episode_0076

『A few days ago, several hours before the start of the alliance meeting.』

The capital of Yeomguk and the center of the Yeom Family, Beio.

As it is the capital of Yeomguk, many people live here, and especially currently, due to Yeomguk’s regular alliance meeting, a large number of outsiders have flocked in, causing people of various kinds to walk along the streets.

As there were many people, the soldiers of the Yeom army were repeatedly patrolling more thoroughly because a trivial matter could escalate into a large fight.

And there was a red-haired woman looking down at the entire view of this sacred capital from the palace in the center of the sacred capital, Yeomhwangseong.

“As expected… no matter how much I look at it, it’s truly wondrous.”

The beauty with red hair like burning flames, Jujak, imprinted the lively, if lively, and peaceful, if peaceful, scene in her eyes shining like ruby and then closed them for a moment. When she closed her eyes, a scene came to mind.

A continuous sequence of battlefields where humans fought like mad for their own interests.

The ground never dried from human blood, and wherever one went, only the sound of screams filled the air.

And it was not just humans who bled on these battlefields filled only with such despair and screams.

Many beastmen too,

Many divine beasts too,

Many monsters too,

None of the beings living in Yeomguk could escape this war.

Thus, Baekho headed towards the land further east.

Hyeonmu kept neutrality as always and remained silent.

And herself…

“Were you here?”

“…Ah, is it you?”

As she was recalling old times, the voice of a boy who still hadn’t lost his youthful appearance was heard.

As she was recalling the old times, the voice of Yeomje was heard.

Opening her closed eyes, she turned her head in the direction the voice came from.

There, the figure of a boy dressed in formal, splendid attire came into view.

“I wonder if I have unnecessarily disturbed Lady Jujak’s meditation.”

“I apologize. Have I unnecessarily disturbed your meditation?”

Was it because she was recalling past memories?

Or was it because he was the descendant of that person?

For a moment, the boy’s figure overlapped with a figure from a certain day in the past.

“…No, it’s not that. It wasn’t really meditation. I was just thinking while recalling the old landscape of this land.”

“The old appearance of this land, you say? That interests me too. Since Lady Jujak has been in Yeomgyeongok for a long time, everything must be new to you.”

“That is true. However, even if it’s the old appearance, it is not a very pleasant story. In the past, this land was just a continuation of endless wars. Even the memory I recalled is just one of those bloody wars.”

At Jujak’s words, Yeomje smiled faintly and stood beside Jujak.

Naturally, what entered his eyes was merely the ordinary, ordinary, natural everyday scene of the common people.

“I want to protect this scene.”

“It seems so. It is an extremely peaceful scene with not a trace of blood smell.”

“But it is ironic. That to protect such a scene, one must ultimately shed blood.”

“That is also a law of the world.”

Thus, the two people looked at the panorama without saying a word.

* * *

Alliance meeting.

An important meeting that will determine the future direction of Yeomguk.

For this meeting, all sect leaders and family heads of each sect and family lifted their heavy bottoms and came to Yeomhwangseong.

And the various family heads and sect leaders gathered here were having miscellaneous conversations with each other.

“I heard that there is something important to discuss at this alliance meeting.”

“I heard it too.”

“Is there anyone who knows what matter it is?”

Although they heard that there was an important agenda, most people here actually did not know.

But there were a few people among them who knew about the agenda.

“Hmm.”

The head of the Sacheon Dang Family, Dokjon Dang Seolpung, sitting quietly with arms crossed and eyes closed.

“Khahaha. My, my, what is to be done if the news is this late?”

The sect leader of the Kunlun Sect, Tae Haryun, shrugging his shoulders while letting out a hearty laugh.

…

The head of the Moyong Family, Moyong Muwoong, who avoided eye contact without speaking compared to others, was one of the three people.

Of course, Dang Seolpung did not reveal it, and for Moyong Muwoong, it was rather strange to speak, so naturally, attention was drawn to Tae Haryun.

“Does the sect leader of Kunlun know what matter it is?”

“Of course I know. It’s because Yeomje personally came to find me and talked.”

“Yeomje personally?…”

In addition to Tae Haryun’s confident words, everyone looked on in surprise at the story that Yeomje had personally come to find him and talked.

“Then what on earth is the matter?”

“Especially since this alliance meeting does not allow proxies, I think it is no ordinary matter.”

“Yeomje…”

Just as Tae Haryun was about to continue speaking with a proud laugh…

“His Majesty Yeomje is coming!”

“Please all assume a respectful posture!”

Yeomje’s bodyguard appeared, cutting off Tae Haryun’s words and opening the door.

Due to that, Tae Haryun’s words were cut off, and Tae Haryun turned his gaze towards the bodyguard, unable to hide his awkward feelings. At the same time, the gazes of all family heads and sect leaders, except for Dang Seolpung, also turned towards the bodyguard.

“It seems I am too late.”

Yeomje, walking in very leisurely, late after the bodyguard entered.

And at the sight of the red-haired woman walking together behind Yeomje, most of the people gathered there tilted their heads, but did not ask directly.

“It has been a long time since I have seen you, Your Majesty Yeomje.”

“It has been a long time. Je Galyeoyu. And it has also been a long time since I have seen all the family heads and sect leaders of the other families and sects. Of course… I met some of you recently for something to discuss before the alliance meeting.”

Yeomje’s gaze accurately turned towards Dang Seolpung, Tae Haryun, and Moyong Muwoong for a moment, then soon withdrew his gaze and sat down.

“Regarding this alliance meeting, there is something I want to discuss before anything else. Let me speak the conclusion first. Yeomguk intends to prepare for war.”

“War, you say?”

At the sudden talk of war, everyone was greatly surprised and looked at Yeomje.

Suddenly war… and on earth, who is he planning to wage war against?

The Jo Family? Or the Western Regions?

“It is the Suin Alliance.”

“Suin Alliance?…”

“Did you call all of us just to wage war against the Suin Alliance?”

“Before you say ‘just’, first take a look at these.”

Leaflets being handed out along with Yeomje’s words.

The expressions of the sect leaders and family heads who received them and began to read gradually darkened.

And when everyone had finished reading, the head of the Namgung Family, Namgung Doryong, spoke on behalf of everyone.

“Is this true?”

“It is true.”

Thorough preparations for war.

Securing a large amount of funds for that, expanding weapons, and preparing various other things were written in this report.

“Regarding this fact, the sect leader of Kunlun has also confirmed it through cross-verification.”

“Hmm. That is true. Our Kunlun has also confirmed this fact. The Suin Alliance is preparing for war.”

When Tae Haryun also gave his guarantee, all the family heads and sect leaders who were there finally began to believe.

“There is something I want to declare before the war. Regarding the Suin Alliance, if they surrender, I do not wish to impose any special sanctions on them.”

“What sort of talk is that?”

“It is exactly as I said. Why was the Suin Alliance born in the first place? It was because of our fears. Therefore…”

Before Yeomje’s words finished, the woman standing behind Yeomje urgently grabbed Yeomje.

?!

“Hey! What on earth are you doing…”

“It’s coming!”

CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jujak’s single word.

Ending with that word, Yeomhwangseong collapsed with a loud roar.

* * *

“Cough… What on earth…”

Everything collapsed due to the sudden explosion.

Yeomje, barely regaining consciousness, barely gasped for breath and looked around.

Realizing that a barrier of fiercely burning flames was protecting him, he looked at the being who could accomplish such a thing.

“Lady Jujak.”

“Are you alright?”

“Thanks to you, I am alright. However… what on earth has happened…”

As he gasped for breath while looking at the collapsed Yeomhwangseong, Jujak said indifferently as if it was nothing.

“Is it not simple? It is an attack.”

“Attack…”

“Yes. It feels exactly like… that time, that era I remember.”

At those words, Yeomje swallowed and looked beyond the barrier.

“It’s an attack!!”

“Everyone raise your weapons!!!”

The courageous voices of the warriors are heard.

“Kill them!!”

“Kill those human bastards!!!”

The shouts of the beastmen filled with rage are heard.

That’s right.

The war… has already begun. They just hadn’t realized it.

If that is the case, then first the current situation must be dealt with.

“Lady Jujak!…”

“No.”

But before he could say anything, Jujak cut off Yeomje’s words.

“I know everything you are trying to say. But I will not allow it.”

“Why is that?”

“It is likely because you are here now that you can preserve your life. The moment you step out of the flame barrier, they will target you. And if that happens, I cannot help you.”

…

But if so, must he just watch that scene like this?

Yeomje bit his lip slightly and then looked beyond the flame barrier.

“More importantly… he has come here. Gyomawang.”

“!! You mean Bokhae Daeseong?!”

“I don’t know who on earth he fought with or what kind of fight, but his condition is not very good. To think he invaded successfully in a state where he can’t even use half… no, not even half of his full strength.”

“That… must be due to his engagement with the hero he sparred with back then, Lady Jujak.”

Jujak nodded, recalling the incident that happened in Yeomgyeongok.

Although arrogant, his skill itself is worth acknowledging.

“In that case, rest assured. Perhaps… even the humans below might be able to resist.”

“If that were the case… nothing would be better…”