My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 135

§ 135 – The New Forest Keeper

Asrandiz’s voice, escaping from his dry lips, was raspy.

There were no visible signs of torture or physical punishment, but pain wasn’t limited to the physical realm.

“Are you alright?”

Sian regretted the question as soon as he uttered it.

Asrandiz, who had been forced to kill his own wife and son.

He had even been consumed by madness, attempting to eradicate his daughter and everyone in the northern part of the empire.

How could he possibly be alright, burdened with such a state and such sins?

“I’m fine.”

Asrandiz insisted he was fine.

Sian quietly observed Asrandiz.

In his gaunt face, his black eyes shone with an unsettling intensity.

“…Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I would have committed an irreversible sin.”

Asrandiz bowed his head towards Sian.

Sian slowly began to speak.

“I heard you’ve lost all your power.”

“It’s a small price to pay for what I’ve done.”

A great mage of the 8th Circle.

The realms of mages and knights have different classifications, but reaching the 8th Circle is comparable to the upper echelons of a Master [a highly skilled and powerful individual].

In other words, it’s a level where one is considered among the strongest on the continent.

It’s a level that one cannot easily reach, even with a lifetime of dedication.

Asrandiz had lost all of that power.

“I even think it’s fortunate, in a way.”

Even so, Asrandiz remained calm.

“I don’t have to fight that madness anymore.”

He seemed to believe he had paid a sufficient price.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t feel any regret or sorrow.

“But I can’t help but worry about the children of my race.”

The forest keeper who protects the dark elves.

“But they’ll have to endure. Just like they always have.”

Then Asrandiz looked at Sian once more.

“Thank you so much for saving me… and allowing me to protect my people.”

Asrandiz’s eyes were more sincere than ever before.

Sian couldn’t find any words to say to such a man.

A moment of silence followed.

“Serah misses the Forest Keeper very much.”

“Serah…”

Asrandiz’s expression darkened rapidly at the mention of Serah.

She was his only remaining daughter after losing his wife and son.

And now, a family he could never see again.

“…Serah will overcome it. She may seem innocent, but she’s stronger than anyone else.”

“But she’s still young. I heard she hasn’t been an adult for very long.”

Of course, the age of adulthood is different for humans and elves.

However, the concept of adulthood is not significantly different.

A time to choose and take responsibility for one’s life.

At the same time, it’s a time when one has just gained the qualifications to learn and move forward into the world.

That’s why she was still young and inexperienced.

“Someone needs to guide Serah and teach her.”

That role is mostly taken by parents.

Although Asrandiz had lost all his power.

Being a parent wasn’t about being strong.

“…”

Asrandiz had no answer.

He was aware of his sins.

That’s why he was also resigned to his fate.

Asrandiz knew he couldn’t fulfill that role.

Asrandiz’s head slowly lowered.

Sian looked at Asrandiz and chuckled, almost unconsciously.

He didn’t know why.

But looking at Asrandiz’s current state, a memory surfaced in his mind.

The image of Cecil looking at him a long time ago.

Sian’s mother, Cecil.

Cecil had been found dead overnight.

It was sudden.

And in Elan Dur, they dismissed it as a mysterious accident.

But Sian knew.

The young Sian hadn’t known, but the current Sian knew.

It wasn’t a sudden accident.

Perhaps…

Cecil had also sensed her fate at that time.

And had Cecil shown the same appearance as Asrandiz before she died?

Well, I don’t know.

Sian was someone’s child, but he had never been a father.

That’s why Sian couldn’t fully understand Asrandiz’s feelings, or Cecil’s feelings.

However.

“Serah needs the Forest Keeper.”

He could understand Serah’s feelings.

Having to lose her mother and be left alone.

And being powerless to do anything in that process.

Sian could understand that loneliness and guilt better than anyone else.

And in the past.

Sian couldn’t protect both of them.

Cecil, who died tragically, and the young Sian, who had to be left alone.

The Sian of the past couldn’t protect both of them.

But now…

Sian smiled slightly and reached into his pocket.

He pulled out the key he had received from the warden earlier.

Clang.

A dull sound echoed as the prison door swung open.

“…?”

Asrandiz tilted his head, a blank expression on his face, as if he didn’t understand the situation.

Sian entered the prison and released the chains binding Ho-hyun.

Clang. Clang.

“W-What is this…?”

Asrandiz looked at Sian with wide eyes.

Sian smiled slightly and said,

“Currently, the Forest Keeper is a servant of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Servant.

A person employed to perform menial tasks for someone.

In the Charlotte Empire, which officially rejected slavery, ‘servant’ was often a euphemism for slave.

It was different from attendants and maids, who were employees with rights.

Servants were of a lower status than them.

They were essentially slaves who only worked.

Of course, only basic room and board were provided.

No salary was provided at all.

Asrandiz had become a slave who would serve the empire for life.

“…?”

Asrandiz’s expression grew even more bewildered at Sian’s words.

He seemed unable to comprehend the previous situation, nor Sian’s explanation.

That’s because Asrandiz’s original punishment was execution.

He wasn’t explicitly told this, but he had already guessed it.

Above all, it was just a matter of being a servant and a slave.

A slave who obeyed Conrad’s orders.

It was enough if Conrad allowed Asrandiz to do anything.

In other words, it was just a formality of punishment.

It was like covering your eyes and saying “Ah!” [a Korean idiom meaning to deceive oneself].

In reality, it was no different from forgiving the crime.

‘It was a bit… unexpected.’

I did it thinking I would only avoid execution…

Honestly, it was a bit unexpected.

I thought I would be sentenced to prison.

Is it the generosity of the Emperor?

‘Or does he have other thoughts…’

Anyway.

“So, Asrandiz’s status is that of a slave, but you don’t have to worry about it. I’ve already received permission from His Highness. And I’ve made it my territory… If you wish, I’ll let you live freely where you used to live.”

Asrandiz didn’t answer.

He just looked at Sian with trembling eyes.

“Why…?”

A slight tremor was felt in Asrandiz’s cracked voice.

He knew what the current situation meant.

He knew why this situation had unfolded.

“Just…”

Sian scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“What are you going to do?”

Sian’s question followed.

However, Asrandiz couldn’t answer easily.

No, it was more accurate to say that he couldn’t bring himself to.

Due to the recent events in the north, the existence of dark elves was now widely known in the empire.

It hadn’t spread throughout the empire yet because the imperial family was keeping it quiet.

But those who were in the know, knew.

Naturally, humans who were interested in elves would appear.

In that process, countless oppressions and persecutions would surely erupt.

However, the forest keeper who protects the dark elves had lost all his power.

And the fact that the forest keeper had lost all his power meant that the dark elves had lost their most powerful protector.

They were thrown into the harsh wilderness.

What awaited them was not bright hope.

“…”

That’s why Asrandiz couldn’t open his mouth easily.

“If you feel overwhelmed… you can stay in my territory for a while.”

Sian knew that.

Asrandiz’s eyes widened at Sian’s sudden words.

“Your territory…?”

“It’s a territory called Ruben. It’s located in the Dark Forest, but… I think it would suit the dark elves really well.”

Asrandiz’s gaze was blank.

“Besides, Ruben has not only humans but also dwarves, so there won’t be any aversion to other races.”

“…”

Asrandiz couldn’t say anything.

He just looked at Sian with trembling eyes.

By the Emperor’s special order, Asrandiz’s sins were forgiven.

However, the empire’s hatred of the dark elves.

And the human’s greed for the dark elves.

It didn’t mean that those things would disappear.

That’s why accepting himself and the dark elves as territory residents…

Asrandiz knew what that meant.

“Does that mean you’ll protect us…?”

Sian nodded calmly at Asrandiz’s trembling question.

“I am the lord of Ruben. It is the lord’s duty to protect the residents of Ruben. Like the dark elves’ forest keeper.”

Forest Keeper.

Asrandiz’s eyes trembled once more at that word.

A moment of silence.

“The Forest Keeper… doesn’t simply mean a guardian who protects the dark elves.”

Asrandiz lowered his gaze slightly and spoke quietly.

“Although I have lost all my power, our people still use the mana of darkness. And as you can see… they can be consumed by madness at any time.”

The reason why dark elves are rejected by the world.

The madness of those who use the mana of darkness.

And it wasn’t just a misunderstanding.

A second or third Dyson could happen at any time.

“If that happens again…”

“I will stop them.”

Asrandiz raised his gaze at Sian’s words.

And a man was seen in Asrandiz’s vision.

“If other dark elves are consumed by madness like Asrandiz, I will stop them. Just like I stopped Asrandiz.”

“…”

Asrandiz’s expression went blank for a moment.

His mouth was moving to say something, but no words came out.

Only a blank gaze was directed at Sian.

In that gaze, a memory from a while ago flashed through Asrandiz’s mind.

It was when Asrandiz was consumed by Instiz’s madness.

When everyone was frustrated and sat down in front of the strongest and most terrifying evil.

“I will definitely stop you.”

The image of a human getting up, staggering.

Dark elves who have been rejected by the world.

Asrandiz had suffered so much pain and suffering as the forest keeper of such dark elves.

That’s why, in fact, Asrandiz understood Dyson’s corruption to some extent.

The dark elves who were rejected by the world.

The oppression and persecution they had to endure.

Asrandiz thought it was the fate of the dark elves.

However, he also had a sense of injustice about such a fate.

And that’s why.

Asrandiz didn’t think he was consumed by Instiz’s madness.

Perhaps Asrandiz’s deep inner darkness.

That’s what awakened Instiz’s power.

Asrandiz thought so.

Dark elves were such a race.

A race of darkness.

A fate that is swallowed up after fighting the inherent madness for a lifetime.

The reason why dark elves’ personalities are pure is also based on this.

People in the world often think that it is because they are not tainted by the world.

But in reality, it was the dark elves’ own way of survival, chosen to fight the inherent madness.

Even so, dark elves went mad one by one.

They could not resist fate and eventually disappeared.

That’s why there was not a single one.

There was no one.

Without any prejudice, without any expectation of reward.

“Join us.”

It was the first time that someone accepted the dark elves as they were.

“Why… why… why…?”

Asrandiz’s voice trembled severely.

I can’t even think of anything.

The dark elves who have sinned against many people.

Dyson said it was retaliation for the mistakes humans had made.

But on the contrary, the dark elves also gave humans indelible wounds.

Just look at the recent incident in the north.

Dark elves are criminals.

Even if they are not now, they are destined to become criminals someday.

That’s why the fate that criminals must face is rightfully determined.

I thought it had to be that way.

“Just…”

The man in front of him just gave a shy smile.

An awkward silence fell.

Sian and Asrandiz stood in that silence for a long time.

How long had passed?

In an instant, Asrandiz’s eyes sparkled.

He had no energy at all, and he looked like he would fly away if someone blew on him.

However, only the black eyes looking at Sian were shining particularly brightly.

Swoosh.

Then Asrandiz lifted his haggard body and knelt on one knee.

“The forest keeper of the dark elves…”

Then he bowed his head towards Sian.

“Ruben’s territory resident. Asrandiz.”

And Asrandiz’s voice was heard quietly.

“I greet the new Forest Keeper.”

At the same time as Asrandiz’s words.

Ting!

《Legendary achievement, ‘Guardian of the Dark Elves, Forest Keeper’ achieved!》

A cheerful smartphone notification sound was heard from inside his pocket.

And again.

Ting! Ting!!

The notification sound, which seemed to have a slight error, was heard in succession.

《Whoaaaaaa!! Forest Keeper?!》

《Forest Keeperoooooooot?!!?!?!》

The frantic Mobile Lord’s notification window floated above it.

#

‘……Huh?’

The smartphone notification sound that suddenly came.

Sian took out his smartphone from his pocket and checked the notification window that popped up.

《You! What are you! Forest Keeper! Forest Keeper!!》

《How can you achieve the achievement of Forest Keeper?》

《Even among the elves, it’s an achievement that only the most outstanding and upright can obtain!》

《What are you! Are you human! Are you an elf!》

《Or are you a knight! Are you a wizard!》

《What the hell is your identity!!!》

《No way! No way!!!》

Ting!

《This is definitely a bug!》

.

.

‘……What is it?’

Why are you suddenly making such a fuss?

And what’s a bug?

Sian really had nothing to say.

Ting!

《A special item will be additionally opened due to the achievement of a legendary grade achievement!》

Then a notification window popped up.

“Asrandiz, just a moment.”

Sian asked Asrandiz for a moment of understanding and checked the notification window that popped up.

【Arnaise’s Blessing】

④【: True truth is something that doesn’t seem like truth.】

[Effect 1] – The research speed of the laboratory increases by +20,000%!

[Effect 2] – The growth rate of wizards belonging to the territory increases by +1,000%!

[Effect 3] – The effect of magic amplification (魔力增爆) is always applied!

[Unlock condition: Achieve a legendary achievement related to the Forest Keeper.]

.

.

Arnaise’s newly opened perk, .

With this, , , .

And up to .

It was like getting a total of 4 Arnaise perks.

Sian checked the effect of the newly opened .

As expected, Arnaise’s perks were perks, and the effect was considerable.

Then suddenly.

‘Magic amplification?’

Sian tilted his head at the unfamiliar phrase in [Effect 3].

His question was only for a moment.

Sian touched the flickering letters of ‘Magic Amplification’.

Click.

『《Magic Amplification (魔力增爆)》

▶Amplifies the magic efficiency of the achievement holder by +10%.』

.

.

A simple and clear explanation.

However, unlike the explanation, the effect was not so simple.

‘+10% increase in magic efficiency?’

In other words, it meant increasing the efficiency of magic by +10%.

And magic mainly refers to the power that wizards handle.

However, to be more precise, it meant ‘power residing in mana’.

In other words, it was the concept of ‘magic power’.

And the aura that knights use is also a power based on mana.

Mana is the source that makes up existence.

Ma (魔) was also a part of such mana.

‘Does that mean the efficiency of the Magic Soul Control Method also increases by +10%?’

In other words, it meant that the power of magic that Sian had would increase by +10%.

Moreover, it was not a limited time, but ‘always’ applied.

In other words, it was a passive.

This was Muriel’s accessory that Sian had given to Aria as a gift in the past.

It could be said to be a passive with similar efficacy to that accessory, which doubled divine power.

‘Crazy!!!’

It was truly inevitable that the word crazy would come out.

Of course, the efficiency was not as good as Muriel’s accessory.

But.

‘If I strengthen it with achievement enhancement here…!’

Unlike Muriel’s accessories, Arnaise’s perks could be strengthened through achievement points.

Then the magic efficiency is 10%, 20%, 30%…

The more you pay, the more the number increases.

Of course, it cost 10,000 achievement points per enhancement.

In gold value, it cost 1 million gold.

But.

‘Confirmed cash enhancement, not probability luck!’

What else is this if not true cash enhancement!

‘Ah…!’

Sian couldn’t control his trembling body.

《Would you like to open the perk?》

‘There’s no time to think about it!’

Sian immediately activated .

Click.

《Error: The perk cannot be opened due to an error.》

But a warning window popped up on the screen.

‘Huh?’

Just as I was wondering what it was.

《Reason for error: Insufficient payment amount.》

A new notification window popped up on the screen again.

‘Insufficient payment amount…?’

Sian immediately checked the gold in the inventory.

[Currently holding gold] – 82.000G

82,000 gold.

The gold required to open the perk was 500,000 gold.

But.

‘Didn’t I have 3 million gold…?’

Before coming to the north, Sian had squeezed… no, received 3 million gold from Durak.

‘Where did all that money go…?

Ah, that’s right.

‘I used it all to strengthen Muriel’s blessing.’

Sian nodded.

He poured all the money he had into strengthening to stop Asrandiz, who was consumed by madness.

‘But even after deducting that, I think there was about 100,000 gold left.’

It seemed that it had been gradually spent due to the maintenance cost of the territory facilities.

That means.

Ting!

《When you’re stuck, try paying!》

“Haa…”

Sian let out a sigh without realizing it.

How come this cash payment never ends?

‘Well, it’s not like Mobile Lord has done this once or twice.’

Sian shook his head.

Anyway, I had to earn money to pay.

And there is only one place to get money right now.

The Emperor’s promise to give gold in exchange for meeting Elena once.

‘I wonder if she’s back by now…’

Sian put his smartphone into his pocket.

#

The center of the imperial capital, the Imperial Palace.

Sian sat on the terrace and stared blankly at the items on the table.

Various refreshments and warm tea in a teacup.

Things that looked precious were lined up on the table.

Tea time, refreshment time, etc.

This time, which is called by various names.

It was a time used by those well-known nobles for social purposes.

That’s why Sian had never experienced it or been interested in it.

Sian slightly turned his gaze and looked at the scenery outside the terrace.

The Royal Knights were seen guarding the inside of the Imperial Palace.

Various officials were also seen moving busily.

Also, beyond that, the panorama of the capital, Darkhan, was clearly visible.

At first glance, it was clear that this was not an ordinary place even within the Imperial Palace.

That’s why ordinary people can’t come here.

“It’s been a while.”

A clear and beautiful voice was heard from across Sian.