NOVEL WEB Chapter 274
After a long walk through the vast cavern and tunnels, I finally emerged into the light.
Covered in dust and muck, my appearance was as pitiable as a drowned rat, prompting even a mouse to click its tongue in dismay.
With Veronica’s arm draped over my shoulder and Lucia’s help, I staggered out of the tunnel.
“……”
Suddenly, I felt the surroundings brighten up, and I lifted my head to look around.
In the distance lay the vast snowy expanse of the North.
Along the outline of a low mountain, the resplendent dawn was rising, driving away the lingering darkness and blessing us as it ascended.
—
Episode 12 – The Mightiest Magician
The battle against demons, necromancers, and monsters that crawled out from hell had come to an end.
As I emerged from the darkness through the tunnel, I realized that the underground I had just been in was the North’s sewage system.
“That was a sewer?”
“Yes.”
The tunnel’s entrance was bustling with numerous priests, inquisitors, and nuns. Occasionally, some soldiers in blue military uniforms from the Military Government Headquarters were present, too.
I glanced back at the tunnel I had just walked through.
Veronica shook her arm draped over my shoulder and asked, “Do you suspect anything or recall anything, Colonel? Like how the scenery suddenly changed when we passed through an alley. Or maybe you lost consciousness suddenly?”
“I did lose memory. It was right after I felt myself falling downwards.”
“Aha. Then it seems you were dragged into the sewer at that moment. Luckily, it doesn’t seem like you faced any major issues.”
With a tired expression, Veronica sighed in relief. Then she tightened her grip on my shoulder.
As she did, our bodies naturally pressed closer together.
“Ah! This is tough.”
“Stand up straight.”
“I’m just tired. Tired, you know…”
I placed my hand on Veronica’s waist for support, while Lucia, who had been supporting me from the other side, graciously wrapped her arms around me.
Lucia, who had been looking down at the ground despondently, suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” and thankfully lent her arms to support me.
“Thank you, Lucia.”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Though I felt a bit awkward being sandwiched between the two of them, I couldn’t care less at that moment.
“Ugh….”
Veronica, resting her body against my shoulder, made a little snorting sound as if finding it amusing.
“Colonel.”
“Yes?”
“Can you lend me your ear for a moment?”
She pulled me closer by my neck with the arm holding the revolver. With her mouth near my ear, it seemed like she was about to say something.
But the conversation didn’t continue.
“Veronica…!”
A priest, accompanied by a few monks, rushed over, calling out her name in a fluster.
Caught off guard by the priest’s gaze, Veronica frowned, clicked her tongue softly, and released her arm from around my neck.
The breathless priest began to chatter about something.
Veronica listened quietly, maintaining a relaxed posture, then nodded and tied up her flowing hair.
“What’s with the report… Anyway, the old folks just can’t leave me alone for a second…”
With her hair tied back, Veronica commanded in a somewhat tired, or perhaps irritable voice, “Alright, I’ve heard enough. Time for you to get going.”
“Understood. I’ll inform the National Affairs Council first that you’ve returned safely.”
“Yeah-”
The priest deeply bowed and took his leave. Veronica waved him off casually.
A few monks approached, asking to see any injuries, but Veronica dismissed them all. The nuns and priests humbly bowed and quietly slipped away per the saints’ instructions.
“Sigh….”
Veronica let out a long breath, brushing off the awkwardness. She stretched and took a deep breath, spreading her arms wide.
After a moment of silence, she quietly opened her mouth.
Looking up at the sky, Veronica murmured in a barely audible voice, “I’ve been told to report what happened up there, but honestly, I’m not in the mood to fill out paperwork, especially since there are plenty of people who can do that for me…”
Trailing off, she looked back at me.
“Let’s go rest for now.”