Chapter 85

Neutral Country Conference (5)

After the conference ended, I returned to my accommodation.

Since a banquet and a reception were prepared for the evening, once that was over, my schedule in the neutral country would be complete.

We had prevented the outbreak of war and achieved our objectives, so there was no problem with leaving immediately, but there was no particular reason to do so, so I spent my time leisurely in the accommodation.

I leaned back on the sofa, gazing blankly at the ceiling, and thought about the tasks ahead.

The top priority was to find the successor of the Holy Sword in Saintea.

This was a matter that required great caution, so I didn't even entrust information gathering to Amyeong, as I didn't know what other ideas he might have.

'I have to go out and search for it myself, just like I did for the mysteries...'

The problem was that I couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the successor at this point.

There were places where I suspected she might be based on the information from the game, but the range was too broad, so it would take considerable time and effort to find her.

'Also...'

There were two mysteries hidden in Saintea's territory that I knew about.

However, neither of them was something I desperately needed at the moment.

I had already obtained several mysteries in Caldric, significantly boosting my stats, and I was no longer in a position where I could die easily.

'Still, there's no harm in obtaining them.'

There were no side effects to absorbing more mysteries, and it was always better to have more.

I could start the serious search for the successor after taking care of these two mysteries.

Of course, there was no guarantee that I would definitely obtain them, especially since one of the hidden places was quite troublesome.

'And the monarch conference...'

The monarch conference, which was to take place soon, was a variable.

I still had two command tokens, so I couldn't refuse the orders of the Grand Monarch.

I didn't know why I was asked to accompany her this time, and I couldn't predict what strange things she might ask me to do.

I already had a lot to do, and I didn't want to hear any more annoying requests...

"..."

While thinking about various things, I subtly turned my gaze to one side.

I scratched my head, sensing Ashel's presence outside the door, standing motionless.

When I came in earlier, I noticed that Ashel's demeanor had been unusual since yesterday. It was undoubtedly due to the existence of Changseong.

Changseong Queiden was the one who personally led the massacre of Ashel's clan, and the emperor and the royal family were behind it.

What must it feel like to be unable to do anything while your clan's enemies are right in front of you? I couldn't easily guess.

In fact, the massacre of the Baegwol clan by the Saintea royal family was not a quietly buried incident.

It was a tragedy that had already caused public outrage within the empire at the time.

The fifth prince and his cronies were identified as the leaders and responsible parties and were executed.

The real mastermind was the emperor, but he had initially set up the fifth prince to take the fall and then cut off the tail.

The fifth prince, who had fallen behind his brothers, followed the emperor's orders to gain recognition of his abilities, only to be sacrificed.

Ashel is the sole survivor of the Baegwol clan.

However, since the incident had already been concluded long ago, even if Ashel revealed her identity as a survivor, it wouldn't threaten the real mastermind, the emperor, or provide any leverage.

At best, she might receive a meaningless apology from the royal family.

Therefore, if Ashel truly wanted revenge, the only feasible method was to take matters into her own hands.

She would have to kill the emperor and Changseong herself to avenge her clan.

However, from what I could see, she hadn't made up her mind yet, and she didn't have the ability to do so.

The emperor, the leader of the massive Saintea, and the 91-level Changseong were far beyond the capabilities of Ashel, who was only at level 82.

'...But it's not a problem I can get involved in.'

Killing the emperor and Changseong.

Ashel is a precious person to me.

I'm not just talking about her being a talented individual.

We've been together almost constantly for nearly a year, and it's only natural to develop feelings for someone.

However, aside from whether I could bear the burden for Ashel, she wouldn't want that in the first place.

Given her personality, she wouldn't want to use my hands to avenge her clan, especially if it was unrelated to my duties.

The best I can do is help her grow.

Whenever she makes a firm decision, I want her to have the strength to act on her choice, whatever it may be.

"..."

To do that, I need to take Ashel to 'that place' as soon as possible.

It's a place where she can unleash her potential and achieve dramatic growth, and where the entity that can provide information about her clan is sleeping.

Of course, I already know that no other members of the Baegwol clan survived.

But I had already decided to tell her the truth.

My thoughts deepened.

Should I prioritize finding the mysteries and the successor, or take Ashel to that place first?

...Ah, I don't know.

I shook my head and slumped back on the sofa. I'll think about it slowly.

***

"I expected you wouldn't come, but I was still hoping. I wanted to introduce the hero to the 7 Monarchs."

The Grand Monarch sighed as she swirled her teacup.

The emperor, sitting opposite, watched her silently and then spoke.

"Is that the Grand Monarch's intention?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Helping Earthhill, I don't think it was a solo action by the 7 Monarchs."

"Oh... That? I didn't expect the 7 Monarchs to get so involved either."

The Grand Monarch shrugged.

It was true.

She didn't know about the connection between Earthhill's second prince and the 7 Monarchs, so she didn't expect the 7 Monarchs to get so actively involved in the conflict between the two countries.

She just didn't interfere because it didn't matter to her.

However, the emperor narrowed his eyes, as if he didn't believe her.

He asked again.

"I'm worried that Caldric's reputation might be damaged. It looks like the Grand Monarch is protecting someone who broke the rules and killed a monarch..."

"Thanks for your concern."

The Grand Monarch's lips curled up.

"But, Emperor, when someone like you spouts such nonsense, I just want to tear your mouth apart."

The sudden outburst from the Grand Monarch made the second princess, standing behind the emperor, stiffen.

The emperor also looked at the Grand Monarch with a slightly hardened expression.

"Don't try to match me. Know your place, insignificant rat. I only respect the hero in Saintea, not the rest."

"That's too harsh..."

The princess, who was about to interject, froze as soon as the Grand Monarch's gaze met hers.

The overwhelming pressure that enveloped her body made her legs weak, and she almost fell to the ground.

The Grand Monarch, having reined in her aura, leaned back in her chair with a smirk.

"I didn't come here to threaten you. I have a question too."

The emperor's expression hardened at her words.

"Prisoner transport ship, Quanseong."

"..."

"What did you plan to do with 'that' after capturing it, Emperor? Why go to such lengths to hide it on the transport ship and send it to the prison?"

The emperor remained silent, saying nothing.

The Grand Monarch drained her teacup and stood up.

"I'm warning you, Emperor. Whatever it is, stop doing pointless things. I don't want to see valuable forces like Quanseong keep dying."

As she walked out of the room, the emperor asked,

"What does the Grand Monarch want?"

"..."

"The movements of the demons are not unknown to you. If Saintea falls, Caldric is next. Yet, you keep opposing Saintea and maintain an ambiguous stance. What is your intention?"

The Grand Monarch turned to the emperor and smiled. That was all.

***

The evening came, and the reception began.

The reception hall was filled with many people, including those who accompanied the delegates who directly participated in the conference.

The nobles gathered with their peers, and those of lower status huddled in corners, discussing the results of the conference.

Ashel, who followed the Grand Monarch and the 7 Monarchs to the reception hall, tried to avoid drawing attention by standing in a corner with a stern expression.

The emperor and Changseong, who accompanied him, were also seated there.

"..."

She could feel the 7 Monarchs' gaze fixed on her.

Ashel tried to manage her expression, thinking she might have been caught in her confusion.

"Ashel, go back to your room and rest."

At the 7 Monarchs' words, she thought she had been caught and shook her head.

"No, I'm fine."

How could she, a bodyguard, go back to rest alone?

However, the 7 Monarchs seemed quite firm this time.

"Then go out to the terrace and get some air."

Ashel hesitated, then bowed her head and moved to the terrace.

The cool breeze outside helped calm her mind.

"..."

Ashel looked up at the night sky, recalling the deeply buried memories.

The emperor and Changseong, the enemies who massacred her clan in Saintea.

Seeing them sitting calmly in the reception hall, Ashel couldn't maintain her composure.

She felt ashamed of herself for not being able to find a clear direction even after all these years.

She had failed to achieve anything—revenge or finding her clan—since that terrible day ten years ago.

...Perhaps deep down, she already knew. There were no survivors from her clan.

She was just denying reality, thinking it couldn't be true.

Was that why she couldn't even make up her mind about revenge and was wasting her time like this?

With her enemies right in front of her, she couldn't even draw her sword...

How could she face her deceased clan members like this?

Ashel closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself.

It was a familiar process. A few years ago, such inner turmoil was a daily occurrence.

After a few minutes of deep breathing, Ashel regained some composure and turned to go back into the reception hall. That's when it happened.

"..."

A man walked onto the terrace.

Changseong Queiden.

He glanced at Ashel and then looked up at the sky.

Ashel's heart pounded.

She thought, if she caused a commotion here, if she showed her murderous intent, it would be meaningless and would only harm Lord Ron...

Just as she was about to move, suppressing her boiling anger with superhuman patience, he spoke.

"I've been sensing it since yesterday, but I just remembered now."

His sudden words held her in place.

He slowly turned his head and looked at her with cold eyes.

"Ten years ago, in the Alten Mountains. You were the only Baegwol clan member I missed, weren't you?"