The studio emanated the relaxing aroma of wood.
Nothing in particular had changed.
I was looking around with that thought in mind when a change caught my attention. The white mask I wore during my last visit was hanging on the empty wall.
Do you want me to wear it?
I smiled satisfied and put on the mask. When I walked through the door, I could see the old man walking from the other end of the hallway: Auril Gavis, the unidentified person who perhaps had all the answers to my questions.
«Haha, you're here. I was waiting for you». This was the man who didn't even think to hide his emotions when he found out he had outgrown the original game. «Have you had any problems since then? After saying goodbye to you that day, I have been very anxious about what might happen to you».
Even if it started with a happy laugh and induced a friendly atmosphere, he couldn't let his guard down. I saw him the other day. The chief of Orcules, Fallen Scholar, and the other powerful individuals who would not be inferior to them were unable to pee at this man's words.
«I've been fine. But what happened to the people back then?».
«Hey? What people?»
«You said they broke another rule and left before the summoning ended».
Only then did Auril nod as if he understood. «Ah, you must be talking about those failures».
Failures, huh?
Hearing those words spoken indifferently, I realized that the fight had begun. The reason why the enigmatic old man used «failures», a word that I would distrust, without hesitation was obvious.
I guess he didn't like that I put him off last time.
It was kind of a carrot and stick variation. The only difference was that the stick was not brandished against the target, but against another person.
«The failures you speak of will be gathered in that room, so there is no need to worry. I have clearly shown you what will happen if you make a fuss again». While displaying his dignity by mercilessly brandishing his whip at others, he at the same time showed an infinitely warm side towards the target, just like that. «Ahem, anyway, that was inconsiderate of me. I'm sure you would have found it a little uncomfortable to hear it. But do not worry. Be better than anyone that you are different from them».
The kindness contrasted with the coldness of before. The recipient of that kindness had no choice but to think: «I don't want to end up having an uncomfortable relationship with this person. For that, I have to match his kindness. That's how that thought process arose naturally in the subconscious.
However, I was immune to this type of underhanded speech technique.
«You are special. Right?»
I smiled at the old man's question and answered: «I don't know».
«¿Eh?»
«Enough of the silly tricks».
I'm sick of carrots.
«...Tricks? That's a little harsh, isn't it?». At my provocative words, the old man changed his expression and stared at me. Although there was no sting of killing intent, intense energy emanated from his eyes.
But I didn't back down. These types of people had to be informed in advance that they were not at all afraid of ending up having an uncomfortable relationship with them. «I didn't come here to talk to you about this».
«¿Eh…?»
«If you're going to start a trivial conversation like this, send me back. In fact, I also want you to make sure I never come back here again».
The old man was slightly perplexed. He shouted as if he felt aggrieved. «Speak badly?! It was you who asked what had happened to them!»
Ah... it's true. The situation was a bit funny. But what is he going to do?
«So you're saying this is all my fault?» As a barbarian who farted wherever he wanted, I learned the importance of faith, a strong faith in oneself. That strong belief built the confidence to move forward without being intimidated, no matter what difficulty you faced.
«No, I'm not saying it's your fault...»
«Excuse yourself», I bravely demanded.
«Wait, calm down. What the hell have I done to make you so sensitive?».
Even though that wasn't reasonable, even though it was in Hansu Lee's body and not that of a barbarian, I said, «So you won't apologize?».
«...Haha, I guess you think I'm easy too». The old man frowned at the repeated requests. Unlike before, the surroundings swayed in a peculiar way. To be honest, it was fucking scary.
«Apologize». This didn't change anything. What was I going to do with a serious face? Was I going to kick out the user who cleaned up the original game?
«Ugh... why do you get like this?», the old man asked with a sigh.
Soon, the surroundings stopped swaying. It was what I expected. It was perfectly clear to me that I was pretending to be angry to get out of this situation. Although I assumed the anger was real.
«Why do you keep provoking me? I'm sure you didn't behave so badly last time».
«You talk like you know me well». I continued quickly: «And easy? Weren't you the one who underestimated me first?».
«What are you talking about? Underestimate you-»
«Did you think that using the word 'failures' I would act slavishly towards you?».
Surprisingly, the old man did not refute my words or say that it had been a mistake, that it had not been intentional. He was sure he could have made a lot of excuses, but he just looked at something for a moment and nodded. «Indeed, you are certainly different from others... I apologize. I treated you too comfortably even though someone who surpassed the original game, considered a failure, cannot be an ordinary person. I'll be careful from now on».
Uh, I didn't expect such a sincere apology...
I was a little taken aback. If he had given an empty apology, I planned to take the lead position in the following conversations.
Maybe that was intentional too.
«...Since you say it like that, I'll let it go». Normally I didn't accept apologies made only of words, but I accepted it here, judging that continuing with the barbaric act would really make our relationship fall apart.
The atmosphere softened after that. «Now, why don't we grab something and talk in the other room instead of standing here like this? Oh, is there any kind of tea you want?»
Why do you ask the obvious?
«Sprite.» That was the only thing on my mind from the beginning.
Originally, this was when I thought, Yeah, this is it. Yes, that should have been the case.
Why does it taste so bland? Is it because I ordered ice?
Rattle.
I put down the glass with only ice left and lost a moment in my thoughts. Not that it didn't taste refreshing, but I had the feeling that the carbonation had weakened. It tasted noticeably worse than when I took it before.
Is this old man holding a grudge against me?
When a plausible reason occurred to me and I looked away, Auril Gavis parted his lips. «So, I want us to get to the point little by little...»
I found it funny. He wasn't someone who should tiptoe around a rookie like me.
I guess that's how important I am to this old man.
Although it took some effort, as his treatment of me improved, so did my vigilance. After all, there was no one in this world who treated someone well for no reason. I also stopped worrying about soda and thought about it slowly.
Why is the user who cleaned the original so important? Hmm, I don't know. Honestly, I have no idea.
That I had more knowledge of the game than other players was true, but it couldn't be a reason. The man in front of him was Auril Gavis, the creator of this game. All the knowledge I had, he would have too. If what he wanted was a player with knowledge, all he had to do was share it with him.
But why is he being so obsessive? I guess I have to find out from now on.
«Ahem ahem, what are you thinking so much about?»
«Oh, sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment».
«Ha! With me in front?» Auril was also amazed by the absurdity of the situation. Of course, that hooligan attitude didn't last long.
«Ugh, are you starting again?».
«Oh no, I'm not. I just wanted to say that it's refreshing to be in a situation like this for the first time in a long time.»
«Ah, ya veo. Casi misinterpreted you».
«...Are you perhaps a barbarian?»
Hey? Wow, did I make it too obvious?
Although I shuddered inside, I didn't show my shame and shook it off as if I had just heard something unpleasant. «Is this supposed to be a question?»
«No, of course not. It was a joke». His face made me think it was really a joke, but I had to be more careful from now on. «Anyway, speaking of questions...»
«Okay, speak freely».
As soon as he gave me permission, the old man quickly got to the point. «Don't we talk about justice before we separate? I've been racking my brain these past few days...».
«Shorter, to the point».
«I have created an article that can solve this problem».
See, you can sum it up in one line.
«Hmm, article?»
«Is this.» Instead of explaining it in detail, Auril took out a fist-sized piece of jewelry from his inside pocket. It was an object that seemed very familiar to me.
«This is…»
Whether he looked at it from above or out of the corner of his eye, there was no doubt. It was the jewel that was embedded in the center of the Round Table. I didn't know this was the story of his creation. So was the old man the Master?
«...Do you react like this because you know what it is?»
«No, it just seems expensive.»
«Caro...haha! It's an item that can't be converted into real-world wealth... ahem, I almost lost count again.» Auril learned to end his rampage on his own as a result of a few lessons and quickly explained the article. «It is an object that objectifies some of my powers that exist in spiritual space».
I didn't understand the principle at all, but I didn't dare open my mouth. Not only would he not understand it in the first place, but when you weren't sure about something, it was best to stay still.
«The operation method is really simple. If you tell the truth in front of this jewel, a green light turns on, and if you tell a lie the red light will turn on. Would you like to try it?»
It crossed my mind that this object could be fake as soon as it came out, but I didn't bother to show it to him. That was because it practically gave me the opportunity to ask a question for free. «Auril Gavis, are you over 300 years old?» I spoke deliberately with a specific time frame. If I asked him how old he was, he could simply answer with «one» and end up with the jewel turning red.
«...Not me», Auril responded as if he saw my intention but let it pass.
Shaaaaa.
The jewel turned red.
«It means it's a lie».
Wow, so he's over 300 years old? Since The Complete Book of Cracks was created 150 years ago, I just released a random issue... What kind of monster is this?
Although I was internally surprised, I didn't let it show.
«What do you think, wouldn't it be fair for us to ask ourselves questions about this?»
«Hmm, but isn't that a little unfair? Since you did it, you could decide what light comes out of the jewel». It was a very valid opinion.
Surprisingly, Auril chose to attack this head-on. «I swear by my name. That's impossible».
Lo juras, ¿eh?
For me, it was a word I missed very much. He was already tired of stab wounds in the back. «It's going to be hard to believe that. Maybe you do swear by your parents».
«P-parents...?»
«Seeing that you can't, I guess it was a lie».
«Of course not! It's just that... it's such an absurd suggestion that it caught me off guard. How can I swear by people who are no longer in this world?». I figured he didn't realize that an oath taken on his own name wouldn't convince me in the least. Auril thought for a moment. «It's up to you if you believe it or not, but I'll tell you what. The oath I just took is the truth, and now, without this object, I cannot discern whether you are telling the truth or not.»
«¿Eh?»
As he tilted his head, a green light appeared. «I told you before. An important part of my authority was used to create this object. I can no longer read the total amount of your soul».
«Total amount of my soul...?».
«It means I can't read what essence of what rank you possess».
A green light came on again. But did this old man know that the more he did it, the more my faith faded?
It makes me even more suspicious that he talks so openly about his weakness... What if it's really rigged?
Just as the look in my eyes began to fade, he asked me: «Do you remember the people you saw that day?».
«The people you called failures?»
«That's right. You may have said it before, but in reality they are people who are treated with respect wherever they go, just because of their name and ability.»
«Name and ability are two things».
«...It's a way of speaking.»
«Anyway, what are you trying to say?».
Auril sighed and offered a new suggestion. «Why don't we have this conversation where they are? They may not know everything, but they should be fully able to recognize a scandalous lie and oppose it.»
«...What?» My head went blank as soon as I heard that. Was it the demo version of the Round Table?