C527
After walking a few steps, Pale turned around with a "Ah!".
"I'm sorry!"
"What's wrong?"
"I was supposed to come back after getting food, but that guy started saying nonsense and I ran away."
"..."
Could it be that the "nicest place" Pale spoke of referred to the Corpse Ghost's room? Although it was a better place than the Dump Site, it didn't fit the adjective "nice" at all.
Lucas nodded solemnly.
"It's okay."
"Do you want to go back now?"
"No, it's fine."
"Still..."
With eyes filled with regret, Lucas said more firmly:
"Speaking of the Corpse Ghost, it's not pleasant to see him while we eat."
"Hmm. Really? I find him cute, like a worm."
He didn't look like a worm, nor was he cute.
"Or maybe you know a better place?"
Pale looked at Lucas with a mix of anticipation and hope.
"A better place..."
No place came to mind. Most of the world was empty, to begin with.
The sea, the tundra, the desert, and the dead lands stretched endlessly by region, and "territories" often had an owner. If they entered without permission, they risked facing the same kind of reprimand they had just received from the Corpse Ghost.
An unexpected place
"Ah."
At that moment, the landscape of a specific territory appeared in Lucas' mind.
A giant mountain piercing the clouds, plum blossoms falling like spring rain, and an elegant house situated near the summit. The combination of all these elements created a view that could undoubtedly be described as spectacular.
"What's wrong?"
Pale asked, tilting her head with curiosity.
"I thought of a nice place," Lucas replied.
Yang In-hyun, the Everlasting Plum Sword, possessed a mental strength comparable to a mountain, unyielding to most events.
For example, if a giant wave rose from the end of the sea, if he witnessed a whirlpool reaching the sky, if he watched a meteorite fall while gazing at the open sky, or if the ground beneath his feet split in two from an earthquake, Yang In-hyun wouldn't be surprised or shaken.
In such situations, he would simply draw his sword calmly.
"Wow! What a breathtaking view!"
"It's a place with a special aura."
"Even if we ate worms here, they would taste delicious!"
"...Well, maybe there's better food."
However, at this precise moment, Yang In-hyun acknowledged that he was puzzled. But it was better not to show it outwardly.
He observed the dark blond-haired man in front of him. Although it was good manners to offer a cup of tea to any visitor who arrived at the Floating Cloud Pavilion, these two were not guests.
At that moment, the woman with sky-blue hair turned her head towards him.
"Don't you have something to nibble on here?"
"Please, wait a moment."
"Oh, and also something to drink."
The woman waved her hand casually.
If anyone else, especially in the Floating Cloud Pavilion, reserved only for the Sect Leader, had said such a thing, Yang In-hyun wouldn't have tolerated it. However, he felt no resentment towards her.
The reason was simple: he knew the identity of the woman smiling so innocently.
If they didn't overstep, he could tolerate a certain lack of respect and manners. In Yang In-hyun's opinion, Pale was entitled to it. Therefore, he didn't mind preparing a small snack, which in this case consisted only of jerky, and tea for them.
Of course, the food disappeared from the table as soon as it was placed.
At that moment, the blond man spoke in a low voice.
"Would you like to take a look outside for a moment?"
"Outside? Hmm..."
Pale, who had been pondering for a moment, looked at Yang In-hyun and smiled broadly.
"Alright, I guess."
"Don't make noise."
"Oh, I'm not a child anymore."
Pale, she, got up from her seat with a mischievous smile.
Lucas, the man, nodded towards Yang In-hyun.
"Do you mind if we sit and talk? I think this might take a while."
"..."
Yang In-hyun obeyed.
They sat facing each other, with the table between them.
"...I have to ask, are you the King Candidate chosen by the Blue Knight?"
His voice, though a bit slow, was strong and resonant.
"Judging by her attitude, it seems she has gone beyond the concept of 'candidate'. It's the first time I've seen it in person. A being who has truly gained the loyalty of a Knight in the truest sense... No."
He turned his head slightly and looked at Pale's figure walking on the terrace.
"She seems to be connected by something stronger than loyalty."
Although he called them "Knights" for convenience, Yang In-hyun knew they were far from being knights in the true sense of the word. Those who understood their true nature called them Executors, Guardians of the Law, or Principals.
Because they knew they were beings too twisted to be called Knights who swore allegiance to a single lord.
'However.'
Yang In-hyun remembered the relationship he had just seen between Lucas and Pale. There was no need for a long analysis.
Lucas could control Pale. A clear hierarchical relationship had formed between them, albeit subtle.
"Why?"
That's why Yang In-hyun was curious about the man in front of him.
"You had something to tell me for invading Mount Hua and coming to my abode, right? Mage."
...Something to tell.
Yes, he did. There was much to say. But Lucas couldn't speak easily in front of Yang In-hyun. He had conflicting feelings in his chest.
There were things he could say and things he couldn't say at this moment, and if he opened his mouth hastily, he feared all those things would gush out indiscriminately.
─In my previous life,
Lucas had started with a wrong relationship with Pale from the beginning. Although he didn't realize it until halfway through, and believed that in this life he could build an ideal relationship with her, in the end, it turned out to be a wrong thought.
...But not all relationships he had formed had been wrong.
Not all relationships he had wished to start again were wrong.
─That was a magnificent response, Lucas.
─Do you have to worry even about the battles I'm going to fight? As I told you before, that's crossing the line.
He remembered Yang In-hyun's face, who had helped him at the last moment. His past, the attitude with which he faced life, were also similar.
Observing him, he learned. Or rather, he discovered it. The answer to the question that had been tormenting him for so long.
…He respected the way he lived his life.
And Lucas strongly realized what kind of relationship he wanted to have with someone he respected.
Lucas wanted to be friends with Yang In-hyun. In fact, they might have even come to have a similar relationship.
'In the end, it all comes down to nostalgia and regret.'
It was bitter that the relationship they had formed, the bond they had deepened, had faded away like a soap bubble.
'At that moment, what happened to Yang In-hyun? Did he die? Or win? Or maybe a draw?'
It was something he couldn't know no matter how much he reflected on it now.
"…"
Looking into Yang In-hyun's eyes, Lucas couldn't help but draw a bitter smile. On his face, there was only curiosity and perplexity. In other words, he was acting as if he saw it that way.
Undoubtedly, beneath that surface lay deep caution.
It was a natural reaction.
After all, he had suddenly appeared in his territory with an Apocalypse Knight by his side. At first glance, it wouldn't be strange if this were a declaration of war.
Should he tell him?
Should he talk to him about Regression, like I did with Pale?
If I tell him the truth, could it improve the situation?
Could I have a relationship with him again like the one from the previous life, or even better?
Lucas felt a strong urge for a moment, but...
"The underground city nearby..."
The words that came out of his lips were completely different. He knew it instinctively. The situation with Yang In-hyun was completely different from Pale's. Things wouldn't be as easy.
Indeed, it was more likely to worsen. If he tried to manipulate the relationship in that way, he would only reveal his blatant intentions. It would only generate more suspicion and caution.
Yang In-hyun was one of the most powerful beings among the Twelve Void Lords, and his cunning was comparable to his strength. Even Lucas didn't have the confidence to deceive him completely.
"The underground city?"
"Yes, Michael's territory."
"Hmm."
"You're carrying out indiscriminate conquests of the surrounding territories. Why?"
He knew Yang In-hyun's philosophy. He also knew what he had been through.
That's why he couldn't understand why he was conducting such indiscriminate conquests.
"Reason..."
Yang In-hyun spoke with a grave voice.
"There's no reason for one territory to invade another. And even less so in this world. You don't seem to be someone who ignores that fact."
"…"
"In other words, you have doubts about my nature."
This man wasn't one to be intimidated. His analysis was sharp and relentless.
'If he were the Yang In-hyun I know, he wouldn't do something like that...' Those are the words that I seem to hear. That's why I ask you: Have we met somewhere?"
"No. This is the first time we've met."
"Hmm. Then you've heard of me from someone else."
This time he didn't respond. Yang In-hyun interpreted his silence as confirmation and murmured, narrowing his eyes:
"You can't be from the Magic Planet... There's only one mage with such power in that territory."
"…"
"You're asking me why I'm conducting this conquest. What will you do if I don't answer? Will you use the Blue Knight to attack Mount Hua?"
"It's not that. But it's an important matter to me. I have something to propose to you in exchange."
"Propose something to me?"
A glimmer of interest shone in Yang In-hyun's eyes.
"Rulers."
[…]
He felt the consciousness of the Lightning God, residing in his mind, concentrating.
However, Lucas ignored it and continued talking to Yang In-hyun.
"A man named Lee Jong-hak is trapped in the prison here. A remnant of the Lightning God hides in his body. If we leave it like this, it will bring ruin to Mount Hua."
The word "ruin" could be substituted with "disaster" without any problem.
"...I see. You want to help me eliminate the Lightning God in exchange for me stopping my conquest?"
"That's correct."
"That can't be an agreement."
"…!"
Yang In-hyun's words surprised him a bit. However, Yang In-hyun continued with his characteristically deep voice.
"Aren't you getting too much benefit compared to what you offer?"
Ah, yes. That was the man he was.
"If there's something else you want, say it. If it's reasonable, I'll accept it."
"…Hmm."
...Something he desired. There was nothing in particular.
Lucas planned to go directly to the Magic Planet after removing the remnant of the Lightning God from Lee Jong-hak's body. And probably, the Exiled wouldn't demand a trial like the last time, or even if he did, it wouldn't be such a serious issue anymore. He now had Pale, a powerful ally, on his side. The White Knight's trial was no longer a major problem. It was no longer necessary for Yang In-hyun to accompany him to the Magic Planet.
"Not for now."
"Then, think about it for later."
"...Agreed."
Owing a debt to Yang In-hyun, one of the Twelve Void Lords, wasn't a bad thing.
[Lucas.]
At that moment, the Lightning God's voice resonated in his mind. Instantly, he felt a sense of incongruity.
The Lightning God, who used to call him "Lucas Traumen," "you," and even more recently "cursed dog," "bastard," and "madman"...
It was strange that he now only called him by his name.
"What's wrong?"
[You're going to meet the "Lightning God" of this timeline, aren't you?]
"Yes."
[…]
After hesitating for a while, the Lightning God spoke.
[…I have a request.]
A request?
The Ruler, the Lightning God, asking for something?
While he was puzzled, the Lightning God continued.
[…After meeting the "Lightning God," would you give me control of the body for a short time?]
"What do you mean?"
[You already know. In this timeline, I deliberately lost so I could hide in your body. Now you are strong enough, but your chances of winning against my true self are still not high.]
"…"
[Moreover, there's already a "me" inside your body. Haven't you thought that this could complicate things?]
"And what does that have to do with giving you control?"
[It has a lot to do with it.]
The Lightning God hesitated once more for a long while. And just as Yang In-hyun's expression, who was sitting in front of him, began to show perplexity, the Lightning God spoke.
[I will try to convince the "Lightning God" of this timeline.]
Tags:
TGMRA (Novel)