Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 164

Weapon-Devouring Bastard – Chapter 164

Even considering the entire world in this era, there weren’t many individuals who could genuinely be called Class 1.

At most, about ten people.

There were quite a few individuals believed to possess power equivalent to Class 1, but the number of those recognized by many was exceedingly small.

Of course, that was to be expected.

The Class 1 rank required not only significant achievements but also the proven ability to handle a Class 2 monster single-handedly.

A calamity-level threat capable of destroying a country overnight—a Class 2 monster that could be dealt with alone.

Conversely, that meant one person could potentially take on an entire nation.

And now, I was facing such a person.

The man who single-handedly dealt with the calamity-level monster Black Wolf, which appeared in the uncultivated lands of Northern Europe and devoured half of Norway’s territory in two hours.

The idol of all knights worldwide.

Henry Russell, the Iron-Blooded Knight.

“I, Lee Cheol, the youngest of the Soongmoo Lee family, greet the Iron-Blooded Knight.”

I bowed respectfully.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know Western etiquette, but I didn’t see the need to adhere to it.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Henry, the father of this child.”

Henry greeted me plainly and offered a handshake.

I took his hand.

‘The first Class 1 warrior I’m seeing besides my father.’

It was a strange feeling.

I felt that my father, also Class 1, was either a step removed from the rules of this world or completely assimilated into his surroundings, but Henry Russell felt like an ordinary person with nothing special about him.

‘This man is the Iron-Blooded Knight.’

I shook hands with Henry Russell, trying to gauge him.

And soon, I couldn’t help but feel surprised.

The reason he seemed ordinary was that he was perfectly controlling all the energy around him.

Not only his own energy but also the magic in the atmosphere and the energy of the land.

I was already within Henry Russell’s control.

‘If this man draws his sword now……’

If given the time to unleash all my power, perhaps I could block the first strike.

But what would follow was uncertain.

I hadn’t felt this kind of sensation since facing my father.

However.

‘It’s not completely invisible.’

It was an incredibly vast distance, but conversely, the fact that I could perceive it meant something.

At that moment, Henry asked me with a subtle smile.

“You seem a little surprised.”

“Yes, it’s not every day I get to meet someone I’ve always respected.”

“Respect, you say? While feeling such competitive spirit?”

“I apologize if I’ve offended you.”

“Not at all. It’s been a long time since I’ve been looked at with such eyes, so I find it quite enjoyable.”

Henry let out a hearty laugh.

I released his hand and looked at Henry.

“I didn’t expect the Duke to come all this way to meet me.”

“I happened to have some business in this area, so I came. Don’t feel too burdened.”

Henry said that and then asked me with a strange smile.

“Well, then. How is your father doing?”

“Yes, it’s been quite some time since I last saw him, but I’m sure he’s as healthy as ever.”

“I see.”

Henry released my hand and smiled strangely.

“I owe your father a great debt.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that Lee Tae-shin nearly killed me a few times. Your father and I were compared so often. Haha!”

Henry burst into hearty laughter.

I felt a cold sweat break out for a moment.

Henry smirked.

“Don’t be so nervous. I’m just joking.”

“……Yes, I see.”

I knew he had a laid-back personality from my past life, but experiencing it in person was disconcerting.

“Ah, of course, the part about almost dying wasn’t a joke.”

Then what exactly was the joke?

……Suddenly, I felt like I understood how Ron’s personality had become the way it was.

“Father, there’s something I need to tell you.”

At that moment, Ron stepped forward and looked at Henry.

Henry glanced at Ron and the materials we had brought and shook his head at Ron.

“Not now. The land here isn’t very good. Let’s make arrangements after we return to the mansion.”

“Yes? Yes…….”

A feeling that he was wary of something.

I didn’t miss that expression on Henry’s face.

“Duke Lee Cheol. Is that alright with you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then let’s go. I’ve prepared a private jet. It seems we have quite a few things to discuss.”

And so, we headed to the Eastgrow Estate in London, England.

* * *

The Eastgrow Estate.

The mansion, located on a large plot of land on the outskirts of London, was both classic and beautiful.

Although the grounds were much smaller than the Soongmoo Lee family’s, which was almost a giant village, it was still spacious and beautiful enough.

“This way. You can stay here.”

There should have been staff managing the mansion, but Ron insisted on guiding us through the mansion himself.

The room was almost like a house, it was so spacious.

I was grateful for the effort he put in.

“Please rest from your journey. How about we have dinner together?”

“Alright, let’s do that then.”

“Yes, I’ll send a butler at that time. Please rest well.”

After Ron left, I glanced at Jung Jin-soo and smiled wryly.

“Sorry for calling you again. You must be busy.”

“It’s no problem. This is what I’m here for.”

I exchanged light greetings with Jung Jin-soo as well.

The reason I called Jung Jin-soo was because of the matter regarding the Temple of Odin.

Now that we had decided to cooperate with the Russell family, I thought it would be necessary for the working-level staff to discuss things.

And even if that weren’t the case, it had been quite some time since we stayed in the dwarves’ village, so I needed to receive a report on what had happened in the meantime.

“It seems the Black Turtle Association is slowly starting to formally reveal itself to the world. For now, it seems to be closer to a strike force than an information organization externally.”

“It seems the head of the Black Turtle Association has made a decision.”

“Yes, it seems the organization has already been reorganized.”

The Black Turtle Association coming to the forefront was something that happened in my past life as well.

Although the timing has been significantly advanced.

“They’ve also attracted several strike forces, and they’re also working on new material development and…… the elixir industry based on the recipes you gave us, Young Master…….”

I received the documents that Jung Jin-soo handed me and reviewed them one by one.

Of course, it was already to the point where my review wasn’t strictly necessary.

That was because Jung Jin-soo was capable of handling both illegal and legal matters.

“You’ve worked hard. It seems that obtaining you was one of the wisest choices I’ve made.”

“If I had continued to stay under Baek Cheol-soo, I wouldn’t have been able to live like this. Haha.”

“Is that all then?”

“Ah! There’s one more thing.”

Jung Jin-soo handed me a small wooden box.

When I opened the lid of the wooden box, it contained a small men’s *norigae* [a traditional Korean pendant] made of jade and tassels.

“What is this?”

“Magician Valerie de Bell, whom you told me to contact before, said it was a gift and insisted that I bring it to you, Young Master. I received it when I visited the Mirinae Village for business a while ago.”

I had been in contact with Valerie from time to time.

But it was only about once every few months.

In the meantime, I heard about the Mystical Species from Valerie, and after receiving permission from Lyeo, I introduced them to her.

I heard she was staying in Mirinae Village after that…… Why a gift all of a sudden?

“There’s a letter here. It’s still a sample, but she said she made it to repay you, Young Master.”

I received the letter from Jung Jin-soo.

-It’s a gift. Aren’t you grateful? If you sell it, you’re dead?

……There was no doubt it was Valerie’s letter.

– Thanks to you, I’m working with the Mystical Species. Thank you. The only downside here is that it’s hard to get chicken. Well, now that it’s come to this, I should go on a diet. I’ve gained 10 kilograms thanks to that magical food…….

She’s still the same.

There were a lot of unnecessary details.

I flipped through it quickly.

-Anyway, here’s the main point. You must be wondering what this *norigae* is, right? The theory is…….

……Omitted……

-……The total loading capacity is about 5 cubic meters, and it can store about 1 ton in total weight. It’s not all Cheonjamsa silk like your clothes, but it’s still mixed with Cheonjamsa silk. The goblins here say that just by wearing it, magic will be activated and it will become one with your clothes.

-The usage is not difficult. While wearing the clothes made of Cheonjamsa silk, inject magic power and strongly imagine putting in or taking out.

My eyes widened.

It was an unexpected gift.

‘What does it mean that I can store things?’

First, I immediately grabbed Gyeongcheon and experimented.

Whoosh!

Gyeongcheon disappeared.

And a long line was drawn on the surface of Eunhan.

It really went in.

‘Come out.’

The moment I injected magic power again and thought that, Gyeongcheon was in my hand as if it had popped out.

“Heo.”

Jung Jin-soo, who was watching from the front, had a surprised expression.

“Oh, that’s an amazing item.”

“I received a precious gift. It was just what I needed.”

Magic power is consumed a little more than I thought, but this level of effect is worth it.

Now I don’t have to suffer from carrying various equipment and items.

‘There wasn’t even such a thing in my past life.’

It was the result of Valerie, a peerless magician and engineer, interacting with the Mystical Species of Mirinae Village.

I smiled as I fiddled with the *norigae*.

Knock knock-.

While I was having a small conversation with Jung Jin-soo, I heard a knock.

It was time to talk to Henry.

* * *

Only Henry, Ron, and I, along with Jung Jin-soo, shared the meal.

The meal was neat and delicious.

In particular, the sardine dish was the most delicious.

As we ate, we talked about the Temple of Odin.

“Hmm, the Temple of Odin…… So, in short, you’re proposing a joint development?”

“Yes, that’s right. We plan to transfer shares to the Norwegian government and receive development costs and permits. We would like to request the Russell family’s mediation in the process.”

“Hmm…… It’s not bad, but.”

Although I brought it up, Jung Jin-soo took charge of the proper conversation.

Jung Jin-soo had already internalized everything about how to investigate and proceed with the work, so he had no trouble speaking.

“Hehe, Mr. Jung has quite the insight. I understand. I’ll tell my secretary after the meal, so please have a conversation with the working-level staff.”

“Thank you, Duke Eastgrow.”

The meal ended like that.

Jung Jin-soo, who had eaten all the tea and desserts, soon left to handle the work with the guidance of the secretary.

I remained in my seat.

It was time to bring up the real story.

“You said you were attacked by a strange organization in Ireland. Tell me more about it in detail.”

Henry looked at me and said.

“Yes. I understand.”

I nodded and explained briefly.

Black tree roots.

The puppeteer.

Human experimentation.

The Sephirot Tree pattern.

Without rashly bringing up the story of the Six Nights, I finished the explanation as concisely as possible.

“…….”

Henry didn’t show any particular reaction or response as he listened to the story.

And when the whole story was over, Ron looked at Henry with fervent eyes.

“I want to investigate that organization together. Father. Please allow me. We can’t leave such heinous people alone. Please lend me the power of the family.”

“Hmm.”

Henry leaned back in his chair for a moment, lost in thought.

After waiting for a while.

Henry’s mouth opened.

“Alright. I’ll use the power of the family.”

“Thank you! Father!”

Seeing Ron smiling, Henry continued.

“I have something to talk about with Duke Lee Cheol for a moment, so go in now.”

“Yes? You want to talk to Duke Lee Cheol?”

“Yes.”

At Henry’s words, Ron made a reluctant expression but soon nodded.

“Yes, then I’ll go in. I hope you have a pleasant conversation. Father, Duke Lee Cheol.”

As Ron left the door, I was left alone with Henry.

Henry picked up his teacup and wet his lips.

“You seem to have some idea about them.”

Henry’s presence sank heavily.

I looked at Henry for a moment and nodded obediently.

“I’m not sure. I’ve only seen people similar to them.”

“I see.”

Henry lightly touched the handle of the teacup.

“They are a group called Kabbalah.”

“Are you talking about Jewish mysticism?”

“That’s right. But at the same time, it can also be said to be wrong. They believe in knowledge and are immersed in what they call the truth. At first, they were just people who wanted to spread knowledge and benefit the world, but they gradually became corrupted.”

I looked at Henry for a moment.

His figure seemed to be darkly submerged under the light.

“Are they the Six Nights?”

“The Six Nights. That’s what they were called.”

“May I ask you about them?”

At my words, Henry made a strange expression.

And looked at me.

“What do you think the Six Nights are?”

“I’ve always thought that they existed from before, but they’re just a bizarre group that emerged during the Great War. And it’s a word that refers to organizations that have been hidden a lot by later generations.”

“You seem to be misunderstanding a bit.”

Clatter!

The sound of Henry putting down his teacup rang out particularly loudly.

“Not all of them are bizarre. The organizations called the Six Nights just had a different way of looking at the world than others. That’s why they were attractive, and at the same time, they were persecuted.”

I narrowed my brow slightly.

‘What is this?’

A strange feeling.

Henry’s tone, expression, manner of speaking, and even his aura.

He was already a simple man, but there was a strange feeling in what he was saying.

I stared at him intently.

“You seem to know a lot about them.”

“I have no choice but to.”

Henry smiled.

“Because I am also one of them.”