NOVEL NEXT Chapter 132: Red Merchant (3)
It has been about a month since the Absolute Ruler of Darkness appeared in the Kingdom of Calan and met with Kim Hyunwoo.
The Kingdom was thrilled by the existence of the master who trained the Five Swords of Calan, and her strength greatly reduced the anxiousness of the citizens of the Kingdom of Calan.
Is that all?
The agreement made by the Absolute Ruler of Darkness and Sasha with the territory of Lartania was well-received among the territories belonging to the Kingdom of Calan.
Although the agreement made by Sasha and the Absolute Ruler of Darkness was merely a superficial imitation, it was enough to reduce the anxiousness of the trembling territorial citizens.
Basically, when the anxiousness level of the territorial citizens rises, even a small disturbance can drastically lower the labor rate, so the lords of the Kingdom of Calan gladly accepted the proposal, even if it was just a superficial imitation.
Of course, from the perspective of the lords, although the anxiousness of the territorial citizens was relieved, the fundamental anxiousness was not resolved, but still, most of the lords did not complain about it.
Most of their anxiousness stemmed from the demons rooted in the Kingdom of Norba, but the demons rooted in the Kingdom of Norba were currently fighting against the Holy Kingdom.
In other words, most of the lords in the outskirts of the Kingdom of Calan believed without a doubt that the Holy Kingdom would drive out the demons, so the current atmosphere in the Kingdom was not bad.
Moreover, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, known as one of the Five Swords of Calan, had shown several times her ability to easily deal with hundreds of monsters and demons approaching the Kingdom of Calan, which completely lowered the Kingdom’s anxiousness level.And Rin was.
“…Ugh…”
She sighed anxiously while looking at the stone in her hand.
The stone that measures infamy, which Rin was holding, had now become significantly lighter than the blood-red color and was now showing a clear pink hue.
In other words, Rin’s infamy was gradually decreasing.
Very slowly, but surely.
However, despite seeing her infamy decreasing, Rin felt anxious because she knew she was under a time constraint.
‘Now about 4 months…’
Four months… No, in order to beg for forgiveness and at least develop her relationship with Kim Hyunwoo to the minimum, she knew she had to return at least a month earlier, so the Absolute Ruler of Darkness was working hard to reduce her infamy.
‘This is still difficult.’
No matter how much the Absolute Ruler of Darkness saved people and killed demons to erase her infamy, the deeply ingrained infamy showed no sign of decreasing.
So, at the point of her concern.
“Master.”
“You’ve come.”
“Yes, Master.”
Loriel entered.
Seeing the artifact that measures infamy in Rin’s hand glowing with a clear pink hue, she spoke.
“…It has indeed turned a clear pink. Congratulations.”
“It’s good that my infamy has decreased, but it’s still too slow.”
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness sighed.
Loriel, who was quietly watching her, spoke.
“I too think that part is a bit slow.”
“You think so too?”
“To execute the plan you have in mind, it certainly seems that way.”
Rin sighed at Loriel’s words.
Loriel, looking at her, continued speaking.
“So, how about trying this? Would you listen to my plan?”
“…A plan, you say?”
“Yes, as you know, the reason I came here today is for the regular report on the territory of Lartania.”
When Rin did not say anything and just looked at Loriel, she continued.
“As I have continued to observe the territory of Lartania over the past month, it is clear that the heroes within the territory are trying to woo the Lord of Lartania.”
“…That was expected.”
The Absolute Ruler of Darkness frowned slightly.
However, Loriel did not stop speaking.
“The hero named Elena, who is currently affiliated with Lartania, sometimes holds the Lord’s hand under the pretext of there being many people during the territory tour.”
“What…?”
“Similarly, the blacksmith developing new weapons in the territory of Lartania seduces the Lord with very revealing clothes that a blacksmith would never normally wear in the basement of the forge.”
“Ugh…!”
“The Master of the Blue Tower openly visits Kim Hyunwoo and has secret conversations with him for hours, subtly pressing her chest against his back.”
“…!”
Rin looked at Loriel with a face full of anger, confusion, and injustice.
However.
“But the important thing here is that the Lord of Lartania has not been swayed by any hero’s advances.”
At her continuing words, Rin’s face brightened.
No, she looked beyond just brightened; she looked very happy.
“…Hmm.”
For a moment, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness hastily composed herself, thinking it might be unseemly, but a faint smile lingered on her lips.
“……”
And Loriel, who was quietly watching her, continued speaking.
“Anyway, here’s the main point. From my observations of the Lord of Lartania, it seems that he is excessively indifferent to relationships between the sexes.”
“…Excessively indifferent?”
“Yes. To be more precise, it would be accurate to say he is beyond indifferent; he shows no interest. In fact, he responds to any hero’s advances with complete indifference.”
“Hmm… Indeed.”
“In other words, I think the Lord of Lartania is not interested in relationships between the sexes. Whether it’s intentional or something innate, that’s the impression.”
“…So?”
In response to the Absolute Ruler of Darkness’s question, Loriel answered.
“In my opinion, if you want to approach the Lord now, it would be better to break through that with a somewhat excessive method.”
“A somewhat excessive method, you say…?”
At Rin’s words, Loriel paused as if considering.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
She approached the Absolute Ruler of Darkness and began to whisper something in her ear.
Soon, hearing those words, Rin, with a momentarily blank expression, blushed deeply and spoke.
“Wh-what?! Are you seriously suggesting that?!”
Seeing the greatly shocked expression of the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, Loriel spoke calmly.
“The subject is a bit unusual, but it’s you who has to do it, Master, not me.”
“But still, this is…!”
“Master, please listen. If things continue like this, I assure you, nothing will be to your advantage.”
“…Ugh.”
Rin couldn’t respond to those words.
Because Rin herself was also fully aware of that fact to some extent.
So, after a period of silence,
“…Do you think it will bring about change?”
“I believe it will be a significant improvement compared to now.”
Listening to Loriel’s words, Rin nodded silently.
[The Red Merchant has arrived in the territory!]
Shortly after the notification appeared, Kim Hyunwoo saw the Red Merchant entering through the office door.
“Nice to meet you, Lord.”
Unlike the Blue Merchant, the Red Merchant bowed slightly more respectfully. Her attire was similar to the Blue Merchant’s, only differing in color.
The cone hat on her head and the red robe she wore, along with the comfortable clothes visible underneath, were all the same.
“I feel the same way. I’ve been eager to meet you.”
After confirming this, Kim Hyunwoo nodded briefly and spoke, and the Red Merchant smiled faintly and soon sat in front of him to talk.
“Is that so? Well, it’s natural that the Blue Merchant would have told you I was next, so I guess you were looking forward to meeting me.”
“That too, but there’s another reason.”
“Another reason?”
“Yes. Actually-”
Kim Hyunwoo spoke without hesitation about what had happened before.
He talked about the contradictions he felt and the mysterious question that arose when the notification to meet the Red Merchant appeared before him.
“-That’s roughly what happened.”
After hearing everything, she made a slightly curious expression but soon nodded as if she understood something-
“Hmm- From what you’ve told me, I’m not sure why that notification appeared, but its instructions seem fairly clear.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, in fact, part of what I came to tell you this time includes that. Well, there are other aspects too, but…”
She muttered and smiled subtly.