The Emperor's Guest and the Heir's Burden
After meeting Ran, Feygal left. Jubern and Eper waited for Unhak, who had gone to receive the Emperor alongside Wolhyang and Cheoyong, who had taken on the role of guide.
Outside the building, Jeongmyeong had been fidgeting for some time. He suddenly exploded at Eper.
LT__strong>I’m just glad I’m the 7th Seat. If it were any of the other Seven Pillars, I’d be choking on my own breath right now.
If Modeus, the 3rd Seat, had been defeated, every other member of the Seven Pillars would have been polite and composed. But Ran was the only one who often exposed himself, making him seem the mildest of them all.
Anyway, Jeongmyeong thought it was fortunate that Eper, the one who committed the breach of etiquette, was Ran.
LT__strong>How can you, who always handles the tasks entrusted to you flawlessly without complaint, suddenly commit such a breach…? I don’t even know what to say!
Just as Jeongmyeong’s shout continued,
BOOM!
Someone suddenly slapped Jeongmyeong’s shiny back hard.
LT__strong>Uwaaah!!
Startled by the blow, Jeongmyeong staggered and let out a cry.
LT__strong>Hey. Why are you harassing the old man?
Unhak, who had safely completed his audience with the Emperor, had just arrived here along with Wolhyang and Cheoyong.
Jeongmyeong, who had been rubbing the area that felt about to burst, stared at Wolhyang beside Unhak with wide eyes.
LT__strong__GTWe pay our respects to the great pillar of the continent.
Without saying a word, Wolhyang simply passed by Jeongmyeong and Eper as they offered their greetings.
As Wolhyang entered the building, Unhak first gently scolded Jeongmyeong.
LT__strong>What kind of trouble could it be that made you, who never scolds others, scold Eper the 6th Danju personally? Did the 7th Seat have some problem with him?
LT__strong>…
Jeongmyeong chose not to answer, fearing that speaking out would make him look like a tattletale.
LT__strong>Since it’s a matter between brothers, don’t interfere anymore. That said, is the 7th Seat inside?
LT__strong>Yes, Chairman.
LT__strong>Good. It shouldn’t take long. Just wait a little longer.
LT__strong>Understood.
After that, Unhak followed Wolhyang inside the building.
LT__strong>Ren Eper, 6th Danju.
LT__strong>Yes, Jeongmyeong, 4th Danju.
LT__strong>The Chairman said not to interfere, so I won’t nag, but make sure something like this never happens again.
LT__strong>…
LT__strong>Aigoo!
Despite being scolded mildly, Eper remained silent. Jeongmyeong was exasperated.
In the end, he muttered and left his seat.
LT__strong>Wow, what a shameless thing! Why is 4th Danju Jeongmyeong so worked up? Did you do something wrong?
Because of the tense atmosphere, Cheoyong, who had been rolling his eyes, cautiously approached Eper’s side.
LT__strong>…
LT__strong>What’s going on? Talk, dammit!!
Jingling jingling!
Cheoyong shook his bells furiously at Eper’s silence.
* * *
LT__strong>Welcome, senior.
LT__strong>Oh, junior. Good to see you again!
Ran, who had been informed in advance about Unhak’s visit, welcomed him with proper respect.
Although the 1st and 2nd Danjus are part of the Seven Pillars, they cannot be treated lightly.
From the 2nd Danju onward, they are the true maximum power of the Danjus, and the 1st Danju is none other than an ex-Seven Pillar.
Considering the position and strength of the 1st Danju, it’s not only because of that, but…
LT__strong>On my way here, I heard that my disciple gave that boy a good scolding. It seems the boy is still treating you coldly, junior. Is the relationship still strained?
Ran answered nothing and simply smiled bitterly without a word.
LT__strong>Aigoo, this is family business. I can’t just barge in like I want. It would be nice if he would at least tell me the reason clearly. Even calling the senior “senior” in front of that boy feels like he’s looking down on me.
LT__strong>I apologize.
LT__strong>No need to apologize. That aside, why does that boy keep his distance from you so much? Is there something troubling you with him?
LT__strong>That boy would never distance himself for such a reason.
Ran firmly rejected Unhak’s guess.
LT__strong>I don’t know how to handle this situation because he’s been on a winning streak so far. Honestly, it’s a little… no, a lot awkward.
Watching Ran look troubled, Unhak showed a look of sympathy.
LT__strong>When Master passed away, he entrusted you and that boy to this lowly me. I feel like I can’t face Master again later. I can’t even properly do what I should as a student.
Hearing Unhak’s self-reproachful complaint, Ran’s expression softened.
LT__strong>You’ve already fulfilled Master’s last words, senior.
LT__strong>Hmm, seeing you now, it seems I should be the one taking care of you instead. Actually, I thought the position of The One behind me belonged to you. If that guy hadn’t been here, it would definitely have been yours.
LT__strong>You overpraise me, senior.
LT__strong>Not at all. Though Baekgyeong, that guy, was an arrogant brat with nothing but flashy appearance, during the time of the Seven Pillars he was truly genuine.
Nodding, Wolhyang silently agreed.
She felt happy as if it were her own matter.
LT__strong>But how did he kill that guy? And in such a short time, without any visible wounds. It feels like he’s confronting Master.
Since he couldn’t reveal the lightning Ineung, Ran smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.
LT__strong>Haha, I can’t bear it when you praise me so much, senior. It was just good luck. But what happened to me?
Unhak leaned forward and brought his face close to Ran’s nose, glaring at him playfully.
LT__strong>…If there’s something to hide, I won’t ask anymore. I came to find you for another reason—about Baekgyeong. Why did he suddenly come here to target those kids? And the reason he had to be killed. I need to know that to respond properly. Our information isn’t infallible.
LT__strong>…Well, if it’s senior, I can trust you. You’re upright and, above all, you’ve been devoted to carrying on Master’s will.
After a moment of deep thought, Ran decided to tell Unhak part of the information he had obtained from Jubern.
LT__strong>Baekgyeong tried to save the people of the Kingdom of Dongwang. But then he attacked the kids along with Yokai… Then, in the end, it means the Kingdom of Dongwang is colluding with Yokai, right?
LT__strong>We are currently concluding that way.
LT__strong>The battle between junior and Baekgyeong and its result would have already spread among the top figures. By now, even the Kingdom of Dongwang probably knows…
Unhak’s rough hand stroked his bald head and smooth chin.
LT__strong>It’s ambiguous. Even if the Kingdom of Dongwang is truly colluding with Yokai, there’s no solid evidence. We can just deny it and that’s that.
LT__strong>Yes. We’re certain, but there’s no clear evidence to support it.
LT__strong>So, no matter what, we should keep the Kingdom of Dongwang under surveillance. If you have a brain in your head, you won’t think about anything else for now, but we must stay alert because who knows when they’ll strike with their claws.
LT__strong>Understood, senior.
LT__strong>By the way, about the kids. It seems 6th Danju Feygal is trying to do something with that unruly boy.
LT__strong>After the attack incident, Teraden has been in a slump, but he promised to come back soon and said he’d recover his motivation quickly. He needs to regain his spirits soon.
Ran narrowed his eyes, feeling uneasy.
LT__strong>I don’t know what it means that against the Seven Pillars and the majority of Grand Dukes, not a single person died. The boy doesn’t realize how great he’s become. Don’t worry too much. Thanks to this incident, he’ll grow terrifyingly.
* * *
LT__strong>Young master, are you feeling unwell anywhere?
LT__strong>No, I’m fine, Grand Duke Jered.
LT__strong>Your Highness is very worried about you.
LT__strong>Father…
Jered, commander of the Mechanized Knight Division and Junior’s right-hand man, had come to visit him.
After checking the surroundings for a moment, Jered secretly took something from his pocket and handed it to Junior.
LT__strong>Hmph. This is a gift His Highness sent to Young Master.
LT__strong>What is this…? What is it?
LT__strong>As Young Master knows, research into duplicating Ouparts began during the reign of the previous Duke.
LT__strong>Then this…
Junior’s eyes widened in surprise at the serious tone.
LT__strong>Yes, that’s exactly what Young Master thought. The mass-produced model of the Ouparts Young Master uses has finally been completed, with performance lowered so he can use it.
LT__strong>But this should be given to my sister before me, right?
LT__strong>Don’t worry about that. One of the three fully completed units has already been delivered to Lady Ardelmelia.
LT__strong>I see. Then I’ll humbly accept this.
Junior carefully took the item from Jered’s hand.
LT__strong>Please tell Father I’m grateful.
LT__strong>Of course, Young Master. Although it’s the first time it’s been completed and has some immature parts, its performance will be superior to what Young Master has been using.
Just as Junior was examining the item Jered had given him closely,
Knock knock. Whoosh.
Haru, Maru, and Blanser opened the door to the room where Junior was resting and entered.
LT__strong>Oh, sorry. We see you have a guest already. We’ll wait outside.
LT__strong>No, it’s fine. I’ve just finished my business. Jered, I’ll take my leave now.
Haru, who had noticed Jered, tried to lead Maru and Blanser out again, but Jered stopped him.
LT__strong>Thank you for coming personally, Grand Duke Jered.
LT__strong>Yes, then. Please take care of Young Master.
After a short exchange with Haru, Jered left, and now Haru’s group took his place.
LT__strong>Is your injury better?
LT__strong>It seems I’ll be discharged soon thanks to the people His Highness sent to care for me. By the way, where is Teraden? Did something happen?
LT__strong>Oh, Teraden’s fine. He said he’d come later because of some work.
LT__strong>I see. Everyone is safe. That’s good.
LT__strong>Junior, I have something I want to ask you.
LT__strong>…What is it?
Junior’s expression hardened along with Haru’s serious face.
LT__strong>Could I ask why you made that choice? You would have seen through the lie immediately.
When Junior was captured by Yokai in place of Teraden, he had suddenly made one offer.
LT__strong>I’ll give you one choice. Will you die alone and save everyone, or live alone and let everyone else die?
And without the slightest hesitation, Junior chose to die.
LT__strong>Even if it was just words, I couldn’t betray everyone.
Haru’s face showed some complexity at Junior’s answer.
LT__strong>…But if something like this happens again in the future, I hope you won’t make the same choice as before. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I’m sorry for what happened, and I’m glad you’re safe.
LT__strong>Don’t say that. It’s not something to apologize for.
Haru bowed his head, and Junior was startled and stopped him.
LT__strong>It’s fine since you’re safe. Rest well since it says you need to recover. If you need anything, come to me right away.
LT__strong>Understood, Haru.
LT__strong>We’re going now.
Just as Haru was about to leave Junior’s side,
Brother…
Blanser called out to Haru in a choked voice.