< Episode 655 > The Plan.
Night passed, and it became noon.
The time I had said I would leave for the Central Plains had finally come.
Feeling that the time had come, I opened my eyes in the prepared sleeping quarters.
Hoooo—.
As I exhaled the breath I had been holding, energy was expelled along with my breathing.
The energy that had been continuously circulating settled and seeped into my heart.
“Mmm.”
It was a strange feeling.
It was similar to my internal energy, yet somehow felt different.
It wasn't unpleasant, so it didn't feel wrong; I thought 'awkward' would be the right expression.
‘Subtle.’
Truly subtle.
This was the power to use the sorcery I had obtained just a few hours ago underground with the Palace Lord.
The Palace Lord had described it as a 'ring,' and I too thought the name suited it.
A ring was truly bound around my heart.
Unlike my internal energy gathered in the middle dantian deep inside, the ring was bound outside my heart and rotating slowly.
I had created the ring using the cultivation technique obtained underground, and as I continued to examine it, surprisingly, the number of rings had increased as well.
What had been one ring had become two.
‘What's the difference?’
How had it become two overnight?
I had simply breathed normally.
‘I really don't know.’
Tilting my head, I rose.
At the same time, I grabbed the book placed beside me.
It was a book about sorcery given to me by the Palace Lord.
Ah, to be precise, it wasn't the cultivation technique I had first received, but rather the book he had mentioned giving after that.
He had stubbornly refused, saying he couldn't give it, but after I showed him that I had formed one ring, he gave it to me as a gift.
‘What did he say when giving it to me?’
Probably something like an investment in brilliant talent.
Truly an embarrassing thing to say.
‘Brilliant talent, my ass.’
I laughed at the absurdity of those words.
‘What good is a talent like this?’
Judging by the Palace Lord's reaction, it seemed I did indeed have a talent for sorcery.
Even if I had talent, it seemed like a completely useless one. I was busy enough learning martial arts; I didn't have time to devote myself to sorcery now.
‘I just learned it because I thought it might be somewhat useful.’
I hadn't thought about how to use it afterward.
Even if I mastered it deeply, it didn't seem like it would help raise my realm, so it was a bit troublesome.
‘It's not particularly difficult, so I'll probably learn it.’
But I didn't think I'd concentrate on using it much.
I didn't have the time or leisure for that.
‘And who would I even learn it from is another problem.’
I was being drilled in martial arts by Paejon, and occasionally receiving teachings from my father, so that was fine.
When it came to sorcery, it was extremely ambiguous.
If I were staying in the Ice Palace a bit longer, things might have been different, but it was time to return to the Central Plains.
‘Then, should I ask Sinui at least?’
If I really had to ask someone, that was the only way for now.
He was the only one among those I knew who had mentioned sorcery.
Having thought that far, I got up.
‘For that, first...’
I would have to go back.
Recalling that, I stepped out the door.
******************
The place I arrived at after walking slowly was an empty lot behind the palace.
Hwooo—!
The wind brushed past, whipping my hair.
The outside air was still cold, but a faint fragrance lingered within it.
The Palace Lord had called this hope, and inwardly I had thought, what nonsense.
It was something sentimental; as always, it didn't seem to suit me at all.
Still, what I could understand from those words was this:
‘That the cold energy is gradually decreasing.’
Since I was used to heat, this part was instead distinctly palpable.
The frigid wave of the North Sea was gradually subsiding.
The region was naturally cold by nature, but the frigid wave caused by the curse had disappeared. Perhaps before long, they might see seasons here too.
Looking at the trees that had died from the cold, I thought:
‘Will the autumn leaves fall too?’
Strangely, whenever I thought of seasons, such thoughts came to mind.
Had I liked autumn?
I didn't think I particularly had.
But recently, I had often found myself thinking of autumn.
“Young Master—!”
As I walked, a familiar voice reached my ears.
In the distance, Dang Soyeol was waving her hands vigorously.
Seeing that, my steps quickened unconsciously.
By the time I arrived, most of the people who were supposed to gather were already there.
“What's this, you're not late.”
The moment Paejon saw me, he disparaged me.
Hearing that, I let out a hollow laugh and said,
“Anyone listening would think I'm late every day.”
I may not know about other things, but I'm quick-tempered so I'm not late.
Or am I?
“Hmph.”
I gave a vague answer, and Paejon looked me up and down.
Then, tilting his head, he said,
“Something's changed again.”
“...”
“You seem past the age of growing, yet what keeps changing all the time.”
Anyway, his eyes were damn sharp.
‘Can he tell that I formed a ring?’
Having spoken, Paejon withdrew his gaze, seemingly unconcerned.
Three days ago, after the fierce battle with the hundred-grade demonic beast, I confessed one fact to Paejon.
It was about the Demonic Heavenly Absorption Technique.
Keeping silent about the regression and the Heavenly Demon, I mentioned that I could absorb energy from things like demonic stones, which was why my changes were so rapid.
I thought that if I told him at least this much, Paejon's curiosity would subside a little.
Fortunately, that was indeed the case.
Upon hearing this, Paejon wasn't curious about where I had obtained such a thing.
Do you know what his first words were upon hearing this?
[At least you won't be staggering from lack of energy.]
That was it. And his next words were:
[So, what principle does it operate on?]
‘Crazy bastard...’
He could have asked where I got it at least once.
But he asked about the principle with sparkling eyes; it was truly absurd.
It was bewildering, but in the end, he seemed to understand my sudden changes based on this.
“Young Master, have you eaten?”
Dang Soyeol approached quickly from the side and asked.
“You always talk about food every time you see me.”
“That's because you don't take care of your meals well. Have you eaten?”
“...”
I hadn't eaten.
So I had nothing to say.
“See.”
“...I was going to eat later.”
“You're avoiding my eyes again. It's a lie, isn't it?”
“...”
Ugh.
It was a relentless nagging.
I had to escape. I shifted my gaze to Namgung Bia, who was standing blankly.
Perhaps she hadn't slept at all; she was letting out a large yawn.
A familiar sight.
Mid-yawn, she met my eyes, and Namgung Bia waved her hand.
It was such a familiar sight, yet for some reason, watching it put me at ease.
Hiding my sigh, I looked around.
I thought everyone had gathered, but there were still people missing.
It was then.
‘They're here.’
No sooner had I thought that than the presence of many people was felt from behind.
I turned my head, and several people were approaching from the entrance.
They were a group including the Palace Lord.
And.
I also saw someone being dragged along as if escorted by warriors in the back.
“Look at that sorry sight.”
No matter how much I looked, I didn't like it.
“And the places I hit have healed without a trace.”
I had put some force into beating him, yet not only his face but his body had completely healed.
That was what I disliked the most.
He should have been limping at least; that would have loosened my heart.
Tch.
I clicked my tongue briefly and straightened my posture.
Because even so, I had to observe some semblance of etiquette.
“I greet the Palace Lord.”
As the Palace Lord approached, I lowered my head slightly.
Unlike when I had seen him at night, the Palace Lord's expression did not look very clear.
“Indeed, did you have a comfortable long night?”
“Isn't it a bit strange to ask that when we spent the night together?”
“...Do you not think the answer you just gave is stranger?”
Was it? Thinking again, it was indeed strange.
I thought there was no one to misunderstand anyway, so it wouldn't matter, but...
“...The night?”
“Night...?”
At the sound of two women whispering from behind, I hurriedly waved my hands.
“Haha. I'm referring to helping me with training.”
At my flustered appearance, the Palace Lord sneakily glanced behind me.
“It seems you are more mindful of others than I thought.”
“Mindful? When have I ever watched for such things.”
“Hmph. I see.”
The Palace Lord nodded at my answer.
Contrary to his words, I could see from his face that he didn't understand at all.
-That aside.
A voice transmission arrived. It was the Palace Lord's voice transmission.
-About the book I gave you. If possible, it would be best to read it when you have two or more rings.
I widened my eyes at the words that followed as if explaining.
Seeing my expression, the Palace Lord nodded as if sympathizing and added:
-It would be surprising. Because saying the number of rings increases was an unexpected statement. If you continue training, the ring will eventually increase from one to two. Judging by the young master's talent, perhaps at the latest within half a year...
-I happened to have made it two before I came, so that means there's no problem reading it from now, correct?
-Bullshit.
-Pardon?
Huh?
-Palace Lord...? What did you just...
-It was nothing. I yawned without realizing.
No, that wasn't a yawn at all? Didn't you just curse...?
‘...Did I hear wrong?’
Surely the Palace Lord wouldn't have cursed.
Yeah, I must have heard wrong.
Definitely.
‘So that's why I felt it would be uncomfortable to read; it was due to the difference in rings.’
I wondered what kind of condition was needed just to read a book, but for now, it was probably right to trust the Palace Lord's words.
-Thank you for your teachings. I will put them to good use.
-...Please do so...
The more we conversed, the more the Palace Lord's expression seemed to sour, but I ignored it.
It was probably because this already frail gentleman had come out since the daytime.
With a stiff expression, the Palace Lord gestured behind him.
At that signal, the warriors moved and dragged the brought-over man here.
It was Uhyeok, with his hands and feet all bound in shackles.
My eyes met with Uhyeok as he approached.
“...”
“...”
We didn't exchange any particular words. It was a bit awkward since we had fought.
I withdrew my gaze and looked at the shackles.
They were obviously for show.
Since they weren't even made of cold iron, Uhyeok could probably break free with just a little effort.
His internal energy wasn't even sealed. It was practically as if they had left him to escape.
Seeing this, I glanced at the Palace Lord.
‘Did he want him to escape?’
I wondered if that might be the case.
Couldn't the Palace Lord have wanted Uhyeok to escape?
Rather than the intention to spare him, if he allowed him to escape...
‘More justification to kill him would arise.’
I wondered if that wasn't the reason.
‘That's what I would have done.’
If there was someone to kill, I would make up justification where there was none.
I felt certain that I would have used such a method.
Moreover, the Palace Lord's gaze as he looked at Uhyeok was exceedingly cold; it was certainly something to think about.
“...Accepting the matter mentioned by the young master, I shall hand over the criminal according to our contract.”
Hearing the Palace Lord's words, the warriors began to remove Uhyeok's shackles.
Clank-! Thud-!
Perhaps because they hadn't been tied tightly, it took only a few seconds to undo.
While watching that, I focused on the Palace Lord's words.
‘Contract.’
The Palace Lord referred to the conversation he had with me as a contract, giving it weight.
He said he was handing Uhyeok over to me, calling him a criminal.
‘A justification born of necessity.’
Although Uhyeok's roots were in the North Sea, the place he had lived was the Central Plains.
They would escort him there and settle the criminal.
He had spoken with such meaning.
Whether this was to make the high-ranking warriors called generals understand, or for the Palace Lord himself to be convinced, I did not know; I merely nodded my head.
“Thank you.”
The objective had been achieved.
Not worrying about other matters was comfortable.
In the middle of the conversation, Uhyeok kept his head lowered and his gaze down.
He cut a truly miserable figure, but this too was something he had to bear.
“Therefore, I hope you will now also fulfill the condition mentioned by this Palace Lord.”
Along with the Palace Lord's words, someone walked out.
A woman whose expression was just as unpleasant as Uhyeok's.
It was Yuri, who had become the First Palace Maiden of the Ice Palace after Yuseon's death.
Yuri slowly approached and paid me the proper courtesy.
“...I greet my benefactor.”
Her expression was unpleasant as she spoke.
She was nominally leaving to study abroad in the Central Plains, but there was no way Yuri didn't know that she was actually being sent to escape the aftermath of war.
‘Because I'm a blood relative he can at least trust.’
From the Palace Lord's perspective, it seemed like his own choice, but...
‘...But you know.’
Within Yuri's downcast expression, I could detect a peculiar sign.
Excitement? For some reason, Yuri's face contained such a thing.
‘...What?’
Why did she seem to like this?
Trying to find the reason, my eyes naturally went to Uhyeok.
‘Surely not?’
Could she like it because she was going with that guy?
That mustn't be it.
If so, wouldn't his child-rearing be too ruined?
I had thought she wouldn't look favorably on someone who had nearly ruined her household.
‘Isn't that a bit much?’
No matter how you looked at it...
‘Is it his face? Is it really his face?’
Looking at Uhyeok's handsome face, annoyance at the damned bastard welled up.
Because I had been unknowingly thinking that he was at least handsome enough for that.
Suppressing the curse about to burst out, I sighed.
‘Anyway... seeing as that guy is standing quietly, it seems she got through to him.’
Even after being beaten like that, he spouted nonsense about not going, but when threatened using Yuri, Uhyeok just stood there without a word.
So, watching this, a lot of things came to mind, but I decided to endure for now.
‘Fine. Let's just go and think later.’
It seemed everyone had gradually arrived, just as I was about to prepare to depart.
“By the way, Young Master Gu.”
The Palace Lord asked me.
“Yes?”
“Is it wise to depart with those people?”
“What... Ah.”
I wondered what he meant, but when I looked back, I understood.
There were too many injured people.
Namgung Bia hadn't fully recovered from her internal injuries. Goeseon was the same.
“If the young master wishes, it is possible to stay longer for treatment.”
“That won't be necessary.”
I refused the Palace Lord's consideration.
As he said, I was worried about Namgung Bia, if not Goeseon.
‘It's better to find Sinui in the Central Plains. Besides...’
I looked at Uhyeok.
‘There's something I want to test.’
Since there was something to check, this was for the best.
Hearing my answer, the Palace Lord nodded with reservation.
“I see... then, first the prepared carriage...”
“That isn't necessary either.”
A carriage? I couldn't stand riding something so unbearably slow anymore.
I raised my head and looked at the sky.
“Come down now.”
The moment I spoke.
Huaaaa—!!
A vibration came from somewhere, and the sky turned black for an instant.
Something blocked the sun, casting a vast shadow on the ground.
Looking at it, I laughed as if at a loss for words.
‘That bastard is at it again.’
The obvious showboating was amusing.
However.
“What...?”
“What is this—!”
Perhaps because this showboating seemed like a crisis to others, a frozen atmosphere was created for a moment.
At that moment.
Hwoooooook—!!!!
Kuuuuung—!!!!
An enormous body crashed to the ground.
The wind pressure was so strong that several people looked like they would be blown backward.
I immediately circulated my internal energy to clear away the dirt cloud.
‘Damn it, I told it to land quietly.’
I had warned it before, but it seemed to listen less the bigger it got.
I immediately glared at the one who had created this embarrassing situation.
Grrrrrr....
Ttolttoli, now more than twice as large as before, let out a rough growl.
“Eek...!”
“D-demonic beast--!?”
Its body was far larger than the red demonic beast, so the warriors hurriedly drew their weapons.
Seeing that, I swung my hand and smacked the fellow's head.
Kwang-!
Because I struck with internal energy, the sound was especially loud.
Grrrrr--!!!
Its large head shook from the impact.
“I told you to appear quietly. Are you trying to kill me from embarrassment?”
Grrrr....
“Wasn't it cool? Do you really want to die?”
Who's it taking after, always doing this crap?
Cool? What's cool about it?
Its size had become so unwieldy that it felt like my internal energy was being sucked away whenever it moved even a little.
‘It's unfair. Why is my internal energy being drained when this guy is the one moving?’
It eats its food and doesn't listen at all, yet it even wastes energy.
‘Maybe I should really abandon it.’
Grn....
As I fumed and grunted, as if reading my thoughts, Ttolttoli bowed its head meekly.
Unlike when it angered me, it was quick-witted in this regard.
“Haha....”
The Palace Lord, looking at Ttolttoli, let out a belly laugh.
He seemed quite bewildered.
“...It seems you raise... demonic beasts.”
That was the reaction he barely managed to utter.
“I'm not raising it. It latched onto me.”
Grrrr.
“Stay still. What are you good at to be pouting again?”
Grn....
Whether it was intimidated, Ttolttoli's expression turned sullen.
Seeing that, Dang Soyeol sneakily reached out and petted Ttolttoli. Goeseon was observing with eyes full of interest.
“So this is why you said there was no need to leave early....”
Among them, Yuri was similarly surprised at the situation, looking at Ttolttoli with wide eyes as she asked me,
“...Isn't it... bigger than last time?”
“It's in its prime growing phase.”
“But that's...”
Isn't it too big?
Yuri was about to say that but closed her mouth.
She seemed to realize there was no point in asking.
In any case, it seemed like it would be tiring to stay any longer.
With an extremely tired face, I waved my hand.
“...Get on. Let's go home now.”
At my words, Ttolttoli lowered its upper body.
Everyone hesitantly began to climb onto its back.
Although the number of people had increased, as I expected, Ttolttoli, whose size and energy had grown, didn't seem to struggle much even carrying more people.
-Young Master Gu.
Afterward, as I was about to climb on last, the Palace Lord stopped me. I halted and looked at the Palace Lord.
Then.
-Thank you for saving the North Sea. There is little I can do for you, and for that I am ashamed.
The Palace Lord spoke to me as if sincere.
Hearing his words, I had to smile awkwardly.
The very word "saved" was uncomfortable.
‘Because I never tried to save it.’
In the end, it didn't even seem like it was saved well, and I had gained much more instead.
Since I had even extracted Uhyeok through threats in the process, what remained with me was guilt rather than satisfaction.
The Palace Lord couldn't be unaware of that.
He simply added words with clear eyes.
-Please, may your journey be safe.
-...Thank you.
-Also. I entrust the First Palace Maiden to you.
Perhaps his last words were his everything, his true feelings.
-Yes. I shall do my best.
At this level, he could have just spoken out loud, yet he went out of his way to use voice transmission; fathers were all people whose inner thoughts could not be read.
‘Can't he just speak normally?’
If he had spoken aloud, Yuri probably wouldn't have hated it.
However, even as I thought that, I knew I wasn't much different.
Feeling that, I hid my uneasy inner thoughts and spoke while looking forward.
“...Let's go now.”
Hwoook.
Energy flowed out from my heart, and Ttolttoli's body gradually rose.
Now it was time to go back.
Only now that I had come this far did it feel real.
Then. Ttolttoli asked me.
Grrrrr.
“How fast should I go?”
Grrrng.
Look at this guy?
He seemed somehow overflowing with confidence.
It seemed to be showing off just because it had grown a bit.
I held back a laugh and let out:
“Go as fast as you can. Let's see how fast...!”
Huaaaaaak—!!!!
Before I could finish speaking, wind pressure surged and my vision changed rapidly.
I had spoken as if challenging it to show me, but Ttolttoli's speed was faster than I had expected.
I was able to return to Hanam in just a few days.