The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 106

Chapter 106.

Grand Hall of the Laire Daesinjeon.

“Ah. You’ve arrived.”

“…Have you come.”

“Hmm? This time you’re together with Heruti High Priest.”

“But I don’t see Count Jerdick.”

As soon as they entered the assembly hall, countless gazes pierced toward them.

Among them were those curious about Jerdic’s absence, and those who found it strange that he was entering together with Gamillion.

They wondered when the two had become close.

“Hmm hmm…”

However, some figures who were elders or high priests sent peculiar glances.

When Dohyun slightly nodded to them, they nodded back and turned their gazes away.

‘Those must be the ones Gamillion mentioned.’

The figures who would help with ‘that thing’ Dohyun had requested.

Having confirmed their faces, Dohyun decided to pretend not to know for now and received the greeting from Gildeti Daesinkwan.

“We’re a bit late. Sorry, there was some business to attend to.”

“Hehe, it’s fine. Now everyone has gathered.”

“…Gildeti Daesinkwan. Why don’t I see Count Jerdick? He’s not someone who would miss something like this.”

At one high priest’s question, Gildeti’s face, which had been smiling kindly, hardened stiffly as if it had never been otherwise.

His brow twitched for a very brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure and opened his mouth.

“…Count Jerdick had circumstances and missed the meeting. He asked me to request your understanding.”

At those words, the murmuring grew louder.

“That Count Jerdick, you say… It must not have been ordinary circumstances.”

“Hmm… He’s not someone who would just skip out.”

“But the timing is a bit… Am I the only one who finds this unsettling?”

“Are you saying we should suspect Count Jerdick when there’s no one else to suspect? You all know his circumstances. If it’s about the Abyss, he’d be sick of it…”

“Hmm hmm, I’m just saying that’s how it feels.”

If he suddenly skipped out in a situation like this, it would be natural to draw suspicion.

This showed just how consistent an image Jerdic had maintained all this time.

At that sight, Dohyun’s expression became somewhat bitter.

‘As expected, just as I thought.’

He must know that disaster had befallen Jerdic.

No, as his escort knight, there was no way he wouldn’t know. But seeing him handle it like this, it seemed his prediction was correct.

That’s why Dohyun composed his expression even more.

Just in case he looked different from usual and that man noticed.

‘I need to be certain.’

There was only one chance. If this failed, everything would be ruined.

At that point, even Dohyun had no confidence in cleaning up the aftermath.

“Thank you all for gathering. Since the matter is what it is, I have no choice but to get straight to the point quickly. Please understand. Could we hear the progress on the things we requested? If there’s any information you’ve gathered, please share it.”

Just as the main topic came up, the elders reacted as if they had been waiting.

“We’ve taken appropriate measures so we can go to the shelters at any time. But to avoid too much confusion, we practiced calling it disaster training…”

“We dispatched an investigation team to see if there were any traces within the city…”

“We did this kind of thing.”

The faces of those reporting their progress one by one were solemn.

Gildeti Daesinkwan, who had been quietly listening to all the progress, soon raised his hand. Then the voices stopped abruptly.

“You’ve all worked very hard. Thanks to you, the citizens will be safe.”

“…”

“Sigh… Now it’s my turn to tell you what I’ve discovered.”

Gildeti’s face as he let out a long sigh was serious. Enough to naturally draw everyone’s attention.

Just what had he discovered to act like this? Everyone was waiting for an answer when.

“They say it’s darkest under the lamp.”

Finally Gildeti’s mouth opened,

“…As a result of my investigation, Gaemin the Destroyer seems to be residing within the city. From long ago, continuously.”

Very shocking words lingered in the assembly hall.

A moment of silence flowed, then an uproar several times larger than before erupted.

“He’s within the city? Then you’re saying he’s been living among us!”

“That’s completely absurd…”

“On what grounds are you saying such a thing!”

And for good reason – a Summoner of Darkness Contracted with the Abyss could never live normally within the city.

Setting aside the constant voices of darkness trying to dominate their mind, it would be impossible to live without being detected by Brion’s numerous barrier devices.

“…Do you know what this is.”

What ended that commotion was the contents of the box Gildeti placed on the central table.

Inside were several traces of the Abyss.

“Traces of the Abyss were discovered throughout the city. The shortest from just a few hours ago, the longest going back several years. Do you know where the oldest trace among these was found?”

“…Where was it found.”

“Ridiculously, it was on the statue in the temple that symbolizes the great God.”

“…Good heavens.”

What this meant was clear.

“One might be possible, but this many traces cannot exist in the city. Unless he’s been with us.”

That Gaemin the Destroyer had been living in the city with them for many years.

There was no other explanation.

“Unbelievable… To think we could live with such a monster for years without knowing.”

“The temple is an inviolable domain. We never thought he would come and go from there.”

“…How could one consumed by the Abyss do such a thing.”

“Is he maintaining intact intelligence.”

As the murmuring and commotion grew, Gildeti’s gaze turned toward Dohyun.

Gildeti, who had been looking with strange eyes at him who alone remained calm, suddenly asked.

“Could we hear the noble one’s thoughts as well.”

At that, the noisy gazes turned toward Dohyun.

“…By noble one, you mean the outsider?”

“Indeed. I’m curious about his thoughts too.”

In their view, Dohyun was clearly a resident of another world.

His perspective would be different, so they were curious what opinion he would offer.

A moment of silence flowed.

Dohyun, who had been sitting while receiving everyone’s attention, finally opened his mouth.

“Actually, I couldn’t just sit still either, so I did some investigation of my own.”

“Investigation, you say?”

“Yes.”

Dohyun, who had risen from his seat, slowly moved his steps.

From the table toward the front wall.

Precisely, he wanted the water that was on the shelf mounted on the wall.

After pouring water on the handkerchief placed beside it, he suddenly wiped down the worn cloth in the shape of an old staff, causing Gildeti Daesinkwan to frown.

“…What are you doing.”

“Just a moment. Hmm… Okay. It’s well cleaned. Maintenance really is important.”

“Kaiser.”

Though Gildeti Daesinkwan showed discomfort, Dohyun paid no attention.

Rather, as if the light wiping wasn’t enough, he poured water directly and wiped it clean, and only then with a satisfied face did he continue speaking.

Gildeti’s face had already hardened.

“Actually, I went to the Ominous Mist Zone.”

However, when Dohyun’s words finally came to an end, Gildeti’s rigid expression was visibly shaking.

The others were equally surprised.

“The Ominous Mist Zone? How could an outsider know of that place…?”

“Even among us in Brion, not many know of that location.”

“Could you explain, Disciple?”

They couldn’t understand how an outsider could have found the Ominous Mist Zone.

It was Gamillion, not Dohyun, who answered them.

“I told him about it.”

“…Heruti High Priest, you did?”

“Yes. I felt I couldn’t just sit still in such a critical situation, so I only provided the information… It seems he found his way there safely.”

Although Gamillion was disguised as the steward of an old, unpopular temple, he was still officially a temple steward.

Moreover, he had never caused any problems and had a good reputation for his flexible personality.

While he had no close friends, there was no one who disliked him either.

With his testimony, no further explanation was needed.

“Hmm. If Heruti High Priest says so, then it must be true.”

“It’s been a while since Heruti High Priest has stepped forward.”

“Haha, well, the matter is quite serious after all.”

With Gamillion’s helpful banter behind him, Dohyun continued speaking.

“I think that’s enough about why I went there… Do you know what I saw in that place?”

The topic shifted again with his meaningful statement.

“Hmm? That place should be untouched by anyone’s footsteps.”

“You saw something in the Ominous Mist Zone?”

“…What did you see?”

“Was there perhaps some trace of that bastard?”

When not only the elders but even Gildeti looked at him with curiosity, Dohyun answered without deliberately dragging out the time.

“No. I found nothing.”

“…Hmm?”

“Then why…?”

Why bring it up at all?

Before those words could continue, Dohyun struck first.

“However, I did discover something else important, not traces.”

“What would that be?”

“There was a cave there… It had collapsed. The side was horribly melted down, making it impossible to tell if the front or side was the entrance.”

The high priests and elders tilted their heads in confusion.

“…You’re saying a cave collapsed?”

“Melted down… Could this perhaps be Gaemin the Destroyer’s doing?”

“Hmm, it might be a natural disaster. Just a cave collapse seems ambiguous, but it would be worth investigating.”

The elders were bewildered by the somewhat exaggerated gestures, and opinions were divided.

Watching them, Dohyun drove in the final nail.

“But actually, that’s not the important part.”

“Hmm? Not important? What do you mean?”

Though the question came from one of the elders sitting in the upper seats, Dohyun’s gaze was directed at Gildeti.

Dohyun was asking with his eyes.

“…Count Jerdick was inside the cave. Dead in a horrible state.”

Why was Count Jerdick, who supposedly couldn’t attend due to circumstances, found dead in a collapsed cave?

“What…!?”

“Is that really true, Disciple!”

At that bombshell statement, the elders shot to their feet.

If this was true, it meant the Gildeti Steward had lied. Countless eyes seeking an explanation turned toward the Gildeti Steward.

And they saw it.

“…Steward?”

The Gildeti Steward’s eyes shaking violently as if an earthquake had struck.

“…This can’t be right. Say something, Gildeti Steward.”

“No, that’s impossible. Are you really going to believe the word of some mere outsider?”

“But it’s true that Count Jerdick didn’t attend.”

Those seeking explanation, those showing suspicion, and those in denial.

With various reactions, they couldn’t believe this situation.

Step by step.

Meanwhile, Dohyun gradually drew closer.

Gildeti, belatedly coming to his senses, barely managed to open his mouth.

“…What are you talking about?”

“What am I talking about, indeed.”

Finally, Dohyun approached within arm’s reach and slowly raised the corner of his mouth.

“I’m saying you killed Count Jerdick. Isn’t that right? Gildeti Steward… no, Gaemin the Destroyer.”

“…!”

Simultaneously, Dohyun’s hand moved like lightning.

[Cheonbyeon transforms into ‘Bastard’s Training Sword’.]

[Using Darkness Shroud on Cheonbyeon.]

[Mana is consumed every second.]

What had clearly been an old staff became a sharp sword in an instant, and pitch-black darkness enveloped that sword.

Thunk!

Before the man could even react, the sword pierced his heart,

“Kuhek…!”

Along with a red light visible only to Dohyun’s eyes, a choking groan burst forth.

However, the groan didn’t come from Gildeti’s mouth.

It came from a middle-aged knight standing slightly behind Gildeti.

“Sir Taksinel!”

“…Disciple, what are you doing!”

“What is the meaning of this!”

What Dohyun had stabbed was not Gildeti Steward, but Sir Taksinel.

In Dohyun’s eyes, he could see it.

[Eye of Truth activates.]

The red light intensely leaking out as if a switch had been flipped when the heart was pierced.

Gaemin the Destroyer.

It was light that matched exactly what he had seen from that bastard.

“…”

The one who had burned the city ten years ago, causing countless casualties.

The identity of the traitor who had tried to leave evidence even until the moment Jerdic died was none other than Taksinel.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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