Chapter 228: Magic Kingdom (3)
Chapter 228: Magic Kingdom (3)
It was our doing, but for the sake of Un-ho’s honor, an hour had passed since we agreed to take the story of the Mana Seeds to our graves.
Un-ho showed no signs of waking up, and nothing special was happening, so it was mostly just idle time. However...
“Ugh… I had a horrible nightmare.”
Suddenly, Un-ho spoke as he woke up on the bed.
“What kind of nightmare?”
I asked the question, but inwardly, I was itching to start badgering him immediately.
Still, I figured building up some rapport with Un-ho from now on would make life in the Magic Kingdom easier. This was the right move.
“A weird-looking alien from a B-movie was sucking me dry, and a friend I trusted kept feeding me strange food. In the end, they made a deal with the alien and sold me off after forcing some green medicine down my throat… Poyo….”
“Just a nonsense dream.”
What kind of villain in this world would do such a thing?
The Otherworld must have had a truly terrible influence on Un-ho’s psyche. I decided to give him some good news to cheer him up.
For some reason, Al’shel was looking at me with pathetic eyes, but it was probably just my imagination.
“Forget about that nightmare and look at the window where that beautiful light is pouring in. Doesn’t it look familiar?”
Surely the sunlight streaming through the iron bars would carry the nostalgic scent of his home world?
“It’s a prison. Poyo. What did you do this time, Lee Ha-ram? Did you assault another innocent citizen just because they called you a little girl?”
Hey, that wasn’t my fault. Where in the world does a guy’s skull crack just from one flick to the forehead? That guy was just calcium deficient.
I even adjusted my strength with precision.
Wait, that’s not the point.
“Not that. I’ll explain why we’re in prison later. Don’t you feel something from that sunlight?”
“Nothing at all. Poyo.”
That damn Un-ho.
I set the mood so perfectly, and he still hasn't caught on.
“Un-ho.”
“Yes.”
“That light is the sunlight of your hometown.”
“My hometown isn't a prison.”
You bird-brained idiot.
“It’s the Magic Kingdom, you brat!”
Unable to hold back any longer, I finally swung my hand.
Crunch!
Un-ho went flying straight toward The Wall.
Ah, dammit.
I tried so hard to endure, yet I ended up adding another stack to my assault record in Un-ho’s hometown.
However, the deed was done.
Whether Un-ho bounced around like a rubber ball or stuck to The Wall like a slime, I was prepared to deal with it. But...
“Eh? Is that true, Poyo?”
Contrary to my expectations, Un-ho generated a Magic Circle in mid-air and clung vertically to The Wall.
“…Instant chanting and spatial anchoring?”
Al’shel whispered from behind as if he had discovered something interesting.
If I asked about that now, I’d probably be subjected to a long-winded explanation.
So, I ignored him and explained the current situation to Un-ho.
“We came to the Magic Kingdom through The Hole.”
“Yes.”
Nod.
While hanging vertically on The Wall, Un-ho performed the bizarre feat of stretching his neck out to look at me, resting his chin on one hand, and nodding in agreement.
“We got bombarded as soon as we arrived, and when I said we were guests, they threw us in jail.”
“Ah, the bombardment is only natural. Poyo. Since enemies arrived.”
Since this was a world without stories, they didn't have to worry about enemies exploding. I could understand why they’d throw such a violent first punch without checking.
“Let’s overlook the bombardment since no one died or got hurt. But why wasn't the message delivered? I came here as a guest of your Queen.”
You said this was an absolute monarchy.
“Ah, The Queen doesn't communicate very often, so it might not have been passed along. Poyo. Her word is absolute, but most things are handled by the Representative Council. Sometimes, she doesn't say a single word until the next generation takes over.”
Hearing that, my mind went blank for a moment.
What kind of bizarre structure is that?
It’s an absolute monarchy, but most administrative processing is done by a council?
Well, sure, I suppose such a thing could exist somewhere if you looked for it.
But I hadn't expected this.
“No, if she sent an invitation, she should have guaranteed our safety. What kind of kingdom calls itself that and acts this way?”
“How would I know what The Queen is thinking?”
Suddenly, I felt a surge of irritation.
I came here trusting a single invitation, and what a mess this is.
Am I going to have to wait years just to see The Queen’s face at this rate?
“Then should we just storm the palace?”
I could use Al’shel as a shield to block all the magic while I plowed through like a bulldozer.
“Ah… you’d better not do that. Poyo.”
“Why? Now what’s the problem?”
“Well, the Guardian Corps that protects The Queen’s palace is… a bit too strong.”
“How strong can they be? At best, they’d be O-Rank level….”
If that was the case, I could hold out for a while.
And being able to hold out meant I could push all the way to The Queen and get an answer.
So, let’s go, Un-ho. Lead the way.
Just as I made up my mind and reached out to summon my hammer...
“They can stop an Avatar single-handedly.”
The words that came out of Un-ho’s mouth shut everything down.
“What?”
“Excuse me?”
Even Al’shel, who had been listening from a distance, reacted in shock.
“Well, since we’ve been fighting for so long, there have been times when an Avatar dropped in. Only then does the Royal Guardian Corps come out to deal with them. I’ve only read about it in history books and never seen it myself, though. Poyo….”
Un-ho’s voice trailed off at the end, as if he wasn't entirely confident they were really that strong after saying it, but he wouldn't lie about something like this.
They take down an Avatar alone?
Even considering the home-ground advantage and the assumption that The Queen grants them mortality...
No, even with that, they’re too strong.
If Dam, the only normal Avatar I knew, were to drop onto Earth right now, there’s no guarantee all the Heroes combined could stop him. And they stop that alone?
Just how powerful is this world?
“What is the total number of members in the Royal Guardian Corps?”
He must have been quite shaken.
Despite me being the one talking to Un-ho, Al’shel cut in.
I could have snapped at him, but I kept my mouth shut.
That was a question I wanted to ask as well.
“I don’t know the exact number. But there are usually about three on standby in places like the audience chamber. Including all the ones I’ve seen a few times, there were five in total! Poyok.”
About three on standby at all times.
Even at most, they wouldn't reach double digits.
Hmm. In that case, storming the palace seems out of the question.
“Al’shel, what do you think?”
“About what?”
“Storming the palace.”
“I don’t wish to die just yet.”
It was a completely indirect answer, but it was more than enough.
I was against it, Al’shel was against it, and Un-ho was against it.
The palace raid operation was rejected unanimously.
Then I’d have to go with my first plan.
“Un-ho.”
“Yes?”
“Can you guarantee our identity with your authority as a Brigadier General?”
Even if we can’t get to The Queen, let’s at least get out of this prison.
We can figure out the rest later—whether we wait for The Queen’s response or find a way to get an audience.
“I can do that! Just leave it to me!”
After speaking confidently, Un-ho went to the bars and shouted loudly.
“I command in the name of Brigadier General Un-ho! Release these people! Poyo.”
Wow, his tone is terrible.
* * *
The plan to leave the prison with Un-ho in the lead was only half-successful.
“Poyo? Why is everyone surrounding us?”
We got out of the prison, but what greeted us instead was something far more serious.
“Brigadier General Un-ho. Why are you here right now?”
A female fairy with blue butterfly wings, dressed in a suit, slowly walked through the surrounding encirclement and spoke.
Judging by her tone, she was addressing Un-ho specifically without any interest in the two of us. I wondered if they were acquaintances.
“Um… excuse me. Who are you? Poyo.”
Un-ho, apparently unable to remember even his own acquaintances, spoke while trembling with anxiety.
“…Un-ho, you are still the same. It is I, your superior, Captain Af.”
“Ah! Ah! Captain Af. Of course I remember you. Poyo.”
He definitely doesn't remember her.
Anyway, now that Un-ho’s identity has been confirmed, why are they glaring at us?
They don't seem like they’re going to attack right this second, but there’s a clear sense of hostility.
It’s as if they’re trying to judge whether we’re allies or enemies.
This feels ominous.
“Hey, Al’shel.”
While Un-ho and Af were locked in a gaze, I lowered my voice and spoke to Al’shel.
“What is it?”
“What do you think of that?”
“You mean that fairy-shaped Captain?”
“Yeah.”
“Her strength is likely one level below mine… roughly at the level of a formidable powerhouse. I could win if we fought, but it would require a considerably long battle.”
I thought so.
I wondered if I had misjudged, but an incredible powerhouse had just walked out in front of us.
Someone on a similar level to Al’shel appearing casually to greet Un-ho.
And for some reason, such a person was showing signs of hostility toward us.
“…We might have to run.”
“…I agree.”
“Get ready. Don’t let them notice.”
Whispering that, I formed Steel Marbles in my hand.
“Understood.”
Al’shel also relaxed his body and took a comfortable stance. I thought he was casting a spell, but I couldn't feel any mana flowing.
It was likely his own subtle method of chanting.
While we were planning, the conversation between Un-ho and the fairy Captain continued.
“And that’s how I ended up back in my hometown, poyo!”
“I see. I understand roughly what happened.”
“Then that’s a relief! So, Captain, since their identities have been verified, if you could just let them go….”
Somehow, Un-ho had succeeded in his explanation, and they were having that conversation. However...
“Regrettably, that won't be possible. Brigadier General Un-ho. And you two. You must be deported from here.”
Tsk.
Things aren't going smoothly here either.
Immediately, I prepared to snipe the mages drawing Magic Circles with my Steel Marbles, even without deploying a physical barrier. But...
“Poyo?! Why?! My authority should be enough to guarantee their identities?! Surely you don't think I’ve betrayed you! Poyo! I’m innocent!”
Because an unusually angry Un-ho raised his voice, the combat was delayed. Captain Af, who was floating in the air and glaring at us, spoke immediately.
“Brigadier General Un-ho. I understand your frustration, but our world is currently in no position to accept other entities or other generals. It is unfortunate, but I hope you will wander the Otherworld a bit longer before attempting to enter again.”
Hmm? What’s this?
From the way she’s talking, it sounds like the problem isn't with us, but that something has happened on their end.
Of course, even so, telling us to go back and wander the Otherworld is absurd.
“That’s why! Please explain the reason! Otherwise, I will report this to The Queen!”
Wow, Un-ho is actually reliable.
Since Un-ho was being unexpectedly helpful, I trusted him and held off on the fight.
A brief silence, created by Un-ho, flowed between us.
As if she had no choice, Captain Af spoke.
“The Queen is currently asleep. She is not expected to wake for another month. I trust this is explanation enough. Brigadier General Un-ho.”
It was still a sentence we couldn't understand.
But it seemed different for Un-ho, as his attitude changed drastically.
“…Could it be. Is it… Election Season?”
“It is. Then, I wish you luck.”
The moment that ridiculous term left Un-ho’s mouth...
Captain Af waved her hand.
And magic began to pour down toward us.