Chapter 324: Nothingness
Chapter 324: Nothingness
“I’m sorry, Mercenary Lord.”
I personally escorted the members of Istantel Low Clan who had come to visit Mercenary to the VIP room. I offered them seats and was about to sit down myself when Yeon Hyerim’s sudden apology caught me in an awkward stance. I finally sat down as naturally as I could and glanced at Han Soyoung, who was staring at Yeon Hyerim with a stern expression.
“When I came to guard the clan house last time, I spoke carelessly to one of your clan members. I won’t make any pathetic excuses. I was very shortsighted. I know I’ve already been rude, but I hope you can find it in you to be magnanimous just this once.”
By then, Yeon Hyerim had even bowed her head. Moreover, her voice was uncharacteristically polite.
In truth, Istantel Low Clan had already sent a messenger a while ago to apologize for Yeon Hyerim’s slip of the tongue, so I had anticipated they would make a gesture of reconciliation soon. Still, I hadn’t really expected Yeon Hyerim to apologize in person like this, but the unexpected had happened.
In any case, this was a proper enough apology, and I had no intention of being difficult with Istantel Low Clan. So, I decided to put the matter to rest here.
“I accept your apology. It’s true that I was displeased when I first heard what was said. However, I don’t believe that the Princess of Execution I know would have the same intentions in her heart, despite her choice of words.”
I deliberately brought up my friendly relationship with Yeon Hyerim in a roundabout way. Knowing how headstrong and proud she was, I thought it would be best to give her a way to save face. As I did, I could see Yeon Hyerim’s expression brighten slightly as she lifted her head.
“Mercenary Lord. I would also like to apologize for my failure to properly manage my clan member.”
At that moment, Han Soyoung, who had been watching silently, spoke up. I immediately shook my head. Even pleasant words become tiresome if you hear them too often, and hearing repeated apologies was starting to feel embarrassing.
“It’s fine. I’ll speak to my clan members, so you don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
“Yes. I’ll leave it to you, then. Thank you for your understanding.”
Seeming to notice that I had spoken firmly, Han Soyoung finally nodded in response. Only then did Yeon Hyerim fully raise her head and, after glancing at Han Soyoung, take a seat.
A brief silence followed. The apology had gone well, but the awkward atmosphere that now filled the room was inevitable.
Han Soyoung seemed to have the same thought, as I saw her open her mouth to break the uncomfortable silence.
“I was very surprised to hear that you had gone missing at Mule. This is long overdue, but I’m glad you returned safely.”
“Yes. I never dreamed that Vagabonds would attack. There were various circumstances in between, but… as you can see, I was able to return in good health. Speaking of which, I should thank you for guarding our clan house.”
“There’s no need for thanks. If anything, we were unable to form a rescue party and could only wait. That has been weighing on my mind…”
“Haha. Not at all. It was a wise decision.”
Even if they were just exchanging formalities, the awkward atmosphere gradually improved with the pleasantries. Now, it was time to change the subject.
“Ah, that’s right. I believe I heard something about a Call to Arms. Are you perhaps planning to hold one soon?”
At my question, Han Soyoung opened her lips for a moment, then abruptly turned her head to look at Yeon Hyerim. Receiving her gaze, Yeon Hyerim obediently rose from her seat, bowed her head slightly, and turned around.
As I watched Yeon Hyerim exit the room, I smiled bitterly to myself. It was possible she was leaving for a truly important discussion, but for some reason, I felt this was also part of the apology. Her action seemed intended to show that she had been brought along solely for the purpose of apologizing.
After the sound of the door closing, Han Soyoung fixed her gaze on me, her eyes filled with a cold charisma. If she had been Han Soyoung the ‘woman’ until now, she had now completely returned to being the ‘Iron-Blooded Queen’.
“Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask of you, Mercenary Lord.”
“If it’s a request to participate in the Call to Arms, I am willing to attend.”
“It’s similar, but the situation is a bit complicated. This might take a while…”
As Han Soyoung trailed off, I replied immediately.
“I’m listening.”
Han Soyoung stared at me with a steady gaze for a moment. After clearing her throat once or twice, she began her story.
“First, I plan to issue a Call to Arms to the clans in Monica soon. The preparations are nearly complete. However, I personally don’t think it’s necessary for you to participate, Mercenary Lord.”
“Pardon? Why is that?”
“It wouldn’t be a complete waste of time, but… it’s not a particularly significant assembly, even if you were to attend.”
I suddenly felt a subtle, awkward dissonance in her words. But since she seemed about to continue, I listened quietly.
“Currently, Istantel Low Clan has two Calls to Arms planned. One is hosted by us, but for the other, we’re on the receiving end.”
“You… received a Call to Arms? The Istantel Low Clan?”
“Yes. The second Call to Arms will encompass the entire East and South. And the host is in the East. That person has a deep connection with me, but I believe they also have a connection with you, Mercenary Lord.”
I finally had a faint idea of who Han Soyoung was talking about. I didn’t know the details yet, but I felt like I could see the rough outline of the situation.
“Originally, I was planning to invite you to the Call to Arms held in Monica. However, I changed my mind after receiving a message from that person yesterday. To put it directly, that person wishes to meet with you, Mercenary Lord.”
“Are you saying I should participate in the second Call to Arms, then?”
In response to my question, Han Soyoung slowly shook her head from side to side. At her reaction, I felt my eyes narrow. She hesitated for a moment before speaking quietly.
“No. I’m not sure about that. However, that person wants to meet with you before the second Call to Arms is held. Just the two of you.”
*
The sky was clear and the day was warm. I was on the main building’s rooftop, leaning against a unicorn and savoring a rare moment of peace.
Not much had changed since Istantel Low Clan’s visit a few days ago. Or rather, if there were any changes, they were internal to the clan. The Vagabonds had all been thrown into the newly completed prison, the equipment inventory was finished, and Vivian’s research had reached its final stages. Those were the only changes, if you could call them that.
Purrrr….
“Kkyu…”
A soft cry tickled my ear, and I turned my head to see two unicorns sleeping peacefully. The baby unicorn was nestled in my arms, letting out soft, nasal snores. And Hyeon Seunghee’s unicorn was serving admirably as a pillow for both me and the baby.
Just as I was starting to drift off to sleep myself, I heard footsteps approaching the rooftop. I turned my head toward the rooftop door and soon saw Hyeon Seunghee bounding in lightly. Noticing the soundly sleeping unicorns, she tiptoed over to me.
“When did they fall asleep?”
“A little while ago. About thirty minutes?”
Hyeon Seunghee’s face showed a hint of relief as she carefully sat down beside me. She gazed at the baby unicorn with a look of pure adoration, then met my eyes and spoke.
“Oh, right. Mercenary Lord. Why weren’t you there yesterday?”
“Yesterday?”
“The Call to Arms. All the clans residing in Monica gathered. I was looking for you to say hello, but I couldn’t find you.”
“Ah. Mercenary wasn’t invited. In any case, we’re a Free Mercenary Clan, so there was no reason for us to participate.”
Han Soyoung had made me promise to keep her request a secret. As such, I couldn’t tell her the details. Not that I had any intention of doing so anyway. Besides, what I said wasn’t entirely untrue, and I saw Hyeon Seunghee nod her head.
“But did the Starlight Clan receive a Call to Arms? Didn’t you just arrive in Monica a short while ago?”
“Yes, that’s right. But we’re a subordinate clan of Istantel Low Clan now. So we have the right to participate, don’t we?”
I let out a hollow laugh at Hyeon Seunghee’s reply. As expected of Han Soyoung, with her strong desire for talented people, she had already brought them in as a subordinate clan.
“Haha. Istantel Low Clan’s speed truly lives up to its reputation.”
“Huh? What lives up to its reputation?”
“It hasn’t been long since you arrived, has it? Yet she’s already pulled you in as a subordinate clan…”
Hyeon Seunghee furrowed her brow slightly at my words, then tilted her head.
“What are you talking about? We didn’t become a subordinate clan after coming here; we were one from the moment we arrived.”
“What…? But didn’t you say you were originally under SSUN?”
“I told you we left them… Ah, did I not mention the other part? It’s true we had grown disillusioned with SSUN, but we were able to make the decision because of Istantel Low Clan. They happened to want to scout us as a subordinate clan right at that time.”
“…What did you say?”
“That’s why I told you not to call us cowards. There are many clans like us. I think Khan and Coran… and quite a few others probably went to the East? That’s what I’ve heard.”
The moment I heard those words, I felt my heart stop. Hyeon Seunghee began to chatter on about how the Call to Arms went, but I couldn’t hear a single word. My mind, which had cleared up slightly, was instantly thrown into a state of complexity.
And amidst it all, the thought that the future I remembered might have just leaped forward flashed through my mind like a beam of light.
*
Night had fallen. It was a time when a typical User would be in bed preparing for the next day, but I had slipped out of the clan house without the others knowing. I was waiting for Han Soyoung at the designated meeting spot: the main gate of the Istantel Low Clan House.
Perhaps because it was the middle of the night, there was no one walking the streets. It was then.
Creeak.
“Mercenary Lord.”
I heard the faint sound of a gate opening. A familiar voice, though lower in tone than usual, reached me, and I turned my head. In the direction of the sound stood Han Soyoung, her body and face concealed by a thick robe.
“This way.”
After confirming my presence, Han Soyoung gave a light gesture and turned around. I didn’t know who this person was to warrant such theatrics, but I had a rough idea, so I silently followed her into the clan house.
Han Soyoung didn’t enter the main building. She just seemed to be walking toward a slightly secluded spot within the vast grounds.
As I followed her, a scene similar to the garden at the Mercenary Clan House unfolded before me. I had thought our clan house was quite pretty, but compared to a representative clan, it couldn’t help but fall short in terms of size and quality.
“That person is over there. I think you’ll have to go alone from here.”
Han Soyoung finally stopped walking and pointed to a tall pavilion built in a corner of the garden. I approached her side and opened my mouth.
“Is the Lord of Istantel Low Clan not coming along?”
“No. I know you must find this a bit strange. But once you meet that person, you’ll understand why.”
“Hmm… I understand.”
“Yes. Ah, and thank you for granting my request today.”
As I walked toward the pavilion, I slowly looked around. According to Han Soyoung, someone was definitely there, yet my physical senses couldn’t detect anyone’s presence. Puzzled, I activated Third Eye, and only then could I identify the source of the dissonance.
The surroundings were silent. Except for one place. An indescribably high-level barrier had been cast around the pavilion Han Soyoung had pointed to. But since it was a barrier for concealing presence, not for causing harm, I quietly ascended the pavilion steps. I had just taken one step inside.
“Hoh… so my benefactor has arrived?”
“……”
“Shall I have a look at the face of the one whose fame is so widespread these days? What are you doing? Not coming in?”
Just then, as I heard that uniquely confident voice, I felt an unfamiliar, indescribable magic wash over my entire body.
『Confirming the activation of User Lee Hyoeul’s Unique Ability, Search - Discerning Eye (Rank: S).』
『Unique Ability, Third Eye (Rank: S), responds. Same rank judgment… The class of Third Eye is incomparable. Completely seeing through Search - Discerning Eye (Rank: S)!』
“Wh-What? Sees through? An unknown ability?”
Where had her confident tone from a moment ago gone? Lee Hyoeul’s voice stammered, sounding almost like a shrill scream. I clicked my tongue internally and stepped fully into the pavilion.