Those who entered were two women and three men. They were all wearing the issued sword squad uniforms of the Alliance. Appearing amid a strange atmosphere, they quickly stood behind me, drawing the gazes of those in front this way as well. Having appeared suddenly, everyone looked flustered. I had already explained the situation—that five more would come. I simply hadn’t known it would be today.
Just as we were facing each other from both sides like that.
“Introduce yourselves.”
At the order and gesture of my hand, one guy who had been standing blankly stepped forward.
“…Please take care of me.”
“…?”
“...”
The introduction did not continue any further. Watching that, I let out a hollow sigh and asked.
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
“You really have zero social skills.”
“...”
“How do you plan to live like that?”
At my words, the guy made an awkward face and let out a hollow cough. The young man with bandages wrapped tightly around his arm. It was Seongyul. Naturally, he had entered using a false name.
And the second was.
“Nice to meet you. I’m called Yeonhong, from the Honam Yeon family.”
A beautiful woman with long straight hair. Especially, her enchanting aura was impressive. As if to prove it, the men in front were all staring at Yeonhong as if spellbound. Nangong Feiya and Wei Xueya were excessively pretty, but Yeonhong possessed a charm that could mesmerize people even if her looks were lacking. In truth, that was precisely what drove people mad. A sensation that she was within reach if one stretched out a hand. A feeling like a splendid flower fluttering before one’s eyes, making one unable to resist touching it. That woman possessed it.
‘...’
I looked at such a woman with a rather subtle expression, then turned my head. Being excessively enchanting, it was clear the men would suffer for a while… but I felt rather sorry for them. In quite a few senses, that is.
Then, third was the young man next to Yeonhong who spoke.
“…I’m called Cheoljiseon. Please take care of me.”
The young man greeting with a thoroughly displeased expression. It was none other than Cheoljiseon. Seeing such a young man, the others slightly furrowed their brows. Because they were all martial artists, they would know. They could not feel internal energy from the young man named Cheoljiseon. Perhaps it wasn’t that they couldn’t feel it at all. He had said he had learned it, after all. But even so, wouldn’t his level be about second-rate at best? Absolutely, it was a level that could not enter the Sword Corps of the Martial Alliance, let alone the main headquarters. Could he be hiding his strength? People looked at him with suspicious eyes, but—
‘Even if you look at him like that, there’s nothing.’
He truly was weak. If any opponent here were put against him, they would be able to sever Cheoljiseon’s neck in the blink of an eye. However—
‘If given time to prepare, it would be different.’
If conditions were met to some extent, Cheoljiseon could conversely kill anyone. The problem was that it was difficult for him to make up his mind to do so. Anyway—seeing Cheoljiseon looking incomparably weak, I could guess what everyone was feeling, but there didn’t seem to be anything they could say. The reason was that I had personally brought him. They could look at him however they wanted. If they had doubts, that was fine too. Because it was more important for me to use him valuably than to address their questions.
And next. As Cheoljiseon finished and another was about to speak—
“Huh?”
“…No way?”
If there was a difference from before, it was that the person stepping forward had been receiving the full attention of others from the moment he first appeared. Moreover, the gazes were far stickier and deeper than those Yeonhong had received. Mixed with surprise and shock, as if he was someone completely unexpected.
“…That young man.”
“If my eyes are not mistaken… isn’t that him?”
“Why is he in the Sungryongdae…?”
A situation where everyone showed reactions of disbelief. Amid such gazes, the young man stepped forward and spoke.
Ssk.
With a unique motion, he slightly bowed his head. As his head lowered, his crown was visible. Light slightly reflected off his cleanly shaved scalp. It meant he was bald.
“I am Yuyeon of Shaolin.”
“Ha.”
“Truly…!”
Everyone swallowed a groan at the greeting. The Buddhist practitioner who appeared with a shaved head was truly the current Divine Dragon (神龍). The one who had been called Shaolin’s greatest hope and finest junior disciple. Though things had quieted down now that Seongwang was displaying his true worth—the Divine Dragon had also been confirmed to have reached the Transcendence Realm, so there was no change in him still being one to watch. Seongwang had appeared with such a Divine Dragon in tow. The ripple effect of this was considerable.
“Why is the Divine Dragon…”
“Why of all places to the Sungryongdae…?”
What raised doubt was none other than this:
“Even though the Sinryongdae has appeared, he came to the Sungryongdae?”
Generation after generation, the Divine Dragon was bound to belong to the Sinryongdae. Of course, it was said that the Sinryongdae had temporarily disappeared into history, but since it had now reappeared, everyone would have thought that if the current Divine Dragon, Yuyeon, were to join the Alliance, he would enter the Sinryongdae. It was natural to find it strange that such a Divine Dragon appeared not in the Sinryongdae but in the Sungryongdae.
‘I ran around quite a bit for this.’
I did all sorts of things to pull Yuyeon out. To be exact, it was Cheoljiseon who ran around, not me, but that was no different from me running around.
‘To be honest, I didn’t think it would work.’
The very idea of Shaolin giving up Yuyeon was absurd. Even now that I had succeeded, it was a strange situation. Of course, it was said to have been possible because Yuyeon himself strongly wished for it.
‘Unless Shaolin is full of idiots, there must be some intention behind it.’
I brought the Divine Dragon knowing that. Because there were several things that would be convenient to have him for. Especially when preparing a justification, the name Divine Dragon was considerably helpful. Moreover—
‘I also kind of like him.’
I oddly liked the guy called Yuyeon. I had thought that Shaolin brats were all people who had already lost their way, but this guy was strangely decent.
‘…I wonder if it’s right to bring such a guy over here, though.’
A shallow sense of guilt arose, but it couldn’t be helped. In a situation where I had to use everything I could, what was there to hesitate about?
“The Divine Dragon really came?”
“The Divine Dragon…”
They looked at Yuyeon as if it was still amazing. There was no sign of their reactions cooling down. It proved how great the weight of the name Divine Dragon was. Perhaps Yuyeon himself felt it too—a slight tension could be felt on his face.
‘Brat.’
He seemed to secretly like it. Unexpectedly, that guy seemed to enjoy being the center of attention. If there was something unfortunate, it was that the attention he was receiving now wouldn’t last long. The reason being—
“Hello!”
The woman who appeared last was the reason. The woman who came out brightly right after the Divine Dragon. With a cloth-wrapped staff shouldered on her back, she came out waving her hand brightly. As she immediately spoke informally, slight distortions appeared on the others’ expressions. Even at such reactions, the woman didn’t care in the slightest. She was originally a self-willed one. It would be unreasonable to expect her to be normal here. If I had something to hope for—
‘Please, just do exactly as I told you.’
The parts I had told her to memorize from a few days ago. I only hoped she would do that properly. But—
“I am Pi…”
“...”
“…Pi?”
She stammered as if she had short-circuited. Seeing that, I let out a deep sigh internally.
‘That crazy girl. Don’t tell me she forgot?’
It can’t be. Surely she didn’t forget something so short. It really better not be.
A few seconds after hoping so.
“Ah, it’s Piyeonyeon.”
Fortunately, she spoke with a sparkle as if she had barely recalled her own name. It seemed she really had forgotten after all. Not even a goldfish would do that; it was absurd.
“Right. I’m Piyeonyeon.”
At Piyeonyeon—no, Bongsuni’s reaction, everyone tilted their heads in confusion. A doubt could be felt: was it right that she couldn’t even remember her own name? If doubts lingered, they could notice something strange. Since it was not a normal thing no matter how one looked at it, it was certainly possible, but—
“My name is Piyeonyeon.”
Fortunately, there was no need for such worries.
“I’m the daughter of the Eullyeong Sword Empress.”
At the words that burst out afterward, all the doubts in front vanished completely. Immediately after—
----!
The fierce reaction I had expected exploded out.
******************
Rumors were faster than I thought. Even though barely even two hours had passed since the story came out, it was sufficient time for the story to spread in the not-insubstantial main Alliance headquarters. The Eullyeong Sword Empress, who had fallen to the demonic path and been executed. Her bloodline had appeared. And the one who brought such a girl was none other than the youngest king called the current hero—Seongwang. Such a story spread in an instant, and the subsequent course of events was naturally determined.
“…Sungryongdae Commander.”
“Yes.”
An old man whose wrinkles, already numerous, had increased greatly. I answered Mukyeon’s words.
“It has not even been two hours. Did you know?”
“You mean what happened in the morning? Yes, I suppose so. We seem to meet quite often, don’t we?”
“Let us say we should not speak of matters related to the Sword Empress. I mean that it has been only a very short time since you mentioned it.”
I smiled awkwardly at words filled with discomfort.
“Ah, of course I remember. It was something Strategist Muk earnestly requested. Of course I remember.”
“…Then why did you do it?”
To the scolding question, I answered with an expression asking why he would ask such a thing.
“And so I kept it well.”
“You kept it well?”
“Yes. I kept it well… but I didn’t know she would say it herself. My goodness. It truly cannot be anything but astonishing.”
“…Ha.”
Yes, he told me not to mention it, so I did not. I even tried to keep it a secret if possible. But—
‘Her saying it herself isn’t my fault, is it?’
There was nothing I could do about the person herself revealing it.
Having answered with such intention.
“Sungryongdae Commander.”
Naturally, Mukyeon wouldn’t let this slide easily.
“What on earth is it that you want?”
“Me? I don’t particularly want anything. Ah, if I had to say…”
I added with a sly grin.
“To be fired?”
“...”
“It was a joke.”
It wasn’t an atmosphere for jokes. Words I uttered even knowing that.
“…Commander. If you act this way, there will be limits to what I can stop. Unfortunately, this old man has aged and does not have much strength.”
“That is truly a shame…”
There were limits to how much he could stop it. Those words felt quite pleasant.
“But, you see.”
I felt Mukyeon’s gaze at my words.
“I suddenly wonder. You said matters related to the Eullyeong Sword Empress are difficult even for Strategist Muk. Just what is entangled that the upper echelons of the Alliance are trying so hard?”
“...”
“I am truly curious about that.”
“Sungryongdae Commander—”
“Yes.”
“What on earth are you so curious about?”
“Why? If I ask, will you tell me?”
I could feel it while conversing. That we had opened up to each other to some extent. Mukyeon already knew that I was intentionally revealing the Eullyeong Sword Empress’s affairs. I had realized Mukyeon was reacting excessively to the Eullyeong Sword Empress’s affairs. In terms of information, I was superior. Because—
‘Faint guilt within an excessive reaction.’
Mukyeon wasn’t trying to stay silent after burying the Eullyeong Sword Empress’s matter himself. Rather, he was worried about what would happen when this was revealed. Moreover, his worry in this matter was not for the Alliance side.
‘Bongsuni?’
Mukyeon seemed to be worried about Bongsuni, the daughter of the Eullyeong Sword Empress.
‘Then what are you?’
Why was Mukyeon so sensitive about this matter? Perhaps—
‘A slightly dirty love scandal?’
It was an amusing thought. A love scandal between the Eullyeong Sword Empress and Mukyeon? Then Bongsuni would become Mukyeon’s daughter. Though that probably wasn’t the case, it wouldn’t be bad if it were possible.
‘It would just increase Bongsuni’s uses.’
Whether as a hostage, or using Bongsuni to grab Mukyeon by the collar. It seemed like a clean situation to handle, but—
‘Unfortunately, that’s probably not it.’
No matter what, this seemed a bit off, so I had to put it away with regret.
“You don’t have to answer. I am merely curious.”
I spoke while looking into Mukyeon’s eyes.
“The reason for keeping one’s mouth shut despite knowing something different from history. Also.”
I mixed truth and falsehood in the words I let slip.
“How solid is the peace obtained by sacrificing a pitiful woman? What is the orthodox pact I had believed in? I am merely curious about that.”
“...”
“What do you think, Strategist Muk?”
Words that could amplify suspicion if done poorly. Though of the orthodox faction, I doubted the orthodox faction and denied their history. Within, Mukyeon was suspecting me as much. The possibility of these words becoming a problem was high. Even so, I wanted to confirm the future through Mukyeon.
“If you wish to stop it, stop it. I respect that. I certainly loathe those bastards of the Demonic Cult, but if the current orthodox faction is as I think… I don’t think it would be much of a problem even if such people were swept away.”
I loathe the Demonic Cult. It is true. And it is also true that although I loathe them, I believe that if the current orthodox faction were to disappear, it would not be much of a problem.
“...”
“...”
The conversation stopped with those words. Mukyeon spoke no further. I was waiting for his words. I could see he had more to say. Within the deep wrinkles above tightly sealed lips, the years seemed desperate to speak. But—
“…Please leave now.”
Unfortunately, the choice Mukyeon made was silence.
“I apologize for holding you up when you will soon have matters to attend to.”
Tch.
I clicked my tongue briefly and turned my back. Unfortunately, the timing was not right to dig deeper. It was fine. Since I had already shown my use of Bongsuni, a reaction would come soon no matter what.
‘The bowstring already nocked with flame has been drawn.’
Whether they would trample the ember before it caught fire, or meekly endure the daggers raining down upon them. I merely wondered what choice the Martial Alliance would make. That was what I was curious about.
“See you next time.”
After bowing to Mukyeon, I turned around. Today, I had to head back to Sungryongdae and then immediately check Iljangno. Since I had several more schedules set after that, I tried to move right away, but—
“…Sungryongdae Commander.”
At Mukyeon’s call, I briefly stopped walking and turned my head. Could it be a continuation of the previous talk? The moment I held a slight hope.
“…I apologize for stopping you again. There is a matter to convey regarding the mission related to Gyecheonmun. I had forgotten it for a moment.”
Mukyeon spoke as if there was a fact he had forgotten. Unfortunately, it wasn’t about the earlier matter. What was slightly interesting here was—
‘Mukyeon forgot a matter?’
That Mukyeon had forgotten something he needed to convey. That Mukyeon. This seemed to show just how problematic Bongsuni’s statement had been.
“Please speak.”
So I asked Mukyeon what it was.
“The Cheongnyongdae has requested to provide support for this mission…”
“Hm?”
I immediately covered my mouth upon hearing the words.
“It is also the Sungryongdae’s first deployment. As the mission’s danger level is not deemed very high, if you wish to proceed alone, I will convey it to the Cheongnyongdae Commander—”
“No.”
Because I had to hide the corners of my mouth rising.
“I was a bit uneasy, so this is good.”
How could I refuse when a gift was tucked into a mission I didn’t want to go on? Moreover, it was something I had been waiting for.
“Please convey my regards. Tell him I truly wish to go together.”
Very earnestly, at that.