As I read through the diary, Hyeonbyeol asked beside me:
"What do you think? It's good, right?"
"Hmm… not sure?"
Honestly, calling it "good" feels off.
I don't even like romance as a genre, and I've never really cared about other people's love stories.
That said… I'll admit I was a little intrigued.
Because the main character of this story is the Marquis.
The man who eventually raised his hand against the king in a move of utter madness—this book supposedly contains the reason why.
'But so far, I still don't get it…'
Just reading the beginning doesn't make that kind of motive clear.
So I kept reading the diary.
And skimming past all the fluff, here's the quick summary:
[She looked at me like I'd seen a ghost and asked what was wrong. I told her my pregnant wife was waiting at home.]
That ended their reunion after six years.
The girl went silent for a long time, then said, "Then you'd better go," and the Marquis replied, "Yeah…" and left.
Then…
[The thought wouldn't leave me. What had that silence meant? Could it be… she felt the same way—?]
How much the Marquis agonized over it didn't matter to me, so I skipped that part.
Time passed, and his son was born.
He genuinely enjoyed fatherhood, but…
[Still, he couldn't help but wonder—what if he had a child with her? Would that child be even more beautiful, more precious than this one?]
To wash away that guilt, he poured himself into his family. Around then, he also began managing his household's affairs in his ailing father's stead.
He lived busily, devoting himself to work and family, and the memories of his first love seemed to fade.
But then…
[She reappeared. Again, after six years.]
It was the day he visited the capital to officially receive his title. On a whim, he went out to the gardens and ran into her again.
[The first thought I had when I saw her was, "It feels like I saw her just yesterday." Not a poetic expression of longing—it was literal. Her appearance hadn't changed a bit since six years ago.]
She looked completely untouched by time.
The Marquis found it odd, but didn't dwell on it.
[She congratulated me on the child and my succession. I was genuinely happy to accept her words. Time had buried the old emotions, and finally, I was able to ask her what I never could.]
He asked for her name. Asked what circumstances had her hiding away in the royal palace.
[After much hesitation, she finally opened her mouth. But instead of an answer, it was a request. She asked me to take her away.]
After some internal struggle, he agreed.
He didn't know her full story, but now that he was a Marquis, he believed he could handle it.
Also, he figured that once he helped her, she'd tell him everything.
Then…
[After taking her out successfully, I used magic to change her hair and eye color. Around the time Elthora was born, I brought her to a secret hideout I'd prepared without anyone knowing.]
From the context, it was obvious: the place I was currently sitting in was that very hideout.
Not that it was the most important detail here.
[We spent a long time together in that hideout. And finally, I learned her name.]
I'd been reading pretty casually, but this part made my eyes sharpen.
There were still plenty of pages left in the book, but finally—finally—I was about to learn what I wanted to know most.
[Mayrin Hwinnvenia Lafdonia.]
…Huh?
[That was her name.]
Seriously…?
***
I'd seen the portrait of a woman—presumably Ragna's mother—back in the Marquis's secret room once.
[Mayrin Hwinnvenia —————.]
The last name had been scratched out violently, making it unreadable.
But now I knew her full name.
[Lafdonia.]
That surname was only granted to those of direct royal blood.
The moment I read it, a cold shiver ran down my spine.
Mayrin Hwinnvenia Lafdonia was very likely Ragna's mother.
Which means—
'Ragna is… of royal descent?'
Sure, she was an illegitimate child—born from an affair, not marriage.
But the fact remains: she carries the king's blood.
'Then why… why did the Marquis rebel against the king?'
There's no doubt the root cause lies with that nameless princess, but not knowing the specifics, I kept reading.
Because every answer I needed was supposed to be in this book.
[While staying in the hideout, I listened to her story—again and again. It was far more shocking than I ever imagined. I never thought the royal family harbored such secrets…]
"Wait… does it ever say what the secret # Nоvеlight # actually was?"
"Nope."
Great. So the Marquis deliberately glossed over it.
"Fine. I'll keep reading."
[As shocking as her secret was, what moved me more was the life she'd lived—raised as a sacrificial pawn. My sympathy grew with each passing day.]
[Though I had a wife and child, the moment she began to cry, I could no longer deny it. What I felt wasn't just pity.]
[And it wasn't one-sided. Today, I confirmed it. I felt a fulfillment deeper than I had ever known.]
But the sweet time they spent together didn't last long.
[Given the power the royal family holds, surviving even a month was a miracle. Eventually, they found us, and in the audience chamber… I met him.]
[He was nothing like I expected. At first, he seemed intimidating. Then, he laughed and made an offer. Said the royal family needed someone in the inner circle who knew the truth.]
[He offered me the position of Chancellor. I had no choice. It was the promotion of my dreams, yet knowing what I now knew, I couldn't rejoice.]
What followed was summarized briefly.
The Marquis returned to the hideout, continued his time with Mayrin, and their love bore fruit.
She became pregnant.
And the joy he felt this time was beyond comparison to when Elthora had been conceived.
But…
'If this were a happy ending, there wouldn't be this many pages left.'
Even so, what happened next wasn't something I could've predicted, despite all the media I'd seen in my life.
[What shattered our seemingly eternal happiness wasn't the king's whims, nor the schemes of political enemies, nor betrayal by subordinates. It was more like divine punishment.]
[One evening, as we lay together, whispering sweet nothings and caressing her round belly, Mayrin suddenly screamed.]
["Who am I? Who are you? Where is this place?" She began rambling like a lunatic, speaking words I couldn't comprehend—and among them, there was one word she should never have said.]
…
[Dungeon & Stone.]
…
[Mayrin had been possessed by a revenant.]
It hit me like a thunderstrike to the skull. My mind went blank.
But once I came to, a question immediately rose.
'Revenants can only possess adults, right…?'
I didn't know Mayrin's exact age at the time, but she must have been well past adulthood.
Six years had passed since she was first described as a full-grown woman.
So how could something like this happen?
The Marquis never addressed that question directly.
But the early parts of the diary offered a hint.
[She looked exactly the same as she had six years ago.]
Like no time had passed.
Maybe—just maybe—something had literally stopped her biological aging.
The royal family did have strange life-support mechanisms. I wouldn't put it past them to have something like that.
'…Now I get why Hyeonbyeol called this a tragedy.'
After Mayrin was possessed, the Marquis's life turned to hell.
He sought counsel from the king.
The king, horrified, said there was nothing that could be done. Kill her or save her—do as you please.
It was like the sky fell.
But even in hell, time moved on. And Mayrin's belly continued to grow.
Then—
[The "thing," whatever it was, gave birth—and then took its own life.]
The revenant gave birth to Ragna… and died.
But the Marquis told the royal family that the revenant had died while giving birth to Ragna.
Then he spirited the child away.
He wanted this child—this one—to live a peaceful life.
But…
"So Elthora became a revenant too, after all that…"
Time passed, and his only son became a revenant.
Now the only child left is Ragna.
"The Marquis must've wanted to tear every last revenant to shreds."
I couldn't even begin to imagine how he must've felt.
But if you ask me, the Marquis made a foolish mistake.
He planned to pass everything he had onto Ragna.
[October 21.]
The diary now approached the present—just one month before the rebellion.
[Before everything was ready, the king woke up.]
[I have to protect that child.]
That was the final line.
I closed the book and exhaled deeply.
"So? Was it good?"
"Not really."
My honest review: "Not good."
I mean, come on.
"I thought there'd be something exciting at the end, but it just sort of fizzled out."
"Well duh, the Marquis is still alive."
"I should've just asked you to summarize it in three lines."
"What? You can't summarize all that in just three lines!"
"…Huh? Sure you can."
1. The Marquis fell in love with a princess.
2. The princess became a revenant, gave birth, and died.
3. His son Elthora also became a revenant, so he rebelled to protect his last remaining child.
That's all there is to it.
If the person you're telling this story to is Ragna, it's even easier.
'I love you, my daughter.'
One line, and it's all clear.
'Yeah… it really does feel like this was written for Ragna.'
He glossed over the royal secret. And even while reading, I could tell there were parts he deliberately left vague.
'If the content had been that serious, he wouldn't have let Hyeonbyeol read it.'
After finishing the diary, my mind was even more tangled with unanswered questions.
"What's on your mind now?"
"I'm just trying to figure out what the Marquis was thinking."
"Why? Isn't it obvious? He wanted to succeed with the rebellion and protect his daughter."
"Sure. But that's Plan A. The fact he wrote this diary proves he didn't think he'd succeed."
"…True."
"Knowing the Marquis, I'm sure he had a Plan B to protect Ragna… But I can't figure out what it is. Just hiding her in a villa and letting her sleep? That's too lazy."
Hearing that, Hyeonbyeol tilted her head in thought and offered:
"…Maybe you're Plan B?"
"…What?"
"I mean, come on. You almost married her."
She trailed off and gave a faint smile.
"He probably knows better than anyone that if it's for someone precious, you would be willing to point a blade at the royal family."
-x-X-x-
Plan B of the Marquis.
The moment Hyeonbyeol said I might be that, my head went blank for an instant.
Ah, though it really was just for a moment.
'It's not entirely illogical. If the Marquis lost, then the royal family won, and if the royal family won, there's a good chance I played a significant role… He might've thought I could at least protect Ragna…'
If it's the Marquis, he definitely calculated that far ahead.
Still, no matter what, I don't think this is Plan B.
Maybe more like Plan C.
'I'll think more about that later…'
"Is there anything else I need to know?"
"Mm, just that you need me to access the hidden room where Countess Peproc is?"
"I see."
As I nodded, Hyeonbyeol cautiously opened her mouth.
"But… about Countess Peproc…"
What is it? Why the hesitation?
Didn't she just say there was nothing else?
When I looked at her with suspicion, Hyeonbyeol continued, her expression unreadable.
"…She's quite pretty, isn't she?"
"Well, yeah, she is…"
"Then why did you turn her down?"
What, am I supposed to marry every woman with a pretty face? If I'd married her back then, I would've gotten swept up in the Marquis's plans.
'But that's not what Hyeonbyeol's really asking about.'
After spending enough time with her, I could tell just from her tone.
No matter how many political reasons I give, there's no way she'd accept them. She's clearly building up to asking about something else.
So, in that case…
"Marriage is a sacred bond. One must be cautious—extremely cautious."
I declared firmly, invoking Confucian virtue for the first time in ages.
A clear signal that I didn't want to talk about this any further.
Hyeonbyeol seemed to pick up on that and didn't press me any more, but she pouted just a little and spoke with a teasing edge.
"Aha? So you really liked that doll, huh?"
Why is she bringing that up now?
"Hyeonbyeol, that was a lie I had to tell—"
"Was it really a lie? I heard nobles are going crazy for that doll you were holding. There's even a whole trend now."
"…Seriously?"
"Yeah, really. Like, 'Oho! So this is the doll that the giant, Bjorn Yandel, loves so much!'—that kind of reaction."
"Stop."
Please. Just stop.
I already regret it deeply.
'Ha… What the hell was I thinking back then…?'
Looking back now, I have no idea what came over me. But I decided to stop thinking about it.
A mere barbarian can't undo what's already done.
"Anyway, let's get up. The others are probably waiting."
The past must be left behind.
***
When I returned to the room where the others had been waiting, Amelia casually asked,
"So, did the two of you have a good talk?"
Her tone was the same as usual, but after spending so much time with her, I could sense a bit of disappointment buried in it.
Just as I was about to answer—
"Yes. Thanks to you, we had a good talk."
"Yes. Thanks to you, we had a good talk."
Hyeonbyeol, who had followed behind me, answered in my place.
"Thanks, Amelia."
"…I wasn't talking to you."
"Oh my, really? I'm sorry."
At Hyeonbyeol's shameless apology, Amelia didn't respond. But I could feel the air getting colder somehow, so I quickly changed the subject.
"Amelia, how is it outside?"
"It's quiet. Seems like he's doing a good job drawing attention away. They still haven't noticed us. I checked the building while you were talking, but I didn't find any—"
"Tsk tsk, see? What would you have done without me?"
"…What do you mean?"
"There's a hidden room in this villa. One that normal people could never find, no matter how hard they look."
She must be talking about the room where Ragna is sleeping…
I get that she wants to emphasize that we owe her, but I really wish she'd stop here.
Especially because Amelia is smiling right now.
Only her lips, not her eyes.
"You're… a strange type of person."
Well, from Amelia's perspective, this must all feel surreal.
Some weakling shows up out of nowhere, wouldn't survive a single stab, and yet keeps messing with her mood.
'Why does she enjoy pestering people so much when she can't even fight…?'
I consoled myself with the fact that at least Hyeonbyeol wasn't a combatant, and quickly cut the conversation short.
"Even if Noark isn't paying attention to us now, there's no guarantee they won't later. So, Harin Suevi, take us to the room where Countess Peproc is."
"…Got it."
Despite how short the conversation had been, I felt like it drained a lot out of me. Shaking my head, I followed behind Hyeonbyeol, who stopped in front of the building's outer wall.
"There's a hidden space here?"
Amelia, who had silently followed us, frowned.
Well, I kind of felt the same.
Secret rooms are usually behind closets or under carpets, right?
"…But behind this wall is the garden?"
Just like the Marquis's son said, there wasn't supposed to be any space behind this wall.
But I didn't doubt it.
This is a fantasy world—where dreams, hopes, and magic exist.
Swish.
Hyeonbyeol didn't answer. She simply reached out and brushed the wall with a delicate hand, and the bracelet on her wrist lit up, resonating with the surface.
Fwoooosh—!
A wave of blue light burst from the wall as it began to resonate. It was definitely different from the magic circles we'd seen before.
Well, not unfamiliar, just… different.
"…A portal?"
A portal shimmered in front of the wall as if greeting us.
"The Marquis must've put a lot into this. The magic was completely undetectable, even up to the point it activated."
Amelia spoke calmly, and Hyeonbyeol let out a faint chuckle, nearly turning the air cold again—but luckily, it didn't escalate.
"Then let's go in."
The space beyond the portal was ordinary.
Given that we came through a portal, I was expecting something °• N 𝑜 v l i g h t •° more mysterious.
'Just a normal room, huh?'
A modest room with a bed, table, and wardrobe.
I glanced around briefly, then focused my gaze on the bed.
Seeing Ragna sleeping peacefully, unaware of the world, stirred strange emotions in me.
'Never thought she'd really be a princess…'
It reminded me again how mysterious fate can be.
After all, what were the chances that the librarian I met back in my Grade-9 barbarian explorer days would be of royal blood?
"Is there no way to wake her?"
When I asked Hyeonbyeol, who had entered behind me, she gave a straightforward answer.
"There is. The Marquis has to wake her himself, or… he has to die."
"…So there's no way for now."
"Exactly."
Sigh… so that's how it is…
As I stood quietly, staring at Ragna, Amelia spoke up.
"I see you've secured Countess Peproc. But what now? Planning to use her to find the Marquis?"
I quickly organized my thoughts and nodded.
"Yeah, something like that."
"'Something like that'? What does that mean?"
Uh… well…
Reading the diary made it clear.
Just how much our dear Marquis loved his daughter.
"Watch. Once she wakes up, he'll come to us on his own."
Though, I should probably make a few preparations.
***
The plan was extremely simple.
Even more so when the executor is a barbarian.
Kwaaaang—!
Swinging my hammer in [Giant Form], I smashed the Marquis's "memory box."
The roof, the outer walls, the neatly manicured garden, the fences…
It took less than ten minutes to demolish the secret villa, which, at a glance, looked like it had been painstakingly designed by a well-known architect.
"Wow, that was fast…"
"Hehe, of course! Barbarians are experts in construction!"
"Construction…? Well, I guess demolition technically counts…"
While Hyeonbyeol watched in amazement and Ainard shrugged beside her, the demolition process came to an end.
If the Marquis saw what had become of his shattered "memory box," he'd probably be devastated, but that's none of my concern.
Having finished the demolition swiftly, I approached the "outer wall" buried beneath the wreckage—the one place we'd taken care not to hit during the destruction, because that was where the portal entrance was.
"Harin Suevi, open the portal."
"Yes."
Once the portal opened and we stepped back inside, all preparations were complete.
The Marquis, wounded by Auyen, would probably wake up tomorrow evening. Once he checked the situation around him, he'd try to check this place too.
And then…
'He finds out this place has been destroyed?'
For the Marquis, who loves his daughter deeply, there's no doubt he'll want to see it with his own eyes.
Since he didn't have her moved here while unconscious, it must mean he kept this place secret even from his closest people.
To ensure secrecy, he'll have to come in person…
'And even if he doesn't, it doesn't matter.'
If he sends a subordinate instead, I'll just beat the location out of them.
'I only need to catch the Marquis.'
Of course, I know.
Catching him won't end the war.
But so what?
Once I catch and kill him, my deal with the king is done, and I'll have no reason to stay involved in this war.
'The rest can sort itself out.'
Afterward, we spent our time holed up quietly in the slightly cramped room.
Well, maybe not quietly.
"It's been a while since we all spent time together in one room. Don't you think so, Baron?"
Why is she doing this again.
Does she really enjoy messing with me this much?
Drrrrrrrrrrrr—! Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr—!
Knowing that feeding her would only make her more aggressive, I pretended to sleep in silence. Hyeonbyeol just chuckled quietly and let it go.
But then, unexpectedly, Ainard chimed in.
"Stop acting out, human female."
"Human female…?"
"I get that you're in heat, but you can't even bear a warrior, can you?"
"What… are you talking about…?"
"I don't know what kind of bond you had with Bjorn. But even so, we don't ignore you. We're not trying to establish a hierarchy either. So quit acting out and stay quiet."
Hit full force by the barbarian's brutally direct way of speaking, Hyeonbyeol seemed momentarily dazed.
Just as she was coming to her senses and about to respond—
"Enough."
Amelia stepped in to mediate the situation.
"Ainard, you too. Shut up and eat this."
"Huh? I didn't really do anything— Oh! Is this jerky from Rethaspa?! You're giving me something this rare?!"
Wait, Rethaspa?
That's the one she wouldn't even give me when I asked…
Churp.
The scent of premium jerky filled the room and made my mouth water, but I kept pretending to sleep and eventually dozed off.
Later, I woke up from hunger and spent some time bothering the Marquis's son.
And time passed endlessly like that…
Half a day. A full day.
By now, the Marquis should've regained consciousness.
Two days. Three…
A good deal more time passed, and just when I started to wonder if the plan had failed—
Fwoooosh—!
The portal opened, and a visitor arrived.
-x-X-x-
Fwoooosh—!
As the portal opened, the one who stepped into the room was someone I hadn't accounted for at all.
Contrary to my assumption that the one entering the portal would be the Marquis himself, or at the very least one of his closest confidants—this guy had nothing to do with the Marquis.
Well, maybe not nothing.
"Bjorn… Yandel…?"
The man muttered like he'd seen a ghost the moment he saw my face.
But I was just as surprised.
"…The four-eyes?"
It was the guy who'd tried to recruit me a few days ago before my duel with the Evil Eye. One of the Lord of Noark's closest agents, with no specific assignment—more of a troubleshooter, apparently?
Anyway, that wasn't what mattered now.
"How did the Lord of Noark find out about this place?"
I stopped my hammer inches from his nose and asked. He answered nervously—volunteering more than I asked for.
"While the Marquis was unconscious, the Lord assumed full authority. He is now being safely sheltered under the Lord's protection, having let go of his ambitions."
"So basically, while the Marquis was knocked out, the Lord hit him from behind and locked him up?"
True to Noark's pragmatic nature, the guy admitted it plainly.
"Correct. The Marquis was too swayed by personal emotion instead of striving for true victory."
"Like what, for example?"
"He used Urae on you multiple times, did he not? Even though there were far more strategic uses for it. He was blinded by sentiment—and even after all that, he still failed to capture you."
Considering Urae was originally under the Marquis's command, that logic was shameless. But I couldn't say it was entirely wrong either.
Didn't they need a huge number of sacrifices to fire even one shot? The Lord's faction must've helped gather them too—so they probably felt entitled to a share of its use.
But that still wasn't the point.
"That's not what I asked. How did the Lord of Noark find this place and end up sending you?"
When I brought things back on topic, the guy made an "ah, crap" face and answered quickly.
"A-Ah! The Lord didn't know you were hiding here. If he had, I wouldn't have reacted this way."
That… still wasn't an answer to my question.
What kind of idiot is this guy?
"Just the point."
"The Lord is an exceedingly wise man—"
"Just the point."
"…The Marquis requested it. He asked us to check if Countess Ragna Peproc was here."
"The Marquis himself made the request?"
"Specifically, to leave her be if she was safe… but if she'd vanished from here, to find her at all costs. That was his directive."
"And what was the price for that request?"
He seemed to consider for a moment, then muttered plainly.
"Transfer of Urae ownership."
That made the situation clear.
After waking from unconsciousness, the Marquis had lost all military command. He'd gone from ruler to puppet in an instant.
And that meant he was no longer able to protect Ragna himself.
'So he put Urae on the negotiation table. He must've wanted to protect Ragna, no matter what.'
It felt… surreal.
'This is how it all ends?'
All Auyen did was knock the Marquis out for two days. And yet, that one event shattered the grand scheme before it could even begin.
'Well, if the Lord and the Marquis had a strong relationship, it wouldn't have gone this far over just two days…'
But in this savage world, showing a weakness is the same as inviting the bite. The Marquis, having exposed his neck, had no choice but to lose flesh and bone.
It all snowballed from one captured navigator.
"…W-Why am I suddenly being praised…?"
"Just impressed."
The small ball Auyen launched had pierced the atmosphere and become an eternal star.
'Anyway, that's that…'
While I understood the Marquis's situation, one question kept nagging at me.
This four-eyes—an agent of the Lord—why was he spilling everything without even being interrogated?
The answer came soon enough, straight from his own mouth.
"Isn't it obvious? I figured this was the only way to fulfill my mission—by persuading you."
"You think if you convince me, I'll help transfer Urae's ownership?"
I scoffed in disbelief, but he calmly threw the question back at me.
"Why wouldn't you?"
"…What?"
"We know. Noark isn't your enemy, is it?"
That wasn't something you said to a noble of Lafdonia, let alone one hailed as the city's hero.
But in terms of raw facts… there wasn't much I could argue.
My goal in this war was to survive the crisis while saving as many comrades as I could. And this crisis would be resolved if I just took out the Marquis.
So, yeah…
"Tell me what you want. There must be a point we can negotiate."
Hoo… how do I even respond to this?
***
Before making a decision, I asked him about the situation outside.
Not just how the war was going, but things I was personally curious about.
"Ibaekho? He held the line for a bit after your group vanished, then retreated. Even though we pursued, we failed to catch any of his people."
Hmm. So Ibaekho disappeared…
What's that bastard aiming for in this war, really?
No idea. But putting the pieces together, the war was practically in a ceasefire.
Both sides had their frontlines drawn along the district walls and were in a deadlock.
"We need Countess Peproc. And if you hand her over, the Lord will consider granting whatever you desire."
"Oh? Even if I ask for the Lord's head?"
"...."
"Relax. I'm not that unreasonable."
At that point, I got serious and checked one key thing.
"What if I ask for the Marquis himself? Can you give him up?"
"Of course. As long as the matter of Urae's ownership is resolved, we don't care what happens to him."
"That so? Fine, I get your position."
"It's not just my position. The Lord would reach the same conclusion. I've served him closely for many years—you can trust me."
"That's something I'll believe when the time comes."
With that, I finished the conversation.
I blindfolded the guy and put noise-cancelling gear over his ears.
Ah, not literally a headset—just a magic device with similar effect.
I needed some time to think.
"Amelia. What do you think?"
Having listened to the entire exchange, Amelia's stance was clear.
"It sounds worth trying. Assuming, of course, that everything he said is true."
"What's the Lord of Noark like? Is he trustworthy?"
"Hardly. He's a composed man, but trust is another matter entirely. That said… he never had the habit of making pointless enemies."
"Yeah, he tried to recruit me before too. Anyway, you're in favor then?"
"Personally… I think the odds of a clean deal are pretty high."
Amelia's judgment was decisive.
"Huh? What about me? Don't I get a say?!"
I ignored Ainard's nonsense and removed the blindfold and earplugs from the guy.
Then—
"I'll talk to the Lord directly. You've got a way to contact him, right?"
"Of course. I can do it right away—ah, not here, though. The signal won't work properly. Let's go outside."
"Fine."
It might be risky, but I didn't hesitate. Because even if the deal went south, I'd at least find out where the Marquis was.
"Let's go."
We exited the ruined building together. He immediately used a magic device to contact the Lord.
The Lord was startled to see me pop up on the network out of nowhere, but it didn't ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) take long to explain and negotiate.
[You're saying: convince the Marquis to transfer ownership of Urae, and in exchange, you'll take custody of him. That's the deal?]
"Yeah."
[Then I see no reason to refuse. Hand Countess Peproc over to him. Once the transfer is complete, we'll send the Marquis wherever you want.]
"What, just like that? I'm going to meet the Marquis in person."
[…You're being greedy.]
The hell?
"You're the greedy one. What if I just run off with her right now? You think you can catch me?"
There was silence for a moment on the other end… then finally, the Lord relented.
[I'll allow you to accompany him to the Marquis's location. But please understand—we'll need to make certain preparations.]
"Preparations?"
[If you happen to betray us, we need some form of insurance. But don't worry. As long as the deal goes smoothly, no harm will come to you.]
"Alright. But aren't you going to show up yourself?"
[Hah! I'm not foolish enough to meet face-to-face with someone even the Evil Eye couldn't stop. Oh, and make sure to bring your comrades along.]
"…Huh?"
Shouldn't it be the other way around—asking me to come alone?
But the next words made sense.
[Just precaution. Even you can't escape safely with all your allies.]
'Hoo… now everyone and their dog knows my weaknesses, huh.'
[Next time we speak, I hope it's good news.]
After the call ended, we waited a bit longer until the Lord sent word that preparations were complete.
Then we followed the four-eyes to the location.
The building where the Marquis was imprisoned was on the outskirts of District 4, near the wall bordering Viphron…
Step, step.
As we entered the building and climbed the stairs, Amelia leaned in and whispered to me.
"Yandel. The whole building… no, the whole area is packed with enemies."
"How bad?"
"For you, me, and Ainard—not a problem. But escaping with the others? Not even close to feasible."
Yeah. So that's how it is.
The Lord's really been busy, huh?
"This room."
The four-eyes turned to look at us once, then slowly opened the door.
And—
"...!"
The middle-aged man on the bed sat up, saw me, and his eyes went wide.
Chancellor of Lafdonia—Ageni Roten Tertherion.
As I stood a short distance away and stared at him, I frowned.
There was an unshakable sense of wrongness.
Like… he felt like a different person?
'Was the Marquis always this small…?'
He didn't seem skinnier or anything, but…
Why did he look so aged and shriveled the moment I saw him?
Maybe it was the lack of flashy clothes, but the instant our eyes met, I realized what felt off.
'His eyes…'
The look in them had changed.
That beast-like gleam I'd seen before was nowhere to be found.
'Well, I guess it's only natural. Lost all military power, locked in a room…'
While I was thinking that, watching from a distance, the Marquis gave a slight nod—seemingly grasping the situation.
"…So, you came in the end."
His voice sounded like a man resigned to fate—like something he'd long expected had finally arrived.
I spoke plainly.
"Didn't I tell you? I'd come find you."
Well, to be honest, I didn't think we'd meet like this, so I was a little off balance.
But I'm a K-barbarian—doesn't matter how I get there, as long as I arrive in Seoul.
"Nice to see you."
With those words of greeting—I slammed my fist into the back of the Marquis's head.
Thwack—!
Huh. That was surprising.
So that's the sound his skull makes.
Ever since the Ice Rock expedition, I'd been waiting and imagining this moment every day.
'Kinda underwhelming.'
Honestly, it didn't feel that satisfying.
-x-X-x-
The fact that a barbarian's hand is a healing hand—I can prove that through the life I've lived.
I've personally fixed the mental issues of many people, and surprisingly, this time was no different.
Thwack—!
The moment I smacked the back of the marquis's head, the dull, dead-fish look in his eyes began to flicker with life.
Well, strictly speaking, it was more like humiliation and rage than vitality…
Still, even such negative emotions meant he was alive, so calling it "vitality" wasn't entirely wrong.
"Good, that's much better."
I couldn't hide my satisfaction as I looked at the marquis, who had regained some life in his gaze. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked up at me.
A whirlwind of complex emotions surged in his eyes.
"..."
Shock from being smacked on the back of the head by another person.
Humiliation from having to look up at someone he used to look down on.
And…
"Ragna…"
Affection for his daughter, and the self-loathing that came from failing to protect her.
Of course, I had no reason to pity him.
A warrior's heart isn't soft enough to sympathize with his enemy.
Besides, I clearly remember what the marquis said to me back then.
[In the process, one of your precious comrades may die. No—they will die. I'll make sure of it.]
[You all need to feel it too. The pain I felt.]
That curse, spoken with full sincerity, had actually come true.
I was struck by Urae and lost consciousness, and Rotmiller died trying to protect me.
Though the one who killed Rotmiller was some nameless Noark soldier, it was the marquis who bore the true responsibility.
Yeah. That's why…
Clench—
I do not feel pity for this man.
The weight of the twenty who died on Ice Rock is far too heavy for me to harbor such human emotions.
"…Marquis. As promised, I've brought your daughter. So now, fulfill your end of the deal."
As the marquis and I exchanged silent glances, the bespectacled bastard behind us cut in.
"You mean the transfer of Urae's ownership?"
"That's right. In return, your daughter will be fully protected by Noark. Ah, of course, you're an exception. Bjorn Yandel offered you up in exchange for your daughter."
"So that's how this played out."
The marquis nodded slowly, as if he finally understood the circumstances that had led me and the bespectacled bastard to arrive together.
He turned to me again and asked,
"Did you see it?"
The subject was omitted.
But I didn't ask him to clarify. I just answered.
"I saw it."
"I see…"
Trailing off, the marquis paused for a moment before speaking again.
"I'd like to have a word with Yandel in private. Could you give us a moment?"
"..."
"You may keep my daughter with you."
The bespectacled man frowned in consideration, but it didn't take long for him to nod.
"I suppose I can allow that. Just a brief moment."
"You must keep your promise."
Surprisingly, the bespectacled bastard agreed readily. I signaled to Amelia that it was fine, and she took the others out, following him.
Now we were alone in the room.
"It's been a while, meeting just the two of us like this."
"…You seem unusually at ease."
"Fear is a feeling born from having something to lose. But look at me now. Do I look like I have anything left to lose?"
"I don't know… that diary makes it look like you do."
When I made a slightly softened reference to Ragna, the marquis gave a bitter smile.
In a way, he was similar to me.
At least in the sense that his weakness was glaringly obvious.
"So what is this? You suddenly want to talk alone—what, are you going to ask me to take care of your daughter or something?"
I said it with heavy sarcasm, but the marquis offered no rebuttal.
Which honestly just made things more awkward.
"…What, seriously? That's really what you were going to—"
"How much do you know about the Lafdonia royal family?"
"…Huh? That's where this conversation is going?"
It was a bit unexpected, but truthfully, if he hadn't brought it up, I would have.
The Lafdonia royal family.
If anyone could explain the enormous secret buried there, it would be the marquis.
What exactly are they working so hard to hide?
"I know a few things… secrets others don't. Why? You planning to tell me something?"
When I asked with a casual toss, the marquis nodded.
"Then get on with it. Who knows? Maybe if the story's dramatic enough, I'll be so moved I'll actually help Ragna."
I half-jokingly urged him on—and the marquis responded with a bombshell.
"The Immortal King and the Dawnbringer King are the same person."
"…What?"
…What the hell did I just hear?
***
The story of the Dawnbringer King is quite famous.
When public unrest grew due to the Immortal King going mad and slaughtering people, the Dawnbringer King seized the throne and ushered in a new era.
The age of immortality ended, and a new age began.
The Dawnbringer King abolished old traditions and enacted countless policies for the people, earning their fervent support. As a result, he was called a "saintly ruler."
But now the marquis was saying—
"They're the same person?"
It was shocking, but rather than freeze up, I asked the first thing that came to mind.
"Is that confirmed?"
It might be pointless, but I still asked about the credibility of the information. The marquis answered with a counter-question.
"Judging by the fact you're not asking how that's possible, I'd say you know a fair bit about the royal family."
…Bullseye.
After all, the royal family's secrets didn't appear in the game, but I had uncovered much while exploring the outer wall and the B1 underground level.
[Oh? Didn't you know? The Immortal King passed down the throne by stealing the bodies of his own offspring. That's why he always wore a mask.]
A hidden truth of Lafdonia I'd heard from the ancient chieftain.
Back then, I'd thought so that's why the Dawnbringer overthrew him. After all, there's no clearer, more desperate reason than survival.
But because of that…
"Just answer the question. Is it confirmed?"
Honestly, I found it hard to believe.
Sure, I knew it wasn't impossible, theoretically…
[I'll be different from him. I'll live and die as a human.]
That ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) line the Dawnbringer King once said didn't feel like acting.
And yet now it's all supposed to be a lie?
To believe that, I'd need at least—
"If you're asking for evidence… I don't have any. The Lafdonia royal family isn't that sloppy. But I've spent years investigating them, and I've concluded the likelihood is very high."
I exhaled unconsciously as I listened to his next words.
"Haa…"
So, no evidence. Just circumstantial belief.
I got tense for nothing.
Well, either way, it doesn't matter to me if they're the same person or not…
"Anyway, is that all you wanted to tell me? That there's a good chance they're the same person?"
"Of course not. That was just a preface."
"Then go on. This is probably the last time you'll get to talk freely."
"Do you know about Karui's Heart?"
Karui's Heart.
A treasure said to hold the power of an ancient evil god—allowing the user to steal the body of another.
The Immortal King used it to continue his existence by possessing his children like some kind of wraith.
"I know it."
"Then this will be quick. In the process of taking over the Dawnbringer King's body, the Immortal King lost the last remaining Karui's Heart."
…Huh? Hold on.
"…Last remaining?"
"You visit the library often, but I guess you didn't study mythology. Even the scriptures of the Three Gods Cult mention two Hearts of the evil god into which relics were embedded."
"…Fine, history lessons aside. So you're saying there were two items called Karui's Heart in total."
"That's correct."
That finally clears up a long-standing mystery.
If the ancient chieftain ran off with one, how the hell did the Immortal King keep surviving?
"Alright, go on."
"Anyway, after losing the remaining heart, time passed… and the body of the Dawnbringer King reached the end of its lifespan. He should've died long ago. But…"
"He's still alive. Sleeps more often, but still breathing."
The marquis gave me a strange look as I said it nonchalantly.
"…I didn't expect you to know that much."
"My life's just been cursed like that."
I just want to survive, but I keep getting dragged into all this crap.
"Don't stop now. What are you trying to say?"
"…The royal family has been searching for Karui's Heart ever since. And recently, the treasure has surfaced again. Fortunately, they don't seem to know exactly where it is yet…"
"So?"
"It's only a matter of time before they find it. That's why I made this reckless move."
"Because you thought the king would take Ragna's body?"
"That's right. To protect my daughter, I had no other choice."
So that's how it was.
I had a feeling there might be a deeper story, but I didn't expect it to actually be this one.
Well… losing the woman you love, losing your son, and now your daughter is about to be taken too—who could endure that?
Though, one question remains.
"Does it have to be Ragna?"
Why is the marquis so certain the king would target Ragna specifically?
"The king has always possessed only the bodies of his own bloodline. There must be a reason."
"No, I mean… If I were in his shoes, I'd have created a bunch of offspring to store away. Couldn't you just convince him to take another one?"
The marquis gave a bitter smile at my question.
"He did exactly that once. The Dawnbringer King created many children and kept them in 'storage.' But… a mysterious group relentlessly hunted them down."
"A mysterious group?"
"Hirkumuta. They wear black wolf masks and claim to follow the Last Great Sage. No one knows their true goal, but while the king slept, they targeted the children. As a result, none remain."
And wasn't it said that even the captain of the Rose Knights died during that?
Judging by the timeline, that would've been back when I was still a total rookie.
But that's not what matters right now…
"Do you understand what this means?"
"It means Ragna is the last remaining royal bloodline."
Hearing my answer, the marquis quietly closed his eyes… then opened them.
And then…
"Let me make one final offer."
The marquis said,
"Would you like to become king?"
It wasn't the sly whisper of a devil.
He looked too desperate… and too pitiful… for that.
-x-X-x-
The world of males is ruled by hierarchy.
If you're not strong from the moment you're born, you get weeded out within the pack, and the higher your rank, the better mate you get.
That's the law of nature—and even if you try to deny it, human males aren't much different.
Humans are part of nature too.
That desire to rise in rank is etched into the DNA we're born with.
Maybe the reason men are so obsessed with games is because of that deeply ingrained instinct.
Or maybe not. Whatever.
"King, huh…"
Even though I knew better than anyone that a high position came with heavy responsibility, the word "king" still sounded alluring.
Men, by nature, have a bit of that craving in their genes—to sit atop the hierarchy and wield unrivaled power.
But…
"What the hell kind of trick is this supposed to be?"
I decided to address that first.
After all, this was the same Marquis who had been placing a vicious curse on me not long ago.
So why the sudden shift in attitude?
It didn't feel like some last desperate struggle after giving up everything.
"A trick, you say? Do you think I still have the leisure for such games?"
"Who knows? Nobody can say for sure."
"What are you so wary of? It's something you'd have had to do anyway, whether it was me or not."
"…What did you just say?"
I scoffed in disbelief, but the Marquis didn't flinch. He simply replied shamelessly.
"Am I wrong? Think about it. If the king were to try to harm that child, would you really just stand by and watch?"
"…Depends on the situation."
I thought for a moment before answering, and the Marquis nodded as if that was enough.
"That vague answer says it all. You'll try to protect her as much as possible."
I had to admit, there was some truth to that.
But…
"You're mistaken about something. It's true I have some rapport with Ragna, but not to the point of giving up everything for her."
I drew the line firmly—and, to my surprise, the Marquis accepted it without protest.
"I know. To be blunt, your relationship with that child isn't that deep. That's exactly why I'm offering this deal."
"…"
"You already know it, deep down. As long as the king is alive, you'll never truly have peace of mind."
As I listened silently, I clicked my tongue.
Tch. This bastard really has a nest of snakes in his gut.
"Haa… Fine, go ahead and talk. If I do want to become king, are you saying I really can become one?"
"Glad to hear you're at least interested."
"It's curiosity, for now. I get that you want to use Ragna, but I don't know exactly what you're thinking."
I gave him a look urging him to get on with it.
The Marquis took a slow breath before opening his mouth.
"It's possible."
"On what grounds?"
"There are several, but the most important one is… me."
"You?"
"I'm still alive, aren't I? Even after openly rebelling against the royal family. That alone proves that the royal family isn't as absolute as it once was."
"Or maybe they're just up to something shady and weird."
"The very fact that they have to resort to something shady proves how weak they've become. Back in the day, he wouldn't have needed tricks."
It was all circumstantial evidence, but somehow it sounded convincing.
Not completely far-fetched, I guess.
Still, that's that, and this is this.
"If that's your only argument, I don't see much reason to listen any further."
"Then I'm glad. This conversation gets to continue a little longer."
"Cut to the point. I hate wasting time."
Like the Marquis said earlier, this wasn't cooperation—it was a transaction.
And in this transaction, the power dynamic was clear.
He had to persuade me, not the other way around.
"If that child dies, you'll never become king."
"Hmm?"
"Even if the loyalty is mostly for show, the nobles will never accept a king with no legitimate claim. Especially not a barbarian."
"So you're saying using Ragna will reduce the nobles' resistance?"
"Exactly. Even a flimsy justification is better than none. Sit on the throne without it, and there'll be constant bloodshed."
"I've got a lot I could say to that… but fine. I get the gist. What else?"
"Even while preparing for this great undertaking, her presence will be a great help."
"Meaning I can use her to build up my power in advance."
"As you know, it's not something one man can accomplish alone."
I smirked at that.
Seriously, I asked him to stick to the main points, and yet…
Why the hell does this guy keep dancing around?
"You don't actually think this kind of talk will convince me, do you? I don't even want to be king in the first place."
"I know. You're not interested in that kind of position. But the very fact you've listened this far means you know it too—some things in life have to be done, even if you don't want to."
Is this some kind of deathbed clarity?
The Marquis's words were heavier than usual today.
Almost like he could see right through me.
Of course, it's not like "taking the throne" has become a "must-do" for me.
Still… I figured I should keep it in mind.
The more options, the better.
"Don't overthink it. I'm not asking you to protect her unconditionally."
"…"
"Just promise. That you'll do your best, within reason."
Only then did I realize something.
The Marquis had called it a "deal" earlier.
But…
"…This wasn't a deal."
A deal means giving and receiving in equal measure.
So this doesn't qualify.
If anything, it's more like an offering—a prayer given with a sliver of hope.
***
"Fine, I promise. I'll do what I can, so long as it doesn't compromise my priorities."
"That's enough."
Only after receiving my promise did the Marquis finally relax, exhaling with a sense of relief.
Then, he offered up the rest of his "offerings."
He talked at length about the royal family.
Outlined what must be done if I want the throne.
Even listed nobles who might be swayed.
And then—
"The authority over Urae that I held is now yours."
Astonishingly, the Marquis handed Urae over to me.
Though, I didn't really feel it.
"…You're telling me something like this can let me fire Urae?"
Unlike the destructive form I'd imagined, Urae had no physical shape.
"That's not what I heard."
"Whatever you heard, Urae refers to the ancient magic circle embedded in this city. As long as you have the authority and the ammunition, anyone can use it. What you heard was probably the extractor. One shot of Urae requires the souls of many."
"How many shots are left?"
"Five."
Didn't feel like a lot—but it wasn't too little either.
A single shot could obliterate an entire palace.
"But Urae can't be used inside a labyrinth. Like I said, it's a spell circle embedded in the city itself."
"…I see."
"Oh, and one more thing."
The Marquis slowly raised his arm, stared at his hand as if reminiscing—
And then…
Shaaak—
With eyes closed in concentration, a black ring appeared on his ring finger.
He gazed at the ring for a long time before removing it and handing it to me.
"Take this too. It's one of the royal treasures."
As soon as I heard that, I remembered a past conversation with Ibaekho.
[That bastard revives in the royal palace even if you kill him.]
[Oh, you didn't know? Must be because it wasn't in the game. Anyway, there's a royal treasure that lets that happen—and the Marquis has it right now.]
So this was it…
"A generous gift."
"…You even know what it is?"
"Roughly. It revives you in the royal palace when you die, right? Only within the city."
"…You really do only know the basics."
"…Huh?"
"That effect is real. But you don't have to die to use it. Whether it's forced or voluntary, once the ring activates, you get transported to a specific place in the palace. I've been there once before… and I'm sure it holds some vast secret."
A secret chamber, huh…
I had a hunch and described the place I'd seen beneath the palace.
But the Marquis shook his head.
"Not the one you're thinking of. Still, I get the feeling you, of all people, might someday uncover what that place truly is."
"Could be. Who knows."
"Don't wear it casually. Someone's bound to recognize it."
"Got it."
I completely agreed—so I didn't put the ring on and instead stored it in subspace.
And with that, the deal was done.
"Then let's end it here. This neck of mine will be useful on the road ahead."
The Marquis closed his eyes, signaling the conversation was over.
Something about his composed attitude stirred a strange feeling in me.
I could've swung my hammer and ended his life right there, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Instead, I spoke.
"Why are you giving me all this? You were obsessed with killing me just a few days ago."
"Everything has priorities. And right now, I have no other choice."
Yeah… that makes sense…
I let out a quiet breath and muttered.
"I won't say I'm sorry."
This bastard sent me to Ice Rock, where countless people died who shouldn't have.
Not only that, but he tried to kill me multiple times—and Rotmiller died in the latest attempt.
So yeah…
"Nor will I."
Of course he wouldn't.
For him, a revenant was a being worthy of ultimate hatred.
"…Have you ever watched your child's mother scream, asking why she had to give birth? Ever had to tie her hands down because she kept punching her swollen belly? Ever seen your son suddenly turn into something that just pretends to be your son?"
…I hadn't.
And that's why I couldn't answer.
Reading a one-volume diary would never be enough to grasp the depths of the Marquis's pain.
"You, a revenant, have no right to blame me."
There was even a hint of fury in that murmur—and I smiled bitterly.
"I'm not blaming you."
We were simply on opposite sides.
***
Crunch—!
A sharp, unsettling noise echoed through the room.
The Marquis's breathing stopped as he collapsed onto the bed.
I stood over the blood-soaked sheets, opening and closing the hand that had held the hammer.
"..."
I always thought this moment would feel exhilarating.
But it wasn't just anticlimactic—it left a bitter taste.
Still…
Smack—!
I slapped my cheeks with both hands, clearing out the useless thoughts.
No point wasting time on unproductive emotions.
Just do what needs to be done.
'…He's light.'
I lifted the Marquis's body and stored it in subspace.
Proof for the king, of course.
'Guess that clears the mission…'
With the evidence secured, I opened the door to leave—only for the bespectacled guy pacing in the hall to rush over.
And—
"How did it go? Was the persuasion successful—"
The moment he saw the blood-soaked bed through the cracked door, he flinched hard.
"Th-That… What is that?! D-Don't tell me you killed the Marquis?!"
The guy practically fainted in shock.
I just patted his shoulder.
"Relax. I got Urae without issue."
"Haah… That's a relief… Huh? Got it?"
The guy let out a breath of relief—then blinked, confused.
It was baffling to me, as a barbarian.
Why was this so hard to grasp?
"I mean I received Urae. How is that hard to understand?"
I explained it again, patiently—but his reaction remained annoyingly dense.
"…Hand it over. Now."
He stared at me with suspicious eyes and spoke sharply.
And I—well, I just couldn't understand it.
"Hand it over? Why would I give my thing to you?"
Urae was mine now.
-x-X-x-
Surprisingly, it didn't take long for the bespectacled man to accept reality.
With stiff movements, he took a step back and looked me straight in the eye.
"Bjorn Yandel… you're making a grave mistake right now."
His voice was full of sincerity—an earnest warning.
But as soon as I heard that, only one thought came to mind.
Hmm, how many people have said something like that to me so far?
"Do you know how many troops are stationed nearby? There's no way you'll get out of here alive. You maybe, but your companions—never."
"Oh, I see."
I nodded in understanding, then reached out and grabbed him by the neck in one swift motion.
I yanked him close.
"But how many lives do you have, exactly?"
It had been bothering me for a while now.
Does this guy not value his life?
If he really thought my companions were my weakness, shouldn't he be more careful when poking at such a sensitive spot?
"Hmm?"
I asked a question. Why isn't he answering?
"…G-Ghhk!"
Ah, right. Can't speak with your throat being crushed.
Srrrk.
I relaxed my grip just enough to let him talk, and he gasped for breath, quickly speaking.
"Wh-Why are you doing this…!"
"Hmm?"
"We made a deal to get what we both wanted, didn't we…!"
Ah, that…
Yeah, I guess we did.
"But the situation's changed since then."
"W-What…?"
"Ah, sorry I broke our agreement! Truly, I apologize!"
Since I was the one who broke it, I offered a sincere apology.
Maybe he didn't believe in my sincerity?
"…An apology? You think that's enough?!"
That was the kind of response that made even a barbarian tilt his head.
"Hmm? What do you mean? If an apology doesn't fix it, what's the point of apologizing?"
"…?"
"I did wrong, so I apologized. That's the end of it, no?"
"W-What kind of nonsense logic is that…!"
The bespectacled man shouted in disbelief.
"Nonsense logic, huh…"
Being the broad-minded barbarian I am, I let that slide—but I did offer him some advice.
"Don't use big words like that. Makes you look weak."
"..."
"Anyway, I've apologized."
Just when it seemed things were settled, he switched gears and threw out a new line of reasoning.
"…If apologizing fixed everything, why would we have laws? Why would we have prisons?!"
Ooh, sharp.
But still wrong.
"That's why barbarians hate laws and prisons."
"…"
"So this conversation's over."
I cut the discussion short.
Come on, now.
It's more productive to talk about the future than waste time on blame and resentment.
Therefore—
"Withdraw all troops stationed nearby."
"…Are you mad? You broke the agreement unilaterally—why would we accept such a demand—"
"If you don't comply, I'll fire Urae at the District 4 main building."
The moment I showed my K-barbarian commitment to peace, the man's face turned pale.
Well, the Noark lord is in that building, after all.
'I was a little worried, but looks like he's still there.'
It had been a few days since I heard that from the Chancellor's son, so I was slightly concerned, but judging by that face, no need to switch to Plan B yet.
"Your decision."
"W-Wait, let me consult with—"
"No."
I shut him down firmly, and the man ground his teeth.
"How am I supposed to make a decision on something this huge?!"
"You've worked with the lord a long time, haven't you? You can more or less predict what he'd do in a situation like this, right?"
"..."
"You decide. On your own."
I get it. His head must be spinning.
He's supposed to punish us for breaking the deal, but doing so might get his lord killed.
Still, I wasn't too worried.
This guy was loyal enough to mention my companions just to protect his lord.
And now he has justification to protect the lord and avoid blame…
Plus, he gets to live?
'It'd be weirder if he didn't take that option.'
Once the path opens—even if against your will—it's only natural to glance at it.
"Decide fast. I broke a promise, yeah, but I also apologized. You really want blood over that, or are we going to just move on?"
"..."
"Not sure if you'll believe me in this situation, but I wasn't planning to fire Urae at you guys."
"…Not at us? Bjorn, don't tell me…!"
"Shh. No more talking. Your answer?"
Despite my push, the man hesitated.
But only for a short time.
Eventually, he forced out a response.
"…I refuse."
…What?
"Don't treat me like an idiot, Bjorn Yandel."
Before I could say anything else, the alarms installed throughout the building began to blare all at once.
BWAANG—! BWAANG—! BWAANG—!
So he had a panic button or something…
"This is how we operate."
"..."
"Better to destroy everything than let it all be taken."
Guess I underestimated the Noark mindset.
Tch. I figured he was at least a semi-rational type.
"…Didn't think you'd turn out to be such a macho bastard."
I genuinely admired him for a second—but that didn't stop my hands from doing what needed to be done.
"I'll say it one more time. Don't treat me like—"
"Enough. Die."
CRACK—!
I crushed his skull with my hammer and turned to head for the room where my companions were.
Well—tried to.
'Wait, where are they?'
With alarms blaring everywhere, I had to pause and think about which way to go.
"Yandel…!"
Just then, the door at the end of the hall burst open and Amelia appeared with the group.
They must have rushed out when the alarm went off…
"What happened?! What's going on?!"
Amelia asked, and I let out a heavy sigh.
Looks like "easy mode" really doesn't exist for me.
"Things got complicated."
Time for Plan B.
***
Plan A was simple.
Threaten the lord with Urae and escape.
It was a peaceful, non-violent, and constructive strategy.
But…
'Tch. This is why you can't work with gangsters.'
That plan got tossed thanks to Noark's twisted mindset.
So now it's time for Plan B.
And surprisingly, Plan B was even simpler.
Because…
I use Urae.
Those three words are enough.
'Now how do I use it? Ah—maybe like this—'
Whoa, what the hell.
The moment I resolved to use Urae, it was like my soul shot out of my body.
My perspective rocketed upward—through the ceiling, through walls, endlessly.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOM—!
By the time I came to my senses, I was high above the city, looking down.
An overwhelming view I'd never seen before—not even from the tallest walls.
But this wasn't the time to sit around staring.
Swoosh.
I looked down, spotting the building I'd just been in.
All around it, I could see troops that the bespectacled man had gathered—so dense that "swarming" didn't even cover it.
If I fired directly at the building, even I might not make it out.
So…
I locked the target away from the structure.
Then…
'Fire. Just think that, right?'
The moment that intent solidified, I felt an unknown force pour out of me.
And then—
SHOOOOM—!
A massive something blasted upward from the building like a rocket.
That was the last thing I saw before—
"What the hell was that just now?! What did you do?!"
Like waking {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} from a dream, I returned to my normal vision.
"Uuh…"
My head went blank for a second, but I forced myself to focus.
"Whoaaa! Something huge just launched from above Bjorn's head…!"
Ah, so it did fire.
Having just been way up in the sky, it didn't feel real.
But regardless, there was no time now.
Because Urae would fall here soon.
"There they are…!"
Right on cue, Noark troops appeared at the stairwell.
Must've rushed here when the alarm sounded…
'Look at that gear—no wonder the guy thought he could grab my companions.'
Still doesn't mean much, though.
Srrrk.
As they approached, I raised my hammer high.
Then…
"Everyone grab onto me! Amelia, take care of Ragna—Ainard, watch over Harin!"
With [Giant Form] active, I let everyone cling to my enlarged body.
KWAAAAAAAANG—!
And I slammed my giant hammer down into the floor.
"Kyaaaaaaaah—!"
The stone-and-steel floor shattered like crackers, and I dropped straight to the floor below.
'Third floor now?'
Of course, I wasn't planning to stop.
Like a 2D mining game, I kept smashing downward.
Like swinging a pickaxe top-down—
"Wh-What the hell is happening?!"
KWAANG—!
Second floor.
"What's going on—kyaaah!"
KWAANG—!
First floor.
I crashed into the tall-ceilinged ground floor, but didn't stop.
There's no way a building this big wouldn't have a basement, right?
"YEEEEEAHHH!! BASEMENT!!"
KWAANG—!
"Wait, just hold o—"
KWAANG—!
Down to B2.
I slammed the ground again, but this time, the floor didn't collapse—just left a deep crater.
Still, I kept hammering, digging a pit.
'Okay, this is big enough for all of us.'
Once I had a wide enough space, I tossed my companions down into the pit.
Then—
Plop.
I dropped [Giant Form] me on top like a lid, sealing off the improvised bunker.
"Good, made it in time."
"What… No, seriously, what the hell is going on?! Can you explain now?!"
From under me, I heard Hyunbyeol's sharp voice.
But I had only one thing to say.
"Hold on tight."
Time to explode.
***
A massive boom shook the world, and the supposedly solid ground rippled like jelly.
If the ground was this bad, no way the upper floors stayed intact.
BOOOOM—! KRRRAAANG—! THUUUUM—!
Debris from the collapsed building rained down and slammed into my back.
That was fine.
The real problem came next.
——————————!
Blinding light burst through the debris and seared my entire body.
It felt like I was being cooked alive.
Made me wonder if the ones below me were even okay.
Fortunately, it didn't last long.
'Even after dropping to B2, it's this bad…'
If I hadn't aimed away from the building, this could've gone horribly wrong.
'Better check on the others.'
The air was sauna-hot, but not deadly.
I shook it off and called out.
"Everyone okay?"
"That's our question. Are you okay?"
"Feels like I cracked a few vertebrae, but I'll live. So—answer the question?"
"…We're fine. Harin Suevi had a pretty powerful defensive scroll on her."
"Seriously though, what was that just now—!"
God, she's persistent.
Why does that matter now?
"It's nothing. Let me think for a minute."
Hyunbyeol muttered something under her breath, but I ignored it.
Time to plan ahead.
'Oxygen won't be an issue—we can rotate through dive scrolls and magic tools.'
It'll take some time, but we can dig through the rubble and escape eventually.
Then head straight across the city to Karnohn and show Astarotta the Marquis's body.
Mission complete.
'It's almost over…'
Part of me felt this whole incident was finally nearing its end.
But another part…
That creeping unease in my chest refused to fade.
Thump—
Please, let there be no surprises left.
-x-X-x-
In Greek mythology, there's a figure named Atlas.
He fought on the losing side during Zeus's war against the Titans, and as punishment for his insolence, he was condemned to forever hold up the heavens.
'Kind of a naïve guy in a lot of ways.'
…Anyway, that's not the important part.
The reason I suddenly found myself thinking of a figure from Greek mythology—rather than something from Lafdonia or Korea—was simple.
Because I looked exactly like him right now.
"..."
I dropped to my knees and bent my back.
Arms stretched out to either side, I held up the heavy debris above me with my back.
As pitiful as it was, I hadn't started out in this position.
'Fucking hell.'
After I finished the performance test of the Urae the Marquis gave me, time flew by fast.
A bunch of full-grown adults crammed into a narrow pit—yeah, it was stifling to the point of madness. But thanks to Amelia's usual stockpile of explorer gear, at least breathing wasn't an issue.
Though those were consumables too, so it wasn't like they'd last forever.
The real problem was the debris.
A building five stories aboveground and two floors underground—by architectural standards, it counted as a "large-scale" structure—had completely collapsed.
If I had to look on the bright side, maybe that's why the damage from Urae was relatively light…
'Still, what the hell is this weight…'
Even using [Giant Form] and linking together every skill I had to max out my strength, it wasn't easy.
If I pushed hard, I could lift it slightly—but that was it.
Maybe if there'd been enough room to pull pieces out one by one and clear space… But in this deep pit, there was no such space.
And it's not like I could just sit still, right?
I tried all sorts of things—lifting bits, pulling out fragments—but the end result…
'…I should've just stayed still.'
The debris collapsed inward, and now here I was.
If I moved even a little or let up the force, the whole thing would cave in—and I wouldn't be able to recover from that.
"…Bjorn! Are you okay? Ah, your face doesn't look good… Let me help!!"
"…Don't yell. My head hurts."
I put on a strong front for my companions, but to be honest, it was hell.
The weight pressing down had me worried my spine might snap again—I just wanted to rest for a moment…
"Ainard, scratch me here. It's itchy."
I couldn't use my arms, so even a simple itch had to be scratched by someone else.
"No, higher up than that…"
"Ugh… your armpit? Ew! That's gonna stink!"
Are you fucking kidding me—!
"Uh…? If you don't want to, should I do it?"
"…Forget it. I'll do it. Move, Ainard Prnelin."
Ugh… if only she wouldn't make that face.
It's humiliating enough already.
I asked Ainard—but why is Amelia the one scratching me?
…Well. It did feel good though.
'Damn, how did things end up like this…'
Looking back, complacency was the biggest problem.
Urae detonates, we hide underground.
Then, once things calm down, I push aside the rubble, climb out, and head to the royal palace.
I thought that was a given.
At some point, I stopped ever feeling limited by my own strength.
Even if a whole building collapsed, I never considered the possibility that I wouldn't be able to break through it.
"This is more serious than we thought. Yandel doesn't have infinite stamina, after all."
"If we don't want him to get crushed to death, we'd better come up with a solution before that happens."
"Harin Suevi, you got any ideas?"
"No, nothing really comes to mind…"
While I held up the debris, the others kept trying to come up with solutions—but honestly, none of it mattered.
Not because they couldn't find a solution.
But because, before they could, the solution came to us from outside.
"Hold on a sec. Everyone quiet."
I halted the nonstop strategy meeting and focused all my senses—not just hearing.
And then, I felt it.
At first, I thought it was just some confusion brought on by extreme stress…
"…It's real. It's getting lighter."
With every faint vibration coming from above, the weight I'd been holding up lightened ever so slightly.
"Wow! Is it a rescue team…?"
"We can't rule out the opposite. District 4 is occupied by Noark."
Like Hyunbyeol and Amelia said, there were two possibilities.
Personally, I leaned toward Amelia's guess—but even if it wasn't, it was still a better situation than before.
Fighting Noark soldiers beat being crushed to death a thousand times over.
'Huu…'
Still, that didn't mean I felt relaxed. I was definitely on edge.
Can you blame me?
I didn't know what happened to the others after we got separated, but as of now, the only death I'd confirmed was Rotmiller's.
'Two more…'
For the record in the Memory Stone to come true, there were still two left to die.
I couldn't help but worry—would someone else die in the chaos to come?
"I think I can lift it now."
I steadied myself and waited for the right moment.
Eventually, that moment came.
With all my strength, I shoved the debris upward.
And then—
KWAHAAAAANG—!
As I steadily pushed, it was like I struck a pressure point—suddenly my arms felt lighter, and the rubble surged upward.
SHWAAAAAA—!
The sunlight I hadn't seen in ages was harsh on my eyes, but its warmth was deeply welcome.
Still, no time to bask in it.
"Now!"
I scrambled up to the surface, and my companions followed in formation, taking combat stances.
But it didn't take long to realize all that caution was pointless.
The soldiers clearing the debris looked at me and shouted warmly.
"It's Bjorn Yandel! Sir Yandel is alive!"
…The Royal Army?
***
We were riding in a massive military wagon—large enough to comfortably carry over a dozen people if packed efficiently.
It was huge and very much "military issue," so the ride quality sucked—but I wasn't about to complain.
I was just grateful we were heading back without a fight.
"Once again, it's truly an honor to escort you, Sir Yandel. I've long admired and respected you."
Sitting next to me was some tall-ass knight I'd never seen before.
Name: Denez Akel Zaire.
He repeated it constantly, like he was trying to brand it into my brain—so I remembered it against my will.
He was apparently a royal knight from the Zaire baronial house…
"Truly incredible. The soldiers said the debris you lifted during your escape weighed several tons!"
With how clingy and flattering he was, he seemed more like a politician than a knight.
Not that I minded.
Every organization turns political at the top anyway.
You do what you have to do if you want to rise.
And to his credit, this guy wasn't bad conversation—he was a commander, so he had plenty of up-to-date intel.
"So currently, the Royal Army has reclaimed over half of District 4?"
"Yes. We're currently in a standoff around the central plaza. I, Denez Akel Zaire, received intel about your last known position. I never doubted that you would survive even in that horrific wasteland—"
"So you got permission directly from the commander and led your own unit to clear the rubble?"
"Yes, that is correct, Sir Yandel."
Does this guy have a parrot in his bloodline?
He keeps repeating the same thing every chance he gets.
Still, it's the era of self-marketing. I get it.
"Ah, we're entering the capital now. There will be a checkpoint, but don't worry—I'll take care of it."
Eventually, the wagon arrived at the capital.
After that, we switched to a different carriage.
"Sadly, my orders were only to escort you as far as the capital, Sir Yandel. Please forgive me for not accompanying you the rest of the way."
Even at the end, the tall knight kept trying to leave a good impression, glancing back at us multiple times as he returned to District 4.
We boarded the new carriage and headed toward the royal palace.
Watching the capital streets slide past the window gave me a strange feeling.
More accurately… it didn't feel real.
'Is it really… over? Just like this?'
I couldn't believe it.
Buried under rubble, I'd braced for a final showdown with Noark.
And now… it just ends, like this?
'…Stay sharp. It's not over until it's over.'
With that mindset, I resumed gathering information—though this new knight was a very different type from the last one.
He was dead silent.
"Which unit are you with?"
"…I serve His Majesty."
Ah, a member of the Royal Guard.
No wonder he wasn't talkative.
People like him had no reason to suck up to me.
"We're headed to Commander Berun. If you have questions, you can ask her when we arrive."
I kept trying to glean something on the way, but that was all I got.
The carriage continued forward and passed through the palace gates.
Then—
"Please disembark."
Finally, we arrived at Gaebyeok Palace.
Once inside, the Royal Guard split our group.
"The commander has summoned Sir Yandel alone. The rest of you will be shown to the reception room."
I'd already anticipated that, so I just gave Amelia a nod and followed along.
We walked for a while.
Then—
"…It's been a while, Bjorn Yandel."
As I stepped through the door, Astarotta greeted me.
The knight escorting me left and shut the door.
I immediately opened subspace and pulled out the Marquis's corpse.
"That makes three left now."
At that, Astarotta tilted her head.
"Three? Ah—are you talking about the deal with His Majesty?"
"What else?"
"But the numbers don't add up. The first condition was to spend seven days with me—but you ran off early, saying you'd kill the Chancellor."
Tch. So she's counting it that way.
Worth a shot, I guess.
"That means you still owe four, Yandel. Got it?"
"…Yeah, yeah. Drop the smug tone."
I grumbled, and Astarotta chuckled, then changed the subject.
"So… what happened out ★ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ there?"
"You mean you don't know?"
"Most of what I know comes from the intelligence bureau. And the bureau can't know everything—especially these days."
Right. If you're trying to seize the royal family, the first thing you cut off is intel.
The Marquis said they blinded the other side first in this war.
"Tell me. What happened?"
I gave Astarotta a summary of all the key events.
Going to rescue Ainard. Joining forces with the Marquis's traitor son. Fighting the Evil Eye. Finding the secret garden. Meeting the bespectacled guy…
Eventually deceiving him to meet the Marquis.
I told her everything I could.
The best place to hide a lie is within the truth.
"The Marquis, after losing everything, fired Urae mid-conversation. We hid underground."
The one thing I couldn't reveal was the deal I made with him.
Ragna had already been exposed during the escape—so I couldn't hide her anymore.
But the rest…
"Ohh? And?"
"That's it. The rest, you already know."
"Hmm, I see…"
Astarotta rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
"So Urae didn't fall into Noark hands, at least. Assuming your story's true."
She was clearly probing for my reaction.
I didn't show anything, just nodded and moved on.
"Anyway, now it's my turn to ask something."
"Go ahead."
The moment she said yes, I felt a tightness in my chest.
When the Urae struck and I killed the Marquis, the others who'd been caught in the teleportation scattered across the city.
Some landed safely in royal territory—but others, like Ainard, landed deep in District 4.
"…Have you confirmed the status of everyone who was caught in the teleportation with me?"
I asked quietly, and Astarotta nodded without hesitation.
"Ah, that? We checked a while ago."
Her words filled me with an indescribable emotion.
'So it's all been sorted out…'
As far as I knew, only Rotmiller had died.
But now—whatever she says next…
I can't avoid it forever.
"Hoo…"
I took a deep breath and asked:
"Are you ready to tell me?"
"Yeah. I'll tell you now."
So then…
Who lived?
And who died?