Black Online-Chapter 103: Selevian Waltz

’Their former party members are supporting Fang Raon? They’ve been in the same party and should know the best.

’I questioned them, and apparently both Fang Raon and Machary were party leaders, and they took turns leading the raids.

’They would know the best who is the better one between the two of them...’

Della thought.

She looked at Fang Raon and thought that he was a rather sly individual, as this was basically a checkmate situation.

Ragnar then told about his experiences with both Machary and Fang Raon during their time in the raids.

Then it was Abigail’s turn, and she kept it short, and lastly, Poppy told about her experiences during her time with them.

"..."

Machary just stayed silent.

He couldn’t understand how the three of them could betray him like this and support Fang Raon instead.

Click!

The hologram ended, and Fang Raon retrieved the item back to his inventory and saw everyone in the room thinking.

When he heard about the evaluation, instead of befriending the members of the Fourth Line, he went to speak with their former party instead.

In his opinion, their opinion would matter more than anyone else’s because they had seen both Machary and Fang Raon act as party leader.

Fang Raon didn’t want them to lie for him. No. He only asked them to be truthful, but even still, they were reluctant to do so.

They didn’t want to go against Machary like that, as, in the end, they were all friends.

He couldn’t get them to do the video no matter how he tried, so Fang Raon needed something to convince them to do so.

Secretly, he recorded one of Machary’s meetings with the Fourth-Liners, and to his surprise, Machary was actually badmouthing him to them.

Machary was trying to make Fang Raon look worse in their eyes by spreading lies.

Then, Fang Raon showed that video to Ragnar and others. When they saw the video, they decided to help him.

In the end, it was Machary who ended up digging his own grave.

"...And I also have this."

Fang Raon showed them another video, and it was Machary badmouthing him to the Fourth-Liners.

In the video, Machary was talking about how Fang Raon was blackmailing Poppy so she wouldn’t leave the party, how he always took every treasure for himself, and how he stole from his own party members.

It brought some sour looks to the faces of others.

"..."

Machary’s face turned pale.

"What do you think would’ve happened if you had become the team leader, Machary? You think they would’ve accepted me as part of the team after you spread all those lies about me?"

Fang Raon asked.

’Machary wanted to use deception to become the team leader, but at the same time, he would’ve isolated Fang Raon from the team.

’That’s a horrible way to do things.’

Della thought with a frown.

"What you said in the video... Was any of that true?"

Waylen asked curiously.

They didn’t really know whether what Machary said were actually lies and whether Fang Raon was as horrible of a person as he made him seem to be.

They didn’t know Fang Raon that well to know the truth.

"Would his former party members make this video if Fang Raon did all those things?"

Miranda asked.

"Who knows. He could’ve forced them to make this video for all we know. I am just asking for some honesty from Machary now."

Waylen said.

"I..."

Machary stopped speaking.

He was weighing his opinions.

’If I lie, I might still have a chance at team leader, but if I keep lying, I will ruin my friendship with Fang Raon entirely.

’They might also seek out Ragnar and others to find the whole truth, and if they catch me lying, they will probably kick me out of the guild.

’What should I do?’

Machary gritted his teeth.

"Since we started these interviews, we have only asked one thing from everyone. And that is honesty. If you can’t be honest, you have no place in this guild."

Della said.

"...I lied."

Machary said, clenching his fists inside his pockets, staring at the floor with anger.

It felt like the team leader position was slipping through his fingers, and this would have a long-lasting impact on his relationship with Fang Raon and the guild master.

They would now think of him as a liar and untrustworthy.

"Thank you. We’ve now heard from every member of the Fourth Line and have heard your case as well. We will discuss with each other and come to a decision soon."

Della said, and then pointed towards the door.

After both bowed, they left the room and, in silence, leaned against the wall and just waited.

Neither of them was talking to each other.

"Yawn~"

In that moment, Rock stepped out of the room, yawning, and he then took out a cigarette and lit it up.

"Puff..."

He looked at Fang Raon and asked.

"Want one?"

"I don’t smoke, sir."

Fang Raon said.

"Sir? You creep me out. Where did this sudden respect come from?"

Rock asked with a smirk.

"Ok. I don’t smoke, old fart."

Fang Raon said.

"Hey, go back to Sir. I liked that more."

"Nope, too late. You’re an old fart from now on."

"You... little shit!"

By the side, Machary watched as the two of them bickered with each other, and it just made his emotions heavier.

’...Why does even Rock care more about him? I’ve tried to get close to Rock, but he always keeps a distance.

’He treats me like I am just another one of his students. Nobody special. Fang Raon is the only one that he treats differently.

’Why?!’

He just couldn’t understand what was so interesting about Fang Raon, as he believed that he was much better!

"...How far are you from level 3?"

Rock asked.

"49%, almost halfway."

Fang Raon said.

’...I am 61% done.’

Machary thought with a frown.

"Next week, we’ll push you to level 3. I think other members of the Fourth Line are also about to level up.

"Once y’all are level 3, you can start heading to raids."

Rock said.

Fang Raon nodded, and then, out of curiosity, he asked.

"Have you found a way for me to start training Aurel’s Blade Dance?"

"...Yeah."

Rock said with a smirk.

That smirk made Fang Raon raise his eyebrow as he wondered what he was smiling for, and then he asked.

"Well...?"

"You need to start learning dancing, buddy. Aurel’s Blade Dance uses a lot of footwork that is present in a certain dance called the Selevian Waltz.

"Selevian Waltz is a dance where swords are used as extensions of arms. It’s a very old type of dance that dates back hundreds of years.

"Female soldiers did that dance to entertain the king and guests of the court."

Rock said.

"...Is Aurel a woman then?"

Fang Raon asked curiously.

"Aurel is a man’s name, and from what I could find, the historic books always refer to him as a man, but there isn’t much stuff about him.

"So who knows. A man can also use this style of fighting, no problem, but it might not be as effective.

"Selevian Waltz is a very graceful kind of dance, and the men are generally more clumsy, and that footwork can be very annoying to learn."

Rock said.

’...When I do Aurel’s Blade Dance, I usually do the footwork very slowly and carefully to not accidentally fall. It is obvious that I haven’t used this technique to the best of its capability because of it.’

Fang Raon thought.

Creak!

In that moment, Miranda opened the door and looked at the two young men standing outside with a serious expression.

"The decision has been made. You both may enter."

She said.

With straightened back, Machary marched inside the room, and Fang Raon—a few beats later—entered the room with Rock.

"Hop!"

Rock plopped down on the couch and looked at Della.

He was trying to understand his granddaughter’s expression, but she kept herself very reserved as if she didn’t want to share anything with him.

"The decision wasn’t easy. The two of you are both very good recruits. One of the best we’ve had in some time.

"Even if one of you doesn’t become team leader today, it doesn’t mean that you cannot become one in the future.

"But for now, we only have one team leader position available."

Della said.

She looked at the two young men—they nodded their heads—and then she took a deep breath.

"For now, we are more confident in choosing Fang Raon to be the next team leader of the Fourth Line. His performance in the test raid proved to be exceptional.

"If Fang Raon happens to get sick and cannot participate in one of the raids, I want you, Machary, to be the backup leader."

Della said.

He expected it, but Machary was still very hurt for not being chosen, but he kept his composure, and nodded.

"Thank you."

Fang Raon bowed.

"Machary, you may go. I have a few things to discuss with Fang Raon privately."

Della said.

With a nod, Machary turned around without looking at Fang Raon even once, and he then left the room.