Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 79

79. The Round Table of Ego (2)

Dozens of eyes stared at me.

The gazes of various creatures, big and small, were fixed on me. From a massive creature resembling an elephant to a tiny one like a squirrel, all the races living in Ego had answered the call.

“A human?”

“I’m not mistaken, am I?”

“What’s a human doing coming out of the Ego Forest?”

Those who came as chiefs or as representatives of the chiefs sent glares that would overwhelm any young boy.

‘Those old geezers are really something.’

Of course, having gone through thick and thin, I had nothing to fear. Moreover, some of them seemed to recognize me.

“Isn’t that the young human who came to Ego recently?”

“Our children said they saw him too.”

“He stopped the terrorist’s magic bomb, didn’t he?”

They were the chiefs of those who had gathered around when Rakhoon and his gang tried to commit terrorism. Having heard about the situation that day, they sent relatively friendly glances.

‘I do have some allies, at least.’

That would be helpful in continuing the story.

[She came too.]

Among the chiefs exuding fierce energy, there was a being waving her hand at me.

‘Did she attend in place of the chief?’

It was Karis, attending in place of the Suwang Chief. Next to her was an elder of the Gwigwang Clan, and their smiles helped ease the tension.

The chiefs scanned me. Their gazes, mixed with hostility and curiosity, soon turned elsewhere.

“Chief Grantel, why did you bring a human here?”

“More importantly, why was the Round Table of Ego convened? It seems like the first time in over a decade.”

“Is there some kind of emergency? For someone like Grantel to have something to discuss…”

The chiefs fired various questions at Grantel before he could even open his mouth.

“Everyone’s here.”

A low voice came from the gaps in the trees. Emerging from the bushes were the Ho Chief and two members of his clan.

Was it my imagination, or did the other chiefs seem to flinch at the arrival of the Ho Clan?

A gray-skinned chief with a body as large as an elephant, the Merchant Clan Chief, was the only one who didn’t back down from the Ho Chief and opened his mouth.

“Hmm. There are many unexpected guests today.”

They weren’t a particularly competitive race, but if they decided to exert their power, they wouldn’t be inferior to the Ho Clan. What he meant was clear: originally, only chiefs or their representatives could attend the Round Table of Ego.

I, whom Grantel had brought, as well as the Ho Clan members brought by the Ho Chief, were uninvited guests.

“You could say that this human gathered us here. He’s the one who requested that two Ho Clan members be brought.”

At the Ho Chief’s words, a deeper question arose in the chiefs’ eyes. The Merchant Clan Chief spoke up again.

“What do you mean?”

“Just as I said. Recently, our Ho Clan’s number one warrior, Hirei, had his seal released [a magical restriction placed on powerful individuals].”

“What?”

The chiefs were horrified at the mention of the seal release. Their eyes narrowed, as they had broken a rule forbidden in Ego.

“But this human claimed that he killed him. Of course, with the help of the Leaf Clan and the Suwang Clan.”

“Huh. What a thing to happen!”

“So, we called you here to clarify the rights and wrongs of that incident.”

The chiefs swallowed hard.

“If that happened… it’s reasonable to request the Round Table of Ego.”

The Merchant Clan Chief nodded slowly.

“Now, then, human brat. I hope you have prepared the evidence?”

As the Ho Clan’s gaze turned to me, the chiefs’ gazes followed.

“Of course. Before we begin, allow me to introduce myself.”

As I bowed my head, the chiefs narrowed their eyes. Since they didn’t seem to want an answer, I simply continued what I had to say.

“As the Ho Chief said, the Ho Clan’s number one warrior did have his seal released.”

The chiefs focused on my lips, as if telling me to continue the story.

“It is true that we ambushed him, which is why he released the seal.”

At that statement, the chiefs began to stir, and the Ho Chief’s eyes widened.

“You! So you’re finally admitting it! It’s because you ambushed him that Hirei made such a decision!”

The Ho Chief revealed his full force along with his roar. The Merchant Clan Chief stepped in to calm him down.

“Still, let’s hear him out. It seems like there’s more to the story.”

Then, he gestured for me to continue.

“Thank you. It is true that we attacked first, but you need to know why we attacked him.”

After pausing for a moment, I looked at the Ho Chief and opened my mouth.

“It was to protect Ego from him.”

The story I was about to tell would cause an even greater stir than Hirei releasing his seal.

“Have there been any residents disappearing in Ego recently?”

The Ho Chief snorted at those words.

“What? What’s the meaning of suddenly saying that? Don’t you dare, a mere human, take an interest in Ego’s affairs!”

Ignoring his words, I pointed to the Wonin Chief.

“Chief, hasn’t one of your Wonin Clan members gone missing recently?”

The Wonin Chief slowly nodded. He had been kidnapped by the Ho Clan not long ago.

Before attention could fully focus on him, I pointed to other chiefs.

“The Myo Clan and the Long-Tail Clan have also been kidnapped recently, haven’t they?”

The races I had seen at Dorn’s general store.

“…We had such an incident about a month ago.”

“It was a few weeks ago for us.”

Having seen them trapped in cages, there was no way I could be wrong.

“There are definitely more people who have gone missing recently, like Karis of the Suwang Clan over there.”

Dozens of gazes turned to the spot. Karis, who was smiling awkwardly, carefully opened her mouth.

“Yes. I was also kidnapped. I was about to be sold as a slave to humans when this gentleman helped me.”

Her words were enough to surprise the chiefs.

“T-to dare kidnap the daughter of the Suwang Chief?”

“That’s insane.”

“To sell her as a slave to humans!”

“What madman did such a thing!”

The chiefs were agitated. I slowly opened my mouth towards them.

“That person was the Ho Clan’s number one warrior.”

As if trying to confirm the truth, the chiefs’ gazes turned to Karis.

“Yes. That’s right.”

Heads slowly nodded. It was the moment the Ho Chief’s brow furrowed.

In addition, the Gwigwang Clan’s elder added a word.

“Hirei tried to kidnap our Gwigwang Clan as well. Chief Grantel and that boy knew about this in advance and helped us.”

All the chiefs were now swallowing their breaths.

“…How could such a thing happen?”

“It’s a rule not to harm the residents of Ego!”

They were completely swept up in the atmosphere.

“That’s not all!”

I pulled out a card to deliver the final blow.

‘Shall we ride the momentum a bit?’

I approached Grantel next to me and snatched the cloak covering his body.

“Chief Grantel was injured like this to stop Hirei.”

Then, Grantel’s injuries were revealed. The chiefs’ eyes widened at the sight of his missing arms, which was a natural result.

“Oh, how!”

“Chief Grantel! Are you alright!”

“What’s going on in Ego!”

Their wavering emotions were bound to provoke the Ho Chief.

“This lowly human is spouting nonsense! There’s no evidence in anything you’ve said. If the Suwang Clan, Gwigwang Clan, and Leaf Clan colluded, they could easily make up lies!”

His attitude was what I wanted.

‘It’s almost time.’

Outside the Ego Forest, a figure was approaching from afar.

“Evidence? I’ll show you from now on. The fact that Hirei kidnapped the residents of Ego…”

I pointed to the person walking.

“And the fact that he was preparing to wage war with humans.”

All eyes were focused on that place.

[He came at the right time.]

The protagonist of the face reflected under the moonlight in the dark night was Dorn.

‘Because that’s the date that guy set.’

The date set to trade with Hirei. That was today, so that’s why that guy appeared in this place.

“What is that human that he’s calling evidence?”

The Ho Chief’s sharp question. I could only smile and answer.

“Would you send the two Ho Clan members you brought to greet him? They’ll know if they’re the ones Hirei sent.”

Although they weren’t the Ho Clan members who had traded with Dorn.

‘If I say Hirei sent them, they won’t doubt it.’

That alone would be enough.

However, the Ho Chief’s answer was naturally not favorable.

“Why should I do that?”

He crossed his arms and frowned. Just as I was about to open my mouth to persuade him.

“It would be good to do as that young human says first. Frankly, I trust Chief Grantel more than the Ho Clan.”

The Merchant Clan Chief took a big step forward. From there, the chiefs’ complaints began to pour out.

“That’s right. We can’t easily trust that young boy, but isn’t Chief Grantel a trustworthy person?”

“Yes. Whether it’s Hirei or Chief Grantel, someone has done something wrong, so we have to find out.”

“Chief Ho, please cooperate. If we do as that boy says and no evidence comes out, then you can punish him then, right?”

Without me having to say anything, everyone was looking at the Ho Chief.

[Did your speech work well?]

As a result, everyone was supporting my opinion.

“…I understand. I’ll do that.”

In the end, the Ho Chief’s head had to nod.

“But if there’s no evidence this time, I’ll hold the Leaf Clan and the Suwang Clan responsible, and your life will be on the line.”

The guy was threatening. But I was also confident. What I said was true, and Dorn had even appeared.

“That won’t happen.”

There was no reason not to reveal the truth.

“You two, go to that guy.”

Eventually, the Ho Chief ordered the Ho Clan members he had brought.

Whoosh….

At the same time, the bushes surged and approached us. Grantel was using his power to hide our appearance.

Woo-oong!

In addition, a translucent barrier surrounded the area.

‘Soundproofing magic, huh.’

One of the chiefs had taken steps to prevent our voices from leaking out.

[He’s got a good sense.]

After waiting with all preparations in place for a while, eventually, the two Ho Clan members faced Dorn.

At that moment, when everyone’s attention was focused, Dorn was the first to open his mouth.

“Heeik! P-please save me!”

As soon as he saw the Ho Clan members, the guy knelt down.

[What, why is he suddenly like that?]

‘What is it?’

[Why is it flowing strangely?]

I was just as embarrassed by the sight.

“Please, just spare my life!”

At the guy’s sudden action, the chiefs’ gazes turned to me.

“Is that the evidence you were talking about?”

The Ho Chief’s mouth twitched strangely.