to see how you’ve changed from your former self.

Being a man of integrity, I graciously answered the obvious question.

“Because I don’t want them to go to hell.”

In response, Hiel looked at me intently and then flinched.

‘Wait a minute, Hiel you.’

You can fool others, but you can’t fool my eyes. I can tell she’s trying to keep a straight face, because the corners of her mouth are twitching.

‘You sure did laugh just now, didn’t you?’

What was so funny?!

Anyway, starting with Harkon.

These days, there are more than one person who suppresses laughter when they see me.

‘Did someone say something about me being a ray of light?’

It’s such a ridiculous thought.

But luckily.

Hiel smiled for a different reason.

“I apologize, my lord, you know it’s not like that.”

“I, Hiel, am pleased to hear your words, my lord.”

Really?

It would be impolite of me to ask why you were so pleased.

Okay, well, whatever.

I ended the conversation at that point.

“Then I will go.”

Because the blinking of the quest objective was gradually fading.

*