101 – Piercing Eyes #2
That evening after I finished reporting to Aira, I couldn't sit still in my dorm and took a stroll in the park.
I had a lot to organize and think about, so I decided to get some evening breeze…
But the mosquitoes were really annoying! Was there some spell that could ward off these buggers? The Demon King would probably have one.
"Ya, where are you going?"
Then someone sitting on a bench suddenly asked. It was Elga wearing a tracksuit.
"Where are you going at this late hour? Gathering that harem of yours?"
Clearly, Elga was mad about my mention of having multiple wives the last time. But I just asked Elga as if nothing was wrong.
"So what brings Elga-nim this late in the park?"
"I was waiting for you to come out. So, what did you talk about with that Mirna earlier? She followed immediately as soon as you left. Did you two scheme something together?"
Elga acted like a strict lover trying to crack down on her boyfriend. She didn't seem to like me talking to Mirna.
"We didn't talk much. She just said that she'd let me enter a place called Devil's Nest."
Elga was surprised when she heard this.
"Devil's Nest!? That demon hole!? She said she'd let you in there!?"
"Do you know what it is?"
"I heard it's a training ground for the Draco Family. It's a very confidential place… That Mirna is really allowing you there? How uncharacteristic…"
Looking at Elga's reaction, it was clear that Mirna was being incredibly generous with the offer. Fortunately, I didn't say no. With that in mind, I sat next to Elga. ꞦΑΝŏ𝔟Еš
Neither of us said anything.
The atmosphere was quite awkward.
Big Tinkerbell-like moths were madly flying around the lamppost. The silence and boredom reminded me of my past guard days, so I broke the ice first.
"The things I said, Elga-nim should keep it a secret."
"You're also giving me a Noble Rank to help me, aren't you? To help revive my family."
Elga turned her head away with a dissatisfied expression. For a moment, I thought she would cut me off. But, to my surprise, she reluctantly muttered.
"Be stronger than me."
"Be stronger than me, and rise higher than anyone else. Become a man so great that I wouldn't be able to handle you alone."
"A lion that's unable to protect the pack will only die trying. So, strive for greatness."
In a way, this was Elga giving me her permission.
She was telling me to become great enough to deserve a harem.
However, along with it was a warning. If I failed, Elga would bury me with her own hands…
After Elga said those words, she took off running. Looking at her back, I could feel a sense of relief coursing through my body.
… Was it because of her chest? Big breast, broad mind? With that being said, if I ever did make a harem, I'd definitely give Elga the number one spot!
Anyway, it was great that both Mirna and Elga were trying to help me.
As I became stronger and better with their help, I would eventually be able to advance with the mysterious Aira.
To be honest, I still didn't know what Aira was really thinking. Her previous deduction about Angmar's descendant was very eerie…
I wondered what kind of expression Aira would make when she found out who I really was?
If she discovered that all the things I'd been telling her were lies, she'd no doubt strangle me to death…
It was my destiny to get stronger, otherwise I wouldn't be able to deal with Aira.
"Now, the Devil's Nest…"
I had no idea what could be lurking there, but I had to go in no matter what.
In the meantime, let's attend classes and train-.
Then, just like that, it was the weekend.
Mirna guided me down to the Draco Family mansion's basement.
"So the Devil's Nest is underneath the mansion?"
"Correct. The villa itself acts like a lid that covers the dungeon."
According to Mirna, the reason the villa was built here was to seal the dungeon called 'Devil's Nest'.
The basement was deeper than I expected. Was it about 5 floors down now? It was almost as if the sun didn't exist on the surface. There were chills all over my body.
To be precise, it was more like an ominous feeling rather than chills.
I couldn't help but think – should I go back?
Then, before I knew it, I was standing in front of a huge iron gate. I could barely see its end even when raising my head.
The top had something like a plaque labeled with beautiful handwriting.
「O ye who cometh, abandon all hope.」
"What does that mean? Abandon hope?"
When I asked her about it, Mirna simply shrugged.
'Solomon's warning.' My lips instantly paled. And without having to ask what that meant, Mirna kindly added an explanation.
"In fact, this mansion is the villa of the late King Solomon."