The Esper Grand Duke Wishes For Purity - Chapter 1
Has it been about two months now? Since Guide Seon Heejae lost Esper Ha Seyeon.
[Note] Translator: As of today, the probability of future destruction based on his current state is 99%. Please make sure to succeed in the ‘Purification’ this time.
It’s been quite some time since I rolled into an unfamiliar world and received an absurd request from a suspicious punk who calls themself a translator, asking me to prevent the end of the world.
[Note] Translator: Then, please take that into account and do your best. I’m off to rest now.
Heejae couldn’t make a sound, just widened his eyes in disbelief. He was hiding, forced to guide despite his unwillingness, and the resentment boiled up from his throat. He was furious at the translator, who teased him and announced the world’s doom as casually as a weather forecast, in a situation where he couldn’t even retort.
Who wouldn’t want to guide? It’s not like he’s not doing it because he didn’t want to. The person who needed it just wouldn’t give him a chance.
***
“Huu…”
A long exhale traced a white line in the air. As Heejae unwound the black scarf wrapped tightly around his face, his suffocating breath finally found some relief. The soft fabric had frozen stiff where his breath had touched.
Heejae sat crouched on the shadowy marble floor, looking up at the menacingly high ceiling. The building was ignorantly constructed without any consideration for insulation, even though the local temperature dropped to an average of minus 30 degrees at night.
What good is a pretty castle if it’s like this?
Why did the author of this novel set the background in medieval Western Europe? Or rather, is it even Western Europe? Considering how cold it was, shouldn’t it actually be set somewhere like Russia?
If it weren’t for the red mana stone pendant hanging around his neck, he would have collapsed and frozen to death just walking down the corridor.
“If I could make something like this back in Korea, I’d be filthy rich.”
Heejae fiddled with the small gemstone that was enveloping him in warm heat. It functioned by embedding the ability of a fire-wielding Esper, and the sparkling stone inside the pendant was a mineral that didn’t exist on Earth. If such a thing actually existed, people experiencing winter in Korea would surely develop this must-have item.
‘If I could just make a few of these, I could save on heating costs, not to mention clothing expenses…’
Ah, there I go again.
It’s time to accept reality, but he still couldn’t shake off his longing for home. What use is being a successful Guide when he’s trapped in a book and can’t even find a way out?
“If it were Seyeon hyung, it might have been different…”
Whenever he faced difficulties, Heejae couldn’t help but think of Ha Seyeon reflexively. He bit his lips hard. He couldn’t afford to be weak. This time, he had resolved to save his hyung.
Heejae shook his head vigorously. Even with just a small movement, his nose stung from the cold. Was it because of the chill? Weak thoughts kept creeping in.
[Note] Translator: The Grand Duke is approaching. He’ll be close enough to sense you soon, Ren.
“It’s Heejae. I told you already.”
Heejae answered as if accustomed to the voice in his head.
[Note] Translator: You must get used to the new name. Here, you are ‘Ren Snow’, not ‘Seon Heejae’.
Listening to the translator’s nagging, Heejae rummaged through his pocket and took out a small pouch. Until he left his room, it had been filled, but now it was empty, save for this last mana stone fragment.
Carefully placing it on the floor, he stomped on it hard with his thick slippers, breaking it. Usually, an Esper would break a mana stone by hand, but as a weak Guide, he had to use his foot.
A gray smoke puffed out, and soon the thick fur slippers began to blur. It didn’t just make their appearance vague, but also emitted a recognition-disrupting smoke that shrouded Heejae’s entire body.
“Can something like this really fool the Grand Duke?”
[Note] Translator: Worth a try.
“Worth a try? Easy for you to say. I’m the one who’ll get hurt and fall, not you.”
To check if even his voice was muted, Heejae consciously spoke while looking at the large mirror on the wall. Since it was a great tool that had managed to deceive many Espers on his way from his room through the long hallway to the Grand Duke’s room, there was nothing reflected in the mirror.
Hopefully, it’ll fool the Grand Duke too. His power is so immense that he’s not confident. Even though his appearance and voice had completely vanished, Heejae held his breath.
‘Today, I must succeed in touching the Grand Duke’s bare skin.’
Heejae approached the center of the room, hesitating for a moment before climbing onto the wide bed.
[Note] Translator: The Grand Duke always gets in from the right when going to sleep.
The translator chimed in again. The punk’s perceptiveness was unnerving, as if they could read Heejae’s mind and provide the necessary information just in time.
Though he couldn’t fully trust someone who didn’t give the most crucial information when needed.
Heejae threw his fur slippers deep under the bed and carefully climbed up from the left edge, lying down quietly. Though there was no risk of being caught since the Grand Duke always entered from the right, the psychological anxiety made him lie on the very edge.
T/N: 1 KR chapter = 2 ENG chapters! The chapters are split like this so that the TL can update more consistently over time. Thank you for your understanding! <3
