Ch.117Kingdom (4)

The Kingdom.

The largest underground city in the Empire and the pinnacle of the underworld, once known as the Monarch’s Domain.

Until just a few years ago, it was considered the center of the shadow world.

A literal hell where murder, drugs, and human trafficking ran rampant like everyday occurrences.

Even the Empire had no means to control them—which explained why a mere city carried the name of a kingdom.

It was like a purgatory where only human malice had gathered.

“…This brings back memories.”

A brief murmur.

The casually uttered sentence carried traces of memories.

Memories I’d rather not remember.

“J-just a little further this way, sir!”

Unknown awkwardly led the way.

We walked.

As we crossed the darkness-covered streets, the scent of blood seemed to brush against my nostrils.

Perhaps it was the actual smell wafting from the alleyways.

Either way, it wasn’t particularly pleasant.

“I wonder if this place has changed too.”

“Y-yes… It’s been three years since the war ended, after all.”

“Haha.”

I sneer.

No.

To my eyes, nothing had changed at all.

Peeling away a bit of rotten shell doesn’t hide the ugly essence underneath.

The city full of trash was still filthy.

Rustle—

As if to prove my thoughts, I felt eyes on me.

People hiding in alleys, watching us.

Each one clutching dirty knife handles stained with others’ blood.

Their blood-hungry gazes searched for easy prey.

“……”

Would we be excluded?

Walking so openly through these streets, anyone might jump out with a knife.

But upon noticing the girl accompanying me, they seemed to back away.

‘Not bad.’

She must be living up to her reputation.

Unknown, one who relies on no one.

Though she had shown some unsightly behavior, she was still one of the nightmares ruling this city.

As a member of the Monarch’s Royal Guard, her skills were undoubtedly real.

The pack of wolves quietly tucked their tails.

Thanks to that, we reached our destination without any trouble.

“W-we’ve arrived.”

She stopped walking not far from our destination.

A massive palace came into view.

Its luxury seemed out of place with the scenery we’d just passed through.

The symbolic building of a city stained with blood and darkness, a place feared even by crime organizations gripped by madness.

It was none other than the residence of the Absolute One.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes…!”

We stepped inside.

The scene was gloomy.

Though lavish enough to make any ordinary castle seem trivial, it lacked vitality, like watching a black and white screen.

Perhaps it was because of the countless tears hidden behind that splendor.

I remained silent.

Click-clack—

Walking down the long corridor, I soon spotted a door at the far end.

It was the space for receiving the master of this place.

Upon seeing us, the doorkeepers readily opened the door.

Their movements were uniformly respectful.

“His Majesty is waiting.”

Kuuung—

The space opened with a heavy sound.

I stepped inside without hesitation.

A red carpet covered the floor.

At the end of that path stood a throne.

I naturally looked up toward it.

“……”

Sitting on the greedy throne was the Monarch.

An old man with sharp features.

Despite making no particular movement, the mana in the area seemed to be suppressed, as if submitting to him.

Beside his monstrous presence stood the rest of the Royal Guard.

Unknown, Anxiety, Distrust, and Injustice.

The five negations.

Unknown, whom I had encountered earlier, was also standing guard, and Injustice had somehow joined the Royal Guard’s ranks.

With no one speaking first, silence hung in the air.

We simply glared at each other.

“……”

It was like a strange battle of wills.

The confrontation continued for quite some time.

The one who broke the silence was one of the Royal Guards.

A large man with a fierce expression shouted at me.

“What are you doing, not showing respect first? Kneel before His Majesty and pay your respects immediately!”

“…?”

What was that?

I stared at the man who had unexpectedly raised his voice.

‘Judging by the epaulette on his shoulder… Anxiety?’

His was the only unfamiliar face.

Since I didn’t recognize him, he must be newly appointed to the Royal Guard.

I had no intention of dealing with him.

I had no interest in a fool who couldn’t distinguish when to step in and when not to.

As I sneered dismissively, he glared as if ready to pounce at any moment.

A volatile situation.

“This bastard…!”

“Enough.”

The old man’s lips finally parted.

A voice stopping the confrontation.

Anxiety looked at him with indignation, but his master merely stared back with cold eyes.

The suddenly chilled air demanded silence.

“But, Your Majesty…!”

“Did I not say to stop?”

“……”

“I distinctly remember telling you. An important guest would be coming, so don’t act rashly.”

“…I apologize.”

“Step back. This is not your place.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Anxiety retreated, seemingly suppressing his anger.

Nevertheless, his gaze remained utterly disrespectful.

I mocked him.

“Your servant education is a mess.”

“He’s still unfamiliar with our ways. I hope you’ll be understanding.”

“Understanding… I never expected such words from your mouth.”

“I’m not completely inflexible, you know.”

“How cunning.”

“Isn’t that what being an adult is about?”

A slick response.

The Monarch seemed to examine me briefly before greeting me in reunion.

The corners of his aged lips curved into a dangerous arc.

“It’s been a while… Snake.”

“I don’t think we’re on friendly greeting terms.”

“Don’t be so cold.”

“If I were being cold, you’d already be dead.”

“My, how frightening.”

The old man didn’t lose his composure.

Had he forgotten what kind of magic I had embedded in his heart?

I could kill him as easily as flipping a switch.

In such a situation, one would normally grovel, yet he was greeting me with unwavering attitude.

I could sense a basic level of respect.

But he didn’t humble himself either.

I realized anew that he was no ordinary person.

‘Well.’

The king who once ruled the underworld.

He was the only opponent who had given me trouble in my inexperienced days.

Perhaps he thought he was maintaining a certain dignity.

The characteristic servility of the weak was nowhere to be seen.

Even if it was just a pretense.

“Well… putting that aside.”

I spoke coldly.

“You must have a valid reason for calling me.”

“Would you not accept that I simply wanted to see your face after so long?”

“Then I’ll take your left arm this time.”

“It was a joke, so please put away that killing intent. I still feel the absence of the right arm you took from me.”

“I’m not known for my patience.”

“Oh, I know that well.”

The old man fingered his empty sleeve.

His previously glib expression turned serious.

His wrinkled lips spoke.

“I’ve acquired some information recently. It was too weighty to exchange through letters, so I asked to meet.”

“Information?”

“I thought it might be helpful to you.”

“I’ll hear it, then.”

“Good. I’ll arrange a separate place—”

“Before that.”

Kwak—!

A black dagger shot toward the throne.

The blade narrowly missed the Monarch’s neck.

It passed so close to his carotid artery that blood dripped from a shallow cut on his neck.

Had there been even the slightest deviation, it would have ended his breath.

I dusted my fingertips and recited.

“Whatever the reason… if you touch my surroundings again, I won’t show mercy next time.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The Monarch nodded with a calm expression.

His aged eyes were utterly composed.

It didn’t matter to me.

The target I wanted to provoke wasn’t the old man anyway.

Suddenly, I sensed movement behind me.

“How dare you threaten His Majesty…!”

It was none other than Anxiety.

He had been glaring at me with irritating eyes, and when his master was attacked, he finally lost control.

The sword he swung approached with a fierce gust.

Swooosh—!

“I clearly gave you a chance.”

Yes.

I knew you would react.

I turned around as if I’d been waiting for this, muttering.

My previously closed eyelids were now open.

“You keep bringing out my old personality.”

Dangerously gleaming eyes.

I reached out my hand.

And simply caught the approaching shadow by the neck.

Caught in mid-air, he struggled with a choking sound.

“Kuhk…?!”

I watched his struggles with merciless eyes.

I had clearly given him one chance.

This is why criminals should never be set free.

If you don’t completely crush them from the start, they’ll keep showing their teeth without knowing their place.

I flicked my fingers.

Tak—!

The sharp sound of thumb and middle finger striking each other.

Immediately after.

His limbs disintegrated.

Arms and legs fell with clean cut surfaces, and the torso, having lost its support, tumbled to the floor.

The stupid face examined his own body before screaming.

“Ku-ku-kuaaaaa!!!”

Pain, fear, agitation, despair.

His inner emotions, instantly mixed with various feelings, flowed out disgustingly.

The fragments twitched, apparently still having sensation.

Regardless.

I glared at the throne from the increasingly sticky carpet.

The Monarch, unusually rubbing his brow, admonished me.

“…You seem unable to control your temper today.”

“I’d like to kill him, honestly.”

“Please restrain yourself. It would be a loss for you too if our forces were compromised.”

“I question your judgment in many ways. That one clearly doesn’t seem suitable for the Royal Guard.”

“Well, the original person who held the position of ‘Anxiety’… wasn’t he killed by you three years ago? He was merely a substitute because we lacked suitable talent.”

“The kingdom’s future looks bleak indeed.”

“I’ll have him re-educated.”

“You should.”

“Now, stop being spiteful and restore him, won’t you?”

“If you insist.”

Tak—!

I flicked my fingers again.

Shadows enveloped him.

The pieces rolling at my feet rewound, cleanly returning to their original unified form.

Anxiety’s body was restored without a single wound.

Though his consciousness remained unconscious.

“……”

“I’ll take care of him. Please continue your conversation comfortably, honored guest.”

Perhaps feeling the need to clear the situation, Unknown approached respectfully, asked for understanding, then carried away Anxiety’s sprawled body.

Only silence remained in the wake of the commotion.

The irritating gaze was gone too.

The environment seemed finally conducive to conversation.

I clapped my hands.

Jjak—!

Writhing darkness.

Shadows woven together like threads took shape, creating a throne similar to the Monarch’s opposite him.

I sat down on its soft surface.

Crossing my legs indifferently, I began the delayed conversation.

The white-haired old man gazed at me intently.

“Well… shall we hear it now?”

The atmosphere was completely dominated by the Snake.

Poison dripped from my fangs.

“What is this important information you’ve acquired?”

The Monarch and the Snake faced each other.