Chapter 159
Orb of Souls (3)
Orb of Souls.
It was said to have been bestowed by angels in the distant past and could not be touched by anyone other than a High Elf elder. This unique treasure reveals how pure or tainted the owner’s soul is.
The more evil deeds one commits, the more the orb darkens, and conversely, the more good deeds one performs, the brighter it shines.
A murderer’s soul is a deep gray, while a Dark Mage and Spirit Slayer’s soul is an even darker black.
As both a Dark Mage and a Spirit Slayer, Baek Yu-seol’s soul should have undoubtedly shone black.
“How… is this possible…?”
But why was it radiating such a dazzling white light? Not even a saint could possess such a color. Only beings with pure souls like angels and spirits could achieve such a perfect white.
‘It’s impossible for a human to emit such a color.’
But there was no use in doubting it.
This was no magical trick; it was truly the light from the Orb of Souls.
“Ah… I received this as a gift last time, and it turns out it’s the Orb of Souls?”
As Baek Yu-seol casually shook the pendant and spoke, people began to murmur. The Orb of Souls had not been formally handed over but disguised as a gift?
They wanted to cry out that it was a setup, but they couldn’t. The moment they mentioned the ‘Oath of Mana,’ the truth would come out immediately.
According to the Magician’s Agreement, the Oath of Mana cannot be forced upon anyone, even if the other party is a murderer.
To a mage, mana is as vital as life, and forcing the Oath of Mana would cause the entire Magic Association to rise up in protest.
However, Oranha had committed one of the taboos.
‘Never accuse a mage of being a Dark Mage without evidence.’
There was a time on Earth when innocent women were accused of being witches and burned.
A similar event happened in Aether World, where innocent mages were accused of being Dark Mages and massacred.
The resulting societal chaos led the association to establish a taboo against accusing mages of being Dark Mages without evidence.
Though the taboo has almost disappeared in modern times, falsely accusing a mage of being a Dark Mage in such an official setting severely damages their honor.
T h i s w a s c o pi ed fr om kin gm tl . o r g
And here, the Elf King’s aide had committed such an act.
As a result of breaking the taboo, Oranha could be forced to take the ‘Oath of Mana.’ Telling a lie would be impossible.
As he clenched his fists and lowered his head, Eltemon Eltrine finally returned to a calm expression.
“…Aide. Do you realize the significant diplomatic and magical mistake you have made?”
Everyone attending the award ceremony, from all races and nobles, looked at Oranha with discomfort. Some were hostile, while others looked at him with pity.
“Why you did this, I don’t know… but attempting to tarnish the honor of a cadet who should have been receiving praise in such a prestigious setting will not go unnoticed.”
“Wait…!”
Originally, Oranha should have been in control here. But now, the tables had turned completely.
‘This can’t be happening!’
T h i s w a s co p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l.o r g
How could a human possess such a pure soul? A human having an aura as pure as a spirit’s was unthinkable!
“Deception…”
Having nothing else to say, he muttered, but it was yet another mistake.
“Goodness. Are you trying to discredit the most precious and esteemed treasure of the High Elves yourself?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“And how do you intend to prove it’s a deception? Are you saying it’s possible to trick the Orb of Souls?”
The Orb of Souls is the most treasured possession of the Elves. If it were deceived by the trick of a mere Dark Mage, it would be a severe issue.
‘What have I done…’
One mistake led to another, and it turned into a sharp blade that stabbed Oranha’s heart.
Cold sweat dripped down his back.
His head felt hot, but his brain seemed to stop functioning, leaving him with no thoughts.
He could only foolishly wish this situation was a dream.
The weight of the people’s gazes.
Each eye seemed to press down on his heart and throat, suffocating him.
How ridiculous they must find me.
He had timed it perfectly to accuse Baek Yu-seol of being a Dark Mage just as he was receiving his award, but it turned out to be false.
Having always been above others, the current situation of being ridiculed was so humiliating and despairing that he wanted to bite his tongue and end it all.
“Wait a moment.”
At that moment.
A clear voice echoed, drawing everyone’s attention.
Was it because the voice was beautiful?
Was it because someone spoke up at this tense moment?
No, that wasn’t it.
It was like a magnet.
The moment the voice was heard, everyone’s instincts forced them to look in that direction.
No one continued to look at Oranha.
The Elf King Flowerseorin.
Dressed entirely in black, she, who had always shunned the public eye, appeared in an official setting for the first time in a long while.
Click-!
Even among tens of thousands of spectators, the sound of her heels echoed more clearly than anything else.
Though her dress showed no skin at all… everyone held their breath, silently yearning to look at her for even a second longer.
Th i s w a s cop i e d f r o m k in g m t l . o r g
Flowerseorin stepped out from the barrier that had hidden her and walked toward Baek Yu-seol.
“Though words cannot repay it, I will apologize on behalf of my aide.”
A king should not bow their head easily. Thus, Flowerseorin conveyed her apology with grace and authority.
But the act of a king personally apologizing to a human commoner due to his mistake turned Oranha’s face ashen.
T h i s w a s c op i e d f rom ki n gm t l . o r g
Only then did he realize the gravity of his mistake.
‘Because of me, the King had to apologize to a mere human commoner.’
It struck him deeply, making him gape like a fish, unable to breathe.
Eltemon Eltrine, too, was slightly surprised that Flowerseorin personally apologized. He knew she avoided such public appearances due to a mysterious curse, so he could imagine the great resolve it took for her to act.
“…Though it wasn’t an issue that required the Elf King’s personal apology, Stella will accept it.”
“Yes. I hope you can let go of your anger.”
Though a king’s personal act could lead to complex situations, it was the surest way to quell the current friction.
It could have escalated into a diplomatic issue between humans and elves, but Flowerseorin clearly cut it off.
T h is w a s c op i ed fr o m k i n g m t l .o r g
‘Indeed…’
Baek Yu-seol also watched Flowerseorin with a peculiar gaze. She was known to be a recluse who rarely showed herself, yet she stepped forward like this.
He had planned to thoroughly crush Oranha, but it was no longer necessary. Flowerseorin’s personal apology was the most severe blow to Oranha.
Because of this incident, Oranha lost Flowerseorin’s trust, which was a significant gain for Baek Yu-seol.
Flowerseorin frequently ended up on bad routes in the original game, mostly due to Oranha.
If he could separate Oranha from her early on, the chances of her experiencing tragic routes would significantly diminish.
“In this prestigious award ceremony, we have shown an unfortunate spectacle. Though it’s awkward to say it myself, it was truly a turbulent event. This concludes the school competition award ceremony; I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the festival.”
Eltemon quickly cleaned up the situation, and the announcer, taking his cue, swiftly took over the microphone.
-Next, we have the magical firework show by the Stella Islelock troupe. Spectators, please…!
As the award ceremony ended, an opaque barrier formed, isolating the stage from the outside world.
Free from the public’s gaze, Flowerseorin collapsed into a chair, her legs giving way.
“…Your Majesty, I have something to say.”
Oranha approached to apologize, but she spoke without turning her head.
T h is was co p i ed f rom k i ng m t l . or g
“Oranha.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You know very well what a Spirit Slayer means to me.”
“…I understand.”
“And yet you tried to use it politically…”
She had initially wanted to have a quiet conversation alone with Baek Yu-seol. But Oranha ignored all that, disgracing the elven face in front of all races.
Flowerseorin trusted Oranha.
No, she had trusted him.
She had been willing to forgive and overlook any of his mistakes.
But… this time, he had crossed the line.
Not only did he act recklessly, using the Spirit Slayer—her greatest emotional scar—he also tried to bury Baek Yu-seol, who might have saved Leafanel, in an official setting.
“Your Majesty, actually…”
It was for the eternal peace of the elves.
He tried to explain.
“Enough. I don’t want to hear any more excuses. Go back and rest.”
She then turned to Eltemon.
“Thank you for your consideration earlier. I know it’s a bit much to ask, but may I have a private conversation with Cadet Baek Yu-seol?”
T h is w a s c o p i ed fr o m kingm tl . o r g
“I don’t mind, but you should ask him.”
Baek Yu-seol, who had been standing awkwardly as the other award recipients left, widened his eyes as the focus shifted to him.
Th is wa s co p ied fr o m k in g m t l . o rg
Flowerseorin weakly smiled at him.
“There’s something I personally… really want to discuss with you.”
* * *
Flowerseorin left with Baek Yu-seol for a private conversation. Though she had ordered him not to wait, Oranha stayed at Stella, waiting for her return.
“Damn it…”
In the VIP waiting room.
In the corner of the empty room, he sat with his head down, clutching his hair.
No mistakes.
His deduction, calculations, and evidence were perfect.
Yet…
Why did Baek Yu-seol’s soul emit such a bright light?
‘It’s a trick!’
Though he had no evidence, he was certain.
He was undoubtedly a Spirit Slayer and Dark Mage, hiding his true nature with some unknown technique.
‘Her Majesty doesn’t know that…’
Her Majesty’s cold indifference hurt. He had worked so hard for her, yet she treated him so coldly over a single mistake.
And the warm look she gave Baek Yu-seol… today was probably their first meeting, so what was with that look?
‘Baek Yu-seol…’
He must have used some dirty trick to deceive the naive Flowerseorin.
‘I must save her.’
His fingertips trembled.
He couldn’t forget the scornful looks from the people. They, who dared to look at him, a noble High Elf, with such contempt and disgust.
And Flowerseorin’s cold eyes.
‘I have to… restore everything.’
He had to regain her trust.
‘How?’
He was an elite.
T h i s w a s c op i e d f r o m k i ngmt l . o r g
He had handled everything perfectly until now, not allowing a single failure.
Thus, there was no need to panic over his first failure. Even a monkey falls from a tree sometimes; such days happen.
What must be done to restore everything?
The first thing that came to mind was, of course, Baek Yu-seol.
The fundamental reason Oranha had fallen this low.
He didn’t consider killing him; that would be foolish.
He would be more intelligent, more cunning.
He would uncover Baek Yu-seol’s true identity and bring him down.
That would restore all the dishonor he had suffered.
T h is w as c o p ied f r o m k i n g mt l. o r g
Then he suddenly remembered the girl who had planned this from the beginning with him, and his eyes gleamed.
‘Zeliel. I must meet her.’
End of Chapter