Chapter 117 : Chapter 117

Chapter 117 - Hourglass (1)

Just when did it start?

Taust was radiating annoyance with his entire body.

“It’s true we were pretty pissed off at humans. But that doesn’t justify burying someone in the ground. Do these bastards not know any limits?”

“Ah, yes…”

The dignity he had shown just moments ago was gone without a trace.

At his tone, which had become as light as a feather, neither Artier nor Collie could wipe the bewildered expressions off their faces.

“Taust-nim, please maintain your dignity…”

“Ah, damn it, do I look like I’m in a position to do that right now?”

“…”

“When I first heard the report, I thought they had all gone insane. I told you not to rely solely on your gut and to assess the situation a little, didn’t I? This is also Empire territory. Even if we don’t want to admit it, it’s Empire territory now!”

Taust, thoroughly enraged, unleashed his anger on the nearby servants without mercy.

“Even if I want to turn everything upside down right now, we can’t just treat humans poorly! Don’t you know that basic common sense?!”

His momentum was so great that it eventually made the terrified servants hastily retreat.

Only when all the servants had fled did Taust calm down a little, half-covering his face and avoiding his gaze.

“Sorry. Can you pretend you didn’t hear what I just said?”

“Yes… let’s do that.”

“If I had my way, I’d give Goso a good scolding, but unfortunately, he’s probably already run off. I’ll apologize instead.”

“Run off? What do you mean by that?”

“Our race has a very good sixth sense. You humans call it a gut feeling, right? That guy probably feels a chill down his spine and wants to die right now.”

Hearing that, Artier brought up the question he had been burying in his mind all this time.

“Why didn’t you use that sixth sense on humans? If you had, you might not have gone through so many things.”

“The sixth sense isn’t omnipotent.”

Taust suddenly stared at Artier.

“Besides, my sixth sense doesn’t activate on you at all.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The sixth sense only activates on the negative side. To put it simply, you only feel it when you feel like you’ll be in big trouble if you mess with someone.”

“Are you saying you didn’t feel anything because I wouldn’t harm the beastmen?”

“That’s right.”

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

Only a thoughtless crow was cawing.

“Master has been taken for a fool, sir.”

Collie glared at Taust.

He then hastily added an excuse.

“But that doesn’t mean the ones who only trusted their instincts were right. I’m also the type who really hates that. We were definitely in the wrong.”

“I understand. I’ll let it go for now.”

Honestly, it was true that he was angry.

But right now, there was something he had to do.

“I heard you have something to say.”

“Yes. There are Doppelgangers among the Empire’s leadership right now.”

Artier was finally able to achieve his purpose for coming here.

“They are targeting the beastmen who can see through their identities.”

“Doppelgangers? Since when?”

“I don’t know the exact time myself. But I found out recently. And I found out that they will be carrying out an operation related to the beastmen in a city near here in a few days.”

Artier explained the process of how he found out briefly and concisely. About his journey to the north and the classified documents he found after returning.

In the process, he had no choice but to reveal that he was a member of the Sacred Knights.

“…”

Taust, who was staring at the sacred light that appeared before his eyes, quietly crossed his arms and maintained his silence.

He was telling him to say more.

“An incident that will enrage the Emperor will occur soon. The responsibility for that will be placed on the beastmen. You must warn all beastmen who come into contact with humans and the people of the city, and be careful not to cause excessive friction with humans.”

“Alright.”

“Pardon?”

Artier was taken aback when Taust immediately agreed.

“In summary, you’re saying to be careful, and we’ve learned that for sure from this incident. Thanks to someone.”

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yes. I didn’t know our kids were in such a brain-dead state. I’ll have to set aside a day later to properly educate them mentally. About the fact that they shouldn’t recklessly challenge humans.”

“…”

In Taust’s eyes as he looked at Artier, a faint sense of love-hate could still be felt.

Although he was sorry, it seemed he couldn’t abandon his hatred for humans.

But Taust did not let his personal feelings interfere with public matters.

The words he uttered after that were also invariably rational.

“As the representative of the clan, I apologize for what happened this time. I don’t know if it will be a reward, but would you accept this?”

As he snapped his fingers, a warrior ran over and offered something to Artier.

It was a cloak made of light and sturdy leather.

[Wanderer of the Wild Plains (Rare)]

Defense: 20

Options: (Wild) Life Steal 7%, (Plains) Movement Speed 5% increase

Special Option: The cloak can be unfurled to deploy a shield. The shield's durability and duration are proportional to the mana consumed. If the shield is destroyed, it cannot be deployed for 60 seconds.

‘A rare-grade cloak…!’

Artier’s eyes widened as he checked the information window.

Life Steal, movement speed increase, and even a shield.

None of the options attached were to be discarded.

It wasn't the best, but it was good enough to use for a while.

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

It felt like all the hardships he had been through were melting away like snow.

As Artier put the cloak into his inventory, Taust called the servants again.

“I’ll tell the whole city, so you can stay as long as you want.”

“Thank you for the offer, but since I’ve achieved my goal, I’m planning to leave.”

“I guess even if we treat you well now, you wouldn’t want to.”

“No. I’ll visit again on a better day.”

“Before you leave, I want you to know this.”

“Pardon?”

Taust seemed to be contemplating.

His mouth opened quickly, but his voice was full of anguish.

“I can somehow manage the affairs of the city. But my people don’t just live near Ker Tupa.”

Taust looked at Simon.

“You said your name was Simon.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Simon, who was suddenly called upon, was clearly tense.

“Like that friend, there are more of our kind who have left our hands and are captured by humans. We are… a popular race.”

At Taust’s words, everyone’s expression hardened.

The expression “popular race” that he used was by no means a good one.

“No matter how much I crack down on security here, if the Empire decides to do something, an incident can happen at any time.”

“That’s right.”

“If that happens, I’ll protect my people. But I’m telling you clearly, you are not included in that.”

“…”

Simon’s ears slowly drooped.

His heart did the same.

“Is that so.”

He couldn’t get along well with the other members of his race in this city. His appearance was the same, but his core was different.

He could clearly feel that he was an outsider while staying here.

Grrr.

Taust bared his teeth and let out a growl.

“I’ve made it clear. So don’t try to force yourself to get along with us. There are others who are similar to you.”

“…I understand.”

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

Leaving the mansion, Artier began to climb the back mountain he had first come down from.

“He’s a really bad person.”

“What is?”

“Simon-ssi didn’t do anything wrong, did he? He just grew up in the Empire since he was young, that’s all. Isn’t it really mean to draw a line like that so sharply?”

“…I guess so.”

Artier looked at Simon.

Simon didn’t answer Collie’s words and just stared at the ground. He didn’t show any reaction, as if he was deep in thought.

“But it seemed like he really liked Simon.”

“Pardon? Did you call me?”

“No. Let’s go.”

The Teleport Gate they met again was still overgrown with weeds, and there were spider webs everywhere.

“What, I thought you went home, you’re still here?”

The cat beastman in charge of the teleportation came down from the tree with a long yawn.

Surely he hadn’t been sleeping here for three whole days?

It was a silly thought, but Artier was finally able to laugh a little.

“Please send us to the capital.”

“Alright. Wait a moment.”

Fwaah!

With a blue light, the sight of Ker Tupa disappeared.

And so, another incident came to a close.

***

“Doppelgangers… It’s not that I didn’t know.”

Inside the mansion that had regained its peace.

Taust was lost in thought, continuously puffing out smoke.

“Taust-nim.”

“Ah, Torvus.”

Where Taust turned his gaze, a beastman warrior was kneeling, waiting for him.

It was the warrior Artier had seen at the guard post.

“You called.”

“Yes. Do you remember what I said last time? You personally select about 100 people and take a boat south.”

“…Taust-nim.”

“When you arrive, all communication and contact are strictly forbidden. Once I confirm that you’ve left, I’ll have a shaman erase my memories, so make sure you don’t accidentally contact me.”

“There will be a more suitable person than me.”

Torvus spoke with a heavy heart, but Taust was unyielding.

“I hate moving on gut feelings without evidence. But this time, I’m doing this purely because of a bad feeling. And around here, you’re the only one who will move for such a reason.”

“…”

“If you understand, then leave. There’s not much time.”

“Understood.”

As Torvus disappeared, Taust put down the pipe he was smoking and closed his eyes.

“Still, it was a bit quiet when that human came.”

Thump, thump.

His heart trembled, and his muscles vibrated.

His calmed body was becoming tense again.

It was a sign of his sixth sense.

***

“You’ve worked hard, Simon.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“That’s enough.”

Simon was bewildered, but Artier patted his back.

“…You’re just like the leader.”

“Was it similar?”

“Are you really curious?”

Are you serious? Simon’s expression said it all.

At that, Collie and Artier couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Anyway, go back and get some rest. I’ll tell Trophin, so don’t do anything today.”

“Thank you.”

Simon bowed his head and quietly disappeared.

His complicated expression showed that he still needed time.

“What should we do now?”

“More importantly, are you going to keep walking around in that form?”

Poof!

Collie hurriedly returned to the form of a boy.

“I forgot.”

“You’re the one who said you didn’t want to be found out by humans. You have to be careful.”

“Hehe.”

It was a good thing there was no one near the Teleport Gate.

The two, who were relieved, suddenly realized that something was strange.

“…Huh? Why is there no magician in charge?”

The Teleport Gate was not supposed to be empty.

Moreover, this was the capital with the highest population density. It wasn’t some shady back alley, so there was no way there would be no people here.

To all the knights.

At that moment, a communication came in.

It was Ropin.

Please return to the Papal State immediately. A state of emergency has been declared throughout the capital!

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