Chapter 93
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Windsor Castle (2)
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Occasional shouts echoed from behind, mingled with sounds like bombs exploding.
But Kang Ji-ye matched them in volume, succinctly summarizing the situation over the phone.
One week ago.
Strange men with Western features had raided the Prophet's hideout.
They unleashed powerful skills and, despite it being their first time inside a place where they should have been lost, navigated the building's interior like flowing water, storming straight to the Prophet and abducting her before fleeing.
Immediately after the Prophet's kidnapping—even at dawn—an emergency was declared, and Seoul was sealed off to prevent the culprits from escaping.
Yet the Prophet remained unrescued. They would track her traces to a location, only to find a battle had already taken place, repeating the cycle endlessly.
"Our tracking was spot on. After the fight ended and we got inside, we even found strands of the Prophet's hair."
The fact that this game of tag—chasing and being chased—had dragged on for a full week struck Kang Sa-hu as bizarre.
"It's been a whole week since the kidnapping, and they still haven't left the country? They can't even get out of Seoul?"
"Yeah. Uncle Deok-ho thought that part was fishy too, so he checked the National Intelligence Service's intel."
Kang Ji-ye's voice, which had been booming like a shout, suddenly dropped low.
As if she were covering the receiver with her hand, her hushed tone came through even louder.
"They've confirmed multiple organizations besides the culprits are after the Prophet too."
Sometime during the call, an injury must have cropped up, because Kang Ji-ye said she'd call back soon and hung up.
Kang Sa-hu pressed a hand to his forehead while tapping the table with the fingers of his other hand.
In this messed-up world, he hadn't expected his absence to pass without incident.
But he never imagined something on the scale of the Prophet's kidnapping—an event that would turn the world upside down.
As he replayed the information from Kang Ji-ye, Kang Sa-hu grabbed his mouse and pulled up a search engine.
Clicking into the search bar brought up a list of trending searches below:
[Prophet Death]
[Prophet Kidnapped]
[Gate Break]
[Africa Nth Coup]
[Philippines Gate Break]
The internet was a silent uproar.
The Prophet's absence—who had revealed gate locations and timings worldwide—had already rippled massively in just one week.
Gates popping up in remote areas went undiscovered until they broke, unleashing monsters that ravaged homes.
Sensational headlines blanketed the feeds, warning that countries already ceding vast swaths of land to monsters were on the brink of collapse.
He'd always known the Prophet's importance, but her disappearance made problems impossible to ignore right away.
'No such thing as calm days.'
He'd heard there had been steady attempts to kidnap her even in his past life, and now it was happening again.
The image of the Prophet, kidnapped by thugs at this very moment, trembling in helpless terror—it suddenly mirrored his own past plight.
"...Not sitting right with me."
The Necromancer Society, Korea, the Prophet.
Every group he belonged to or was tied to was being unreasonably jerked around by some bigger power. The frustration was mounting.
That's when a knock came at the door to his room.
"Pardon the intrusion during your rest, Mr. Kang Sa-hu."
The butler entered with a polite bow.
"Lord Agravain has just returned. However, if you're fatigued, he asked if you'd prefer to meet after a few days of solid rest. What would suit you best?"
No sooner had he finished than Kang Sa-hu rose to his feet.
"No need. I'll see him right now."
"Very well."
The response came without a hint of hesitation, but the butler didn't flinch. He clapped his hands sharply.
A group waiting outside flooded in, presenting an array of suits before him like a display.
"Unsure of your preferred style, we've prepared a variety. Would it be alright if I explained them?"
"Appreciate it, but I'll go with this one."
From the sea of suits, ties, and shoes, Kang Sa-hu picked out the most unassuming yet practical black set.
The butler felt a twinge of regret that he couldn't showcase his tailoring knowledge.
But seeing Kang Sa-hu confidently select a modern, athletic black suit that suited him perfectly, the butler smiled inwardly.
'Sharp eye.'
Once changed, Kang Sa-hu followed the guidance to the reception room, where Agravain awaited amid a lavish spread of desserts and tea.
"Welcome, Lord Kang Sa-hu."
"My thanks for the warm reception, Lord Agravain. I worried the Paladins might offend you with some pointless tantrum, but it seems all's well."
Tying his greeting straight to the Paladins' fate, Agravain gave a wry smile.
"Fortunately, no such issue. They're detained elsewhere for now."
Detained—a lenient term—made Kang Sa-hu's eyebrow twitch.
As if expecting it, Agravain hurried on.
"For Paladins, especially the Captain and Vice-Captain, outright imprisonment risks sparking conflict, so this was the measure. But their crimes are grave; release won't come easy."
"...Understood."
Not entirely satisfied, but knowing he lacked the authority to demand harsher punishment, Kang Sa-hu let it drop.
This wasn't the man to discuss it with anyway.
"You mentioned at the airport that His Majesty sought me. And this is Windsor Castle, his favorite residence. Might an audience with His Majesty be possible today?"
"Today, right away?"
Agravain sounded startled.
"Isn't that too rushed? Perhaps after you've recovered more?"
"Hard to say. With Gate Breaks spiking daily, maybe we should hurry even more."
Agravain's face stiffened at the mention of Gate Breaks.
"Hmm, true enough. Come to think of it, you're from the Prophet's country."
Stroking his chin in thought, Agravain finally nodded.
"Alright. I'll put in the request for an audience. Mind waiting a moment?"
"Of course."
Kang Sa-hu watched Agravain leave briskly, then savored the exquisite desserts and tea, resting his body while filling his stomach.
But even as his body relaxed, his mind raced relentlessly, organizing the situation and plotting his next moves.
Starting with meeting the Queen immediately, securing the Necromancer Society's safety before returning home.
Plans for the flight back, and heading straight to find the Prophet upon landing.
Not long after departing, Agravain returned with a bright expression.
"Mr. Kang Sa-hu, Her Majesty has granted an audience today."
For someone of the Queen's station, meeting dignitaries was routine, her schedule packed months in advance.
But she had wanted to see Kang Sa-hu herself, and with the Prophet's absence fueling growing chaos—as he'd pointed out—she'd graciously cleared her calendar.
He hadn't heard it directly, but as half-British himself, Kang Sa-hu could sense it.
"Truly grateful. When is the audience set?"
"Whenever suits you."
"...Whenever?"
Kang Sa-hu echoed in surprise, and Agravain nodded with a grin.
"Yes. From this moment until midnight. Her Majesty awaits—come anytime, was the message."
Anytime to drop by for an audience.
To someone unfamiliar with the Queen, it might sound like "plenty of time, so come whenever you're free."
But Kang Sa-hu saw it for what it was: she'd cleared her minute-by-minute schedule just for him, signaling how eager she was to meet.
Indeed, the moment he arrived at the audience chamber, a maid asked him to wait briefly—then he was ushered right in.
The grand doors guarded by knights swung open, revealing the resplendent interior.
At its heart sat the Queen, welcoming him in an elegant dress.
"Welcome. Necromancer, Lord Kang Sa-hu."
Through eyes framed by age's wrinkles.
Her gaze shone sharp and steady, meeting his as he promptly bowed his head.
"I greet Your Majesty."
The full protocol called for kneeling on one knee with utmost formality.
But this was an informal audience, and the Queen had tipped him off via intermediary to keep it simple, so he settled for a waist-deep bow.
Pleased, the Queen regarded him with a blend of benevolence and curiosity.
"Lord Agravain briefed me. Time presses to rescue the kidnapped Prophet."
"Yes, a pity to cut short this honor of meeting Your Majesty, but with so many lives hanging in the balance, I must beg indulgence for my rudeness."
"Your talents are exceptional; the weight on your shoulders must be immense. As you say, the world needs you—I shan't monopolize your time."
The Queen sipped from the teacup before her, and Kang Sa-hu followed suit.
Unlike her words, she didn't speak right away, contenting herself with quiet sips for several minutes to wet her throat.
As the silence stretched.
At last, having swallowed her tea, the Queen spoke.
"Do you know my age, Lord Kang Sa-hu?"
"Ninety-five, as I understand it, Your Majesty."
"Huhu. Spot on. Impressive that a stranger knows my years so well."
"You overpraise me."
The conversation flowed calmly.
Her turquoise eyes held steady on him.
"You're wondering why I requested this meeting. Perhaps you've even guessed."
"......"
He offered no reply.
Contrary to expectations, it had been hard to guess at first why the Queen wanted to see him.
Not for lack of clues—there were too many.
But through their exchange, he'd begun to grasp her intent, faintly.
"I saw the video online of you consoling the departed souls. It was profoundly moving... warm... beautiful."
"Your Majesty."
Kang Sa-hu called softly, but the Queen met his gaze unwaveringly with eyes like a deep lake, pressing on.
"My time left is short. I won't claim a life of unalloyed pride, but at least not one of shame."
Needing a breath after the longer speech, she paused.
"Thus, I wish to request—without shame, yet with care."
Locking eyes with Kang Sa-hu, whose own gaze flickered with subtle intensity.
Her face creased deeply as she smiled.
"When I depart this world... I ask that you, Necromancer Lord Kang Sa-hu, conduct my funeral rites."