Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Seizing the Thread
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Chapter 130
"Looks like you've found your direction."
Kalligo said.
"Does it seem that way?"
Lander looked away from Sanuaria.
"At least that's how it looks to me. To be honest, I'm glad, but on the other hand, I'm worried."
"Which part makes you glad, and which part worries you?"
Kalligo held up two fingers as he spoke.
"When I saw you again in Dun, I was filled with anxiety. You were unpredictable at the time. You had a destination but no purpose—a truly unstable state."
"I must be easy for others to read. Everyone who knows me has said the same. Bank, Million, even Guchi, who I met for the first time."
"You're subtly honest, Lander. You hide it better than anyone when necessary, but otherwise, you show yourself openly. I call that the leisure of the strong."
"So I was arrogant."
He replied with a laugh. Kalligo laughed along.
"It's less arrogance and more a natural attitude. If you have a weak hand, you bluff, but if it's strong, there's no need to deceive. Of course, if there's a big pot on the line, it's different."
Kalligo glanced at Sanuaria. The girl who had been running around the room was now dozing off in a chair, exhausted.
"Anyway, the Lander I saw in Dun was anxiety incarnate. And at the two-story house, that anxiety peaked."
Kalligo grimaced, saying even thinking about it now made his flesh crawl.
"I'm only telling you this now, but do you know how nervous I was then? I thought my head would explode trying to figure out where your anger was directed and how big it was."
"You could've just said it instead of suffering in silence."
Hah, Kalligo let out a laugh thick with nasal tones.
"How would you, Lander, understand the heart of a deer gauging a lion's mood? If I upset you and the sparks flew the wrong way, that place would turn into a sea of fire, so I had to keep my mouth shut."
"You're no deer, Kalligo."
"It's a metaphor, a metaphor. But you don't deny being the lion?"
Lander shrugged.
"You didn't show even a speck of anger, even in a situation where you rightfully should have. That terrified me. A dam has clear limits. If the anger exceeds capacity and bursts one day, no one can handle it."
Kalligo waved his arms dramatically, kindly explaining that he was mimicking a massive wave.
"I could provide information, but I wasn't capable of persuading or urging you on. It was a pretty pathetic experience. But the Lander I met again in the Holy City... didn't seem anxious. I could tell right away. Ah, he's made a decision."
Kalligo slowly folded his two raised fingers.
"What made me glad was that the hesitation vanished from your face. And what worries me now? Where your sword will point."
Kalligo opened the door. Below the railing, people were bustling about.
Not only the Special Inspection Unit, but also agents from Stoa and the Administration 2nd Bureau's Information Records Office had gathered in one place.
They had assembled to investigate the unprecedented Holy City terrorist incident.
"Everyone's desperate to find the ringleaders. I'm the same. The information provided to them is still limited, so they haven't grasped the truth yet, but soon they'll all know. That the central powers upholding the Empire are involved in this."
Kalligo gripped the railing as he spoke.
"They don't know. That the processed information here is provided not just to the Emperor, but to certain free citizens as well."
He met Kalligo's gaze. The usual humor had vanished from his eyes.
"No one knows when, but a list of the culprits will definitely be drawn up. And no one can predict whose names will be on it."
"I suppose so."
"Do you plan to kill them all, Lander?"
After posing the question, Kalligo flashed his usual bright smile.
"Just give me a heads-up. So I can prepare."
Lander placed his hand on the railing. The cold, smooth texture of the metal traveled up his arm.
"As you said, Kalligo, until coming here, I couldn't find my bearings. I had motives and justifications, but my emotions wouldn't move."
He looked down at the people below.
"Since you shared your honest feelings, I'll be a little honest too. I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"I was afraid of what would happen if power escaped the control of reason. This power must not be swayed by emotions. Nor used for personal grudges."
What if he drew mana from the roots until exhaustion? Lander had never even imagined it. It was too dangerous a thought to entertain.
"I've often been called a monster. Even showing just a tiny fraction of my power earns me that label. It's a power born of different origins, so I've lived with the conviction to use it cautiously and rightly."
"That's why I like human Lander. I admired that goodness."
Kalligo said.
"Jun-gong felt the same. He said your kindness pleased him. But I'm not truly kind. I was just holding back to keep my surroundings from falling apart."
Some people gathered by the wall. They seemed to be writing, sticking notes, and exchanging opinions.
Lander continued, gazing at them in their meeting.
"I took a passive stance, fearing I'd misuse my power on a whim and ruin things, or spark an uncontrollable crisis. In that sense, Ardhen was an excellent sovereign. He dispelled my hesitation."
"His Majesty is worth following."
"If Ardhen was the pillar of my reason, my wife soothed my emotions. Thanks to those two, I could find stability and enjoy freedom. But now, much has changed."
Lander lifted his hand from the railing. The chill lingering in his palm gradually faded.
"I'm not entirely sure if this is right. I might regret it. I know the price of prioritizing personal anger over the greater good."
His palm burned hot. It was raw anger, unrefined by reason.
He arrived in the Holy City and found comfort, shed tears upon arriving in the Holy City, and finally stood on his own as a man upon arriving there.
This was probably the first time. A judgment based purely on his own thoughts and feelings, not on greater causes, pretexts, requests, or orders.
"The undertakers are going to make a fortune."
Kalligo tucked some documents under his arm and stepped aside.
"Do as you wish, Lander. Leave the cleanup to us. Those who colluded with Gilliud staked their lives on fate, so they won't complain if you come calling. That too is fate."
"I just hope the rot isn't too deep. Once we start, I have no intention of cutting it out halfway."
"Then I'll have to run around hard to keep the patient alive. If the Empire collapses, my job goes with it, so I want to prevent that at least. Well, as long as His Majesty isn't implicated in this, the Empire should be fine."
"I've already told that friend. If he's connected to Gilliud, he'll offer his neck, so come and get it."
"Not for me to say, but you two are terrifying. I probably won't see your face for a few days, Lander. You're swamped. I have to do my best to compile that list so your sword doesn't point the wrong way."
"I leave it to you."
Kalligo took the first step down the stairs and spoke.
"But you're not going to ask?"
Lander immediately knew what he meant. He replied in a slightly lower voice.
"If it's about the note Gilliud left, I'll wait until you tell me. You'll share whatever information is needed for this."
"You're making my mouth itch, but I'll hold off for now. What I saw there shouldn't leave these lips yet. Especially not to you, Lander."
"So it is connected to me."
"It's ambiguous. Whether it's linked or completely off the mark. But one thing's certain: if it gets out, it'll cause quite a stir."
"His Majesty must be curious."
"I'll report as soon as it's sorted. He's not the type to wait forever."
With a farewell as he descended one step, Kalligo added,
"One more thing. Lander, if this world was created by a single person, how would you feel?"
"Isn't that the usual story? That a creator exists."
"What if it's not a god?"
"If that's possible, then that would be a god."
"Assuming that, how would you feel?"
"Not pleasantly."
"Same here."
Kalligo spoke a bit louder as he went down the stairs.
"Maybe I'll have to research a way to kill a god someday. When that time comes, I'll ask for your help, Lander."
It was incomprehensible. But hardly a light joke.
"And you should go see Guchi. He looked pretty rough."
"I was planning to head there now anyway. I'll probably get an earful."
"I'll come later too. With a cool bottle of liquor."
Lander raised his hand in farewell and left.
* * *
"Guchi. Stay still!"
"I'm trying my best not to move."
"Try harder. Dad said if it doesn't work, you didn't try enough."
"That's real helpful advice."
"Right? I'm a smart lady who helps others."
Guchi tilted his chin up and grinned foolishly. Charlotte, holding cosmetics and pondering, spoke again.
"If you move your face, it really won't work."
"Not even this much?"
"No."
"Fine, I'll stay as still as possible. But how long do I have to do this, miss?"
"Until it's done."
"Can't you do it on paper instead of my face?"
"Shh."
Of course. Guchi rolled his eyes. The only part of his face he could move.
Beyond the glass wall, researchers were snickering. They stared without flinching even when their eyes met.
Belluna had even clenched her fist and was mouthing something. Like, hang in there.
Don't just say it—switch with me.
Getting makeup done by a kid at forty didn't feel great.
But he couldn't get mad or refuse, so what choice did he have? Accept it.
"But why do you keep talking down to me?"
"Because you're Guchi."
"You use polite language so nicely with Belluna."
"She's Belluna sis."
"What's the criterion?"
Charlotte didn't answer. Playing with kids was harder than he thought.
Suddenly, he recalled a friend in Dun raising two kids. Impressive, my friend.
"Eh, Inebil's outside."
Guchi spotted his savior and quickly spoke up.