The Game of the Greatest Black Mage
Chapter 140

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 140

4.

Clip-clop! Clip-clop! Clip-clop!

Neigh-hehehe! Neigh-hehehe! Neigh-hehehe!

Eight horses galloped fiercely over the well-maintained stone paving of the city.

Their musculature, their powerful strength…

Everything about them indicated they were fine steeds of good lineage.

No, in some ways, they looked like famed warhorses, excellent for use in battle.

However, these warhorses were harnessed to a carriage, ornate yet decorated in a subtle, ink-black hue, pulling it along.

They were performing a task that seemed entirely unsuited to them.

But upon seeing the flag emblazoned with a single crest fluttering above the carriage…

Everyone couldn't help but acquiesce.

『Over Palace』

An eight-horse carriage also signified nobility or royalty.

It was something that might displease the city's ruler if they knew.

Yet, rather, the city guards, upon seeing the flag, would subtly move aside or turn their bodies to avoid obstructing its path.

That was how much the name Over Palace implied.

Those connected to power feared it.

And ordinary citizens, lacking power, revered the flag signifying Over Palace with expressions of gratitude and respect.

Meanwhile, the one user riding in such a carriage, Seonghyun…

“Hmmmm.”

Was simply feeling perplexed.

To think he would enter the city in such a flashy manner.

He was wearing a mask, so his face wasn't visible.

But he even felt as if he were stripped bare.

He had handled the situation calmly enough.

But whenever he was excessively praised or put in the spotlight like this, Seonghyun was one to invariably feel his face grow hot.

“I greet the Great Successor once more!!! I am called Belmore Arcadius, Branch Manager of the Over Palace Pentagrid branch.”

“Understood, Lord Arcadius.”

“Heoooook!?!?”

As Seonghyun addressed him with such respect…

Belmore immediately made a huge fuss, bowing as if doing a somersault in the carriage and lowering his posture.

Then, he spoke to Seonghyun very cautiously.

“P-Please, do not speak so formally to someone like myself……. I am not such a great person.”

“……Hah, understood. Belmore.”

“Keuheuk, t-to think you’d worry about the well-being of someone as insignificant as myself, th-thank you.”

No, he asked me not to, so I spoke less formally.

And now he’s thanking me for worrying about his well-being.

He was even shedding tears.

Is this for real?

Are these Over Palace people naturally equipped with "overly dramatic" as a basic passive skill?

Is it like they can’t join if they’re not dramatic enough?

While Seonghyun was having such perplexed thoughts…

Belmore, still in a bowing posture before Seonghyun, asked.

“Is there anything you require, perhaps?”

“Hmm.”

Hearing him say that, Seonghyun thought for a moment.

Just as the first village had a special black mage academy…

Here in the city, there were various vocational centers where different classes could learn things.

For mages, these were the Magic Towers, and for other classes, vocational centers existed.

He knew Over Palace also served such a role.

Receiving such lavish treatment was nice, but……

‘It’s certainly a bit burdensome.’

As Seonghyun felt that burden…

Belmore spoke as if he already knew.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable in front of the other outsiders in the unavoidable situation earlier!!! From now on, we will proceed by carriage directly into the Over Palace branch, so you will not be exposed to the gazes of other outsiders.”

“Oh. That’s a relief.”

As Seonghyun spoke with relief…

Belmore nodded, looking quite pleased.

Assisting Seonghyun while he was here would be his greatest and most important task since this branch was established!

Therefore, he had to serve him with utmost sincerity and devotion.

It was only regrettable that due to the "world's will," he couldn't provide even more extravagant treatment.

However, he intended to do his absolute best up to that permissible limit.

Neigh-hehehe!

Not long after that small commotion in the carriage…

Perhaps because they were using such powerful warhorses?

They soon arrived at the Over Palace branch.

‘……It’s bigger than any Lord’s Castle.’

A massive castle possessing grounds vaster and wider than even a Lord's castle where a feudal lord would reside.

He had wondered how there could be two castles within one city.

Was one of them Over Palace’s?

Seonghyun shook his head, looking at it as if he truly couldn’t believe it.

As expected, the scale is top-notch.

Thinking that, he alighted from the carriage.

As Seonghyun stepped down, countless Over Palace Black Mages, lined up in two rows, were bowing their heads low around him.

‘……’

It wasn't like it was some gangster movie.

It felt exactly like, "Greetings, Boss!"

It was quite burdensome.

But, when else would he experience something like this?

As Seonghyun calmly and stoically walked that path…

“We behold the Great! And Esteemed!!! True Successor of Over Palace!!!”

“We behold the True Successor!!!”

Branch Manager Belmore led the chant.

They shouted loud enough to make the castle itself seem to shake.

Is this the attitude of people who said they’d keep me out of other users' sight?

It was becoming increasingly burdensome.

But Seonghyun shook his head, acknowledged them with a nod, and moved on.

It seemed he had to finish his business quickly to be able to leave Over Palace.

He intended to take care of his business as fast as possible.

“M-May I please be permitted to guide you?!”

Then Branch Manager Belmore chimed in again.

Since the place was quite vast, and it would be better than going alone, Seonghyun accepted.

“Lead the way.”

“Hahaha! Thank you!!!”

As Branch Manager Belmore, thrilled, prepared to guide him…

What was this? A whole throng of Black Mages followed behind him.

Their numbers appeared to be well over thirty.

Seeing as every single one of them looked powerful…

‘They must be NPCs holding important positions in this Over Palace branch, right?’

But they were all following along just to provide guidance?

As Seonghyun, thinking "no way," walked a little…

They really all followed.

Even for the usually stoic and calm Seonghyun, this was unbearable.

“Um…… Can’t just the Branch Manager follow?”

As Seonghyun cautiously suggested it…

The other elderly Black Mages drooped their heads as if disappointed.

They looked truly pitiful, and it even made him think of his parents, but…

What's not right is not right.

If they went around like this, it would be like some corporate president strolling through his company in a K-drama.

How could they possibly not attract the attention of other users?

As Seonghyun made that suggestion…

Branch Manager Belmore’s eyes, on the contrary, welled up with tears.

“Sniff, th-thank you. For giving me this chance.”

“Ah.”

That wasn’t it; he was just uncomfortable with so many people.

He realized it could be misinterpreted like that.

He let it be, thinking it was best to let him think whatever he pleased.

The Branch Manager then cautiously asked.

“Ah, then shall we cast perception-jamming magic and conduct the inspection tour?”

“……Well, let’s do that.”

He didn't even have the energy to ask "what inspection tour?" and just agreed.

He figured he could just think of it as looking around the inside of Over Palace.

And Seonghyun’s thoughts were spot on.

As they wandered inside the Over Palace branch…

Branch Manager Belmore explained things in detail.

From the place that served as an information desk…

To training rooms where one could check Black Magic skills and practice, a material shop where various Black Magic ingredients could be bought, a magic crafting workshop where Black Magic items and equipment could be bought, and even a skill academy where advanced skills could be learned.

Inside the Over Palace branch, which seemed to have everything one could possibly need, there was everything.

The training rooms were particularly notable; not only were private rooms available, but the security was also quite good.

The facilities were certainly incredible.

‘This is amazing.’

While Seonghyun was inwardly marveling, the number of users was extremely small.

It was said the test was tricky, and indeed.

It seemed the fact that there weren't that many Black Mages also played a part.

As Seonghyun was looking around like that…

“This is the library. From records documenting its long and distinguished history to books on magical principles and various other texts are available here.”

“Oho?”

It wasn't a skill book, but a massive library filled with real books.

Because an entire spire was filled to make the library.

Bookshelves soared high as if to pierce the sky, and mysterious ladder-like things that could move between the bookshelves were flying around them.

Because it was a mystical sight one might see in a wizard movie.

Seonghyun’s gaze lingered there for a moment.

Then, suddenly.

“Huh!? What do you mean this book can’t be loaned out!?”

A small commotion arose.

As Seonghyun turned his gaze there…

He could see someone arguing with one of the librarians.

‘A user?’

Judging by the icon above their head, it was a user.

But for them to be in a library…

It was a bit strange.

It didn't seem like reading books would be of much help.

From Seonghyun’s perspective, it was certainly peculiar.

A short man wearing glasses.

He didn't look particularly old.

At most, he looked to be around Seonghyun's age, perhaps in his early twenties?

Naturally, since it was the East Asian server, he had an East Asian appearance.

Wanting to borrow a book.

‘How unusual.’

He must really like books.

Just as Seonghyun thought that and was about to move on…

Branch Manager Belmore made to move hastily.

“I will go and find out.”

“Ah. No, it’s fine.”

Even as Seonghyun said that…

“I’m sorry, Babaros-nim, but you have exceeded your maximum loan allowance, so you cannot borrow any more.”

“Ah, ah. B-But, isn’t there some way? I really want to read this one too……”

“Babaros-nim, you have also used up all your library time, so it seems we cannot loan you any more books.”

“Ah, aaah.”

The user called Babaros drooped his shoulders, said he understood, returned the book, and then trudged away dejectedly.

He must really, really love books.

To exceed both the loan allowance and the library time?

Does he play games just to read books?

He was a user who even made one think such thoughts.

Thinking ‘What an eccentric,’ Seonghyun moved on.

“The tour of all facilities within Over Palace is now complete. Do you perhaps have any further questions?”

Just as Seonghyun was about to say "no" to that question and move on…

He suddenly remembered his sister’s words.

The story about a murder case that had occurred recently.

Seonghyun recalled that story and immediately asked.

“I heard there was a murder case in this city recently?”

“Ah, you must be referring to that incident. Hmm, yes, there certainly was. If you are curious about the alley where that murder case occurred, I will mark it for you.”

“Oh.”

As Belmore offered to mark the location Seonghyun was so curious about…

He felt quite grateful.

Although it had been excessive so far, Branch Manager Belmore had still been trying to be helpful to Seonghyun.

As Branch Manager Belmore held something and muttered…

He handed it to Seonghyun.

“This is a map with that location marked. It is the highest quality map, which will also be useful when you are active in the labyrinth from now on.”

“Oh?”

[You have acquired the 『Highest Quality Labyrinth Map』.]

[From now on, the Pentagrid city map and the Pentagrid Labyrinth will be displayed on your map.]

As Seonghyun acquired the map…

A message popped up.

And seeing the red dot marked on the city map, he expressed his thanks.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. Being able to be of assistance at any time is truly our blessing.”

“Ahem. Then, I’ll be off.”

In any case, it seemed he would have to visit this Over Palace often.

As he said that…

“Sniff. For you to say such words, I am simply grateful.”

Branch Manager Belmore, shedding tears profusely.

Still excessive.

Seonghyun quickly exited Over Palace.

And headed towards the location marked on the map.

He certainly did his job well, as Seonghyun was able to enter an alleyway filled with bloodstains.

As Seonghyun entered the alleyway like that…

The system message he had been waiting for appeared.

[Rare-Linked Quest, 『Bloodstains in the Alley』, has been generated.]

[You can abandon this quest at any time.]

[There is no risk upon abandonment.]

And.

-Heok!? Y-You can see me? Y-You must be a noble person!?

He could discover a lone female ghost, looking forlorn, in that alleyway.

He had a hunch this was going to be a more interesting quest than he thought.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

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