Gozine

Genius.
Even including all fields, only about twenty people on the continent earn this title.
However, being born with talent isn’t the end.
How many of those can grow without being eliminated early?

It’s hard to even calculate.

And among them, what are the chances of a commoner rising to a high position like a knight captain?
Close to zero.

But there is someone who did it.

Ru.
An existence with black hair that contradicts his name meaning, Light.
He accomplished this difficult feat as if it were nothing.

Is it a coincidence?
That he spoke of my hidden [Genius’s Time] and boldly claimed I would fail to conquer the Aksaras Labyrinth?

‘No matter how I think about it, the odds are slim.’

He must know something.

That’s my conclusion.

“I’d like to hear why you think I’ll fail the labyrinth challenge.”

“Before that.”

Ru cut in and continued.

“I heard you came here to catch a White Lizard.”

“That’s correct.”

“They say it’s to find food for an animal.”

“Yes. I came here to find suitable food for a red-spotted fox. As for the dungeon conquest you mentioned, I thought I’d train while searching for the food.”

“You must care for animals.”

“Yes. They’re cute. Would you like to see?”

Proudly, I took Ellie out of my embrace and showed her to Ru.
Ru’s eyes still lacked focus, but he didn’t seem to dislike animals.

“I don’t understand things like ‘cuteness,’ but clearly… she’s loved. Ellie, was it? A rare species not easily found anywhere. Pouring affection isn’t a bad thing.”

“Euph”

A strange noise briefly interrupted from Eleanor’s side.

She must have caught a cold recently. It was a bit worrying, but I decided to focus on my conversation with Ru for now.
The most important things here were my relationship with Ru, Ellie’s food, and the dungeon conquest. After clearing the dungeon, I’d make sure Eleanor got her share, and she’d understand.

‘Merchants are always fixated on gold, after all.’

“Theo von Reinhaver’s youngest son… No wonder you’re strong.”

A commoner who rose to knight captain was indeed unyielding.
Just the fact that he casually mentioned the name of one of the three great dark families, the Reinhaver family head, was proof enough.

‘His guts aren’t ordinary. Does he have that much confidence in his skills?’

Honestly, I never got to see how strong Ru was in the game.
The Three Sword Emperors didn’t have overwhelming screen time in Part 1, and since the Sage’s story also took up space, the volume itself wasn’t that large.
But hearing him speak so boldly piqued my interest.

I’ve killed multiple Grand Dukes, but even I wouldn’t joke about surpassing Theo. The gap is just too vast.

Preposterous.
It’s still too early, and surpassing him? I can’t be sure.

Theo von Reinhaver is that kind of being.

Even if I activated [Genius’s Time] for 10 minutes, no, an entire day—I still wouldn’t match him.
At worst case, I could use devilization, but…
Theo wouldn’t just stand still.

The scariest thing about the dark families is that they can all use devilization.
Especially those with strong mental fortitude can maintain their ego longer before being consumed by darkness.

To face Theo, I’d need at least a year of dedicated training.

“Do you have a connection with the family head?”

“…Not particularly.”

Hmm.
That stings a little.

No matter how much I dislike Theo, I acknowledge his strength.
He’s the head of Reinhaver.

Reinhaver is still thriving, and it’s the family I’ll inherit
… if I survive, that is.

“You mentioned our family head so casually, so I wondered if you were acquainted.”

“If it was rude, I apologize. I’m not familiar with noble etiquette.”

“No, not at all. I was just curious.”

Ru wasn’t the talkative type.
We weren’t close enough for casual chatter, but that was just his nature.
I also preferred it this way.

“Hmm”

But surprisingly, despite seeming like he’d cut the conversation short, he kept it going smoothly.
Maybe we both had a lot to ask each other? From my perspective, needing to get closer to Ru, this wasn’t bad. Then, mid-conversation, he dropped a bombshell that would floor most people.

“…By the way, which one’s your fiancée?”

A question that sent chills down my spine.

Zitri wasn’t in her maid outfit but in attire befitting the next head of the Rovelia family, so she didn’t look like a maid. Eleanor, naturally, was dressed lavishly.

“Ahem.”

I desperately pretended not to hear, but Eleanor seized the opportunity.

“Didn’t I mention, under the name of the Rivalin Merchant Group, that I’d sponsor Winter Bridge and the northern snowfields before visiting? If you’re asking which one, it’s safe to say it’s me. It won’t take long for it to become an established fact anyway.”

“I see. Eleanor de Rivalin… So you’re his partner.”

“…My lady, you do love your jokes. Our young master hasn’t promised marriage to anyone yet. Well, technically, there was someone, but it’s practically nonexistent now.”

“…Miss Rovelia? You’re too sensitive to jokes. But isn’t it true that Nox and I are close? We’ve been working together on several projects lately.”

“Yes. That’s correct. Lady Eleanor, but others might take offense if they hear this, so I couldn’t help but…”

Zitri spoke with perfect etiquette. But why?
I could only watch as the most impolite tone I’d ever heard from Zitri lately poured from her lips.

“I think you mean Miss Rovelia herself, not others…”

I quickly cut in before they could argue further.

“…I’m sorry, but I have no plans for marriage. Seeing this spectacle makes me think I never should. Maybe I should declare myself unmarried.”

“A wise decision.”

“Do you have a wife?”

“…..”

For the first time, Ru’s expression darkened.
I thought to myself.

‘He’s handsome, after all. With great power comes great responsibility, huh? I guess the same goes for pretty faces… Damn it, why did I have to possess Nox of all people?’

It was a moment of shared understanding with Ru.
Just as I thought we were getting along, the boat we were on passed through the gate and stopped.

‘I have to get serious.’

This was just the beginning.
Ellie’s food, the Labyrinth of Aksaras.

**********

“Recently, a fragment of Belial was destroyed.”

Demons hiding in the shadows conversed around a round table.
The one who spoke was none other than Amdusias, currently regarded as the strongest among them.
Lately, he had successfully resurrected several demons, solidifying his standing among them. He believed Baal’s revival wasn’t far off.
And there were results.

“As you all know, of Baal-nim’s nine sealed souls, we’ve secured six. The First Archduke’s manifestation in this world is imminent. To achieve this, finding the remaining fragments is crucial. You all understand, right?”

“Of course.”

Lower-ranked demons echoed his words.

A human who betrayed ancient Arden.
The Philosopher’s Stone, shattered into nine pieces because of Judas.

Along with it, the sealed fragments of Baal’s soul attract each other. If all nine pieces are gathered, and he revives?

A gate will open in this world.

‘A gate connecting the demon realm and this world.’

The continent will link to the demon realm, flooding the land with demons, and the boundary between the living and the dead will vanish.

If those damned angels don’t interfere, everything will soon be in the demons’ hands.
But Amdusias wasn’t satisfied yet.

“The White Flame Form and the Moonlight Sword. Additionally, the three great dark families, established with the involvement of Grand Dukes who betrayed us to side with humans, still stand strong. Moreover, rumors say the youngest son of the Reinhaver family is dangerous.”

“Yes. I heard he was the one who destroyed Belial’s fragment. It won’t be an easy fight. Of course, Theo von Reinhaver doesn’t have much time left..But he’s too stubborn. He shows no signs of accepting our proposal.”

An aide demon answered Amdusias.
Amdusias sighed, his face idle as if annoyed.

“Foolish. Does he want to die like that? Humans are incomprehensible… Well, regardless, our task remains unchanged. Everything.”

“For the Archduke’s revival.”

As the gathered demons responded.
A human, devoid of vitality, occupying one seat, opened his mouth a beat late.

“For the Arcduke’s… revival.”

Esteban von Arkheim.
The founding king of the empire, the Sun. The Sun King now praised a demon.

All that emanated from him was demonic energy. Nothing else.

Pandemonium.
The demon faction in the western continent slowly expanded their influence.

**********

Altende.
The village was named after a once-famous mage.
The harsh snowy wilderness meant most villagers were fugitives who’d fled here for survival.

In the past, a prison for criminals was located here, but after repeated attacks on the village, it was moved deeper into the north.

Amid this, Altende, one of the previous four Sages, pitied them and poured everything into casting a protective spell over the village.
Thanks to this, the village, though small, could farm in certain areas, hunt more easily, and the temperature was about 10 degrees higher than elsewhere.

‘Seeing the statue, it must be true.’

Nodding as I looked around.
I saw a beautiful, goddess-like figure with wings spread wide.

Like an angel.
Altende’s appearance was oddly familiar.
As I tilted my head, wondering where I’d seen it before.
A villager suddenly trembled upon seeing me.

“T-This can’t be…! Am I dreaming?”

“…What’s wrong?”

Eleanor asked, but the villager’s gaze remained fixed on me.
His voice shook as he continued.

“To think someone with violet eyes would visit after Altende-nim…! I never imagined this!”

“…?”

Questions flooded my mind.
Don’t tell me… these people have never seen someone with violet eyes before?

And that wasn’t the strangest part.

“Did Altende have violet eyes?”

Zitri asked, and the villager nodded as if it were obvious.

“Of course! She saved our village!”

It made no sense. Because, as far as I remember.
Lavender eyes were unique to one family on the continent.
The Reinhaver family.

‘Altende… Who exactly was she?’

The train of thought that followed was inevitable.