Straightening up of Evan D. Sherden (3)

For the past months, Louise’s party went through rapid changes. The fourth member of the party, the Priest Enoch of the nameless god, and the fifth and the sixth members who joined on Evan’s instructions (they were supposed to be called as guest members), Lin and Lan of the Vassal God, and the seventh member who joined last, Thief Lucid. As their party was gradually completed, they started to intervene in events happening in and out of the dungeon city of Sherden through the Phoenix Guild, along with leveling up by constantly joining the dungeons deeply.

“It seems that you guys are now leading figures.”

The office of the guild master of Phoenix guild. Eloa Von Serpe spoke in an elegant and dignified manner that no one could imagine from a maiden lady who teased Evan just a moment ago. Louise, who would never know about her actual flirty appearance, came forth as the party leader and bowed her head.

“I’m just thankful that you’ve acknowledged our party that was just formed half a year ago.”

“It means your party was acknowledged as a dignified party in just half a year through outstanding performances. It’s something you should be proud of.”

Eloa gave a look to each of the members. There were only six members in view, as the seventh, Lucid, was always hidden in the shadows.

“I’d love to recruit you to the Phoenix Guild, but…I guess you guys don’t want it, right?”

“Sorry. We already have someone we follow.”

As Louise answered without hesitation, the other members all nodded in unison. Louise, Lin, and Lan were part of the Astray Knights in the first place, and Save, and Renail were fanatics trying to get closer to Evan. Lucid was supposed to be part of Astray after this mission officially, and Enoch was doing the assignment given by Evan to raise the temple for the nameless god in Sherden.

“Well, that might be the reason how you guys can actively communicate since you are in the outer part of the guild…it’s a reality that you can’t fully trust anyone within the guild.”

“That…”

It was a lie, of course. Among those few members who were in the Phoenix Guild were those who didn’t like the current Sherden discreetly exchange information with the enemies, but as long as Miriam was the head of the enemies, such information about them would come back to Eloa from Evan. They would be executed along with the ending of this scenario. It was a very bitter moment, but in some way, it became a solution for Evan to be able to pick out the rotten ones through this event.

‘He surely is a smart and brave man. I want to marry him.’

Eloa started to have her wild delusions about getting married to Evan. Still, she maintained her serious look on the outside. At that moment, Save spoke up.

“I have a method to figure out the betrayers, so would you have me deal with them? But my condition is that you won’t inquire about the method.”

“Is that possible? But…hmm, no.”

Eloa pretended to be surprised as she heard his words. But in reality, she wasn’t, and it was because she heard about Save’s ability to read something that couldn’t be seen from Evan.

‘An ability to read someone’s mind…wouldn’t be the case. Then it should be magic to look into the past of a person or his memories. In any case, he may be able to track the black magicians and kill them even without Master Evan’s scenario.’

It was a statement that proved Evan’s ability to judge a person was perfect. All preparations were done with Save as the ultimate protagonist so that this scenario couldn’t fail. His tactics were even at their finest.

‘I want to marry him.’

“Thank you for the offer, but I have to decline. It’s not that I don’t trust your ability, but we have prepared as well on our side.”

“Is that so? Then I’m relieved.”

“The reason why I summoned you all here is to warn you guys.”

Eloa opened her hand with that harsh response. Her magic created numerous ice crystals, which drew a detailed picture in the empty air. She tried to construct the structure of the forces she showed earlier to Evan, but something weird came up with her delusions in the middle…and it disappeared right away.

“Hmm? I think I just saw two people.”

“I think I just saw Master Evan. He was crossing arms with a woman like at a wedding…”

“It’s a minor mistake. Here, look at this.”

The scene of a delusional wedding between Eloa and Evan suddenly disappeared. What came forth instead was the forces of those hiding and conspiring in Sherden. The villains, including the influences from the merchant and the temple, along with the corrupted alchemists who were tempted by money and dark power, the black sorcerers, and the last influences that understood that something really is happening in Sherden recently, with the Demon tribe.

“Although they just recently joined, the most dangerous ones are the Demon tribe. The conflicts up until now can be overcome by your strength. However, the Demon tribe is dangerous. Especially…”

As Eloa stirred her hand into the empty air once more, a beautiful portrait of a gorgeous woman made of ice crystal appeared from above. Her eyes slanted down, looking benevolent, and she had the standard feature of beauty with big pearly eyes. Enoch bluntly exclaimed.

“This woman was reported recently. She is dangerous.”

“Because she’s too pretty?”

“She is one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon tribe, Rubecca of the Poisoned Fangs.”

“…”

Enoch lowered his head as he couldn’t withstand the stares from all directions. But Eloa added another explanation as if she understood Enoch.

“Supposedly, the higher the rank of the Demon tribe is, the more similar they look to humans. They are also fully self-aware that such a form is more fatal to the human race. The fact that you were completely fooled proves they are that strong.”

“No, I’m really sorry. I have to make a prayer of repentance to the nameless god…”

“Now, going back to the main topic…”

Eloa let Enoch do his prayer before she continued talking.

“Surely just by looking at their individual strengths, they deserve the name of the Four Heavenly Kings, but Rubecca’s real strength comes from mass slaughter through poison. And it’s quite awkward that…well, we’ve received intel that she is looking for you guys.”

That was bound to happen because Louise’s party attracted most of the attention from the enemies. The Demon tribe agreed on eliminating their party first in order to realize the great work. So, the Four Heavenly Kings had personally come out to look for them…

“If that’s the case…it would be a big trouble if we were to encounter her in a place filled with people.”

“That’s it.”

Eloa replied as if she was waiting for Louise’s answer. The party members shared the troubled look.

Everyone was feeling it: the fact that the veiled malice was now erupting from the shadows through Evan’s scenario!

“If that’s the case, then the great war will begin. It will end with massive civilian casualties…!”

“True. Even if the battle is engaged, there’s a need to draw them out of the city. Ah, but I’m not asking you guys to be the bait to lure the Four Heavenly Kings away from the city.”

Eloa smiled bitterly and waved her hand at Save.

“But we aren’t yet ready. Even if we fight the Demon tribe, it doesn’t guarantee us eradicating all evil roots within Sherden. There’s a need to prepare the stage from now on. As soon as they show their wicked fangs, we have to pull it from its root altogether.”

“Then it would be quite troublesome if we are to encounter the Demon tribe for no reason.”

The story between Eloa and Louise went on, and it was clear to those who were listening to them.

Renail, who was listening to their story, though, ‘how can they talk as if they read each other’s minds?’ but she didn’t dare ask about it. Perhaps it was because it was all Master Evan’s will.

“So, you guys need to stay in hiding for a while. We are also thinking of restraining our activities until the Demon tribe calms down.”

“By hiding…where?”

“Where would it be?”

Eloa grinned and lifted one of her fingers. All images in the empty air disappeared, and a mysterious entrance to the endless basement appeared on the spot.

“The dungeon. Hone your skills there thoroughly. Enough to defeat the Four Heavenly Kings in the final battle.”

“But we can defeat them even now!”

“Eonni can seal the poison and the opponent’s movement, and I can slice them with my broadsword!”

“You guys have to learn something else aside from your abilities.”

Maybe Lin and Lan could actually defeat them, but Eloa silenced them with far-fetched words. At the same time, she gave a look to Louise and advised her to control them no matter what.

“The dungeon.”

Currently, Louise’s party had cleared up to the 60th floor of the dungeon. With their rate, they belonged in the top 3% of the dungeon city. It was hilarious to say that Eloa was the leading figure. Despite their short experience, they deserve to be called the best elites with the record they left behind while investigating the dungeon. However, they couldn’t face the Four Heavenly Kings with the mere fact of reaching level 61 of the dungeon.

“You guys are in grave danger. And since you guys are in danger anyway, it’s better to risk it and choose the path to become the strongest.”

“You are absolutely right.”

It was Save and not Louise who replied this time.

“I was already aware of the fact that we were too cautious in advancing the levels within the dungeon.”

“What do you mean by being cautious when we cleared up until the 60th floor just in a few months…?”

“Even Mr. Enoch is aware of the fact that the 60th floor isn’t a problem with our party’s capability. We’ve enjoyed enough comfort on the ground while making excuses such as we lack training or have many things to do outside for the meanwhile. But now isn’t the time for that.”

Most people who heard what Save just said would click their tongues. It was common sense for people who live outside the dungeon not to stay long inside. But if it were Evan who heard, he would have clapped while praising him as being worthy of named a great player. Perhaps Must Save didn’t know, but as a result of taking actions by himself according to Louise and to all kinds of training methods and behavior guidelines which he learned through Evan’s people (maybe his ability to identify the status also had some influences), he happened to have the mind of an experienced and ideal player of the Yo-Ma Great War series!

“This is a great opportunity. Since it’s safe to hide from the outside, we will prepare ourselves to the fullest and challenge ourselves to the deepest part of the dungeon, to our limit.”

“Yeah, then let’s reach up to the 100th floor!”

“Lan, you are stupid; Evan Oppa told us not to challenge the 100th floor yet!”

“Lin, you are stupid here; Oppa said it’s all right for us to challenge the 100th floor!”

Lin and Lan were challenging each other beside Save, who was firmly pledging himself. Louise and Eloa had a satisfied expression as the story concluded with what they expected from the beginning. However, they were shaking their heads at how excited Lin and Lan were. And that is how Louise’s party decided on the dungeon exploration in the long term for the final battle. The climax of the scenario started to take shape.