Ch.65Connecting to the Past (1)

Upon hearing the allegations of Zikharun’s infiltration into the imperial palace, the Emperor’s features contorted strangely. He likely couldn’t comprehend it either. The question of what could possibly be accomplished with myself, Irefi, and Bartlant gathered together in the palace was clearly written across his face.

In terms of protective abilities alone, Irefi and Bartlant could adequately safeguard the banquet hall. Even if golden pillars were to set the palace ablaze, the only humans who would perish would be the pitiful servants.

While the death of humans is a sad affair, it’s also true that they have no practical value. In other words, Zikharun’s intentions remained as hazy as traces hidden in thick fog.

“What should we do about this?”

The Emperor asked. He looked as though he had aged five years in an instant.

“First, I suggest we gather all visitors to the palace here in the banquet hall,” Bartlant offered his opinion as the captain of the guard.

Though his words were gentle, they essentially meant confinement. And I strongly agreed with Bartlant’s counsel.

With Irefi present, the banquet hall would be safe no matter what happened. Moreover, it would be easier to block any potential internal collaborators of Zikharun.

The Emperor read our silent agreement.

“Knights, summon everyone on the attendance list. From this moment until this situation is resolved, no one may leave this place.”

As the imperial command was issued, the knights moved busily. First, a solemn closing sound echoed through the hall. It was the sound of the massive banquet hall entrance being half-closed.

Next, all passages leading to exit doors, terraces for secret meetings, and lounges were blocked. A ripple of unrest spread among the attendees at the suddenly ominous atmosphere.

Most looked up at the high seat, demanding answers. To this, Bartlant announced the facts in a voice filled with dignity.

“A dangerous element is currently roaming the palace. To prevent any unfortunate incidents, we will be closing the banquet hall for a while. As distinguished nobles of the Empire, we ask for your sincere cooperation.”

There seemed to be no objections to this dignified declaration. More precisely, everyone seemed to understand how foolish it would be to argue with the young marquis of Chester and the Emperor’s guard captain.

Though he likely had no intention of relying on authority, his position created the situation. However, while objections weren’t permitted, questions certainly were.

“What kind of dangerous element are we talking about?”

“Hmm…”

This was truly a difficult question.

‘They wouldn’t understand if I introduced Zikharun without any filter.’

He was associated with Feita, and Feita had been completely swept away after the rebellion. Yet a remnant of Feita had infiltrated the palace as if it were his own home?

This was a matter of imperial prestige. Moreover, the institutional nobles who had suffered from Feita’s machinations would be furious. The imperial credibility would inevitably decline.

“What should we do, Irefi?”

“It’s troublesome. The longer we delay answering, the worse public opinion might get. Especially for Bartlant, who’s just started his position.”

“If we avoid answering, he’s an incompetent guard captain who doesn’t even know the identity of the intruder. If we answer properly, the imperial family becomes incompetent for failing to properly handle the aftermath of treason.”

“Either way, since Bartlant is now considered imperial personnel, the imperial prestige will decline regardless. If it were up to me, I’d like to cut down the entire palace.”

“Please refrain from that…”

Her Splitting Heaven and Earth technique would certainly annihilate both Zikharun and the entire palace. But the price would be paid with the worst-case scenario of Irefi’s Malice running wild.

As my thoughts were turning negative, I suddenly recalled an obvious fact.

‘Wait, I’m not needed in this situation, am I?’

I have no protective abilities and my combat skills are ambiguous. But my tracking abilities far surpass Irefi’s spirit sensing. It would be inefficient for me to just sit here.

Before asking permission to leave, I awakened my senses. This was to flush out any rats that might have sneaked into the banquet hall.

“Sensory activation.”

My cognitive abilities expanded infinitely. In my current state, I could clearly hear even the fluttering of a young lord’s trouser leg as he nervously shook his foot.

Meoric and Estern’s young men busy comforting Miren by her side. Arnel standing a bit apart, just watching Miren. Enella anxiously scratching the floor with the tip of her sword.

All kinds of information from the banquet hall flowed through my fingertips and ears. The interaction of my extremely expanded senses processed endless information.

‘All connected buildings and rooms are empty… should I head to the main palace?’

Just as my destination was determined by process of elimination, my activated hearing caught a disturbing altercation. No, rather than an altercation, it was more like one side being dominated by terror.

As the faint sounds gradually subsided, one person’s footsteps increased in density. It was an unhurried march, as if taking a stroll in the courtyard, without any hesitation.

Thump. Thump.

The gentle footsteps were now approaching the vicinity of the banquet hall. The tension of the guards protecting the banquet hall doors flowed through the ground. It didn’t take long for this untimely visitor to subdue them.

“…He’s coming.”

“Nepy?”

The question implicit in Irefi’s call was clear. Perhaps she had already guessed. The evidence was that she had unconsciously formed a sword seal by overlapping her index and middle fingers.

Before I could address her suspicion, the troublemaker made his move first.

Clunk! Creeeeeak…!

The large door vibrated with friction befitting its size as it opened. As the outside scenery seeped into view, a guard’s announcement, almost like a scream, rang out.

“The—The representative of one of the four ducal houses! The proxy of Duke Feita! Lord Zikharun Misrakh has arrived!!!”

Step. Step.

The change in the sound of his footsteps was as clear as if the ground he was treading had changed from earth to gleaming marble. His ruby-like eyes were serene, and his slightly smiling face held a charm that could bewitch people.

Just his straight stride through the hall exuded tremendous pressure. The crowd along his path parted like a miracle parting waves. Haughty-looking ladies and grim old nobles silently made way for him.

Finally, when he was close enough for the Emperor to see clearly, Bartlant’s large figure leaped up.

Bartlant landed with a thud below the high seat and blocked his path.

“Well, it’s been a while, Bartlant?”

“If you’ve come to assassinate His Majesty, you’ve picked the wrong day.”

“Haha, surely not. I know well that I can’t break through your and the Destroyer’s protective abilities alone.”

Zikharun greeted him affably, tilting his chin up.

“It’s been a while, Marquess. And… Lady Charle. Ah, I see His Imperial Majesty is also in good health? The Destroyer enduring silently over there also has quite the stomach.”

Zikharun spoke casually. His behavior, conversing so normally, was enough to ease people’s tension.

‘The atmosphere is strange.’

Now people wore expressions with a suitable mix of fear and curiosity.

What had happened that a man claiming to be Feita’s representative knew us? Or why was he so calm in what was essentially a desperate situation?

People’s attention was focused as if watching a stage opera. In such a scene that seemed like the center of the world, the Emperor finally broke his heavy silence.

“Traitor, speak your purpose for daring to set foot in the imperial palace.”

“A declaration of war.”

“What did you say?”

“From now on, I convey the long-cherished wish of Feita passed down from previous generations. Let all who have benefited from the Empire open their eyes and ears to uphold this will.”

“Nonsense!”

Just as Bartlant was about to draw his sword—

“Captain Chester, withdraw your killing intent!”

The one who prevented the imminent clash was none other than the Emperor. Bartlant had no choice but to step back, suppressing his battle aura that was glowing numbly.

“I permit you to speak.”

“I appreciate your kindness.”

Zikharun leisurely clasped his hands behind his back. He cleared his throat with a theatrical interjection and delivered his message.

“Lorian Feita. From her, who was the shadow blade of the first Emperor Astelnerca, I stand here to expose the original sin of the imperial family.”

The Emperor listened silently. The internal affairs of the Feita ducal house, which had subtly been at odds with the imperial family, remained an unsolved mystery.

The motive for rebelling against the system, even while harboring hopes of overturning fate. That clue was about to be unraveled a little.

“The Dark Ruler, the third Emperor Asar Euglinas. His foolish reign was sufficient to transform one woman into a demonic rakshasa.”

Arrogance that dared to cross the heavenly path without knowing one’s place severed loyalty.

A sword hilt beyond one’s station tore through the entrails of an ordinary woman.

The original sin of insatiable greed that took away the world, the blank history that he desperately erased, we remember.

Therefore, as the collective inheriting Lorian Feita’s grudge, I command:

“Weak traces of the enemy, accept the price of bearing an unbearable karma… is what she says. Unusually solemn writing. Kuk.”

In the heavily oppressive atmosphere, only he sneered.

The Emperor’s brow furrowed as he rested his chin on his hand. He asked:

“Is that the end of your message?”

“There were no further comments.”

“Can Feita handle the imperial family, the Empire, alone?”

“That would be difficult.”

Zikharun’s shoulders shrugged. Though his actions weren’t serious, his answer was clearly sincere.

“If we remove Irefi Justitia from the equation, there are two asymmetric forces… I could cover it, but unfortunately, violence led by numbers shows no mercy.”

No matter how impressive Feita’s singular force might be, it couldn’t surpass Chester, which specialized in military power. Moreover, if the imperial family, Meoric, and Estern were added, predictions became meaningless. Zikharun was clearly aware of this.

“So we’re trying to match you in numbers too. Originally, it would have been impossible even after a thousand years, but… I should thank Asar Euglinas for this one thing. For giving us a golden opportunity.”

“I see… Is that so.”

The Emperor took a deep breath, then issued an imperial command with his eyes glowing crimson.

“Capture that man immediately.”

“As you command.”

KWAAANG!!!

In an instant, Bartlant’s sword struck Zikharun’s pitch-black silhouette. The air pressure caused the surrounding atmospheric pressure to fluctuate, and all the tables in a straight line were completely split.

Third parties were isolated by a barrier of battle aura, busy screaming in panic.

Then, a sudden gust of wind blew away the dust that had scattered from the impact, presenting a clear scene. Thanks to this, everyone in the hall witnessed Zikharun’s calm posture as he wrestled with Bartlant’s sword.

The phenomenon indicated by this unnaturally strange wind was clear.

“Air is the last of the four major elements. Being able to handle it is evidence of maturity as a spirit.”

“It’s faster than I anticipated…”

Even Irefi, with her memories of the future, recognized it accurately. As she explained, Zikharun’s specs were at their peak. His claim that he could handle me and Bartlant alone was no exaggeration.

“I don’t want to fight, Bartlant. Honestly, even if I killed everyone here, if you’re prepared for mutual destruction and unleash the Destroyer, there’s no answer.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Haha, how naive. Do you think the Destroyer would remain still if I were about to kill the Marquess?”

“Ugh.”

Bartlant was poor at lying. He tried to retort something, but nothing came out, as if a pig bone was stuck in his throat.

“At this point, if she goes berserk and the Empire is destroyed, that’s within acceptable limits… but I’d rather not be caught up in it. If you let me go now, I’ll return quietly.”

“…”

Clack, clack!

Bartlant was still deep in thought with his sword engaged. His deliberation didn’t take long. As the chilling metallic sound gradually subsided, Bartlant’s blade retreated.

Click.

The situation was settled as both men’s swords rested peacefully in their scabbards. Zikharun bowed formally, as if newly remembering his manners.

“Then, weak traces of the enemy, may you be at peace until the day of destruction.”

With that, Zikharun’s figure leisurely disappeared outside the banquet hall. After confirming complete safety, Bartlant removed the barrier and knelt before the Emperor.

“As the guard captain, I have dared to disobey the imperial command and released a traitor. No amount of excuses can lessen my wrongdoing. I request Your Imperial Majesty’s judgment.”

“How can I hold you responsible if that was the best judgment as guard captain? I should rather commend your efforts in carrying out an unreasonable imperial command. I know that everyone here is a burden.”

The Emperor looked around the disorderly hall and said quietly:

“We should conclude the debutante banquet.”

It was a murmur like that of an old man whose energy had hit rock bottom.

On a warm spring day, the debutante event, which should have been a joyous occasion as a meeting place, ended in the worst possible way.

◇

Irefi’s pure white hair melted into the scenery of the imperial palace as the sun set. The remnants of twilight passing through the window dyed Irefi’s whiteness red.

I, Irefi, and Bartlant were creating a silence in the conference room of the main palace. We were too disgusted by the afternoon’s events to engage in bright conversation.

I was fortunate that I could at least fiddle with Irefi’s hand. Without even that, it would have been a terrible feeling.

In the awkward atmosphere, the first to break the silence was Bartlant, who had been quiet for a while.

“There’s no need for you two to hide your flirting, but…”

“No, it’s… etiquette… I suppose.”

“Nepy, please don’t pull your hand away just because you’re embarrassed.”

“Mmm…”

Public displays of affection were far from etiquette to begin with. Since I had no decent excuse to offer, I kept my mouth shut.

As we were passing time with Irefi’s affectionate touch, the conference room door suddenly burst open, and the Emperor appeared.

He looked pitifully gaunt in just a few hours. The resolution of his forehead wrinkles had improved too quickly.

The Emperor sat down with a thud, as if collapsing, forgetting his dignity.

“This is exhaustingly difficult.”

Those were the Emperor’s first words.

“Even if Feita causes a disturbance, couldn’t they have waited just one or two generations… At least until after I step down from the imperial crown… No, no. When one is pushed too far, nonsense comes out. So…”

After rambling, the Emperor gathered his breath and looked at us. More precisely, he met my eyes as I gazed at him with pity.

“What is the reason the Marquess requested this meeting?”

I gave a simple and clear answer to the Emperor’s question.

“I think it’s about time we knew.”

“Knew what?”

“The story from 400 years ago. What the imperial family did to Feita. I had no intention of pressing the matter, but at this point, I believe we need to know.”

“I’m sorry to tell you, Marquess, but I know nothing. I find Zikharun’s message difficult to understand as well.”

“You misunderstand. How could I interrogate Your Majesty? The subject of interrogation is someone else.”

“Nepy, could it be…”

Irefi’s ominous gaze was frightening. Of course it would be. For Irefi, calling upon that man, a villain difficult to acknowledge and a mortal enemy she had fought, would be troubling.

‘Sigh. This is distressing.’

In this world, my life only turned its first page after meeting Irefi.

If Irefi is the first sentence that begins my story, that man was no different from the cover that wraps the story.

Looking back, he was the starting point of everything.

“The founding noble Netionpis. The old man inside me would know, wouldn’t he?”

I tapped my chest to reveal the subject of interrogation. Simultaneously, I circulated the disgusting Malice within my body and inwardly called out Netionpis’s name.

During my previous confrontation with Irefi, Netionpis’s mental world was almost closed. It had become a space so separated that it was difficult to perceive the outside scenery from within.

Perhaps this would be the last chance to face Netionpis. Before his mental world becomes completely independent, I need to extract the whole truth.

[You know well.]

‘Old man. It seems it’s not completely closed yet.’

It was a hazy thought, as if filled with noise. If one didn’t listen carefully, the implied meaning might be missed.

[First, let me make one thing clear. Even I don’t know Lorian’s exact intentions. I can make inferences, but only the Feita of that time would know the complete circumstances.]

‘It doesn’t matter. Can you come to the surface? Or should I relay it instead?’

[I can emerge to the surface if it’s not intense activity. But even that won’t last long. So you should continue the progression of memory. So you can tell the oral tradition even if I reach my limit.]

After Netionpis’s proposal, I lost control of my body.

In a veil of abyss, neither reality nor mental world, I felt like I was falling into an infinitely deep pit.

Eventually, Netionpis, who had taken control, brought up the topic. As he uttered each word, my vision gradually turned pure white.

He said:

[I have three sins that penetrate my life.]

As Netionpis’s next statement was uttered, my vision captured dark and dirty mud walls. It was a terrible space where pitiful groans and screams mixed from all directions.

When I came to my senses, I was sitting on a hard, uncomfortable bed. Without even focusing on other sensations, I could smell the strong fishy odor and feel the skinny, unsightly body.

Soon after, from somewhere that could be either sky or ground, Netionpis calmly stated:

[What I’m about to tell is the process by which an arrogant sinner reached his first sin.]