Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 167

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Café run by the Dark Guild’s Heir
Chapter 167
A brief silence fell.
The High Priests, who knew well what the Middle Ground was, all stepped forward to dissuade me.
“We understand your feelings, Arthur, but that’s no place for a living person to go.”
“And even less so a place one can simply visit on a whim.”
However, when I had searched for Helitria before, I had already told the High Priests about meeting Desikan there.
“You know I’ve been there. You know why Desikan needs me.”
I regarded them calmly.
“…Yes. I remember. We had hoped you would never encounter Desikan again.”
Gregory, speaking for the High Priests, sighed as he continued.
The Mage Tower’s elders, who had only recently learned that I possessed an Immunity Ability, flinched at this revelation.
“You could certainly meet him again. He would want that. But what could you accomplish alone?”
“With mere Aura control, you cannot face him. Neither can any of us here.”
“He’s already hunting you—if you get captured, there’s no coming back from that.”
I understood what the High Priests feared, but I couldn’t simply sit idle either.
“If Desikan’s seal breaks, it becomes irreversible regardless. Hiding from him now doesn’t mean we can evade him forever.”
“As someone capable of approaching the Middle Ground, I intend to go as well.”
Cayden came to my aid.
“Hmph. Priest Cayden, now is not the time to speak up.”
As the High Priests fixed me with stern gazes, the Mage Tower’s elders voiced their skepticism as well.
“If you come to harm, I’ll have no face to show our master. This venture is doomed from the start.”
I exhaled slowly, studying the frustrated people before me.
“My grandfather may still be alive.”
And I spoke with cold determination.
“Is there another option? If there’s even a possibility, we must try everything. I don’t have time to waste sitting here.”
……
“Desikan expended his strength facing my grandfather and the High Priests. This may be our last chance.”
At that moment, Biedler, who had been listening quietly, rose to my support.
“The Imperial Court endorses this course of action.”
The atmosphere shifted, rippling with sudden motion.
I fixed my gaze on Gregory, whose lips were sealed, driving the wedge deeper.
“I am weak. Even with Priest Cayden alongside me, two of us won’t suffice. So please, help us.”
I made eye contact slowly with every person in the conference room.
“Don’t discuss how to stop me—discuss how to make this succeed. You are far more capable than I am. Please lend me your knowledge and strength.”
“Hmm.”
“Rather than simply refusing outright, please think positively about this.”
And seizing the moment, I made a request of both the Mage Tower and the Temple.
“Any Artifacts or Sacred Objects that might aid in facing Desikan—I’d be grateful for whatever you can spare.”
“Well, the Mage Tower’s Treasure Vault certainly contains Artifacts forged to fight Demonic Beasts. We were caught off-guard this time, but with those…”
“There’s definitely a Sacred Object that absorbs Demonic Energy somewhere in our stores…”
Amid the shifting, more optimistic atmosphere, Wyatt murmured with evident uncertainty.
“The more exceptional an Artifact, the greater the mana expenditure it demands. I’m not sure whether you, who’ve never studied magic, can operate it.”
“That won’t be a problem. My grandfather told me I possess considerable mana reserves.”
“What? Your master said that? Might I verify this directly?”
“Of course.”
Wyatt retrieved the Mana Gauge owned by the Mage Tower.
After using it on me, he was shocked when the numbers failed to register properly.
“Unbelievable. So you truly are your master’s granddaughter.”
“An extraordinary talent.”
In the end, the Mage Tower’s elders also consented to my journey to the Middle Ground and agreed to find suitable Artifacts for me.
“We’ll have everything ready by tonight.”
“We must move quickly.”
The elders departed the conference room first. Gregory then called out to me.
“It’s been a long time.”
“You recognized me.”
“Of course. Though I was quite astonished to learn you were the Grand Mage’s granddaughter.”
“It changes nothing that I am his granddaughter.”
“That’s true.”
Gregory studied me with eyes whose depths I could not fathom, then asked.
“When you went to the Middle Ground before, you said moving vines dragged you there?”
“Yes. In the Alein Mountain Range.”
“This time is different. That region is now under Desikan’s control—far too dangerous to attempt. And the Temple’s underground passage that Cayden used has been sealed.”
“There must be another entrance. Perhaps… here.”
I retrieved the Mana Measurement Map that had been lying in the corner of the conference room and placed it on the table.
On the map showing regions of high Demonic Energy, the Verdian Territory stood out as prominently as the Alein Mountain Range itself.
“It’s plausible. Very well. We cannot venture into the Middle Ground ourselves, but we shall commit all our resources to finding the entrance.”
The High Priests took Cayden’s and my hands, offering prayers of blessing.
“See that you gather the Sacred Objects before departure.”
The meeting ended.
In the turbulent atmosphere, I pulled Cayden aside.
We stepped into the corridor and stood by a window, where the magic had faded and the actual sky was visible.
“It’s become darker.”
The sky, which had been merely dark, had now turned a deep crimson.
“The Demon Realm is drawing closer. Historical records show that six hundred years ago, during the war with the Demon Realm, the sky remained blood-red throughout.”
Cayden stood beside me, gazing upward as well.
I looked at his profile and asked.
“Do you really think we can stop Desikan and save my grandfather?”
“Honestly, the odds are slim.”
Cayden offered a gentle smile.
“But I agree with your assessment that he’s weakened and recovering. It’s a gamble worth taking, if nothing else.”
“I’m glad we see it the same way.”
Simply hearing that this wasn’t entirely reckless gave me strength.
Yet I felt compelled to apologize to Cayden for dragging him into this situation.
“I’m sorry. For asking you to accompany me on what might be a march toward death.”
“Since becoming a priest, I’ve always contemplated death. If my final moment comes with you, Rosia, it would be an honor.”
The words were delivered lightly, but they carried too much weight to laugh away.
Cayden smiled beautifully as always, cradling my suddenly serious face in his hands.
“But Rosia will live.”
“Why just me? I don’t want that. You have to live too.”
“For that to happen, I must save Meyson. My medicine supply has run out.”
Cayden withdrew an empty Medicine Bottle from his pocket and shook it gently.
Then he tilted his lips up softly and made a suggestion.
“If we all manage to survive and return, shall we gather at the Café again and dine together?”
“I’d like that. I’ll cook.”
Cayden then averted his gaze, scratching his head with an awkward expression.
“Well… about that. I’ll do the cooking instead.”
When I glared at Cayden, who absolutely would not let me cook, he laughed aloud.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
I agreed.
After parting with Cayden, I entered the lobby, where Biedler was waiting.
“Where’s Seniel?”
I glanced around as I asked.
“He said he needed time to think alone.”
I had intended to prevent him from coming along, but sensing my plan, he had slipped away beforehand.
“I received word that the number of Demonic Beasts appearing across the realm has increased. Even the Allied Forces are struggling to cope.”
“The situation changes by the hour.”
“It does. So much has changed in mere days. If the Empress had involvement in this affair, as your Heir of the Imperial Court, I have no right to face you. I apologize.”
I could feel how much Biedler was tormented, written across his face.
Watching him this whole time, I had come to know that he genuinely cared for this realm and its people.
It occurred to me that Biedler might be suffering far more acutely and confusion than I was right now.
“Your Highness need not apologize.”
“And yet…”
“If you insist, then Your Highness must pursue the truth to the end. Whether Her Majesty the Empress is truly involved, what Juliano was attempting—ensure the truth is not concealed.”
“I swear it.”
Biedler’s expression hardened, and he suddenly dropped to one knee, grasping his sword in oath.
Startled by the unexpected gesture, my eyes widened, and I saw myself reflected in Biedler’s steady gaze.
“Then you must make me one promise.”
……?
“That you will return no matter what.”
Time seemed to slow to a crawl.
The light in his eyes, the sound of his breathing, the grip of his sword hand—each felt magnified, almost unbearable.
“…Understood. Please rise.”
I collected myself and hurriedly helped Biedler to his feet.
To think I would receive a knight’s oath from a prince. My face flushed, and I averted my eyes as I spoke.
“I’ll come back from Raven.”
“I plan to stop by the Allied Forces as well.”
Understood.
I fled the Mage Tower, unable to meet Biedler’s eyes, which remained fixed upon me.
And I used a Teleportation Stone.
“This might be the last time, after all.”
I could have sent a message through Chelle, but I moved personally so I could see Sophia and Raiely before I left.
Fortunately, the Village where Raven’s headquarters was located remained well-guarded.
I passed through the Magic Circle inside the building constructed in the village.
But the sentry standing watch for intruders was Raiely.
And beside her, Sophia—who usually stayed shut away in her room—was dozing, her body wrapped entirely in a blanket.
“What are you two doing?”
“You came.”
Raiely greeted me with relief in her voice, while Sophia jolted awake, casting aside her blanket.
“Rosia! We were waiting for you.”
“How did you know I would come…”
As my words trailed off, I saw Sophia’s expression stiffen as she looked at me.
She seemed about to cry, then rushed over and embraced me tightly.
“…Something happened.”
“Yes. Your face says it all.”
Though I hadn’t spoken a word, both of them had read my expression and understood.

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