episode_0053

The interior of the Moryong Clan, thrown into confusion by the appearance of the Flame Emperor that no one had anticipated, was filled with silence.

But perhaps it is a reaction that is only natural.

They say you can badmouth the president when he’s not around. Conversely, how many people would dare to openly insult him to his face? Even though the Flame Kingdom is a nation formed by the gathering of various sects and clans, it is clear that the one who united many of them is certainly the Yeom family.

『Under the name of the flame, we are one.』

This is a saying that represents the Flame Kingdom, and it is a saying that the people of the Flame Kingdom cherish deep in their hearts.

“The Flame Emperor is before you!”

“Everyone, lay down your weapons and show respect to the Flame Emperor!!”

Two bodyguards standing next to the Flame Emperor shouted in voices loud enough to shake the entire castle.

Perhaps they were shouting with their energy imbued, the shout spread out with a slight shockwave, completely severing the flow of battle that had been subtly flowing there.

The martial artists of the Moryong Clan laid down their swords one by one.

As a result, the sound of swords falling to the floor and clashing with iron was heard from all directions, and all the martial artists shouted in an even louder voice.

“””””We greet the Great King of Flames!”””””

Not only ordinary martial artists and retainers, but even the head of the Moryong Clan greeted him by slightly bowing his head, though not as deeply as the others.

Only I and Baekryeon did not greet the Flame Emperor in this place.

Of course, the Flame Emperor’s bodyguards glared at me and Baekryeon as if they didn’t like the sight, but I calmly faced them.

What can those weaker than me do even if they glare at me?

‘But they’re definitely strong. Baekryeon or Dang Seol-rin wouldn’t be able to handle them. These guys have gotten quite a bit stronger than when I first met them.’

They’re almost at the level of a quasi-clan head.

At least among the martial artists of the Moryong Clan here, the only one who can properly subdue the bodyguards is the clan head over there. That’s only when dealing with one bodyguard at a time, and if two of them attack together…

Maybe no one here except me can properly subdue them?

“Flame Emperor…, it’s been a while.”

“Indeed. I believe the last time I saw you was after the inauguration ceremony of the Flame Emperor.”

“Yogyeong is such a remote land that I hope you understand that we don’t get to see the Flame Emperor often.”

“I know, I know. I am well aware of your hard work in guarding the borders of the Flame Kingdom in this remote land, so I have no intention of blaming you for that.”

As a ruler, his voice, tone, and gait exuded composure.

He slowly walked inside with his bodyguards.

“But Flame Emperor. What about the story from earlier…”

“Ah, the investigation? The investigation is as I said. Everyone in the Moryong Clan must accept the investigation.”

“….”

He shrugged and said it as if it were nothing.

Exactly as.

That is, as I said. As he declared.

Everyone in the Moryong Clan must be investigated by the Flame Army.

“….Flame Emperor. That’s…”

“Why? Do you dislike it?”

“….We, the Moryong Clan, pride ourselves on having done nothing to be ashamed of in the name of the flame. But to ask us to be investigated like this. I think that’s too much for our Moryong Clan.”

“Hmm…, is that so? Then I understand. You don’t have to receive it.”

….?

What on earth is he talking about?

As I stared at the Flame Emperor as if I was dumbfounded, the Flame Emperor met my gaze and smiled slightly.

Then, he turned his gaze to Moryong Mu-woong and said in a calm and relaxed tone.

“It seems that the National Assembly will be held soon.”

“….That’s right.”

“It’s an agenda that will also be brought up there…, the Yeom family is planning to declare a full-scale war against the Beastman Alliance.”

“!”

War with the Beastman Alliance?

Even I was surprised by this.

I didn’t expect them to decide on a battle with the Beastman Alliance so quickly.

“The Yeom family cannot wage war with the Beastman Alliance alone. Therefore, we will request cooperation from all sects and clans in the name of the flame for the war.”

That is a natural request.

Above all, the Beastman Alliance is currently like a ticking time bomb, so it is important not to create any variables from the start.

Therefore, it is right to bring out all available forces.

“But, if that’s the case, one thing must be made clear. According to the information our military has gathered, we will conduct appropriate investigations on all sects and clans suspected of having any cooperative relationship with the Beastman Alliance.”

“….”

“I don’t know if they will help you then.”

“….Are you threatening me?”

The Flame Emperor’s words stopped abruptly at Moryong Mu-woong’s question.

Then, in a slightly subdued voice, he muttered, “Threatening…”

“Hahahahahahaha!!!!”

And after that, the Flame Emperor began to laugh like crazy.

The laughter of a small emperor.

No one could open their mouths at the insane laughter that made one think of a madman.

And when that insane laughter stopped, the Flame Emperor scattered an intimidating pressure in all directions that one would never have expected from his young body.

“Is this a threat? If so, wasn’t what I said a threat? Are the voices of those gathered under the name of the flame more frightening to you than the words of someone who carries the name of the flame!! Moryong Mu-woong!!!”

“!!”

Tingle tingle.

“Ugh…”

“Hiss…”

“What is this?”

[You are affected by 【Emperor’s Dignity】.]

[Your stats are temporarily decreased (5%) due to the influence of 【Emperor’s Dignity】.]

I can see Baekryeon and Seol-rin suffering.

They were trembling like rabbits in front of a tiger, and even just standing properly seemed difficult.

And that was the same for others.

Except for the clan head and a few martial artists with decent skills, they showed the same reaction as Baekryeon and Seol-rin.

I think it’s because they’re affected by this 【Emperor’s Dignity】….

‘Even I’m only getting a 5% debuff, but it seems like a pretty big stat reduction effect is being applied to the other guys.’

“Speak! Moryong Mu-woong!! What are you afraid of!!! My words! Or the voices of others!!!! Keep in mind that the subsequent disposition of the Moryong Clan will be determined by your answer!!!”

Clang.

The swords of the bodyguards on both sides were drawn.

As I said before, the skills of those bodyguards are at the quasi-clan head level. If they are determined to run wild, the people here will not be able to handle them.

“….I misspoke. Please forgive me.”

“…I don’t care if you insult me. I will even accept being called a half-baked Flame Emperor. But…, do not insult the name of the flame that I carry. Moryong Mu-woong.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

‘….Hey, what part of the Flame Kingdom’s army is weak?’

You can easily put pressure on one clan head.

“Jang Cheon-woo of Jaryong, listen.”

“!”

“I have something to discuss with you, so move with me. Also, the rest of you, investigate every place in the Moryong Clan. If there is any circumstance that is suspected of being related to the Beastman Alliance, find everything and reveal it.”

“Yes!”

* * *

“….”

Slurp

“The tea here is good.”

After that mess, we picked a disused place in the Moryong Clan’s castle and were drinking tea. To be exact, only the Flame Emperor was leisurely drinking tea, and Seol-rin was glancing at the Flame Emperor and fidgeting, as if she was uncomfortable in this place.

Baekryeon was also watching him, as she fully understood how high his position was.

And frankly, that was the same for me.

I mentioned Jaryong quite a bit whenever I was at a disadvantage.

I wouldn’t be able to say anything even if I was paying the price for that.

No, to be exact, I do have something to say to some extent. How much have I done for the Flame Kingdom?

“Do you dislike tea?”

“I’m not in the mood to drink it.”

“….You.”

“Show respect to the Flame Emperor. Traveler from another country.”

Wow.

So. Scary.

The bodyguard behind him was trying to threaten me by slightly drawing his weapon, but since there are no people who cower to those weaker than them, I just glared at him with a surly look.

“Haha, don’t be too harsh. In the first place, he would originally be an important guest.”

“….”

“Hero, Leon. Is that correct?”

“You’ve investigated me.”

“That’s right. I apologize if you were offended.”

Well…, I didn’t really care since there was no need to hide it.

“I know the story about the hero. Three beings chosen by God in the West. The one who cuts down the demon and brings a brilliant dawn to the world, right? I feel a strange destiny in you being here in this current situation.”

“This current situation must be about the Beastman Alliance.”

“That’s right.”

Just before the war with the Beastman Alliance, I, the hero, came here.

It’s an interesting destiny if you think about it.

“I heard your story through Yang Ja-moon. You have outstanding skills, you have also eliminated the troublesome pirates, and I also heard the story that you fought with Bokhae Daeseong and survived.”

“…..”

Ah, that’s a dark history.

If my condition had been good enough, I would have won….

“….That’s why. I have one request to make to you, who has already helped the Flame Kingdom enough.”

“!”

The Flame Emperor,

The king of the Flame Kingdom, an incredibly vast country, bowed his head and said.

“Please help our Flame Kingdom.”