Chapter 627 – Quite Unusual (1)
Senior Healing Magic Mage, Bellier Yusia.
“Hmm.”
Bellier rested her chin on her hand, staring at the potted plant on her desk.
She had been in the same posture for over thirty minutes now.
Watching from the side, adept mage Cleodia shrugged.
“This is just my opinion, but… I really think it’ll be fine.”
“Are you serious, Cleodia?”
“Yes, absolutely!”
Cleodia then shared a rare personal experience.
“I felt this while working with him on the cultivation of elixirs—Chief Lee is far more understanding than he appears. I’m sure he’ll recognize your sincerity, Ms. Bellier!”
On the desk, a new sprout had begun to bloom in the pot.
It was the very sapling of a new World Tree, the one Chief Lee had expressed concern about.
Bellier, however, didn’t seem convinced.
“No… He might just scold me for doing something unnecessary, Cleodia.”
Through her conversations with Chief Lee, she had realized how unnatural the current rapid growth of the World Tree was.
In this situation, doing something so sentimental…
“…Won’t it make me seem really shallow? No matter how well-intended it is, even if I had no choice but to replant it, bringing this to Chief Lee…”
Wouldn’t it just be irritating for him?
The World Tree in the Healing Magic Garden had grown at an uncontrollable pace.
In just a few days, it had borne fruit, dropping seeds and spreading even further.
Cleodia approached, gently stroking the fresh green sprout.
“Well… I guess no one really knows what Chief Lee is thinking. But personally, I think it’s fine. He always responds to sincerity with sincerity!”
Bellier’s intentions were simple.
Through both Chief Lee’s teachings and the growth of the medicinal herbs in the garden, she had confirmed that the World Tree’s blessing carried immense power.
She hoped that this sapling would somehow help him recover from the aftereffects of the battle with Bael.
In the end, Bellier stood up.
“Alright. Why am I making this harder than it is?”
If this turned out to be a mistake—
If she had truly done something unnecessary—
She would simply accept his reprimand.
Besides, the timing was actually quite appropriate.
“What time is it now, Cleodia?”
“Almost noon, Ms. Bellier!”
“Then I’d better hurry.”
With the Holy War Alliance about to enter the Arcana Continent,
the blessing of the World Tree could provide much-needed support for their Supreme Commander, Chief Lee.
Of course, there was another reason.
Even if Chief Lee didn’t appreciate the sapling…
As Bellier walked down the corridor, carrying the potted plant, she let out an awkward laugh.
“At least I can avoid getting scolded for a little while longer?”
Eventually, she reached Chief Lee’s office and stopped in front of the door.
After clearing her throat softly, she knocked.
But there was no response.
Bellier frowned slightly.
‘I’m sure he was at the Magic Tower last night…’
She had heard from adept healing mages that he had been seen at Emerald Hall and Garnet Hall.
Cautiously, she spoke up.
“Chief Lee. This is Bellier Yusia, Senior Mage of the Healing Magic School.”
Again, no response.
Her shoulders slumped slightly.
“Did I overthink this for nothing?”
It seemed he had already left the office early.
That was understandable.
This was, after all, his first official expedition as Supreme Commander of the Holy War Alliance.
He probably had plenty to prepare.
Should she just leave?
‘Or should I…’
Just place it quietly on his desk?
“I know this isn’t proper decorum, but…”
Bellier made up her mind.
Even if she ended up being criticized for being too informal,
she didn’t want to regret not doing it.
After one last knock, confirming that he wasn’t inside,
she cautiously turned the doorknob.
“…?”
And then, she saw it.
“C-Chief Lee?!”
Collapsed at his desk.
*
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…Blink.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
From the glimpses of the surroundings, I could tell this was a private recovery room of the Healing Magic School.
But why in the world was I lying in a hospital bed…?
Alright, let’s piece together the missing fragments of my memory.
Yesterday, I had definitely overworked myself.
With the permanent opening of Amethyst Hall, I had been too engrossed in examining the newly added magic books in Emerald Hall.
On top of that, I couldn’t skip my daily Akshan training quest.
Under normal circumstances, I would have realized that without Grandfell, my pathetic body would never hold up.
‘Did I completely forget because of the excitement?’
Like a child unable to sleep the night before a field trip.
Except in my case, I couldn’t resist the overwhelming exhaustion and passed out—
and there was no one around to wake me up.
‘More importantly…’
What time was it now?
What about the expedition ceremony?
Did I talk in my sleep and expose my act?!
“…Damn it.”
A flood of chaotic thoughts clouded my mind, but I didn’t act rashly.
First, I scanned the room, carefully releasing a thin veil of magic to confirm.
Once I was certain there was no one else in the private room,
I slowly sat up.
Pulled out my smartphone from my pocket.
Checked the time—
And froze in shock.
“I-It’s… 3 PM?!”
That’s right.
I had completely passed out, missing the expedition ceremony.
Someone had carried me to the Healing Magic School’s private room,
and yet, I had still not woken up until now…!
The reason I woke up now?
Even a fool like me knew the answer to that.
3 PM was Grandfell’s scheduled tea time.
My body, deprived of its daily green tea intake, had forcefully pulled me from my slumber.
“Unbelievable.”
Even though no one was around, I muttered it as shamelessly as possible.
As I scrolled through the breaking news on my smartphone, I tried to grasp the situation.
‘So that’s how it turned out…’
For now, the Holy War Alliance had proceeded as planned into the Arcana Continent.
Even in my absence as Supreme Commander,
leaders like Harcon and Marcelo were more than capable of leading.
– Holy War Alliance enters the Imperial Capital, Antonium!
– Experts say, “The Imperial Army’s participation remains uncertain.”
– Holy War Alliance states, “It seems Chief Lee Hoyeol entered first….”
Ah.
They think I entered first?
‘Well…’
Who would ever imagine—
That the great Lee Hoyeol had collapsed at his desk,
overslept, and missed the ceremony…!
Just as I was drowning in self-loathing, I heard voices outside.
“Ms. Bellier.”
“…!”
A familiar voice calling Bellier’s name—
It was Cleodia.
I nodded as I listened in on their conversation.
“Yes, Ms. Bellier. Chief Lee is currently resting. There doesn’t appear to be any serious issues, but it seems he overexerted himself. It must be the lingering aftereffects of that day…!”
Okay, yes.
I did overwork myself.
And yes, there were aftereffects from that day.
But this time, I didn’t collapse—I passed out from exhaustion!
‘This is a disaster.’
Even Grandfell, who never hides anything,
wouldn’t be able to admit to something this ridiculous.
To oversleep and miss such an important event…
‘That would never exist in his vocabulary.’
And yet, Hoyeol, you must stay shameless.
I quickly calculated my options.
Should I admit that I overslept and failed to keep my promise?
Or should I play along with Cleodia’s assumption and pretend it was my body’s condition?
The answer was obvious.
“Aftereffects, huh.”
Better to feign weakness than admit to oversleeping!
“C-Chief Lee, are you awake?”
Bellier’s shocked voice came from outside.
Instead of answering, I continued speaking.
To eliminate any unnecessary misunderstandings.
“Banishing the demons of the Demon World…”
“…?”
“Was my very time the price?”
“…!!”
Even as I said it, I felt utter disbelief.
A pang of guilt.
But hold it together, Hoyeol.
‘The more absurd it is, the more shameless I must be.’
I calmly muttered.
“Not a bad trade.”
If I were to translate this Grandfell speech—
The reason I was late to the expedition ceremony…
The reason I overslept…
Was because of demons, of course!
‘Damn it, I sound like someone I know.’
Blaming others was one thing, but blaming demons?
At least this way, I wouldn’t have to face Grandfell’s wrath later.
Now, how did they take my ridiculous excuse?
‘Why is it so quiet?’
Bellier responded softly.
“I knew it…”
Even adept mage Cleodia, who must have heard my nonsense, remained silent.
If I spoke any further, I might embarrass myself even more.
So I swiftly ended the conversation.
“I will resume my duties immediately.”
Damn it.
My cheeks burned with shame.
I hurriedly straightened my clothes and fixed my disheveled hair.
That was when I noticed something in my field of vision.
A small potted plant.
‘…What is this?’
It felt out of place in the private room, making me tilt my head in confusion.
Just then, Bellier spoke.
“We’ll leave the room so you can prepare, Chief Lee. Also, the pot by your bedside… is a small gift I prepared for you. Please take care, sir.”
No need for that, but… thanks, I guess.
But why this plant?
Why a gift for me?
Rustle.
It wasn’t until I took a closer look that I understood why.
The sprout inside the pot was so dry and brittle that it looked like it might crumble at any moment.
It had lost so much vitality that even I, who knew everything about plants,
couldn’t recognize what kind of sprout it was.
Yet, I still answered.
“Thank you, Bellier. And Cleodia.”
With the last shred of my remaining conscience—
“I am in your debt.”
*
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[You have entered the capital of the Empire, ‘Antonium’].
[The momentum of Antonium is soaring.]
[All of your stats have slightly increased.]
A system message, one that never lies, flashed before my eyes.
But I didn’t feel it.
Because what soaring momentum?
I just felt uneasy.
Leonie was the first to break the silence.
“Doesn’t this seem weird? That guy supposedly entered Arcana without a word? Fine, let’s say that’s true. But what about the Tower Master and that one guy, uh… right! All Black Senior! Why did they run off looking so serious?”
All Black.
At that, Jesse let out a short laugh.
—Matisse, maybe you should rethink that gothic taste of yours.
Of course.
This was not the time for Jesse to be joking around.
Because Leonie wasn’t wrong.
“The Magic Tower is definitely hiding something from us.”
“Right?! So you think so too?!”
“Miss Jesse, that’s a hasty conclusion.”
“Yeah, don’t give her any bait.”
“Bait? What am I, a goldfish?!”
“Say whatever you want.”
Leaving Leonie fuming behind them, Nam Taemin turned his gaze toward the cityscape.
With the Demon World’s portal closed and the dark sky cleared, Antonium, the Imperial Capital, seemed at peace.
Just a moment ago, at least.
“?”
Nam Taemin was the first to sense that something was off.
His instincts screamed at him.
Something massive—something indescribable—was approaching Antonium.
Nam Taemin immediately opened his mouth.
“Wait a sec—?!”
But before he could finish speaking, it arrived first.
A huge shadow cast over Antonium, covering the sky.
Players instinctively raised their weapons.
“Holy shit, what is that?!”
“Why is it so massive?!”
“Is that another monster blessed by the World Tree?!”
“We need to evacuate the residents—?!”
One of the players, shouting in urgency, suddenly froze in confusion.
“Huh?”
Because the people of Antonium—
Weren’t scared at all.
In fact, they didn’t even flinch.
They had already seen this before.
The Dark Dragon, their protector, had saved the Empire many times before.
And then, the players heard something familiar.
Ttogak.
I’ve been unintentionally harsh.
Which meant, to compensate, I had to act perfectly fine.
This was the ideal entrance for that.
‘Still…’
[Legend, ‘Dark Dragon, Lee Hoyeol,’ is materializing.]
I will never get used to these naming choices.
But I maintained my poker face.
I stepped forward, revealing myself before the Holy War Alliance assembled in Antonium.
And what I saw—
Click.
As if they had been waiting for me—
The entire Holy War Alliance stood in salute.
The people of Antonium bowed their heads to me.
The wind from the Dark Dragon’s landing made my jacket flutter, and I thought to myself, sincerely—
You all are way too dramatic.
*
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Northern Frontier Village, Antonium.
“…Huh?”
Lansha lifted her head, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“U-Uncle…?”
“What is it, Lansha?”
“The World Tree… something’s wrong!”
At that very moment—
From the leaves nearest to where Hoyeol had stepped into Antonium—
The World Tree had begun to wither.