Chapter 618 – Entangled (1)
The fight ended with the dragon’s pathetic death.
They pushed the dragon’s body into Merlin’s subspace and immediately escaped through the crack.
The last time Kim Do-jin appeared, the crack at the top of the Matterhorn disappeared without a trace.
Since the dragon that supplied all the magic necessary to maintain the rift died, this was a natural procedure.
“Everyone worked hard.”
Kim Do-jin encouraged those who were standing with miserable faces.
And I politely bowed my head and apologized.
“I’m sorry that you almost died because of me.”
I thought I was fully prepared, but I fell short in many ways.
I thought the young dragon would be able to respond with any moves, but even that wasn’t enough.
If only he hadn’t dealt with the harsh words he said to Irina.
Also, if the spirit had not been awakened, at least two people would have died there.
Of course, he also acted at the request of the Pope, but it was something he personally chose because his interests were aligned.
On the other hand, those who were with him were the only ones who responded to his request for help and came running as soon as possible.
So he thought it was right to offer a polite apology along with his thanks, and bowed his head.
And fortunately, they readily accepted the apology.
“Lift your head, kid. This is what a dungeon is like, so what am I going to do with your apology?”
Merlin, who expected him to go on a rampage the most, was the first to comfort him.
It was also true.
A dungeon is a place where even if a person enters with 100 possibilities in mind, the 101st case is what drives them to death.
Because he knew that better than anyone else, Merlin didn’t blame him at all.
Irina said, grabbing the shoulder of the man who was bowing in front of her and pulling him up.
“You were the one who took the lead, but in the end, it was my choice to accept it. So you have no reason to bow your head in front of me.”
She also made clear that the current apology is useless.
Angela and Han Joo-yeon are the same.
“I was originally in the same boat as you, right? So you don’t have to feel sorry for me.”
“Me too. Rather, I think you’d be upset if you didn’t invite me to a place like this.”
In response to the outpouring of comfort, Kim Do-jin changed his words.
Instead of apologizing.
“Thank you, everyone.”
I conveyed my overwhelming emotions by saying thank you.
* * *
After leaving the rift, we wasted no time and returned straight to the Vatican.
Not long after we arrived above the Vatican through Merlin’s spatial movement, the saint came out on her socks and greeted us.
“Are you all okay? If you’re hurt, please let me know…!”
“Everything is fine with us, saint.”
“Ah… I’m so glad. I was so anxious while you were away…”
The saint smiled and spoke to us, who looked shabby but seemed uninjured.
“Since you came back safely, I can sleep peacefully today.”
It didn’t seem like a lie.
She still couldn’t see her face covered by her veil, but her energy around her felt a little weaker than usual.
I don’t know, but I guess he spent several days and nights praying for our safe return.
With her personality, it’s worth it.
“I will take care of the little things, so you can rest for now.”
We dispersed and returned to our lodgings due to an invitation that bordered on coercion.
There, I thoroughly washed my body, which had become dirty after not being able to wash for several days, and even after eating a delicious meal brought by the employee, I asked for two more and emptied myself thoroughly.
Finally, after lying down in my cozy bed and sleeping for twelve hours, I woke up.
“The saint is looking for you.”
We gathered together again at her saintly call.
The gathering place was a large reception room attached to the saint’s residence.
We arrived there first and the saint who was sitting in front of the large table stood up and welcomed us.
“Did you rest well last night?”
“Thanks.”
“I feel like I slept really well for the first time in a long time.”
“I heard the world is happy.”
I think not only me, but everyone felt the same way.
Well, of course.
After falling asleep on the snow-covered ground for several days, I fell asleep in a cozy place.
“I wanted to let you rest for a few more days, but I felt like I had to quickly resolve the situation, so I had no choice but to gather you all.”
After saying that, the saintess’ eyes turn to Old Man Merlin.
“Before coming here, I asked Merlin to take over the dragon’s body and ask a reliable company to dismantle it. They say it will take about three days.”
It only took three days to dismember that huge corpse.
Since it is close to the saint, you don’t have to worry about her skills, but even taking that into account, the speed is very fast.
“I plan to distribute the distribution equally to the five people who participated in the raid… Is there a particular part you would like to have more of, or is there anyone who is opposed to this?”
“…”
“…”
Everyone remained silent.
It was a formal question to begin with.
The distribution itself had already been discussed before the raid started.
“Let’s distribute it that way…”
The saintess, trailing off her words, stands up from her seat and bows her head respectfully towards us.
“We are deeply grateful to you all for taking away one of the last worries of His Holiness the Pope.”
Her words did not end there.
“If you need anything, please let me know. I’ll give you whatever I have or can get.”
Unconventional conditions.
Even after handing over all the dragon’s corpse, they will give you more.
At this point, I’m curious about what’s in the saint’s heart.
I don’t know, but I am certain that it is as wide and huge as the chest, which does not diminish its presence even in revealing clothes.
Eyes exchanged as the saintess spoke.
It seems like they want something, but they seem to be aware of what they say first, so their eyes look like they are hoping someone will take the initiative.
Just then, Irina raised her hand.
“There is one thing I need.”
“Please speak.”
“No, unfortunately, the person who will grant what I wish is not the saint, but that person over there.”
The place where the tip of Irina’s straightened index finger was pointed was none other than me.
She is not a saint, but she has something to ask of me.
He tilts his head towards her as she silently waits for her answer.
“If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it.”
I felt a little uncomfortable somewhere, but there was nothing I could do.
Isn’t she a grateful person who flew here from Russia to participate in the Dragon Raid?
“I want to borrow your power at least once in the future.”
“… My power?”
“Yes. I would like you to come to Russia when I call… Is that a difficult request?”
I borrow your strength,
I don’t know.
What does she want to achieve with my help?
It feels somewhat uncomfortable to just listen to it.
That’s why we added prerequisites.
“It’s not difficult to find it. But I’ll decide whether to add strength after listening to your story.”
It was something I had no choice about.
It would be difficult to suddenly call someone and ask them to soak it.
She stroked her chin and thought for a moment before nodding her head.
“I will do that.”
As she willingly took a step back and we both smiled at each other, we were about to finish her story.
Suddenly, I feel an intense gaze from the saint.
What is it?
Did I make a mistake?
Out of curiosity, I felt her gaze from behind the veil and for a moment we looked at each other as if playing tug-of-war.
“I also have something to ask you.”
Angela raised her hand and asked her saint in a cautious tone.
“Um… Can you get me some mithril?”
“Mithril?”
“Yes. I think I’ll need some this time, but I don’t have enough time to get it myself.”
The saint shakes her head.
“It’s still in my warehouse, so let’s use it for now. If that’s not enough, I’ll get you more.”
“Thank you.”
Angela squinting one of her eyes to express her gratitude.
After accepting Angela’s request, the saintess’s gaze turns to her next target, Old Man Merlin.
“Do you have anything for Lord Merlin? Are there any ingredients you want or a favor to ask?”
“Uhm…”
The old man pondered for a moment, drooling, and then shook his head.
“I don’t really want anything right now, but maybe I can tell you later?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Uh-huh! Thank you, saint.”
Old man Merlin laughs loudly and is happy, forgetting about the burden of being the head of a prestigious family.
About the age of my granddaughter… Not really, but what am I doing by putting a debt on a woman who is about my daughter’s age?
Anyway, there is only one person left, even old man Merlin, who saved the wish right.
“Mr. Juyeon?”
“Oh, yes.”
“If there’s anything you want, please don’t feel pressure and let me know.”
The gentle tone of the saint’s words relieves the burden on Juyeon’s shoulders.
Perhaps it was thanks to her that she gained some strength.
Juyeon, who hesitated as she pursed her lips, soon opened her mouth.
“I… Could I possibly receive teachings from the saint?”
“If it is a teaching…?”
Juyeon, who had everyone’s attention, seemed to have made up his mind and ended his speech in a more firm tone.
“I want to learn her sacred magic from the saint.”
A request that can never be made easily, and that is why traces of concern are clearly felt.
After hearing this, the air flowing around the saint became heavier.
