Chapter 247: Chapter 247 Gnometree (1)

Gnometree (1)

Alchemists.

Beings capable of transforming magic stones into matter.

Even in Lafdonia, there weren't many people with this profession, so they were considered a crucial resource.

It was even more so in Noark, which was much more impoverished.

“Good morning, Miss Marlene!”

“Are you running errands for the Alchemist? It looks heavy. I’ll carry it for you.”

That was why everyone in the city treated Marlene kindly.

She was the only apprentice of the Alchemist.

Someday, after inheriting all his knowledge, she would be responsible for this city.

‘Grandfather’s body isn’t what it used to be…’

Honestly, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t burdened by this position.

But there was no one else who could do it.

So she had no choice but to be responsible and do her best.

It wasn’t a position with only duties.

“Grandfather!”

“I told you to call me Master.”

“Okay. Master! So, what about that item? Did it arrive?”

“Of course, it’s here. There are quite a few, so take what you need.”

The Alchemist tossed a two-way subspace pocket, and Marlene caught it and checked the contents.

The items she ordered were inside.

“Please tell them thank you!”

“Okay.”

Marlene whistled as she transferred the items to her personal bag.

It was a clear privilege.

If it weren’t for her position as the Alchemist’s apprentice, she wouldn’t have been able to use a two-way subspace pocket, a strategic item, for personal use…

…and the infiltrators who went to the city wouldn’t have even listened to her request in the first place.

“Wow, Grandfather! Try this. This bakery makes amazing cookies!”

“I told you to call me Master. Ah, the cookies are delicious.”

“But what’s that? It looks similar to an elixir, but that can’t be…”

“Haha, you have a good eye.”

“Huh? Is, is it really an el, elixir?”

Marlene, who was casually eating a cookie, jumped up.

After all, an elixir?

It was something even her master had only made five times in his entire life because the ingredients were so expensive and the production process was so difficult.

‘He said he already used two…’

There were only three elixirs left in Noark.

And one of them was currently in her master’s hand.

What was the reason?

The master smiled and told her as Marlene’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“You should also follow me and learn. We’re going to give the Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos, an elixir today and try to restore his memories depending on his recovery.”

“Regal Vagos, that mister…?”

Marlene involuntarily frowned.

“Why? Don’t you like him?”

“…He just looks scary.”

“Don’t judge people by their appearance. It’s because of his injuries. I heard he was quite handsome before he was burned. Well, I don’t particularly like him either.”

“R, really? I’m not the only one?”

“Haha, you always only hear what you want to hear.”

“Because it’s not just his appearance. He’s so rude. And he even talks informally to you…”

“That guy.”

An awkward silence fell, and then Marlene heard the details from her master.

The reason why that Dragonkin received such a precious elixir was simple.

Well, at least on the surface.

“They said they need to replenish the Corpse Collector’s forces since they were significantly weakened this time.”

“Is he that strong? I heard he was weakened by the curse.”

“His Dragon Speech is still special. He can’t use it freely, but… they expect him to be able to use it a few more times after taking the elixir.”

The captain of Orculus personally requested an elixir from the Lord, and the Lord granted it.

It was a one-sided demand, but they couldn’t help it.

They were also responsible for what happened to the Dragonkin.

They tried to treat him, but his condition worsened for some reason.

“Tsk, I still don’t know what happened. There was no reason for that to happen.”

“I think he’s just acting! He’s trying to frame us and gain the upper hand!”

“…I don’t think it’s an act, but I understand what you’re trying to say. The Lord shouldn’t be manipulated by them forever.”

Orculus was like a poisoned chalice.

They knew it was harmful, but they couldn’t let go.

“Alright, then let’s go now that we’re ready.”

Marlene then followed her master to the Dragonkin’s room.

“Groaaaaan…”

He couldn’t even speak properly, lying in bed.

His limbs were stiff, and he could only move his eyes.

“I know your hearing is fine, so I’ll just speak. You must be happy. The Lord has bestowed an elixir upon you.”

“Groan…”

“Then let’s begin right away.”

For reference, there wasn’t much to the treatment process.

After all, an elixir wasn’t an ordinary item.

“…….”

Carefully feeding him the elixir so that he wouldn’t spill it was the entire process.

The Dragonkin was able to sit up and speak after waiting for about 10 minutes after consuming it.

However…

“Damn it, what the hell did you guys do?”

…that was the first thing he said.

“No, what kind of bullshit did you do to make me worse after receiving treatment?!”

Marlene wanted to say something, but she barely held back, remembering what her master said before they came.

“Haha, that’s why I brought the elixir. Be understanding.”

“Ha, if you weren’t an alchemist…”

“Alright, then let’s move on to the next step since your body seems to have recovered.”

“Next step?”

“What we were going to do back then. We couldn’t because you suddenly collapsed, but we have to try to restore your lost memories now.”

“Is it… safe?”

“It might fail, but it won’t harm your body.”

“…I’ll trust you.”

The Dragonkin nodded arrogantly. Marlene was annoyed, but she couldn’t say anything when her master was just standing there.

“Here, drink this. It’s a potion called ‘Curse of Lethe’. Ah, and it might hurt a bit, but you’ll be able to endure it in your current state, so don’t worry too much.”

The Dragonkin took the potion with a dubious look and swallowed it.

“…It’s bitter.”

“Lie down now, the pain will come soon.”

The Dragonkin obediently followed his instructions and lay down on the bed again.

And after some time…

“……!”

…the Dragonkin, who had been sweating profusely and groaning in pain, opened his eyes again.

“How is it? Have your memories returned?”

“…I don’t know. I think so.”

“It might take some time.”

“It’s a strange feeling. I can clearly remember things from when I was young.”

“That’s because it’s that kind of potion.”

“More importantly, do you have anything sweet? I want something to cleanse my palate…”

The master looked at Marlene at the Dragonkin’s request.

It was a sign for her to give him something if she had it.

“…I’ll get it.”

Marlene quickly returned to her room and brought the cookies she had left behind.

But her master was gone when she came back.

“Your master was summoned by the Lord. So, what about the food?”

“Here…”

Marlene handed him the few cookies that were left.

She didn’t want to, but what could she do?

‘They were from Amelia…’

The Dragonkin, as if he wasn’t satisfied with just one, ate several cookies in one bite.

And after some time…

“Ugh… my head!!”

…the Dragonkin suddenly clutched his forehead.

As if he was remembering ‘that day’s memory’.

“Th, that’s right…! It, it was him…!”

The Dragonkin then looked into the distance and cheered.

But his joy didn’t last long.

“Keu, keugh!”

He coughed violently with a pained expression.

It wasn’t like something was stuck in his throat.

His skin, which was already red and blotchy from the burns, was swelling grotesquely.

‘Gr, Grandfather didn’t say there were side effects like this?’

Marlene’s mind went blank at the unexpected situation.

And at that moment…

“You!!”

…the Dragonkin suddenly reached out towards Marlene.

It was a gesture filled with clear hostility.

Marlene, who had only ever learned alchemy, couldn’t even react.

But…

“Ugh!”

…his hand didn’t reach her.

Because the Dragonkin lost his balance and fell off the bed as he was getting up.

“Keugh!”

Saliva dripped from his wide-open mouth.

If she wasn’t mistaken, there was also blood mixed in.

Then what the hell happened?

“You… what, what did you put in the… cookies…”

“No, no? They’re just ordinary cookies…”

Marlene answered in confusion, and the Dragonkin completely collapsed.

“…Da, damn bitch.”

He was still looking up, his neck veins bulging.

Of course, it didn’t last long.

Thud.

He limply lowered his head.

“Dr, dragon blood… is… incompatible with cinnamon…”

He was allergic to cinnamon.

______________________

「The activation condition for the Star’s Blessing has been met.」

______________________

The third vine disappeared.

I didn’t know why.

I guessed that maybe he was struck by divine punishment while making another evil plan.

After all, it was a sacred relic imbued with divine power.

Anyway, the reason wasn’t what I should be concerned about.

‘Damn it.’

Now that Dragonslayer bastard could come after me at any time.

It meant I had even more to worry about.

‘It’s only been a month since the second vine broke.’

How did this happen?

I couldn’t help but sigh.

After all, I wasn’t fully prepared yet.

‘I think I can handle him if he comes alone…’

The problem was that there was no guarantee he would come alone to take revenge.

What if he came with the Clown bastard?

Or if he brought a lot of subordinates?

‘And it seems like the barrier will be broken soon.’

The royal family had even found a way to break Noark’s barrier.

If travel between the surface and the underground became possible, I might even encounter the Dragonslayer in the city, not in the labyrinth.

Of course, that wasn’t something I should be worried about right now.

‘Why here…?’

I let out a silent sigh and glanced around.

“Bjorn, don’t tell me…!”

Misha, who knew what the vine ring meant, was just shocked.

But what about the knight?

“…?”

He seemed confused, wondering what the hell was going on.

However, the paladin was different.

“…It’s a sacred relic of our church. And a type I’ve never seen before.”

Sven Parab, the vice-captain of the 2nd Paladin Order of the Leathlas Church, narrowed his eyes.

As expected of a religious person, he recognized it as a sacred relic.

“Don’t tell me the oracle that came down before…”

“Stop.”

“Ah… I apologize.”

The paladin shut his mouth, realizing his mistake, as I cut him off.

But it was already too late.

“Then the protagonist of that oracle…”

“…The foundation of an escort mission is confidentiality, so don’t worry too much.”

Don’t worry, my ass.

They would tell their superiors everything.

‘…Ha, this is annoying.’

Three knights and one vice-captain.

Only four people knew the secret, but it was obvious that the number would increase.

Just how long would it take for it to reach the chieftain’s ears?

‘…They won’t really kick me out of the tribe, will they?’

Well, I didn’t know.

But it would definitely cause trouble.

The chieftain already seemed displeased with me becoming a noble. It was a hassle to persuade him, using the excuse that it was for the tribe.

‘…It will take a long time to reach the 9th-stage engraving.’

It was frustrating.

Especially since there was nothing I could do about it right now.

They would all say they would keep it a secret in front of me.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

Therefore, I just left the Grand Temple without saying anything.

What could I do about it now that it had already happened?

‘I have no choice but to take over the tribe as soon as possible.’

Everything would be solved if I became the chieftain and changed the tribe’s traditions.

And in that sense…

“Misha, you go back home.”

…I had something to do.

“Huh?”

“I’m going to stop by the sanctuary for a bit.”

Strike while the iron is hot, right?

I immediately parted ways with Misha and headed towards the sanctuary.

The knights didn’t follow me inside.

Because the barbarian tribe still maintained the tradition of prohibiting other races from entering.

“Then we’ll wait here.”

“I’ll be out around evening, so rest nearby.”

“Yes.”

A forest, a sight that was rare in the city, appeared as soon as I entered through the open gate.

But could it be because of my warrior’s body?

For some reason, this place felt more like home than Lee Hansu’s room, which I went to every time the community opened.

‘The air here is nice.’

I soon reached the residential area of the sanctuary as I was walking along the overgrown path.

Huts built haphazardly without any standards.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel, is a warrior blessed by the ancestor god and is invincible!”

“He’s a god and invincible!”

“Now, I’m going to tell you the story of how Bjorn defeated the most evil spirit in the world, the Corpse Collector, so listen carefully!”

“Li, listen carefully? What does that mean?!”

“It means open your ears and listen!”

I saw young warriors receiving early education in a nearby clearing.

For reference, the instructor was…

‘Ainar.’

Ainar was different from when she was outside.

Her shoulders, which were always slumped in front of Misha, were now broad, and her expression was filled with confidence.

And she was carrying four backpacks.

After all, the number of backpacks was a symbol of success in the barbarian tribe.

She probably wanted to show off in front of her juniors.

It seemed like she liked that position, as it had become her daily routine to go to the sanctuary every morning.

‘…Let’s just pass by.’

Although I thought about greeting Ainar…

…I gave up because I felt like I would be drained.

I had another reason for coming to the sanctuary today.

I had to conserve my energy.

Swoosh.

I arrived at the chieftain’s house and opened the tent, entering.

It’s one of a barbarian’s advantages.

There’s no need to knock.

“Oh, it seems like your body has recovered.”

“It has.”

“What brings you here?”

As expected of a man at the top of the barbarian tribe, the chieftain got straight to the point.

I always liked how straightforward it was here.

I didn’t have to hold back either.

“I have something to say.”

“Say it.”

Honesty is a virtue in barbarian society.

“I’m here to inherit the chieftain’s position.”

I said it without hesitation.

“Inherit…”

The chieftain answered, taking out an axe that was leaning against a corner.

“Don’t beat around the bush, come at me.”