episode_0137

[Episode 137: Recognition]

“Does Heesun also know this fact? Or is there someone else who knows it?”

“I have nothing hidden from Heesun. Well… besides my other self, and a mountain spirit residing by the lakeside on Earth performing ascetic practices.”

“Hmm…”

The master lowered his head in response to my words, closed his eyes, lost in thought.

“Well… this could indeed be a risky story… In that case…”

“….”

The time waiting for an answer was nerve-wracking and tense.

I had been pondering for a long time whether it was right to speak to the king about my hometown.

Deities, spirits, heavenly realms, fairies, immortals, mountain spirits, goblins… Just listing them brought to life a world teeming with mystical tales.

Yet, despite the abundance of such stories, mine felt markedly alien here.

It was as if a 21st-century modern person was inserted between folktales, myths, and legends…

This sense of alienation made it seem like I didn’t belong in this world, prompting thoughts that I shouldn’t be part of it.

That’s why, before coming here, I had many conversations with Heesun and the mountain spirit grandfather about this.

Ultimately, we concluded that it would be better for both of us to talk about it, which led to me being questioned like this early in the morning…

Still, I feel uneasy.

I fear that at any moment, words might come out saying that I don’t belong here. The worry keeps creeping in…

Of course, I didn’t choose to be here willingly.

I just suddenly found myself in an unknown place.

Mom, sister, brother-in-law, Hyunkyung…

The fact that I couldn’t even say goodbye to my precious family was so heartbreaking…

So, I was determined to escape from here by any means necessary.

Perhaps back then, whatever decision the master made, I would have accepted it bitterly.

Even if it meant erasing me from this world, akin to death.

But now, I have dear family and good relationships here too.

Just as much as my family in the original world, the people here are precious to me.

So, I couldn’t hurt them. I couldn’t leave here or give up on them.

If ever a decision came that I had to part ways with them again, I had to resist with all my might.

I haven’t even seen our baby’s face yet.

“Hmm…”

‘Ah, finally!’

It seems he has organized all his thoughts.

“What did you want when you came here? No, what did you come here to achieve?”

“….Yes?”

The master’s question caught me off guard. It felt like my words were stuck in my throat.

After all, wasn’t the reason I revealed my identity to the master ultimately to ask why I was here?

But now, to be asked why I came here…

Of course, assuming the worst-case scenario, thankfully it didn’t seem to be that kind of situation, but I had no idea why I came here, so how should I answer if he asks me that…

“Hmm… You seem completely clueless… Hmm… Was this a mistake, a coincidence… or intentional… Well, only you from the past can know… What is certain is that to return, you must use the same method you used to come here.”

“….”

Oh… Come to think of it, the mountain spirit grandfather mentioned something similar.

My situation requires only the one who opened the door to know how to close it…

I… actually thought that Okhwang Sangje would have some transcendent power to send me back to the original world…

“Yes, judging by your expression, that’s why you came to ask that in the first place. You, you have no memory of why you’re here…”]

“I… Your Highness? But how can I have no memory? All my memories are so vivid…”

[No, the fact that you don’t know why you came here means you lost your memory. Do you happen to remember how you first came to our world?]

“Oh, I remember. I’m sure I read a fairy tale book to my nephew the day before… um… and then I fell asleep… why can’t I remember clearly? Is this right? Anyway, I fell asleep at home and suddenly woke up here…”

“Yes, that doesn’t make sense. According to what you’re saying, someone must have kidnapped you while you were peacefully sleeping at home and brought you to this world forcibly. Or, it could be that our world needed you desperately and dragged you here against your will… Both have common contradictions.”

“Huh? This is what my grandfather mentioned…”

“I… I must strongly desire to come to this world…”

“Did you hear it from a spirit? Yes, even the Sovereign of Heaven cannot forcefully bring someone from another world, following the laws of heaven in this world as well. It was only possible because our world responded to your desire.”

“….”

It’s something that the Jade Emperor of Heaven says is impossible…

So… who in this world can assert that something is impossible?

Then, really… did I come here with a purpose… and lost my memory for some reason?

“The only worrisome point is that no one knows your desire before losing your memory… If it was something harmful to our world…”

“Oh..! That will never happen! This is Hwiseon, where I and my precious family and loved ones live. There’s no way I would do anything to endanger it. Besides, this world allowed my presence…”

“However, as you know, this world is a place where stories of both reason and unreason are intertwined. Of course, this world may have responded to your desire because you were deemed good… Good and evil change depending on the era or the person.”

“Your Majesty? Even if my intentions were malicious, it should be fine since I don’t remember. Moreover, I truly have no intention of putting this world in danger…”

“That’s true. However, given your ability to handle stories, you must understand what I am saying.”

“….”

Ah… I see…

Perhaps this is also a story…

I couldn’t possibly not know about that compulsion.

The tiresome woodcutter… the tiresome tiger…

Even though I was completely unaware of my abilities at the time, in reality, they should have already died or disappeared.

But if it’s woven into the story, it’s different.

Somehow, I must have forced their lives to continue.

In that case… is the story prepared for my desire… going to unfold as predetermined even if I don’t want it to?

“Until you reach death or your desire is fulfilled and the story comes to an end… you will inevitably run towards that desire, regardless of your intentions or wishes, even if you are unaware of them… That’s fate. That’s why I asked about your purpose, as I have the eyes to see the truth and judge the danger of your desire. However…”

“It’s difficult to judge your intentions since I lost my memory.”

“…That’s true.”

Indeed… so what will happen to me?

Exile? Or… imprisonment..? Ugh.. In that case, I need to somehow escape with my women from here, but how do I descend to the surface? Flying on a cloud is out of the question.

Ah! I have winged clothes! I’ll ask Hwiseon where the winged clothes are…

[Sigh.. There’s nothing to worry about. I have no intention of pressuring you this time, just as you think.]

“…? Your Majesty? I haven’t said anything yet…”

Of course, I was taken aback since I was fully prepared to run away.

[Have I ever told you that your expressions are easy to read? Huh… Tsk tsk tsk… Even without delving into your mind, it’s clear in your eyes…. Weren’t you worried that through the cycle of reincarnation, your soul might disappear without a trace.]

Oh. I’ve heard about reading expressions often…

Master? Um… I am aware of the cycle of reincarnation and the disappearance of the soul, but I didn’t have such dreadful thoughts, did I?

[Haha.. No matter how weighty and fair the position of the sovereign is supposed to be, surely they wouldn’t treat their grandson’s father like that. So, don’t worry too much.]

“….”

I should just keep quiet to avoid causing any trouble….

[Moreover, do you know the story you’ve been changing all along? Your desire-related tale is probably still ongoing. And when you reflect on the process so far, how has it been? So many people have been saved by your hands. Yes, it’s indeed a beautiful story, just like Dongbangsak’s words.]

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

[However, always remember that the Emperor’s gaze from the heavenly throne will always follow your footsteps. This is inevitable. Just releasing you as a variable into the world already carries many risks.]

“…Yes. I will make sure not to cause any worries.”

[Furthermore, your curiosity is not something to worry about immediately. With time, you will naturally come to realize at the right moment. If that happens, you will also naturally discover your desires and a way back to your world. However.]

“….”

[If your desires end up posing a danger to this world… if… even if you regain your memories and start to despise this world… won’t you find a way for everyone to be happy with your abilities? Just as you did for me. This is a request to the current you who hasn’t regained their memories… in other words, my daughter’s husband and the future ruler of the Heavenly Realm.]

Ah…

At the last request from His Majesty… I suddenly felt a lump in my throat.

Looking straight into the eyes so similar to Heesun’s, I slowly express my sincerity with a slightly trembling voice.

“Yes.. I promise. Absolutely.”

I… have just been recognized as a true son-in-law by Master a moment ago.