Before entering the Round Table, I ran countless simulations. This was due to the two and a half year gap. It was clear that the members would be curious about my absence.
Some may have come to the truth that I am Bjorn Yandel due to the fact that my disappearance occurred around the same time.
Of course, I wasn't too worried about this part. Only Amelia and Erwen knew he would return. Just showing my face at the Round Table would dispel that suspicion. The problem would come after the news of my survival.
Well, that's not easy either.
The immediate importance was elsewhere. How was I going to explain my two and a half years of absence? This is why I carried out simulations and assumed several circumstances before reaching a conclusion.
«Leon...»
«...You were really alive.»
Even if these people looked at me with surprise and doubt, there was no real reason to explain it.
«Where are you moving?»
«Ah yes...!» When I spoke, Clown shuddered in front of the door and retreated toward the wall. The same thing happened with Queen of the Soul. Of course, she was in better shape than Clown, who was completely beside himself.
«...You look the same, León.» Even as he made his way through me, he looked at me with interested eyes. His relaxed voice bothered me, but I didn't show it. I just ignored her, walked past her, and sat at the table indifferently.
Tap.
After that, there was a silence that could only be described as strange. The members stared at me and also looked at each other. It was obvious what they were thinking. They probably wanted someone to take the bullet and ask me everything on their behalf.
This has also been a while.
Was it because I had been hiding so discouraged at home these days? An addictive feeling of liberation invaded me. Thus a few more seconds of silence passed.
¡Eye!
The doors connecting to the Round Table closed with a sound. That meant it was past 3:10 and entry was over. In other words, it also meant that we could start the meeting now.
«Are you going to stand?» I told the Clown and the Queen of the Soul. «Sit.»
I have a lot to hear from you. There is also a lot to say.
«Pshehe, I'm ashamed.» The clown, who was stunned by the wall, came to his senses and sat down. He looked at me with eyes that did not hide his joy. «We sincerely welcome your return, León».
What does this idiot say? Forgot what I told you last time about not acting friendly? Well, that can happen in two and a half years.
When I simply ignored him without responding, Clown snickered as if he knew I would do that.
The next to speak was Antlers. Showing his sexist side, he jumped out of his seat and asked me directly: «You haven't shown your face in over two years. Why have you come now?». Of course, my answer was already decided. «And good? Are you saying you won't respond?» Antlers' voice rose one level when he saw me exercising my right to remain silent. He was pretty sure the palace boys sounded like that when they questioned someone. It was something very unfortunate for me. Just because he had been away for two and a half years, he had forgotten his place.
«How offensive», I spoke as coldly as possible and slowly raised murderous energy.
¡They!
Since it had been a long time, I judged that it was necessary to discipline these guys at least once.
«...Puaj.» Exposed to murderous energy, Antlers clenched his fist in pain. This should have been enough to prepare a polite listener, but I was dissatisfied and continued to pour out murderous energy. At the same time, the veins in Antlers' neck stood on end. He was better than Clown, who once writhed on the ground, but Antlers wasn't much different.
«Never put me down again». When I unleashed the murderous energy with all my might, Antlers slowly bowed as if something heavy was pressing down on his shoulders. Seeing Antlers look at me with a tense face, I spoke as if pleased. «Yes, just like that».
Before long, Antlers was on his knees and watching me from the ground. Judging by his trembling arms on the table holding his body, he seemed to be at his limit. But it was the same for me.
Ugh, my head.
The moment I felt a pain in my head, the murderous energy weighing down the hallway disappeared.
Gasp!
Antlers took a deep breath that he had been holding back.
Seeing that, Clown sneered. «...Pshehe, silly human. Have you forgotten what to do if you want to ask Mr. León something? Bring something entertaining! Entertaining!» Even as I said that, Clown looked at me out of the corner of his eye as if asking, Right? and waiting for a compliment.
Naturally, I ignored him again.
«Lion.» After some time passed, Crescent ended the silence, a man believed to be one of the fairies and who longed for the Stone of Revival more than anyone else. «I don't care what you've been doing all this time». Swallowing the anxiety and questions he must have had for more than two years, he said: «Thank you for coming back».
It was just the reaction I expected, but when I heard it I felt a little bad. This guy would have been super anxious while I was gone.
Should I give him a hint this time?
As she thought this, Soul Queen spoke with a cheerful voice as if to change the muffled atmosphere. «Hmm, so I guess everything is already fixed? We start? I think we're going to have a lot to tell each other at today's meeting».
This is how the meeting began. The shift decision process was quick.
«So Mrs. Fox is the first?»
«...I guess so.»
The order was clockwise as always, but it had to end with me.
«For what did I feel here...?»
That was our tacit agreement in the past. Listening to the information that was brought first, evaluating it and then transmitting the corresponding information: this was how the Round Table used to develop.
«... Since I haven't prepared anything special today, I'll say what I originally planned to mention.» Fox was the first to broadcast his information. It was a pretty interesting story from the beginning. «The dragon slayer, who became inactive after the high priest kidnapping incident three years ago, reappeared for the first time on the Dark Continent. According to witness accounts, he seemed much stronger, and it seems that he has solved the dragon curse to some extent.»
It was news about the dragon hunter, whom I had forgotten about for a while.
So you've lifted the dragon curse, huh?
Although it was an unfortunate story, I decided not to get too absorbed in it. Being able to use Dragon Speak didn't change anything. I wasn't the old me either.
¡Shaaaa!
The jewel of the Round Table emitted a green light, announcing the successful end of the first turn.
«Pshehe, you're smart, Mrs. Fox». The clown laughed.
«... What do you mean?»
«That won't be what you originally meant here, as it's something we can use to infer your identity. Judging by Mr. Antlers' reaction, it seems that not even the palace has received this information yet. Then it must mean that you met Him in person.»
«I won't answer any personal questions».
«Well, go ahead. I can ask that son of a bitch salamander he met in the maze later».
Fox pursed his lips at Clown's offensive behavior and the turn naturally shifted to the next person.
«Then it's... my turn.» This time it was Antlers. Before saying his information, he made eye contact with me and then looked away with an awkward expression. It seemed that the lingering effect of the previous killing energy was still strong. Perhaps he was too proud to show it, as he did his best not to look affected. «The palace will soon issue a recruitment order for nobles with titles».
With that, Antlers fixed their eyes on Clown, as if to check Noark's reaction.
«Pshehe, do you think that's going to scare me? All I hear is that you're cornered with your back to the wall». Clown only sneered as usual, and Antlers did not react to his provocation, ending their turn.
When the green light went out, Crescent opened his mouth next to him. «It's my turn.» I was looking forward to your article as he was the most enthusiastic to provide information since he took the bait of the Revival Stone. Since he did not expect my attendance today, he made a disclaimer in advance. He seemed worried that he might disappoint me and stop coming again. «Unfortunately, I couldn't prepare anything special. This is related to Spirit of Blood». Surprisingly, quite interesting information came out of his mouth. «A few weeks ago, Blood Spirit took most of the support funds given by the palace to the fairies, claiming that it needed money. He did not reveal the reason».
In some ways, this incident was close to a scandal within the tribe. Queen of the soul, who listened attentively, expressed her doubts. «But can you take that amount without revealing the reason? Even if it was Blood Spirit? Will a palace support fund certainly not be small?»
«Definitely unprecedented. But the elders had no choice as she threatened to sell the sacred bow if they did not give her the money».
«... Sell the sacred bow?»
«It's embarrassing, but yes. Since she said money was vital, we have no choice but to trust that she has some reason she can't reveal».
Faced with Crescent's explanation, the other members could not hide their discomfort either. «Pshehe, what is that crazy woman planning?»
«If that woman requires a sum as large as that, I can only think of one thing.»
«I don't know what it is, but it looks like there will be more bloodshed».
I felt very strange for some reason. If these guys reacted like that, what was Erwen's image in front of the public?
No, before that... Did he tell me not to worry because he had a lot of money, but all of it was stolen from his tribe?
I was stunned. I was wondering how I had the capital to buy a mansion in one night, but to think this is what happened.
What will happen if the fairies find out about this? If it were me, I would be devastated.
As he thought this, Goblin spoke cautiously. «I-so... can I go now?»
Ah, now it's your turn. He was the paladin of Reatlas, right?
Since he knew for sure his identity along with Clown's, he was a little curious about what information he would reveal.
«The church has decided to send all forces except the First Order of Paladins to the royal army».
What, war again? Although I was disappointed, I ended up laughing.
Church? I guess he has no intention of hiding it anymore. Either that, or his identity has been revealed in the last two years.
Even as I wondered what kind of conversations were exchanged at the Round Table while I was away, I kept my ears open. Once a brief conversation about how the Church's actions would affect the war situation ended, the next person was about to speak.
«Psheje.» This time it was none other than Clown. «Why does everyone talk about such boring things when Mr. Lion has come after all this time?» Clown tilted his head exaggeratedly, then immediately changed the look in his eyes to say his information. «Baekho Lee has the Stone of Revival».
… ¿Eh?
The domino effect of the information Clown casually spat out was enormous, and the one who showed the most violent reaction was Crescent. Crescent, who always had hatred in his eyes every time he looked at Clown, could not hide his emotional shock and murmured: «Baekho Lee... the man the palace secretly ordered killed? Do you have the Revival Stone?» Crescent seemed surprised to hear about the Revival Stone, but I was different.
Why is Baekho mentioned here...?
Not only was it an unexpected name, but when did it become so famous? Two years ago, only a small number of people knew his name. And how did he get the Revival Stone? That was something you could never get without luck, even if you knew the acquisition method. Unfortunately, there was no time to go blank for long.
«How was? If it's related to Baekho, I thought you might be a little interested too.» As soon as the green light came on, Clown subtly asked me for my opinion.
After thinking about it for a moment, I responded. It was of greater value than the information I heard before. I was more curious about this than anything related to the war, but it would be strange to be too surprised. «It's certainly not bad». I expressed my feelings enough but I didn't overdo it. After all, reviews like this needed to be given for people to bring similar information in the future.
You should ask Erwen if she knows anything about Baekho once she gets back.
I organized this briefly and looked forward.
«Clown, is what you just said true?»
«Don't you realize?»
«Tell us more details, even a little—»
«Pshehe, I don't want to.»
Crescent, who had become a beggar in an instant, was being insulted by Clown. It was a shame, but I couldn't do anything. It was the first time I had heard that Baekho had the Revival Stone.
Hmm, this makes it inconvenient to use the Revival Stone as my piece... What should I mention later?
As she silently watched the situation to decide what information to reveal next, Soul Queen applauded and caught everyone's attention. «Now it's my turn?» Among the numerous members, she looked directly at me and spoke with a seductive voice. «There has been no record of Lion accessing Ghostbusters for the past two years and six months. Where the hell have you been all this time?»
And ...
On the 15th, the members of the community were forcibly summoned to this spiritual world. Well, there was a way to log out as soon as you logged in, but...
«What do you mean there is no access registration?»
«It's just like I said. There is no access log».
The fact that my login logs had completely disappeared was strange in many ways. He probably confirmed it through the general manager.
«That's why I thought you must be dead...»
Beyond simple death, this woman would be convinced that I was Bjorn Yandel because I was the only famous death during that time.
But did you feel a contradiction in the words of Queen of the Soul? Goblin asked a question. «M-dead? I thought you were waiting for him all this time?»
«No, the person I was waiting for was the Master. The one who created this Round Table. I have been visiting her regularly to check if she has returned».
«Ah...» Goblin was convinced, and then all eyes turned to me. It was clear what they wanted.
¡Shaaaa!
Since the Round Table was illuminated in green, it was true that he had not logged into the community for two and a half years. They must have expected an explanation from my own mouth.
«Oh, are you going to avoid responding? It's true, this should not be entertaining information for you—»
I interrupted her and said: «How daring».
«So is there any reason why I should be afraid?»
Looking into my eyes, her face seemed relaxed, as if even if I threw out the murderous energy that paralyzed Antlers, she had a way to counter it.
«Fun.»
«Oh, so will you tell us? I mean, what happened to you».
I looked at the jewel that had already lost its shine and replied: «Now it's my turn».
«Are you ignoring it?»
«Good.» I wasn't ignoring his question. To be exact, this was a punishment. «Magical engineer, Yurven Havellion». To maintain Lion's authority in the future, it was necessary to teach him properly, even if it was not with suppression by murderous energy. «That's the GM's name.»
Those who dare to rebel will be punished.