The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 147

Chapter 18: The Well-Executed Fool

“Give me that sword, and I’ll give you the information.”

“For your information, the Demonic Heavenly Sword is an ego sword [a sword with its own will or personality] with the soul of a supreme master sealed within it a thousand years ago. One of the reasons I’ve been looking for the Golden Branch is because of the Demonic Heavenly Being. The Golden Branch was the key to freeing his soul trapped in the sword.”

Another reason is for my own development. The more Golden Branches I find, the more my Druid rank advances, which serves as insurance for the future against Baal.

Besides, I’ve been improving my swordsmanship skills with the teachings of the Demonic Heavenly Being.

His teachings had some vague parts, but he always hit the core, and thanks to him, I’m about to become a Sword Master in the shortest amount of time.

In addition, there were many useful features, such as the Demonic Heavenly Being-navigation that reads the direction of attack in advance during battle, or warns me of enemies I haven’t detected.

Sloth wanted this Demonic Heavenly Sword.

It seems she sensed the extraordinary nature of the Demonic Heavenly Sword.

“Why do you want this sword?”

“Well… it’s strange that someone like you is using such a crude sword.”

“Everyone has their own favorite sword.”

I took a defensive stance first.

Then, the Demonic Heavenly Being started causing trouble from the inside.

-Hey, kid! Sell me off.

-That lady’s hands look quite lovely.

“······”

The Demonic Heavenly Being’s perversion is still the same.

It makes me not want to give it to her even more.

I’ll get the information, but I can’t hand over the sword.

What should I do?

The answer was already decided.

“I’ll give you the sword.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but there’s a condition.”

“Speak.”

“I’ll give it to you in 5 years.”

The reason for setting a 5-year deadline.

By that time, I’ll likely have collected all the Golden Branches.

I’ve already collected four out of seven Golden Branches in less than 5 years.

Around that time, the Demonic Heavenly Being will be released from the seal.

He might be released before that.

The sword without the Demonic Heavenly Being is just a piece of scrap metal.

“5 years? Is there a reason?”

“It’s time to find a new sword to replace it.”

“That’s quite a long period.”

“I want to get information in advance, using the sword as collateral.”

It feels like taking out a loan with stocks that are about to be delisted, but getting information is important right now.

“That’s ambiguous. I doubt you’ll give me the sword on time.”

“If I break the contract, you can just come and take the sword yourself, right? You have that kind of power.”

Sloth is a master-level powerhouse and the best assassin on the continent.

Moreover, she has tens of thousands of guild members working under her.

After making her aware of this fact, she nodded.

“I suppose so. I understand. I’ll give you the information.”

After that, Sloth’s words were shocking.

The fact that Second Prince Alex had become the new Greed [one of the seven deadly sins, likely a high-ranking member of an evil organization].

The fact that the Twilight Church helped assassinate the First Prince.

Even the plan to make Alex the Crown Prince and swallow the entire empire.

It would have been a huge loss if I hadn’t heard it.

“Thanks for the information. It was very helpful.”

“I just gave information that matched the price. Exactly 5 years. Come to the tavern I visited today. I’ll take the sword then.”

* * *

I got unexpected information from Sloth, but the plan didn’t change much.

The current me doesn’t have the ability to stop the Twilight Church’s plot.

For now, I had to collect the Golden Branches and raise my Druid rank as I had been doing.

I decided to stop Alex’s ambition, who became a new executive, after my strength rose to a certain level.

I moved to the eastern district of Osdin City with Zion and Campbell.

Duke Orneo had built a tower there and was living there.

People called this place ‘The Tower of the Sage’ because it was the tower where the sage lived.

The Tower of the Sage was the only building in Osdin that was allowed to be built higher than the Imperial Palace.

I could roughly guess the level of trust the Imperial Family had in Duke Orneo.

I arrived at the Tower of the Sage.

But a problem arose.

The line was extremely long.

“Why are there so many people?”

Campbell grumbled.

The waiting line, which started from the entrance of the tower, stretched out endlessly.

The speed of the line decreasing was also slow.

At this rate, I’d have to wait almost two months.

I asked the person waiting in front.

“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”

“Speak.”

“Are all these people here to see Sage Orneo?”

“That’s right.”

“Why is he so popular?”

A man who looked like a wandering mercenary shrugged and replied.

“Of course. He’s the wisest person on the continent. There are many warriors who have reached new heights after hearing a word of advice from the Sage.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s not just warriors. Sometimes he treats people with incurable diseases, and sometimes he tells people who farm or do business the secrets to success.”

A counselor who gives words that become blood and flesh to all walks of life.

Well, I’m here to get a hint about the oracle, so it’s not much different.

“Is there any way to see the Sage quickly?”

“Do you think you’re the only one here who has thought of that? It’s impossible.”

“Why is that?”

“The Sage treats everyone equally, except for His Majesty the Emperor and a small number of acquaintances he recognizes.”

Even the head of a wealthy merchant group or a famous count of the empire was permanently expelled from the Tower of the Sage for trying to cut in line with money and power.

“That’s why the Sage is even more respected. He treats even ignorant people like us with respect and listens to our circumstances seriously.”

I knew what kind of person Sage Orneo was.

Should I just wait helplessly from now on?

As my worries deepened, the wanderer, seeing my complicated expression, spoke again.

“Actually, there is one way to see the Sage right away.”

“Really? What is it?”

“That’s…”

The mercenary, who was hesitating, rubbed his hands together for no reason.

I’ve been in the Calon Empire for quite a while.

I know what that gesture means at a glance.

Just as I was about to take out a silver coin from my pocket, Zion, who had left to investigate information, returned.

“Young Master, there is a way to see Sage Orneo quickly. Everyone who has been waiting here for more than ten days knows this information.”

“Tch!”

The mercenary, who was disappointed, left the line.

The guy went to the back of the waiting line and started talking to a new person.

“Was he a guy selling information?”

“That’s right. There are quite a few guys like that.”

“It’s a funny sight. Anyway, what’s the way to meet the Sage right away?”

“You have to take the Sage’s test.”

“The Sage’s test?”

“Yes.”

Zion’s explanation was like this.

Duke Orneo also knew that there were so many people waiting for him, so he prepared an interesting device.

That was the ‘Sage’s Test’.

He created three gates.

‘Gate of Wisdom’ ‘Gate of Knowledge’ ‘Gate of Strength’

He issues a free pass to those who pass all three gates.

“It’s worth a try, so why are you standing in line? Is everyone lacking confidence?”

“There hasn’t been a single passer yet. They’d rather wait a long time to see the Sage than go through a needle hole [an extremely difficult challenge].”

I understood Zion’s words.

But I had no intention of giving up.

I decided to take the Sage’s test.

I’m a person who values every minute and every second.

Even if I fail, it’s not a big loss because I’m at the back of the waiting line.

The test site was behind the Tower of the Sage.

The staff member who was waiting looked at me and said in a businesslike tone.

“Are you going to take the test?”

“Yes.”

“You can go in this way.”

The Sage’s test seems to be a famous topic in this neighborhood.

People who were not related to the test surrounded the entrance and chattered.

They giggled as they watched me enter the test site.

“Another dropout is entering.”

“He’s quite big? He might pass the Gate of Strength.”

“Haven’t you heard before? Even an expert knight fell at the Gate of Strength.”

“I guess so. I can see people’s faces, and a guy like that can’t even get to the Gate of Strength.”

“Of course. Wanna bet? I’ll bet 10 silver on failing the first gate.”

“I’ll bet 5 silver on failing the second gate.”

The noisy sound disappeared neatly as soon as I entered the test site.

It feels like a soundproof wall has been installed.

The examiner sitting across from me greeted me.

“Welcome. I am the examiner of the Gate of Wisdom. You are the first applicant in a month.”

The examiner told me the contents of the test.

“The passing condition is simple. You see the rope tied to the pillar, right? Stand here and untie the rope. Note that you will be disqualified if you cut the rope yourself.”

It’s an absurd test.

The distance to the pillar is five steps.

The tied rope is intricately tangled.

Even if you grab it with your hands and untie it, it’s not enough, but you’re telling me to untie the rope remotely from a distance?

Moreover, you can’t cut it yourself, so it’s impossible to cut the rope with a knife or arrow.

“Is this the content of the test?”

“Yes. The time limit is one day. If you’re hungry, I’ll put in a meal, so please tell me.”

I tapped the rope with a tree branch scattered around.

Of course, it doesn’t work.

I even tried to touch it with the Demonic Heavenly Sword, but I gave up because I was afraid the rope would be cut.

‘Is there a good way?’

As I was worrying, I heard the voice of the Demonic Heavenly Being.

-Kid, you’re worrying about something that’s not even a big deal.

“Did you figure out the answer?”

“No, I don’t know. But you have unique abilities that only you possess, right? If you combine them well, something will come out.”

As soon as I heard the Demonic Heavenly Being’s words, it felt like lightning struck my head.

Come to think of it, I was a Druid.

Druids can use their own methods.

After considering various skills, I chose the most natural answer in this situation.

“Examiner.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Is it okay if the rope here is untied in any way?”

“That’s right. However, you will be disqualified if you cut it yourself. If you can’t reach it, you’ll have to extend your arm or use another method.”

[Life Control]

[Taming]

A circular radar spread out from me.

The Tower of the Sage was built in the city, so there were many stray cats and dogs around.

I chose one cat with sharp claws.

‘Come to me.’

As soon as the cat was tamed, it entered the test room.

“Oh? A cat came in?”

The staff tried to send the cat out, but no way.

I gave the cat an order.

‘Cut the rope.’

“Meow!!”

Snip!!

The cat, avoiding the staff’s hand, raised its front paw and struck down on the rope.

The tightly tied rope was cut in two in an instant.

The staff, belatedly picking up the cat, stared blankly at the dismantled rope.

“Oh dear, the rope came undone. Anyway, I passed, right? The rope was untied ‘in any way’.”

The staff glared at me with narrowed eyes.

I deliberately put my hands behind my back and whistled.

No matter how much they suspect, they can never imagine that I controlled the cat.

As I continued to act nonchalant, the staff finally handed over the pass.

“The Sage said, ‘Luck is also a skill.’ You can go to the next gate.”

“Thank you. What was the original answer?”

“You take the honey that comes with the meal, dab it on the end of a tree branch, and apply it to the rope. Then, a swarm of ants living nearby will gather and gnaw at it within three hours.”

Indeed, it is the Gate of Wisdom.

What would have happened to an ordinary person?

They would have struggled alone, ordered a meal because they were hungry, and then spread honey on the bread and enjoyed it.

They would have enjoyed their last supper without even knowing they were immediately disqualified.

Anyway, it was said that as long as you get to Seoul, it doesn’t matter how you get there. [A common Korean saying meaning the end justifies the means].

I passed the first test somewhat unconventionally and arrived at the Gate of Knowledge.

The examiner at the Gate of Knowledge was a young man wearing glasses.

He had a pile of papers next to him, apparently doing separate work while serving as an examiner.

“You’ve arrived? It’s been half a year since someone passed the Gate of Wisdom.”

“I want to know the test details.”

“The content is simple. Solve these problems. You must get them all right to pass.”

The Gate of Knowledge was literally a written exam.

The exam questions were like this:

[Q1. What is the earliest place where the sun rises in the Calon Empire?]

[Q2. Write down the full names of the past emperors in order.]

[Q3. What color do you get when you mix yellow and blue?]

[Q4. Write down five monster names you know and describe their characteristics in detail.]

[Q5. What is love? Answer the question.]

Geography, mathematics, social studies, humanities, philosophy, economics.

There were twenty questions in all sorts of fields.

‘How do I solve this?’

The difficulty of each question was manageable, but the scope of the exam was incredibly broad.

For example, question number 4 is too easy for me, who worked in the north.

I can rattle off monster names and characteristics even in my sleep.

But questions 1 and 2 were impossible to know unless you were a citizen of the Calon Empire.

‘You can only pass if you are a scholar with trivial knowledge in all fields or if you know the answer key.’

That was my conclusion.

But I wasn’t disappointed.

It’s an absolute evaluation anyway.

I decided to openly look at the answer key since no one would be eliminated just because I passed.

[Life Control]

[Shared Vision]

I possessed a tree behind the examiner.

I focused on the pile of papers placed on the supervisor’s desk.

I thought that the examiner wouldn’t have memorized the answers to all the questions, so there would be an answer key.

‘There is an answer key after all.’

So far so good, but there was a problem.

The answer key was half-covered by the work documents that the examiner had spread out.

I wish I could get rid of that, but is there a good way?

[Life Control]

[Taming]

I summoned a cat again, but it was blocked at the first gate.

The Gate of Wisdom examiner was standing there and sent the cat out.

The same was true for the stray dogs and sparrows I tamed.

“Examiner? Don’t you ever go to the bathroom?”

“Don’t talk to me, I’m busy. Only call me when you have solved all the problems or given up the exam.”

What a stubborn guy.

The bathroom operation also failed.

The next operation is the wind operation.

[Wind Control]

Whoosh!

A sudden whirlwind blew inside.

The documents on the supervisor’s desk were scattered all over the floor.

I glanced at the answer key, but the examiner held the answer key close to his chest, even if he threw away all the other documents.

‘This is difficult.’

As I was pondering how to steal a peek at the answer key, I suddenly remembered a new skill I had acquired while being promoted to an upper-level Druid this time.

4. Life Control

– Shared Vision (★★)

– Taming (★★)

– Memory Recall (★)

Currently, Shared Vision and Taming are being used quite well.

But I’m seeing Memory Recall for the first time.

I don’t know what kind of skill it is, so should I use it for now?

[Use Memory Recall]

[Reads the past of the possessed target.]

[Possessed Target – Ginkgo Tree at the Gate of Knowledge Test Site]

Flash!!

A small room was created in one corner of my head.

A video was playing there.

The video showed an empty test site.

I intuitively realized where this was.

It was the Gate of Knowledge test site a few hours ago.

‘So that’s how this skill is activated.’

Reading the past of the target.

You can gain an overwhelming advantage in tracking and information gathering.

It’s an incredibly overpowered skill.

Why are all the Life Control skills so valuable?

The examiner appeared in the video.

In the video, he complained that a test taker had come while he was busy.

He was holding a bundle of papers in his arms, with the answer key at the very top.

Thump!

He put the bundle of papers on the table.

The answer key was at the top, so the answers were clearly visible.

‘Stop!’

When I shouted stop in my head, the slowly playing memory stopped.

The answer key was drawn as clearly as a screenshot.

The exam is over.

I looked at the answer key and copied all the correct answers.

The time it took was only five minutes.

“Examiner.”

“Why do you keep calling me? If you call me one more time without meaning, you will be disqualified regardless of the exam results.”

“I have solved all the problems.”

“Don’t joke around.”

“I’m serious.”

I submitted the exam paper.

The examiner who received it compared it with the answer key one by one and graded it.

The number of circles gradually increased.

The more that happened, the more the examiner’s mouth widened.

“Examiner, you’re drooling.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. You got them all right.”

The exam result is perfect.

The examiner has a possessed look on his face.

“Did you see the answer key?”

“How could I?”

“…I guess so.”

He suspects it, but there is no evidence.

I took an even more brazen attitude, and the Gate of Knowledge examiner, following the Gate of Wisdom examiner, had no choice but to admit it.

“You’re lucky.”

“I hear that a lot.”

“I’ll give you the pass.”

I passed the Gate of Wisdom and the Gate of Knowledge.

I entered the final Gate of Power.

This test was obvious.

I guess I have to prove my strength.

The key was who the opponent was.

“Oh ho, I heard that someone passed the second stage of the test after a long time, and I wondered who it was, but it was a young man who looked manly.”

A baggy blue robe, an oak staff, a long white beard down to his waist, a wide-brimmed pointed hat, and sparkling eyes.

“Oh, no.”

The final supervisor was Sage Orneo himself.