NOVEL NEXT chapter 41
41 – Episode 41 – The World Detective Gallery
Kyra had intended to refuse the escort assignment.
She had enjoyed loafing around, fed and supported by Earl Hessen.
What is a hero?
They are responsible for countering continental threats.
Said differently? As long as there’s no threat, it’s okay to keep resting.
The hero has absolute power to get treated anywhere within the Osen kingdom.
An overwhelming power that no one else could match…!
But power weakens in the face of stronger powers.
The “Jobless Life” of Hero Kyra Rouge was interrupted by the Queen’s summon.
There was a call from the Queen via personal crystal ball.
“…Haa.”
After reading the notice, Kaira sighed deeply.
The person to be escorted is a secret, but it’s an escort mission.
But she wants to at least have the discussion. She could coordinate the schedule.
This was the content of the letter.
‘An escort mission without knowing who to escort…’
This was not her first time on an escort mission.
So she knew better than anyone,
Escort missions are mostly…there’s nothing to like about them!
It’s never a joy to escort strangers with whom one has never had any association.
Protecting and saving someone is noble and good…
But the time in between is bothersome, awkward, and filled with pointless personal requests…
From the hero’s perspective, it wasn’t all that great.
Yet even though she seemed idle, she had her own work to do.
The gallery impacted the continent, so protecting the gallery was part of a hero’s duty!
Whenever a praising post appears, she would click the like button at the speed of light.
Her duty was also to dish out harsh one-hour bans to those who would defame the gallery.
Such a busy routine! Yet, they’re summoning me.
Should I refuse? The heroine eventually sent a short response.
If the queen asks earnestly, even if it’s displeasing, it implies something’s afoot.
Refusing seemed risky with the queen watching.
The hero experience of an unemployed wanderer’s life was largely thanks to her help.
The hero dashed towards the royal castle, much faster and more comfortable than riding a horse.
Upon her arrival, she was able to confirm the identity of the person she was to escort with her own eyes.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind, something difficult to express out loud.
This man might be a wealthy noble.
His face was extremely ordinary, as if drawn quickly with a few simple lines.
Wasn’t he too rich to have a hero as his bodyguard?
But this association would probably not last long.
The hero intended to keep the details of the mission as brief as possible.
“This man is the moderator of the gallery.”
“….”
Of course, after hearing Beatrice’s words, he looked somewhat different.
This man is the moderator…?
Even though the hero had never met the moderator in person, she considered him to be her first friend that Kai’Ra had dated and a colleague who protected the continent and the gallery together.
The hero believed in this sincerely.
And yet he appeared before her eyes.
She had never thought she would meet the moderator in this place.
Who could have possibly predicted this?
The fact that the queen, who had no contact whatsoever, would be together with the moderator.
Kaira’s eyes wandered back to Judick.
Seeing his face again, there was an enigmatic allure…
He had a robust physique. He seemed nice. Like he might be kind.
This first encounter with Judick excited her so much that she found herself trembling.
Still, Kaira steadied her quivering lips and began to speak.
“…Yes. I shall escort Lord Judick of the gallery.”
“Do you feel burdened by this, miss knight?’
“No, it’s fine. Your majesty.”
How could she not want to escort Judick?
Rather, it was something she had wanted to propose.
“I will, then. I’m counting on you, Lord Judick.”
Kaira bowed her head to greet him, to interrupt any further conversation.
“Oh, Okay, Miss Knight.”
The conversation ended with Judick’s greeting, filled with awkward responsibility.
The real (actually real) Knight Kaira Luz was assigned to escort Judick of the gallery.
The work progressed at a brisk pace.
There was nobody stronger than Kaira in the kingdom, and since she had agreed to the escort, there was no need for negotiation.
Kaira and Judick just had to stick together now.
Kaira, still somewhat bewildered,
And Judick, whose awkwardness around the knight was palpable,
The two stepped outside the reception room.
“Ah… I’m going to go to my room now─”
“I will accompany you.”
“Oh. Um. Okay.”
Kaira cut him off before he could say anything else. She quickly agreed.
The chance to enter Judick’s room…? The chance to be alone with him in a room?? She couldn’t miss it!
For a lifetime! A lifetime as his escort!
Trying her best to suppress her elated heart, Kaira walked beside Judick.
Though her expression was subtly excited and her steps a bit too fast.
No one noticed.
Meanwhile, Ju-Tteok who was walking under the hero’s escort…
‘Quite burdensome.’
He felt an overwhelming amount of pressure.
Having witnessed a hero. This energy… it’s powerful.
It wasn’t necessarily obvious that he was feeling pressured by this feeling.
It was simply that it wasn’t easy for Ju-Tteok to walk with a beautiful woman.
A beautiful and kind heroine with a steady, expressionless face.
And … despite the distance, she subtly exuded a pleasant fragrance.
Above all, he couldn’t help but imagine her giving birth to two sons and two daughters. His mind was in turmoil.
‘Whew. This is not easy.’
A silence that had lasted for quite some time….
Receiving an escort amid the uncomfortable atmosphere was unpleasant.
Shouldn’t he come up with something to say?
Ju-Tteok began to speak within his area of expertise.
“Do you also use the gallery, ma’am?”
“…Yes, I do.”
He also actively works as a gallery manager just like you.
The hero swallowed her words and answered.
“Oh, that’s a relief. You’re using a gallery. Then, do you know the hero of the gallery?”
“…Yes, I do.”
“You know him. No, I was wondering if I should take care of the imposter pretending to be the hero if you wanted me to.”
“…Yes.”
“I left him alone because I wasn’t sure if you knew about it. What should we do?”
“Just… Leave him alone…”
“You are a true hero, aren’t you? You have a broad mind.”
Indeed, kind-hearted people have a broad heart.
This was a fact known by all who cherished kind-hearted women.
“In fact, Hero, I was going to handle Pa-Deuk…since he is ruining your image.”
“…Yes.”
“There is no way a thick-headed person who can’t even mentally calculate a third-cycle magic spell can be a hero, right?”
“……Yes. That’s, right.”
Kaira’s lips trembled slightly.
It’s not that I can’t do the 3rd circle magic calculations, it’s just that there’s no need to…!
Heroes receive magical assistance through blessings, so there’s no need for them to manipulate the magical circles directly.
Anyway, I’m not an idiot who can’t do 3rd circle magic calculations! Anyway! Definitely not!
“And she writes the same thing every day. A bit odd, many corners….. Maybe there’s something wrong with her head?”
“Is that, so….”
In an instant, Kaira was unfairly labeled as an idiot who can’t do 3rd circle magic calculations with something wrong with her head.
Writing the same thing every day was only because I was clumsy with conversations…!
She clenched her teeth and withheld her opportunity to justify herself.
In order to restore her image within the gallery, because she had lost too much.
“Oh, we’re here.”
“…This is the room.”
Judak opened the door.
The room… was filled with his scent.
Kaira was about to sit on a chair, glancing around.
Judak tapped the bed slightly.
“You can use the spare bed here.”
“…Thank you. Then I will… change out of my armor for a moment.”
“Gasp.”
“Just make yourself at home as if I’m not here.”
Kaira began to peel off her armor one by one in the changing room.
Are we really going to live together here?
Sleep together… eat together…? Like a couple…?
She changed into her casual clothes, her anxiety slightly peeking through.
Despite changing, Judak seemed to not care at all.
It was somewhat disappointing… but Kaira accepted it.
He seemed to be managing the gallery, tapping the air. He appeared busy.
She, changed into her bulky clothes, gently sat down on the other bed.
And she stole a glance at Judak.
“It looks fine.”
Kai let out a sigh of relief.
When she heard that Juduk had passed away, her heart seemed to sink.
Upon hearing that he was injured, she couldn’t express how much she worried.
But looking at him now, he seemed fine without any visible injury.
“There won’t be any incidents like this anymore.”
She firmly resolved.
As long as she is responsible for Juduk’s protection, she would prevent any harm from reaching him.
If anyone dared to hurt him, she would cut them down without hesitation.
Her gaze hardened.
***
Juduk returned to his daily life.
He managed and looked around the gallery, going through old posts and memories.
The mysteries only grew and remained unanswered.
“How the hell did they figure out where I am?”
It would make sense if they followed him while he went out to buy chicken skewers… Or when he went for a walk.
How the hell could they figure out where on the continent he was living?
Juduk’s questions remained unanswered.
Just how the hell did they find out his location?
Not knowing that was exactly why he was assigned a powerful guard known as the hero.
In the face of overwhelming power, any form of assassination was rendered useless.
Even if his location were identified, he was safe now!
They were welcome to try and find him.
But still, that nagging question.
How in the hell found him?
Just like his questions, detectives of the gallery also began to appear.
Title) How did Juduk get targeted?
He didn’t even say where he lives, and his life as an 0-group made it impossible to determine the time zone.
-So how did he get stabbed?
-There are a few people I suspect though.
Someone with a grudge against Njudak, the ability to find them, and the audacity to carry out the plan?
You mean the person who shorted the stock?
That short-boomer, LOL.
These damn shortie kiddos, LOL! Betting money on the downfall of the continent, have you lost your minds?
Title: There are some suspects
The Emperor of the Empire ＜＜＜ He might be irritated since his plan to absorb the Osen Kingdom was hindered. But Njudak’s death led to a massive economic collapse, so it’s plausible, right?
But predicting how he found Njudak if he was the perpetrator is beyond me.
Queen of the Osen Kingdom ＜＜＜ It’s possible she found them with a wish. But honestly, she has no real motive to kill, LOL.
Queen Ardel ＜＜＜ Being a Dark Elf, she could have just killed them casually.
LOL, only one seems to be strange?
A Dark Elf, suspicious to a suspicious extent…
The Emperor doesn’t know the location, Queen of Osen has no motive… Queen Serendia of Ardel, remembering the humiliation she faced last time, may have impulsively killed him for all we know.
Title: Explaining Serendia’s position
Njudak might pose a significant threat to Ardel.
So, a dispute got initiated and she was massively defeated.
But on second thoughts? She’s upset.
It’s like kicking your blanket around when you can’t fall asleep.
Eventually, Serendia vows for revenge, using dark magic to find Njudak through the shadows…
She sneaks into the bedroom at night…
Sneaking into the bedroom at night…? This has a certain vibe to it…!
Why does it suddenly seem steamy?
The villain Njudak gets ambushed by Serendia…
LOL, Serendia dominates Njudak, LOL.
Even just thinking about the situation is entertaining, LOL.
Is this another highlight of polar bear slaughter?
Polar Bear: Damn you, stop it.
Melting all the polar ice, LOL. Rub it until the whole world catches fire, LOL. Rub it until you develop a fire spell.
LOL, This is seriously insane.
So, the perpetrator is Serendia?
We’re not sure, but there’s a high possibility that Serendia was the one who found Njudak’s location.
“Honestly, it would be nice to pin it on Serendia for now, it’s pretty fun lol.
-Detective Galboong
Title) Real Suspects of the Murder
The Empire’s Emperor
Queen Osenn
The Ring of Blacksmith Terain (included)
Serendia
Criminal Lifers
Neighbourhood skewered chicken lady
Grandma
Next door’s Pobby
There’s something strange mixed in here?
The suspect list is a mess lol
Why on earth is the neighborhood skewered chicken lady here?
Maybe because we see her often, she’s suspect worthy.
Then why is Pobby the suspect?
This little guy barked every time I passed by.
We should be suspicious of that lol.
Stupid Pobby lol, this tiny thing keeps growling and making a fuss lol. I threw a bone at it because it was so annoying lol.
You’re a good guy Galboong…
Don’t tell me you actually like Pobby?
Really, you like Pobby?
Looking at it this way, the list is quite grand.
There are quite a few who could potentially have killed.
So those on the list, please come out one by one and explain yourselves.
Explain (forced)
Explain (or else you’re the culprit)
Really lol
Just say you’re the culprit for now. Just do it, you idiot lol.
What kind of logic is it to make someone completely unrelated the culprit?”
“LOL, acting like a criminal without even committing a crime LOL
Don’t you know the principles of presumption of guilt? You’re the culprit until proved otherwise LOL Provide your own evidence LOL”
Such was the atmosphere in the gallery where an online mafia game was in full swing.
Among those lurking in the gallery was…
“Why me?”
… the queen of Arudel, Serendia, who was browsing the gallery while lying down.
She grumbled in frustration.