Chapter 262

Right after saying he had a gift, Nangwon took something out from his pocket.

It was a pouch.

A very small pouch.

Alon, who was staring blankly at it, quickly realized what it was.

"That's—"

"It's a subspace pouch."

As if to demonstrate, Nangwon pulled something from the pouch and placed it on the table.

It was a sword so magnificent that it was hard to believe it had come from such a small pouch.

"This is...?"

"It’s the Sword of the Heavens."

"Wh..."

Alon let out a soft exclamation of awe.

It wasn’t an artifact he was deeply familiar with.

But just by its appearance, which screamed ‘I’m ridiculously expensive,’ Alon couldn’t help but admire it.

"The—The Sword of the Heavens?"

Even Evan, who had been watching Nangyeon just moments ago, stammered in surprise.

"You know it?"

"Of course, my lord! That’s the sword forged by a dwarf, and now it's something you can barely find even in the Eastern Lands of other races—perhaps not even there anymore!"

As Evan shouted in excitement, Nangwon smiled and nodded.

"That's correct."

"...There's no need to give me something so precious."

"No, it’s all a gift I’ve prepared for you, brother.

And there’s still more."

"More?"

"Yes."

Nangwon then pulled out a staff from the subspace pouch and handed it to Alon.

This time, Alon too couldn’t hide his surprise.

Because he knew that item very well.

"The Staff of Verdancy?"

"Correct, brother. How did you know? Not many people are familiar with it."

"...I once saw it in a book."

He hurried to clarify when Nangwon asked curiously, but of course, it wasn’t from a book.

Unlike the Sword of the Heavens.

The Staff of Verdancy had appeared in the main storyline of Psychedelia.

‘If I remember correctly, this staff appears around the mid-to-late part of the game...’

Furthermore, as far as Alon remembered.

If you developed your character as a magic-type dealer with a focus on certain spells, this item was highly useful.

Because it increased the effects of specific magic by 300%.

Even knowing this, the reason Alon hadn’t bothered to get the Staff of Verdancy was simple.

It required extreme grinding to obtain.

Not just casual grinding, but several months of nonstop effort.

That’s why he never expected to see it in real life...

Alon looked at the staff, his expression blank but his eyes full of wonder.

"There are still more gifts."

Perhaps satisfied with Alon’s reaction, Nangwon smiled and pulled out the next gift.

"This is...?"

"It’s the Ring of the Nameless Swordsman."

"Wow, I’ve only ever heard rumors! Isn’t this the item that even lets regular people who can’t use magic unleash sword aura just by wearing it?"

"You’re quite knowledgeable."

Nangwon looked proud as Evan reacted excitedly.

But this time, even Alon was genuinely impressed.

Because he had planned to find that item himself before heading to the Holy Kingdom.

‘I didn’t expect to get it like this.’

Even though Alon wasn’t a swordsman.

He wanted this item because of another artifact it could help him acquire—one that was essential for him at the moment.

While Alon was quietly impressed, Nangwon pulled out another item.

"This is—"

"The Gauntlets of Conviction."

"Wh—"

Both Evan and Alon gasped.

Then, Nangwon took out yet another item.

And once again, accompanied by their astonishment, a new item emerged from the pouch.

"This time it’s the Gloves of the Hidden One."

Alon and Evan marveled nonstop.

But then, ten minutes passed.

"This is the Iron Armor of Bion."

"Oh."

"Oh."

Thirty minutes passed.

"This is the Tear of Orim."

"Oh."

"Wh..."

By the time an hour had passed.

"This is the Left Armguard of the Holy King."

"...?"

"?."

"...?"

Alon realized something was wrong.

He looked around.

The tea room, which had only contained the refreshments moments ago—

Was now, somehow,

Filled to the brim with items on the floor, the tables, everywhere.

There was no space left to step.

And the strangest part—

"Ahem, there's still more to go."

Was that more items were still coming out of Nangwon’s tiny pouch.

"Nangwon."

"Yes? Is something wrong?"

"Do you still have many gifts left to give?"

Alon glanced toward the pouch.

"Yes, just a few more!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes. About five—"

Nangwon spread his fingers wide as he answered, and Alon breathed a small sigh of relief.

Honestly, by now, he had run out of things to say in awe—it was becoming exhausting.

As Alon sighed lightly,"—hours should be enough to finish."

"...What?"

"Ah, maybe six hours?"

The unexpected follow-up left him stunned.

"...????"

Alon's eyes trembled in disbelief.

Eventually, only after a full six hours had passed,

Nangwon’s gift-giving ceremony came to an end.

The next day, Alon felt dizzy just looking at the mountain of gifts piled high in the tea room.

And that very day, Nangwon and Nangyeon left the marquis' estate.

"It would’ve been nice if you stayed a bit longer."

"I’d love to, but I’ve got too many things to take care of right now. I’ll come visit again once they’re all sorted out."

"Alright."

"Please call me if you ever need anything. I’ll come running...!"

With admiration in his eyes and a deep bow, Nangwon turned to leave—

But then—

"...Hm...Hmm."

As if sensing something, he walked back toward Alon.

"Brother."

"What is it?"

"It seems like there’s a disobedient wolf near you."

He whispered quietly.

"...A disobedient wolf?"

"Yes, but you don’t need to worry. I’ll take care of it."

Soon after, he smiled brightly and said, "Then, see you next time!"

He left, cheerfully bidding farewell.

"Quite a refreshing presence for someone called the King of Curses, huh?"

As soon as Nangwon left, Evan offered his impression.

Alon agreed.

"Indeed."

"And quite different from the rumors I've heard, too."

"Rumors? There were rumors?"

"Well, yes."

Evan shared the details.

"From what I know, the King of Curses is supposed to be very violent and egotistical."

"...Violent and egotistical?"

Alon recalled the image of Nangwon he had just seen.

With striking looks that would make anyone turn their head, Nangwon had followed Alon around with a cheerful smile.

He seemed far removed from any notions of arrogance or cruelty.

The same could be said of Nangyeon.

"...Sounds like baseless gossip."

Alon doubted the truth of the rumors.

"Honestly, I think so too."

"Right?"

"Yeah."

Evan agreed weakly.

Alon tilted his head at Evan’s sudden drop in energy.

"You seem down."

"I got rejected."

"...Just now?"

"She said she’s not interested in guys weaker than her..."

Only then did Alon realize.

Evan had confessed to Nangyeon.

"When did that happen?"

"...Yesterday."

"Fast, aren’t you..."

"Well, I’m a passionate guy. Confidence is key for a man."

"And now all that’s left is ashes?"

The phrase "that’s too much" practically appeared on Evan’s face.

"...Marquis, do you realize your deadpan remarks are getting sharper lately?"

After responding to Evan’s grumbles, afternoon rolled around.

"Behold, my arrival!!!"

Penia returned from the Blue Tower.

Very noisily.

With a grin stretching all the way to the heavens.

Fufufufufufu—she made strange noises, then said,

"Who am I?"

"The youngest scholar to present a paper at the Mage Association."

"Who am I???"

"The youngest to have a lead paper published by the Mage Association...!"

Answering her own questions,

She began showing off proudly in front of Alon.

As if intoxicated by her own success, she bragged nonstop.

"Congratulations."

"Hmph—Thank youuuuuu..."

When Alon said a word, Penia couldn’t hide her bouncing shoulders, and her cheeks flushed red.

"Oh, and Marquis. I found something for our next research!"

"Research?"

"Yeah, remember what we talked about last time? About your spell formulas. I think I found something worth experimenting with."

"That's good news."

Penia brought news with her.

After a brief compliment, Alon stood up and held out a pen to her.

"? "

Penia looked puzzled, glancing back and forth between the pen and Alon.

"Now, could you help me a little?"

When Alon offered the pen again, Penia hesitated, then slowly opened her mouth.

"Who, who am I again?"

"The person who barely slept three hours a night for a month writing that paper..."

"And still managed to help calculate spell formulas for the Marquis during all that..."

In other words, she was very tired.

But unfortunately for her, Alon was immune to such complaints(?).

To him—

"Penia, can you see this?"

"...Gasp."

The artifacts left by Nangwon.

To put it simply, they were the kind of objects that would make a researcher like Penia drool with curiosity.

"If you help me now, I’ll let you study two more of these."

"R-Really?"

"Yes."

Nodding, Alon handed her the pen.

Penia let out a long, groaning sigh.

But when she saw the mass of artifacts behind Alon, with slightly darkened eyes, she said,

"I-I’ll do it."

She grabbed the pen like she was signing a deal with the devil.

"Smart choice."

Alon guided her to the desk, where she sat down with little energy.

And then—

"Wow."

"What’s wrong?"

"I just didn’t expect to be put to work the moment I got back."

At that moment, Evan entered the office and noticed Penia.

As if even Satan wouldn’t go this far, he gave Alon a disapproving look.

"She’s doing it of her own will."

Alon stood his ground.

"Fair enough. Oh, Marquis. Here."

Without much else to say, Evan handed Alon a letter.

"This is?"

"A letter from the royal family."

"Ah."

Alon was reminded again that Siyan had been trying to reach him.

Opening the letter, he found a single short sentence.

[A new memory regarding you and the Cardinal has resurfaced. Please come see me.]

A very simple line.

But to Alon, it was not one he could ignore.

"...Looks like I won’t get any rest."

Alon sighed as he muttered.

***

That afternoon.

Just as the marquis’ territory was starting to fade into the distance—

Nangwon and Nangyeon saw someone appear before them.

A beastkin with radiant golden eyes.

"The disobedient wolf, I presume."

Despite the sudden appearance, Nangwon calmly spoke without surprise.

The beastkin—no, Seolrang—frowned.

"You, what are you?"

"What do you think? Unlike you, I follow Brother’s orders properly. Unlike someone who defied him to follow after him."

The cheerful smile Nangwon had shown Alon was gone, replaced with a cold smirk.

"Go back, wolf. Brother never ordered you to guard him."

His voice turned cynical.

"...No. I’m going to protect Master."

"Brother’s orders are absolute. Didn’t he tell you to stay in your place?"

"I still won’t go back."

"You won’t—"

Nangwon’s brow furrowed sharply at Seolrang’s defiant answer.

"Then I’ll make you go back by force."

He muttered softly.

At the same time, black hands began to scatter in the air.

"Try it."

Responding in kind, radiant lightning erupted from Seolrang’s body.

Thus—

A battle began between two of the strongest in the Allied Kingdoms.

Exactly thirty minutes later.

"Let go."

Two powerful individuals, capable of leveling mountains—

"...You let go."

"I said let go."

"You let go first!"

...Were now grabbing each other by the hair.

The reason was simple.

Nangwon knew how strong Seolrang was.

Seolrang also had a rough idea of Nangwon’s strength.

And the moment they clashed seriously—

They both knew the commotion would reach Palatio territory.

In other words, for both of them—

A flashy battle was not ideal.

Seolrang had followed Alon without permission.

And Nangwon knew how much Alon cared about Seolrang.

So, as both were mindful of Alon, their lightning and black hands gave way to a quiet, pitiful tug-of-war.

...Which ended like this.

Nangyeon silently watched the two.

The way they awkwardly grabbed each other’s hair—

"Don’t pull. I said stop pulling."

"You stop first."

"...Let’s both let go on three."

"...Fine."

And that exchange...

...Really didn’t feel like a clash between powerhouses.

"One, two, three."

Pull~!

"Ugh! Let go!!"

"You first!"

Was kind of embarrassing.

...No, very much so.

Nangyeon averted her gaze before she even realized it.

...She simply couldn’t bear to keep watching.