Together at Last
I was speechless. The words hung in the air like a question I couldn’t quite grasp. “What if Yeon Wi dies? Then what?”
“Oh… I see. I’m sorry.”
Seo Ran scratched his head, looking thoroughly embarrassed. I shook my head and spoke. “From today on, I’m going to wander around this village as a base and hunt youkai or bring them under my control like Siho.”
I intended to gather companions along the way, expand our power, and build our legacy. Seo Ran thought for a moment, then asked. “Then, even if we’re building power, wouldn’t it be better to take over the village to become the base of our forces? After crushing the village, we can lead the youkai, receive tribute, and be worshiped while living here.”
‘Why is this kid so determined to rule a village?’
Thinking it over, I suddenly recalled that Seo Ran had once been treated like a dragon deity by the islanders during his childhood. “Hmm…”
I glanced at him. Though he was immature, his words held truth. ‘Indeed, once we gather power, we’ll likely need to raid for supplies, so…’
It might even be better to start with Tae-eul Village and create places to regularly receive tribute. I recalled the purpose of this array. ‘According to Yuk Rin’s diary, the array changes in detail with each entrant’s memories, but its purpose remains the same every time.’
That purpose was simply to become the king of Bongrae State. According to Yuk Rin’s information, there were several ways to become the king of Bongrae State. If luck was on your side and you were set as a prince, you simply waited for the coronation ceremony. But if you weren’t a prince, you could marry the prince or the princess and become a minister or consort. Of course, you could also overthrow the state without marrying into royalty and establish your own kingdom and crown yourself king. Once you became king, or someone close to the king, you gained the right to take or investigate treasures from the palace, along with the authority to leave the illusion array. ‘Numerically, we have the overwhelming advantage.’
If the disciples of Mugeuk Sect remembered their true selves, we could simply crush Bongrae State and crown myself king. However, according to Yuk Rin’s information, those who entered first were closer to the king of Bongrae State or had better conditions for becoming king. They were members of the royal family, powerful ministers, youkai, spirits, or monsters. ‘Yuk Rin said that in his previous trip to Bongrae-do, he killed the underground nation-raptor monster, married the princess of Bongrae State, and became a minister.’
And once you became king, minister, or consort, anyone not under the king’s command could be released outside Bongrae-do at will. ‘Looking at my current situation, the ones closest to the throne are undoubtedly those damned pirate bastards.’
Of course, I wasn’t sure if they had regained their senses. Moreover, the current king of Bongrae State was said to be in a healthy condition, and it would take quite some time for him to pass the throne. In that case, my only choice was clear. “It seems the best option is still to overthrow Bongrae State.”
Seo Ran nodded. “Indeed, that’s right! Then, shall we conquer the village?”
“Hold on. Village conquest isn’t a good idea.”
I explained my plan to Seo Ran. “So… we subdue the youkai in large numbers, raise a youkai army, attack the capital of Bongrae State, and seize the throne in one decisive battle?”
“That’s right. Considering that there are no techniques or mysterious powers in this world except the youkai, this method is the best.”
“Well… then I understand. Let’s do that.”
Seo Ran seemed a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be worshipped by the villagers, but that was none of my concern. We immediately began planning and gave orders to Siho. “To subdue the youkai, we’ll need some funds. Siho! Go hunt something like a wild boar.”
Siho looked at me as if checking, and when Seo Ran repeated my words, he finally moved and disappeared. “…He only listens to you.”
“…I think he likes it.”
And a while later, Siho returned with a large cow in his mouth. The cow blinked its big eyes, clearly unaware of what had happened. “…He was supposed to catch a wild boar… but he caught a village cow?”
It was alive. “Where did you catch it?”
Siho pointed in a certain direction. It was the direction of So-eul Village, the neighboring village. I nodded. “…Fine. Since it wasn’t caught in our village, we can sell it in Tae-eul Village.”
I felt a little guilty, but I told myself it was a good thing, led the cow back to the village. “Senior Yeon Wi!!! Please open the door!”
When I knocked on Yeon Wi’s house door, Yeon Wi appeared with four servants, her face furious. “What does this rotten kid want now?!”
“I didn’t come to ask for anything. I came to sell a cow.”
Upon hearing that, Yeon Wi’s eyes widened as she looked at the cow behind me. “Th-this… where exactly did you drag this cow from?”
“What does it matter where I dragged it from? I’m selling it cheap to Senior Yeon Wi, so please pay a fair price.”
“Hmm… this guy seems suspicious. You’re not trying to sell a sick cow, are you?”
“If you don’t want it, I’ll sell it to another house.”
“Who said they wouldn’t buy it! This is a serious matter, I need to discuss it with my husband and wait.”
After a while, Yeon Wi ran inside and returned with Lord Gong-bu. Lord Gong-bu examined the cow, glanced at me, and slowly nodded. “A good cow. I’ll buy it at a fair price.”
“Haha, why the formal speech? You can speak more casually.”
When I tried to be humble, he scowled. “You wretched bastard! Learn some manners!”
“…”
I didn’t understand Lord Gong-bu’s strange behavior, but I still sold the cow to him for forty gold coins. ‘Well, Heon-won had mental issues from the beginning, so maybe he’s just reflecting that.’
Heon-won had the servant take the cow to the stable, then told Yeon Wi. “My lady, since we’ve sold such a precious cow, please give the servant some rice cake as thanks. The servant has a family too….”
“Y-yes? But I don’t even know if the cow Senior Yeon gave is a proper cow… and besides, Senior Yeon isn’t even a farmer, just a charcoal seller, so selling a cow that’s not needed…”
“Oh, my lady! Even if livestock are scarce because of the youkai lately, a kind gesture is a kind gesture! Don’t hold back.”
“Yes….”
Upon hearing that, Yeon Wi looked slightly annoyed but obediently put a few rice cakes in a basket and handed them to me. ‘…She only put the oldest rice cakes.’
I clicked my tongue, but I accepted it gratefully and left Lord Gong-bu’s house. As I stepped out, I heard Gong-bu whispering to Yeon Wi from behind. “Forgive me, my lady. It’s not because I dislike my wife….”
“I know.”
Yeon Wi’s voice softened again with a warm tone as if she was pleased by the apology. In the distant fields, I saw Jeon Myeong-hoon farming with Geum So-hae and twelve children. ‘…If this is a dream or an illusion…’
Would they still want to wake up after realizing that? I suddenly had that thought. * * *
Using the money I received from Yeon Wi, I went to the blacksmith in the neighboring village to buy a sword and greaves. In Tae-eul Village, my infamy was so well known that the blacksmith refused to sell even if I fought him. “Tsk, tsk. I usually only supply the government troops, but since you look like a young man with deep filial piety, I’ll sell to you specially.”
The blacksmith of the neighboring village laughed heartily and took three-quarters of the money I paid for the cow. It was the price for a real bandit sword, but if I objected, he would probably run to the government troops. So I paid as asked. ‘Once I overthrow Bongrae State, I won’t care about the price of a sword.’
Anyway, the preparation was mostly complete. Swish- Swish-
It wasn’t a magnificent sword, but it was a decent iron sword. Seo Ran looked at the iron sword with suspicion and asked. “Um… Senior, if I can’t use law power or internal energy, don’t I need a better weapon? I’ve been living as a human body for the past few days, and unlike youkai bodies, it has terrible durability and strength….”
But I said nothing and swung the iron sword. The three rocks next to me and Seo Ran and Siho were cleanly split in one strike. The sword had a history of several thousand years. “What nonsense are you talking?”
I had reached the realm where I could cut flesh with straw. “This one is enough.”
As long as I had the iron sword and time, I could fight the army of Bongrae State alone and cause catastrophic damage. I tapped the iron sword with my fingers a few times and climbed onto Siho’s back. “I’ll bring youkai from other regions. Are you coming with?”
“…I don’t think it’ll help, so I’ll just adapt here in human form.”
“Alright. Then while I’m gone, get some nets and needles. The more needles, the better. Let’s go!”
I hit Siho on the back of the head, and Siho quickly began climbing the mountain. * * *
From a certain day, strange rumors began circulating in Bongrae State. There was a rumor that the youkai king had appeared and subjugated and gathered all the youkai across the nation. According to the rumors, the youkai king planned to make the youkai attack the capital, become king of Bongrae State, and turn the world into a youkai paradise. In the end, the king of Bongrae State announced that he would marry the princess to the one who defeated the youkai king, and famous warriors from across the nation were heading to Tae-eul Village, the youkai king’s base, to capture the youkai king. Among them was Jin Ma-yeol, a descendant of the prestigious Jin family and the greatest power family in the capital. “A monster like the youkai king threatening the country, I can’t stand it.”
From childhood, Jin Ma-yeol had exceptional talent. He had talent for bow, sword, and everything. The family had tried to stop his departure, but he defied everyone and headed to Tae-eul Village. “How can such a talented person like you go to Tae-eul Village and lose your life! You’re not even a candidate for the next consort!”
“Please don’t stop me. If I become consort in this kingdom that’s falling into chaos, what good will it do!”
No one in the Jin family could stop Jin Ma-yeol’s decision, and Jin Ma-yeol was locked in a room by the family head. “Lock that foolish boy away in the warehouse!”
They couldn’t afford to lose a talented member of the family like Jin Ma-yeol. However, in the middle of the night, Jin Ma-yeol untied the ropes binding himself, took a weapon and a horse, and escaped the house. ‘Mother, Father, forgive me. But as a body born receiving the grace of the country, I cannot ignore this great crisis!’
And it was when Jin Ma-yeol had just crossed the capital. Splash!
Someone covering their face ran to Jin Ma-yeol. “Who is it!”
Jin Ma-yeol drew his bow from his saddle, tense. And the person covering their face revealed themselves. “Ah, no!”
Jin Ma-yeol’s expression turned to shock. “Y-Yuk Yo, the princess!”
It was none other than the princess with whom he had been discussing marriage, Yuk Yo. “Come with me, Jin Gongja.”
“What kind of nonsense is that, Princess!”
“I want to protect the country too. There’s no need to say much. Aren’t you also secretly going to protect the country while hiding from the eyes of your family?”
“You and I…”
“There’s no need to say more. If you keep trying to persuade me, I’ll scream and tell you you’re running away!”
“…”
“If I scream because I’m a princess at night… you know what will happen after I’m caught, right?”
Jin Ma-yeol scowled and said. “…Fine. But the princess must never participate in the battle! If you insist…”
“I understand. Jin Gongja, listen well and just ride me.”
Yuk Yo nodded lightly and climbed behind Jin Ma-yeol. Jin Ma-yeol rode with a disgusted expression. And Yuk Yo clung to Jin Ma-yeol from behind, her face tense. ‘…I got my chance. Join the sect leader during this gap. Jin Ma-yeol probably hasn’t noticed yet…’
She bit her lip tightly and headed toward Tae-eul Village with Jin Ma-yeol, her eyes tense with anticipation. After that, Jin Ma-yeol also gained other companions besides Yuk Yo, the princess. Along with Yuk Rin, the son of the Dragon King of the East Sea, Kim Young-hoon, the passing scholar, and Baek Rin, the shaman who could see ghosts, they headed to Tae-eul Village. And he finally arrived at Tae-eul Village and faced off against the youkai king Seo Eun-hyun. The youkai king was indeed strong. In the first battle, Yuk Rin, the son of the Dragon King and the True Dragon, lost an arm in an instant, and among the group, the scholar Kim Young-hoon, who was the best martial artist, matched Seo Eun-hun for a while but was overwhelmed and defeated by the youkai under his command. Baek Rin, who claimed to command ghosts, was knocked unconscious by Seo Eun-hyun before he could even summon his ghosts. In the end, Jin Ma-yeol and Yuk Rin had no choice but to flee. “Ah, no, Yuk Rin! The princess is still over there!”
“Stupid! The youkai king can’t win. Princess, give up!”
“Damn it!”
Jin Ma-yeol swallowed his frustration. “Why! Why can’t I do anything but run away!!!”
He galloped away with Yuk Rin, grinding his teeth. “I will definitely return! Youkai King!!!”
Clang- Clang-
While facing Yuk Rin, I threw away the sword with teeth fully gritted. “How unfair. I’m just an ordinary human with no mysterious powers, but that Yuk Rin guy can turn into a dragon as a dragon race, spit fire, fly around, and have tough skin.”
Moreover, Seo Ran was also of dragon race, but strangely, Seo Ran was human. “I have no idea why the rules of this world are so bizarre.”
I looked at the approaching Yuk Yo and said. “Up until now, no one has regained their senses, and there being only me, Seo Ran, and you who have regained their senses is something I can’t understand, Yuk Yo.”
She bowed before me. “Greetings, Sect Leader.”
“…Yes. Nice to meet you.”
Of course, I wasn’t really glad. If I had to choose, I would have preferred healthy companions to have regained their senses, but a scammer like Yuk Yo being the second to regain her senses?
“By the way, you said you’re a princess?”
“…Yes.”
“Good. I’m going to obtain Bongrae State right now, so marry Seo Ran and bring some legitimacy.”
And then I flinched at Yuk Yo’s next words. “No.”
“…? What did you say just now…”
“Instead, I will tell you the secrets and truths of this world, and reveal all of Yuk Rin’s schemes. Becoming king will be easy compared to that, so please endure this.”
“….”
I stared at Yuk Yo for a moment and asked. “Do you know something? Then why didn’t you say it when Yuk Rin was captured by us outside?”
“My father sealed my memories, so I didn’t know at the time. When I returned to Bongrae-do, my memories returned. Because the covenants and contracts from the outside world don’t work inside Bongrae-do.”
“…Bongrae-do… ‘returned’?”
And at the continued words, I had no choice but to be startled. “I am a native of Bongrae-do. My father, in his previous trip to Bongrae-do, beat up the underground nation-raptor monster, married my mother, and took me and many siblings to the outside world.”
“What…?”
“…From now on, I will tell you the truth of this world.”