NOVEL WEB
Chapter 37 – Name
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Chapter 37 – Name
Head of the Alchemy Association, Esdel.
She came to the mansion to meet me out of the blue.
The purpose of her visit was to deliver the completed prototype of the Elixir to me.
“Here you go.”
Esdel carefully handed me a luxuriously packaged green box.
As I opened the box, a sparkling rainbow-colored liquid in a glass bottle revealed itself.
“I’ve mixed it according to the ratios you instructed. It took some time to fill the mana density due to the high purity, but the results should meet your expectations.”
Indeed, the finished product surpassed expectations.
The criterion for assessing the quality was simple.
That is, the quantity of the final Elixir produced.
Judging by eye, it was around 30ml.
With this amount, it could be considered squeezed to the extreme.
An exclamation escaped through parted lips.
Esdel looked at me with a proud expression.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing.”
Now, only one final step remained in the Elixir production.
That was none other than the Sacred Solvent.
After dripping a certain ratio of the Sacred Solvent onto the completed prototype, all that was left was to heat it at high temperatures to remove impurities.
Isabel Yustia.
Although anxious, she was a truly capable woman, so she should bring the solvent without any trouble.
Esdel looked at me nervously for a while.
I asked her bluntly.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“…Is it still a secret what you’re making? I’m usually not one to pry, but…”
I maintained silence with a smile on my face.
If there were no further matters, it meant she should leave now.
Understanding my intention, Esdel let out a deep sigh.
“Hah, forget it then. I didn’t have high expectations anyway.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“What’s so hard for you to say…”
Esdel clicked her tongue and hesitantly pulled out something, eventually handing me a well-packaged letter.
“It’s an invitation.”
“An invitation?”
“Yes, I don’t know the details myself. It’s something that was delivered to the association while you were away.”
Standing still, I slowly opened the letter she handed me.
On the outer side of the invitation was the royal seal.
“Sender… Rudine Eckart…”
I carefully examined the contents.
The message was clear.
A few days later, the National Foundation Festival would be held, and Kyle Winfred must attend to escort the Princess.
Judging by the handwriting, it seemed to be the Princess’s own.
“…”
The Foundation Festival…
I had completely forgotten about it since I hadn’t attended even once in the previous run.
I slowly recalled the memories.
The National Foundation Day celebration, in reality, was nothing more than a noble social gathering.
The only difference from a typical gathering was that it was hosted by none other than the Royal Family itself.
Escorting the Princess?
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
The only problem is…
‘If it’s the National Festival, isn’t it on the same day as the 1st Wave?’
The engulfment of the Black Mist.
Commonly known as the Demon Wave.
As far as I remember, on the day the National Festival begins, calamity starts to strike the Empire.
The previously dormant Black Mist begins to engulf the continent in earnest, demons rampage, and all sorts of diseases cover the land.
Rudine must know about this too.
She couldn’t possibly not know.
She has inherited her memories of the previous run.
Knowing that, she still chooses to participate in the National Festival?
In the Eastern Territory, which is not a safe place, but the starting point of the calamity?
‘Here we go again.’
Is she thinking of committing suicide?
If that’s the case, then I’m all in for it.
I’ll just snatch the Relic without having to lift a finger.
“Are you going to participate in the National Festival?”
Diana, who had been silently observing, spoke up.
I nodded slowly.
“Probably.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
Diana asked me cautiously.
I scrutinized Diana up and down slowly.
At the moment, she was just Diana, through and through.
I still didn’t want Rudine to know about Diana’s existence yet.
But for this National Festival, I needed someone to watch over me as long as the variable of the Black Mist existed.
I opened my mouth slowly.
“It’d be too risky with your current appearance.”
Diana’s shoulders trembled slightly.
And then, she lowered her head with a somewhat downcast expression.
It’s okay.
There’s another solution.
“Merlin.”
“Pardon?”
The solution is simple.
Just change Diana’s appearance.
“A disguise artifact.”
“For what?”
For what?
Because I need it.
“Do you have one?”
At my question, a strong smile formed at the corner of Merlin’s lips.
“Of course.”
****
[Translator – Peptobismol]
As preparations for the National Festival were handled by the Royal Family, I was enjoying some leisurely time at the mansion.
The only change was that Merlin would be staying at the mansion for a while.
“What are you doing here and not going back?”
“It’s my will.”
“So, are you going to stay here?”
“For the time being. I can’t afford for anything to happen to you, so I need to watch over you, right?”
It was leisurely, but not exactly quiet.
Every day, there was no shortage of activity within the mansion.
With just one more person, Merlin, it was bustling.
But strangely, I didn’t mind the commotion.
In fact, I quite liked it.
Thanks to that, there was no time for boredom.
“Ugh—”
Merlin, who had eaten Diana’s cooking, grimaced.
Understandable.
Diana’s cooking was remarkable in many ways.
“This is unbelievable. Are you saying this is food? This is more like alchemy than cooking! How can such a strange taste come from soup?”
Snap—
The fork in Diana’s hand snapped in half under the pressure.
“It’s because your taste buds are numb.”
“What nonsense is that? Even boiling meat in plain water would taste better than this.”
“You are mistaken.”
They talk so much, they play around so much.
Just eat somehow and fill your stomach.
Merlin, who I thought might be somewhat reserved, was actually quite talkative, engaging in arguments with Diana whenever the opportunity arose.
Though I initially thought it might be due to her having a bad personality, seeing how she couldn’t help but take care of things when necessary, it seemed she wasn’t just a typical peculiar character.
So, the chaotic days continued.
Then one evening, Merlin came to my room and asked if she could have a brief conversation with me.
Merlin said she had found Luna Winfred’s whereabouts.
The place where Luna’s carriage was found is near the Holy See.
The reason she suddenly headed there is most likely because of Isabel.
What other trouble could she be planning?
Merlin chuckled as she saw my deteriorating expression.
“Every day must feel dreadful. It’s unfair enough to be thrown into an unfamiliar world, and on top of that, all the women around you are complete lunatics.”
“It’s okay. If I can hold on a bit longer, I can return.”
“Yeah, we’re almost there.”
Merlin muttered under her breath.
After a while, she asked me cautiously.
With a look that couldn’t possibly understand me.
“I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“Why do you trust me?”
Well, it was clear from the ‘Merlin Trivia’ in the official lore book that Merlin’s disposition is distinctly ‘good.’
And besides, there is no limit to the number of people who can pass through the dimensional gate, so why would a character with a good disposition betray me for no reason?
“It’s strange. To put it bluntly, couldn’t I possibly leave this world alone, leaving you behind? What if I had planned to deceive you? Aren’t you too defenseless?”
I chose my words slowly.
To avoid suspicion and to give as much trust as possible.
“Why? Deceive me?”
“That is a possibility.”
“How would you adapt if you left alone? I’m sorry, but the world I lived in wouldn’t be as easy-going as this one. Without my help, you’d end up as an illegal immigrant and spend your life being chased around, you know?”
“An illegal… what? What’s that?”
“There’s something like that.”
I smirked.
And added.
“That’s not all. How about the language? How would you adapt? Don’t you need at least one reliable companion to rely on?”
“…Why does that sound like you’re going to personally help me adapt?”
“You heard right. I’ll give you proper after-service too.”
Perhaps moved by my words.
Merlin’s face showed a clear sign of surprise.
She remained silent as if her words were stuck.
Merlin slowly raised her head.
And spoke.
“I’m very touched.”
“Then I’m glad.”
“Tch, why did you have to be dragged to this kind of world… Well, is it just my luck? Thanks to you being dragged to this world, I’ve gained a glimmer of hope.”
“If you know that, you should behave well. Don’t think about betraying me.”
Merlin burst into laughter.
Her smile, which I had never seen even in the game, was surprisingly innocent.
“Don’t worry. Unless your soul passes through the dimensional gate itself, no matter what I do, I can’t go to your world. If I tried to go over with just your soul, I’d end up trapped in the dimension, lost and wandering.”
It’s a fact I know.
The dimensional gate is just a passage connecting dimensions, so passing through the gate doesn’t automatically drop me into my world.
Only my soul can go to my world.
So, no one can go to my world without my companion.
That’s why if it were possible, Merlin would have left this world long ago.
There would have been no need for my help.
“You.”
“Speak. I’m listening.”
Her deep green eyes bore into me.
But I wasn’t particularly nervous.
At least in front of Merlin, there was no need to hide behind a mask to play the role of Kyle.
“What’s your name?”
“Kyle Winfred.”
As I roughly answered, Merlin narrowed her eyes.
And asked again.
“That’s not your name, is it?”
“…?”
“I mean your original name. Not the fake name you were forced to wear, but the real name you have been called your whole life.”
My real name.
Not the fake name that was forced on me…
My real name, the name I’ve been called my whole life.
I was speechless.
I never once thought someone in this world would ask me for my real name.
“…Lee Seung-jun.”
“Lee Seung-jun?”
“Yes, that’s my name.”
Lee Seung-jun, Lee Seung-jun, Lee Seung-jun…
Merlin repeated my name several times.
“It’s a nice name.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah, it has a nice ring to it.”
Merlin let out a small laugh.
As she pursed her lips, she stood up from her seat.
And extended her hand to me for a handshake.
“Then, please take good care of me in the future, Lee Seung-jun.”
I slowly stood up from my seat.
And shook the hand extended to me.
“I’ll be counting on you too.”
[Translator – Peptobismol]
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