Chapter 252: Truth Bomb
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 252: Truth Bomb
“Lift your head, you motherfucking whore of a maggot!”
That single, satisfying blow had both Choi Seulgi and me doubling over. We’d never imagined he would come out swinging like that. We couldn't suppress our laughter; our stomachs ached from it. Choi Seulgi was clutching her sides, a clear sign of just how vindicated she felt.
I desperately wanted a closer look at the Sword Saint's face. Being stuck down here below the ramparts was becoming the regret of a lifetime. Then I remembered Elia, who could project a view from a distance. I immediately went to find her. All the while, Lee Wanyong kept on talking.
“I told you to stop your pathetic act and lift your head, you bitch!”
He looked as bold as a general. The negotiations hadn't even begun, yet the humans from the West and South, who had been trying to maintain some semblance of courtesy, must have been utterly flustered.
“I was down there listening to your bullshit, and I just couldn't take it anymore, so I came up here, you fucking bitch. There are no suffering citizens here. You know that better than anyone, don't you, VIP Customer Number 3, Sword Saint Ha Yuri? The way you're putting on this one-woman show, it's like you're just masturbating for everyone to see. Puhehehehet!”
That laugh was something else. It was so obnoxious I felt an urge to climb onto the platform and smack him one myself. I couldn't even imagine how absurd it must have sounded to those on the receiving end. Come to think of it, I'd heard his former class was Slave Trader and that the Sword Saint had been one of his clients. He was likely an expert on the subject.
As I watched Lee Wanyong anxiously, a voice spoke from beside me.
“I heard you called for me.”
It was Elia. I had gone out of my way to pull her from the situation room, but even if it was an imposition, this was a scene I absolutely had to witness.
“The Queen of the West...”
“I... I understand.”
As Elia began to chant her spell, I found a good spot and started watching the Sword Saint. Just as Lee Wanyong had demanded, she had indeed lifted her head. Her face was slightly stiff, and I could see just how dumbfounded she was.
When had she ever been subjected to such vile profanity? She had been on the path of an heir apparent since the day she was summoned to this world; she likely never imagined she would hear such things.
“VIP Customer Number 3, Sword Saint Ha Yuri! You know damn well there are no slaves in the East anymore! You also know the trade has been shut down. I can't even imagine what kind of sick shit you, who only dealt in young boys and girls, were enjoying through the back door. You wretched bitch. If it weren't for you, Somorah would never have grown so large. A real fucking ‘invisible hand’ of Adam Smith, aren't you.”
She looked completely at a loss for how to respond. She bit her lip, her face a little pale, looking utterly flustered. I couldn't tell if it was an act, but seeing that expression on her was a refreshing change.
The ones who were truly panicking were the members of the Saint Knights Order flanking her. They scanned their surroundings with flustered expressions, clearly worried about public opinion. There's no smoke without fire, after all. It was possible that strange rumors had been circulating in the back alleys of the West.
Of course, the sources of those rumors had likely died or vanished without a trace, and even her own knights were probably half in doubt. Still, simply dredging up a wild rumor that had been buried in the depths was a significant blow to the Sword Saint.
“It started seven years ago, didn't it? I believe so. Seven years ago, you picked out three pretty-faced boys! After that, we have records of your regular purchases, dear customer. Before the slave trade was completely shut down, you purchased over one hundred people. You even took some monsters as a special bonus gift. Thanks to our valued customer, Somorah grew and prospered.”
Watching him continue to list the Sword Saint's purchase history, I was genuinely impressed.
‘This bastard... he memorized it all.’
It was enough to give me goosebumps. What was that saying? Opportunity favors the prepared. As if he had anticipated this very moment, Lee Wanyong was laying bare every shameful detail.
As the Sword Saint's expression soured further, a loud voice boomed. It was Jeong Ji-young, known as her right-hand man.
“We will not listen to baseless slander. We sincerely wish to speak with the Queen of the East and the Queen of the North. Are your words not a confession that you yourself participated in the slave trade?”
“Ah, yes. If you don't want to hear it, just cover your ears, you ass-licking bastard. It's because of sycophants like you that people like her lose their minds. That's right, I was in the slave trade. And guess who my most active client was? The holy whore standing right next to you. And listen here, you bastard, I never said I'm still trading slaves. That was back when that fucker Jang Gi Young was in charge. The great Queen of the East, Lady Jang Ye Ri, took the heads of everyone involved, you son of a bitch.”
‘Holy whore.’ Not a bad line. I nodded in approval as the Sword Saint's face contorted again.
“Puhahahahahahat! Holy whore!”
“Holy whore!”
In an instant, Lee Wanyong had become a hero to the East and the North. The soldiers on the ramparts began to chant “Holy whore!” creating a powerful echo. A quick glance at Jang Ye Ri and the Queen of the North revealed looks of immense satisfaction. Choi Seulgi was still clutching her stomach.
“Clean out your ears and listen up, you Western bastards! You think this is the only dirty secret that bitch Sword Saint has? Isn't it strange that the perfectly healthy Choi Younghoon suddenly dropped dead? The official story about poison was absurd from the start. If the East didn't do it, the North didn't do it, and the South didn't do it, then the culprit had to be an insider. Doesn't it make the most sense that Ha Yuri plunged her holy sword right into the back of the master who raised and cherished her? Besides, who else could have possibly killed Choi Younghoon? The only other person would be Jeong Ji-young right there beside you. Oh, I get it now. You two are screwing each other!”
There was no proof, only suspicion. It was a completely illogical tirade, but it was damn entertaining. Lee Wanyong was clearly giving his all to the mission. I couldn't be sure about the Sword Saint, but Jeong Ji-young's face was flushed bright red, as if the accusation had hit its mark.
I couldn't confirm whether they were actually sleeping together, but I had my own suspicions that the Sword Saint killing Choi Younghoon was plausible.
“Holy Patricidal Whore!”
The chant grew even louder. The hearts of those forced to pretend to be righteous and polite must have been burning with frustration.
“I will not tolerate any more of this bullshit! Insulting the former commander of the Saint Knights Order is an insult to the entire West. Say one more word, and I swear I will tear you to pieces.”
I saw Lee Wanyong flinch. Of course he was scared. But perhaps thinking he'd already gone too far to turn back, he kept his mouth running.
“You're the ones who were spouting bullshit! There are no suffering people here. No one is starving. And this is despite our conditions being worse than in the West. Before you worry about the non-existent poor in another's city, why don't you take care of the starving citizens in your own? Stop wasting money on useless crusades! The saying is true: ‘It's not that the country has no money, it's that there are too many thieves.’ I was wondering where those thieves were, and here you are.”
“Bullshit! It's known across the entire continent that the Summoned of the North and East are suffering!”
“There are only four great cities—South, West, East, and North—so I have no idea what ‘continent’ you're talking about. But fine, I'll use your own logic against you. The Sword Saint of the West is a whore! I fucked her myself last night, you motherfuckers! And that is a fact known across the entire continent! Puhehet!”
“The North knows it's true! Puhahahaha!”
“The East knows it too! Hahahahahahahaha!”
I couldn't help but laugh as the soldiers of the East and North roared in response to Lee Wanyong. That same obnoxious cackle from before erupted again. Unable to restrain himself any longer, Jeong Ji-young unleashed his magic, sending a blade of energy flying straight toward Lee Wanyong.
“You baaastard!!! How dare you!!!!!!”
It was a powerful attack, but it was never going to land. As if she'd been waiting for it, Jang Ye Ri raised her hand. Space distorted, and a monstrous black shape shot out and swallowed the energy blade whole. The distance was too great, and there was no way Lee Wanyong would be harmed while standing right next to Jang Ye Ri.
After the black creature vanished, Lee Wanyong was visible, crouched on the ground. He was clearly tense, but perhaps feeling his job wasn't done, he kept taking sips of water to wet his throat.
The Sword Saint, who had just been calling for their surrender, was now chiding Jeong Ji-young as if to say, What have you done? The sight was utterly absurd.
“Fucking bitch. She could have stopped him sooner, but she waits until after he attacks to pretend to hold him back.”
It was no exaggeration to call him a professional provocateur. And he was right. Someone at the Sword Saint's level could have easily stopped Jeong Ji-young's attack before it was even launched. She could have even caught up to the energy blade mid-flight and deflected it.
Her deliberate inaction meant she had wanted Lee Wanyong dead. The Sword Saint was definitely pissed. It seemed his barbs had struck a deep nerve. While holding back the agitated Jeong Ji-young, she began to speak slowly.
“How pathetic. I wish I could hold up a mirror to you right now. Our Southwest Alliance has treated you with courtesy and consideration from the very beginning. I can endure personal insults. However, I will not tolerate you lumping my master and the other Summoned of the West into your slander. I swear to God, I have never traded slaves with the East, nor did I assassinate my master. The people of the West are not fools; they stand here today of their own free will, for a greater cause.”
“Fucking bitch,” I muttered under my breath as I listened to her.
“We have drawn our swords against vicious hordes like you. For the people who suffer under your rule, a rule no different from that of a Murderer clan, we have risen. No matter how you try to denigrate us with your forked tongue, our will shall never be broken. We have fought for so long. We fought to survive. We fought monsters, fighting without reason, simply to live. We have shed needless blood, and because our survival was so hard-won, we were forced to turn a blind eye to the evils of the world.”
“Ha... she's a damn good speaker. Are you listening, Kim Taesung?”
I nodded. Choi Seulgi wore a look of utter disbelief, which was only natural. In contrast, Lee Wanyong looked anxious. He was clearly unnerved by how calmly the Sword Saint was seizing control of the mood.
“I, too, am a sinner. I, too, have turned away from the suffering. Dragged to this world against my will, I fought simply to survive—just to live!—and in doing so, I ignored the suffering in other lands. But I have vowed to never turn away again. Former Commander Choi Younghoon always told me, ‘Do not turn away from those in need.’ I took his words too narrowly... but I will not avert my eyes any longer.”
After a dramatic pause, the Sword Saint spoke again.
“Everyone! We can no longer look away! We have fought to survive until now, but the time has come to raise our swords to protect our very humanity! We must raise our swords to defend our ideals!”
Her ability to instantly quell the restless atmosphere was remarkable. A thunderous roar erupted from her troops.
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
I cursed inwardly and dismissed Elia's spell. In this ridiculous situation, even Lee Wanyong seemed to have been struck dumb. It was then.
His mouth slowly began to open.
“So what?”
