Chapter 1024 – Dark Eyes

000

“Hmm. So I stayed in the kingdom tent for one night…”

When Cleon returned in the morning, he quietly nodded while standing in front of Lila, who was standing at the front door with her arms crossed while trying to sneak in to pick up the house.

At first, Cleon politely explained the situation from beginning to end to Laila, who had politely asked her, ‘Could you explain the situation, Mr. Cleon?’.

The gazes of Layla, who finally heard the whole story, and Sasha and Amelia, who are sticking their heads out from the aisle in the back, are painful.

“Ha. Well, I thought so. Herti came and told me where I had been. Come in.”

“Thank you…”

Cleon answered like that without realizing it and crossed the entrance with a wrinkled attitude.

“Oh, that’s right.”

At that time, Lila, who was about to go back to her room, stops her steps and looks back at him.

“Why, why?”

Perhaps there was something nagging left that hadn’t been done yet?

Cleon looks at her with a nervous expression, but Lila speaks as if nothing has happened.

“I’ll prepare an antidote because there might be some traces of the drug left in your body. And…”

Lila says with a sharp look in her eyes.

“The ingredients used in the medicine can be detoxified with highly effective detoxification magic or antidote. Next time, detoxify it yourself. Okay?”

“Uh, yeah…”

As Lila insisted that there would be no next time and even suggested a solution, Cleon had no choice but to nod her head once again.

001

After taking a bath and eating, Cleon is taking a rest while drinking the antidote as Lila had mentioned.

Then, from far outside the mansion, you can hear the sound of musical instruments being played.

“Looks like they’re leaving. Kingdom people.”

The person who spoke like that was Kuon, who was sitting across from Cleon on the sofa in the living room.

“I think it was a little later than the original departure time. I wonder why that was.”

Then, Lila spoke a little teasingly, and Cleon avoided eye contact and brought the cup containing the remaining antidote to her mouth.

“Is it okay if I don’t say hello?”

Sasha asked.

“Yes. I already knew who I wanted to greet this morning.”

Cleon answered lightly.

Neither Selena nor Dio seemed to be very sorry about breaking up.

Is it because I was confident that I would be able to see you again soon?

“Senior. We plan to go back tomorrow, too.”

And then, as if she had been waiting for an opportunity, Beatrix opened her mouth.

“What? Already?”

Lila spoke as if she was disappointed in Beatrix’s words, and she jumped into her arms.

“I can’t leave the academy empty for too long. Don’t worry, if anything happens, I’ll rush over right away.”

Beatrix was smiling and stroking Lila’s head as she nuzzled her face into her breast, like a mother soothing her child.

“Cleon.”

And, in complete contrast to the warm atmosphere of these two people, their voices sound a bit cold.

Anatis put down the teacup he was holding in his hand on the table.

It must have been warm tea, but there was frost on the cup she was holding.

She said, “The plan is to set off to awaken a sleeping ancient weapon. I heard that you are also expected to participate.”

“Huh? Ah, that’s right. In the Dragon Mountain Range with Attis…”

In response to Cleon’s answer, Anatis closed his mouth for a moment and looked as if he was thinking about something.

Then, on the contrary, her Cleon side asked her a question.

“… Do you have any information?”

“No. It’s the opposite.”

Anatis shook his head at Cleon’s question.

“One of the reasons why the primordial world was destined to end… A technology that incinerates magical energy to create powerful destructive power. Except that the technology is applied. Nothing about that snake. The throne that created the dragon. Note – Nemea did not allow us to reach that technology.”

As Anatis said that, he kept a somewhat sunken look in his eyes.

“It is a story about an unknown weapon that even I, who oversees knowledge passed down from ancient times, do not know about.”

“Anatis too…”

Beatrix seemed a little unable to believe that something she didn’t know existed.

“… But it is also true that it is one of the few weapons that is effective against Adam.”

Lila spoke while clinging to Beatrix.

Anatis also nods.

It seemed like he acknowledged that Laila was not wrong.

“Of course, there is no change in the fact that it is a powerful technology. It would be impossible to find a weapon or magic with equal power among today’s humanity. However… A weapon to which that technology is applied will erode the lifespan of a star.”〈 Br〉

But it was also a warning at the same time.

Anatis, no, the five dragons.

The guardians of balance who remain in this world will watch over themselves.

If the ancient serpent is trying to burn more than just Adam – the dragons will surely make their move.

It would soon be connected to Nemea’s will to protect the star, so no matter how much they admired and loved Cleon, it was meaningless.

Since we were not part of the group and could not understand her will, just keep her mouth shut for a moment.

“… But at the same time, I somehow believe in you.”

Anatis continued his speech quietly.

“You will definitely go down the right path. All humans make mistakes, but if you raise your head and look ahead. You can definitely head to a different ending than ancient mankind.”

Was it her own encouragement?

In response to her trust, Cleon nodded his head.

“… Of course. We have no intention of letting this world we live in dry out and become distorted. Leviathan… Will only be used to defeat Adam. If you want, you can make an ‘oath’.”

When Cleon said that, Anatis shook his head quietly.

“You better not risk your soul as collateral too easily, Cleon. Your soul is special.”

“Yes, that’s right! No matter how useful oaths are, Cleon tends to make deals with others too easily, risking his soul.”

At the same time as Anatis refused, Galatea, who was next to him in the form of a sword, appeared and spoke.

“In times like this, I think you can just say things like ‘I promise’ or ‘trust me’ in a normal way.”

And, when Amelia helped up, Cleon straightened his back and scratched his cheek with an expression as if he had been punched.

“Ah, okay… If you guys go that far.”

To Cleon’s reply, Anatis briefly replied, ‘I believe,’ and Lyla shrugged her shoulders and shook her head as she spoke to Galatea.

“Galatea. Take care of your master’s soul.”

“Hmph, that’s probably true anyway.”

While saying that, Galatea hugs Cleon from behind and wraps her arms around his neck.

Feeling a soft touch on the back of his neck, Cleon cleared his throat.

“Galatea. Because it’s so close…”

“What do you think? You have to stay as close as possible to avoid getting lost.”

With that being said, she won’t let go of Cleon until her sex is relieved.

Cleon shook his head as if he had given up.

“Ha… Do whatever you want.”

The group watched the two people salting with different reactions.

“… But the story changes, Cleon? That ring on your finger…”

It was at that time that Anatis naturally tried to bring up the story about the dragon ring, as if to change the subject.

Empty!

Outside the front door, someone had visited the mansion and was knocking on the door.

“Who is it? Is there anyone coming to visit at this hour?”

“Quite a lot.”

“I’ll go and come back!”

In response to Kuon’s question, Laila shrugged her shoulders, and Sasha nodded and ran out to the front door.

When everyone stopped talking, holding their breath to see who was visiting or trying to hear their voices, Anatis was unable to continue what he was trying to say and closed his mouth to the others with a slightly displeased look on his face.

“Sorry for waking up this morning, Miss Sasha! Is the instructor inside?”

A young man greets me in a bright voice, calling Sasha’s name from the front door.

When Cleon heard that voice, his face changed from a little surprised to happy.

“Is it Demis?”

“He is one of the few men who will come to this mansion.”

“I guess so.”

Amelia agrees with Lila’s words.

“… Is he the son of Duke Miyeom? He must be busy handling public affairs on behalf of his father…”

Anatis muttered as if he was wondering why he had come here, and in the meantime, Cleon got up from his seat and walked out to the front door to greet Demis, who was looking for him.

Demis then immediately appeared from the living room, made eye contact with Cleon who came out into the hallway, and showed courtesy by greeting him in the Eastern style.

“Instructor, good morning.”

“Ah. Good morning Demis. What happened?”

Cleon, still polite, nodded and answered, and Demis spoke with a slightly excited expression.

“Actually, my father is returning to official duties sooner than planned… And he said he would like to talk about the ‘Evil Dragon Mountains’ with the instructor.”

“… It’s really fast? Weren’t you originally planning on taking a few more days to rest?”

“Well… I received an effective potion from the people in the kingdom. It was an orange potion that I had never seen before, and my father’s condition improved with it.”

“…”

Cleon was silent for a moment at his words.

Orange potion? That…

But soon, he will shake his head.

“I see. So, it’s a call from Miyeom-gong?”

“Yes, that’s right. Artis said he would come too, so I hope the instructor participating in the survey team will also be there.”

Cleon would nod his head at Demis’ words.

“… Okay. I’ll get ready right away. Can you wait a moment? If you don’t mind, you can come inside and sit in the living room and wait.”

“You can prepare slowly, instructor! I didn’t mean to rush you.”

At Cleon’s words, Demis shook his head, but Cleon smiled and patted Demis on the shoulder.

“You can’t keep your favorite student and friend waiting, right?”

“Go, instructor…”

Cleon spoke with a light heart, but Demis, who had already reached the upper limit of his respect for Cleon, looked somewhat moved.

“W-I’ll wait here! Forever!”

“Haha, no fuss.”

Cleon seems to think Demis’s words were a joke, and walks straight into his room.

Demis, who was quietly watching Cleon’s back, rubbed his shoulder where Cleon had touched it.

He clenched his fists and muttered as if he was thrilled.

“… Ha… Instructor… Someday, I will be like you…”

“…”

Only Sasha, who had come to meet him at the entrance, was watching him with his eyes moving in silence as he seemed to be very absorbed in something.

‘… Mr. Cleon. Maybe it’s better to be a little more careful…’

Even the purest Sasha was a little appalled by Demis’ reaction, which was easy enough to understand.

002

After completing preparations, Cleon went to the royal palace of the Eastern Kingdom – among them, the building that was still intact – in order to have an audience with Duke Miyeom.

Although repair work was still in full swing, government affairs still had to continue, so many people were busy coming and going in the royal palace.

The large room we arrived at under the guidance of Demis was a little smaller than the room in which Cleon had spoken with Prince Miyeom when he first visited the royal palace of this eastern country.

Perhaps that’s why Miyeomgong, who was sitting on a chair, could not straighten his back as usual, and was leaning slightly to prevent his head from touching the ceiling.

“You’re here.”

When the door opened with Demis’s words announcing his arrival, Miyeomgong turned towards Cleon.

“I’m glad that you seem to have recovered your courage. Miyeom-gong.”

“Thanks to your colleagues and Calia.”

Mi Yangong stroked his beard and nodded.

And, Artis had already arrived there and had various documents spread out in front of him.

“Cleon is late~”

Artis spoke to Cleon in a slightly teasing manner, as usual.

She spoke with a pouting expression while adjusting her glasses.

“I’m sorry. I came prepared as quickly as possible…”

After bowing his head and apologizing, Cleon went inside, but when he saw Attis’ face, he had no choice but to stop.

“… Attis, you.”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

At Cleon’s words, Attis blinked.

Don’t you even know it yourself?

What kind of face was she making now.

Her sly demeanor and dark blue hair were no different from usual.

However, there were deep shadows under her eyes, so at first it seemed like she had heavy eye makeup.

Even when I saw it the day before yesterday, I don’t think it was like this.

“What happened? When did you sleep?”

“Well? But I’m busy making exploration plans. Don’t worry, I’m going to sleep for a while after this meeting.”

Cleon felt a little cold sweat at Attis’s words and looked at her beauty.

Mi Yeom-gong shook her head and said, ‘She didn’t listen even when I said it.’

… In that case, all he can do is literally end the meeting quickly.

Cleon quickly sits down next to Artis.

“… Better get started right away.”

“No. There’s still one more person.”

At Cleon’s words, Lord Miyeom shook her head.

“We still need one more person to participate in this meeting. Lord Artis, the actual leader of the exploration party, and Lord Cleon, who will be in charge of the guard. And… Another person needed to explore the Serpent Mountains.”〈 Br〉

When Cleon kept his mouth shut, as if he didn’t understand the words, Attis sighed.

“Is it really necessary? She…”

“Think of it as the old man’s concern, Lord Artis. I recognize your talent, but… In great matters, there is more to it than visible ‘ability’.”

Cleon looked as if he couldn’t quite figure out what to say when he heard those words.

And right then.

Once again, the door that Cleon passed through opened, and this time Riomes appeared.

“I brought you here, father.”

After Riomes said that, he immediately made eye contact with Cleon and bowed his head.

Behind her, someone was walking trotting into the room.

And Cleon couldn’t help but change his expression as if he was shocked to see her.

Because she-