Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

Chapter 148 – Mask [2]

‘Not bad, huh?’

1.97 billion gold.

That was my total income from the Avilat Casino and Underground Auction House. It was an amount so large that I had to fill all ten of the spatial pouches I brought in advance, so honestly, I was a bit surprised.

Each pouch holds exactly 200 million gold, so excluding my equipment that worth 30 million gold and the knapsack, the rest was filled entirely with gold coins.

Suddenly it made me think that lots of dirty money flows through the casino and auction house. After all, nobles from various countries had come carrying heaps of gold, so it’s only natural.

But… my harvests didn’t end there.

As if doing a charity, I handed over a little over 200 million gold, which I was troubled over how to dispose them since they couldn’t fit into my spatial pouches, to Eleanor.

“Then, Eleanor. This settles my debt. I’ve even paid the interest, so check it.”

“It’s fine. You pay off the debt in just a few hours, If I behave that stingy, it will make Rivalin’s merchant name cry. I’ll send people to return the remaining amount later after we back”

“Do whatever you want.”

Eleanor refused, waving her hand.

Well, it’s no loss for me, so it’s actually a good thing.

But, she didn’t lose out either.

Even in a tight situation, she makes sure to secure her share. should I say it is very merchant-like?

Indeed, the amount of 200 million is huge, it’s only natural.

Others are currently digging through the ground, searching for gold coins.

The most active one is Leon, whose family finances have been unstable lately.

… and Talia.

In Talia’s case, since she’s still relying for Allowance on her father, Robert, it’s probably even more so

Robert surprisingly has a proper sense of economics, even if it’s for his beloved daughter, he doesn’t just throw allowance excessively.

Instead, he sends her all sorts of gifts, from clothes to various exotic foods, through Emma.

Paracelsus, surprisingly, doesn’t seem greedy for money despite being a commoner. It seems he has something to rely on.

‘That’s strange…’

Considering how much money that bastard lost at the casino, he should dig even bare ground.

Where does that relaxed attitude come from?

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.

“Hey, commoner, why aren’t you searching for gold coins with everyone else? If you’re going to talk about virtues as a knight, just drop it. From the beginning, you’re nothing like those who know such honor…”

But while Paracelsus looked at me pitifully like I was talking nonsense.

He is Shaking his head.

“My lord, think about it. We have decided to evenly distribute the remaining 20%, so why should I bother working hard for it?”

In simple terms, he’s saying he’ll just take his share once the others bring in the money. A ruffian befitting answer, just comparable to Nox

I was suddenly impressed and turned to look at Leon this time.

“Ah, please move that over here.”

Using undead, he was persistently moving the surrounding gold coins.

Even Eleanor was shaking her head, seemingly fed up with it.

It was a scene worth seeing in many ways. Anyone who’s enjoyed Inner Lunatic would never have imagined this sight.

In the beginning, from Nox the villain was with them, it was already so, in addition, Paracelsus and Leon were initially in confrontational positions.

Is that all ?

Eleanor, the ‘Golden Fox’, and Talia weren’t on good terms either.

Thanks to my efforts in breaking dynamics of the original characters, their relationships have improved a bit.

If it wasn’t for me, Zitri would have already died.

I’m starting to realize just how significant the butterfly effect of my existence is.

‘Especially considering the crazy demon has started preparing for human attacks, it can be said it’s even more so. Damn it’

Especially in Jagan’s case. it was like that.

If it weren’t for my existence?

Jagan would never have prepared the cursed prison. He wouldn’t have shown the extreme of alchemy, nor would he have planned to bind us using a transmutation circle. But things have started to get complicated.

Unfortunately, It’s a fact that I’m at the center of it all.

But what can I do?

I’m Nox, the villain, and I have to play this role.

Some might ask if I really need to be the villain, they can ask why I do such things, but..

At least for the main story to proceed correctly, to learn about the mysterious letter, my memories, and the truth related …

You can say that I don’t have a choice.

Anyway, for me to reach the end of story, in the end, my origin, in other words, I have to reveal where my starting point lies.

“huu…”

After sweeping up all the gold coins, I finally straightened my dented waist.

Soon, professors dispatched from the Academy will come to ask about what happened here. But since I’ve already coordinated with them, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

I’ll have to explain to my comrades why I’m subjugating a demon, but since I’d have to tell them eventually, it doesn’t really matter.

Honestly, I don’t know if they’ll join my unit or stay in my circle. Especially with someone like Eleanor, who’s extremely calculative about her own benefits.

There’s a good chance she won’t trust me.

We’re incompatible in the first place, and the only connection we have is money, so it can’t be helped.

Well, anyway.

Setting aside stuff that gives me headaches, I started reviewing what I’ve gained and the new positives.

The first is my lifespan.

[Player’s remaining lifespan is 272 days!]

‘huuu… Thankfully, I’ve gained more than 150 days. If I keep this pace, things should a bit improve.’

Of course, my lifespan won’t keep increasing.

If this damned [Terminal Illness] trait could be easily overcome, they wouldn’t have given the advantage of having two genius traits.

If anyone had already overcome it, they might have posted about it on the community forums.

But as far as I know, no one has fully conquered [Terminal Illness].

Although there are few discussions amongst users, the trait is so nasty that it’s hardly ever mentioned.

‘The people who tried to play with the “sickly” concept couldn’t even last two days had said it all’

I shake my head to clear my thoughts.

Next was the money.

‘I managed to stash away a lot of Imperial gold in this opportunity… No matter what kind of world comes, money is always right. That’s an undeniable truth. Moreover, in Main Episode 3, the Rivalin family and merchant group arc, this will be a huge advantage.’

Main Episode 3 is a critical branching point where the Rivalin family decides whether to pledge loyalty to the Imperial family or side with the Dark family and Lunatic.

Here, the importance of capital can’t be overstated.

Although I have some funds secured from selling monster materials, it’s nowhere near enough. After all, the one I compete with these funds is first prince Louis

Truly an Imperial family

‘Anyway’

The last reward was the new swordsmanship I just learned.

‘The [Moonlight Sword]. Even if it’s just the beginner level, this is definitely the biggest gain. A sword that only be passed down to one person, and cannot be learned by ordinary route’

[Moonlight Sword]

I had been steadily building up to learn this from the beginning.

Learning the Southern Chaders swordsmanship, raising my stats, improving my proficiency level, those were that examples.

‘From the beginning, I had planned to use the Dragon Language Scroll I got in here… Though I didn’t expect to use it in such a dramatic way, well, it’s still good’

The timing was perfect. At any rate, a good opportunity came at the critical moment, allowing me to learn the [Moonlight Sword] from Luna.

In the end, she even said that she acknowledged me as her disciple…

In fact, reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship is now just a matter of time.

‘Huuu… Even If think it myself, I’ve really been through a lot.’

Now that I have a moment to rest, suspicions start creeping in.

Why did Luna teach me the [Moonlight Sword]?

It was the worst critical moment

If it’s Luna, the leader of a criminal organization. It should’ve been better if she abandoned someone like me

If we consider the value of the [Moonlight Sword] for her, it should’ve been better for her to just kill Jagan and abandon me.

But Luna didn’t do that.

I still don’t know the reason.

It’s been a long time since I realized how hollow it is to think you can fully understand someone’s heart. Everyone wears their own mask, hiding their feelings behind it.

‘Of course, there’s no need to overthink it. If someone helps me, I’ll repay the favor. The reverse is also the same. That’s Nox von Reinhaver’s way.’

As I calmly collected my thoughts and decided what stance to take next,

a voice suddenly broke through my thoughts.

“They’re coming.”

Paracelsus said, pointing upwards.

After that, I sensed the footsteps of a few people quickly approaching

Even without seeing them, I knew who they were.

The faculty professors from Eldain Academy, assigned to clean up this mess.

Thud! Thud!

About ten professors leaped down from above, landing on the ruined Avilat grounds. Just from their formation alone, I knew they have a surprising level at a glance, which is a bit shocking

I guess this is what you’d expect from the knight order of a prestigious academy.

Each one of them was quite capable.

“Who’s that…?”

As Talia asked with a puzzled expression, Eleanor politely greeted while slightly lifting the hem of her skirts

“That’s Professor Aleph von Dastein. He is one of the professors that lead the Academy’s autonomous military and is a top graduate origin”

“You know me?”

“Of course. You’re very famous.”

Eleanor didn’t flinch at Aleph’s stern tone.

Aleph von Dastein, the top graduate.

‘Naturally, I know him too.’

Aleph is a very important character.

As a man who became the core to the development of the later story, he had a deep connection to the main episode 3.

And he is a character that has ties with Eleanor as well.

That’s his identity.

Finally, Talia too seemed to remember as she clapped her hands.

“Oh…!! Perhaps you are the one who wrote all three volumes of Introduction to Elemental Studies…!!”

Despite his astonished student, Aleph remained unfazed.

He held a thick book in one hand, and his habit of carrying a book around everywhere made quite an impression.

Even in a fantasy game, this is a bit too much of a concept.

‘Not to mention, Leon fights with his own book too…’

I glanced at Leon, who tilted his head, looking at me.

I quickly returned my gaze forward.

Professor Aleph closed the book he had been reading.

For reference, the book was the third volume of Introduction to Elemental Studies, which he wrote himself and became a bestseller.

He spoke confidently.

“That’s right. I’m Professor Aleph, the bestselling author who’s captured the public’s attention. I’ll give you an autograph later, but first, I want to hear what happened here. Who’s the leader of this team?”

I stepped forward and said.

“Nox von Reinhaver.”

“Explain the situation you’re facing now and how it became without leaving anything out”

‘How annoying…’

His overbearing tone made me unpleasant, but I still gave him a brief explanation of what had happened here.

Anyway, I told him that my comrades and I only managed to fend off the Chimera.

As for the demon, I said it was taken care of by a mysterious woman, in other words, Luna.

This alone is enough to showcase our achievement to the Academy.

There’s no need to go forward any further.

‘Making more enemies is a lot riskier than you might think.’

That’s something I’ve recently come to realize.

After listening to the whole story, Professor Aleph stroked his chin in thought and then said.

“I see. I have an idea who that woman might be.”

“Is that so ?”

“It’s fine for students like you all to not know her identity”

He added that she’s a very dangerous person and advised us not to be concerned

Of course, I just let his words go in one ear and out the other.

‘You know I need to meet with Luna regularly to learn swordsmanship ?. Do you have any idea how hard I worked to master the [Moonlight Sword]?’

I half-listened to what he was saying while distracted by something else.

How should I spend the money I got here after we get back?

How should I spend it to make sure people will rumors that I spent it well?

“…Then, I believe the Headmaster will separately reward you all for completing such a dangerous mission. Make sure to feel grateful”

“Understood.”

I answered promptly, It was like a kind of reflex action.

For a gamer, the word “reward” is irresistible.

It was an instinctual response.

By the way, Noah von Trinity…

Honestly, I’m scared to meet her, but she’s a woman who has a lot.

‘I wonder what she’ll give me this time..’

I suddenly felt a sense of anticipation and jingled my heavy spatial pouch. The soft clink of gold coins echoed quietly, barely noticeable to anyone else.