Chapter 238

Evan D. Sherden, Robs the Ocean. (6)

"You entered the dungeon as soon as dawn broke, didn't you? So, how was the Pellati Dungeon, Evan? Wasn't it a lot more fun than the Sherden Dungeon, which only has dark columns and narrow corridors?"

That evening at the dinner, Evan could not overcome Count Melto's earnest request, so he sat right across from him, and Arisha sat beside him as if this was completely natural. Everything seemed like a happenstance.

"I certainly enjoyed it. But if you are distracted, you'd be dead quickly. Since the dungeon is large, we have to be on strict alert, and you lose energy just by moving around. But a dungeon must have a challenging environment like that, otherwise, it beats the purpose of being a dungeon."

"Huh, with this environment, Pellati's dungeon explorers can develop the ability to cope with any unforeseen situation!"

And those who didn't have that ability or who didn't develop it early would inevitably die. Of course, because of this, the death rate was high, too. The same went for Sherden Dungeon, but Evan didn't really want to tackle that topic. Although...

"The Dungeon environment is so special. I thought it would be difficult to use the coping skills developed in the Pellati Dungeon on the ground."

"I'm sure that's true. So many explorers who grew up in the Pellati Dungeon often fight against marine monsters outside the dungeon. But you shouldn't underestimate them. It's just as important to deal with the dangers of monsters lurking in the ocean as it is to deal with monsters on the ground."

"Of course. Not to mention how much Pellati is contributing to humanity."

As Evan and Melto continued their conversation, Arisha and the Countess sitting next to her were filled with laughter. As he watched the skit from the side, Prince Crow snorted with a fork in his mouth.

"You came back as soft as cotton candy, Arisha. You used to be like a sharp-witted fox."

"Ha?"

Arisha looked back at Crow and tilted her head. In an instant, Crow bit his fork in nervousness at the dangerous gaze he received back from Arisha—he should have kept quiet.

"It's just that I've come to distinguish who I'm going to treat sharply. Just like now."

"Oh..."

Crow looked down. Evan, who caught up on their conversation while talking to Melto, once again hoped that his sister, Elizabeth, does not grow up to be like Arisha.

Of course, Arisha treated Evan well! However...

"Well, I heard that Prince Crow was also in the dungeon."

Marquis Soline opened his mouth this time to tone down the cold atmosphere created by Arisha. The Countess replied to his words.

"Just a while ago, he and his knights hit the 10th floor of the dungeon safely and reached the 11th floor."

"Oh, that's amazing."

Soline naturally admired the word. As soon as Evan heard it, he gave a sharp look to the Dungeon Knights sitting around at the table.

'Don't say anything! Don't say anything about Prince Crow's dungeon reach! Don't even compare it to the level we've reached!'

"Oh, well, it's way below Evan. I heard he played a big role in suppressing the backflow this spring."

"Our Evan is outstanding for his age. But Prince Crow is really great, too. Hahahaha."

Evan's whole-hearted gesture kept all the Dungeon Knights quiet; they maintained their silence in an unspoken agreement. Only the Countess, who did not notice the strange silence of the moment, smiled innocently, and the Marquis smoothly accepted the situation.

"Yeah, I was surprised to hear that Evan worked hard to stop the backflow of the dungeon. But if you want to take our Arisha, you need to have that ability at least!"

"Oh, that's not it. I told you that being a fiancé is a cover to prevent Evan and I from getting into trouble. Of course, no one knows what will happen in the future..."

Arisha, after her sinister gaze at Crow, quickly returned to a cotton candy look and waved her hands at Count Melto's words.

The adults were pleased, and Evan suspected Arisha of being a trickster who could change faces. But the game world doesn't have such a class!

"Oh, sir, I have to tell you something."

"You can just call me father-in-law."

"Sir, I was lucky to get some hidden rewards from the dungeon today. I'll organize my list of trophies and submit them officially by tomorrow morning."

The Sherden Dungeon belonged to the Marquis of Sherden, so what he got from the dungeon, Evan could take it right away without having to report it. However, the Pellati Dungeon is a different story.

Of course, Arisha's last name was Pellati, but she was now a foreigner who belonged to the Dungeon Knights of Sherden. Although it was convenient to enter the dungeon, it was strictly a crime to hide what they had obtained.

"No, you don't have to," the Count shook his head slowly at Evan's words.

"You don't have to be so rigid. How can I ask for such a thing when I have been greatly indebted to you just for taking care of our Arisha? Your words are enough."

"Still..."

"Oh, that's alright."

Even before Evan could respond, the Count waved him off. If the Count found out precisely what Evan got from the Pellati dungeon, it would have been a completely different story—and Arisha wouldn't have been the only Pellati with anger painted on her face; so, it was actually better that he didn't know.

"If so, I'll sort out some of the treasures I got today. Just think of it as a gift from your nephew and accept it."

"Oh, my son-in-law is already taking care of his father-in-law."

"Nephew will do, for now, sir."

Evan, of course, did not intend to report all the spoils. Smoothly, he drew the response he wanted from the Count, prepared a gift box in advance, took it out, and delivered it to the Count, as if he had just thought of doing this now.

However, that alone was enough to surprise the Count.

"...What the hell did you do during the day?"

"I was lucky."

Evan grinned. The Count just smiled vaguely with a forceful expression that did not allow any more questions. It was then...

"Evan!" Crow bravely spoke up. "I'd like to fight with you after the meal!"

"All right."

"I'm not suggesting a pathetic duel for Miss Belois' hand... unlike last time. Is that fine?"

Crow was puzzled when Evan accepted his proposal so casually; last time had been a different matter. Meanwhile, Count Melto squinted his eyes as if he was saying, 'Who should I bet on?'

"Crow, did you ever cause Evan trouble without my knowledge?"

"Uh, it was when I was young!"

"Evan, tell me what this fool did. I think I'm going to have to get the belt..."

"Father! I made a mistake when I was a kid."

'Well, I guess a fool can't help it.' Evan couldn't help but sigh at Crow's embarrassing excuses to the Count. The Marquis, who knew the situation, just smiled.

After the meal, Evan dueled with Crow, as promised.

"I know how strong Sir Evan has become. But I've been trying my hardest, so I'm not going to be as pathetic as I was back then."

"That's a great spirit. I know, of course, how capable Prince Crow is."

Crow didn't have much weight in the story. Of course, he played a supporting role in Yo-Ma Great War 3 and 4, where he had to occasionally show his face at important times.

Moreover, as he was also the unquestionable successor of the dungeon city of Pellati, his governing skills were impressive. Maybe a little less than Sherden's successor, Eric, but still impressive nevertheless.

"Are you going to use your fist again today? You may get hurt."

"No, I'm using my blade today."

Evan chose not to respond with too many words. He simply extended his Heaven's Blade.

The blade was approximately 80 centimeters long, in an exceptionally balanced form of a Broadsword. Crow and the majority of people who gathered to watch the match stood with their jaws dropped.

"An Auror!"

"It's an Auror!"

"Sir Evan is an Auror? At this age..."

A new misunderstanding was beginning to spread again. Evan explained with a bitter smile to Crow, who was still agonizing over his decision to ask for the duel.

"It's not Aura, it's just a skill to create a blade of magic. If you run into an actual Auror, they'd break it."

Of course, that was the case when Evan first learned it, but now that Evan had evolved it into a Heavenly Blade blessed by God in the dungeon, he wouldn't be held back even if he collided with an Auror. However, they didn't need to know that yet.

"Shall we get started?"

"Kkkhhhhm. Let's get started!"

As soon as Crow cried out, Marquis Soline, who was the designated judge, raised his arm. Dozens of solid water spheres materialized around Crow and flew toward Evan in unison! An attack worthy of being called the Prince of Pellati!

However, all of them were destroyed by Evan. He made his Heavenly blessings known through his presence.

Crow shrieked out.

"I give up! I give up!"

"At least throw a spear before giving up!"

The clash took place shortly after Count Melto flatly rejected Crow's request for abstention. Just as Evan's blade and Crow's trident crashed into each other with a terrible roar, Crow flung back.

"I have witnessed this somewhere before..."

Everyone who had watched Evan and Crow's battle a few years ago looked solemn. However, this time, the ending was different!

"Khhhh.

Crow, instead of cowering in fear and giving up like their last duel, decided to gather his courage, man up, and face Evan with all the strength he could muster.

"Again, let's...!"

"All right."

Men were supposed to overcome their weaknesses and grow up. Evan looked pleased with Crow's posture, seeing the burning passion in his eyes. Of course, he had given him a pretty gentle swing, but at least he was starting to catch up!

"Crow, you now know how to make that look. That saddens me..."

"Isn't he the successor of Pellati? He can't just be a child forever, Melto."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

While Count Melto and Marquis Soline talked in a quiet tone, Crow attacked Evan again with a bold declaration.

"Miss Belois, I'm going to show you how I've grown. Aoooooo-e-eh-eh-eh-eh!"

"You would've looked cooler if you didn't say that."

As soon as he heard it, Evan gave his fist a little more strength than he had initially thought. And that was the end of it.

The very next day, Evan grabbed a sulking Crow to teach him proper trident skills.

Crow, who was officially taught "tricks" by him, was clenching his fists for another duel to win Belois' favor, but he became quiet when Evan extended Heaven's Blade from his hand again. Evan made it clear who was the alpha.