Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 78

78. The Round Table of Ego

A branch slowly vibrated on the palm of my hand.

‘What principle is this?’

This branch, which had fallen from Grantel’s body, consistently pointed in the direction it should go.

Thud.

I deliberately dropped it on the ground in the opposite direction it was pointing.

Whoong!

The branch vibrated on its own, returning to its original direction. As if it had a will of its own, it was acting as a guide.

‘It allows me to go to a designated place.’

Of course, it was an ability that I had occasionally seen a thousand years ago. Back then, it wasn’t like I didn’t have Leaf Clan companions. It was a signature technique of the Leaf Clan.

[Those guys in Ego are really unique.]

Even the Constellation, Oberon, acknowledged the ability.

Following the guidance of the branch for a while, the scenery of the forest seemed to change slightly.

As Ego was a primeval forest, the size of the average trees was so enormous that it couldn’t be seen from the outside.

[These trees are a bit smaller.]

The further I followed the branch, the smaller the trees became.

‘It means I’m almost there.’

The Horned Clan didn’t particularly like the trees of Ego. They lived in areas with fewer trees, even within the lush forest of Ego.

Soon, even the dwindling trees disappeared.

[Oh, a field.]

A wide field unfolded in the middle of Ego.

Without any trees blocking the view, dozens of figures immediately caught my eye.

‘I finally found them.’

As the Horned Clan possessed the greatest martial prowess on land among the residents of Ego, they preferred to live in open spaces like this rather than hiding among the trees.

“Kreu?”

Therefore, it was only natural that they would discover me as well. They couldn’t possibly fail to recognize me, standing alone in the field.

“Am I seeing things?”

“A human here?”

Dozens of figures frowned. The Horned Clan’s attention was focused on my presence, but.

“Klall-nim!”

Their attention was directed solely towards a Leaf Clan member behind them.

“Ah, no!”

Klall shouted as if telling them not to come closer. He was surrounded by the Horned Clan, looking anxious.

[Looks like it’s not a good situation?]

‘You think so too, right?’

It would have been ideal if the Horned Clan had been friendly, but the circumstances didn’t seem to allow for such expectations.

“It’s really a human?”

“So, what this Leaf Clan guy said is true?”

The guys looked back and forth between me and Klall, seemingly trying to figure out the situation.

[It seems Klall told them about you too?]

‘Probably. He couldn’t have avoided explaining the situation.’

Klall must have explained the events before and after stopping the rampaging Hillel. There was no way my story would have been omitted.

“Kreung! So, is it true that Hillel released the Sealed Body, as Klall claims!”

A thunderous voice suddenly rang out. It was the voice of someone sitting on a massive, tombstone-like throne at the far end of them.

A white beard wrapped around his entire jaw, and a physique that seemed slightly larger than Hillel’s.

‘That’s the Chieftain.’

It wasn’t difficult to discern his identity.

“Bring that young human here.”

Following his command, the Horned Clan surrounded me. They reached out their hands.

“I’ll go on my own, so don’t touch me. I came to speak with your Chieftain anyway.”

As I took the first step, the Horned Clan simply stared blankly. It was only after a few seconds that they realized the situation.

“This damn bastard!”

“A human dares to insult us!”

“I’ll tear him apart and kill him right now!”

The guys began to rage. However, the Horned Clan Chieftain merely extended his hand to restrain them.

“A young human is audacious. You have something to say to me?”

I stood beside Klall in front of him and opened my mouth.

“Yes. As you heard from Klall-nim, the Horned Clan’s top warrior almost endangered Ego. I came to ask you to take care of the aftermath.”

It sounded nice to say ‘take care of the aftermath,’ but it meant to take responsibility.

“Keuehm.”

It was only natural that the Horned Clan Chieftain’s brow furrowed.

“But didn’t you guys attack Hillel first, causing him to retaliate? How can I trust you?”

With a deep breath, he stared at me with emotionless eyes. Even though it was a simple action, his aura seemed to press down on my entire body.

Of course, an ordinary human would have been terrified.

‘I heard they don’t have a good relationship with Hillel. But he’s still taking the same Horned Clan’s side, huh?’

I expected him to act like this.

[They’re a clan that hates humans so much.]

I wasn’t one to back down from this level of pressure. No, if I backed down now, the Horned Clan would try even harder to kill me, given their temperament.

“If you can’t trust me, I request the Round Table of Ego. I’ll present the evidence there.”

At my calm words, the corners of his lips twitched strangely.

“What? The Round Table of Ego?”

“Yes. I’ll reveal there that a man named Hillel associated with humans and harmed Ego.”

“You must be crazy. Do you even know what the Round Table of Ego is before you spout nonsense!”

“Of course. It’s a place where the chieftains gather to discuss any unsavory incidents in Ego. I think this matter is worth proposing.”

“You impudent fellow. I don’t know where you heard it, but there is such a foolish rule.”

The Horned Clan Chieftain’s expression hardened as he continued.

“However, the qualification to convene the Round Table of Ego is only given to each chieftain. For a human to dare discuss the Round Table of Ego, you’re a madman.”

He gestured to the remaining Horned Clan members as if I was no longer of value.

“Tear this fool’s limbs apart. And pluck out his wagging tongue and feed it to the crows.”

The Horned Clan members surrounded me once again. However, without panicking, I took out a small object from my pocket.

“Here. It’s the voice of the Leaf Clan.”

The crystal orb that Grantel had given me. The small orb in my hand changed the Horned Clan Chieftain’s expression once more.

“…What are you?”

The chieftains’ meeting. It was the item needed to convene the Round Table of Ego. It allowed one to exercise the rights as the Leaf Clan Chieftain’s representative.

“As you can see, I’m just a powerless human. However, I’m only here on behalf of Grantel-nim of the Leaf Clan. If you punish me, you’ll be violating the rules of Ego.”

“Unbelievable. Did Grantel entrust the voice of the Leaf Clan to such a young human? Is he senile?”

“Actually, Grantel-nim is unable to come here. Both of his arms were severed by Hillel.”

“…What?”

The Horned Clan Chieftain narrowed his eyes at those words.

“Ch, Chieftain-nim?”

Even Klall, who had been silent, tightly closed his eyes.

“Fortunately, he’s on his way to receive treatment with the help of the Beast King Clan. He almost lost his life if we were just a little late.”

A situation where the chieftain of a clan was attacked. The Horned Clan Chieftain couldn’t easily dismiss this matter either.

“…Then where is Hillel now?”

“He lost his life at the hands of the Beast King Clan’s top warrior. Because he had lost his reason, there was no other way to subdue him.”

“…Hmm.”

“However, the remaining Horned Clan members who followed him are still alive. They’re bound by Grantel-nim’s restraints. I’ll tell you their location, so please imprison them in the Horned Clan for now.”

Eventually, the Horned Clan Chieftain nodded.

“Alright. Let’s assume everything you said is true for now. However, if you fail to reveal the evidence at the Round Table of Ego, I’ll take your life, of course. And I’ll hold the Leaf Clan and the Beast King Clan involved in this matter responsible as well.”

The Horned Clan Chieftain’s expression was displeased, but as a resident of Ego, he couldn’t ignore the rules.

If he refused the official Round Table of Ego, it would be tantamount to losing his justification for staying in Ego.

‘But he’s still a guy who knows how to reason.’

What set him apart from Hillel was that he knew they shouldn’t leave Ego yet.

As it was the only habitat for different races, the rules here had to be followed.

“Understood. In return, I’ll decide the location and date for the Round Table of Ego and let you know again.”

“Do as you please. Now get lost.”

After bowing as a formality.

“Let’s go, Klall-nim.”

I took him, who was surrounded by the Horned Clan members, and headed towards the lush primeval forest.

* * *

Several days had passed since then.

“Hoo. I gathered a lot again today.”

Drew sat next to the hole in the hall, a satisfied smile on his face.

“It’s definitely gathering much better than outside. I can feel it accumulating in my body.”

Admun was also looking down at his body.

Grantel hadn’t returned yet, but with the help of the remaining Leaf Clan members, they visited the hall every day. Thanks to that opportunity, they were accumulating Aura at a rate unimaginable outside.

‘Is it about time to leave?’

As they still couldn’t stay in the hall when the moon rose, they were preparing to leave when.

“Has everyone been doing well?”

A voice came from behind.

“Grantel-nim?”

“Oh, it’s been a while!”

Drew and Admun shouted, seemingly delighted at his appearance after several days.

“It’s been a while.”

“Is your body alright now?”

The first thing that caught my eye was his arms. Well-bandaged bandages were in place around his shoulder joints instead.

“Of course. Thanks to you and the Beast King Clan.”

“You should have rested more. Ah, did you come to go to the Round Table together?”

“That’s right. Karis told me that the date is today. I couldn’t possibly send only you.”

He had informed all the races to host the Round Table of Ego. He had heard it from the Beast King Clan, where he had been staying.

“Then let’s send the kids ahead and leave right away.”

“Let’s do that.”

Drew and Admun couldn’t understand our conversation. The guys were just staring in shock at Grantel’s lost arms.

“I’ll explain it later, so go to the Leaf Clan village and rest today.”

“Ah, uh, okay.”

“…Yes. I understand. It’s not a dangerous task, is it?”

The kids repeatedly looked at Grantel, sending worried glances.

“Of course not. Don’t worry and just wait a little longer.”

I tried to soothe them and sent them away first. Only Klall remained in place, assisting Grantel.

“Let’s depart too. Chieftain-nim.”

“Let’s go then.”

Immediately after the children left, we moved our steps through the dense trees.

“But why did you specifically choose the entrance of Ego’s forest as the location?”

“Because there’s something I want to show the chieftains there. Don’t worry.”

Soon, Klall covered my eyes. As I held his hand, a tremendous wind swept over my head.

Shortly after Klall’s touch was removed, we had already arrived at the entrance of Ego’s forest.

It was a path we frequented every day, but there was one difference today.

“Everyone has gathered.”

Nearly twenty different races were waiting for us there.