Plot Bait (3): Immortal King Summary
Once upon a time, in a certain kingdom, there lived a kind king and happy subjects, even though the kingdom was poor. The kind king served his people, and the people always smiled, knowing his hard work. But one day, bad guys invaded and started tormenting the people. The king, who loved peace, tried talking to them, but what happened? The bad guys ignored his pleas and tormented the people even more! Furious, the king asked his remaining subjects to fight back. The people, knowing how good their king was, gladly joined forces. Thanks to that, the king and his people drove out the bad guys—but get this! An even worse bad guy appeared among them. This even worse guy was so strong that even the kind king struggled to defeat him. Still, the king never gave up and fought to protect his people. The subjects, too, threw themselves into battle for their good king. And so, the king and his people defeated the even worse bad guy. After vanquishing the bad guys, the king and his people dreamed of a happy future and headed to dreamland together... thinking of the day they'd all laugh as one, right?
└Cheonma You've got a talent for Heavenly Demon fairy tales.
└SwordTasteStar Yeah. Don't old brutal fairy tales all go like that?
└Olfather Haha. If the Immortal King saw this, he'd be spitting blood.
└YasaengGrill He's already dead, so no blood to spit lol
└Whoa. But comparing it gives me chills lololol
└That part about not sparing their bodies and heading to dreamland is scary;;
└From an undead perspective, he was a good king lololol
└Fr, the enlightened ruler of the undead lol
The gallery had gone wild over the contents of the book I posted. Immortal King, Vulcan Kingdom, Holy Kingdom—none of that mattered to me. What was important was survival-related info. Hidden truths? Not my concern.
'Even if they yap about it in the Gallery, it means nothing.'
I wouldn't care even if this blew up in the real world. There's only one situation I'd worry about: escaping the Four Seasons Forest. No matter how much chaos the Holy Kingdom stirred up over this, it couldn't touch me.
'Might make Judaek a bit uncomfortable, though.'
The Holy Kingdom worships God, and Judaek's a devout believer. With facts shaking its foundations right there, she'd feel uneasy. If a deletion request came, I'd happily oblige. The info had already spread everywhere, and I'd given the book to Olfather anyway. I could just sit back and watch.
I had zero interest in Immortal King drama.
'Doubt they'd believe it anyway.'
As long as Olfather didn't publicize the book, no one would trust Gallery rumors. It'd depend on the Holy Kingdom's usual image too. If it's bad, this could be a problem; if good, they'd brush it off as nonsense.
'Groups are always rotten behind the scenes, unlike individuals.'
Stagnant water festers, and crowds do the same. Even with good intentions, time corrupts them without fresh blood. No group stays clean otherwise.
'Eh, same everywhere.'
That's for them to sort out. Stuck in the Four Seasons Forest, I had no reason to meddle.
I watched the Gallery fill with Holy Kingdom criticism, then closed it silently. It'd take time to decipher the survival parts I wanted.
'At least it means other survivors might exist...'
The corpses I'd found confirmed it. There was a high chance of more human bodies somewhere in this forest. Unlike the ones probably eaten by owlbears, some—like the book's owner—were intact.
'If they were way stronger than me, they could've lasted longer.'
The book's owner was Vulcan Kingdom's last scribe. Scribes lean toward literacy over martial prowess. They might've grown stronger surviving here like me, but sadly, no Gallery access. Without it, I couldn't guarantee my own survival—huge difference.
'Gotta search caves more thoroughly from now on.'
No one builds cabins in the Four Seasons Forest; caves are the go-to shelters.
'Not just humans—other races too, probably?'
If I'm lucky, I might even meet one. Demons and elves especially have sky-high baselines compared to other races. They manifest magic effortlessly—what humans agonize over. No Gallery? Magic would still give a massive survival edge.
'I'm a thick-skulled human here, so magic's a pipe dream.'
I gave up on magic ages ago. Something about expressing fire through physics? Heard it ties into math and noped out instantly. Better to wield magic physically.
'If there really is a survivor...'
Just knowing someone's out there would be comforting. I'd assumed I was alone till now. Could I find traces of humans? Felt like a new mini-goal. Escape is the big one; this is a sub-objective.
'Most who enter the Four Seasons Forest are criminals, right?'
Criminals sentenced to eye-gouging heavy punishment. Or those with rap sheets so bad they can't show their faces in society. Or cocky explorers. Odds of meeting any are slim—the forest's nation-sized.
'Still, can't give up.'
It sparked new hope. The chance, however slim, of meeting someone. I let out a long breath and stood.
'Better train than mope.'
Plenty of time till dinner. Sword practice beats wallowing. I picked up my sword and shield, honing weak spots.
'Anyone, just be alive.'
A tiny wish.
*****
Cardir craves knowledge of everything—magic, people, history. Nothing fascinates him like truths hidden in shadows.
That thirst invites ruin sometimes, but who's Cardir? Magic King, mage tower lord. Master of all spells. No truth was more than idle amusement.
"Rice Kraone."
[......]
Cardir calmly named someone. The skull on the table before him reacted. Green glow in empty eye sockets—like eyes opening.
"Do you know who that is?"
This skull was from the freezer. Begging for death marked it as extraordinary.
[How do you know that name?]
A chilling, resonant voice emanated—not from vocal cords, but intent. Cardir—no, Olfather—didn't flinch at the eerie tone.
"Looks like the book's account checks out."
[I asked how.]
Ignoring Olfather's desired answer, the skull—Immortal King—growled angrily. Green energy cloaked it, flaring like flames. Waves of death aura. Even headless, his power lingered.
"Learned it by chance. Seems the scribe fled to the Four Seasons Forest."
[......]
"Answer sincerely, and I'll reveal my sources."
The death aura faded. A silent try me. Olfather flashed a grin, then grew serious.
"Why hide this truth?"
[Our kingdom was weak and lost. Satisfied?]
Cynical, yet piercing worldly wisdom. The weak lose much to the strong—truth included. History's written by victors; losers' tales twist and vanish.
Olfather stroked his beard, nodding.
"Knew the Holy Kingdom was rotten, but not this bad. Thanks to you, they got a purge—better now?"
[......]
"No. They exiled the Hero anyway... tsk tsk. Haven't learned a thing."
Holy Kingdom El Dorado's rep was trash, even politely. Born to slay the Demon King, it faded over time. Lately, demons obsessed over sports, ignoring other nations—focusing on culture, seeing Demon King as just their king. Goal-less groups scatter; El Dorado, being a nation, stagnated and rotted.
[Now answer me. How'd you learn that?]
As Olfather muttered, Immortal King spoke sinisterly. Olfather snapped his fingers—a book appeared in his hand.
"This. Final record of Vulcan Kingdom's last scribe, Rice Kraone."
Swoosh—Olfather kindly showed the first page. No eyes, yet Immortal King's gaze followed. He exhaled sharply at his native tongue, long unseen.
[Unbelievable. I ordered him to flee to the Four Seasons Forest.]
"Got it from there."
[Impossible. It's an inescapable labyrinth.]
"True. But I didn't find it myself."
Olfather summarized events: YasaengGrill dropped into the forest, could use Gallery. Endured hardships, stumbled on corpse and books.
Immortal King listened silently, then spoke.
[Unbelievable.]
"All true. So, what now?"
[What?]
Olfather waved the fully translated book.
"Wanna stick it to the Holy Kingdom? I don't like them either."
[......]
"The previous Hero who mutual-destructed with you? My old friend. Pushed by Holy Kingdom pressure... basically murdered."
[Do as you like. But a condition.]
"Condition?"
Olfather raised a brow. Immortal King stared, then pleaded resignedly.
[Kill me.]
"Later."
[Damn.]
At the flat refusal, Immortal King cursed mildly—for a king, quite bold.
"Other requests?"
[Curious who found the record.]
"Said it was Gallery."
[Help me access that Gallery.]
"Ridiculous. You're clearly..."
Olfather trailed off, struck by a fun idea. Most undead lack ego—monster-like. But Immortal King retained his, body gone. Maybe Gallery access worked?
[Creepy face.]
"Ah, sorry. Fun idea."
[So you'll help?]
"Of course."
[Even if I reveal your location?]
Threatening, foolish question. Olfather chuckled.
"Immortal King who terrorized the continent—in a fridge? Who'd believe?"
[......]
"Not releasing you. Just Gallery access."
Immortal King pondered long, then spoke calmly.
[Please, kill me.]
"Later."
No chance.