Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer? - Chapter 178

Episode 178 So far (6)

Deathbringer has succeeded in following the most difficult plain.

However, the devil knight’s steps did not stop even after that, and he had to cross the forest as well. The demon knight walked so fast that it was quite difficult to keep up with him.

Where are you going?

He pondered whether he should change direction now, but decided to follow further.

After observing various items, no matter how I thought about it, it was because the devil knight was right.

The problem is that I don’t know why he goes to the forest alone.

“This is…”

Fortunately, the demon knight reached his destination before the sun set. Remnants of burned trees were scattered everywhere, and the ground was completely charred. It was also a place that Deathbringer was familiar with.

“Are you really chasing the devil?”

Deathbringer examined a plausible hypothesis.

Anyway, this was the land where the battle to subdue Lake Biryu took place and at the same time, a new arch-devil—the Inquisitor said it looked like an arch-devil—appeared.

Considering the Demon Knight’s hatred for demons, it wouldn’t be surprising if he came here to follow their traces.

“Nari please….”

It’s nothing strange, but can’t you please take care of your body? It was only a few hours ago that the Archmage advised us to take good care of ourselves!

He slapped his face and hid behind a black pillar. Ash powder sticks to your clothes and face, but if you don’t care about that, you’ll get rid of it.

The Deathbringer’s eyes persistently followed the Demon Knight’s back. I was afraid of being caught, so I kept the distance as wide as possible, so it was hard to see the detailed movements.

“…?”

However, I could see him wandering around in strange directions.

I don’t know what it means to go left, then right, take a long walk in a straight line, then come back and take a long walk in the other direction.

It’s even spinning around now. It spun so loudly that the Deathbringer had to hastily hide behind the forest.

Where the demon knight passes by, a mark is left that looks like it was scratched with a sword.

Is it really magic? No, I don’t know anything else, but he doesn’t seem like he’s good at magic.

In addition, the line drawn by the demon knight was somewhat crooked – it felt like it was drawn straight rather than going back and forth like crazy, but without investing in precision.

The Archmage said that magic is all about detail and consistency, so I guess it’s probably not magic.

So what is it?

Deathbringer tilted his head, unable to understand the devil knight’s intentions.

When the Demon Knight stood at the center of the burning earth for the first time in a while, a thought crossed his mind: ‘Ah, was this meant to measure the center?’

But if that was true, the question was why was the center calculated?

If the goal is to track down the devil, there is no point in searching the center of the burning earth.

“I don’t know… I’m not the kind of person who moves without meaning…”

He watched what the demon knight did with that thought in mind.

“It turned around.”

And before he could understand the devil knight’s intentions, the devil knight turned around. It looks like he’s trying to return to the city.

Deathbringer quickly got out.

It was a day where my legs were overworked, I was starved for dinner, and I got nothing out of it.

The biggest challenge was having to return to the city even though the sun was going to set soon.

* * *

“You’re late.”

I returned to the hotel just as the sun was under my feet. I didn’t mean to be late, but it just happened to be that way.

The place I went to after leaving the Information Guild was farther than I thought. The last time I went, it didn’t feel that far.

“Would you like to sit with me for a moment?”

Rather, Archmage, you haven’t slept until now? Are you really waiting for me?

Of course, I was late without saying anything, but… is there a need to go this far?

I’m not a person who can’t tell what’s right or wrong to the point where a guardian’s intervention is necessary, and honestly, I don’t think there’s any way for someone with the level of ability to beat me here.

Grumble.

In my head, all I could think was, ‘Why?’, but he was still the person who waited for me.

I sat down in a chair, trying to gauge how long this conversation would go on. A few candles, lit only in the middle of the table, softly illuminated the surroundings.

“I’ll have a drink first.”

Ah, tea.

I received the teacup with confused eyes. When I smell it, it seems like it’s something I always get…

I opened my lips slightly and then closed them. The heat from the car rose into the sky, bathed in the scarlet light of the candle flame.

“It seems like it’s been a while since we sat down and talked like this. “Isn’t that right?”

Well… if it’s been a while, there’s nothing that can’t be said. It is very rare to drink tea alone in a situation where it is confirmed that no additional people will join.

“You’re not going to tell me what you’re doing, are you?”

What else should I say, spinning around like this? I don’t feel like sitting for a long time right now.

“Business.”

I put my hand on the teacup. A smooth glass without a handle is somewhat lukewarm. It was lukewarm, as if heat had just spread through what had been cold.

“…You know what? “Every time something like this happens, I feel like you’re more of a wizard than me.”

I always think, what on earth are wizards? I’m the type of person who intentionally doesn’t like social skills because of the concept, but what about the wizards that come to mind from this…

“Huh.”

In any case, the Archmage did not give in easily. I found his attitude of getting used to my crap over the past few months somewhat funny and sad.

However, the percentage of this cheap mistake is 50% my fault and 50% your fault for forcing the concept, so if you’re going to criticize me, do it yourself.

“What’s wrong?”

Also, I hope you don’t ask questions like these that are vague but strangely close to the point. It’s difficult to answer.

“Tell me. “What’s the problem?”

I thought of this somewhat unexpected and totally confusing statement and inadvertently tightened my grip on the teacup. Quickly. A dangerous sound came from the teacup that had been trembling earlier.

“If I say this, I will tell you not to interfere. But a demon knight. How could that be? These days, you really…”

“What is the point of asking even though you predicted my reaction? Is this to prove your stupidity? Or your petty self-satisfaction?”

Ah, I made a mistake. I didn’t mean to say this.

“Know your position, wizard.”

But words cannot be picked up and contained.

Just as a cracked teacup does not return to its original state when you loosen your grip on it. Just as water droplets that leak out do not return to the teacup.

“If it weren’t for the purpose of killing the devils and their king, you and I would never have stood in the same space for eternity.”

Without hesitation, I poured the contents of the leaky teacup onto the table.

Words and emotions that have already poured out. It was a sign that if it could not be reversed, it would be better to use it.

“Also, what I need is not your petty sympathy and understanding, but absolute and merciless judgment.”

Because I was thinking that I should draw a line as soon as possible anyway.

“Keep in mind. Your job is to kill the devil, and my job is to kill the devil as well. “That is the only value you and I share.”

The hot water that spread over the nightstand gave off a faint scent. It was a scent made by drying and squeezing out the remains of dead plants.

The scarlet light of the candle flame, reflected on the rapidly cooling heat, seemed to be lava.

Sweet.

The Archmage saw a table soaked with tea and the demon knight’s door just closed.

I really should have known that he had a dirty temper.

“You talk at great length about keeping your distance.”

She joked, saying that she probably wouldn’t be able to become a wizard if she couldn’t summarize it that way. It was a joke that even she wouldn’t laugh at.

“…Is this a merciless judgment?”

Originally, he didn’t seem like a person who could envision his own future. However… the current remarks are more explicit than before.

As if I had given up even the slightest hope.

“what…?”

What made him like that? What on earth? Because there was a change of heart after the fight with Moby Dick…

Squeak.

At that time, the door to the dorm opened. What came in was a young man who could be seen turning white even in the dark. His green ears drooped down and his lips trembled.

“…Did you hear?”

“….”

The other person did not answer. However, the Archmage listened. Silence was his answer.

“Do you know how to have a drink?”

“…yes.”

“Right. Then sit down. “It’s going to be quite a long night.”

She let out a white breath and took out the alcohol she had prepared just in case. There were no snacks, but I don’t think it would be a big problem. Because the sadness of the night was already in their hands.

* * *

Ah… it’s annoying. Was the erosion too much? Now even the filtered divine power can’t survive without the beads. I thought the wizard had made a pretty good filter, but now I guess that wasn’t the case either.

“What did you… do…?”

It’s okay to be angry, but this is a bit unfair. It’s really not my fault. You knew it in the first place, right? The more you realize it, the more dangerous it is… Isn’t that why you ignored that guy’s earnest plea in the first place?

「….」

That face is nice. It’s my favorite thing I’ve seen in a while.

“…Shut up.”

Is this an insult because I have nothing to say? Anyway, those bright blue things… Ah. I think I should wake him up sooner than that, right? If I keep going like this, I’ll die.

「…Why me?」

…Oh yeah. It was more beneficial to you. But I’m not…

‘If I’m not going to die like this, am I going to wake up like this?’

* * *

Flash.

I raised my eyelids and judged based on instinct. I have to go out.

Wow.

But as I stood up with that thought in mind, something fell on my pillow. It was blood.

I urgently smoothed my face. There was sticky blood coming out of the philtrum. I wonder if this isn’t the first time, and a smudge of blood appears on my cheek.

Even the pillows have discolored stains. It is the color of blood that has been neglected for a long time.

“The devil knight has woken up—.”

“Oh comrade. Spar with me today… Smell of blood?”

I quickly got dressed and went out into the hallway, covering my nose and mouth with a handkerchief.

If this was going to be the case, maybe I should have followed my feeling and gone outside yesterday when I was feeling down. I didn’t know that the impact of missing a single bead would be this strong.

I felt a little regret.

“yes? “Do you smell blood?”

“Comrade, you….”

“Oh wait. “You two, please look at me.”

“yes? But…”

Fortunately, that regret quickly disappeared. It was thanks to the fact that the outcome of yesterday’s conversation – the Archmage was able to eliminate people around him on his behalf – was visible.

Looking back, I feel a little sorry that I reacted more nervously than I thought, but I can’t help it.

At least there was the distance I had hoped for. That was enough.

This distance is perfect for us.

Oh, of course, this doesn’t mean I’m trying to leave the group.

Although I felt skeptical about this journey itself, there are also many problems when leaving the party hastily.

From a close perspective, it’s easier to follow the ending if it exists with a hero’s party, but from a distance, it’s about me in case something happens…

…well, that’s a problem.

From the party’s point of view, I’m somewhat sorry that I’m just being taken advantage of, but that doesn’t mean I have enough space to be considerate.

So just this much. I hope that the relationship will develop at exactly this speed, no more, no less.

Even if we cooperate someday, we hope that we will not be interested in each other’s circumstances.

“after.”

Shortly after leaving the temple, I soaked a handkerchief in water as my nosebleed stopped. Then I wiped my nose and mouth again with a wet towel.

It was a moment when I thought it was a good idea to have some drinking water in my inventory. The remaining blood stains were wiped away.

Well, I don’t know what the cost is, but it’s gotten to the point where I can’t use it anymore.

I put the red-stained handkerchief in my inventory. Growling. As I was only getting dressed and coming out, my stomach was crying because I couldn’t fill it yet.

I have to go to the restaurant first.

And since I don’t have a handkerchief, I have to buy one too.

And….

And where do we go now? Should I go get the beads again? Ah, that looks a bit out of shape.

Or should I ask Lord Soseong when the matter will be resolved? There is also a way to sleep outside during that period.

Oh right. I broke the long sword, so I have to buy a sword too.

I organized my itinerary step by step, looking for a suitable restaurant.

There was more to do than I thought. The only problem is that even if I put off just one thing, going to Soseongju, I can get it all resolved within the morning.

So what do you do this afternoon? In modern times, we would just sit in a cafe or library and read a book while sipping coffee.

However, there is no cafe or teahouse here.

Although there is a square, there is no park, so it is difficult to take a walk. Because the illiteracy rate is high, there is no concept of a library… but you can’t go to a temple or castle to read books.

So, if there’s a space where you can freely read, it’s a bookstore…

I don’t know if there are any bookstores in this city. Let’s look for it.

“Now, fresh fruit has just arrived! Cum, cum!”

“The play that will make even Münmund, the city of knights cry, is about to begin!”

“I knew that kid would do that. On a bad day, if they saw green hair, they would beat it up… Huh. Rebellion? “You should give it a try!”

“When will the death penalty be carried out?”

I walked through the cluttered streets and looked at all kinds of stalls and stores. Even though it felt a little different from Hyundai, there were some similarities, so window shopping was fun.

Then, the restaurant I happened to go to was quite delicious. I couldn’t find a blacksmith shop, but I bought a pretty good handkerchief.

But the bookstore doesn’t even have a nose in sight.

Books are expensive items, so I thought it would be located in a high-end shopping district.

Is it wasted? Should I give up?

“It’s late, it’s late!”

But just as I was about to give up on the bookstore, I saw a young man running from the other side of the street, holding a bunch of papers.

His destination is a very luxurious-looking restaurant. What I was holding was a piece of paper for a menu.

“Forgive me for being late!”

“Me! Are you coming now? “If it had been 10 minutes later, I would have been really angry!”

“sorry!”

“take it!”

Should we call this prejudice against glasses? Or should I say that I instinctively smelled ink.

“Phew… I’m glad I wasn’t late.”

I approached the young man.

A young man from the Shagi tribe, reminiscent of a yellow leopard, is feeling relieved as he flips his wavy wheat-colored hair.

“hey.”

“huh?”

“Are you a scribe?”

I checked his shabby but neat outfit and the ink stains visible through the hair on his hands.

A menu board and ink stains that may have been requested items. At the very least, I was confident that he was an ink-digger. At the same time, there is also a hypothesis that this person would know about bookstores.

“Oh yes! you’re right! “Maybe it’s a request…?”

“I’m looking for a bookstore.”

Then what should I do? I should ask.

It’s nice to spend time running around sweaty looking for a bookstore, but I prefer to go early and see more books.

“Bookstore?”

Anyway, in response to my question, the young man adjusted his glasses again and smiled broadly.

“You must be from a big city. There aren’t many stores in Ednium that only sell books. “It’s difficult to make a living just by buying and selling books.”

As expected, there is no bookstore.

However, it doesn’t seem like there are any places that sell books at all, just books. Otherwise, there is no way to affirm that the other person is a mortal.

“Of course, there are places that handle books and also take transcription requests! Would you like me to guide you to the store?”

Look at this.

“What kind of book should I cover?”

Modern bookstores carry all kinds of books, but the world I have experienced is quite different. There were places that only dealt with really expensive books, and there were places that dealt with books that were poorly compiled.

And what I’m aiming for is usually the latter. Electronics cost a huge amount of money to look at, and if there is even a scratch, the amount you have to pay is shocking.

“It covers pretty much everything. Of course, you shouldn’t expect anything like a scripture or a proper magic book.”

“There is no need for that.”

You can go to the temple for the scriptures and the Magic Tower for the magic books, but whatever. And there wasn’t much information I wanted to get.

Although they are miscellaneous books, they do not contain the information I want to know, but they still provide information about culture.

“Then let’s go! It’s not far!”

Fortunately, there seem to be a lot of them.

The young man energetically led me to the store.