The Player Hides His Past

◈ Episode 564. The Being in the Well (2)

“I swear on my life. I have never killed a human being with these hands. There are no exceptions in the Arcana Continent or in this world. Nevertheless, I apologize for peeking into your world with my magical eyes.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Because there was no response from Topaz Hall.

“I also know that I cannot be free from mistakes. Because I am not innocent, I am just a cowardly bystander. So, I hope you give me a chance. “A chance to right my mistakes.”

This time too, Topaz Hall did not respond.

Under the desk.

Bangrit’s lost fingers twitch.

‘What on earth do you want to say?’

It was confusing. I thought I knew why Velier handed Barbatos over to her. I grit my teeth and look at Barbatos.

“Devils are a group of people who change their words as if they were flipping their palms.”

“If you don’t believe me, I’m willing to give it to you.”

“…?”

Okay.

Barbatos raised both hands.

It was as if he was telling me to take his own two hands.

In normal times, I would have considered it a deception, but why?

‘…shit.’

I could feel the sincerity in Barbatos’ words.

“I know. How much I resent my lack of ability. This may be presumptuous from my perspective as the person being asked the question. Senior Bangrit, don’t you know this?”

Because of lack of ability.

Those words reminded Bangrit of the past.

A past where I fell prey to the devil’s worship.

No, it wasn’t just the past. Because I was still unable to help Chief Lee due to my lack of ability. Just like it was on Jeju Island where Paimon appeared.

“but.”

Barbatos continues.

“Even if I lacked ability, if I had ‘pride’.”

“…!”

“I would have opposed the decision of the Ten Chairs. However, I am a devil by nature and a being born as a zodiac. “It was wrong to start with pride.”

Barbatos mentions ‘pride’ through the devil’s mouth.

It was a time when Bangrit’s mind became even more confused.

Barbatos’ lips were shiny.

“So, I would like you to guide me to Chief Lee.”

The devil wants to face Chief Lee.

‘…It can’t happen.’

Chief Lee was truly the devil’s natural enemy.

The devil, the great evil, the Ten Pillars, or any other devil.

Because I couldn’t shake off my authority in front of Chief Lee.

‘So don’t be fooled, Bangrit.’

I was shaken, but I clenched my fists tightly. The opponent was Ten Jwa. It is natural for them to react differently from ordinary demons. Even if it doesn’t feel like a devil, it is still a devil in the end.

It was a moment of self-discipline.

The word came out again.

“But I also want to realize ‘pride’.”

“!”

Pride.

The self before realizing pride? Under the pressure of being the leader of the Magic Tower, he chose to do things that were no different from the devil. It was crazy to think about it now, but…

‘I even thought about bribing Chief Lee.’

Is that why Bangrit asked himself?

‘Am I qualified to verify Barbatos?’

In addition, didn’t Chief Lee’s pride change even himself?

Pride.

It was like a ray of light in Bangrit’s confused mind.

‘…Okay, if it’s Chief Lee and no one else.’

Even if they say it’s the devil.

Even though it is said to be the Ten Seas.

Wouldn’t you be able to awaken pride in Barbatos too?

Even if I say no, am I not qualified to judge Barbatos?

Finally, Bangrit, who had been pondering, opened his mouth.

“You can move on to the next verification.”

Barbatos bowed his head politely.

“Thank you for the opportunity. Senior Bangrit.”

Bangrit took one last look at the ceiling.

As expected, the topaz did not shine.

It meant that Barbatos’ remarks were truthful.

‘A devil who knows how to be grateful to humans.’

Barbatos passes by behind you.

Even in the passing moments, there was no threat coming from Barbatos.

Bangrit bit his chapped lip.

‘Something broke down.’

This meant that Barbatos passed the preliminary verification without using any demonic powers. It was only then that Bangrit came out of his agony when he heard the sound of the back door opening.

‘No, maybe it’s better to pass.’

Complex thoughts.

I couldn’t ask about it because of the wind, but it seemed like there was room for Barbatos to be rehabilitated. With that kind of attitude, wouldn’t we be able to turn our backs on the Demon World and cooperate with the Arcana Continent and the world of adventurers?

Of course, someone might say.

Aren’t you putting unreasonable expectations on the devil?

Bangrit only smiled bitterly.

“…Wouldn’t you know it if you realized pride?”

Pride.

Yes, pride.

Because he had changed himself, who was no different from the devil.

‘Let’s see what’s left until Chief Lee’s verification.’

Because Marcelo Tower did not participate in the preliminary verification.

About…

Bangrit, who was calculating the numbers in his head, was startled.

“wait for a sec.”

suddenly.

Who is waiting for you in your back room?

Because I remembered it too late.

Soon, the reason why Bangrit is shocked comes out through the crack in the door.

“You failed, Barbatos!”

…Oh no, Senior Benshee!!

*

Arcana Continent.

capital of the empire.

Antonium.

“Ah, Lord Nash~”

It was about time for the young prince to lose his concentration.

If only the Empress had seen this.

You must have scolded His Majesty the Prince.

‘Because you’ve worked hard so far.’

Nash responded with a smile.

“What are you curious about that you are calling me so much, sir?”

“Actually, I’m not wondering about Lord Nash.”

“yes?”

Nash was shocked.

Who were you?

He was the best wizard in the imperial palace.

In the past, I would have mentioned the best in the empire, but I couldn’t do that anymore.

Because the descendants of the pure-blooded magic clan Twilight have settled in Antonium.

Is that why?

Nash was stung for no reason and asked the prince back.

“Sir, are you sure you don’t trust this Nash? Of course, I may be inferior to the Descendants of Twilight in magic affinity, but my theoretical knowledge about magic is…!”

Even if it was unintentional.

The young prince took the initiative with just one word.

It seemed like he had enough qualities to be the next emperor.

“Descendants of Twilight? theory? Friendliness? “It’s difficult, Lord Nash.”

“I guess I was mistaken.”

Because Nash realizes his concerns.

Because the prince was too young.

The prince whined.

“What I’m curious about is what happened that day, Lord Nash.”

“If it happened that day…?”

“The day my father closed his eyes.”

“…!”

It was the day His Majesty closed his eyes.

‘is it.’

You too were old enough to be curious about the whole story of that day. Nash refrained from making a fuss and took the weight. He cleared his throat.

“Didn’t you hear the whole story from the Empress?”

“That’s right. But…”

“But what else are you curious about?”

The prince replied while scribbling with a feather pen.

“What I’m curious about is the ‘spark’ of that day, Lord Nash.”

“…flame?”

“The flame that saved the empire from danger!”

flame.

How could Nash not know its identity?

Nash smiled happily.

“I guess you were curious about my older brother?”

“Yes Lord Nash!”

“surely.”

Indeed, even His Majesty the Prince.

Are you old enough to look up to our Benshi brother?

Nash nodded more vigorously than ever.

“Brother Benshi, you are amazing, unlike me!”

The younger brother’s pride in being an older brother started with that one word!

Nash told a series of stories about the Banshees that were famous in his family.

“…It’s not enough that you’ve become a senior at the Magic Tower! “It is said that he is being discussed as a candidate to become the next chief wizard to succeed Chief Lee Ho-yeol, the savior of our empire.”

“wow. “You are more amazing than I thought.”

“That’s right. Hehehe.”

That was when Nash just shrugged his shoulders.

This time, the prince hesitated and opened his mouth.

“But Lord Nash…”

“What else are you curious about, sir?”

“Would it be possible for me to meet Lord Nash’s brother? Of course, not right now, but someday! “I feel like I should say thank you!”

Thank you.

Nash smiled at those words.

It was indeed the prince’s death.

‘You’re already trying to take responsibility for the empire.’

I felt strange and wanted to stroke the prince’s head.

You can’t do that so recklessly.

And I feel sorry to His Majesty the Prince.

“That seems a bit difficult, sir.”

“yes?”

“That’s…”

Nash didn’t often trail off. The unusual reaction further stimulated the prince’s curiosity. As the prince persistently questioned Nash, he had no choice but to confess.

“It’s okay for me to say this as a younger brother.”

Nash continues.

“Brother Benshi… he has been a bit tactless since long ago.”

“You don’t notice?”

“That’s right. He is the one who does not bend his will no matter who the opponent is. “It means that others may be hurt by your direct words, even if that is not your true intention.”

Are you saying that?

The prince thought deeply about those words.

I remembered the Empress Mother’s words.

-“An emperor must be able to shoulder great responsibility.”

The prince nodded his little head and said.

“I am ready to accept whatever you have to say to me, Lord Nash. “Isn’t Lord Benshee, along with Lord Lee Ho-yeol, the spark that saved the empire?”

“My goodness…”

Nash’s heart sank, but he did not feel at ease.

It has to be that way.

I don’t know anything else, but my brother was a consistent person.

Yes.

No matter who the other person is.

No matter what attitude you show.

If you are not convinced.

Because he was the one who drove and burned like a red flame.

*

Barbatos asks again.

“Can I hear the specific reason?”

Bensh raises the corners of his mouth.

“Hmm.”

The elegance of the William family, a noble family of magicians, emanates from that face. In short, it was unlucky. It means that there was a look of disdain from on high.

“It seems you still haven’t mastered the rules of the Topaz Hall, Barbatos. In order to raise an objection to prior verification, you must find and declare the problem yourself.”

Barbatos lowered his head for a moment.

“It’s a problem. “There was a problem with my answer?”

Bensh roughly paraphrased what ‘someone’ said.

“I don’t talk to you. The person asking the question is me. The only person who can ask questions in this Topaz Hall is I, Bensh William. “It means you are not in a position to prove your innocence, Barbatos.”

Barbatos answered.

“You don’t take it easy. However, there was not a single lie in my answer. At this moment, Senior William Benshee’s attitude feels like nothing more than unnecessary cavil.”

Banshee snorted.

“You have a bold attitude.”

“Is this a compliment?”

“Do you think this is a compliment? “I’m being sarcastic.”

“….”

For the first time, Barbatos was speechless.

Of course, it was a banshi that didn’t care about such reactions.

Because, as his younger brother Nash said, Benshe was clueless.

“I understand the level of jokes in the Demon World.”

“Please behave according to Topaz Hall’s rules.”

“How could you mention discipline to me, a senior member of the Magic Tower? Anyone who sees this will think that this place is not the Magic Tower, but the Devil Tower, right? It’s really disgusting to see the guests being turned upside down. After all, it is right for you to fail.”

“….”

silence.

Barbatos thought.

Benshee William This man.

It’s so unbelievably childish.

‘However, according to the rules of Topaz Hall.’

There was a high probability that the preliminary verification with Benshi would be returned as invalid. If that happens, you will be able to get one step closer to Lee Ho-yeol, the Tenth Chair, without much effort.

Barbatos looked into the Topaz Hall in silence.

Topaz.

Mineral of wisdom.

When the preliminary verification proceeds incorrectly, Topaz emits its own light as a warning. It is impossible to pass the Topaz Hall pre-verification while overlooking the rules.

In that sense, Barbatos was relaxed.

“You are responsible for this preliminary verification.”

…sparkle.

Topaz decorated the hall.

Because it started pouring out a brilliant yellow light.

Banshee answered.

“Right.”

To Barbatos, who answered only the truth.

Bensh made a pointless point.

Topaz Hall has done something that cannot be overlooked.

But that was what the Benshee had hoped for.

“So I will file a formal objection.”

“Do you object?”

“Yes.”

Bensh still didn’t lose his smile.

“An objection to every decision you pass.”

Because I couldn’t admit it.

He didn’t want to admit that his fellow senior wizards had let Barbatos pass. I saw right through that unreasonable and persistent way of thinking.

“You answered, Barbatos.”

Barbatos’s shallow trick.

“Please give me a chance to correct my mistake.”

“That’s right.”

“Then what is the mistake you are talking about?”

Depending on what the ‘wrong’ is.

Barbatos’ declaration is completely different.

This was something that the Benshi did not overlook.

“Did you say you would no longer live as a cowardly bystander?”

“….”

“Then your actions now are absolutely right. “At this moment, you are advancing alone into the enemy camp and acting like a hero to the demons who are approaching the enemy general.”

Bensh added to Barbatos.

“Answer me, Barbatos.”

They said that due to an injury in Jeju Island, they would not be able to use their magic for the time being.

Why?

A flame seemed to flicker behind the Banshee.

“For your information, I am very angry at your deception.”

“….”

Wait a minute.

The answer soon came back.

Not Barbatos.

Beyond telepathy.

“Huh? You’re just letting me pass…?!”

From Chief Lee.