The Player Hides His Past

The setting of the Claudie family.

I was the one who scribbled down the setting about dragons.

I didn’t know if a cat would just leave the fishmonger alone.

But did you think I would just leave the elves alone?

I even made the settings for the elves more specific than the dragons.

That… The days when Arcana was just a game.

There were more rumors about elves than about dragons.

‘They have no manners.’

The elves spent most of their time in Sisley.

Unlike the dragon, the elves were not bound for systemic reasons.

Well, it was stated in AAU’s information.

‘Their role is NPC, not monster.’

In fact, before the Cataclysm.

Even back when it was just a game, the elves appeared on the continent several times.

That was why there were rumors that they had no manners.

To sum up the numerous rumors in one word…

The only honored one.^[1]The only honored one here is referring to a Buddhist text. The original text is ‘Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the honored one’. In this context, basically, the elves think of themselves as the center of the universe, being haughty and mighty as usual.

Well, you could understand just looking at Elsidore’s first arrival.

As if cutting down the demons mercilessly wasn’t enough, Elsidore even attacked the Shadow Mercenary Lakid without question or answer. Well, he was now cutting weeds in the garden…

‘I’ve known for a long time that the elves are not easy.’

Yeah.

That was why the immature Lee Hoyeol in his youth wouldn’t just leave them alone…!

『The Claudie and the elves are like water and oil that can’t mix.』

Since I had noticed the existence of the elves.

Trying to add everything that was cool.

The middle school second-year syndrome naturally flared up.

『The elves can’t tolerate Claudie’s existence. Clearly, they think human beings are worthless. But the existence of Claudie has no shortcomings no matter how strict their standards are.』

It was really serious, Hoyeol!

‘I don’t even want to explain it.’

Maybe because I wrote it myself, I could see my shabby intentions clearly. Perhaps the past me felt necessary to add information about Grandfel’s beautiful appearance…

So.

‘An appearance that even the elves are jealous of.’

I’m terribly ashamed, me from the past…!

Thanks to Diend reminding me of my dark history.

I could clearly remember the settings that followed.

The brilliant shining symbol of Claudie.

The silver hair was something that even the elves didn’t have.

Claudie’s aesthetic sense, which looked for beauty, wasn’t inferior to that of the elves.

Furthermore, the high dignity was enough to make even the elves feel intimidated…

I had a record like that.

I could understand the hostile gaze being poured on me right now.

Like water that repelled oil.

‘…Everyone has a scary look in their eyes.’

One hundred elves.

They were spewing harsh murderous energy towards me.

So, I immediately put forward the [Hierarchy of Blessings].

Nevertheless, their gaze was still hostile.

Well, except for one person.

“…It can’t be!”

The leader of the elves, Argentress.

His expression was quite different from that of other elves.

Rather than being hostile, I would say it was closer to shock.

‘As expected, you know.’

The existence of the Claudie family.

That was why he was so shocked.

Of course, if you thought about it from a different perspective, it must be shocking.

There were people so annoying that he was jealous of them.

One of those human beings appeared out of the blue revealing his mother’s blessing.

“It is absolutely unacceptable.”

So, even if he frowned like a vicious murderer, I could understand.

But, like I said, even if you threaten me so blatantly.

I have no reason to be scared.

I told you earlier.

Our ‘rank’ is different.

I opened my mouth leisurely.

“You are mistaken, Argentress.”

“…?”

“You’re not in a position to tolerate something, are you?”

“…!!!”

How does it feel, Grandfel’s way of speaking that provoked people’s pride?

But, somehow, more than the Argentress.

The rest of the elves seemed more shocked.

I heard small conversations.

“Why is he just listening to such insults?”

“Be quiet. He must be thinking a lot of things.”

“How long do I have to stay like this?”

Guys, you haven’t tasted the bitterness of your life yet, have you?

‘Looks like they’ve grown.’

Well, they must have never really come out of the greenhouse called Sisley.

The puzzled reaction also made sense.

Maybe it was all their first time.

That was why they couldn’t even realize it.

What position they were in.

Why they couldn’t move their body.

Why Argentress was just watching the situation.

Actually, explaining it in words would be not too difficult.

But you remember what I said earlier, right?

They were criminals caught red-handed.

Even if they hunted the demon king.

Their intention was really impure.

I continued provokingly.

“Isn’t it funny how you look, Argentress?”

Argentress gritted his teeth.

“…Funny?”

“You would ask for the power of the demon just for eternal life. Was your rank that low? But you talked about rank? If that’s the case, I feel bad for you.”

“Shut up.”

Naturally.

I don’t shut up.

No, if it’s Grandfel I know.

He would do more than that.

“I would like you to express regret for your self-conceit, for not knowing your place, in the past and present.”

“…!”

Suddenly, it might look like his self-respect had been compromised.

I understood that the elves couldn’t comprehend it.

Knowing the relationship between Claudie and the elves.

It was an insult that only Argentress could understand.

In particular, the point was ‘in the past’.

‘The Claudie family has amazing self-respect…’

He must have understood.

Argentress’ face turned bright red.

But for me to just listen to him talking back.

‘Neither me nor Grandfel are that kind.’

Not just a demon.

They were trying to make a deal with the great evil.

They didn’t need more mercy.

In that regard, I opened my mouth.

“Kneel.”

“!!!”

I needed to make it clear.

To share stories related to the World Tree, dragons, and the Fruit of Good and Evil.

The attitude of the elves was too impure.

Yes.

It was time for discipline.

Flump!

As I said, the elves, including Argentress.

All of them knelt on the ground.

Their heads dropped to the ground on their own.

In such a very burdensome scene.

I continued speaking grandly, as always.

“This is the Demon King’s Castle that you trampled on.”

“…?”

“Until you realize the true value of your actions.”

To put it simply.

“I will not allow you to stand up.”

I’m telling you to kneel down and reflect on yourself.

.

.

.

Shake.

‘I can’t even resist…?’

It was the third time he felt humiliated ever since he was born.

Argentress trembled with rage.

Then he reflected on his humiliation.

The first humiliation he felt was the inferiority complex towards the lizard.

Dragons were the most perfect race.

But thanks to Mother’s blessing.

He was able to escape his inherent sense of inferiority.

The second humiliation he felt was in the Arcana Continent.

He never imagined that he would be humiliated by humans, that insignificant race. But he didn’t care. Human life was finite, and he knew that even if they bloomed like a flower, they would soon wither.

But the third humiliation he felt now was indescribable.

It was only natural.

Claudie, the silver-haired man who caused his second humiliation. He couldn’t even imagine that when the man returned to the continent, he would be the one who took away Mother’s blessing.

‘Damn it.’

His boiling anger was indescribable.

‘I can’t resist.’

But Argentress could tell.

As long as Mother’s blessing existed.

They couldn’t go against that man’s words.

The cold floor he felt on his knee was proof of that.

‘… I am not alone.’

If he were alone, he wouldn’t have given up even if that meant getting beaten up.

But his kins were there.

Perhaps because they had been living in Sisley without suffering any harm.

His pitiful kins couldn’t even have a basic sense of self-preservation.

Argentress clenched his teeth.

‘So I will bow to him.’

But that didn’t mean he would bow forever.

Even if the man humiliated him again, he was only human.

Argentress was confident.

He was confident that he could take advantage of the man’s weakened consciousness and take his head.

Even if the man got Mother’s blessing.

Even if he had a great body for a human being.

It couldn’t be compared to the experiences that came from years of living.

Argentress opened his mouth.

“State what you want. I will cooperate.”

“…!!!”

At that moment, the agitation of his kins penetrated my mind.

But this was for the best.

Argentress thought.

‘You have a purpose.’

He needed to know what the purpose was to induce a loophole in consciousness.

But it wasn’t easy from the first step.

A cold voice continued.

“Have you realized the value?”

What kind of riddle was that?

Argentress desperately spun his mind.

But he couldn’t recognize it.

He broke the Demon King’s Castle only because he could see it.

He killed the demon king only because the demon king couldn’t answer his question.

What was the value of that action?

Argentress gritted his teeth again.

“…I didn’t, but I hope you understand.”

Then came the answer.

“As expected, I knew it.”

“…?”

“I didn’t even have any expectations.”

…Wasn’t that his gaze when looking at the demon king?

In other words.

Did this mean the man’s gaze was no different from when he looked at demons?

Argentress’ patience to endure any humiliation for the sake of his kins began to crack.

But it was fortunate.

“So I understand. That alone can be considered progress.”

“…”

Whatever the reason.

Argentress was soon able to raise his head.

Still kneeling, he looked at the man.

As soon as their gaze met, the man spoke.

“The purpose of my search for you is simple.”

“I’ll cooperate. Tell me.”

“I want to enter Sisley.”

Sisley.

What was the purpose of a mere human in Sisley?

Argentress could not guess the man’s intentions.

But it wasn’t a bad situation.

Sisley was their hometown.

Furthermore.

‘It’s an unfamiliar place to him.’

Mistakes and carelessness were common in unfamiliar environments.

Just as he missed the activities of the great evil Gluttony on the Arcana Continent.

At Sisley, the man would have no choice but to reveal his weaknesses.

‘Things will work out on their own.’

If he could take advantage of that opportunity and kill him.

Mother’s blessing would also come back to them.

Wasn’t it like going through the trouble of returning to Sisley?

Argentress said, hiding his happy expression.

“As promised, I will cooperate.”

So, loosen your restrictions right now, cheeky human.

The moment Argentress looked at the man with that feeling.

The man opened his mouth.

“But before that, there’s something I need to make clear.”

Anything was fine.

As long as he could take him to Sisley.

Argentress nodded his head and the conversation continued.

“What do you guys think about dragons?”

…All of a sudden, he mentioned the lizards?

This human got on his nerves until the end.

Argentress suppressed his anger and asked back.

“What is your purpose in asking?”

Then the words that tried to inflame his anger came back.

“Because you need to restore your relationship.”

Argentress couldn’t even laugh.

A mere human.

He was planning to intervene between the dragons and the elves?

Even assuming that it had been an elf who said that.

The arrogant king of all things, the lizards, wouldn’t have stayed put if they heard this comment.

So any answer would have been fine.

‘No.’

It was necessary to use it at least to erase doubt.

He felt nauseous inside, but…

Without expressing it, Argentress spat out the words.

“That’s good to hear. If we can restore our relationship with them, there will be no harm for us either. But it’s not up to us. The king of all things is not easy enough to accept such a proposal.”

From that moment on.

Something mysterious happened.

The man didn’t hesitate and said straight away.

“Then I believe that the relationship has been restored.”

…Did he hear it correctly?

It was not up to them.

It was up to the dragons.

He said it clearly.

As if he had the lizards’ intentions…

‘He’s certain…?’

While he was questioning it.

“…?!”

Something began to appear in Argentress’ eyes.

A huge shape swaying behind the man.

There was no doubt about it.

Argentres stuttered.

That’s…!

“D-Dragon…”

.

.

.

Argentress.

I can hear the sound of your mind spinning from up here.

By the way, you’ve definitely made a mistake just now.

How dare you ask the dragon’s opinion in front of the ‘Dark Dragon’?

[The legend, ‘Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol’ is materialized.]

Now, it’s time to take responsibility for what you’ve said.

• 1. The only honored one here is referring to a Buddhist text. The original text is ‘Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the honored one’. In this context, basically, the elves think of themselves as the center of the universe, being haughty and mighty as usual.