Chapter 34 : Chapter 34

Chapter 34 : Tello Intelligence Agency (2)

In Milias’s office.

It’s not flashy, but the room is filled with furniture that exudes understated elegance.

I’m sipping tea, facing Milias.

“How’s the taste? It’s a tea I quite like, but if it’s not to your liking, I can have it changed. I have plenty of other fine teas.”

“No, it’s quite delicious.”

It’s not like I’m some tea connoisseur, and this is good enough.

On the way here, I had to empty the Dragon Heart several times.

Even now, it’s replenishing mana, as if resenting me.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-.

The heartbeat that hadn’t overwhelmed me since the Heart Predation began pounding in my ears again.

But I can overcome this pressure.

I’ve grown stronger than before.

I focused and listened carefully to Milias’s words.

“Haha, then could you tell me a bit about the Coming-of-Age Ceremony? I’ve heard the stories, but hearing it directly from the winner must be different.”

I told him about the events at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

Someone in Milias’s position would already know everything that happened there anyway.

“Haha, Soler put a sword to your throat? That guy, really…”

Milias listened with the refined demeanor of a noble, effortlessly guiding the conversation.

It was when I finished recounting my duel with Keldric.

“Thanks to you defeating Keldric, Soler practically took second place. I’m grateful.”

At moments like this, Milias seems less like a noble from a prestigious family or the head of a single-digit autonomous region and more like a doting father.

“Soler mentioned you too.”

“Did she?”

“But you two are too young.”

What’s this guy getting at?

His eyes, filled with pride and love for his daughter, scanned me.

Suppressing the inexplicable chills, I changed the subject.

“Do you know anything about Tello?”

Milias smiled warmly and continued, as if to reassure me.

“At the very least, I believe Tello plays a crucial role in our autonomous region.”

“Is that just your opinion, Lord Milias? It seems the people of the region don’t hold Tello in high regard.”

“No, the Council of Elders is quite invested in the intelligence agency. Far more than in organizations like the White Dragon Knights, which run smoothly on their own.”

This was unexpected information.

But considering Tello’s situation—funding itself by running a textile factory—it didn’t seem all that positive, so doubts lingered.

“The current head of the intelligence agency, Agamben. You haven’t met him, have you?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I figured. He’s quite busy. He’s a former first-place winner of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, just like you.”

“Is that so…”

“Anyway, Agamben is exceptional. Nothing in the intelligence agency is decided without his input. He is, in essence, the eyes of the Adjak family.”

He decides everything in the intelligence agency?

If that’s true, does that mean there was intent behind assigning me to Nofen?

“You’ll understand when you meet him. That he’s someone you can trust. For the record, I’m not one to judge people lightly.”

The head of Tello, Agamben, who has Milias’s full trust.

My curiosity about him was growing.

“I have a feeling you’ll meet him in the near future.”

“…After hearing you, Lord Milias, I’m looking forward to it. May I ask one more question?”

“Of course.”

If Milias was trying to reassure me that the intelligence agency isn’t some useless organization, his intent hit the mark perfectly.

I had my own anxieties, after all.

And I thought maybe Milias could provide a hint about tracking down traces of the demons.

“Have there been any recent incidents of magical beasts appearing suddenly, ones that hadn’t been detected before?”

“Well, I’ve heard reports of a few flying-type magical beasts circling above Habisa.”

Habisa is the region where the 19th Autonomous Region is located.

It’s not far from my hometown, the 18th Autonomous Region, in this world.

“Flying-types? Any… damage?”

“Not yet. They haven’t come near the region, just circling in the air.”

Still, my unease didn’t fade.

As if sensing my concern, Milias continued to reassure me.

“They say the lower autonomous regions’ coalition is forming an investigation team… but it’ll probably take some time.”

Not all flying-type beasts are high-rank, but if they’re soaring high enough to be unidentifiable, they’re likely high-rank magical beasts.

“The lower autonomous regions’ coalition… they don’t have many available personnel. If you’re worried, I can dispatch the Black Veil.”

“No, I’ll go check it out myself.”

I was worried, but I’d also gained a lead on the demons’ traces.

“Alright, I’m not worried if it’s you… but if you need my help, just say the word.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“By the way, you’ve been looking quite strained since earlier. You can rest now.”

It seems Milias had been keeping an eye on my condition throughout our conversation.

I bid him farewell and stepped out the door.

Click.

The moment the door closed, I flinched.

Soler and Pinnon were standing in front of it.

They must have come to see Milias but waited outside since he had a guest.

Pinnon bowed to me and stepped back.

There’s no lingering resentment, but seeing someone I once fought for my life against wasn’t exactly comfortable.

I nodded briefly in return and turned to Soler.

She spoke in her usual aristocratic tone.

“How’s life at Tello?”

“It’s good. My mentor is excellent.”

“Your mentor is Lord Nofen, right?”

As expected, a place like the 3rd Autonomous Region knows these things.

Or maybe it’s because Nofen is from the 3rd Autonomous Region.

“That’s right. Lord Nofen seems like a good person.”

“He is. He was once called the greatest genius of our region. His mind is exceptional. He taught me a lot when I was younger.”

The greatest genius of the region.

Thinking back to the last image of Nofen I saw before coming here, Soler’s praise was hard to believe.

“I see… How’s life with the Black Veil, Lady Soler?”

“It’s comfortable, being in my hometown. But I’m training hard. If we face off again, I won’t lose.”

“Haha, is that so? I’ll train hard too.”

Soler and I talked for a while longer before parting ways.

* * *

I blinked, and morning had arrived.

I left Dmong after receiving warm hospitality.

The 3rd Autonomous Region. It wasn’t a planned visit. But I’m glad I came.

Milias showed me genuine care, and I gained hints about the intelligence agency and my demon-tracking mission.

It was a fruitful visit.

I thought I should visit the 9th Autonomous Region someday as I headed back to my hometown.

* * *

The 18th Autonomous Region was preparing to welcome Polarin when he returned.

“Another big shot has emerged from the 18th Autonomous Region.”

It might have been the best news the 18th Autonomous Region had heard in years.

To think that someone even surpassed Tayon, one of the Twelve Swords, to win first place in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

No one could predict when Polarin would return, but the entire region had been buzzing for a while.

“Hey, let’s rebuild the platform from scratch. Polarin will need to give a speech there, but the wood’s too worn out. He might trip!”

“Is he even giving a speech?”

“No idea! We’re preparing for every possibility!”

The village chief personally took charge of organizing the event. His experience with Tayon’s celebration was a great help.

“People usually decide their path a month after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. That process should be done by now.”

“So we don’t know when he’s coming back?”

“Right. It’ll probably take two or three years, but let’s prepare as best we can!”

“Yes, Chief!”

Carpenters, stonemasons, and blacksmiths all united to pour in their efforts.

“The statue, how’s the statue coming along?”

“Man, we haven’t even finished the mold yet!”

The 18th Autonomous Region even decided to erect a statue of Polarin.

Despite the region’s tight finances, everyone chipped in, and a significant portion of the operating budget was used to prepare for Polarin’s return.

That’s how much Polarin’s victory in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony meant to the 18th Autonomous Region.

“…The problem is, I can’t quite remember Polarin’s face.”

“Doesn’t anyone have a photo of the kid?”

“Calling Polarin a kid!”

“That’s not the point. How can there not be a single photo? Someone go to Gerd’s place!”

But there was no need to search. Gerd was already there at the scene.

“Is there… Anything I can help with?”

“Goodness, Gerd! You’re not well yet, why are you out here? It’s chilly.”

It had been about a month since Gerd got out of bed. But his condition was still far from normal.

When Gerd had set out as a porter to change his life, he was attacked by a Shaber.

Tayon found Gerd collapsed and even used an expensive magical-neutralizing agent on him.

If that process had been even slightly delayed, Gerd wouldn’t be alive today.

“Haha, aside from some aching bones, I’m fine.”

The magical energy still lingered deep within Gerd’s body.

But he couldn’t ignore the people of the region working tirelessly for his son.

“More importantly, Gerd, do you have a photo of your son?”

“…A photo of Polarin?”

“Yeah! You’ve got one, right?”

“I don’t.”

“Not even one?”

Nod, nod.

Everyone knew how poor Gerd’s circumstances were. So they quickly changed the subject.

“Then we’ll make it based on memory! Polarin had a sharp nose, quite handsome.”

“Yeah, Gerd’s a good-looking guy too.”

“Haha, if there’s anything I can help with…”

Gerd felt both awkward and touched by the situation.

He kept repeating the same offer as he wandered around the region.

“We’re carving the inscription under the statue in advance! Gerd, wanna take a look?”

A stonemason struggled to move a stone slab.

[Hero of the 18th Autonomous Region, Polaㄹ]

The slab wasn’t finished yet.

But Gerd was deeply moved.

His already red-rimmed eyes welled up, and he finally shed tears.

Seeing this, the people burst into hearty laughter.

Then, a sudden shadow fell over the village square.

“What’s that in the sky?”

The residents all looked up.

A shape was blocking the sun high above.

Everyone squinted, trying to identify the object.

Those with sharp eyesight shouted first.

“It’s a dragon! A dragon!”

Though the Adjak family is said to be half-human, half-dragon, seeing a dragon was a rare occurrence.

Massive wings, soaring higher than anyone, a sacred yet fearsome being that breathes fire.

The entity the residents thought was a dragon gradually descended.

As it neared the ground, its outline became clearer. The flying figure was none other than…

Polarin.

The square emptied as everyone fled. Polarin spotted the statue and stone slab in one corner.

[Hero of the 18th Autonomous Region, Polarin]

His face flushed hot.

The residents, realizing the figure from the sky was Polarin, slowly returned to the square.

But no welcoming cheers erupted.

They just stared at Polarin, dumbfounded.

Polarin scratched his cheek and asked the villagers.

“Um… should I come back later?”

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