NOVEL NEXT Chapter 658
Luxembourg, a wealthy nation with a staggering GDP of 200 million won per capita, reigning as the world’s number one.
It has grown based on the steel, finance, and VR industries, and is now a leader in space industries like asteroid mining.
“And thus, Alain Beiga is truly a precious treasure for us here in Luxembourg. Born in the barren land of the Magic Battle, he is a diligent friend who set off on a journey to study abroad. Furthermore, it’s said that in the American Junior Division 2, no one can keep up with him.”
Guillaume V proudly nodded while leaning against the glass elevator.
“Is this Luxembourg’s first participation in the 29th National Exchange Tournament?”
“That’s right.”
Although slight changes occur every year, about 40 to 45 countries generally participate in the exchange.
“If it’s not rude to ask, what has been the overall record of the national team over the past 28 years?”
“Uh, what was it again? Oh right. About 8 wins, 15 draws, and 119 losses. Out of those, 4 wins were recorded this year, ha ha ha!”
It’s pitiful.
“I guess we need to call 119.”
“Shh.”
“Ouch. Oof.”
I poked Cheon Saetbyeol in the side to hush her.
Vrrr—
“We’ve arrived. Welcome to the Pfaffenthal Panorama Viewpoint.”
We stepped out onto the protruding viewpoint.
Three sides of glass display Luxembourg’s old town at a glance.
[That’s a rather familiar architectural style.]
As Luri said, beneath our feet lay a small town with medieval traces still intact.
Sturdy stone walls and modestly roofed houses looked as if carefully arranged like children’s toys.
However, when we lifted our heads to take a broader view of the city, skyscrapers clustered together seemed to poke the sky.
“Those are Philips Tower, Europa Tower, and ArcelorMittal Tower. Next to them is the European Investment Bank.”
It was as if modern civilization crashed down like a raging wave on a medieval town.
“If Janjeol Tower were built here, wouldn’t it look amazing?”
“Huh?”
“Ha ha, it’s nothing.”
After that, we moved to the Magic Battle Training Ground.
A small stadium with a capacity of 15,000.
Since Alain Beiga’s success last year, they were hurriedly expanding the barrier facilities.
“It is a bit small. But it barely meets the standards for national exchange tournament venues.”
“That’s why Beiga is training in Texas instead.”
“Right? This year, the National Exchange Tournament is also being held in Texas.”
“Yes. Until June, he’ll continue training with his team, and from mid-June, I want to ask NoName Wizard for practical coaching for about two months. Has he made up his mind yet?”
Two months seems just right.
If it’s longer, I’ll have heavy responsibilities, and if it’s shorter, there won’t be enough time for knowledge transfer.
“But why do you want to appoint me as the head coach? I don’t even have a coaching certificate.”
“I heard there’s a private tutoring system in Korea? I think it’s a really good culture.”
I scoffed.
It’s more likely that he is interested in my company, Janjeol.
Having a subsidiary, which could generate hundreds of trillions in sales in the future, entering Luxembourg would have a massive impact on the local economy.
Seeing me lost in thought, Guillaume V added a remark.
“I’ll offer you the world’s best treatment as head coach.”
“World’s best? Like Saudi?”
“Yes, 1.5 billion won for two months.”
Indeed, this would be an extraordinary deal in this field.
William Robinson receives 2 billion for six months, after all.
But…
“20 billion for two months.”
“That… I’ll have to discuss it with the parliament.”
“Take your time to think it over and let me know. I’ll go sightseeing with my family as I need to depart early tomorrow morning.”
I got an extra 5 billion as the payment for my shallow lie.
*
After parting ways with the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, we moved back to the town viewed from the earlier viewpoint.
“Na-me Unni, doesn’t it smell very medieval here?”
“From a glance, it resembles Praha-in a lot.”
“Right? I think so too.”
“Again with the chatter I’m not privy to… Wow, let’s go check out that antique shop! There are so many pretty vintage cameras!”
So, we strolled around until 5 PM, then picked a suitable restaurant to go inside.
“How many in your party?”
“Three.”
“Three? This way please.”
“Is it possible to film here?”
“As long as it doesn’t disturb other guests, feel free… Wait, aren’t you NoName?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!”
The waiter tugged at his hair and suddenly dashed into the kitchen.
“Did we get filming permission?”
Saetbyeol shrugged her shoulders.
[NoName]
[Just Chatting – Luxembourg Day 1 – Luxembourg City]
[Broadcasting Time – 0:21:01]
[Number of Viewers – 349,279]
As I set up the camera and released the waiting screen, a flood of viewers came pouring in.
Once I turned on the broadcast, people in the restaurant began to recognize our faces.
[‘CrimeBellTapDancer’ donated 50,000 won!]
– If the Korean Mage Association is bad, please give a raspberry!
“What happened? Oh, did the prosecutors come by? I had no idea. I don’t really think about that.”
Slurp—
I licked my lips, moistening them.
– The prosecutors ‘too’?
– NoName raspberry~
– Why on earth are you in Luxembourg today…
– I saw it, Na-me!
– LOL, I’m so annoyed!
– Whoa, so many glasses on the table! Is this a pub?
– Can underage kids come to a pub?
“It’s not a pub; it’s a famous restaurant in Luxembourg. I came here for smoked pork. Want to see some photos?”
I selected a few pictures taken today to show on the broadcast.
“This was just before coming to the restaurant, at the antique shop. Saetbyeol, you really suit the camera.”
“Really? I’m glad I bought it earlier. I’ll show it again, wait a sec.”
“Okay, pose for the camera.”
Today, Cheon Saetbyeol insisted on street fashion.
She squatted in front of the large camera, adopting a pose.
Click—!
[‘Monday’s Adella’ donated 20,000 won!]
– Put that camera aside, GoAeng!
[‘LaughCandy’ donated 10,000 won!]
– Release Princess Adella!
Viewers screamed for Saetbyeol’s face.
“I don’t want to, why should I give you money!”
She only flashed her left eye while leaning beside the camera.
Then she moved to the other side to wink with her right eye.
She flitted her brows up and down, then stuck her tongue out.
As she continued to show her face vaguely, viewer protests flooded in.
– Just Adella is a colossal scam!
– It wasn’t a cat; it was a foxtail LOL!
– Such a ridiculous thing!
– Female power GOAT!
– Why does she seem prettier?
– RLLY, she wasn’t like this before.
– It seems like she lost her baby fat.
– Delilah, please keep your mouth shut. You’re breaking the immersion!
– Vote generation: Live as NoName (81%) vs Live as Adella (19%)
└ This MUST be NoName.
└ Living as Na-me to make Adella go ehehe!
└ If you flip it, you’ll get caught LOL!
└ LOL, is the manager really crazy?
[‘Yulppi’ donated 10,000 won!]
– Wasn’t Adella a big-headed girl? Her head looks smaller than I expected.
“Hey, what did you just say? Big head? Who do you think you are!”
Cheon Saetbyeol threw her camera into her bag and angrily scolded.
The viewers cheered, but her expression grew darker.
“Hmph, I won’t hang out with Na-me Unni anymore starting today.”
“Why me all of a sudden?”
“Since I keep being compared with you, everyone says my head is big. Isn’t it a bit too far to compare with a ten-year-old?”
“Everyone knows it’s just a joke.”
“No, there are quite a few who seriously believe it these days. People should focus on my chest, not just my face! I’m not inferior compared to you, Na-me Unni’s big-headed noggin—ack!”
Thwack!
A golden aura struck right at her midsection.
I accidentally hit her right in the stomach.
“Ow! That hurt…!”
“Sorry, it was a mistake.”
“A mistake? How can that be a mistake! Assuming you have a boyfriend, and you book a train ticket with another guy, reserve a pension, get made up, swim, and sleep in the same blanket, is that also a mistake?”
“There are things said on air and things left unsaid…”
“Huh? Hehe, why embarrassed? This is normal in the VTuber industry, you know?”
“Let’s move on.”
Surprisingly, there weren’t that many photos taken in Luxembourg. We hadn’t explored too many places anyway.
“Here’s your order of Judd Mat GardiBouenen.”
The food we ordered had arrived.
With over 90% pork on a single plate, I couldn’t help but smile.
This is what real food is! I thought as I took a big bite of the meat.
“Wow. Yum!”
“But, unni. About the coach selection from earlier… Oof! Was I not supposed to say that?”
– ?
– More talk about the Mage Association?
– What was that before?
– Hurry and tell us, Cheon Saetbyeol!
Cheon Saetbyeol looked down, her eyes darting sideways at me.
“Well, since we didn’t sign a confidentiality agreement, it doesn’t matter.”
“Phew, that’s a relief. I thought I was about to get the boot.”
“It’s nothing much. Luxembourg has succeeded in entering the group stage in the National Exchange Tournament for the first time in its history this year. I’m not sure if there are any viewers from Luxembourg, but heartfelt congratulations.”
– Wow!
– From an 800,000 population, you made it LOL!
– Honestly, are you a mercenary?
– They’re probably active in America too.
– America LOL!
– The Luxembourg nationality seems interesting.
“And I had a chance to meet the Grand Duke earlier. Yes, he was indeed a dignified and admirable figure. He suggested I become the head coach, and I conveyed that I’ll consider it positively if the conditions are right.”
– The Grand Duke and Great Na-me, wow!
– Whoa, the head coach of Luxembourg!
– ?
– Coach…? What do you mean?
– Huh????
– What did I just hear s*it?
– NoName, Korea, non-existent?
“Hmm, nothing’s set in stone yet. So, please refrain from getting too excited.”
[‘just_vy’ donated €30!]
– Wow! Our coach, NoName!
└ 
: 1,495
“I hope you don’t get flustered.”
I set down my fork and knife and wiped my mouth with a napkin.
Across the table, Luri blinked at me, sending a message.
[Just as now, very shrewd!]
I simply smiled in response.
The people’s expectations? I guess I should meet them.
*
“That was delicious! Right, Luri?”
“Yes, it was. A different dimension of taste, thanks to unni’s insight.”
“It’s true, it was a different dimension. Let’s put in some effort moving to the airport. Where’s Saetbyeol?”
“Here she comes.”
Cheon Saetbyeol emerged from the restaurant, reapplying her makeup.
For some reason, she seemed to walk sluggishly.
“Was it good?”
“Eh, it was okay.”
“Come on, let’s go. Why aren’t you coming?”
“My stomach hurts.”
“Is it from where I hit you? Did it hurt a lot? I’m really sorry.”
I felt bad for not having controlled my strength correctly.
Cheon Saetbyeol paused in her tracks, tangling with a pouty face for ten seconds.
Then she came over, grabbed my hand,
“I was going to pretend to be sulky a bit longer, but I’ll let it go this time. Just be careful next time. Or else, this hand might get cut off!”
She gave me a warning with a clumsy impression of an expression.
It’s fascinating how she can make such an ugly face with that cute appearance.
“Ehehe. I’m sorry! If you have any injuries, I’ll heal you with aura later.”
“No way! Ugh, haven’t we barely seen anything yet, and I have to catch a flight again? Is this even a trip?”
“Then stay here, Saetbyeol. I’ll be heading to the plane.”
“Let’s stop by that antique shop one more time. I found something I want to buy.”
“Since there’s still a bit of time, go ahead.”
“Yay!”
Cheon Saetbyeol didn’t look back and dashed down the slope.
I planned to walk slowly hand in hand with Luri.
“Luri?”
“…”
“Come on, let’s go too. It’s cold outside.”
“… Why didn’t you say that to me earlier?”
“What are you talking about? What didn’t I say?”
There was a slight tremor in Luri’s voice.
It trembled as if she was swallowing tears.
“With such a half-hearted punch, compared to that, I… haven’t I devoted my life to Eomeoni?”
“Hey, you!”
Quickly, I took off my beanie and placed it on Luri’s head.
The proximity felt so intimate, I could almost feel her breath.
“F-Forgiving…”
As Luri’s surprised eyes trembled uncontrollably, I spoke in a serious tone.
“Can you feel something hard on your head right now?”
I slipped my finger inside the beanie and lightly tapped next to Luri’s crown.
Thump thump—
“…!”
There were two tiny horns sprouting from Luri’s head.