Chapter 598: A Tale of the Past. The Old Covenant - 5
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 598: A Tale of the Past. The Old Covenant - 5
Humans, who use tools with their superior intelligence, are an unrivaled and powerful species even now. It is only natural, then, that the King of Humans is also powerful.
But no matter how prosperous a nation becomes or how complex its society grows; no matter how many intricate rules are established for coexistence, with punishments for those who disobey them...
As long as humans are beasts, the King of Humans remains unchanged.
“I have been watching you, too. I have a vague idea of what you want. You want to stop the fighting, don't you? You want to scold others and tell them not to fight?”
Because the beast known as 'human' had not changed.
“But I still don't understand. How is what you're doing any different from what they do?”
The King of Humans asked with pure curiosity. It was a question only the King of Humans could ask.
The snowy mountains are cold. In mountains piled high with snow that never melts, a larger body is advantageous. It’s better for retaining body heat and makes it easier to spot prey or predators. This is the same principle by which animals in cold regions are larger.
The giants are a form of human that survived in the snowy mountains, the result of intentionally accelerated evolution under the name of ‘tradition.’ In a way, the giant race was chosen by nature.
The jungle teems with life. Countless things are born, eaten, and decay. Life circulates every moment like a great, rushing torrent.
There, the law of the jungle is perfectly natural. Even members of the same species are no exception. Humans adapted and survived in the jungle, maintaining large numbers compared to other beasts. As the numerous humans competed for resources, it was only natural that they attacked and devoured one another.
The desert is the opposite. Life is sparse in the dry, desolate sea of sand. There, a beast is less a competitor and more a comrade, a fellow traveler braving the harsh environment together. They can also be indicators, pointing the way to water or other prey.
In that place, humans evolved to make the most of beasts, utilizing a unique resource called black water. The result was a mixed beast: the demonic beast. Tainted by the black water, the demonic beasts roamed in search of other animals, but in turn, they were also the beings that filled the desolate desert with life.
The King of Humans knew these facts. It was less an intellectual understanding and more a natural acceptance that came with representing the entity known as 'human.'
Had they not attacked her, the King of Humans would have left them all be. For struggling to survive in such a way was the very essence of life.
“Humans want to fight? Then let them fight as they always have. If they want to reconcile, let them reconcile. If I step in before they even fight and force them to make peace, and then beat up anyone who doesn't listen... that just means I'm monopolizing all the fighting. If humans don't fight, how can I, the King of Humans, monopolize it?”
And so, she could not accept the Lorekeeper’s argument, even though she understood it. Just as she could not carelessly kill the other monsters.
Despite the desperate plea, the King of Humans answered resolutely.
“The fights of humans belong to humans. I cannot be the only one to fight while they are forbidden.”
‘Noona’ shook off the Lorekeeper’s hand. As the Lorekeeper’s hand fell limply, ‘Noona’ walked away, leaving footprints behind. Crunch, crunch. The dry sound of her footsteps filled the growing distance between them.
“You do it. Like the giants over there, like the cannibals, like the demonic beasts. Achieve it with your own power.”
“...I suppose I must.”
The Lorekeeper sobbed, still prostrate on the ground.
“If I cannot change all of humanity, I cannot change the King of Humans. For that is the nature of a Beast King.”
The Lorekeeper, who knew all there was to know of the world, must have known what kind of being the King of Humans was and what choice she would make.
Yet, the Lorekeeper had to ask ‘Noona.’
“But, my King. You are far too special. Humans know of your existence. Though you may not be conscious of it, all humans already follow and learn from you. Your actions become the norm, and your words become virtue. No matter how virtuous or great other monarchs may be, they are but fireflies in the light of your sun.”
She had never tried to be great. The power was given to her from the start. Understanding other humans was a natural act for the Beast King. ‘Noona’ had intended nothing.
But intended or not, ‘Noona’ was already a great king, possessing the power to sway the vast empire that spanned the continent.
She did not rule, nor did she reign. She was simply there.
As a king, ‘Noona’ would exist in noble solitude.
“The world needs a king to lead humanity.”
Muttering, the Lorekeeper rose to her feet. She smiled wistfully and bowed her head one last time.
“My King. There is still one left.”
“One? Ah, you said there were four monsters on the frontier, right? And we've seen three.”
“Yes. They are the fanatics who worship superstition, offering human sacrifices and deceiving people on the lonely Sacred Mountain Yullim. Since Yullim is close to this land, how about we pay them a brief visit?”
Even the king’s warriors, weary from their journey, agreed with that. The Sacred Mountain Yullim was within the ‘nation’s’ sphere of influence. Strolling through lands where they were treated as guests by the ‘nation’s’ people was more like a pleasant excursion.
If it was that close, why had there been no significant impact on the ‘nation’? Why had no lore about these fanatics been passed down? Such questions arose.
But those were things they would find out once they reached Yullim. ‘Noona’ decided to go.
News that ‘Noona’ had coldly dismissed the Lorekeeper spread quickly. ‘Noona’ had already been away for nearly ten years because of that Lorekeeper. Though no one showed it, everyone was inwardly delighted.
Nevida was no different.
“My King. You have done well.”
“Huh? I did well?”
“Indeed. Your Majesty has made the right decision.”
“Hehe. It feels good to be praised for a change.”
‘Noona’ grew shy, belying her status as a great and noble king. For a moment, Nevida was reminded of the old days. The time she found a lost child somewhere in the Great Forest. When the two loners had only each other in the whole world.
The girl, an exceptionally fast learner, had watched Nevida’s every move and mimicked them. She was so brilliant that if you taught her one thing, she would understand ten.
Nevida, while puffing out her chest with pride, had also studied diligently, afraid that the girl would surpass her and no longer need her.
Fortunately, the king’s warriors had arrived before Nevida’s well of knowledge ran dry, saving her from showing her ugly jealousy. And thanks to her service to ‘Noona’ and her recognized talent, she had become one of the king’s warriors.
To Nevida, ‘Noona’ was her king, her benefactor, and her friend.
She consciously tried not to think of her status as a friend, yet it was the one she cherished most in her heart.
“You need not listen to everything El says. Though she is exceptionally talented, El is merely one of your subjects. She audaciously seeks to sit above your head and control all matters according to her will. You must continue to clearly define the hierarchy, just as you have now.”
“Hierarchy... I’m strong, so I’m at the top. Right. Okay.”
Perhaps ‘Noona’ felt the same way.
Muttering wistfully, ‘Noona’ spoke to Nevida.
“What do you want from me?”
“Pardon?”
“The warriors said they want to receive my orders. What orders did you hope for when you became my warrior?”
Nevida waved her hands in dismissal and replied.
“Orders are for Your Majesty to give. It is not my place to desire anything.”
“But I don’t really desire anything.”
Neither did Nevida. She didn’t particularly desire anything.
Just this. No matter where they went or what happened, just being together like this was enough. If Nevida had a wish, it had already been granted...
“Until the day you have something you desire, I will be with you, my King.”
On the lonely Sacred Mountain Yullim, there was not a single blade of grass or a single tree. The mountain, which looked as if it were made of layered rock, scattered the gray-tinted sunlight in all directions. No mist rose from the arid land, allowing the clear light to dance about freely.
Yullim was perhaps the best place to appreciate the aesthetics of emptiness. For only after stripping away the trees, the grass, the mist, and the clouds could one finally see what the world was truly full of.
This trip was a long one for its distance. Not because there were many obstacles. Far more often, time was lost because they were welcomed and stayed at every place they passed.
It was still an era with little conflict. People from all walks of life came to catch another glimpse of the King of Humans. Some came seeking resolution to their disputes, but while ‘Noona’ would uncover the truth, she never delivered punishment. This was called magnanimity and mercy.
The Lorekeepers created stories of ‘Noona’s’ achievements and spread them far and wide. The three monsters of the frontier who fell at her hand. Described as vulgar, cruel, and bizarre, the three were painted as demons who dared to commit taboos and were punished by the King of Humans.
Their circumstances and reasons were erased, and they were branded only with the title ‘Kanzyaka,’ meaning a calamity that should not exist. People pointed their fingers at them and spoke ill of them.
Even as this fabricated truth spread, ‘Noona’ made no correction.
Leaving countless stories in her wake like footprints, ‘Noona’ headed for Yullim.
To meet the last monster, the fanatics who delude the world. To meet Gwangmyeongcheonjon.