Book 2: Chapter 527
After taking a few steps, with an ‘Ah’, Pale turned around.
“Sorry!”
“What for?”
“We originally came to get a meal, but that b.a.s.t.a.r.d started talking nonsense so we left.”
“…”
Was the ‘nicer place’ Pale was talking about the Corpse Ghost’s room? While it certainly was a better place than the Dump Site, it didn’t quite fit the descriptor ‘nice’.
Lukas thoroughly shook his head.
“It’s fine.”
“Should we go back there?”
“No. Thanks.”
“But…”
With his eyes practically dripping with reluctance, Lukas spoke more clearly.
“I’m talking about the Corpse Ghost. His appearance is not a good one to look at while eating.”
“Mm. Really? Isn’t he cute like an earthquake?”
He didn’t look like an earthworm, nor was he cute.
“Or could it be that you know a better place?”
Pale looked at Lukas with a strangely expectant expression on her face.
“A better place…”
There was no place that immediately came to mind. After all, most of this world was empty in the first place.
The sea, snowfield, desert, and deadlands which stretched out infinitely all had places called ‘territories’ that usually had a Lord. If he were to intrude recklessly, he would once again experience the criticism he had just received from the Corpse Ghost─.
“Ah.”
At that moment, the scene of a territory unfolded in Lukas’ mind.
A giant mountain peak that pierced the clouds, plum blossoms which fell like spring rain, a well built house perched near the peak. When combined, they created a view worthy of being called magnificent.
“What’s wrong?”
Looking at Pale, who was tilted her head at him, he replied.
“I thought of a nice place.”
* * *
The mental strength of the Everlasting Plum Sword Yang In Hyun was like Mount Tai, unfazed by most things.
For example, if there was a huge tsunami rushing in from the end of the sea, a huge tornado large enough to cover the sky, a meteorite falling towards him just as he was watching the open sky, or an earthquake splitting the ground apart just as he was about to take a step.
Even if all of these things were to happen at the same time, Yang In-hyun would not be the slightest bit surprised or taken aback.
He would just calmly draw his sword.
“Wow! What a spectacular view!”
“It is a picturesque place.”
“Bugs boiled in a place like this would be delicious!”
“…well. There might be better food.”
However, at that moment, Yang In-hyun had to admit that he was taken aback. It was just that he did not show it outwardly.
He looked at the dark blond man in front of him.
It was polite to offer tea to any guest who came to the Cloud Pavilion, but, unfortunately, these guests weren’t invited.
Suddenly, the head of the blue haired woman turned towards him.
“By the way. Is there anything to munch on here?”
“Please wait a moment.”
“Ah. Then I’d like something to drink.”
After saying that, the woman waved her hand gently.
If anyone else had said that, regardless of if it was in the Cloud Pavilion which was only accessible by the Sect Head or not, Yang In-hyun would not have forgiven them, but now, he obeyed without hesitation.
This was because he knew the ident.i.ty of this woman with an innocent expression.
As long as it didn’t go too far, Yang In-hyun could tolerate some rudeness and disrespect. In Yang In-hyun’s opinion, Pale was qualified to do so. That’s why it was possible for him to prepare something for her to snack on— even though it was just a piece of jerky— and tea for her to drink.
Of course, the food vanished as soon as it was placed on the table, as if it had disappeared.
Suddenly, the blond haired man quietly opened his mouth.
“Would you like to look around outside for a moment?”
“Outside? Hmm.”
After contemplating for a while, Pale glanced at Yang In-hyun and smiled.
“Sure. Why not?”
“Don’t make a fuss.”
“Ay. I’m not at that age.”
Pale got up from her seat with a grin.
Lukas, the man, gestured to Yang In-hyun.
“Shall we sit and talk? I have a feeling it will take a little long.”
“…”
Yang In-hyun did as he said.
He sat across from him at the table and opened his mouth.
“…I think I should ask if you are the ‘King Candidate’ chosen by the Blue Knight.”
A somewhat sluggish but intense voice rang out.
“But judging from her att.i.tude, it seems that it has far surpa.s.sed the concept of ‘candidate’. This is my first time seeing it personally. A being who has earned the true loyalty of a Knight… No.”
Slowly, he turned his head to look at the back of Pale, who was walking on the veranda.
“You seem to be connected by something stronger than loyalty.”
Although they were called for convenience sake, Yang In-hyun knew that they were far from chivalry. Those who understood their essence called them executors, enforcers, or principle-ists.
This was because they recognised that Knights who swore allegiance to a Lord became too distorted to be called as such.
‘However.’
Yang In-hyun recalled the relationship between Lukas and Pale that he’d just seen. There was no need to a.n.a.lyse for a long time.
Lukas was able to control Pale. The relationship between them was clearly hierarchical.
“Why is that?”
That’s why Yang In-hyun couldn’t help but become curious about the man in front of him.
“Could it be that you broke into the Flower Mountain and came to my residence because you had something to say to me? Wizard.”
…Something to say.
There were…
Quite a few things.
However, Lukas could not easily bring them up to Yang In-hyun in front of him. Disordered emotions hung in his chest.
At that point, there were things he could or couldn’t say, but he felt that if he were to open his mouth now, they would all pour out indiscriminately.
─In the last life,
From the beginning, Lukas started a wrong relationship with Pale. Although he hadn’t realised this fact until halfway through, and thought that he would still be able to create the ideal relationship with her in that life, he ended up being wrong.
…However, that wasn’t the only wrong relationship.
That wasn’t the only relationship he wished to start over.
─Cool answer, Lukas.
─Are you worrying about my fight? As I said before, that’s crossing the line.
Lukas recalled the face of Yang In-hyun, who had helped him in that last moment. As well as his past that he told him about and his att.i.tude towards life.
He learned something from seeing that. Or, he discovered something.
The answer to a problem he’d had for a very long time.
…He admired the att.i.tude he showed towards life.
And Lukas was strongly aware of the kind of relationship he wanted to have with someone he respected to such an extent.
Lukas wanted to be friends with Yang In-hyun.
In the end, they might have ended up in a relationship similar to that.
‘Perhaps this is the longing and regret that comes at the end.’
It was a bittersweet feeling to see a relationship that had been formed and deepened disappear like a bubble.
What happened to Yang In-hyun in the end in ‘that time’? Did he die? Did he win? Or was he erased?
Even if he were to think about it, it wasn’t something he could figure out.
“…”
As soon as he saw the look in Yang In-hyun’s eyes, a bitter smile appeared. All he could see on his face was curiosity and bewilderment. In other words, he was acting to make it seem like that was the case.
There was probably a deep sense of vigilance beneath the surface.
This was a natural response.
After all, it wouldn’t be strange for him to directly declare war considering that he had appeared at his residence accompanied by the Blue Knight.
‘Let’s talk about it.’
He decided to tell him about his regression, like he did with Pale.
Wouldn’t things work out better if he was honest?
Wouldn’t it then be possible for them to have the same or even relationship as in his last life?
At that moment, Lukas felt a strong urge.
“The Underground City near here.”
But the words that came out of his lips were completely different.
It was something he instinctively knew. Yang In-hyun’s and Pale’s situations were completely different. Things wouldn’t work out so easily.
Rather, it was more likely to make things worse.
If he were to try to induce a relationship in that way, he would have no choice but to blatantly reveal his intentions. This would only serve to create more suspicion and vigilance.
Yang In-hyun had the greatest combat power among the Twelve Void Lords, he also had the heart to match. Therefore, even Lukas wasn’t confident that he would be able to completely fool Yang In-hyun.
“What underground city?”
“I mean the territory of Michael.”
“Mm.”
“You are currently conducting an indiscriminate conquest of the surrounding territories. For what reason?”
He knew about Yang In-hyun’s thoughts. And the past he had experienced.
That was why he was unable to accurately grasp the reason for his indiscriminate conquest.
“The reason?”
Yang In-hyun spoke in a quiet voice.
“There is no need for a reason for territories to invade one another. Especially in this world. I don’t believe you do not know this fact.”
“…”
“In other words, you are directly questioning my disposition.”
As expected, he was not a man to be taken lightly.
A sharp a.n.a.lysis followed.
“It sounds to me like you’re saying… ‘The Yang In-hyun I know isn’t like that’. So I would like to ask. Have you met before?”
“No. This is our first meeting.”
“Hmm. So you heard about me from someone else.”
This time he didn’t respond.
Seemingly regarding this silence as affirmation, Yang In-hyun narrowed his eyes and muttered.
“You don’t seem to be… someone from the Magic Planet. There is only one Wizard with this level of ability in that territory.”
“…”
“You asked for the reason for my conquest. What if I don’t give an answer? Will you use the Blue Knight to attack the Flower Mountain?”
“Not that. However, it is important to me. Because there is something I would like to negotiate with you.”
“Negotiate?”
A look of interest flashed across Yang In-hyun’s face.
“Ruler.”
[…]
He felt the consciousness of the Lightning G.o.d in his mind become focused.
However, ignored that and continued talking to Yang In-hyun.
“There is a man named Lee Jong-hak imprisoned here. Lurking within his body is the Thunderous Lightning G.o.d. If you leave it as is, it will bring turmoil to the Flower Mountain.”
It would be no problem to change the word ‘turmoil’ with ‘calamity’.
“…I see. Then are you saying that if I stop my conquest, you will help me destroy the Lightning G.o.d?”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t think that can be negotiated.”
“…!”
He was slightly surprised by Yang In-hyun’s words.
But Yang In-hyun continued in his unique lonesome voice.
“After all, isn’t the profit too small compared to what you’re doing?”
Ah, indeed.
He was this kind of man.
“If there is anything else you want, please say so. If I can accept it, I will accept it.”
“…mm.”
…What he wanted. There was not much.
Lukas planned to go straight to the Magic Planet after removing the Lightning G.o.d’s remnant thought from Lee Jong-hak’s body. And maybe this time, the Exile wouldn’t give him any tests or anything like that.
Even if that did happen, he had secured the strong ally called Pale. The White Knight’s test would no longer be a serious issue. There was also no need for Yang In-hyun to accompany him on the journey to the Magic Planet.
“I don’t have anything right now”
“Then think about it later.”
“…sure.”
It would never be a bad thing to have Yang In-hyun, one of the Twelve Void Lords, owe him a favour. It was a bit mean to compare, but it was quite different from the debt Michael owed him.
[Lukas.]
Suddenly, the Lightning G.o.d’s voice rang out in his mind.
For a moment, he had a feeling of incongruity.
From ‘Lukas Trowman, and ‘You’ at the beginning,
To the recent ‘b.a.s.t.a.r.d’, ‘son of a b.i.t.c.h’, ‘dumba.s.s’…
It was a little strange for the Lightning G.o.d who had been calling him like that to suddenly call him by his name.
‘What is it?’
[You’re about to encounter the ‘Lightning G.o.d’ of this timeline, right?]
‘Right.’
[…]
After a period of hesitation, the Lightning G.o.d spoke.
[…I have a request.]
Request?
The Ruler, the Thunderous Lightning G.o.d, had a request?
While he was lost in surprise, the Lightning G.o.d continued.
[…after you encounter the ‘Lightning G.o.d’, can you give me control of your body for a moment?]
‘What do you mean?’
[You probably heard it already. In this timeline, I deliberately lost in order to inhabit your body. You have become stronger now, but your chances of winning when you encounter my true self are not very high.]
‘…’
[Besides, there’s already a ‘me’ in your body. Have you ever thought about how that might complicate things?]
‘Does that have anything to do with you taking control of my body?’
[It does.]
Afterwards, the Lightning G.o.d once again hesitated for a while.
Then, when the expression of Yang In-hyun who was sitting in front of him gradually became puzzled, he spoke.
[I will try to persuade the ‘Lightning G.o.d of this timeline’.]
(1/2)