Chapter 90

I met Norkel at a fast-food joint on the first floor of a shopping center in Seoul.

It was the very place where “Black Mage” Patel had been lying in wait to carry out his first act of terror.

Coincidentally, it was also the area patrolled by Special Unit Division 3 and Sae Hayan, the “Light Mage (in training).”

Whether out of hunger or habit, she was already on her second or third set of hamburgers when I arrived.

One remaining cola was left for me.

I wanted to drink milk as usual, but that wasn’t exactly in line with Patel’s personality, so I had to settle for this.

The hardships of maintaining a double life.

“Greetings, Lord Patel.”

“…….”

Even outside the council, her outfit remained as revealing as ever.

Was it because she was a descendant of the Nightmare Demon?

I don’t know much about fashion, but if I were to describe it: she looked like a chick dyed in the bright, clashing colors sold in front of Seona’s old school.

Pretty enough to catch the eye, but socially, the outfit was dangerously provocative.

Looking at her stirred a strange discomfort in a corner of my mind.

Luckily, I was the only one feeling it.

Perhaps due to some cognitive-blocking spell, the reactions of those around us were completely normal.

“Good work today.”

“Huh?”

“Your efforts are appreciated.”

Her pink hair fluttered lightly.

The slight nod she gave, if described in Velada’s words, looked downright rude for someone her age.

Yet her phrasing carried a strangely polite tone.

I recalled the letter I had received before coming here.

Honestly, until I saw the name at the bottom, I had no idea who sent it.

To Lord Patel, the future master of the Black Tower that will one day rise again on this land.

In this season, when frozen winds cover the land and frost silently descends in the dark night, I hope this letter finds you well.

Through the long years, I humbly extend my deepest respects to you, who have mastered countless taboos.

Your pursuit of shadowed truths and the courage to face the depths of the soul serve as an example for all demons in the Seat of Flame…
.
.
.

…We hope to invite you to a meeting in the near future. Please forgive our humble attempt to inquire through the hands of lowly witches.

— Norkel Rishedi Ba Mordas —

“I’m relieved you’re still alive. I really thought the Apostle of an Outer God tried to—ugh!”

The same person, really?

Swallowing my doubt, I asked her why she had called me.

“What’s the matter?”

“A social gathering? Exchange meeting? Something like that. Wouldn’t it be good for us to gather, share updates, and… you know, kill two birds with one stone?”

Despite calling me for an exchange, she didn’t lift her eyes from the smartwatch on her wrist.

As soon as she saw my name in the network, she must have sent a message immediately.

The duality of this era, I suppose: convenience to summon anything to your hand, yet the risk of someone peeking into your personal information.

Two things became clear from her calling me.

First, as it appeared, the demons finally accepted me as one of their own.

Meeting them outside the council was a significant step forward.

If I could infiltrate further, I might gain information on the other Archdukes whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Second, despite appearances, Rubietta was strict about boundaries.

I realized that the moment I understood why Norkel had come looking for me.

“Actually….”

“You’re curious whether Her Highness Flauros is still alive, aren’t you?”

“Ah, you really are quick to notice…”

Whether the woman who sat in the Seat of Flame had truly survived an encounter with the Apostle of an Outer God.

That, more than friendship or networking, was what she really wanted to know.

If Flauros had been completely erased, Norkel could tip the balance of power within the Council in her favor.

And her attitude toward me would be decided accordingly.

She looked like she still had more to say, but unlike her, I was pressed for time.

As Norkel swallowed nervously, I silently showed her the ring on my finger.

The proof Flauros had handed me during our first meeting.

When I later examined it closely, I found that—just like the necklace she wore around her neck—a refined dimensional core had been embedded inside.

“Do I really need to explain further? She’s safe.”

“Th-then, could it be that…”

“If you’re asking whether she’s barely clinging to life, ask her yourself when the next Council convenes. Though I can’t guarantee what’ll happen to your mouth after that.”

“Tch… I see. I’m relieved to hear she’s well.”

Norkel clicked her tongue softly upon hearing that Flauros was still alive.

Given her cautious nature, I suspected she would quietly gather strength for the time being.

“If there’s nothing more, I’ll be going.”

I downed the cola in front of me in one gulp and rose from my seat.

My throat burned, but I made no sign of discomfort, keeping in mind the dignity of the great Black Mage, Patel.

I intended to end the cheerful conversation here.

If any reports came in after work ended, the plan would be ruined.

But what if she refused to leave?

I’d take a lap around the shopping center first and then return.

After all, since she already knew Flauros’s fate, she probably had no further business with me.

Yet unexpectedly, she grabbed me before I could leave.

“W-wait just a moment, please!”

“Huh? Do you have more to say?”

“Just help us this once. Our situation hasn’t been good lately.”

“You want me to help you?”

“We will provide appropriate compensation.”

Norkel’s request was for me to lend them strength in dealing with certain humans who had been pursuing them recently.

They weren’t from the Special Unit but from a guild, called the “Hand of Oblivion.”

“You want me to help you fight off mere humans?”

“They are not mere humans. They’re similar to you, Patel… and your kind.”

“You mean from the Black Magic Tower?”

“Only some of the members, but yes.”

The name sounded familiar, and tracing my memories, I recalled.

Before entering the Tower of Proof, Ha Yeri had warned me—this group was on the list of people to avoid, along with Baek-seon.

She had said they would use any means necessary to get what they wanted.

Had they already transformed into a criminal organization?

And, of all targets, their weakened position after clashing with the Special Unit made Norkel’s group the perfect prey.

Unexpectedly, the disputes between demons and black mages were often like the relationship between crocodiles and oxpecker birds.

If they could have leveraged the power of the Council, such people would have been no more than a handful to deal with, but unfortunately, the timing was bad.

Right now, with Trishy’s seat in the Demon Council unoccupied, it was difficult for the demons to establish a proper gathering place.

“Ever since we supported the Archduke of Flames last time, our forces have dwindled, and we’ve suffered heavy losses trying to fend them off alone.”

“Were the losses really that bad?”

“It’s because of the Spear of Lightning. Confronting the commander of the Archduke Extermination Unit head-on was impossible.”

No doubt, this had been her plan the moment she called me.

Either recruit me to her side or relay her situation.

Now that she knew Flauros was alive, she gave up on dragging me in by force and instead asked for help.

“I’d need three bodies just to keep up. I don’t have time to waste on handling people like them.”

I adjusted my mask and spoke with a cold voice.

A firm refusal.

It wasn’t about holding grudges against her but performing as the Black Mage.

Even as a human, Patel had no reason to show a weak demeanor in front of demons.

Unlike the Abyss and the Seat of Silence, the Seat of Flame had been a small group with no center of gravity before my arrival.

Even if they had followers from Gamigin, their master hadn’t been seen for a long time.

One of the cities they used to boast about had been turned into a training ground by the Special Unit, leaving them in a more desperate position.

Even a glance at the letter Norkel had sent showed just how much my standing among demons had risen.

“You intend to abandon those of us who serve the same lord?”

“Have you forgotten how you’ve neglected my contractor all this time?”

“That’s…!”

“And failing to properly stop the Special Unit’s rescue team in Daegu last time, too. If you had handled things correctly from the start, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Now, to ask for help—shameless.”

The weak perish, and only the strong survive—that was the law of this world.

Whether Norkel’s group or the Hand of Oblivion disappeared from Korea, it didn’t harm my position.

Empty positions are always filled, and while they rebuilt their forces, the Special Unit would grow even stronger.

Norkel, perhaps unwilling to be subjugated by black mages, played a bold card.

“I will follow you.”

“Are you sincere?”

“If you don’t form a blood pact with the Archduke of Flames, I will entrust our fate to you, both inside and outside the council. This is the token.”

I had half-expected her to hand over a Dimensional Core like Flauros did, but there was none. Instead, she gave me the watch she wore.

Examining it, I saw it was logged into the Witch Trade Association’s account.

They had a decent amount of saved funds, and the locations of various gates and monster spawn points under their control were marked.

“Is that all?”

“What more could you want?”

Of course, controlling her forces didn’t mean I could oversee all gate occurrences in Korea.

She commanded only a fraction of the 72 Archdukes.

In this small land, she had simply subordinated some demons under her.

Still, it was a sizeable group, and most seemed to share a lineage similar to hers—a Nightmare Demon bloodline.

Seeing me hesitate after receiving the watch, she suddenly knelt.

Even cognitive blocking magic couldn’t hide this action, drawing the attention of nearby people instantly.

“You’re cruel enough to rival the Apostle of an Outer God. After all this, you’re still demanding more?”

“What are you doing?”

“I’ve heard rumors. That you made the Witch Trade Association’s chairwoman kneel and lick your toes.”

“Huh? Me?”

What on earth was this about?

I knew witches gossiped, but this was a new kind of fabrication.

A man who made witches and Nightmare Demons bow before him in just a few days.

The achievement, which could never be spoken of publicly, was… complicated to reflect upon.

“Humiliating, but acceptable. I will, together with Rubietta, clean your feet every day…”

“Ahem, calm down. You’re not qualified yet, so that’s unnecessary.”

“Wh-what?”

‘Did I hear that right?’

Only those willing to have their feet licked were allowed to do so.

Norkel, a Nightmare Demon, didn’t seem to know this yet. I hid my legs under the chair and spoke.

“If you need my help that badly, let’s hear the full story first.”

As long as I reached Seoul, any route would do. This opportunity seemed like an easy way to gain a name for myself.