Ch.68Connecting to the Past (4)

It was a scene of the Milky Way spread out under a clear blue sky. Fireworks soared into the heavens, splitting into dozens, hundreds of branches, proudly twinkling with flashes of light.

The newly built imperial palace was impressive and majestic, symbolizing the brilliant new era to come. Inside this palace, a familiar scene was unfolding.

Before the first Emperor Astelnerca, five meritorious subjects knelt on one knee.

Bartlant Chester.

Aselln Meoric.

Rusheon Estern.

Lorian Feita.

.

.

Netionpis.

“…Therefore. As your four achievements reach the heavens, I bestow upon you the rank of Duke along with the following rights.”

It was a historic moment marking the establishment of the four ducal houses. Unlike the four receiving ceremonial honors, Netionpis stood slightly apart, observing them.

People watched Netionpis with questioning looks. They found it strange that he, a man without even a family name, was placed in the same line as the four dukes yet left alone.

Soon after the commendation of the founding heads ended, Astel rose from his seat and walked toward Netionpis. The emperor’s bold action colored the public’s gaze with interest.

“Undoubtedly the greatest meritorious subject. My friend, Netionpis.”

“Your Majesty!”

One minister let out a shrill cry at this unplanned performance. But there was no one who could stop Astel, who had just ascended to the highest position above all.

The emperor’s declaration that followed was filled with imperial dignity.

“Your achievements transcend the boundaries of noble ranks and have reached the heavenly path. Your accomplishment of ending the war six years early is worthy of praise. Therefore, you shall become the empire’s one and only celestial being, befitting your merits.”

I could be certain of what would come next. The time had come for Netionpis’s name to be called with the glory that placed him above the four ducal houses.

“History will record you as the Founding Noble, the highest meritorious subject of the nation’s establishment. Along with this title, I bestow five privileges befitting a Founding Noble. This is a consideration for you who stubbornly refused land and wealth, so do not reject it. Hoho.”

“Ast…!”

Netionpis’s pupils dilated for a moment as he almost blurted out a nickname. He quickly regained his composure and showed proper respect, but his face was sour.

Glancing to the side, he saw the four dukes avoiding eye contact. Their trembling lips and suppressed smirks were extremely annoying.

Regardless, Astel’s lips elegantly proclaimed the five privileges.

“First. No matter what crime the Founding Noble may bear in their lifetime, they possess the right to immunity once.”

‘Even if it were treason.’

It was the only privilege I knew about. And those who realized the unlimited scope of this immunity privilege expressed shock in their eyes.

“Second, all rights of the imperial family can be equally enjoyed by the Founding Noble. However, this is limited to the Founding Noble’s own generation.”

Following the immunity privilege, this radical proclamation only increased the confusion among the audience. But Astel continued calmly, as if enjoying their cognitive dissonance.

“Third. The Founding Noble may speak directly to the emperor regarding imperial succession. Any royal member opposed by the Founding Noble will be stripped of succession rights. However, this is not applicable when only one successor remains.”

‘If his children desire the throne, they’ll have no choice but to catch carp in winter to present to him. Clever thinking, isn’t it?’

“Fourth. When the Founding Noble has reasonable suspicion, they have the right to inspect all nobles after notifying the imperial family. If wrongdoing is discovered, they may execute punishment at their discretion within the bounds of imperial law.”

In short, the right of a one-person audit office. The social circles would be in turmoil even if he just went on a trip.

“Fifth. The Founding Noble has the right to use the Eldchain.”

The reaction to the final right was somewhat subtle. This was natural since hardly anyone knew about the existence of the Eldchain in the first place.

‘So this was the old man’s prime…’

He was a talented individual who embodied all the strengths of the founding heads. Though I couldn’t relate, his appearance was also flawlessly striking. Moreover, he possessed five privileges, each of which would bring immense power even if held individually.

The dramatic life trajectory of this former male prostitute from the mud-walled brothel was steeper than a treacherous mountain path.

When the commendation of the other meritorious subjects concluded, the orchestra’s skillful performance filled the hall, announcing the beginning of the banquet.

Lorian approached with a mischievous smile.

“Pfft, shall we dance, Founding Noble?”

“Lorian, you… no, did all of you know about this?”

“Astel wanted to give you a surprise gift, so we kept it secret. Anyway, it’s a position limited to Nes’s generation, so there’s no risk of it being abused.”

“Can you guarantee that?”

“We all guarantee it. Now come on. Everyone is waiting for the renowned Founding Noble.”

Led by Lorian’s eager hand, Netionpis moved forward alone. His face, which had been seriously hardened, somehow softened like a warm spring breeze.

The future of these two seemed as if it would forever bear beautiful colors, like the brilliant light of the chandelier above.

‘They look so happy…’

I wonder what will happen next.

◇

The founding celebration lingered until the blue dawn sky arrived before concluding. After half a day, another banquet would be held, and they would have to laugh, chat, and exchange greetings with all sorts of people.

Before that, they had work to do. And that work absolutely required Netionpis’s authority.

A moment later, Astel entered leisurely through the banquet hall entrance that swung open with a thud. He had a mysterious air about him, somehow both joyful and sorrowful.

“You all…”

Astel trailed off.

“Hey, Astel. We’re borrowing Netionpis for a bit.”

“These fools insisted on doing this.”

“Hahaha, I’m completely in favor of it.”

“This way is more efficient.”

The responses came in order from Rusheon, Aselln, Bartlant, and Lorian. Astel looked at them and opened and closed his mouth several times, as if chewing over words he wanted to say…

“Let’s begin.”

The Founding Noble and the founding heads formed a circle around a central pillar. And wrapped around this central pillar was the Eldchain – a golden chain emitting brilliant light.

When Netionpis placed his hand on it, a soft glow emanated from the golden chain.

“I swear by the power of gold. No descendant of those gathered here may persecute the descendants of Astelnerca. As long as our blood remains in this world, for eternity.”

‘Ha… haha.’

The power of the Eldchain – binding.

Binding as a power has a very broad meaning. For instance, binding body and soul to cure Chain Disease. Or binding to a covenant to impose an obligation to fulfill it.

They had sworn to the golden chain for the latter purpose.

This was a universal truth with absolute power, along with another power called exchange.

‘Was this why the country functioned even when imperial power was weak?’

They were essentially forced to support the empire, bound by the contract of their predecessors. However, it seems this covenant was not passed down to modern times.

This is evident considering that the current emperor mistook Chester’s support as treason.

“…It’s done.”

“Surprisingly boring. Just some flashing lights and it’s over?”

Bartlant complained like a child. Aselln chided him while pushing up his glasses.

“You already feel how absolute that light is, don’t you?”

“Mm!”

He nodded in ready agreement.

As the protagonists of history were chatting and about to leave, Astel secretly gestured to Netionpis and called his name.

Leaving behind the cheerful founding heads heading outside, Astel and Netionpis headed to a lounge inside the banquet hall.

Netionpis, not knowing the reason, simply followed Astel’s lead and sat down on a plush chair.

“Netionpis. Are you okay?”

“I’m just not used to it yet.”

“Using the Chain is quite draining, isn’t it?”

“A little. As expected, Astel, you’re amazing. To do something like that so effortlessly…”

“That’s not true. I… I… Sigh…”

“Astel?”

Astel’s face, trailing off, seemed tormented. Shadows fell under his eyes as if the emperor’s crown had transformed into a thousand-pound iron weight.

Immediately after, Netionpis and even I gasped and felt dizzy at what Astel said next.

“Netionpis, I’ll tell only you, so please listen.”

“Of course.”

“I will die in the near future.”

“…What?”

“Perhaps in two years. One day, I’ll be found dead while sleeping peacefully.”

“W-wait. I can’t follow, Astel. Logically… speak more logically… no, what are you saying?”

Netionpis needed logic, but it seemed he himself had lost his reason.

In contrast, Astel was calm, and his tone was gentle and ordinary.

From his appearance, I was reminded of a sage who had seen the horizon of the world.

“What is the Eldchain, Netionpis?”

“You said it was a treasure you found.”

“That’s not wrong. I did find it. However… it was something that shouldn’t have existed in the material world.”

“Astel…?”

“Do you know, Netionpis? This world is structured with invisible chains wrapped tightly around it. To use a metaphor, it’s like a book firmly bound with rope. If the rope is the chain, then the book is our world.”

“Ha, haha. Astel, don’t tell me you’re starting a new religion… or… kuh.”

That couldn’t be. Netionpis’s information network had no record of any religion with doctrines like Astel’s claims. As someone who knew the continent’s situation better than anyone, his words scattered futilely.

“The Eldchain is part of the chain surrounding the world. One day, it just fell before my eyes. From the moment I touched it, I became the unique master of the chain. The absolute truth power that dissects the world became part of me.”

Up to this point, it was already known. Netionpis still couldn’t hide his struggle to accept Astel’s ultra-theoretical explanation.

“Such power. No human could possibly handle it. I self-diagnose that I’ll likely have a short life, perhaps until my second generation. After that, passing through two generations, my descendants will probably live normally.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Astel. You’re the emperor. With a single gesture, you can summon the best physicians. If not that, I could master medical arts to… Astel. At least you… you who saved me…”

He couldn’t promise to save him. It wasn’t a matter of lacking ability. He simply read from Astel’s serene blue eyes that resistance to this fate would be meaningless.

“Netionpis. My friend. My one and only meritorious subject.”

“…”

“Do you remember our first meeting?”

“Of course I do! Buying a shabby male prostitute with nothing to his name, and pulling me away with clean hands despite my fishy smell… everything. I’ve never forgotten a single moment.”

“I miss it.”

“…Those were memories.”

“But you know, Netionpis.”

“Yes?”

“Haven’t you ever thought it strange? For instance, why I bought you. How I recognized your talent when you had never left the brothel… things like that.”

“…”

“Did you really never doubt it? No, you must have wondered. After all, you’re the wisest among us.”

“Because it was you, Astel. For me, that alone was sufficient logic.”

I still can’t forget how you looked that day. My savior, branded on my retina like the sun. From that moment, you were nothing short of a god to me.

For someone like you… to find me… how could that be strange…

“Haha, perhaps you’re right. We were destined to meet eventually. I just hastened it.”

“Destiny?”

“More precisely, it should be called a connection. From the moment I became the master of the chain, I could see the connections that penetrate life.”

He said that he wanted to quickly end the era of war by hastening the connections that would form in the future. He lived a life seeking the best outcomes by connecting severed connections and avoiding bad ones.

“The fate of a short life is probably the penalty for pretending to be an observer while being human bound to the world. It’s only natural to pay the price.”

Cheating for the greater good was a sin that reversed cause and effect. Astel was saying he would willingly accept the consequences.

“Besides, in my eyes… I can see the connections you will make. Perhaps a rather pleasant friend will appear.”

Astel chuckled to himself. Netionpis, the actual subject of the laughter, remained serious, constantly recalling and questioning the phenomenon.

No matter how many possibilities Netionpis considered for Astel to avoid the consequences, no answer emerged. The thought experiment about the unknown was desperate.

“Netionpis. I’m fine. Rather, what I’m worried about is you.”

“What?”

“I can’t reveal everything. I’m just a component, after all. But when I see the future you’ll experience, the connections… kuh.”

“Astel!”

“Ugh… Is this it? This may be sudden, but I’m sorry, Netionpis. I want to be alone. It must be confusing, but give me some time.”

“…… Alright. Ring the bell if you need anything.”

“Of course.”

Astel’s complexion was growing increasingly dim. I got the impression he was like fog with no fixed form. He seemed precarious, as if he would scatter if touched and disappear without a trace when the morning sun rose.

Netionpis kept looking back until the end, checking on Astel’s condition. Even as the lounge door closed, concern remained in his eyes.

Now only Astel remained alone in the lounge. He seemed to be suppressing a headache while sipping lukewarm tea.

He took a deep breath and raised his eyes……

Deep breath…

…

Huh?

‘What, what is this? Does this make sense?’

This is the old man’s memory. It’s a kind of mental world that shows exactly what the old man saw, heard, and felt.

But Netionpis had long left the lounge. My senses and actions are linked to his. According to his action of leaving the room, my vision should have captured the palace corridor.

‘Why am I still in Astelnerca’s lounge? How…?’

Is it the old man’s intervention? Or if not that, an error in the mental world itself?

Either way, it was a phenomenon difficult to understand.

At that moment, Astel’s blue eyes looked directly at this scenery.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t panic and stayed comfortable.”

‘Is he talking to me…? No, that can’t be.’

“I see. So in that era, you’re called Nepy? I like that name. You’re better at naming than I am.”

‘…What?’

“The string of struggle and destruction has changed to a connection of unity… Perhaps it was possible because you’re an observer outside the chain. But both you and Netionpis bear heavy karma.”

Astel, putting down his teacup, slowly rose and approached in my direction. In this unexpected, mysterious situation, I tried to step back but my feet wouldn’t move.

No, I didn’t have any bodily organs to control in the first place. The belatedly realized disaster was bewildering.

Even so, Astel illuminated this side with his strange blue light.

“How can I apologize for a sin that cannot be repaid? How should I comfort you who must permanently walk the other side of time regardless of your will…”

He said,

“I’m sorry.”