Ending Maker Episode 426
Chapter 14 – First Contact #2
First encounter with Landius.
Kamael closed his eyes once as if recalling a memory, then opened them and opened his mouth with a small smile.
“That’s me… … .”
“for a moment!”
“hmm?”
When Landius blinked in surprise at the sudden intrusion, the others also looked at Fran, who had interrupted the conversation, with eyes filled with puzzlement.
“Is there a problem?”
Fran quickly waved both her hands at Kamael’s somehow stiff question.
“No, no. There’s nothing wrong with it. I just wanted to change the order.”
“Why?”
“That… … There’s a flow to things like this, right? Starting from something trivial and then moving on to something important. Should I say that listening to the story of Kamael from the beginning is like eating strawberries first when eating cake?”
“Hmm… … Is that really so?”
Kamael’s sharp momentum suddenly subsided.
Then Fran smiled mischievously, and Lena laughed in disbelief, thinking,
‘She’s convinced that she’s the strawberry in the cake… …!’
No, it isn’t.
No matter what anyone says, strawberries are mine.
However, Lena was too shameless to say that she would do it last because she was the strawberry.
So Lena remained silent for a while, and Fran glanced at Lena’s face before smiling brightly and speaking.
“Then let’s start with the story of the old man, which is probably the least important and most trivial story.”
“… … I thought it would turn out like that, but it was as expected.”
Belkian, who seemed to be no longer angry because it was exactly as he had expected, clicked his tongue a few times and sat up straight again before speaking.
“It’s really nothing special.”
“So, I’m actually looking forward to it. What kind of meeting was it?”
“that…….”
* * *
Belkian was sitting in the drawing room, drinking tea.
Paragon Kingdom.
A small country in the west bordering the Kingdom of Cailun, one of the two great powers of the continent.
However, it was definitely not a country that could be easily underestimated just because it was small.
This is because it not only has a long history and tradition that surpasses not only the Kingdom of Seilun but also the Argon Empire, but it has also been a cradle of talent that has produced many skilled and outstanding knights for generations.
Moreover, the citizens were generally tall and handsome, so neighboring countries often told them that ‘the Paragon Kingdom has many beauties and geniuses.’
‘I think it was called the elf country of the human world.’
Belkian, who remembered the nickname of the Paragon Kingdom he had heard on the way there and back, smiled slightly and put down his teacup.
The drawing room he was sitting in now was none other than the drawing room of the Paragon Kingdom – and it was the drawing room of the palace wizard, Bardo.
‘It’s a Bardo-like space.’
As expected of a palace magician’s reception room, it was very large in size, but it didn’t feel particularly extravagant.
Rather, it was more reminiscent of a research warehouse than a living room, with books, scrolls, and various research materials piled up here and there.
And the inescapable simplicity and coziness.
That unique feeling that clearly tells you that the owner of this reception room is Bardo.
‘That’s a bit un-Bardot-like… … but it still suits him.’
What Belkian’s gaze caught was a white, simple wild flower.
There were a few flowers in a small vase, which matched the atmosphere of the living room very well.
‘If it was Bardo who put it there, it would have already dried up and died… … Did the maids of the kingdom bring it there?’
No, maybe it was the work of a new disciple.
Belkian closed his eyes for a moment and recalled the letters Bardo had sent him.
-I have a daughter.
It was a short phrase, but it was enough.
Because it was a sentence that allowed one to clearly feel what Bardo thought of his new disciple.
‘But… …I think she’s closer to a granddaughter than a daughter.’
Like Belkian himself, Bardo was already well into his sixties.
Belkian, who had laughed bitterly, lifted his teacup again.
As a former wandering wizard, he was not sitting in the reception room simply to meet an old friend.
A recruitment offer from the Paragon Kingdom.
The royal family’s request to become the kingdom’s wizard.
Actually, it wasn’t that common.
Belkian himself was a necromancer.
Necromancers, who command the dead, were shunned in every kingdom.
I acknowledge its usefulness, but I would say that I am reluctant to put it at the forefront because the dark image of death is so strong.
That’s why most countries didn’t even associate with necromancers, and even powerful countries like the Kingdom of Cailun and the Argon Empire managed necromancers in secret, never revealing it to the outside world.
‘Bardo must have exerted some force.’
Perhaps the story was something like, “Belkian is a wizard who deals with the power of life, not death!”
It wasn’t exactly a lie, after all.
‘but…….’
However, Belkian had no intention of staying in the Paragon Kingdom as a necromancer.
In any case, as a necromancer, he could be a burden to both the Bardo and Paragon kingdoms, and most importantly, Belkian himself had no intention of being tied down to one place.
‘I think a pharmacist would be okay.’
Although Belkian had no intention of settling down, he still needed a place to base himself.
So, how about staying in the Paragon Kingdom for a few months a year and working as an apothecary?
Sometimes I study magic with Bardo.
Belkian, who thought that it would be okay, soon smiled bitterly.
It was because I felt like I was old just thinking like this.
And that was the moment.
“Sorry I’m late. I have something urgent to take care of.”
The old man who entered the living room with a grin on his face – Bardo was the very picture of a pleasant old man next door.
A slightly plump face that doesn’t seem like a wizard’s, facial features that are kind and laid-back, and a plump body that goes perfectly with a flowing robe.
He was absolutely perfect, with curly white hair and a beard that reminded me of cotton candy.
Belkian smiled slightly and answered, as he was a friend who would make a warm smile just by looking at her.
“It was okay. The tea tasted really good, so it was an enjoyable wait.”
“Thank you for saying so. My disciple dried the tea leaves himself. Of course, my disciple brewed the tea as well. He really is very skilled.”
Belkian couldn’t help but laugh again, seeing that the way he spoke with a big smile was just like that of an old father bragging about his youngest child.
“Was it a girl?”
“That’s right. Her name is Lena, and she’s a pretty girl with a pretty face and even prettier heart. She’s really, really cute, pretty, and lovable. Do you know how beautiful her blond hair is? It sparkles like gold melted in the sunlight. Her blue eyes are like starlight. And she’s so kind. She’s like an angel who’s descended to Earth. When she grows up, she’ll definitely be called an angel. She definitely will. She’s also sincere, smart, honest… Oh, and of course, she’s also incredibly talented in magic!”
“Well, indeed. I don’t know about anything else, but I can tell how much you care for that child.”
“No, what has this friend been hearing so far? She’s really pretty, kind, and smart.”
“Yes, yes. Lena. Bardo’s kind, smart, and pretty disciple. I remembered.”
“Let me also add that he is an angel-like child who descended to earth.”
“… … Let’s do that.”
What kind of child is he that does that?
Belkian was starting to get really curious.
“Anyway, have you thought about the proposal?”
When Bardo, who was sitting down across from him, asked while picking up a cookie with his plump fingers, Belkian gave the answer he had in mind.
“I don’t think a wizard belonging to the kingdom is a good idea, but I’ll consider staying as an apothecary.”
“That’s the answer I expected, but it’s a shame. Aren’t you buying it too expensively?”
“It can’t be helped because it’s such an expensive body.”
“Hehehe, but it seems like you really like the Paragon Kingdom since you’re joking around.”
“Well, there’s you too… …and there’s also this angelic child who’s pretty, kind, and smart.”
“As expected, Belkian. I told you he’s quick-witted.”
Bardo chuckled as if he liked Lena’s compliments and started crunching his cookies, while Belkian chuckled again.
Archmage.
An occupation that is literally mentally ill itself, with over 70% of the population being mentally ill and an even higher percentage of psychopaths.
However, the Bardo before his eyes was a truly rare case in which he retained his good personality despite being a great wizard.
So Belkian liked Bardo.
Because when I was with him, I didn’t have to worry about unnecessary suspicion and doubts like I did when I was with other wizards.
“Anyway, I’ll get a room next to my lab. If you’re going to work as a pharmacist, you’ll need a lot of drugs, right?”
“You’re talking about something obvious. But if you give me a little land, like a garden or something, I’ll try growing it myself.”
“That’s fine too. Oh, and things like Mandragora are dangerous, so we can’t do that. Do you understand?”
“I know. I have common sense too.”
“Hehehe, it’s really funny that there’s a great wizard discussing common sense.”
It was then that Bardo smiled like that again.
“Sir, may I come in?”
At the cheerful voice heard from outside the door, Bardo looked back at Belkian as if asking for understanding, and Belkian nodded to indicate that it was okay.
“Well, come in.”
As soon as Bardo, who had received Belkian’s permission, spoke, a tall, well-built young man entered the drawing room.
Armor and cloak that proves one is a knight of the Paragon Kingdom.
A face full of manly, handsome smile and red hair reminiscent of flames.
As Belkian unconsciously stared at the young man’s face, Bardo laughed heartily as if he had expected something like that.
“This guy here is Landius, the son of the Knight Commander. As expected of a Knight Commander’s son, he is very talented and handsome. He is a promising young man. He will become a strong pillar of the Paragon Kingdom in the future.”
At the compliment from Bardo, the young Landius blushed slightly in embarrassment and showed his humility.
“You are too kind. I still have a lot to learn.”
“Hehe, how humble. Anyway, let’s say hello. This is my friend Belkian. I’ll probably see you a lot from now on.”
As Bardo spoke and pointed to Belkian, Landius showed the courtesy of a knight by placing his right fist on his chest and spoke.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Landius, a knight of the Paragon Guard.”
A spirited and energetic young man.
Maybe that’s why.
Belkian, who felt like he was facing the sun outdoors despite being indoors, answered with a small smile.
“It’s Belkian.”
* * *
“Wait, is that all?”
You went to see Bardo and met and greeted Landius, who also came to see Bardo?
When Fran asked again to confirm, Belkian answered with a blank face.
“That’s it.”
“No, what is this! It’s really nothing!”
I just went to meet a friend and met him.
There is no incident, no impact, and no story!
“It’s not like we worked together to stop a zombie outbreak, or went on an adventure together to save someone under a curse or anything. We just said hello, ‘I’m Landius,’ or ‘I’m Belkian.’ What the heck is going on?”
“That’s why I said it was nothing!”
I said it was nothing special and I really did say it was nothing special.
But what’s the problem?
When Belkian spoke with a sense of resentment and indignation, Fran chuckled as if she had been hoping for this kind of reaction, and the other members of the group shook their heads and smiled bitterly.
“Anyway, since I heard the story of the old man, let’s move on. Ah, I feel like I wasted some time. Why did you talk so long when you could have just said that you met at your friend’s living room?”
“Belkian, please be patient. Isn’t that just how he is?”
When Lena quickly grabbed his hand and spoke soothingly, Belkian took a deep breath and nodded.
In fact, Fran was Fran, but Lena’s words just now could be categorized as abusive language if we were to be exact.
But should we really call this kind of relationship in the first place?
A relationship where you can speak rudely without feeling any pressure.
In some ways, it was a truly absurd relationship, but the five heroes of Paragon also had a close relationship with each other.
“Then I’ll do it next.”
It was when Lena opened her mouth to change the mood.
“Oh, wait. Can I try it?”
“Huh? Randy?”
“Oh, I thought about it hard and I think I got an idea.”
First meeting with Lena.
Not the meeting at the Knights Templar, but the meeting before that.
At Landius’ request, Rena crossed her arms and spoke with a slightly mischievous expression.
“But Randy, are you sure? You know that if you’re wrong, you won’t get your principal back, right?”
His face was smiling, but his eyes weren’t, and it was a cold-hearted remark for some reason, but Landius laughed heartily like a warrior of the sun.
“But now that I think about it, I want to talk about it. Can I?”
When he turned his gaze to the others as if asking for permission, not just Lena, everyone nodded.
“Okay, Randy. Give it a try.”
“Okay, then let’s begin.”
Landius hugged Lena’s waist, who was pretending to have an expression like a test supervisor, and eventually made her laugh again, and began to tell her story.
