Chapter 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Dark Venerable of the World Became a Fool!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If this had happened in the martial world, the entire realm would have been in an uproar. Gossips would have chattered about it nonstop for days on end.
Especially that Sword Sage bastard and Gong Cheon-gae's reactions—they would've been priceless.
- That's all karma, isn't it?
- Serves you right, you bastard!
Nine times out of ten, that's exactly how it would've gone.
Ugh...!! I'm losing it. I'm seriously losing it.
"Bator!"
"Yes...? Oh, yes!"
Bator snapped out of his daze at my ominous tone and hurried to my side.
"We need to send a letter to the Princess."
"A letter...? To the Princess, you say?"
Bator's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
What's with those eyes, Bator!
"Leave it to me, young master. I'll make sure the letter reaches the Princess without fail!"
Hold on—what's with that sense of duty...?
That's not what I meant at all!
Whatever. Doesn't matter. As long as it gets there fast.
I have to let the Princess know about this somehow!
I rushed straight to the study, grabbed a pen, and pressed each character firmly onto the paper.
To my dear Princess,
You haven't forgotten our promise, have you?
- Deyan Pador.
Perfect. Polite but not desperate.
"Bator, deliver it right away. This is urgent!"
"Yes, yes! Right away!"
Bator dashed off with surprising zeal, clearly interpreting it his own way.
Now that the letter's sent, a reply should come soon.
Right...? It should...
But.
"...No reply?"
"Yes."
"The palace is a bit far, huh? Is that it?"
Bator let out a cautious sigh.
"It's not that far, but... we sent it so quickly that a response should've arrived by now."
"Ugh...!!"
I grabbed the pen again.
Ignoring my letter?!
In the martial world, the next one would've been a death warrant.
I snatched the pen once more. This time, deeper and longer!
Princess, I hope you're well? I wonder if my letter didn't reach you properly...
This time, I wrote a longer one and even confirmed delivery myself.
Yet.
"I'm so sorry, young master..."
Bator bowed deeply in apology.
Bator, this isn't your fault!
From then on.
Princess? You must be really busy.
Trial Valley was great, wasn't it? Remember when the beasts attacked?
Hahahahaha, Princess? It's Deyan. Deyan?
I fired off letters like throwing daggers at an enemy.
"Uwaaaaaah...!"
Snap!
Was I too angry? Midway through another letter, I snapped the pen in half from gripping too hard.
"Am I really the one getting played here?"
Is that what's happening?
"Young master!"
Bator approached with a beaming smile, holding an envelope.
I focused my gaze, staring right through the envelope.
It bore the imperial seal.
The Princess!
I instinctively unleashed the Tang Clan's Golden Snatcher, snatched the envelope from Bator, and retreated to my room.
Let's see what you've got!
We'll talk details later. See you soon.
See you soon?
Details later?
Rage boiled up from my dantian.
Calm down.
This isn't worth getting mad over.
'The Princess has her reasons.' Yeah, rationalize it like—
Who am I kidding? Soon? How soon?! When?!
Promises need to be nailed down properly!
Wait.
"Hoo..."
I was too worked up.
I barely suppressed my boiling fury.
But why's it so noisy outside?
"Can't focus."
I peered out the window to see what was going on.
And then.
"What the hell is that?"
A procession of carriages snaked its way into the estate.
Even the wheels were ornately decorated.
Those carriages bore a red dragon emblem.
Only one place on the continent could use that symbol.
The imperial family of the Empire.
She's here, Merina Sharlot...!
Bang!
"Young master...!"
Bator approached with a joyful face, but I ignored him, ready to leap out the window toward the carriages.
Oh, right.
Can't use Shadow Step in front of Bator.
I turned and headed out the door properly.
Let me see that face...!
Bator, worried about my recklessness, called out urgently.
"P-Please be careful, young master!"
"No time for that, Bator!"
I'll wring compensation from that shameless Princess no matter what!
Then, from behind, I heard Bator muttering to himself.
"Heh heh heh, he's so smitten. Youth, it's youth...!"
Huh?!
I nearly tripped on the stairs from the shock.
Bator, that's not it! This is about settling a debt!
I deployed Shadow Step to the max whenever no servants were around, gliding smoothly forward.
Damn, why is this place so huge?
Finally bursting through the main gates... the servants were already lined up in perfect formation.
Of course, a few were acting weird.
Like Jayvolg, for instance.
"Can't show a dirty sword to the Princess. The sword...!"
Crash! Bang!
"Ack!"
Or Nellin, tripping over her own feet.
Aside from them, everyone was tense.
The Princess's carriage came to a stop.
Finally, Princess...!
"Her Highness the Princess has arrived!"
At the cry, everyone knelt on one knee and bowed as protocol demanded.
Soon, the door to her carriage opened.
The moment she stepped out, everyone's jaws dropped.
Nellin gaped like a crocodile, and even Marian, trying to close her mouth, ended up gaping too.
"Wow..."
Jayvolg compared his polished-to-a-shine sword to the Princess.
"It shines more than my sword..."
Merina Sharlot.
She'd traded her shabby robe for a dignified blue dress befitting imperial royalty.
Merina walked slowly and stopped right in front of me.
"Raise your heads, Deyan."
Merina smiled radiantly.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Merina covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Laughing? You think this is funny!
Time to call you out. You don't forget something like Trial's Gift, do you?
"Seeing you like this is amusing."
"What do you mean?"
"I was tempted to make you bow deeper..."
Maybe because I'd skipped the formalities in Trial Valley, but seeing me put on a show in front of others?
Merina's smile deepened.
Regardless of her intent, everyone else—men, women, young and old—was utterly charmed by her smile.
Don't fall for it, people. This Princess might be a con artist!
I hid my suspicious glare and addressed Merina.
"Your Highness, the long journey must have tired you. Allow me to guide you personally. This way...!"
"Shall we?"
First, I need to check if she brought Trial's Gift. If not, prepare yourself, Merina Sharlot.
I'll make you the Empire's first royal busted for fraud.
But then, whispers from Bator and the servants behind me.
"Aw, look how happy he is..."
"Getting close to the Princess—makes me proud."
"The family will see Young Master Deyan differently now. He aced Trial Valley last time too."
Whip!
I spun around at the murmurs. The servants, caught chatting, snapped to attention like folding fans.
Soon came awkward smiles—no, warm, pleased gazes.
What the hell are those looks?
No, first things first—put out the fire.
"This way, please."
I tried leading her naturally to the guest reception room, but the Princess made a cheeky face.
"No, let's go this way."
That led away from the estate, toward Lactea Mountain.
Why there? Why Lactea Mountain?
Is she laying a smokescreen?
Ah, to dodge prying eyes who might find it suspicious. Smart.
I was careless.
"Very well."
But that was my mistake. If it was an act, it was over the top...
"Let's check there too."
"Your Highness, perhaps we should head somewhere else..."
"Deyan, is that a no?"
"How could I refuse Your Highness's wish?"
She treated me like a proper attendant, thorough to a fault.
And whenever we were out of sight...
"You using formal speech is kinda nice, you know?"
"..."
She slyly milked her status.
I get it now.
She's just messing with me, isn't she?
I wanted to quit right then, but defy a Princess's will in public? Insane.
"Deyan, shall we check over there next?"
I really don't want to.
"Of course."
Damn status difference.
Playing it like that, huh?
Fine, two can play.
"Deyan, look over there. That..."
Thud...!
"...?"
I faked a collapse.
She tilted her head at the sudden act.
"What's this..."
"Young master! The young master's collapsed!"
"His illness is flaring up again!"
The servants bustled, loading me onto a stretcher.
Peeking through slitted eyes, I saw Merina looking quite flustered.
- How's that? Still gonna boss me around?
"Don't scam me, Deyan!!"
I sent it via transmission, but she yelled aloud.
The result? Mass panic. Bator even wiped tears.
"Y-Your Highness. If this lowly butler of Pador family may speak... Young Master Deyan is truly ill."
"Pardon...?"
Not just him—the other servants looked on the verge of tears.
"Please, have mercy...!"
"Mercy!"
Merina floundered amid their reactions.
She'd instantly become the villainess.
Serves you right for messing with me.
"Haa..."
In the estate's guest reception room.
Merina sighed deeply over her teacup.
"Who acts like that?"
"Who messes with people like that?"
"Well...!"
Merina started to retort but puffed her lips instead.
"But hey, how's it feel? Kinda fresh, right?"
"What's fresh?"
"Me."
Merina propped her chin on her fingers coyly.
"This is the first time we're meeting like this, yeah?"
"Cut the weird act and get to the point. Why'd you want to talk?"
Especially without giving me Trial's Gift yet?
"You're so annoying... Fine, fine."
Merina pulled something wrapped in cloth from her bosom and set it on the table.
"This is what you wanted, right? Sorry, things were chaotic back then."
Unwrapping it revealed a faintly glowing red fruit.
Shaped like a cousin to apples and peaches.
No doubt—Trial's Gift!
She has a conscience after all. But how much time has passed!
I've got a mountain of resentment built up.
"Too late. Trust is the foundation of deals. How can I trust you after this...?"
"And this is my apology for the late replies."
Merina placed an ornate little box.
Opening it revealed a cherry-like elixir.
"Called the Crimson Seed. You can tell what it is, right?"
Of course—the famous elixir rewarded by the palace only to those who've earned great merit!
Now that's different.
A Princess of the Empire—generous indeed.
With this, she's a proper VIP.
VIP.
I was too hasty. A Sichuan Tang warrior must be patient!
Slide!
With supreme finesse, I shifted the teacup from the table to the drawer.
Can't serve regular tea to such an esteemed guest.
I fetched the herbal tea I saved for truly good moods, brewing it meticulously.
"Like herbal tea? Bator should've paid more attention for such a precious guest."
"Huh? Yeah, I like it, but..."
"Good thing. Oh, don't sweat the delay. I wasn't even thinking about it."
As if I'd forget.
Dealing with the Empire's Princess. My heart was full of trust? Yeah, right.
"Uh... okay."
Merina eyed me pocket the box like I was some greedy merchant.
"I'm serious."
"Sure..."
Merina gave me a dubious look, then suddenly clapped.
"Oh, hey—why'd you yield the win to me? That's been bugging me."
Curious, huh.
I knew her identity and even helped her win.
How to play this...?
Merina leaned in closer, pressing for answers with eager curiosity.
What to do...? How?
Right, that works.
Hahaha, sorry, Tang descendants.
"The Tang Clan decided we couldn't reveal our skills yet."
"Tang Clan...? Right, that Tang Clan!"
"So we let you win. We have no ambitions. Only..."
I struck a dramatic pose.
"...to safeguard the continent and maintain its balance, fulfilling our sacred duty."
"So that's why you yielded to me."
"Exactly."
That should do it.
But was it my imagination? Merina tilted her head again.
"Fine, yielding the win makes sense. But why say you hoped I'd survive? What's that about... Wait."
Merina nodded as if piecing it together.
No need to nod—you won't figure anything out.
I made up the Tang Clan bit?
"Knew it... That's why you saved me."
I'm curious too. How'd she interpret it like that?
Merina's cheeks flushed slightly.
"If I die, the continent's balance crumbles. Right?"
Not quite... but wait, kinda?
The Empire's current peaceful stance keeps the balance.
That ends if the moderate Princess dies and the radical Empress faction seizes power.
They'd restart the Empire's conquest wars. Plus, the city alliances—rivals to the Empire—would jump in, turning the continent into a battlefield, as I remembered from history.
The Princess was more crucial than she knew. Her presence checked the Empress faction and deterred war.
Not entirely wrong, then.
"Correct. You can't die—your death would plunge the Empire into chaos. We couldn't stand by."
"Got it. But how do I meet the other Tang Clan members? I want to."
"Impossible. The Tang Clan's secrets are vaster than you imagine. You're not ready."
That's all the secrets there are.
"...I see. My shortcomings. Fine, I admit it. Seeing you then showed me how lacking and spoiled I was."
You're not lacking.
Comparing someone on their third life to a first-timer stings the conscience a bit.
"Alright, summary: Your goal in Trial Valley was saving me, yielding the win to hide your identity. All to protect the continent. Makes sense... If I die, the Prince and that woman seize power and ruin everything irreversibly."
"Exactly."
Precisely: We saved her or our family gets smeared. Plus, thwarting Evil Society plans as a bonus.
Yielding hid my skills.
Doesn't matter.
End result's the same.
Meanwhile, Merina tapped her thumb to her lips.
"Gives me chills. I never told anyone I secretly joined Trial Valley or why I needed to win... but you predicted it all."
Hm? Predicted?
Too much of a stretch.
In my first life, she died there—I didn't even know she entered.
Whatever.
I nodded vigorously, despite the truth.
"Now I get it a bit."
"Terrifyingly accurate. Right, as you predicted... I needed the win for the victor's privilege: knighthood. That frees me from the palace shackles."
Thanks for the info.
Feels like old heartburn's fading.
Royals' every move ties to national politics—they can't roam the capital freely.
Target for foreign powers.
Not just Merina.
Royals enjoy privileges everywhere, but crudely put, they're state assets.
Hard to move freely.
Merina aims to break that via knighthood.
Wise.
Knight is continent-wide, recognized by the Knight Temple.
They embody utmost nobility and purity—even the Emperor can't trample their honor.
Like the imperial court and martial world staying hands-off in the martial realm.
Slightly different?
Point is the same.
No one touches a knight's honor, not even the palace.
One clause in knight privileges:
- Regardless of status, all knights are equal. None may restrain a knight against their will.
So if the Princess claims knighthood, can the palace stop her leaving the capital?
The continent's knights would revolt and topple the Empire.
Similar in the martial world.
Ancient tradition: Emperors meddling in martial affairs got sword dances from throne to bedroom.
They'd stay quiet to keep their heads.
Extreme cases, but generally, they turn a blind eye unless it's total war.
Wonder where she's headed, risking Trial Valley like that?
Damn, can't ask now after pretending to know.
Fish for it?
"So, you're heading there?"
Merina answered, surprised.
"You even know that...? Yes, exactly."
Where? Where is it?
"When I said I was visiting my uncle, that wicked woman's face soured so bad."
Merina laughed triumphantly.
Wait, what?
Her uncle... Duke Christopher?
Why there?
Not laughing matter.
"Why go there?"
"The imperial palace is packed with that wicked Empress's cronies. I can't fight them. But if Uncle comes, it'll change. Many follow him—he's righteous. With him... I won't lose my position as Princess."
No, absolutely not.
Can't let her go to Duke Christopher's territory alone.
Dunno details, but the Duke she trusts dies soon. Leaves her without support. Worse, it becomes an Empress faction stronghold post-death—the whole duchy hands over.
Walking into the Empress's den, who'll see her as a thorn?
No way.
"Hold on. Let's tweak the plan."
"Huh...?"
Who knows how deep Evil Society's involved.
Can't send the Princess alone.
They wanted her dead.
"I'm coming with you."
I saved her with effort. Can't let her die again.
A secluded forest.
Ian Pador appeared there.
In the dim woods echoing with beast cries, he gazed at a grave.
Ian's eyes briefly recalled memories with the buried man below.
- Can you cure my daughter's illness?
- I'll stake my loved one's name on it.
- Trustworthy. What do you want in return?
- Your life.
- Worth it.
The man in Ian's memory, the grave's owner: Knight Dovern.
Supervisor of Trial Valley's third gate, who abandoned honor for his daughter's cure and got no proper tomb.
"Dovern, I'll take responsibility for your daughter to the end."
Ian offered sincere condolences and stood.
He knew Dovern's pain better than anyone.
As he rose, a man waited beside him.
A squinting man.
His face gave nothing away.
"Oh... poor soul. Mind if I offer condolences too?"
As he exaggerated a pose for silent prayer...
"Shut it. Even a knight who betrayed his honor—insult a Pador knight, and I'll sever your tongue myself."
Ian's sword hovered at the man's throat.
"Scary..."
The man whistled at the mana in the blade and stepped back slightly.
"State your business."
"Business? I'm just the messenger for the executives."
The man pulled out an orb.
"Evil Society meeting."
Shadows emerged from the orb, taking positions in the woods.
No sooner had they settled than a woman's shadow scolded Ian outright.
"How could you let this happen? This plan couldn't fail!"
The woman's shadow seemed furious.
Ian snorted, arms crossed.
"Why ask me? The beasts you prepared must've been inadequate."
A shadow perched on a rock retorted.
"As if the beasts weren't enough? Heh heh, I merely provided ones matching the intel."
The three shadows began sharp-tongued bickering.
The central shadow, silent till now, mediated.
"Enough. The Princess can't escape forever. We can kill her anytime. Priority is total imperial control."
All agreed.
As long as the Princess stayed in the palace, she'd fall into their hands.
The central shadow asked the tree-perched one.
"The Duke's side progressing well?"
"Naturally. The Duke's seat will change hands soon."
"Good."
The central shadow surveyed Ian and the others.
"Our grand plan proceeds without a hitch."
His proclamation spread like a death knell. The shadows flickered and vanished.
Evil Society. Their tentacles had already rooted across the continent.