Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: The Truth (3)
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A resplendent conference room.
The seven executives of the Seekers of Truth were seated, each in their own posture.
Is this the first time all seven of us have gathered in nearly a year?
One of them, Hermit, surveyed his surroundings with sharp eyes.
Maestro was calming his mind and body, listening to the fantastical harmony of strings and piano.
Same old stuffy hobby, darling.
A beautiful woman approached Maestro and pressed her body against him.
There are things far more interesting than this. How about tonight?
Get lost, Lust.
Lust.
One of the seven executives of the Seekers of Truth.
Her daring outfit, which left little to the imagination, spoke volumes of her inclinations.
Dont be like that~ You love stroking your instruments, dont you?
Lust pressed herself completely against him, whispering into Maestros ear as if licking it.
My body can make some spectacular sounds too. Not interested?
A heated breath and a dizzying voice. Coupled with the direct contact of her voluptuous body, it was a proposition few men could refuse.
This is the second time. I told you to get lost.
Of course, Maestro was not just any man.
Tch.
At his firm words, Lust pouted and pulled away.
She then returned to her original seat and crossed her legs with a seductive motion.
Hehehe. Shot down again.
Shut it, Alchemist.
Im free tonight. How about it?
Lust scoffed.
Am I crazy? Sleep with you? Id just end up pickled in formalin the next day.
A Caucasian man interjected into their conversation.
Ill say the same to you. Whod be crazy enough to sleep with you? Id be a mummy the next day for sure.
What are you talking about? Maybe to you, Trickster, but do you think Id do that to my darling?
The man bristled at Lusts words.
You bitch? Are you confessing you did that on purpose that day? Huh?
What, you little con-artist rabbit? You wanna go?
Oh! Fight! And the winner fights me next.
Vagabond inserted himself between Lust and Trickster.
Why is this battle junkie getting involved again?
Five minutes from chaos.
That was the best way to describe the current scene.
Everyones the same as always.
A woman approached Hermit as he watched the spectacle.
Youre the same as always, too.
You as well, Saint.
Beautiful platinum blonde hair and a matching suit of pure white plate mail.
She looked like the very image of a holy knight.
Even her refreshing smile seemed carved from sanctity itself. Who would look at her and think she was a villain?
By the way, what could this emergency summons be about?
...Who knows.
I hope it ends quickly.
But Hermit knew.
Of the seven people in this room, the craziest one was this woman, Saint.
I had to rush out while cutting off an apostates right arm. Im worried he might stop breathing if Im too late.
Saint murmured softly with a delicate smile.
He cant be saved unless his limbs are properly severed. What should I do? Oh, must I bear another sin?
...
Crazy bitch.
Hermit swallowed the words.
Ah! Hermit. Have you ever considered joining our order? With your skill in striking pressure points, you could easily handle things like excessive bleeding...
I refuse.
He wouldnt join a crazy bitch like her for ten billion won.
Hmm. A pity. If you ever change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime.
Nonsense.
The heavens could fall, but that would never happen. That filthy, disgusting torture chamber.
Come on. Dont be so resistant. Im sure once you hear the screams of repentance from the apostates, Hermit, youll definitely...
It was then.
*Creeak*
The sound of a massive door opening echoed.
At the sound, everyone stopped talking and moving, quietly returning to their seats.
*Clack, clack.*
With the sound of shoes echoing at a steady rhythm.
Everyone is here.
Unknown entered the room.
Simultaneously, the seven executives rose from their seats.
Greetings are unnecessary. Everyone, be seated.
Yes.
Slouching in the giant chair at the center, Unknown crossed his legs and propped up his chin.
You all made time in your busy schedules to come, so Ill skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.
At that moment, an image appeared in the center of the conference room.
It was a video of an angel drawing a bow.
Find this being.
The corners of Unknowns mouth lifted high.
"Find him and bring him before me. He is a precious guest."
It was a bright smile, like a child who had just received the gift they had always wanted for their birthday.
* * *
Reine Linefield.
A half-breed of angel and elf.
He appears in the book *The War of Sky and Forest*, and he achieved the great feat of single-handedly stopping the great war between the angels and elves.
For this, he earned the title of Traitor from the angels, and the title of First Great Hero from the elves.
After the war ended, he succeeded in formally establishing an independent village for the elves.
...So the story goes.
To be able to serve a descendant of such a great founder. It is the honor of a lifetime for the Shin family.
...Is, is that so?
Jia told me everything without me even having to ask.
She excitedly recited every single one of Reine Linefields accomplishments.
After hearing it all, I could understand why Jia was making such a mistake.
I could handle elven relics, use elven traits, had angel wings, and even wielded a translucent flame just like in the legends.
It was a dead giveaway.
Even I would have misunderstood.
Can I ask you for a favor?
Of course!
Cant you just act like you normally do?
...Normally, you mean?
First, the way you speak. I wont say anything about the honorifics, but its so formal that its uncomfortable for me to listen to.
Jias eyes widened.
Is it... uncomfortable?
Yeah. Very.
It made me feel all tingly, I guess.
And can you stop with that founder thing too?
Im not some kind of archaeopteryx.
It felt weird, like I was a fossil.
Then, sh-should I go back to calling you Ancestor?
To be honest, that Ancestor title is a huge burden too.
Jias eyes darted back and forth.
B-But if I cant call my ancestor Ancestor...
What are you, some character out of a period drama?
...The sentiment is rather similar.
There you go again. Your tone is reverting to extreme politeness.
Ah.
Jia covered her mouth with her hand.
And Jia. Lately, when you get flustered, you keep trying to call me Ancestor even when there are a lot of people around.
...Th-Thats.
Jia avoided my gaze and hung her head with a sullen expression.
Im sorry.
No, Im not blaming you. Its only natural to make mistakes when youre constantly switching between titles and honorifics.
If anything, its amazing shes managed to keep them separate so well until now.
So lets use this chance to just unify the titles and honorifics.
Unify them?
Yeah. Like at school. How about you just call me casually?
Jias eyes grew as wide as saucers.
But...
No buts. Just speak comfortably. Please, Im begging you.
I have to put my foot down this time.
W-We could at least compromise with Seoyul-nim...
Yeah. No. Alright, comfortably now! Seoyul-ah! Repeat after me.
Jia clamped her mouth shut and lowered her head, then lifted it with a look of determination.
Its just... I.
Then she ducked her head again and mumbled.
Seoyu... ugh.
She tried to say my name but hesitated.
Seoyuuul...
Then she covered her face again and mumbled.
Aaargh...
How many times did she repeat this sequence?
...Okay. Lets compromise. You can stick with Ancestor, just in a polite tone.
Ah!
In the end, I was the first to give up.
I felt like I was putting too much pressure on Jia for my own comfort.
Yes!
Why is she so happy about that?
Jia smiled with the happiest face in the world.
...Well, if it makes her that happy, I guess its fine.
Ah, Ancestor.
Yeah?
May I ask one question?
Jia fiddles with her fingers as she looks at me.
What is it?
Is... is your goal to save the world?
...Hmm.
I have no idea what train of thought led her all the way to saving the world.
But my actual goal is, in fact, to save the world.
Thats right.
If I dont, everyone dies in a nuclear bad ending, so theres no other choice.
Then the reason youre hiding your power now is to avoid the eyes of the enemies who threaten the world?
This one is subtly different.
I dont have any hidden power, but its true that I need to avoid the eyes of the System and the Seekers of Truth.
If the System catches me, its vaccine program will kill me.
If the Seekers of Truth get their hands on me, Ill be experimented on to death.
Thats also right.
I affirmed it for now.
I didnt really have a good way to deny it, anyway.
And the fact that your stats are weak isnt an act, but because youve sealed your power.
I figured it wouldnt be a bad idea to use the same excuse I gave Ha Siyeon.
Also to avoid the enemies eyes?
Right.
Jia nodded as if she understood.
Then was the Great Rift also opened by those enemies who threaten the world?
Since the System I have to avoid opened it, shes not wrong.
Yes.
I knew it.
With my series of affirmations, Jias expression turned serious.
Then may I ask one last question?
Go ahead.
Ten thousand years ago. The day all non-human races in this world are presumed to have disappeared. What exactly happened on that day?
Jias clear eyes look directly into mine.
...Hmm.
So this question finally came up.
Honestly, its amazing she hasnt asked these questions until now.
If I were Jia, I would have gone crazy with curiosity.
Considering her personality, she probably thought, Ancestor will tell me when the time is right, and had been patiently waiting.
The recent half-elf and Great Rift incidents must have exhausted her patience.
So, what should I do?
I could brush it off by saying I cant talk about it like I usually do, but considering I might need Jias help later, telling her the truth now might not be a bad idea.
My deliberation was brief.
Alright. Lets tell her.
Ten thousand years ago. A war broke out.
A war?
A great war that lasted for ten years.
Commonly known as the Blank Decade.
Yes. A great war that split the world in two.
I dont know the reason for the war or its exact course. As Ive said, it wasnt described in the original novel.
But I do know the result of that great war.
The result was mutual destruction. There were no winners.
...Ah. Does that mean everyone died?
No. Not everyone died.
Then...?
Its true that all non-human races disappeared because of that war.
But they didnt die.
You remember the recent Demon Advent incident?
Yes. Of course. The demon that was sealed in the field... ah.
Jias eyes widened.
Sealed!
Exactly.
It wasn't just demons; many from each race were sealed or confined.
The main story begins in earnest as their seals start to break.
I was one of those who were sealed.
Ancestor, you were...
Of course, thats a lie.
Its what you might call a plausible backstory to convince Jia.
Its also the only way I can explain my existence.
Starting a year from now, the seals will begin to break in earnest.
The Revolution episode, where all sorts of non-human races reappear on this land, starting with the black demon Mephisto.
My goal is to prevent the great war that will break out again after the seals are broken.
To stop the great war, I need to become at least as strong as the original protagonist.
If I cant stop it, the world will be destroyed.
For my own survival.
Thats the end of my explanation. Any other questions?
...
Jia just stared into space with trembling eyes, as if she couldnt even hear me.
She must be in a daze after hearing one shocking thing after another.
Jia?
Ah. Im sorry.
Jia flinched and came to her senses.
Any more questions?
N-No, sir.
Jias expression became dazed again.
She must be replaying everything I just explained in her mind.
If theres anything you dont understand, dont hesitate to ask again later.
Yes.
As I watched the absent-minded Jia, I too became lost in thought.
Speaking of which, I have many questions myself about that great war from ten thousand years ago, the Blank Decade.
Why did the war start?
How did so many non-human races disappear without a single one left?
And amidst that fierce great war, how did the relatively weak human race survive?
Why were all records completely erased?
And so on.
I had asked Kim Shin about these questions to solve the mystery, but I never got an answer.
He seemed completely unwilling to tell me.
At the time, I simply thought it might be a plot hole, but now that the novel has become reality, I dont think thats the case.
...Its bothering me for no reason.