Report
The flash of lightning was so intense that it seemed as if it would blind anyone’s eyes. Before the startled Yuri could even close his eyes, Haryeong’s hand moved.
Her outstretched hand covered the corner of Yuri’s eye. And Haryeong closed her eyes and turned her back. Jim Namgung, who had been near the spot where the lightning struck, closed his eyes and jumped up, wrapping his face with both arms.
Zap!
A belated sound shook the space.
The lightning did not spread beyond the mansion grounds. The current did not spread across the ground either.
Instead, violet currents sparkled and flickered in the air. Haryeong, who confirmed the disappearance of the light, slowly opened her eyes.
“I apologize for the sudden situation.”
Haryeong said so and withdrew the hand that had covered the Yuri’s eye. The Yuri also opened his closed eyes and looked ahead.
“S-sli… Ugh…”
Jim Namgung, who had jumped up just before the lightning struck, was lying face down on the ground, twitching like a fish caught by its tail. Yuri swallowed a gulp of saliva at the sight and shifted his gaze.
At the spot where the lightning struck, one person, no, two person was standing.
Tied-back black hair. A woman in a snow-white shirt with a black vest, black pants, and high heels.
“Someone said the big guy who invaded the cute apprentice’s house is here.”
Celestial Thunder Orca Dercia. She looked down at Jim Namgung with eyes that seemed to as if looking at bugs
“I can’t believe it was really Namgung Family’s fourth son. Did the intense infatuation drive you crazy?”
Infatuation? Yuri, who had been listening to the conversation absentmindedly, blinked in surprise and looked at Jim. He wondered why that crazy guy was ringing the doorbell so hard, and why he lost his mind the moment he saw Yuri’s wet hair. It turned out there was a reason for that.
“S-sli… Ugh…”
“The education of Namgung children seems to have been worse than I thought. Even if the tiger is a self-proclaimed man, Namgung’s Head is supposed to be a man, but you, his son, seem to be even worse than a dog.”
A golden light flashed in the pupils that had been staring at Jim. And then, all the lightning that prevented Jim from saying a word was removed.
“T-To, Tower Master.”
Beside Orca, Elena, who was clinging to her side like a baggage, opened her mouth.
“We’ve arrived, so please let me down.”
“How’s the ride?”
When Orca looked at Elena, her gaze, which had been as chilly as looking at bugs, softened when she looked at Elena. Orca playfully smiled and ruffled Elena’s blonde hair with her hand.
“You should consider it an honour. You’re the first among the apprentice disciples to experience this.”
“Th-thank you…”
“In reality, there’s nothing to be thankful for. It’s not because you’re special that I did it; it was just because the situation was urgent and I had no choice. It’s unfair to make only you experience it, so next time I’ll have to let Arista and Lacey experience this too.”
It was a mischievous whisper. Normally, Elena would have heard those words and embarrassed on the spot, her shoulders sagging. But now, she didn’t. She clenched her lips several times and stared at Jim fiercely.
“You seem really angry. What do you want to do?”
Orca let go of Elena while chuckling. Elena pressed her dishevelled hair down with her hand and took a short breath.
“What do you want?”
“That dog who can’t even become a man.”
Orca pointed her finger at Jim. Even though it was just her finger pointing, Jim’s face turned pale.
“I’ve never had any disappointment in your father, Jim Namgung But looking at you, it seems your father must be be disappointed. Namgung Jim, since I’m the strongest one here, isn’t that why your attention should be on me?”
Jim couldn’t say anything and his lips trembled. Then Orca looked at him with a genuinely contemptuous look and suddenly raised her head, letting out a short laugh.
“It’s fortunate that you’re not the eldest son at least.”
Orca no longer spoke and stepped back. This put Elena in the forefront. She gave a cold look to Jim, who knelt on the ground with trembling knees.
“El… Elena.”
“Master Jim Namgung. I don’t need an explanation of why Master infiltrated my house, what he did here, or what conversation he had.”
Elena opened her mouth.
“I’ve already seen what happened here through magic. So Master Jim Namgung, you don’t need to explain to me.”
“Mi-misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? Please, don’t try to justify yourself anymore.”
“It’s not a justification…”
“Enough!”
Elena’s voice became intense. Along with the turbulent emotions, the golden currents flickered.
“Who you tried to harm is a guest I personally invited to my house. My childhood friend who came a long way and arrived here today. But you not only invaded my house but also attacked my friend, who knows neither martial arts nor magic.”
“…”
“Don’t tell me you hope that I would feel grateful for your concern? I feel so disappointed in you today. Namgung Family, a prestigious family, a member of the prestigious Jungcheon Clan, resorts to violence against an ordinary person who has no intention of fighting, all because of a ‘misunderstanding’…!”
“Ap-apologies”
Jim Namgung stood up from his slouched position.
“I understand Elena being disappointed… I won’t make any more excuses. So…”
“Isnt the order of apology wrong?”
Elena’s shoulders trembled. She quickly turned her head to look at the Yuri.
“I will… apologize.”
It wasn’t a time to uphold pride. Jim Namgung just wished for this situation to end quickly. He bowed his head towards Yuri.
“I… I have made a big mistake. So…”
“I understand.”
Yuri also hoped for the situation to end. Yuri thought that he would wait until Hayeong came and then Elena would come and resolve everything… But who could have expected Orca Dersia to show up.
“Isn’t an apology in words enough?”
Orca, who had been watching from a little distance, smirked and spoke.
“For whatever reason, this Namgung mutt intruded into this place. How lightly must Namgung Family taking the Dercia Tower for such a thing to happen?”
“Absolutely not. Initially, this was something I did alone, its not related to the family…”
“Did you really think that I wouldn’t see through your pretence of regarding the family’s influence and your arrogance? Even if you crossed the line a little, you thought it was fine because you have your capable Namgung Family to back you up?”
A golden glint flickered in Orca’s eyes. It was an overt response that even Yuri could pick up on. Regardless of what he answered, Orca would counter-question.
“No…”
Jim Namgung knew that fact too. Therefore, he had no choice but to give the answer Orca wanted.
“In that case, you believed in Namgung Family’s authority and looked down on the Dersia Tower’s magician, right? Let’s see… According to Rootran’s city laws, breaking into someone else’s house without permission results in a fine, right? If you stole something, they’d cut your ankles so you can’t jump walls again, and if you caused injury, they’d cut your wrists so you can’t swing your fists.”
The fact that such ‘laws’ were executed alone showcased the difference in Rootran as a city. Of course, just because there were laws didn’t mean they were always enforced, but this place could be considered a central area within the fence of the law.
“You didn’t steal, so cutting your ankles might not be necessary. However, since you caused injury, your wrists should be cut. You seem like a right-handed person, so learning swordsmanship anew with your left hand would be painful. So, instead of your right hand, let’s cut your left hand. That’s how merciful the lord of Dersia Tower is.”
Jim Namgung could only open his lips but couldn’t say anything. He couldn’t take that as a joke in any way. Celestial Thunder Orca was someone who could back it up still remain a great person.
“Please…”
“However, I feel like I might not have enough power alone. Oh well, since I and Dersia Tower Lord did something so laughable, it’s obvious I won’t just listen to your plea. Maybe your father will tear up and send a letter to the Tower Lord, or he might come and block me himself.”
“Oh… Orca-nim.”
Jim’s face turned not just white from his shortness of breath but also became a pale purple. However, Orca’s words didn’t stop.
“That’s why I’ll have to ask my old friend for help. Alfreon Ascard said I could ask for help anytime. I’ve only asked him for help twice until now, and now it’ll be the third time thanks to you. Just in case, let me tell you. There’s ample justification. Maybe Jim Namgung, do you really not know that the Ascard family has been a long-time supporter of Dersia Tower?”
“…”
“Do you know who Alfreon Ascard is?”
“Ah, the… the head of the Ascard family.”
“That’s right, Alfreon is the head of the Ascard family. Just like your father values his reputation, the Ascard family also values their reputation. Although Dersia Tower isn’t their business, we still eat because of their sponsorship money… You could say we’re like extended family members who eat together, although not literally.”
“Please…!”
Jim couldn’t stay standing any longer. He fell to his knees again.
“Jim Namgung, your ears are okay? A fine and three Changcheonhwan pills. If you don’t like it…”
“I, I understand.”
Thud! Nam Gung-jin banged his head on the ground again.
Changcheonhwan, known as the Vision Elixir of Namgung Family, is an item with an abysmal drop rate even in games.
“Your wrists, maybe even your life, a fine, and Namgung Family’s ten years of seclusion. It’s all didnt happen just because of a fine and three Changcheonhwan pills. Jim Namgung, today is a very lucky day for you.”
“Yes… Yes, truly…”
“Ah, of course it goes without saying. With this, you can determine the appropriate amount of the fine.”
“Yes… As soon as preparations are made, I will send it to the Dersia Tower…”
Jim Namgung hurriedly gathered his words.
“I mean, I will arrange for it to be sent here.”
“Understood. Now go. Oh, this goes without saying, but from now on, don’t speak a word to Elena.”
Orca turned around without looking at Jim any further. Only then did he get to his feet. He left the mansion stumbling and shuffling, his clothes and face still covered in dirt.
“Elena, how was it?”
Elena, who was staring blankly with her mouth agape, was startled when she was singled out so abruptly.
“Yes, yes?”
“I said an apology wasn’t enough. This way, you can receive much more. Isn’t it good teaching?”
“…”
“Of course, I was able to get away with this much because I am the master of Dersia Tower. Elena, don’t forget today’s lesson, and strive to become the next master of Dersia Tower.”
“Yes…”
Elena’s expression was one of dismay, but she nodded her head.
“But, Tower Lord. Did you really intend to go ahead with it?”
“If I hadn’t intended it, would things have gone this smoothly?”
Orca smirked with a mischievous smile.
“I talked so much that my mouth must be dry. Since I’ve come this far, I might as well have a cup of tea at your place.”
“You said that the tea I serve is terrible.”
“Sometimes you need to drink that terrible tea and rinse your mouth. That way, I can feel the excellence of the tea I usually drink all over again.”
“If you miss my tea so much, I’ll come to your room tomorrow and serve you tea, Tower Lord. Today…”
Elena looked worriedly at Yuri.
“With guests at home… There’s still a lot to do…”
“Tsk, you think I’ll go back the Tower I brought you all the way here and now you are not even inviting me in? When you were young, you could barely look me in the eye and only stammered, but now you’ve grown up.”
“I, when did I do that? Fine, fine, let’s go inside together! So, don’t bring up old stories!”
“Enough. We’ll postpone the torment until tomorrow and go eat as a final supper today.”
Orca said so while patting Elena’s shoulder.
“But before we leave, I need an introduction.”
Her golden gaze turned towards Yuri.
“I am late in greeting you. I am Yuri.”
Yurinodded respectfully.
“Yeah. Actually, I heard your name.”
Orca’s pupils twinkled mischievously.
“Who knew you’d bring a guy.”
“I told you it’s not like that!”
Annoyed muttering made Elena let out a startled scream.
