Ch.163Chapter 163

After stopping the sinister plot of the Huntsman’s followers and the bandits, Rondan’s knights began their formal war preparations.

Their mission was to stop the Giant of the Snow Mountains.

Even the usually confident Knight Commander was now focused on the operation with a serious attitude.

It seemed difficult to repeat the same mistake after the disaster that occurred when he thought, “This should be enough.”

Humans should always be wary of times when they’re too confident.

Just as high-energy states are called excited states—unstable states—people tend to make more mistakes in such conditions.

“First of all, the person who will be entrusted with the most important task in this operation is you, Raedan Tanthyn.”

The Knight Commander pointed at me with his chin.

All the executives present nodded with serious expressions at the Commander’s words.

A being that couldn’t be defeated by human power alone.

Coming from the Knight Commander who had experienced this firsthand, they seemed to have no choice but to accept it.

“So, Tanthyn, how many Outer Gods are you currently in communication with?”

The Vice Commander, seemingly preparing to write down the information I provided, held a piece of paper and a writing instrument as he asked me.

“One near-great Outer God, four Great Outer Gods, and we can also expect support from the former Empress.”

I had never revealed my full capabilities before.

Perhaps surprised to hear directly from me what they had only seen indirectly, a murmur spread among the knight executives.

Above all, the atmosphere became more excited at the mention of the Empress’s help.

“By the former Empress, do you mean the Outer God woman who assassinated the Emperor?”

“That being is going to help us? I can’t believe it.”

I could fully understand people’s reactions.

Due to Gaia’s conspiracy, people couldn’t have known the truth about the Empress.

I only hope that the narrative of the Empress still guarding the Emperor’s body would spread among them.

“The Empress is merely a victim of conspiracy theories. She is still quietly guarding the deceased Emperor’s body.”

“What does that mean…?”

Perhaps because this was a story they had never heard before, one of the knight executives frowned and expressed his doubt.

“If I were to explain the details now, it would only burden your hearts. Involving personal emotions often leads to wavering resolve. You will learn the details after everything is over. However, I can assure you that the Empress will be a reliable force for us.”

A man who commands five great beings beyond human comprehension.

And this man supports the Empress who allegedly assassinated the Emperor.

That fact alone was enough to cause a commotion in the meeting hall.

Some looked at me as if I were a dangerous mutant.

But their common trait was that none seemed eager to hastily refute my words.

Considering what I had done for Rondan, criticizing me would only undermine their own intelligence.

After all, the power I had used to protect them came from those very beings they so despised.

And considering that Mushin was the Vice Commander of Lintpia, they must also know what the Outer Gods originally were.

Amidst the commotion, the sound of the Vice Commander’s writing could be heard quietly, and after finishing, he slapped the table with his palm to draw everyone’s attention.

“Keep subjective emotions out of a meeting that should be discussing objective facts.”

“But Vice Commander, we’re talking about the power of Outer Gods. We’re not saying we’re not grateful to Tanthyn. But isn’t it natural to feel uneasy?”

One of the knight executives addressed the Vice Commander in a gentle tone.

Good words deserve good answers.

The Vice Commander nodded in understanding and spoke.

“I understand. I too felt very troubled when I heard from Tanthyn that the former Empress would be participating. But think again, knights. Tanthyn has always made possible what we thought was impossible. Even now, we’ve come this far thanks to Tanthyn’s efforts. As for me, if it weren’t for Tanthyn’s help, I wouldn’t be here. When the nightmare incident occurred, I might never have opened my eyes again.”

As the Vice Commander listed these objective facts, the executives twisted their lips and darted their eyes around, seemingly lost in thought as they looked at me.

Then, quietly muttering things like “If it’s Tanthyn…” they turned their gazes back and calmed the meeting atmosphere.

I quietly looked at the Vice Commander.

It truly takes someone special to be in a leadership position, I thought.

Perhaps this is what the executives in the Vice Commander’s dream meant when they said nothing could have been done without him.

In the now subdued atmosphere, the Vice Commander diligently wrote on the paper, placed it on the table, and then rested his chin on both hands, fixing his gaze on me.

“One thing I’d like to confirm: how does the power difference between the Great Outer Gods you’re friendly with and the Giant of the Snow Mountains compare?”

“By objective measures, our side is much stronger, but due to compatibility issues with the Giant’s powers, we’re at a slight disadvantage.”

“Even with the former Empress’s help?”

“Yes. Or rather, with her help, we can consider the situation roughly equal.”

The Empress, Demeter, is one of the Four Supremes along with Apta, Oko, and Gaia.

In mystical terms, she’s considered a Great Outer God of the Ideatic Realm.

The executives’ gazes focused on me again, perhaps finding it strange that even with such a being on our side, we could barely maintain equal footing.

It seemed additional explanation was needed.

“Does everyone here know about mysticism?”

“I know a little.”

Except for one Knight Commander, everyone shook their heads.

After the Knight Commander offered to explain my words in simpler terms, I was able to continue.

“Great Outer Gods, especially beings like The Chronicler and the Empress, cannot directly influence the human realm. Their actions could disrupt causality and even the order of the universe. The Empress’s power directly involves life, while The Chronicler’s power writes the flow of time and reality we live in. Aren’t both close to absolute powers?”

The executives nodded, seemingly trying to understand my words.

“They cannot interfere with human death or history, so they cannot provide direct military strength. If the Empress were to resurrect someone dead, the Empire might fall. If The Chronicler altered history to give us an easy victory over the Giant of the Snow Mountains, it could lead to the destruction of the universe.”

As these serious words left my mouth, some executives leaned back in their chairs and sighed.

Though I had only conveyed this verbally, perhaps they felt a sense of cosmic horror.

At the same time, they might have felt frustrated by the inability to receive direct support.

“So for the sake of the future, we should defeat the Giant of the Snow Mountains with our own power as much as possible?”

“Yes, Commander.”

With the Knight Commander’s single statement, everything was clarified, and the Vice Commander diligently wrote down the conclusion.

“About compatibility—does it mean that even Great Outer Gods are somewhat affected by the same influences we are?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“But conversely, if we use that power in the right place and time, even moderate assistance could be maximized to the extreme.”

That’s it.

That’s what I wanted to say.

They cannot interfere with what we call absolute laws.

Conversely, in matters of chance, we can fully utilize their power.

Similar to how Oko and Apta helped me when I tried to deal with The Advisor.

As the executives seemed to finally grasp my intention, letting out sighs of realization, the Vice Commander smiled and said:

“Let’s take a short break. It seems we’ll need to face the Great Outer Gods as well.”

The meeting hall became noisy once more at the Vice Commander’s words, but the Knight Commander and Vice Commander coolly left their seats.

Fearing I might become dizzy from their barrage of questions if I stayed, I quickly followed them outside.

#

After leaving the knights’ headquarters, I was again appreciating the ecstasy taking place on the rooftop of the furnace.

When I first saw it, I thought this scene was truly beautiful, but now it seemed somewhat lonely—knowing that the snow was a device for expressing her loneliness, and seeing the helpless feelings of the Princess who could only watch it.

As I was spacing out, I sensed someone approaching me.

Turning my gaze in that direction, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised.

Muyeon was approaching with a shy expression.

“M-Muyeon?”

“Tanthyn.”

Muyeon fidgeted, twiddling her index fingers, then faced me with what seemed like a determined expression.

Her trembling body suggested she was trying to follow through on what she had said during the bandit subjugation.

“You remember what I said, right?”

“Uh, yes. But now is…”

“No! I have to say it now! It’s hard to work up the courage again… I’ve been looking for you all this time!”

Uh, oh.

This really isn’t the right time.

Oh no.

But despite my objection, Muyeon blurted out what she wanted to say.

“T-Tanthyn! Ever since what happened in The Gardener’s garden, I’ve been in love with you! So… so…!”

Muyeon finally said what she wanted to say, and I glanced nervously toward the headquarters building while fidgeting with my mouth.

Seeing this, Muyeon’s face fell.

“I-if you don’t like me…”

“No, no. That’s not it…”

Muyeon blinked at my words, looking confused, then followed my gaze and finally seemed to understand why I had objected, her expression turning blank.

There, the knight executives who had come out for a break were secretly watching us.

Among them were Mushin and the White Mask.

Mushin burst into laughter.

Muyeon’s face turned bright red.

White Mask looked at me with a sneer and said:

“You’re quite the sinful man, Tanthyn.”

Oh, damn it.