Book 2: Chapter 392
(TL: It was brought to my attention that there was an error in my raws which I didn’t notice. ‘Imaginary’ in ‘imaginary world’ and other related terms would actually be closer to ‘Emptiness’ or ‘Void’. So going forward, I’ll use ‘Void’ instead of ‘Imaginary’.)
Lukas didn’t know how strong the Twelve Void Lords were. No, in the first place, he didn’t even know who they were.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but feel a hint of doubt when Michael told him that a Ruler had been defeated by one of the Twelve Void Lords.
“…you do know who the Rulers are, right?”
It would be amazing for an Absolute to not shout out after hearing those words. For most Absolutes, the Rulers were like G.o.ds.
In fact, the reason Lukas could still ask so calmly was because he had hostile relations with most of them.
[The extraordinary swords created by G.o.d, the strongest deterrents and tyrants of the Three Thousand Worlds.]
Michael replied in a cynical tone.
It felt a bit different from the concept Lukas knew, but that wasn’t the thing to be focused on at that moment.
“And you’re saying that one of those Rulers was defeated by one of the Twelve Void Lords?”
[It is up to you whether you believe it or not. However, since I proudly call myself an intellectual, I would never give out false information.]
There was a faint hint of displeasure in Michael’s voice. It seemed that he was upset that Lukas was doubting his words.
Nevertheless, the problem was that his words weren’t so easy to accept.
“…who was it that defeated them?”
[That is too much to ask for a single question. I didn’t intend to tell you this much, but…]
Michael drifted off at the end of his words.
[It was the 4th Beast.]
“…the 4th Beast?”
[It’s my turn now.]
Michael spoke in a cold voice as if he didn’t intend to say more.
[What is your relationship with the person accompanying you?]
Companion. He was talking about Pale.
…He remembered.
This had been Michael’s last question.
Similar to the time with Yang In-hyun, Michael, a Lord who was from the same universe as Lukas, was interested in Pale.
“I’ve already told you the answer. She and I are simply travelling partners.”
[Simple travelling partners.]
“Right.”
[…hmm. I see. Then. It’s your turn.]
Michael nodded with an unexpectedly calm expression and gestured with his chin.
Lukas was a bit surprised by his att.i.tude.
‘He intends to continue the question and answer.’
This was different from last time. At that time, after asking his question, Michael no longer displayed any interest in Lukas.
…In any case, this was not a bad thing for Lukas. Because he still had about a hundred other questions for Michael.
“Yang In-hyun, the Lord of Flower Mountain. Tell me about that man.” (TL: Lukas is bad at ‘questions’)
[The scope of that is too broad. As I said earlier, it exceeds the capacity of a single question.]
“Then I’ll leave it up to you.”
[Leave it up to me?]
“Right. Please summarise what you know. As long as it doesn’t exceed the ‘capacity’ you mentioned.”
[You’re leaving it up to me to decide. Do you trust me that much?]
“I don’t trust you. I trust my eyes. The being that I knew wouldn’t deceive someone over something so trivial.”
Michael chuckled.
[Interesting. I’ve never received a request like this before.]
“…”
[Fine. Then I’ll tell you about the Everlasting Plum Sword Yang In-hyun. He is one of the Twelve Void Lords, and among them, he is the newest.]
Lukas paused at that.
“…one of the Twelve Void Lords? Yang In-hyun?”
[Did you not know?]
Lukas was greatly surprised, but it wasn’t that unbelievable when he thought about it. In fact, he felt that this revelation explained Yang In-hyun’s unreasonable strength to some extent.
[Yang In-hyun defeated the former Lord of Flower Mountain, one of the Twelve Void Lords, the previous generation’s Sect Leader*, Sword G.o.d Dang Mu-gi, to obtain his current position. Only six nights ago.] (TL: The term the author used basically refers to the ‘most senior disciple in a sect’, but I’ve always felt a bit strange using ‘senior disciple’, so I’ve changed it to something more acceptable.)
“Six nights… do you mean six days ago?”
At that, Michael corrected himself.
[Ah. Pardon. Six nights… Following your concept, that would be about 6 months, half a year. Night comes periodically even in this world.]
“…night. I’ve never seen it before.”
[I see. It does not occur often. In any case, I’d recommend you don’t wander around outside at night. If you encounter a situation where you have no choice but to do so, you should try to remain in one place as much as possible.
“…”
…He couldn’t tell if the advice was given with good intentions or not, but Lukas decided to accept it with a grain of salt since it was most likely correct.
[Yang In-hyun’s sword technique is quite powerful. Since it is very compatible with this world, he is able to exert power that exceeds the limit.]
“…the Everlasting Plum Sword.”
[You know it.]
Michael nodded his head.
[The essence of the Everlasting Plum Sword is deeply connected to the void. If he uses it in his territory, the power is more than doubled. There is an incredibly skilled Swordsman in my territory, but I received a report that they were unable to defeat Yang In-hyun.]
“…”
[Hmm. I said more than expected. Is it my turn to ask now? I think this will be the last question.]
“Ask whatever you like.”
Michael had given Lukas much more information that he’d expected. It was hard to think it was a slip of the tongue, and instead he’d probably had a change of heart, but he wasn’t sure why.
It was then that Michael spoke.
[What do you intend to do from now on?]
“Mm?”
[Your next move. I wonder what it will be.]
Lukas never would have thought he’d be curious about his next move. Bewildered, he couldn’t help but ask back.
“…is that your question?”
[That’s right. Why? Is it something you can’t answer?]
“No. That’s not it… Firstly, I’m going to find a way to get stronger.”
[Hmm. That’s not a specific plan.]
Michael muttered in a nonchalant manner before making a startling suggestion.
[In that case, if you don’t have any plans at the moment, why not become a resident of this city?]
“…you mean become a resident of your territory?”
[I don’t think it’s a proposition that could be objectively damaging.]
“Why are you making the offer to me?”
[There is no great reason. If I had to say, it would be because of my own tendencies. I like to keep things that interest me nearby so that I can observe them.]
“…”
That meant that in the conversation he’d had with Lukas, he’d become interested in him.
It wasn’t a bad proposal.
Perhaps, if Lukas had to list the places in this world where he felt even slightly safe, this city would be the only one.
It wasn’t just because of Michael.
He might be able to meet some of his acquaintances like Schweiser, who he hadn’t managed to successfully reunite with, in this city. He might not have forgotten about Lukas’ existence.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline.”
Nevertheless, Lukas refused.
[…I see. How unfortunate.]
Michael muttered in a soft voice.
With those words, the conversation with Michael ended.
* * *
After leaving the cathedral, he was met by Pale, who looked at him with a face full of curiosity and excitement.
As soon as Lukas appeared, she came and fussed over him, saying, ‘what did you talk about?’, and ‘what’s wrong with your expression’.
“I asked him about a few things I was curious about. Luckily, the Lord seemed to be interested in me, so we exchanged information.”
“Hoh. Hoh.”
Looking at the overly excited Pale, Lukas tried to peer into her inner thoughts.
“It’s not just me. The Lord also seemed to be interested in you.”
“Huh? In me?”
“Right.”
“Ay. That’s not possible.”
“…”
It seemed his attempt had been too shallow. There wasn’t even the slightest change in Pale’s nonchalant expression.
Lukas decided to press a bit more.
“I think he might have met you before.”
“Where?”
0
For a moment, he wasn’t sure what to say.
The places that Lukas knew in this world could literally be counted on one hand.
Suddenly, Yang In-hyun’s voice flashed in his mind.
“…I think he said it was in the ‘War of Existence’ in the Western Region.”
“…”
Pale twisted her head slightly and fell silent. Her long hair covered her face, so Lukas couldn’t tell what her expression was like at that moment.
Then, after a short while, a barely audible murmur was heard.
“That can’t be true.”
“…!”
It sounded like someone else’s voice.
Just as Lukas’ expression hardened slightly, she lifted her head again.
Her exposed face had the same cool smile as always.
“I think he’s mistaken! I really don’t know the Lord of this place.”
“I see.”
“Yeah.”
By that time, the miglings had gathered around him once again. Nevertheless, Lukas still looked at them with a calm expression. In truth, he felt burdened by their kindness.
This was because he knew their favour wasn’t directed towards ‘Lukas Trowman’. It was probably directed to another ‘Trowman’ that stayed here, a ‘Trowman’ who had walked a different path than him.
‘…it’s about time for Schweiser to fall.’
The conversation ended much sooner than last time so he had a bit more free time, but it was only a few dozen minutes or so. If he waited a bit longer, he would be able to encounter Schweiser again, bloodied and falling from the sky.
But even if he was unconscious, he didn’t want to meet him just like that.
“Pale.”
“Yep?”
“Are you going to keep following me?”
The question that he’d avoided when it was only the two of them was finally brought up.
Pale nodded as if it was natural.
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I want to be with you.’
“…”
Not expecting such an answer, Lukas froze.
Looking up at him with wide eyes like a small animal, Pale asked.
“Can’t I?”
“…there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Hehe. Then we can stay together? Nice*.” (*:Think of something you’d say while fistpumping)
“…”
He glanced at her happy expression as she clenched her fist.
He couldn’t help but have a vague feeling that all of his conversations with Pale ended like this. This meant that Lukas was at her mercy.
But it couldn’t be helped.
If he wanted to dig deeper into her mystery, he had to be prepared to get entangled with her. Pressing clumsily would be no different from recklessly digging into a beehive.
“Let’s get out of here first.”
“We’re leaving? Where to?”
“Well.”
That was something that Lukas wanted to ask instead.
He couldn’t think of a way to get strong in this world.
A sense of hopelessness filled his heart.
‘…firstly, before wandering around aimlessly…’
There was one place he had to visit from last time.
* * *
Lukas walked through the grey desert after leaving the city. He wasn’t walking aimlessly, instead, he there was a place he wanted to reach.
Through the countless overlapping s.p.a.ces and intertwined coordinates, he followed an almost hidden path with a very faint presence.
The single string flowing through the narrow gap was Lukas’ guidepost.
Pale followed him without question. She was quiet.
It wasn’t like that in the beginning. It was just a speculation, but it felt that she’d gradually grown quieter after realising that Lukas had a clear destination.
When he finally stopped walking, Pale spoke.
“Uncle knows how to see the road.”
He’d heard this voice last time as well.
A serious tone and expression, without the usual hint of laughter, which, like always, would disappear in the blink of an eye.
Taking his eyes off of Pale, Lukas looked at the crater in front of him.
To be precise, he looked at the woman bleeding within it.
…A familiar presence.
She’d died in vain in her last life. A woman he didn’t even manage to see awake or speak to.
Like last time, Lukas roughly persuaded Pale to give him a piece of jerky and fed it to the woman. Then, he immediately lifted her onto his back when her wounds showed signs of healing.
In a short while, Kwak Do-san and the other Swordsmen would arrive in this place.
If they didn’t leave before that, they would end up swinging their swords at Lukas.
‘They’re not a threat, but…’
While he could wait there and kill them all when they arrive, he would have to face Yang In-hyun openly afterwards.
He wasn’t confident that he wouldn’t leave some trace or evidence in the area. After all, Lukas didn’t have much knowledge about the World of Void.
In other words, the best course of action was to rescue the woman and leave without getting into conflict with Kwak Do-san.
The Underground City.
He would leave the woman there first and figure out a way to become stronger.
Even as he thought about it, Lukas’ actions made him feel uncomfortable. He couldn’t tell why he was going through so much trouble for a woman he didn’t know. Lukas wasn’t the type to be particularly fixated on doing good deeds, nor was he bound by any morals.
Then what was it?
Was he sympathetic because they came from the same fundamental universe? Or was he guilty about not being able to protect her till the end in his last life?
“Uncle, what is your goal?”
He was awoken from his thoughts by a sudden voice.
It was at that moment that he realised his brain was throbbing slightly.
Finding the road had put great strain on his brain. At the very least, it was impossible for Lukas to make a round trip to the Underground City as he was now.
Since they’d already travelled pretty far, it shouldn’t be possible for Kwak Do-san to follow them.
‘I should rest a bit.’
Putting the woman down, Lukas turned to Pale.
All the while, Pale had been staring blankly at him, waiting for an answer.
“To be strong.”
He calmly stated his primary goal.
A strange flicker of light appeared in Pale’s eyes.
“How strong?”
“Enough to defeat the Twelve Void Lords.”
This time, her eyes narrowed slightly. Then, she crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side.
“You want to become one of the Twelve Void Lords?”
“Right.”
“I see. Then that’s easy.”
“Easy?”
Pale nodded with a bright expression, then gave him a dangerous smile.
“You just have to eat that woman.”