Chapter 4

Escape (3)

A man in a black robe, his identity unknown.

However, for some reason, his attitude was unmistakably cautious.

I could tell right away that he was under some serious misconception about the situation.

'Could it be because of Quan Cheng?'

Did he witness me killing Quan Cheng?

Is that why he perceives me as an incredibly dangerous figure, even more so than Quan Cheng?

...Indeed, it's understandable for him to be mistaken. If that's the case, his reaction makes sense.

Otherwise, why would a powerful figure on par with Quan Cheng be wary of a mere prisoner?

In any case, this misconception was incredibly helpful for me, so I tried my best to maintain a poker face to play along.

He asked who I was, but I had no good answer to give. It was better to just stay silent.

If I showed any emotional disturbance, it would only put me in a more disadvantageous position.

"I am Deyphon, a member of the Caldric Monarch Council, unaffiliated with the Lognar Kingdom or the Saintea Empire."

The man introduced himself first.

"...Caldric Monarch Council?"

Caldric?

One of the four major powers dividing the continent, alongside Saintea, the Caldric Monarch Council?

'Is the current situation something this guy caused?'

With both Quan Cheng and Caldric involved, what were these major figures doing on a mere transport ship?

I could only guess that some kind of significant power struggle was involved.

But for me, the most important thing right now was survival, not their motives or background.

I subtly observed him and asked,

"What did you do to the ship?"

It's been shaking non-stop. Surely it's not sinking, is it...?

"If you want to know the condition of the ship, the transport will sink before reaching Achemon."

What, this guy?

I couldn't help but break my poker face for a moment.

Being told that I would soon drown in the middle of the sea, it was impossible not to frown.

"Why are you, a person of your caliber, a prisoner on a transport ship?"

I wanted to grab the collar of the guy who put me in this situation and ask him.

What should I do now?

My hands and feet were still bound, the ship was about to sink, and in front of me was a near-level 90 monster staring at me intently.

It was truly a case of adding insult to injury. The situation was not improving but getting even more hopeless.

What good would it do to maintain my composure? How could I possibly survive this?

Rumble!

The ship's shaking intensified, warning that time was running out.

'But why is he so calm?'

Even with such a high level, could he escape the middle of the sea on his own? Is land nearby?

Of course, as the one who caused this, he must have some way to escape.

'He must have prepared another ship, or a teleportation spell... Ah.'

Realizing this, I understood.

There was only one lifeline I could hope for in this situation.

'If I get help from this robed guy.'

Then at least I wouldn't drown with the transport ship.

But the obvious problem was...

'He won't help me willingly.'

What reason does he have to help me?

His current stance towards me is clearly one of caution.

He can't attack recklessly without knowing my strength, so he's being cautious.

In this situation, asking for help when I can't escape the ship or free myself from the restraints?

It would be much more likely that he would kill me on the spot once he realizes I'm just a nobody.

However, the reality is that the only way out is through him.

If I want to survive, I need to find a way.

Whether by exploiting his misconception or something else, I need to find a way to escape...

"Would you like to come with me? To the Grand Monarch's Palace of Caldric."

...What?

I hid my surprise and looked at him again.

"The Grand Monarch values ability above all else. Race, origin, and past are of little importance in Caldric. Someone like you would surely be welcomed by the Grand Monarch."

"..."

"Caldric is different from Saintea in many ways. There are many things that would interest you more than a land of only humans."

He had even changed the form of address to "Your Excellency."

But what was he saying?

It took a moment to understand the meaning of his words, which were far from what I expected.

'...Is this a recruitment offer?'

Is this guy offering to recruit me into his faction?

Even though I'm a prisoner with an unclear identity?

I realized that he was deeply mistaken about me.

Of course, this was a golden opportunity.

Without having to put on a desperate act, he had taken the initiative.

If I accept his offer, I can escape this sinking ship safely. However...

'The problem is what happens after that.'

What can I, a useless nobody, do in Caldric?

And what? The Grand Monarch's Palace? The Grand Monarch of Caldric wants to take me personally?

It would be better to stick my head into a tiger's mouth.

Rumble!

...But there was no other way.

Whether I get crushed by the collapsing ship or drown in the sea.

If I don't accept his offer, I will definitely die here.

'Worse than the worst, at least it's a lesser evil.'

I'll deal with the consequences later; the priority is to survive now.

After a long silence, I spoke softly.

"Is this a recruitment offer?"

"Of course."

He answered promptly.

"Caldric...?"

I muttered that once and continued.

"A little intriguing."

Ah, maybe not.

I immediately regretted saying it. Intriguing? I should have just accepted it. Trying to maintain the atmosphere, I went too far.

But it was safe, as his previously expressionless face seemed to brighten slightly for a moment.

'But can you at least free the restraints?'

Can't you sensibly start by freeing me from these restraints?

Fortunately, it seemed my desperate plea was understood, as he walked into the cell.

Clang!

The restraints shattered and fell to the ground under some unknown, intangible force.

Only then did I regain my freedom.

When I glanced at him, he didn't seem to find it particularly strange.

Yeah, he wouldn't imagine that the guy who killed Quan Cheng couldn't break these metal restraints.

"I formally introduce myself again. Deyphon Cladinel, Chief Advisor to the Grand Monarch of the Caldric Monarch Council."

Chief Advisor to the Grand Monarch?

'No wonder his level is so high.'

I finally understood his identity.

I didn't know all the names of the many NPCs in Lasa, so I didn't immediately recognize him by name.

Chief Advisor to the Grand Monarch of Caldric. The Grand Monarch's closest confidant and a major figure with influence rivaling the nine monarchs.

He stared at me, waiting for my response.

I felt a bit awkward. I don't even know who I am, so how could I introduce myself?

After a brief silence, I finally managed to say one short word.

"Ron."

It had no meaning. It was just a name that came to mind.

I couldn't use my real name in this Western fantasy world.

It seemed to be enough, as Deyphon nodded without asking for more details.

"Ah, and may I respectfully ask to recover Quan Cheng's body?"

"..."

"There is someone who would want this. Of course, the ownership of the body is clearly yours, Ron."

No, I don't need that at all.

Why is ownership of a corpse even an issue? Someone wants it?

'Ah... Could he be talking about the King of the Dead?'

In any case, it was good for me, so I told him to go ahead.

Deyphon briefly thanked me and waved his hand towards Quan Cheng's body.

Dark energy rose and quickly consumed the body, leaving no trace.

"Then, Ron, I will take you to the Grand Monarch's Palace now. I will cast a teleportation spell, so please do not resist the magic."

Deyphon said this and extended his hand.

I wondered how we would escape, and it turned out to be a teleportation, as expected.

Now that I think about it, one of the Chief Advisor's abilities was long-distance teleportation... but wait.

'...To the Grand Monarch's Palace right now?'

I looked at his outstretched hand with mixed feelings and took it, standing up.

Whoosh.

Soon, a faint blue light appeared, and the surrounding space began to distort. I felt a sensation of floating.

...My stomach churns. How much time has passed? More than 10 seconds?

When my vision cleared, I was no longer in the transport ship's prison.

Surprised by the sudden change in scenery, I blinked.

Swoosh.

A dark, spacious cavern-like space.

The walls were embedded with countless large stones that glowed blue, and the light from these stones formed a geometric pattern on the ground.

'...A magic circle?'

I looked down at the slowly disappearing magic circle and then raised my head to look around.

Ignoring the magic circle, there were robed figures standing motionless like statues around me.

What's with this atmosphere right after the teleport?

"Sir Deyphon."

A woman dressed like a butler approached and bowed.

"Thank you for your hard work from a distant land. It's fortunate that you returned safely."

Her pointed ears caught my attention. An elf?

"Is the Grand Monarch...?"

"He is in his seat. The Monarch Council meeting will begin shortly."

"Returning at a rather opportune time."

Deyphon muttered this and continued, glancing at me with a curious look.

"He is a distinguished guest to be introduced to the Grand Monarch. Treat him with the utmost respect."

"..."

She quickly regained her composure and bowed deeply with one arm folded.

"I apologize for my rudeness. My name is Kaelan."

...Things are moving quickly.

Even though I escaped the transport ship, the situation was still chaotic.

'So... this is the Grand Monarch's Palace of Caldric?'

Did I really travel from Saintea's territory to Caldric in one go?

And now I have to meet the Grand Monarch of Caldric?

Of course, it's all as I said, but... so soon?

'This is driving me crazy.'

I wonder what reaction Deyphon would have if I changed my mind and refused now.

This place is his base and the core of Caldric's power.

It would be too optimistic to expect him to let me go with a smile.

"Welcome to the Grand Monarch's Palace of Caldric, Ron."

Deyphon, unaware of my feelings, only said this with a sigh.

Escaping the sinking ship meant entering the tiger's den.

The Grand Monarch of Caldric, Rashetin.

A super-major figure who leads one of the top powers in the Lasa world.

Ah... I really don't know what to do now.

Let it be.