Player Who Became A Constellation [EN]: Chapter 78

78

Player as a Constellation – Episode 78 (78/250)

Episode 78

Whoosh-!

A massive bonfire blazed in the plaza.

Thump, thump, clap-!

People clapped and stomped their feet to the rhythm.

With smiles on their faces, they looked at their partners, linked arms, and spun around.

Those watching the dance clapped along to the beat.

A lute-playing minstrel performed to the sound of a horn on the stage.

“Good!”

Loki, watching from an outdoor bench at the inn, clapped and stomped his feet along.

The sight of the people gathered in the plaza dancing joyfully made Loki’s body sway.

Yes, this was the romance he had been longing for!

‘In Ronia, I only saw bleak and miserable sights.’

Isn’t this what fantasy is all about?

“Do you like it, Hoon?”

A beast-kin [a person with animal-like features], clearly pleased by Loki’s reaction, chugged her beer and let out a ‘Kyah!’

With beer foam on her lips, her beast ears twitched, showing her good mood.

The Myo race, Karen, was greatly pleased that her kingdom’s festival was being appreciated by a human from another country.

Karen stared openly at Loki, who could be considered a guest.

‘This person isn’t a Nord, is he?’

She had heard stories about the Nords from her father, the king of Nordrian, since she was young.

A noble warrior race, they said.

However, on the western continent, their reputation was poor; they were known as a band of plunderers.

She had heard that the only mages among the Nords were shamans, so she thought he was just a slave mage captured by the Nords.

That’s because….

‘He crossed the sea!’

Walking, no less.

Karen, who was watching the sea and tending to the lighthouse, had accidentally discovered Loki walking across the ocean.

Seeing him enjoy the festival eased her wariness.

When she spoke to him, he didn’t run away but even asked her for directions.

“Yes, the North has a rough and exhilarating feel, while this place has a soft and warm feeling.”

“Hehe.”

Karen’s mouth loosened once more at the praise of her kingdom’s culture.

People at the inn noticed her innocent demeanor and greeted her.

“Oh! Isn’t that Lady Karen!?”

“Are you here to enjoy the festival?”

“Yeah, that’s right! I’m going to enjoy the festival! You guys enjoy it too!”

People smiled warmly at her pure appearance and waved.

Then they simply passed by.

Even after spotting Loki, they acted as if they hadn’t seen him.

Realizing this, Karen looked at Loki with a strange expression.

“Those people can’t see Hoon?”

“That’s normal. I’ve suppressed my presence.”

“Magic?”

“Something like that.”

But why? This Myo woman noticed him and followed him.

How was she recognizing him?

“Then how are you seeing me?”

“See?”

Karen tilted her head, then swayed her body from side to side and said,

“I smell you!”

“Smell?”

“Yeah. You have a warm and cozy smell.”

“I have that kind of smell?”

“Yeah, it’s a fire smell. It’s deeply ingrained.”

“…I see.”

Does fire have a smell?

What kind of smell is it that she would smell it and follow him?

“But Hoon, why did you sneak in? Are you scouting this place?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Is it okay to say that so honestly?”

“Then why didn’t you report me to the guards when I snuck in?”

“My dad said not to be rude to the Nords who are coming soon as guests. Especially since I can’t handle making mistakes.”

Karen’s ears drooped as if she had lost energy.

“…I do a lot of foolish things.”

“Really? Well, I’m very satisfied with you guiding me.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe…!”

Indeed, most nobles would think she was rude.

Speaking informally and acting friendly without any distance.

Would you call it defenseless?

More than anything, even if they were reinforcements, one would be wary of soldiers from another country sneaking in without permission, but Karen showed no wariness, as if they were old friends.

When Loki mentioned that, Karen said simply and clearly.

“You enjoyed our festival, right? A bad person wouldn’t have such a happy smile!”

Loki was speechless at those words.

He was smiling?

‘Well, I haven’t been in a bad mood lately.’

Now that he had achieved his goal, his anxiety had disappeared.

That must be why he was enjoying the festival with such a light heart.

“Still, you’re too defenseless.”

“It’s okay! I’m strong!”

“…You seem to be.”

‘In terms of skill, she’s capable of overcoming most threats on her own.’

Even if she recognized him by smell, she was able to keep up with him.

‘The fact that the people of this territory treat her without hesitation also shows how close she is to them.’

Ah! It’s not a territory, but a kingdom?

Loki licked his lips.

“Hey, hey, won’t you dance?”

“Dance?”

“Yeah! Yeah!”

Loki looked at the people playing on the stage and those dancing around them.

“No, I-.”

“Let’s dance together!”

Karen grabbed Loki’s hand and headed to the plaza.

And clapping and stomping to the beat, they danced facing each other.

Loki felt awkward, but a smile settled on his face.

***

The mountain ridge of the Nordrian Kingdom.

Those in the forest looked down at the Nordrian Kingdom.

“They’re crazy.”

Those wearing fur and black makeup chuckled in disbelief.

They were soldiers of the Forman Kingdom.

“To dare hold a festival while we’re watching with our own eyes?”

The soldiers paused, startled, and looked in the direction of the voice.

Soon, they bowed their heads and stepped back.

“I’ve heard that the Nords are a crazy race, but have they lost their minds completely?”

A warrior over 2m tall with a halberd on his back.

It was Fotor, the king of the Forman Kingdom.

“Or is it a festival to commemorate their end?”

“I heard that the request for reinforcements sent to their homeland has made considerable progress. Also, they may be trying to forget their anxiety. I’ve heard that it’s used as a way to appease the public on the continent.”

At that moment, a mage dressed in black robes walked next to Fotor.

Fotor looked at the mage with satisfaction.

It was his son, Chaser, who had learned black magic on the continent with his genius talent.

“Oh! My son!”

“This shouldn’t be a long war, Father. You, who should seize the hegemony of this Astoria Island, shouldn’t waste time on such a small kingdom.”

Fotor, who was looking at the festival, smiled.

“Yes, that’s right. If those bright smiles turn into screams, if we cremate them with brilliant flames, and if we put their corpses on the display stands… then they’ll understand properly.”

If it becomes a festival of blood, the Nordrian Kingdom will also yield.

“Prepare for the attack, release the spies, and eliminate the Nords they brought with them.”

He would trample the Nordrian Kingdom with his army, and kill the Nord reinforcements to give them despair.

Is that not enough?

Then there’s another way.

“Capture the children of the Nordrian king. As a father who cherishes his children, there’s nothing more useful for blackmailing him.”

Yes, Fotor knew well.

Because he also had children!

“Then, Father. Please entrust that mission to me.”

“To you?”

“Yes, my black magic will prove Father’s greatness.”

“Haha! Yes, my son! I trust you!”

Fotor, who was proudly looking at his son who valued filial piety, smiled.

***

“Hoo… I’m tired.”

Loki was mentally and physically exhausted from awkwardly hanging out with Karen.

It was very rare for someone to approach him so openly.

Even Cancun didn’t act this friendly.

As Loki sat on a bench taking a break, Karen hummed and waved at the horse pulling a cart nearby.

Then the horse looked at Karen and started rubbing its head against her.

“Animals like you a lot.”

“Yeah, that’s right. There isn’t an animal in this kingdom that hasn’t been touched by my hand!”

Is it because she’s a beast-kin? She seems to handle animals well.

Being good with animals means she knows their characteristics and habits well, which would contribute to their growth, quality, and breeding.

“Huh?”

Then Karen raised her head.

She sniffed and narrowed her brows.

“What’s wrong?”

“Eung? No, nothing.”

She smiled sheepishly and shook her head.

She seemed to have remembered something and pointed to the castle made of wood and stone on the hill with her finger.

“Anyway, Hoon. Since you’re a guest, go to the royal palace where my dad is!”

“Who’s your dad?”

“The king of this country!”

He thought she was a noble’s daughter, but she was of royal blood?

“How is it? Surprised, right?”

She smiled brightly and headed to the market alley with quick steps.

“Where are you going?”

“To play! My dad told me not to stay in the royal palace and spend time outside!”

‘He said I might be rude to the guests!’ she muttered as she entered the alley.

Loki watched her disappear, then looked at the crowds on the street.

Those who had been looking at Karen followed her.

Loki looked back and forth between the alley where Karen had disappeared and the royal palace on the hill.

“Well, since I’m already out here.”

He got up from his seat and headed to the alley where Karen had disappeared.

“It wouldn’t be bad to play a little more.”

***

Karen sniffed.

‘This is….’

The smell of blood.

A very strong smell at that.

The smell of blood at this festival?

With that thought, Karen entered the darkness of the alley.

And turning the corner, she saw men gathered in a dead end.

The sight of them wearing beast masks and talking made them look like people enjoying the festival.

“Oh, isn’t that Lady Karen?”

“Princess, did you enjoy the festival? If you don’t mind, how about a dance with us….”

The men approached Karen in a friendly manner.

“Who are you guys?”

However, Karen didn’t show them the friendliness from before.

Her eyes became fierce, and she glared at them with murderous intent.

Even after seeing her eyes glowing green in the darkness, the men didn’t back away from Karen.

“Huh? Haha… what are you….”

“You guys aren’t from Nordrian.”

“…….”

“I know the smell of all the people in this kingdom. But you guys are different. You have a foul smell.”

The smell of thick makeup, the smell of blood, and the smell of burning people filled the air.

It was the stench that came from the soldiers of the Forman Kingdom who had invaded their country.

“…Aren’t you guys doing your job as spies properly? How can you get caught as soon as you infiltrate?”

At that moment, a man holding a staff and wearing a robe walked out of the darkness.

It was the black magician, Fotor’s son, Chaser.

“Besides, Princess, unlike what I heard, you’re very wary of people? I thought you’d follow me around like a stupid dog.”

“I’m not a dog. I’m a cat.”

“Ah, I like cats. Especially big cats. I wonder how fun it would be to crush that haughtiness….”

Chaser walked out step by step.

“But even if you’re a beast-kin, aren’t you stupid? Coming alone.”

“Everyone is enjoying the festival. Everyone will be uneasy if you’re here. And if I catch you, my dad will be happy.”

“Oh, you have a good heart! But like a beast-kin, your habits are also beastly. Offering prey. But you know. Can you handle all of us?”

Behind Karen, the men began to take their positions.

She was surrounded before she knew it.

“I’m strong. I can catch you all. And….”

Karen sniffed and said,

“…I was alone. But not anymore.”

“What?”

“Karen.”

Chaser felt a chill down his spine.

Right behind him, something walked out of the darkness.

Chaser turned his head creakily and looked back.

A man in a crow mask stood tall and looked down at Chaser.