Chapter 59: Home Visit (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: Home Visit (2)
I raised my head and cast my gaze far into the distance.
The sun tore itself apart at its base, scattering its final crimson light across the world.
An indigo hue swept over the coiled razor wire before the last traces of daylight vanished. A fence encircled the surrounding area in a menacing stance, and guard posts were erected even farther out. Royal Guards wearing tall bearskin caps maintained a proud, strict posture on high alert.
Aside from those artificial elements, endless grasslands stretched out in every direction. With few bends, the ridges sloped gently. For a moment, I was confused whether I was in Britain or Mongolia.
Crunch, crunch.
I was walking up a mound. To be exact, I was following a middle-aged man.
So that’s the current Emperor.
For the ruler of the Western world, he looked surprisingly plain. I thought he’d be wearing a crown dripping with jewels.
He just looks like a slightly handsome middle-aged guy you might pass by in the neighborhood.
Still, his aura was clearly distinct.
There was… how should I put it, a deep sense of futility hovering in his eyes. It was a different kind of void from what the Archery Saint, Saki Kojima, had held in life.
The Archery Saint’s emptiness stemmed from the grief of losing his wife.
The Emperor feels like he’s been this way since birth.
Like a newborn baby in a cradle that doesn't cry, just staring blankly at the mobile above. The Emperor appeared to be just that emotionless.
Whoever gave him the nickname "Machine Emperor" had hit the mark.
...By the way.
I turned my head. The taillights of a limousine flickered dimly in the distance.
Victoria looked like she was in a bad mood.
Victoria hadn't joined this walk. Her complexion had looked terrible, and the Emperor had requested a private conversation with me.
—There are matters adults need to discuss in private.
I had agreed without a fuss.
Earlier, Victoria had openly embarrassed her father. Me, Kang Geomma—I’m a guy who possesses at least basic tact.
Episode. Home Visit
Rustle, rustle.
After walking for a good while, I uttered a casual, idle comment.
“The security level is incredible. It feels like an alarm would sound the second even a bug flew in.”
“It actually does.”
The Emperor replied nonchalantly, looking straight ahead.
I didn't think much of his natural informal speech either. After all, he was the Emperor. Though my actual rank was incomparably higher, from the world's perspective, the Emperor held the upper hand.
Even if I’m the hero who saved the world, the fact that I come from commoner origins doesn't change.
The class system was the foundational mechanism of this world.
And this middle-aged guy is the apex predator of that system.
I asked him,
“Is it alright to bring an outsider like me into such an important place?”
“You’re better at jokes than I thought, Heavenly Sword.”
...Jokes?
“Where in this world is there a place you cannot set foot? Even the Demon Realm Gehenna lies beneath your heels. This security system is effective against every hero except you. From the moment it was designed, no one ever considered it could stop you.”
“Be that as it may, it doesn't change the fact that this is an important site for the Victoria Imperial Family. I’m honored. Though I don't know the reason why you brought me here.”
“...”
The Emperor slowed his steps and turned his eyes toward me. Finally looking my way, huh.
“...You’re quite adept at spouting nonsense too.”
“I haven't been aging for nothing, you know.”
In terms of soul age, I’m older than the Emperor.
“We have arrived.”
The Emperor, who was leading the way, stepped aside. As the windbreak barrier parted, a gust swept through.
Whoooooosh.
As the wind cleared, a vast wilderness revealed itself. Jagged standing stones rose in the very center. Despite being nothing more than that, it was a truly avant-garde sight.
“It’s Stonehenge.”
Ah, this.
Korea’s dolmens look cooler, though.
Britain didn't really have much to boast about other than its cuisine. It seemed they had to attach special meaning even to a pile of stones like this to attract tourists.
If I remember correctly, in Miracle Blessing M, this was an artifact. But when I was collecting Memory Fragments, it was never mentioned, so I paid it no mind.
The Emperor glanced at my unenthusiastic expression and let out a sigh.
“If it were a simple pile of stones, would I have posted so many guards? There is a reason for everything.”
Does the Owl's Blessing come with mind-reading?
“I wasn't thinking anything disrespectful.”
“You’re free to think whatever you like. Spouting things without thinking is the problem. For someone so young, your lips are quite sealed. Perhaps it’s because of your position. Then again, how could an ordinary man like me read your inner thoughts?”
“Flattering me before we’ve even done anything makes me nervous. Experience tells me that praise from someone unreadable is always a death flag.”
“I see. Then follow me.”
The Emperor and I walked in silence to the heart of Stonehenge. Internally, I was impressed.
Oh.
From afar, it looked like a giant had carelessly tossed them around, but up close, a distinct order revealed itself. They weren't just arranged in a circle; the alignment and rows were flawless.
“Over here.”
The Emperor called out to me. He was standing on a circular stone slab in the exact center. The slab was barely large enough to fit four men crammed together.
Step.
I obediently stepped into the Emperor’s domain. It was time to get down to business.
“The reason I called you here is because of Auditore.”
As if reading my mind, the Emperor skipped the preamble.
“At least, publicly.”
“Auditore was just a pretext, then.”
“To divert public scrutiny, targeting an ally of the party in question is the most effective method.”
Truly a man worthy of being the shadow ruler of humanity.
The Imperial Family’s purge of Auditore.
I had only heard that news yesterday—in secret, from Saki Hina, the Prime Minister of Japan.
“...You leaked that information on purpose.”
“Do not misunderstand. I had no intention of deliberately enticing you. However, I believed it would reach your ears eventually.”
Convergence of All Streams.
No matter how endless a stream seems, all rivers eventually meet at the sea.
The Emperor added,
“My personal assessment of Japan went up because of this. I didn't expect them to gather that information so quickly. The current Prime Minister is no less capable than her predecessor.”
“I think she’s better than her predecessor.”
“A difference in standards, perhaps. At any rate, the purge of Auditore is still a pretext with substance behind it. We intend to purge them under the name of the Imperial Family.”
“In that case...”
I flicked back the front of my coat, revealing Murasame and my EX-rank Sashimi as I issued a warning.
“You had better prepare for friction with me.”
The Emperor let out a dry laugh.
“This is the first time in my life someone has threatened me. Thank you for giving We a novel experience. Heavenly Sword, I know you are a man of vast, unyielding spirit. You keep your promises without fail, and you cut down anyone in your path in a single strike. A few swings of your blade would likely end the lineage of the Victoria Imperial Family.”
“The Imperial lineage won't end.”
“No.”
The Emperor tapped his temple with his index finger and said,
“Did my daughter not tell you? If I die, it is no different from the Imperial lineage coming to an end.”
“Burning down all the family heirlooms passed down for generations just to protect yourself... I can hardly comprehend your profound intentions. Nor do I want to.”
One thing was clear. The Emperor was a man cut from a completely different cloth compared to the rulers I had met so far.
When humans are terrified, their emotions turn volatile. Even knowing that throwing a tantrum is useless, they yell out of desperation to survive. Yet, even as they struggle, they remain aware that their frantic squirming shortens their lifespan.
What about the Emperor?
His breathing remained perfectly steady. I couldn't sense the slightest change. With a single strike, I could chop off his head like gutting a fish.
Yet I couldn't do it.
He was calmly pressing down on me with words alone. His position as Emperor was mere window dressing. Even if he weren't the Emperor, cold sweat would still be dripping down my back.
Let's talk this out.
I smoothed my coat back down. The Emperor laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. Now that joke was amusing.”
On top of that, he seemed to have a trump card. What could it possibly be? I’d prefer it if he pulled some underhanded trick instead.
At least that’d be easier to deal with.
With this kind of conversation, I had no clear response even in the long run. Right then—
“I shall show you.”
...He really can read my mind.
“I will prove my value of existence to you.”
The Emperor lightly tapped his foot.
Thud.
The sound was heavy. Following that, the cluster of stones surrounding us began to emit a fluorescent glow. Checking with surprised eyes, every single symbol was in the Rune Language.
“The [Owl's Blessing] is the key.”
The runes peeled off the stone surfaces like stickers. They fluttered in midair. Spinning fiercely.
Rumbleeeee.
They dispersed as if discharging their condensed force. Letters floated in the air. A ceiling composed of words sparkled above our heads, replacing the constellations.
“The key to entering the Infinite Archives.”
I tilted my head back so far my neck hurt, taking in the ecstatic sight. It looked like a massive secret cave where every surface was covered in script.
Flick.
The Emperor curled his index finger toward empty space.
Swishhhhh.
My vision rippled. Vocabulary, words that composed the universe, the language of humanity—all condensed into the form of a book and settled neatly into the Emperor’s hand.
“Paper is destined to rot and crumble someday, but monuments like this remain with humanity for centuries. So do not worry about Victoria’s words. Once she becomes Emperor, she too will understand my intentions.”
“So the Imperial Family's heritage hasn't disappeared.”
“Indeed. It has merely been stored in a different form.”
The Emperor flipped through the pages with a practiced touch.
“Scanning through the archives, I could formulate roughly 9,631 justifications for why Auditore should be erased from this world. Narrowing it down to just a thousand would be enough for the world to accept my judgment. On the other hand, you would face the 'possibility' of losing the trust you’ve built through your past achievements.”
“...It’s been a while since someone threatened me.”
“The exchange rate seems fair to both of us.”
The Emperor closed the book. The cavern of letters unfolded once again. It seemed to have a soundproofing function as well, for outside noises were completely shut out.
“I shall speak bluntly. I wish to become an ally to you, Heavenly Sword.”
“Then instead of threatening me—”
“An Emperor bows to no one. Not even you can be an exception. This is not an option.”
I clicked my tongue.
“Let’s hear it then. What do you want from me using the purge of Auditore as leverage?”
Be suspicious, Kang Geomma.
“For the record, if it’s Daixo Sashimi knives, I can sponsor as many as you want.”
“What is Daixo?”
This is why top brass are so out of touch.
“Let us get to the point. What do you think is the source of the Imperial Family’s wealth?”
“Isn't it the East India Company?”
The world’s first joint-stock company.
Originally on Earth, it was a company whose brilliant prosperity faded into the pages of history due to nationalization brought about by 17th-century revolutions.
However, this was Miracle Blessing M.
In this society where the class system was firmly entrenched, concepts like 'revolution' and 'republic' were meaningless.
Therefore, the British East India Company led by the Imperial Family remained as steadfast as ever. Far from merely surviving, it was the world’s top multinational corporation. Trade, finance, private equity—there was no sector untouched by their hands.
A market capitalization of 109.035 quadrillion won...
Let’s stop checking before I get depressed.
“Do you know this? When you have too much money, you actually cannot spend it.”
No, I don't.
“Everything in this world begins to look vulgar. You can possess anything, take anything. But this is a monumental achievement built step by step by my ancestors, not my own achievement. Is that not so?”
“That’s a matter of perspective.”
“No.”
The Emperor suddenly shoved his face right in front of mine.
Fuck.
Scared the hell out of me.
I almost decapitated a neck worth roughly 110 quadrillion won.
“When people hear the title ‘Heavenly Sword,’ your face instantly comes to their minds.”
The 110 quadrillion won man spoke, his eyes rolling wildly.
“Your achievements have surpassed Sword Emperor Siegfried von Nibelung, and even the Hero of the Origin.”
“I get that you want to write a new history, but what does that have to do with me?”
The Emperor took a deep breath and stepped back. The gloomy look in his eyes returned, pushing back the madness in his pupils, and he answered:
“I saw your performance.”
“...Right...”
“Humanity owes you a great debt. However, whether as a lingering effect or not, the Parsi Massacre delivered another paramount task unto humanity.”
“...?”
“I had realized early on that magic power was flowing through the Human Realm. And that the recent incident was connected to it.”
What's with this guy?
“How do you know all of that?”
“The answers to reality lie in the past. Even if it’s not the exact answer, clues can generally be found by reflecting on the past.”
Wow, the Owl's Blessing is ridiculously broken.
That’s why it was highlighted in bold on Kkeomuwiki alongside the Sword Emperor’s [Blessing of the Sword Spirit].
Feigning composure, I questioned the Emperor.
“The Imperial Family’s non-intervention in this crisis was your choice. Don't you think you lack the standing to lecture me about it?”
“I am not talking about whether the Imperial Family intervened or not. I am talking about what stemmed from it. As I said just now, magic power is flowing through the Human Realm. Now let me ask you a question: What substance is generated when a hero’s ‘Blessing’ meets ‘magic power’?”
“Subspace.”
At the same time, I realized what the Emperor wanted. Lest I get confused, the Emperor even gave me a silent affirmation.
“I intend to spearhead the East India Company to extract the raw materials of subspace.”
I had met a lunatic of his kind before. No wonder. That made it all the more chilling.
Saki Kojima.
There was a difference, though.
The Archery Saint had keenly felt his own limits and sought to pass his grand legacy onto Ryozo.
In contrast, the Emperor calculated to monopolize the monumental achievement entirely for himself. Even if it meant shattering the foundation laid down by his ancestors to pieces. By my standards, this guy was far more malicious than the Archery Saint.
At least the Archery Saint was good at politics.
The Emperor intended to drag every available resource to satisfy his personal greed. The astronomical market capitalization of the East India Company was merely a part of it.
“By researching it, I intend to commercialize and distribute subspace. When people use subspace, they will think of Me instead of the Hero of the Origin.”
As he spoke, the Emperor closed the book. The cavern of script and the book dissolved into particles and scattered. The Infinite Archives vanished, leaving only a pile of stones and the two of us standing alone.
“Is that...”
Amidst the chirping of grass bugs, I opened my mouth.
“...really as easy as it sounds?”
“Because it is not easy, it is worthy of being challenged. Just do not interfere with My grand undertaking. Do so, and the purge of Auditore goes without saying, plus I will actively provide materials to enhance your armaments. If you wish, I will even transfer a portion of the East India Company’s shares to the GM Foundation.”
Just 1 percent would be 100 billion won in Korean currency. He had completely lost a screw.
“Did you... notice that just now and figure it out?”
“Abundant knowledge becomes wisdom.”
The Emperor paused briefly to catch his breath before finishing,
“And layer upon layer of wisdom draws one closer to the truth.”
* * *
I’m exhausted.
Feeling as if my soul had been toyed with, I returned to the limousine. Fortunately, I didn't have to share the awkward ride with the Emperor.
“Um...”
Seeing me slump down the moment I entered, Victoria couldn't help but speak up.
“What kind of conversation did you have with His Majesty...?”
Thinking she might have stepped out of line, Victoria bit her lip right after speaking.
I was about to tell her, but decided against it. There were far too many complicated circumstances that were difficult to explain to a teenager.
I can't tell her the contents, but...
It should be fine to give her my impression.
After carefully selecting my words, I spoke to Victoria.
“Your father, Princess.”
Victoria straightened her posture and focused on me.
“Yes?”
“He’s crazy.”
“Pardon?”
“You grew up remarkably well under a father like that, Princess. If it were me, I’d have stabbed him multiple times. Still, don't worry. I gave him a stern threat.”
“Cough! Cough!”
The dry coughs made the limousine windows rattle slightly.