172
lift
‘The devil’s children can vote, the world is a great place.’
I looked around, muttering a joke.
If you look at the simple raising of hands to decide for or against, it might not be such a big deal.
‘The crow has contacted me, so the remaining time is···.’
I mentally counted the hours.
“Are there any objections?”
At that moment, the fox mask, still fixated on me, asked. There was no answer, much to the fox mask’s embarrassment.
‘What are you guys trying to do?’
I hesitated for a moment to ask, but even though he was the third son, I couldn’t judge whether it was right for him to not know about the great undertaking they had emphasized so much.
For now, I decided to endure it because of the atmosphere.
“Everyone take it out.”
The five elders who spoke quietly put their hands in their pockets. The rest of them put something on the table.
‘···ring?’
It felt similar to the video call rings the Devil Candies had given me, but they each looked different.
The first was ornate, the second was less ornate but strangely elegant, the fourth was shabby, like something a monk would wear, and the fifth had a ring with a small gem set into it.
I also took out the ring I had received from those guys for no reason. My eyes met with the rabbit mask’s, but the rabbit mask’s three hundred eyes were not smiling.
“It’s not good to do it suddenly.”
The rabbit mask snorted and placed the ring on his palm.
“I’m glad he didn’t come.”
The rabbit mask then looked at the first page and clenched his fists, grumbling.
Crunch-. The hand of the rabbit mask flashed with the sound of something breaking.
“yes?”
It seemed like an ordinary action, but the other guys watching were noticeably flinching.
Then the five elders placed the rings on their palms and clenched their fists.
Crispy-.
It sparkled brightly.
“He was just waiting for the right time.”
Unlike before, the first one’s voice trembled slightly.
Crispy-.
His hands were shining.
“Are you… really doing it? I’m really doing it?”
Finally, the fourth one muttered in a trembling and shaky voice.
“Then you’re not going to do it? I don’t like short men.”
The rabbit mask leaned forward and asked. Then the fourth head nodded very slightly.
The rabbit mask’s clothes are quite revealing, so any man would be drawn to it, but it’s amazing that it still catches the eye in this situation.
‘You’re weak-hearted.’
I remembered the fourth weakness.
“Ugh······.”
The fourth one groaned and grabbed the ring.
Crispy-.
The fourth hand also blinked.
I also couldn’t sit still, so I grabbed the ring I had received from Devil Candy.
Crisp. It sounded subtly different from theirs.
“Pfft… That was scrapped. You’re really funny.”
The rabbit mask reached out and tapped my shoulder. The eyes visible through the mask were not smiling.
“I apologize for seeming to presume something.”
The fox mask showed both palms and took a step back.
“I’ve waited for countless years. I can’t imagine being unprepared.”
The five elders spoke in excited voices. The strangely excited tone was deeply unsettling.
“Is it right to start like this so suddenly… This is my first time at a meeting….”
The fourth one asked stammeringly, his voice full of fear. The old man was a famous man, but he seemed to be smaller than a raccoon.
“How great it is to do something so suddenly, without being able to predict it. Even if there’s a stray among us, it won’t be like last time, right?”
The rabbit mask slowly looked around and grumbled. Its voice was extremely cold.
‘Did you each contact each other?’
I heard that the first is the imperial family, the second is the grand duke, the fourth is the religious order, and the fifth is the rebels.
“I have contacted you regarding the great undertaking. As the third eldest son has decided, I have started the great undertaking. It will be very busy.”
The fox mask standing next to me whispered softly. There was a playfulness in its voice.
‘It looks familiar.’
I squinted my eyes and examined the bastard’s body shape. It was definitely a familiar body shape. I was particularly sensitive to it because it was a habit of examining others.
I searched my memory several times, but there was no one strong enough to match the figure I would encounter here.
“Have we met before?”
I asked point blank.
“···I like women.”
The guy answered with a subtle joke. His voice tone went up slightly, and it was clear that he knew me.
Knock knock. Blue eyes visible through the mask. They were ordinary eyes. However, they were extremely transparent, like the sky on a summer day.
“Don’t you dare look at my little brother.”
At that moment, the rabbit mask pushed the guy away. In the process, the fox mask’s left arm shook slightly, but the movement was subtly awkward.
The moment my eyes started to narrow.
“Then let’s begin.”
The first one, who had regained his composure, declared.
“Oh, do you know that the Gray Tower’s succession ceremony is taking place today?”
At that moment, the fox mask suddenly intervened. The other guys’ heads turned.
‘Succession Ceremony of the Gray Tower?’
I think I heard it earlier when I was walking outside. I’ve never personally seen the succession ceremony at the Magic Tower, but I’ve heard that they hold something like a banquet.
“If it’s a succession ceremony… the timing is good.”
Everyone nodded at the first muttering.
“Then, first of all, it’s the bowl.”
Then the five elders muttered.
Eyes were drawn towards me.
The fox mask at the very back waved its hand as if greeting.
I tapped the hilt of my knife with a growing sense of dread.
***
‘Hmm… This is unexpected.’
I muttered quietly as I looked at the armor in front of me.
The armor was a bit tight, but it fit me just right. The only problem was its brilliant golden color.
‘Imperial Knight Armor… Why are you telling me to wear this?’
A lot of questions came to my mind. I continued to ask questions and put on my armor.
‘It’s heavier than the dwarven one.’
I tried to put the armor I had taken off into my pocket, but it didn’t fit because the space was full. I pressed down hard on it, and it went in. It seemed like there was some space.
finally-.
‘···Human face leather?’
I bit my lip at the strange leather that seemed to be lying there, telling anyone to wear it.
It was a hideous mask made by tearing off the skin of a human face.
‘It’s stuffy because there’s no ventilation.’
I clicked my tongue and slowly applied it to my face. The peculiar cold sensation on my face made me swear.
It was much more comfortable than the one I had made by hand last time. It felt like it was made by a craftsman.
‘It’s a little tight.’
I tried saying ‘ayaeoyo’ as a test and my pronunciation was off. It wasn’t so bad because it made me feel stupid.
Even putting on the helmet placed next to me, I felt like I had been promoted to the rank of Imperial Knight.
‘From the Cassidy Outer Guard to the Imperial Knight. A successful career move.’
When I came out muttering a joke, my eldest son was waiting.
The rest had dispersed earlier. It seemed like we would meet again here when the sun rose, as there had been talk of meeting again here.
“The person wearing the armor and the face is Sir Montbalian of the 6th Imperial Knights. Sir Montbalian was born mute and is an orphan.”
The first one who found me quickly explained. The first one seemed to have a surprisingly meticulous personality, examining my face here and there.
‘The 6th Knight, Montbalian, the Mute, and the Orphan.’
I didn’t bother asking why he died.
“For that reason, you should just stay behind me and not say anything.”
The first one turned around after finishing the explanation. It was a very convenient order as he only had to follow along without doing anything.
“What are you going to do?”
I looked at the back of his head and asked.
“I plan to fill the bowl.”
The guy answered vaguely.
‘The vessel refers to me. It was said to be the one that creates the king of demons.’
“Don’t worry, I finished the preparations a long time ago.”
‘My heart is ready.’
I nodded, trying to suppress the anger that was welling up in me.
The guy walked quickly. The capital was bright even though the sun had set, and there were many people walking around.
My brow furrowed as I followed the guy to the place I arrived at.
If you think about it, there were enough hints.
Why would they dress you in the armor of the Imperial Knights and give you a weird mask?
Where did the five eldest sons who were on the same boat as Sam Baek-an go, and why is the eldest son guiding me?
‘The destination was the imperial palace.’
I muttered a curse as I looked at the tall golden gate that seemed to reach the sky.
***
The imperial gates were wide open.
There were many people in neat attire in front of him.
‘···It’s a succession ceremony.’
It seemed to be because of the gray magic tower succession ceremony that the fox mask had talked about earlier.
Even though there were quite a lot of people, there was no loud noise or fighting. It was obvious why these uncivilized medieval people were so polite.
‘Imperial Knight.’
The golden armor lined up around them had the effect of making them even careful about breathing.
‘What should I do?’
I stopped and stared at the first one in front of me. It was my last chance to escape.
Caw- caw-. The caw of a crow was heard twice from afar. It was a signal that there was still time left and that they should move forward.
The thought was short-lived. I followed the guy again.
The imperial knights around the gate hurriedly saluted. I habitually looked at the faces of the imperial knights.
That guy’s sword is short, and that guy’s right arm is bigger. Also, that guy… His head was hot as if it was overheating, but he didn’t stop. He desperately tried to cram in information.
First, he completely ignored the guys’ greetings. Even those who saluted didn’t seem to expect a response.
‘It seems that the first son’s position in the imperial family is higher than I thought.’
I guessed it by observing the attitude of the other royal knights towards him.
“Montvalian? Why are you with the enemy?”
There was a guy who talked to me too. The problem was that he was mostly a troublemaker.
‘The enemy.’
I didn’t bother answering and just followed the first one. Today’s Montbalian was chic.
‘There are over thirty imperial knights just around the castle gate. There is nothing lacking.’
I kept moving my feet diligently, but I was still looking for an escape route. No matter where I went, there was always a hole, but I couldn’t see it here.
‘There are people who are gathered for the succession ceremony, so there is some hope, but it is a little lacking.’
There were quite a few people inside the imperial walls, and a sweet smell wafted through the air as they passed by.
I frowned and looked around. How could there be so many demons in the capital? It was as if they were being raised on purpose.
I muttered, looking at the back of the first one’s head.
First, it moved without any obstructions. It seemed to be quite popular, as people approached and greeted it.
I didn’t notice it before, but as I kept looking at the back of that head, I saw that the stride on the right was slightly longer.
I continued to go further in. It seemed like there was some sort of security checkpoint in the middle, but I quickly saluted as if it was just a formality.
I followed along, looking around without stopping for a moment, my mind racing. Then, when I came to my senses-.
The surrounding scenery had changed again. Although it was a succession ceremony, there were few people inside the palace, perhaps because it was closed.
It was as if I had come to a temple, with wide pillars and an incredibly high ceiling. Even the walls sparkled as if they were painted in gold.
You entered a place you should not have entered.
‘···This is fucked up.’
I pressed the helmet deeper.
***
‘I’m tired···. I’m tired···.’
Gesher Wind of the Eastern Management Office rubbed his eyes and yawned deeply.
‘The previous director was better.’
Gesher Wind sighed deeply as he looked at the report in his hands.
The newly appointed Avery was beautiful and I thought she would be the best boss because she didn’t wear clothes under her robe, but she was worse than the previous director.
She was just a workaholic.
‘Why do you want me to ask the Western Management Agency for cooperation? And if necessary, go yourself.’
The process of moving between administration offices was extremely difficult due to tight security.
Moreover, because the imperial palace was so large, it took a considerable amount of time to get around.
Because of that, when I went there and came back, I could almost say that all the work for that day was over.
However, this was not the only thing Avery had asked him to do.
Even after requesting cooperation, it was clear that I would have to work and not be able to leave work.
‘I have no luck…’
Gesher Wind stood in front of the magic elevator, shaking his head. He pressed the button next to him, and a cold voice was heard.
“Where are you going?”
“Western Management Office. Request for cooperation.”
“The elevator is currently coming down from above, so it will take some time.”
“i get it.”
‘Just add one more, you rascals.’
Gesher Wind grumbled inwardly. The lack of elevators was the biggest reason for the delays in commuting.
‘But while other management offices have three, we only have one, and even that is shared with other places…’
This was a passage that showed how rudely the Eastern Management Office was treated.
‘I was surprised when I first saw it.’
Gesher Wind had seen many magical tools outside, but he had never imagined that he could use them to move through space.
How much mana would it cost for him? It was something that was unimaginable for anyone but the royal family.
When he first rode the magic elevator, Gesher Wind was awed by the majesty of the royal family.
‘Oh, I want to get off work.’
Now, whenever I see an elevator, all I can think about is getting off work.
How long have I been waiting? I yawned, relaxed for a moment, and read the paper again.
“We have arrived.”
The door in front opened with a woman’s voice. There was a person inside the elevator.
‘···Imperial Knight?’
Gesher Wind’s eyes narrowed at the sight of two imperial knights with their faces covered by helmets.
It wasn’t uncommon for an imperial knight to come down here. The last time the director was captured, an imperial knight accompanied him.
However, in the case where there are only two imperial knights······.
“Aren’t you going to ride it?”
“Ah, I’ll ride.”
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Gesher Wind entered the elevator. The two drivers were at the end, so Gesher Wind had no choice but to stand close to the door.
‘I want to leave work.’
Gesher Wind stared blankly at the slowly closing door.
The only thing that filled the room was the characteristic humming sound of a magic elevator. And if I just stayed still, the silence felt strangely jarring.
The elevator took quite a while, and I felt like my tongue was going to stand out if I kept going like this.
“But why have the royal knights come down here?”
Gesher Wind spoke softly. The Administration and the Imperial Knights had different territories.
Among the items handled by the bureau were imperial articles, but he had to send a separate official document to obtain permission.
‘It’s strangely annoying.’
Gesher Wind looked at the man behind him. He said he was from the Bureau, but he didn’t know all the knights of the Imperial Household.
However, the number on the man’s left chest looked familiar.
‘564… 564… Ah, the Montbalian wonder.’
He was a large and well-known imperial knight who was dumb. His military skills were decent.
‘It’s really fucking big.’
Gesher Wind opened his mouth slightly in admiration.
“I don’t know.”
Then, another knight answered. It was a cold answer, but it was the original characteristic of the imperial knights. Unlucky, cold, and stingy. A perfect imperial knight.
“Oh, right… haha.”
Gesher Wind forced a smile, muttering curses under his breath.
At the cold reply that came back, Gesher Wind thought about what he would say to the Western Management Agency.
“We have arrived.”
After some time had passed, the elevator suddenly stopped.
‘···Is this the Central Management Office?’
Gesher Wind looked up, guessing the location.
As the door opened slowly, a woman stood in front of it.
With her lush green hair, pointed ears, and beautiful features that looked like they were carved by a god, and her cold gaze, she was a person that no one in the management bureau could not have recognized.
‘Director Selena of the Central Administration? Didn’t you say you were on leave?’
Gesher Wind’s eyes grew wide. All the beauty he had ever seen seemed to be denied.
Selena stood still beyond the open door, not getting on.
‘Is it because there are smelly knights riding on it?’
Gesher Wind glanced at the knights and muttered quietly to himself.
The knight behind him was in a strange state. He was twitching his body as if he was going to move at any moment. Was it because he was lustful for Selena’s beauty?
Gesher Wind took a step forward and blocked the man’s path.
“It’s closed.”
Selena got on the elevator at the guide’s voice. Selena stood next to Gesher Wind.
The door slowly closed. Perhaps because the elf had gotten on, the previously stuffy air seemed to have cleared up.
Gesher Wind glanced at Selena and was startled.
‘···Are you laughing?’
Selena was famous for being emotionless. The corners of Selena’s lips were raised in a nice way. I couldn’t express in words how beautiful that was.
‘This is no way······.’
Gesher Wind coughed, stroking his sideburns. Gesher Wind had been known as handsome since he was a child.
It was clear that it worked on the elves too.
“Hello, Selena, my name is Gesher Wind from the Eastern Management Agency.”
He held out his hand with a beautiful smile. He spoke quite loudly, but Selena didn’t look up.
“Ahem···.”
Gesher Wind came to his senses as the knight behind him began to shake as if coughing.
‘You seem very embarrassed.’
Gesher Wind used his wit to extend his other hand and grab it gently, averting the crisis.
After that, Gesher Wind tried to talk to Selena several times, but there was no answer. She seemed very embarrassed.
“We have arrived.”
The elevator came to a slow stop with a dull thud. It was the upper floor of the Central Management Office. Selena’s destination.
‘shit···.’
Gesher Wind, who had not yet heard Selena’s answer, muttered a curse.
As the door opened slowly, Selena stepped forward.
At that moment, when it seemed as if it would just disappear, Selena looked back.
Selena was smiling so brightly that the rumors of her being emotionless were put to shame. The corners of her lips trembled. If there is a goddess, it would be Selena.
Gesher Wind realized what love was.
“It’s gotten a lot colder. Dress warmly.”
A graceful voice that matches her appearance. Her pronunciation is slightly slurred.
Gesher Wind, who was dazed by this, followed him, forgetting his destination. How could he just go when the goddess spoke?
The elevator doors closed slowly.
“······okay.”
Just before the door closed, a thick voice was heard from inside. It was very short, as if it was being pressed down hard.
Selena made a small noise. Gesher Wind hurriedly took a handkerchief out of his bosom and handed it to her.
Then Selena turned her eyes,
It was a cold gaze, completely different from the gaze he had seen just now. At that, Gesher Wind came to his senses.
“Eastern Administration Gesher Wind?”
Selena read the words written on the end of the handkerchief.
“Yes? Yes, it’s Gesher Wind!”
Gesher Wind stuttered as the situation suddenly changed.
“Why is the Eastern Management Office here?”
Behind Selena, a different royal knight than before appeared.
‘···It is true that the Central Management Office is guarded by the Imperial Knights.’
It was a felony to come to the Central Administration without permission.
“lol······.”
Now, to survive, I had to turn my stomach upside down.
Gesher Wind quickly handed over the report he was holding.
‘······Isn’t this a report about Selena?’
Gesher Wind paused for a moment at that thought, then looked back at Selena’s sharp gaze.
***
“You bastard! What are you doing! I clearly explained to you that you are mute!”
The first one openly showed his hostility by asking if there was a CCTV in the elevator.
The air became heavy in an instant, and the stems extending from the guy. Unlike the five intestines, they were clearly visible.
I scratched my cheek while looking at him.
It was a fatal mistake, just as he said.
I was playing the role of a mute, but I spoke.
‘How did he know this?’
I was fully armed and had my face covered with leather, but it was surprising that he recognized me.
‘Selena is still in the Central Administration…’
My thoughts were broken by the sharp gaze of the first bastard.
It was clearly my mistake, but I was third.
“I forgot.”
I spoke confidently and puffed out my chest.
“···This damn third one!! To make the same mistake again!”
The first one got excited and screamed.
I shrugged. What can I do? It was already done, and the third bastard who couldn’t manage it was largely responsible.
The guy who had been grumbling for a while seemed to have reached the same conclusion, as he wiped his hand over my face and exhaled deeply.
‘This guy was nervous.’
I nodded at the unexpected side of the guy.
“The other person was the director of the Central Management Bureau. Yes, I said it just before the door closed, so it should be okay. He’ll think it’s my voice.”
The guy muttered at length, as if he was talking to himself.
“From now on, don’t open your mouth and don’t react in any way.”
The bastard spoke with his eyes wide open. His pupils, visible through the gap in his helmet, were tense.
I nodded politely. Only then did the guy turn his head. As I looked at the back of his head, my mouth started to tingle.
“What if I sneeze?”
The guy suddenly turned around and looked at me.
“We have arrived.”
Just then, the door opened slowly with a soft beep.
“Etchi.”
I covered my mouth with my hand as I looked at the guy.
The guy’s beaked eyes, visible through the gap in his helmet, were distorted.
However, I had no choice but to put my hands down and take a pose when I saw the sight beyond.
***
‘Joanna asked me a favor…?’
Mini lung cancer… no, the Johelia Temple Knight blinked.
The squat Joanna was looking up at me with sparkling eyes. I couldn’t refuse her when I saw those cute eyes.
It was Johelia who had recently become close with Joanna, although she still hadn’t told them the reason.
Wasn’t it even Joanna who sacrificed her body for him when she fought against the king of heresy last time?
Originally, Johelia had admired Joanna. She would grant any request Joanna made.
‘You are asking me to disguise myself and worship you…’
Since the two are sisters, their faces do look exactly alike. The problem is-.
‘The heights are completely different.’
Johelia swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
Joanna was tall and slender, while Johelia was so small that she would be ignored if she wasn’t wearing armor.
Her short stature and size were Johelia’s complexes, so she didn’t want to talk about them, but she couldn’t stay still when she saw Joanna’s sparkling eyes.
“But our height···”
Dori dori.
Joanna held out her Inquisitor’s armor. It was about the same size as the one Joanna was wearing.
‘···Who is it?’
Johelia tilted her head for a moment, then came to her senses and spoke again.
“This is too big for me.”
Dori dori.
Joanna held out something from somewhere. It was four roughly carved wooden sticks.
“······What’s important isn’t the body.”
Joanna held out a wooden stick with a serious face.
Johelia nodded in bewilderment at Joanna’s resonant words.
When she came to, Johelia was now wearing the Inquisitor’s armor. She had a wooden stick in each of her feet and hands.
‘···what’s this!!!’
Johelia’s eyes widened. What kind of ridiculous sight was this?
I was about to throw it off when my eyes met Joanna’s.
Johelia had always looked down on Joanna. But now, Johelia’s gaze was slightly upward.
‘Joanna looks great from above too.’
Johelia nodded at those sparkling eyes.
It was Johelia who freely handled the greatsword.
It was quick to get used to the stick.
‘Joanna’s request.’
Johelia kept her lips tightly shut and moved slowly. It was a little awkward, but it was okay once she got used to it.
dripping.
Whizz!
Joanna jumped at the knock.
Johelia nodded and moved, thinking that it was finally her turn to help.
Because it was Johelia who admired Joanna, she was able to imitate her better than anyone else.
When I opened the door, I saw the Abbot of Brighton.
Nod.
Johelia nodded like Joanna.
You wouldn’t recognize me. The face is the same. Even the height is the same now.
“Joheliah Temple Knight? Why are you wearing the armor of a Parsi Inquisitor?”
‘······I got caught right away!!!’
Johelia realized the shame she had shown herself under the calm eyes of the Brighton Abbot.
“Uh… yes?”
Johelia collapsed with a dull thud.
“Where is the abbot Joanna? Over there. The abbot Joanna! It’s time for the noon service! Since the abbot is gone, the abbot couple will also do the abbot’s share of the abbot…”
The Abbot of Brighton chased Joanna as she fled through the window.
