I Became the Youngest Summoner in the Strongest Guild

39. Arcana Online

After sending the bear away, Lala tells me about her experiences during her 10 years of trading as we walk together.

"Did you come to land because you were bored of the sea?"

"That's right! It's hell there. Every day was just a waste of time, you know?"

She recounts how she was scammed and went through numerous hardships when she first came to land. She then declares that someday she'll establish a merchant group under her own name.

"I'll support Lala's dream."

"R-really?"

"Yes! This is a gift of friendship."

I take out a magic stone from my inventory and hand it to Lala.

She stares at me blankly, then accepts the magic stone and uses it.

H-honestly, I was worried she might not use it and just put it in her bag...

Lala's body glows due to the effect of my skill.

As the light fades, she looks at me.

"Thank you."

"Friends help each other, right?"

"Friends...?"

She stops in her tracks and stares at me.

When I ask if something's wrong, she fidgets with her fingers and glances at me nervously.

She says it's her first time having a friend.

Smiling at her behavior, I extend my hand, and she takes it.

"This is my first time having a friend too."

"Really!?"

In this world, Lala is my first friend.

As we chat about various things, I see a village in the distance, but I can't enter.

I'm wanted, so if I enter the village, I'll be caught.

I say goodbye to Lala in front of the village.

"Let's meet again next time."

"If you ever need any items or help, just contact me!"

Leaving Lala waving at me behind, I set out on the road.

With some time left before my appointment with the angels, I'm thinking about traveling around the empire's territory when I hear something running from afar.

Thinking it might be the bear, I look up, but I see a magnificent carriage approaching.

The huge carriage pulled by four black horses stops in front of me, and someone steps out.

It's the old man I saw in the alley before.

"It's the old man from the alley!"

"It's been a while."

He greets me respectfully, which almost startles me.

Didn't he say he was a duke back then?

"You don't have to do this!"

"This much is necessary when meeting a benefactor."

He smiles brightly at me and tells me to get in the carriage.

As I hesitate, the Duke laughs casually.

"I know about the bounty on your head."

"You knew!?"

"I'll take care of that problem for you."

The Duke says with a smile.

"Come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself properly. I am Duke Adonis Ether, head of the Ether Duchy of the Avalon Empire."

"I'm Yuna!"

I follow the Duke into the carriage, and it slowly starts moving.

As soon as I sit down, he looks at me and speaks.

He says he's here to repay the favor.

"I want to repay you for saving me before."

"I helped out of goodwill. I didn't do it expecting anything in return, so it's okay."

"That won't do."

He speaks firmly, saying it's the family law of the Ether Duchy to repay favors received a hundredfold.

He says they repay grudges a thousandfold, smiling as he speaks, which is scary.

[Your wanted status has been removed.]

As the Duke said, the bounty on me has been lifted.

"I'd like to invite you to the Ether Duchy. Do you have any other plans?"

Since there's still some time left before the angels come to pick me up, it should be fine, right?

"I think it's okay. Oh, but don't be surprised if I suddenly disappear in the middle. I have an appointment."

"It would be nice if you could at least say goodbye before leaving."

"I'll try my best."

While it would take several days to travel by carriage from a village near the border to the capital, using a gate is different.

[Gate]
A magical device that allows instant travel between cities.

The empire, with its vast capital and military power, has installed gates in all cities and even in villages near the borders.

Using the gate, we instantly arrive in the empire's capital.

Thanks to the Duke's influence, we bypass all the complicated procedures and head towards the Ether Duchy.

On the way to the Ether Duchy through the massive capital, numerous soldiers walk the streets, exemplifying a military empire.

Civilians frequently greet the uniformed soldiers with respect and gratitude.

"The soldiers are treated well here."

"There's no country where soldiers who protect citizens' safety aren't respected."

"Haha..."

The carriage quickly passes through a huge iron gate, travels for about 5 minutes, then gradually slows down and stops in front of an enormous mansion.

When the door opens and I step out with the knight's help, I see many people standing in front of the door.

Are they servants who came out to welcome the Duke?

As the Duke gets out, everyone bows their heads in greeting.

"We welcome the master."

"It's cold out here, let's go inside quickly."

As he ushers me into the mansion lobby, I see a grand and majestic lobby with an antique atmosphere.

Following the Duke straight to the family head's room on the second floor, I see a beautiful sword on display.

"This is one of the two swords symbolizing our Ether Duchy. The demon sword Gram."

"It's amazing."

"It has the exact opposite nature to the holy sword Durandal that I carry, so for generations, one of the two swords is chosen to be used."

Is it okay to display such an important sword like this?

"What if someone steals it if you leave it here?"

"That can't happen. Only those with Ether Duchy blood flowing through their veins can even touch it. And only those who pass the family head's test can be chosen to use it."

Usually when people say things like this, a traitor from the family ends up stealing it later...

He tells me to sit comfortably on the sofa, so I take a seat.

As if on cue, there's a knock, and a servant enters to set various snacks and tea on the table.

"It's not much, but please eat comfortably."

"Thank you!"

The table looks like it's about to break from all the food, yet he says it's not much.

As expected, a duchy is different.

I pick up a cookie with chocolate in it from the front and take a bite. It's different.

As soon as I put it in my mouth, it's soft and moist...

"It's, it's so delicious!"

"Eat plenty."

Only after hurriedly eating the snacks do I remember where I am, and my face turns red.

The Duke smiles as he watches me.

"Seeing you eat so well reminds me of my granddaughter."

He reminisces as if lost in memories, telling various stories.

"They say old people talk a lot, and it seems to be true. Let's rest for today and continue our talk tomorrow."

With those final words, I follow a servant who says they'll guide me to my room.

Looking around the antique mansion, I enter the room under the servant's guidance and see a room that looks like it would be used by a young girl.

The walls are painted pink, and there's a pile of dolls in one corner.

Is this a room used by his daughter or granddaughter...?

Sitting on the bed, I stroke Yong-yong and organize my thoughts.

There are still a few days left before the appointed time with the angels, so what should I do to pass the time until then?

"Is there anything you want to do?"

"Kyuung!"

Our Yong-yong says he wants to wave a red flag and call for revolution.

Ugh, is this also an effect of my skill? Our kind and pure Yong-yong has changed.

While stroking Yong-yong, I remembered something.

I haven't checked the community today.

I open a blue window to access the community and check the incident board, but what's this now?

[It's the end of the world!!! The apocalypse is coming!!!]
The monster I killed came back to life and charged at me for revenge!!

[Comments]
- Maybe there was a necromancer nearby.
- [Author] The named monster turned into a raid boss monster!! It's the end of the world!!
- Kyaaah!! It's the apocalypse!!!
- We're all going to die!!!

[Our Father in heaven,]
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come...

[Comments]
- What's with this guy now lol
- The concept is solid lol
- [Author] For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Amen!!
- Amen lol

[Wait, isn't it good if monsters come back to life?]
The experience points get duplicated lol

[Comments]
- But the named monsters are turning into raid boss monsters when they revive?
- What if they chase you all the way to the village to kill you?
- [Author] Please save me please save me please save me

[When monsters go wild, isn't there only one culprit?]
You know, that person whose name we know but can't say lol

[Comments]
- The Information Guild is watching you.
- The Information Guild is watching you.
- The Information Guild is watching you.
- [Author] You crazy bastards lol