Chapter 207

The smell was there from the beginning, and as expected.

Harnier did not participate in the battle.

It was only on one side of Carsein’s sword that the scent of poison and traces of mana usage could be detected, and there was no smell of an artifact or other magical tools being used.

Not only Talpon noticed this smell; the eyes of the Rilfetten Tribe members also showed confusion. Even for them, who had hunted the Scorpion King countless times, this was too reckless.

Soon after, Carsein entered the Rilfetten Baronetcy, dismounted his horse, and handed over something he had brought with him.

“This should serve as evidence, so I brought it.”

“…We could distinguish the Scorpion King’s venomous stinger even without bringing it, just by its scent.”

“Really?”

“In any case, this is beyond enough to acknowledge.”

He must have single-handedly defeated the Scorpion King.

He passed the Rilfetten test to such an extent that it felt excessive rather than sufficient.

Talpon announced this fact immediately at this place, informing all members of the Rilfetten Tribe, followed by a round of applause.

Simply facing the Scorpion King alone is something that would make one’s tongue clatter. The Scorpion King in Urome region is particularly oversized.

No one from Rilfetten could doubt Carsein’s abilities anymore.

Following this, Talpon handed over some documents.

“These are the rooms where you will stay. Take your time to decide the date and time. It doesn’t matter to me when you choose.”

Carsein took the documents and moved with Harnier.

Watching Carsein’s retreating figure, Talpon sighed softly.

With this, the two tests Talpon presented were over.

Only one final test remained—a duel.

Is he really a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos?

I think his abilities have proven that to a certain extent.

Moreover, the faint smell of mana also resembles that of the Kingdom of Wederos.

“But the man himself seems to know nothing about what the Kingdom of Wederos is.”

A survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos. He alone is worth establishing diplomatic relations with.

No, he might be worth more than that.

But…

There remains a lingering sense of bewilderment.

“What is this smell…”

It’s different. Clearly different.

The scent emanating from his mana.

This intense scent of mana likely indicates enlightenment. After defeating the Scorpion King, he must have undergone awakening once.

When one fully opens their eyes to mana and uses it during awakening, it’s often accompanied by intense emotions. Whether blaming oneself for weakness, saving someone dying before their eyes, or exerting strength through the will to survive, the cause is ultimately one.

As befitting the term ‘awakening,’ the most perilous situation is often dictated by the individual’s emotions.

Carsein must be no different.

He must have been caught in a whirlpool of emotions, which were then imprinted on his sword, allowing his scent to be discerned.

However, the unique scent of his mana is so overwhelming that it makes one’s eyes narrow and breath catch.

“What kind of life must one live to have such a strong scent of loneliness and pain?”

Carsein’s mana brings an endless abyss of loneliness and pain. Moreover, just smelling it gives one a strange chill.

I knew he was abandoned, but is that all?

No. It’s definitely not all.

At least, Talpon is convinced there’s more hidden beneath the surface.

***

For now, we can take a breather.

Though reckless, he managed to defeat the Scorpion King alone after opening his eyes to mana. Following Talpon’s reaction and those of the Rilfetten Tribe members, affinity and recognition must have risen sufficiently.

However, I still have a major obstacle left.

“Hey, Harnier? Isn’t your room over there?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then, could you give me the key to my room…?”

Smile.

Just smiling brightly, Harnier’s expression seems to convey refusal somehow.

She held both keys and only opened my room. Then she gestured for me to hurry inside.

-Gulp.

Swallowing saliva, I entered the room, and something clicked shut. Holding back tension, I turned around to see her approaching with a smile.

“Carsein, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“…”

…My spine chills.

Even though she’s smiling so beautifully, the unease won’t subside.

Having experienced this a few times, I feel it.

Harnier is very angry right now.

“Th… That…”

“The artifact. We agreed to use it if it became dangerous, didn’t we?”

“Yes, I did…!”

Huh? I thought I’d respond after circling the question a bit and calming down, but… I ended up answering politely?

…What’s going on?

“Then why didn’t you use the artifact despite your body being in such a state?”

“Well… that is…”

“Why didn’t you use it even if you could have cried out for help?!”

“Ugh! It hurts! I’m injured right now!”

“Injured? You seemed fine when you were screaming! What were you doing trying to catch the Scorpion King alone?! What’s this───”

As the nagging continued, Harnier sighed deeply and turned away.

“Hmph. Why do you always do things that make me worry? Going out and getting hurt like that.”

“…”

I want to make excuses, but I can’t.

I collapsed on the spot right after catching the Scorpion King.

Harnier sighed deeply and tapped the chair.

“We need to treat your wounds first, so show me your back.”

Though I could do it myself…

Now wasn’t the time to refuse.

“…”

It’s an unfamiliar sensation.

The touch of another’s hand applying medicine to my wounded body.

Usually, I suffered more injuries through torment or mistreatment, making this feeling awkward.

“So, when will you depart?”

“Huh?”

“The third episode meeting is coming up soon, so you’ll need to explain to Talpon why you’re postponing your report.”

Oh, asking when I’ll depart means explaining about the postponed report.

Hmm. This is a problem.

Currently, I’m here to fetch the third agent for the episode progress. To attend the fourth episode meeting, I’d need to leave the west and head east.

But that’s not possible.

“No. I plan to stay here for a while. I’ve already applied for a rest week.”

“Huh?!”

Oh, because I’m quite injured.

“Are you serious? A rest week is only given once to a Symposium participant!”

I know this well.

Missing the eastern nobles’ meeting report immediately leads to failing and being disqualified.

Therefore, this opportunity, given only once at the start of the Symposium, should be used if something prevents you from attending the report.

Like when you need to take sick leave due to illness or injury.

Or if you need to be quarantined for epidemic treatment, or if there are reasons like a close person’s funeral or trial that require absence.

The rest week was declared to announce a week’s rest when continuing the Symposium under these circumstances.

“I understand.”

“Even knowing this, you’re using a rest week?”

“Yes.”

“Carsein…”

Harnier looked bewildered as she called my name.

Indeed, it makes sense.

Talpon said he wouldn’t mind if the date was set anytime, so reporting at the end of the fourth episode meeting and satisfying the condition isn’t late.

Losing this sole option so easily feels odd.

But from my perspective, the viewpoint changes.

[3. Achieve 80% or higher achievement level in the duel with Talpon.]

Proudly, the status window demands this condition at 80% achievement level.

Even when Talpon explicitly mentioned fighting with full power, it’s not just a simple practice match.

There’s no need to go that far.

The mere existence of this condition is sufficient explanation.

The danger of adding conditions that never existed in the first place. Such variables can gradually tighten the player’s breathing unless they are blocked beforehand or resolved before problems arise.

Furthermore, accepting the third agent, Talpon, could help uncover the secrets of Shatren faster, aiding in stabilizing this episode.

Lastly, it’s my own senses.

After opening my eyes to mana by defeating the Scorpion King, maintaining this sensation while strengthening my power is appropriate. Instead of waiting for reports, preparing for battles against monsters and duels with Talpon is necessary.

Based on these reasons, there was ample reason to complete this condition ahead of time.

“I’ll send a letter to Camila via Tasha. If you waste your precious rest week because of me, I’ll return immediately. Harnier.”

“…”

Hearing this, Harnier reapplied medicine.

“If that’s the reason, I’ll use the rest week too. Together.”

“Huh? Ugh.”

Smack.

“Whoever gets injured like this and causes so much worry can’t help it. An engaged woman should stick by their fiancé. Hmm.”

It’s clearly a loss.

I considered pointing out her actions.

But.

“Surely you won’t tell me to leave separately now?”

This time, the atmosphere wasn’t conducive to that.

Soon, Tasha received our rest week applications and delivered them to Camila and Mina, the agents of Rusmaier territory. Thus, we decided to stay longer in Rilfetten.

***

Meanwhile.

Around the same time, residents of Rusmaier secretly met with guards.

Following Kiyan’s claim that something was amiss with the Shatren trash, they were secretly sorting through the contents of the garbage bin.

“Hmm. Though it was sneaked out, this kind of thing…”

“It’s not easy to separate.”

“Most of the time, it’s handled by magicians. There’s no point in sorting garbage individually.”

The trash bin contained everything from food waste with peels and seeds to packaging materials, broken farming tools, burnt charcoal, and miscellaneous items, making it difficult to distinguish.

Then Kiyan rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.

“Don’t worry. We’re good at this kind of thing.”

“Huh? Why are you good at this?”

“Well… to eat and survive, we had to rummage through trash bins of other territories.”

“Oh, I see. Rusmaier is…”

“Ah, don’t take it that way. Anyway, kids!”

“Yes!”

Melik, Tony, Diana, and other young boys and girls who had shared impoverished times rolled up their sleeves.

Immediately, Shatren’s trash was sorted.

“The state of the discarded farming tools is truly severe. They don’t usually rust like this.”

“There are too many types and quantities. So many pieces? Just for farming?”

“There’s something odd besides that. Why buy so much expensive fertilizer?”

“Hmm. The fertilizer smells different, mixed with something else.”

Suspicions arose from the large number of suspicious items found.

Finally, the most suspicious item was clutched in Kiyan’s hand.

“…These are a bit suspicious too, but this one is the most suspicious.”

“A piece of wood?”

“It doesn’t look particularly suspicious as a piece of wood.”

“Might be leftover firewood after chopping.”

That could be thought, but the residents of Rusmaier territory instantly recognized the strangeness.

Such a thing isn’t used as firewood.

No, it can’t be used as firewood.

No, is it even wood?

This hard material can’t be called wood.

Rather…

‘Monster.’

It seems much more reasonable to think it’s a part of a monster’s body.

-Ding!

▶Information obtained from Agent.◀

[A peculiar piece of wood was found in the trash bin of Shatren Territory.]