Ch. 201 - Gambling with Time (5)

Chapter 201: Gambling with Time (5)

Swoosh!!

It rained continuously.

"... So, you're having a good summer vacation, right?"

"Yes. It's a fulfilling vacation." Baek Yu-Seol reported his current location to Instructor Lee Han-Wol of Class S at Stella Academy, who was still busy with his intense job.

When Stella cadets were dispatched or on vacation, it was mandatory to send a letter once a week, but thanks to Florin’s help, he could report through a call instead.

Some might find calls more inconvenient, but since he was adept at lying, it wasn't a problem for him.

"I see. Have you been doing well so far?"

Lee Han-Wol also knew.

Recently, he had infiltrated the Kingdom of Adolevit and done something suspicious.

However, since there was no mention of Baek Yu-Seol in the newspapers or other media, it was awkward for him to bring it up.

"Yes. I've been enjoying the sun, drinking... not champagne, but cola at the beach."

"... I see."

He might be suspicious of something.

However, just as having suspicions alone isn’t enough to throw someone in jail. Baek Yu-Seol had a very clean and convincing alibi.

Even the protagonist of this incident, the third princess of Adolevit, would vouch for my alibi. What could Han-Wol do about it?

"... Be careful and come back safely."

After saying that, Han-Wol ended the call, and Baek Yu-Seol felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

He felt genuinely sorry for him, but he had no intention of returning immediately.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yes."

Florin pouted. She opened and closed her lips a few times before finally pressing them together.

It must have been a long time since she spent time outside like this, so it was understandable she felt reluctant. However, since they had already completed their first resonance through the divine artifact, there was no reason to continue spending time together wandering the city.

Both Florin and Baek Yu-Seol were busy, so it was only practical for them to go their separate ways quickly.

“...Will you be able to make time for me again?”

"Oh. If the queen asks, I’d quit school and come running."

"Hehe, there's no need to go that far... But it makes me happy to hear that."

‘Did she think it was just lip service? I was sincere.’

"Yes, it’s a shame, but we have to part ways today. The knights searching for me have already spread throughout the city..."

Even though it was just one night, the King's disappearance would be a huge shock for the knights.

Running away without saying anything; she seemed like more of a troublemaker than she appeared.

"Well then, I'll be off!"

Perhaps trying to shake off the lingering feelings, the queen ran toward the knights without looking back.

Though she still hadn't taken off her veil, her steps seemed much lighter, which was a relief.

‘To think that I’m the only one who has seen Florin’s bare face…’

This might be quite a unique experience.

“...Should I get going?”

Swoosh~!

The rain continued to fall steadily. The Stella Academy uniform had a basic waterproof feature, but one still needed an umbrella to avoid getting soaked.

This world also had a rainy season, and so, this journey would be accompanied by the sound of rain.

"Where are you headed?"

"To the Waning Moon Plains, to the Starcloud Trading Company."

——-

After buying a ticket and boarding the train, Baek Yu-Seol gazed out the window blankly. The scenery was blurred by raindrops.

Still, the world remained beautiful.

It seemed almost too precious to let it perish.

“Student, care to have your fortune told?”

A fortune teller who wandered through the train cars approached him. He showed her the Stella Academy mark and replied.

"I don't believe in that."

"Ah, you silly mage. Magic and astrology are clearly different."

Astrology was indeed a subject at Stella, but it was almost like a folk belief. It hadn't been magically proven, nor did it show clear effects like Lunar studies.

"If it's free, I'll listen."

So Baek Yu-Seol tried his luck. Most would get annoyed and leave at this point, while those trying to swindle money would try to pique his interest with a fortune reading.

"Alright, fine. What do you want me to read?"

It seemed this fortune teller was the latter type.

"Um... Love?"

The fortune teller smiled, revealing her crooked teeth. This was the most commonly asked question after all.

"You have the face of someone who should never take love lightly. I guarantee it."

… What?

"Usually, aren't you supposed to give some optimistic reading at this point? And you didn’t even ask for my name or birthday."

"Only amateurs ask for those things. Just by looking at the sky, I can read the celestial signs, and by meeting someone's gaze, I can see through their character. What is the need for a name or birthday?"

"Oh, I see."

Since Baek Yu-Seol didn't believe in fortune tellers, he just nodded vaguely.

“So, what is it? You say I shouldn’t take love lightly. Usually, they say you’ll meet someone within a few years or that it’s good to meet a certain person.”

“It’s exactly as I said. You shouldn’t meet people easily. A disaster on a continental scale will occur.”

“... Sure. Whatever you say.”

How could falling in love cause a disaster on a continental scale? It was so absurd that he didn’t even want to listen anymore.

"So, is there anything else you're curious about?"

"I have no money."

"Tsk, money isn’t the issue. Alright, I’ve had enough fun for now. Tsk, tsk, we’ll meet again.”

“... Excuse me?”

Baek Yu-Seol was about to ask what she meant, but the fortune teller, who had been standing right in front of him, vanished in an instant.

The space was suddenly empty.

“What the...?”

He hurriedly ran into the train corridor and looked around, but there was no trace of anyone.

Her movements were so ghostly that even his magical senses couldn’t detect her.

“Seriously... What was that...?”

The thought of an unidentified presence sent chills down his spine.

——-

The expedition led by Jeliel discovered the ruins of ancient Karmenset and proceeded smoothly. With the help of her father’s connections, a Class 7 mage joined them, and seasoned veteran adventurers cleared the way.

The traps set up with ancient magic were hard to detect even with modern magic, and lingering spirits constantly gnawed at the expedition's mental strength, but they pressed on without delay.

All thanks to the power of wealth.

It was the result of gathering the world’s top adventurers.

Boom!!

“You... are... granted... entry...”

After defeating the guardian that protected the final gate of ancient Karmenset, the Class 7 mage, Catherpilt, approached Jeliel and spoke.

"Miss. Only the final gate remains."

“... Well done.”

It had not been an easy journey, and Jeliel was in rough shape.

Her top-tier robe and adventurer suit were long torn and dirtied, but her face was glowing with light.

‘Finally, finally, finally...!’

Her heart was pounding.

As Jeliel walked forward, the mages and adventurers parted to clear the way for her.

The final gate.

A soul chess match with the ancient Karmenset.

Only one person could face that great entity and play chess here.

‘I’ve been practicing just for this day.’

With her brilliant mind, she had neglected magic and focused solely on studying and researching soul chess to achieve the highest level of skill in the world.

Rustle...

An eerie mist began to rise, and two red dots appeared in the air. Instinctively, the adventurers realized that these were the eyes of something.

Everyone drew their staff and aimed, but Jeliel raised her hand to stop them.

"... A pitiful and wretched soul has come seeking me. What is the reason you have awakened me?"

A deep and heavy voice echoed. Just hearing it made their knees tremble, but she managed to keep from collapsing.

"Eternal life. I want to live forever."

“Yes, I thought so.”

She desired eternal life.

To live forever?

No.

She must obtain eternal life to save her father, who had little time left.

"I will grant your wish."

But.

"If you win in a game of soul chess against me... Heh, heh."

Boom!

Suddenly, the terrain began to collapse, rise, crumble, and form again, causing the adventurers to shout in confusion towards Jeliel.

"Miss!"

"Stay calm!"

She did not show fear and did not move a single step from her spot.

After a moment of waiting, the place where Jeliel was standing had turned into a giant chessboard.

Behind her were numerous chess pieces, but one crucial piece was missing: the king.

Karmenset let out an unpleasant, cackling laugh.

"You will move as the king yourself. If you lose... your soul will become mine."

There were many legends and tales recorded about Karmenset. He tempted people by promising to grant any wish if they win in a game of soul chess, only to take their souls.

The countless spirits that had tormented Jeliel’s expedition throughout the ruins were likely the souls of those who had come to challenge Karmenset and lost.

‘He grants any wish...’

But no one had ever succeeded in having their wish granted... A legend filled only with terrible infamy.

"Heh. So, will you still play soul chess?"

Was there any need to hesitate? She had lived her whole life for this moment.

"Of course."

Jeliel nodded without hesitation, and Karmenset shouted in an excited voice.

"Good! Just thinking about seizing your noble soul excites me too! Let’s start soul chess right away!"

Boom!

Karmenset's chess pieces moved and arranged themselves. Jeliel stepped back, took the position of the king, closed her eyes, and raised her hand.

Then, the chess pieces began to move and position themselves according to her command.

"I won't lose."

In soul chess, the strategy began the moment the pieces were placed on the board.

Jeliel arranged a very special formation. She had never used it before, but she learned this strategy after experiencing a crushing defeat against Baek Yu-Seol.

The defeat was painful, but it allowed her to grow even more.

"Well then, let’s begin! I'm curious to see your skills, Young Lady!!"

Clack!

Karmenset's chess pieces moved, and thus began the true soul chess with their souls at stake.

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