Chapter 109
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 109
So-ya, who had been listening quietly to the explanation, asked, “So, is the war finally over now?”
“Do-ol hasn’t been killed yet, and remnants of the demonic beasts still remain. However, their power has weakened significantly, so the war should be coming to an end soon.”
“...!”
So-ya’s face brightened instantly.
A wave of relief and deep emotion washed over her at the thought that her victory over Hyeon Ra-baek had not been in vain.
“My little cotton ball—no, our grown-up cotton ball did something truly incredible. You were amazing.”
Sa-eon said as he stroked So-ya’s hair.
So-ya beamed, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she let out a happy giggle.
Sa-eon, whose eyes had softened into a smile along with his daughter’s, took a few more steps before his expression suddenly turned serious.
“And So-ya.”
He spoke in a more solemn tone.
“Until now, I told you that we had to hide your power to protect you from Hyeon Ra-baek. But you don’t have to do that anymore.”
“Ah...”
“If you wish, when I report this incident to His Majesty, I will reveal everything that has happened with the Peril Beasts.”
Until now, Sa-eon had kept So-ya’s abilities strictly hidden. Consequently, even the people of the White Tiger Palace only had vague suspicions about her supernatural powers and did not know the truth.
“However, once it’s known that you are the Owner of the Oracle, I don’t know how the Imperial Palace or the rest of the world will react. Of course, I will protect you so that you are never oppressed, no matter the circumstances, but...”
So-ya felt she understood what Sa-eon was worried about.
The Bride of the Yellow Dragon.
Since that title had long referred to the consort of the Son of Heaven, he was likely worried that her future might be swept away in an unwanted direction because of it.
“But I don’t want to keep you hidden against your will just for the sake of ‘protecting’ you. So, I will follow your decision.”
“...”
So-ya fell into thought for a moment.
“I...”
A short while later, So-ya opened her mouth to speak.
* * *
At the same time, in the Imperial Palace.
Tae Yi-rim, who had been flipping through documents with an expressionless face atop his high throne, suddenly stopped his hand.
Rising slowly from his seat, he walked toward the window.
He tilted his head back and gazed up at the sky.
The sky was clear, without a single cloud.
Then, without warning, the sky flashed brilliantly. It repeatedly turned pitch black and then bright again.
The sounds of panicked palace attendants scurrying about reached his ears.
After a moment...
“...The Evil has fled.”
Looking at the sky, which had turned clear once more, Yi-rim muttered as if he had foreseen this exact situation.
He glanced toward the northern sky, a lonely light flickering in his eyes.
He stood by the window for a long time.
“Your Majesty! Are you alright?”
his guard called out in an urgent voice.
“An anomaly occurred in the sky just now. I came to see if you were experiencing any discomfort...”
“If you were worried about my safety, aren’t you a bit too late?”
At Yi-rim’s retort, the guard bowed his head, looking ashamed.
“Do not worry. I will not let go of this life so easily. I still have many things left to protect in this lifetime.”
Turning away from the window, Yi-rim headed back to his seat.
The guard, who still had his head bowed, flinched.
He had spotted a black scale that had fallen where Yi-rim had just stood.
“Your Majesty. Your Imperial body is still not fully recovered.”
Yi-rim paused for a moment and stared at the scale with an indifferent expression before resuming his walk.
“Who do you think I am?”
“...”
“You must be the only one in this palace who worries so much about the Yellow Dragon’s well-being.”
He let out a short laugh and shook his head.
Ever since Yi-rim had gone to the Eastern Land alone during the last Dragon God Festival, leaving his guards behind, his personal guard had been particularly vocal about his concerns.
The fireworks that had fallen that night, embroidering the dark sky, were Yi-rim’s work.
He had manipulated the time of the falling flower sticks, reverting them to the moment before they were soaked by water.
The Yellow Dragon, the symbol of authority and harmony.
‘Time’ was one of the few authorities granted to the Yellow Dragon, but because it was also one of the fundamental pillars of the world, it was a power akin to a taboo.
Since he had wielded that power, he had to pay the appropriate price.
The black scales that had festered and fallen off due to searing pain were the price he rightfully had to bear.
The reason he had gone to such lengths was because of a promise he had made to that girl a long time ago.
The promise that once she was healthy and recovered, they would surely go to see the spring festival together next time.
She likely wouldn’t remember it, but it was a promise he could never forget.
At some point, Tae Yi-rim had stopped believing in promises that pledged a ‘next time.’
It was because he had broken too many of those promises while crossing through countless veils of time.
In his memory, the very first promise he had broken was that one.
[Do not be too sad. I shall return soon. And when I return...]
[I wish to take you to the Imperial Palace. If you... will allow it.]
The promise that he would return soon.
The promise that he would take her out of that hellish mansion.
But in the end, he could not keep that promise.
Because by the time he went back to get So-ya...
So-ya was already dead.
* * *
Regrettably, So-ya had to say her goodbyes to Ga-ya.
Although The Evil had fled and Do-ol had lost his strength, weakening the demonic beast legion, it didn’t mean they had all been annihilated.
Ga-ya had to remain here to bring the war to a close.
“I’ll be back soon, so don’t cry even if you miss your brother, Som-som.”
“Yes, Brother. I’ll wait bravely without crying until you return safely.”
“Hmm?”
At So-ya’s spirited response, Ga-ya arched an eyebrow as if something displeased him.
“How can you say that? Even if I tell you not to cry, you’re supposed to cry anyway.”
“Huh?”
As So-ya blinked in confusion, he curled his lips into a smirk.
“I think I might cry because I’ll miss Som-som so much.”
“Oh, honestly! You’re not a baby, Brother. How can you cry?”
So-ya burst into a peal of laughter at his playful remark.
“Hmph. I’m being serious. I guess Som-som just thinks my words are a funny joke.”
Ga-ya grumbled half-heartedly, but soon chuckled and stroked So-ya’s head.
“I really will be back soon, so I hope you don’t grow up too much while I’m gone.”
“Why? Isn’t it better if I grow up big and strong?”
So-ya tilted her head, unable to understand Ga-ya’s words.
“There are just things that babies don’t know.”
“I’m not the baby, you are, Brother. You mustn’t cry too much even if you miss me. Understood?”
When So-ya teased him back with a giggle, Ga-ya replied in a huffy voice.
“No. I’m going to cry. A whole lot.”
“I guess I have no choice. I’ll send you lots and lots of handkerchiefs. You have to use them to wipe your tears well.”
“Oh. Handkerchiefs sent by Som-som. That’s not bad at all.”
Only then did Ga-ya drop his mock-pout and flash a bright smile.
After finishing her goodbyes with Ga-ya...
So-ya returned to the White Tiger Palace hidden in Sa-eon’s arms, just as she had when she first arrived.
Back at the White Tiger Palace, So-ya’s daily life returned to its normal routine.
She ate delicious food, took walks in the warm sunlight, and studied hard.
Going to the underground palace through the Swamp of the Dead felt like a dream.
Some demonic beasts still remained, and the war wasn’t over yet.
But whenever those thoughts crossed her mind, So-ya would look at the black shield sitting in the corner of her room.
It was the Black Tortoise Iron Shield that Seol-yo had brought back.
‘It would have been better if I could have awakened the Black Tortoise.’
So-ya felt a bit of lingering regret, remembering how she had failed to wake the Black Tortoise at the final moment.
“By the way, Divine Beasts.”
Staring blankly at the shield, So-ya suddenly had a thought and asked the Divine Beasts.
“What do you think happened to The Evil that ran away?”