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 After Story 11. The Jewel of Adria

They subjugated the Deep Serpent's army.

The damage was minimal.

There were no fatalities, only a few injuries.

'Even those have already been healed, I hear. With Iriya and the supporters' magic...'

Eun-ha was thoroughly satisfied.

Especially considering the gains from the Deep Serpent's army.

Meanwhile.

"This, really..."

The Italian Catania Coast Guard, who arrived at the scene only after the situation had been resolved, couldn't help but be shocked.

The Coast Guard Captain, who blankly looked at the monster corpses floating on the sea, asked in a trembling voice.

Avenier helped with the translation.

"You dealt with them by yourselves?"

"Yes."

Eun-ha answered immediately.

There was no need for a detailed explanation.

The result was right before their eyes.

"..."

The Coast Guard Captain's face became peculiar.

As if he had a lot to say, he mumbled something in Italian and then soon sighed.

He had given up.

"I see... I understand well."

The Coast Guard Captain retreated.

Eun-ha, having seen him off, decided to finish collecting the spoils.

Urging Ariel.

"Riel, make sure to search every nook and cranny underwater."

"Eun-ha Eun-ha! Aren't you working me too hard these days!? I'm getting upset!?"

Ariel, who had been searching underwater, poked her head above the surface.

She protested discontentedly.

Eun-ha offered a carrot to appease her.

"You can drink to your heart's content later."

"Really?"

Ariel responded immediately.

Her face brightened up.

Eun-ha nodded.

"Really. But don't drink to the point of losing consciousness or not being able to control your body. Just in case, only drink next to us."

"Okay, okay! I can promise that much no problem!"

"Then I'm counting on you."

"Yeah! Leave it all to me! Diving in!"

Ariel disappeared underwater.

Eun-ha, who had been sitting on the water surface to match her eye level, finally stood up.

The corners of his mouth rose.

'She's really useful at times like this. Work hard, Riel.'

* * *

With the Catania Coast Guard joining, the rest of the journey continued smoothly.

Eun-ha's group entered Italian territorial waters without any particular anomalies.

And after passing through Syracuse, Catania, Messina, Naples, and others, they finally reached Civitavecchia, the port city of Rome.

"Wow, the city is so picturesque!"

Jo A-ra and others exclaimed at the cityscape visible from the deck.

Not long after that.

'The cabin life is ending now. We'll have to ride it again when we return, but...'

Eun-ha's group disembarked at the pier.

People who stepped on land after a long time showed excited reactions as they took in the foreign scenery.

Eun-ha also lightly stretched and looked around.

On the other hand, he asked Roberto who was conveniently nearby.

"How do we go from here?"

"Cars should be coming soon... Ah, there they are."

Roberto gestured with his chin.

Following his gaze, Eun-ha could see cars coming from across the road.

They formed a long line.

'There are so many... Well, I guess it's natural? We have a lot of people...'

Eun-ha understood.

Soon, the cars that entered the port stopped one by one in front of the group.

Screech!

"..."

Eun-ha looked at the lead car that stopped in front of him.

Then the back seat door opened and.

'...A mask?'

A man wearing a suit with an iron mask covering his face from the bridge of his nose came out.

He was a man with a distinctly different presence at first glance.

'This person...'

Eun-ha could immediately recognize the man's identity.

Just then.

"Welcome, Korean friends. And..."

The man spoke fluently in Korean.

His gaze from the start.

"Player Noh Eun-ha."

Fixed on Eun-ha.

"I am Albert Valentine, the leader of Italy's Tredici."

"..."

Albert Valentine offered a handshake.

Eun-ha stared blankly at the hand he extended.

'I knew we would meet, but I didn't know he would come to greet us directly.'

Albert Valentine.

Eun-ha, who couldn't help but know that name, quickly organized his thoughts.

'It's already been 20 years, hasn't it? He shouldn't recognize me who was only nine years old then. Even if he does, it's a problem...'

So deciding not to mention past events unnecessarily.

Eun-ha grasped Albert's hand.

However, contrary to expectations, Albert seemed to know.

"It's been a long time. Seeing you like this makes me really feel the passage of time."

"...How did you know? I thought you wouldn't know my information..."

"I investigated later. When I looked into who was around Julieta at that time, it was easy to find out who that child was."

"So are you here for revenge?"

"No, I have no intention of retaliating for what happened then. We both had our circumstances at the time. Rather, if I were to take revenge, it would be on Bruno who made my face like this, not on you. So..."

"..."

"I hope we can work together on the conquest without dwelling on what happened then."

Albert proposed.

This was exactly what Eun-ha wanted.

Eun-ha, removing his wariness towards him, shook the hand he was holding.

"Alright, let's not fight unnecessarily. I look forward to working with you."

"Yes, I look forward to working with you too. Then let's get in. We need to go see Big Mama."

As he put Eun-ha in the car like that.

"..."

Albert glanced at the owner of the gaze he had been feeling for a while.

A man with a particularly large build that wasn't hidden among the people.

The man's hair was yellow, and his eyes were green.

'...Is that child?'

Albert realized the moment he saw him.

He's Julieta and Bruno's child.

And...

'They named him Avenier, meaning hope. His surname is Noh... I wonder why they gave him that name...'

He's his nephew.

Albert felt a strange affection.

'He certainly resembles Julie. A bit of Bruno too...'

On the other hand, he felt nostalgia.

For his sister whom he could never see again, and should never see.

"..."

The corners of Albert's mouth curved.

He muttered quietly.

"It seems you're living well at least."

* * *

Big Mama, the head of state of Italy.

She resided in the Quirinal Palace located in the capital, Rome.

Eun-ha's group moved there by car.

'It's extremely spacious and splendid.'

Following Roberto and Albert, they walk down a corridor reflecting Renaissance style.

Soon, they were guided to a reception room impressive with its magnificent chandelier and murals.

Eun-ha's group sat down.

"Big Mama will be here soon."

Albert asked for their understanding.

A short while later.

"Buon giorno."

"..."

Along with the door swinging open.

A woman wearing an excessively revealing outfit entered, greeting in Italian.

It was Big Mama.

She approached Eun-ha's group, who had stood up to show courtesy, with an eye smile.

"You must have had a hard time coming from far away. I hope you can rest well while you're here. We'll do our best to accommodate you."

"..."

Big Mama spoke Korean so fluently that no interpretation was needed.

She extended her hand to Eun-ha, who was both the representative of the Korean conquest team and the delegation.

"Then nice to meet you. I'm Big Mama, Eleonora. I don't have a separate surname. Because that's what Big Mama is."

"Hello. I'm Noh Eun-ha."

"So you're that hero who conquered the black dungeon. Welcome."

Eun-ha shook hands with Big Mama.

Then she overlapped her other hand, kneading Eun-ha's hand.

Her touch was somewhat blatant.

'Why is this person like this?'

Eun-ha's eyebrow twitched.

Feeling uncomfortable, he subtly pulled his hand away.

Big Mama just smiled, not seeming to mind.

Then she opened her mouth.

"Shall we sit now? Let's sit, shall we?"

Big Mama sits in the seat of honor.

Following her, Albert, Roberto, and Eun-ha's group sat facing each other.

Big Mama crossed her legs as if deliberately showing off.

'Why is she doing that? Isn't she embarrassed? Her outfit too...'

Eun-ha thought inwardly.

On the other hand, he understood a little.

According to what's known in Korea, Big Mama...

'She worked as a hostess before awakening <White Silver>. Then after awakening <White Silver>, she skillfully sought power balance to avoid being manipulated by the mafia, creating the current system...'

Compared to Fairy Lim Ga-eul, who often had to suffer political checks and be the scapegoat of public opinion.

Or Kaguya of Japan, who barely involves herself in politics and exists as a symbol of being the Emperor's wife.

Or the Hang-as of China who have to live like tools.

When compared to them, Big Mama could certainly be evaluated as a person with excellent political sense.

Even so.

'Now she's in a solid position unlike before, and above all, isn't she quite old?'

As far as Eun-ha knew, Big Mama was much older than Lim Ga-eul...

'Let's stop here.'

Of course, people with the gift of <White Silver> age slowly, so they look young for their age...

In reality, Big Mama with her long yellow hair draped over one shoulder only looked to be in her 30s, but...

'Let's stop here.'

At this rate, he might end up counting Lim Ga-eul's age too.

Eun-ha stopped his thoughts and decided to focus on the meeting.

In the meantime, Song Yun-seo tactfully brought up a topic.

"When can we receive the treasures promised to Player Noh Eun-ha?"

"..."

Eun-ha had been curious about this too.

Eun-ha waited for Big Mama's answer.

Eventually, she opened her mouth.

"I heard from Roberto. You want to conquer the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> with a sword made from Italy's treasures?"

Big Mama putting down her espresso cup.

She smiled brightly.

"Public sentiment wasn't good because we're handing over treasures, but this works out well. Although it was my intention... Anyway, it will help with propaganda."

"..."

It means that handing over treasures to Korea is also to identify those who might oppose her.

Eun-ha and Song Yun-seo, who read her inner thoughts, clicked their tongues at Big Mama's scheme.

Meanwhile, Big Mama continued speaking.

"Since you need to make the weapon before entering the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>, it would be good to take the treasures quickly. So you can take them anytime. However..."

"..."

"How about we do it tomorrow morning, and take today to rest from your journey?"

"Yes, that's fine."

It was a reasonable suggestion.

Eun-ha nodded.

Then Big Mama asked.

"I heard you said you'd take only one of the promised two pieces first, is there any change in your opinion? If you want, you can take both pieces."

"No, I'll just take one piece. We'll take the other piece after conquering the dungeon."

One treasure was enough to make a sword to replace the Dawn Sword.

If another treasure was added unnecessarily, they might end up with nothing if the natures didn't harmonize well.

Above all, it was also something agreed upon with future Yu-seong for a better future.

'Because that treasure has a different purpose.'

So Eun-ha shook his head.

Big Mama didn't try to dissuade him.

"Alright. Do as you wish."

"Ah, and about the furnace..."

"I heard about that too. We'll lend you the best furnace in Italy."

"Thank you."

Eun-ha didn't forget to show courtesy for Big Mama's kindness.

"By the way."

"..."

Big Mama stood up from her seat.

She sat on the armrest of the sofa where Eun-ha was sitting, which was right next to her, and leaned towards Eun-ha.

"Player Noh Eun-ha."

"...Yes?"

Eun-ha was flustered.

He tried to avoid Big Mama by pulling his body away as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Big Mama spoke in a sweet voice.

"How about naturalizing while you're at it? It would be troublesome and bothersome to go back again..."

"..."

"If you have any conditions you want, tell me. I'll grant them as much as possible. I promise I'll treat you at least better than you're treated in Korea. You won't regret it."

Eun-ha looked up at Big Mama.

He had expected that Italy would eye him and propose naturalization to him or other Koreans.

'I didn't expect Big Mama to directly propose it in a public setting like this, though...'

But Eun-ha's answer was already decided.

"I prefer Korea more. I also have precious family there. So I'll decline naturalization."

"Big Mama? What kind of discourtesy is this now? The Korean government will formally protest."

"You can't have the Pandora Clan Lord."

Song Yun-seo and Pricis Memory quickly defended Eun-ha and even glared.

In the end, Big Mama had no choice but to back down.

However, while leaving a subtle possibility...

"Oh, is that so? That's a shame. But the opportunity is still open, so think about it carefully. While you stay in this country for a while... It will be enough time to learn about Italy's good points."

As if flirting.

Big Mama snorted.