The Last Adventurer

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 96: The Phantom Thief’s Letter (2)

3.

The Phantom Thief.

There was not a single person in Maple World who didn’t know his story.

“The Phantom Thief can steal anything.”

First and foremost, he was the greatest thief in Maple World’s history.

A thief who stole whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

“He even stole Maple World from the Black Mage.”

And together with five other heroes, he sealed the Black Mage and saved Maple World.

He achieved a legend that no one else in the world could match.

That’s why all adventurers listened and turned their eyes to stories about the Phantom Thief.

Of course, the biggest reason adventurers were interested in the Phantom Thief was this:

“He hid everything he stole in his secret vault.”

All the treasures the Phantom Thief stole were said to be slumbering in his secret vault.

“And that secret vault is in the Nihal Desert.”

That’s why many adventurers didn’t stop their adventures in the harsh Nihal Desert.

The Phantom Thief, who was from the Ariant Kingdom, had his secret vault in the Nihal Desert.

Many adventurers ventured into the Nihal Desert with the dream of finding the Phantom Thief’s secret vault.

However, no adventurer had ever found it.

Not even now, hundreds of years after the Phantom Thief disappeared after sealing the Black Mage with his comrades.

“Pir found the Phantom Thief’s secret vault.”

But Pir had found it.

It was an amazing feat.

Even Cheryl, who spoke the words, had a calm tone, but her eyes were filled with excitement.

Of course, El Pam was different.

“That’s incredible.”

He spoke as if surprised, but El Pam wasn’t actually surprised that Pir had found the Phantom Thief’s secret vault.

‘As expected.’

El Pam had known the location of the secret vault all along, and had intentionally yielded it to Pir.

Therefore, there was no reason for El Pam to be surprised by the discovery of the vault itself.

“And Pir found this letter inside the Phantom Thief’s secret vault. It was there, as if on display, for the adventurer who would find his secret vault.”

However, the existence of the letter left by the Phantom Thief was unexpected even for El Pam.

Moreover, it was a very important matter.

“Do you know what this means?”

“Phantom is alive, that’s what it means.”

The Phantom Thief had disappeared from the world hundreds of years ago.

“That’s right. He mentioned Mystic Gates.”

On the other hand, Mystic Gates appeared less than ten years ago.

This meant that the Phantom Thief was definitely alive even after the appearance of Mystic Gates.

It was a huge deal.

“The Phantom Thief is alive.”

One of the six heroes is alive.

A hero who succeeded in sealing the Black Mage!

For the Cross Hunters, who fought against the Black Mage’s followers, there could be no better news.

Of course, one could think that way.

“Couldn’t it be a fake?”

The possibility that this letter was a ploy.

Unexpectedly, that possibility was quite high.

“A trap, written by the person who found Phantom’s secret vault.”

The Cross Hunters were currently being pursued by none other than the Black Mage’s followers.

This meant that the Black Mage’s followers would use any means necessary to eliminate the Cross Hunters.

In such a situation, the Phantom Thief would be irresistible bait for the Cross Hunters.

“That’s a possibility.”

The Cross Hunters were not ignorant of this.

“But we have no choice but to bite this bait, even if it means taking that risk.”

However, the name of the Phantom Thief was something the Cross Hunters could never ignore.

That’s why…

“Take the bait.”

“Yes, we have to. That’s why we need the El Pam Party.”

The reason Cheryl needed the El Pam Party, even at the cost of various risks and sacrifices, was…

“Because your ability is trustworthy.”

The El Pam Party had returned alive from Mystic Gates previously thought to be impossible to conquer.

“You’ll come back alive, no matter the situation. Even if everyone else dies..”

Of course, what Cheryl valued most was the El Pam Party’s survival ability.

This meant that while she acknowledged their combat ability, she didn’t have much faith in it.

El Pam knew this.

It wasn’t just that he knew; it was actually what he intended.

El Pam had done his best to hide his combat abilities.

So that his opponents would underestimate him.

Naturally, even now, El Pam didn’t bother to explain.

He simply asked,

“So, what about the members?”

Who were the adventurers responsible for combat?

Cheryl answered the question,

“I can’t tell you. This operation is more confidential than any other.”

It was an expected answer.

But it wasn’t an answer that could satisfy El Pam.

El Pam couldn’t just trust anyone to join him in raiding such a massive Mystic Gate.

“However, I can tell you one name.”

Cheryl knew this, so she told him.

“Do you know who the best lightning-element mage among the current Fourth Circle mages is?”

And as soon as he heard the description, El Pam answered immediately.

4.

Queen Areda.

The Queen of the Ariant Kingdom, she was the most extravagant queen in the kingdom’s history.

She demanded over a hundred dishes on her table for every meal, and wouldn’t be satisfied unless she wore different clothes, necklaces, and earrings every day.

The epitome of extravagance.

“What is this?”

“Today’s meal.”

However, she was going through more difficult days than ever before.

“You’re saying this soup, salad, and steak are my meal for today?”

On her table, there was only a single, luscious steak, a salad made with fresh vegetables, and a soup with an extraordinary aroma.

From her perspective, it was a truly miserable meal.

That’s how bad it was.

“I apologize. But in this uncertain situation, it’s too risky to inspect every dish.”

The Ariant Kingdom was currently filled with that much tension.

Of course, it wasn’t just the tension that made Queen Areda’s table empty.

“Moreover, we’ve received reports that there are disloyal individuals targeting Queen Areda.”

There were assassination threats against Queen Areda.

One of the easiest ways to carry out such a threat was to poison her food.

It was a situation where caution was necessary in many ways.

However, that was only the royal family’s concern.

“If your abilities were better, this wouldn’t be happening, would it?”

From Queen Areda’s perspective, she was simply frustrated at not being able to have a proper meal.

It was then.

“Your Majesty.”

A man appeared before her as she was eating.

It was a very dangerous act.

No one was allowed to interrupt Queen Areda’s meal, especially now that her mood was at rock bottom.

Given Queen Areda’s personality, she would have immediately imprisoned the person who appeared.

But upon seeing the face of the person who appeared, Queen Areda didn’t get angry.

“Evok.”

The person who appeared was none other than Evok.

“What is it?”

Furthermore, Evok was now Queen Areda’s closest advisor, effectively her right-hand man.

It wasn’t because they were close or shared the same feelings.

“It’s an important matter.”

“Everyone, leave us.”

Their lives were hanging by a thread.

It was literally true.

“I hope it’s not bad news. I’m going crazy because of the Prince’s Tomb issue.”

The Prince’s Tomb issue was causing headaches for Queen Areda and the Ariant Kingdom.

If any problems arose because of this, the responsibility would naturally fall on Queen Areda.

And the moment Queen Areda took responsibility, Evok would also share her fate.

This meant that the two of them had to stick together now.

“The Cross Hunters and the Sand Bandits have made contact.”

At Evok’s words, Queen Areda’s eyes turned cold.

Her eyes spoke volumes.

Is that all you came to say?

It was understandable, as the Black Mage’s followers already knew that the Cross Hunters and the Sand Bandits were closely connected.

“The Cross Hunters obtained something from Phantom’s secret vault.”

“Phantom?”

But the moment that name was mentioned, the situation changed.

“Are you talking about the Phantom Thief?”

“Yes. The Cross Hunters are preparing to raid a Mystic Gate within the Nihal Desert. With the help of the Sand Bandits. It’s highly likely that this is related to the Phantom Thief.”

Queen Areda’s expression hardened at the explanation.

It was important news.

“One of the Six Heroes…”

The Six Heroes were beings who should never exist in the eyes of the Black Mage’s followers.

But one of the Six Heroes was appearing.

Queen Areda felt fear at this fact.

Honestly, the Prince’s Tomb issue was a big problem, but if it was handled appropriately, it wouldn’t be enough to significantly affect Queen Areda’s fate.

However, the issue of the Six Heroes was different.

If problems arose because of this, Queen Areda would disappear from Maple World.

It was a situation that couldn’t help but cause fear.

“It’s an opportunity.”

At Evok’s words, Queen Areda’s eyes sharpened like knives.

“An opportunity? If this goes wrong, we’ll both be gone from this world!”

In response to her reaction, Evok said,

“On the contrary, if we handle this well, the current problems won’t even be problems anymore.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“Be realistic! How can we intervene in a top-secret operation by the Cross Hunters right now?”

But it was a possibility if it was possible.

“There’s someone on our side among the adventurers gathered by the Cross Hunters.”

“Someone on our side?”

“Do you know who the best lightning magic user is among the 4th Circle mages currently active in Maple World?”

5.

“Isn’t that Rick?”

Cheryl nodded at El Pam’s answer.

“You know him well.”

Cheryl had an expression as if it was obvious.

Indeed, the name Rick was famous.

As Cheryl had described, he was currently considered the best lightning magic user among the 4th Circle mages active in Maple World.

Of course, that wasn’t the reason El Pam knew the name.

‘Rick the Lightning God.’

It was a name El Pam couldn’t forget.

Before returning to the past, El Pam had almost been killed by Rick the Lightning God.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason El Pam couldn’t forget Rick’s name.

There were too many people who had tried to kill El Pam, and he had almost died countless times.

There was another reason he couldn’t forget.

‘A follower of the Black Mage.’

Rick was a follower of the Black Mage, hiding among the adventurers.

And he wasn’t just an ordinary follower.

He had hidden his true identity until the very end and then carried out a massacre for the Black Mage at a critical moment.

He was a person of interest.

But such a person, Rick, was involved in this matter, a matter that held the fate of the Cross Hunters?

And not just as an ordinary adventurer, but as the best combatant the Cross Hunters had managed to recruit?

It was truly the worst-case scenario.

“If an adventurer of Rick’s caliber is participating, there’s no reason to hesitate. I accept this request.”

That’s why El Pam accepted the task.

In fact, it wasn’t easy for El Pam to refuse.

“Thank you.”

In a situation where the Cross Hunters had brought in Rick, a renowned expert among 4th Circle mages, what excuse could he give to refuse?

Reveal that he was a returnee and tell them Rick’s true identity? That wasn’t a realistic option.

“With you and Rick, it will be a more reliable party than any other.”

“I hope so.”

Of course, the biggest reason El Pam accepted this proposal was this:

‘What luck, the chance to eliminate Rick has come so soon.’

There was no better opportunity to get rid of a very serious nuisance.

“So, where and when?”

“A week later, come to the Mysterious Pyramid.”

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]