Damned System

Chapter 72. Reunion and Meeting (4)

“The Outsider mentioned in the prophecy…”

The news that Rashar had brought the Outsider from the prophecy had also reached Hemar.

Just as he was about to ask about it properly, K spoke up first.

“By the way, here.”

As K lowered his gaze, a black object tucked under his arm came into view.

“Is that Blackwood…?”

“I brought it along since it didn’t disappear even after the test ended. Can I keep it?”

The fact that he was asking for permission implied it was not K’s own item.

“But that is not something from the order either, is it?”

So, where did K get that from?

He had emerged from the prayer room where there was nothing but a statue of a goddess.

Could the Blackwood have just dropped out there? No way.

“Is it an expensive item?”

“It is indeed rare…”

In the current state of the Palao Order, it was a high-end item that was hard to even see.

If they sold this thing the size of a human head, it could cover a month’s upkeep for the Habon Temple.

With a confused expression, Hemar confirmed it up close to ensure his eyes weren’t deceiving him. It was indeed Blackwood.

Hemar, who had been gazing at the split Blackwood fragment in a bewildered state, looked up.

The prayer room from which K had come was already closed again.

Recalling the familiar divinity felt there, Hemar calmly nodded his head.

“If Palao has arranged it, it rightly belongs in K’s hands.”

“You said it was valuable.”

“Consider it a congratulatory and welcoming gift.”

What had occurred in the prayer room, he did not know.

However, even without being told, there were things that could be understood.

And if that were to be processed, it could produce a couple of useful weapons.

When the crucial moment approached, those weapons might protect the life of someone heading to the battlefield.

Since they were now able to support the Outsider as instructed by the Main Headquarters, it was better not to be greedy and let it go.

“A congratulatory gift? How did you know about the results… Oh, is there an alert on the order’s homepage?”

“I’m not sure about what alert you mean, but you seemed quite at ease on your way out, so I guessed.”

“Hmm… Well, since you’re giving it to me, I’ll use it gratefully.”

K scratched the back of his head and as he waved his hand, the Blackwood vanished.

“Was he a mage?”

Judging by his solid physique, Hemar thought he might be a knight.

As Hemar unconsciously scrutinized K, he soon shook his head.

“He could have magic tools.”

To observe him thoroughly like this would be quite impolite.

Moreover, no matter what his identity, the fact remained he would be someone who would stand along the name of Palao in the future.

“And furthermore…”

K expressed with a troubled and complex expression, seemingly conflicted.

“Speaking just personally, have you no intention of revising the content of the test?”

“What?”

“There are a lot of weird ones in our world. If you call them lunatics, or maybe mentally challenged, you’d understand.”

K tapped his own head a few times with his fingers as his voice hardened.

“Knowing that attack power is attribute mana could make it quite popular. What do you think about filtering them more strictly?”

“Hmm…”

Hemar did not fully grasp the meaning or the motive of what K said.

But he at least understood it was some form of a warning and advice.

“I will definitely report it to the priests upon their arrival.”

Thus, instead of dismissing K’s words lightly, he chose to take them to heart.

“By the way, am I actually admitted? The symbol doesn’t appear.”

“…?”

“Oh, right. Where do you receive the order’s mark? Do I need to receive that before the symbol comes up?”

But his subsequent words made Hemar too embarrassed to lift his head.

“I truly apologize. We should have gotten ready and received you correctly.”

The Outsiders had been informed of Palao’s disappearance.

He had personally admitted to the fragile position of the order.

“And even so, you chose our order, which seemed like no one would come to.”

Hemar, who served Palao, couldn’t even give K a proper answer to his questions.

“Then, when does someone who has completed the education arrive?”

“They are expected to arrive today or tomorrow.”

“Then, a day or two… I’ll drop by in a few days.”

“I really am sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

K responded with an indifferent attitude as if it really wasn’t a big deal.

Then, he nodded to indicate he was leaving.

Afterward, he turned away without a trace of reluctance.

Hemar watched as K, with his long legs, strode back the way he had come.

“Wouldn’t you at least like a cup of tea before you go?”

“I plan to make a quick round.”

“Round, as in…”

“The other orders. A kind of exploration… it’s something like that.”

K’s legs were so long that it was tough to keep up with him, even though Hemar tried.

Just as he was about to quicken his pace, K’s steps slowed down.

Thanks to that, he could catch his breath and leisurely make his way to the entrance.

“Where’s the nearest order? Humility? Kindness?”

“If you intend to check them all out, it’ll be quicker to start with Senoa Order in the east.”

After that, passing by the World Tree statue to head to the Finelpenia Temple would be the fastest way to visit the temples.

“If Senoa is to the east…”

K nodded as if he confirmed something in his mind.

“It seems they are arranged in sequence here too.”

“Sorry?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Well then, I’ll be off.”

With those words, K gracefully turned to leave.

Hemar watched his back recede and let out a sigh, murmuring softly.

“What an intriguing person…”

He truly was. His demeanor seemed flippant yet respectful, and somewhat in a hurry.

Yet, Hemar couldn’t shake off the feeling of politeness he exuded.

If he thought about it quietly, he might have figured out why, but it was strangely difficult to pinpoint it in words.

Hemar stood there, immersed in his thoughts, unable to break away from the strange feelings as he watched the direction K disappeared to.

Suddenly, a loud noise startled him.

“Ahhhh! My legs!”

“Out of the way, out of the way!”

“Ah, the portal is quite different from teleportation magic…”

Turning around, Hemar found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

A cluster of about a dozen priests was huddled together, moving frantically.

Among them were certainly the apprentices who had left for the headquarters.

“What in the world…?”

Magic couldn’t be used in the temple anymore.

When a large orb appeared atop the World Tree statue, the mages associated with the Resistance had visited to confirm.

So, how did those supposed to be in the headquarters appear not just outside, but inside the temple?

Stunned by the unexpected turnaround, Hemar was left speechless.

Soon enough, Rashar suddenly dropped out of thin air.

“Agh! Who is this?! Don’t press on me!”

“R-Rashar, I’m dying!”

Landing not on the ground, but on top of the priests, she darted her eyes around fiercely and shouted.

“K!”

Hemar retreated a step in surprise, just as Rashar found him.

“Priest Hemar!”

Jumping down from the priests, she rushed to him in an instant.

With a terrifying aura, she demanded fiercely.

“Where is K?!”

“He…he has already left.”

Feeling overwhelmed by Rashar’s intensity, Hemar managed to blurt out a response.

But before he could finish speaking, Rashar dashed out of the temple at lightning speed.

“No, not that side…”

He hastily opened his mouth again, but unfortunately, Rashar was already gone.

It was towards the main gate where the World Tree statue was, not towards the Senoa Temple.

“If she goes that way, she’ll miss him…”

Should he try running with his old body?

Or would it be better to send a young fellow to pass on the news?

“Well, they seemed to have already established a connection.”

Since K seemed intent on finding Rashar, they would surely meet again even if left as is.

Once he calmed his thoughts, a presence was felt behind him.

“Priest Hemar.”

Someone had approached stealthily.

In his 30s, perhaps? The man with a single lens over one eye and his long hair loosely tied was none other than Jordan Rodiel.

Hemar’s nephew and a talented individual who assisted the Supreme High Priest at the order’s headquarters.

“Priest Jordan, long time no see. How fares the Supreme High Priest?”

“Though he chants about dying soon, he’s perfectly fine. Have you been well?”

“An old man’s life is always the same. I’m no different from those folks.”

While the two exchanged greetings, the priests who had been stacked like sandwiches were also getting up one by one.

Unlike Rashar who had left hastily, the remaining priests were gradually regaining their composure.

“I didn’t expect you to come in person. Why did you leave the Supreme High Priest’s side?”

“It signifies just how seriously the order is taking this matter.”

Jordan, who answered neatly, looked over his shoulder and spoke.

“Let’s first get East and West Halls ready. The Outsiders have already arrived, so hurry up.”

“Yes, Priest Jordan.”

Urged by him, the priests accompanying him hastily moved their feet.

Hemar, too, couldn’t escape the urgency emanating from Jordan.

“Priest Hemar, you too must hurry. There’s a lot you need to learn.”

“I can pack my things quickly enough. But… how do we deal with the mages?”

The headquarters of all the orders, including Palao’s, had moved residence to the Imperial Capital of Atar.

That place was currently the safest.

The issue was, to walk from Habon to Atar’s Capital would take at least two weeks.

Normally, using a space-time mage’s assistance for teleportation could get a person there in a day.

Yet, there was no sign of any mage who would guide him.

‘Rashar usually moves with Ahel Balletia when going out.’

Thanks to the priests scattering to find their tasks, only Hemar and Jordan remained at the temple entrance.

And Ahel was nowhere to be seen.

Did he leave with Rashar earlier, perhaps? Hemar searched his memory, but no, he hadn’t seen Ahel at the temple.

Jordan’s unexpected reply to his query broke his train of thought.

“Oh, no additional magic is necessary.”

“Hm?”

“The portal configuration, it creates connections between temples, you see. Now we can reach any temple with a Palao portal in one go.”

Configuration? Hemar didn’t understand Jordan’s words and tilted his head in confusion.

But instead of explaining in detail, Jordan pushed Hemar’s back and said.

“You’ll know when you go.”

“Whoa, whoa,” exclaimed Hemar as Jordan gently nudged him to move.

As he stepped forward, Hemar blinked at what he saw.

“Today, let’s just connect to the homepage and register as members.”

Looking closely, he noticed the mark of Palao engraved where the priests had appeared earlier.

These halls never had such symbols before.

“Shall we?”

Standing beside Hemar, Jordan blinked and a white aura enveloped the two of them.

Next moment, when Hemar opened his eyes.

“Priest Hemar, did you meet the Outsider?!”

The Supreme High Priest, Yuria, who should have been at the order’s headquarters, approached with a flushed face.

Damned System