Chapter 203 MERIT CEREMONY (6)

Were you hurt?

Im okay, see? Should you be saying that when you were in a coma though?

When Scarlet asked back as soon as she sat besides Cordelia on the sofa, Cordelia shook her head and answered.

No, it isnt to the point of a coma since I only slept for two days.

Hey, sleeping for two days is definitely not normal, okay?

Scarlet sharply spoke and squinted her eyes, looking at Cordelia all over.

She seemed to be looking for any injuries.

And at Scarlets appearance, Cordelia began to laugh.

Why?

No, its just you seemed to be seriously worried of me.

Cordelia giggled again and lightly slapped Scarlets shoulder as she smiled with her eyes, and Scarlet frowned.

No, Im not. I wasnt that worried of you, okay? I really didnt care about you, okay?

Wow, your classic reaction is so good, so good. Youre so cute.

What so cute?

Whether Scarlet hated it or not, Cordelia hugged her arm and laughed, and Scarlet eventually frowned and looked back at Jude.

Hey, Black Cloak. Why is Pink Bomb acting like this? Did she injure her head or something?

[Shes not hurt. Shes just pretty, cute, and adorable like usual.]

Scarlet shuddered when he replied via <Message> magic instead of his voice, and she eventually gave up.

Because the more she spoke, the more she would only be embarrassed.

Anyway, Im fine.

Yes, yes. If Scarlet is okay, then Im okay too.

As Cordelia rubbed her cheeks against Scarlets shoulder, Scarlet flinched for a moment but soon smiled.

Because she found the expression of Jude looking at them to be very funny.

Should I tease him a bit?

But before Scarlet could even try something, Jude moved first. He took a seat across Scarlet and immediately brought up a topic she couldnt ignore.

The match.

Eh?

The match for the Rogue Master position. Isnt it time to discuss it?

As Jude grinned and spoke, Scarlet slightly frowned.

She welcomed the fact that they were finally talking about the match for the Rogue Master position, but she didnt like it a bit on how Jude led the flow of their discussion into that.

But she couldnt help it.

She was the one who had lost in their fight, so she eventually gave up.

Okay, lets talk about it.

Ill cut to the chase and get straight to the point dont you agree that its impossible to do it now?

I agree. Because the royal capital is in an absolute mess.

Jude smiled again when her response was what he expected.

As expected of Scarlet.

In the game, Scarlet was the ideal companion who was friendly and rational, even before she was deceived by the magic sword.

He thought that if the royal capital had suffered serious damage, she would postpone the match, and now, she responded as he had expected.

Because it concerns the Rogue Masters pride.

More than a hundred years had passed since the first Rogue Master had appeared on earth.

Numerous thieves had appeared between the past and present, and some had even done bigger thefts than the Rogue Master.

But none of them were as legendary as the Rogue Master.

What was the reason for that?

Why was the Rogue Master the only one who became a legend?

Because it had romance.

The Rogue Master would send a notice herself in order to increase the difficulty of her theft.

The Rogue Master only targeted the wicked rich.

The Rogue Master only stole and did not kill people.

The money earned from the rich was used to help those who were in need.

The so-called Robin Hood figure.

A righteous thief.

That was all a fantasy though.

After all, a thief was still a thief in the end, and most of what the Rogue Master stole from the rich went into the pockets of the Rogue Master and not the poor.

But the most important thing was the image.

A romantic thief.

It was impossible for such a Rogue Master to use the royal capital, where a lot of people had been killed or injured, as the stage for their theft.

But that doesnt mean were not going to hold the match, right? So lets change the place.

You mean well be having the match in a place other than the royal capital?

Yes, lets have it in the south and not the center.

At Judes words, Cordelias eyes widened, and she looked at him in admiration.

Because she realized what Jude was planning.

Are you trying to take Scarlet with us to the south?

Because the more powerful allies we have, the better.

Black Dragon Malekith was a powerful enemy in a different sense than the Lord Protector. In order to deal with a literally gigantic monster, they need to have at least one more useable trump card.

Where in the south? The 7 southern families?

Wouldnt they be worth stealing from?

Scarlet narrowed her eyes as Jude smirked and answered.

Because she became wary when she saw Judes sly smile.

Hes up to something, right?

Although the royal capital suffered serious damage, the entire central region was not harmed.

But he was saying that they should leave the center and hold the match in the south.

His words felt suspicious even if he didnt have a sly smile.

Rather, should we hold the match in the empire?

Scarlets own home ground.

But Scarlet soon stopped her thoughts.

Because she was the one who had lost in their fight in the first meeting.

This was a match originally proposed by Pink Bomb out of her consideration of me in the first place.

So she wasnt in a position to say this and that.

Of course, if its Cordelia, she wouldnt think much about it, and

Maybe shell even accept having the match in the empire.

But that Black Cloak that Jude who is a sly person incarnate, will not agree to it.

Perhaps whatever I say, hell insist to have the match be held in the south.

Theres no point fighting about it.

Its not like we wont be seeing each other anymore after this match.

Okay, lets have the match in the south then. When will it be?

Please give us a bit of time.

How long?

At least two months, I think? The two of us will not be able to go to the south until the mess in the royal capital has been organized.

Hmmm.

Scarlet looked troubled as she crossed her arms, but she soon nodded again.

As Jude had said, it would take quite some time before they could leave the royal capital.

Though two months is a bit long.

But it wasnt like she couldnt wait at all.

Moreover, Scarlet herself needed some time to investigate the southern region.

Okay, lets do that. It doesnt matter if we discuss the details of the match later.

As expected of Scarlet. Youre nice and generous.

Im not exactly nice though?

If you insist.

Ufufu.

The one who laughed last was Cordelia.

She seemed to be really excited that she kept on laughing.

Hey, whats wrong with you? Youre creeping me out.

Nothing. Its just that I like Scarlet?

When Cordelia giggled again, Scarlet couldnt help but smile in the end.

Because Cordelia was just too cute for her to reject.

Okay, lets have the match in the south two months after, but

But?

Pink Bomb, lets go out and talk for a minute.

Eh?

I was just thinking of talking to you while getting some fresh air. Id also like to hear about what happened that night in the royal palace. Is that fine with you?

Well I dont mind.

Having said that, Cordelia turned to Jude, and instead of seeing Cordelia, Jude saw Scarlet grinning at him.

I can see your thoughts very clearly.

Scarlets intention.

In fact, it wasnt that serious.

It was just a really simple idea of hers to take Cordelia outside and not let Cordelia spend some time with Jude.

Youre annoyed, right? Right?

Jude answered Scarlets gaze with a bitter smile before he turned to Cordelia.

Jude?

Its fine if you go along with Scarlet. Youre going to chat with a friend in the first place, so its not something for me to decide, right?

Well thats true. Okay, Ill be back later.

Cordelia widely smiled, and just like the saying strike while the iron is hot, she immediately stood up and pulled Scarlets hand, while Scarlet sneered at Jude before she went out with Cordelia.

And a few seconds later.

After the door was closed, Jude stretched his arms and let out a long breath.

Anyway, it seems like Scarlet is completely on our side.

Whatever the outcome of the match would be, it seemed like she would still be working with them in the future.

Though its a bit annoying when she always interrupts us

Well, I dont exactly hate it though.

Its at a level where I could just laugh it off.

Plus, Scarlet intruding on us is quite helpful at the moment.

Because its hard to concentrate when Cordelia is around.

At least, for now.

Lets sort it out while Cordelia is gone.

He couldnt do that last night because his mental state then didnt let him think properly.

Jude closed his eyes and slowly breathed.

He slowly immersed himself in the deepest parts of his consciousness in order to examine the state of his body and soul.

And he soon realized it.

As I thought, it was too much.

He had failed to open the sixth door properly.

He had created a sixth door, but only the form was created.

If he had to describe it, it was like a plate that had been widened, but the plates contents barely filled it.

I need time.

Time to properly maintain the sixth door.

Time to let my own skills grow and match the plate that had suddenly become bigger.

But I shouldnt hurry that much.

As he had already told Cordelia, the demon followers wouldnt dare to attack them for the time being.

They also didnt need to immediately become very strong because Black Dragon Malekiths attack on the south would only happen a few months from now if it went by the games timeline.

So lets take our time.

Ill recover my health and build up my strength.

I cant rely too much on Ninth Heavens Nine Doors, so I have to develop my other skills too.

Ultimate Seven.

Seven ultimate swords that were created by the ancient dwarves, and could only be obtained through the Key Sword.

It was not surprising that Jude knew all seven of it since he had used them at least once in

Legend of Heroes 2.

And that was why he was convinced.

I need the Ultimate One.

It was the most different from among the seven ultimate swords.

But that was also the reason why that sword suited the current Jude the best.

Fortunately, what Jude himself wanted Ultimate One, and what Cordelia wanted Ultimate Four, Explosive Blade Magic Blaster, were located in the Slen Kingdom.

And if we can secure Ultimate Three, Dragon Sword Ascalon, before our fight against Malekith, it will be like the icing on the cake.

Jude drew up a plan on his head for a while, and then smiled and stretched his arms.

Because when he was thinking of how to get the items, he suddenly remembered

Legend of Heroes 2

.

Its not a game now but reality.

After he lightly smiled, Jude closed his eyes again and delved into his consciousness.

He began to operate the Black Sun, which was born from the union of the Ninth Heavens Nine Doors and the Supreme Sun Divine Art.

***

At a small garden near a different palace.

Scarlet sat in a sunny spot and enjoyed the wind, and then asked with her eyes wide open.

The Lord Protector? Did you just say that you defeated him?

Yes. But its still a secret so dont say it out loud.

Cordelia looked around and spoke quietly, but Scarlet shouted, grabbing Cordelias shoulders rather than being quiet.

How?!

Scarlet was already aware of the fact that the Lord Protector was a traitor.

As Cordelia had said, everyone kept it a secret, but it had already been three days after the battle on the royal capital, so everyone who could know already knew that the Lord Protector was a traitor.

But she thought that it was impossible for Jude and Cordelia to have defeated the Lord Protector.

Well its because we did our very best? The crown princess and the prince also helped.

When Cordelia hesitated, Scarlet shook her shoulder again, as if she wanted to ask on what the hell did Cordelia mean.

Because the Lord Protector wasnt someone that could just be defeated by a few children.

Anyway, we defeated him. I cant say how we defeated him because its related to a secret of the kingdom.

The existence of the divine sword, Claomh Solais, that maintained the barrier and was located in the basement of the royal palace, was in fact, a national secret.

Count Bayer and Count Chase already knew of the existence of the divine sword so they could openly talk about it, but it was impossible to let Scarlet know about it since she was a citizen of the empire.

How mean.

Im sorry

Scarlet soon sighed when Cordelias face became sad as if she was truly sorry.

Well it cant be helped. Anyway, you didnt win with just your skills, right?

Yeah. Something more was added and more than anything, we were just lucky.

Just lucky

Scarlet frowned and then shook her head.

Even if the Lord Protector was old and had become weak, he was still one of the Ten Great Swordmasters.

He wasnt someone that could be defeated just by being lucky.

But Jude and Cordelia defeated such a Lord Protector.

Its something unexpected but these two are also monsters.

Theyre only 17 years old now.

But what the hell is up with their strength?

Gods mistake

A term that refers to Maximilian de Avis.

But, perhaps, Jude and Cordelia are also gods mistakes?

Scarlet?

Eh? Yeah, well I get it. Anyway, its fine since you came out safe.

Scarlet evasively spoke before she stood up from her seat.

Because of that, Cordelia stood up too and asked.

Are you going now?

Yes, I have to get going now.

She had accomplished most of her purpose in infiltrating the palace.

She would have perfectly accomplished it if she would be able to see Lucas condition on her way back.

Then, see you at the merit ceremony.

Eh? Youre attending the merit ceremony?

Its for a special purpose. I have to give you a clap, after all.

Scarlet shrugged and spoke coyly, grinning wide as she said goodbye to Cordelia and headed back.

See you next time.

Yes, see you next time.

After Cordelia waved her hand, Scarlet haughtily turned around and began to walk a few steps, but she soon blended into the surrounding landscape and became invisible.

Wow.

As expected of the Rogue Master.

Cordelia admired her for a bit and clapped her hands, and then she brushed off the dirt from her skirt and looked back at the palace.

She had to go back by herself.

But before she took a step, Cordelia once again viewed the garden and gazed at the main palace that she could see from here.

It wasnt perfect.

There were signs of destruction and ruin here and there.

She hadnt seen it with her eyes, but she knew that a lot of people were also killed or injured.

But, even if that happened

We werent wrong.

What Jude and Cordelia did.

They had done their best to protect the royal family and the royal capital.

Lets go.

Cordelia spoke to herself and headed back to the palace.

She walked and began to imagine the face of Jude that had naturally come into her mind.

And five days later in the afternoon.

The merit ceremony finally began.