Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 145

Episode 145. Bae Jae-shu

The House of Lortelle.

A space made entirely of iron, without any special decorations.

In a desolate landscape devoid of warmth, Gaju Muhad was a sword. No, he was steel.

And in front of that steel stood a wizard.

Compared to Muhard, he has an infinitely weak and delicate presence.

Sitting on a steel throne, Gaju Muhad looked at the wizard with weary eyes.

“Go back.”

Colorless, odorless eyes that contain no emotion whatsoever.

“I won’t give up my neck for your efforts.”

With those words, Muhad averted his gaze from Aster.

It was then that Aster's mouth opened.

“……Did I mishear you?”

"He said it was below expectations. He told me to step aside, saying he would spare my life if I made a fuss."

It was then that Muhad's gaze fell on Aster again.

"The Magic Tower and the Sword Garden were quite interesting. The information they provided was captivating. However, the owner of the tower is like this…"

Indifferent eyes, without contempt or disappointment.

Muhad didn't finish his speech, but it wasn't hard to infer what he was saying.

So to speak… …yeah.

'Substandard.'

Now, Muhard is assessing the capabilities of the tower and the swordsman through Aster's presence.

It was truly a derogatory remark, and it was then that the corners of Aster's mouth curled up in a bitter manner.

“So, just be grateful that I saved your life and get lost?”

It was a rude remark to make in front of the master of Lortel, but Muhad didn't care.

Because I have never felt insulted by bugs or microbes.

However, he only expressed his approval through silence.

It was at that moment that Aster burst out laughing.

“What the… are all the heads of prestigious families just the sons of thieves?”

That was the moment.

Chaeng! Chaeng!

Dozens of blades rushing through the darkness!

The shadow knights, unable to bear their lord's insults, came out.

It was truly a dizzying sight.

Even though my senses have been dulled by internal injuries, how can I not sense the dozens of people hiding in this open space?

but.

Aster looked at the rushing sword tip with a calm look in his eyes.

Just then, the Shadow Knights were about to attack Aster.

It was at that moment that Muhad's mouth opened.

"stop."

Shadow knights who stop their swords at a single command.

Aster looked at the icy tip of the sword and grinned.

“That would be great, huh? Some people can't even open their mouths if their noses are cut off with their eyes open, while others, just because they're cursed at once, have their subordinates pull out their swords, huh?”

“He was crazy.”

“You can't bear it without going crazy? The world is like this, it's so messed up?”

Kaak, hoo!

The Shadow Knights' swords sparked with murder at that rude attitude.

but.

"Hey, it's sharp. Huh? It'll cut you real bad, right? But what can I do? The owner told me to stop? What the heck? Aren't you going to close your eyes?"

Aster pressed his fingertips against the tip of the nearest sword. Blood dripped from the sharp blade, but Aster paid no attention and stared at Muhad.

“Okay, I’ll eat your belly.”

Aster lying down with a bang.

“I don’t know about anything else, but I can’t stand being eaten alive. Cut open my stomach. If you want to kill me, kill me. If you want to save me, save me. Okay?”

Even if it's Lortel, this is crossing the line.

'Those rotten things, if they admit it, then they did it. What?'

You're changing your mind now?

Give me the Magap Kalium, give me the information on the Impir family, and also give me the first sword and the grapple(?).

I've done everything I can.

“I don’t know about anything else, but I can’t go until you hand over the Infinite Chain, so do as you please.”

Like that, Aster lay down on the big chair.

Muhard looked at Aster with indifferent eyes.

One, Muhard was indeed a strong opponent.

At this point, even the coldest of people would be terrified or at least laugh in disbelief.

Because there was no sign of any emotional disturbance.

just…….

“…….”

He just kept his mouth shut and remained silent as if observing.

It was at that moment that a voice came to Muhad's ear.

[Please take action.]

The Shadow Knight Commander stood behind Muhard, his sharp eyes fixed on Aster.

[If you order me to do so, I will cut it down immediately.]

In fact, it was the head of the household who ordered the sword to be drawn in response to Aster's insult.

The final test is to see if the author is worthy of the sword's approval.

Of course, since the head of the household had already judged the test as 'disappointing', it didn't really mean much anymore… … Anyway.

So, the Shadow Knight Commander awaits Muhad's orders.

Muhad's mouth opened.

“Master of the Tower, won’t you regret it?”

The Shadow Knight Commander tilted his head at the head of the family's question.

'……what?'

Given the lord's personality, if he had decided to cut, he would have simply cut. Instead of asking questions like this, he could have confirmed it.

But why?

'Is it possible that you are interested?'

Maybe that could have been the case.

Even madness becomes extraordinary when it crosses the line, but the actions of the owner of the tower surpassed even the extraordinary.

So, are you going to take the test again?

If the owner of the tower shows up here with a strong presence… … .

That was when the Shadow Knight Commander thought so.

Sigh.

Muhard snapping his fingers.

'… … .'

It was a simple signal without any explanation, but the Shadow Knight Commander, who had served Muhard for a long time, immediately understood its meaning.

‘… … It’s not a test.’

If we infer from that signal, it was like this.

– Cut the neck.

If you say you have no regrets, it means that you should do as you wish.

It was a bit interesting for a moment, but it only lasted that long.

So, the Shadow Knight Commander prepares to give orders to the knights.

It was at that moment that the owner of the tower suddenly stood up.

“Are you crazy? Are you really going to rip my stomach open?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to die?”

“No, that’s what I mean.”

The owner of the tower grumbles and gets up from his seat.

He straightened his clothes and shook his head.

“Come to think of it, it’s better to be a fool than a fool.”

"underneath?"

“I hope you get well soon.”

The Shadow Knight Commander frowned at that sight.

‘… …What the hell is that kid doing?’

To be honest, the behavior of the tower master just now was enough to make even the commander of the Shadow Knights feel a sense of grandeur.

Although he was angry at the rudeness shown in front of his lord, there weren't many people who were this confident(?) in front of the master of a noble family.

But, this is… … .

'Is that the head of a group?'

One, the embarrassment was only for a moment.

The Shadow Knight Commander asked the Lord for his opinion again.

[… … I will cut it.]

It's not 'Should I ring?'

I wanted to cut it.

But why is that?

"hmm."

Gaju Muhad, who was drooling while holding his chin.

It was at that moment that the Shadow Knight Commander's eyes widened as if they were going to tear.

‘The Lord… laughed?’

Even though her face hadn't changed a bit, he could tell.

The Lord is smiling right now.

When the Shadow Knight Commander thought about it that far.

The command of the head of the household was given.

“Everyone, please leave.”

What does this mean?

“I will have a private meeting with the owner of the tower.”

It meant that the owner of the tower would be treated as the head of a group.

[… … Honorable name.]

The Shadow Knight Commander slinked away from the main hall. The other Shadow Knights followed suit.

In the midst of all this.

The Knight Commander thought endlessly.

'Why on earth?'

It was a complicated feeling.

Meanwhile, Aster also had complicated feelings.

‘… …f*ck, what the hell?’

Could it be that you've changed your mind? Are you trying to kill me?

It was a question most people would have kept to themselves. But Aster was no ordinary person.

“Are you going to kill me? No… Are you going to kill me?”

It was at that moment that the corners of Muhad's mouth went up.

A somewhat cool smile.

Aster could be sure.

‘… … Rotten, that’s right.’

… … It was an obvious mistake.

* * *

“Look here.”

As the Shadow Knight Commander left the battlefield with a sense of wonder, someone called out to him.

The Shadow Knight Commander stopped walking at the call of the old knight who had seen through his hiding self.

“……One sword.”

“How was it?”

“What do you mean?”

The Shadow Knight Commander asked with a trembling expression.

It wasn't because of Aster. He just didn't like the way Hamelin looked at him.

Hamelin, whose name, Ilgyeom, sometimes became light, was something I was not happy about even before.

However, Hamelin paid no attention to the Shadow Knight Commander's attitude, which was blatantly showing his dislike.

"The master of the tower said so. Judging by your presence, it seems the master has taken a liking to you…"

“You saw it right.”

"I'm sure I heard you say it was 'disappointing.' What made you reconsider your decision?"

Oh, is this what you were wondering about?

Only then did the Shadow Knight Commander realize why Hamelin had gone out of his way to hold him back.

He too, heard the Lord's opinion before the gates of Daejeon closed.

But, if you ask why… … .

'Why?'

I was curious about that too.

That would be the case, because in the Shadow Knight Commander's view, there was absolutely no reason for the Lord to reconsider his judgment.

‘I thought it was quite strong, but… … .’

Even that was just a bluff.

No, it wasn't a bluff.

What should I do?

'Clearly, his gaze remained unwavering amidst the Shadow Knights' offensive. It wasn't that of someone who cared about their lives.'

He calmly stares at the tip of the sword reaching out towards him.

What would have happened if the lord hadn't stopped him then? I would have been torn to shreds by the edge of a sword.

However, the owner of the tower was not shaken.

This was also the case when he acted disrespectfully in front of his family.

It was as if it was a symbol that said, "If you really want to cut my stomach, cut it."

So, it wasn't a bluff.

But.

– Are you crazy? Are you really going to rip my stomach open?

– Didn't you say you wanted to die?

– No, that's just what it says. Come to think of it, being a sucker is better than being a loser.

That attitude is… … .

Yeah, literally, 'when I think about it', I don't want to get dumped.

So, what can we call this?

It is too trivial to be called extraordinary, and too rude to be called trivial, because it goes beyond the limit and seems extraordinary.

Does that mean I'm cowardly?

‘… … Not even that.’

The Shadow Knight Commander tried to understand Muhad's feelings, but he couldn't find an answer.

Because of that, his face hardened, and Hamelin, misunderstanding his expression, secretly urged him on.

"I'm not asking you to tell me such a big secret. Just tell me exactly what you saw."

"hmm."

Hamelin stared at the troubled Shadow Knight Commander.

It's something he's really curious about.

It wasn't often that the Lord reconsidered his judgment. Especially when he even went so far as to say, "It's disappointing!"

but.

“I don’t know either. If you get the chance later, ask me directly.”

The Shadow Knight Commander, without any further explanation, feigned ignorance and then disappeared without a trace.

So, I was left alone.

"……her."

Hamelin just laughed in vain.

“That bastard…….”

Were you less timid when you were younger?

'I was so close with my teacher… . . . '

He ate a lot of rice because his head was a bit big.

Of course, that's why he became the leader of the Shadow Knights, but it's inevitable that he feels annoyed.

“Hmm, I guess there’s nothing I can do.”

Hamelin, forgetting even his dignity, collapsed in front of the Great Hall.

The person involved… … So, it would be absurd to ask the lord, so we decided to ask the owner of the tower directly.

So, how much time has passed?

Squeak—

The heavy iron door opened and the owner of the tower appeared.

Hamelin abruptly stood up and walked toward the tower's master. He then asked a question to satisfy his curiosity.

“Hey, wait a minute… huh?”

Before he could even take a few steps, Hamelin had to stop.

That's understandable.

“…….”

Unlike when he entered, his face was pale, almost frozen. He must have been in for a major shock.

At that moment, Hamelin was wondering.

“Are you the master of the tower? The Lord of the Soga is looking for you.”

The attendant sent by Sogaju took the owner of the tower away.

and.

“Ilgum, come inside.”

“…….”

The lord who calls himself in Daejeon.

But why is that?

“Let’s have a drink.”

In contrast to the owner of the tower, his mood seemed unusually good.

‘What on earth happened inside…?’

It was something I couldn't understand.