Chapter 147: Mask [1]
'Brazen newcomer. No, Nox von Reinhaver.'
How on earth did he master the Moonlight Sword?
This is Jagan's base
The ruins of the gambling and auction house.
Avilat, once a place of fierce battles, has long lost its initial grandeur.
A mountain of dazzling gold coins and chips. The green flag that once symbolized neutrality is now stained a deep red.
This is the result of the water prison Jagan unleashed.
Desolate.
There's no other word that comes to mind for this bleak battlefield.
A pale mist rises where the bodies of the dead have been abandoned.
Luna clicked her tongue as she witnessed this.
Moonlit night.
A lonely silence and clear moonlight washed away the grim battle that had just taken place, pouring out pure white light.
But her expression remained unpleasant.
Thud.
"….!"
Luna, catching the falling Nox, couldn't smooth out the frown on her delicate brow.
Why?
While looking at Nox, still weak in her arms, Luna made a self-deprecating face.
'I almost fail to protect again.'
For her, who cherished her comrades, such things were something she could never get used to.
A sense of helplessness wrapped around her once more.
Why did such painful things keep happening to her? Even if she had long since thrown the idea of whining like a child . .
No matter how much she thought about it, this was too much.
Sure, some people are born under unlucky stars, but this was excessive.
Should she worry about a companion's death all the time?
Something like this, she wanted to quit it right away.
Even though she leads, and takes charge as the leader of Lunatic, which is a fancy title. Her true goal was entirely personal.
Her birth. Revenge.
And, fulfilling the wish her master couldn't achieve.
But if it meant losing so many lives . .
Is the path she walks on truly the right one?
It was her who assigned the mission to Nox this time.
She hadn't anticipated such a big shot would be hiding in Avilat's gambling house and only learned about it through communication devices when Nox was about to arrive.
[There is one of 72 demons nearby. I need your help, Captain.]
[What?]
It was an absurd story, but the newcomer's words had a strange persuasiveness.
Hadn't he shown his capacities in the past battle with Paimon?
She judged it was worth listening to his story.
In fact, his words hit the mark, leaving her speechless.
'Newcomer even saved Marin… He knew he might die, yet he did it. That's no easy feat.'
"Cough! Cap…tain…"
"Newcomer!"
Nox, who briefly regained consciousness while coughing up blood, took a deep breath. His sorrowful violet eyes looked at her, shining transparently and radiating a calm light.
She wanted to say something but couldn't, there was a brief silence. It felt like a long moment.
There was a brief moment of silence where she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Unexpectedly, it was Nox who broke the silence.
Staring straight at Luna, he spoke.
"… I want… to get stronger. Please take me as your discip…""
His figure is somewhat awkward
Watching this, Luna couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
[This punk.. trying to fool me]
Nox is in pain right now, but it wasn't as serious as he's making it seem. So why was he stubbornly pretending to be so hurt and giving this pitiful look?
The reason was clear.
Her swordsmanship is something handed down only to one disciple.
He was probably trying to take initiative before she could refuse to teach him.
'Honestly, he's not lovely at all, same as Marin'
Nox probably was putting on an act while knew everything
Just from seeing how he thought to learn Moonlight sword in a flash of moment, and acquired preliminary requirements like stances, etc in advance too.
Besides, the most surprising thing is . .
'He's been hiding his strength.'
The [Moonlight Sword] can only be mastered by warriors who have reached at least advanced level of swordsmanship.
Moreover, it's only possible after you have unmatched skill in horizontal slashes and the ability to infuse each strike with energy
But all these conditions were already prepared from the start?
'There is no way'
"You're already scheming, huh? Truly cheeky."
Now she understood.
Luna realized that the boy in front of her was merely wearing the mask of a ruffian.
But she didn't show any displeasure, calmly brushing his blood-matted white hair.
Thud.
Still carried in her hands, Nox let his head droop
It was his way of saying, "I've fainted."
'What an interesting kid… A disciple, huh?'
Luna briefly wondered if this was how her master felt when she took her in.
Luna sank in her thoughts,
But even it didn't last long.
"Nox!""
"Young Master Nox! Where are you?!"
"Noble Sir!"
From a distance places, voices calling for Nox echoed.
They are probably his comrades.
She had heard that the perfect team was assembled for this mission, so it must be them. For someone from the dark family, he seemed to have earned considerable trust.
The fact of his past engagement to the princess, and his stricking appearance that outshone everyone..
'Maybe there's a reason that princess fell for him.'
A cheeky newcomer.
Luna pondered briefly about him.
Should she really teach him the [Moonlight Sword] that had been passed down from her master?
Not only did he inherit Theo von Reinhaver easygoing personality and brilliant talent that surpassed him, but he also upheld his own sense of justice.
In fact, the answer was clear from the start.
Luna stood up and gently laid Nox on the ground.
Either way his comrades would treat him, and unlike with Paimon, his internal injuries weren't that severe. There was no need for too much concern, he was just exaggerating.
"I don't know if becoming my disciple will be a blessing or a curse for you. But…""
Luna placed her hand on his chest, letting a part of her moonlight seep into him.
"I swear by the moonlight that I, Luna, the leader of Lunatic, that I will make you the best."
Not long after, a familiar system notification rang in Nox's ears.
[The 'Moonlight' element has settled within you! Your natural healing and recovery abilities have greatly increased!]
[Random stat increased by 1!]
[Mana stat increased by 1!]
At that moment, Luna had already made up her mind.
She would place this frail boy and his sword on the path to becoming the next Sword Emperor. Even if it meant risking everything she had, she would make it happen.
'His sword has a clear will and purpose.'
Nox had already tried to sacrifice himself for her once.
Not only that, but he was also willing to do the same for others.
Nox had said it himself:
There are two ways to save everyone.
But in the first method, he wasn't included.
Luna quickly realized why Nox had said that.
'He was willing to sacrifice himself to protect everyone.'
From olden times, a person's true nature is revealed when they're cornered to their limits.
That was the kind of person Nox von Reinhaver was.
Though he was called a troublemaker of Reinhaver family and was said to live a reckless life, In fact, that wasn't the truth.
Nox was just trying to protect others even if it means sacrifice himself
"Interesting."
Her heart began beating faster.
A subtle tension filled the air between the two, now bound as master and disciple.
There was still so much they didn't know about each other, therefore Luna felt that the time they would spend together would be incredibly valuable.
"Then, until we meet again, brazen newcomer. That time, as master and disciple."
rustle
With that, Luna disappeared into the thick darkness.
Her flawless movement and the way she vanished into the pitch-black night were the very essence of a Sword Emperor.
Her flawfless movement leaves no trace, and the figure of her vanished into the pitch-black night, even at a glance, is the nature of sword emperor itself
And so,
about five minutes later, Nox's comrades found him lying on the ground.
They all sighed deeply and clicked their tongues in unison, looking at Nox.
'This man did it again, huh ?'
But even in such situation, it was only Zitri who cared for him unconditionally, she hurried over to him, her face pale, and shouted
"Young Master! Young Master, are you okay? Please wake up! Can you hear me? Young Mas—"
"Hey, you're going to make us deaf. Your young master isn't dead, so calm down."
Paracelsus folded his arms, looking at Nox with a displeased gaze. Leon's also had a somewhat doubtful gaze.
Is that all?
Even Talia, who's crazy about Nox, and Eleanor, who's cold but never jokes about matters of life and death.
They all looked displeased in silence.
"Huh?"
Zitri finally noticed that their gazes were a bit off.
The way they were looking at her young master, and the way Nox's chest rose and fell. She felt something wasn't quite right.
In that moment, even she realized.
"No way… Young Master, are you… awake?"
Crunch!
Zitri clenched her fists so tightly that the yellow canary mask she held was crumpled beyond recognition.
"You wouldn't, would you?"
"Umm. Hey, Nox…? Zitri seems really angry. She's smiling but… she's not smiling.."
Even Talia couldn't fall for such a lousy act.
That's right.
At this exact moment, with one eye slightly open, Nox saw a notification about his [Genius of Acting] trait wavering.
Should I get up now?
But if he did, he'd die for sure…
For now, Nox lay on the ground, unbefitting of a noble, facing his comrades for a while.
He finally got up only when Zitri tried to perform CPR by pressing on his chest, but without actually breathing into him.
—————————-
'Honestly, you really know how to cause trouble, don't you?'
Eleanor thought that and frowned.
Her arms crossed, glaring at Nox.
For reference, Nox, who had now woken up, was receiving Zitri's kind treatment (?)
"That's enough. aren't other people watching us ?"
Nox said sternly, but Zitri adamantly refused, thoroughly inspecting his body for any injuries.
Although a cloth was draped over him to cover his upper body, Nox was still bewildered.
"You're really lucky, don't you, sir? By the way, you're going to have to explain everything properly, including what you meant by what you said before the demon attacked us."
"You lowly thing. Is this how you treat a patient?"
Nox snapped back, but Paracelsus ignored him.
Leon chuckled softly and replied.
"Still, Mr. Paracelsus did shout at the top of his lungs trying to find you, Mr. Nox. He really did his best. I was surprised. Mr. Paracelsus who seemed like someone who only cares about himself, to save someone …"
"Shut up! If you're going to compliment me, just do it, why add all that extra stuff ?!"
"Hmm? Ah, sorry if I made a mistake."
When Paracelsus growled, Leon scratched his head and closed his mouth.
Anyway, the situation is more or less settled.
Eleanor decided to review a few issues.
"As you requested, all the slaves have been sent to the carriages heading to the academy. Once their identities are confirmed, they'll either be reunited with their families in their home regions or, as you mentioned, they'll move and start new lives in Chaders"
Nox had already informed Eleanor regarding slaves.
'As expected, she's quick with her work. Even if her personality is awful, I have to keep her on my side.'
Nox rudely thought, standing up.
Now that Zitri's thorough care was finished.
"Sigh… Young Master, can't you be a little less reckless with your body?"
Zitri asked with a concerned look, but Nox didn't reply.
As silence filled the air, even Talia sighed as she looked at Nox.
"Zitri, Cheer up! I know it's tough"
"Thank you…"
Since the two of them experienced the same problems, they have enough room to share this.
After letting out a deep sigh, Nox glanced around.
Soon, this place would be swarmed with professors from Eldain.
Since the incident happened here, Nox planned to sync stories with his comrades and report that a mysterious woman, in other words, Luna, had handled the situation.
Of course, he had an intention to not say his own involvement.
'If things get too complicated, Dean Noah will start getting more suspicious. I might actually get killed…'
But before thinking about that.
And before explaining things to his comrades, there was something else Nox had to do first.
Thud
Nox got up, and when he was staggering he walked, Talia and Zitri asked with suspicious gazes
"Nox? Where are you going?"
"Young Master? You should rest a bit more before you start moving…"
"No, I have to do this now."
But, Nox said firmly.
Paracelsus and Leon exchanged glances, gulping.
"Hey, sir, what's the matter? If it's serious, I can help…"
"I'll help too."
The only one who still didn't look pleased was Eleanor, It was because she already knew why Nox was moving.
"You all should move quickly too. If not now, there is no other chance."
"What chance… oh"
Leon hummed as if he realized. Nox quickly added.
"I will have 80% of what's here. Since I took down the demon, there shouldn't be any objections, right?"
That's right.
Nox was after the gold coins scattered around the wrecked casino!
Eleanor sighed.
"I had a feeling. He did say he'd repay the 200 million in a day…"
Nox had a plan.
A perfect plan to multiply his assets several times over,
while also extending his lifespan.
'Huu… How much is this all worth?'
Jackpot.
With that thought, Nox opened his spatial inventory.
His comrades behind him could only watch in disbelief.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone