Chapter 650: Back to the Central Plains (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 650: Back to the Central Plains (2)
Three days had passed since the bloody battle against Mang and the white demons.
Though it was a short time, a profound change was brewing in the North Sea.
“Charge!”
“Waaaaah!”
The war was not over.
Although Yuseon had stepped forward under Mang’s direction to light the fuse, the fact remained that the others had joined the rebellion. The remaining warriors continued their struggle to usurp the palace.
In the end, however, it didn't take long to reclaim it.
After all, their full military force wasn't gathered at the palace in the first place.
The general who had joined the rebellion was stationed under the command of the Blue Wolf, whose main base was reportedly in a remote location. Hearing this, I wondered why they hadn't stationed their forces at the palace, a place of such immense symbolic importance.
It was strange.
It was as if the entire strategy had been designed with defeat in mind.
Could it be that they never intended to win from the start? If so, what was the point of this war? I had no way of knowing.
If it were me…
First, I would have slit the throat of a captured bloodline member and displayed it to the troops to boost morale. Knowing the enemy leader was weakened and where their hideout was, I would have crushed it without hesitation.
And yet, Yuseon had done none of those things. Despite possessing such power and forces, she hadn't done anything significant.
Why?
Well, she’s dead now, so it’s not like I can ask her.
The palace was reclaimed with a relatively small force. I was bored while sending the Black Lion off, so I tagged along; the process turned out to be surprisingly simple.
And there, I saw it.
The corpse of Yuseon.
I burned it the moment I laid eyes on it. The Black Lion saw this and asked why I would do such a thing.
[Because I couldn't stand the sight of her.]
I dismissed it with a casual remark. Her withered body, her expression that looked somehow peaceful—it was a shabby end for a woman of such striking beauty, and an unimpressive finale for someone who dared to cross me.
So I burned her. Rather than show her father that pathetic sight, I figured it was better to say some bastard burned her because he couldn't stand looking at her.
I walked down a corridor that seemed cracked and ancient. There was no one to guide me. If there was anyone, it was only Seong Yul, walking ahead.
“Hey.”
“Yes.”
“What happened to the other bloodline members?”
In the palace’s underground—not the place with the Ice Crystal, but the prison for criminals—other members of the Ice Palace’s bloodline were being held captive. The ones who found them were the First and Second Young Masters.
The First Young Master was fine, aside from some dehydration, but the Second Young Master’s right leg had been severed.
At my question, Seong Yul answered without turning his head.
“The First Young Master is resting, and the Second Young Master has yet to regain consciousness.”
“Hmm, so he’s alive, at least.”
Why did she keep them alive? That was the biggest question. They were of the bloodline. And men, at that. If left alive, they were sure to become obstacles when she became the Palace Lord.
Did she have some lingering affection for them?
I didn't think so. I had no idea.
Leaving the First Young Master unharmed while cutting off the Second's leg... that bothered me.
It was as if… there was a specific reason she only did that to the Second Young Master.
I’d heard from Yuri a while back that the Second Young Master was more talented, and that he couldn't accept the First becoming the Young Palace Lord.
Could that be why?
To cut off his leg so he could never again covet the throne. Could that have been her intention? The thought crossed my mind, but… why would she even bother?
As for why Yuseon would do such a thing, it remained a mystery.
“You know.”
I posed another question to Seong Yul.
“Yes.”
“Do you think there’s such a thing as a villain with a reason?”
Flinch.
Hearing my words, Seong Yul paused for a moment. Then he turned to me and replied.
“I believe so. There is no one without a story.”
Everyone has a story, a narrative. While some people in the world are just born evil, others are forced into it.
In that case…
“Is having a story a reason to forgive them?”
“...”
Hearing the question, Seong Yul’s expression didn't change as he continued.
“What do you think, Young Master?”
“Well.”
I answered as if I didn't know, but I did.
I don't care.
I couldn't care less about an opponent's narrative or their sob story. Furthermore, it didn't matter if they were good or evil. The only difference was whether or not they stood in my way.
Though, if they’re a decent person, I might let them live.
It would depend on the situation. It might seem selfish and fickle, but I knew that’s what I would do.
“...”
After hearing my answer, Seong Yul stared at me for a moment before nodding shortly after.
“Yes, I feel the same.”
“You punk, are you just copying my answer because you have nothing to say?”
“...”
I let out a smirk at Seong Yul’s demeanor. Then we started walking down the corridor again.
This idle chat wasn't just about Yuseon. Just like the Black Flame Demon Emperor from my past life, and the Sword Demon from my past life.
A villain is a villain. No matter what story they had, the people who died by my hand had no reason to accept it. My approach to Yuseon would be the same. Whatever thoughts she had, whatever choices she made in her life… it had nothing to do with me.
That was all.
Creeeak—!
As I followed Seong Yul to the main gate, the doors opened on their own. A chill, different from the air outside, brushed past my body. Feeling the cold, I lifted my gaze.
I thought I absorbed all the energy, but it seems some of it was left behind.
On the throne in front of me, where Yuseon had once sat, another person was seated.
“My apologies for summoning you like this.”
“You can’t be fully recovered yet. Is it alright for you to be sitting there already?”
It was the Lord of the Ice Palace, the half-dragon. He smiled faintly and spoke to me.
“I could not leave this seat empty for long.”
“Hmm.”
The Lord's treatment wasn't finished yet. Thanks to my relentless beating, his internal and external injuries were severe. It was a miracle he wasn't dead.
He looks fine on the outside, though.
Right after I absorbed the Ice Qi, the Lord received treatment and thankfully survived. Moreover… his dragonization was gone. Once I had absorbed all the Ice Qi, the scales on his skin disappeared, and his frozen body returned to normal.
Also, with the Ice Qi gone from the North Sea, the temperature was slowly rising. Perhaps because I had consumed all the energy of the Ice Crystal, a blue sky now stretched over the North Sea. The cold remained, but everyone knew the weather had changed somehow.
Had the curse of the Ice Crystal been lifted? It seemed so to me.
Whatever it is, it means it’s on a different level from the Dark King’s curse.
Step.
I slowly walked toward the Palace Lord. I could feel gazes on me. Several men, including the Black Lion, were positioned around the room.
They’re all martial artists of the Fusion Realm.
Two others were on par with the Black Lion.
Are they the generals?
I nodded. Basically, it meant they were skilled enough to take the heads of the Alliance Leader's Royal Guard. They were probably the only ones who hadn't betrayed him.
“Ordinarily… I should have sought you out myself, but my body is still not in good condition. I apologize for summoning you here.”
“That doesn't matter. It’s not like the walk was a burden.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
The Lord of the Ice Palace smiled faintly at my words. Looking at him, I asked, “May I ask why you were looking for me?”
For three days, I hadn't been able to meet with the Lord. His treatment was the priority, and I had been busy myself.
“The reason I sought you, of course, is to express my gratitude.”
Srrk.
The Lord rose from his throne. Then, he suddenly knelt on the floor.
“Your Majesty—!?”
“How could you…!”
At the sight, the escorts and generals tried to stop him, but the Lord raised a hand to hold them back.
“How could I not kneel once before my benefactor? I can do even more than this, so do not stop me.”
In the end, the Lord knelt, and I simply stared at him.
“Thank you.”
“…I just had some spare time, so I helped. There’s no need for thanks.”
“For saving the North Sea, I thank you truly.”
“...”
At the Lord’s words, I shut my mouth and clicked my tongue inwardly. I thought he was thanking me for helping retake the Ice Palace, but unfortunately, it seemed the Lord knew.
Does he know I absorbed all the energy from the Ice Crystal?
I was trying to play dumb, but it seemed the Lord was aware.
“…You won’t hold it against me, will you?”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
“I’m saying it’ll be a problem if you blame me for taking all that energy.”
Since I had absorbed every last bit of the vast energy from the Ice Crystal, it would be a hassle if the Ice Palace claimed ownership. Of course, I had a plan to hand it over if I got caught playing dumb, so it was fine.
However…
“…?”
Hearing my words, the Lord’s expression turned strange.
“How could I dare blame my benefactor for such a thing?”
“Huh? You’re not? Why?”
“…?”
“…?”
A strange silence fell. If it were me, I would have. I might have grabbed him by the hair and thrown a fit, demanding to know why he took what was mine. But he wasn't making a fuss.
Anyway, if he’s not going to, that’s a relief.
All’s well that ends well. I could breathe a sigh of relief. After expressing his gratitude, the Lord carefully rose and sat back down on his chair. I could see the back of his hand trembling as he sat.
“Along with my thanks… there is something I wish to ask you, Young Master.”
“Go ahead.”
“I heard from the Black Lion that your father came and went. Is that true?”
“…Ah.”
He was here. He came, burned, beat, and battered the Palace Lord, and then left.
“Yes… He was here for a moment, then left right away.”
“…Is that so… It was him.”
At the mention of my father, the Lord gave a bitter smile.
“If we were to reunite, I didn't want it to be like that. It’s quite a shame. Did he, by any chance, leave any message for me?”
“He probably didn't even know you were the Palace Lord.”
He saw a monster in front of him, so he just beat the hell out of it. He probably didn't even know it was the Palace Lord.
“I see.”
The Lord nodded at my words.
“I don’t know whether to call this a relief.”
“They say all’s well that ends well.”
“…Hah.”
His expression was anything but comforted. What on earth did my father do in his youth to make the Palace Lord react like this?
Seeing as he treats him like a friend, I doubt Father just beat him up.
He wouldn't treat someone he'd beaten to a pulp as a friend. As I said that, I thought of the guys I considered my friends.
Hmm.
Maybe not. Surprisingly, there were guys who enjoyed being tormented.
“Young Master Gu.”
“Yes.”
“If our benefactor wishes, we can hold a banquet. If you desire, we can also offer you the gold and treasures of this palace.”
Hearing the Lord’s words, I had to make a dumbfounded expression.
“You’re still in the middle of a war. How can you talk about banquets and treasures?”
“If it is what you desire, then it is only right that I provide it.”
“I don't need it,” I said, waving my hand dismissively.
I didn't enjoy things like banquets, and I had no need for gold or treasures. Maybe in the past, but now, I was practically swimming in wealth.
Moonlight marbles, ten-thousand-year cold steel… how much have I sold off?
Besides that, there were plenty of ways for me to make money if I wanted to.
“In that case, may I ask about your future plans?”
“I don't really have any plans. I'll be heading back soon.”
To be precise, as soon as Namgung Bi-ah’s treatment was somewhat complete, I would return to the Central Plains. At those words, the Black Lion, who was standing behind me, spoke in surprise.
“…You mean now?”
Hearing him, I replied with a puzzled look.
“Is there a reason I can't go now?”
“…No.”
“If this is about the war, I have no intention of getting involved any further.”
“...”
I knew why. They wanted to keep me here for as long as possible. The North Sea was still at war, and a powerhouse like me was rare.
But.
“I trust you won't ask that of me.”
I said firmly, looking at the Palace Lord, and he nodded in agreement.
“That is a matter of course. I know it would be unreasonable to ask anything more of you.”
It was only right to let them clean up their own mess. After hearing the Lord’s answer, my expression returned to normal.
Just then.
“However, Young Master Gu,” the Palace Lord spoke to me.
“Yes.”
“No matter how much you say you desire nothing, I cannot send my benefactor away empty-handed. Is there truly nothing you wish for?”
“Hmm.”
A reward, huh?
It’s not like this was a total loss for me.
On the contrary, I had gained a lot. At the very least, I instantly reached a realm that I thought would take another two or three years. I had also obtained a lot of information, so I didn't really want any reward…
Ah.
Just as I was thinking that, something came to mind as if on cue.
“There is something I need, as a matter of fact.”
“Oh.”
Just as the Lord’s face was about to brighten at my words…
“Information on something called ‘sorcery’ that exists in the North Sea. And the man currently rotting in your prison. Give him to me.”
“…!”
At my subsequent words, the Lord’s expression instantly hardened.