Chapter 57

Inside the small room.

An elderly man led Renok into the room, where only simple artifacts and clothes were neatly arranged, and extended his hand first.

“I am Raul.”

“I’m Ban. I do freelance work.”

When Renok calmly revealed his name, Raul’s eyes quietly lit up.

“...I’ve heard that name before. I heard you’ve recently become quite famous as a mage.”

“I’ve been lucky.”

Though he uttered a modest response that he didn’t truly feel, Raul wasn’t fooled by it.

“No, a mage’s skill is proportional to their own enlightenment and capacity. If it’s not just a hollow reputation, it’s proof that your talent is extraordinary.”

Raul seemed to relax his guard considerably upon realizing that Ban was someone who had gained a certain level of recognition.

Perhaps he now trusted that Ban wouldn’t openly harm them, given his known status.

Indeed, fame wasn’t always a bad thing.

“So, you said you had something to discuss regarding the Palmers Research Institute.”

“Yes. Do you know what happened there?”

“No, I haven’t heard. But from the fact that you came here in person... it can’t be good news, can it?”

Raul said this, propped his chin, and slowly closed his eyes.

“I will listen.”

“......”

To maintain his composure while guessing what had happened there was a remarkable feat of mental strength.

To endure like this, knowing he could be a target of the massacre, was impressive.

Renok marveled at this fact and then clearly recounted what he had experienced.

It didn’t take long.

It was enough to tell him about the massacre at the research institute and the black mage he encountered there, as well as the outcome of the battle.

“So, that’s what happened...”

No matter how much he had anticipated, the shock of hearing it directly was unavoidable.

Raul, unable to hide his troubled feelings, shuddered and slowly opened his eyes.

After a long silence, he suddenly spoke.

“We are quite different from them, even though we are all