Chapter 34

Kang Seong-jun was utterly shocked, clearly not expecting the words “Priest of Time” to come out of Seo Yoo-ju’s mouth.

“Did you just say… Priest of Time?”

“…Yes.”

After a long silence, Kang Seong-jun slowly opened his mouth.

“…Other compensations are possible. But summoning the Priest of Time would require me and our clan to bear a tremendous loss. That’s…”

Seo Yoo-ju coldly interjected.

“A tremendous loss. You’ll have to bear it.”

“…….”

At Seo Yoo-ju’s firm words, Kang Seong-jun closed his mouth.

“Yoon Seong also suffered a tremendous loss. But the Hwashin Clan, the perpetrator, can’t bear a tremendous loss?”

“…That’s not what I meant. It’s just that the level of compensation is too excessive…!”

“What’s so excessive about it? All we’re asking is for Yoon Seong’s arm, lost because of the Hwashin Clan, to be restored.”

Kang Seong-jun wiped his face with his hand and spoke.

“…..Trainee Seo Yoo-ju. As the Clan Master of the Hwashin Clan, I deeply regret what happened to Trainee Lee Yun-seong.”

“……”

“However… summoning the Priest of Time is a completely different matter. Calling her isn’t as simple as you make it sound.”

“What’s not simple about it?”

“….I don’t know how much you know about the Priest of Time, but she’s from the Holy Kingdom. Not a neutral country.”

“……”

“Moreover, summoning her requires offering a massive amount of wealth to the sect she belongs to. I don’t know if you’re aware, but her power can only be used once a year.”

“I know that.”

“….The biggest problem is that even if we offer wealth and make a request, no one knows if she’ll accept it.”

“….What do you mean?”

“…..For the past three years, she hasn’t used her power even once.”

Everyone was shocked by Kang Seong-jun’s words. If what he said was true, the Priest of Time, despite having such immense power, hadn’t used it for three years.

“Do you understand what I’m saying? The probability of her not responding even if we summon her is close to 100%.”

“……”

“Kings, nobles, merchants, and even the masters of major clans across the continent have offered her vast wealth and made requests, but for the past three years, she hasn’t used her power.”

Seo Yoo-ju, realizing the gravity of the situation, turned pale.

“Th-that’s…”

“….If you understand, please request another form of compensation. I’m willing to fulfill any other compensation.”

“……..”

After a long silence, Seo Yoo-ju slowly opened her mouth.

“Then… at the very least, please make the request to the Priest of Time. Even if it might not work, isn’t it worth trying…?”

“….Trainee Seo Yoo-ju.”

“….It’s a request.”

“The chances are slim.”

“….If you don’t agree to this request, I’ll take this matter to court. I’ll bring up all the evidence and the indefinite contract.”

Rather than being upset by Seo Yoo-ju’s words, Kang Seong-jun sighed, feeling pity for her futile efforts.

“….Hoo…”

Other party members also began to plead with Kang Seong-jun.

“Please, save Yoon Seong! At least contact the Priest of Time…!”

“Please fix Yoon Seong’s arm! Please…!”

Feeling the strong determination of Seo Yoo-ju and the other party members, Kang Seong-jun finally responded.

“….Alright. I’ll… contact the Holy Kingdom. But don’t get your hopes up. I’m not trying to be pessimistic, but from my perspective, there’s almost no chance.”

Seo Yoo-ju thanked Kang Seong-jun.

“Just trying is enough… Thank you…”

“….Then I’ll take my leave now.”

******

Kang Seong-jun eventually concluded that Lee Yun-seong’s words were true.

After meeting Yoon Yeon and talking to the trainee who had spoken to Lee Yun-seong, everything matched what Lee Yun-seong had said.

Kang Seong-jun was heading to the prison for one final confirmation. To have a last conversation with Joo Seung-hwan.

The guard, noticing Kang Seong-jun, stiffened and spoke.

“Clan Master of the Hwashin Clan… What brings you here…?”

“….I’ve come to speak with Joo Seung-hwan for a moment. Is that alright?”

“Ah… Yes. I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you.”

The guard began to guide Kang Seong-jun.

After a short while, the guard spoke.

“Here we are, Clan Master of the Hwashin Clan.”

“…..Would it be possible to speak with Joo Seung-hwan alone?”

“….Uh…”

Normally, allowing a prisoner to speak alone with someone from the same clan isn’t permitted, but given that it was the Clan Master of the Hwashin Clan, the guard agreed.

“Haha… Yes, that’s fine. But please keep it under 10 minutes… If others find out, I’ll…”

“I’ll finish within 10 minutes.”

“Yes, yes! Then…”

The guard left. Joo Seung-hwan, noticing Kang Seong-jun’s presence, spoke from inside the cell.

“Cl-Clan Master?”

“…..”

“Clan Master! You came to see me! Can you tell me how things are going? That bastard…!”

“Quiet.”

“….Huh?”

Joo Seung-hwan was taken aback by Kang Seong-jun’s cold tone.

“….I’ve come to ask you a few things, Joo Seung-hwan.”

“Wh-what do you want to know, Clan Master?”

“…..I’ve heard everything. That you threatened and assaulted Trainee Lee Yun-seong, and even attempted murder. And that you tried to kill Seo Yoo-ju, who came to save Lee Yun-seong?”

“…..I-I did assault Lee Yun-seong, but I never intended to kill him!”

**”Don’t talk nonsense!”**

“Cl-Clan Master?!”

Joo Seung-hwan, seeing Kang Seong-jun this angry for the first time, looked utterly stunned.

“You… crazy bastard…! You say you didn’t intend to kill him? Then what do you call stabbing his arm with a dagger and blowing it up?!”

“No! That guy! He stabbed his own arm with the dagger!”

“Are you… lying to the very end?”

“No! Please believe me!”

“Nonsense…! Is Lee Yun-seong suicidal? Why would he stab himself?!”

Joo Seung-hwan, realizing how absurd his own words sounded, turned pale.

“I… told you before I brought you to the training facility. Don’t cause trouble!”

“…Cl-Clan Master…”

“Do you even realize how much damage you’ve caused the clan?!”

“….Ugh… ugh…”

“The clan’s reputation has plummeted! The rumor that you tried to kill a trainee has spread throughout the training facility! It’ll soon spread across the entire continent!”

“Th-that’s…”

“Seo Yoo-ju’s party recruitment has been canceled. Seo Yoo-ju even asked for you to be dealt with. She’s afraid of retaliation.”

“De-dealt with?! Me?!”

“You… I heard from both Seo Yoo-ju and Yoon Yeon that you tried to kill Seo Yoo-ju, who came to save Lee Yun-seong.”

“Please! You’re going to deal with me?! After all I’ve contributed to the clan…! Haven’t I been loyal?!”

“You shouldn’t have touched a trainee in the first place! Don’t you know that harming a trainee is an absolute taboo in this world?!”

“Clan Master! We’re clearly being played! Lee Yun-seong… he stabbed his own arm!”

“Shut up! It’s my fault for trusting you and bringing you to the training facility despite your usual behavior!”

“Clan Master!”

“After this conversation, there will be a clan meeting. We’ll decide whether to execute you…”



“Or destroy the magic circuit and body to banish them.”

As soon as Kang Seong-jun spoke, Joo Seung-hwan’s face turned pale. Those words meant he was really going to impose the maximum punishment on him.

“T-This can’t be… This can’t be…!”

“I came here to inform you.”

Kang Seong-jun threw a piece of paper at Joo Seung-hwan.

“W-What is this…?”

“A confidentiality agreement.”

“Y-You’re really going to…?!”

“I can’t just let you live knowing the clan’s secrets. If you sign that contract, I’ll spare your life, but your magic circuit and body will be destroyed.”

“Clan Master! Please don’t do this…!”

“If you refuse to sign, there will be an execution. Think it over in your cell. I’ll give you three days.”

Kang Seong-jun finished speaking and left.

“WAAAAAAAAH—!”

Only Joo Seung-hwan’s wailing echoed in the prison.

******

“Phew…”

I sighed tiredly as I arrived at my office.

Just the day before, everything was going well. The recruitment of Seo Yoo-ju’s party was almost successfully completed.

I was so happy when I saw Lee Yoo-hyun use a shield during the demonstration. I knew she was an Awakened One, but I never expected her to be able to use a shield.

Ha Yu-ri probably hid the details about the shield for three months, trying to recruit her herself.

But despite Ha Yu-ri’s tricks, I was over the moon that they were joining my clan—until yesterday.

Shockingly, all of this turned to nothing because of one lunatic’s actions. Even worse, the clan’s reputation took a huge hit, and now we have to ask the Priest of Time for help.

‘…I’m exhausted. Did I live my life wrong…?’

I used to pride myself on not living a bad life, but suddenly, everything happening to me makes me question my life.

At least Lee Yun-seong and Seo Yoo-ju are alive, and it ended this way. If they had died, the situation would have been truly horrific.

‘…If that had happened, our clan would have become public enemies on the continent.’

In this continent called Eras, it’s okay to mess with newbies who have completed the training facility. Not morally okay, but you won’t be held too accountable.

However, messing with trainees in the training facility is a whole different story. It’s strictly forbidden by continental law—a taboo among taboos.

Of course, in the past, some large clans have messed with trainees in the training facility. But they didn’t get caught.

All crimes are fine as long as you don’t get caught, but once you’re caught, you have to take responsibility.

In that sense, messing with trainees is truly insane, and you can’t argue otherwise.

“Phew… This isn’t the time for such thoughts. First, I need to contact the Holy Kingdom.”

Honestly, I could have lied to Seo Yoo-ju and Lee Yun-seong about contacting the Holy Kingdom, but I didn’t want to. Their eyes looked so desperate.

“…That man, Lee Yun-seong, seems to have no martial power but a lot of charisma.”

Having such strong bonds is really hard here. The only thing I envy about him is that he has such comrades.

I stopped thinking and started channeling magic into the crystal orb.

Not long after, a voice started to come through.

– Please state the service you require.

“VIP communication network.”

– To use this service, we need to verify your identity. Please state your name and affiliation.

“Kang Seong-jun, Clan Master of Hwashin Clan.”

– We will verify your face momentarily. Please wait.

“……”

– Verification complete. Where would you like to connect?

“The Holy Kingdom, Aitas Church.”

– Understood. Please wait a moment.

“……..”

*Click.*

– …Clan Master of Hwashin, what brings you here?

“…It’s been a while, Commander Pides.”

– …It has. I didn’t expect you to contact the Holy Kingdom…

“I have a request.”

– …Go on.

“…..Can we receive help from the Priest of Time?”

– Huh… If you’re referring to the Saintess… She no longer uses her powers. You should know that…

“Please… Just pass on the message.”

– …This is the first time you’re asking someone for a favor. Alright… I’ll pass on the message, but don’t get your hopes up.

“….Understood.”

– However, I need to know the reason. Why do you need the Saintess’s powers?

“….In Baronia’s training facility… there was an attempted murder of a trainee. As a result, one trainee lost an arm.”

– Hmm… Just one trainee, right? I’m not an outsider like you, so I don’t really get it. Why care so much about one trainee?

“….The perpetrator is from our clan.”

– Huh… I see. Then, what’s the trainee’s name?

“Do I need to say the trainee’s name?”

– …Usually, we need to know the name of the person to be healed. The Saintess sometimes receives revelations from Aitas.

“Trainee Lee Yun-seong.”

– Understood. The Saintess is nearby, so I’ll ask her. Then…

“Yes. Thank you so much, Commander Pides.”

*Click.*

“Phew…”

I’ve done all I can. Whether Lee Yun-seong’s arm can be healed now depends on the heavens.

‘Should I rest for a bit…’

I’m so tired. I’ve been busy cleaning up the mess Joo Seung-hwan made.

About 30 minutes after I closed my eyes and rested in my chair, the crystal orb started blinking.

“….Already?”

It’s only been 30 minutes since I made the request, and there’s already a result? I thought it would take at least until tomorrow.

‘It’s probably a rejection.’

It’s unfortunate for Lee Yun-seong, but there’s nothing I can do. No one can force the Priest of Time to act.

*Click.*

“….Has the result come already?”

– ……

“….Commander Pides?”

– …I can’t believe it…

“What…?”

– The Saintess… she’s leaving for Baronia tomorrow.

I was so shocked that I thought my heart would drop. The Saintess, who hadn’t used her powers for three years, is moving because a trainee got hurt?

“Y-Yes?… R-Really…?”

– …At first, she seemed reluctant… but after hearing the trainee’s name, she decided to go.

‘What…’

I had no idea how things were turning out. Honestly, I had no expectations. I thought the chance of the Priest of Time responding was zero percent.

– She’s leaving tomorrow… so she’ll probably arrive in two days. By the way, the Saintess will be traveling with the Holy Knights for safety. Just so you know.

“Yes, yes…”

*Click.*

“….What is this?”