Chapter 133
Searching through the graveyard was far from a pleasant task.
The dungeon had been lost for five years, so all the corpses were in a state of decay, making it impossible to identify anyone.
Instead, they focused on the pile of personal belongings.
It could have felt like looking for a needle in a haystack, but it didn’t take as long as expected.
Thanks to Ken’s descriptions of her family crest, her brother Sean’s ring, weapon, and Raul’s sensing abilities and psychokinesis, they pulled out similar items.
A blood-stained ring and necklace, a dull spear, and a rotted spear shaft.
Ken knelt, trembling as she examined each item.
Hiding an expression that seemed on the verge of tears, Ken nodded, and Raul moved to the location where he had found the items.
Among the decayed and rust-eaten armory, Raul found a leather bag and a pouch.
Rummaging through the bag, Raul’s hand grasped a small journal marked with blood-stained fingerprints.
After getting Ken’s permission, Raul opened the journal and began to read about Sean’s experiences from the moment he heard about the dungeon:
September 7: Heard about Zeinak’s dungeon from Fabian. Though we didn’t get along since I took the top spot in the academy entrance, it’s suspicious that he’s sharing this information.
September 10: The rumors about the dungeon proved true. Fabian, the youngest son of Marquis McNeil, seems to want to make amends. He proposed we tackle the dungeon without the adults knowing.
September 12: I hesitated but accepted his offer. With so many people swarming the dungeon, waiting for support from the main house would take too long. I’ve decided to reclaim the family’s lost techniques on my own.
September 15: We successfully breached the dungeon’s entrance with the guards and soldiers. Fabian is cooperative, and if things continue this way, conquering the dungeon shouldn’t be too difficult.
September 19: Something’s wrong. Contrary to what Fabian said, the dungeon is filled with spirits. Thankfully, the priest he brought along has helped secure our camp, but can we really conquer the dungeon in this state?
September 21: We’ve been betrayed. Fabian’s group vanished overnight. My hired mercenary guide also disappeared, suggesting he was in on it. In a single day, everyone except the guards was killed. I must find a way out alive.
September 24: Found the bodies of the priest and the guide. This must be Fabian’s doing. The entrance we came through has completely disappeared. Only one guard and I are left. I worry about Kaylee if I don’t make it back. Her stepmother will not leave her alone. We should never have entered this cursed dungeon.
September 2……
The remaining entries were incomprehensible, written in a disjointed scrawl.
Ken’s tears finally fell as she finished reading the journal. Her clenched fists and pale lips reflected her cold fury.
‘Fabian of the Marquis McNeil family.’
She had heard that Marquis Clifford de McNeil, an axe master, had sired a late son after turning forty.
Though Fabian wasn’t exceptionally talented, the Marquis doted on him, even creating a personal knight order for him.
‘He reminds me of someone else….’
Regardless, Raul internally offered his condolences.
A woman harboring a grudge can bring frost even in the height of summer, and this woman was a terrifying knight who would soon reach the master level.
“Sir Ken. I am deeply sorry about your brother. As for Fabian….”
Anticipating what Raul was about to say, Ken bowed her head and spoke first.
“I have already pledged my loyalty to you, Master. I have no intention of causing you trouble with my personal vendetta.”
She handed the journal to Raul. Ken’s eyes burned with determination as she handed the journal to Raul.
“I’ll leave this journal in your care, Master. However… if we ever cross paths with Marquis McNeil, please let me be at the forefront!”
Her eyes were fierce with resolve. Raul met her gaze and promised, “I swear on my honor that I will give you the opportunity for rightful vengeance, Sir Ken. But remember, that revenge must be carried out by your own strength.”
“Thank you, Master. I will train even harder to ensure that I do not bring dishonor to your name.”
It wasn’t the time to clash with the Marquis McNeil family just yet, and Raul had no intention of provoking a feud over Ken alone.
‘Taking care of Fabian alone won’t be difficult.’
Raul knew that underhanded tactics weren’t exclusive to Fabian. He already had a few ideas on how to eliminate him.
But there was no rush. It seemed likely that conflicts with the Marquis McNeil family were inevitable.
‘And when the time comes, it won’t be our family bearing the brunt. Would the Greer Marquis family just overlook this if they knew?’
Raul glanced down at the blood-stained journal and smirked slightly.
*
As planned, Zeinak’s Dungeon was quietly relocated to Raul’s stronghold in the Calix territory.
All valuable loot left behind in the dungeon was retrieved and stored in Raul’s warehouse, and the dungeon itself was transformed into a training ground where apprentices could receive guidance from the two ancient masters.
The branch managers from the Free Cities, including Bernard, visited in turn to elevate their psychokinetic abilities to the next level.
However, Raul hadn’t yet announced the dungeon’s existence to the public. He intended to coordinate with the Greer Marquis family when the timing was opportune.
Raul focused intently on training his forces and refining the knights, remaining vigilant of the shifting circumstances around his territory.
One month later.
Raul, riding a horse alongside Palmer, the branch manager, visited a quaint mansion in the Mira branch of the First Knight Order.
“Welcome, Master.”
“Long time no see, Nakia.”
Apart from the weekly remote meetings, it had been almost a month since they had met in person.
Approaching her late twenties, Nakia exuded an air of mature femininity, and her brighter demeanor only enhanced her beauty.
Rumor had it that guild-affiliated knights frequently visited the quaint mansion, and Raul wished nothing but happiness for her in this life.
Contrary to Raul’s concerns, Nakia’s skills had improved dramatically, reaching the level of a 6-circle mage. Unlike her previous self, she developed highly effective and normal potions.
Freed from her vengeance against the Empire and with adequate support, her hidden genius had blossomed.
“Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule. I planned this meal to celebrate Niki’s full recovery and to express gratitude to you, Master.”
In the dining room, Bernard, Philip, and other executives who had connections with Nakia were already seated. The guest of honor, Niki, was dressed beautifully, eagerly awaiting Raul.
“Thank you, Young master Raul, for saving my life and curing my illness. I will never forget your kindness and will live my life to the fullest.”
Niki, now a lively fourteen-year-old, had regained the energy of a normal girl, unlike her previous frail self.
Though still short due to prolonged illness, she had inherited her sister’s beauty, radiating a charming cuteness.
The bachelors of the knights (Philip, Jake, and Pierce) looked at Niki with fond smiles, and Raul’s expression was no different.
The meal was filled with warmth and cheer. Being among the guild’s early members, they reminisced and laughed about past events and celebrated Niki’s bright future.
“So, Niki, what do you want to do from now on?”
The conversation naturally drifted towards Niki’s future plans.
Having missed out on a proper education due to her illness, everyone had different opinions.
However, everyone agreed that Niki should ultimately do what she genuinely wanted.
‘She’s not even their child, yet everyone is so concerned. Tsk tsk.’
Raul clicked his tongue inwardly, though he had contributed his fair share to the conversation.
On the outside, Raul appeared to be a 16-year-old boy, but inside, he was Bae Dohyun, a lifelong bachelor in his forties.
Feeling the weight of everyone’s gazes, Niki hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking.
“I-I want to study at the academy.”
“…The academy?”
“Which academy are you thinking of?”
Everyone’s tension was palpable. For a commoner to enter an academy was a potential fast track to success, but it was also exceedingly demanding.
No matter how much Raul and the knights cared for her, the barrier of social status was something they couldn’t ignore.
“The First Knight Order Academy. Even though it’s usually attended by outsiders, I want to learn there too.”
“Hm.”
Their expressions softened a bit, but there were still many thoughts running through their minds. Although things had been calm so far, the general perception of ‘outsiders’ was still unsettled.
Sensing the atmosphere, Niki clenched her fist and stood up.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what I want to study yet. But I heard the academy offers a variety of classes. I’ve been told I can learn about many different things, not just fighting. Isn’t that true?”
‘What should I do?’
Raul scratched his head, deep in thought.
Based on Niki’s talents and traits displayed in her status window, it seemed right to provide her with relevant education. However, he didn’t want to force her into anything she didn’t want.
Despite Niki being the first SS-grade potential he had ever seen and a life he had personally saved, he wanted to watch her grow freely.
“Alright. We’ll do that.”
Niki’s face lit up, and she clenched her tiny fists in joy.
“Is that okay?”
“What’s not okay? The chancellor and instructors are all our guild members. How hard can it be to look after one Niki?”
“True enough. I’ll keep a special eye on her.”
Branch Manager Palmer confidently stepped in with a fatherly smile, and everyone nodded in agreement.
“I’ll have a word with the instructors.”
“I’ll let our non-combat master craftsmen know.”
With everyone promising to look out for Niki, Nakia felt a bit embarrassed but expressed her thanks. From what Raul had seen, Niki’s aptitudes leaned towards beast summoning and taming.
‘I wonder what path she’ll take?’
Raul was curious whether Niki would find her natural talents or choose another path altogether. Whatever she chose, Raul would support her. He had no intention of dragging young Niki into the chaotic battlefield.
After the meal, Raul had a private conversation with Nakia.
“How are the new recruits? Are they going to be helpful?”
“Yes. Given their tough backgrounds, they all seem very motivated.”
Recently, Raul had brought back about twenty alchemists from the capital. Though their ages and skills varied greatly, they shared a common trait: they had all accrued significant debt and lost their jobs due to the recent gate incident.
The gate crisis that swept across the Connect continent had adversely affected residents in many ways. With trade routes disrupted by monster occupation, commerce had come to a standstill, and lords imposed nearly unbearable taxes to fund territorial repairs.
The economy was paralyzed, and alchemists who relied on potion making for a living found their livelihoods severely impacted.
Raul had reached out to Gray, a consultant for the Alchemist Guild, to find such individuals, and he had attached them to Nakia for training.
“So, can we start running the factory at full capacity now?”
“With the apprentices I’ve been teaching and the new recruits, I think it’s definitely possible.”
“Good. Then let’s plan to begin full production next month. Let me know which products would be best for mass production.”
“Alright, I’ll choose the products based on the availability of supplies.”
“I’m counting on you.”
One of Raul’s planned projects was finally taking off. It was the first step in his plan to dominate the elixir market, aimed at garnering a steady stream of revenue from players.
‘The consumables market is always profitable.’
As he envisioned becoming the potion king of Connect, Raul couldn’t help but smile.
(To be continued)